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Jakarta, VIVA – Indonesian Minister of Human Rights, Natalius Pigai, has proposed a law to ensure freedom of religion, allowing citizens to embrace faiths beyond Indonesia’s officially recognized religions.
"Regarding discrimination against minority groups, such as those who believe in faiths outside the official religions, we actually want to see a Religious Freedom Law in place in the future. This is the ministry’s stance," the minister said on Tuesday (March 11).
Minister Natalius Pigai emphasized that religious freedom must be protected by a legal framework rooted in a Religious Freedom Law—not a Religious Community Protection Law.
"Why? Because a Religious Community Protection Law would imply that we are acknowledging the existence of oppression. The state must not recognize or justify any form of religious injustice," he remarked.
He continued, "That’s why we want a Religious Freedom Law, so that every citizen has the right to practice their faith. I believe this is something that can be debated."
Minister Pigai welcomed input from all segments of society, as democracy allows room for differing views.
Natalius Pigai berjalan saat dipanggil Presiden Prabowo Subianto dalam pengumuman jajaran menteri Kabinet Merah Putih di Istana Merdeka, Jakarta, Minggu, 20 Oktober 2024.
Photo :
- ANTARA/Hafidz Mubarak A
"Anyone is free to protest, and that’s okay. If you don’t protest, that’s fine too. That’s democracy. Some may support a Religious Community Protection Law, while others may favor a Religious Freedom Law—both are valid perspectives," he said.
"But personally, I am proposing that, at some point, a Religious Freedom Law should be seriously considered," Natalius Pigai continued.
Minister Pigai also clarified that his statement was merely an idea presented to the public and that no concrete steps have been taken yet, including any official government initiative to discuss the matter with the House of Representatives.
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"Anyone is free to protest, and that’s okay. If you don’t protest, that’s fine too. That’s democracy. Some may support a Religious Community Protection Law, while others may favor a Religious Freedom Law—both are valid perspectives," he said.
