ChinaAid Association announced the details for the 2023 Taiwan International Religious Freedom Summit (TIRF). In a press release, the association said that international NGO members, along with other representatives from other governments, participated in the summit which began on Sept. 7 in Taipei, Taiwan.
The TIRF gathered more than 80 participants from international NGOs and was joined by 20 government representatives, according to the press release. The summit aimed to address the worldwide crisis of religious freedom. Organized by the Presbyterian Church in Taiwan, China Aid Association and the IRF Secretariat, the summit brought together parliamentarians, activists and survivors of persecution from across the globe to underscore Taiwan's significant role as a regional leader in advocating for religious freedom and democracy.
You Si-Kun, Taiwan's Legislative Yuan president, attended the international summit in Taipei, joining U.S. co-hosts Sam Brownback and Katrina Lantos Swett, according to the release. Vice President William Lai was also present. TIRF, a two-day event, addressed key religious freedom issues worldwide, including persecution in Nigeria and efforts against transnational repression.
Rep. Chris Smith (R-NJ), as stated in a press release, referenced a report by Open Doors International, which documented a toll of over 5,000 Christian lives lost in Nigeria during the past year. This figure represents nearly 90% of global Christian fatalities. Additionally, Nigeria was responsible for approximately 90% of Christian abductions on a global scale.
Former Ambassador-at-Large for International Religious Freedom Sam Brownback said that those present at the summit were some of the world leaders of religious freedom, according to the ChinaAid website.
He said, “They’re here because Taiwan is standing for freedom. It’s time for Taiwan. Taiwan is a beacon of freedom in the region.”
In the release, the founder and president of ChinaAid, Bob Fu, said, “Religious freedom is under attack around the world. Now more than ever, we need to unite for persecuted religious minorities across the planet. Taiwan will play a vital role in this fight, and it's encouraging to see its government lead in this way.”
ChinaAid Association is an "international nonprofit Christian human rights organization committed to promoting religious freedom and the rule of law in China," according to the website.
