OSCE Warsaw Human Dimension Conference - EU statement – Plenary session 6 - Tolerance and Non-Discrimination I

1. Racism, xenophobia, intolerance, antisemitism or discrimination with specific attention to multiple and intersecting forms of discrimination, including on grounds of sex, race, ethnic or social origin, religion or belief, political or any other opinion, disability, age, sexual orientation and gender identity run counter to the values of the EU, and to OSCE commitments and human rights obligations. Discriminating of or attacking a person for who they are, what they look like, what they believe or whom they love are criminal offenses and punishable by law in the EU. The EU reiterates its commitment to equality and non-discrimination, to the entitlement of all persons to enjoy the full range of human rights and fundamental freedoms, and to the protection of those who are in disadvantaged, vulnerable and marginalised situations.

2. In combating all forms of intolerance, the EU promotes a comprehensive approach, such as acknowledged by the participating States in 2007 in Madrid. A selective and fragmented approach would be in contradiction to the universality of human rights.

3. The EU is strongly committed to the promotion of equality and tolerance and to the fight against hate crimes, hate speech and all forms of discrimination, as shown by the comprehensive texts and measures on this matter, both at the EU and national levels, including the EU Anti-Racism Action Plan, the Gender Action Plan III, the EC LGBTIQ Equality Strategy, the European Disability Strategy, the Roma strategic Framework, and the European antisemitism strategy. The Digital Services Act also contributes to better address intolerance and discrimination, especially online.

4. We remain gravely concerned about the impact of Russia’s war of aggression against Ukraine, including in the temporarily and illegally occupied territories. Persons belonging to minorities face repression, violence and discrimination, including while in detention. Intense fighting in regions with high minority populations threatens their culture and language. In these territories, Russia’s practice of forcing civilians to acquire Russian citizenship and collaborate with the occupying authorities, and of subjecting children to Russian patriotic military education, as well as indoctrination, constitutes a flagrant violation of international law and undermines the sovereignty of Ukraine.

5. The EU condemns the deliberate manipulation of information aimed at exploiting tensions between religious communities. Such actions are unacceptable, as they seek to sow division, incite intolerance, and undermine social cohesion. The EU reaffirms its commitment to promoting dialogue, mutual understanding, and respect for freedom of religion or belief. Maintaining peace, tolerance, and trust between communities is essential for the stability, security, and prosperity of societies across Europe.

Recommendations:

• Ensure that everyone enjoys human rights and fundamental freedoms and has access to effective remedies in the event of discrimination, by providing better knowledge of the existing international legal tools;

• Encourage learning about diversity, dialogue and tolerance;

• Systematically condemn hate speech and strengthen the fight against hate speech on the internet while also fully respecting freedom of expression;

• Cooperate with ODIHR in preventing and combating all forms of intolerance, support its activities, providing relevant data to feed its reporting on hate crimes;

• Ensure an inclusive approach to the fight against racism, xenophobia, intolerance and discrimination, as enshrined in the Universal Declaration of Human Rights;

• Take better account of and combat multiple forms of discrimination in the fight against intolerance, as stressed in the 2007 Madrid MC Decision;

• Support the work of civil society in preventing and combating racism, xenophobia, intolerance and discrimination;

• Encourage increased coordination of the work of the CiO Personal Representatives among themselves and with the ODIHR in the framework of an inclusive and effective approach

The Candidate Countries NORTH MACEDONIA*, MONTENEGRO*, ALBANIA*, UKRAINE, the REPUBLIC OF MOLDOVA, BOSNIA and HERZEGOVINA*, and the EFTA countries ICELAND, LIECHTENSTEIN and NORWAY, members of the European Economic Area, as well as ANDORRA align themselves with this statement.

* North Macedonia, Montenegro, Albania and Bosnia and Herzegovina continue to be part of the Stabilisation and Association Process.