The Jakarta Post, October 01, 2005
Freedom Guard to protect minority groups from terror
Tiarma Siboro, The Jakarta Post, Jakarta
Indonesia's founding fathers declared that this country would embrace various
cultures, ethnic groups, religions and beliefs, however such idealism is fast
disappearing and freedom to enjoy this diversity has become endangered, with
minority groups often suffering from violence and terror.
The government security forces, however, are often indifferent to attacks on minorities
-- ostensibly because the officers fear innflaming the situation further.
In a move made so that all Indonesians can enjoy the same rights and privileges as
full citizens of the nation, a group committed to non-violence declared the
establishment of the Garda Kemerdekaan (Freedom Guard) here on Friday.
"We set up the organization with the main objective of rebuffing all violence, protecting
people from any type of brutality and standing alongside any groups being abused or
terrorized simply because of their differences," said guard leader and journalist Ahmad
Taufik.
He said the guard's establishment was partly done to demonstrate the public concern
over the increased number of attacks by Muslim extremists on minority groups and
Islamic scholars -- largely because the extremists have decided that such people
were heretical or deviant.
Muslim hard-liners recently vandalized and terrorized Ahmadiyah, an Islamic sect that
recognizes another prophet after Muhammad. Mainstream Muslims worldwide believe
Muhammad was the final prophet.
The frequent attacks have forced Ahmadiyah members to flee their homes and
villages. However, very little if any, action has been taken by the police or other law
enforcement personnel against the attackers, which included militants from the Islam
Defenders Front (FPI).
A series of threats and intimidation tactics have also been directed at the Liberal
Islam Network (JIl), which promotes liberalism and pluralism among Muslims and is
open to dialog with followers of other faiths.
Frequent intimidation and evictions of Christians from their houses of worship by
Muslim extremists, have also been a regular occurrence in recent months --
particularly in western Java.
"Garda Kemerdekaan members will act as reinforcements to protect places that have
been targeted by hard-line groups," Taufik told The Jakarta Post.
To prevent it from being branded just another militia group, he said no Freedom Guard
members would be equipped with any type of weapon while carrying out their peaceful
mission.
Also joining the new group are individuals representing various religious organizations,
including Nahdlatul Ulama -- the country's largest Muslim organization, the Bishops
Council of Indonesia (KWI), the Indonesian Communion of Churches (PGI) and the
Hindu Community.
Activists and supporters of Ahmadiyah and JIL as well as members of many ethnic
groups, such as Chinese-Indonesians and Madurese, were among those attending
Friday's declaration.
Prodemocracy activists from several non-governmental organizations and journalists
grouped in the Alliance of Independent Journalists (AJI) also took part in the
establishment of Garda Kemerdekaan.
Nong Darul Mahmada, a JIL activist who was among those who witnessed the
declaration, called on all people to strive for their own freedom, while expressing their
thoughts and beliefs.
"Each of us is different from one another and it is our own right to have freedom of
expression in this diverse nation. None of us is allowed to abuse others," Nong
asserted.
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