On 10 June, the Tolerance and Diversity Institute (TDI) organized a panel discussion on Freedom of Religion or Belief for All in Georgia and Beyond at Ilia State University. 

Thiago Alves Pinto, director of Studies in Religion and Theology at the University of Oxford, John Kinahan, assistant editor for Forum 18, and Tatiana Kopaleishvili, affiliated researcher and coordinator of the Institute for the Study of Freedom of Religion or Belief at the Evangelical Theological Faculty at Leuven, Belgium, delivered speeches at the discussion. 

Ekaterine Chitanava, director at TDI; Nino Doborjginidze, Rector at Ilia State University; Bergljot Hovland, Ambassador of Norway to Georgia, and Jennie Holck-Clausen, Senior Advisor at the Norwegian Centre for Human Rights International Department at the University of Oslo opened the panel discussion. 

In her welcome speech, Rector Nino Doborjginidze discussed Georgia's historical diversity, the importance of discussing freedom of religion and belief in the academic space, and cooperation with civil society organizations. 

The Ambassador of Norway in Georgia, Bergljot Hovland, noted in her speech that freedom of religion or belief is one of the Norwegian government's priority areas and expressed support for human rights defender organizations. 

Jennie Holck-Clausen, senior advisor at the Norwegian Centre for Human Rights International Department of the University of Oslo, emphasized the importance of protecting freedom of religion or belief and supporting related initiatives. TDI has been cooperating with the Norwegian Centre for Human Rights of Oslo University for several years and has implemented joint educational projects in Georgia. 

Thiago Alves Pinto, director of studies in religion and theology at the University of Oxford, opened the discussion. He spoke about hatred on religious grounds based on examples from different countries. He also reviewed the international legal mechanisms for the protection of freedom of religion and belief and emphasized the importance of the unwavering protection of all rights.  

Tatiana Kopaleishvili, affiliated researcher and coordinator of the Institute for the Study of Freedom of Religion or Belief at the Evangelical Theological Faculty at Leuven University reviewed the principles for the protection of freedom of religion or belief, the situation related to freedom of religion in Georgia and noted, that the quality of protecting of the fundamental rights should be evaluated from the perspective of protection of the minority rights. The speaker spoke about the problematic role and policy of the State Agency for Religious Issues of Georgia and emphasized the importance and necessity of education related to freedom of religion and belief. 

The assistant editor of the international publication Forum-18, John Kinihan, used the examples of non-democratic and authoritarian states, including Russia, to discuss systemic cases of restrictions on freedom of religion and belief, the persecution of religious minorities and human rights defenders, and the consequences and dangers of Georgia's similar law on 'Agents of foreign influence.’ In his speech, he underlined the interrelationship and intertwining of freedom of religion and belief with other rights. 

The event was held in partnership with the Oslo Coalition for Freedom of Religion or Belief at the Norwegian Centre for Human Rights, University of Oslo, with the support of the Norwegian Ministry of Foreign Affairs.