Rights of religious minorities must go beyond legal protection, but the values of Asia’s long nurtured culture and tradition of communal harmony must be upheld, says CCA General Secretary
Participants of the Inter-Religious Conference on Freedom of Religion and Rights of Religious Minorities in Asia
Jakarta, Indonesia: “The challenges faced by religious minorities in Asia intersect with religious freedom and minority rights protection. Recognition of religious minorities must go beyond legal protections alone, and policymakers must develop strategies to promote equality, inclusion, and the protection and promotion of human dignity, as well as every individual’s right to freedom of religion”, stated Dr Mathews George Chunakara, General Secretary of the Christian Conference of Asia (CCA), in a thematic address delivered at the beginning of the inter-religious conference on “Freedom of Religion and Rights of Religious Minorities in Asia”.
In the inter-religious conference jointly organised by CCA and its member council, the Communion of Churches in Indonesia (PGI), Dr Mathews George Chunakara observed that contrary to earlier assumptions that modernization and secularization would diminish religion’s public role, recent decades have witnessed a resurgence of religion in political and social life across continents, particularly in Africa, Asia, and Latin America. Religion, he argued, has increasingly become a decisive factor in legitimizing or delegitimizing political regimes, shaping not only private faith but also public governance and policy.
Reflecting on the situation of religious freedom in several Asian countries, Dr Chunakara stated: “What we see in Asia is a trend where religions tend to assume a major role and significant space in politics and the public sphere. The common trend that has emerged in several Asian countries—the politicisation of religion and the religionisation of politics—has become an inescapable reality. The religious divide manifests itself in almost every corner of social and public life in Asian societies. Recent developments in Asia indicate a discernible pattern wherein religious leaders increasingly align themselves with political actors espousing more radical positions.”
The keynote also addressed the controversial issue of blasphemy and defamation of religion laws. Citing their existence in more than 70 countries, Dr Chunakara highlighted how vague and imprecise formulations often enable misuse. He warned that these legal instruments are frequently applied in discriminatory ways against religious minorities and political dissenters, thereby undermining human rights and freedom of expression. From a human rights perspective, he underscored, such laws have become tools of repression rather than protection.
“There must be explicit provisions introduced to safeguard and promote universal rights in a culturally sensitive Asian context. What Asia needs is the nurturing of a culture of greater solidarity and stronger advocacy for safeguarding freedom of religion, as well as achieving the goal of creating a culture of communal harmony through interfaith cooperation and mutual recognition,” said Dr Mathews George Chunakara.
While analysing the ongoing situation of religious freedom and the rights of religious minorities, the CCA General Secretary observed that “governments and religious authorities in several countries are enforcing restrictions on the rights of religious minorities, preventing them from freely exercising their faith. Thus, adherents of minority religions face significant barriers in practising their beliefs.”
According to Dr Chunakara, the surge in hostility against religious minorities is closely linked to the rise of religious fundamentalism and extremism in Asia. He stressed that the core issue is not religion itself, but rather the use and misuse of religion for political purposes and the pursuit of sectarian interests. As a result, the right to freedom of religion and the protection of religious minorities remain under serious threat in many Asian countries, leaving religious minorities particularly vulnerable.
The CCA General Secretary noted that, despite the existence of several international legal instruments and constitutional guarantees, numerous challenges persist. Governments and individuals—often representing majority groups—continue to infringe upon the freedom of religion and the rights of minorities. Such violations not only undermine the stability, security, and development of nations, but also seriously affect the daily lives and peaceful coexistence of individuals, families, and communities. He stressed that Asia’s long-nurtured culture and tradition of communal harmony and coexistence must be actively promoted among young people from an early age, enabling them to grow as ambassadors of peace and harmony.
Other thematic sessions focused on a range of issues and themes, including: Freedom of Religion and Rights of Religious Minorities in Asia: Challenges; Upholding the Values of Human Dignity and Human Rights: Inter-Religious Perspectives; specific country situations on religious freedom in Pakistan, Bangladesh, India, Sri Lanka, Myanmar, Thailand, Cambodia, Malaysia, Timor-Leste, the Philippines, and Indonesia; The Role of the Judiciary in Upholding Constitutional Guarantees on Freedom of Religion and Minority Rights in Asia; and Towards Effective Advocacy for Religious Freedom through Collaborative Efforts in Asia.
