Scapegoating of minorities during pandemic increases need for targeted action to combat intolerance and discrimination, OSCE conference concludes
VIENNA, 26 May 2020 –The COVID-19 pandemic has brought new challenges that demand greater efforts from governments in order to build inclusive societies in the coming months and years, concluded OSCE participants at a meeting today on addressing the many dimensions of intolerance and discrimination.
“Concerns related to tolerance and non-discrimination are of legitimate concern to us all,” said Ambassador Igli Hasani, Chairperson of the OSCE Permanent Council. “Intolerance and discrimination are never blind. The pandemic has made it crystal clear that we cannot be indifferent to how women and men, youth, vulnerable groups and others are targeted and affected differently if we are to ensure that they all enjoy the same rights.”
Held online for the first time, more than 230 representatives of participating States, intergovernmental organizations, marginalized communities and civil society from across the OSCE region registered to discuss challenges and opportunities to strengthen tolerance during the pandemic and in the future. Participants discussed the importance of inclusive policies and coalition building in strengthening diverse and multi-ethnic societies, as well as the need for early action to prevent intolerance from escalating into open conflict.
“Governments are having to make difficult decisions at the moment in order to safeguard our health while ensuring that our rights and freedoms are respected,” said ODIHR Director Ingibjörg Sólrún Gísladóttir. “As many parts of our lives have moved online, so too has intolerance and discrimination. Political leaders need to think creatively about how to counter cyberhate and other forms of intolerance so that our societies come out of the health emergency stronger and more united.”
Minorities have found themselves scapegoated in the wake of the COVID-19 outbreak, with people of Asian backgrounds and other marginalized groups, including Roma and Sinti, refugees, and migrants, facing a surge in discrimination and hate-motivated attacks.
“With challenges come opportunities, and those in power must lead the way by forging new and positive narratives of an inclusive society,” said Dr. Regina Polak, Personal Representative of the OSCE Chairperson-in-Office on Combating Racism, Xenophobia and Discrimination, also focusing on Intolerance and Discrimination against Christians and Members of Other Religions. “Through dialogue, education, and civil society co-operation, State authorities have an unparalleled opportunity to promote understanding of and respect for different cultures, ethnicities, religions or beliefs.”
Diverse and inclusive societies have a greater ability to learn from different ideas and traditions, and at the same time are more resilient during periods of crisis. Tools and resources to help countries strengthen democracy and build more inclusive societies can be found here.
Supplementary Human Dimension Meetings are a platform for the OSCE’s participating States and OSCE institutions, as well as international organizations and civil society, to exchange views and good practices in order to find common solutions for the challenges facing societies across the OSCE region.