Role of religious leaders important in fostering respect and understanding between different communities in Kosovo, OSCE conference participants say

PRISHTINË/PRIŠTINA, 17 September 2013 – Leaders and members of Islamic, Serbian Orthodox, Catholic, Protestant Evangelic, and Jewish communities met today at an OSCE-organized Inter-faith Dialogue Conference in Prishtinë/Priština to discuss common issues affecting religious communities in Kosovo.

Conference participants noted the diverse religious landscape and substantial level of religious tolerance in Kosovo and acknowledged the important role religious leaders have in fostering respect and understanding between different communities in Kosovo.

They called for an improved legal framework on freedom of religion, which would enable religious communities to register as legal entities, request restitution of property and regulate their finances.

“I commend the religious leaders for their willingness and efforts to help uphold religious and inter-ethnic tolerance in Kosovo,” said Head of the OSCE Mission in Kosovo, Ambassador Jean Claude Schlumberger.

“Freedom of thought, conscience, religion and belief are indeed fundamental human rights that require comprehensive protection in any modern society.  The OSCE will continue its support to religious communities in their efforts to improve their legal standing and contribute to inter-community dialogue and reconciliation.”

This Kosovo-wide conference follows a series of 15 local level inter-faith forums organized by the OSCE over the last six months.

The OSCE Mission in Kosovo is mandated with human and community rights protection and promotion, democratization and public safety sector development.