Freedom of Religion or Belief
The working group under the Indonesian -Norwegian Human Rights Dialogue visiting a mosque, Oslo, 2009
In the aftermath of the annual Human Rights Dialogue meeting in April 2006 between Norway and Indonesia, the issue of freedom of religion or belief emerged as a new focus in the portfolio of the Indonesia Programme.
Freedom of religion or belief is a topic of importance in the Indonesian context, where in particular freedom of religion for non-believers and discrimination on the basis of religious affiliation are issues that need to be addressed. Particular human rights challenges related to freedom of religion or belief in Indonesia include attacks on religious groups whose teachings are considered heretical, as well as limitations placed on the freedom to congregate and conduct services for minority religions.
The Indonesia Programme draws on many of the same resources as the Oslo Coalition on Freedom of Religion or Belief which has its secretariat at the Norwegian Center for Human Rights. The Coalition also conducts activities in Indonesia.
The title above was the title given to a workshop held in Yogyakarta on November 10, 2011. The workshop was held in preparation of a larger conference on the same issue.
The Muhammadyiah University of Malang (UMM) is currently preparing a master course on 'Sharia and Human Rights: Background and Core Contemporary Issues in Indonesia'. An expert conference was held 13-15 June 2011, in order to plan this course.
In 2009, 2010 and 2011, the Indonesia programme has, in cooperation with the Centre for Islamic Studies at the Islamic University of Indonesia (PSI UII), conducted several training and focus group discussions targeting lecturers from faculties of religious studies.
'Attitudes to Human Rights and Freedom of Religion or Belief in Indonesia - Voices of Islamic Religious Leaders in East Java, was published in October 2010.
In 2006, the Indonesia Programme began discussions with UIN regarding the development of a new subject, “HAM, Syariah dan Hukum” (Human Rights, Islamic Law and Domestic Law) to be taught to students of the Islamic Law Faculty.