In recent years, the rise of Islamophobia in Asia has emerged as a critical challenge to religious freedom and human rights across the region. This side event aims to transform dialogue into dedicated action, highlighting effective strategies and fostering international cooperation to address and mitigate Islamophobia.
A significant moment, in history occurred as the United States House of Representatives approved the “Falun Gong Protection Act” (H.R.4132) signaling a step towards safeguarding rights and religious freedom. This legislation, championed by Representatives Scott Perry and Thomas Suozzi stands as a beacon of hope for Falun Gong followers who have endured human rights violations in China since 1999. The bill aims to address and combat the persecution faced by this group emphasizing values of truthfulness, compassion and forbearance. Through measures outlined in the act efforts are made to hold perpetrators of violence, repression and torture against Falun Gong practitioners accountable. Among its provisions are sanctions imposed by the President targeting individuals and entities complicit in human rights abuses, against Falun Gong adherents through visa bans and asset freezes.
In a step towards addressing minority concerns the United Nations Special Rapporteur on minority issues has called upon civil society organizations worldwide. The appeal is for contributions to a report focusing on the role of NGOs in advocating for and safeguarding minority rights set to be presented at the UN General Assembly in 2024.
The Coordination des Associations et des Particuliers pour la Liberté de Conscience a governmental organization with special consultative status has presented a written submission to the 56th session of the Human Rights Council shedding light on the serious human rights abuses taking place in Ethiopia especially targeting the Amhara community. The submission underscores the violence faced by Amhara women and girls framing it within a context of genocide against the Amhara people.
Than 20 human rights organizations and advocacy groups have together written a letter to the Prime Minister, Anthony Albanese urging the government to promptly address the severe human rights violations, against Falun Gong followers in China. The letter specifically points out the organized oppression of Falun Gong, a discipline centered on truthfulness, compassion and tolerance. It notes that since the Chinese Communist Party initiated a campaign to eliminate Falun Gong in 1999 millions of practitioners have been arbitrarily detained, imprisoned and subjected to treatment including organ harvesting leading to deaths.
The recent report, by the Office of the United Nations High Commissioner for Human Rights (OHCHR) has again brought attention to the human rights situation in Ethiopia specifically focusing on the hardships faced by the Amhara community.
The 39th Human Rights Dialogue, between the European Union (EU) and China recently took place in Chongqing marking a step in addressing human rights issues in China. The discussions, held on June 17 2024 covered topics with the EU emphasizing the importance of freedom and urging China to comply with international human rights norms.
The United Nations has restated its dedication to safeguarding freedom through a resolution approved by the Human Rights Council in its fifty session held from 26 February to 5 April 2024. This resolution, passed with support highlights the Community’s commitment, to upholding one of the essential human rights.
