Floriane Hohenberg, Head of ODIHR’s Tolerance and Non-Discrimination Department, addresses participants of a meeting on promoting the freedom of religion or belief as Thomas Wipf, from the European Council of Religious Leaders’ Executive Committee, listens. Warsaw, 22 November 2012. (OSCE/Shiv Sharma)
ODIHR’s work in the area of freedom of religion or belief focuses on assisting participating States, religious or belief communities, and civil society in protecting and promoting the right to freedom of religion or belief. ODIHR also works on preventing and responding to intolerance and discrimination based on religious grounds.
In 1997, ODIHR established the Advisory Panel of Experts on Freedom of Religion or Belief to serve primarily as an advisory and consultative body that (i) highlights issues that deserve attention and (ii) suggests constructive approaches that might be undertaken by ODIHR to advance religious freedom.
The Panel consists of eminent experts from different backgrounds and of various faiths who are drawn from throughout the OSCE region. Members serve in their personal capacities as experts and do not represent any organization or confession. ODIHR makes the Panel's expertise available to participating States, OSCE field operations and non-governmental organizations. The Panel is currently comprised of more than 60 members. It consists of (i) an Advisory Council of 15 experts (nominated by ODIHR), who act as a steering group, and (ii) the remaining Panel members (nominated by participating States). The Advisory Council meets at least once a year.
Members of the Panel and the Advisory Council participate regularly in ODIHR meetings and events related to freedom of religion or belief.
In the area of freedom of religion or belief, ODIHR undertakes a number of activities, including:
Organization for Security and Co-operation in Europe
