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105, Pasar Minggu, Jakarta Selatan 12540 - Indonesia

Phone (62-21) 781 9734, 781 9735 * Fax (62-21) 7884 4730 * E-mail: infid@infid.org * 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
people’s freedom of religion and belief as mandated in the 1945 Constitution. It is also a
manifestation of the government’s 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
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 Susilo
Program Manager
 
Wahyu Susilo
INFID Program Manager
(08129307964)