OSCE countries, Mediterranean partners discuss ways to fight discrimination

TEL AVIV, 18 December 2007 - Combating intolerance and promoting mutual respect is the focus of an OSCE seminar for representatives from the OSCE's participating States and its Mediterranean partner countries in Tel Aviv today.

"Racism and discrimination impoverish and violate our democratic rights," said Spanish Ambassador Carlos Sanchez de Boado, who chairs the OSCE Permanent Council, in his opening speech. "The OSCE contributes to promoting encounters that help avoid the erosion of democratic legitimacy, plurality and cultural co-existence - values that all form the mosaic of responsible decision-making."

Spain holds the 2007 OSCE Chairmanship.

The 13th Mediterranean Seminar is hosted by the Israeli government. Participants in the two-day will discuss OSCE tolerance-related commitments, as well as OSCE tools and mechanisms to assist in their implementation. Other topics on the agenda include promoting respect for cultural and religious diversity and facilitating dialogue; combating discrimination against women, migrants and other groups; and the role of women, educators and the media in countering intolerance.

"Tolerance and non-discrimination are vital questions for the OSCE participating States and Partners for Co-operation, because the security of our States can only be built on respect for the security of each individual citizen," said the OSCE Secretary General, Marc Perrin de Brichambaut.

"Discriminatory practices, marginalization, exclusion and non-integration can lead to anger, resentment and frustration and even to hatred and violence. They can also undermine the richness and diversity of our societies, and the economic potential that diversity holds out for the young in their future endeavours."

Encouraging participation in pluralistic societies and combating intolerance are priorities of the 2007 Spanish OSCE Chairmanship. At the recent Madrid Ministerial Council, the participating States adopted a decision on tolerance and non-discrimination that emphasizes the threat posed by extremism, racism and xenophobia, as well as anti-Semitism and Islamophobia.

The OSCE has also established a Partnership Fund to help finance closer co-operation with Partner countries.

Yesterday, non-governmental organizations from the Mediterranean area took part in a discussion on the role of NGOs in combating intolerance and discrimination, with particular reference to the role of women.