Jakarta – A coalition of women's groups has refused a bill on pornography, saying it would restrict women's freedom of expression.

"The bill regulates something that shouldn't be regulated. It would restrict women's freedom of expression. It's not that we are pro-pornography, but they (lawmakers) regard women only as objects, not subjects," Kalyanamitra women's group director Rena Herdiyani said at a press conference in Jakarta on Sunday.

The coalition said the bill was vague due to its unclear definition of pornography and tendency to criminalize victims of pornography. They also said the bill was a politicization of the human body and sexuality issues.

"Article 1 Chapter 1 (of the bill), for example, says pornography is manmade sex materials in the form of pictures, sketches, illustrations, photos, text, sound, moving pictures, animation, cartoons, lyrics, conversations, bodily movements or other forms of communication in other mediums and/or public performances that can arouse sexual desire and/or violate moral values in society," said Estu Rakhmi Fanani, director of Women's Legal Aid Foundation (LBH APIK).

According to Ade Kusumanintyas, program coordinator at Islamic women's group Rahima, the definition allowed for loose interpretation of materials and considered public human work, lyrics and dances, as pornography.

"Such definitions have the potential to criminalize anyone over subjective perceptions. If this bill is passed, wearing mini skirts or tank-tops could be punishable for arousing sexual desires. The same for not wearing a jilbab," she said. (dre)