Human Rights Crisis: Indonesian Military Deploys Disinformation to Silence Critics

Amnesty International reports that the Indonesian military and government authorities are systematically using coordinated disinformation campaigns to label journalists, activists, and academics as “foreign agents.” This tactic, which has accelerated during the 18 months of President Prabowo Subianto’s administration, aims to discredit government critics, suppress public debate, and justify state-sanctioned repression.

How Disinformation Functions as a Political Weapon

According to Amnesty International’s report, *Building up Imaginary Enemies*, the deployment of online disinformation is a calculated political strategy. Authorities utilize military-connected social media accounts to spread slurs and false narratives against individuals who express legitimate grievances.

Agnès Callamard, Secretary General at Amnesty International, stated that these campaigns are used to “consolidate the government’s power when public criticism intensifies, while demonizing and weakening those who dare to speak out.” By branding protesters and human rights defenders as “foreign agents,” the government effectively shifts public focus away from the underlying issues those individuals are highlighting.

The Role of Social Media Platforms

The report identifies a failure by major technology companies to mitigate the spread of harmful content. Amnesty International asserts that Meta, TikTok, X, and YouTube have allowed disinformation to persist on their platforms, facilitating an environment where online harassment frequently precedes physical intimidation and violent attacks against dissidents.

Despite the rapid spread of this content, the platforms have not taken sufficient action to remove the disinformation, leaving activists vulnerable to real-world consequences. This pattern of inaction allows the state’s “imaginary enemies” narrative to gain traction, further shrinking the space for civil society in Indonesia.

Impact on Human Rights and Civil Society

The consequences of these disinformation tactics are severe for those targeted. The report documents a clear correlation between online defamation campaigns and subsequent human rights abuses, including:

* Systemic Discrediting: Activists and journalists are routinely painted as threats to national sovereignty.
* Suppression of Debate: The constant threat of being branded a “foreign agent” creates a chilling effect on public discourse and protest.
* Physical Risk: Online slurs have been observed as a precursor to physical intimidation and violence against government critics.

Amnesty International’s findings highlight that these authoritarian practices have become a central component of the government’s response to public dissent since President Prabowo Subianto took office. The organization continues to campaign for the protection of freedom of expression and the cessation of these targeted disinformation attacks.