Speeches
- Written by: Masayoshi Kajikuri, chairman, UPF-Japan
“[Prime Minister Shinzo Abe’s] achievements as a political leader are well-established, going back to the rebuilding period of postwar Japan. In the modern era, he has greatly enhanced Japan’s standing in the international community, and in doing so, he has left a legacy of goodness and greatness that will never be forgotten.”
- Written by: Kim Jae-hyeon, vice president, YSP International
"In fact, I feel like my dream already has come true as I gaze upon this historic scene, where people of different nationalities and skin colors have come together as one for the sole reason of being youth, in order to hold discussions and help one another to achieve our common vision."
- Written by: Toru Goto, chair, Japanese Victims’ Association against Religious Kidnapping and Forced Conversion
"Detention is a crime. In no case should detention be condoned."
- Written by: Thomas McDevitt, Chairman, The Washington Times
"I think it’s a transitional moment, without a doubt. It’s a critical moment for us to unite, face the truth, and move forward courageously."
- Written by: Pastor Paula White-Cain, Senior Pastor, City of Destiny Church, USA
"I say all this because we recognize the importance of strong, solid leadership that is dedicated to protecting religious leaders and freedom and liberties."
- Written by: Norishige Kondo, director of the FFWPU-Japan Legal Affairs Office
"Since than there were a lot of cases in which people were forced to convert while in detention, and the Church rescued them by submitting a habeas corpus claim to the court."
- Written by: Hon. Newt Gingrich, Speaker, House of Representatives (1995-1999), USA
"It is the nature of a totalitarian system that it can have no rivals and therefore must destroy any alternative center of power."
- Written by: Hon. Michael Pompeo, Secretary of State (2018-2021), USA
"Nations that have totalitarianism, nations that want to be aggressors around the world, are the very same nations that are aggressive against their own people."
- Written by: Dr. Massimo Introvigne, managing director, Center for Studies on New Religions (CESNUR)
"It is a slippery slope. Intolerance may seem less severe than persecution, but—as it happens with a small ball rolling down an inclined plane—either we stop the fall at its first stage or it will be too late."
- Written by: Hon. Ján Figel, European Commission special envoy for the promotion of freedom of religion or belief outside the European Union (2016-2019)
"Peace is the fruit of justice. Justice for all. The modern understanding of justice is based on respect for fundamental human rights."
- Written by: Dr. Yun Young-ho, Director-General, UPF International
"Therefore, when we speak of religious freedom, a person can choose freely and can choose what they wish to believe and can also worship according to the dictates of their conscience."
- Written by: Mr. Tom McDevitt, chairman, The Washington Times
"But the final point is you represent a unique global community that cares about this region and this is just the tip of the iceberg, as you know."