All posts by Saskia E. Wieringa

Gay Couple Caned in Aceh, Indonesia

Same-sex practices in Aceh traditionally were not seen in contradiction with local customs (adat) and religion. It is ironic that in Aceh today, homophobic political and religious officials voice opinions that would be more intelligible to the condescending Dutch colonizers than to Aceh’s elite circles a century ago.

/ February 7, 2021

Ban in Extramarital and Gay Sex Postponed in Indonesia

The Criminal Code may yet be revised so that human rights like freedom of expression and association are better protected. But this requires the mobilisation of civil society in a way that has not been seen since General Suharto was ousted in 1998. It seems more likely that the pace of Islamization of the country has only faced a temporary setback.

/ September 23, 2019

POST-ELECTION BLUES in INDONESIA: IDENTITY POLITICS and HUMAN RIGHTS DEFENDERS

It is high time the human rights movement lives up to the foundational motto of the Indonesian state, unity in diversity. To influence in this rough political climate, they need to strengthen civil society – by building coalitions based on affinity.

/ June 8, 2019
Indonesian-presidential-campaign-2019-FORSEA

TWO CANDIDATES, TWO WINNERS? THE INDONESIAN PRESIDENTIAL ELECTIONS of 2019

Jokowi was accused of being a crypto communist. Prabowo of harbouring the wish to establish a caliphate. Thus the election results can be seen as an indication of how the nation defines its soul.

/ April 23, 2019
Joko Widodo official potrait, provided by the Government of Indonesia

TADPOLES Versus BATS: The INDONESIAN PRESIDENTIAL ELECTIONS

The presidential elections of 17 April in Indonesia are a rematch of the 2014 encounter. The same two candidates, Mr Joko Widodo and his adversary, retired general Prabowo Subianto, are again vying for the highest political position in the country.

/ April 14, 2019
Indonesia-moral-panic-sexuality-FORSEA

COMMUNISTPHOBIA and TWO SEXUAL MORAL PANICS in INDONESIA

In Indonesia, simultaneous campaigns of communist phobia and of homophobia portray both groups as enemies of the nation and condemn both for treacherously undermining the state’s morality and weakening its vigilance.

/ April 8, 2019