游院長今(7)日上午9時30分在本院謝衣鳯委員、邱顯智委員及林志嘉秘書長陪同下，以共同主席身分出席由台灣基督長老教會、對華援助協會(ChinaAid)和國際宗教自由峰會秘書處(Secretariat of IRF Summit)假台北圓山大飯店聯合舉辦之「台灣國際宗教自由峰會」(TIRF)開幕式活動。我國賴清德副總統、日本宮澤博行眾議員、英國露絲·瓊斯(Ruth Jones)下議員、國家人權委員會蔡崇義副主委、台灣民主基金會黃玉霖執行長及各國國會議員、支持宗教自由行動主義人士和來自世界各地的被迫害倖存者等逾150人出席此盛會。
Accompanied by Legislators Hsieh Yi-fong and Chiu Hsien-chih as well as Legislative Yuan Secretary General Lin Jih-jia, Legislative Yuan President YOU Si-kun attended the opening ceremony of the Taiwan International Religious Freedom Summit (TIRF) co-organized by the Taiwan Presbyterian Church (TPC), ChinaAid, and the Secretariat of the IRF Summit at the Grand Hotel at 9 a.m. on September 7. More than 150 people were in attendance, including Republic of China (Taiwan) Vice President Lai Ching-te, Japanese Representative Miyazawa Hiroyuki; UK MP Ruth Jones, National Human Rights Commission Deputy Commissioner Tsai Chung-yi, Taiwan Foundation for Democracy President Huang Yu-lin, parliamentarians from all over the world, advocates of religious freedom, and victims of religious persecution.
游院長首先表示，很榮幸能夠與國際宗教自由高峰會布朗巴克大使及史威特主席一起擔任此次峰會共同主席，與各位貴賓一起討論全球各地宗教自由狀況及其困難，對捍衛國際宗教信仰自由具有重大意義。今天也非常高興，能以台灣國際宗教自由峰會共同主席及台灣國會議長的身分，代表台灣歡迎所有遠道而來支持宗教和信仰自由的各位貴賓。他也特別感謝台灣基督長老教會及對華援助協會勇於承擔與全力推動，讓今天的活動順利舉行。
President YOU started by expressing how honored he was to attend the TIRF Summit with IRF Summit Co-chair Ambassador Sam Brownback and Co-chair Katrina Swett to discuss global religious freedom’s prospects and challenges. This summit was important for the work of defending international religious freedom, he continued. As TIRF Summit Co-chair and the President of the Legislative Yuan, President YOU stressed how pleased he was to meet all the distinguished guests who had traveled to Taiwan to support religious freedom. He gave special thanks to the Taiwan Presbyterian Church and ChinaAid for making the event possible.
游院長強調，台灣與世界上許多新興的民主國家一樣，過去百年來經歷過血淚斑斑的殖民統治與威權壓迫，但是台灣先賢努力推進經濟繁榮的同時，也積極追求自由與民主。在前仆後繼、不屈不饒的努力下，台灣成功落實了國會定期改選、總統直選，並完成三度政黨輪替，蛻變成為一個成熟的民主國家，被譽為亞洲的民主燈塔。台灣的努力和成就彰顯了民主制度在華文圈也確實可行，打破新加坡前總理李光耀過去所說：「人權和民主是西方的舶來品，不適合亞洲國家」的迷思。
President YOU stressed that Taiwan, like many other new democratic countries, had experienced colonial rule and authoritarian repression over the past century. But even as people in the past worked for economic prosperity, they also pursued freedom and democracy. Thanks to their unceasing efforts and perseverance, Taiwan had transformed into a full-fledged democracy with regular legislative and presidential elections and three alternations of political party in power. Taiwan has been acclaimed as the beacon of democracy in Asia. Taiwan’s efforts and achievements have shown that democracy can indeed flourish in Chinese-speaking regions. Taiwan’s achievements have given the lie to the claim by former Prime Minister of Singapore Lee Kuan Yew that human rights and democracy are Western imports unsuitable for Asian nations.
游院長復表示，在民主制度的開展下，台灣也積極保障宗教的自由並蓬勃發展。早在2014年美國皮尤研究中心（Pew Research Center）提出的報告中，台灣的宗教多樣性指數（Religion Diversity Index）在全球232個國家與地區中高居第2位，另依據美國人權組織「自由之家」（Freedom House) 公布的2023年全球自由指數，台灣在210個國家與地區中，排名第17名，蟬聯亞洲第2，僅次於日本。宗教自由方面更是拿下4分的滿分。這些國際評比，充分證明了台灣在全體人民數十年努力下，已經蛻變成為一個擁抱自由、追求民主、捍衛人權、尊重法治的國家。
President YOU further said that along with its democratic development, Taiwan has protected religious freedom and cultivated the growth of faiths. A 2014 report by the Pew Research Center ranked Taiwan second among 232 nations and areas in its Religious Diversity Index. According to the latest Freedom in the World report by Freedom House, Taiwan was 17th among 210 countries and regions and second in Asia for the second consecutive year. For religious freedom, Taiwan had the perfect score of 4. These international rankings show that Taiwan has become a free and democratic country that defends human rights and abides by the rule of law thanks to the collective efforts of the people of Taiwan over many decades.
游院長亦闡述台灣的民主發展歷程，台灣今日擁有傲人的民主成就和自由生活模式，但這一切並非理所當然或一蹴可幾的。在過去，台灣也曾經歷過長達38年的戒嚴與威權統治，在宗教結社自由上受到很大的箝制與壓迫，例如1950年代查禁一貫道事件、1980年代新約教會錫安山信徒被驅逐事件。儘管環境如此艱辛，宗教團體仍然選擇與民主人士合作，為自由、人權奮鬥不懈，終於在1986年衝破黨禁、1987年解除戒嚴後獲得自由。他認為，正是因為台灣有過這段奮鬥史，更能夠感同身受那些在威權體制下信仰受到壓迫的各國人民處境，也更重視打造一個充滿包容、尊重多元文化的社會。現今的台灣，宗教自由是受到憲法保障的人民基本權利，政府充分尊重不同的信仰與文化。我可以驕傲地說，在這塊寶島上，清真寺的隔壁可以是教堂，教堂的隔壁可以是寺廟，大家彼此尊重，和諧相處，一起為更好的台灣許願與祈福。
Speaking to Taiwan’s democratic development, President You said that the nation’s achievements and freedom did not happen oversight and should not be taken for granted. Taiwan experienced 38 years of martial law and authoritarian rule. People faced religious persecution and repression and their right to assemble freely was curtailed. This was seen in the I-Kuan Tao Incident in the 1950s and the expulsion of Mount Zion believers in the 1980s. Despite these hardships, religious groups worked with democracy advocates to fight for freedom and human rights. Finally, the ban on political parties were broken in 1986 and martial law was lifted in 1987. Because of this history, Taiwan was empathetic with those being persecuted by authoritarian regimes, and Taiwan attaches great importance to creating a society of inclusiveness and respect for diversified cultures. In today’s Taiwan, religious freedom is a basic human right protected under the nation’s constitution. The government fully respect different beliefs and cultures. He was proud to say that on this island, mosques, churches, and temples can be next to each other. Adherents respect each other and coexist peacefully to pray for a better Taiwan.
最後，游院長再次感謝來自海外的國會議員、政府官員、學者專家、宗教團體代表等超過150名貴賓，踴躍出席此次的台灣國際宗教自由峰會，他祝福各位參與者都能夠深度交流、滿載而歸。他最後表示，此次會議場地，就是當年民進黨1986年9月28日宣布組黨的場地，而他就是當時的大會主席。在組黨後，當年的蔣經國總統即於10月7日接受採訪，表示隔年就會解除戒嚴。所以當年參與組黨的132人，即是民主解嚴的推手。他並表示很高興能在這次峰會與許多老朋友見面，也希望大家共同為自由民主的普世價值來努力。
President YOU concluded by thanking once again all 150 distinguished guests, including parliamentarians, government officials, scholars, experts, and religious group representative for their participation. He hoped to see in-depth discussions happen at the summit. In closing, he spoke a little about the venue, which was the birthplace of the Democratic Progressive Party (DPP), founded on September 28, 1986. He had been presiding chair of the meeting that day. After the founding of the DPP, President Chiang Ching-kuo stated during an interview on October 7 that martial law would be lifted the following year. Therefore, the 132 founding members of the party served as facilitators of the end of martial law. He then expressed his delight at meeting old friends again, saying he hoped to work with them to fight for the universal values of freedom and democracy.
共同主席國際宗教自由高峰會布朗巴克大使致詞時表示，今年年初游院長受邀至美國際宗教自由峰會發表演說，內容精彩，廣獲迴響，很感謝游院長隨即在台灣又主辦了此次峰會，再加上今日賴清德副總統亦撥冗出席此次盛會，讓他再次感受到台灣是世界上支持宗教自由的重要力量。今天與會的議員及宗教自由倡議者會來到台灣，就是因為他們知道台灣會跟他們並肩站在一起，追求相同的目標，而這是區域內許多國家所做不到的，因此大家都樂意與會，以具體行動共同支持台灣。他認為現在正是屬於台灣的時刻，因為台灣是民主的燈塔。世界上有許多人僅僅是因為他們的宗教信仰就被消失、遭迫害，依據《聯合國憲章》宗教自由是人類的基本權利之一，因此政府的責任為保障人民的權利，故此時確實是屬於台灣的時刻，自由民主台灣能夠作為印太區域的典範。
In his remarks, IRF Summit Co-chair Brownback stated that President YOU had delivered the keynote speech at the US International Religious Freedom Summit in early 2023 and received warm feedback. He wanted to thank President You for hosting this summit in Taiwan so soon after the previous summit. The presence of Vice President Lai made him more certain that Taiwan is an important partner supporting religious freedom. Parliamentarians and religious freedom advocates were in Taiwan, he said, because they knew that Taiwan would stand with them, which cannot be said of every country in the region. Therefore, everyone was delighted to be present to support Taiwan through concrete action. He believed that this was Taiwan’s moment because Taiwan is a beacon of democracy. Many people have been persecuted and even killed for their faith. But in accordance with the UN Charter, religious freedom is one of the basic human rights. It is the responsibility of governments to protect the rights of citizens. This was, then, indeed Taiwan’s moment, as a free and democratic Taiwan can be a role model for the Indo-Pacific region.
另一位共同主席國際宗教自由高峰會史威特主席表示，感謝游院長的獨到見解與分享，讓大家更加了解台灣解嚴的過往，那是台灣民主及人權史上相當重要的時刻。伊先前與游院長在美國華府國際宗教自由峰會中交流時，獲知台灣爭取民主自由的奮鬥史，那是一段台灣人民勇於爭取人權與認同的艱苦歷程，因此她完全同意布朗巴克大使的發言，此時正是台灣發光的時刻。此次來台舉辦國際宗教自由峰會，更象徵了在場的人士都同意台灣正站在對抗威權擴張主義的最前線，中國目前就是全球宗教自由意識的最大威脅，因為它不僅恣意迫害少數民族及箝制人民宗教信仰，更變本加厲踐踏自由、民主等普世價值，將自身塑造為攻擊基本人權的負面教材。所有珍惜自由民主之士都已意識到中國的存在所造成的危害，因此他們特別感謝台灣人民站在捍衛此權利的最前線。最後她表示，曾聽聞東方有一個傳說，有一條紅線，能夠跨越地理及文化限制，將有緣份的人連結一起，而今天正是這條紅線，將所有理念相近關心宗教自由的全球夥伴牽在一起。
IRF Summit Co-chair Swett thanked President YOU for his insights that can further enhance understanding of Taiwan’s history under martial law, which was a very important time for Taiwan in developing democracy and human rights. She learned about Taiwan’s fight for democracy and freedom when she met President You at the IRF Summit in Washington, DC. She knew it had been difficult for the people of Taiwan to fight for human rights and their own identity. She then concurred with Ambassador Brownback’s statement that this was Taiwan’s moment to shine. The TIRF Summit symbolizes that Taiwan stands on the front line in fighting against authoritarian expansionism. China, she said, is the greatest threat to global religious freedom, as it persecutes minorities and cracks down on religious belief. It tramples the universal values of freedom and democracy and attacks basic human rights. All who value freedom and democracy are aware of the China threat. Therefore, participants stand together in thanking the people of Taiwan for defending these rights. She concluded by sharing a story about a thread that cuts across geographic and cultural boundaries to connect all people, saying that it was this thread that connected all global partners concerned with religious freedom.
隨後，日本宮澤博行眾議員、英國瓊斯(Ruth Jones)下議員、台灣基督長老教會陳信良總幹事及對華援助協會(ChinaAid)傅希秋牧師分別應邀上台致詞，峰會在友好熱絡的氣氛下圓滿完成開幕儀式，接下來將展開為期兩天的分組論壇。
Japanese Representative Miyazawa, UK MP Jones, TPC Secretary General Reverend Chen Hsin-liang, and ChinaAid Founder and President Pastor Bob Fu also delivered remarks. The opening ceremony concluded as a great success followed by a two-day meeting.
