Topic: LGBT Rights
Country: Indonesia
Delegate Name: Carson Henley
School: Fishers High School
Topic page: background guide and all position papers All Indonesia position papers GLIMUN 2015 committees
The LGBT community has seen great strides in recognition and visibility in the past fifty years in Indonesia. Media has been an instrumental part of this process, particularly with its coverage of HIV and AIDS in the eighties and nineties. This coverage raised awareness specifically for gay men and transgender women. Respectively, lesbians and transgender men have benefitted from the backing of many feminist groups. This increase in visibility has raised questions about the rights of LGBT citizens of the Republic of Indonesia.
Indonesia is a country heavily comprised of Muslims who prefer to interpret Islam conservatively. Most conservative interpretations of Islam do not allow for homosexuality or sex changes, meaning the majority of the population does not support recognition of same-sex couples or gender identities different than those assigned at birth. Consequently, same-sex marriage is not recognized, though same-sex couples may live together without the benefits allowed to heterosexual couples. There are recent interpretations of Islam and Christianity that do not look down on LGBT people and practices, but these are only recognized by the progressive population. The philosophy of LGBT activists is to work around society rather than radically changing it.
The Republic of Indonesia is a highly religious state, with a conservative interpretation of Islam being the most widespread faith. It is because of this that the province of Aceh has been allowed to create bylaws based in the Sharia faith.
At this time, Indonesia is not prepared to consent to any resolutions that conflict with the widespread interpretation of Islamic law. This includes but is not limited to any resolution that would mandate the legalization of same-sex marriage, infringing not only upon national sovereignty, but the religious freedom of the citizens of Indonesia.
In regards to moving forward, the Republic of Indonesia is prepared to sign any resolution protecting the safety and well-being of LGBT citizens. This is of the utmost importance for fostering unity and harmony among Indonesians. The Republic of Indonesia is of the belief that drafting of legislation and creation of enforcement programs to ensure the safety of LGBT persons should be the priority of the Human Rights Council with respect to all LGBT issues. Article Three of the Universal Declaration of Human Rights, “Everyone has the right to life, liberty and security of person,” is perhaps the most basic human right. When it is compromised, every other right is inevitably compromised with it. Consequently, the protection of this right should take precedence.
Indonesia would like to take action first by drafting a resolution to ensure the safety of LGBT persons around the world. Secondly, the Republic of Indonesia would like to see an initiative and funding for enforcement programs that would work to ensure that the resolution is upheld and the safety of LGBT citizens is not compromised due to one’s residence in a country where corruption exists in law enforcement. By providing funding for alternate enforcement programs, Indonesia believes that the negative effects of law enforcement’s corruption or lack of enforcement may be circumvented. The ultimate hope of Indonesia is that the enforcement of legislation protecting LGBT persons will not only protect these persons, but foster a sense of harmony.
Sources Cited
Being LGBT in Asia: Indonesia Country Report (2014): 1-28. United Nations Development Programme. Web. 25 Oct. 2015.
"Indonesia." Central Intelligence Agency. Central Intelligence Agency, n.d. Web. 25 Oct. 2015.
"Indonesia: 'Suspected Lesbians' Detained." Human Rights Watch. Human Rights Watch, 02 Oct. 2015. Web. 27 Oct. 2015.
