Human Rights Watch has raised concern about the increased level of police complicity in the harassment of LGBT people in Indonesia.
An Islamic group with a reputation with a reputation for harrassing minorities has claimed that it worked with police to break up a so-called sex party in Jakarta.
The group, the Islamic Defenders Front (or FPI), claimed its investigative unit tipped off police to conduct a “successful raid” Saturday on a home in Jakarta.
The FPI’s social media accounts posted photographs of police taking in men for questioning, and local media reported that mobile phones and HIV/AIDS medication were confiscated from the premises.
The Jakarta Post has reported that a mob of men broke into an apartment with the aid of the buildings security. A short time later the police arrived an took the men into custody.
None of the materials that were seized are illegal in Indonesia, nor are same sex relationships.
Human Rights Watch said the fact that the FPI prompted such a raid is no surprise. Nor was it surprising that the authorities followed the Islamist group’s tip to round-up an innocuous gathering that violated none of Indonesia’s laws. The watchdog group described the event as being “disappointingly familiar.”
Human Rights Watch said it is time for the Indonesia’s President Joko Widodo to take action to protect the rights of LGBT Indonesians.
“President Joko “Jokowi” Widodo recently said he opposes criminal sanctions for LGBT people. Now his administration should demonstrate that commitment by ordering an investigation into why the police took cues for a discriminatory raid from a militant Islamist group.” Human Rights Watch said.
The raid follows several incidents in the country in recent times that have seen the rights of LGBT citizens compromised.
In October two men were arrested in the province of Sulawesi after they posted a photograph to Facebook that showed them embracing in bed. The men were accused of creating pornography.
Online dating apps such as Grindr have been banned in the country and the government has issued new directives suggesting that effeminate men should not be seen on television.
Recently the government advertised a new position for a youth ambassador but added a caveat that LGBTI people should not apply for the position.
The advertisement said candidates should provide a doctor’s certificate to prove they were not gay.
“We require someone physically and mentally healthy, not involved in promiscuity and sexually deviant behavior, including LGBT, which should be proven through a doctor’s certificate.” the advertisement read.
A conservative Islamic family group, the Family Love Alliance (ALIA) has been pushing for laws to be changed to make homosexuality illegal and criminalise all sexual activity outside of marriage.
Recently the country’s only boarding school and refuge for transgender women was forced to close.
Concern has been raised over the countries rapidly growing rate of HIV infections. Between 2007 and 2015, HIV among homosexual Indonesians rose from 5.4% to 25.8%, in contrast to falling global rates.
Health experts have expressed concern that the crack down on homosexuality will have a negative effect on the country’s ability to tackle HIV.
