Indonesia summoned British Ambassador Owen Jenkins on Monday (May 23) in response to a rainbow LGBT flag raised by the embassy, to remind him of "
the cultural and religious values
" of the country where same-sex relationships remain taboo.
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The British Embassy posted on its Instagram account last week a photo of the rainbow flag raised next to the national flag in its territory, on the occasion of the international day against homophobia, with a message of support the rights of the LGBT community.
"
This action, as well as the posting (of the photo) on the embassy's official social media account is very disrespectful
," Foreign Ministry spokesman Teuku Faizasyah told AFP on Monday.
“
The ministry would like to remind foreign ambassadors to respect the sensitivity of cultural and religious values
,” he added.
Widespread discrimination
Same-sex sexual relations are not illegal in the world's largest Muslim country, except in the western province of Aceh, but discrimination against the gay community is widespread.
Homosexuals are sometimes arrested under the law against pornography.
The raising of the rainbow flag by the British embassy sparked protests from internet users and conservative authorities in the Southeast Asian archipelago.
The chairman of the country's main Islamic organization, the Indonesian Ulema Council, said the embassy had failed to show respect for its host country.
"
We must reprimand them, as a guest we must know our place and understand the standards of the country where we are
," noted Cholil Nafis on Saturday on his Twitter account followed by some 68,000 people.
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The LGBT community has faced increasing pressure in the country in recent years.
Conservative MPs tried to outlaw same-sex relationships.
Many homosexuals are forced to undergo "
conversions
", which sometimes involve exorcisms.
