Content
1. Summary
2. Background
3. Action Required
4. Sample Letter
1. Summary
Tajul Muluk, a religious leader from the East Java Shia community, has had two years added to his two-year sentence for blasphemy and deviant teachings following his Supreme Court appeal. IHRC urges its supporters to write to the UN and the Indonesian Minister of Justice and Human Rights demanding that they take the necessary measures to ensure his immediate release so that he may continue his peaceful work in defense of human rights.
2. Background
Tajul Muluk, a religious leader from the East Java Shia community, was initially sentenced to two years imprisonment following allegations from the Indonesia Ulema Council (MUI) of blasphemy and deviant teachings. In September 2012, he appealed the sentence before the East Java High Court, and had his sentence increased to four years. Muluk has strenuously denied the allegations made against him, and his lawyers claim that no evidence to support these charges were ever offered before any court that has tried him.
In related sectarian violence, an estimated 275 people, including 60 children are still living in temporary shelter in the Sampang sports complex where their access to food and water is extremely limited, having been forced to flee their homes after sectarian violence. In other developments a Sufi leader was also recently attacked. More information can be found https://ihrc.org.uk/activities/press-releases/10402-press-release-ihrc-extremely-concerned-at-recent-sectarian-events-in-indonesia
3. Action Required
IHRC requests campaigners and supporters to write letters and emails to the UN and the Indonesian Minister of Justice and Human Rights, demanding that they do all they can to guarantee the immediate release of Tajul Muluk and the safe return of the Shia community to their homes.
4. Sample Letter
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A sample letter is given below for your convenience. Please note that model letters can be sent directly or adjusted as necessary to include further details. If you receive a reply to the letter you send, we request you to send a copy of the letter you sent and the reply you received to IHRC. This is very important as it helps IHRC to monitor the situation with regards to our campaigns and to improve upon the current model letters. It is preferable that letters be sent via post, or otherwise by fax and/or email.
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a) Minister of Justice and Human Rights.
[Your name]
[Your address]
Amir Syamsuddin,
JI. H.R. Rasuna Said Kav No. 4-5
Kuningan, Jakarta Selatan 12950
Indonesia
[Date]
Dear Mr. Syamsuddin,
Re: Continued imprisonment of Tajul Muluk
I would like to bring to your attention the imprisonment of religious leader, Tajul Muluk. Tajul Muluk, a religious leader from the East Java Shia community in Indonesia, was initially sentenced to two years imprisonment following allegations from the Indonesia Ulema Council (MUI) of blasphemy and deviant teachings. In September 2012, he appealed the sentenced before the East Java High Court; his sentence was increased to four years.
Muluk has always denied the allegations made against him, and his lawyers claim no evidence was submitted to corroborate these claims. Your department must act to prevent his continued detention on what appear to be trumped up charges that reflect sectarian bias and hatred.
As the Minister of Justice and Human Rights, I demand that you do all that is in your power to ensure the immediate and unconditional release of Tajul Muluk. His imprisonment and the increased sentenced following his appeal is clearly unjust and must therefore not be tolerated by the Indonesian government which claims to stand for justice and human rights.
Please respond with details of the measures you will be taking to address this matter.
Yours sincerely,
[Your signature]
[Your name]
b) UN High Commissioner for Human Rights, Navanethem Pillay
[Your name]
[Your address]
Navanethem Pillay
Office of the United Nations High Commissioner for Human Rights (OHCHR),
Palais des Nations,
CH-1211 Geneva 10,
Switzerland
[Date]
Dear Ms. Navanethem Pillay,
Re: Continued imprisonment of Tajul Muluk and inhumane treatment and displacement of 275 people including 60 children
I would like to bring to your attention the continued imprisonment of religious leader, Tajul Muluk. Tajul Muluk, a religious leader from the East Java Shia community in Indonesia, was initially sentenced to two years imprisonment following allegations from the Indonesia Ulema Council (MUI) of blasphemy and deviant teachings. In September 2012, he appealed the sentenced before the East Java High Court; his sentence was increased to four years.
An estimated 275 people, including 60 children are still living in temporary shelter in the Sampang sports complex where their access to food and water is extremely limited.
As the UN High Commissioner for Human Rights, I demand that you do all that is in your power to ensure the immediate and unconditional release of Tajul Muluk.
In addition sectarian violence has seen an estimated 275 people, including 60 children still living in temporary shelter in the Sampang sports complex where their access to food and water is extremely limited, and violence against another Islamic leader, this time of Sufi background has been reported.
Please respond with details of the measures you will be taking to address this matter.
I await eagerly for your response.
Yours sincerely,
[Your signature]
[Your name]
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