he National Commission on Human Rights (Komnas HAM) has presented Regional Government with Achievement in Religious and Faith Freedom Protection Awards to three mayors for their inspiring work in upholding the rights of religious minority groups in their cities.
Bandung Mayor Ridwan Kamil, Bekasi Mayor Rahmat Effendi and Manado Mayor Vicky Lumentut were awarded for their achievements on Thursday during the 2017 National Congress on Religious and Faith Freedom held in Jakarta.
Jayadi Damanik, the coordinator of the faith and religious freedom desk at Komnas HAM, who announced the winners, said the awards were given to the mayors because they had the courage to persistently stand up for minorities against intolerant groups.
"The mayors have pushed their subordinates to respect and protect the rights of their citizens to freedom of religion and faith. They promote tolerant and non-discriminatory policies that are in line with human rights principles," Jayadi said on Thursday.
This year's recipients were selected by the faith and religious freedom desk at Komnas HAM following a year of monitoring and analysis.
Rahmat was awarded for his courage to stand up to intolerant Muslim groups who repeatedly staged rallies and urged him to revoke the building permit (IMB) of St. Clara church, which was to be the first Catholic church in North Bekasi. He has been named a patron of religious tolerance alongside Bekasi Deputy Mayor Ahmad Syaikhu by four church organizations in Bekasi for their commitment and consistency in campaigning for pluralism and peace in the city.
Ridwan, meanwhile, earned praise from the rights commission for his commitment to making the West Java capital a rights-friendly city. (ebf)
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