Indonesia: The last hope for three Christian women accused of proselytising dies

The Supreme court rejects an appeal by teachers condemned for having converted Muslim children.  Christian organisations warn : false evidence and  testimonies are being used against them.

Jakarta (AsiaNews/Icc) –Indonesia's Supreme court has rejected appeals lodged by three Christian teachers accused of proselytising.  It was the last hope for the women following last Novembers decision by Bandung high court to refuse their legal appeal.   

Thus the Court judges confirmed a three year prison sentence for Rebbeca Loanita, Etty Pangesti and  Ratna Mala Bangun.  International Christian Concern (Icc), reports that the verdict was issued on February.

The three teachers ran a Dominican school in their local community of  Indramayu, West Java. On September 1st 2005 they were condemned for having violated the 2002 child protection law. The Indonesian Council of Mullahs (Mui) have accused them of trying to convert Muslim children to Christianity. None of the children who attended the school have however converted to Christianity. Moreover, all of the children had written parental permission to participate.  

According to human rights activists, the judgement was heavily influenced by the continued presence in the school rooms of Islamic extremists.  Secondo attivisti per i diritti umani, i giudizio è stato influenzato dalla continua presenza in aula di estremisti islamici. The Icc, also warns that during trial the prosecution supplied false evidence and that some key witnesses for the defence could not testify because of threats by the Mui. They also accuse the Mui of manipulating court proceedings and falsifying evidence against the three women.  

• INDONESIA
• teachers
• religious
• freedom
• proselytising
• supreme
• court