Indonesia Must Protect its Christians, Urges Christian Freedom International

The president of Christian Freedom International has urged Indonesia to protect its Christian population after three Christians were executed last week for their alleged role in fighting on the island of Sulawesi six years ago.

The contentious executions resulted in rioting by hundreds of Christians angered that the three men executed were the only ones to be handed such a sentence despite the involvement of hundreds of both Christians and Muslims in the sectarian violence between 2000 and 2002 which left at least 1000 dead.

Indonesia's Vice President, Jusuf Kalla, appealed for calm in the aftermath of the executions and defended the decision to carry out the sentences claiming that "these killings were carried out according to our legal process".

Christian Freedom International's president Jim Jacobson said, however, that "Indonesia's legal process is the problem".

According to critical observers, the trials and sentences of Fabianus Tibo, Marinus Riwu, and Domingus da Silva were marked by irregularities.

Many Christians were also angry that few Muslims were ever punished for their role in the fighting and that no Muslim was ever sentenced to more than 15 years for their involvement in the violence.

"Indonesia's judicial system is notable for its corruption, but this trial was over the top," said Jacobson.

Christian Freedom International also reported that crowds of Muslim fundamentalists regularly gathered at the trial, intimidating judges and witnesses alike.

Isabelle Cartron of Amnesty International reported: "The men's lawyers received death threats, including a bomb planted at one lawyer's house, and demonstrators armed with stones outside the courthouse demanded that the three be sentenced to death."

The case has left Christians in the country feeling further disillusioned as it comes just one year after three Sunday school teachers were convicted of the "Christianisation" of Muslim children who had attended classes with the permission of their parents.

The women's trial was also marred by mob calls for their deaths and their sentences - three years each in prison - were upheld despite outcry from the international Christian community.

The latest US State Department report on international religious persecution also states that, despite formal respect for religious freedom, "the [Indonesian] government sometimes tolerated discrimination against and the abuse of religious groups by private actors, and often failed to punish perpetrators."

"Mobs have regularly destroyed churches and other Christian facilities around Indonesia, with no one ever punished," continued Jacobson. "Out of fear of retaliation local officials often refuse to allow congregations to rebuild."

Christian Freedom International reported that the Christians with whom it works face daily discrimination. Not only are they less likely to receive government benefits and jobs, they sometimes face extortion and intimidation because the police and judiciary often do not protect non-Muslims.

"Indonesia has much to do to become a true partner of America and leader in Asia. Jakarta must protect in fact as well as in theory its religious minorities. A good place to start would be to guarantee Christians a fair trial in the face of Islamic mob rule," said Jacobson.