Tsai vows to work with like-minded partners in advancing religious freedom

2019/03/13

President Tsai Ing-wen said March 11 that Taiwan is committed to working with like-minded partners on safeguarding freedom of religion and ending intolerance and persecution.
 
 Religious freedom is under threat around the world amid growing suppression of democracy and human rights, Tsai said. In the face of this challenge, Taiwan stands with those who suffer oppression at the hands of authoritarian regimes, she added.
 
 According to the president, freedom of religion is central to Taiwan’s democratic way of life. As a melting pot of people, cultures and faiths, the nation is evidence that diversity and mutual acceptance bind and strengthen societies, she said.
 
 Tsai made the remarks at the opening of the Regional Religious Freedom Forum: A Civil Society Dialogue on Securing Religious Freedom in the Indo-Pacific Region in Taipei City.
 
 Organized by Taiwan Foundation for Democracy, the two-day event is the first of its kind in the region and features academics, experts and officials from more than 10 countries, including U.S. Ambassador-at-Large for International Religious Freedom Sam Brownback.
 
 The forum is seen as playing a key role in advancing religious freedom while promoting democracy and human rights in the Indo-Pacific. It was inspired by the inaugural Ministerial to Advance Religious Freedom hosted by U.S. Secretary of State Mike Pompeo last July in Washington, the Ministry of Foreign Affairs said.
 
 According to Tsai, history has shown that when people live free from fear, countries enjoy peace, stability and prosperity. “Whatever your religion, whatever your tradition, whatever your identity, we are gathered here today and called to bring religious freedom to the oppressed, hope where there is despair and light where there is darkness.”
 
The president also highlighted the increasing number of Muslim, Catholic and Hindu residents who have immigrated to the country over the past several years. They have enriched the nation with their culture, food and religions and demonstrated that anyone can contribute a chapter to the story of Taiwan, she said.
 
 Later the same day, Tsai received Brownback at the Presidential Office in Taipei.  She expressed gratitude to the former U.S. senator and governor of Kansas for delivering the keynote at the forum, adding that the event underscores the strength of Taiwan-U.S. ties.
 
 As the two sides celebrate the 40th anniversary of the Taiwan Relations Act, this robust partnership continues to deepen thanks to the support of friends such as Brownback, Tsai said. Going forward, it is hoped that Taiwan and the U.S. can continue to expand multifaceted cooperation and promote shared values like democracy and freedom of religion throughout the region, she added.

Source: Taiwan Today (https://taiwantoday.tw/index.php)