The OSCE'S 57 participating States today, at the first meeting of the Permanent Council of the year, adopted a declaration condemning last week's terrorist attacks in France, emphasizing that terrorism can never be justified, that freedom of expression is a fundamental human right, and that States continue to work to foster tolerance in their societies.

Participating States expressed their "profound solidarity with victims of acts of terrorism, their families, as well as with the people of France" and stressed "the need to prosecute the perpetrators."

"Terrorism has no justification, whatever its motivation or origin are and should not be associated with any race, ethnicity, nationality or religion," the Declaration reads, with all States reaffirming their determination to combat terrorism in all its forms and manifestations."

The Declaration recognizes that "the freedom of expression is a fundamental and internationally recognized human right" and in condemning manifestations of intolerance, including against Christians, Jews, Muslims and members of other religions and non-believers, reaffirms the States' "will to foster non‑discrimination and tolerance, mutual respect and understanding in our societies."

Welcoming the Declaration, OSCE Chairperson-in-Office and Serbian Foreign Minister Ivica Dačić, addressing today's session of the Permanent Council said: "We need to be unequivocal in condemning all forms of terrorism while ensuring that our societies remain united against attempts to create divisions on the basis of religion or ethnicity. With the same vigour we need to stand united in defending freedom of expression as a fundamental right."





Photo by:OSCE/Reuters