(29 January 2021, Bangkok/Kuala Lumpur/Manila) — We, the undersigned, are alarmed by the arrest of the three individuals who were exercising their right to assembly in a peaceful protest against transphobia outside the Ministry of Education (MOE) in Singapore earlier this week on 26th January. We call on the authorities to unconditionally end any judicial harassment against the protestors, for the Government of Singapore to respect and protect the right to peaceful assembly for all, and for the MOE to swiftly act on the discrimination against transgender and LGBT students in schools and universities.

The protest stemmed from a student’s post going viral on social media after she wrote about being unable to begin hormone replacement therapy due to intervention from the MOE, whose interference resulted in her inability to receive a doctor’s referral letter.

We, the undersigned organizations, express our deep solidarity with our lesbian, gay, bisexual, transgender, intersex, queer and gender-diverse/non-binary (LGBTIQ+) siblings around the region who are at the forefront of movements seeking to uphold human rights and democratic values. We affirm that LGBTIQ+ rights and inclusion will only flourish in democratic societies where meaningful participation, dissent, and checks and balances are respected and guaranteed.

The struggle to confront and overcome violence is a daily reality for women, transgender persons, and gender-diverse persons.Violence manifests in different ways direct and indirect forms of violence. It limits human potential and impedes one's enjoyment of a life with dignity.

This reality is fueled by a deep seated patriarchal and heterosexist culture, and reinforced by social institutions. It works through religious, cultural, and state institutions, embodied in policies that govern in the public and private spheres; legislative products, political attitudes, social norms, language systems, knowledge, technology, economy, belief, and arts.

Indonesia’s Revised Criminal Code (Revisi Kitab Undang-undang Hukum Pidana) legislating hate against LGBTQ persons.

We, the undersigned civil society organizations working in Southeast Asia, express serious concern over the looming criminalization of lesbian, gay, bisexual, transgender, queer (LGBTQ) and other gender minorities in Indonesia. We call on the government of Indonesia to reconsider the approval of the proposed amendments to the Indonesian Criminal Code that restricts freedom of religion, punishes consensual same-sex relations and opens the door for harassment against LGBTQ persons.

ASEAN SOGIE Caucus expresses concern over the recent case of suicide involving Kyaw Zin Win, serving as librarian at Myanmar Imperial University – MIU. AS DESCRIBED BY LOCAL ACTIVISTS, he was honest and down to earth young man, a reserved person who hadn’t disclosed his sexual orientation to even close family members. However, he was forced to come out to his supervisor at Myanmar Imperial University – MIU following feedback from third parties. This traumatic experience led to further attacks and harassment by co-workers on social media suggesting he should be sent into the military, among      other mocking remarks. Such incident is proof how social stigma and hate based on sexual orientation, gender identity and gender expression (SOGIE) poses as a threat to the human right to life of LGBTIQ persons.   

In a joint letter sent to the ASEAN Intergovernmental Commission on Human Rights (AIHCR), ASC together with fellow regional human rights organizations, namely the International Commission of Jurists (ICJ), Forum Asia and the Southeast Asia Press Alliance (SEAPA), expressed concern over the human rights implications of Brunei's Syariah Penal Code. The groups argued that Brunei's Syariah law contradicts international human rights law, particularly those focusing on women's rights and children's rights.

With a closer look of the Syariah Penal Code, the groups cautioned that the provisions impose punishments that are considered a form of torture and ill-treatment. Moreover, the law restricts women's body autonomy and right to privacy as it criminalizes consensual sexual relations outside marriage. Moreover, there are provisions the limits freedom of religion, belief and expression.

We call on the government of Brunei to uphold human rights. Make Brunei a true abode of peace – a society where compassion and humanity prevails.

The ASEAN SOGIE Caucus (ASC) strongly call on the government of Brunei to halt the full implementation of the Sharia Penal Code. ASC is concerned that the said law is contrary to international human rights standards that the country is bound to respect. We remind the government of Brunei of its commitments to uphold the right to life, freedom from torture, cruel, inhuman and degrading treatment and punishment, and non-discrimination as enshrined in both the Universal Declaration of Human Rights (UDHR) and the ASEAN Human Rights Declaration (AHRD).

(12 March 2019) – The Asian Forum for Human Rights and Development (FORUM-ASIA), Suara Rakyat Malaysia (SUARAM), Pusat KOMAS, and the ASEAN SOGIE Caucus express grave concern over the public reaction from conservative groups and government officials to the Women’s March on 9 March 2019. Particularly the backlash received by the Organising Committee of the march and the Lesbian, Gay, Bisexual, Transgender, Intersex, and Queer (LGBTIQ) people in the country has been worrying. We urge the concerned parties to act with restraint and with full attention to the legitimate demands of civil society organisation on substantive equality.

The recent Women’s March on 9 March 2019 was a peaceful rally, during which one of the main demands were to end all forms of violence and discrimination, including against people with diverse sexual orientation, gender identity and expression, and sex characteristics (SOGIESC). The march itself and all the demands made during the gathering fall fully within the freedom of expression and peaceful assembly, as guaranteed for all Malaysian citizens.

ASEAN SOGIE Caucus joins the world in celebration of this year’s International Day Against Homophobia, Transphobia, and Biphobia (IDAHOTB). Our commitment has always been to solidarity with all LGBTIQ people and all broader coalitions of human rights advocates wherever we operate. We reaffirm this commitment today.