INDONESIA: Yet another attack on a group advocating religious freedom

Dear friends,

The Asian Human Rights Commission (AHRC) has been informed of yet another attack on a peaceful gathering of groups advocating religious freedom by a group of Muslims in Jakarta on 1 June 2008. The policemen, who were in the area when it happened, failed to intervene to prevent the attack. At least 28 persons, some with serious head injuries, were wounded during the attack.

CASE DETAILS:

On 1 June 2008, around 1pm several people who are part of the group National Alliance for Freedom of Religion (Aliansi Kebangsaan untuk Kebebasan Beragama dan Berkeyakinan – AKKBB), an alliance of group advocating religious freedom in Indonesia, gathered to commemorate the birth of Pancasila, the official philosophical foundation of the Indonesian state. They first converged behind the Gambir railway Station which is located in Central Jakarta.

There the group started to meet with several others and later walked towards the courtyard of the Monas, a national monument in Jakarta. There they met other members of their group as well. While there, a police officer, who was wearing plain clothes and two other policemen in uniform were deployed in the area.

About twenty minutes later, a huge crowed of about 500 members of the Islamic Defender Front-Hizbut Tahrir Indonesia (FPI-HTI), came walking in one line towards the place were the other group had gathered. They were wearing white and green color robes and carrying bamboo sticks. They then started beating the AKKBB members as they yelled, “Allah is great”, “you Ahmadiyah!”

Even though the members of the FPI-HTI had already started attacking the group members of the AKKBB, police officers, who were in the area, did not immediately intervene to prevent or to protect the group. As the group members of AKKBB were surprised by the sudden attack they were unable to protect themselves.

When the FPI-HTI carried out the attack they separated into four different groups. One of the groups was seen carrying sharp objects; such as swords, samurais, spears and sand, which was thrown at their victims.

Soon after the initial assault, the first group dispersed and the second group likewise yelled “Allah is great” and ordered the first group, who had already self dispersed, to attack their victims once again.

A police officer who came by a patrol car ran away from the crowd after having been kicked by several members of the FPI-HTI. Some of AKKBB had also asked other police officers deployed in the area to do something to prevent further violence, but the policemen whom they had asked for help also ran away, not wanting to get involved.

However, despite the absence of any sort of assistance or intervention by the police officers, the AKKBB members were able to escape from being violently attacked further. The attacked had left at least 28 persons wounded, some of whom suffered serious head injuries; other suffered bruises and contusions.

More policemen arrived on motorbikes, and started rounding up the members of the FPI-HTI; however, even in their presence the group burned a car and sound system belonging to the AKKBB.

Some of the members of the AKKBB decided to remain at the place fearing that they may be attacked further should they try to leave. At that time though, the FPI-HTI had already left the location and walked out towards the Presidential Palace joining their other colleagues who were also having demonstration against an oil price hike.

It was not until around 3pm that the AKKB decided to disperse. Those who had injuries were taken to the nearest hospital.

On June 4, at least 56 persons who are reportedly group members of the FPI-HTI were arrested for questioning in connection with the incident. However, it is not known as to whether these persons were directly involved in violently attacking the victims.

ADDITIONAL INFORMATION:

Apart from attacks on those advocating for religious freedom, the AHRC had in the past also reported attacks on religious minorities. Though the police do conduct their investigation into this violence against religious minorities, they do not produce any substantial results. They, too, were unable to hold those responsible either for instigating or perpetrating violent to account. The freedom of religion and its protection has since been undermined in the country.

As we have already reported, in October 2005, members of the Ahmadiyah, a minority Islamic religious sect, had also been attacked by other villagers living in Ketapang Village in Lombok Island. The attackers, numbering about 50 to 100, have had their houses damaged. For details please read: UA-193-2005.

On April 27 of this year, similar attacks on the Ahmadiyah once again took place in Sukabumi town, Curug district, West Java. The attack resulted to the burning of their mosque and had their other facilities damaged as well. For details please read: AHRC-UAC-108-2008.

There has been an existing law, Law No. 1/1965, which prohibits anyone from deliberately making interpretations of any of the recognized religions or publicly engaging in activities which is considered deviates. This law has been mainly referred to as the legal basis for banning religion there.

In addition, it has also been used by the General Attorney Office under the former regime to pass a regulation, the Letter of Decision of the General Attorney Number 108/JA/5/1984, which establishes a Coordinating Board for Monitoring Mystical Beliefs in Society. For further commentary on this, please also read: Indonesia’s curbs on religious rights.

SUGGESTED ACTION:
Please write to the authorities listed below urging them to ensure that a thorough investigation is conducted into this incident and those responsible held accountable. The government must also ensure to prevent further attacks on minority groups as they exercise their religious practice. Any existing policies or law in contravention to religious rights must also be amended or abolished.

Please be informed that the AHRC has also written separate letters to the UN Special Rapporteur on Freedom of Religion calling for an intervention in this case.

To support this case, please click here: SEND APPEAL LETTER