JAKARTA, RAKYAT NEWS – The acquittal of Septia Dwi Pertiwi marks a significant victory in the ongoing fight for freedom of expression in Indonesia. Septia, who was acquitted of defamation charges related to her criticism of the leadership at her former workplace, has garnered praise from human rights organizations, including Amnesty International, for standing up to oppressive laws and defending her right to speak out.

Usman Hamid, Executive Director of Amnesty International Indonesia, applauded the ruling, calling it a victory not just for Septia but for all citizens of Indonesia. “Septia’s release is a triumph for freedom of expression,” Hamid said. “The criminalization of Septia for voicing her concerns as an employee fighting for her rights is a threat to everyone. This case is an example of how laws meant to protect the public can be used to stifle speech and undermine our fundamental freedoms.”

This ruling comes at a time when the misuse of Indonesia’s Electronic Information and Transactions Law (UU ITE) continues to be a major concern. The law has been criticized for being used to silence individuals who criticize powerful institutions, making Septia’s case a critical moment in the broader struggle to reform such laws.

Amnesty International stressed that Septia’s acquittal highlights the ongoing dangers posed by the UU ITE, which continues to be weaponized against those who speak out against injustice. Despite two revisions to the law, critics argue that it still poses a significant threat to free speech, as evidenced by cases like Septia’s.

Septia’s case is not an isolated one. Other individuals, including Haris Azhar and Fatia Maulidiyanti, were also acquitted in January 2024, and Daniel Frits Tangkilisan was similarly cleared by a court in May 2024. These rulings signify a growing recognition of the dangers the UU ITE poses to freedom of expression.

Hamid emphasized that these rulings should serve as a wake-up call to the government, urging them to overhaul the UU ITE to prevent future misuse. “The government must ensure that the UU ITE is no longer used to silence citizens who are peacefully exercising their right to free speech,” he stated. “It is essential to protect workers who speak out against injustices without the fear of criminal consequences.”

Moreover, Hamid called on employers to create environments that promote open dialogue and the peaceful resolution of disputes, rather than resorting to oppressive tactics under the guise of legal protection. He urged the Indonesian government to ensure that workers’ rights to freely express themselves are safeguarded and that laws are reformed to prevent further misuse.

The legal saga surrounding Septia began in January 2023, when she took to social media to accuse her former employer, PT Hive Five, a tax and accounting services company, of underpaying employees and neglecting their rights. Her social media post, which criticized the management, led to a defamation complaint from Henry Kurnia Adhi, one of the company’s owners.

In response, Septia was charged under the UU ITE, a law that has been used to target individuals who criticize companies, government officials, and powerful figures. The defamation case against her escalated after she was detained in August 2024, following a detention order from the Central Jakarta Prosecutor’s Office. She was held for 25 days in the Pondok Bambu Detention Center before being placed under house arrest in September 2024.

Septia’s trial began in September 2024 and continued into December, when the prosecutor demanded a one-year prison sentence and a fine of Rp 50 million. Despite international calls from human rights groups, including Amnesty International, to drop the charges, the prosecutor pursued the case, ignoring widespread calls for an end to the misuse of the UU ITE.

Amnesty International had submitted 81 letters to the Attorney General’s Office in December 2024, urging the dismissal of charges against Septia. Nevertheless, the prosecutor proceeded with the case, demonstrating the ongoing challenges activists and citizens face when confronting legal frameworks that inhibit free speech.

The Indonesian government must now address the broader issue of freedom of expression violations. Between 2019 and 2024, Amnesty International documented over 500 cases where the UU ITE was used to punish individuals for expressing their opinions. These cases have affected hundreds of citizens, illustrating the urgent need for legal reform to ensure that freedom of speech is no longer compromised by overly broad and vague legislation.

In the wake of Septia’s acquittal, advocates for human rights and free speech in Indonesia are hopeful that her case will inspire further efforts to reform the UU ITE and ensure that the rights of individuals to express themselves freely are protected for years to come. (Uki Ruknuddin)

YouTube player