Canadian Arms Exports to Indonesia Linked to Human Rights Abuses, Despite Treaty Obligations
Canada continues to export billions of dollars worth of “military goods and technology” to Indonesia, even as evidence mounts of state-sponsored violence against human rights defenders and civilians, raising serious questions about the country’s adherence to international arms trade regulations. A growing chorus of advocacy groups, including Peace Brigades international-Canada (PBI-Canada), is highlighting the potential for Canadian-made weaponry to contribute to these abuses.
growing Concerns Over State Violence
The situation in Indonesia, especially in the Papua region, is increasingly dire. Global Witness has documented the killing of 25 land and environmental defenders between 2012 and 2024, with at least 11 deaths attributed to state actors – members of the Armed Forces, Police, and Government officials.A breakdown of these killings reveals a disturbing pattern: 2 deaths where caused by the Armed Forces, 4 by the Police, and 5 by Government officials. Furthermore, reports indicate widespread use of drone strikes and explosive munitions, displacing thousands of Indigenous Papuans.
“The Indonesian military has a long history of abuses in West Papua that poses a particular risk to the Indigenous communities,” stated Meenakshi Ganguly, deputy Asia director at Human Rights Watch.
Canada’s Arms Exports: A $45 Billion Relationship
despite these documented abuses, Canada has exported nearly $45 billion in “military goods and technology” to Indonesia between 2012 and 2024, according to figures released by the Government of Canada. This figure directly coincides with the period during which the aforementioned human rights violations occurred.Amnesty International has labeled these continued exports as “irresponsible arms transfers,” citing a lack of accountability for past violations and considerable risks of future abuses.
This isn’t a new pattern. Ancient analysis reveals a complex relationship. As noted by David Webster,an Associate professor of Human Rights Studies at King’s University College at Western University,Canada sold arms to Indonesia even during it’s brutal occupation of East Timor from 1975 to 1991,a period that saw over 100,000 Timorese deaths. While a 1991 massacre in East Timor prompted a temporary arms embargo under then-Foreign Minister Barbara McDougall, sales resumed under Jean Chrétien’s government. Further pressure led to another embargo in 1999 following widespread violence perpetrated by pro-Indonesia militia groups.
However, concerns about prioritizing economic interests over human rights persist. A 2020 report in The Globe and Mail revealed that a Canadian manufacturer was preparing to ship military equipment to Indonesia even as Indonesian troops were implicated in abuses in East Timor, with officials reportedly hesitant to cancel the export permit due to fears of legal action from the company.
Strengthened Military ties in 2025
The Canadian government’s commitment to military cooperation with Indonesia appears to be deepening. In August 2025, the Department of National Defense announced the signing of a Military cooperation Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) with the Tentara Nasional Indonesia (TNI), the Indonesian National Armed Forces. General Jennie Carignan, Chief of the Defence Staff, stated that “formalizing our military cooperation…is vital to strengthening Canada’s ability to promote peace and stability in the region.”
CANSEC Arms Show and Ongoing Scrutiny
the upcoming CANSEC arms show in Ottawa,scheduled for May 27,2026,is drawing scrutiny from groups like PBI-Canada. while the Canadian Association of Defence and Security industries (CADSI) does not publicly disclose the list of international delegations attending CANSEC, it is widely anticipated that Indonesia will be represented. PBI-Canada plans to observe the “Shut Down CANSEC” mobilization in protest of the event.
Canada is a signatory to the Arms Trade Treaty, which legally obligates the Minister of Foreign Affairs to deny export permits for military goods if there is a substantial risk they could be used to facilitate human rights abuses or violations of international law. The continued flow of arms to Indonesia, coupled with the documented evidence of state violence, raises critical questions about Canada’s commitment to upholding these international obligations and protecting human rights defenders on the ground.
