TEMPO.CO, Jakarta - Amnesty International Indonesia executive director Usman Hamid in a written statement on Thursday responded to a statement made by Jakarta Deputy Governor Ahmad Riza Patria and the city’s social service office that made a comment against the LGBTIQ community that was reportedly seen in the urban fashion event dubbed the ‘Citayam fashion week’. He argued that it was discriminative against the group.

“[State officials] have once again issued statements that are discriminative that can potentially spark persecution against minority groups,” Usman wrote in a statement on July 28.

According to Usman, revealing gender identity and expression is not a crime, but a self-expression that is protected by national and international law. He explained that all citizens, regardless of gender, ethnicity, religion, sexual orientation, or other status, have the same rights as other citizens.

"The authorities should actually protect them from discrimination, not even make statements that can trigger discrimination and persecution," Usman asserted.

Previously, on Wednesday, July 27, 2022, Deputy Governor of DKI Jakarta, Ahmad Riza Patria, wrote on his official Twitter account: "We are obliged to protect children from LGBT promotions, including at Citayam Fashion Week."

On July 25, Central Jakarta Social Service Head Abdul Salam told the media that they would 'take action' against men who dress like women at Citayam Fashion Week.

Moreover, the Amnesty International Indonesia director explained that the right to freedom of expression is guaranteed in Article 19 of the Covenant on Civil and Political Rights (ICCPR), which is further explained in General Comment No. 34 on Article 19 of the ICCPR.

MOH KHORY ALFARIZI

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