OSCE OFFICE SUPPORTS STUDY ON RELIGIOUS TOLERANCE IN ARMENIA

NOYAN TAPAN
APRIL 14, 2010
YEREVAN

YEREVAN, 14 APRIL, NOYAN TAPAN. 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 NGO, 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."