OSCE religion conference opens with call for respect of religious freedom in fight against terrorism
(OSCE/Ayhan Evrensel)ODIHR Director Christian Strohal (right) and the UN Special Rapporteur on Freedom of Religion or Belief, Abdelfatah Amor, at a press conference in Vienna, 17 July 2003. (OSCE/Ayhan Evrensel) Photo details
VIENNA, 17 July 2003 - A two-day OSCE meeting on freedom of religion or belief opened today with a strong call on states to respect religious freedom in their fight against terrorism.
"The threat of terrorism must not be used as an excuse to infringe on the right of individuals and groups to freely choose and manifest their religion or belief. At this meeting we will look very closely at how OSCE states are implementing their commitments", said Ambassador Christian Strohal, the Director of the OSCE's Office for Democratic Institutions and Human Rights (ODIHR), which organized the meeting together with the Dutch Chairmanship of the OSCE.
"I am concerned that we may currently be witnessing a return to the past, and that the progress that has been made over the past decades in ensuring the right to freedom of religion is under threat", said Prof. Abdelfatah Amor, UN Special Rapporteur on Freedom of Religion or Belief and keynote speaker at the opening, referring to what he called "emotional reactions" to the threat of terrorism that often " have swept reason away".
"Terrorism and extremism have to be combated, but this fight must not justify just any action", he added.
In three working groups, the meeting will examine permissible limitations to freedom of religion, promoting tolerance, as well as the role of the media. The sessions will result in concrete recommendations on what OSCE states and international organizations can do to more effectively protect their citizens' right to freedom of religion.
"The threat of terrorism must not be used as an excuse to infringe on the right of individuals and groups to freely choose and manifest their religion or belief. At this meeting we will look very closely at how OSCE states are implementing their commitments", said Ambassador Christian Strohal, the Director of the OSCE's Office for Democratic Institutions and Human Rights (ODIHR), which organized the meeting together with the Dutch Chairmanship of the OSCE.
"I am concerned that we may currently be witnessing a return to the past, and that the progress that has been made over the past decades in ensuring the right to freedom of religion is under threat", said Prof. Abdelfatah Amor, UN Special Rapporteur on Freedom of Religion or Belief and keynote speaker at the opening, referring to what he called "emotional reactions" to the threat of terrorism that often " have swept reason away".
"Terrorism and extremism have to be combated, but this fight must not justify just any action", he added.
In three working groups, the meeting will examine permissible limitations to freedom of religion, promoting tolerance, as well as the role of the media. The sessions will result in concrete recommendations on what OSCE states and international organizations can do to more effectively protect their citizens' right to freedom of religion.