GMS Church Congregation's Worship Disrupted by Mob as Amnesty Accuses State of Failing to Protect Religious Freedom
AMNESTY International Indonesia has condemned the forced disruption of a Christian congregation’s worship at the Gereja Misi Sejahtera (GMS) in Bantul, Yogyakarta Special Region (DIY). The group’s actions, which halted the Christian worship in the presence of security forces without adequate intervention, were deemed an act of intolerance.
Amnesty’s Executive Director, Usman Hamid, stated that authorities should protect citizens exercising their right to worship, not allow intimidation to occur. ‘We strongly condemn the forced disruption of Christian worship in Bantul. It is deeply ironic that this act of intolerance occurred in front of security personnel who are meant to safeguard people’s right to worship,’ he said in a statement on Wednesday (27/5).
He added that social media videos showed police officers on-site failing to take sufficient preventive measures when the mob approached the GMS worship site. ‘This demonstrates the state’s complicity in vigilantism and intimidation against minority groups. Police inaction constitutes a human rights violation,’ he said.
Hamid stressed that freedom of religion and worship is a constitutional right that the state must guarantee. He argued that administrative reasons should not be used to restrict citizens’ right to worship. ‘Administrative excuses should not override the constitutional right of citizens to worship,’ he said.
Amnesty International Indonesia also highlighted the 2006 Joint Ministerial Decree (SKB) governing places of worship. According to Hamid, requirements such as community support and recommendations from the Forum for Religious Harmony (FKUB) often serve as tools for discrimination against minorities.
‘The requirement for a minimum of 60 local supporters and FKUB endorsement has proven discriminatory. This bureaucratic rule complicates the permitting process and is frequently used as a legal pretext to hinder minorities and legitimise intolerance,’ he explained.
Hamid urged the Bantul Regency Government and DIY Provincial Government to immediately ensure the safety of GMS worshippers so they can worship without threat. Amnesty also called for a thorough investigation into those involved in disrupting the worship.
‘The Bantul Regency Government and DIY Provincial Government must not stand idle. The state must promptly guarantee and protect the right of GMS Christians to worship freely without any threat,’ Hamid said.
‘Authorities must conduct a comprehensive, independent, and impartial investigation into the perpetrators of the disruption and take strict action against officers who failed to intervene,’ he added.
Previously, the disruption occurred at the GMS worship site in Panggungharjo, Sewon, Bantul, on Sunday (24/5). Social media videos showed a group entering the building’s porch shouting and demanding the worship be stopped, with two police officers present at the scene.
GMS officials reported dozens of people arriving on Sunday morning to demand the worship be disbanded, citing lack of permits and opposition from some residents. They also claimed to have faced verbal and physical intimidation.
Meanwhile, the DIY Laskar Forum Jihad Islam (FJI) group claimed their actions were to prevent larger conflicts related to the legality of the building used as a place of worship.
On the other hand, the Bantul Regency’s Agency for National Unity and Politics (Kesbangpol) stated that the church had obtained a Surat Keterangan Tanda Lapor (SKTL) from the DIY Regional Office of the Ministry of Religion. The building used by GMS is known to be a rented property with a five-year lease after previously moving from a hotel.