Indonesia’s tradition of religious pluralism is under “severe threat” with religious minorities increasingly fearful of rising intolerance, according to a new report from religious freedom advocacy Christian Solidarity Worldwide.
The report, which comes after CSW representatives visited the country in May, said the country’s “reputation as a role-model of a moderate, tolerant and democratic Muslim majority nation that protects freedom of religion or belief (FoRB) is being seriously undermined”.
It said Christians, Ahmadiyya and Shia Muslims as well as members of other religious minorities are “increasingly fearful of the rise of radical Islamism and its influences on politics and society in the country”.
The report says the sentencing of former Jakarta governor, Basuki Tjahaja Purnama, known as ‘Ahok’, to two years prison on charges of blasphemy has been seen by many religious minorities and civil society activists as “symbolic of rising religious intolerance”, quoting UN special rapporteurs saying earlier this year that the case “illustrates that the existence of blasphemy law can be used to justify intolerance and hate speech”.
CSW also expresses “deep concern” over the continued closure of churches such as the GKI Yasmin in Bogor and HKBP Philadelphia in Bekasi.
Benedict Rogers, CSW’s East Asia team leader, said that when the CSW team visited Indonesia – shortly after the verdict was delivered in Ahok’s trial – “[t]he rise of religious intolerance and the climate of fear among religious minorities was palpable, and the tension in Indonesia following the imprisonment of Ahok was obvious”.
“Several experts in the country urged the international community to stop describing Indonesia as a role model of tolerance, because it no longer merits that description,” he said. “There are still influential voices of moderation courageously trying to protect Indonesia’s tradition of pluralism. They need to be supported and encouraged, not undermined, but it is now time to wake up to the dangers which Indonesia faces and work with the government of Indonesia to counter extremism and strengthen pluralism.”
The UK-based organisation is calling upon the Indonesian Government to immediately review blasphemy laws and work towards their repeal as well as a 2008 “anti-Ahmadiyya decree”, to invest in the further promotion and protection of the principles of religious freedom or belief – including through the provision of greater education on the issue among security forces – and to invite the UN special rapporteur on freedom of religion or belief to visit the country with unhindered access. It’s also urging the international community to push for these changes.
