Kyrgyzstan's religious affairs committee members attend OSCE training seminar on freedom of religion or belief

Twelve members of Kyrgyzstan's State Committee for Religious Affairs took part in a two-day training seminar in Istanbul on 14 and 15 June 2011, organized by the OSCE's Office for Democratic Institutions and Human Rights (ODIHR) in co-operation with the OSCE Centre in Bishkek.

Discussions at the seminar focused on implementation of OSCE commitments and international standards in Kyrgyzstan, particularly with respect to proselytism, registration of religious or belief communities, education, places of worship and interreligious dialogue.

The head of Kyrgyzstan's State Committee for Religious Affairs, Ormon Sharshenov, said: "We are grateful for this possibility to discuss challenges and opportunities related to freedom of religion or belief in Kyrgyzstan. We see this as a first step in longer-term co-operation with the OSCE in this context.”