KAOHSIUNG DECLARATION OF ASIAN HUMANISM

We, Asian Humanists,

Reaffirming the Amsterdam Declaration as the fundamental tenets of modern Humanism,

Taking into consideration that the pan-Asian region has diverse indigenous philosophical traditions to draw upon, as well as an innate multicultural landscape that allows for diverse schools of thought to flourish,

Viewing with apprehension what appears to be a trend towards authoritarianism and State-backed dogmatism in the region, and

Noting with deep concern that authoritarian regimes cloak their actions under the guise of culture and manipulate religious and ethical issues to maintain their power,

1. Uphold the rights and intrinsic value of the individual, regardless of sex, gender, nationality, caste, creed, race, or tribe;

2. Solemnly affirm the Universal Declaration of Human Rights as a standard to which all States should aspire;

3. Further affirm the Auckland Declaration as a guide with which to address the social causes of the politics of division,

4. Support secular, democratic institutions that respect and adhere to human rights;

5. Reject authoritarianism, fascism, and all other forms of strongman politics;

6. Appeal to all Asian governments to cease the criminalization and institutionalized persecution of minority groups;

7. Call upon Humanists across the pan-Asian region to adopt the Auckland Declaration, advocating for democracy, human rights, equality and fairness, rule of law, and individual freedoms in any way they can; and

Express a deep hope that the region may look to its long history of indigenous philosophical tradition and combine it with modern humanist philosophy, using both as tools for social progress.