Duration: September 2017 – June 2019
Location: Greater Jakarta, Bandung, Yogyakarta, Kupang
Partner: Yayasan Satu Keadilan (YSK), Aliansi Nasional Bhinneka Tunggal Ika (ANBTI), Jaringan Kerjasama Antar Umat Beragama (JAKATARUB)
Status: Completed
Overview
The Solidifying Religious Freedom in Indonesia project aimed to strengthen the protection and promotion of freedom of religion and belief (FORB) through inclusive collaboration among government, civil society, and local communities. Over a 23-month implementation period, the project engaged religious leaders, youth, artists, policymakers, and media practitioners to foster dialogue, raise public awareness, and influence policy reform related to religious tolerance and protection of minorities.
Through innovative approaches—ranging from policy assessments and interfaith trainings to art festivals and social media initiatives—the project created new platforms for cooperation and public engagement to build a more inclusive and pluralistic Indonesia.
Context
Although Indonesia is internationally recognized for its diversity and tradition of tolerance, recent years have seen an increase in religious intolerance and violations of freedom of religion and belief. Reports from the SETARA Institute and the National Human Rights Commission recorded more than 150 cases of FORB violations in 2017, including the closure of worship places and the disruption of religious practices.
These challenges underscore the need for stronger collaboration between government, civil society, and religious communities. By engaging both policymakers and grassroots actors, the project sought to address systemic discrimination, counter radical narratives, and promote shared responsibility in protecting religious freedom across Indonesia.
Objectives
- Improve national and local government’s responsiveness and accountability in ensuring the protection of religious minorities in exercising religious freedom.
- Enhance the roles of key societal actors (religious leaders, artists, and media) in actively promoting religious tolerance.
Key Activities
- Policy assessments and multi-stakeholder dialogues to review local bylaws and improve government responses to religious intolerance.
- Public consultations and national policy discussions to provide input on the Draft Law for the Protection of Religious Freedom.
- Training for religious leaders on tolerance, interfaith collaboration, and advocacy.
- Interfaith and intrafaith dialogues engaging youth, women, and community leaders.
- Media literacy workshops for youth to counter online hate speech and intolerance.
- Art residency workshops and the Common Ground Art Festival to promote unity through creative expression.
Impact
The project contributed significantly to strengthening collaboration between civil society and government actors in advancing religious freedom. It generated crucial research on FORB issues, creating a foundation for future advocacy and policy change.
Through multi-stakeholder forums and dialogues, the initiative built mutual understanding among diverse faith groups, empowering minority communities to advocate for their rights through both legal and non-legal channels. Art and social media campaigns effectively reached wider audiences, spreading messages of tolerance and peaceful coexistence.
By bridging communities, policymakers, and cultural influencers, Solidifying Religious Freedom in Indonesia helped create a more open civic space for dialogue, set the groundwork for sustained advocacy, and fostered a shared vision of unity in diversity across Indonesia.
