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.

Indonesia News