Geneva, Switzerland -- Assyrian member of the Swedish Parliament Yusuf Aydin took part in international meetings in Geneva focused on defending religious freedom and strengthening protections for Christians facing persecution, with discussions examining cases in Nigeria, Syria and Pakistan.

The two-day program, organized by the First Step Forum, brought together politicians, experts and individuals with firsthand experience of religious persecution to discuss international cooperation, diplomatic initiatives and practical measures to uphold freedom of religion and belief.

Participants examined the challenges facing persecuted Christians and the role of governments and international institutions in protecting their fundamental rights. The discussions highlighted the need to translate international commitments to religious freedom into effective protections for communities and individuals at risk.

Among those attending were representatives connected to the legacy of Shahbaz Bhatti, Pakistan's Christian minister for minority affairs, who was assassinated in 2011 after advocating for the rights of religious minorities.

The program also included the presentation of the Shahbaz Bhatti Freedom Award to Rhoda Jatau, a Nigerian Christian mother of five who spent 19 months in prison on blasphemy charges after sharing a video condemning the 2022 killing of Deborah Yakubu, a Christian student. Jatau was subsequently acquitted.

Her case drew attention to the risks faced by individuals who speak out against religiously motivated violence and to the broader questions of freedom of expression, religious discrimination and due process.

The meetings also included a visit to the United Nations headquarters in Geneva, attended by political figures from Nordic countries. Among them were former Norwegian Prime Minister Kjell Magne Bondevik, Finnish Member of Parliament Peter Östman and former Member of the European Parliament Eija-Riitta Korhola.

Aydin's participation placed the concerns of persecuted Christian communities within a broader international discussion about religious freedom, human rights and the responsibilities of governments to protect people from discrimination and persecution on the basis of their faith.

The program concluded with an emphasis on sustained international cooperation and diplomatic engagement to safeguard freedom of religion and belief, ensuring that people can practise their faith freely, safely and with dignity.