Freedom of Religion and Belief Conference, 2014
On 11-12 September 2014 the European Center for Minority Issues Caucasus in cooperation with the Embassy of the Kingdom of the Netherlands in Tbilisi and the UN Office of the High Commissioner for Human Rights organized second two-day “Regional Conference on Freedom of Religion or Belief (FoRB) in South Caucasus”. The first conference took place in Tbilisi in May 2013 between Georgia and Armenia, which gathered government officials, religious leaders, religious organizations, non-governmental sector and academics (see the 2013 FoRB Conference Report). The 2014 FoRB conference covered all three countries of South Caucasus. The topics for discussion included freedom of religion and belief, its connection with ethno-cultural identity and how the state should ensure freedom of religion for all as well as equal treatment for all confessions. Participants had also chance to discuss the current stage of implementation of the UN, OSCE and the EU human rights standards and recommendations related to freedom of religion or belief in Armenia, Azerbaijan and Georgia.
During the first day, the key speakers and the participants exchanged information relevant to their experience in the field of incorporation of the international freedom of religion standards in the legislation, policy documents and national strategies implementation in South Caucasus region. While the second day served as an open forum for different congregations to raise their concerns, discuss respective communities’ issues and provide concrete recommendations on further improvements of religious freedom in the South Caucasus.
See detailed Conference Program
Keynote speech was delivered by H.E. Kees Van Baar – Human Rights Ambassador of the Kingdom of the Netherlands
In total 93 Participants attended the 2014 FoRB Conference which included:
- Representatives of state structures of Georgia, Armenia and Azerbaijan dealing with issues of religion;
- Public Defenders Offices;
- Dominant religious institutions;
- Prominent human rights defenders and CSOs;
- Representatives of the respective organizations of religious minorities
See detailed List of Participants
See Video interviews with the participants on Freedom of Religion or Belief from the 2014 FoRB Conference
See Photo Gallery of the 2014 FoRB Conference
Freedom of Religion or Belief 