Minorities and justice<\/p>\n
Recently I went to the trial of three, female, Sunday school
\nteachers in Indramayu, who were accused of trying to convert a
\nfew Muslim children to Christianity. After taking my seat in the
\ncourtroom, officials asked my Indonesian friend and me if we
\nwould like to listen to the trial from a safe distance, maybe in
\na back room.<\/p>\n
The police knew trouble was coming and were concerned that as
\na foreigner, I could become a target of aggression. As we had
\njust traveled three hours to view the trial, we did not really
\nlike the idea of hiding in a back office. We thanked them
\npolitely and stayed.<\/p>\n
They then seated plain clothed police around us and we all
\nhoped for the best. It was difficult for me to believe that a
\nperson, no matter what color or religion was not safe watching
\nproceedings in a court of law.<\/p>\n
Around 25 friends and family of the accused had also taken
\nseats in the courtroom after being checked for weapons. They sat
\npeacefully awaiting the verdict. Soon I began to realize why the
\npolice had been so concerned. Around 150 young men and their
\nleaders arrived at the courthouse. They were angry and chanting.<\/p>\n
After shouting and calling for death for these women, they
\nproceeded to enter the courtroom and overwhelmed it. They were
\nnot searched, but were allowed to push friends and family of the
\naccused out of their seats and were allowed to enter in such
\nnumbers that they outnumbered everyone else, including the
\npolice, by four to one.<\/p>\n
As I sat there, with angry young men filling every corner of
\nthe room, some wearing bandanas and covers over their faces, I
\nrealized that the police, although well intentioned and very
\nhelpful, had no hope of controlling such an angry mob. The police
\nhad no weapons, no defense gear and were in as much danger as the
\ndefendants and their supporters.<\/p>\n
They were at risk of losing their lives if they tried to
\ndefend the women, the judges or myself. We waited and hoped for
\njustice.<\/p>\n
The women were found guilty and sentenced to three years'
\nimprisonment. It saddens me that I felt relief at this result;
\nrelief because today these women would not die at the hands of
\nthe mob; relief that I would not die at the same hands; relief,
\nthat the young policemen who stood so bravely in the face of
\nfear, also would not die that day.<\/p>\n
Intense sadness then filled me. Can justice be assured in the
\nface of such overwhelming intimidation?<\/p>\n
KERRY PATERSON
\nBekasi, West Java<\/p>",
"url": "https:\/\/jawawa.id\/newsitem\/minorities-and-justice-1447893297",
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