The Oslo Freedom Forum (OFF) kicked off in Taipei on Wednesday bringing together 11 international activists and human rights advocates. The half-day forum included an interactive exhibition and roundtable discussions under the theme ‘Celebrating Solidarity’.
At a press conference prior to the event, OFF Founder and Human Rights Foundation CEO Thor Halvorssen praised Taiwan saying that the nation stands at the forefront of democracy’s fight against autocracy.
He says the forum has received a warm welcome every time it is held in Taiwan. He adds that it is important for the Taiwanese people to recognize that fighting for freedom and democracy is a universal value, whether in Asia or anywhere else in the world.
Organized by the Human Rights Foundation, OFF was first held in 2009. Its first Asian forum was held in 2018 in Taiwan. This is the fourth time OFF has chosen Taiwan as the location for its Asian forum.