The Indonesian House of Representatives (DPR RI) is currently reviewing legislative changes related to broadcasting in Indonesia. The Broadcasting Bill^[1] under discussion presents several issues, including the potential for discrimination against women, minority groups based on sexual orientation and gender identity and expression (SOGIE), and communities vulnerable to gender-based violence. This bill also has the potential to hinder press freedom and freedom of expression and is ambiguous in its interpretation (rubber articles).

ASEAN SOGIE Caucus joining with all civil society organizations rejecting the Myanmar Junta Representatives’ in the EU-ASEAN Human Rights Policy Dialogue. We also withdrawn from our participation in the interface meeting as our stance is to not engaging with the military junta and refraining from further legitimising them.

ASC issued an oral statement during the UN Human Rights Council interactive dialogue with the Independent Investigative Mechanism for Myanmar (IIMM), which took place last September 11, 2023. The statement highlighted the ongoing violence faced by LGBTQIA+ human rights defenders within Myanmar and in countries where they sought exile.

JOINT STATEMENT: ASEAN CIVIL SOCIETY CONFERENCE – ASEAN PEOPLES’ FORUM 2023

Amidst the current crises caused by social, economic, political, and climate crisis in the region and at global levels, more than 800 from a diverse civil society, ethnic minorities and groups, Indigenous Peoples, LGBTQIA+, Women, Persons with Disabilities, elderly, faith- based groups, migrant workers, informal workers, trade unions, farmers and fisherfolks, youths, human rights defenders, victims of land conflicts, victims of human right violations and people’s organizations of South East Asia gathered together in in-person and online participants gathered at Atma Jaya University, Jakarta, Indonesia from 1-3 September for the 2023 ACSC/APF, with the theme of ‘Reclaiming safe space, restoring democracy in Southeast Asia.

It has been a month since the Parliament of Uganda adopted the Anti-Homosexuality Bill on March 21, 2023. The said legislation intensifies anti-LGBTQIA+ sentiments in a country by introducing the death penalty, life imprisonment for the “offense of homosexuality”, up to 14 years for attempted homosexuality, and up to 20 years in jail for promoting homosexuality. It now awaits the President’s final approval to become law. This legislation marks the latest in a string setback for the human rights of LGBTQIA+ in Africa, which homosexuality act is illegal in most countries.

ASEAN SOGIE Caucus Response to the Views on Conclusions presented by Indonesia and the Philippines, the State under review of Universal Periodic Review (UPR) 4^th Cycle.

JAKARTA-INDONESIA, The human rights situation of both Indonesia and the Philippines were reviewed for the fourth time by the UN Human Rights Council through the Universal Periodic Review (UPR) in November 2022. The conclusion of the UPR of both countries took place during the 52^nd regular session of the Human Rights Council in Geneva earlier today March 27, 2023.

Amidst the current turmoil caused by social, economic, political, and climate crisis in the region and at global levels, more than 500 participants with gender balance, from a diversity of civil society, ethnic minorities and groups, Indigenous Peoples, LGBTQIA+, Women, Persons with Disabilities, elderly, Buddhist monks, faith- based, migrant workers, informal workers, trade unions, farmers and fisherfolks, youths, human rights defenders, victims of land conflicts, victims of human right violations and people’s organizations of South East Asia gathered together in Phnom Penh, Cambodia from 3-5 November 2022. The inauguration started with a powerful drum performance by all-female cultural group from the host country calling for unity and solidarity among peoples of Southeast Asia, amplifying the voices of grassroots and marginalized communities, the spirit that has been carried on in the last 17 years.

We, the Southeast Asian people from Brunei Darussalam, Cambodia, Indonesia, Lao PDR, Malaysia, the Philippines, Singapore, Thailand, Timor Leste and Vietnam are united and stand in solidarity with the people of Myanmar from all diverse ethnic and religious communities, the women, children and elderly, with all the Rohingya people, LGBTQIA+ people, pro-democracy activists, farmers, workers and defenders who stand tall against the military junta.

Phnom Penh, November 5 2022—the civil society from Brunei Darussalam, Cambodia, Indonesia, Lao PDR, Malaysia, the Philippines, Singapore, Thailand, Timor Leste and Vietnam held the ASEAN Civil Society Conference/ASEAN Peoples’ Forum (ACSC/APF) 2022 with the theme of "Defending and Asserting Southeast Asian Peoples Civic Space, Democracy and Human Rights towards an Equitable and Just Society".