Komnas Perempuan Condemns Religious Intolerance Incidents in Sukabumi and Depok

TEMPO.CO, Jakarta - The National Commission on Violence Against Women or Komnas Perempuan has condemned two recent incidents of religious intolerance. These incidents include the attack on participants of a Christian student retreat in Cidahu, Sukabumi, West Java, on June 27, 2025, and the rejection of the construction of the Batak Karo Protestant Church (GBKP) on Palautan Eres Street, Kalibaru, Cilodong District, Depok, West Java, on July 5, 2025.

Komnas views these actions as not only hurting humanity and justice but also as evidence that respect for diversity and human rights is still fragile.

"These incidents indicate that constitutional rights to religious freedom are still vulnerable to violation, and the state has not fully created a safe and inclusive space for every citizen," said Komnas Perempuan Commissioner Dahlia Madanih, quoted from a press release on Sunday, July 13, 2025.

The state institution, established as a result of violence against women during the May 1998 riots, asserts that the guarantee of the right to religious freedom and worship for all citizens is an integral part of national consensus. According to Komnas, this right must be upheld without compromise by all stakeholders, especially law enforcement officials and local governments.

Throughout the period of 2020-2025, Komnas Perempuan recorded 20 reports of intolerance cases, most of which were related to places of worship. Komnas states that women are the most affected party, especially in facing threats and violence, as well as due to the state's lack of seriousness in building sustainable recovery mechanisms for women.

At the same time, Komnas Perempuan Commissioner Chatarina Pancer Istiyani also regrets that religious intolerance based on religion often recurs in various regions. She emphasizes that this situation must be addressed seriously by the state to prevent recurrence and strengthen guarantees of the right to religious freedom for all citizens.

She highlights the forced dissolution of a peaceful and closed retreat in Sukabumi at the end of last June. The dissolution was allegedly carried out by a group of citizens accompanied by violence, intimidation, and facility damage. Shortly thereafter, a religious intolerance incident also occurred in Depok in early July. Hundreds of residents of RW 03, Kelurahan Kalibaru, Cilodong District, held a rally rejecting the construction of a church.

"The rejection of the plan to build a Christian place of worship is tangible evidence of the continuation of intolerance practices at the local level," said Chatarina.

Komnas Perempuan urges the government to take clear and measured steps to stop all forms of intolerance and religious-based violence from recurring. Komnas recommends that the government and involved parties immediately establish open and continuous dialogue between diverse community groups. According to Komnas, this dialogue is intended to strengthen tolerance and prevent religious-based violence.

At the same time, Komnas believes that the government needs to develop inclusive and participatory recovery and reconciliation mechanisms, especially for affected groups. Komnas also emphasizes the importance of the state's response to the layered impacts experienced by women in situations of intolerance, including social space restrictions, loss of access to education and spirituality, and increased caregiving burdens.

Recovery efforts must consider the special needs of women and girls and ensure a safe space for all citizens to practice their beliefs peacefully and with dignity. According to Komnas, in situations of intolerance, women and girls not only become victims of violence and expulsion, but they also lose their safe space for peaceful worship.

"This indicates the importance of a gender-based approach in ensuring fair recovery and protection of the right to religious freedom for all citizens," said Chatarina.

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