Rights groups, including Amnesty International, have urged Indonesia to immediately repeal a newly issued regulation permitting female circumcision. Amnesty International issued a joint statement with Indonesian civil society organizations Thursday, saying the new regulation legitimized the practice of female genital mutilation. The statement called the regulation a backward step for women’s rights protection in Indonesia […]
Rights Groups Urge Indonesia to Revoke Female Circumcision Rule
Posted June 24th, 2011 at 4:05 am (UTC-5)
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Indonesian Court Acquits Playboy Editor
Posted June 24th, 2011 at 12:05 am (UTC-5)
A lawyer for the former editor of Playboy Indonesia says the country’s Supreme Court has overturned his client’s indecency conviction on appeal. Erwin Arnada has been imprisoned since last October on a two-year sentence for publishing pictures of scantily-clad women. Arnada’s lawyer says his client is expected to be released Friday. He was not told […]
Saudi Ambassador Apologizes in Beheading of Indonesian Maid
Posted June 22nd, 2011 at 7:00 am (UTC-5)
Indonesia says the Saudi government has apologized for failing to provide proper notice before it executed an Indonesian maid who murdered her employer in the Middle East country. A government spokesman said Wednesday that Saudi Arabia’s ambassador offered the apology during a meeting in Jakarta on Monday with Indonesian Foreign Minister Marty Natalegawa. The minister […]
Indonesian Lawmakers Urge Protection for Migrant Workers
Posted June 21st, 2011 at 8:45 pm (UTC-5)
Indonesian lawmakers have called for a ban on sending domestic labor to countries which have not signed an agreement to protect the rights of foreign workers. The House of Representatives urged the government Tuesday to apply the ban especially to Saudi Arabia and Malaysia, which critics say have a record of abusing foreign workers. Saudi […]
Australia, Indonesia Hold Talks on Cattle Exports
Posted June 20th, 2011 at 10:25 am (UTC-5)
Australian Agriculture Minister Joe Ludwig has held talks with his Indonesian counterpart in Jakarta, without settling a dispute on animal welfare standards that has brought more than $300 million in Australian cattle exports to a halt. Australia banned live cattle exports to its neighbor earlier this month, after an Australian television documentary sparked outrage among […]
Indonesia Protests Saudi Execution of Indonesian Worker
Posted June 19th, 2011 at 6:45 pm (UTC-5)
Indonesia has criticized Saudi Arabia for executing an Indonesian maid, who was accused of murder, without notifying Indonesian officials. The woman named Royati Beth Sabotti Sarona was beheaded Saturday in Mecca after she was convicted of killing a Saudi woman. Indonesian Foreign Ministry spokesman Michael Tene said the execution was carried out without informing Indonesian […]
Indonesian Cleric Sentenced to 15 Years in Terror Trial
Posted June 16th, 2011 at 3:10 am (UTC-5)
A court sentenced Indonesian radical cleric Abu Bakar Bashir on Thursday to 15 years in prison for his role in setting up and financing a terrorist training camp. The white-robed preacher showed little reaction to the sentence, which came at the end of a six-month trial. Around 3,000 Indonesian security forces were on guard around […]
Indonesia Mounts Security Cordon Ahead of Bashir Verdict
Posted June 16th, 2011 at 1:55 am (UTC-5)
Around 3,000 Indonesian security forces are on guard around a Jakarta courthouse where judges are about to deliver their verdict in the terrorism trial of a radical Islamist preacher. Several hundred supporters of Abu Bakar Bashir packed the courtroom and are watching outside on television monitors, awaiting what many expect will be a guilty verdict. […]
Indonesia Deploys Security Forces Ahead of Bashir Verdict
Posted June 15th, 2011 at 7:40 am (UTC-5)
Authorities in Indonesia say more than 3,000 security forces will be in place Thursday for the conclusion of the terrorism trial of radical cleric Abu Bakar Bashir. Officials said Wednesday that 335 soldiers will join police around the court in Jakarta for the verdict. Forces have already been deployed at shopping malls following a wave […]
Indonesian Police Nab Bali Bombing Suspect
Posted June 14th, 2011 at 1:10 pm (UTC-5)
Indonesian authorities say they have arrested another suspect in the deadly 2002 Bali bombings who also was linked to a terrorist organization in the Philippines. A national police spokesman said suspect Heru Kuncoro was captured last week, as part of raids in central Java, Borneo and Sulawesi linked to a plot to kill police with […]
