2019 Report on the State of Freedom of Religion or Belief in Indonesia

This document is a comprehensive annual research report published by Pustaka Masyarakat Setara (SETARA Institute) in November 2020, titled “Religious Freedom and the Prioritization of Political and Security Stability in an Election Year: The State of Freedom of Religion and Belief in Indonesia in 2019”. This vi + 180-page book was written by Muhammad Hafiz and Ismail Hasani, and edited by Halili Hasan.

This research report provides an in-depth analysis of the dynamics, challenges, and comparative cases related to Freedom of Religion or Belief (FORB) in Indonesia throughout 2019. The title “Prioritizing Political-Security Stability in an Election Year” refers to the researchers’ critical analysis, which found that throughout the 2019 election year, the resolution of cases of intolerance and violations of minority rights was often sacrificed or sidelined by the state in order to maintain security stability and prevent the escalation of macro-political conflicts. This document presents statistical data on violations (committed by both state and non-state actors) and their geographical distribution, and offers recommendations for strengthening inclusive governance (inclusive governance).