CALD Resolution No. 1 S. 2019

CALD Resolution 1 S. 2019

CALD resolution condemning the continuing and intensifying
violations of Freedom of Religion and Belief in Asia

We, the member-parties of the Council of Asian Liberals and Democrats (CALD), on this occasion of the 39th CALD Executive Committee Meeting in Seoul, South Korea:

Recognizing that Freedom of Religion or Belief (FoRB) is an inalienable, nonderogable human right, encompassing the right to hold or not to hold any faith or belief, to change belief, and to be free from coercion or persecution in the exercise of religion or belief;

Acknowledging that FoRB is one of the fundamental human rights enshrined in the United Nations Charter, the Universal Declaration of Human Rights, the International Covenant on Civil and Political Rights, other international treaties, Asian regional instruments, and domestic constitutions;

Emphasizing that for FoRB to be realized, other human rights must be upheld such as right against all forms of discrimination, freedoms of expression, assembly, association and movement;

Affirming that FoRB does not protect religion or belief system, but the individuals who want to exercise their right to manifest religion or belief in a particular teaching, practice, worship and observance;

Underscoring that violations of FoRB continue to occur in different parts of the world, including Asia, and that these violations are being perpetrated by both states and non-state actors;

Highlighting the recent statements of the United Nations Special Rapporteur on FoRB, Ahmed Shaheed, on the sidelines of the 4th Southeast Asia Freedom or Religion or Belief Conference in August 2018, describing religious freedom in Asia as “eroding” and being “routinely violated”;

Recognizing that in recent years, Asia has been experiencing violent attacks targeting religious minorities, as well as the rise of religious fundamentalism, which is increasingly used as a political weapon, particularly during electoral contests;

Do hereby agree to:

Commit to protect and promote, at both global and regional levels, FoRB as a universal, inalienable, non-derogable, human right as set out in international treaties, regional instruments and domestic constitutions;

Work toward the realization of FoRB with a recognition that its exercise is connected with multiple and intersectional discriminations and vulnerabilities, including those that are committed on grounds of ethnic or indigenous identity, gender, sexual orientation, citizenship, among others;

Maintain that FoRB should not be used to limit or restrict other rights unjustifiably, such as freedom of expression, and the rights of women and of the LGBTI community;

Strongly condemn all forms of violence, persecution, discrimination, harassment, and marginalization committed in the name of religion;

Advocate for accountability and remedies for individuals and communities suffering from abuses because of their religion or belief; and

Affirm that religious freedom and tolerance are fundamental to open and multicultural societies that Liberals and Democrats aspire for.

ADOPTED in Seoul, South Korea, this 12th day of June 2019:

Bi-khim Hsiao, MP
Chairperson, Council of Asian Liberals and Democrats

Categorised in: Resolutions

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