Herlambang P. Wiratraman, a lecturer at the Faculty of Law, Gadjah Mada University (UGM), was invited to be a guest lecturer at the Faculty of Law, University of Oslo, Norway, from Wednesday (September 18, 2024) to Monday (September 23, 2024). This invitation came from the community of lecturers and researchers at the Norwegian Center for Human Rights (NCHR), specifically the International Affairs Department. This was Herlambang's second invitation to the NCHR, having previously served as a visiting researcher and lecturer in 2017.
On this occasion, Herlambang delivered a presentation focusing on research and publication collaboration related to academic freedom in Southeast Asia. The main topic discussed was the relationship between law, freedom of expression, and political dynamics in Indonesia, amidst weakening democracy. Issues of academic freedom and press freedom were of particular concern, particularly in light of the challenges facing research in Indonesia, which faces political pressure, both for local and international scientists.
One key point of the presentation was the influence of politics on research in Indonesia, particularly in the environmental field. Researchers often face challenges, particularly on issues of deforestation, mining, and palm oil plantation expansion. Interestingly, this relates to the shared commitment of the Indonesian and Norwegian governments to address the climate change crisis through results-based funding.
In addition to the presentation, Herlambang also participated in a limited academic meeting with colleagues at the NCHR and a network of non-governmental organizations in Oslo. He also recently published an article on judicial interpretations of constitutionalism in a book co-edited by Aksel Tomte of the NCHR.
Herlambang plans to co-author a book on academic freedom in Southeast Asia with Dr. Sriprapha Petcharamesree and Dr. Pat Niyomsilp. This initiative is led by Sriprapha, who has received numerous human rights awards, received an honorary doctorate from the University of Oslo (2017), and was the first Chair of the ASEAN Human Rights Council. It is a privilege to be part of this meaningful collaborative research effort. This research program is a collaboration between the Faculty of Law, Chulalongkorn University, Thailand, and the Center for Law and Social Justice Studies (LSJ), Faculty of Law, Gadjah Mada University (UGM), with support from the NCHR, University of Oslo. The research program was recently launched in Penang, Malaysia, on August 14, 2024, and will run until 2026. The joint program is planned to involve at least 13 writers and editors from several countries in the Southeast Asian region.
LSJ, Faculty of Law, UGM, welcomes this program as part of its efforts to support the Southeast Asian Coalition for Academic Freedom (SEA-CAF), which is scheduled to launch in November 2024.
Author : Pusat Kajian Hukum dan Keadilan Sosial (LSJ)
Editor: Public Relations
