Regional governments must ensure that every policy taken remains guided by the constitution and human rights principles.
The National Commission on Violence Against Women (Komnas Perempuan) has asked the Ministry of Home Affairs (Kemendagri) to remind regional heads, including the Regent of Tasikmalaya, to exercise their constitutional authority in addressing the religious activities of the Indonesian Ahmadiyya Congregation (JAI). The state is obligated to guarantee religious freedom and provide protection to all citizens, including women from religious minorities.
The Deputy Chairperson of the National Commission on Violence Against Women, Dahlia Madanih, emphasized that the guarantee of freedom of religion and worship is a constitutional mandate that must be a guideline for central and regional governments in making policies.
According to Dahlia, Article 29 paragraph (2) of the 1945 Constitution of the Republic of Indonesia expressly states that the state guarantees the freedom of every citizen to embrace their respective religion and to worship according to their religion and beliefs. Meanwhile, Article 28G paragraph (1) guarantees the right of every person to self-protection and a sense of security from the threat of fear to do or not do something that is a basic human right.
“Regional governments must ensure that every policy they adopt adheres to the constitution and human rights principles. The Ministry of Home Affairs plays a crucial role in reminding regional heads to exercise their authority within a framework of respecting, protecting, and fulfilling the rights of citizens, including the rights of religious minorities,” Dahlia said in Jakarta on Sunday, October 18, 2026.
This statement is relevant to the implementation of the Jalsah Salanah of the Indonesian Ahmadiyya Congregation in Kuningan Regency, West Java, on October 16–18, 2026. The annual religious activity was attended by around 5,000 congregants, with around 2,000 participants being women.
Previously, the Regent of Tasikmalaya, Cecep Nurul Yakin, asked the Ahmadiyah Congregation to stop the Jalsah Salanah activities due to pressure.
The National Commission on Violence Against Women (Komnas Perempuan) views religious activities conducted peacefully and in accordance with legal provisions as fulfilling citizens’ constitutional rights. Therefore, the government needs to ensure security guarantees are in place so participants can carry out activities without intimidation, threats, or fear.
Dahlia also reminded that regional government policies regarding the activities of the Ahmadiyah Congregation need to refer to the provisions of laws and regulations, including the Joint Decree (SKB) of the Minister of Religion, the Attorney General, and the Minister of Home Affairs in 2008.
The Joint Decree contains provisions regarding the activities of the Indonesian Ahmadiyah Congregation as well as orders to the community to maintain religious harmony, peace and order in community life and not to carry out unlawful actions against followers, members or administrators of the JAI.
Therefore, the implementation of the Joint Decree needs to be carried out in its entirety and not interpreted partially, thereby ignoring the state’s obligation to provide protection to citizens.
“The Constitution must be the primary reference point in governance. Every policy concerning religious minorities must ensure that citizens’ rights are protected. The government must not ignore the security and religious freedom guaranteed by the 1945 Constitution of the Republic of Indonesia,” Dahlia said on the third day of the 2026 Jalsah Salanah held in Tenjowaringin Village, Tasikmalaya.
The National Commission on Violence Against Women (Komnas Perempuan) believes that the protection of women in the Ahmadiyya community also requires special attention. Religious gathering spaces are crucial for strengthening spirituality, brotherhood, social solidarity, and family and community resilience.
Threats, intimidation, or restrictions that have no legal basis have the potential to cause material, social, and spiritual harm, as well as creating fear that can hinder women from exercising their basic rights.
On that basis, the National Commission on Violence Against Women requested the Ministry of Home Affairs to coordinate with the Ministry of Religious Affairs and the Attorney General’s Office, and to encourage regional governments and law enforcement officials to ensure protection for the implementation of religious activities of the Ahmadiyah Congregation.
Specifically, regional governments are expected to exercise their authority by prioritizing the constitution, legal certainty, and the principle of non-discrimination. Efforts to maintain interfaith harmony must be carried out by protecting the rights of all citizens, not by ignoring the constitutional rights of certain groups.
The National Commission on Violence Against Women (Komnas Perempuan) emphasized that religious freedom, protection of women, and guarantees of a sense of security are part of the state’s responsibility which must be realized in policies and concrete actions, both at the central and regional levels.
Categories: Ahmadis, Ahmadiyyat: True Islam, Asia, Human Rights, Indonesia, Jalsa Salana