{
    "success": true,
    "data": {
        "id": 1661542,
        "msgid": "addressing-intolerance-issues-human-rights-minister-proposes-bill-on-freedom-of-religion-1775599011",
        "date": "2026-04-07 16:38:33",
        "title": "Addressing Intolerance Issues, Human Rights Minister Proposes Bill on Freedom of Religion",
        "author": "Robertus Belarminus",
        "source": "KOMPAS",
        "tags": "",
        "topic": "Social Policy",
        "summary": "Indonesia's Human Rights Minister, Natalius Pigai, has proposed drafting a Bill on Freedom of Religion to tackle ongoing intolerance, emphasising a shift from protection to broader inclusivity that encompasses all faith groups, including local religions. Speaking at a parliamentary meeting, Pigai highlighted internal government debates on the terminology and approach, expressing optimism for resolution in the coming years. He also challenged stereotypes of intolerance in regions like West Java, asserting that such issues are widespread across Indonesia and affect both majority and minority groups depending on local contexts.",
        "content": "<p>JAKARTA, KOMPAS.com - Human Rights Minister Natalius Pigai has\nproposed the establishment of a Bill on Freedom of Religion. The\nproposal was raised by Pigai while addressing intolerance issues in\nIndonesia, during a working meeting with the House of Representatives\u2019\nCommission XIII on Tuesday (7\/4\/2026). \u201cTherefore, the Ministry of Human\nRights has proposed, discussed with the Minister of Religious Affairs, I\nwant to introduce the Freedom of Religion Act,\u201d said Pigai at the House\nof Representatives building. Pigai stated that the proposal arises\nbecause the state\u2019s current approach still focuses on protecting\nreligious communities rather than freedom. According to Pigai, the\nconcept of religious freedom is considered more inclusive as it covers\nall belief groups, including local religions. \u201cSo, we are proposing the\nFreedom of Religion Act, but for now the state is still guided by the\nProtection of Religious Communities Act. So, it uses \u2018protection\u2019, I am\nproposing \u2018freedom\u2019. This is still a debate,\u201d he said. Pigai added that\nthe differing views are still being discussed within the government.\n\u201cBut, again, it\u2019s a debate, who knows, the meeting point might be in\n2027 or 2028, we don\u2019t know,\u201d he revealed. On that occasion, Pigai also\nhighlighted the narrative of intolerance often attached to certain\nareas, such as West Java. He rejected the notion that the region is\nsynonymous with intolerant practices. According to Pigai, the stigma of\nWest Java as an intolerant area is an opinion formed over a long time\nand does not fully reflect the conditions on the ground. \u201cBut, I reject\nif it\u2019s said that West Java is intolerant. This is me as the Human\nRights Minister, as well as someone who has lived in West Java for 25\nyears. Depok has never had any sealing related to religion,\u201d said Pigai.\nPigai emphasised that, based on his observations and research,\nintolerance cases do not only occur in one specific area but are spread\nacross various regions in Indonesia. He assessed that both majority and\nminority groups can experience pressure, depending on the regional\ncontext. \u201cNow we are directing to view Indonesia with a broader lens,\nthat intolerance exists in minority areas, intolerance exists in\nmajority areas,\u201d he said.<\/p>",
        "url": "https:\/\/jawawa.id\/newsitem\/addressing-intolerance-issues-human-rights-minister-proposes-bill-on-freedom-of-religion-1775599011",
        "image": ""
    },
    "sponsor": "Okusi Associates",
    "sponsor_url": "https:\/\/okusiassociates.com"
}