Deputy Minister Šrámek at the Ministerial to Advance Religious Freedom in Washington
31.07.2018 / 15:43 | Aktualizováno: 31.07.2018 / 15:52
Deputy Minister of Foreign Affairs Ivo Šrámek participated in first-ever ministerial meeting to advance religious freedom hosted in Washington on July 25-26, 2018. With representatives of more than 80 governments, religious communities, international organizations as well as public society he discussed need to raise awareness and respect of the international community relative to religious freedom.
In his contribution, Deputy Minister Šrámek pointed out the increasing number of attacks against the freedom of thought, believes and religion, in various parts of the world. He underlined the responsibilty of governments to protect its population. If needed, the international community – through the United Nations – should help protect people from crimes against humanity, ethnic cleansing, war crimes and genocide. Deputy Minister Šrámek stressed that Czech foreign policy is ready to fight against any kind of discrimination and will strive for protection of human dignity.
Czech Republic´s focus on human rights and democracy leads us to protection of religious minorities. So far, the Czech Republic carried out relevant projects in Myanmar, Bosnia and Hercegovina and Cuba. The Czech Republic also supports intercultural an interfaith dialogue through organizing conferences such as “Forum 2000” or a dialogue with members of the Organization of Islamic Cooperation.