Friday, July 15, 2005

THREE WOMEN STAND TRIAL IN INDONESIA ON CHARGES OF CHRISTIANIZATION

By Michael Ireland
Chief Correspondent, ASSIST News Service

INDONESIA (ANS) -- Three women in Indonesia involved in a children's holiday camp are currently standing trial on charges of Christianization. If convicted they face jail sentences of up to five years.

According to Christian Solidarity Worldwide (CSW), the charges against Dr. Rebecca Laonita, Mrs Ratna Mala Bangun and Mrs Ety Pangesti stem from the women's involvement in a children's holiday initiative called Happy Week in Haurgelis, West Java.

CSW says the camp was organized for local Christian children but, with parental consent and supervision, Muslim children were also welcomed.

In a report received by ASSIST News Service (ANS), CSW says the program consisted of opening and closing prayers, singing songs, practical tutoring in reading, writing and mathematics and trips to parks and swimming pools. The initiative proved so successful that it came to the attention of the local authorities.

The report states: "The case of Christianization was brought against the women by the local chapter of the Indonesian Council of Muslim Clerics (MUI) who alleged that the women enticed Muslim children to participate and that they tried to convert the children to Christianity by giving them gifts."

CSW says the women were arrested on May 13 despite the fact that all the
children had full parental consent and that none of children had changed religion. Reportedly no complaints have been lodged by the children's families. The women have been incarcerated in the Indramayu Prison up to now.

The CSW report says: "Their trial, which commenced on June 30, and is set to continue for several more weeks, has attracted considerable national attention. The presence of over a hundred Mujahadeen militants at the court hearings and reports of extremists interfering with witnesses, have led observers to fear that a great injustice will be done."

CSW commented: "It seems that the militants hope to set a legal precedent from the Child Protection Laws of 2002 which would prevent Muslim children from attending Sunday schools or any Christian-led activities. Moderate Muslim leaders have spoken out in favor of the defendants with the former President of Indonesia, Abdurrahman Wahid asking for the case to be withdrawn."

CSW adds: "This case appears to be symptomatic of the growing influence of a radical Islamist agenda in the area and in Indonesia as a whole. At the local level, reportedly over 100 churches have been closed down or destroyed in West Java in the last five years."

CSW says that at the national level, several high-ranking politicians including the Head of Parliament, Hidayat Nur Wahid, are known to be sympathetic to the introduction of Shari'ah law in Indonesia.

Commenting on the case, CSW's Advocacy Director, Tina Lambert, stated that, "For three women to be arrested, detained and charged for simply organizing a children's holiday club in good faith illustrates how serious the situation for Christians in Indonesia is becoming. CSW urges the British government to raise this case with the Indonesian government."

According to CSW, Indonesia, the world's largest Muslim nation, has long enjoyed a reputation for religious tolerance and freedom. The majority of Indonesian Muslims are moderate and respectful of minority faiths. Unfortunately in the last few years more extremist factions have continued to increase in influence in the political, military, legislative and religious fields.

CSW concludes: "This is particularly apparent in the legislative area. Having failed to gain support for the introduction of Shari'ah law into the Indonesian constitution, the extremists adopted a strategy of trying to incrementally introduce Shari'ah law and restrictions of religious freedom through various legislative amendments. They were successful with the National Education law adopted in 2003."

For more information, please contact Richard Chilvers, Communications Manager at Christian Solidarity Worldwide on 020 8329 0045 or email richard.chilvers@csw.org.uk or visit www.csw.org.uk