Office for Democratic Institutions and Human Rights

Legislation pertaining to freedom of religion or belief

The ODIHR's 57-member Panel of Experts on Freedom of Religion or Belief, which serves as an advisory and consultative body to OSCE states in their efforts to advance religious freedom, provides legislative assistance to individual states and also comments on specific cases.

Using the newly developed Guidelines for Review of Legislation Pertaining to Religion or Belief as a basis, the Panel responded to requests for legislative reviews from five participating States in 2005. The ODIHR has also translated the guidelines into Russian in order to facilitate their increased use throughout the OSCE region.

The Panel's activities have also had another important, though indirect, effect on the legislative process in some countries. By including non-governmental organizations and faith communities in roundtables with Panel experts, these same groups have found themselves increasingly engaged in the process of legislative development.