Joint Message of OSCE CiO’s Personal Representatives on the International Day Commemorating Victims of Acts of Violence Based on Religion or Belief

VIENNA, 20 August 2021 - Throughout this past year we have witnessed acts of violence and hate-motivated attacks based on religion or belief across the OSCE region. Jews, Muslims, minority Christian communities, and others were targeted and endured physical and verbal abuse and even murder, solely because of their religious identification. Despite the strength and resilience many participating States have demonstrated in managing the COVID-19 crisis, the pandemic and its physical distancing restrictions have led to the proliferation of online intolerance. This includes racist discourse and incitement against members of religious and belief communities, anti-Semitic conspiracy theories, and hate speech against Muslims. These developments should alarm us all.

OSCE participating States are obliged to respect the freedom of thought, conscience, religion, or belief, for all without distinction to ethnicity, sex, gender, language, or religion, as part of the OSCE’s comprehensive concept of protecting and promoting peace and security. In 1990 in Copenhagen, participating States reaffirmed their commitment to this right, which includes freedom to change one´s religion or belief and freedom to manifest one´s religion or belief, either alone or in a community with others, in public or in private, through worship, teaching, practice and observance. The participating States also stated that the exercise of these rights may be subject only to such restrictions as are prescribed by law and are consistent with international standards. In Budapest in 1994, they also expressed their will to foster a climate of mutual tolerance and respect between believers of different communities as well as between believers and non-believers.

On this day of commemoration, we strongly encourage all participating States to protect the right to religion or belief of all their citizens. Acts of violence, in particular hate speech and hate crimes on grounds of religion or belief, must be swiftly and loudly condemned. Victims must be supported. Perpetrators must be held accountable and punished. States must also promote a societal climate of tolerance and strengthen inclusion and respect for diversity.

We further encourage participating States to avail themselves of all resources available to meet these commitments, including the expert advice and capacity building offered by ODIHR. As the Personal Representatives of the Chairperson-in-Office for tolerance issues, we are also ready to assist.

Rabbi Andrew Baker, Personal Representative on Combating Anti-Semitism

Ambassador Mehmet Pacaci, Personal Representative on Combating Intolerance and Discrimination against Muslims

Professor Regina Polak, Personal Representative on Combating Racism, Xenophobia and Discrimination, also focusing on Intolerance and Discrimination against Christians and Members of Other Religions