Freedom of religion or belief trends: Looking back over 2022 and forward into 2023

ODIHR is organizing an online public event on 12 December 2022 to explore the positive and negative impacts on the state of freedom of religion or belief of factors such as legislative/policy changes and general human rights trends across the OSCE region. This webinar will bring together experts from international institutions, academia and civil society to discuss the emerging trends and events that have been affecting how people across the OSCE area exercise their freedom of religion or belief. No human right is exercised in a vacuum and the OSCE area has seen many recent developments, from the expansion of new technologies to political, social, economic and legislative changes. As another year draws to a close, panellists will engage in some stock-taking and offer fresh insights from their perspectives.

Why is this important?

By discussing key trends affecting the exercise of the human right to freedom of religion or belief, this event aims to raise awareness and to equip policymakers and civil society stakeholders with expert insights to inform their work in this area.

Panellists will include:

Nazila Ghanea, UNSR on freedom of religion or belief

Elizabeth A. Clark, Associate Director of the International Center for Law and Religion Studies at Brigham Young University

David Griffiths, human rights strategist and advocate

Elizabeth K. Cassidy, Director of Research and Policy, USCIRF

Michael Wiener, Human Rights Officer, OHCHR

Moderator: Isabella Sargsyan, Human Rights and Justice Program Director at the Armenia-based Eurasia Partnership Foundation

Registration: To join the event, please register here.

Background

ODIHR is mandated to support OSCE participating States and civil society organizations in their efforts to protect and promote freedom of religion or belief.

Among others, OSCE commitments in this area look to:

• ensure that everyone can enjoy this right indiscriminately;
• ensure that enjoyment of this right is facilitated across the OSCE;
• strengthen legislation;
• foster a climate of mutual tolerance and respect; and
• counter violations of this right.