Jan 24, 2019

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
January 24, 2019
 

USCIRF Welcomes Release of Jailed Jakarta Governor; Denounces Indonesia’s Blasphemy Law
 

WASHINGTON, DC – The United States Commission on International Religious Freedom (USCIRF) today welcomed the early release from prison of former governor of Jakarta, Basuki Tjahaja Purnama – also known as “Ahok” – after serving almost two years following a blasphemy conviction. USCIRF denounced the conviction and sentencing of Mr. Basuki in May 2017, which took place despite prosecutors’ recommendation that the blasphemy charges be dropped.

USCIRF Chair Tenzin Dorjee said, “Although we welcome Mr. Basuki’s early release, we’re troubled by the fact that Indonesia’s blasphemy law remains on the books and continues to be enforced in other cases. This law violates international human rights standards and until it is repealed, hardline and intolerant groups can continue to target religious minorities, such as Ahmadiyya and Shi’a Muslims, as well as Christians, simply for exercising their fundamental freedoms of speech and religion.”

In each of its annual reports since 2004 USCIRF has placed Indonesia on its Tier 2 list for engaging in or tolerating religious freedom violations that meet at least one of the elements of the “systematic, ongoing, egregious” standard used to designate a “country of particular concern,” or CPC, under the International Religious Freedom Act.

 

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The U.S. Commission on International Religious Freedom (USCIRF) is an independent, bipartisan federal government entity established by the U.S. Congress to monitor, analyze and report on threats to religious freedom abroad. USCIRF makes foreign policy recommendations to the President, the Secretary of State and Congress intended to deter religious persecution and promote freedom of religion and belief. To interview a Commissioner, please contact USCIRF at [email protected] or Kellie Boyle at [email protected] or +1-703-898-6554.