Today, the Ministry of Foreign Affairs hosted a meeting between Deputy Foreign Minister of the PMR Igor Shornikov and human rights officer at the Office of the UN High Commissioner for Human Rights in Geneva, Field Operations and Technical Cooperation Division, Michael Wiener. Participating in the dialogue were also representatives of the relevant ministries and departments of the PMR.
Igor Shornikov appreciated the attention to Pridnestrovie paid by the international partners, as well as the constructive nature of the previously conducted consultations with the Special Rapporteur of the UN Commission on Freedom of Religion and Belief Heiner Bielefeldt.
“Pridnestrovie is a multi-ethnic, multicultural dynamic developing state. Particular attention is paid to issues of freedom of religion and belief, which are one of the universal rights of every human being. The country is constantly improving its legal framework, and adjusting to modern practices and international standards. In this context, we are open to the dialogue with international partners on a wide range of issues,” the diplomat said.
Michael Wiener, in his turn, expressed his confidence that the practice of providing assistance in the strengthening of human rights and freedoms in the country will be continued with the help of experts. “We provided for a number of measures to strengthen the rights and freedoms with regard to religion and belief to be taken until September 2015. Our Mission is to understand the most important substantive aspects that were stated in the reports of the experts,” he stressed.
During the meeting, Igor Shornikov and Michael Wiener discussed a number of issues concerning the freedom of religion and belief in Pridnestrovie and agreed to continue cooperation in this field.
