The Government Must Firmly Guarantee the Protection of the Right to Freedom of Religion and Provide Reparation for Victims
Responding to Intolerance and Mob Violence at a Christian Youth Retreat in Cidahu and the Rejection of a Church Construction in Depok
“The Government Must Firmly Guarantee the Protection of the Right to Freedom of Religion and Provide Reparation for Victims”
Jakarta, July 12, 2025
The National Commission on Violence Against Women (Komnas Perempuan) voices deep concern and condemns the attack on participants of a Christian youth retreat and the destruction of a shelter house in Tangkil Hamlet, Tangkil Village, Cidahu District, Sukabumi, on Friday (June 27, 2025). These actions not only violate humanity and justice but also demonstrate the fragility of respect for the values of diversity and human rights within the nation.
Komnas Perempuan emphasizes that guaranteeing the right to freedom of religion and worship for all citizens is an inseparable part of the national consensus that must be upheld without compromise by all stakeholders, especially law enforcement officials and local governments.
“This incident shows that the constitutional right to freedom of religion remains vulnerable to violations, and the state has not yet fully participated in creating a safe and inclusive space for every citizen,” remarked Dahlia Madanih, Commissioner of Komnas Perempuan.
Komnas Perempuan recorded 20 complaints of intolerance from 2020–2025, the majority of which involved places of worship. Women are the most impacted, particularly in terms of threats and violence, as well as in the state’s lack of commitment to establish sustainable reparation mechanisms for women.
Commissioner Chatarina Pancer Istiyani expressed her regret at the recurrence of acts of religious intolerance in various regions and emphasized that the state must immediately and seriously address this situation to prevent recurrence and strengthen guarantees of the right to freedom of religion for all citizens.
Chatarina highlighted an instance where a peaceful and closed retreat activity, carried out by a group of residents, was forced to disband when it was met with violence, intimidation and the destruction of facilities.
Not long after the incident in Sukabumi, a similar case of intolerance occurred in Depok, West Java. Hundreds of residents of RW 03, Kalibaru Village, Cilodong District, Depok, held a demonstration on Saturday (July 5, 2025), opposing the construction of the Batak Karo Protestant Church (GBKP) on Jalan Palautan Reres.
“The rejection of the plan to build a Christian house of worship is clear evidence of the continuing practice of intolerance at the local level,” Chatarina asserted.
Komnas Perempuan urges the government to take clear and measurable steps to stop all forms of intolerance and recurring religious-based violence. Komnas Perempuan recommends that the government and relevant stakeholders immediately establish open and sustainable dialogue between diverse community groups to strengthen tolerance and prevent religious-based violence.
At the same time, the government needs to develop inclusive and participatory recovery and reconciliation mechanisms across communities, particularly for affected groups. Komnas Perempuan also emphasizes the importance of a state response to the challenges women experience in situations of intolerance, such as restrictions on social space, loss of access to education and spirituality, and increased caregiving burdens. Reparation efforts must consider the specific needs of women and girls and ensure the provision of safe spaces for all citizens to practice their faith peacefully and with dignity. In situations of intolerance, women and girls are not only victims of violence and displacement but also deprived of safe spaces for peaceful worship.
“This demonstrates the importance of a gender-based approach in ensuring just reparations and protecting the right to freedom of religion for all citizens,” concluded Chatarina.
Contact Person: Elsa Faturahmah (081389371400)
