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Indonesia: Discrimination and prohibition of Ahmadiyya Congregations to pray in their Mosque
Asian Human Rights Commission Urgent Appeal - March 1, 2017
Dear Friends,
The Asian Human Rights Commission (AHRC) has received information regarding the following: forcible closure, intimidation, discrimination and State negligence against the Ahmadiyya congregation (JAI) of the Al-Hidayah Mosque, Depok City, West Java province. Without any reason, the Depok city government forcibly closed and sealed off the Mosque belonging to local Ahmadiyya groups. The local government and the police failed to ensure protection for the Ahmadiyya. On the contrary, without due process of law, the government issued a controversial policy to permanently prohibit local Ahmadiyya congregations and their activities in the Al-Hidayah Mosque.
Case narrative:
On Wednesday 22 February 2017, the Ahmadiyya Indonesia Congregations of Depok city, West Java province received an invitation letter from the local Depok City government. It requested the JAI leader to attend a meeting related to activities of the Depok City Ahmadiyya congregations.
However, at 06.00 pm the same day, there was a phoned message that the meeting was cancelled by the government. No reason was given. On Thursday, February 23 at 08.30 am, Mr. Dadang, chair of the National and Political Unity Office (Kesbangpol) of Depok city phoned Mr. Farid Ahmad, a local Islamic religious leader. He invited him to attend a meeting in the government offices.
During the meeting, Mr. Dadang said that in the last three days the Depok City situation had become unstable, with religious discord increasing. He added that a huge demonstration would be held in front of the Al-Hidayah Mosque (Ahmadiyya Mosque). At 10.00 am Thursday, February 23, a government representative came to Al Hidayah Mosque. He asked about their building permit. After checking the document, it was shown that the Al-Hidayah Mosque had an official building permit from 2007.
Nevertheless, at 02.00 pm, the commander of the local civil service police unit (Satpol PP), Mr. Dudi Mi'raz Imaduddin forcibly closed down and sealed off the Al-Hidayah Mosque. This happened despite the Mosque having an official building permit. An announcement was posted in front of the Mosque prohibiting anyone from entering or using the Mosque. All doors and windows were permanently closed with wooden shutters.
The entire process was witnessed by the commander of the Depok police office (Polsek Depok), the village head of Sawangan Depok, the head of sub-district Sawangan Depok and the commander of the local military office (Koramil Depok). Indonesian Ulama Council (MUI) of Depok city, KH. Abdullah Syafei and K.H. Fachrudin, also attended the forcible closure. The Ahmadiyya congregations protested against the closure because it was executed without judicial process. Therefore, the sealing off and forced closure is illegal and against the rule of law.
The Ahmadiyya congregations submitted a written letter to the police for guaranteed protection. They stated that there is social media propaganda about an invitation to the people. They were asked to become involved in the forcible closure of Al-Hidayah which will be conducted on February 24. Later, the chief of police came to the Al-Hidayah Mosque. He announced to the Ahmadiyya congregations that there will be a huge public protest of some 5000 people in front of the Al-Hidayah Mosque.
Suggested action:
Please write to the authorities listed below, asking them to investigate and audit the policy of the Depok City government regarding the forcible closure of the Al-Hidayah Mosque. The central government, ombudsman, parliament and the National Commission on Human Rights (Komnas HAM) must be involved in Depok City's policy on Ahmadiyya.
Protection and equal treatment should be ensured for the Ahmadiyya congregations. Anyone who breaches the law, attacks or intimidates minority religions and belief groups in Indonesia should be prosecuted.
The AHRC will write a separate letter to the UN Special Rapporteur on freedom of religion or belief calling for his intervention into this matter.
To support this case, please click here: http://www.urgentappeals.net/support.php?ua=AHRC-UAC-009-2017
Sample letter:
Dear....................,
Indonesia: Discrimination and prohibition of Ahmadiyya Congregations to pray in their Mosque
However, at 06.00 pm the same day, there was a phoned message that the meeting was cancelled by the government. No reason was given. On Thursday, February 23 at 08.30 am, Mr. Dadang, chair of the National and Political Unity Office (Kesbangpol) of Depok city phoned Mr. Farid Ahmad, a local Islamic religious leader. He invited him to attend a meeting in the government offices.
During the meeting, Mr. Dadang said that in the last three days the Depok City situation had become unstable, with religious discord increasing. He added that a huge demonstration would be held in front of the Al-Hidayah Mosque (Ahmadiyya Mosque). At 10.00 am Thursday, February 23, a government representative came to Al Hidayah Mosque. He asked about their building permit. After checking the document, it was shown that the Al-Hidayah Mosque had an official building permit from 2007.
Nevertheless, at 02.00 pm, the commander of the local civil service police unit (Satpol PP), Mr. Dudi Mi'raz Imaduddin forcibly closed down and sealed off the Al-Hidayah Mosque. This happened despite the Mosque having an official building permit. An announcement was posted in front of the Mosque prohibiting anyone from entering or using the Mosque. All doors and windows were permanently closed with wooden shutters.
The entire process was witnessed by the commander of the Depok police office (Polsek Depok), the village head of Sawangan Depok, the head of sub-district Sawangan Depok and the commander of the local military office (Koramil Depok). Indonesian Ulama Council (MUI) of Depok city, KH. Abdullah Syafei and K.H. Fachrudin, also attended the forcible closure. The Ahmadiyya congregations protested against the closure because it was executed without judicial process. Therefore, the sealing off and forced closure is illegal and against the rule of law.
The Ahmadiyya congregations submitted a written letter to the police for guaranteed protection. They stated that there is social media propaganda about an invitation to the people. They were asked to become involved in the forcible closure of Al-Hidayah which will be conducted on February 24. Later, the chief of police came to the Al-Hidayah Mosque. He announced to the Ahmadiyya congregations that there will be a huge public protest of some 5000 people in front of the Al-Hidayah Mosque.
Therefore, I respectfully request that you investigate and audit the policy of the Depok City government on the forcible closure of the Al-Hidayah Mosque. The central government, ombudsman, parliament and the National Commission on Human Rights (Komnas HAM) must be involved to monitor the investigation on government policy on the Ahmadiyya.
Protection and equal treatment should be ensured for the Ahmadiyya congregations. Anyone who breaches the law, attacks or intimidates minority religions and belief groups in Indonesia should be prosecuted.
I look forward to your prompt action in this matter.
Yours Sincerely,
...................
Please send your letters to:
1. Mr. Joko Widodo
President of
the Republic of Indonesia
Jl. Veteran No.
16
Jakarta Pusat
INDONESIA
Tel: +62 21 3458
595
Fax: +62 21 3484
4759
E-mail: webmaster@setneg.go.id
2. Mr. Yasonna
Laoly
Minister of Law
and Human Rights
Jl. HR Rasuna
Said Kav. 6 7
Kuningan, Jakarta
12940
INDONESIA
Tel: +62 21 525
3006, 525 3889
Fax: +62 21 525
3095
3. Dr. Mualimin
Abdi SH., MH
Director General
of Human Rights
Office of the
Director General of Human Rights
Jl. HR Rasuna
Said Kav. 6 7
Kuningan, Jakarta
12940
INDONESIA
Tel: +62 21 5253006
Fax: +62 21 5253095
4. General Pol.
Drs. H.M. Tito Karnavian, M.A., Ph.D
Chief of National
Police (KAPOLRI)
Jl. Trunojoyo
No. 3 KebayoranBaru, Jakarta Selatan 12110
INDONESIA
Tel: +62 21 384
8537, 726 0306
Fax: +62 21 7220
669
E-mail: info@polri.go.id
5. Ms. Poengky
Indarti
Commissioner
of the National Police Commission
Jl. Tirtayasa
VII No. 20
KebayoranBaru,
Jakarta Selatan
INDONESIA
Tel: +62 21 739
2315
Fax: +62 21 739
2352
E-mail: secretariat@kompolnas.go.id,
skm@kompolnas.go.id
6. Professor.
Amzulian Rifai S.H, LL.M, PhD
Chairperson of
Ombudsman of Republic of Indonesia
Jl. HR. Rasuna
Said Kav. C-19 Kuningan (GedungPengadilan TIPIKOR) Jakarta Selatan
INDONESIA
Tel: +62 21 52960894/95
Fax: +62 21-52960904/05
7. Dr. HM. Azis
Syamsuddin, SH
Chairperson of
the Commission III of The House of Representative
KetuaKomisi III
DPR RI
Gedung Nusantara
II DPR RI, Lt I
JalanJenderalGatotSubroto,
Jakarta,
INDONESIA
Telp: +62 21
-5715566, +62 21-5715569, +62 21-5715864
Fax: +62 21 5715566
8. Mr. Lukman
Hakim Saifuddin
Minister of Religion
(Menteri Agama)
Jl. Lap. Banteng
Barat 3-4Jakarta 10710
INDONESIA
Tel.: +62 21
3811720
Fax.: +62 21
3811436
9. M. Imdadun
Rahmat
Chairperson of
the National Commission on Human Rights (Komnas HAM)
Jl. Latuharhary
No. 4-B
Jakarta 10310
INDONESIA
Tel: +62 21 392
5227-30
Fax: +62 21 392
5227
E-mail: info@komnas.go.id
Thank you.
Urgent Appeals
Program
Asian Human Rights
Commission (ua@ahrc.asia)
Source: http://www.humanrights.asia/news/urgent-appeals/AHRC-UAC-009-2017.
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