Organization for Security and Co-operation in EuropeLinks
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Human dimension mechanisms
The OSCE has established a number of tools to monitor the implementation of commitments that participating States have undertaken in the field of human rights and democracy.
Office for Democratic Institutions and Human Rights
A matter of international concern
A fundamental aspect of the human dimension is that human rights and pluralistic democracy are not considered an internal affair of a state. The participating States have stressed that issues relating to human rights, fundamental freedoms, democracy and the rule of law are of international concern, as respect for these rights and freedoms constitutes one of the foundations of the international order.
In fact, the participating States "categorically and irrevocably" declared that the "commitments undertaken in the field of the human dimension of the OSCE are matters of direct and legitimate concern to all participating States and do not belong exclusively to the internal affairs of the State concerned" (Moscow Document, 1991).
Therefore, OSCE participating States are no longer in a position to invoke the non-intervention principle to avoid discussions about human-rights problems within their countries.
This explains why the OSCE is not only a community of values but also a community of responsibility.
And it has to be stressed that this responsibility does not only focus on the right to criticize other states concerning violations of human dimension commitments but also on the duty to assist each other in solving specific problems.
In fact, the participating States "categorically and irrevocably" declared that the "commitments undertaken in the field of the human dimension of the OSCE are matters of direct and legitimate concern to all participating States and do not belong exclusively to the internal affairs of the State concerned" (Moscow Document, 1991).
Therefore, OSCE participating States are no longer in a position to invoke the non-intervention principle to avoid discussions about human-rights problems within their countries.
This explains why the OSCE is not only a community of values but also a community of responsibility.
And it has to be stressed that this responsibility does not only focus on the right to criticize other states concerning violations of human dimension commitments but also on the duty to assist each other in solving specific problems.