Office for Democratic Institutions and Human Rights

One of the main characteristics of a modern society is increased population mobility. As people in the OSCE region move both within their countries and between countries, current migration phenomena are more complex than ever.

Migration can be a positive factor in economic and social development and can contribute to understanding among cultures and to democratization trends. But migrants can also become victims of negative stereotyping, intolerance, and violations of human rights.

Despite the best efforts of the ODIHR and its many partners, there are serious obstacles to protecting the human rights of migrants in the OSCE. Moreover, there are persistent negative stereotypes and perceptions about the impact of migrants.

A lack of information on migration as a phenomenon and on migration laws and policies of other participating States presents a challenge to citizens and governments alike and needs to be overcome. Another challenge is the growing perception in one group of OSCE states that the other part of the region is erecting a "paper curtain" of onerous visa requirements that would divide the region and its citizens, thereby preventing them from learning more about each other and from reaching mutual understanding.

The ODIHR's activities focus on the following areas:

• Assistance in reforming the propiska system;
• Combating discrimination against the most-vulnerable groups of migrants;
• Promoting interstate co-operation on labour migration, migration-related information, and the human rights of migrants;
• Assistance in reforming legislation affecting citizens leaving their own country.