Conference on religious freedom in Southeast Asia

Christian Solidarity Worldwide (CSW) has joined a range of other faith-based, intergovernmental and UN agencies in endorsing a declaration on strengthening freedom of religion or belief (FoRB) in Southeast Asia.

The Conference Declaration follows a groundbreaking conference in Thailand from 30 September to 1 October attended by approximately 70 human rights defenders, members of religious groups, rights groups, UN agencies and representatives from national and intergovernmental agencies, including from the Association of Southeast Asian Nations (ASEAN) Intergovernmental Commission on Human Rights and ASEAN Commission on the Promotion and Protection of Rights of Women and Children.

Participants at the event, co-organized by the Asian Forum for Human Rights and Development (FORUM-ASIA), the International Commission of Jurists (ICJ), and Boat People SOS (BPSOS), were able to deepen their understanding on the right to freedom of religion or belief and how this and other human rights should be interpreted and applied in a complementary manner.

In discussions with the UN Special Rapporteur on FoRB, Heiner Bielefeldt, they also shared challenges and best practice on addressing rights violations related to state control and regulation of religion, as well as extreme interpretations of religion.

“Many people suffer complex violations of their human rights, for example in the intersection of religious minority status, ethnicity, gender, sexual orientation or indigenous origin,” said Heiner Bielefeldt.

“The politicization of religion undermines freedom of religion or belief, not only to the detriment of minorities, but also of followers of majority religions who do not wish to see their faith be turned into a tool of political power gambling,” he added.

The Conference Declaration commits participants to defending and promoting FoRB as a universal, inalienable and non-derogable human right for all persons, as individuals and in community with others, through their work and respective institutions, by sharing information and mobilizing effective responses. They also committed to work toward the nondiscriminatory realisation of FoRB in recognition of multiple and intersectional discriminations and vulnerabilities, including on grounds of ethnicity, indigenous identity, gender, sexual orientation, citizenship, and disabilities. In addition, participants pledged to enhance global and regional cooperation by working across geographical, national, racial, ethnic, political and religious boundaries.

CSW’s East Asia Team Leader Benedict Rogers said, “This diverse gathering provided a unique opportunity for people of different religions and none from across South East Asia to speak up against religious intolerance in the region and for freedom of religion or belief for all. It was a privilege to be part of it and we look forward to working with others to building on this platform for freedom of religion or belief in Southeast Asia. “