Limitations to Freedom of Religion or Belief in Indonesia: Norms and Practices

Zainal Abidin Bagir, Asfinawati, Suhaidi Cholil and Renata Arianingtyas co-authored an article on “Limitations to Freedom of Religion or Belief in Indonesia; Norms and Practices”. The article illustrate to elements that have shaped FoRB landscape in Indonesia, namely: (1) the progressive adoption of human rights in the new laws and amended constitution, as a result of the democratization which started in 1998; and (2) the old governance of religion which acknowledges limited religious pluralism and emphasizes harmony over freedom. 

The Article pinpointed that the Indonesian amended constitution, under the new chapter on human rights, added “religious values” as the ground for limitation, in addition to other grounds outlined in the International Covenant on Civil and Political Rights.

The research found that “while the emphasis on religious values and public order produces most restrictions, when it comes to limitations to FoRB on grounds of public health, the government seems reluctant to impose necessary restrictions.”

To access the article, please visit this link.