In Warsaw, OSCE review conference begins with calls on states to live up to their human rights commitments

WARSAW, 30 September 2010 - The Warsaw segment of the OSCE's Review Conference got underway today with calls on participating States to live up to the human rights and democracy commitments they have promised to adhere to as part of the Organization. 

Representatives of the 56 OSCE participating States have gathered in Warsaw to review the progress they have made in implementing commitments relating to human rights and fundamental freedoms, the rule of law, democracy, and tolerance and non-discrimination. The Warsaw segment, which ends 8 October, is the first part of a 17-day review process leading up to the OSCE Summit in Astana on 1-2 December.

Ambassador Janez Lenarcic, the Director of the OSCE Office for Democratic Institutions and Human Rights (ODIHR) noted the progress made in strengthening human rights and democracy in the OSCE region, but also said that the "uneven and incomplete" implementation of commitments remained a serious problem.

He stressed that states' specific histories and traditions can be no justification for putting off democratic reform: "There is no such thing as unpreparedness in a people's desire for freedom and the protection of their human rights."

Lenarcic also said that intolerance is a growing problem in the OSCE region, including a worrying increase in anti-Roma rhetoric. "Time and again, the Roma have to pay the price for politicians trying to make capital by stirring up public anger against this minority."

The OSCE High Commissioner on National Minorities, Knut Vollebaek, said the work of his institution remained as relevant today as when it was established in 1992.

"The situation in Kyrgyzstan is a reminder that long-term stability cannot be achieved if minority communities are left on the margins of society and the root causes of their exclusion are not addressed," he said. "The risk of destabilization is particularly high in countries that lack stable and strong institutions. In such a climate, nationalist discourse is likely to flourish, with the risk of alienating minority communities from the State and ensuing destabilization."

The OSCE Representative on Freedom of the Media, Dunja Mijatovic, said that challenges to media freedom were prevalent in most OSCE participating States, adding that the upcoming Summit offered a unique opportunity to reverse negative trends.

"Many argue that freedom of media is in decline across the OSCE region. In some aspects, I subscribe to this," she added, stressing that the safety of journalists is of particular concern. "Perhaps now more than ever, it is dangerous to be a journalist. In many parts of the world it is dangerous to be a monitor of our time and it is dangerous to be a human being who speaks his or her mind freely."

With several hundred participants from governments, civil society and international organizations, the Warsaw part of the Review Conference is the largest regional human rights event in Europe this year.

Civil society groups have full access to working sessions and can discuss challenges with government representatives on an equal footing.

On the margins of the meeting, close to 50 side events organized by governments, non-governmental organizations and OSCE institutions and field operations will highlight specific topics of concern and country situations.