Graham Delivers Warning at Warsaw OSCE MeetingOct 8, 2008 The Becket Fund for Religious Liberty issued a strong statement to the Organization of Security and Cooperation in Europe (OSCE) Tuesday (Oct. 7, 2008), warning that in direct violation of the OSCE charter, restrictions on religious expression are creeping onto the law books of member states.
"Restrictions on speech and dress are the most commonplace of such limitations," said Bennett Graham, International Program Officer at the Becket fund. "Dress restrictions such as the banning of the headscarf in Turkey, France, and Tajikistan are direct violations of the right to manifest one's religious beliefs. Speech restrictions such as "defamation of religion" measures and restrictions on proselytism also limit the expression of beliefs. Such restrictions on peaceful language and dress often work against the professed goal of respect and toleration. Instead, religious groups are discriminated against, isolated, and even driven to radicalization as they are driven out of the public square on account of their desire to share and express their faiths."
Graham added that oppressive registration laws in Uzbekistan, Turkmenistan, Tajikistan, and Azerbaijan have already restricted religious practice, while a similar law is now pending in Kazakhstan.
Graham, who also represents the Becket Fund at the United Nation's Human Right Council in Geneva, said that international organizations are starting to understand the importance of protecting religious liberty as the cornerstone freedom of human rights.
"The fact that the OSCE is spending a full day to address religious liberty concerns is a huge step. International organizations and member states are finally coming to realize that human rights contribute to rule of law and good governance. Our legal expertise has especially allowed the Becket Fund to provide a vital resource in such venues as the OSCE," said Graham.
The OSCE, founded in 1972 during the Cold War as an institution of dialogue between the East and West, the organization seeks to promote democracy, human rights and manage conflicts. It has 56 member states, mostly from Europe, the Caucuses and Central Asia. Canada and the United States are members. The meeting in Warsaw runs from Sept. 29 through Oct. 10. More than 1,000 representatives were in attendance, making it Europe's largest human rights meeting. Tuesday was devoted to the issue of religious freedom.
To read Mr. Graham's testimony, click here.
Based in Washington, D.C., The Becket Fund for Religious Liberty is a nonpartisan, interfaith, public-interest law firm dedicated to protecting the free expression of all religious traditions.
To arrange an interview with a Becket Fund attorney or official, contact Tom Carter at 202-349-7205, or 202-538-2044 (cell), or becketfund.carter@gmail.com. Resources & Documents
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