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Indonesia: Church congregation remains at risk

Amnesty International Urgent Action - July 14, 2011

• Indonesia: Church congregation threatened - Amnesty International Urgent Action. July 6, 2011
• Indonesia: Monitor trials of deadly attack on religious minority – investigate mob attack further to find instigators - Human Rights Watch Statement. June 16, 2011
• Indonesia: Letter to Judiciary Commission regarding Ahmadiyah trials - Human Rights Watch. June 16, 2011
• Indonesia: Ensure security in religious killings trial - Human Rights Watch News Release. April 19, 2011
• Indonesia: Increasing attacks on religious groups demands central government action - Joint Statement. April 7, 2011

On Sunday 10 July, the congregation of the Taman Yasmin Indonesian Church (Gereja Kristen Indonesia, GKI) held their weekly religious service outside their sealed-off c hurch. They had been at risk after receiving threats from the local community. However sufficient protection was provided by police and there were no reports of violence.

The Taman Yasmin Indonesian Church (Gereja Kristen Indonesia, GKI) congregation were met by a group of protesters from the local community who attempted to disrupt the service by singing Indonesian national songs and trying to persuade the members to stop the service and move to a different location. According to local sources around 100 police officers were deployed to the area to separate the protesters from members of the congregation.

After the service two members of the congregation agreed to meet with some of the protesters to discuss the situation. Although the two felt intimidated during the meeting, they were able to clearly state the church's position that the Bogor city administration must comply with the Indonesian Supreme Court ruling ordering that the church be re-opened. A letter from the Mayor of Bogor to the congregation on 9 July again insisted that the congregation move to a new location to conduct their weekly religious services.

The congregation have now been invited to a meeting on 13 July with the protesters and the Bogor city administration to discuss the ongoing situation. However, some protesters have threatened to protest at next Sunday's service and the congregation remains at risk of attacks, harassment and intimidation.

Please continue to write in English, Indonesian or your own language calling on the authorities in Indonesia to:

• Take adequate measures to guarantee the safety of the Taman Yasmin Indonesian Christian Church congregation, in accordance with their right to freedom of thought, conscience and religion;
• Conduct prompt, independent and impartial investigations into all reports of intimidation, harassment and attacks against members of the Taman Yasmin Indonesian Christian Church and bring the perpetrators to justice in accordance with international fair trial standards;
• Immediately comply with the Indonesian Supreme Court ruling to re-open the Taman Yasmin Indonesian Christian Church and take steps to ensure that all religious minorities are protected and allowed to practise their faith free from fear, intimidation and attack.

Mayor of Bogor
Diani Budiarto
Balaikota Bogor, Jl. Ir. H. Juanda No 10, Bogor, West Java
Indonesia
E-mail: kominfo@kotabogor.go.id or
inspektorat@kotabogor.go.id
Salutation: Dear Diani Budiarto

West Java Chief of Police
Inspector General. Putut Eko Bayuseno
Jl. Soekarno Hatta No. 748, Gedebage, Bandung, West Java
Indonesia
Fax: +62 22 780 0029
Salutation: Dear Inspector General

And copies to:

Head of the Indonesian National Commission on Human Rights (Komnas HAM)
Ifdhal Kasim
Jl. Latuharhary No. 4 B, Menteng
Jakarta Pusat, 10310
Indonesia
Fax: +62 21 392 5227

Also send copies to diplomatic representatives accredited to your country.

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