OSCE human rights body raises concern of attacks and restrictions on human rights defenders
VIENNA, 10 December 2007 - A report by the OSCE's Office for Democratic Institutions and Human Rights (ODIHR) on patterns of human rights violations against those defending such rights was launched in Vienna today on International Human Rights Day.
In this report, the first of its kind, the ODIHR examines patterns of human rights violations in the OSCE area in the period from April 2006 to April 2007. Four areas are identified as of particular concern: continuing physical attacks on human rights defenders; the curtailment of the freedom of association; the failure to respect and protect freedom of assembly; and restrictions placed on the freedom of movement and right to liberty.
"This report is no light literature. It is dramatic reading and a reminder that we need to pay more attention to the individuals who are fighting for human rights," said Aliaksandr Bialiatski, Vice-President of the International Federation of Human Rights, at the launch event for the report at Vienna Hofburg Congress Centre.
Commenting on the role of human rights defenders such as Bialiatski, ODIHR Director, Ambassador Christian Strohal said: "They are at the forefront of efforts to secure human rights and hold governments to account. Human rights defenders are the lifeblood of a vibrant civil society and are the essence of any democratic society. They serve as our collective conscience."
The report is the work of ODIHR's Focal Point for Human Rights Defenders and National Human Rights Institutions, created in order to monitor the situation of human rights defenders, identify issues of concern and strengthen co-operation with national human rights institutions.
The report puts forward recommendations on how OSCE participating States could strengthen practical measures to protect human rights defenders and facilitate their work.
"What we hope to see now is concrete follow-up to these recommendations by OSCE States," said Strohal.