Fields of work

Rule of law

The rule of law, a cornerstone of the OSCE's human rights and democratization work, not only encompasses formal legal frameworks but also aims at justice based on the full acceptance of human dignity. The Organization assists its participating States in developing justice systems that guarantee the respect of everyone’s fundamental rights and freedoms.

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ODIHR and the Rule of Law

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Organization for Security and Co-operation in Europe

Our challenge

Many factors can affect security and stability, often across borders, population segments or the OSCE’s three dimensions.

The concept of the rule of law is a cornerstone of our activities related to human rights and democratization. Some OSCE participating States continue to draw on our assistance in developing justice systems that are built on the rule of law and guarantee the respect of everyone’s fundamental rights and freedoms in a fair and independent manner.

[…] the development of societies based on pluralistic democracy and the rule of law are prerequisites for a lasting order of peace, security, justice and co-operation in Europe.

Our action

Building on our comprehensive and co-operative approach to security, we work on strategies to tackle the issue head-on.

We assist our participating States in developing justice systems that guarantee the respect of everyone’s fundamental rights and freedoms. Our institutions work with specialized legal professionals—including judges and lawyers—who provide expert advice and assist legislative reform. Key areas of activity are the state of judicial independence in the participating States; safeguarding criminal justice procedures; and strengthening national capacities to deal with war crimes cases. Another focus area is that of access to justice for national minorities.

Mandate

Our teams

Our institutions, field operations and offices bring to the task expert skills and knowledge to develop tailor-made solutions for each challenge.

Our institutions and offices

Assisting participating States with judicial and legislative reforms in line with rule of law principles is an important part of the work of the Office for Democratic Institutions and Human Rights. Its activities in this field aim to ensure that judiciaries operate free from undue influence. The Office also promotes institutional reforms to better enable key actors in the criminal justice chain to perform their duties transparently and in compliance with human rights obligations.

The High Commissioner on National Minorities works on access to justice for national minorities, by providing guidance and recommendations to States on the relationship between access to justice and conflict prevention and access to justice and national minorities.

Our operations on the ground

All field operations implement activities that focus on strengthening the rule of law. Their work ranges from legislative and judicial reform to strengthening the independence of the judiciary, reporting on hate crimes, trial monitoring and helping to ensure proper referral of complaints of human rights violations.

Presence in Albania

Established on 27 March 1997 with the mandate to promote democratization, the rule of law and human rights, and to consolidate democratic institutions.

Centre in Ashgabat

Set up on 23 July 1998, the Centre works on a broad array of security issues, from arms control to economic-environmental topics and human rights.

Programme Office in Astana

Established on 23 July 1998, the Office's work ranges from arms control and border management to economic-environmental issues and human rights.

Programme Office in Bishkek

Established on 23 July 1998, the Office works in all OSCE dimensions, including the economic-environmental, human and political aspects of security.

Mission to Bosnia and Herzegovina

Established on 8 December 1995, the Mission works on human rights, education, the rule of law, gender equality, governance and security co-operation.

Programme Office in Dushanbe

Established on 1 December 1993, the Office works on activities ranging from arms control to disaster risk reduction, good governance and gender equality.

Mission in Kosovo

Set up on 1 July 1999, the Mission has its headquarters in Prishtinë/Priština and maintains five regional offices. It runs a wide array of activities.

Mission to Moldova

Established on 4 February 1993 to facilitate the achievement of a lasting political settlement of the Transdniestrian conflict in all its aspects.

Mission to Montenegro

Established on 29 June 2006, the Mission assists Montenegro with its reform agenda and helps it further strengthen its democratic development.

Mission to Serbia

The Mission, set up on 11 January 2001, is based in Belgrade and assists Serbia in building accountable democratic institutions.

Mission to Skopje

Established on 18 September 1992, the Mission’s key priorities are constructive inter-ethnic relations and the 2001 Ohrid Framework Agreement.

Project Co-ordinator in Uzbekistan

Active in the country since 1 July 2006, the Co-ordinator helps strengthen legislation and build institutional capacity in Uzbekistan.

Projects

Initiatives funded by individual states and organizations

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Reports, studies and analyses for policymakers, researchers and all those interested in this field of our work

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Practice-oriented manuals, guides, handbooks and recommendations for policymakers and practitioners working in this field

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