ICC Note:

Activists are calling for the revocation of blasphemy laws in Indonesia, laws which they say are used disproportionately against minority ethnic and religious groups. The law is currently being employed against the governor of Indonesia, after pressure from hardline Islamic protesters have rocked the capital of Indonesia. Activists have filed for a revocation of the law twice. Both attempts were rejected citing that the law was necessary for public order. There have been at least 106 convictions since 2004 under blasphemy laws in Indonesia. Human Rights Watch says that the only case in which a suspect was acquitted of blasphemy charges occurred in 1968.

11/22/2016 Indonesia (Jakarta Globe) – Calls are reemerging to revoke a set of legal provisions on blasphemy in Indonesia, which activists say have often been used to undermine minority ethnic or religious groups.

The calls come amid a blasphemy allegation launched by Muslim hardliners against Jakarta governor Basuki “Ahok” Tjahaja Purnama in the lead-up to next year’s gubernatorial election.

Police have charged the governor, who is seeking re-election, earlier this week for violating the 1965 law on blasphemy.

…