Across the OSCE region, many individuals and groups face restrictions on their right to freedom of religion or belief.

Problems include discrimination against individuals in the workplace and public services, defamation campaigns against minority religions or belief groups, the disruption or prohibition of worship even in private homes, censorship of religious literature, and imprisonment of those who object to military service on religious grounds.

These restrictions may be a direct result of state legislation and policies, or, in other cases, they may arise as a result of alack of protective action from state authorities, often in the face of a dominant religious majority.

An Advisory Panel of Experts on Freedom of Religion or Belief has been established to serve primarily as an advisory and consultative body that highlights issues or trends that deserve attention and suggests constructive approaches that might be undertaken by the ODIHR to advance religious freedom.

The Panel consists of eminent experts from different backgrounds and of various faiths from throughout the OSCE region. Members serve in their personal capacities as experts and do not represent any organization or confession. The ODIHR makes the Panel's expertise available to participating States and to OSCE field missions, and experts from the Panel are ready to give advice and to mediate, upon request.

The Panel has undertaken a number of activities and projects, including:

• Legislative reviews for governments, on request, to help them bring their legislation into line with international standards;
• Publishing Guidelines for Review of Legislation Pertaining to Religion or Belief, which were drafted by members of the Panel of Experts in association with the Council of Europe's Venice Commission;
• Development of new legislation intended to foster improved relations among religious groups, including in post-conflict societies;
• Promoting dialogue between governments and religious groups, as called for in OSCE commitments.