Indonesia summons UK ambassador over raising of LGBT+ flag
Jakarta says diplomats should be ‘respectful’ of cultural sensitivities
Your support helps us to tell the story
From reproductive rights to climate change to Big Tech, The Independent is on the ground when the story is developing. Whether it's investigating the financials of Elon Musk's pro-Trump PAC or producing our latest documentary, 'The A Word', which shines a light on the American women fighting for reproductive rights, we know how important it is to parse out the facts from the messaging.
At such a critical moment in US history, we need reporters on the ground. Your donation allows us to keep sending journalists to speak to both sides of the story.
The Independent is trusted by Americans across the entire political spectrum. And unlike many other quality news outlets, we choose not to lock Americans out of our reporting and analysis with paywalls. We believe quality journalism should be available to everyone, paid for by those who can afford it.
Your support makes all the difference.Indonesia has criticised the UK over the British embassy’s decision to fly a LGBT+ flag in Jakarta earlier this month.
A rainbow flag was flown on 17 May to coincide with the International Day Against Homophobia, Biphobia and Transphobia.
Angered by the incident, the Indonesian government summoned Britain’s ambassador on Monday to explain the embassy’s actions.
“The foreign ministry reminds foreign representatives to be respectful of the sensitivities among Indonesians on matters relevant with their culture, religion and belief,” it said in a statement.
Jakarta noted that under the Vienna Convention on Diplomatic Relations only national flags may be raised at embassies.
Although homosexuality is currently illegal in the provinces of Aceh and South Sumatra but not elsewhere in Indonesia, the country is growing less tolerant of same-sex relationships, human rights campaigners have claimed.
This comes as politicians seek to clamp down on sexual freedoms, with parliament planning to revise the criminal code, including clauses affecting the LGBT+ community.
Despite homosexuality not being banned at the federal level, LGBT+ people have already been targeted under other pieces of legislation, according to the Human Dignity Trust.
“In recent years there has been an ongoing crackdown against LGBT+ people,” it said.
As well as arbitrary detentions resulting from raids on venues frequented by gay men, some people have been convicted for their sexuality under a 2008 anti-pornography law, the Human Dignity Trust added.
Responding to the raising of a LGBT+ flag by the UK embassy, an influential Islamic movement called Alumni 212 Brotherhood said it sullied the “sacred values of Indonesia”.
The latest furore comes soon after a well-known Indonesian podcast was forced to withdraw an episode which contained an interview with a same-sex couple, following a backlash against it.
Join our commenting forum
Join thought-provoking conversations, follow other Independent readers and see their replies
Comments