ANNUAL REPORT 2004 Tolerance and Non-Discrimination Tolerance and Non-Discrimination Violations of human rights and fundamental freedoms, In 2004, tolerance and non-discrimination ranked high- including the freedom of thought, conscience, religion ly among the priorities of the Bulgarian Chairmanship or belief, and manifestations of hate and intolerance of the OSCE. In follow-up to the Maastricht Ministerial continue to endanger stability and threaten security in Council Decision on Tolerance and Non-Discrimination, the OSCE region. There remains a significant amount three major events were held in 2004 in order to sup- of work to be done in building democratic and plural- port improved implementation of OSCE commitments: istic societies, where ethnic, cultural, and religious diversity is not only tolerated but respected and valued. 1) The OSCE Conference on anti-Semitism in Berlin in Since 1990, the OSCE has enhanced its commitments to April; combat racism, xenophobia, anti-Semitism and related 2) The OSCE Meeting on the Relationship between intolerance, including against Muslims. Racist, Xenophobic and anti-Semitic Propaganda on the Internet and Hate Crimes in Paris in June; 3) The OSCE Conference on Tolerance and the Fight The OSCE has enhanced its commitments to combat intolerance against Racism, Xenophobia and Discrimination in Brussels in September. And in December, the Chairman-in-Office made three key appointments to further promote action in the area of non-discrimination and tolerance. Anastasia Crickley was appointed as Personal Representative on Combating Racism, Xenophobia and Discrimination, also focusing on Intolerance and Discrimination against Christians and Members of Other Religions; Gert Weisskirchen became the Personal Representative on Combating anti-Semitism; and Ambassador Ömür Orhun was appointed as Personal Representative on Combating Intolerance and Discrimination against Muslims. 63