For two decades, Brownback has been intimately involved in religious freedom and human rights issues. As ambassador-at-large for international religious freedom, he reported to Secretary of State Mike Pompeo during his tenure. He convened State Department ministerial events on religious freedom in 2018 and 2019.

He co-chairs the International Religious Freedom Summit 2021 in Washington, D.C., which opened Tuesday. This uniquely bipartisan, interfaith gathering will seek to defend the religious rights of all.

Fight to Save Lives Unites Diverse Voices

The range of political and religious viewpoints uniting may jar some observers. Former Secretary Pompeo, current House Speaker Nancy Pelosi, and His Holiness the Dalai Lama are among the speakers.

"There are a lot of things we don't agree upon," said Brownback. "As somebody in political life for a long time, it's easy to find the division points. It's hard to find the unity points. Fortunately, we have one [here]. We should all be able to practice our faith peacefully and in the public square without fear of reprisal."

Current persecution grows, in extent and viciousness. Recent reports from Open Doors and the U.S. Commission on International Religious Freedom warned of genocide-level threats to believers worldwide.

Longtime advocate Brownback listed several such hot spots. "It's what we're seeing today in places like Nigeria, Burma, and India," he said. "If people's rights to practice their faith are not protected, there will be conflict."

China's Clampdown on Faith

The persecution in China is the worst, Brownback said. Echoing many observers, Brownback notes China as his greatest concern for two reasons. First, he calls the Chinese Communist Party "an equal-opportunity" persecutor. "Communism has trouble with all faiths."

Many know of the Uyghur Muslims being imprisoned in concentration camps, but the state attacks other religious believers as well. Chinese authorities are tearing down churches and jailing Christian pastors. "Falun Gong practitioners are being murdered and organs harvested. China is at war with faith, and it kind of doesn't matter which one it is."

Just as concerning is how China has become a "virtual police state" through cutting-edge technology. "Their systematic approach is what has me so concerned."

Already the world's most populous nation deploys facial recognition systems in churches and a disturbing social credit system. "They're moving now towards digital currency," said Brownback. "They literally could wipe you out financially. [The notice] would say: 'What money you have we've taken. We're not going to let you use it.'"

Not only has China implemented these systems quickly. The former ambassador warns the communist state could easily export these tools to other authoritarian regimes.

'Friends Help Each Other'

More than 70 partners have convened this privately organized three-day summit, with all major world religions represented. Persecuted believers from select nations will share their stories firsthand. Elected leaders will give updates. And advocates will urge governments to take specific actions.

Relationship building is the focus, Brownback says with a Midwest turn of phrase. "Friends solve problems, strangers don't. In 'networking,' you use each other [and] I'm opposed to that. But friends help each other."

He also notes specific policy objectives. Advocates want to end the death penalty for apostasy laws in India, and in other nations. They want to break down the Chinese internet firewall. Also, governments must commit to equal citizenship rights for people of minority faiths, he said.

Considering the decline of human rights in recent decades, their mission is critical. "Our mantra is: religious freedom for everybody, everywhere, all the time," he said. "If we can stabilize religious freedom, you'll really see human rights [thriving] again in the world."