At a global religious persecution forum in Edmonton, a rights advocate highlighted the plight of Falun Gong practitioners, Christians, Uyghurs in China, and other rights violations globally. China, known for being one of the worst offenders of religious rights, has carried out persecution to uphold communist ideology and maintain political control. Katherine Leung from Hong Kong Watch mentioned that the persecution in China is rooted in communist ideology, with the aim of ensuring social and political control by prioritizing Chinese leadership over religious worship.
The forum featured a panel discussion urging awareness of religious persecution worldwide, including the oppression faced by Falun Gong, Christians, and Muslims in China and Pakistan. The persecution of Falun Gong, targeted by the regime since 1999, includes practices like arbitrary detention, forced labor, and organ harvesting. Christians in China are controlled through state-sanctioned organizations that appoint clergy loyal to the Communist Party. Similarly, Muslims, particularly Uyghurs in Xinjiang, experience severe repression like mass internment, surveillance, and forced assimilation.
The forum coordinated with the assassination anniversary of Shahbaz Bhatti, the only Christian in the Pakistani Prime Minister’s Cabinet, who was killed for upholding his faith. Canadian politicians emphasized the need to restore Canada’s reputation as a global champion of religious freedom and highlighted the importance of speaking up against threats to individual liberties, both domestically and internationally. The discussion also addressed the lack of political response to church attacks and the importance of remaining vigilant against threats to religious freedom both at home and abroad.