ICC Note:

The freedom of religion report recently issued by Christian Solidarity Worldwide (CSW) has raised concerns including social hostility, the closure of places of worship, harassment and threats of violence toward religious minorities in Indonesia. The rise of radical Islamism and its influence on politics and society in the country undermined the country’s tradition of religious pluralism. One recent example is former governor of Jakarta, Basuki Tjahaja Purnam. A Chinese descendant and Christian, he was charged with blasphemy against Islam in May 2017. The Indonesian court sentenced him to two years in prison in a case widely seen as a test of religious tolerance and free speech.

08/02/2017 Indonesia (Premier) – A new report by Christian Solidarity Worldwide (CSW) has warned that Christians in Indonesia are facing increasing religious intolerance.

The freedom of religion report followed a fact-finding visit by CSW to Indonesia in May 2017, shortly after the verdict was delivered in the blasphemy trial of the former governor of Jakarta.

Basuki Tjahaja Purnama, also known as Ahok, is a double minority as an ethnic Chinese Indonesian and a Christian. He was falsely charged with blasphemy during his re-election campaign.

The Christian charity has recommended to the Indonesian government to repeal blasphemy laws and to extend human rights education.

…