INDONESIA – HUMAN RIGHTS ABUSE
The Indonesian government has an embassy in Ottawa, as well as consulates in Toronto and Vancouver. Canada has worked towards the economic development of Indonesia through programs of developmental assistance. Canada considers Indonesia a valuable, growing trade market for goods, services and investments. Tens of thousands of Indonesians are employed by Canadian firms existing within their country. Canadian bilateral trade with Indonesia, in 2016, totalled 3.1 billion dollars. We have a trade deficit with Indonesia. Canadian imports from Indonesia in 2016 totalled 1.6 billion dollars.
The highest profile case of persecution of a Christian in Indonesian in recent years is that of Basuki Tjahaja Purnama, better known by his other name Ahok. Ahok is a devout Christian and served as a governor in Indonesia. In an election campaign Ahok accused his opponents of using the Koran to dis wade Muslims from voting for Akok based on his religious beliefs. Because of this accusation Ahok was accused of blasphemy and was sentenced to two years in prison in 2017.
Indonesia has strict anti-blasphemy laws which carry a penalty of a maximum of five years in prison.
For many years, Indonesian culture has been hostile towards the practice of Christian faith. One church in Bogor which had been attacked six times since 2008, was threatened by the local government, demanding that they must stop all religious activities. In 2008, local authorities revoked the church's building permit and sealed the building. The fellowship responded by conducting its services outside the church. Islamic-backed groups have held protests against the church. The congregation has obtained the copy of a letter, written by neighbourhood residents, requesting that the authorities and the police stop the church's religious activities. Such persecution is common in Indonesia. The supreme court of Indonesia ruled that the church should be allowed back into their building but the local government still won't allow it. From what I can tell by our sources, since 2008 (time of this publication 2017) the church is still denied use of their building and have been told that they can reopen only if they allow a mosque to be put on the same property.
Is Canada is concerned about religious violence, whether it be in our country or abroad. Blasphemy laws have facilitated religious violence in Indonesia. It is time for Canada to begin applying diplomatic pressure to see blasphemy laws in Indonesia ended. Religious freedom will never truly be realized in Indonesia unless such laws are removed from their legal system.
Incidents like the one mentioned, of Ahok must be raised by our government with the government of Indonesia and intervention sought.
Canada has commended Indonesia for its commitment to fostering tolerance and protecting religious freedom. It may be time to revoke such a commendation.
Shawn Stevens
ENDNOTES :
1. Siemens, Donna. Unpublished work. "Indonesia" International Page. www.zionchristianministry.com
2. http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Blasphemy_law_in_Indonesia ; http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Wikipedia:Text_of_Creative_Commons_Attribution-ShareAlike_3.0_Unported_License.
3. http://www.international.gc.ca/media/aff/news-communiques/2011/060.aspx?view=d
By quoting this document I am not claiming that the Canadian Government endorses my article
REFERENCES :
Cannon, Lawrence. “Canada Expresses Concern over Violence in Indonesia” http://www.internationllawletters.gc.ca
Mandryk, Jason. Operation World. Colorado Springs: Biblica Publishing, 2010.
Siemens, Donna. Unpublished work. www.zionchristianministry.com
http://en.wikipedea.org/wiki/Blasphemy_law_in_Indonesia
http://en.wikipedia.org/Indonesia
^ abcde"Annual Report of the United States Commission on International Religious Freedom May 2009". Indonesia. United States Commission on International Religious Freedom. May 2009. Retrieved 2009-06-24.
^ abc Al ‘Afghani, Mohamad Mova (3 December 2007). "Ruling against blasphemy unconstitutional". The Jakarta Post. Retrieved 2009-06-20.
https://www.opendoorsusa.org/christian-persecution/stories/jakarta-governor-ahok-sent-jail-blasphemy/
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