ZAGREB, 22 Jan (Hina) - Croatia has achieved a high standard of religious freedom, the Association for Religious Freedom said.

At a press conference, the organisation announced a ceremonial assembly at the University Centre for Integrative Bioethics on Thursday on the occasion of International Religious Freedom Day and the 31st anniversary of its founding.

The event was discussed by the president of the Association's Assembly, Protopresbyter-Stavrophore Slobodan Lalić, the chairman of the Main Board, Željko Mraz, and the Association's secretary, Josip Takač. The conference was moderated by Main Board member Augustin Bašić.

Bašić emphasised that internal spiritual freedom is the foundation of all other freedoms and human dignity, warning that the denial of religious freedom undermines the essence of humanity and causes serious harm to democracy and society.

"Croatia is a secular state with numerous religious communities, churches and groups. The majority religion is the Roman Catholic Church, but there are around 50 smaller registered religious communities," Bašić said, describing this as "a true multireligious wealth of society".

The Association for Religious Freedom in Croatia is a non-governmental, non-profit organisation that brings together believers, clergy and religious leaders from various religious communities, as well as non-believers and atheists from across the country.

The Association's mission is to defend, preserve, expand and enhance the religious freedoms of individuals and communities while promoting the right to freedom of conscience and belief.

The chairman of the Main Board, Željko Mraz, expressed satisfaction with the Association's achievements.

"Sometimes, especially for minority religious communities, it is somewhat more challenging to exercise their rights, but we can say that Croatia has reached a certain standard of religious freedom with which we can be satisfied," Mraz said.

He added that there is always room for progress, as the ongoing development of democracy and society requires better and more effective solutions to issues of mutual interest that are vital for the functioning of religious communities.

Protopresbyter-Stavrophore Slobodan Lalić noted that Croatia, as a young democracy, has made significant progress, even compared to countries with longer traditions of religious freedom.

“What's important to emphasise is that religious freedoms are truly the best indicator of the maturity and democratic nature of a society," Lalić said.

On Thursday, the Association will present awards recognising contributions to religious freedom and interfaith dialogue.