RELIGIOUS FREEDOM OR BELIEF IN THE ASEAN REGION

Saifuddin & Marcel at the meeting on June12, 2014

Consultation organised by GMM & PROHAM
in partnership with KITA-UKM, EU & SUHAKAM
 

Yesterday (June 12, 2014) Datuk Saifuddin Abdullah (GMM), Mr Marcel Roijen (EU) and Datuk Dr Denison Jayasooria (Proham) met at GMM to review the program and arrangements for the Consultation on Promotion and Protection of Freedom of Religion or Belief in the Asean Region to be held on July 2 & 3, 2014

The Opening ceremony of the Consultation will be held on July 2, 2014  (Wed) evening followed by a Buka Puasa function 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.

The Asean Human Rights Commission for Indonesia HE Rafendi Djamin will participate and introduce the document “How to promote and protect the Freedom of Religion or belief in Asean Region?” on July 3, 2014 in the first session of the Consultation.

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

Confirmed 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), 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).

We have invited Mr Abdullah Zaik Abd Rahaman (ACCIN –Allied Coordinating Committee of Islamic NGO) and also Rev Dr Herman Shastri (CCM- Council of Churches Malaysia) but have not received a confirmation.

A number of overseas 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 from Myanmar.

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

Datuk Saifuddin chairing the meeting on June 12, 2014

One major objective of this Consultation is to review the draft guidelines of the document on Religious Freedom in Asean prepared by the Human Rights Working Group of Indonesia (HRWG).Those wanting a copy of the Draft Guidelines can request: prohamsecretariat @gmail.com

Statement issued by:

Datuk Dr Denison Jayasooria (Proham Secretary General) on behalf of the organisers.

June 13, 2014