Southeast Asia’s human rights and democracy: A reflection

January 7, 2025

JAKARTA – As 2025 begins, Southeast Asia finds itself at a pivotal moment. The region’s trajectory reflects a delicate balance between entrenched challenges and enduring aspirations for democracy, human rights and justice.

Indonesia’s 2024 general election reflected both the promise and peril of democracy in the digital age. The peaceful transfer of power reaffirmed Indonesia’s commitment to democratic principles, yet the pervasive influence of disinformation revealed the fragility of electoral processes.

Manipulative propaganda diluted public discourse, shifting focus away from meaningful debates on governance and human rights. This underscores the urgent need for robust fact-checking mechanisms and media literacy initiatives to safeguard informed democratic participation.

Encouragingly, the divisive identity politics that marred Indonesia’s 2014 and 2019 elections played a diminished role in 2024. The presence of three presidential candidates disrupted polarizing tactics, steering campaigns toward policy promotion and constructive messaging.

This shift was bolstered by the participation of youth, who made up over 56 percent of the electorate. Their digital literacy and skepticism of misinformation highlighted the transformative power of an informed and engaged voter base.

Thailand’s elections, by contrast, underscored democracy’s ongoing struggles under entrenched military influence. Despite public yearning for reform, constitutional constraints and restricted freedoms stifled progress. Thailand’s electoral framework, shaped by the 2017 constitution imposed by the National Council for Peace and Order (NCPO) military junta, entrenched systemic imbalances.

The Move Forward Party (MFP), which secured 151