July 26, 2010--Indonesian human rights activists on Monday urged President Susilo Bambang Yudhoyono to investigate attacks on Christian churches, which they say have increased in the last two years.
From January to July, there were 28 cases of religious freedom violations by “intolerant groups targeting Christians,” up from 17 for the whole of 2008 and 18 in 2009, the Setara Institute for Democracy and Peace said in a report.
Based on reports by churches and the media, the violations — mostly by radical Muslim groups — include forced closure of churches, revocation and delays in issuing building permits, and attacks such as torching and damaging churches, the institute said.
From January to July, there were 28 cases of religious freedom violations by “intolerant groups targeting Christians,” up from 17 for the whole of 2008 and 18 in 2009, the Setara Institute for Democracy and Peace said in a report.
Based on reports by churches and the media, the violations — mostly by radical Muslim groups — include forced closure of churches, revocation and delays in issuing building permits, and attacks such as torching and damaging churches, the institute said.
