ICC Note: Indonesian President Yudhoyono’s recent comments during a Christmas celebration calling upon religious leaders to promote tolerance around the country is being criticized by many who see government inaction as the key issue. Last year Human Rights Watch published a report condemning a rising wave of intolerance towards Indonesia’s religious minorities, including Christians, that is largely being overlooked by the federal government. One striking example is the number of churches that have been forced to cease holding services thanks to pressure from radical Islamic groups and local governments. In 2012, the federal government did little to stop the forced closure of at least 50 churches across the country. 
1/4/2013 Indonesia (Jakarta Globe) – The National Mandate Party has called on President Susilo Bambang Yudhoyono to take concrete action toward building tolerance in the country and to not only engage in empty rhetoric.
“It’s true that we should not solely depend on the state to create harmony; society and religious figures play an important role,” Bara Hasibuan, a senior official with the party known as the PAN, said in Jakarta on Friday.
“However, there are steps that only the government can take in building peace, such as enforcing laws and providing equal protection to those who need it.”
Bara was responding to President Yudhoyono’s speech during the annual national Christmas celebration on Dec. 27.
“Our nation must strengthen awareness and goodwill in order to build peace and harmony,” Yudhoyono said.
“We must instill this in our children, from toddlers to elementary and high school students. Parents, teachers and religious leaders have a duty and a big responsibility. Religious leaders ought to sow the seeds of good deeds and grow them among their own people.”
Bara said that the president’s call to religious leaders was essentially correct but it still required concrete action from the government to encourage peace and harmony in the country.
Bara said the state played a crucial role through law enforcement and by guaranteeing protection for every group to practice their respective religious beliefs.
He accused the state of failing to carry out its function and authority in protecting minority groups lately, and instead bowing to pressure from radical groups who often resorted to violence in spreading hatred.
“Under such conditions, it isn’t surprising to see intolerance thrive in the country where the growing public perception sees the state condoning violence,” Bara said.
During the official Christmas celebration, Yudhoyono urged the public to prevent religious extremism from flourishing in Indonesia.
“Morally and socially, every leader in the country must prevent and reject extreme and radical behavior,” he said.
“Do not depend on state actions to overcome each obstacle against tolerance and the peace in society,” he warned, adding that each part of society must prevent individuals, groups and movements from spreading radicalism.
The celebration was attended by Vice President Boediono; Ignatius Suharyo, chairman of the Indonesian Bishops Conference (KWI); interfaith activist Franz Magnis Suseno; cabinet ministers and around 4,000 Christians.
Yudhoyono’s comments came in the wake of reports of religious intolerance in the archipelago, including the continued closure of the embattled GKI Yasmin congregation’s church in Bogor, which remains shuttered by the municipal government in defiance of two rulings by the Supreme Court to reopen it.
Data from the Setara Institute, which advocates tolerance and democracy, show 264 cases of violent attacks on religious minorities in 2012, a significant increase on the 216 cases recorded in 2010.
…
[Full Story]