Religious Persecution and the Law: A Case Study of the Christian Minority in Aceh and the Legal Implications of Sharia-Based Policies

Abstract

This paper examines the struggles faced by the Christian minority in Aceh, particularly the legal implications of living under Sharia law in the province, where Islamic law is implemented alongside national laws. The Christian community in Aceh has faced significant religious persecution, including restrictions on the construction of churches, forced closures of places of worship, and the social marginalization of religious minorities. The study analyzes how Sharia-based policies, implemented since Aceh gained special autonomy in 2001, impact the religious freedom of non-Muslim communities. Through a review of legal cases, government decrees, and interviews with Christian leaders in Aceh, the paper explores the challenges these religious minorities face in seeking legal protection for their rights. The paper critiques the inconsistencies between national religious freedom guarantees and the application of Sharia law at the provincial level, and it examines the extent to which religious minorities have been denied equal protection under the law. The findings suggest that while Indonesia’s Constitution guarantees religious freedom, the application of Sharia law in Aceh poses unique legal challenges to the Christian minority. The paper concludes by recommending legal reforms that protect religious minorities from discrimination and ensure the full implementation of religious freedom across all provinces, including Aceh.