The 2019 AICHR Consultation on the Implementation of Article 22 of the ASEAN Human Rights Declaration on Freedom of Religion and Belief

NUSA DUA, 13 December 2019 – On December 11-13, the ASEAN Intergovernmental Commission on Human Rights (AICHR) organised the AICHR Consultation on the Implementation of Article 22 of the ASEAN Human Rights Declaration (AHRD) on Freedom of Religion and Belief in Nusa Dua, Indonesia.

In her opening remarks, the Representative of Indonesia to the AICHR, Yuyun Wahyuningrum emphasised that Article 22 of the AHRD includes the freedom to practice and teach religion or belief either individually or in community, in public or private, without fear of intimidation, discrimination, violence or attack.

She also articulated that freedom of religion and belief is intrinsically linked to freedom of opinion and expression, freedom of association and assembly as well as other human rights and fundamental freedoms, all of which contribute towards the building of pluralistic, tolerant, and democratic societies.

Director for the ASEAN Political-Security Cooperation of the Ministry of Foreign Affairs of the Republic of Indonesia, Faizal Chery Sidharta, underlined the importance of ASEAN’s effort to realise a community which embraces tolerance and moderation, fully respects the different religions, cultures, and languages, and upholds common values in the spirit of unity in diversity. He further noted the emergence of the threat of violent extremism in all of its forms and manifestations. In this regard, he called on a balanced approach in addressing the issue in ASEAN.

Former special staff to the President of the Republic of Indonesia and Director of the Kalijaga Institute for Justice of the State Islamic University ‘Sunan Kalijaga’ Yogyakarta, Siti Ruhaini Dzuhayatin, proposed to mainstream co-existence and pro-existence approaches to encourage an effective social cooperation to reduce ethno-religious conflicts in ASEAN’s plural and multi-cultural society.

The two-and-half-day consultation was structured into eight panels. The objectives were to provide a platform for ASEAN stakeholders to share practices and experiences on the implementation of freedom of religion and belief in ASEAN and to promote a better understanding of the matter.

The 66 participants were from ASEAN Member States, civil society organisations, religious-based organisations, universities, national human rights institutions and ASEAN sectoral bodies. Together, they discussed the challenges in addressing issues related to freedom of religion and belief in Southeast Asia, its implications, opportunities and strategies as well as the roles of stakeholders and the existing practices of the ASEAN Member States on grievances mechanisms and remedies.

At the end of the consultation, participants came up with inputs to the Recommendation on the Implementation of Article 22 of the AHRD to serve as a common language for human rights cooperation and actions in the context of regionalism in ASEAN.

The inputs include the detailed state obligations to respect, protect and fulfil freedom of religion and belief, the interrelated and indivisible character of freedom of religion and belief, the limitation of its freedom as well as gender perspective on the issue, and the need to combat intolerance, negative stereotyping and stigmatization of persons based on religion or belief.

The consultation was hosted by the AICHR Indonesia in partnership with the Ministry of Foreign Affairs of the Republic of Indonesia and the Office of High Commissioner of Human Rights (OHCHR).