The Constitutional Court on Tuesday was urged to take a strong stance against anyone disrupting the blasphemy law review hearings.
Those in support of the review had often been exposed to threats and abuse during hearings, the group petitioning for stricter policing of hearings said.
"The Constitutional Court should have the authority to act firmly against these people ... The Court can send them out of the courtroom if they continue to disrupt sessions," M Choirul Anam, one of the lawyers for the petitioners, told The Jakarta Post.
One of the founders of the Liberal Islam Network, Ulil Abshar-Abdalla, reportedly received death threats when he spoke at a hearing last week.
The sessions, often attended by members of various Islamic organizations, have been rife with disruptions and loud protests.
“Whatever the court's decision, we hope it is born out of impartiality, and not fear [of intimidation],” Choirul said.
Mahendradatta from Hizbut Tahrir Indonesia, one of the Islamic organizations against the review, said the situation in court had not crossed the line.
“If it had gone too far the Court would have done something,” he said.
Petitioners, comprising several NGOs and activists espousing pluralism, have requested the court review several contentious articles in the 45-year-old law.
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