Mathias Hariyadi

At-risk groups, like the blind, physically challenged, and undocumented, still lack effective protection. A human rights conference in the capital discusses the issue in the presence of the Social Affairs minister with integration as the goal. Alcohol abuse among young people has become a worrisome development.

Human Rights Cities conference held in the capital, brought together ministers of the country and human rights groups. Activist: "This movement is not only a political label, but the heart of change in our city." According to data of 2013, 542 cases of violations are attributable to the government. The Minister for Human Rights announces measures in 490 districts in favor of the population.

The Indonesian government is considering a modification of the infamous IMB, a source of abuse and religious freedom violations in the past. The ministers of the Interior and Religious Affairs are ready to delete the passage concerning the collection of signatures. Praise and support from NGOs and moderate Muslim groups.

Hundreds of people walk three days to protest the exploitation of a mountainous area of Kendeng through the construction of cement factories. Religious leaders and intellectuals support the protest. The Court of Semarang has upheld people’s request and blocked permits for further construction.

This was underlined by the President at the end of the National Kwi Sagki 2015Conference. The goal of the Church is to promote programs and initiatives in social ministry. Particular attention to the issue of migrant workers. Strong condemnation of the death penalty.

The prelate, Archbishop of Semarang, died at age 65 from lung cancer. Highly respected by fellow bishops, he was a central figure in Indonesian Catholicism. He was the first to realize the communicative potential of new technologies for evangelization.

Conclusion of Indonesian Catholic Church’s National Conference in (Sagki 2015) themed on the family. Many testimonies flow from west to east. After 35 years of marriage, a Muslim woman has converted to Catholicism, her husband’s faith: "Now our joy is even fuller." Hugo and Merlinda, two doctors, working in a Muslim majority area: "We have always been welcomed, despite our faith".

Speaking at a national conference sponsored by the bishops, the Head of the Minister for Religious Affairs welcomes the example and the values of Catholics. The Church shows the "great competency" in preparing the wedding and can also serve as an example to Muslims. Diversity a source of wealth.

The National Conference of the Catholic Church in Indonesia (SAGKI 2015) begins today on the ‘vocation and mission of the family in a plural society’. Bishops, priests and lay people will address issues like divorce, migrant workers and abandoned children. For the archbishop of Jakarta, the Catholic family must bear witness to a "quality of life from which everyone can learn."

An online presentation of the encyclical by Fr Budi Prayitno, former director of Caritas Indonesia, is met with scores of positive comments by Catholics and non-Catholics. The aim is to “raise awareness about the future impact of climate change and help Indonesians better cope with it.” In the past, some “would poke fun at me,” he said. Not anymore.

A bill will be presented at the behest of President Joko Widodo, who calls it "a turning point". Along with two other measures, it aims to reduce child abuse, a growing problem. Some human rights object that curtailing “sexual desire is against human rights." By some estimates, 58 per cent of children are subject to violence in Indonesia.

No date has been set yet, but children and seniors will be the first to go in the most affected provinces. In some areas, pollution is ten times the accepted level.