FREEDOM OF RELIGION OR BELIEF
What is the problem?
Freedom of religion or belief faces unique and growing challenges globally. In Southeast Asia, issues related to freedom of religion or belief include hate speech against religious minorities, persecution and discrimination of minorities, and repressive laws, such as those criminalising blasphemy or restricting the construction of places of worship.
Improved access to the Internet and social media has also created new avenues to harass people of various faiths with little or no consequence, while increasing political polarisation exacerbates the issue further.
What are we doing about it?
APHR is working to ensure that incidences of religious intolerance become outliers, rather than a harmful new normal. MPs play an important role in protecting people’s freedom of religion or belief, and APHR works closely with its members in parliament to prevent the passing of repressive laws or to repeal existing ones, as well as outside of parliament to promote social cohesion among communities.
APHR also works with the International Panel of Parliamentarians for Freedom of Religion or Belief (IPPFoRB) to monitor and provide resources for FORB-related developments in the region. See more on the website for Freedom of Religion or Belief in Southeast Asia.
Relevant Publications
Malaysia’s diversity should be celebrated, not used as a political weapon, Southeast Asian MPs say
KUALA LUMPUR – Malaysia must foster the unity of its rich multicultural society and turn away from using divisive rhetoric for political gain, ASEAN Parliamentarians for Human Rights said today at a press conference following a fact-finding mission on peace and...
Indonesia must set example for ASEAN as ‘epicentrum of harmony’, starting with interfaith marriage, Southeast Asian MPs say
JAKARTA – Parliamentarians from Southeast Asia commend Indonesia’s efforts as ASEAN chair to organize the bloc’s first major interreligious dialogue conference, an important step in advancing freedom of religion or belief in the region. ASEAN Parliamentarians for...
APHR urges Indonesia as ASEAN Chair to lead in improving human rights, democracy, climate protection in the region
We, Southeast Asian parliamentarians from the ASEAN Parliamentarians for Human Rights (APHR), are alarmed by the deteriorating human rights situation in the region, Recognizing the unique and significant role of the Association of Southeast Asian Nations (ASEAN) to...
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