French President Emmanuel Macron is scheduled to meet with Indonesian President Prabowo Subianto in Jakarta and at the Borobudur temple in Central Java. The meeting aims to strengthen bilateral relations, focusing on energy transition, military cooperation, and enhancing the digital economy.
France and Indonesia have recently enhanced their military ties through a Defense Cooperation Agreement. Indonesia has also purchased 42 French Rafale warplanes and two Scorpene-class attack submarines, making it France’s second-largest customer for military equipment in Asia after India.
However, concerns have been raised regarding human rights issues associated with President Prabowo. He has faced allegations of involvement in serious rights violations over the years. In 1983, the United Nations Special Prosecutor’s Office accused him of commanding forces responsible for a massacre in East Timor but he did not face prosecution. In 1998, he was dismissed from the Indonesian army for ordering the kidnapping of student activists, with 13 still missing.
Since taking office as president in 2024, Prabowo appears committed to restoring the military’s influence in civilian affairs. The amended National Armed Forces law now allows active-duty military personnel to occupy more civilian posts at the expense of civilian governance.
Additionally, there are concerns about environmental standards being lowered under Prabowo’s administration, potentially leading to increased deforestation and displacement of Indigenous populations for agricultural projects in South Papua.
Reports indicate an increase in intimidation against independent media and human rights groups in Indonesia, along with rising violence in West Papua.
It is essential that Macron addresses these human rights issues during his meeting with Prabowo. As Southeast Asia’s largest democracy leader, Prabowo should be encouraged to promote human rights internationally. Both nations could collaborate to apply pressure on Myanmar’s junta regarding its violations and urge China to address its treatment of Uyghurs in Xinjiang.
Acknowledging that human rights play a crucial role can ensure a lasting strategic partnership between France and Indonesia.
