The consultation, hosted by the OSCE’s Office for Democratic Institutions and Human Rights (ODIHR), was a meeting to discuss the challenges, opportunities, and needs of religious or belief communities beyond Christians, Jews and Muslims. The three named faith communities were involved in prior consultations. This event featured a number of organizations, including the Baha’i International Community, Dharma Alliance, and the Hindu Forum of Europe, among others. The event took place under Chatham House Rules, meaning that participants are free to share what was spoke about in the meeting, but not to attribute comments to any speaker.
Leon Langdon, Humanist International’s Senior Advocacy Officer, addressing the consultation
Discussed were the numerous challenges facing all religious and belief organizations present, including those posed by other religious and belief groups, as well as government. This sought to outline the similarities and differences in the experiences of different minority groups, in both the type and magnitude of threats faced. Conversation then moved to what governments, international organizations, and civil society actors could do to work through these challenges.
The event, which took place at ODIHR’s offices in Warsaw, was opened with remarks from Ms. Maria Telalian, Director of ODIHR. OSCE representatives, including those working on freedom of religion or belief and tolerance and non-discrimination spoke of their hopes that this event would be the beginning of consultation with participants on a range of issues.
The OSCE is a group of 57 participating states, which is focused on regional security, but looks at intersecting issues through offices like ODIHR. Most members are in continental Europe, but the membership extends to North America, including the United States and Canada, and to Asia, including the Russian Federation and the Central Asian republics of Turkmenistan, Kazakhstan, and Kyrgyzstan. Its partners for cooperation extend to Oceania, East Asia, and Africa.
Photo courtesy of Bizon Photography. Featured Photo by Iwona Castiello d’Antonio on Unsplash
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