PREFACE One of SETARA Institute’s organizational mandates is to promote, maintain and strengthen the diversity of Indonesia. Since 2007, this organization has been consistent in compiling reports on the conditions of freedom of religion/ belief in Indonesia. Ths consistency is not only evident on the Institute’s strategic methods to present knowledge and the latest data updates each year, but also ... Read More »

Poor record: Setara Institute researchers Achmad Fanani (left) and Bonar Tigor Naipospos present a study on Indonesia’s human rights index during a press conference in Jakarta on Monday. Their research suggests Indonesia is experiencing a decline in the religious freedom and freedom of speech categories.(JP/Wendra Ajistyatama) The state of freedom in the country has fallen to a new low with ... Read More »

TEMPO.CO, Jakarta – Bonar Tigor Naipospos, Deputy Chairman of Indonesian think tank Setara Institute, asserted that President Joko “Jokowi” Widodo had committed human rights violation in relation to the alleged religious blasphemy committed by non-active Jakarta Governor Basuki “Ahok” Tjahaja Purnama. Bonar stated that in human rights perspective, a country – represented by its government – has the obligation to protect ... Read More »

Cases of religious intolerance could increase in Indonesia amid Jakarta Governor Basuki “Ahok” Tjahaja Purnama’s blasphemy trial and ahead of Christmas celebrations. Setara Institute research director Ismail Hasani said intolerant groups had grown more confident after a large-scale rally against Ahok in the National Monument (Monas) area, Central Jakarta, on Dec. 2. “And it’s now heading toward Christmas,” Ismail told ... Read More »

If anyone wonders why Indonesia has been ineffective in curbing extremism, the anti-Ahok campaign provides an object lesson. In the name of demanding that the Jakarta governor be prosecuted for blasphemy, it brings together violent extremists, moralist thugs and powerful political interests. And because of the latter, no one dares challenge it. Indonesia’s spineless political leaders have allowed extremists to ... Read More »

The campaign period for the Jakarta gubernatorial race kicked off Friday with a joint declaration by human rights activists and leading Muslim figures to promote an election that is free from racism and sectarianism. Ismail Hasani, research director of the Setara Institute rights group, said on Friday that although many surveys showed only a small number of Jakarta residents would ... Read More »

Jakarta. While Indonesians celebrated National Youth Pledge Day on Friday (28/10), prominent Muslim scholars and an association that represents students in Islamic schools, or santri, called on the public to avoid the issues of race, ethnicity, religion and intergroup dynamics during the period leading up to the Jakarta gubernatorial election. Friday also marked the first day of campaigning, which will ... Read More »

A fact-finding team has urged the Attorney General’s Office (AGO) to file a case review on the controversial acquittal of former State Intelligence Agency (BIN) deputy chief Muchdi Purwopranjono, who was accused of being involved  in the murder of prominent rights defender Munir Said Thalib. Hendardi of the Setara Institute, a member of a government-commissioned fact-finding team (TPF) set up ... Read More »

Jakarta. The Setara Institute for Democracy and Peace has urged the government to do more to prevent radicalization following a knife attack in Tangerang, Banten, on Thursday (22/10) by a man believed to be an Islamic State sympathizer. The 22-year-old man, reportedly acting alone, stabbed three police officers with a knife after applying an Islamic State sticker on their shelter. ... Read More »

Two years since taking office, President Joko “Jokowi” Widodo and Vice President Jusuf Kalla’s administration has shown it does not prioritize civil liberties, evidenced by continued freedom of expression violations, a human rights watchdog has said. “It’s ironic to see that on one hand, law enforcement authorities barely do anything to prevent a violation of freedom of expression, particularly on ... Read More »

When President Widodo was inaugurated on Oct. 20 2014, there was widespread hope that his “can-do” approach would translate into bold decision making and wide-ranging reforms. Two years on, experts believe his reforms have not gone far enough Two years ago, slum-born Joko “Jokowi” Widodo was elected Indonesia’s President, becoming the first leader elected outside of the country’s narrow political ... Read More »