CENTRAL JAVA: CONTACTS FLAG TRAFFICKING, RELIGIOUS

UNCLAS SECTION 01 OF 02 JAKARTA 002167 SIPDIS SIPDIS DEPT FOR EAP, EAP/MTS, EAP/PD, DRL/AWH, DRL/PD, INR/EAP, G/TIP E.O. 12958: N/A TAGS: PGOV PHUM PREL KPAO ID SUBJECT: CENTRAL JAVA: CONTACTS FLAG TRAFFICKING, RELIGIOUS FREEDOM ISSUES REF: A. JAKARTA 01525 ¶B. JAKARTA 0552 ¶C. JAKARTA 01649 JAKARTA 00002167 001.2 OF 002 ¶1. (U) This message is Sensitive but Unclassified -- Please handle accordingly. ¶2. (SBU) SUMMARY: Poloff and Pol FSN recently traveled to Semarang, Central Java. Key contacts raised concerns about human trafficking, but also described positive inter-faith relations in the Semarang area. Poloff participated in a panel discussion on gender and family issues at an American Corner. END SUMMARY. VISIT TO SEMARANG ================= ¶3. (U) On July 26-27, Poloff and Pol FSN traveled to Semarang, Central Java, to investigate human rights issues, including trafficking in persons, women,s and children,s issues, and religious freedom. Located on the north coast of Central Java, the provincial capital of Semarang is home to approximately 1.5 million people in a province with roughly 35 million people. Given its location on the Java Sea, Semarang is home to one of Indonesia,s largest ports, a fading Dutch quarter, and one of Indonesia,s largest Chinese communities. FLAGGING TRAFFICKING CONCERNS ============================= ¶4. (SBU) Poloff and Pol FSN met with representatives from the Central Java Women and Children Care Network (JPPA),a consortium of 33 organizations established in 2000. The representatives told us that trafficking in women and children, particularly to overseas locations, remains a problematic issue in Central Java, but one that receives little attention or funding. They noted that the provincial government has no official data on trafficking and no effective mechanism for handling such cases. To fill this vacuum, the JPPA consortium works with anti-trafficking NGOs throughout Indonesia to free victims and return them to their homes. In doing so, it attempts to involve the provincial government in order to build the government,s capacity and expertise. Poloff underscored USG concerns about trafficking, noting USG-sponsored programs focused on building capabilities. JPPA agreed to remain in touch with Mission on ways to counter trafficking in the Semarang region. ¶5. (U) In addition to working to assist trafficking victims, the JPPA also advocates on behalf of women political candidates, conducts training on gender issues in the provincial legislature, and encourages the provincial government to implement national laws -- such as the Domestic Violence Law -- that protect and empower women and children. The five JPPA representatives we spoke with were critical of the province,s draft law on child protection, which they said does not effectively prevent child labor, and they have lobbied the provincial legislature to change the bill,s language. POSITIVE NEWS ON RELIGIOUS FREEDOM ================================== ¶6. (SBU) The U.S. team also discussed religious freedom with Dr. Gregorius Sudargo, head of the Indonesian Catholic Forum (FMKI) and Coordinator of the Interfaith Forum for Central Java. Sudargo described Central Java as a province of relatively peaceful religious coexistence, adding that the religiously-motivated attacks and discrimination which sometimes occur in West and East Java are relatively infrequent. In a separate meeting, Kabul Supriyadie, a human rights lawyer and judge recently appointed to the Indonesian Commission on Human Rights (Komnas HAM),echoed Sudargo,s views, noting that he was unaware of any major challenges to religious freedom in Central Java. ¶7. (SBU) One notable example of religious cooperation occurred two years ago when a group of Christians tried to establish a new church in Semarang. According to Sudargo, they encountered resistance from local politicians who JAKARTA 00002167 002.2 OF 002 refused to grant permission, citing the GOI,s 2006 Joint Ministerial Decree on Construction of Houses of Worship (Ref B-C). Leaders from the Semarang branch of Nadatul Ulama (NU),the largest Muslim social organization in Indonesia, advocated on behalf of the Christians, however, and the politicians allowed the church to be built. ¶8. (U) Despite the generally positive inter-faith relationships in Central Java, Sudargo noted that radical religious groups were common in the area around Solo. (Note: Abu Bakar Ba,asyir co-founded a pesantren in Solo.) He added that additional attention must be paid to providing religious instruction at school in all of the Indonesia,s official religions. Likewise, Kabul Supriyadie of Komnas HAM expressed the view that the most critical human rights issue in Indonesia at-large is the protection of religious freedom. Specifically, he cited continuing attacks and discrimination against the Ahmadiyah sect, which says it is Muslim, a claim rejected by many Muslim Sunnis. VISIT TO AMERICAN CORNER ======================== ¶9. (U) On June 26, Poloff participated in a lively program on gender and family issues from American, Javanese, and Middle Eastern perspectives at the American Corner at Islamic State University (IAIN) Walisongo in Semarang. Despite it being summer vacation, an audience of approximately 50 male and female students and educators showed up and remained engaged throughout the three-hour session, making sophisticated statements and asking thoughtful questions. The American Corner facility was comfortable and well-stocked with English-language books and periodicals as well as computers with internet access. The IAIN Walisongo staff involved with the American Corner took great pride in the facility and boasted that it was the best English-language resource in the area. In fact, they said that students from nearby Diponogoro University, a large and prestigious state university, often come to IAIN to use its resources to conduct academic research. HUME