JOINT STATEMENT OF CONCERNS
PARA-CHURCHES AND CHRISTIAN NGOs
IN SURABAYA
=================================================================
Pertaining to the attacks on 10 (ten) churches, which were also
followed by robberies and persecutions against the congregations in
Surabaya on Sunday, June 9, 1996, we, the Para-churches and several
Christian NGOs in Surabaya make this following joint statement of
deep concerns:
1. Regarding the attacks and the destruction of the 10 (ten)
churches, which were followed with robberies and persecutions
against the congregations in Surabaya on Sunday, June 9, 1996; as
an integral part of the Indonesian community, we regret and express
our deep concerns upon these incidents.
2. We sincerely expect that the police and other security officials
can investigate these incidents and could get to the bottom of
these cases, and bring to justice those who are responsible
according to the laws of the land; especially, so we all could learn
that there will be no more attacks or destruction that would have to be
tolerated any longer in the future. Therefore, an absolute commitment
toward justice has to be carried out in total sincerity.
3. As a result of these incidents, there are a lot of people from
those churches who are experiencing trauma and loss of materials,
especially at their places of worship. These people cannot meet
together to worship freely any longer, which is the most basic of
human rights protected by our laws. Therefore, we are asking the
Government to take this matter seriously and also to take some
positive and real actions toward it immediately, such as rebuilding
the damaged buildings and their facilities, and providing security
assurances that there will be freedom for people to worship without
being harassed or threatened.
4. When the process of rebuilding is underway, we expect a full
assurance of security from the Government, so that the people could
again have their freedom to worship without having any fear or
trauma.
5. For the sake of unity and human rights, we expect that these
incidents will not happen again in the future. Therefore a state
of readiness from any local security officers has to be
strengthened.
The above are the concerns of ours. We sincerely pray that our
loving God, God Almighty, would give His guidance and His wisdom
in resolving these ugly incidents.
Surabaya, June 10, 1996
Branch Officers of
Association of Indonesian Christian Intelegensia at Surabaya
(Dewan Pimpinan Cabang Persatuan Intelegensia Kristen Indonseia,
DPC PIKI Surabaya)
Dr. Med. Paul Tahalele Markus Remiasa
______________________ ______________
Chairman Secretary
Branch Officers of
Indonesian Christian Participation, Surabaya
(Dewan Pimpinan Cabang Partisipasi Kristen Indonesia, DPC Parkindo
Surabaya)
Ammanuel F. Lumoindong Frans Limbong, ST
______________________ _________________
Chairman Secretary
Branch Officers of
Indonesian Christian Student Movement, Surabaya
(Badan Pengurus Cabang Gerakan Mahasiswa Kristen Indonesia, BPC
GMKI Surabaya)
Daniel Rohi, ST Andreas Jonathan, ST
_______________ ____________________
Chairman Secretary
Branch Officers of
Indonesian Christian Youth Movement, Surabaya
(Dewan Pimpinan Cabang Gerakan Angkatan Muda Kristen Indonesia, DPC
GAMKI Surabaya)
John F. Hengstz, SH Onny Philippus
___________________ ______________
Chairman Secretary
Branch Officers of
Intervarsity Christian Fellowship
(Badan Pengurus Cabang Persekutuan Kristen Antar Universitas, BPC
Perkantas)
Harry Limanto, M.Div.
_____________________
Branch Chairman
Bible Study Fellowship, Lahai Roi
(Yayasan Persekutuan Penelaah Alkitab, YPPA Lahai Roi)
Ir. Saut Gurning Adolf H.
________________ _________
Chairman Secretary
The Para-churches and Christian NGOs
Surabaya
===================================================================
Surabaya, June 10, 1996
Subject : Statement of Concern
His Excellency
The President of Republic of Indonesia
General Soeharto
In Jakarta
Dear Sir,
With this letter, we would like to bring to your attention the
incidents regarding the attacks on 10 (ten) churches, which were
followed by robberies and persecutions against the congregation, on
Sunday, June 9, 1996 in Surabaya.
On behalf of the Para-churches and Christian NGOs in Surabaya, we
would like to express our deep concerns toward the incidents. We
fully expect that you could give special attention on this issue
and give specific commands to the security officers to handle and
process these incidents according to the law of the land.
Together with this letter, we are enclosing 1 (one) set of reports
from those 10 churches, which should explain the details of the
incidents.
We appreciate very much your attention on the issue we present you
in this letter.
Sincerely yours,
Branch Officers of
Association of Indonesian Christian Intelegensia at Surabaya
(Dewan Pimpinan Cabang Persatuan Intelegensia Kristen Indonseia,
DPC PIKI Surabaya)
Dr. Med. Paul Tahalele Markus Remiasa
______________________ ______________
Chairman Secretary
Branch Officers of
Indonesian Christian Participation, Surabaya
(Dewan Pimpinan Cabang Partisipasi Kristen Indonesia, DPC Parkindo
Surabaya)
Ammanuel F. Lumoindong Frans Limbong, ST
______________________ _________________
Chairman Secretary
Branch Officers of
Indonesian Christian Student Movement, Surabaya
(Badan Pengurus Cabang Gerakan Mahasiswa Kristen Indonesia, BPC
GMKI Surabaya)
Daniel Rohi, ST Andreas Jonathan, ST
_______________ ____________________
Chairman Secretary
Branch Officers of
Indonesian Christian Youth Movement, Surabaya
(Dewan Pimpinan Cabang Gerakan Angkatan Muda Kristen Indonesia, DPC
GAMKI Surabaya)
John F. Hengstz, SH Onny Philippus
___________________ ______________
Chairman Secretary
Branch Officers of
Intervarsity Christian Fellowship
(Badan Pengurus Cabang Persekutuan Kristen Antar Universitas, BPC
Perkantas)
Harry Limanto, M.Div.
_____________________
Branch Chairman
Bible Study Fellowship, Lahai Roi
(Yayasan Persekutuan Penelaah Alkitab, YPPA Lahai Roi)
Ir. Saut Gurning Adolf H.
________________ _________
Chairman Secretary
Copies:
1. Chairman of People's Consultative Assembly/Parliament, Republic
of Indonesia.
2. Vice President, Republic of Indonesia.
3. Minister of Political Coordination and Security, Republic of
Indonesia.
4. Minister of Defense, Republic of Indonesia.
5. Minister of Religious Affairs.
6. Minister of Internal Affairs.
7. Commander of Armed Services, Republic of Indonesia.
8. Chief of Police, Republic of Indonesia.
9. Director General of Community Guidance for Christian Protestants.
10. National Human Rights Commission, Republic of Indonesia.
11. Provincial Parliament I of Indonesia.
12. Provincial Governors of Indonesia.
13. District Commanders, Armed Services of Indonesia.
14. District Chiefs of Police of Indonesia.
15. Provincial Parliament II, Surabaya.
16. Mayor, City of Surabaya.
17. Regional Commander of Armed Services, Surabaya.
18. District Chief of Police, Surabaya.
19. Communion of Churches in Indonesia.
20. Indonesian Evangelical Fellowship.
21. Indonesian Pentecostal Council.
22. Central Council of PIKI.
23. Central Council of Parkindo.
24. GMKI.
25. Central Council GAMKI.
26. Intervarsity Christian Fellowship.
27. Branch Council of PIKI, East Java.
28. Branch Council of Parkindo, East Java.
29. Branch Council of GAMKI, East Java.
30. Churches in Indonesia.
31. Christian NGOs and Para-churches in Indonesia.
LIST OF CHURCHES THAT EXPERIENCED ATTACKS ON SUNDAY,
JUNE 9, 1996 IN SURABAYA
=================================================================
1. Jawi Wetan Christian Church
Sidotopo Indah Wetan II/26
2. Batak Protestant Church Pogot
Sidotopo Wetan Indah II/62-64
3. West Indonesia Protestant Church "Cahaya Kasih", Branch Silo
Bulak Raya
4. Indonesian Bethel Church "Firman Hayat"
Tenggumung Baru Selatan 51
5. Pentecostal Church in Indonesia
Jatisrono Tengah 11
6. Indonesian Christian Mission and Alliance Church "Kalvari"
Bulak Banteng Madya 4
7. Tabernacle Pentecostal Church
Wonosari Wetan Baru Gg. Sekolahan 22
8. Indonesian Bethel Church Prayer Fellowship
Bulak Banteng Wetan IV/2-4
9. Pentecostal Assembly Church in Indonesia "Bukit Sion"
Tenggumung Karya III/54
10. Pentecostal Church in Indonesia
Sidotopo Wetan Indah
==========================================================================
CHRONOLOGY OF ATTACKS, ROBBERIES, AND PERSECUTIONS AGAINST CHURCHES
IN SURABAYA, SUNDAY, JUNE 9, 1996
1. Indonesian Bethel Church
Bulak Banteng Wetan IV/2-4
8:00 a.m.
Mobs attacked and destroyed the whole building.
Damage/Losses/Victims:
- Two buildings totally damaged, with major destruction.
- All property in the buildings destroyed and/or stolen.
Cost:
Not calculated or estimated yet.
2. Indonesian Christian Mission and Alliance Church "Kalvari"
Bulak Banteng Madya 4
9:30 a.m.
During worship service, rocks were thrown at the church
building. Mobs attacked upon entering the building, destroying,
persecuting, robbing, and sexually assaulting a woman.
Damage/Losses/Victims:
- Church building totally destroyed.
- Church property totally destroyed.
- One woman was sexually assaulted.
Cost:
Not calculated or estimated yet.
3. Pentecostal Church in Indonesia
Jatisrono Tengah 11
10:10 a.m.
A mob of about 1000 attacked, destroyed, and robbed the church.
Damage/Losses/Victims
- Church building totally destroyed.
- Chairs, sound system, and music equipment destroyed and stolen.
Cost:
Not calculated or estimated yet.
4. Tabernacle Pentecostal Church
Wonosari Wetan Baru Gg Sekolahan 22
10:30 a.m.
About 150 people attacked the church, robbing jewelry and money
and other personal belongings of the church members there.
Neighboring houses were destroyed.
Damage/Losses/victims
- Church building totally destroyed.
- 2 houses belonging to church members were damaged.
- 4 motorcycles destroyed.
- 7 bicycles destroyed.
Cost:
38 million Rupiah (about US$16,500).
5. Pentecostal Assembly Church in Indonesia
Tenggumung Karya III/54
10:50 a.m.
A mob of about 500 coming by foot, on motorcycles, and on trucks,
carrying sharp weapons, attacked and robbed the church.
Damage/Losses/Victims
- Church building totally destroyed.
- Music instruments and other property were destroyed and
stolen.
Cost:
16 million Rupiah (about US$7,000).
6. Indonesian Bethel Church "Firman Hayat"
Tenggumung Baru Selatan 51
11:20 a.m.
A mob of about 1500 people from the north carrying wooden sticks,
iron sticks, knives and other kinds of sharp weapons, attacked
and destroyed and robbed the church.
Damage/Losses/Victims
- Church building totally destroyed.
- Music instruments, other church property destroyed and
stolen.
- Money and jewelry were taken.
- Bicycles, water pump, shoes, and clothes were stolen.
Cost:
34.5 million Rupiah (about US$14,700).
7. Jawi Wetan Christian Church
Sidotopo Indah Wetan II/26
11:30 a.m.
A mob of about 500 people broke into the front and side doors,
destroying wantonly and also persecuting the people inside.
Damage/Losses/Victims
- Fences and doors destroyed.
- Church building totally destroyed.
- Property, water pump, money, clothes, briefcase were stolen.
- 3 persons injured.
Cost:
22.8 Million rupiah (about US$10,000).
8. Batak Protestant Church "Pogot"
Sidotopo Wetan Indah II/62-64
11:45 a.m.
An initial mob of about 1200 people, including 300 children, who were
joined 10 minutes later by 400 additional youth and adults, attacked
and persecuted and robbed the church.
Damage/Losses/Victims
- Church building totally destroyed.
- Music instruments, property, and Bibles destroyed and
stolen.
- Money was stolen.
- 1 person injured.
Cost:
11.2 million Rupiah (about US$5,000).
9. West Indonesia Protestant Church "Cahaya Kasih", Branch Silo
Bulak Raya
Mobs attacked and vandalized.
Damage/Losses/Victims
- Part of the church building was destroyed.
Cost:
Not calculated or estimated yet.