European Parliament condemns homophobia in Indonesia

Yesterday, the European Parliament adopted a resolution in which it condemns the growing intolerance towards LGBTI people in Indonesia.

In the resolution, the European Parliament “strongly condemns all acts of violence, harassment and intimidation against minorities” and “calls on the government and lawmakers to refrain from further restricting the rights of LGBTI people and ensure [that] their right to freedom of expression and assembly is guaranteed.” (paragraphs 2 and 15).

It stresses its concern over “the intensification of anti-LGBTI rhetoric” and highlights that this “has resulted in numerous threats and violent attacks on LGBTI NGOs, activists, and individuals.” (paragraph 15).

Over 2016, LGBTI people in Indonesia have faced unprecedented hate speech, including from government officials and lawmakers, which threatened to ban LGBTI organisations and criminalise homosexuality. The defence minister compared freedom for LGBTI people to a nuclear war.

Tanja Fajon MEP, Vice-President of the LGBTI Intergroup, reacted: “Human rights and minority rights are universal, and we cannot accept these developments. The resolution that the parliament has voted today sends a strong message to Indonesia: discrimination, hate speech and violence against LGBTI people needs to stop!”

Ulrike Lunacek MEP, Co-President of the LGBTI Intergroup, added: “The severe homophobia that Indonesian LGBTI people are currently suffering needs to end now.”

“I welcome the words by President Widodo, who insists that no one should be discriminated. I encourage all Indonesian politicians to speak out against discrimination of LGBTI people too!”

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• Read the whole Resolution on Indonesia