USCIRF Releases New Report: A Right for All: Freedom of Religion or Belief in ASEAN

The U.S. Commission on International Religious Freedom (USCIRF) released A Right for All: Freedom of Religion or Belief in ASEAN, a report documenting the state of this freedom in the 10 Member States of the Association of Southeast Asian Nations (ASEAN). The study examines ASEAN’s and the Member States’ approaches to this fundamental right, praising the fact that “ASEAN has achieved some level of cooperation across such diversity” and noting where improvement is needed.

Sep 28, 2017

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE

September 27, 2017

USCIRF Releases New Report:

A Right for All: Freedom of Religion or Belief in ASEAN

Chairman Mark calls on ASEAN to work to “uphold international human rights standards”

WASHINGTON, DC – Today, the U.S. Commission on International Religious Freedom (USCIRF) released A Right for All: Freedom of Religion or Belief in ASEAN, a report documenting the state of this freedom in the 10 Member States of the Association of Southeast Asian Nations (ASEAN). The study examines ASEAN’s and the Member States’ approaches to this fundamental right, praising the fact that “ASEAN has achieved some level of cooperation across such diversity” and noting where improvement is needed.

“ASEAN has demonstrated a clear willingness to become an economic, political, and cultural force in the region and the world,” said USCIRF Chairman Daniel Mark. He added, however, that “ASEAN and the Member States have a responsibility to uphold international human rights standards, including by protecting freedom of religion or belief and related human rights.”

The report’s author, Tina Mufford, USCIRF Senior Analyst for East Asia, found that ASEAN’s approach to human rights has been shaped by two competing interests: Member States’ desire to integrate as a bloc and their historical commitment to independence and non-interference in each other’s affairs. Citing ASEAN’s 50^th anniversary and 40 years of U.S. engagement, Ms. Mufford said that the United States is uniquely positioned to press Member States to uphold international human rights standards. “Doing so,” she said, “would send a strong and clear signal about U.S. priorities in the region.”

Each ASEAN nation faces crosscutting challenges that transcend borders, such as refugees, terrorism, and ultra-nationalism. Common religious freedom violations include the detention of prisoners of conscience and the use of blasphemy laws and other similar measures.

“USCIRF calls upon ASEAN to protect the religious freedom of all,” said Chairman Mark. “Burma’s Rohingya crisis is a prime example of where ASEAN should step up to its international commitments and work with its Member States to prevent ongoing violations and help protect and aid this vulnerable population.” Read USCIRF’s recent press release about the Rohingya crisis here.

The full report may be found here. Follow USCIRF’s posting about this report on Twitter (@USCIRF) and Facebook (www.facebook.com/USCIRF/).

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The U.S. Commission on International Religious Freedom is an independent, bipartisan U.S. federal government commission, the first of its kind in the world. USCIRF reviews the facts and circumstances of religious freedom violations abroad and makes policy recommendations to the President, the Secretary of State, and Congress. USCIRF Commissioners are appointed by the President and the Congressional leadership of both political parties. To interview a Commissioner, please contact USCIRF at [email protected] or John D. Lawrence, Director of Communications ([email protected]/ +1-202-786-0611).