Protecting the right to freedom of thought, conscience, religion, or belief preserves every individual’s inherent dignity. It also helps build more tolerant and inclusive societies, reducing tensions and enabling our diverse communities to coexist. The OSCE Office for Democratic Institutions and Human Rights (ODIHR) issued a statement today on the International Day Commemorating the Victims of Acts of Violence Based on Religion or Belief, emphasising that freedom of religion is a crucial issue for our societies.
“Freedom of religion or belief is at the heart of our democracies and our sense of identity,” said ODIHR Director Matteo Mecacci. “Safeguarding this right increases mutual understanding and respect, helping to increase the resilience of our societies to polarisation, and act as a barrier against violence and hatred.”
The right to freedom of thought, conscience, religion, or belief protects individuals’ rights to have, adopt, change, or leave a religion or belief. OSCE states are committed to preventing intolerance, violence, and discrimination based on religion or belief. OSCE places significant emphasis on fostering mutual tolerance and respect between believers of different communities and promoting interfaith dialogue. States act as guarantors of this right, which should be respected in all circumstances. This freedom reflects the understanding that diversity of religion or belief exists in every society, and respecting our differences is crucial for peaceful coexistence.
