“Speak up for those who cannot speak for themselves, for the rights of all who are destitute” (Proverbs 31:8)
We, 50 delegates from Asia Pacific—Australia, Bangladesh, India, Indonesia, Taiwan, Myanmar, New Zealand, Philippines, Sri Lanka, and Timor Leste—gathered from August 27 to September 1 at the University of the Philippines Los Baños in Laguna, Philippines for the Consultation, Capacity Building Training, and Immersion in Asia Pacific.
Our gathering is a part of the Human Rights, Justice, and Peace program of the World Student Christian Federation (WSCF) Asia Pacific region, in collaboration with the United Church of Christ in the Philippines (UCCP), Student Christian Movement of the Philippines (SCMP), Christian Youth Fellowship (CYF), and Kalipunan ng Kristiyanong Kabataan sa Pilipinas (KKKP). We pledge to strengthen solidarity among youth across the Asia Pacific in order to defend God’s gift of human dignity inherent in every individual, especially among the marginalized.
Consultation on Human Right Issues
The Asia-Pacific region confronts a complex of human rights issues, including political instability, militarism, and the oppression of marginalized groups such as indigenous peoples, tribals, dalits, and underprivileged communities. The region's challenges are exacerbated by limited access to education, particularly for minority groups, and threaten the rights of the people in the Asia-Pacific. A growing trend of authoritarianism and state-sanctioned violence, both overt and covert, silences dissent, disrupts social cohesion and perpetuates injustice. These factors collectively undermine the fundamental rights of individuals and communities across the region.
Bangladesh currently faces challenges on their current political arrest, the Quota movement, and rising violence against minorities, leaders, and educators where the people call to uphold the rule of law and building of a peaceful, inclusive, and respectful atmosphere. Despite the challenges, the youth in Bangladesh reaffirm their commitment to human rights in order to protect civil liberties, freedom of expression, and individual safety. The Sri Lankan civil war provoked human rights violations in the country, including discrimination against religious minorities, stifling freedom of expression, enforced disappearances, illegal killings, and child labour. Worker exploitation in Sri Lankan tea plantations is also commonplace, with workers struggling for 200 years and still being denied fundamental rights. India is grappling with discrimination, intimidation, and killings by the state military, particularly in the Northeast. Manipur state is still experiencing human rights violations and challenges, which has led to violent killings. Religious freedom is also threatened by state policies, which aim to stifle the freedom of religious minorities. Additionally, women's safety and rights are a major human rights challenge in India, with women facing sexual violence and harassment. Aotearoa (New Zealand) faces worsening Indigenous rights, with the government breaching duties owed to Indigenous people under te Tiriti o Waitangi. In the lands now called Australia there is no such treaty, and Indigenous nations face an ongoing struggle for sovereignty and self-determination. The military coup situation in Myanmar worsens as the military commits severe human rights abuses, with young people who join the civil disobedience movement being conscripted into the military, and others being conscripted after university. Indonesia faces human rights issues such as, land conflicts, particularly for indigenous people, violence by security forces, democratic challenges, and deeply rooted political dynasties are major problems that remain ongoing challenges for the country and its people. In the Philippines, human rights violations have worsened with over 40,000 human rights violations in the last year alone. The government’s supposed "Anti-Terrorism Law”, enables law enforcement to red-tag activists, church workers, and human rights defenders labeling them terrorists or enemies of the state when they advocate for the rights of the indigenous communities, farmers, fisherfolks, and workers. In Hong Kong, the newly enacted National Security Law further silences civil and political rights while news censorship continues as a challenge. Taiwan continues to face challenges from China, with China isolating Taiwan diplomatically and frequently threatening Taiwan in various ways, including information and military warfare, and commercial control. Recognition of Indigenous traditional territory also continues to be a prevalent issue. In Timor Leste the state is forcefully displacing people, often without compensation, in the name of development, uprooting communities and violating fundamental rights.
This overview presents perspectives from young human rights defenders in the Asia-Pacific region, highlighting the urgent need for action to address systemic violations. Their faith-based approach underscores the moral imperative to protect the rights of all individuals, particularly marginalized communities.
Capacity Building and Training
The comprehensive training program equipped participants with essential skills for effective human rights advocacy. Participants focused on and enlightened by the intersection of faith and human rights through biblical-theological reflection with Rev. Dr. Revelation Velunta of the Union Theological Seminary (UTS). They explored the role of prophetic ministry in advancing social justice with Rev. Dr. Eric P. Baldonado of the UTS. To enhance their practical skills, participants learned effective campaigning strategies from experienced advocates Charm Maranan of Defend Southern Tagalog and Kej Andres of the SCMP.
Furthermore, the program provided a solid foundation in human rights law and people's lawyering, guided by Attorney Josa Deinla of the National Union of Peoples' Lawyers. Participants also gained valuable insights into youth engagement in democratic processes, facilitated by Kabataan (Youth) Representative Raoul Manuel. Rev. Marcela Sacayle Lopez of the UCCP facilitated the topics on campus ministry organizing, while Rev. Irma Balaba of the NCCP led the session on community organizing efforts. Youth defenders of human rights shared their personal testimonies, providing firsthand accounts of the struggles they have faced. Mervin Sol Toquero of the NCCP presented on international solidarity work, highlighting the importance of global cooperation in addressing human rights issues. This multifaceted training program empowered participants to become informed and committed advocates for human rights.
Immersion on Human Rights
The program included a series of immersive and integrative experiences designed to aid and facilitate the young participants to learn and understand human rights issues and challenges. To gain a deeper understanding of the challenges faced by local communities, participants engaged in basic mass integration with fisherfolk and farmers. Particularly, these communities in Southern Tagalog have faced issues such as land-grabbing, harmful environmental impacts from an oil spill, and military interference. They call to end human rights violations in the country and the region, particularly for state authorities to surface former political prisoner Rowena Dasig, a local environmentalist, peasant advocate, and former youth leader.
This immersive experience allowed them to directly interact with these marginalized groups, learn about their daily struggles, develop greater empathy for their plight, and craft an action plan in forging struggles with the communities and among countries facing similar situations of poverty, inequality, and human rights issues. It is very vital for the young leaders to gain the experience of the people to stand in solidarity with the marginalized people.
Action Plan Outcomes
After the consultation, capacity-building training, and immersion, we devised the action plans and committed to implementing and practicing the following:
- To create a comprehensive youth-led network in the Asia-Pacific region.
- To share information throughout the Asia-Pacific region on the Human Rights situation.
- To conduct capacity-building training for youth to learn, reflect and be equipped to respond to human rights challenges.
- To promote international solidarity and support each other’s campaign on Human Rights Justice and Peace.
＊2024/08/26-09/01於菲律賓馬尼拉所舉辦的WSCF AP Consultation, Capacity Building Training, and Immersion on Human Rights issues in the Asia Pacific會議中，由來自台灣（我）、紐西蘭、菲律賓及印尼的代表所組成的起草委員會共同編寫完成，於09/01與全體代表修訂通過，並於記者會上發表完成。
