31st Parliamentary Intelligence-Security Forum – Religious Freedom

Honorable Chris Smith delivered a forceful address on global religious persecution, praising Robert Pittenger’s leadership in defending those oppressed by authoritarian regimes. He reflected on how reading Tortured for Christ by Richard Wurmbrand deeply shaped his commitment to religious freedom, recalling the suffering of Christians under Nicolae Ceaușescu and communist repression. Smith highlighted the impact of the International Religious Freedom Act and credited Frank Wolf for advancing landmark protections despite opposition.

He warned that religious persecution is worsening globally, citing reports from Open Doors estimating 380 million Christians face high levels of persecution. Smith strongly criticized violence against Christians in Nigeria, referencing Boko Haram and other extremist groups, and urged stronger U.S. sanctions, including reinstating Nigeria as a Country of Particular Concern under President Trump. He also condemned abuses by the Chinese Communist Party, particularly forced organ harvesting targeting Uyghurs, Falun Gong practitioners, Christians, and others, calling for legislation to criminalize the supply chain and sanction perpetrators. Concluding, he urged continued global vigilance and action to defend religious freedom and confront authoritarian repression worldwide.