Judicial Review and Religious Freedom: The Case of Indonesian Ahmadis

Abstract

This article analyses the implications of the controversy over Ahmadiyah for religious freedom and tolerance in Indonesia from a legal perspective. In particular, it examines the legality of regulations passed by regional governments that attempt to ban the activities of Ahmadiyah. The article demonstrates why it is unlikely that an application for judicial review of these regional regulations will succeed in the Supreme Court (Mahkamah Agung). If this is the case, it means that local governments remain free to use local regulations to restrict the rights of religious minorities such as Ahmadis.

Keywords: Indonesia, Ahmadiyah, judicial review