Defending human rights in SE Asia

Across Southeast Asia, civic space—the vital arena for civil society, independent media, and ordinary citizens to voice their concerns and shape public life—is shrinking at an alarming pace.

Governments across the region are employing increasingly sophisticated and repressive tactics to silence dissent, stifle opposition, and suppress independent voices, eroding the democratic foundations on which just societies are built.

The weaponization of laws has become the cornerstone of repression. In Thailand, lèse-majesté laws have been wielded not only against activists, but also parliamentarians like Chonthicha Jangrew, who was sentenced to two years in prison for peacefully criticizing legislation that expanded royal authority.

In Cambodia, opposition parties have been dissolved, and independent media outlets have been shuttered under the pretext of protecting national security. These legal tools entrench power and foster a climate of fear, eliminating avenues for dissent and public participation.

The Philippines offers another grim illustration. The practice of Red-tagging—labeling activists and human rights defenders as communists or terrorists—has facilitated harassment, arbitrary arrests, and even assassinations. Human rights worker Zara Alvarez was murdered in 2020 after being placed on a government watch list. Meanwhile, the prolonged detention of former senator Leila de Lima on politically motivated charges reflects the state’s systematic targeting of dissenters.

In Myanmar, following the 2021 military coup, thousands of activists, journalists, and political leaders were arrested. More than 4,000 remain in detention, with many subjected to torture, while civil society has been decimated. In Malaysia, rights defenders like Syerleena Abdul Rashid face not only institutional obstacles, but also direct threats, like bullets in the mail, for daring to speak out.

Even the digital sphere, once heralded as a tool for amplifying marginalized voices, has become a battleground. Governments now use digital platforms for surveillance, censorship, and disinformation.

In Vietnam, social media activists face relentless crackdowns, with prominent figures like Pham Doan Trang sentenced to nine years in prison for advocating democracy online. In Indonesia, disinformation during election cycles erodes public trust, distorts democratic processes, and provides cover for cyber-surveillance targeting dissenting voices.

The consequences of this shrinking civic space are far-reaching and deeply troubling. Accountability crumbles when independent media and civil society are suppressed, allowing governments to operate with impunity. Silencing dissent fosters mistrust and division, weakening the social cohesion necessary for democratic governance. Progress on critical issues such as climate justice, labor rights, and gender equality grinds to a halt when rights defenders are unable to function freely.

This repression also reveals the selective application of human rights in Southeast Asia. Indigenous communities, stripped of legal recognition of their ancestral lands, are displaced by extractive industries with little recourse to justice. Criminalization and societal stigma perpetuate cycles of discrimination and the exclusion of the LGBT community, rendering them invisible in national and regional dialogues.

Lawmakers and parliamentarians have a critical role in reversing these trends as they are uniquely positioned to challenge repressive laws and champion policies that protect civic freedoms. Beyond national efforts, they must leverage platforms like the Association of Southeast Asian Nations (Asean) to advocate for stronger protection of civic spaces. The principle of non-interference must no longer serve as a shield for impunity, particularly in egregious cases such as Myanmar.

Civil society organizations are indispensable partners in this fight as they amplify marginalized voices, expose abuses, and demand accountability. However, their survival depends on stronger protections, sustained support, and collective action to counter repression.

Reclaiming civic space in Southeast Asia requires bold, coordinated, and sustained action. Asean must empower mechanisms like the Asean Intergovernmental Commission on Human Rights with the authority to conduct independent investigations and hold states accountable for violations.

The digital sphere, too, must be reclaimed as a tool for empowerment rather than repression. Governments should enact regulations to combat surveillance and censorship, while promoting digital literacy to empower citizens in navigating complex digital landscapes.

On International Human Rights Day, we must fight this alarming trend. Civic space is not a privilege reserved for a few; it is a fundamental right for all. It is the foundation upon which just, inclusive, and democratic societies are built. But reclaiming it demands courage, resilience, and solidarity.

Parliamentarians must remain steadfast against authoritarianism, while civil society must persevere in its advocacy. Governments must recognize that protecting civic space is not merely a moral obligation, it is essential for sustainable peace and development. The Jakarta Post/Asia News Network

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Rangsiman Rome is a board member of the Asean Parliamentarians for Human Rights and Thai member of Parliament.

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The Philippine Daily Inquirer is a member of the Asia News Network, an alliance of 22 media titles in the region.