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.