Edition 28: US Special Envoy for LGBTQI+ Rights Cancels Indonesia Visit
US Special Envoy for LGBTQI+ Rights Cancels Indonesia Visit
Source: Metroweekly
On Friday, December 2nd, the United States canceled plans for a trip to Indonesia by Jessica Stern, the US Special Envoy to Advance the Human Rights of LGBTQI+ Persons.
According to the US State Department, she was slated to meet government officials and representatives from civil society from December 7th to 9th to discuss human rights, particularly those of LGBTQI+ persons.
The decision was influenced by the objection and condemnation of the visit by the Indonesian Ulema Council (MUI), the country’s top Muslim body.
According to the Deputy Chairman of MUI Anwar Abbas, they “can’t welcome guests whose intention is to destroy our ancestral values from our religions and traditions”.
Furthermore, he used the idea that homosexual couples are unable to reproduce to label LGBTQI+ behaviors as ‘anti-human’ and ‘anti-humanitarianism’.
The MUI, though not part of the government, has been very influential in advancing its conservative and shariatization agenda within the past few years.
There were also calls from within the government to be wary of the visit had it happened. The chairman of Commission VIII of the People’s Representative Council (DPR) Ashabul Kahfi reminded the government that the state ideology, Pancasila, places religion as the basis of civic life, adding that the religions in Indonesia fundamentally disagree with LGBTQI+ behaviors.
He also argued against the human rights nature of the visit, noting that forcing a belief that is opposed to those of the masses can also be considered a human rights violation.
As such, he asked that the special envoy be respectful of Indonesia’s position on LGBTQI+ rights and the government be firm in rejecting requests to support the LGBTQI+ community.
Discrimination and violence towards the LGBTQI+ community has worsened since 2016, with the community often being touted as enemies society must wage war on and as a disease. This is despite the increase in the public’s rate of acceptance towards the community from 3% in 2013 to 9% in 2020.
The use of the term ‘LGBT’ in Indonesia, according to Associate Professor in Indonesian at the University of Melbourne Michael Ewing, evokes a sense of something elusive and threatening both coming from within and outside of the country.
He also concurred with other scholars that the motif of the ‘threat’ echoes the threat of communism used by the New Order to consolidate and maintain power, to distract from political machinations, and to mobilize voters.
In other related news, while the soon-to-be ratified Criminal Code Bill (RKUHP) does not include specific references to the LGBTQI+ community, activists are concerned that its ambiguity will be used to crack down and persecute same-sex couples.
What Is Up, Indonesia?
🌎 Politics, Law & International Relations
RKUHP has been Ratified: The People’s Representative Council (DPR) has just passed revisions to the Criminal Code, containing provisions on sex outside of marriage and criticizing the President. An earlier move to pass the bill was met with large-scale student protests.
Admiral Yudo Margono is authorized by the House to run for TNI commander: Admiral Yudo Margono was given the go-ahead by the Indonesian House of Representatives to run as one of the contenders to succeed General Andika Perkasa as Commander of the National Armed Forces (TNI). Under Joko Widodo's presidency, Yudo will be the first TNI Commander from the Indonesian Navy.
📈 Economics, Business & Technology
Inflation Decreases in November: Compared to the same month last year, consumer prices increased 5.42%, a slower rate than forecast. However, President Joko Widodo urged regional administrations to exercise caution.
Nusantara May Have Flying Cars: An agreement has been made to construct an Advanced Air Mobility (AAM) system in the new capital city with Hyundai Motor Group of South Korea. Although a test of the system is scheduled for 2024, it might be years before we witness a significant increase in the number of air vehicles.
🌳 Science, Environment & Health
Indonesia Raises Volcanic Warning to Maximum Level: After a destructive earthquake and the eruption of Mount Semeru, Indonesia is on high alert fearing further natural disasters.
Water of High Quality Is Required for a Healthier Indonesia: The main hydration campaign, the Hydranation, was launched in Bali by the Indonesian Hydration Working Group of the School of Medicine at Universitas Indonesia (IHWG FKUI). One out of every five youngsters in Indonesia do not drink enough water, according to the European Journal of Nutrition.
What We're Reading
The government is eerily close to passing the controversial revisions to the Criminal Code (RKUHP). Given this news, and the conservative backlash against the US Special Envoy for LGBTQI+ Rights’ visit, we thought we’d explore Indonesian civil society further.
Indonesia Demonstrates that Civil Society as a Backbone of Democracy is a Myth: “It is a myth that civil society is a backbone of democracy…Indeed, the global trend of authoritarianism affirms the failure of civil society in defending democratic institutions from being hijacked by reactionary populist politics.” - Abdil Mughis Mudhoffir (The University of Melbourne), Melbourne Asia Review
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The most wholesome show I’ve ever watched. Japanese children are asked to complete an errand while a camera follows them around. A rollercoaster of successes and struggles, this series will just warm your heart with how cute and well-mannered the little kids are. I’m only 22 but watching this show really be making me want to have a baby already y’all 😳
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