“Islam bukan Agama Kekerasan”

Jakarta, 14 Mei 2012

Siti Ruhaini Dzuhayatin

Ketua at-interim Komisi Independen HAM Organisasi Kerjasama Islam (IPHRC OKI)

Beberapa waktu terakhir, dalam konteks pendewasaan menjadi bangsa yang demokratis Indonesia diuji dengan pelbagai macam peristiwa yang mengarah pada tindakan intoleransi, diskriminasi dan kekerasan. Maraknya pelarangan pendirian rumah ibadah agama tertentu, pengrusakan rumah ibadah kelompok minoritas, kekerasan terhadap aktivis penggiat keberagaman, pelarangan diskusi-diskusi tema-tema yang mengandung unsur sensitifitas dengan keyakinan, sampai tindakan kekerasan terhadap komunitas yang dipandang berbeda pemahaman dan pandangan, semuanya telah menjadi hiasan media massa dan ruang publik masyarakat Indonesia dewasa ini.

Sebagai berpenduduk Muslim terbesar yang dikenal paling demokratis, Indonesia tengah disibukkan dengan permasalahan mendasar tentang kebhinekaan dan toleransi. Sebuah perdebatan lama yang sebetulnya telah dijawab oleh bangsa ini, bahkan sebelum dilahirkan. Tak ayal pula, sikap ekstrem yang ditampakkan oleh umat Islam tersebut semakin menguatkan pandangan Islamphobia di antara umat lain, sedangkan di sisi lain, komunitas Muslim di seluruh dunia tengah memperbaiki citra Islam untuk lebih manusiawi, berperadaban dan menampilkan wajah Islam yang ramah.

Sebagai Komisioner HAM OKI yang diberikan mandat untuk menghadirkan nilai-nilai HAM yang selaras dengan ajaran luhur keislaman, kami hendak menekankan bahwa tindakan intoleransi dan kekerasan yang didasarkan atas nama agama bukanlah menjadi cerminan Islam itu sendiri. Sebaliknya, tindakan tersebut hanya bagian kecil dari pemaknaan sejumlah kecil umat Islam terhadap Islam yang tentunya tidak bisa dilegitimasi sebagai pendapat seluruh umat Islam.

Piagam Organisasi Kerjasama Islam (OKI) menyatakan secara tegas, bahwa bersatunya umat Islam dalam Organisasi ini adalah untuk memajukan nilai-nilai perdamaian, kasih sayang, toleransi, persamaan, keadilan dan martabat manusia. Nilai-nilai ini pula yang dapat melestarikan warisan Islam dan mempertahankan universalitas Islam sebagai agama. Hal ini menjadi dasar bagi umat Islam sedunia untuk menyebarkan pemahaman Islam yang moderat dan toleran, memajukan HAM dan kebebasan dasar, demokrasi dan penegakan hukum, serta bagi setiap Negara Muslim hendaknya mengimplementasikan dan memajukannya di tingkat nasional atau internasional.

Dalam hal ini, OKI meletakkan agenda reformasi – moderasi dan modernisasi – sebagai bagian penting pembangunan Negara-negara Muslim di era kontemporer, dengan selalu mengedepankan dialog antar peradaban dan menghadirkan nilai-nilai Islam yang luhur.

Program Aksi Sepuluh Tahun OKI (2005 – 2015) sangat tegas menyebutkan, bahwa sebagai organisasi Muslim terbesar di dunia, OKI mengedepankan sikap moderat dan toleran, seraya menentang segala bentuk ekstrimisme, tindakan kekerasan dan terorisme, sekaligus pula menolak adanya Islamphobia.

Program sepuluh tahun mendorong agar OKI menyebarkan pemahaman yang benar tentang Islam sebagai sebuah agama yang moderat dan toleran dan melindungi pemaknaan Islam dari pendapat-pendapat ekstrem dan sempit yang bertentangan dengan nilai-nilai keislaman dan kemanusiaan. Dialog antar agama/keyakinan dengan pencarian titik temu dan nilai bersama merupakan sebuah keharusan. Dan demikian, OKI mengecam adanya ekstrimisme agama atau sektarian dan menghentikan tindakan saling kafir-mengkafirkan antar penganut untuk hidup secara berdampingan dan saling menghormati.

Deklarasi HAM Islam Kairo 1990 telah mencatat, bahwa setiap manusia memiliki hak rasa aman atas dirinya sendiri, agamanya, kemerdekaannya, kehormatannya dan harta bendanya (Pasal 18), yang harus pula menjadi pedoman bagi umat Islam di seluruh dunia dalam memandang manusia lain, serta menjadi kewajiban Negara pula untuk memberikan perlindungan maksimal terhadap hak setiap orang tersebut.

 

Berkaitan dengan maraknya tindakan intoleransi, kekerasan dan diskriminasi yang terjadi di Indonesia akhir-akhir ini, kami menyampaikan;

1. Kepada seluruh umat Islam, hendaknya selalu melakukan dialog terkait suatu pandangan keagamaan, baik sesama umat Islam ataupun dengan umat yang lain. Tindakan kekerasan atau sikap intoleransi lainnya bukanlah merupakan cerminan nilai luhur Islam yang menjadi rahmat bagi seluruh alam; sebaliknya, merusak dan memperburuk citra Islam itu sendiri.
2. Tantangan peradaban global dewasa ini telah menuntut seluruh umat manusia yang ada di bumi untuk saling menghargai dan menghormati keyakinan, agama, dan pandangan masing-masing, sehingga peradaban kemanusiaan sejati dapat dicapai melalui kerjasama terbuka di antara para penganut agama. Saling fitnah, saling mengkafirkan dan menyesatkan, ataupun mempropagandakan untuk saling membenci adalah tindakan yang sama sekali tidak pernah dianjurkan oleh Islam, bahkan sejak kehadiran Nabi Muhammad Saw. di tanah Arab.
3. Kepada Pemerintah Indonesia, hendaknya pula melindungi, menghormati dan memenuhi hak-hak dasar beragama dan berkeyakinan seluruh warga Negara. Citra baik Indonesia sebagai Negara berpenduduk Muslim terbesar yang paling demokratis dan toleran jangan pula sampai dirusak oleh tindakan-tindakan intoleran dan tidak demokratis yang nota bene bertentangan dengan Pancasila dan UUD 1945.
4. Telah menjadi kewajiban Negara untuk menjamin hak asasi setiap orang di tingkat Nasional, tanpa memandang latar bekalang, baik ras, suku, agama, keyakinan, budaya, etnis dan lainnya, karena Pemerintah merupakan perpanjangan tangan dari seluruh komponen masyarakat yang berbeda-beda. Penegakan hukum secara akuntabel dan transparan terhadap siapapun yang menyalahi norma kehidupan bersama merupakan prasyarat penting bagi terwujudnya Indonesia yang lebih demokratis dan toleran.

 

*Press release Siaran Pers Komisioner HAM OKI pada 14 Mei 2012 di UIN Jakarta, diselenggarakan oleh Human Rights Working Group (HRWG), CSRC UIN Jakarta dan The Wahid Institute.  

 

 

INDONESIAN CIVIL SOCIETY RECOMMENDATION TO THE OIC HUMAN RIGHTS BODY (IPHRC)

INDONESIAN CIVIL SOCIETY RECOMMENDATION

TO THE OIC INDEPENDENT PERMANENT OF HUMAN RIGHTS COMMISSION (IPHRC)

Jakarta, 19 February 2012

 

We, 34 civil society organizations and universities in Indonesia from Jakarta, West Java, West Kalimantan, East Nusa Tenggara, West Nusa Tenggara, who have attended the meeting of Civil Society Forum for the Organization of Islamic Cooperation (OIC) organized by Human Rights Working Group (HRWG), The Wahid Institute, TIFA Foundation, Setara Institute, Demos Indonesia, Elsam, CSRC, Imparsial, ILRC, UIN Syarif Hidayatullah, and Paramadina University on 19 February 2012, would like to deliver recommendations to the Indonesian Commissioner for the First Meeting of the Independent Permanent Human Rights Commission (IPHRC), which shall be organized in Jakarta, 20-24 February 2012.

We, Indonesian Civil Society, convey our appreciation for the establishment of Independent Permanent Human Rights Commission (IPHRC) of OIC in the 38^th Meeting of The OIC Foreign Ministerial Meeting, June 2011. We also appreciate the OIC Secretary General’s effort to organize the first meeting of IPHRC on 20-24 February 2012 in Jakarta, Indonesia. Indonesian Civil Society delivers 5 substantial themes regarding Human Rights issues in the State Members of OIC that should be taken into consideration by the Indonesian Commissioner and IPHRC, i.e. as regards (1) rights of women and children, (2) freedom of expression and opinion, (3) human rights and conflict between Palestine-Israel, (4) inter-faith dialogue, (5) freedom of religion /belief, and (6) rights of migrant workers. Some inputs are also delivered concerning the process of formulating the procedure and mandate of the Commission in the First Meeting of IPHRC.

Rights of Women and Children

1. The importance of protection for women victim of domestic violence and victim of sexual harassment or sexual violence in public domain. In this case, the Commissioners are expected to ensure, that:

a. The State guarantees the protection of domestic violence victims to access legal aid and protection.

b. The State guarantees and provides access of legal process and legal aid, and that victims won’t be criminalized for the testimony they give.

2. Eliminating all forms of violence and discrimination of women in the household, including within it strengthening the wife’s divorce rights (khulu’), prohibition of polygamy, and prohibition of nusyuz practice that has no longer in accordance with the development of times.

a. Eliminating the tradition of female circumcision.

b. The State to providing safe house for women and children victims of violence.

c. Ensuring the accessibility of protection and guarantee of women’s rights in public domain, including women outside their house without mahram; women as leaders and members of parliament; freedom to access education and governance; guarantee to access profession and rights as employee and right of retirement fund insurance.

3. Ensuring the protection for women’s reproduction rights, such as wife’s right to determine the deployment of contraception, consent of abortion for women victim of rape, availability of sexual and reproduction healthiness education for junior and senior high school students with perspectives of women and human rights.

a. Standardizing the age of child as established in the CRC, ensuring the protection of and rights of child to be satisfactorily fulfilled, such as protection of child from sexual harassment, child exploitation, child pornography, and trafficking; guaranteeing the rights of child victim of divorce, rights of child in education, health, including the rights of adopted child; as well as, standardizing the age of matrimony in respect of child to be consistent with the CRC.

b. Ensuring that the State Members of OIC provide and fulfil public facilities exclusively for women and children, for instances: lactation room, children playground in every public area, office, mall, and etc.

Freedom of Expression and Opinion

1. IPHRC must ensure that OIC States protect, fulfil and respect freedom of expression and opinion. Including guarantee freedom of the press, freedom to associate/politic, freedom of thoughts, freedom to express opinion and rights to obtain information.

2. In addition to welcome the condition of civil freedom and democracy in Arab States most recently, in point of fact there are many OIC States that still inhibit the rights to freedom of expression and opinion. The plurality of Muslim society comprised in the OIC ascertaining the existence of this openness and freedom, more to the point the propensity of the society nowadays is increasingly open and global.

3. The freedom of expression and opinion are strongly guaranteed in Islam, therefore IPHRC must also translate these principles into its mandate in the future.

4. IPHRC must ensure that each member of OIC States eliminates practices that obstruct the fulfilment of those rights, among other things are:

1. Censorship;
2. The arrest of democracy and human rights activist and defender;
3. Prohibition of establishment of political party;
4. Intimidation;
5. Monopoly of media;
6. Prohibition of publication (books or other media).

Human Rights, Conflict of Palestine-Israel

1. Making efforts so as to IPHRC delivers recommendations for OIC States concerning the struggle to solve the conflict between Israel-Palestine, by means of:

a. Creating conflict-study on Israel-Palestine as a conflict that is not isolated from other conflicts; and bringing up the roots of problem and facts of violence and human rights violations suffered by civil society in the conflicting communities.

b. Utilizing human rights and humanitarian instruments as reference in formulating the recommendations.

2. Calling for and ensuring that states in conflict (including Israel-Palestine) to implement international human rights laws and humanitarian laws in the area of conflict in order to provide protection for the civil society, especially for children, women and vulnerable groups.

3. Calling for Israel-Palestine states to reinforce law upon violations of human rights and humanitarian laws on the areas within the jurisdiction of the country in respect.

Inter-Faith Dialogue and Freedom of Religion/Belief

In context of inter faith dialogue and freedom of religion/ belief, it is expected that:

1. IPHRC works and implements its mandates in context of freedom of religion and belief in accordance with the principles of Universal Human Rights.

2. Socializing and ensuring the Resolution of UN Human Rights Council on Combating Intolerance, Discrimination and Violence on the Basis of Religion/Belief, which had been proposed by OIC States in 2011, to OIC Member States and guaranteeing the resolution to function effectively.

3. Encouraging the OIC Member States to ratify or create national legal framework that guarantee the spirit of tolerance, respect of each other and freedom of religion/belief.

4. Conducting monitoring and evaluation on the situation of freedom of religion and belief in Muslim countries.

5. Encouraging the establishment of interfaith dialogue in every Member State of OIC.

Rights of Migrant Workers

There are several things that should be taken into consideration of IPHRC in the future regarding the migrant worker issues, both in short and long terms.

1. In the short term, IPHRC is expected to:

a. Build the relationship with OIC parliaments to follow up the Palembang Declaration on Migrant Workers.

b. Ensure that the results of Parliamentary Meeting in Palembang concerning Migrant Workers can be implemented.

c. Organize International Conference on the condition of migrant workers in Muslim States as an effort to solve migrant workers problems.

d. Make the issues of migrant workers as part of IPHRC’s attention.

2. For the long terms agenda, among other things:

a. Originate OIC declaration on the protection of migrant workers.

b. IPHRC develops standard of protection for migrant workers.

c. Encourage OIC States to ratify UN Convention on the Protection of Migrant Workers and Members of Their Families.

General Suggestion concerning IPHRC

1. Conducting monitoring and evaluation of human rights situation in all Muslim states in all Human Rights areas.

2. Supporting, encouraging or providing help to OIC States to establish Human Rights bodies, such as National Human Rights Institution (NHRI).

3. Encouraging OIC States to ratify all major international instruments on Human Rights, to make periodic reports and to follow up the recommendations of the Committee/UPR.

4. Integrating consultation with CSO and opening opportunity for CSO to participate in IPHRC, as part of the procedure of implementing the mandate as the guarantee for the accountability and transparency.

5. Opening opportunity for written inputs of human rights issues in Muslim states as modality for the IPHRC Commissioners in running their function and mandate.

6. Making the international human rights instruments, both Declarations and Conventions, as the basis of IPHRC work.

7. Publishing and socializing the result of study, consultation, and communication of IPHRC with Secretariat of OIC as IPHRC’s accountability and participation of all stakeholders in Member states of OIC.

8. Providing universal and relevant meaning regarding Human Rights and Islam, as an effort to encourage and promote Human Rights in OIC Member States.

Indonesian Civil Society Forum for OIC IPHRC

Human Rights Working Group (HRWG) The Wahid Institute Universitas Paramadina Center for Study of Religion and Culture UIN Jakarta Imparsial Komnas Perempuan RI Setara Institute Demos Indonesia Kalyanamitra ILRC UIN Syarif Hidayatullah Jakarta TIFA Foundation ICRP: Indonesian Conference on Religion and Peace PPIM UIN Jakarta Yayasan Argadia NTT Elpagar Kelimantan Barat Jatam Kalimantan Timur AMAN Kalimantan Tengah LBH Apik NTB Arus Pelangi CIMW/PMK HKBP Jakarta UNIKOM Praxis Peduli Buruh Migran AMAN Pusat LBH Jakarta PATTIRO Jakarta Kompak FAHAM Puskumham UIN Jakarta Ecosoc Rights PBHI Gandi Herlonge PWYP Indonesia Raca Institute

 

_____________________________

Secretariat of Indonesia’s Civil Society Forum for OIC IPHRC:

Human Rights Working Group (HRWG):

Indonesia’s NGO Coalition for International Human Rights Advocacy

Jiwasraya Building Lobby Floor. Jl. R.P. Soeroso No. 41 Gondangdia Jakarta Pusat 10350

Phone: +6221 70733505 / +6221 3143015

Fax: +6221 3143058. Email: hrwg@hrwg.org Website: www.hrwg.org

Informal Luncheon Talks: Indonesian Civil Society, IPHRC Commissioners, and Diplomat Community

Promoting and Strengthening of human rights in the Muslim World: First Meeting of OIC Human Rights Body (IPHRC)

Jakarta, 21 February 2012

This slideshow requires JavaScript.

OIC, Human Rights and Indonesia’s Role

The Jakarta Post, 24 Feb 2012 | Yuyun Wahyuningrum and Muhammad Hafiz

Jakarta is witnessing the historical moment of hosting the first meeting of the Independent Permanent Human Rights Commission (IPHRC) of the Organization of Islamic Cooperation (OIC) on Feb. 20-24, 2012.

IPHRC was established during the 38th Ministerial Meeting of OIC in Astana, Kazakhstan in June last year with the adoption of resolution No. 2/38-LEG on “the Establishment of the OIC Independent Permanent Human Rights Commission”.

In this meeting, foreign ministers of 57 countries selected 18 experts representing three regions: Asia, Africa and the Middle East to sit as commissioners in the IPHRC for three years. Experts representing Asia are Siti Ruhaini Dzuhayatin (Indonesia), Raihana Abdullah (Malaysia), Abdul Wahab (Pakistan) and Asila Wardak (Afghanistan).

During their five-day meeting in Jakarta, IPHRC would discuss household issues such as the secretariat of IPHRC, Rules of Procedures (ROP), structure of the Commission and elaboration of the Commission’s scope of work to include civil and political rights, the PalestineIsrael conflict, right to development, women and children’s rights, interfaith dialogue and the situation of Muslim minorities in the world.

As a new system, the Commission should also start discussing its strategic position among the existing human rights systems. As a matter of importance, IPHRC should not duplicate or compete with the other mechanisms.

Rather, it should complement, add values and strengthen each other’s mandates and roles in the respect, protect and fulfillment of human rights. IPHRC also should ensure involvement of the vulnerable and marginal groups in its deliberations.

OIC has been silent in global human rights debates since the adoption of the Cairo Declaration on Human Rights in Islam (CDHRI) in 1991. The creation of the IPHRC was part of institutional reform in OIC and a landmark of paradigm shift in the Islamic world on human rights.

In 2005, the third Extraordinary Islamic Summit Conference adopted the Ten-year Program of Action (TYPA), which included the initiatives to institutionalize human rights in this Islamic political body.

In 2008, the new OIC included the creation of IPHRC in its new charter and adopted the Plan of Action for the Advancement of Women (OPAAW).

At the international level, OIC sponsors the formulation of the Resolution on Combating Intolerance, Negative Stereotyping and Stigmatization of, and Discrimination, Incitement to Violence and Violence Against, Persons Based on Religion or Belief during the 16th session of the UN Human Rights Council in Geneva in March 2011.

Now, OIC is at the half-way stage in implementing its institutional reform plan. To what extent OIC is loyal to the universal human rights principles remains a big question at the moment, and begs explanation and evidence. More importantly is to answer how this reform is relevant to its Ummah to meet challenges in the 21st century as TYPA envisions.

Spokesperson of OIC said that the establishment of the IPHRC should be part of the solution instead of the problem. IPHRC was created to act independently and function as an advisory committee of the OIC on human rights matters.

In fact, during the Civil Society’s Forum to the First Meeting of the IPHRC that was organized by a Coalition for IPHRC Advocacy on Feb. 9, 2012, in Jakarta, Indonesia’s civil society expressed concern that the Commission would be used to legitimate the reduction of the interpretation of universal human rights principles.

This concern may be valid as Article 15 of the Charter of OIC states that IPHRC “shall promote the civil, political, social and economic rights enshrined in the organization’s covenants and declarations and in universally agreed human rights instruments, in conformity with Islamic values”.

At the same time, IPHRC can be a strategic venue to seek an alternative solution when it comes to crossregional issues such as protection of the rights of migrant workers.

OIC consists of members coming from three regional human rights systems, namely the African Commission for Human and Peoples Rights (ACHPR), ASEAN Intergovernmental Commission on Human Rights (AICHR) and the Arab League.

Middle East countries have been the primary destination of Indonesian migrant workers. There are about 1.5-1.7 million Indonesian migrant workers in the Middle East countries (Antara, Nov. 28, 2011).

Perhaps, the model of multiregional cooperation on upholding the rights of migrant workers is the answer to the complexity of the issue.

Indonesia’s membership in IPHRC enforces the leadership projection as the world’s third-largest democracy and as a moderate Muslim-majority country.

From 2005 on, Indonesia has been trying to convince the world that it is country is a place where democracy and human rights, Islam and modernity can go hand in hand.

Can Indonesia challenge OIC’S tradition position of being conservative Islam?

First, it is worth noting that economically, Indonesia’s bargaining power is inadequate to influence the decisions of the OIC. Logistically, Indonesia has no physical representation in the OIC headquarters in Saudi Arabia to deal specifically with OIC multi-lateral cooperation.

Second, there has been a relative neglect of Indonesia’s Islamic credentials. Apart from the fact that Indonesia never declares itself an Islamic country; its Islam is not the way it is supposed to be.

Being moderate Islam, Indonesia has the superior authority to inform OIC in its reform process, which brings the motto of “moderation and modernization”.

Democratic transition in Indonesia has changed the country from being the target of scrutiny for alleged human rights abuses to a more responsible international player.

This should give added values to OIC in promoting human rights.

OIC and IPHRC need to work hard to gain credibility from its members, the international community and the Muslim population around the world.

Selecting the host of IPHRC is an important and political aspect to show OIC’S genuine intentions on human rights. It is expected that Jakarta will be chosen over Jeddah and Tehran in the next Council of Foreign Ministers meeting in May 2012 in Djibouti.

The writers work for the Human Rights Working Group (HRWG), a network of 50 organizations working on human rights in Indonesia for international human rights advocacy, based in Jakarta.

Vigilante groups ‘could battle’ Muslim radicals

The Jakarta Post, Jakarta | Tue, 05/15/2012 8:00 AM

Muslim activists are warning that people might form vigilante groups if the government takes no action against the violent campaigns carried out by a number of hard-line organizations.

Wahid Institute pluralism activist Rumadi said members of the public were likely to take the law into their own hands because they believe the police have been protecting hard-line groups .

“It is possible because the police continue to side with the hard-line groups and people know they can’t rely on the police anymore for protection,” Rumadi said on Monday.

After harassing minority groups across the country, some radical groups recently turned their attention to attacking individuals and institutions that promote liberal ideas.

Last week, such groups disrupted book discussions featuring Irshad Manji, a Canadian liberal Muslim activist, both within and outside of the capital.

Muslim scholar Ulil Abshar Abdalla said that the violent actions taken by firebrand groups had raised the ire of some members of the community.

Ulil said that communities could set up a “neighborhood watch” to contain the movement of radical groups.

“It’s not an ideal solution to the problem, but it would probably do for now because we can’t expect much from the police,” he said.

Ulil, member of the Democratic Party’s central board, said that he once suggested that the government disband these hard-line groups.

But the government declined to do so because it lacked the legal grounds to take the action, Ulil said.

On May 4, members of the Islam Defenders Front (FPI) broke up Manji’s discussion at the Salihara Cultural Center in Pasar Minggu, South Jakarta.

Five days later, the rector of Yogyakarta’s Gadjah Mada University (UGM) cancelled Manji’s speech, organized by the Center for Religious and Cross-Cultural Studies, citing “security reasons”.

UGM said that it had been under pressure from a number of groups to cancel the talk.

The following day, members of the Indonesian Mujahidin Council (MMI) ransacked the office of the Institute for Islamic and Social Studies (LKiS) in Yogyakarta, where Manji was expected to participate in a discussion.

The mob vandalized the publisher’s office and tore pages out of Manji’s books, which had been displayed for sale.

Manji and her assistant suffered minor injuries in the attack.

Witnesses have said that no police officers were seen during the attack.

Between January 2011 and May 2012, as many as 20 attacks on minority groups were recorded in
Indonesia.

Ahmadiyah communities, Shiite groups and Christian congregations were among those targeted.

Irfan Abubakar, the director of the Center for the Study of Religion and Culture, said the government could no longer promote Indonesia as a model for a pluralist society to the rest of the world.

“This has turned into an empty slogan used by the government in international diplomacy,” Irfan said.

His comments came as Siti Ruhaini Dzuhayatin from the Independent Permanent Human Rights Commission (IPHRC) said that Indonesia should protect the rights of minority groups.

The IPHRC oversees human rights issues for the Organization of Islamic Conference’s (OIC) member countries.

She said that member countries should protect minority groups with the same zeal that they have called for protection for Muslim minorities in other countries.

She also said that OIC has the authority over what was considered Islamic and non-Islamic.

“The OIC has never banned the Ahmadiyah and Shiite movements, and this should mean something to Indonesia,” Siti said. (tas)

Souce: www.thejakartapost.com

Statement Of The OIC Secretary General International Ministerial Conference On Refugees In The Muslim World

Ashgabat, Turkmenistan
11-12 MAY 2012

Your Excellency Mr. Gurbanguly BERDIMUHAMEDOV the President of Turkmenistan,

Your Excellency Antonio Guterres, The United Nations High Commissioner for Refugees,

Your Excellencies Ministers and Heads of Delegation,
Distinguished Delegates,

Distinguished Observers and Guests,
Ladies and Gentlemen,

It gives me great pleasure to address you as we all gather here today in the opening session of the OIC International Ministerial Conference on Situation of Refugees in the Muslim World. At the outset, I wish, on behalf of all of us, to express our sincere thanks and deep appreciation to H.E. the President of Turkmenistan, the Government and People of Turkmenistan for hosting this important conference. At the same time, I express my appreciation for the High Commissioner for Refugees and my utmost satisfaction for the effective partnership between our two organizations, in a process that successfully led to the convening of this Conference. We also thank all OIC Member States and institutions and others who have made various contributions and in different forms, to facilitate the holding of this historic humanitarian event.

Your Excellencies,
Ladies and Gentlemen,

When we took a decision within the OIC to hold this Conference on Refugees, we established a partnership with the Office of United Nations High Commissioner for Refugees, in order to ensure that this humanitarian endeavor serves our noble objectives and translates the will of our member states into actions that satisfy our moral, legal and deeply rooted humanitarianism. Providing asylum, protecting refugees and assisting them in compassion and conviction are fundamental pillars in our Islamic tradition. Assisting and protecting refugees, irrespective of their faith, color or ethnic origin ,is not only a legal obligation, but also a moral and a religious duty as stipulated in these teachings and embodied in deeds throughout history within the Muslim World. The idea of protecting ” Almustamin” or asylum seeker was never compromised in these teachings and practices. Hence, the extradition of “Almustamin” was prohibited, a notion which was much later in history, came to be known in international refugee law as the principle of “non-refoulment” a corner stone of modern refugee law.

In essence, there is total compatibility between refugee principles in Islam and those of our modern day international refugee law. This doctrinal base, has been a strong driving force in our efforts to play an effective role in the humanitarian arena, not only within the domain of our member states, but also, whenever possible, beyond that and in the world at large.

Your Excellencies,
Ladies and Gentlemen,

There are over 17 million refugees and displaced persons within the OIC Member countries, and that includes some protracted refugee situations . We should tirelessly continue to make every effort possible , to address these refugee and displacement situations, with provision of assistance and protection, as the case may be, in a purely humanitarian effort . We should also engage , with the will of all concerned governments, in durable and lasting solutions to these refugee situations, in order to end the suffering of these human beings and enhance social harmony, peace ,stability and development. Our common political will and coordinated efforts are corollaries for achieving this objective, and I must hasten to add here that this is an international problem that goes beyond state or even continental borders and its solutions require solidarity of the international community while cooperating with all sovereign governments concerned. In this light, we see the objective of this Ministerial Conference as a historic opportunity to shed ample light on the refugee problem in the Muslim World, mobilize efforts to address this humanitarian problem and find ways and means of enhancing these efforts. Such collective and well coordinated approaches will no doubt generate solutions that address the immediate humanitarian needs and aim at the root causes within a long term and durable arrangements for the interest of all.

Your Excellencies,
Ladies and Gentlemen,

It is evident that refugee problems are not limited to the Muslim World and they have been experienced in all regions, in all cultures and in all religions. Our endeavors within the OIC is not meant to overdramatize this problem in our midst, but rather meant to give it its proportionate and realistic dues. We all know that we do live in a less- than- perfect world community and coexistence amongst states and communities requires interaction of different cultures in an environment of multiculturalism. Hence, refugee situations continue to be products of intolerance, xenophobia, injustice, denial of basic rights, conflict over resources domestically or across state borders and instances of foreign intervention. Accordingly, we look forward to see that, root causes are addressed consciously, objectively and systematically. Standards should therefore be set without subjective variations, while addressing these problems, and I can assure you that the OIC member states have been exerting strenuous efforts to assist in refugee and displacement situations without any shadow of subjective factors. And we will continue these efforts within the OIC and we will maintain coordination and collaboration, whenever possible, with UNHCR and all other humanitarian organizations dedicated to this humanitarian cause.

Your Excellencies,
Ladies and Gentlemen,

As we consider the cases of refugees in the Muslim World , we should underscore the plight and injustice to which the Palestinian refugees continue to be subjected. Their situation, being the most protracted situation of refugees in the world since the late 1940s remained unresolved and their rights continue to be usurped unless a political settlement is concluded within the UN resolutions and the Arab Initiative, guaranteeing their legitimate rights. Thus, theirs is not just a refugee humanitarian issue, but it is a political cause that should be dealt with accordingly. The OIC member states, continue to make all possible efforts for a just and lasting peace in the Middle East.

Your Excellencies,
Distinguished Delegates,
Ladies and Gentlemen,

I wish to remind us all that this Conference is indeed a land mark event in our search for solutions to problems of true humanitarian nature. To this end, we reiterate our commitment to a strategic partnership with UNHCR and we will continue to find ways and means of appropriate and effective cooperation with them and others to achieve our noble humanitarian objectives. For this reason, we hope that declaration of this conference would help us charting the way forward.

Finally, Let me take the opportunity, to reiterate that our OIC Charter and our guiding principles enable us to remain an effective force of wisdom, peace and fruitful dialogue, in a world faced by constant economic, political and social challenges. Indeed, no one would dispute the fact that refugees are amongst the most vulnerable populations and they deserve our serious attention. It is not only an attention of the moment, but it is an attention of our political resolve, an attention of provision of lasting solutions , in a spirit of international burden sharing. In sum, let us turn the refugee challenges into opportunities for action.

I wish all, fruitful, substantive and inspiring deliberations and above all a successful outcome.

I thank you.

Suorce: OIC Secretariat General

Islam Dorong Toleransi Moderasi dalam pemikiran agama perlu dikembangkan

 

Republika, 15 Mei 2012

Tindakan tak toleran dan menjurus pada kekerasan atas nama agama tak mencerminkan ajaran Islam.
Hal ini disampaikan Ketua AdInterim Komisi Independen HAM Organisasi Konferensi Islam (IPHRC-OKI) Siti Ruhaini Dzuhayatun dalam diskusi publik di Universitas Islam Negeri (UIN) Syarif Hidayatullah, Jakarta, Senin (14/5).

Dialog dalam penyelesaian masalah, termasuk dengan sesama Muslim, sangat dianjurkan. Menurut Ruhaini, Piagam OKI menyatakan bersatunya umat Islam dalam organisasi ini bertujuan memajukan nilai perdamaian, toleransi, dan keadilan. “Nilai-nilai inilah yang dapat digunakan untuk melestarikan univer salitas Islam,“ katanya.

Dengan demikian, negaranegara yang bergabung dengan organisasi ini mampu menuntun warga negaranya yang Muslim, khususnya mampu berlaku toleran terhadap nonMuslim dan saudara Muslim yang berbeda pandangan.
Dalam konteks ini, kata Ruhaini, OKI mengembangkan reformasi, moderasi, dan modernisasi di negara-negara anggotanya.

Bukan hanya itu, melalui aksi 10 tahun, mulai 2005 hingga 2015, OKI menentang semua bentuk ekstremisme, tindakan kekerasan, serta terorisme.
“Kami juga menentang berkembangnya Islamofobia,“ jelasnya. Ia menganjurkan agar moderasi pemikiran agama dikembangkan untuk mengatasi sikap intoleransi yang terkadang muncul.

Dengan demikian, kelompok ekstrem didorong agar tak membiarkan dirinya melakukan tindakan kekerasan. Sebab, di masyarakat ada keberagaman yang tak bisa dihindarkan.
“Bila tak dicoba, dampaknya akan buruk bagi citra umat Islam serta membuka jalan bagi kelompok tertentu memanfaatkan kondisi ini,“ jelas Ruhaini.

Direktur Center for the Study of Religion and Culture (CSRC) UIN Syarif Hida yatullah Irfan Abubakar melihat, kekerasan yang ditempuh sekelompok orang terjadi karena perbedaan melihat konsep kebebasan beragama. Bagi sebagian masyarakat, kebebasan itu dinilai berbahaya bagi kualitas keimanan dan umat Islam. Menurut dia, dari sinilah muncul golongan keras.

Meski, ia mengakui, kebebasan itu milik semua orang, termasuk mereka yang dianggap sebagai kelompok garis keras. Dalam survei yang dilakukan lembaganya, jelas Irfan, ditemukan bahwa tingkat religiusitas masyarakat di Indonesia tinggi. Meski demikian, didapati pula fakta bahwa mereka tak menganggap tindakan bertoleransi dengan cara menghargai kelompok lain sebagai bagian penting religiusitas.