Recently, in Vienna, on the initiative of the OSCE Organization for Democratic Institution and Human Rights (ODIHR) was held a seminar on the topic ‘Freedom of conscience and belief’. The workshop was also attended by Rafig Aliyev, head of the Azerbaijan state committee on work with religious structures.

As state, discussed were the issues of the role of state in creation of inter-religion patience and tolerance, possible restrictions related to religious education and religious organizations, role of mass media in the relations between the state and religion.

In the course of discussions, in particular, was emphasized expansion of organizational and regulating function of state in the inter-religion dialogue. In regard with religious education, views of participants varied. Azerbaijani representative Rafig Aliyev offered teaching of religion at the higher and secondary schools in a historic aspect, as well as realization of the said process under the control of state to prevent intrusion to it of the religious fanatics. The said proposal was taken as a ground, and was decided to submit the issue for discussions at the coming October forum in Warsaw.

At the workshop, it was especially underlined serious violence of conscience in Armenia, Belarus, Belgium, Austria, Moldova, Uzbekistan, Russia and Georgia.

Mr. Rafig Aliyev held a series of meetings. Focused were issues of exchange of experience between the similar structures, regulating the relations between the state and religion.

The UN Human Rights Commissioner Abdulfattah Amor, interested in the Azerbaijani model in such relations, stressing that in January-February 2004, would visit Azerbaijan.