Kazakhstan's senator plays active role in OSCE

WASHINGTON.  November 25. KAZINFORM Adil Akhmetov, member of Kazakhstan's Senate, has been acting as one of the three personal representatives of OSCE Chairman-in-Office to promote tolerance since last spring. His portfolio is combating discrimination and intolerance against Muslims. He works alongside two other personal representatives of the Greek OSCE chairman, Personal Representative on combating racism, xenophobia and discrimination (also focusing on intolerance and discrimination against Christians and members of other religions) Mario Mauro and Personal Representative on combating anti-Semitism Rabbi Andrew Baker.

Ambassador Akhmetov is secretary of the committee on international relations, defense and security, and a member of the Senate of the Parliament of Kazakhstan. His previous positions include first deputy minister of foreign affairs, chairman of the committee on education of the Ministry of education, culture and healthcare, as well as Kazakhstan's Ambassador in London.

Since appointment to his current position, Akhmetov has participated in several forums held on the issues of human rights, including the Human Dimension Implementation meeting in Warsaw. There he outlined his proposals on how to overcome anti-Islamic sentiments.

Among those proposals is an idea to implement "an intellectual and ethical strategy to avoid political exploitation of issues related to discrimination and intolerance." He also believes it is necessary to pursue "integration policies which address social and economic needs of Muslims in countries of residence." Akhmetov also urges "compliance of the fight against terrorism with internationally recognized human rights standards."

Speaking at the Helsinki Commission hearing in Washington on October 14, Akhmetov said, "It should be acknowledged that intolerance against Muslims is not a problem of a specific minority, but a human rights problem concerning everyone. Governments should support and strengthen the mandates of intergovernmental organizations that are addressing discrimination-like the Organization for Security and Cooperation in Europe, the European Commission against Racism and Intolerance, the Fundamental Rights Agency, UN Alliance of Civilizations Initiative and Organization of Islamic Conference - including by encouraging such organizations to raise the capacity of and train police, prosecutors, and judges, as well as other official bodies and civil society groups to combat violent hate crimes."

Asked by the Indo-Asian News Service about the role Kazakhstan's chairmanship in the OSCE can play in achieving tolerance, Akhmetov explained: "We are a good model to lead the OSCE because we are a multi-ethnic country, and the OSCE is the largest (security-related group) after the UN."

He also noted the importance of the Congress of Leaders of World and Traditional Religions taking place in Astana every three years. "This conference is not a game. We practice tolerance," Akhmetov said.

At a recent OSCE meeting with all three representatives on tolerance and non-discrimination at the organization's headquarters in Vienna, US chargé d'affaires Carol Fuller thanked them for their work and expressed hope Kazakhstan will extend the mandates of all representatives.

"The United States strongly supports the efforts of the Personal Representatives. Their work is at the very heart of the OSCE's principles and commitments. The promotion of tolerance, understanding and non-discrimination empowers healthy societies and fosters respect among different communities, in turn allowing states to become more stable, secure and prosperous... We strongly encourage the incoming Chairmanship to continue the mandate of the Personal Representatives for Tolerance, and we know it is the full intention of the government of Kazakhstan to do so," Fuller said, Kazinform refers to the press service of the Kazakhstan Embassy in the USA.