11/20/2018 Indonesia (International Christian Concern) – A Christian politician in Indonesia has been accused of blasphemy for criticizing Islamic based laws. According to the Muslim organization Indonesian Muslim Workers’ Brotherhood that lodged the blasphemy complaint, “Her comments appeared hostile [to Islam] and was considered hate speech against religion” as stated by the groups lawyer, Eggy Sudjana.
It was during a party gathering in Tangerang, near Jakarta, that Grace Natalie, a Protestant and founder of the Indonesian Solidarity Party, made statements criticizing the implementation of discriminative regulations. When speaking to reporters, Grace says, “The implementation of religion-based bylaws victimize women and I have become a victim as well for criticizing such regulations”.
In Aceh province of Sumatra, which has already implemented Shariah bylaws, many people, particularly women, who have breached the rules – drinking and gambling are banned in Aceh, have been beaten in public.
Hendardi, executive director of rights group Setara Institute for Peace and Democracy told UCA News, “Political interest is probably behind the majority of blasphemy accusations and the judicial process is influenced by political pressure through mass mobilization”. Other organizations also agreed and dismissed the Muslim organization’s accusation against Grace.
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