Constitutional Appeal Rejected

An appeal challenging the constitutionality of Indonesia's Child Protection Act was rejected by Indonesia's Constitutional Court on January 17.  In September 2005, the Child Protection Act was used to convict Rebekka Zakaria, Eti Pangesti and Ratna Bangun to three years in prison for attempting to convert Muslim children. The women's lawyer, Posma Rajagukguk, intends to appeal the women's conviction to a higher court. For more information on the persecution in Indonesia, visit Indonesia's country report.

A new video clip on the events surrounding the verdict last September, along with the actual court ruling, is now available on VOMC's multimedia website, https://www.vomcanada.com/.

  • Country Information

    Population
    279,476,346 (2023 est.)

    Ethnicity (%)
    Javanese (40.1), Sundanese (15.5), Malay (3.7), Balak (3.6), Madurese (3), Betawi (2.9), Minangkabau (2.7), Buginese (2.7), Bantenese (2), Other (23.8)

    Religion (%)
    Muslim (87.2), Christian (9.9), Hindu (1.7), Other (0.9), Unspecified (0.4)

    Leader
    President Joko Widodo (2014)

    Government type
    Presidential republic

    Legal system
    Civil law system based on the Roman-Dutch model and influenced by customary law

    Sources: CIA World Factbook.

  • Pray for Indonesia

    Pray for the continued growth of the church in Indonesia, despite the intense opposition and persecution that has taken place. May the destructive plans of the enemy to eradicate Christianity be frustrated and nullified.

    Pray that whatever is intended for evil, God will turn around for good – causing such hatred and violence to not only discredit extremism, but to also compel many to seek salvation in Christ... including the perpetrators of persecution.

Select a Region

Indonesia News

  • Hundreds of Protestors Oppose Church Construction
    A street is lined with buildings and trees.
    Bulukumba Regency
    Photo: Wikimedia / Midori (cc)

    As the church in Indonesia continues to grow, opposition to the construction of various worship facilities remains a major challenge. One Catholic church in the Bulukumba Regency of South Sulawesi has been waiting for 45 years to receive a building permit. Although the congregation was initially granted permission in 1980, their permit was revoked following public protests. Since then, members of the church have attempted to secure approval for multiple locations, but each application has been met with rejection.

    Read more...

  • Young Boy Dies Following Tragic Bullying Incident
    A young boy is walking down a path surrounded by dense greenery. He is mostly silhouetted by the sunset shining between the trees.
     

    An eight-year-old boy, referred to as "KB" in Indonesia's local news reports, tragically died following a severe beating he received from a group of older male students at a school in Pangkalan Kasai, a village located within the province of Riau. According to various sources, the incident occurred because the boy was a Christian and belonged to a different ethnic group.

    Read more...

  • Christian Graves Vandalized
    Two cross-shapped headstones are surrounded by greenery.
    Photo: PxHere

    In what appears to be a targeted act against the Christian community, at least ten graves were recently vandalized in cemeteries throughout the Yogyakarta region of Java, Indonesia. Each of the graves bore a cross, symbolizing the Christian faith of the individuals interred there. The damages occurred in three different cemeteries between May 16th and 19th.

    Read more...

  • Easter Services Continued Amidst Protests
    A white church with a red roof.
    A church in Indonesia.

    On March 5th, local residents in Bandung City held a protest against members of the Santa Odilia church. The community members opposed the use of a multipurpose facility for worship, even though the building is owned by the Catholic church. (For more details on the incident, see this report.)

    Read more...

View All

Indonesia Videos

 
Indonesia: Four Christians Beheaded
/component/allvideoshare/category/indonesia.htm
 
Indonesia: Christian Family Killed in Terrorist Attack
/component/allvideoshare/category/indonesia.htm
 
Indonesia: Abandoned for coming to Jesus
/component/allvideoshare/category/indonesia.htm
 
Indonesia: ''I call the prison the school of trust''
/component/allvideoshare/category/indonesia.htm
 
Indonesia: Churches Under Attack!
/component/allvideoshare/category/indonesia.htm