The “Keeping the Faith: A Study of Freedom of Thought, Conscience and Religion in ASEAN” discussion series arrived in Yogyakarta on May 30, 2015. Held in collaboration with HRRC’s partner, the Law Faculty of Gadjah Mada University (UGM), the event was also organized with the support of the Center for Religious and Cross-cultural Studies (CRCS UGM), the Center for Human Rights Studies of the Islamic University of Indonesia (PUSHAM UII), and the Oslo Coalition on Freedom of Religion or Belief at the Norwegian Centre for Human Rights.
Dr. Zainal Abidin Bagir, Director of the Center for Religious and Cross Cultural Studies (CRCS) at Gadjah Mada University and author of the Indonesia country report in “Keeping the Faith,” focused on the country’s freedom of religion situation. “Law both shapes the society and is shaped by the society. Thus, engagement with the society is important to end discrimination and persecution against religious and belief minorities.” Specifically on the Law on Anti-Blasphemy in Indonesia, “there is a need to raise awareness in the society to repeal laws that open the room or pathway toward intolerance,” Dr. Bagir emphasized.
For the whole report of the discussion series click “Keeping the Faith roadshow in Jakarta” and “Keeping the Faith discussion series in Yogyakarta.”
