OSCE Office supports study on religious tolerance in Armenia

YEREVAN, 14 April 2010 - An OSCE-supported study on religious tolerance in Armenia was presented at a discussion forum in Yerevan today.

Representatives of state bodies, the Ombudsman institution, religious and national minority communities and non-governmental organizations discussed the study, the state of religious tolerance and freedom of religion or belief in Armenia and the challenges to be addressed. The event also focused on legislation and practice in the area of freedom of religion or belief and proposed legislative changes in this sphere.

The study on "Religious Tolerance in Armenia" was conducted in 2009 by the Collaboration for Democracy Centre non-governmental organization, with the support of the OSCE Office in Yerevan. The report includes interviews, secondary analysis of relevant press, reports and studies, analysis of legislation and recommendations to the authorities.

"These discussions are a good opportunity to strengthen dialogue and promote co-operation between different cultural and faith-based communities as well as authorities to jointly address issues of freedom of religion or belief and human rights protection. We will continue to promote tolerance and trust, which are also among Kazakhstan's 2010 Chairmanship priorities," said Carel Hofstra, the Acting Head of the OSCE Office in Yerevan.

Stepan Danielyan, the Chairman of the Collaboration for Democracy Centre NGONGO
non-governmental organization, added: "We hope that the monitoring results contained in the report on cases of intolerance and discrimination, as well as the situational and legislation analysis, will be useful and that our recommendations will be helpful in bringing the law in line with international standards and promoting freedom of religion or belief in Armenia."