Asia: Indonesia Country Report Last Updated: March 2008 Code: B-1, 2, 3 ( Click here for a code description .)
	(Click here for a list of ICC articles on Indonesia.) List of Articles Last Updated: 2008-03-12

COUNTRY STATISTICS

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State Department (DOS) Religious Freedom Reports:

2007

2005

United States Commission on International Religious Freedom Report:

2005

Religious Atmosphere:

·       Monotheism and communal peace are the basis for the stated government ideology.  All citizens must choose one of four religions: Islam, Hinduism, Buddhism or Christianity (Protestant or Catholic).  The numerical and political strength of Islam has been increasingly exercised since 1990, and the country is becoming a nation of Islam. 

·       The government is reducing Christian influence on life as the Muslim population has grown.  The Islamization of Indonesia is eroding the long-prevailing communal tolerance and religious freedom. 

·       Muslims are favored in appointments in government, military and academic institutions, further diminishing any authority or voice the Christians may have.

·       A massive mosque-building campaign began in the ?90s, as well as an organized migration of Muslims into Christian areas and communities.  Christians have become marginalized and increasingly persecuted. 

·       The Islamists? stated aim is to completely eliminate Christianity in the country, and there has been an orchestrated jihad against Christians with over 600 churches destroyed by mobs and repeated attacks and killings of Christians.  

·     Militia groups are trying to stop reconciliation efforts between Muslims and Christians.

Extremist Groups:

• There are multiple militant Islamic groups like ?Laskar Jihad? which openly call for violence against Christians. 
• These militant groups burn churches and homes of Christians, force the ?conversion? of Christian villages, and maim and kill Christians.  

Government:

• The Indonesian constitution guarantees religious freedom to the five religions recognized by the state, namely Islam, Protestantism, Catholicism, Buddhism or Hinduism.  Despite this official stance, persecution against religious minorities, particularly Christianity, has increased in recent years. 
• Since 1982, Indonesia has pursued a political stance that emphasizes the removal of religion from the country?s political life.  However, since the 1990s, the government has encouraged freedom of action, particularly among Muslim religious groups. 
• Muslim courts have expanded their authority making fair justice for all religions difficult to achieve.  With increasing political instability, there has been increased religious violence, particularly between Muslims and Christians. 
• Though the national government still officially holds to a stance of religious freedom, some Muslim majority provinces have instituted Sharia law.     

Latest U.S. Department of State (DOS) and United States Commission on International Religious Freedom (USCIRF) Report 2007:

·         Indonesia was not included in the Department of States?s latest ?Countries of Particular Concern? list. 

·         USCIRF expresses concern over the religions violence between Muslims and Christians.  They report that the Indonesian government seems to tolerate systematic, ongoing and egregious violations of religions freedom.

·         Extremist Muslim groups force Christians to convert to Islam or face death.  USCIRF also acknowledges that places of worship are primary targest for destruction.

·         Indonesia is on USCIRF?s Watch List of countries where religious freedom requires close monitoring due to the nature and extent of violations of religious freedom engaged in or tolerated by the government.

Suggested Actions You Might Take:

• Pray for the Christians of Indonesia that they may stand firm with the faith, and that the Christian message may be heard and received by all.  Pray that the government of Indonesia may be held accountable for the religious freedom violations that continue to occur unchecked.   
• Contact the elected national officials (Senators, Congressman etc.) for your area as well as the U.S. State Department and express concern for the well being of the Christians in Indonesia asking them to make an inquiry into their status.
• Please keep us informed of any replies or results you may receive! Contact ICC by email at ICC@persecution.org

Official Contacts:

*We make every attempt to keep up with and reflect changes in the national government of each country and the current human rights situation. We appreciate your feedback if you find any discrepancies in this information. You can contact us by e-mail at ICC@PERSECUTION.ORG . Thanks.

POSTED:  May 24,2004

• 2 February, 2010 -- Indonesia - Indonesia: Muslim Mob Burns Pastor’s Home, 2 Churches