Education, data collection and monitoring key tools in OSCE countries' fight against discrimination

BUCHAREST, 8 June 2007 - Legislation, law enforcement, research and monitoring as well as education and constructive public discourse are important tools all OSCE countries should use to combat discrimination and promote respect and understanding, participants in a high-level meeting concluded today.

A statement by the Spanish OSCE Chairmanship, entitled the "Bucharest Declaration", called on OSCE countries to find effective ways to promote mutual respect, understanding and equality.

OSCE Ambassador Carlos Sanchez de Boado of Spain read the declaration during the closing session of the two-day conference, held in Bucharest's Palace of the Parliament.

The declaration said that participants had "gathered in this Conference to sustain and strengthen efforts to foster tolerance, mutual respect and understanding, building on the 2005 (OSCE) Cordoba Conference on Anti-Semitism and other forms of Intolerance and on previous tolerance-related conferences."

It also said that OSCE participating States "reiterate their common understanding that respect for human rights and fundamental freedoms, democracy and the rule of law is at the core of the OSCE comprehensive concept of security and declare that acts stemming from intolerance and discrimination pose a threat to democracy and security in the OSCE region and beyond, and cannot be justified on any ground."

The declaration noted that all countries that are part of the OSCE have committed themselves "to ensure respect for human rights and fundamental freedoms for everyone within their territory and subject to their jurisdiction and to provide to all persons equal and effective protection of the law."

The declaration also said that cultural and religious diversity should be seen as factors enriching society. In addition, it recognized that "civil society continues to be a key partner in the fight against discrimination and intolerance", and called on OSCE countries to develop closer dialogue with civil society.