Indonesia’s legislature is considering a tolerance bill aimed at reducing tensions between the Muslim majority and minority religions about such issues as building houses of worship and converting members to a different faith.
But human rights groups worry the bill would actually have the opposite affect given the rise in attacks against religious minorities in recent years.
The violence has been instigated for the most part by Islamic militants opposed to the building of Christian churches in Muslim neighbourhoods, the converting of Muslims to Christianity or other religions, and the Ahmadiyah sect being permitted to practice its faith.
The tolerance bill is aimed at countering this sentiment by setting limits on controversial religious activities and groups. Activists say that the measure would limit the rights of religious minorities, provoking further conflict.
Categories: Indonesia