Retrial call for accused Indonesian Christians
-16/08/06
The lives of three Catholic Ch
Retrial call for accused Indonesian Christians
-16/08/06
The lives of three Catholic Christians in Indonesia, due to be executed on Saturday 12 August 2006 were spared at the last minute, following international campaigning and calls for a retrial from both Muslims and Christians.
Fabianus Tibo, 60, Dominggus da Silva, 39, and Marinus Riwu, 48, were accused of organising sectarian violence against Muslims in Central Sulawesi and for allegedly leading a violent attack against an Islamic school in 2000. All three men were sentenced to death. They deny the charges.
Prayer vigils were held in the region and around the world, while human rights activists continued to plead their case before the Indonesian Authorities. The European Union and legal action groups have opposed the death penalty. Pope Benedict XVI also appealed to President Yudhoyono on ëhumanitarian groundsí.
Official statements suggest that the stay of execution was granted to allow preparations for Independence Day celebrations, claims Christian Solidarity Worldwide. As such, it appears that the executions may be re-scheduled for 20 August 2006.
Commentators are suggesting that the menís fate is linked to the governmentís treatment of the three Muslim militants on death row for the 2002 Bali bombing. In Central Sulawesi relations between the faith communities is very tense.
The case against the three Catholic Christians has been less than clear cut. At their trial Muslim witnesses spoke out in their defence and both Muslim and Christian leaders have called for the stay of execution and re-trial.
A judicial review panel was set up by the Supreme Court due to substantial evidence to support calls for a re-trial and after pressure from local and national human rights groups. However, on 9 May 2006 the review panel of five judges upheld the verdict. Their final appeal for clemency was rejected by the President of Indonesia.
Over the last two years, the Christian community has faced a series of attacks by militants in the region, most notably the beheading of three Christian girls in October 2005. Security officials have made a number of arrests of militants responsible for the violence in recent months, but some leaders still remain at large.
Christian Solidarity Worldwide Chief Executive, Mervyn Thomas declared: ìIt is vital that pressure on the Indonesian government is maintained. There is substantial evidence to support calls for a re-trial.î
[Also on Ekklesia: Indonesian Catholics face imminent execution; Peace rebuilt between Indonesian Christians and Muslims; Indonesian Muslims say violence is sin and heresy; New bomb blast threat to Christians in Indonesia; Christians remember dead after Indonesia bombings; Christian Aid and CAFOD respond to Indonesia tragedy; Churches call on Indonesian Government to address Malukus violence; Arrests in Indonesian Muslim-Christian conflict zone; BBC to examine beheadings of Christian schoolgirls; Mennonites describe Indonesian earthquake horror; Aid group charts slow Indonesian tsunami recovery; Churches respond immediately to Indonesia earthquake; WCC lends support to quake-hit Indonesian churches; cChristian Peacemaker released after help from Muslims]
Retrial call for accused Indonesian Christians
-16/08/06
The lives of three Catholic Christians in Indonesia, due to be executed on Saturday 12 August 2006 were spared at the last minute, following international campaigning and calls for a retrial from both Muslims and Christians.
Fabianus Tibo, 60, Dominggus da Silva, 39, and Marinus Riwu, 48, were accused of organising sectarian violence against Muslims in Central Sulawesi and for allegedly leading a violent attack against an Islamic school in 2000. All three men were sentenced to death. They deny the charges.
Prayer vigils were held in the region and around the world, while human rights activists continued to plead their case before the Indonesian Authorities. The European Union and legal action groups have opposed the death penalty. Pope Benedict XVI also appealed to President Yudhoyono on ëhumanitarian groundsí.
Official statements suggest that the stay of execution was granted to allow preparations for Independence Day celebrations, claims Christian Solidarity Worldwide. As such, it appears that the executions may be re-scheduled for 20 August 2006.
Commentators are suggesting that the menís fate is linked to the governmentís treatment of the three Muslim militants on death row for the 2002 Bali bombing. In Central Sulawesi relations between the faith communities is very tense.
The case against the three Catholic Christians has been less than clear cut. At their trial Muslim witnesses spoke out in their defence and both Muslim and Christian leaders have called for the stay of execution and re-trial.
A judicial review panel was set up by the Supreme Court due to substantial evidence to support calls for a re-trial and after pressure from local and national human rights groups. However, on 9 May 2006 the review panel of five judges upheld the verdict. Their final appeal for clemency was rejected by the President of Indonesia.
Over the last two years, the Christian community has faced a series of attacks by militants in the region, most notably the beheading of three Christian girls in October 2005. Security officials have made a number of arrests of militants responsible for the violence in recent months, but some leaders still remain at large.
Christian Solidarity Worldwide Chief Executive, Mervyn Thomas declared: ìIt is vital that pressure on the Indonesian government is maintained. There is substantial evidence to support calls for a re-trial.î
[Also on Ekklesia: Indonesian Catholics face imminent execution; Peace rebuilt between Indonesian Christians and Muslims; Indonesian Muslims say violence is sin and heresy; New bomb blast threat to Christians in Indonesia; Christians remember dead after Indonesia bombings; Christian Aid and CAFOD respond to Indonesia tragedy; Churches call on Indonesian Government to address Malukus violence; Arrests in Indonesian Muslim-Christian conflict zone; BBC to examine beheadings of Christian schoolgirls; Mennonites describe Indonesian earthquake horror; Aid group charts slow Indonesian tsunami recovery; Churches respond immediately to Indonesia earthquake; WCC lends support to quake-hit Indonesian churches; cChristian Peacemaker released after help from Muslims]