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12 Aug 2016

Indonesia says “no room” for LGBT rights

The comments came in response to a report released by the Human Rights Watch (HRW) condemning the country’s deteriorating situation for LGBT

A presidential spokesperson has said there is “no room” for an LGBT rights movement in Indonesia in response to a HRW report criticising the government’s failure to protect “unprecedented attacks” on LGBT this year.

The HRW report, named “These Political Games Ruin Our Lives”: Indonesia’s LGBT Community Under Threat, highlights comments made by government ministers earlier this year and the backlash this has had on the safety of the community.

“A series of anti-LGBT public comments by government officials grew into a cascade of threats and vitriol against LGBT Indonesians by state commissions, militant Islamists, and mainstream religious organizations,” the report says.

Presidential spokesman Johan Budi responded to the report’s claims in a text message to Reuters:

"As a citizen, whoever the person is will have his rights protected, without looking at his sexual preference. But if LGBT means a mass movement to influence other parties to become like them, then there's no room here.”

Anti-LGBT sentiment in January and February of this year saw mentions of LGBT banned from TV and radio and a government minister suggesting LGBT should be barred from university campuses.

Reuters also reported that for Indonesian LGBT activist Dede Oetomo said Budi's remark did not come as a surprise but it showed "the president doesn't understand human rights.

Watch a video introduction to the report below:

Reader's Comments

1. 2016-08-13 05:45  
So, they should simply make sure Budi's words are adhered to. Lgbt groups shouldn't be about changing people's sexuality. If everyone's rights are the same regardless of sexuality they can't discriminate.

Educate the people, and be wary of hrw
Comment edited on 2016-08-13 05:46:17
2. 2016-08-13 21:51  
Indonesian state seems to appreciate when foreign LGBT tourists spend their money in hotels, bars, etc.
Or maybe not ? Then, they should say frankly : "We don't want LGBT tourists", so it will be clear we have to go to other LGBT-friendly countries in Asia, like Taiwan and Thailand.
The only way we have to help LGBT Indonesians is to threat this country with a tourism boycott.
3. 2016-08-13 23:40  
That's the only way? Surely burying your head in the sand is another alternative?

Oh. You're right. It's the same thing.
4. 2016-08-15 23:26  
Fascism is alive and well in Indonesia. Gay tourist should boycott the tourist industry there.
5. 2016-08-16 06:11  
Fascism is alive and well all over the world. Ignoring it helps it to thrive.

6. 2016-08-16 07:15  
What I have been trying to do for a while is to refrain from buying products or services (including tourism) from countries where same-sex (for all genders) sexual activity is illegal. On the other hand, I try to spend my hard-earned money to support countries where they are making meaningful progress toward LGBTQ rights. We all need to take a stand and change the world for the better.
7. 2016-08-16 13:48  
#6, I hope you realise the effect of doing something by not doing something.

Let's assume 10% of the world is gay. You get your country's gays to affect another country's gays, that's 0.1 x 0.1 = 1% effective. But you have to get every gay on board, something you're not even trying to achieve.

Just talk to people, travel, be open, honest, and most important patient.
8. 2016-08-16 23:57  
#7. You seem to be pretty quick to judge others here who may have a different view than yours while slow to condemn Indonesia and its anti-LGBT policies and laws. You sure are entitled to your opinion. But when you ask people to be open, honest and patient, you seem to be lacking those very attributes.

9. 2016-08-17 02:21  
That's your view mhunting. I'm infinitely patient. Why rush?

Beware of hrw.
10. 2016-08-21 01:30  
you have to make room to open any form of uniqueness...as we are..yesterday, now and tommorrow!!!
11. 2016-08-29 11:49  
Just stop fuelling their economies. Let them hate us for free.
Malaysia's just had a taste of it. ;)
Comment edited on 2016-08-29 12:14:38
12. 2016-09-07 09:01  
LGBT rights in Indonesian are used by the politicians as an "apple pie" issue just to get elected.

Only when enough gay people and their friends stop buying Indonesian products and as tourists there, will Indonesia get the message.

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