Defence of human rights and democracy focus of Human Dimension Conference opening in Warsaw

WARSAW, 26 September 2022 – The Warsaw Human Dimension Conference started today, bringing together international organizations, governments and civil society for a 10-day event to discuss the condition of human rights and fundamental freedoms in the OSCE region.

During the opening session, speakers highlighted the crucial position of the human dimension in the OSCE’s comprehensive security approach and the importance of creating opportunities for stakeholders to exchange views on this wide-ranging subject.

“Human rights are inalienable, and their articulation and defence are among the greatest achievements of humanity. Denying human rights to anyone, especially the vulnerable and weak, is to take away their dignity and their sense of freedom and security. Such willful disregard for individual freedom and choice is a basic characteristic of a totalitarian regime,” said OSCE Chairman-in-Office, Foreign Minister of Poland, Zbigniew Rau. “This totalitarian ideology bears the name today of Russkij mir,”  he added.

“We are facing a number of global crises today that are making it even more demanding to uphold democratic principles and human rights – not only in the newer or more fragile democracies, but in all our countries,” said ODIHR Director Matteo Mecacci. “The OSCE remains in a unique position to offer solutions to these complex challenges, and ODIHR will continue to fulfil its mandate to promote the rights and freedoms of each individual across our region, placing civil society voices at the centre of our collective response,” he concluded.

“Sustainable security cannot be achieved without human rights, democracy and rule of law. That is why the OSCE integrates issues in the human dimension into all that we do,” OSCE Secretary General Helga Maria Schmid said. “We do it in close co-operation with civil society, a key partner for facing the unprecedented challenges across the OSCE region. When we – the OSCE, our participating States, civil society, and other partners – combine efforts, we can improve security, rights, freedoms, and opportunities today and for generations to come.”

“Human rights depend upon a rule-based order regarding borders. For using force to change borders perforce leads to violence, the violation of human rights,” said the special guest of the Conference, Toomas Hendrik Ilves, former President of Estonia from 2006 until 2016. “It’s no surprise then, that all OSCE participating States have agreed that lasting security cannot be achieved without respect for human rights and functioning democratic institutions. They have committed themselves to a comprehensive catalogue of human rights and democracy norms,” he underlined.

In the upcoming days, the more than 1,500 participants will engage in plenary sessions devoted to fundamental freedoms, democratic institutions, tolerance and non-discrimination, rule of law and humanitarian issues. Furthermore, there are almost 100 side events hosted by OSCE participating States, civil society organizations and OSCE institutions, designed to address broad aspects of the human dimension commitments.

The Warsaw Human Dimension Conference continues until 7 October. More information on the Conference is available here. Follow #WarsawHDC on Twitter.