Indonesia’s House of Representatives on Tuesday approved the Science and Technology Bill, which imposes criminal charges on foreign researchers if they are found to violate visa regulations, according to a copy obtained by the Jakarta Post.

In addition to requiring permits for research, the new law also levies criminal charges against researchers who steal biodiversity samples, cause damage to valuable objects, or cause harm or death to persons involved in the research.

Critics of the bill argue that imposing these charges could threaten academic freedom and collaboration on research conducted in Indonesia.