Press release

The Executive Committee of the Regional Anti-Terrorist Structure of the Shanghai Cooperation Organization expresses concern about the latest developments in certain regions of the world related to provocations and attempts to infringe on the feelings of representatives of world religions. It notes the inadmissibility of violating democratic principles and fundamental human rights to freedom of religion. The freedom of one person cannot be ensured at the expense of the freedom of another one.

In the context of existing threats to international security, individual actions of public mockery of religious relics create favorable conditions for the emergence of new levels of interfaith tension, develop risks of a political, social and economic nature, and damage the efforts of the global community aimed at achieving international stability and sustainable development.

It is necessary to mention other risks related to actions of this nature that fuel the growth of extremist manifestations, contribute to an increase in the numbers of people who become vulnerable to terrorist recruiters and further expand the geography of terrorist activity.

The Executive Committee of the Regional Anti-Terrorist Structure of the Shanghai Cooperation Organization condemns such incidents and calls on the international community and states to prevent such destructive actions in future, in the name of the common goals of security and sustainable development of humankind.