Asia Pacific Workshop: Towards an Ecumenical Agenda for Advocacy on Human Rights and Human Dignity

The Asia Pacific Workshop organized by the World Council of Churches was held recently from the 4th to 6th October, 2007. Its theme was “Towards an Ecumenical Agenda for Advocacy on Human Rights and Human Dignity”, gathering together more than 30 individuals from different Asian countries. The workshop began with detailed discourse on the history of human rights, its origins and how these overlap with all religions’ basic principles. Combined with ancient religious precepts and later philosophical development during the Renaissance era, the concept of human dignity soon crept into revolutions, culminating in historical documents such as the Magna Carta and the Bill of Rights. Eventually, these were built up progressively to form the bulk of human rights concepts that took an active turn post World War II. An important point to emphasise is that human rights is not a Western concept, which is the common misconception today. In fact, all major religions come from Asia, and it is upon these religions’ basic beliefs that human dignity is derived. The fact that each person is blessed and bestowed basic human dignity is commonly accepted within Asia. Human rights is inextricably linked and based upon the need for equal human dignity. 

During countries’ workshops, each country shared the state of human rights violations taking place currently. Common trends of human rights violations across the countries represented here are corruption, abuse of authoritarian power, poverty, poor political will nor implementation mechanisms, lack of religious freedom, no freedom of expression and child labour. With the exception of several more developed nations, all countries have experienced to a capacity some bloodshed and violence in past decades, in the process towards achieving greater democracy and in their struggle for human rights. 

For many of these countries, issues seem to stem out of the lack of economic stability. Due to poverty, society resorts to engaging in activities that will grant them financial and societal prominence and position. Many times this takes place as a matter of survival in a community already rife with corruption: if you can’t beat the system, join it or die trying. 

Poverty is therefore a significant driver for corruption and power. Trafficking is merely a lucrative business that fills the ricebowls of the poor temporarily. Economic, social and cultural rights are hardly achieved within Asia. The absence of civil and political rights is merely a natural reflection of the dismal state of economic development in this region. With growing gaps between the rich and the poor, it is increasingly difficult to expect international human rights law to solve problems while countries struggle to get by economically. 

Nevertheless, the international community is crucial, as we are observing with Myanmar currently, as it is one of the few platforms available for negotiation. This should continue to be the case for all other countries in which gross violations are still taking place. The peoples of Asia continue to struggle, trapped within cycles of poverty, strife, violence, genocide amongst others. It is the crucial role of the church to engage actively at all levels, in line with its call to “set the captives free”, and freeing the oppressed. This should come in the forms of grassroots level awareness, advocacy, capacity building and higher level strategic engagement with decision-makers and international lobby groups. 

Some theoretical presentations were given linking theology to human rights, providing certain key passages in the Bible. One particular passage was from Luke 10, in which Jesus used the story of the Good Samaritan to explain who our “neighbour” is. Similarly, human rights is about setting free the captives and those who are oppressed, and in this world, every person should be considered a neighbour.

Practical discussions on the Asian reality ensued, on human rights and the rule of law as well as human rights jurisprudence and its effective applications. Reference was constantly made to the current situations in Myanmar and Pakistan, stories of which are real reminders of the Asian struggle. Participants expressed concern over what is taking place in Myanmar, in particular the lack of information being provided to the international world. 

In discussing practical tools for human rights activism, it was established that communication is the most important tool today in spreading news and messages. Networks can help disseminate messages very quickly, especially given the wave of communication tools that we have at our disposal today. 

International and regional human rights instruments and mechanisms were taught to all participants, including the numerous variations of ways in which countries have access to the international community. United Nations and its relevant organs and institutes were key in this discussion. Finally, members from respective countries gathered together to discuss in practical terms how human rights can be more actively enhanced in their communities. These include practical skill sets that need to be taught and shared amongst local groups, working together with other human rights groups and encouraging inter-faith and inter-racial dialogue. 

Asia is therefore a region in which human rights violations still take place on a daily basis, and the church or any faith community cannot ignore these realities. Conversely, because human dignity is the very essence of human rights, and is articulated in all major religions, faith groups must stand up and advocate for human rights in their respective means. The link between the two is foundational. Participants in the workshop benefited greatly from having the 3-day session to share their experiences and learning fundamental (theoretical and theological) principles of human rights. 

Tricia Yeoh