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7.1 BANGLADESH : TIGHT LEASH ON NGOS IN THE MAKING
Proposed guideline puts bar on political activities; foreign funding to be scrutinised

Rezaul Karim

A new guideline to strictly control the activities of the non-governmental organisations (NGOs) is almost ready. Among many new straps, the NGOS will not be allowed to take part in any political activities and have to follow books approved by the education boards for their non-formal education programmes. Their discretion to receive foreign funds would be curtailed, as they would be required to get approval from the government to get funds from donors.

7.2 INDONESIA: CHURCHES FORCED TO CLOSE IN WEST JAVA

http://www.csw.org.hk
On Friday 6 September, police ordered the closure of two churches in Cikarang Barat, West Java. The reason given for the closures was that
local people objected to the church buildings and activities of the Christians. This follows the closure of four church buildings in nearby Cikarang Baru in July. Additionally, two church buildings near Bandung, West Java have been forced to close down, and a church building in the
Malang district of East Java has also been closed by the local authorities there.
In each case local objections have been cited as the reason for closure. Christians involved in these situations believe that extremist Islamic groups, who are opposed to Christian activities in these areas, are orchestrating the complaints. Local officials deny this and claim it is merely a matter of obtaining the necessary permit to use a building for religious activities.



7.3 Terrorism bill could 'spark' rights abuses
Muhammad Nafik, The Jakarta Post, Jakarta
Legal experts and human rights activists have warned of extensive human rights abuses and political suppression should a new bill on terrorism being drafted by the government be passed into law as it will give security forces the authority to arrest suspected terrorists arbitrarily.
They argued that since the definition of terrorism remains unclear, the bill could result in various interpretations that would likely lead to the random arrests of people suspected of being terrorists.
"It will be an extraordinary setback to democracy and human rights if we are forced to have such a law," Muhammad M. Billah, a member of the National Commission on Human Rights (Komnas HAM), told The Jakarta Post on Saturday.