State Succumbing to Intolerance: Setara Institute Condemns Police Disbanding of Ahmadiyya Youth Camp

The Setara Institute has strongly condemned the police's decision to disband a youth camp organized by the Ahmadiyya community in Karanganyar, Central Java. Halili Hasan, Executive Director of Setara Institute, stated that the incident proves the state is succumbing to intolerant groups, despite police being obligated to uphold the law and protect all citizens, including vulnerable minorities.

Hasan argued that the Ahmadiyya youth gathering was conducted legally and peacefully, without disrupting public order. He asserted that the police's action to break up the camp was a direct result of pressure from a mob, which he characterized as a public display of the 'death of the supremacy of law and the victory of intolerance politics.' The camp, held on June 5, 2026, was dispersed by authorities following objections from several Islamic community organizations.

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What is actually being shown is the death of the supremacy of law and the victory of intolerance politics.

The institute highlighted a concerning trend where security forces often cite maintaining public order as a pretext for disbanding religious activities of minority groups, closing places of worship, and expelling communities. "Consequently, the state indirectly sends a message that intimidation is an effective way to defeat the constitution," Hasan remarked. Setara Institute has documented decades of discrimination, persecution, and restrictions on civil rights faced by the Ahmadiyya community.

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Consequently, the state indirectly sends a message that intimidation is an effective way to defeat the constitution.

Setara Institute criticized the government's commitment to religious freedom, stating it remains mere rhetoric and is inconsistent with claims of Indonesia being a tolerant and democratic nation. The institute believes that the state's reluctance to enforce the constitution and act decisively against intolerant elements poses a threat to religious freedom. They warned that such incidents will persist as long as the government compromises with intolerant groups, leaving minorities in a state of uncertainty and vulnerability.

Consequently, Setara Institute has called upon President Prabowo Subianto to take immediate, concrete actions to ensure no further restrictions on religious freedom occur, particularly those instigated by intolerant factions. They also urged the National Police Chief, General Listyo Sigit Prabowo, to address the issue.

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This shows that the government's commitment to protecting freedom of religion or belief still stops at rhetoric.