In a joint meeting with the African Union, the Abant Platform hosted 155 distinguished participants from 15 countries in the capital of Ethiopia.
The United Nations Human Rights Council's (UNHRC) decision on the struggle against intolerance toward different religions was a common talking point at the meeting to promote respect for the sacred. The Abant Platform said that freedom of expression and respect for sacred values are complimentary and that the former does not mean the freedom to attack sacred values.
The Abant Platform also urged the media to play a constructive role in the protection of respect for sacred values and called on all governments, nongovernmental organizations and civil society institutions to take a stance defending respect for the sacred.
Published on Today's Zaman, 10 March 2014, Monday
