Navigating Disability: Perspectives and Practices in Indonesian Religious Courts
Abstract
This study explores how disability is defined and addressed in Indonesia’s Islamic religious courts, drawing on court decisions from the Direktori Putusan Mahkamah Agung Republik Indonesia (Directory of Supreme Court Decisions of the Republic of Indonesia) spanning 2005 to 2023. The central research question is: how are persons with disabilities perceived and treated within the context of Islamic legal proceedings in Indonesia? Despite national laws promoting inclusive justice, this study reveals a sustained misalignment between statutory commitments, judicial practice, and the lived accessibility of justice for people with disabilities. Through analysis of over 200 relevant cases, the research identifies four key patterns: (1) the inconsistent and often outdated definitions of disability used by judges; (2) the continued equation of disability with legal incapacity; (3) the unique challenges faced by disabled individuals in marriage and divorce proceedings; and (4) the inadequate provision of reasonable accommodations in courtroom settings. These findings underscore the enduring influence of traditional paradigms and call for a more integrated approach to disability within Islamic legal practice in Indonesia. The paper contributes to broader discussions on disability rights, Islamic law, and the transformation of religious legal systems toward greater inclusivity.
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