State Fails to Protect Citizens' Right to Freedom of Religion and Belief

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    Jl. Jati Padang Raya Kav.3 No.105, Pasar Minggu, Jakarta Selatan 12540 - IndonesiaPhone (62-21) 781 9734, 781 9735 * Fax (62-21) 7884 4730 * E-mail: [email protected] * www.infid.org

    INFID Statement

    State Neglect Over Acts of Violence Against Ahmadiyah Sect Members

    STATE FAILS TO PROTECT CITIZENS

    RIGHT TO FREEDOM OF RELIGION AND BELIEF

    The state yet once again has committed a human rights violation when it turned a blind eye on

    acts of violence meted out by a mob of vandals against the Ahmadiyah congregation in Cikeusik,

    Pandeglang, Banten which later escalated into the tragic deaths of several Ahmadiyah followers.

    This appalling incident demonstrates the failure of the Government of Indonesia to guarantee the

    peoples freedom of religion and belief as mandated in the 1945 Constitution. It is also a

    manifestation of the governments negation of human rights, thus defying its own international

    commitment as the second country to ratify the International Covenant on Civil and Political

    Rights and the International Covenant on Economic, Social and Cultural Rights as well as the

    Convention against Torture.

    In response to this tragedy, INFID conveys its sincere grief and condemns the incapacity of the

    state to seriously deal with these simultaneous acts of aggression committed by vandals against

    Ahmadiyah sect members in Cikeusik, Pandeglang and in other parts across Indonesia. The

    powerlessness of the state through its blatant act of neglect constitutes as human rights abuse.

    INFID calls upon all elements of civil society in Indonesia to persistently harness solidarity and

    stand up against vandalism committed in the name of religion, and to urge the government to

    initiate stern measures and take legal action against organized groups of vandals who pose a

    threat to the citizens right to freedom of religion and belief.

    INFID as an NGO granted Special Consultative Status with the UN-ECOSOC, will broach this

    issue at the 16th

    Session of the UN Human Rights Council in Geneva, Switzerland scheduled to

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    be held on 28 February 25 March 2011. During this session, the issue on human rights

    violation by means of neglect toward acts of violence endured by Ahmadiyah followers in

    Indonesia will be informed to the UN Special Rapporteur on Torture on 7 March 2011 and the

    UN Special Rapporteur on Freedom of Religion or Belief on 10 March 2011.

    The reporting of the issue at hand will reveal the harsh reality in Indonesia where freedom of

    religion and faith is indeed at grave risk, contradictory to the image projected by the Government

    of Indonesia to the international community of Indonesia as a democratic country, both tolerant

    and pluralistic.

    Jakarta, 6 February 2011

    Wahyu SusiloProgram Manager

    Wahyu SusiloINFID Program Manager

    (08129307964)