Sri Wiyanti Eddyono, S.H., LL.M. (HR), Ph.D., a lecturer at the Faculty of Law, Gadjah Mada University (FH UGM), served as one of the keynote speakers at the National Seminar titled “New Concepts of Freedom of Religion or Belief in the 2023 Criminal Code.” The seminar was organized by the Master’s Program in Religion and Cross-Cultural Studies (MALB) / Center for Religious and Cross-Cultural Studies (CRCS) at UGM on Thursday, February 27, 2025. Sri Wiyanti’s participation underscored FH UGM’s contribution to both critiquing and enriching the discourse on the new criminal law, particularly the provisions related to criminal offenses against religion and belief.
In this seminar, Sri Wiyanti provided a criminal law analysis of six articles in the 2023 Criminal Code that regulate criminal offenses against religion or belief. She highlighted the potential of these articles to restrict individual freedoms while emphasizing the need for a legal interpretation that prioritizes human rights. Her views were complemented by the perspectives of other speakers, such as Dr. Zainal Abidin Bagir, Director of the Indonesian Consortium for Religious Studies, and Muji Kartika Rahayu, S.H., M.Fil., Ad Hoc Judge for Corruption Cases at the Palangkaraya District Court, thereby enriching the public discussion on freedom of religion or belief.
The Faculty of Law at UGM’s involvement, represented by Sri Wiyanti, aligns with the Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs). The discussion on freedom of religion supports SDG 16 (Peace, Justice, and Strong Institutions) by promoting a legal system that is inclusive, fair, and respectful of human rights. Furthermore, this initiative also strengthens SDG 10 (Reduced Inequalities) by prioritizing the protection of minority groups, as well as SDG 4 (Quality Education) through academics’ contributions in providing critical insights to the public and stakeholders. Through Sri Wiyanti’s active role, the Faculty of Law at UGM demonstrates its commitment to bridging academic research, legal practice, and public policy to foster sustainable development that values diversity.
