Indonesia

Indonesia castration law 'will wipe out paedophilia'

He said Indonesia respected human rights but there would be "no compromise" when it came to punishing such sexual crimes.

Indonesia passed controversial laws earlier this month authorising chemical castration for paedophiles.

The laws were subject to fierce debate in parliament.

"Our constitution respects human rights, but when it comes to sexual crimes there is no compromise," President Widodo said.

Indonesia bars LGBT job applicants for new youth position

The advert stipulates that the post is only open to applicants not involved in "sexually deviant behaviour".

It says this must be proven with a doctor's certificate.

Critics have accused the government in effect of destroying the futures of creative young LGBT people.

They have been barred from serving their country because of their sexuality, campaigners say.

Gay sex is not illegal in Indonesia, and the world's largest Muslim country has a vibrant transgender culture.

It is a tradition which is broadly met tolerantly by the Indonesian public.

Indonesian arrested for streaming porn on billboard

The 24-year-old IT analyst has admitted the crime, said police, for which he could face up to six years in jail.

Motorists were left in shock last week when footage from a Japanese porn film was displayed on an electronic screen in south Jakarta.

The video ran for five minutes on Friday before power was eventually cut.

However the clip had already been captured on many mobile phones and soon spread across social media.

The man, who was arrested in his office, allegedly carried out the prank after seeing login details displayed on the billboard.

Jakarta urged to open up on Papua

Several days ago, leaders of a number of Pacific Island countries raised concern at the UN general assembly about alleged human rights abuses against West Papuans.

Indonesia accuses Pacific countries of interference

RNZ reports the accusation during the UN General Assembly came after leaders from six Pacific countries - Vanuatu, Solomon Islands, Tonga, Nauru, the Marshall Islands and Tuvalu - expressed concern about human rights abuses in Papua.

Calls for Papuan self-determination rights to be respected were also made by some of the leaders during this 71st session of the general assembly debate.

"Human rights violations in West Papua and the pursuit for self-determination of West Papua are two sides of the same coin," said the Prime Minister of Solomon Islands, Manasseh Sogavare.

Indonesia executes four convicted drug offenders

Noor Rachmad told reporters outside the Nusakambangan prison that authorities have not decided when 10 other prisoners will be executed by firing squad.

Executed were two Nigerians, one Senegalese and one Indonesian. Petitions to review their cases had been denied.

One of the Nigerians was Humphrey Jefferson Ejike, who was unjustly killed, according to his legal team.

No place for the ULMWP in the future of the MSG: Indonesia

After years of building rapport, intensive lobbying and projecting itself as the benevolent giant in the region, Jakarta was afforded an opportunity to make its case for the inclusive development of its easternmost provinces and dispel any separatist sentiment.

The Melanesian Spearhead Group (MSG), an important subregional grouping of Pacific island countries, has denied full membership to the United Liberation Movement for West Papua (ULMWP).

West Papuans welcome decision by MSG

West Papuans have applied under the United Liberation Movement for West Papua (ULMPW), a collaborative group comprised of united resistance organisations located both inside and outside of West Papua.

The MSG leaders said there was a criteria issue with the West Papuans' application, and the group's secretariat needed to establish guidelines for membership.

Despite the decision on whether the ULMPW can gain full membership of the MSG has been differed to September, the West Papuans are pleased that their application is being considered.

West Papua police chief warns about illegal fishing

Tabloid Jubi reports Royke Lumowa as saying illegal fishing should continue to be a concern for both central and local governments, suggesting that inaction would allow the problem to become rampant.

He said that because the remoteness of West Papua, as well as lack of resources for police to monitor the waters, a lot of illegal fishing went unchecked.

Mr Royke said that to counter illegal fishing, local police needed the help of the Navy, the Marine Department and the Ministry of Maritime Affairs and Fisheries, especially in terms of equipment.

Vanuatu Free West Papua Association will support West Papua’s bid for full MSG membership

Pastor Navuki says in fact his association’s position is not only to ensure West Papua’s full membership but also to see Indonesia don’t get full membership.

The Vanuatu Free West Papua Association is an NGO representing the civil society group and has organized marches through Port Vila in support of West Papua’s struggle for independence. Such marches have seen national leaders taking the lead.