TAIPEI (TVBS News) — The 2022 Oslo Freedom Forum unfolded in Taipei on Thursday (Nov. 3), the first in-person conference in 3 years since the beginning of the pandemic. With this year’s theme being “Champions of Change,” Oslo Freedom Forum invited several high-profile activists and advocates for human rights worldwide to share with others the importance of freedom, democracy, and individual rights.
In particular, Hong Kong activist Nathan Law talked with TVBS about his journey to support democracy, his new life in the UK, and his take on cross-strait tensions following China’s 20th National Congress. Law detailed his fight for Hong Kong during the 2019 anti-government protests and his subsequent self-exile following the passing of the National Security Law in his homeland.
After moving to the UK, Law continued his efforts to raise awareness of the plight of Hong Kong people and pointed out China’s continuous attacks and threats toward democracy. He also reiterated the slogan “Today Hong Kong, Tomorrow Taiwan,” saying that it was merely a warning at the time. But as the world saw Russia’s invasion of Ukraine and China’s continued aggression, Law emphasized Taiwan’s need to recognize the situation’s urgency and fight for their democracy.
The conversation with Nathan Law and the many talks held with activists further shows the importance of speaking up against authoritarian regimes in events like the Oslo Freedom Forum, especially in Taiwan, as it gradually steps into the light as a beacon of democracy to Asia and the world.