INDONESIA: ACTIVIST STILL PROSECUTED AFTER ACQUITTALS OF OTHERS

Dear Dr. Burhanuddin,

I am concerned about the continued criminalization of activists in Indonesia following the nationwide protests that began in August 2025. Khariq Anhar is still on trial on charges under Indonesia’s Electronic Information and Transactions (EIT) Law for sharing a satirical meme on social media questioning a public call discouraging students from participating in demonstrations. Although the image had already been examined in a previous case in which he was acquitted, prosecutors brought a new case using different provisions of the EIT Law.

In March, Khariq Anhar was acquitted in a separate criminal case arising from the same wave of protests, together with Delpedro Marhaen Rismansyah, Muzaffar Salim, and Syahdan Husein. Prosecutors have appealed the acquittals of all four activists, and the appeal remains pending. In a separate case, activist Saiful Amin was acquitted, but prosecutors have also appealed his acquittal. His co-defendant, Shelfin Bima Prakosa, was convicted and has since completed his prison sentence. In another separate case, activist Wawan Hermawan was convicted after reposting protest-related social media content and has also completed his sentence.

Protesting is not a crime, nor is expressing criticism through peaceful means. I urge you to immediately halt the prosecution of Khariq Anhar under the EIT Law unless there is sufficient evidence that he committed an internationally recognized criminal offense. I further urge you to withdraw the prosecutors’ appeals against the acquittals of Delpedro Marhaen Rismansyah, Muzaffar Salim, Syahdan Husein, and Saiful Amin. Finally, end the misuse of criminal law against individuals solely for exercising their rights to freedom of expression and peaceful assembly.

Yours sincerely,

[YOUR NAME]