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1090th Plenary Meeting of the Forum for Security Co-operation

1090th Plenary Meeting of the Forum for Security Co-operation

1090th Plenary Meeting of the Forum for Security Co-operation

1090th Plenary Meeting of the Forum for Security Co-operation

On 18 December 2023, the OSCE Office for Democratic Institutions and Human Rights (ODIHR) hosted a consultative meeting examining State practices and the role of civil society in relation to incidents of desecration of religious texts, including Quran-burning. The consultation was held during the annual meeting of ODIHR’s Panel of Experts on Freedom of Religion or Belief, and efforts were made to bring other actors with relevant experience and perspectives to the table. Thus, the meeting brought together actors ranging from academics working on issues related to freedom of thought, conscience, religion or belief (FoRB) and on intolerance against Muslims, representatives of Muslim communities and wider civil society, representatives of intergovernmental organizations, to representatives from OSCE participating States. It also achieved both a gender and intergenerational balance. This report will discuss why the consultation was held, provide background information as to the relevant legal and policy framework, and then present the discussions that were held and recommendations arising from the discussions.

The right to monitor assemblies is part of the general human right to receive and impart information. The importance of this right is increasingly recognized; in particular, its role in ensuring the respect for and protection of freedom of peaceful assembly, as well as the transparency and accountability of law enforcement agents and other state authorities.

The Russian Federation’s ongoing aggression against Ukraine. Presentation of the 2025 Unified Budget Proposal. Increasing military involvement of certain NATO and EU member States in yet more confrontation in and around Ukraine.