Speech of Javier Martinez-Torron, Member of the OSCE Panel of Experts on Freedom of Religion and Belief

Your Excellency Mr. President Nazarbayev,
Dear Leaders of World and Traditional Religions,
Dear guests,
Ladies and gentlemen,
It is a great honor for me to speak today before this high audience. I'm also pleased by warm welcome of your Government and people. I want to express my gratitude to the President of the Republic of Kazakhstan and Chairman of Organization Committee for invitation, they have delivered to OSCE in order to speak on this conference.

The subject of this conference is urgent from the point of view of organization, I represent here. Natural interrelation between respect to human rights, including freedom of religion and international security, was clear from the very start of OSCE's activity. Therefore, there is so called human measure within the frames of OSCE and program, that puts emphasis on a fight with intolerance and discrimination, taking into special consideration freedom of religion. Thus, speaking on religious leaders and international security, to a great extent we may speak on the role of religious leaders in strengthening of guarantees for freedom of religion in the world.

Certainly, I do not intend to speak on the role of such leaders, you are competent representatives of religion you represent here. But I want to share some ideas which inspired OSCE's activity in this sphere.

I want to point out the fact we often consider-defense of religious freedom as a sphere of solely state's competence. This is so and the state should provide legal limits, set of rules and guarantees for religious freedom. But it is not enough. Therefore, an effective defense of religious freedom also requires proper environment, social atmosphere of tolerance, liberty and respect. And from this very point of view, the role of religious leaders is unique, as you contribute to formation of social spirits and even more effectively than the state. Creation of the atmosphere of tolerance requires some elements.

Firstly, this is realizing that religious freedom is a right of a man, an individual right. Men and women should be free to search after truth and live in accordance with such concepts.

Secondly, atmosphere of tolerance and respect should cover every man and all religions both traditional and less traditional. It should cover believers and atheists. It should also include and cover basic religions and minority religions. We should remember that great religions in some political and social contexts fail to include or consider interests of minority religions.

Therein, all religions fail to be based on our concord with doctrines, this is only an option. It is based on the idea that moral responsibility needs an individual freedom. The third element is that it is necessary to put an emphasis on common elements, which join various religions rather than on distinctions. Yesterday it was mentioned. It is necessary to work out general projects and produce the unity feeling. Religion is not an exclusion.

The forth element I want to speak is that we must express sensitivity to the necessity to avert religious discrimination or to change the treatment of a man based on account of his/her religion belonging, resulting in negative attitude, or whether a man is practicing religion or not. It is available for any religions.

I also would like to say that we should express special concern about religions of minority groups, as they are more vulnerable in the society. This became the reason of serious anxiety in OSCE concerning discrimination matters. It is proved by a fact that our chairman has three representatives who are engaged in the problem of discrimination of anti-Semitism, discrimination regarding Muslims and fight with other types and form of discrimination based on racism, xenophobia, discrimination regarding Christians or representatives of other religions. Our societies cannot support secretly or plainly any discrimination practice concerning representatives of any religions or atheists.

There is a particular moment I want to mention, which is connected with the 5^th anniversary of the events of the 11^th September of 2001. This fact shows directly an abuse of Islam in performing terrible deeds. I want to express my position concerning this issue. The fact that I am a Spaniard and represent Spain, live in Madrid but was brought up in Kordova that has a special influence on my position. This means that I realize that the name of other religions, not necessary Islam, has been used to commit a crime and to kill people. And living in Madrid I perfectly realize, that terrorism is based on false religious statements. This is a tragic reality, not a mere hypothesis. And considering that I am from Kordova, I know perfectly well Islam is a religion, which may contribute a lot to the humanity development.

I'm speaking about Caliphate of Kordova. I would like to say, expressing my deep respect to religious leaders, that you bear a huge responsibility, both leaders of Muslim religions and not Muslim religions concerning this matter. People, representing Muslims and also countries where there are no Muslims at all, should hear from leaders of Muslim religions that a crime committed on behalf of Islam is distortion of Islam, that Islamic religion is a religion of peace. And you bear moral responsibility for saying this. Religious leaders of other religions are also responsible for assistance to correct understanding of the fact that what in reality Islam is in order to wreck suspiciousness regarding Islam, the action taken by mass media.

There is an anxiety within OSCE concerning the fact that Law "On fight against terrorism" would not result in Muslims' discrimination only because of their nationality.

Let me say some words about the role of a state in interrelations between religious leaders and international security. We have a good sample to promote inter-religious dialogue on this Congress.

But responsibility of a state is included in the establishment of proper legal frames to make people realize freedom of religion. And nevertheless OSCE is worried about the necessity to create the system of rules, procedures and guarantees for protecting freedom of religion. Surely, OSCE realizes that legislation in any country should react to certain historical, cultural and religious events of any country. At the same time, we should respect international standards in the sphere of human rights. I want to remind you about special office within OSCE. In particular, it is Democratic Institutes and Human Rights Agency. We have religious freedom experts in our office. Such offices are competent to provide legal services concerning laws drawing up. Some countries have already practiced this method. One may take consultations on any matters concerning religious freedom. Organizations include many experts that are suggested by different countries and OSCE members.

They do not represent any particular country but only act as private persons. Only 32 countries from 56 countries-participants of OSCE have appointed their own experts till present time, though more experts could be included to this group. And we greet this. Let me finish my speech with a brief reference that is often cited in OSCE context, namely a proposal, which was stated at the summit in 1975 by one of the state leaders, participated in the conference. He said: "History will judge not according to our promises we gave, but with regard to promises we have fulfilled".

And today we will give some promises in the form of principles, which we approve at this Congress. We hope that this Congress will find the way to discuss the realization of these principles in a close contact with international organizations. Thank you very much.