Rights in Asia: Freedom Of Religion, Book Banning

Indonesia: Caveat Vol. 9 Released -- Freedom Of Religion, Book Banning And Rights In Asia

The Asian Human Rights Commission wishes to inform you about the release of vol.9 of CAVEAT, a periodical about human rights in Indonesia published by the Indonesian Community Legal Aid Institute (LBH Masyarakat). This month's edition includes a regional page Rights in Asia from the AHRC. The publication can be downloaded here. More editions are available on the LBH Masyarakat website at http://lbhmasyarakat.org/publication.php.

In this edition:

Freedom of Religion in Indonesia: Multiple Choices Not Short Answer

The verdict that will be issued in April 2010 by the Constitutional Court about the 1965 Blasphemy Law will be a decisive step in favor of or against freedom of religion. It is the judges’ to decide whether freedom of religion in Indonesia will be carried out in accordance with basic human rights principles or not and if the fundamental rights of religious minorities such as the Ahmadiyya community will be guaranteed.

Reading the Book Banning Policy

In December last year, the Attorney’s General Office (AGO) published decrees banning five books arguing that they were a “threat to public order”, thus raising the issues of freedom of expression and freedom of information. Indonesia’s current mechanism on book banning must be questioned in order to make sure it can be controlled and balanced. It appears indeed that this mechanism is now mainly used as a facade for ‘preservation of the ruling party’s power.

Indonesian Odyssey: A Drug User’s Quest for Treatment

The story of Rose – the first drug user sentenced by Indonesian courts to rehabilitation instead of prison - continued this month, with some dramatic twists and turns that highlight obstacles to implementing Indonesia's newly improved policy.

New in CAVEAT: Rights in Asia

The Asian Human Rights Commission presents updates about the human rights situation in other Asian countries. This month: the Maguindanao massacre in the Philippines, threats against human rights defenders in Thailand and lasting corruption in the Pakistani Army.

New in CAVEAT: Reportage

This new column highlights the work of LBH Masyarakat and details some of our February activities. This month: a call for reform of the Indonesian Criminal Procedure Law and a legal and human rights education meeting held, empowering four communities in the broader Jakarta region.
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About AHRC: The Asian Human Rights Commission is a regional non-governmental organisation monitoring and lobbying human rights issues in Asia. The Hong Kong-based group was founded in 1984.