Jakarta, Dec. 13 -- The ASEAN region witnessed a rise in religious-based intolerance and violence in the past decades, particularly against religious minorities, sects, or local religion, beliefs, and new religious movements.

"The signs of intolerance arise with violations against the right to freedom of religion and belief, either by the State or society when the state is unable to provide protection to victims or prevent intolerance and violence," Representative of Indonesia to the ASEAN Intergovernmental Commission on Human Rights (AICHR) Yuyun Wahyuningrum noted in a statement received by Antara in Jakarta, Friday.

Wahyuningrum made the statement while opening the AICHR Consultation on the implementation of Article 22 of the ASEAN H...