Office for Democratic Institutions and Human Rights

The OSCE's Office for Democratic Institutions and Human Rights is led by Ambassador Janez Lenarcic of Slovenia, who became Director in July 2008. He is responsible for directing the Office's day-to-day activities and determining its long-term policy.

The primary building blocks of the Office are the Elections, Democratization, and Human Rights departments, as well as the Contact Point for Roma and Sinti Issues and the Tolerance and Non-Discrimination department.

Democratization Department

Each department deals with a variety of issues. The Democratization Department focuses on rule of law, equal participation in political and public life, promoting democratic governance, freedom of movement, and providing legislative support.

Human Rights Department

The Human Rights Department conducts activities in a broad range of interrelated issues, including the protection of human rights and fundamental freedoms, promoting human rights in the fight against terrorism, publicizing information about the use of the death penalty, monitoring trials, and conducting training and education programmes in the area of human rights.

Elections Department

While the ODIHR's Elections Department receives most attention for its work in the field of election observation, it is also engaged in technical-assistance projects, including the review of election-related legislation and the promotion of domestic observer groups throughout the OSCE region.

Contact Point on Roma and Sinti Issues

The Contact Point on Roma and Sinti Issues promotes the inclusion of Roma and related groups in the societies in which they live. It also engages governments on policy issues related to Roma and has also been active both in providing early warning of potential conflicts and in mediating once a conflict has developed.

Tolerance and Non-Discrimination Department

The Tolerance and Non-Discrimination Department is the newest part of the ODIHR. It was established in 2004 in response to new tasks assigned in this field regarding violations of human rights and fundamental freedoms, including the freedom of thought, conscience, religion or belief, as well as to manifestations of hate and intolerance.

Altogether, there are more than 120 staff members employed at the ODIHR, who bring a wealth of experience from more than 25 different countries from throughout the OSCE region. Though they are engaged in diverse activities, they share the common goal and commitment of improving the lives of all individuals in the 56 OSCE participating States through the protection of human rights, the advancement of rule of law and democratic institutions, and the promotion of democratic elections.