Indonesia election 2024: Candidates answer key questions on human rights issues

 

Also read :Top 10 Gender Issues That Need to be Addressed

Also read :Indonesia election 2024: Candidates answer key questions on human rights issues

On February 14th, 205 million registered Indonesian voters will cast their ballots to elect their nation’s next presidential and vice presidential candidates and members of the House of Representatives, Regional Representative Council, and local parliaments. Indonesia remains the fourth most populous country globally. Three candidates are vying to succeed incumbent President Joko Widodo, who is finishing his second and final allowed term.

Also read :Top 10 Male-Dominated Careers to Watch Out for in 2024

In December, prominent international human rights NGO Human Rights Watch sent the presidential candidates a questionnaire about Indonesia’s key human rights issues. They followed up repeatedly with the candidates’ teams. Only two candidates, Anies Baswedan and Ganjar Pranowo, submitted responses before the January 25th deadline. The third candidate, Prabowo Subianto, did not respond. The questionnaire allowed the candidates to publicly share their views on pressing human rights concerns.

Also read :Yemeni Woman Human Rights Defender Sentence To Death By Houthi Court

Elaine Pearson, Asia director at Human Rights Watch, said “Two of the main political teams have provided a service to Indonesian voters by sharing their positions on critically important human rights issues affecting the country.” She added that voters should be able to compare positions beyond campaign rhetoric and hold candidates accountable if elected.

The 16-question questionnaire focused on important issues like women’s rights, children’s access to education, LGBT rights, labor rights, media freedom, disability rights, migrant worker protections, and accountability for past human rights violations. Pearson stated that Indonesian voters deserve to know candidates’ stances on issues impacting communities.