OSCE Conference on freedom of belief calls for tolerance
Participants at the conference emphasized that the ability to express one's religious beliefs freely was a fundamental human right. (Kathleen Samuel/OSCE) Photo details
BISHKEK, 18 February 2002 - An OSCE conference on freedom of belief and expression in Central Asia has stressed the need for greater tolerance, and called for respect for human rights in the campaign against terrorism.
"One of the main areas of consensus during the two-day event was the need for greater dialogue between authorities and religions in the region, and the necessity of inter-faith tolerance to maintain stability", said Kathleen Samuel, Political/Human Dimension Officer of the OSCE Field Office in Osh, the main conference organizer.
The conference, held on 15 and 16 February, brought together leaders of religious groups, representatives of governmental authorities and NGOs, diplomats and academics from Central Asian and other OSCE participating States in Jalal-Abad, southern Kyrgyzstan.
Acknowledging the importance of the struggle against terrorism, including violence motivated by religion, the participants at the conference emphasized that the ability to express one's religious beliefs freely was a fundamental human right and a cornerstone of democratic society, and, therefore, a prerequisite for lasting stability. Participants also reaffirmed international commitments on the issue.
"This conference presented a valuable opportunity for a candid exchange of opinions between governments and civil society. Although they often disagreed it was important that they were able to express their viewpoints to each other," said Jeremy Gunn, member of the OSCE ODIHR Advisory Panel on Freedom of Religion or Belief.
The OSCE Centre in Bishkek, the OSCE Office for Democratic Institutions and Human Rights, the Friedrich Ebert Stiftung and the State Committee for Religious Affairs in Kyrgyzstan organized the conference, with financial support from the UK Foreign Office.
"One of the main areas of consensus during the two-day event was the need for greater dialogue between authorities and religions in the region, and the necessity of inter-faith tolerance to maintain stability", said Kathleen Samuel, Political/Human Dimension Officer of the OSCE Field Office in Osh, the main conference organizer.
The conference, held on 15 and 16 February, brought together leaders of religious groups, representatives of governmental authorities and NGOs, diplomats and academics from Central Asian and other OSCE participating States in Jalal-Abad, southern Kyrgyzstan.
Acknowledging the importance of the struggle against terrorism, including violence motivated by religion, the participants at the conference emphasized that the ability to express one's religious beliefs freely was a fundamental human right and a cornerstone of democratic society, and, therefore, a prerequisite for lasting stability. Participants also reaffirmed international commitments on the issue.
"This conference presented a valuable opportunity for a candid exchange of opinions between governments and civil society. Although they often disagreed it was important that they were able to express their viewpoints to each other," said Jeremy Gunn, member of the OSCE ODIHR Advisory Panel on Freedom of Religion or Belief.
The OSCE Centre in Bishkek, the OSCE Office for Democratic Institutions and Human Rights, the Friedrich Ebert Stiftung and the State Committee for Religious Affairs in Kyrgyzstan organized the conference, with financial support from the UK Foreign Office.