Anti-pornography rally in Jakarta
"More than 10,000 people have taken part in an anti-pornography rally
in the Indonesian capital, Jakarta.
They were supporting a bill before parliament which would include a
ban on public kissing and erotic dancing.
The bill would make organising erotic dancing punishable by up to 10
years in prison and public kissing on the mouth punishable by five
years or a fine.
The recent launch of an Indonesian version of Playboy sparked
protests, forcing the magazine's suspension.
Critics of the anti-pornography bill say it would curtail artistic
freedom and violate women's rights. Anyone performing dances deemed
erotic could also be punished by up to five years in prison.
Sex industry
Indonesia is the world's most populous Muslim country, although most
people's interpretation of the faith is generally seen as tolerant.
Indonesian politicians have been considering a draft law on
pornography for the past two years, correspondents say, but lawmakers
have now publicly invited input on the issue from lobby groups.
Supporters of the hardline Islamic Defenders Front (FPI) and Hizbut
Tahrir Indonesia were amongst those who marched on the parliament
building.
Women and children joined the protesters, many of whom held banners
reading "Pornography can destroy nation's morality" and "Indonesia
should be civilised".
"We think the anti-pornography bill is a good weapon to curb the
growth of the sex industry in Indonesia, which is thriving in Jakarta
and many other cities," Mukhsin, a 27-year-old protester, told the AFP
news agency."
Story from BBC NEWS:
http://news.bbc.co.uk/go/pr/fr/-/2/hi/asia-pacific/5001786.stm
Published: 2006/05/21 07:26:46 GMT
© BBC MMVI
--
.
|
