Inciden tSaturday, June 6, 2026

SETARA condemned the disbandment of the Ahmadiyah camp in Karanganyar and assessed that the state had failed to protect citizens’ constitutional rights.

SETARA Institute condemns the disbandment of the Indonesian Ahmadiyah Congregation (JAI) Youth and Children’s Camping activity in Karanganyar, Central Java, on Friday evening, June 5, 2026. The activity, which was supposed to be a space for developing the younger generation, was stopped early after receiving pressure from a community organization calling itself the Solo Raya Islamic Brotherhood Forum.

The camp was originally scheduled for three days, June 5–8, 2026. With the theme “Prophet Muhammad SAW, the Uniter of the Ummah, the Bringer of Peace,” the program included sports, trekking, traditional games, and moral strengthening for the younger generation. Participants were primarily from the Ahmadiyya Muslim community, particularly children and youth.

SETARA Institute Executive Director Halili Hasan said the disbandment should not be viewed as an ordinary event. He argued that peaceful activities should receive state protection, especially since the disbandment occurred amidst the presence of hundreds of police officers.

“This incident is not simply the suspension of a religious activity. It is concrete evidence that the state has failed to break free from discriminatory practices against the Ahmadiyya and continues to allow intolerant groups to act as the authority determining who can and cannot enjoy their constitutional rights,” Halili said in a statement on Saturday (June 6).

Halili believes the state has once again chosen to bow to intolerant groups rather than uphold the law to protect victims and vulnerable groups. He said security forces, who should be protecting citizens, have instead allowed mass pressure to lead to the cessation of legitimate, peaceful activities that do not disrupt public order.

“When a legitimate and peaceful activity is halted due to mass pressure, what is really being demonstrated is the death of the rule of law and the triumph of political intolerance,” he said.

He also reminded security forces not to hide behind the pretext of maintaining public order. In many cases of intolerance, the excuse of public order is often used to sacrifice the rights of victims, while those carrying out intimidation gain ground. According to Halili, a similar pattern is repeated in the closure of houses of worship, bans on religious activities, expulsions of minority communities, and the dissolution of discussion forums.

“This kind of logic sends a dangerous message that intimidation is an effective way to defeat the constitution. In the Karanganyar context, the authorities have become part of the problem, not part of the solution,” Halili said.

Halili said the events in Karanganyar once again demonstrate that the Ahmadiyah remain a vulnerable group to discrimination, persecution, expulsion, and restrictions on civil rights. He believes the government’s commitment to protecting freedom of religion or belief often remains rhetorical, while in practice, minority groups continue to face vetoes from intolerant groups.

In response to the incident, the SETARA Institute issued five demands. First, the President of the Republic of Indonesia is urged to take concrete steps to prevent further restrictions on freedom of religion or belief due to pressure from intolerant groups. Second, the National Police Chief is urged to investigate the officers involved in the disbandment of the event and ensure institutional accountability.

Third, the Karanganyar Regency Government and the Central Java Provincial Government are asked to issue a public apology to the Indonesian Ahmadiyya Congregation for the state’s failure to protect the constitutional rights of Ahmadiyah members. Fourth, the Ministry of Home Affairs and the Ministry of Religious Affairs are asked to ensure that local governments carry out the mandate of the 1945 Constitution to protect citizens’ constitutional rights.

Fifth, the central government, including the executive, legislative, and judicial branches, is urged to stop the practice of allowing intolerant groups, which is seen as continuing to erode the values ​​of Pancasila and the principles of the rule of law. Halili emphasized that the threat to freedom of religion or belief lies not only in differences of belief, but also in the state’s unwillingness to act decisively in the face of intolerance and intimidation.

source https://www.alinea.id/peristiwa/pembubaran-kegiatan-ahmadiyah-dinilai-langgar-konstitusi-b2pWf9Spu