Posts with tag: Religious freedom

Talking Indonesia: Confucianism
Religion, Talking IndonesiaWhy and how did Confucianism come to be recognised as a religion in Indonesia? Who are Indonesia’s Confucians, and what does the future hold for Confucianism in the country? Dr Charlotte Setijadi chats to Dr Evi Sutrisno in the latest episode of Talking Indonesia.

A personal religious choice: regions banned from forcing students to wear headscarves
Education, Gender, Religion, Top StoriesA new joint ministerial decision banning forced religious clothing in schools has been welcomed by activists. But in an increasingly conservative society, will headscarves continue to be viewed as compulsory?

Sign of the times? Indonesia takes the (halal) cake
Analysis, Religion, SocietyIt was only a matter of time before Indonesia its own controversy around cakes and religious freedom. Dr Stewart Fenwick examines the incident and looks at why it prompted such a strong backlash.

Talking Indonesia: the Indonesian Council of Ulama (MUI)
Religion, Talking IndonesiaWhat does the growing influence of the Indonesian Council of Ulama (MUI) mean for the future of Indonesian democracy? Dr Dirk Tomsa reflects on this issue and more with Dr Saskia Schäfer in the latest episode of Talking Indonesia.

Is MUI beyond reform? Don't be so sure
Analysis, ReligionIf MUI is here to stay, what can be done to ensure it plays a more productive role in Indonesian democracy? Ibnu Nadzir looks at the possibilities for reforming the body.

Do Indonesians still care about human rights?
2019 Indonesian Elections, Human Rights, SocietyGoing by the first presidential debate on 20 January, neither candidate feels that the electorate cares much about human rights. Dr Robertus Robet and Dr Alfindra Primaldhi present survey results suggesting that Indonesians do believe human rights are important – but acceptance of rights has its limits.

More of the same? Candidates make unconvincing commitments to human rights in first debate
2019 Indonesian Elections, Human Rights, Politics, Religion, SecurityWith rights on the agenda during the first debate on 17 January, expectations were high. But as Dr Ken Setiawan writes, the performance of both candidate pairs left little hope for an improvement in the human rights situation.

Is Grace Natalie the next Ahok?
2019 Indonesian Elections, Human Rights, Politics, Religion, SocietyIndonesian Solidarity Party (PSI) head Grace Natalie has been accused of blasphemy for remarks she made on shari'a-inspired local regulations. Is there now no room for non-Muslims to comment on religion in public? Daniel Peterson examines the case against her.

The human cost of Indonesia's Blasphemy Law
Analysis, Human Rights, Law, ReligionSome 23 people have been sentenced under the Blasphemy Law since President Joko Widodo came to power in 2014, including six this year. Andreas Harsono from Human Rights Watch looks at the impact of the law on its victims, such as ethnic Chinese Buddhist Meliana.