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“People who choose not to believe, that’s a valid religious and democratic perspective that we all must also accept and promote. We’re not trying to oppose, we’re trying to respect people’s own religions, their own faith choices, or non-faith choices, and not impose those choices on others. Just as it is important that religion be respected in a pluralistic and democratic society by those who don’t share religion, it is likewise expected in a very religious society that those who don’t share faith will be respected.”

He cited as examples of persecuted religious minorities: Christians and Bahais in Iran, Shia Muslim pilgrims in Iraq, Coptic Christians in Egypt, Christians in Nigeria, Uighur Muslims in China, and others.

“The list, appallingly, goes on. In the face of these injustices and atrocities, Canada will not be silent. Indeed, Canada has not been silent,” he said, mentioning diplomatic efforts at the G8 and La Francophonie, and also Canada’s offer of safe haven to 20,000 Iraqis, many of them Chaldean Catholics, “driven from their ancient homeland under the threat of death.”

“But we are compelled to do more by the sheer number and gravity of the offences against this fundamental right around the world and the assault it implies on democracy itself,” he said. “The cause is just. The need is urgent. And our responsibility is clear.”

Citing former prime minister John Diefenbaker — who, in proposing his Bill of Rights, famously said, “The hallmark of freedom is a recognition of the sacred personality of man.” — Mr. Harper said the freedom to worship according to conscience “is at the root of our personalities and, therefore, at the root of all of our liberties.”

“There is a crucial and historical link between respect for religious pluralism and the development of democracy itself,” he said.

Dr. Bennett gave only brief remarks to a scrum of reporters.

“I’m looking forward to working with my colleagues in the foreign service and the department of foreign affairs that are doing this every day,” he said. “They’re out, in our missions, talking about religious freedom in those countries where there is this challenge posed to people seeking to practise their faith, to live their faith.”

National Post