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Top-level Conference Calls for Respect of Religious Freedom in Fight Against Terrorism

Conference in progress

Vienna, Austria… Main speakers at the international conference on Freedom of Religion or Belief stressed the importance of respecting religious freedom while fighting terrorism.

“We should not use excuses to limit these freedoms,” commented Ambassador Christian Strohal, director of the Office for Democratic Institutions and Human Rights of the Organization for Security and Co-operation in Europe (OSCE), the organizers of the conference. “The threat of terrorism must not be used as an excuse to infringe on the right of individuals and groups to freely choose and manifest their religion or belief.”

Dr Gallagher with Ambassador Strohal

“The fight against terrorism and extremism cannot justify just any action,” added keynote speaker Professor Abdelfattah Amor, addressing the representatives of the 55 European and Central Asian states that make up the OSCE. “Today it seems that everything is placed under question, especially freedom of religion or belief. I am concerned that we may be currently be witnessing a return to the past, and that the progress that has been made over the past decades in ensuring the right to freedom of belief is under threat.” Amor is the United Nations Special Rapporteur on Freedom of Religion or Belief.

“We are highly concerned at recent developments in many nations that have reduced religious freedom in the name of national security,” comments Dr Jonathan Gallagher, deputy secretary general of the International Religious Liberty Association, conference participant. “The rise in religious intolerance and discrimination must be combated, for the risk of destabilization and inter-religious violence is grave when the religious beliefs of faith communities are disregarded. The imposition of the prejudices of majority faiths on religious minorities is the cause of much persecution and suffering, and we are committed to defend those who endure such mistreatment.”

The 200-plus delegate OSCE Conference in its three sessions July 17 to 18 examined limitations to religious freedom, promoting religious tolerance, and the role of media in freedom of religion or belief.

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