Khansadhia Afifah Wardana’s research while affiliated with Universitas Diponegoro and other places

The enactment and application of the Electronic Transaction Information Law are pivotal for delineating the appropriate boundaries for exercising freedom of opinion and expression within Indonesia's digital sphere. According to reports from international digital rights research and advocacy organizations, online media journalists and human rights activists frequently encounter direct pressure and cyber harassment. This article explores the balance of freedom of expression in Indonesia's digital domain to ensure a secureenvironment for human rights defenders advocating for human rights. This study uses socio- legal methodologies to draw on data from literature reviews and in-depth interviews. It underscores the need for regulatory reforms to define prohibited hate speech explicitly. SAFENet documented 153 cyber-attacks in Indonesia in 2022, predominantly targeting civil society groups, students, activists, and journalists. Additionally, the National Committee on Human Rights reported that 52% of attacks on human rights defenders occurred in the digital realm. While the protection of digital democracy varies by nation, Indonesia must establish aninstitution responsible for properly enforcing the ITE Law alongside an independent monitoring mechanism and related policies. Such institutions, including those dedicated to human rights defenders, uphold human rights and demonstrate a commitment to the principles of freedom, respect, equality, and dignity within society.

This paper aims to examine the cascading impact of current conditions on the freedoms of expression and religious belief within Indonesia's online sphere, particularly amidst a rising trend of religious blasphemy cases. The dynamic nature of social interactions and discussions in cyberspace has fostered diverse interpretations influenced by subjective understandings of religion, often resulting in disputes of religious blasphemy. Employing a qualitative research method, the study analyses pertinent literary sources to provide insights into the practice of blasphemy laws and their detrimental effects on the freedoms of religion and expression. Indonesia, as a signatory of ICCPR and the Rabat Plan of Action, upholds constitutional guarantees of these freedoms. However, the current application of blasphemy regulations needs reform to better safeguard the rights of its citizens. By targeting laws that prohibit incitement to religious hatred, the legal framework can more effectively fulfill its primary objective of protecting people from discrimination and ensuring their dignity. This research underscores the urgency for Indonesia to recalibrate its approach to blasphemy laws, aligning them with international human rights standards. So that Indonesia can enhance its commitment to protecting freedom of expression and religious belief, fostering a more inclusive and rights-respecting environment for its diverse population.

One of the most prominent educational institutions that shaped the societal development of Indonesia as of today, would be Pesantren, the Islamic boarding school that spread nationwide. The existence of pesantren has managed to help open more doors in advancing women’s education, but such achievement came with many challenges that put other women’s rights in jeopardy. Discrimination, sexual violence, and the imbalance of power relations cause mayhem to women’s rights, not only in terms of education but also for their religious freedom. This paper provides a qualitative study on the challenges that women faced in Pesantren conducted through observation and study of cases. A gender perspective is needed in order to ensure the protection of women in Pesantren.

Perdebatan antara universalisme dan relativisme budaya seringkali melekat dalam diskursus hak asasi manusia, dimulai dengan munculnya Deklarasi Universal Hak Asasi Manusia (DUHAM). Kebebasan beragama menjadi salah satu fokus utama dalam pusara universalisme dan relativisme budaya, karena lekatnya isu tersebut dengan nilai-nilai lokal yang ada. Indonesia menjamin kebebasan beragama sesuai dengan instrumen hak asasi internasional namun juga mempunyai regulasi yang yang tidak selaras dengan nilai-nilai inti hak asasi manusia yaitu UU Penodaan Agama 1965. Tarik-menarik antara universalisme dan relativisme budaya dalam hal ini dipengaruhi dengan perspektif agama yang primordial atau liberal. Artikel ini bertujuan untuk menemukan jalan tengah dalam memahami kedua konsep hak asasi tersebut melalui rekonstruksi instrumen kebebasan beragama yang ada dengan menjunjung tinggi prinsip menghargai sesama dan non-diskriminasi.

The implementation of Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs) often lacks in human rights perspective, although the goals themselves were created based on the human rights principles. However, further studies in development and international human rights law show that it is essential to highlight that particular relationship. As a member of the international community, states have an extraterritorial obligation to assist one another in developing and fulfilling the human rights of their people. Particularly in the field of freedom of religion or belief and gender equality, which creates a domino effect on other women's rights such as access to justice and education. Although SDG 2030 has expressed its commitment to respect, protect, and promote fundamental freedoms, including one's religion, and to achieve gender equality, the antagonistic construction between those two issues possibly harm the women’s rights movement and does not adhere to the “no one left behind” principle. The lack of recognition between those issues would be damaging and could be deemed a failure to achieve the sustainable development goals. This research was conducted through a qualitative legal analysis by analysing relevant literary sources to understand the hidden link between freedom of religion or belief and gender equality within the sustainable development agenda. Clarity of these complex elements can be beneficial in creating a tool in advocating for women’s rights, especially for those who belong to religious and belief minorities.