“It turns out that, when it comes to [accusing people of] blasphemy, the coronavirus does not stop our society. Instead, we are getting more sensitive about things considered blasphemy,” YLBHI chairwoman Asfinawati told The Jakarta Post on Tuesday.South Sulawesi accounted for 6 of the 38 reports, followed by East Java and North Maluku with 5 report each, West Java and North Sumatra with 4 each and South Kalimantan, Riau Islands and Jakarta with 2. Eight other provinces recorded 1 report each.The reports were filed with or processed by the police, the Interfaith Communication Forum (FKUB), the Pakem team (which monitors religious beliefs) or the Indonesian Ulema Council (MUI).One case linked to the coronavirus outbreak pertains to a district head in South Sulawesi reported for blasphemy after dispersing a Friday prayer gathering, while another pertains to the donation of meals with a dog logo on the packaging in North Jakarta. A report conducted by the Indonesian Legal Aid Foundation (YLBHI) has revealed that accusations of blasphemy are still rampant amid the COVID-19 pandemic.According to the report, at least 38 cases of alleged blasphemy were reported to police or other institutions across 16 provinces in the first five months of 2020. Nineteen of the cases were filed before the first COVID-19 cases were announced on March 2, and the rest were filed afterward. Read also: No breakthrough in efforts to resolve blasphemy casesOther cases include alleged mass conversion of children, a claim to being a prophet for Muslims, a misinterpretation of religious teachings, an insult of a certain religious figure or symbol, and vandalism of a religious text.Most of the alleged blasphemy involved the use of social media. Some of the allegations were levelled at people in their early 20s, late teens or even at people as young as 14 years of age, according to data compiled by the YLBHI.However, the NGO noted that there seemed to be a more “progressive” handling of blasphemy cases by law enforcement officials, in which they carried out proper clarification and physiological assessments, facilitated mediation and dismissed reports in several instances.“There appears to be an improvement toward better law enforcement by both the police and judges, although not very [prominent],” the report states.Nevertheless, the YLBHI condemned the unclear definition of blasphemy in relevant laws, which had resulted in 28 of the 38 cases processed based on the ground that they had caused public disorder and unrest.“The argument that there is disturbance of public order is merely from a sociological and not juridical perspective. This is a classic argument since the 2005 blasphemy case targeting the Eden [community],” it argued.Read also: Man claiming to be final prophet gets reported for blasphemyThe unclear definition of blasphemy had led to lack of consideration of an alleged perpetrator’s intentions, the research suggested. It also expanded the use of absurd and contradictory articles.The number of cases has increased as people can easily report supposed blasphemy under not only Article 156a of the Criminal Code and the 1965 Blasphemy Law, but also the 2013 Mass Organization (Ormas) Law and the Electronic Information and Transactions (ITE) Law.A case in point is that of Michael Samuel Ratulangi, who was accused of blasphemy for a Facebook post in February. He was arrested under Article 45A of the ITE Law, with police saying, “the case contained expressions of hatred that led to blasphemy”.In other cases, Article 27 of the ITE Law regarding criminal acts of defamation were used to level charges at people accused of insulting religion through social media.Asfinawati said the group demanded that the government remove unclear and variably interpretable articles in the laws that did not meet principles of legality and could interfere with the freedom of speech, religious beliefs and other rights of expression.Topics :
RelatedPosts Lampard: I still have confidence in Tomori Mane double eases Liverpool to win over 10-man Chelsea EPL: Chelsea, Liverpool in cagey duel Chelsea forward Tammy Abraham’s long-term future at the club could be in doubt, despite his contract being extended by a further year to run until 2023.Abraham has been one of the beneficiaries of manager Frank Lampard ‘s focus on youth this season, racking up 41 appearances and netting 16 goals in all competitions. Alongside the likes of Mason Mount, Callum Hudson-Odoi, Reece James, Billy Gilmour, Fikayo Tomori and Ruben Loftus-Cheek, Abraham has starred at times this year.However, unlike those others, he has not signed a lucrative new deal, with his latest extension coming by way of a clause inserted into the deal he signed back in 2017 before he joined Swansea on loan.Abraham will also struggle for guaranteed first team minutes next season, with Timo Werner joining from RB Leipzig in a bumper £47.5 million deal.Olivier Giroud has earned himself an extension after netting five league goals in seven starts since getting back into first team contention in February.In fact, the Frenchman has started ahead of Abraham in four of Chelsea six post-lockdown Premier League games. Abraham played the full 90 minutes in the embarrassing 3-0 loss to Sheffield United and was promptly dropped to the bench for their next game against Norwich.There have reportedly been talks over a pay rise for the forward but an agreement is yet to be reached and the fact that he will not be guaranteed a spot in the starting XI next season could see him look elsewhere.The year’s extension will safeguard his value, ensuring Chelsea can demand top whack for the academy graduate.Tags: ChelseaFrank LampardHakim ZiyechTammy AbrahamTimo Werner
(BBC) – Captain Eoin Morgan says “more time” is needed, before Alex Hales returns to the England side, saying he could have “derailed” last year’s World Cup bid.Hales has not played for England since being removed from the World Cup squad in May 2019 for an “off-field incident” – reportedly failing a drugs test.England will next week name a training squad of 30 players with a view to playing Test and limited-overs matches.Seamer Chris Woakes said he would be happy to see batsman Hales, 31, return.However, Morgan said: “I’ve spoken to Alex and certainly see an avenue for him to come back – but when there’s a breakdown of trust, the only healer is time.“It’s only been 12 or 13 months since the incident, which could have cost us four years of hard work.“Given it could have derailed a World Cup campaign, it might take some more time.”Cricket is set to return from the coronavirus shutdown in July and, with a revamped schedule likely to be congested, it could necessitate separate Test and limited-overs squads.Nottinghamshire’s Hales averages almost 38 in 70 one-day internationals and was the second highest run-scorer in last winter’s edition of the Big Bash League, Australia’s domestic Twenty20 competition.The men’s T20 World Cup is scheduled to take place in Australia in October and November this year, although the International Cricket Council is set to discuss whether it can still be staged at a meeting today.“It’s obviously not about performance with Alex,” added Morgan.“Playing cricket for England is about on and off the field, values we adhere to and Alex showed complete disregard for them.“He needs to build that up for as long as he can and then hopefully an opportunity will present itself down the line.”
K-State Research and Extension-Sumner County is seeking qualified applicants for a full-time office professional. Â Applicants need computer skills and financial bookkeeping skills. Â Applications are available at 320 N. Jefferson, Wellington and will be accepted until the position is filled. Â K-State Research and Extension-Sumner County is an equal opportunity provider and employer.The following link is the Sumner County Extension website where you will find the Office Professional Job Description followed by the Application for Employment: Â Â www.sumner.ksu.edu.