Religious Liberty in Indonesia and the Rights of “Deviant” Sects

Abstract

Although Indonesia has acceded to the International Covenant on Civil and Political Rights and freedom of religion is a mandate of the 1945 Constitution, there is a significant difference between the promise and the practice of religious liberty, especially regarding the rights of sects in Indonesia. The article explores this theme in the context of the Congregation of Ahmadiyah Indonesia, a minority Islamic sect which is not considered as an agama, or official religion, as a case study. This designation has had various discriminatory effects on its adherents, which waters down significantly the guarantee of religious freedom in Indonesia.

Progress and Caution: Indonesia's Democracy

“…The persecution of religious sects, however, demonstrates that the reality belies the constitutional law and illustrates that the Indonesian government may not be fully committed to freedom of religion. 84 Lastly, Indonesia is still wrestling with the role and power of the military. There is still work to be done in limiting the role of the military to combating foreign threats to national security and to legitimately dealing with human rights abuses perpetrated by the military.…”

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Undemocratic Response Towards "Deviant" Judgement and Fatwa: Sunni-Shiite Conflict in Sampang, Madura, East Java

“…This designation has had various discriminatory effects on its adherents, which waters down significantly the guarantee of religious freedom in Indonesia. 29…”