Oct 21, 2022

Seven out of ten members of the Association of Southeast Asian Nations (ASEAN) nations have blasphemy laws currently enshrined in their legal codes. USCIRF’s recent issue update reviews these blasphemy laws and their enforcement within this region and highlights recent cases and provides analysis on related laws. Blasphemy is defined as “the act of insulting or showing contempt or lack of reverence for God or sacred things.” In particular, blasphemy laws remain an ongoing religious freedom violation in Indonesia and Malaysia as well as a potent tool for authoritarian and right-wing forces in Burma and Thailand. While many such laws are a legacy of colonialism, some countries in the region have expanded their legal restrictions in the subsequent decades since independence.

USCIRF Policy Analyst, Patrick Greenwalt, joins Director of Research and Policy, Elizabeth Cassidy, to discuss this recent report and take a deeper dive into the background and present context of these blasphemy laws.

Read USCIRF's report on Blasphemy and Related Laws in ASEAN Member Countries.

Additional Name(s): کامیار حبیبی

Gender: Male

Current Location: Ghezel Hesar Prison, Karaj

Perpetrator: Iran

Religion or Belief: Bahá`í

Reports of Torture: No

Reports of Medical Neglect: No

Appeal: Rejected

Sentence: 5 Years' Imprisonment

Date of Detainment: August/5/2023

Current Status: Not Released

Religious Leader: No

Most Recent Type of Abuse: Imprisonment

Reason for Persecution: Education Rights Religious Activity Religious Belief Religious Instruction & Teaching Singing, Playing, & Producing Religious Songs & Music

Nature of Charges: Banned Organization Spreading Propaganda & False or Misleading Ideas, Information, or Materials

Kamyar Habibi

Extra Bio Info:

Kamyar Habibi is imprisoned for his religious belief and activity.

On September 10, 2022, authorities in Karaj arrested Habibi reportedly for his being Baha'i.

On December 13, 2022, Habibi was released from prison. Habibi was accused of authoring a music book to promote Baha'ism, teaching music to promote Baha'ism, and jeopardizing national security.

In February 2023, it was reported that the Karaj Revolutionary Court had sentenced Habibi to five years in prison for “insulting and propaganda against Islamic Sharia, forming and participating in groups to act against national security through teaching and preaching the Baha’i faith to children in Kindergartens, promoting against Islamic Sharia through holding coaching courses." The conviction appears to stem from his religious educational activities to children.

In June 2023, it was reported that Branch 12 of Alborz Provincial Court of Appeal had upheld Habibi's sentence. 

On August 5, 2023, Habibi was reportedly taken to Central Prison in Karaj to begin serving his sentence.

Habibi reportedly suffers from medical issues.

Related Cases: Saman Ostovar, Sabin Yazdani, Mahsa Tirgar Bahnemiri, Rameleh Tirgarnejad, Elham Shareghi Arani, Nakisa Sadeghi, Sadaf Sheikhzadeh, Shahrzad Mastouri, Negin Rezaie

Sources:

Additional Name(s): Abbot Abraham, Abraham Habtom Gebremariam

Gender: Male

Perpetrator: Eritrea

Religion or Belief: Christian – Catholic

Reports of Torture: No

Reports of Medical Neglect: No

Date of Detainment: October//2022

Date of Release: November/23/2022

Current Status: Released

Religious Leader: Yes

Most Recent Type of Abuse: Detainment

Reason for Persecution: Giving, Sharing, & Listening to a Religious Speech Religious Expression Religious Figure & Religious Leadership Role

Nature of Charges: Unknown

Abraham

Extra Bio Info:

Abraham was detained in relation to his religious leadership role and religious expression.

In October 2022, authorities arrested, Abraham, a Capuchin abbot. Abraham was reportedly targeted for highlighting human rights violations during homilies.

On November 23, 2022, Abraham was reportedly released.

Related Cases: Fikremariam Hagos Tsalim, Mihretab Stefanos

Sources:
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