Resolution on the human rights situation in Indonesia
The European Parliament adopted a resolution on the human rights situation in Indonesia.
The text adopted in plenary was tabled by the EPP, S&D, ECR, ALDE, GUE/NGL, Greens/EFA and EFDD groups.
Parliament recalled that Indonesia is the world’s fourth most populous nation, the third largest democracy and the largest Muslim-majority country.
It is an important partner of the EU and relations between the EU and Indonesia are strong.
However, Members stated that an unprecedented number of violent, discriminatory, harassing verbal attacks and vitriolic statements against LGBTI people were carried out in Indonesia.
In the special autonomous province of Aceh, governed by Sharia law, consensual same-sex sexual acts and sexual relations outside of marriage are criminalised and carry a penalty of up to 100 lashes and 100 months in prison, whereas in the rest of Indonesia homosexuality is not illegal.
Members highlighted serious concerns about intimidation and violence against journalists.
Protecting LGBTI people: Members called on the authorities of the special autonomous province of Aceh to prevent further persecution of homosexuals and to decriminalise homosexuality by amending its Islamic Criminal Code. They strongly condemned the caning of two homosexual men of 20 and 23 years of age in Aceh on 22 May 2017 and called on the authorities to immediately terminate publicly flogging.
Parliament also expressed concern about the growing intolerance towards the Indonesian LGBTI community outside the special autonomous province of Aceh and urged the authorities and government officials to refrain from making public statements that are discriminatory towards LGBTI persons or other minorities in the country.
They rejected the assertion of the Indonesian Psychiatric Association that homosexuality and ‘transgenderism’ are mental health conditions and called on the authorities to end the forcible detention of LGBTI individuals and also to put an end to all forms of ‘treatment’ purporting to ‘cure’ them of homosexuality.
Blasphemy law: Parliament called for the revision of the blasphemy law as it puts religious minorities at risk. It is concerned about the growing intolerance towards ethnic, religious and sexual minorities in Indonesia and urged the authorities of Indonesia to continue as well to strengthen their efforts to enhance religious tolerance and social diversity.
Parliament called on the Indonesia’s authorities to repeal all legal provisions unduly restricting fundamental freedoms and human rights and to review all its laws and to ensure their conformity with the country’s international obligations.
Members expressed concerned about reports of persisting violence against women and practices harmful to women, such as female genital mutilation.
Lastly, the Indonesian Government is called upon to fulfil all its obligations and to respect, protect and uphold the rights and freedoms enshrined in the International Covenant on Civil and Political Rights (ICCPR).