Amnesty International noted that there had been many cases of intimidation and violence against the Ahmadiyah community by radical Islamic groups in many parts of IndonesiaLondon (ANTARA News) - Amnesty International has asked the Indonesian government to investigate the murder of Ahmadiyah members and the attacks on the religious sect`s places for conducting prayers and its houses in Java.
The Amnesty International`s urge was made by Asia-Pacific Director of Amnesty International Donna Guest in his press release received by ANTARA News in London Tuesday.
"The brutal attacks against Ahmadiyah followers reflected the Indonesian government`s failure in protecting the minority religion from attacks, and in having the perpetrators caught and arrested," Donna Guest.
Donna Guest was referring to the slaying of three Ahmadiyah followers by the masses in Java by the end of this week.
The murder was committed when more than 1,000 people armed with rocks, swords, and spears attacked the home of one the leaders of the Ahmadiyah minority in Cikeusik sub-district, Banten province, on Sunday. Some of the Ahmadiyah members were injured in the attack and two missing.
Ahmadiyah is a religious group and considered itself part of Islam, although many Muslim mainstream groups said they did not follow their religious system.
The masses surrounded the house in which at least 18 Ahmadiyah members were getting together and told them break up, but they refused, and in the attack three of the Ahmadiyah followers identified as Roni, Tarno and Mulyadi, were killed.
Many of the victims had stab wounds, and five others seriously injured, and the fate of the rest unknown. The masses also ransacked the house and destroyed it as well as a car parked nearby.
Amnesty International noted that there had been many cases of intimidation and violence against the Ahmadiyah community by radical Islamic groups in many parts of Indonesia, including attacks and setting fire to Ahmadiyah`s places of worship and houses, forcing them to move.
In September last year Religious Affairs Minister Suryadharma Ali has called for the disbandment of the Ahmadiyah.(*)
Editor: Heru Purwanto
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