Indonesia: Updates to IDN35714.E of 5 December 2000 and IDN30780.E of 8 January 1999 on the treatment of ethnic Chinese Christians, particularly in Jakarta; reports of violence (vandalism, assaults, rape, killings) against them by native Indonesian Muslims; availability of state protection

A Business Week article describes Indonesia as a "fractured nation where majority Javanese Muslims coexist uneasily with minority Chinese Christians and indigenous tribes" (14 May 2001). According to an article in the April 1999 edition of Catholic World Report ethnic Chinese, who make up most of the Christian population of Indonesia, are resented by the remainder of the population for their success as traders and merchants, and the resulting disproportionate share of the country's wealth this brings them.

Deutsche Presse-Agentur reported that violence erupted on 17 January 2000 between Muslims and members of the ethnic Chinese Christian minority on the island of Lombok (19 Jan. 2000). During three days of violence Muslim mobs attacked ethnic Chinese Christians in Mataram, the island's capital, as well as in two other towns (DPA 22 Jan. 2000; ibid. 19 Jan. 2000). The mobs also looted and destroyed homes and shops, and burned 11 churches (DPA 22 Jan. 2000; ibid. 21 Jan. 2000; ibid. 20 Jan. 2000). DPA reported that five rioters were killed by police (21 Jan. 2000; ibid. 22 Jan. 2000), and that some 90 people were arrested (ibid.; ibid. 19 Jan. 2000).

Updated information on the treatment of ethnic Chinese Christians in Jakarta specifically could not be found among the sources consulted by the Research Directorate. Correspondence from a research assistant and PhD student at the University of Melbourne indicates that they are unaware of any studies done specifically on the topic of ethnic Chinese Christians in Indonesia, however please see the attached document prepared for the Refugee Review Tribunal of Australia on the situation of ethnic Chinese and Christians in Indonesia (8 Nov. 2001).

This Response was prepared after researching publicly accessible information currently available to the Research Directorate within time constraints. This Response is not, and does not purport to be, conclusive as to the merit of any particular claim to refugee status or asylum. Please find below the list of additional sources consulted in researching this Information Request.

References

Business Week [New York]. 14 May 2001. Michael Shari. "Indonesia: The Plot Thickens, and the Economy Dangles." [Accessed 1 November 2001]

Catholic World Report . April 1999. Vol. 9, No. 4. "Indonesia: Calls for Peace and for Jihad." Catholic Information Center on Internet. [Accessed 7 November 2001]

Deutsche Presse-Agentur (DPA). 22 January 2000. BC Cycle. "Riot Damage on Indonesian Tourist Island Costs 8 Million Dollars." (NEXIS)

_____. 21 January 2000. BC Cycle. "Death Toll Climbs to Five on Indonesian Tourist Island of Lombok." (NEXIS)

_____. 20 January 2000. BC Cycle. "Indonesian President Accuses Military, Government in Lombok Riots." (NEXIS)

_____. 19 January 2001. BC Cycle. "Second Person Killed in Religious Violence on Indonesia's Lombok." (NEXIS)

University of Melbourne. 8 November 2001. Correspondence with Research Assistant and PhD student.

Attachment

Purdey, Jemma. June 2001. Melbourne. "Update for Refugee Review Tribunal on the Situation of Ethnic Chinese and Christians in Indonesia."

Additional Sources Consulted

IRB Databases

Asiaweek

NEXIS

US Department of State Annual Report on International Religious Freedom 1999-2000.

US Department of State Country Reports on Human Rights Practices 1999-2000.

WNC

Internet sites including:

Amnesty International

Human Rights Watch

The Indonesian Observer

International Christian Concern

The Jakarta Post

Keesing's Record of World Events

Minorities at Risk

Minority Rights Group International