OSCE experts travel to Skopje to assist in drafting new law on religious communities and groups

SKOPJE, 9 February 2006 - Government officials in Skopje have welcomed OSCE's assistance in drafting a new law on religious communities and groups. Two members of the expert panel on freedom of religion or belief, an advisory body to the OSCE Office for Democratic Institutions and Human Rights, arrive in Skopje today for consultations with local experts.

The OSCE Mission to Skopje together with ODIHR provides expert assistance for the National Commission for Relation with Religious Communities and Groups in developing new legislation intended to regulate relations among religious communities and groups.

"This cooperation is an essential element in developing the national legislation on religious issues and will help the country to bring its legislation in line with international standards," said Jovdat Mammedov, the Field and Analysis Coordinator of the Rule of Law Department within the OSCE Mission to Skopje.

Cane Mojanoski, the President of the Commission for Relation with Religious Communities and Groups said: "We welcome the opportunity to receive direct OSCE expert assistance in drafting this important law to ensure that the final version is fully in accordance with the international standards and best practices."

As a step in promoting dialogue between the government and religious groups, members of the country's Inter-religious Council, representing five different religious communities, will participate in the review of the draft law with Commission members and the ODIHR experts.