OSCE: Dialogue, respect key to combating discrimination

By Gozde Bayar

ANKARA (AA) - The Chairperson-in-Office of the Organization of Security and Co-operation in Europe (OSCE) on Monday made a call for dialogue and respect to eliminate intolerance and discrimination.

"Our organization [OSCE] is built on the concept of comprehensive security. This means that dialogue, tolerance and respect for cultural diversity and human rights are not just good for humanity, but can also act as key drivers of peace," said Miroslav Lajcak, who also currently serves as Slovakia’s foreign minister.

Ahead of the first OSCE Supplementary Human Dimension Meeting in Vienna, Lajcak underlined that the culture of lasting peace could be achieved by fostering tolerance and solidarity.

He noted that more than 150 representatives would come together in the two-day meeting to discuss prevention and response strategies for intolerance and the establishment of an appreciation for diversity.

Katarzyna Gardapkhadze, the First Deputy Director of the OSCE Office for Democratic Institutions and Human Rights, said New Zealand and its Prime Minister Jacinda Ardern gave the most important response to the terrorist who attacked people during Friday’s prayer.

At least 50 Muslims were killed and as many injured on March 15 when a terrorist -- identified as Australian-born Brenton Tarrant, 28 -- entered the Al Noor and Linwood mosques in Christchurch and shot worshippers in cold blood, including four children younger than 18.

Mehmet Pacaci, Personal Representative of the OSCE Chairperson-in-Office on Combating Intolerance and Discrimination against Muslims, warned that intolerance and discrimination against Muslims in the OSCE region was on the rise.

"Despite many recent good practices, monitoring and reporting the cases of intolerance and discrimination against Muslims are still at a very low level in our region," Pacaci added.

The Supplementary Human Dimension Meeting followed the Conference on Combatting Anti-Semitism in the OSCE Region, which took place in Bratislava in February 2019.

Askin Kiyagan contributed to this report from Vienna.