ANKARA, 21 June 2007 - Ambassador Omur Orhun, the Personal Representative of the OSCE Chairman on Combating Intolerance and Discrimination against Muslims, expressed today deep concern about a petition that aims to force Switzerland to hold a referendum on whether minarets should be banned in that country.

The petition opened for signatures 1 May. A referendum must be held if the organizers - politicians from the Swiss People's Party and the Federal Democratic Union - gather 100,000 valid signatures by November 2008.

Ambassador Orhun said the Swiss debate was "most unfortunate."

"I am astonished that such developments are taking place in a country like Switzerland, which has been an advocate of protection of human rights elsewhere in the world," he said.

"We need to facilitate harmony, understanding, mutual respect and dialogue by emphasizing the common values of different cultures and religions. No single culture can or should claim that universal values such as respect for human rights, democracy and rule of law are theirs alone. It is of utmost importance to uphold the inherent dignity of all human beings, including their basic human rights related to freedom of religion or belief."

Ambassador Orhun called on global leaders to ensure that public discourse refrains from hate speech and other manifestations of extremism and discrimination.

"They should also see to it that the fight against terrorism must not become a fight against Muslims or Islam," he said, adding that responsible journalism also played a role in promoting inter-religious harmony and dialogue.

"One cannot possibly achieve these objectives by initiating a blanket prohibition on building of proper prayer places. Minarets are part of mosques, as bell towers are part of churches. And all of them are humanity's common heritage," he said.