ASEAN Freedom of Thought, Conscience & Belief Forum 2025

Dates & Timings:
24th MAY 2025: 2PM – 5PM
25th MAY 2025: 9AM – 4PM

Venue:
Wisma MCA, 163, Jalan Ampang,
50450 Kuala Lumpur.

Forum Objectives

  • Deepen understanding of freedom of thought, conscience and belief (FoTCB), including the right to believe or not to believe, and the separation of religion and state.
  • Discuss reforms to laws and policies that restrict FoTCB, aligning them with international human rights standards.
  • Recommend actions for ASEAN states, institutions and civil society to better protect FoTCB and foster a more inclusive region.

Forum Line-Up

A.J. Surin

human rights lawyer & founder, Humanists Malaysia

ASSOC. PROF. Eugene Tan Kheng Boon

Associate Professor of Law, Singapore Management University

dato sri Dr. Jahaberdeen Mohamed Yunoos

Human Rights Lawyer & Founder, Rapera Movement

Kristine Chan

President, Filipino Freethinkers

Daniel John Jambun

President, Borneo's Plight in Malaysia Foundation

Melvin Lim

Vice President, Humanist Society Singapore

Mercy Barends

Chair, ASEAN Parliamentarians for Human Rights

Prof. Paul Hedges

RSIS, Nanyang Technological University, Singapore

Rozana Isa

Executive Director, Sisters in Islam

Siti Kasim

Human Rights Lawyer & Activist

Programme List

SLOT 1
Date: 24th May 2025, Time: 2:00 p.m. - 5:00 p.m.

  • 2.00pm: A.J. Surin, Founder, Humanists Malaysia, organizer of the ASEAN Freedom of Thought, Conscience & Belief Forum: Welcoming remarks

  • 2.10pm: Abdul Kader Saifuddin, Humanists Malaysia; Moderator: Introduction

  • 2.20pm: Leon Langdon, Advocacy Officer, Humanists International: The international human rights framework on freedom of religion & belief and education

  • 3.00pm:  Professor Paul Michael Hedges, RSIS, Nanyang Technological University, Singapore: Interfaith dialogue; Combating religious extremism and discrimination through dialogue; cohesion & anti-radicalisation efforts

  • 3.40pm: Dato’ Sri Dr Jahaberdeen Mohamed Yunoos, human rights lawyer & founder, Rapera Movement: The principle of freedom of thought, conscience, and belief; A Quranic perspective, challenging common misconceptions that Islam restricts personal freedom in matters of faith

  • 4.20pm: Panel discussion

  • 5.00pm: Session ends

SLOT 2
Date: 25th May 2025, Time: 9:00 a.m. - 12:00 p.m.
  • 9.00am: Assad A. Khan, Humanists Malaysia, Moderator: Introduction
  • 9.10am:  Rozana Mohd Isa, Executive Director, Sisters in Islam: Is our democracy still a guardian of inclusive harmony, or is it becoming increasingly susceptible to exclusivist interpretations of identity and faith?
  • 9.50am:  A.J. Surin, Founder, Humanists Malaysia: A brief introduction of humanism.  
  • 10.30am: Daniel John Jambun, President, Borneo’s Plight in Malaysia Foundation: Decolonizing belief; The struggle for freedom of thought & indigenous identity in post-colonial Southeast Asia   
  • 11.10am:  Panel discussion
  • 12.00pm: Session ends
SLOT 3
Date: 25th May 2025, Time: 1:00 p.m. - 4:00 p.m.
  • 1.00pm: A.J. Surin, Founder, Humanists Malaysia, Moderator: Introduction
  • 1.10pm: Siti Kasim, human rights lawyer & activist: Religion and the state; Finding the balance
  • 1.50pm:  Melvin Lim, Vice President, Humanist Society Singapore: The gambits of morality; Objective decisions for a world in flux (“What happens when we do not agree on what is right?”)
  • 2.30pm:  Dr Eugene K B Tan, Associate Professor of Law, Singapore Management University: Religious freedom in Singapore with reference to the repeal of section 377A of the Penal Code
  • 3.10pm: Panel discussion
  • 3.50pm: A.J. Surin, Founder, Humanists Malaysia: Closing remarks
  • 4.00pm: Session ends

ASEAN Freedom of Thought, Conscience & Belief Forum 2025

Dates & Timings:
24th MAY 2025: 2PM – 5PM
25TH MAY 2025: 9AM – 4PM

Venue:
Wisma MCA, 163, Jalan Ampang,
50450 Kuala Lumpur.