STATEMENT OF CONCERN FROM 3 CHRISTIAN GROUPS AT THE PROVINCE OF EAST JAVA AND THE CITY OF SURABAYA

---------------------------------------------------------------------------- On behalf of the Christian community,Church Foundations and Organization of Churches in the province of East Java and the city of Surabaya, we come again as a union to convey our deepest concern regarding riots, acts of murder, persecution, destruction and robbery against a number of churches/place of worship in East Java. Our statement of concern is based upon the fact that there has neither been a prompt reponse and preventive actions taken by the authority during this incident as well as during the similar preceding incidents of church attacks. We found these tragic incidents not only against the Pancasila state ideology and the 1945 Constitution, but also strongly indicate there are efforts to alter the Pancasila, the 1945 Constitution as well as the ideal objective of our nation's proclamation and the new order government. We take this opportunity to condemn any efforts to alter the Pancasila state ideology and the 1945 Constitution and any conduct that violates the basic human rights. We strongly hope that this is our last statement of concern and we do not want this tragic incident to recur in the future. Our statement of concern is primarily based on the following reasons: 1. The recent incident of Church persecution on October 10, 1996 in East Java (cities of Situbondo, Panarukan, Wonorejo, Banyu Putih, Asem Bagus, Besuki, Ranurejo) constitute a repeated similar incidents that have previously taken place in Surabaya on June 9, 1996 and in Pare and Kediri on June 25, 1996. 2. This incident is much worse than the previous ones since 5 (five) people were burned alive in a church. In addition, 25 churches and other buildings such as christian schools, christian orphanages, Public Court, stores, cars, were burned and destroyed. 3. For the sake of our nation's unity and in view of respecting the basic human rights (particularly towards christians), we request the security officials to take affirmative actions and prosecute those who participated in the riots according to prevailing law. We request the official authority to bring justice and truth to all of the society and always be prepared to provide security toward christians in this country. 4. The consecutive incidents of church attacks that took place within a shor-time differences strongly indicates that there are individuals who want to split the unity of our nation and the harmony among people of different faith. All these tragedy were made possible because the security officials did not handle the previous incidents properly. Therefore, we ask the government to be responsible and always be consistent in providing security and peace to all citizens as was previously promised when the preceding two incidents were just over. Surabaya, 11 October 1996 Indonesian Fellowship of Churches (PGI), East Java Office Rev. Sin Pinardi ---------------- Chairman Indonesian Pentecostal Council (DPI), East Java Office Rev. Jeremia Batubara --------------------- Chairman Indonesian Evangelical Fellowship (PII), East Java Office Rev. Hendrik Rononuwu Rev. Butje Tuwoh, S.Th. --------------------- ----------------------- Chairman Secretary The Union of Indonesian Christian Intellectual, East Java Office Dr. Martin Setiabudi Thomas Santoso, MSi -------------------- ------------------- Chairman Secretary The Indonesian Christian Participation, East Java Office Samuel Binti. S.H. Fonumero Ziraluo ------------------ ---------------- Chairman Secretary The Young Generation Christian Movement of Indonesia, Surabaya Office John F. Hengzts, SH. Onny Phillippus -------------------- --------------- Chairman Secretary Churches Communication forum, East Java H.B. PrawiroMaruto, SH. Drs. Herman Pontoh ----------------------- ------------------ Chairman Secretary Surabaya Christian Communication Forum dr. Purnama Nugraha Rev. Agus Andreas Susanto, S.Th. ------------------- -------------------------------- Chairman Secretary Perkantas, Branch Office Harry Limanto, M.Div. --------------------- Branch Official LPMI Surabaya Drs. Dididk Rohadi ------------------ Chairman Lahai Roi Bible Study Fellowship Ir. Saut Gurning Adolf H. ---------------- -------- Chairman Secretary Full Gospel Bethel Church, Surabaya Sinode Rev. Paulus Ruswiyadi Rev. David Soementrim, SH. --------------------- -------------------------- Chairman Secretary Surabaya Pentecostal Church Rev. Drs. Yunias D. Sutedja Rev. Yakub Lewi Santoso --------------------------- ----------------------- Chairman Secretary


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