Force Muslim Prisoners To Eat Dog Meat, DPR Legislator Urges Enemawira Kalapas To Be Fired

Member of Commission XIII DPR RI Mafirion, urged the Ministry of Immigration and Corrections to immediately remove the Head of the Enemawira Correctional Institution (Lapas), North Tabukan District, Sangihe Islands Regency, Chandra Sudarto, who allegedly forced Muslim inmates to eat dog meat.

Apart from being removed from his position, Mafirion requested that the person concerned be also prosecuted in accordance with applicable regulations. Because he considered, this action was a serious violation of human rights and religious freedom.

The action of the Head of the Prison forces Muslim inmates to eat food that is clearly prohibited in Islamic teachings is not only inappropriate, but also a violation of law and human rights. The state is obliged to protect the religious rights of anyone, including inmates. Remove and process legally," said Mafirion to reporters, Thursday, November 27.

The PKB legislator emphasized that the act of forcing Muslim inmates to eat illicit foods was a serious violation that could not be tolerated. Mafirion said that the Criminal Code Articles 156, 156a, 335, and 351 clearly regulates the prohibition of religious discrimination and blasphemy.

"The rules in the Criminal Code state that acts of blasphemy or demeaning religion can be sentenced to a maximum of up to five years," he said.

In addition to violating the Criminal Code, Mafirion assessed that the action also violated Law Number 39 of 1999 concerning Human Rights, which guarantees the freedom to embrace religion and carry out beliefs without coercion.

"This is a violation of human dignity because it forces someone to do something that is contrary to their moral and religious beliefs. Even though they are inmates, their human rights must still be protected. There should be no abuse of power," he stressed.

Mafirion called the action dangerous because it occurred in a correctional institution, where the institution should have carried out its coaching function. For this reason, he asked the Ministry of Immigration and Corrections to act quickly and decisively.

"The prison must not be a space for arbitrary oppression and action. I ask the Ministry of Foreign Affairs to take firm action immediately," he said.

Mafirion also asked law enforcement officials to handle the case so as not to develop into a wider social issue, given the sensitivity of the issue of religious discrimination.

Our constitution and laws are clear. No one should be forced to violate their beliefs. The state must be present to protect," he concluded.