Compendium of Standards, Good Practices and Recommendations Right OSCE Commitment Relevant Chapter Freedom of expression The participating States will ensure [...] that everyone will have the right to freedom of expression including the right to communication. This right will include freedom to hold opinions and to receive and impart information and ideas without interference by public authority and regardless of frontiers. (Copenhagen 1990) Chapter 6 We reaffirm the importance of […] the free flow of information as well as the public’s access to information. (Istanbul 1999) We value the important role played by civil society and free media in helping us to ensure full respect for human rights. (Astana 2010) Freedom of thought, conscience, belief and religion The participating States […] agree to take the action necessary to ensure the freedom of the individual to profess and practise, alone or in community with others, religion or belief acting in accordance with the dictates of his own conscience. (Madrid 1983) Chapter 9 The Ministerial Council calls on the participating States […] to ensure the right of all individuals to profess and practice religion or belief, […], and to manifest their religion or belief through teaching, practice, worship and observance, including through transparent and non-discriminatory laws, regulations, practices and policies [and to] refrain from imposing restrictions inconsistent with OSCE commitments and international obligations on the practice of religion or belief by individuals and religious communities (Kyiv 2013) National, cultural and linguistic identities The participating States will protect and create conditions for the promotion of the ethnic, cultural, linguistic and religious identity of national minorities on their territory. (Vienna 1989) Chapter 10 Persons belonging to national minorities have the rights to […] use freely their mother tongue in private as well as in public. (Copenhagen 1990) We reaffirm our commitments to ensure laws and policies fully respect the rights of persons belonging to national minorities. (Istanbul 1999) 31