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Hundreds of HTI members await their fate in front of court
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The Law and Human Rights Ministry's general law administration director general, Freddy Harris (center), issues a press statement about the disbandment of Islamic organization Hizbut Tahrir Indonesia (HTI) in Jakarta on July 19. (Antara/Reno Esnir)
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undreds of Muslim group Hizbut Tahrir Indonesia (HTI) members gathered in front of the Jakarta State Administrative Court (PTUN) on Monday, in anticipation of the court’s ruling that will decide the groups fate.
The group filed a lawsuit to challenge the government’s decision to revoke their organization’s legal entity status and the government’s instruction that HTI be disbanded.
The court only allowed a few HTI supporters to enter the court room. Ismail Yusanto, HTI spokesperson said hundreds of members were waiting outside the court, praying and citing Quran verses to ask for the judges’ mercy.
“The police must not be worried. HTI supporters always come to the court and it’s always safe,” Ismail said as quoted by Antara news agency.
The ministry issued HTI a permit in July, 2014. Since then, the group has been accused of promoting the establishment of a caliphate, which contradicts the state ideology of Pancasila. The group has denied the accusation.
On July 19, 2017, the government disbanded HTI for conducting activities that contradicted Pancasila and the principle of a unitary state of the Republic of Indonesia.
The Law and Human Rights Ministry revoked HTI's status as a legal entity. The move was taken following the issuance of a regulation in lieu of law (Perppu) on mass organizations. (hol)
