OSCE expresses sorrow over death of Max van der Stoel

The OSCE Chairperson-in-Office, Lithuanian Foreign Minister Audronius Ažubalis, and the OSCE High Commissioner on National Minorities (HCNM) Knut Vollebaek offered their deepest condolences to the Netherlands’ Government and the relatives of Max van der Stoel, a former Minister of Foreign Affairs of the country and the first OSCE High Commissioner on National Minorities, who died on 23 April 2011 at the age of 86.

“An excellent politician and a gifted diplomat, he dedicated himself to the protection of human rights,” Ažubalis said. “Thanks to his relentless efforts, the OSCE has become a leader in addressing situations of national minorities in the region.”

Vollebaek said: “We mourn the death of the first High Commissioner on National Minorities and look back in gratitude on all that he achieved in life. Through tireless ‘quiet diplomacy’ and by using his sound political judgement, van der Stoel made an invaluable contribution to the prevention or resolution of interethnic tensions throughout the OSCE area.”

“He was a champion of human rights and stood up for them in his various public positions. His legacy will live on, not least through the HCNM, which he moulded and developed. We who have the privilege of being part of it today stand on the shoulders of a giant and should be inspired by him as we carry our work forward.”

Van der Stoel was appointed in December 1992 as the first OSCE High Commissioner on National Minorities and served until July 2001. During this turbulent period of Europe’s history, he founded and shaped the institution of the HCNM and developed its conflict prevention mandate.