Freedom Guard to protect minority groups from terror

Freedom Guard to protect minority groups from terror

Tiarma Siboro, The Jakarta Post, Jakarta

Indonesia's founding fathers declared that this country would
embrace various cultures, ethnic groups, religions and beliefs,
however such idealism is fast disappearing and freedom to enjoy
this diversity has become endangered, with minority groups often
suffering from violence and terror.

The government security forces, however, are often indifferent
to attacks on minorities -- ostensibly because the officers fear
inflaming the situation further.

In a move made so that all Indonesians can enjoy the same
rights and privileges as full citizens of the nation, a group
committed to non-violence declared the establishment of the Garda
Kemerdekaan (Freedom Guard) here on Friday.

"We set up the organization with the main objective of
rebuffing all violence, protecting people from any type of
brutality and standing alongside any groups being abused or
terrorized simply because of their differences," said guard
leader and journalist Ahmad Taufik.

He said the guard's establishment was partly done to
demonstrate the public concern over the increased number of
attacks by Muslim extremists on minority groups and Islamic
scholars -- largely because the extremists have decided that such
people were heretical or deviant.

Muslim hard-liners recently vandalized and terrorized
Ahmadiyah, an Islamic sect that recognizes another prophet after
Muhammad. Mainstream Muslims worldwide believe Muhammad was the
final prophet.

The frequent attacks have forced Ahmadiyah members to flee
their homes and villages. However, very little if any, action has
been taken by the police or other law enforcement personnel
against the attackers, which included militants from the Islam
Defenders Front (FPI).

A series of threats and intimidation tactics have also been
directed at the Liberal Islam Network (JIl), which promotes
liberalism and pluralism among Muslims and is open to dialog with
followers of other faiths.

Frequent intimidation and evictions of Christians from their
houses of worship by Muslim extremists, have also been a regular
occurrence in recent months -- particularly in western Java.

"Garda Kemerdekaan members will act as reinforcements to
protect places that have been targeted by hard-line groups,"
Taufik told The Jakarta Post.

To prevent it from being branded just another militia group,
he said no Freedom Guard members would be equipped with any type
of weapon while carrying out their peaceful mission.

Also joining the new group are individuals representing
various religious organizations, including Nahdlatul Ulama -- the
country's largest Muslim organization, the Bishops Council of
Indonesia (KWI), the Indonesian Communion of Churches (PGI) and
the Hindu Community.

Activists and supporters of Ahmadiyah and JIL as well as
members of many ethnic groups, such as Chinese-Indonesians and
Madurese, were among those attending Friday's declaration.

Prodemocracy activists from several non-governmental
organizations and journalists grouped in the Alliance of
Independent Journalists (AJI) also took part in the establishment
of Garda Kemerdekaan.

Nong Darul Mahmada, a JIL activist who was among those who
witnessed the declaration, called on all people to strive for
their own freedom, while expressing their thoughts and beliefs.

"Each of us is different from one another and it is our own
right to have freedom of expression in this diverse nation. None
of us is allowed to abuse others," Nong asserted.