Democracy and human rights must be at the heart of renewed dialogue, OSCE leaders say

WARSAW, 2 October 2023 – Building on strong partnerships and returning to genuine dialogue are key to overcoming challenges to human rights and democracy. This was the main message from OSCE leaders today at the opening of a major human rights conference to discuss the condition of human rights and freedoms across the 57 states of the region.

The ten day Warsaw Human Dimension Conference is organized by the 2023 OSCE Chairpersonship of North Macedonia with the support of the OSCE Office for Democratic Institutions and Human Rights (ODIHR). The Conference brings together almost 1,500 registered participants from across the OSCE region, representing governments, international organisations, civil society, media, academia, and more.

"The Warsaw Human Dimension Conference is a vital human rights event.  At the heart of any human rights movement is the fundamental belief that every individual, regardless of their background or circumstances, possesses inherent rights and dignity. These rights are universal, indivisible and interdependent. They are not mere abstractions, but are the bedrock upon which peaceful, functioning, inclusive societies are built. This conference forms part and parcel of the OSCE’s ongoing work in the human rights arena," said the OSCE Chairman-in-Office, Foreign Minister of North Macedonia Bujar Osmani.

The OSCE’s work to achieve sustainable security throughout the 57 states of the region is only possible on the basis of democracy, human rights, and the rule of law, and in co-operation with civil society. But the work of civil society activists, whose determination to shed light on human rights abuses is so important for their societies to develop and flourish, is becoming more dangerous in the many places in which they are treated not as partners but as a political and security risk.

“The brave work of civil society activists and human rights defenders lies at the very heart of our democracies,” said ODIHR Director Matteo Mecacci. “At the OSCE we are deeply grateful for their courageous work, especially in fragile humanitarian situations resulting from conflicts across our region. We continue to learn from their experience, and we look forward to hearing proposals to improve respect for human rights, as well as their ideas for a better future. In this way, we create a unique platform for genuine dialogue between national authorities and civil society across the entire region.”

The scale of the challenges ahead is clear. As this conference begins, the war against Ukraine continues to rage following Russia’s military attack 20 months ago, with its tragic loss of life and ongoing humanitarian crisis. At the same time, the uncertain security situation in Stepanakert/Khankendi reminds us of the need to respect international law and ensure the protection of civilians. In addition to armed conflicts, there are also growing manifestations of hatred and discrimination in some parts of the OSCE, as well as the all too frequent backsliding on commitment to democratic standards and the rule of law.

“In every region of the OSCE I have heard civil society views on how to respond to the challenges we face. Your views have helped to inform our approach in Vienna, and to guide the work of our field missions. All of our work in the Secretariat and field missions is done based on a human rights centred approach, and the OSCE is committed to working with civil society every step of the way as we advance our efforts in the human dimension. The human dimension is fundamental to the OSCE comprehensive concept of security,” OSCE Secretary General Helga Maria Schmid said.

“Media freedom is deeply rooted in the concept and principles of democracy. It is what enables and sustains democratic societies – by providing people with the information they need to be free and self-determined. Quality information and a shared sense of reality are a prerequisite for all citizens to be able to express their will and positions, to take control of their lives, to be part of the glue that holds our societies together. There can be no democracy without media freedom, as much as there can be no security without media freedom,” said Teresa Ribeiro, OSCE Representative on Freedom of the Media.

The full programme and other information about the Warsaw Human Dimension Conference are available here. Other high-level speakers at the conference include Polish Foreign Affairs Minister Zbigniew Rau, Finnish Foreign Affairs Minister Elina Maria Valtonen, OSCE Parliamentary Assembly President Pia Kauma,  and OSCE High Commissioner on National Minorities Kairat Abdrakhmanov, as well as EU Fundamental Rights Agency Director Michael O’Flaherty as keynote speaker.

In addition to plenary sessions dedicated to democratic institutions, fundamental freedoms, tolerance and non-discrimination, the rule of law, and humanitarian issues, as well as media freedom, a range of specific topics will be discussed at close to 80 side events hosted by OSCE states, civil society organizations, ODIHR, and other OSCE institutions. The conference can be followed on social media at #WarsawHDC.