JAKARTA, RAKYAT NEWS – Amnesty International Indonesia has strongly condemned the violent dispersal and destruction of a Christian prayer house in Padang, West Sumatra. Deputy Director Wirya Adiwena called on authorities to urgently investigate the attack and prosecute those responsible, highlighting the incident as a disturbing reflection of the government’s failure to protect religious freedom.

“The use of violence and hate against people of different faiths, especially when children are targeted, shows the alarming weakness of state protection for religious practices in Indonesia,” said Adiwena. “This is a dark snapshot of the state of religious tolerance in the country. The perpetrators must be brought to justice without delay.”

The incident in Padang occurred just a month after a similar case in Sukabumi, where a Christian student retreat was attacked and shut down on June 27. Amnesty International sees the recurrence of such events as evidence of the government’s lack of seriousness in protecting the religious rights of its citizens, sending a dangerous message that hate crimes can go unpunished.

Amnesty also criticized the continued enforcement of discriminatory regulations, such as the Joint Ministerial Decree No. 9 and 8 of 2006, which are frequently used to justify restrictions on minority religious practices. These policies, they argue, enable systemic discrimination against communities whose beliefs differ from the mainstream.

“The state must act decisively—arrest and prosecute those responsible for religiously motivated violence in both Padang and Sukabumi. Repeal policies that legitimize discrimination. The central government must ensure that law enforcement responds swiftly in such cases to protect vulnerable groups, especially children, from fear, intimidation, and violence during worship,” said Adiwena.

The attack in Padang took place on Sunday, July 27, 2025, when a group of individuals stormed a prayer house belonging to the Indonesian Christian Church of Faith (GKSI) Anugerah Padang, located in Padang Sarai, Koto Tangah District. They disrupted a religious service and children’s Bible study session before damaging the building and its contents.

Videos circulating on social media and covered by national media outlets show men barging into the premises while shouting “Disband… disband!” Women and children were seen fleeing in panic, and several men armed with wooden sticks smashed windows and furniture. Children’s cries can be heard as they were forcibly removed, with attackers shouting “Destroy everything!”

Reports state that two children, aged 8 and 11, sustained injuries from being hit and struck by flying objects. The destruction included broken windows, damaged chairs, ruined electronic equipment, and a power outage in the prayer house. The church’s pastor confirmed that around 30 children and their parents were present during the attack.

According to the local neighborhood head (RW), the incident stemmed from a misunderstanding—some residents mistakenly believed the prayer house was a full-fledged church. However, the GKSI pastor clarified that the building serves as a prayer and learning space specifically for children to receive Christian education outside school.

The West Sumatra Regional Police (Polda Sumbar) have since arrested nine individuals connected to the attack and indicated that more suspects may be identified as the investigation continues. Amnesty reminded authorities that the right to religious freedom is protected under Article 18 of the International Covenant on Civil and Political Rights (ICCPR) and Articles 28E and 29 of the Indonesian Constitution, and must be upheld for all citizens without exception.(Uki Ruknuddin)

 

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