The ICJ submitted a written statement to the Human Rights Council as a response to the latest report of the Special Rapporteur on freedom of religion or belief.
The written submission recognized the Special Rapporteur’s active participation in the Regional Conference on Freedom of Religion or Belief in Southeast Asia, organized by the ICJ in collaboration with the Asian Forum for Human Rights and Development (FORUM-ASIA) and Boat People-SOS (BPSOS) in Bangkok, Thailand from 30 September to 1 October 2015.
It also highlighted the adoption of the Conference Declaration on Freedom of Religion or Belief in Southeast Asia, a document through which participants expressed their commitment to working to enhance the right to freedom of religion or belief in the region.
The ICJ expressed its concern regarding the banning of Christmas celebrations in Brunei Darussalam, as the restrictions imposed are inconsistent with international law standards, specifically with the principle of non-discrimination.
Finally, the statement called on Brunei to eliminate the restrictions imposed for celebrating non-Muslim festivities and encouraged the Government of Brunei to implement the measures recommended by the Special Rapporteur in his report.
SouthEast Asia-HRC statement on freedom or belief-Advocacy-Non legal submissions-2016-ENG (full text, in PDF)
