We, civil society organizations and human rights defenders, express deep concern about the recent deteriorating situation faced by the Lesbian, Gay, Bisexual, Trans, Intersex, Queer (LGBTIQ) community in Indonesia. We express grave disappointment over the Indonesian government’s lack of political will to put a stop to the wave of discriminatory statements and attacks against LGBTIQ persons, and its failure to ensure their safety and protection. We call on the Indonesian government to respect, protect and promote the human rights of LGBTIQ people.

Since January 2016, a number of government officials have made anti-LGBTIQ statements and undertaken other activities promoting anti-LGBTIQ sentiments. The Research, Technology and Higher Education Minister Muhammad Nasir issued a statement suggesting that homosexual and transgender students should be banned from attending university. The Surabaya police ordered to stop the “#GueBerani Party”, a public event aimed at raising awareness on HIV/AIDS. An Islamic boarding school in Yogyakarta attended by transgender women was raided and forced to close by Indonesian authorities, who cited “security, order, and public comfort issues” as justification. The Indonesian Broadcasting Company released a statement forbidding “effeminate” and “crossdressing” men as well as transgender women from appearing on television. The Ministry of Information and Communication banned stickers and emoji carrying LGBTIQ-themes, and demanded mobile apps and social networking sites to remove such content. Moreover, the Indonesian Parliament is in the process of legislating a ban on public information with LGBTIQ-related content.

Indonesia has a history of discrimination and violence against LGBTIQs, but recent events suggest that the situation is getting worse. The Indonesian government’s failure to condemn anti-LGBTIQ statements has only encouraged anti-LGBTIQ groups like the Front Pembela Islam (FPI) and Ulama Council to continue issuing statements and undertaking other aggressive activities against the already marginalised community. On February 4, FPI reportedly harassed participants at a seminar in Indonesia’s capital Jakarta held to inform LGBTIQs of ways to access justice. With anti-LGBTIQ statements from Indonesian officials on the rise, it is easy for extremist groups to justify their own oppressive actions, including attacks against LGBTIQ people. The absence of a clear government response addressing discrimination and violence against LGBTIQ people is an apparent neglect of Indonesia’s commitment to uphold international and domestic human rights law.

With these issues in mind, we urge the Indonesian government to comply with its obligations under domestic and international law to respect, protect and promote the human rights of LGBTIQ people. Indonesia’s Law Concerning Human Rights (No. 39/1999) states that everyone in the country has the “right to, without any discrimination, the protection of human rights and obligations” (Art. 3.3). The said law obligates government to guarantee protection of persons who face discrimination and violence, and ensure they have access to effective remedies.

The Yogyakarta Principles on the Application of International Human Rights Law in Relation to Sexual Orientation and Gender Identity, developed in Yogyakarta 10 years ago, provide a universal guide to applying international human rights law to abuses experienced by lesbians, gay men, bisexual and transgender people to ensure the universal reach of human rights protections.

In particular, we urge the Indonesian government to undertake the following actions:

1. Ensure that everyone in Indonesia is equally protected under the law. The Indonesian LGBTIQ community should not be used as a scapegoat to divert attention from other pressing issues in the country.
2. Refrain from using LGBTIQ issues to paint a picture of civil disturbance. Labelling the LGBTIQ as threats to “security, order, and public comfort” encourages further extremist actions in the interest of perceived Internal Security.
3. Order all government officials at all levels to refrain from making anti-LGBTIQ statements.
4. Proactively address cases of violence against LGBTIQ, including by implementing measures to prevent all forms of violence, by investigating and penalizing such actions, and by undertaking necessary reforms in the justice system.
5. Undertake measures to ensure the protection and safety of all LGBTIQ human rights defenders.

{aridoc engine="google" width="600" height="800"}images/2016/Joint-Statement-on-Indonesia-Asian-CSOs-March-16-2016.pdf{/aridoc}

Signed By:

Midnight Poonkasetwattana, Executive Director, APCOM

Natt Kraipet, Network Coordinator, APTN

Niluka Perera, Program Officer, Youth Voices Count

Ryan Silverio, Regional Coordinator, ASEAN SOGIE Caucus

Sattarah Hattirat, Regional Coordinator, ILGA Asia

Endorsed By The Following Organizations (list updated 17 March 2016):

1. ASEAN Youth Forum, Regional
2. Alternative ASEAN Network on Burma (ALTSEAN-Burma), Regional
3. ASEAN Parliamentarians for Human Rights, Regional
4. Asian Forum for Human Rights and Development (FORUM-ASIA), Regional
5. Organization Intersex International Chinese, Regional
6. The Brunei Project, Regional
7. Destination Justice, Global
8. International Lesbian, Gay, Trans and Intersex Association, Global
9. ILGA World Trans* Secretariat, Global
10. OutRight Action International, Global
11. CamASEAN Youth’s Future, Cambodia
12. Cambodian Center for Human Rights, Cambodia
13. Cambodian Human Rights and Development Asociation –ADHOC, Cambodia
14. Day Ku Aphiwat, Cambodia
15. Rainbow Community Kampuchea, Cambodia
16. WGP Cambodia, Cambodia
17. Chinese Lala Alliance, China
18. Common Language, China
19. Arus Pelangi, Indonesia
20. GAYa Nusantara, Indonesia
21. Institut Perempuan, Indonesia
22. OHANA, Indonesia
23. Partnership for Governance Reform, Indonesia
24. Peace Women Across the Globe Indonesia, Indonesia
25. Protection Desk Indonesia, Indonesia
26. Sehjira Deaf Foundation, Indonesia
27. Yayasan Lintas Nusa, Indonesia
28. Lao LGBT Group, Lao PDR
29. Diversity, Malaysia
30. Global Development Initiative Association of Malaysia, Malaysia
31. Justice for Sisters, Malaysia
32. Malaysian Humanist and Rationalist Movement, Malaysia
33. Rainbow Connection, Malaysia
34. Rainbow Genders Society, Malaysia
35. SUARAM Malaysia, Malaysia
36. Alin Mee Eain, Myanmar
37. Angles, Myanmar
38. Alun Tan Lay Myar, Myanmar
39. Beauty Queens, Myanmar
40. Burma Partnership, Myanmar
41. Burmese Tomboy Group, Myanmar
42. Colors Rainbow, Myanmar
43. Equality Myanmar, Myanmar
44. Ever Green Lover, Myanmar
45. Gold Star, Myanmar
46. Khiine Ninsi, Myanmar
47. Kings N Queens, Myanmar
48. LGBT Rights Network Myanmar, Myanmar
49. Manaw Pan, Myanmar
50. Mee Eain Shin, Myanmar
51. Mr. Lady, Myanmar
52. Radanar Ayar Rural Development Association, Myanmar
53. Rainbow Myeik, Myanmar
54. Rainbow Organization, Myanmar
55. Sarnarmu Saytanar, Myanmar
56. Saytanar Arr Mann, Myanmar
57. Sky Dragon Tomboy Group, Myanmar
58. Tamar Mar Myae Ma Lat Myar, Myanmar
59. Thunder, Myanmar
60. TRY, Myanmar
61. Alpha Nu Fraternity, Philippines
62. Downelink Philippines Community, Philippines
63. Freedom from Debt Coalition – Women Committee, Philippines
64. GALANG Philippines
65. LGBT Christian Church, Philippines
66. Philippine Alliance of Human Rights Advocates, Philippines
67. Pinoy FTM, Philippines
68. SHINE SOCCSKSARGEN, Inc., Philippines
69. Society of Transexual Women of the Philippines (STRAP), Philippines
70. Stop the Discrimination Coalition – Philippines
71. True Colors Association, Philippines
72. WomanHealth Philippines, Philippines
73. Women’s Legal and Human Rights Bureau, Philippines
74. The G Spot (Yale-NUS Gender & Sexuality Alliance), Yale-NUS College, Singapore
75. Oogachaga, Singapore
76. Sayoni, Singapore
77. 30+ Lesbian Group – Grutergi, South Korea
78. Chingusai – Korean Gay Men’s Human Rights Group, South Korea
79. Christian Solidarity for a World Without Discrimination (Chasegiyeon), South Korea
80. Collective for Sexual Minority Cultures PINKS, South Korea
81. Daegu Queer Culture Festival, South Korea
82. Green Party Minority Human Rights Committee, South Korea
83. Jogye Order of Korean Buddhism – Society and Labour Committee, South Korea
84. Justice Party Sexual Minority Committee, South Korea
85. Korea Queer Culture Festival Organizing Committee, South Korea
86. Korean Sexual Minority Culture and Rights Center (KSCRC), South Korea
87. Korean Lawyers for Public Interest and Human Rights, South Korea
88. GongGam Human Rights Law Foundation, South Korea
89. Labor Party – Sexual Politics Committee, South Korea
90. Lesbian Counselling Center in South Korea, South Korea
91. Lesbian Human Rights Group “Byunnal” of Ewha Woman’s University, South Korea
92. LGBTIQ Crossing the Damn World (It Means Totally Queer), South Korea
93. Network for Global Activism, South Korea
94. QUV-LGBTQ University Student Alliance of Korea, South Korea
95. Rainbow Action Against Sexual Minority Discrimination, South Korea
96. Rainbow Solidarity for LGBT Human Rights Daegu, South Korea
97. RINBeyond the Rainbow Foundation, South Korea
98. Sinnaneuncenter: LGBT Culture, Arts and Human Rights Center, South Korea
99. Solidarity for HIV/AIDS Human Rights Nanuri+, South Korea
100. Solidarity for LGBT Human Rights of Korea, South Korea
101. The Korean Community Rainbow Group Lezpa, South Korea
102. The Korean Society of Law and Policy on Sexual Orientation and Gender Identity, South Korea
103. Unninetwork, South Korea
104. Regional Centre for Strategic Studies, Sri Lanka
105. RFSL -The Swedish Federation for Lesbian, Gay, Bisexual, Transgender and Queer Rights, Sweden
106. Buku Classroom, Thailand
107. People Empowerment Foundation, Thailand
108. Sangsan Anakot Yawachon Development Project, Thailand
109. TEA Togetherness for Equality and Action, Thailand
110. Thai Committee on Refugees Foundation, Thailand
111. Freedom House, United States
112. Institute for the Study of Society, Economy and Environment, Viet Nam
113. Open Group, Viet Nam
114. Trun Tam ICS, Viet Nam
115. Vietnamese Women for Human Rights, Viet Nam
116. Gays and Lesbians of Zimbabwe, Zimbabwe

Endorsed By The Following Individuals:

1. Prof. Dédé Oetomo, Indonesia
2. Poedjiati Tan, Indonesia
3. Gunawan Wibisono, Indonesia
4. Widya Anggraini, Indonesia
5. Lau Shu Shi, Malaysia
6. Rev. Dr. Joseph N. Goh, Monash University, Malaysia
7. Teo Han Hui, Malaysia
8. Albert Angelo Concepcion, Philippines
9. Bruce Amoroto, Philippines
10. Jason Maglacas Masaganda, Philippines
11. John Tigno, Philippines
12. Patrick F. Bonales, Philippines
13. Patrick Espino, Philippines
14. Rev. Ceejay Agbayani, Philippines
15. Joanna Lavares, Philippines
16. Anpak, South Korea
17. Candy Darim Yun, South Korea
18. Choi Yehoon, South Korea
19. Eun Seon Kim, South Korea
20. Holic Ryu, South Korea
21. Hyeonsu Kim, South Korea
22. Jaehyeok Choi, South Korea
23. Je Jin, South Korea
24. Jeong Seol Ha, South Korea
25. Jinhwa Lee, South Korea
26. JinJu Kyung, South Korea
27. Jung Woo, South Korea
28. Kimhyunyoung, South Korea
29. Kang Myeongjin, South Korea
30. Kim Nayeong, South Korea
31. Ko Kumsook, South Korea
32. Lee Byung Hun, South Korea
33. Lee Jong Geol, South Korea
34. Lee Yong-suk, South Korea
35. Lim SungGye, South Korea
36. Minjin Kang, South Korea
37. Na Young, South Korea
38. Sijin, South Korea
39. Yi Jae Hee, South Korea
40. Yookyeong Im, South Korea
41. Zeno Ki, South Korea
42. Prof. Douglas Sanders, Thailand
43. Sulaiporn Chonwilai, Thailand
44. Supecha Baotip, Thailand
45. William Nicholas Gomes, United Kingdom
46. Ariel Herrera, United States
47. Hudad Tolloui, United States
48. Vi Tran, Viet Nam
49. Diana Mailosi, Zimbabwe 

Media Contacts:

1. Midnight Poonkasetwattana, Executive Director, APCOM This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it., +66-85-360-5200 (Bangkok)
2. Natt Kraipet, Network Coordinator, APTN This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it., +66-82-653-3999 (Bangkok)
3. Niluka Perera, Program Officer, Youth Voices Count This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it., +66-94-835-1762 (Bangkok)
4. Ryan Silverio, Regional Coordinator, ASEAN SOGIE Caucus This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it., +63-917-879-7710 (Manila)
5. Sattarah Hattirat, Regional Coordinator, ILGA Asia This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it., +66-82-339-5252 (Bangkok)