16 November 2010
THE OMBUDSMAN STANDPOINT FOR THE DAY OF TOLERANCE
Dear citizens,
Today, on the International Day of Tolerance let us once again remember the basic values that characterize democratic societies. Justice, freedom, equality!
All this can not become reality unless we try to understand and accept the differences.
The basis of any idea about the human rights is equality and equal treatment of everybody.
Misunderstanding and intolerance of what is different is the root of conflicts and tensions, not to forget that Macedonia is a society characterized by series of differences in many aspects.
Learning and understanding of the differences is the first step towards establishing healthy democratic relations.
Acceptance of diversity is the basis of respecting the rights of all people in a society. Therefore, let us not turn our head of what is different. Let us look at, understand, accept and respect it.
Let us forget the speeches of hate that only contribute toward deepening of the rejection of diversity.
Let outstretch our hand to the people next to us and by respecting of their rights to allow respect for all individuals in this society!
Having the idea for which this day is marked the Ombudsman calls citizens to view the play Same in a Different Way which will play in the Drama Theatre in Skopje on 21.11.2010 at 20.00 hrs and on 29.11.2010 hrs at the same term.
OMBUDSMAN