21St Parliamentary Intelligence-Security Forum – Religious Freedom

Sean Woo expressed gratitude to the participants and acknowledged that while it was his inaugural parliamentary security forum, he felt a profound connection after listening to the discussions on security, human trafficking, drugs, and human rights. Drawing upon his experience with the U.S. Helsinki Commission and as Executive Director of the U.S. National Committee for Religious Freedom, he underscored the significance of safeguarding religious freedom through collaboration with the United States Congress and other partners. He cautioned that assaults on religious expression, such as antisemitism or repression in regions like Crimea following Russia’s annexation, often serve as indicators of broader human rights violations. Woo implored leaders to refrain from remaining indifferent in the face of injustice, emphasizing that upholding human dignity, justice, and religious liberty is paramount for constructing safer and more equitable societies, a principle also enshrined in the constitution of Guatemala.