Who we are
Southeast Asia Parliamentarians for Freedom of Religion or Belief (SEAPFoRB) is a working group of former and current parliamentarians working to advance FoRB in the region.
In Southeast Asia, issues related to freedom of religion or belief include hate speech against religious minorities, persecution and discrimination of minorities, and repressive laws, such as those criminalizing blasphemy or restricting the construction of places of worship.
Improved access to the Internet and social media has also created new avenues to harass people of various faiths with little or no consequence, while increasing political polarization has exacerbated the issue further.
SEAPFoRB works to address these issues by undertaking fact-finding missions in the region, and implementing activities aimed at lessening religious tensions, tackling hate speech, legislating for religious freedom, and abolishing blasphemy laws. It has also issued advocacy letters to heads of state to address issues related to persecution of religious minorities and hate speech.
SEAPFoRB currently consists of 34 current and former parliamentarians from seven countries in Southeast Asia. Given the unique role of MPs, SEAPFoRB plays a crucial role in implementing changes to FoRB, and SEAPFoRB provides leadership and guidance to promote legislation, policies and best practices. It also seeks to build the capacity of lawmakers and their role in advancing religious freedoms in the region, and provides platforms to engage relevant stakeholders in advocating FoRB locally, nationally, and regionally.
Our Partners
ASEAN Parliamentarians for Human Rights (APHR) is comprised of current and former parliamentarians, who use their unique positions to advance human rights and democracy in Southeast Asia.
APHR seeks to help create a region where people can express themselves without fear, live free from all forms of discrimination and violence, and where development takes place with human rights at the forefront.
For more information, visit aseanmp.org.
The International Panel of Parliamentarians for Freedom of Religion or Belief (IPPFoRB) is a global network of parliamentarians and legislators from around the world committed to combatting religious persecution and advancing freedom of religion or belief, as defined by Article 18 of the UN Universal Declaration for Human Rights.
For more information, visit http://http://www.ippforb.com/.