Victims of religious conflicts and discrimination had the chance to talk about their troubles during a teleconference on Wednesday that included Maria Farida Indrati, a Catholic member of the Constitutional Court.

Women groups, academics and representatives of civil groups from across the country were able to listen to their stories during the teleconference entitled: Care for Diversity to Fulfill the Constitutional Mandate, organized by the National Commission on Violence against Women (Komnas Perempuan) and the Constitutional Court.

Some of the more serious cases came from Mataram, West Nusa Tenggara where Ahmadis are facing discrimination and violence, while people from Ambon spoke about a past sectarian conflict.

“Although the conflict took place twelve years ago, victims still suffer trauma and have personal feelings for revenge,” said Ambon-based activist Ina Soselisa.

More than 6,000 Christians and Muslims were killed during sectarian violence in the region between 1999 and 2002.

She said her group continues to get women in the area to create peace in families “because it is the task of women to ease trauma and increase dialogue.”

The group also encourages dialogue between Christians and Muslims to prevent further conflicts and foster better interreligious relations.

Meanwhile, Nasarudin Ahmadi, an Ahmmadyah follower from Mataram, said since 2008 hundreds of Ahmadis – mostly women and children ­– have had to live in a refugee camp in Lombok, fearing attacks by orthodox Muslim groups.

“We have struggled for three years, but no result. We don’t have identity cards, can’t go anywhere or look for work,” he said.

He asked Indrati to speak to other judges to review local and national laws which disrespect, discriminate and potentially create social conflicts.

Indarti responded by saying there is an urgent need to look at several laws that have the potential to sow disharmony.

The state is obliged to fulfill the constitutional rights of each citizen, she told participants.

Komnas Perempuan chief, Yuniyanti Chuzaifah said continuous dialogue is a must because the commission receives many complaints from victims of violence and discrimination.

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