At the same time Asean faces many challenges in
addressing poverty and inequality as well as religious and ethnic conflicts
especially between majority communities verses the minorities for example among
Muslim minorities and Buddhist majorities in Myanmar, Thailand and Christians
in Philippines. In counties like Indonesia and Malaysia it is other minorities
in the midst of Muslim majorities.
We see within Asean both good examples as well as
situations of conflict and potential conflict. There is therefore a need for
developing guidelines and benchmarks relevant for Asean.
The Human Rights Working Group (HRWG) together with the
Indonesian representative to The Asean Human Rights Commission, HE Rafendi
Djamin have developed an Asean level set of community guidelines entitled “How
to promote and protect the Freedom of Religion or belief in Asean Region?
Overview on Implementation of the Freedom of Thought, conscience, and Religion
in Asean Human Rights Declaration (AHRD)”
This is a valuable and useful document which has
relevance and application to all of the Asean countries. HRWG hosted a two day an
Asean regional level consultation in Jakarta on Feb 19 & 20, 2014. The
document was well received and updated. It is now being circulated within Asean
countries for review and input so as to receive feedback on relevance and applicability.
It is in this context that the Society for the Promotion
of Human Rights (Proham) and the Global Movement of Moderates (GMM) is hosting
a Consultation on Promotion and Protection of Freedom of Religion or Belief in
the Asean Region to be held on July 2 & 3, 2014
We have secured the support of the Institute of Ethnic
Studies (KITA), Universiti Kebangsaan Malaysia (UKM), the Human Rights
Commission of Malaysia (SUHAKAM) and the EU as co organisers for this
consultation.
The Opening ceremony of the Consultation & a
Buka Puasa function will be held on July 2, 2014 (Wed) evening at East Inn Hotel with Tan Sri
Joseph Kurup, National Unity Minister as chief guest.
The full day consultation will take place on July 3, 2014
at the GMM Conference Room.
Academic Prof Dr Harry Harun Behr (from the German
Islamic Conference) has confirmed participating and speaking in the final
session on Inter religious dialogue and mediation.
A number of Asean level resource persons have confirmed
participating namely Ms Yuyun Wahyuniungrum and Mr Muhammad Hafiz from HRWG
Indonesia. Also joining us is Mr Myo Win of the Smile Education &
Development Foundation working among the Rohingyas from Myanmar.
Confirmed local speakers include Dr Chandra Muzaffar
(JUST), Tan Sri Michael Yeoh (ASLI), Ms Ratna Osman (SIS), Datuk Hj Zainal
Abidin (NUCC), Mr Andrew Khoo (Bar Council), Associate Prof Dr Raihanah
Abdullah (OIC), Dr Ahmad Farouk(IRF), Ms Zainah Anwar (Musawah),
Mr Sadar Jagir Singh (MCCBCHST), Datuk Vaithilingam (Proham), Ms Loh Pai Ling
(Buddhist Society), Dr Daniel Ho (DUMC), Yb Datuk Dr Mujahid Yusof Rawa (NUCC),
Datuk Kuthubul Zaman (Proham), Datin Paduka Marina Mahathir (NUCC) & Prof
Suresh Kumah (Inter-faith Friendship Group).
Malaysian society today is being torn apart due to the
inability of both political and religious leaders to sit down and discuss these
issues and concerns in an environment of mutual respect and trust. Different
organisations are championing their respective religious positions and are
further polarising the situation. This is further complicated with public
institutions failing to play a mediating role. Politicians in public positions
at the state and federal levels are not able to foster bipartisan working relationships for the greater good of
the nation.
We need bridge- builders both in Asean and Malaysia to
build the Asean community. Our prayer is that this Consultation will sow seeds
for harmony, peace and community living in Asean with a specific focus on
Malaysia.
The Consultation will be moderated jointly by Datuk
Saifuddin Abdullah and Datuk Dr Denison Jayasooria. This is a closed door event
but both GMM and Proham will issue a statement on the emerging issues, concerns
and solutions to strengthen Religious Freedom in Asean
Those wanting a copy of the Draft Guidelines can request:
prohamsecretariat@gmail.com. Also for updates please review:
http://proham.blogspot.com/
Statement
issued by:
Datuk
Saifuddin Abdullah (CEO, GMM) &
Datuk
Dr Denison Jayasooria (Proham Secretary General)June 22, 2014
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