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Indonesia: The links, if any, between Islamic extremism and anti-Chinese sentiment since the rise of Laskar Jihad; whether there has been an increase in anti-Chinese sentiment on the part of Islamic extremist groups since 11 September 2001; the forms this anti-Chinese sentiment has taken; whether it has occurred under the guise of converting Christians; the areas that have been affected most by anti-Chinese violence; whether there are areas that have been unaffected; whether any Islamic groups have made public statements regarding the Chinese minority (2000-2002)

No information could be found among the sources consulted by the Research Directorate on the links between Islamic extremism and anti-Chinese sentiment since the rise of Laskar Jihad in 2000, on whether there has been a rise in anti-Chinese sentiment since 11 September 2001, on where this violence has broken out, or on whether any Islamic groups have made public statements regarding the Chinese minority.

However, a research associate at the Institute of Religion and World Affairs at Boston University who has researched extensively on Islam in Indonesia stated in correspondence with the Research Directorate that

there has not been a notable increase in anti-Chinese sentiment since September 11. Muslim Christian tensions in some parts of the country have increased, but the areas affected are those like Maluku and Central Sulawesi where non-Chinese Indonesians have become involved with physical clashes with Muslims (6 Sept. 2002).

While emphasizing that these were "general impressions of a situation very much in flux," the research associate further stated that

The general impression among Indonesian specialists is that incidents of specifically anti-Chinese violence have decreased since 1998-1999, while those directed at non-Chinese Christian minorities have increased in a few parts of the country. The latter incidents have been especially common in interior Kalimantan, Central Sulawesi, and southern Maluku (Moluccas) where Christians comprise majorities or minorities substantially larger than in other parts of the country. Anti-Chinese animosity has a long history in Indonesia, as in much of Southeast Asia, and there is no question that it is a fact of life for many Chinese-Indonesians. There have also been some attacks on Christian Churches in Java and Sumatra since 1999, albeit on a smaller scale and far less dramatic loss of life (Christian and Muslim) than in the three above areas. Where these churches have been targeted, however, they have been most consistently been attacked because they were Christian institutions, not specifically Chinese Christians.

Regarding incidences of forced conversion, the research associate stated that, although he was aware of instances where local Islamist paramilitaries in the Maluku region of Eastern Indonesia had attempted to convert local Christians by force, he was unfamiliar with any incidents involving ethnic-Chinese (ibid.).

For further information on ethnic Chinese Christians, please consult IDN37884.E of 6 December 2001 and IDN35714.E of 5 December 2000.

This Response was prepared after researching publicly accessible information currently available to the Research Directorate within time constraints. This Response is not, and does not purport to be, conclusive as to the merit of any particular claim to refugee status or asylum. Please find below the list of additional sources consulted in researching this Information Request.

Reference

Research Associate, Institute of Religion and World Affairs, Boston University. 6 September 2002. Correspondence.

Additional Sources Consulted

IRB Databases

Jane's Geopolitical Library

Jane's Intelligence Review

Jane's Terrorism and Security Monitor

Jane's World Insurgency and Terrorism

NEXIS

Oral source:

Unsuccessful attempts to contact one academic source

Internet sites including:

Amnesty International

BBC

Christian Persecution Worldwide

CNN

European Country of Origin Information Network

Guardian Unlimited

Human Rights Documentation Exchange, " Indonesia: Persecution of Christians"

Human Rights Watch

International Christian Concern

International Crisis Group

Laskar Jihad Website

Minorities at Risk

Minority Rights Group International

South Asia Terrorism Portal

UN News

VOICE: Victimization of Indonesians of Chinese Ethnicity

World News Connection

Search engine:

Google

Topics: Militias,