Diplomatic Pouch

Le 26 juin 2023, à l'Hôtel Royal Leonardo (La Haye), l’Ambassade du Vietnam aux Pays-Bas a célébré solennellement le 50ème anniversaire de l’établissement des...

In Europe, freedom of religion or belief is often overlooked in comparison to other human rights. However, advocates argue that it is the foundation for all other freedoms. The recently appointed EU Special Envoy on Freedom of Religion or Belief outside the European Union, Frans van Daele, highlighted the challenges faced in defending and promoting religious freedom in Europe, such as indifference and ignorance. Additionally, the fragmented nature of EU institutions and their own agendas make it difficult to address violations of religious freedom consistently. Collaboration between the EU and the UN is seen as complementary in addressing these issues. In some countries, tensions arise between established majority religions and newer or historic religious minorities, as the state aligns itself with the dominant religion. The EU's public diplomacy aims to promote tolerance, respect, and non-discrimination through education, particularly by eliminating negative stereotypes from schoolbooks. Prioritizing countries based on certain criteria is also part of the EU's strategy, focusing on those open to the EU's message and willing to make progress. However, the EU's public diplomacy is complex, involving navigating its own internal architecture and engaging with the political and social dynamics of target countries. Human Rights Without Frontiers suggests that the EU needs to allocate appropriate resources and funding to its advocacy mechanisms, such as the EU Special Envoy on FoRB and the Intergroup on Freedom of Religion or Belief at the European Parliament, in order to be more effective in promoting religious freedom.

By Professor Richard T. Griffiths There are not many two-faced buildings in the World. One of the best-known is the former Moskva hotel that was...

By Henri Estramant, LLM On 21 April 2021, the European Commission unveiled its proposal for a Regulation on Artificial Intelligence, henceforth referred to as the...

By Eleni Vasiliki Bampaliouta The Hellenic Institute of Cultural Diplomacy  is a Greek scientific non-governmental organization, which was founded in Athens on March 25, 2017...

By Eleni Vasiliki Bampaliouta The longest-lived leader who will ultimately remain in the History of Turkey. Masterfully "playing" the "card" of nationalism and anti-Western rhetoric,...

By the International Institute for Middle East and Balkan Studies  IFIMES The Russia-Ukraine war, which has been going on for 16 months already, has generated...

By Oybek Khamrayev, Deputy Minister of Investment, Industry and Trade of the Republic of Uzbekistan Since 2017, amid a wave of structural reforms affecting all...

The OSCE Office for Democratic Institutions and Human Rights (ODIHR) has opened an election observation mission for the early presidential election in Uzbekistan on 9 July. The mission will consist of a core team of 11 international experts and 24 long-term observers, with 250 short-term observers to be requested. The mission will monitor all aspects of the election, including pre- and post-election developments, and assess compliance with OSCE commitments and other international obligations and standards for democratic elections. Meetings with representatives of state authorities, political parties, civil society, the media and the international community will form an integral part of the observation. An interim report will be published two weeks prior to the election, with a final report containing recommendations to be published some months after the election.

By Umida Tukhtasheva The referendum held in Uzbekistan on 30 April 2023 led to the adoption of the new Constitution. Strengthening the right to seek,...