Indonesian Christian Community Welcomes Verdict in Beheading Case but Fears Backlash Against Christian Community
by Jeremy Reynalds
April 13, 2007
SURREY, ENGLAND (ANS) -- Three Islamic militants are now behind bars for beheading three Christian girls in Central Indonesia.The trio were sentenced on March 21 for the Oct. 2005 murders. Hasanuddin was sentenced for 20 years imprisonment for masterminding the attack, and his accomplices, Lilik Purnomo and Irwanto Irano, each received 14 years.
The girls were attacked on their way to school. Another girl, Noviana Malewa, managed to escape. According to a news release from the human rights organization Christian Solidarity Worldwide (CSW), the militants put the heads of the three girls in plastic bags and dumped them in surrounding villages with notes reading, "We still need another 100 heads. Blood for blood, a life for life and a head for a head."
CSW reported that Hasanuddin is the son- in-law of an Islamic militant leader in Poso (in Central Sulawesi), Adnan Arsal, and has reportedly trained in the Philippines with the Moro Islamic Liberation Front (MILF). He stated that the attack was revenge for Christians killing Muslims during the early stages of the sectarian conflict in Central Sulawesi.
Basri is considered to have masterminded many of the attacks on the Christian community in Poso. He was arrested on Feb. 1. He gave evidence about the extensive involvement of Jemaah Islamiyah, a regional terrorist organization, in the conflict in Poso.
According to CSW, while Christian leaders in Sulawesi welcome the authorities finally taking action against some of the key figures who have been terrorizing the community, they fear a backlash against the Christian community
They are worried the verdict could impact 12 young Christian men from Poso, Central Sulawesi, who are currently standing trial accused of terrorist activities, and facing a possible death penalty. They were arrested for the murder of two Muslim men during the demonstrations following the execution of three Catholic Christians in Sept. 2006.
CSW reported observers are concerned that these 12 men have been charged under both the anti-terrorism law and the criminal law, "despite there being no apparent evidence to sustain the terrorism charges."
According to CSW, the charges are regarded by some observers as an attempt by authorities to demonstrate that they are not singling out the Muslim community as the sole perpetrators of terrorism. National and international human rights organizations are closely monitoring this case.
CSW's CEO Mervyn Thomas said in a news release, "We are pleased that justice has finally prevailed following the brutal attack on the three schoolgirls in 2005. However, the pattern of violence continues in Indonesia. We urge both the Christian and Muslim communities to work with the authorities in Central Sulawesi to put an end to this cycle of attacks once and for all. We also ask the authorities to ensure that minorities are treated fairly and equally by the judiciary. We shall be following closely the progress of the trial."
CSW is a human rights organization focusing on issues of religious freedom. For more information, visit www.csw.org.uk.
© 2007 ASSIST News Service, used with permission.
