Tashkent, Uzbekistan (UzDaily.com) -- At the summit of the CIS heads of states held in Bishkek on 13 October 2023, a Statement on the protection of the human and citizen’s right to freedom of religion was adopted, the press service of the CIS Executive Committee reports.

The document notes the right of every person to freedom of thought, conscience, religion, as well as the equality of all, regardless of their attitude to religion, and attaches great importance to respect and understanding of religious and cultural diversity in the member states of the Commonwealth.

The Statement of the Heads of states of the Commonwealth of Independent States on the protection of the human and citizen’s right to freedom of religion calls for the resolution of disagreements arising on religious grounds through dialogue, preventing the politicization of the issue of the right to freedom of thought, conscience, religion, and also expresses the intention of the states – CIS members to continue to take steps to develop a constructive consolidated position of the international community on the protection of human rights and freedoms in the religious sphere at various international platforms.

The document emphasizes the value of education, including education in the spirit of citizenship and religious tolerance. The statement also calls for respect for shrines and to prevent vandalism and destruction of religious sites and burial sites.

The text of the Statement rejects any attempts to use religion as an instrument of interference in the internal affairs of the CIS member states.