Churches Threatened By Proposed Indonesian Regulation

International Christian Concern, a U.S.-based human rights group, spoke out this week against a new draft regulation under consideration by the government of Indonesia, according to Wednesday's Christian Post. Under current Indonesian law, SKB 1/69, a religious building must receive a permit from the Department of Religion before being used for worship. In practice, the permit will only be issued after local residents approve. This regulation has been used, particularly in West Java, to close over 60 churches in the last month. The new draft regulation provides that "religious activities must be conducted inside religious buildings" unless permission has been received "from the Mayor or District Mayor, with a recommendation from the Department of Religion." Such permission, if granted, would only be temporary. If adopted, the regulation will prohibit almost all home fellowships.