Organizers said the first half of the summit addressed victims of domestic repression, including prisoners of conscience detained over religious beliefs. The latter sessions examined the situation of refugees, asylum seekers and internally displaced communities.
Speakers included activists and delegates from China, Egypt, Pakistan, India, Thailand, Colombia and the Uyghur community, alongside a Vietnamese delegation. Participants included California State Assemblymember Derek Tran and Mervyn Thomas, founding chairman of Christian Solidarity Worldwide and chair of the U.K. Forum on Freedom of Religion or Belief.
The program also referenced Vietnamese human rights activist Y Quynh Bdap, who advocates say was transferred from Thailand in November 2025 and is currently imprisoned in Vietnam.
Discussions focused on practical strategies to protect victims of religious harassment and to strengthen cooperation across faith communities. Panels examined how local, national and regional alliances can support religious freedom efforts. Countries referenced in case discussions included Vietnam, Kenya, Lebanon and Israel, as well as the Assyrian community.
Nazila Ghanea, the U.N. special rapporteur on freedom of religion or belief, spoke alongside U.S. Commission on International Religious Freedom (USCIRF) Chair Vicky Hartzler and Commissioner Asif Mahmood. Dr. Nguyen Dinh Thang moderated a panel dedicated to action-oriented advocacy.
Organizers said they increased security this year over concerns about potential harassment of attendees linked to Vietnam’s communist government. They added that no incidents were reported.
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