OSCE OFFICE SUPPORTS DIALOGUE ON FREEDOM OF EXPRESSION AND RELIGION OR BELIEF IN ARMENIA
States News Service
May 19, 2014 Monday
VIENNA, Austria
The following information was released by the Organization for Security
and Co-operation in Europe (OSCE):
Issues related to freedom of expression and religion or belief in
Armenia were the focus of a series of training courses for journalists
on 26-27 April 2014 and lawyers and human rights defenders on 17-18
May 2014 in Tsaghkadzor, Armenia.
The courses, organized by the NGO Collaboration for Democracy Centre
with the support of the OSCE Office in Yerevan, highlighted the state
of religious tolerance and freedom of religion or belief in Armenia,
and the challenges.
“The freedom of thought and belief as well as freedom of speech are
the core priorities of the OSCE and OSCE Office in Yerevan,” said
Radka Rubilina, Human Rights Officer at the OSCE Office in Yerevan,
“This training will strengthen the capacity of lawyers and human
rights defenders to protect and cover religious issues in the courts,
media and society.”
Among local experts, Avetik Ishkhanyan, Mesrop Harutyunyan, Ara
Ghazaryan and Hovhannes Hovhannisyan delivered presentations on
the legislation and relevant practice in Armenia. They noted the
international standards, media ethics and principles for effective
media reporting.
Participants also examined the opinion and recommendations by
OSCE/ODIHR and the European Commission for Democracy through Law
of the Council of Europe (Venice Commission) on draft legislation,
together with recent developments in the legal and social media
regulatory frameworks, and the impact of religious organizations on
democratic developments.
Stepan Danielyan, Head of the Collaboration for Democracy Centre said:
“The event aims at raising awareness of the international standards
and national legal frameworks on freedom of religion or belief. It
also aims to contribute to the consolidation of an environment
for tolerance- and human rights-oriented approach to religious
relationships.”
The workshops were organized as part of the OSCE Office’s efforts
in strengthening the capacity of lawyers and journalists to protect
and cover religious issues in the courts and media, and advocate for
improved protection of this right.