Joint Message of the OSCE Chairperson-in-Office’s Personal Representatives focusing on tolerance and non-discrimination, on Human Rights Day

As we mark International Human Rights Day, much of the world is still reeling from the COVID-19 pandemic. A new variant and increased cases have led many OSCE participating States to reimpose restrictions reminiscent of the conditions under which we commemorated this important anniversary a year ago. The pandemic has exacerbated our task of preserving and defending human rights around the world. It has further widened the political and partisan divides and fueled conspiracy theories that target minorities and persons in vulnerable situations. Some nations, while citing the necessity of measures to control the spread of the virus, have used it as a pretext for disproportionate security responses and repressive measures that undermine human rights, including the freedom of religion or belief.

As social media plays an even greater role in these difficult times, we see how it at times is misused, fractures our societies and increases antisemitism, racism, intolerance, and xenophobia. The COVID-19 pandemic has had a disproportionate impact on persons in vulnerable situations, which has resulted in numerous instances of stereotyping, stigmatization, scapegoating and discrimination, especially against ethnic, religious, and other minorities, including anti-Semitic attacks and hate crimes against Muslims, Christians and members of other religions, Roma and Sinti, migrants and refugees, and people perceived to be of Asian descent. This is documented in the most recent annual OSCE/ODIHR Hate Crime Report, which found that one quarter of all OSCE participating States still fails to meet their basic commitment to report hate crime data. Thus, thousands of hate crime victims are left without support or redress.

We very much hope that this International Human Rights Day will be a call to action. OSCE participating States can draw lessons from this crisis and step forward to meet their commitments. Combating antisemitism, racism, intolerance, and discrimination and promoting tolerance, stability and peace are more challenging and yet more necessary in these difficult times.

Human Rights are universal and indivisible, and they protect us all. When OSCE participating States implement these comprehensive commitments and share their best practice experiences they also strengthen international relationships and contribute to security and peace. As the Personal Representatives of the Chairperson-in-Office for tolerance issues, we are ready to assist. 

Rabbi Andrew Baker, Personal Representative on Combating Anti-Semitism; Ambassador Mehmet Pacaci, Personal Representative on Combating Intolerance and Discrimination against Muslims; Professor Regina Polak, Personal Representative on Combating Racism, Xenophobia and Discrimination, also focusing on Intolerance and Discrimination against Christians and Members of Other Religions