Diana Mariska, Jakarta – The National Human Rights Commission, or Komnas HAM, has sent an official letter to the mayor of Depok, one of Jakarta's satellite cities located south of the capital, asking him to cancel a plan for a raid on lesbian, gay, bisexual and transgender people in the area.

Mayor Mohammad Idris had ordered the raid on rented homes and apartments in the city to clamp down on pro-LGBT behavior and activities. He had also planned to open a crisis center to re-educate pro-LGBT individuals and groups.

The mayor's orders were a reaction to the recent sentencing in the UK of "the world's most prolific sex attacker" Reynhard Sinaga. who grew up in Depok.

Komnas HAM wrote to the mayor demanding that he cancel the raid and offer protection for minority groups, including LGBT groups, in Depok.

"[The raid] could potentially incite violence [against LGBT groups]," Choirul said in his office in Jakarta on Tuesday.

"It also means a certain group of citizens will be treated differently from others, a clear case of discrimination," he said.

By Tuesday, Komnas HAM was still waiting for a response from the mayor or Depok city officials.

According to Komnas HAM, the order from the mayor also goes against the 1945 Constitution, especially Article 28G (1) that states: "Every person shall have the right to protection of his/herself, family, honor, dignity and property, and shall have the right to feel secure against and receive protection from the threat of fear to do or not do something that is a human right."

Amnesty International Indonesia has also issued a statement condemning the order, arguing that the campaign by the mayor interferes with private rights.

"Same-sex relations are protected under international law and there can be no justification for these hateful raids. Criminalization of homosexuality is discriminatory and violates the rights to private and family life, freedom of expression and the freedom of assembly and association," Amnesty International Indonesia's executive director, Usman Hamid, said in a written statement.

Source: https://jakartaglobe.id/news/rights-commission-calls-on-depok-mayor-to-cancel-lgbt-raid