OSCE/ODIHR event in Kyiv focuses on lessons learned and recommendations for further reforms developed in project on security of religious communities in Ukraine

Lessons learned and recommendations for further reforms in policy, legislation and practice developed over the course of a project to promote the security of religious communities in Ukraine were the focus of an event organized by the OSCE Office of Democratic Institutions and Human Rights (ODIHR) in Kyiv on 25 and 26 February 2016.

The event, the last in a series organized as part of ODIHR’s project on “Promoting Security for Religious Communities and Others in the Regions of Ukraine,” brought together 75 national-level decision-makers and beneficiaries from Ukraine who summarized the project’s achievements. They discussed lessons learned from its implementation and formulated practical and forward-looking recommendations for further reforms in policy, legislation and practice pertaining to freedom of religion or belief and the prevention of and response to hate crime.

"It is our sincere hope that these recommendations will assist, guide and enhance the reform efforts undertaken by the Ukrainian authorities in the area of freedom of religion or belief and hate crime," said Beatriz Balbin, ODIHR First Deputy Director.

Andriy Yurash, Director of the Department for Religions and Nationalities at the Ministry of Culture of Ukraine, said: "We are confident that policy and decision-makers, regional and national authorities, civil society, religious or belief communities, and law enforcement agencies will continue their co-operation on key pressing issues pertaining to the right to freedom of religion or belief in Ukraine, and the prevention of and effective response to hate crime. This is important to ensure the security of all religious or belief communities."

The event was the 15th organized as part of the project since January 2015.