The European Parliament on 20 May 2026 debated the violent attacks on human rights defenders Andrie Yunus and Muhammad Rosidi in Indonesia, with MEPs divided between those demanding principled conditionality in EU-Indonesia relations and those favouring constructive engagement without moralising. S&D MEP Idoia Mendia stressed that EU-Indonesia relations must be based on shared principles, including protection of human rights defenders, and called on the Commission to monitor EU companies' supply chains in Indonesia. Renew MEP Catarina Vieira linked the cases to shrinking civic space in Indonesia, particularly in Papua, and urged that human rights safeguards remain central in EU-Indonesia trade negotiations. On the other side, ECR MEP Małgorzata Gosiewska condemned the violence but argued the EU should apply human rights standards equally, citing rule-of-law concerns in Poland. PfE MEP Tomasz Froelich acknowledged the attacks but advocated for constructive dialogue rather than lecturing, noting Indonesia's economic potential and some positive steps. Executive Vice-President for Democracy and Demography Roxana Mînzatu confirmed the EU raised the cases in the 11th human rights dialogue with Indonesia in February, supports calls for a full investigation including of those who ordered the attacks, and stressed that rule of law is essential for the Comprehensive Economic Partnership Agreement. Six resolution proposals were tabled for a vote the following day.
The debate exposed a clear cleavage between those prioritising human rights conditionality (S&D, Renew, Greens-EFA) and those favouring engagement without moralising (PfE, ECR). The first camp argues that EU trade and investment leverage should be used to push for accountability and protection of defenders, potentially slowing negotiations if Indonesia does not comply. The second camp warns that lecturing could harm economic ties and reduce EU influence, favouring dialogue and positive incentives. The outcome of the vote will signal which approach the Parliament endorses, though the final decision on trade negotiations rests with the Commission and Council.
Indonesian human rights defenders and environmental activists would benefit from stronger EU conditionality, gaining international pressure for their protection. Indigenous communities in Papua, where civic space is shrinking, could see increased scrutiny. EU companies with Indonesian supply chains face potential compliance costs if monitoring is mandated. Indonesian authorities may face reputational pressure or trade delays if conditionality is prioritised, but could gain faster trade deals if engagement prevails.