The ASC is also extremely concerned with the growing religious extremism in the region, and the use of religion to instigate and justify violence towards minorities. Before the memorial commenced, calls to attack the memorial were made by 3 mosques in the nearby area. The ASC strongly condemns the acts of intolerance and violence by the assailants, and exploitation of religion and religious institutions to instigate hate and violence towards minorities who merely exercised their freedom to assemble to peacefully commemorate the lives of transgender persons lost due to violence.

We call the ASEAN member states to take meaningful measures to address the growing religious extremism in the region.

Such acts of violence further demonstrate the dire need to introduce meaningful measures and protection for LGBTIQ persons and human rights defenders in ASEAN member states. Consequently, ASEAN member states must create enabling environment for LGBTIQ persons to live with dignity and take meaningful steps to promote tolerance, respect and equality for all people regardless of sexual orientation, gender identity and expression.

Background:

On November 20, 2014, the Jaringan Perempuan Yogyakarta (Yogyakarta Women Network) organized a Transgender Day of Remembrance (TDoR) memorial in Tugu, Yogyakarta to commemorate the lives of transgender persons lost due to hate crime and violence. The event that began at 8pm went on peacefully until disrupted by the 3 strangers who claimed to be police officers. The strangers violently dispersed the attendees and attacked 6 attendees. AL, an attendee, was pulled by his hair, kicked, pushed and hit on his with a bamboo stick. MUS, identified as the group leader by the assailants, and his friend who tried to escape with his motorcycle physically attacked by the assailants with bamboo sticks. BER, another participant, was also physically attacked by the assailants. According to the sources, announcements were made at the Diponegoro Mosque, Taqim Mosque and Mujahidin Mosque to instigate violence towards the attendees. Similar attacks have occurred in the past against, including one against Sapta Dharma in 2012. While the attacks were reported to the Police and NHRI (Komnas HAM), no actions have been taken thus far.

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