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1
OSCE Chairmanship Conference on
Intolerance and Discrimination against Muslims,
Cordoba, 9 and 10 October 2007
Session 1
Statement by Mr. Hans Winkler, State Secretary in the Federal Ministry for
European and International Affairs of Austria
I thank Spain and Minister Moratinos for the initiative to hold this conference in the
historic city of Cordoba, symbol of a harmonious living together of religions and
civilisations. It is my pleasure to see Ambassador Orhun presiding this first session.
There is no alternative to an open and frank dialogue to find solutions for the
problems of contemporary societies. The OSCE is one of the privileged fora for the
discussion about the fight against intolerance and discrimination, racism and radical
extremism. What is important, however, is now to take action and implement the
many commitments we have entered into inside and outside OSCE.
Ladies and Gentlemen,
The fight against racism, discrimination and intolerance must take place on different
levels:
1. States bear a large share in the responsibility to fight intolerance and
discrimination. States have to create a framework where discrimination can
not find a fruitful ground to emerge. Therefore we have to ensure the
necessary social, economic, institutional and also legal framework for a life
free from discrimination. States ultimately have to ensure prosecution and
punishment by independent courts when rules or laws are violated.
2. Political leaders, political parties and parliaments must assume their
responsibility. It is indeed concerning that discrimination, exclusion and verbal
aggression become too often part of a populist rhetoric, especially during
election campaigns.
3. International and regional bodies, such as ODIHR, the Council of Europe’ s
ECRI, the United Nations’ CERD and, for the EU, the new Fundamental Rights
Agency in Vienna, have a role to play and are in our view very crucial
institutions to support these efforts.
4. Civil society, in particular organisations of members of minorities, have to
participate in the process.
Muslims have been living in Europe for decades or even centuries. The most
important prerequisite for a peaceful coexistence of different religious and ethnic
groups is the participation of all citizens in all sectors of life on the basis of the
protection of human rights and fundamental freedoms, including the freedom of
expression.
PC.DEL/958/07
10 October 2007
ENGLISH only