Intolerance faced by migrants, refugees at the centre of OSCE/ODIHR fact-finding workshop in Warsaw

Hate incidents targeting migrants, refugees and asylum-seekers were at the centre of a fact-finding workshop organized by the OSCE Office for Democratic Institutions and Human Rights (ODIHR) in Warsaw on 11 December 2015.

Civil society representatives from seven OSCE participating States discussed the impact of the migration and refugee crisis on the relations between local communities and migrants, refugees and asylum-seekers. They also shared experience from their respective regions and potential good practices for dealing with the issue.

"This is a unique opportunity for us to gain insight into and knowledge of the situation in different countries and how communities are directly affected," said Azra Junuzovic, Deputy Head of ODIHR Tolerance and non-Discrimination Department. "Civil society’s contribution to this humanitarian effort cannot be underestimated and, drawing from their experiences, it is obvious that more still needs to be done to ensure that migrants, refugees and asylum-seekers are protected from all forms of intolerance."

Junuzovic also added that the critical situation in a number of countries makes countering discrimination and intolerance even more imperative.

Following ODIHR’s mandate to assist participating States in achieving their commitments on tolerance and non-discrimination, this workshop devoted particular attention to incidents of intolerance and discrimination biased by racist, xenophobic or anti-Muslim motives.

The fact-finding workshop is part of ODIHR’s ongoing contribution in responding to the current migration and refugee crisis.