E/CN.4/2006/5/Add.1
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158. On 30 October 2005, an agreement was signed by leading representatives of
theChristian and Muslim communities. It provides that members of the three
communities will not hold services outdoors or in private residences. In return, the
Regency of Bekasi organized a temporary place of worship in the Department of
Social Affairs building located in Jalan Joyo Martono, Bulak Kapal, East Bekasi until
a consensus is reached on the establishment of a church and the fulfillment of all
administrative requirements.
Communication sent on 7 November 2005
159.
The Special Rapporteur brought to the attention of the Government
information she had received according to which, on 30 October 2005, three Christian
school girls were beheaded by a group of up to six unidentified men near the town of
Poso in the Sulawesi Province of Indonesia. The girls, who were aged between 16 and
19, were attacked as they were walking to the Central Sulawesi Christian High
School. Another girl survived the attack with machete wounds to her face and neck.
According to the information received, the head of one of the girls was left outside a
newly built Christian church.
Response from the Government dated 26 November 2005
160.
The Government confirmed the information, although it noted that the attack
occurred on 29 October 2005 and not on the 30 October 2005. The President was
quick to condemn the killings and immediately called an emergency meeting with his
Vice-President and security officials. He appealed for calm and restraint and sought to
remedy the situation expeditiously. On 14 October 2005, President Decree No. 14/
2005 was issued setting out the measures that needed to be taken to deal with the
problems in Poso. By virtue of this decree, the President ordered national security
officials to identify the perpetrators within six months time. Security has been
increased in the area and a serious search has been launched for the perpetrators.
161.
The Government noted that it should not be automatically assumed that the
murders were religion-based. At this stage, there is no evidence to indicate that it was
religion-based and the criminal investigation is still ongoing. The Government
stressed that respected leaders from the Christian and Muslim communities have
dismissed speculation that there were religious motivations behind the murders. The
Government of Indonesia firmly and unequivocally condemned the attack. It noted
that in November, the Central Sulawesi Regional police (Polda Sulteng) have
reportedly detained five suspects in connection with the murders and the police
investigation is ongoing.
Communication sent on 9 November 2005
162.
The Special Rapporteur had received information according to which, on 19
October 2005, approximately 25 Ahmadiyyah families were attacked by unidentified
persons in Ketapang village, West Lombok, Lombok Island, Indonesia. As a result,
three houses were damaged and one person was injured. The attackers also threatened
the families, telling them to leave the village before the holy day of Eid Mubarrak on
3 November 2005. The attack followed a recent decision of the Majelis Ulama, which
is the formal organization of Islamic Clergy in Indonesia, to reaffirm a fatwa banning