26th Annual Session of the OSCE Parliamentary Assembly in Minsk

MINSK, 8 July (BelTA) – The draft resolution on the inadmissibility of religious discrimination was adopted by the General Committee on Democracy, Human Rights, and Humanitarian Questions during the 26^th session of the Parliamentary Assembly of the Organization for Security and Cooperation in Europe in Minsk on 8 July, BelTA has learned.

The draft resolution on the inadmissibility of religious discrimination and intolerance towards Christians, Muslims, and followers of other religions was suggested by Russia. The Russian senator Lyudmila Narusova is the main author of the document.

The resolution calls upon the OSCE member states to take decisive measures to counteract any and all manifestations of intolerance and discrimination on the basis of religious affiliation or convictions and counteract any resulting crimes against Christians, Muslims, and followers of other religions.

The document states that terrorist attacks committed by individuals or groups associated with a certain religion or convictions cannot be used to justify religious intolerance. The document also reads that political, religious, and public leaders should step up efforts to prevent and counteract manifestations of religious discriminations.

Thus, the draft Russian resolution will be put to a vote during the plenary session of the Parliamentary Assembly of the Organization for Security and Cooperation in Europe (OSCE PA).