In DPR Meeting, Human Rights Minister Proposes Law on Religious Freedom
Jakarta (ANTARA) - Human Rights Minister Natalius Pigai, during a working meeting with the DPR RI’s Commission XIII, proposed the formation of a law related to religious freedom in response to the persistent practices of intolerance in society.
“The Ministry of Human Rights has proposed it and discussed it with the Minister of Religious Affairs; I want to present a law on religious freedom,” said Pigai during the meeting held at the parliamentary complex in Senayan, Jakarta, on Tuesday.
He stated that this concept is still in the discussion stage. According to him, Minister of Religious Affairs Nasaruddin Umar proposed naming the law “protection of religious communities” instead of “freedom”.
“So, he uses ‘protection’, I propose ‘freedom’. This is still a debate, but again, it’s a debate—who knows, the meeting point might be in 2027 or 2028. We don’t know,” said Pigai.
During the meeting, DPR RI Commission XIII member Bias Layar highlighted the ongoing conflicts in society regarding the prohibition of worship activities for certain religious communities.
“Even, this issue tends to lead to property damage and acts of violence that impact physical and mental well-being,” said Bias.
He urged Pigai to ensure that religious freedom is truly enforced so that similar cases do not recur. “Because this is enshrined in the 1945 Constitution,” he added.
Meanwhile, DPR RI Commission XIII member Edison Sitorus specifically addressed the controversy surrounding the sealing of the worship place of the Tesalonika congregation of the Persekutuan Oikoumene Umat Kristen (POUK) in Teluknaga, Tangerang, Banten.
“In Tangerang, Minister, the sealing of the POUK congregation’s place in Teluknaga Subdistrict occurred on 3 April after the Good Friday worship; the worship place was sealed by the Civil Service Police,” said Edison.
“I request, Minister, what is your response to this incident and its solutions? To be honest, I am Muslim, but when people of other religions have no religious freedom, I think this is already a violation of human rights,” he continued.
Regarding the controversy over the sealing of the Tesalonika POUK congregation’s worship place in Tangerang, the Human Rights Minister admitted to having assigned his regional office staff to coordinate locally.
According to Pigai, the issue has also been resolved. “We have made efforts and have opened the sealing at the Tesalonika congregation in Banten,” he said.