South East Asia

Islamic extremists have targeted the HKBP community for years. Christians have been denied the right to build their own places of worship, have seen facilities used for services shut down, and have had to endure insults and threats during open-air celebrations. “I will never give up seeking justice,” Rev Luspida Simanjutak says. “Law enforcement performance has been very poor. Security officials have been hopeless and silent on this crucial matter, “NGO laments.

WWF warns that dams planned for the Mekong might endanger important fish species and major fisheries. Governments counter that people need hydroelectric power.

An order for 20,000 tonnes was issued under the former Arroyo administration despite an existing oversupply in rice. Rice producers and peasant activist call on newly elected President Aquino to distribute surplus to poor families. Activists also call for land reform, an issue not yet addressed by the new administration.

The ulema asked the censor not to release gory movies and the media not to transmit gossip. Seed banks condemned, but that of breast milk allowed.

Cambodia plans to use the 34th session of UNESCO’s World Heritage Committee to present its management plan for the Preah Vihear Temple, an area Thailand considers its own. Yesterday, a thousand Thais protested against the UNESCO in front of its offices in Bangkok. Thailand’s prime minister complains that the “world-heritage inscription often turns tourist zones into areas of conflict”.

Senior General Than Shwe has been in India since Sunday to sign economic agreements. On the first day of his visit, he travelled to Bodh Gaya and Sarnath, two important pilgrimage sites related to the life of Gautama Buddha. Two days earlier, the Burmese military wiped out a Christian village in Karen State, eastern Myanmar.

Between January and July, 28 incidents were recorded compared to 18 for the whole of 2009 and 17 for 2008. Bekasi holds the record. “It seems that people and the government do not realise that the right to worship, as stipulated in the Constitution, comes with the right to have a house of worship,” says the deputy chairman of the Setara Institute for Peace and Democracy.

Visiting the capital of Vietnam, Hillary Clinton confirms her country's willingness to expand cooperation in areas such as trade and investment, health and education, but also "to support the reforms for human rights." Criticism of attacks on dissidents and religious groups.

In his first State of the Nation Address, the new president blames his predecessor for the current crisis, pledges radical changes. Bishops look upon him with hope, but are waiting to see what he will do about population controls, land reform, job creation and the environment.

Kaing Guek Eav, head of Tuol Sleng prison, where about 17 000 people were killed, was sentenced to 35 years, but likely to serve much less. He is one of the few Khmer Rouge to have converted to Christianity and to have acknowledged his responsibility. Four other former Khmer Rouge leaders awaiting trial. But the process is hampered by the current leadership and fears that it will reopen wounds and violence.

Indonesia is the world’s most populous Muslim country. The mayors of Bekasi and Tangerang continue to demand the implementation of Sharia. However, just over one third of people in a recent survey agrees; that is 10 per cent lower than a year ago. In March, only 32 per cent was in favour of chopping off the hands of thieves or whipping adulterers to death.

About 245 members of tribal communities join the Srisoda and Wiwakwanaram temples. Most of them cannot read or write the Thai language, or even speak it. During the three-month novitiate, they will study health practices and hygiene. Ordinations are a way to help tribal groups. For Wallop Ploytabtim, undersecretary of the Ministry of Social Development and Human Security, this is a way the government is helping tribal people.