RI incapable of 'controlling extremism'

RI incapable of 'controlling extremism'

Associated Press, Jakarta

Religious minorities in Indonesia face persecution and discrimination and cannot count on authorities to protect them from attacks by extremists, according to a U.S. State Department report.

An annual survey of religious freedoms around the world categorizes the world's fourth-most populous Muslim country as one that neglects "the problem of discrimination against, or persecution of, minority or nonapproved religions."

"The government continued to be incapable of controlling religious extremism or preventing the violence perpetrated and encouraged by radical groups," it said.

The report, released in Washington, comes amid warnings by President Megawati Sukarnoputri that the country could break up if ethnic and religious differences are not resolved. On Sunday, she said the vast archipelago was in danger of becoming the "Balkans of the East."

About 85 percent of Indonesia's 213 million people are Muslims. Christians, Buddhists and Hindus make up the rest.

The constitution allows full religious rights and for the most part, relations between the faiths have been harmonious.

However, a vicious war between Christians and Muslims in Maluku province has left thousands dead since it started in January 1999.

The State Department report notes that security officials have been siding with the warring factions in the region.

Early into the conflict, authorities allowed thousands of Islamic militiamen to travel to the islands to join in the fighting.

They have since been blamed for some of the bloodiest incidents, including the forced circumcision and conversion of hundreds of Christians.

Elsewhere, scores of churches have been attacked in recent years. Last year, 19 people were killed and more than 100 injured in bombing campaign targeting churches on Christmas Eve.

The report praised numerous interfaith initiatives launched since the Dec. 24 attacks, and noted that some progress has been made in fostering religious harmony.