Religion must not be used to justify violence, say OSCE Chairmanship Representatives to Central Asian Youth Network seminar in Kazakhstan

ALMATY, Kazakhstan, 5 September 2013 – Personal Representatives of the OSCE Ukrainian Chairmanship on Tolerance and Non-discrimination addressed participants of the OSCE-supported Central Asian Youth Network (CAYN) seminar that concludes today in Almaty.

Ambassador Tetiana Izhevska, Personal Representative of the OSCE Chair-in Office on Combating Racism, Xenophobia and Discrimination, and Ambassador Adil Akhmetov, Personal Representative of the OSCE Chair-in-Office on Combating Intolerance and Discrimination against Muslims, led group discussions on promoting tolerance and preventing violent extremism and radicalization that lead to terrorism. They also moderated group discussions featuring other international experts and helped students develop ideas on engaging young people on these issues.

“Religion should not be used as a justification for violence,” said  Ambassador Izhevska in her address to the seminar participants, “It should be an instrument for ensuring peace and understanding, and young people should be the messengers of peace.”

Ambassador Akhmetov stressed the importance of mutual understanding: “In the words of Pope John Paul II, I would like to say that we should not be surprised by the differences that exist between cultures and civilizations, but we should promote the common values that exist between us.”

The OSCE Centre in Astana also facilitated a visit to Al-Farabi Kazakh National University, where Ambassador Izhevska, along with Ambassador Natalya Zarudna, Head of Centre in Astana, spoke to  students on tolerance education. Izhevska also discussed the current situation with respecting freedom of religion and belief in Kazakhstan with representatives of non-governmental organizations, academic institutions, and religious communities.