Falun Gong wants its rights recognized
Falun Gong wants its rights recognized
M. Taufiqurrahman, The Jakarta Post, Jakarta
Followers of Falun Gong Indonesia filed a complaint with the
National Commission on Human Rights (Komnas HAM) Wednesday for
what they called restrictions and a clampdown on the freedom of
their association by the government.
Secretary of the Association of Falun Gong Indonesia, Liman
Kurniawan, said that the complaint reflected the peak of the
group's frustration.
"Police have always turned down our requests for permits to
organize gatherings that involve our own members. They insist
that Falun Gong is illegal as it has no license from the Ministry
of Home Affairs," he told reporters.
He said that the association had tried to obtain the license
in the past year, but to no avail.
"An official from the ministry has always said no license
could be issued, because the Indonesian government does not want
to jeopardize its bilateral ties with the People's Republic of
China," he said.
Falun Gong has been outlawed in China, exposing hundreds of
its followers to extrajudicial prosecution by the communist
government.
Another member of Falun Gong, Fadjar Pratikto, called on the
government to recognize the association as a mass organization in
Indonesia.
In response to the group, Komnas HAM member Taheri Noor said
the rights watchdog would write to the home ministry, foreign
ministry and the Jakarta Police regarding the alleged
restrictions.
Falun Gong, or Falun Dafa, is a practice to improve health and
moral qualities, relieve stress, create inner peace and develop
wisdom and promote spiritual growth with its principles of
"truthfulness, benevolence and forbearance".
On March 3, 2002, a parade held by Falun Gong Indonesia was
canceled following the objections of the Chinese Embassy.
The parade, which was part of a conference, had in fact
secured a permit from the National Police. It was attended by
participants from Australia, Taiwan, the United States, Hong
Kong, Singapore, Sweden, Malaysia, Thailand, the People's
Republic of China, Korea and Indonesia.