ANNUAL REPORT 2004 Tolerance and Non-Discrimination Although tolerance and non-discrimination issues were important that educational, training, and awareness- previously addressed within the ODIHR’s Human Rights raising programmes are promoted and further Programme, an entirely new Tolerance and Non-Dis- strengthened in order to foster an appreciation and re- crimination Programme was established in 2004 in spect for diversity. order to effectively implement the ODIHR’s extended mandate and tasks. Activities The Organization’s new and strengthened focus highlights the challenges that governments face in terms of The ODIHR’s tolerance and non-discrimination activities the effective implementation of their commitments. in 2004 concentrated on the following areas:
Main issues Collection and compilation of data and statistics on hate crimes;
Promoting freedom of religion or belief; Combating hate-motivated crimes and violent
Tolerance education and training; and manifestations of intolerance: Racism, xenophobia,
Strengthening co-operation and co-ordination
anti-Semitism, and other forms of intolerance, includ- with other organizations. ing against Muslims, are serious problems that demand multidimensional responses, including through strengthened legislation and law-enforcement prac- 1. Collection and compilation of data and statistics on hate crimes tices. A coherent and comprehensive response to hatemotivated crimes also depends on the availability of accurate information.
Collection of data and statistics from OSCE participating States Freedom of religion or belief: Across the OSCE re- gion, many individuals and groups face restrictions on their right to freedom of religion or belief. Problems include discrimination against individuals in the work- In order to monitor and respond to hate crimes and vi- place and public services, defamation campaigns olent manifestations of intolerance within the OSCE against minority religions or belief groups, the disrup- area, it is important to have in place mechanisms to tion or prohibition of worship even in private homes, measure and evaluate the impact of efforts to combat censorship of religious literature, and imprisonment of these phenomena. In an effort to assess the ability and those who object to military service on religious capacity of the OSCE participating States to collect and grounds. These restrictions may be a direct result of compile reliable information and statistics on hate state legislation and policies, or, in other cases, they crimes and begin a systematic collection of informa- may arise as a result of a lack of protective action from tion, the ODIHR requested OSCE participating States to state authorities, often in the face of a dominant reli- provide information, legislation, and statistics on hate gious majority. crimes, including violent manifestations of racism, xenophobia, anti-Semitism, and other forms of intoler-
Combating intolerance through the promotion of ance, as well as an overview of relevant legislation and intercultural and inter-religious respect and mutual good practices. Participating States were also asked to understanding: In addition to creating opportunities nominate authorities responsible for the collection and for increased intercultural and interfaith dialogue, it is provision of information to the ODIHR. 65