MOTION FOR A RESOLUTION on Indonesia: including attacks on minorities
5.7.2011
pursuant to Rule 122 of the Rules of Procedure
Véronique De Keyser, Mitro Repo, Marc Tarabella, Lidia Joanna Geringer de Oedenberg on behalf of the S&D Group
See also joint motion for a resolution RC-B7-0394/2011
B7‑0466/2011
European Parliament resolution on Indonesia: including attacks on minorities
The European Parliament,
having regard to European Parliament resolution of 16 December 2010 on the Annual Report on Human Rights in the World 2009 and the European Union's policy on the matter,
- having regard the Indonesia's election to the United Nations Human Rights Council in May 2011,
- having regard to Indonesia's chairmanship of ASEAN,
- having regard to the International Covenant on Civil and Political Rights, which Indonesia ratified in 2006,
- having regard to Chapter 29 of the Constitution of Indonesia which guarantees freedom of religion,
- having regard to Articles 156 and 156 (a) of Indonesia’s Criminal Code prohibiting blasphemy, heresy and religious defamation,
- having regards to the EU Statement on the recent attack and killings of Ahmadis in Banten of 8 February 2011,
- having regard to the letter by United Nations High Commissioner for Human Rights to the Foreign Minister of Indonesia of 26 April 2011, expressing concern at the violations of religious freedoms,
having regard to Rule 122(5) of its Rules of Procedure,
A. whereas Indonesia is the world’s largest Muslim-majority nation, where the majority religion is Sunni Islam, and minority religious groups consist of Ahmadi Muslims, Buddhists, Hindus, Baha’is, Christians and others,
B. whereas Indonesia’s state ideology, the ‘Pancasila’, enshrines principles of pluralism, religious harmony, religious freedom and social justice,
C. whereas harassment, intimidation, discrimination and persecution of religious minorities, particularly Ahmadi Muslims and Christians, sometimes involving acts of violence, undermine Indonesia’s tradition of pluralism, democracy and the rule of law; whereas reports and surveys published by independent agencies reveal a significant increase in incidents of harassment, intimidation, discrimination and violence against religious minorities,
D. whereas the fatwa issued by the Majelis Ulama Indonesia (MUI), the Council of Indonesian Ulama, in 2005, describes Ahmadi Muslims as apostates and heretics and calls for them to be banned; whereas the dissemination of Ahmadi Muslim teachings was banned in 2008,
E. whereas the Minister for Religious Affairs has repeatedly called for a total ban on the Ahmadiyya Muslim community, and whereas three provinces (West Java, South Sulawesi and West Sumatra) have introduced decrees banning Ahmadi Muslim activity,
F. whereas over 150 individuals have already been arrested or detained under Article 156 and 156 (a) of the Indonesian Criminal Code and whereas evidence shows that the blasphemy, heresy and religious defamation laws are being used by extremists to clamp down on religious freedom, and to stir intercommunity tensions and violence
G. whereas there are an estimated 124 Shari’a by-laws in various parts of the country, notably Aceh, West Java and South Sulawesi, which lead to infringements of women’s rights, religious freedom and other human rights.
H. whereas on 19 April 2010 the Constitutional Court ruled to uphold the blasphemy and heresy laws and to reject the request for repeal, which had been submitted by four prominent Islamic scholars and at least seven Indonesian civil society and human rights organisations, and supported by at least 40 other organisations
I. whereas Indonesia’s tradition of pluralism, religious harmony and religious freedom is increasingly under threat from radical Islamist organisations; whereas minority religious congregations are experiencing increasing difficulty obtaining permission to construct places of worship,
J. whereas the first round of the Human Rights Dialogue in the framework of the PCA between the EU and Indonesia took place in June 2010 in Jakarta,
1. Attaches great importance to maintaining and deepening harmonious relations between the European Union and Indonesia in numerous areas, as stated in the Partnership and Cooperation Agreement, including close cooperation in the area of human rights as an expression of shared values in this field;
2. Therefore, is deeply worried about incidents of violence against religious minorities, particularly Ahmadi Muslims, Christians, Baha'ís and Buddhists; is concerned that violations of religious freedom put at risk the human rights guaranteed in Indonesia’s Constitution, including the prohibition of discrimination and the right to freedom of religion and expression;
3. Is concerned of the estimated 124 Shari’a by-laws in various parts of the country, notably Aceh, West Java and South Sulawesi, which result in infringements of women’s rights, religious freedom and other human rights;
4. Express its particular concern over the statements made by the Ministry for Religious Affairs;
5. Express its deep concern over the blasphemy, heresy and religious defamation laws which are open to misuse, as well as the 2008 Joint Ministerial Decree prohibiting the dissemination of Ahmadiyya Muslim teachings and calls upon the Government of Indonesia to repeal or revise them
6. Urges Indonesia to take up the recommendation made by the United Nations High Commissioner for Human Rights to invite the UN Special Rapporteur for freedom of religion or belief to visit the country;
7. Welcomes the joint statement on 24 May 2011 by the President, the Speaker of the House of Representatives, the Speaker of the Regional Representatives Council, the Speaker of the People’s Consultative Assembly and other senior officials calling for a revival of the state ideology 'Pancasila' and for the protection of pluralism
8. Underlines the progress Indonesia has achieved on the implementation of democracy and the rule of law in recent years; applauds Indonesia's pledges ahead of its election to the UN Human Rights Council on May 20, 2011 including the ratification of core human rights treaties, notably the International Convention for the Protection of All Persons from Enforced Disappearance
9. Positively views the work of Indonesian civil society, including Muslim, Christian and secular think-tanks, human rights organisations and counter-extremism organisations, in promoting pluralism, religious freedom, religious harmony and human rights
10. Calls on the Government of Indonesia to guarantee that the rule of law is implemented and upheld, that religious minorities and victims of violence are provided full protection, and that the perpetrators of religious violence and hatred are brought to justice
11. Appeals to the Indonesian authorities to conduct a full investigation into all those involved in the deadly February 2011 attacks on the Ahmadiyah community in western Java and calls on the Judiciary Commission of Indonesia to send representatives to monitor the trials of those charged in order to ensure justice is done for all parties involved.
12.Calls on the EU Delegations and Member States' diplomatic missions to continue to closely monitor the local human rights situation in particularly sensitive areas such as Aceh and Papua and to maintain regular contacts with human rights defenders, their organisations and other relevant actors in this field;
13. Call on the Member States and the Commission to support Indonesian civil society organisations and human rights organisations who are actively promoting democracy, tolerance and peaceful co-existence of different ethnic and religious communities.
14. Instructs its President to forward this resolution to the Government and Parliament of Indonesia, the EU High Representative, the Commission, the parliaments and governments of the Member States, the ASEAN Intergovernmental Commission on Human Rights and the UN Human Rights Council.