Australia Should Redefine Human Rights Defense as National Interest

Governments such as Australia’s need to recognize that defending civil society and a free press throughout the region and beyond are not luxuries but central to a democratic resurgence, argues Philippe Bolopion, Executive Director of Human Rights Watch, in an analysis for The Diplomat Indonesia based on his recent observations in the Asia-Pacific region, including Indonesia. He emphasizes that the resurgence of democracy in the region and support for civil society and free press in Asian countries are inseparable from addressing security challenges. Current global politics are characterized by a disregard for international rules and norms, accelerating human rights violations with few consequences, not only from countries like China and Russia but also from the United States and its allies. In this context, Bolopion argues that democracies like Australia should strengthen their commitment to human rights advocacy rather than succumbing to geopolitical pressure. Particularly in the Asia-Pacific region, many, especially young people, are fighting for rights and equality in countries such as Indonesia, Bangladesh, Nepal, Sri Lanka, and India, sometimes at the cost of their lives. Given this reality, Australia needs to strengthen concrete actions for human rights defense, not just prioritize signing military security agreements. Proposals include establishing an "Asia Democracy Fund" to support independent journalists, human rights defenders, and civil society organizations, and providing special immigration pathways for threatened human rights defenders. Furthermore, amidst increasing attacks on the international justice system, it is crucial to support independent groups documenting serious human rights abuses, defend the International Criminal Court (ICC), and promote the exercise of "universal jurisdiction" to prosecute international crimes within their own judicial systems. Many countries in the Asia-Pacific region, including Indonesia, have been reluctant to exercise universal jurisdiction. Bolopion concludes that democracies that respect human rights can counter global repression by cooperating on the international stage and preventing the refuge of human rights abusers through domestic laws and policies. Australia is seen as having the potential to demonstrate reliable leadership in promoting such a rules- and rights-based international order. Source: The Diplomat Indonesia