The National Commission on Human Rights (Komnas HAM) has backed a proposal to expand the functions of a building to be constructed by the Christian Yasmin Church in Bogor, West Java, instead of relocating the church to another place altogether, as proposed by the Bogor city administration.

Komnas HAM commissioner M. Imdadun Rahman said on Thursday that his organization had sent a letter to Bogor mayor Bima Arya Sugiarto to convey the views of many non-government organizations, including members of the Yasmin Church itself, about the multi-function building proposal.

According to Imdadun, the proposed Bhineka Building would have several floors, available for various inter-religious activities or use by any religious group.

"We're supporting the solution that was offered by a few non-government organizations [NGOs] including GKI Yasmin members," Imdadun told thejakartapost.com.

On the internal dispute within the Yasmin Church congregation '€“ between those who agree with relocation and those who want to stay '€“ Imdadun said that the church congregation should be able to solve it themselves.

Although Komnas HAM would prefer that the Yasmin Church remained on the disputed land, the institution will respect the final decision made by church management and its congregation. "We will respect their internal choice. Let them sort out their internal conflict alone and choose the best option for them," Imdadun said.

The Bogor administration sealed the building in April 2010. In December of that year, the Supreme Court delivered a verdict restoring the church'€™s construction permit (IMB) for a house of worship on the current site. Bogor mayor Diani Budiarto, however, defied the ruling, revoking the IMB once more in March 2011. (bbn)(+)

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