MUI fatwa negates freedom of religion, human rights
From The Human Rights Project
Dateline: 08-12-2005, Jakarta
The right to freedom of thought, conscience, and religion -- the foundations of a pluralistic and democratic society -- is unprotected in Indonesia. Just for having an interpretation of Islam that diverges from the fatwas (edicts) of the powerful Indonesian Ulema Council, an individual or group faces a high probability of criminal investigation or even of being violently attacked by vigilantes.
Two recent events demonstrate that legal protections for freedom of religion are non-existent in Indonesia.
The first was the violent attack on the Indonesian Ahmadiyah Congregation (JAI) by the so-called "Indonesian Muslim Solidarity" (IMS) group for allegedly adhering to heretical Islamic teachings. The second was the police investigation into Muhammad Yusman Roy for conducting Islamic ritual prayers (shalat) in two languages, Arabic and Indonesian.
Posted on 08-12-2005
