Warsaw Human Dimension Conference 2025: ODIHR Side Events

During 2025 Warsaw Human Dimension Conference, organized by the Finnish OSCE Chairpersonship, the OSCE Office for Democratic Institutions and Human Rights (ODIHR) is holding a number of side events that will take place in addition to the formal plenary sessions.

These meetings — open to all registered conference participants — will provide an opportunity for more focused discussions on ODIHR’s recent activities, publications, and tools aimed at strengthening democratic institutions and promoting human rights across the OSCE region. Insights from these discussions will inform the work of ODIHR’s thematic programmes, including those on human rights, rule of law, democratization, tolerance and non-discrimination, as well as the situation of Roma and Sinti communities within the OSCE area. Where relevant, the meetings will also address additional areas within ODIHR’s mandate.

The side events will serve as a platform for dialogue and exchange, enabling participating States, civil society organizations, academic institutions, and the media to contribute valuable perspectives on issues covered by ODIHR’s mandate.

Overview

During the first week, participants will have the opportunity to address the following topics:

• Tuesday, 7 October, mid-day: 25 years at the forefront of electoral legal assistance: ODIHR’s election legal assistance as a part of its follow-up work; and Democracy at the Crossroads: Responding to the Challenges of Reform and Representation in Eastern Europe and the South Caucasus
• Thursday, 9 October, morning: Think again: freedom of thought in the age of AI - Publication launch
• Thursday, 9 October, mid-day: Securitization under scrutiny: The role of National Human Rights Institutions in strengthening human rights compliance of counter-terrorism measures
• Thursday, 9 October, afternoon: ODIHR’s Ukraine Monitoring Initiative
• Friday, 10 October, morning: War Crimes before Domestic Courts: the OSCE and current challenges in securing justice for victims
• Friday, 10 October, mid-day: Trial monitoring - an effective tool for supporting justice reform and judicial accountability
• Friday, 10 October, afternoon: Human rights infrastructure as a foundational element in countering backsliding on gender equality

During the second week, discussions will focus on the following topics:

• Monday, 13 October, morning: Hate crime training for police and prosecutors across the OSCE region – lessons from 20 years of ODIHR practice and publication of ODIHR training materials; and Exploring Achievements and Challenges of the Past and Present: What Lies Ahead for the Future of Roma and Sinti Human Rights in the OSCE Area
• Monday, 13 October, mid-day: OSCE RETROSPECTIVE: From the Commitments to Action: Addressing Hate Crimes in the SEE Region Through OSCE Co-operation, 15 years of good practice from the field;
• Monday, 13 October, evening: Launch of ODIHR publication: Understanding Anti-Christian Hate Crimes and Addressing the Security Needs of Christian Communities: A Practical Guide; and Film screening and panel discussion: That boy: A conversation about hate and healing
• Tuesday, 14 October, morning: Women’s Power Breakfast: 50/50 gender parity in politics – Why is it important and how to make it happen?
• Wednesday, 15 October, morning: Truth over fear: countering attacks on migrant and refugee rights
• Wednesday, 15 October, afternoon:  A long road to recovery: sharing good practices on victim identification and long-term support for survivors of human trafficking
• Thursday, 16 October, morning: Strengthening resilient national human rights institutions to promote and protect human rights
• Thursday, 10 October, mid-day: Human Rights Defenders in Exile: Prospects for stronger EU protection

The detailed programme of side events is available in the resources section below.

Contact

For questions about the conference, please contact warsawhdc@osce.org.

Please continue to consult this webpage for updates.