Fields of work

Human rights

Respect for human rights and fundamental freedoms are central to the OSCE's comprehensive security concept. Strengthening and promoting the protection of human rights is therefore at the heart of the Organization’s work.

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Our approach to security

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

Human rights are the foundation of any democratic society. Without human rights, stability, peace and security would be at risk or absent, as would be equality, democracy, and all fundamental freedoms. OSCE participating States have recognized that human rights are the birthright of all human beings, are inalienable and are guaranteed by law.

Ours is a time for fulfilling the hopes and expectations our peoples have cherished for decades: steadfast commitment to democracy based on human rights and fundamental freedoms; prosperity through economic liberty and social justice; and equal security for all our countries.

Charter of Paris for a New Europe

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

Human rights are at the heart of our work. We monitor the human rights situation across our region and help strengthen and promote the protection of human rights. Our work in this field includes, among many other issues, trial monitoring; human rights training and education; reviewing legislation to ensure its compliance with OSCE commitments and international human rights standards; and supporting human rights-focused civil society groups.

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

Our leading institution on the issue of human rights, the Office for Democratic Institutions and Human Rights, provides participating States with advice and assistance and supports individuals and civil society with targeted training and education. The Office covers a broad spectrum of issues, ranging from the fundamental freedoms of religion or belief, movement, assembly and association, to reporting on the use of the death penalty, monitoring trials, and preventing torture and other forms of ill-treatment.

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OSCE Office for Democratic Institutions and Human Rights

The OSCE Office for Democratic Institutions and Human Rights (ODIHR) provides support, assistance and expertise to participating States and civil society to promote democracy, rule of law, human rights and tolerance and non-discrimination. ODIHR observes elections, reviews legislation and advises governments on how to develop and sustain democratic institutions. The Office conducts training programmes for government and law-enforcement officials and non-governmental organizations on how to uphold, promote and monitor human rights.

Our operations on the ground

As one of the OSCE’s central tenets, human rights constitute an important element of the work of all our field operations. They are active in a broad array of initiatives, from work to eliminate discriminatory laws, policies and practices; to monitoring and helping strengthen executive, judicial, legislative and law enforcement institutions; to training human rights advocacy groups; to monitoring hate crimes and hate speech, and preventing human trafficking and torture.