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Racism, xenophobia and religious intolerance

Racism, xenophobia and religious intolerance are a threat to security across the OSCE region, with discrimination, intolerance and hate crimes undermining trust in our societies and jeopardizing social cohesion.

Our work

Racism, xenophobia, anti-Semitism, intolerance against Muslims, Christians, and other religious or belief communities can lead to exclusion, violence and unequal treatment, harming individuals and dividing societies.

ODIHR helps participating States prevent and address these challenges. It supports the implementation of OSCE commitments, monitors hate crimes, develops educational resources, trains officials and works with governments, civil society and affected communities to strengthen responses and promote good practices.

Racism and xenophobia

Racism and xenophobia lead to discrimination, exclusion and violence, harming individuals and dividing communities.

ODIHR helps governments tackle racism, xenophobia and other forms of intolerance. It supports the development of laws and policies, trains officials and works with civil society to monitor and respond to these challenges.

Through dialogue, guidance and training, ODIHR helps governments and civil society promote equal treatment, protect human rights and strengthen inclusive societies.

Anti-Semitism

ODIHR monitors anti-Semitic incidents and hate crimes, works with civil society to improve reporting and raises awareness of their impact. 

It also supports Holocaust remembrance and education, develops teaching tools and helps governments, educators and community organizations share good practices for preventing and responding to anti-Semitism.

Intolerance against Muslims

ODIHR supports participating States in countering intolerance against Muslims through education, training and awareness-raising. 

It also monitors anti-Muslim hate crimes and incidents, works with civil society to improve reporting and promotes the exchange of good practices for addressing intolerance and discrimination.

Intolerance against Christians

ODIHR supports participating States in addressing intolerance against Christians through awareness-raising and the exchange of good practices. 

It also monitors anti-Christian hate crimes and incidents and works with governments, civil society and religious communities to promote tolerance and strengthen responses to hate incidents.

Intolerance against other religions or beliefs

ODIHR supports participating States in addressing intolerance and discrimination against religious and belief communities. It promotes dialogue, mutual understanding and respect, works to improve responses to hate crimes and other forms of discrimination, and helps protect freedom of religion or belief for all.

It also monitors other hate crimes and incidents based on religion or belief and works with governments, civil society and religious communities to promote tolerance and strengthen responses to hate incidents.