Marguerite Afra Sapiie, Jakarta – The Indonesian government has not responded to an urgent call to protect lesbian, gay, bisexual and transgender (LGBT) people, Kyle Knight, a researcher at rights group Human Rights Watch (HRW), has said.
After a series of anti-LGBT remarks and discriminatory actions from high-ranking officials beginning in mid-January, which were then followed by a rise in harassment and discrimination against the minority group, HRW contacted the government to get an official response on the issue, Knight said.
The group contacted President Joko "Jokowi" Widodo and Communications and Information Minister Rudiantara through an open letter and Health Minister Nila Moeloek and Asrorun Niam Sholeh of the National Child Protection Commission through private letters.
"But we haven't heard back from any of them. It's really disappointing. They are the people who should be protecting everyone," Knight told thejakartapost.com on Thursday in Jakarta.
Following a report on government bias against LGBT people in Indonesia, HRW requested a meeting with Nila to discuss the report's findings. HRW was particularly keen to discuss the decision by the Indonesian Psychiatrists Association to label LGBT people as mentally disordered. There has been no response.
Knight asserted that the rights group would continue to advocate for LGBT people while keeping an eye on an ongoing trial at the Constitutional Court that involves a group of academics attempting to criminalize same-sex activities. (ags)