Sebastian Owen
@sebastianowen.bsky.social
hi there! bookworm,- indonesian history, foreign & domestic affairs - indonesian myself
"Those who give up essential liberty to purchase a little temporary safety, deserve neither liberty nor safety"
big fan of #humanrights
"Those who give up essential liberty to purchase a little temporary safety, deserve neither liberty nor safety"
big fan of #humanrights
Pinned
Sebastian Owen
@sebastianowen.bsky.social
· Aug 17
How Should Indonesia Depict Its Past?
Abstract
Official national histories inherently have a tendency to obscure negative coverage. The necessity for nation-states to write a…
medium.com
Ongoing efforts to rewrite Indonesia's official history is a new continuation of a long concerted effort to defend a ruling class with a history of crimes against humanity (and in some cases, genocide) medium.com/@sebastianno...
Reposted by Sebastian Owen
Has Melania joined witness protection?
September 17, 2025 at 6:56 PM
Has Melania joined witness protection?
Add to this a laughable press apology from the police and a call to be calm from the president (a war criminal). One word resonates with us all; LAWAN!
August 29, 2025 at 7:37 AM
Add to this a laughable press apology from the police and a call to be calm from the president (a war criminal). One word resonates with us all; LAWAN!
For all of India's rhetoric, they seem keen to only use the cause for a free, democratic Tibet when it serves its interests. It also needs to bring itself back to the path of liberal democracy itself, a history of police brutality against dissidents and marginalized groups need to be reckoned with.
August 19, 2025 at 1:23 AM
For all of India's rhetoric, they seem keen to only use the cause for a free, democratic Tibet when it serves its interests. It also needs to bring itself back to the path of liberal democracy itself, a history of police brutality against dissidents and marginalized groups need to be reckoned with.
Ongoing efforts to rewrite Indonesia's official history is a new continuation of a long concerted effort to defend a ruling class with a history of crimes against humanity (and in some cases, genocide) medium.com/@sebastianno...
How Should Indonesia Depict Its Past?
Abstract
Official national histories inherently have a tendency to obscure negative coverage. The necessity for nation-states to write a…
medium.com
August 17, 2025 at 9:37 AM
Ongoing efforts to rewrite Indonesia's official history is a new continuation of a long concerted effort to defend a ruling class with a history of crimes against humanity (and in some cases, genocide) medium.com/@sebastianno...
As are many of Indonesia's unique political developments, the government's heavyhanded response to the novel idea of using a fictional flag to express political distress instead causing significant international coverage really shows how stuck they are in the mindset of 60s coldwar dictators.
August 8, 2025 at 12:42 PM
As are many of Indonesia's unique political developments, the government's heavyhanded response to the novel idea of using a fictional flag to express political distress instead causing significant international coverage really shows how stuck they are in the mindset of 60s coldwar dictators.
i went somewhere.
July 8, 2025 at 3:43 PM
i went somewhere.
I don't know. I find Indonesian politics so hopeless and bland. Political pragmatism isn't something exceptional but the lack of political imagination and rhetoric lock-stepped to toe the line is so pretentious and jargon-filled.
July 6, 2025 at 1:52 PM
I don't know. I find Indonesian politics so hopeless and bland. Political pragmatism isn't something exceptional but the lack of political imagination and rhetoric lock-stepped to toe the line is so pretentious and jargon-filled.
Reposted by Sebastian Owen
For those of us that follow what's going on in Hong Kong closely this piece does not contain any surprises, yet it is important to see coverage on how HKSARG bureaucracy is being used to target businesses suspected of being pro-democracy. It speaks to the breadth of the authoritarianism unleased.
It’s been years since mass arrests all but silenced pro-democracy activism in Hong Kong. But a crackdown on dissent is still expanding, hitting restaurants, bookstores and other small businesses through regulatory pressure. A story on their struggles:
apnews.com/article/hong...
apnews.com/article/hong...
Hong Kong's security net extends beyond arrests as small businesses pressured
It’s been years since Hong Kong’s mass arrests of activists devastated its pro-democracy activism. But a crackdown on dissent in the semi-autonomous Chinese city is still expanding, hitting restaurant...
apnews.com
June 30, 2025 at 12:29 PM
For those of us that follow what's going on in Hong Kong closely this piece does not contain any surprises, yet it is important to see coverage on how HKSARG bureaucracy is being used to target businesses suspected of being pro-democracy. It speaks to the breadth of the authoritarianism unleased.
Reposted by Sebastian Owen
The curtailing of birthright citizenship is... horrifically cruel. The impact will destroy lives. In a world of borders & states, where citizenship impacts & imparts so much it is a curse.
No one should be made stateless, no one should be born stateless.
No one should be made stateless, no one should be born stateless.
The United States Is About to Embark on a Terrifying Experiment in Mass Statelessness
This scenario, until recently, might have read like a dystopian projection. But after the court’s decision on Friday, it is no longer hypothetical.
slate.com
June 28, 2025 at 8:17 AM
The curtailing of birthright citizenship is... horrifically cruel. The impact will destroy lives. In a world of borders & states, where citizenship impacts & imparts so much it is a curse.
No one should be made stateless, no one should be born stateless.
No one should be made stateless, no one should be born stateless.
Reposted by Sebastian Owen
A School was bombed in Paing village, Karen state today. There was no fighting in the area, the Junta just bombed civilians again. 6 kids & teachers were killed & 35 were injured.
The supplies of fuel & weapons to the Myanmar Junta must be cut. The peoples of Myanmar must be supported.
The supplies of fuel & weapons to the Myanmar Junta must be cut. The peoples of Myanmar must be supported.
June 9, 2025 at 3:50 PM
A School was bombed in Paing village, Karen state today. There was no fighting in the area, the Junta just bombed civilians again. 6 kids & teachers were killed & 35 were injured.
The supplies of fuel & weapons to the Myanmar Junta must be cut. The peoples of Myanmar must be supported.
The supplies of fuel & weapons to the Myanmar Junta must be cut. The peoples of Myanmar must be supported.
Reposted by Sebastian Owen
The Indonesia parliament just rushed through some concerning legal amendments that appear intent on restoring the Indonesian military’s role in civilian affairs. New from @hrw.org, Kontras, Imparsial & 3 other Indonesian civil society organizations
www.hrw.org/news/2025/03...
www.hrw.org/news/2025/03...
Indonesia: Proposed Military Law Amendments Threaten Rights
Indonesia’s parliament should drop proposed amendments to the 2004 armed forces law that will significantly expand the military’s role in civilian governance and weaken legal checks on abusive officia...
www.hrw.org
March 20, 2025 at 4:26 AM
The Indonesia parliament just rushed through some concerning legal amendments that appear intent on restoring the Indonesian military’s role in civilian affairs. New from @hrw.org, Kontras, Imparsial & 3 other Indonesian civil society organizations
www.hrw.org/news/2025/03...
www.hrw.org/news/2025/03...
RUU TNI has been passed. The gates for a return to military participation in govt have been opened. It may happen gradually, as officers occupy posts in various institutions, but it nonetheless marks a further decline in democracy.
March 20, 2025 at 10:02 AM
RUU TNI has been passed. The gates for a return to military participation in govt have been opened. It may happen gradually, as officers occupy posts in various institutions, but it nonetheless marks a further decline in democracy.
As Indonesia formally dismantles its standing norms against military participation in civil affairs by passing legislation amending RUU TNI, i think it's worth out to point out that the TNI, despite reformasi has never truly accounted for its role in persecution, nor reformed its personnel.
March 19, 2025 at 11:27 AM
As Indonesia formally dismantles its standing norms against military participation in civil affairs by passing legislation amending RUU TNI, i think it's worth out to point out that the TNI, despite reformasi has never truly accounted for its role in persecution, nor reformed its personnel.
Reposted by Sebastian Owen
This comes right after the Indonesian government also rightly authorized the release & return home of the remaining "Bali 5" Australian prisoners. A sharp contrast to the 2015 executions of Chan & Sukumaran under ex-President Jokowi despite appeals for clemency. theconversation.com/why-did-indo...
Why did Indonesia release the Bali Five now? Its new leader wants to send a strong message to the world
Unlike former President Joko Widodo, who launched a war on drugs, Prabowo Subianto wants to be seen as an outward-looking leader eager to improve Indonesia’s international standing.
theconversation.com
December 18, 2024 at 5:43 AM
This comes right after the Indonesian government also rightly authorized the release & return home of the remaining "Bali 5" Australian prisoners. A sharp contrast to the 2015 executions of Chan & Sukumaran under ex-President Jokowi despite appeals for clemency. theconversation.com/why-did-indo...
Reposted by Sebastian Owen
The effects of the Bashar al-Assad regime’s demise will extend far beyond Syria’s borders, write @natashahall.bsky.social and @joosthiltermann.bsky.social. “The end of Assad seems certain to transform the Middle East’s balance of power.”
The Day After Assad
The Syrian dictator’s stunning fall will scramble the balance of power in the Middle East.
www.foreignaffairs.com
December 9, 2024 at 9:59 PM
The effects of the Bashar al-Assad regime’s demise will extend far beyond Syria’s borders, write @natashahall.bsky.social and @joosthiltermann.bsky.social. “The end of Assad seems certain to transform the Middle East’s balance of power.”
If not for a trully liberal democracy, i really wish Syrians to work out a stable and lasting conflict resolution between the factions. A horific human toll has been taken in war, and i hope for nothing more than the least bloodshed towards this end.
December 8, 2024 at 6:51 AM
If not for a trully liberal democracy, i really wish Syrians to work out a stable and lasting conflict resolution between the factions. A horific human toll has been taken in war, and i hope for nothing more than the least bloodshed towards this end.
Does anyone remmember when an Indonesian parliamentary fornicated in the process of passing laws against pornographic websites? As a general rule; populist moralists aren't good policymakers.
December 5, 2024 at 2:11 PM
Does anyone remmember when an Indonesian parliamentary fornicated in the process of passing laws against pornographic websites? As a general rule; populist moralists aren't good policymakers.
Reposted by Sebastian Owen
Australia passes harsh new anti-migration laws. Rather than reinforcing a system that criminalizes & punishes refugees & asylum seekers, Australia should take a rights-respecting approach, end offshore detention & invest in detention alternatives. @hrw @AnnabelHennessy www.hrw.org/news/2024/11...
Australia Passes Harsh New Anti-Migration Laws
On Thursday night, the Australian government passed new laws that expand the country’s offshore detention regime, further evade international obligations, and allow officials to pursue prison terms fo...
www.hrw.org
November 29, 2024 at 10:10 AM
Australia passes harsh new anti-migration laws. Rather than reinforcing a system that criminalizes & punishes refugees & asylum seekers, Australia should take a rights-respecting approach, end offshore detention & invest in detention alternatives. @hrw @AnnabelHennessy www.hrw.org/news/2024/11...
Honestly quite overdue, regardless it's great that it finally did grab the attention that it deserves on the global spotlight; a genocidal and illegal junta.
apnews.com/article/icc-...
apnews.com/article/icc-...
November 28, 2024 at 3:42 PM
Honestly quite overdue, regardless it's great that it finally did grab the attention that it deserves on the global spotlight; a genocidal and illegal junta.
apnews.com/article/icc-...
apnews.com/article/icc-...
this
You're not "late to the party" when you enjoy an old book for the first time. Books don't have an RSVP deadline. The party started long ago, and guests show up when they're meant to.
November 24, 2024 at 1:30 AM
this
Prabowo Subianto's many foreign trips are indicative of his mode of international relations; putting the 'aktif' in 'bebas-aktif' if you will. Seeing his record as defense minister and recent statements, his unpredictability and large personality may undermine long standing foreign policy norms.
November 18, 2024 at 12:08 PM
Prabowo Subianto's many foreign trips are indicative of his mode of international relations; putting the 'aktif' in 'bebas-aktif' if you will. Seeing his record as defense minister and recent statements, his unpredictability and large personality may undermine long standing foreign policy norms.
bit late to the party, wasn't too fond of the previous bird app/x shithole to begin with, hello anyways! i figured since it's new i would probably be able to do things (if not other than the lack of insane human-bot ratio in twitter)
November 17, 2024 at 10:21 AM
bit late to the party, wasn't too fond of the previous bird app/x shithole to begin with, hello anyways! i figured since it's new i would probably be able to do things (if not other than the lack of insane human-bot ratio in twitter)