HRW calls on Indonesia to invalidate local decrees forcing women to wear hijab

July 21 (EUROPA PRESS) –

The NGO Human Right Watch (HRW) has denounced this Thursday that most Indonesian provinces impose “discriminatory and abusive” dress codes on women and girls, and has urged the country’s government to invalidate such local decrees.

“President Joko Widodo must immediately rescind discriminatory provincial and local decrees that abuse rights and violate the rights of women and girls,” said HRW’s acting Asia director Elaine Pearson, citing a measure that they also adopt some cities and regencies of Indonesia.

The country’s Interior Ministry, whose citizenship is largely Muslim, has the power to nullify local executive orders that contradict national laws or even the Constitution, as the organization has pointed out.

In 2001, local authorities in Indramayu and Tasikmalaya regencies in West Java province, and Tanah Datar in West Sumatra, issued “discriminatory” decrees such as forcing girls and women to cover their hair, neck and chest with hijab. Also, it is usually required in combination with a long skirt and a long-sleeved shirt.

The politicians who issued such decrees maintain that the hijab is compulsory for Muslim women to cover the private parts of the body and that, in addition to hiding hair, arms and legs, it also disguises the shape of a woman’s body. Women and girls face social pressure and threats of possible sanctions unless they comply with the rules, the NGO has reported.

This type of bullying and harassment for wearing the hijab also occurs on social media. In two cases, HRW has documented threats of violence transmitted through Facebook. After conducting interviews with ten women who told their testimonies, the NGO also collected intimidating and threatening messages through WhatsApp.

“The Indonesian government must take urgent action to end the harassment, intimidation and violence against ordinary Indonesians who dare to publicly discuss the hijab issue and express concern that these local regulations violate rights,” he said. Pearson.

“The government must investigate every incident and hold those responsible accountable so that all Indonesian women and girls feel comfortable dressing how they want without fear of reprisal,” he said.