Training for OSCE field staff on freedom of religion or belief

ODIHR is organizing a training session for 17 staff members from ODIHR and the OSCE’s field operations with the aim of providing a comprehensive overview of the obligations of participating States in the area of freedom of religion or belief, one of the OSCE’s oldest commitments.

The training session will cover the freedom to manifest religion or belief, religious education, discrimination, the legal personality of religious communities and the duty of the state in protecting the security of religious sites and communities.

Co-operation between ODIHR and field operations on how to tackle the challenges in this area, such as discrimination against smaller or newer religious communities and problems obtaining recognition, will also be discussed.

As well as raising awareness about the freedom of religion or belief, the session will be used as a pilot for future training events for government officials and civil society. The first training session for government officials is due to take place in Uzbekistan, where officials of the State Agency for Religious Affairs will be trained on international standards on the freedom of religion or belief.