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.