Jubilee Campaign, September 1, 2005
Indonesian Women Found Guilty of "Christianization;" Church
Closings Continue
September 1, 2005
For the past several weeks, we have been keeping you up to date on the trial of three
Christian women in Haurgeulis, Indramayu, Indonesia, for allegedly converting Muslim
children to Christianity. Dr. Rebekka Zakaria, Eti Pangesti and Ratna Bangun have
been on trial since June 30. Today we received word that the women were found guilty
on all charges and sentenced to three years in prison. The women were convicted
under the Child Protection Act of 2002, which prohibits the enticement of minors to
convert to another religion. Zakaria, Pangesti and Bangun had operated a Sunday
School program known as "Happy Sunday" out of one of their homes until it was
closed by a local branch of the Muslim Clerics Council (MUI) earlier this year.
Originally designed for Christian children, the women began accepting Muslim
children only after receiving the permission of the children's parents or guardians. The
MUI claimed that they had no such permission, and pressured the police to arrest
them, which they did in mid-May. The women remained in jail for the duration of their
trial.
The trial itself was marred from the beginning by vociferous protests by radical Muslim
activists, who conducted prayers both outside and within the courtroom and loudly
demanded that the defendants be convicted. An observer who had attended most of
the court sessions informed us that Thursday was no different. He said, "Today [the
protestors] arrived in nine trucks and brought a coffin to bury the accused if they were
not found guilty. Their violent threats continued in their speeches before the session
began. When the panel of judges read the verdict . . . the crowd erupted with 'Allahu
akbar' or 'Allah is greater.'"
Many observers fear that, in addition to being a gross miscarriage of justice, the
conviction of the women will set an ominous precedent for the interpretation of the
Child Protection Law. They suggest that Thursday's decision could prevent any kind of
Christian ministry to Muslim children, whether or not conversion is the goal.
In a related story, radical Muslims in West Java, emboldened or inflamed by the trial,
have continued their campaign of church closures. Thirty-five churches have been shut
down by the MUI and its affiliates since the end of July, and at least sixty in the past
year. The authorities claim the churches are unlicensed and therefore illegal, which is
technically true, but sources in Indonesia explain that it is practically impossible for
churches to receive registration anywhere in Indonesia. Jubilee Campaign has
received two documents that police in West Java have used to close churches in that
province. The documents are posted below.
The women's conviction, combined with the continuing church closures, send an
alarming message about the state of religious freedom in Indonesia. Please join
Jubilee Campaign in praying for the embattled Christian minority in West Java,
especially Dr. Zakaria, Ms. Pangesti and Ms. Bangun. Pray also for the rule of law,
not the rule of intimidation and violence, to prevail in West Java.
To read an article on Thursday's verdict from Compass Direct News Service,
click here.
To see the police letters used by police to close churches in West Java, click
on the following links:
Padalarang police letter
Cikalongwetan police letter
Indonesian Sunday School Teachers Sentenced to Three Years in Prison
Islamic extremists again threaten violence before court session.
by Sarah Page
DUBLIN, September 1 (Compass) -- Indonesian judges today sentenced three women
to three years in prison for allowing Muslim children to attend a Christian Sunday
school program.
Rebekka Zakaria, Eti Pangesti and Ratna Bangun received the sentence after judges
found them guilty of violating the Child Protection Act of 2002, which forbids
"deception, lies or enticement" causing a child to convert to another religion. The
maximum sentence for violation of the Act is five years in prison and a fine of 100
million rupiah ($10,226).
The Sunday school teachers had instructed the children to get permission from their
parents before attending the program, and those who did not have permission were
asked to go home, according to Jeff Hammond of Bless Indonesia Today, a Christian
foundation operating out of Jakarta. None of the children had converted to Christianity.
When the verdict was announced at 11 a.m. local time, the courtroom crowd erupted
with shouts of "Allahu akbar!" ("God is great!"). The women plan to appeal the
conviction.
A source who spoke with Zakaria by phone as the three women were waiting to be
taken into the courtroom for the verdict said she was calm and confident. Zakaria said
the situation did not look hopeful but that some day, "in God's time," all three women
would "walk free from the prison."
The three women, described by friends as "ordinary housewives," were relieved that
they had not been given the maximum five-year prison sentence. All three, however,
were devastated at the prospect of being separated from their children, who range
from 6 to 19 years of age.
As they have done throughout the trial, Islamic extremists made murderous threats
both inside and outside the courtroom. Hammond said several truckloads of
extremists arrived; one brought a coffin to bury the accused if they were found
innocent.
"The ladies, witnesses and judges were constantly under the threats of violence from
hundreds of Islamic radicals who threatened to kill the three ladies, witnesses,
pastors, missionaries and even the judges if the women were acquitted," Hammond
told Compass.
Before a court proceeding on August 25, the Islamic radicals warned the judges that
they were willing to shed their own blood if the women were not found guilty.
Paul Marshall, a senior fellow at Freedom House's Center for Religious Freedom, said
the case could establish a dangerous precedent. "It's especially troubling and
worrisome since it occurred in Indonesia, a country long known for its relative religious
freedom," Marshall said. "If it signifies the future direction of the country, the
consequences will be terrible."
Zakaria, Pangesti and Bangun were arrested on May 13 after members of the local
Majelis Ulama Indonesia (MUI or Muslim Clerics council) discovered that Muslim
children were attending a Christian education program run by the women. Some of the
children had asked for and received Bibles.
Defense attorneys pointed out that several of the Muslim parents had been
photographed with their children during the Sunday school activities, proof that they
had permitted their children to attend. When Muslim leaders lodged a complaint,
however, the parents refused to testify in support of the women.
No witnesses, defense attorneys had told the court, testified or provided evidence of
the charges that he women had lied, deceived, or forced the children into change their
religion. Also, they said, witnesses who testified against the women had no first-hand
knowledge of the educational program and were speaking from hearsay.
The "Happy Sunday" program was established to meet legal requirements for a local
elementary school.
Zakaria, who pastors the Christian Church of David's Camp in Harguelis, Indramayu
district, West Java, was approached by the school in August 2003 and asked to
provide a Christian education program for Christian students, in line with the National
Education System Bill that came into effect in June of that year.
The women launched the program in September 2003. It proved popular, and Muslim
children soon began to attend with the verbal consent of their parents.
Church Closures
Since the first accusations were made, Muslim authorities in West Java have forced
Zakaria's church to close. Muslim leaders have forced at least 60 unlicensed
churches in West Java to shut down over the past year, with minimal intervention from
the government.
A spike in church closures during the Indramayu trial has drawn coverage in the
national press. An article in The Jakarta Post on August 31 quoted Police Chief Insp.
Gen. Firman Gani, who said police would protect licensed churches from forcible
closure. The police would, however, uphold a 1969 ministerial decree that required all
houses of worship to obtain a permit from local authorities.
The Post also quoted the Minister of Home Affairs, M. Ma'ruf, who said the
government planned to review the controversial decree as it was "no longer relevant."
An editorial in the same newspaper said the forced closure of churches had reached
an alarming level, and the government seemed to have no political will to uphold
freedom of religion as guaranteed in the constitution.
The writer concluded, "It is time now to stop pretending that Indonesia is a perfect
model for religious tolerance ... the people of this nation are less tolerant now toward
differences in religion."
STATE POLICE OF THE REPUBLIC OF INDONESIA
CIMAHI RESORT
PADALARANG SECTOR
Jl. Raya Purwakarta No. 89 Padalarang
No.Pol : B/69/VIII / 2005 / Polsek
Classification: Normal
Appendix None
Concerning: Advice
Padalarang, 06 August 2005-08-30
To:
1. Rev. Dany L Lantu B Th. MA
2. Rev Immanuel
3. Rev Sibarani
4. Rev Henokh Hermintoyo
5. Rev Yacobus Siagian
6. Rev Theo
References for Consideration
a. The Combined Agreement of the Minister of Religion and the Minister for Internal
Affairs No. 01/BER/MDN-MAG/1969 concerning the Conduct of the Role of the
Government Apparatus in Guaranteeing Security and the Implementation of the
Development of Religion by its followers.
b. The Decision of the Minister of Religion No. 70 1978 about the Spread of Religion.
c. The Letter of the Minister of Religion dated Jakarta 11 January 1991 to the Offices
of the Department of Religion throughout Indonesia concerning the establishment of
Places of Worship without permission.
d. The Telegram of the Minister of Internal Affairs to the Governors KDH Up.Kaditsus
of all provinces throughout Indonesia, dated 6th May 1975, Number
033/KWT/SOSPOL/DITPUM/V/1975 being a Secret letter, concerning the use of
private dwellings as Churches.
e. The Circular of the Mayor of Bandung to the District Mayors of the district of
Bandung dated 19th July 1994, Number: 452.2/1949/Sosial, concerning the
requirements for the Building of Places of Religious Worship.
f. The Letter of the Mayor of Bandung to all the leaders of churches in the district of
Bandung No. 452.21/1829/Kesbang. being designated Important for Immediate
Implementation concerning the ban on using private dwellings as places of worship.
In connection with the above, with this we advise you to cease for the time being any
religious activities in the building that you normally use, in consideration of the
present situation and condition until decisions are made as a result of further
consultations that will be carried out at the level of the Ngamprah District.
This is provided so that you are duly informed.
THE CHIEF OF POLICE OF THE PADALARANG SECTOR
Signed
ASEP GUNAWAN
AJUN KOMISARIS POLISI NRP.61080325
Forwarded to:
1. Chief of Police in the Resort, City of Cimahi
2. Kabag Ops Resort, City of Cimahi
3. Kasat Intelkam Resort, City of Cimahi,
4. District Mayor, District of Ngamprah
DISTRICT POLICE OF WEST JAVA
CIMAHI RESORT
CIKALONGWETAN SECTOR
Jl. Raya Purwakarta No. 255 Cikalongwetan
No.Pol : B/69/VIII / 2005 / Polsek
Classification: Normal
Appendix 1 page
Concerning: Advice
Cikalongwetan, 20 August 2005-08-30
To:
Rev. Croni
In Kp Ciawitali RT 03:03
Ds Mandalasari
Cikalongwetan
References for Consideration
a. The Combined Agreement of the Minister of Religion and the Minister for Internal
Affairs No. 01/BER/MDN-MAG/1969 concerning the Conduct of the Role of the
Government Aparatus in Guaranteeing Security and the Implementation of the
Development of Religion by its followers.
b. The Decision of the Minister of Religion No. 70 1978 about the Spread of Religion.
c. The Letter of the Minister of Religion dated Jakarta 11 January 1991 to the Offices
of the Department of Religion throughout Indonesia concerning the establishment of
Places of Worship without permission.
d. The Telegram of the Minister of Internal Affairs to the Governors KDH Up.Kaditsus
of all provinces throughout Indonesia, dated 6th May 1975, Number
033/KWT/SOSPOL/DITPUAS/V/1975 being a Secret letter, concerning the use of
private dwellings as Churches.
e. The Circular of the Mayor of Bandung to the District Mayors of the district of
Bandung dated 09th July 2004, Number: 452.2/1999/Sospol, concerning the
requirements for the Building of Places of Religious Worship.
f. The Letter of the Mayor of Bandung to all the leaders of churches in the district of
Bandung No. 452.21/1829/Kesbang. being designated Important for Immediate
Implementation concerning the ban on using private dwellings as places of worship.
g. The Letter of the District Mayor No. 452.2/47/Trantib. Dated 21 February 2005
Concerning the Coordination of the Houses of Worship that reports that the activity in
the private dwelling in Kp Ciawitali RT 03/03 Ds Mandalsari Kec Cikalongwetan,
District of Bandung which was used as a place of worship has been closed before it
has permission from the appropriate Departments/Institutions. (Attached)
In connection with the above, with this we request that you cease for the time being
any religious activities in the place that you normally use, in consideration of the
present situation and conditions.
This is provided so that you are duly informed.
THE CHIEF OF POLICE OF THE CIKALONGWETAN SECTOR
Signed,
ENDING ROHAEDI
AJUN KOMISARIS POLISI NRP.61020?66
Forwarded to:
1. Chief of Police in the Resort, City of Cimahi
2. Kabag Ops Resort, City of Cimahi
3. Kasat Intelkam Resort, City of Cimahi,
4. District Mayor of Cikalongwetan
5. Dan Ramil 0921 Cikalongwetan
6. President of the Office of Religious Affairs, Cikalongwetan
7. President of Council of Islamic Teachers, Cikalongwetan
8. Chief of the village of Mandalasari
email: jubilee@jubileecampaign.org
phone: 703-503-0791
web: http://www.jubileecampaign.org
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