Who we are

FAQs

What is freedom of expression?

To quote French philosopher Rene Descartes, “I Think, Therefore I Am.” The very ability to think and believe is paramount to the human experience. As such, it is important for the rights of every person to hold opinions and beliefs without interference, and to express those ideas in any way, shape or form.

Freedom  of expression is a tenet of human rights, which comes with its responsibilities as outlined under Article 19 of the Universal Declaration of Human Rights (UDHR) and Article 19 of the International Covenant on Civil and Political Rights (ICCPR) and Article 10 of the Malaysian Federal Constitution Freedom of expression guarantees free spirited discussions, opinions and debates. No person shall be silenced, or stopped, by any other individuals or institutions with different understandings. After all--what is to be human, than to think freely?

What is freedom of religion or belief?

Freedom of religion or belief is a fundamental right of every human being. It is a universal human right that applies to all persons equally everywhere, regardless of who they are, where they live, their age, gender, race or ethnicity, and what they believe or do not believe in. This right protects the freedom to have both religious and non-religious beliefs, and the freedom to have no religion or beliefs at all. It encapsulates the right to choose your own religion or beliefs, the right to change your religion or beliefs, and the right to practice your religion or beliefs. It also protects individuals from being forced to adhere to any religion of belief.

Freedom of religion or belief is guaranteed by Article 18 of the UDHR, Article 18 of the International Covenant on Civil and Political Rights and Article 11 of the Federal Constitution. The right to have or adopt a religion or belief is absolute, meaning it cannot be lawfully interred with and must be upheld at all times. The right to manifest a religion - conducting acts of practicing religion - is however qualified and may be permissibly restricted in limited circumstances.

Why should this campaign matter to me?

As we traverse life, we learn about different communities through the stories disseminated by our institutions and the media. Whether factually correct or not, these stories help form our understanding of these communities. Unfortunately, some of the information we are fed may be deeply misleading, often resulting in misplaced anger and hatred rooted in misunderstanding.

This campaign sheds light on the lives of marginalised communities, amplifying the voices of those with different perspectives. Content on this campaign aims to invite viewers to be involved in nuanced discussions and evaluate their understanding towards their communities. Ultimately, this collective of involved and empathetic individuals could be a catalyst towards positive social change.

What are counter narratives?

Our ever expanding media landscape features a barrage of information coming in and out daily, vying for the attention of everyday people. Each article, video, picture, or post hold within them the power to change minds, and when accessed and shared by thousands of people, may change nations. Unfortunately, it is also this very power which allows for extremist propaganda to take hold, distorting truths and sowing the seeds of hatred.

As such, there exists a need to counter hatred with compassion. Counter-narratives exist as tools in engaging with extremist propaganda through continuous engagement between communities, raising awareness on social issues, encouraging empathy and critical thinking, and holding nuanced conversations on ideological differences. Counter-narratives are key tools in diluting the legitimacy of extremist ideologies, and ultimately pushing back against hatred.

Okay. How do I help?

Take up action. Sign our pledge, reflect on your understanding of the world, seek out resources to understand more about yourself and the community, listen to different perspectives, and have difficult conversations. Above all, be kind.