Indonesia Classifies LGBTQ+ Culture as National Defense Threat

Indonesia has formally categorized the spread of LGBTQI+ culture as a non-military threat to national security, a move that places such expression on the same legal footing as terrorism and separatism. According to reports from Genocide Watch, this designation stems from Presidential Regulation No. 111 of 2025, which outlines the general policy for national defense for the 2025-2029 period. The decree was signed by President Prabowo Subianto in October 2025, but it has only recently gained widespread public attention following a wave of backlash against student activism.

The regulation groups LGBTQI+ identity with other perceived dangers, including the erosion of nationalism, the spread of atheism, and the dissemination of prohibited ideologies. By embedding these social identities within a national defense framework, the state effectively frames cultural expression as a security issue rather than a matter of civil rights. This shift in legal categorization has prompted immediate concern from international human rights organizations, who argue that the policy institutionalizes discrimination against already marginalized communities.

Legal Framework Intensifies Marginalization

Amnesty International Indonesia has expressed profound concern over the implications of this decree. Usman Hamid, the organization's executive director, stated that the regulation violates human rights by fostering an environment where LGBTQI+ individuals are susceptible to harassment from both state and non-state actors. According to the group, this hostile climate has led to numerous incidents of physical and psychological harm, as well as a chilling effect on freedom of expression. The organization argues that such legal frameworks do more than just permit discrimination; they actively encourage it by validating the view that these communities pose a danger to the state.

Critics point out that the regulation creates a precedent for censorship that extends beyond the LGBTQI+ community. By defining certain forms of identity and expression as threats, the government provides a legal basis for suppressing dissent and academic freedom. This approach risks creating a broader climate of fear where any deviation from state-approved norms can be treated as a security matter, potentially impacting other minority groups and civil society organizations across the country.

Student Activism Sparks Backlash

The renewed public focus on the decree was triggered by a specific incident at Universitas Indonesia. The Student Executive Board of the Faculty of Psychology shared a post citing the American Psychological Association’s consensus that homosexuality is not a mental disorder. This statement, which relied on scientific evidence, drew sharp criticism from lawmakers and the Indonesian Ulema Council, an influential Islamic scholar organization. Following this backlash, the post was removed from the university's social media channels, an act that rights advocates describe as a dangerous precedent for censorship in academic spaces.

Beyond digital suppression, the situation has escalated into direct intimidation. Student journalists at the same university reported being doxxed, stalked, and threatened by unknown persons after publishing content related to Pride Month. These incidents highlight the tangible risks faced by individuals who speak out on these issues. The combination of official policy and extra-judicial harassment creates a dual-layered threat that discourages open dialogue and protects the status quo.

Calls for Regulatory Repeal

Amnesty International Indonesia has urged the government to repeal the regulation immediately, arguing that it contradicts Indonesia’s constitutional mandates and its obligations under international human rights treaties. The organization emphasizes that it is the state’s duty to protect all citizens from hate speech, threats, and violence, rather than using legal tools to target specific groups. They argue that a safe and enabling environment for all citizens must be free from harassment and fear, regardless of sexual orientation or gender identity.

The forward question now centers on how the Indonesian judiciary and civil society will respond to this classification. Whether the government stands by the decree or faces legal challenges that could redefine the scope of national security will determine the trajectory of rights protections in the country. Observers will be watching for further incidents of censorship at universities and any legislative moves that might expand or contract the definition of non-military threats in the coming months.