Page 234 - BUKU STRENGTHENING THE INDONESIAN PARLIAMENTARY DIPLOMACY FADLI ZON

We recognize that the lack of interfaith, intercultural and interethnic tolerance, understanding
and respect often lead to tensions and conflicts. While the global communities are culturally
and religiously diverse, social stability can be enhanced through the promotion of interfaith
dialogues.

We reaffirm the progress made through the Larnaca Action Plan, the Nanjing Statement, the
Amsterdam Statement and the Seoul Statement. We also recognize the global initiatives that
have been taken, including the Alliance of Civilizations, the Tripartite Forum on Interfaith
Cooperation for Peace, the Ministerial Meeting on Interfaith Dialogue and Cooperation for Peace,
and the resolutions adopted by the UN General Assembly on the promotion of interreligious
and intercultural dialogues. We believe that various initiatives on interfaith and intercultural
dialogues are mutually reinforcing one another.

However different they may be, I believe that all religions call for peace and empathy toward
others. It is the individuals that should be blamed for hatred, discrimination and violence. They
exacerbate tensions and spread misunderstanding and mistrust between adherents of different
faiths.

On behalf of the Indonesian House of Representatives, I strongly denounce violent extremism
as a major barrier for our collective efforts in maintaining global peace and security, achieving
sustainable development, and protecting human rights. Alongside the need for continuous
dialogues, we stress the need to respect religious freedom as a fundamental human right
including the rights to freedom of expression, freedom of thought, and conscience as stipulated
in the Universal Declaration of Human Rights.

As part of our commitment in creating global peace and stability through interfaith, interethnic
and intercultural dialogues, we call for the following actions: first, involving and urging the
religious leaders to promote pluralism, tolerance and peaceful coexistence; second, promoting
inclusive education at all levels in order for diversity to be understood and appreciated by
different groups of societies and communities at all ages; third, continuously working to
alleviate poverty by ensuring equal rights and economic opportunities for the minorities;
fourth, involving the people in dialogue among leaders of cultural and religious groups; fifth,
identifying the root cause of religious extremism; and sixth, enhancing the role of media in
eliminating prejudice, sexism, chauvinism, bigotry and any other forms of intolerance and
discrimination.

Selected Speeches of the Vice Speaker of the House of Representatives of the Republic of Indonesia I 221