WARSAW, August 22, 2023 – Interreligious and interfaith dialogue is essential to promote the right to freedom of religion or belief and combat religious intolerance and violence, not only against people but also against homes, property , schools, religious sites or places of worship. » declared the OSCE Office for Democratic Institutions and Human Rights (ODIHR) on the occasion of the International Day of Remembrance of Victims of Acts of Religion-Based Violence.
“Dialogue can be difficult, but it is no less vital,” said Matteo Mecacci, director of the ODIHR. “This provides an opportunity for different religious or belief communities to engage in frank but respectful conversation. This allows members of diverse communities to better understand each other’s beliefs, practices and values, thereby promoting mutual tolerance and respect and combating stereotypes and prejudices that can lead to intolerance and even violence.
Hatred against people belonging to particular religious or belief communities rarely occurs in isolation, but often goes hand in hand with other manifestations of intolerance. Violence and discrimination not only harm affected individuals and communities, but can also jeopardize security across the OSCE region, with tensions between religious or belief communities potentially escalating into more serious conflicts. wide.
Through regular exchange and cooperation, religious and belief communities can contribute to the advancement of freedom of religion or belief and strengthen the foundations for peaceful coexistence. This may include working towards effective anti-discrimination policies and legislation regulating the status of religious or belief communities in accordance with international human rights standards, while promoting the right to practice religion or belief. a conviction without fear of violence.
Working towards security and stability in the OSCE region through the promotion of the right to freedom of religion or belief is an important aspect of the work of the ODIHR, and the Office’s work in this area is supported by its Expert Group, specialists from very varied backgrounds and areas of expertise. Later this year, the ODIHR will publish a practical toolkit dedicated to interfaith and interfaith dialogue and partnerships as a way to foster dialogue and understanding between different religions and belief communities.
All OSCE participating States have engaged “recognize and respect the freedom of the individual to profess and practice, alone or in community with others, a religion or belief acting in accordance with the dictates of his or her own conscience.” Freedom of religion or belief is a fundamental human right that gives every individual the right to have, not to have, to adopt, change or abandon a religion or belief. Its essence lies in the understanding that every society is diverse and that respecting our differences is the only way for us to live together in peace.
