Jakarta – West Java maintained its poor record as the most intolerant province in the country, according to findings by a national rights body revealed on Thursday.
The National Commission on Human Rights (Komnas HAM) revealed there were 34 cases related to violation of freedom of religion and faith reported between January to May.
From the reports, West Java was ranked the highest with six reports, followed by Jakarta with five, Aceh and Bangka Belitung with four reports, respectively, and North Sulawesi with three reports, Komnas HAM's religion and faith freedom division coordinator Jayadi Damanik said in a press conference on Thursday.
Recent cases in West Java included the prohibition of the Muslim minority group Ahmadiyah from conducting religious activities in Subang in March and the extortion of churches in Bandung for permits in June.
This was not the first time West Java came out on top spot for intolerance cases as the province also recorded the highest number of religious freedom violation cases in 2014 and 2015 with 34 and 20 reports, respectively, Jayadi said.
Regional administration officials were always reported as the main human rights abusers for letting violence take place in their areas, he added. The regional administrations were reported 18 times to Komnas HAM for acts of intolerance in January to May.
The figure was ahead of community groups and organizations with six and five reports, respectively. The regional administration also topped the list for perpetrating abuse with 39 and 50 reports following their policies and lack of willingness to protect minority groups under their jurisdiction. (vps/rin)