"The promotion of religious tolerance, respect for diversity, and mutual understanding should be of utmost importance in the ASEAN, with a view to creating an environment conducive to full enjoyment of the freedom of religion or belief by all persons," Wahyuningrum noted in a statement received by Antara in Jakarta, Friday.
Wahyuningrum delivered the statement while opening the AICHR Consultation on the implementation of Article 22 of the ASEAN Human Rights Declaration on Freedom of Religion and Belief in Nusa Dua, Bali, Friday.
The ASEAN Political-Security Blueprint has reiterated the significance of respecting differences; increasing tolerance as well as inter-religious and inter-belief mutual understanding; as well as advancing respect and appreciation for a variety of regions and harmony among societies in the ASEAN that also includes the entity of religion or belief.
Wahyuningrum noted that it aimed to offer a platform for ASEAN stakeholders to share practices and experiences on the implementation of freedom of religion and beliefs in the ASEAN.
"Gaining a better understanding of the practices and experiences on the implementation of freedom of religion and beliefs in the ASEAN," Wahyuningrum remarked.
Furthermore, the AICHR Consultation on the implementation of Article 22 of the ASEAN Human Rights Declaration on Freedom of Religion and Belief targets to come up with the elaborative articulation of Article 22 of the ASEAN Human Rights Declaration.
This expected outcome document will be named as “The Recommendation on the Implementation of Article 22 of the ASEAN Human Rights Declaration.”
The Recommendation on the Implementation of Article 22 of AHRD will serve as a common language for human rights cooperation and actions, as well as how it is used, to one degree or another, in the ASEAN, along with the context of regionalism project in the region, Wahyuningrum stated.
Wahyuningrum remarked that in order to be relevant, such recommendation in the context of international human rights norms, views, and insights should be disseminated by diverse practitioners on this topic as well as the victims' experiences.
The Recommendation on the Implementation of Article 22 of AHRD will offer practical guidance on how to seek to prevent violations of freedom of religion and belief, to analyze cases, and to react effectively to violations wherever they occur in order to promote and protect freedom of religion or belief in the ASEAN Community building project, Wahyuningrum stated.
Reporter: Azis Kurmala
Editor: Rahmad Nasution
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