"As a friend of Indonesia, we hope the country can face the challenge in a way to protect everyone`s right," Scot Marciel said to ANTARA here Wednesday evening.
He said Indonesia is a country which supported democratic values as well although some small groups held demonstrations challenging the government.
"Indonesia increasingly put forward as an example of democracy, rule of law, tolerance and protection of everybody`s freedom," he said.
Moreover, the Ambassador said that Indonesia had developed its democratic system well. Even during the protests, he saw that it was part of democracy and good for the country`s development.
"Well, demonstrations are part of democracy in which people has their right to express their views, like here in Jakarta where there are some small groups challenging the fundamental principal of the country. Demonstrations are not forbidden as long as they carried out in a peaceful way," he said.
In relation to the annual jazz event in Jakarta, Java Jazz Festival 2011, Scot said that the situation in Jakarta was conducive to make American jazz musicians feel safe to come to Jakarta.
"There`s no reason not to visit Jakarta because in America we have so many protest actions for many years, so it`s okay for not being afraid of demonstrations here," he added.
He also told about religious freedom in his country where its government provided freedom for the people to chose their religion.
"People basically believe whatever they want to believe and the government doesn`t get involved in it. So, we have hundreds of different religions and we are very tolerant and don`t really oppose anyone to practice their religion," Scot said.
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Editor: Bambang
Copyright © ANTARA 2011
