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2018 Human Dimension Implementation Meeting Highlights

Europe’s largest annual human rights and democracy conference, organized by the OSCE Office for Democratic Institutions and Human Rights (ODIHR), took place in Warsaw, Poland, from 10 to 21 September 2018.

ODIHR Women’s Power Breakfast highlights need for gender sensitivity and equality in justice systems
ODIHR presents new guidelines on protecting human rights while countering threats posed by “foreign terrorist fighters”
ODIHR, Penal Reform International present new publication on implementing UN rules for treatment of prisoners
Interactive event in Warsaw showcases ODIHR’s use of digital pens in observing elections

The opening of the HDIM in pictures

The opening plenary session of the 2018 Human Dimension Implementation Meeting, 10 September 2018, Warsaw.

OSCE/Piotr Dziubak Photo details

Representatives of OSCE participating States prepare for the opening of the 2018 Human Dimension Implementation Meeting, 10 September 2018, Warsaw.

OSCE/Piotr Dziubak Photo details

Civil society speakers in the plenary hall of the 2018 Human Dimension Implementation Meeting, 10 September 2018, Warsaw.

OSCE/Piotr Dziubak Photo details

The opening of the 2018 Human Dimension Implementation Meeting, 10 September 2018, Warsaw.

OSCE/Piotr Dziubak Photo details

Ingibjörg Sólrún Gísladóttir, Director of the OSCE Office for Democratic Institutions and Human Rights (ODIHR), opens the 2018 Human Dimension Implementation Meeting, 10 September 2018, Warsaw.

OSCE/Piotr Dziubak Photo details

Ingibjörg Sólrún Gísladóttir, Director of the OSCE Office for Democratic Institutions and Human Rights (ODIHR), addresses participants in the opening of the 2018 Human Dimension Implementation Meeting, 10 September 2018, Warsaw.

OSCE/Piotr Dziubak Photo details

Jacek Czaputowicz, the Polish Foreign Minister, speaking during the opening of the 2018 Human Dimension Implementation Meeting, 10 September 2018, Warsaw.

OSCE/Piotr Dziubak Photo details

Ambassador Alessandro Azzoni, Permanent Representative of Italy to the OSCE in Vienna, addressing participants in the opening of the 2018 Human Dimension Implementation Meeting on behalf of the Italian OSCE Chairmanship, 10 September 2018, Warsaw.

OSCE/Piotr Dziubak Photo details

George Tsereteli, President of the OSCE Parliamentary Assembly, delivers his remarks during the opening of the 2018 Human Dimension Implementation Meeting, 10 September 2018, Warsaw.

OSCE/Piotr Dziubak Photo details

Lamberto Zannier, the OSCE High Commissioner on National Minorities, welcomes participants the opening of the 2018 Human Dimension Implementation Meeting, 10 September 2018, Warsaw.

OSCE/Piotr Dziubak Photo details

Harlem Désir, the OSCE Representative on Freedom of the Media, speaking at the opening of the 2018 Human Dimension Implementation Meeting, 10 September 2018, Warsaw.

OSCE/Piotr Dziubak Photo details

Michael O'Flaherty, Director of the EU Fundamental Rights Agency, delivering a keynote speech during the opening of the 2018 Human Dimension Implementation Meeting, 10 September 2018, Warsaw.

OSCE/Piotr Dziubak Photo details

Paul Bekkers, Director of the Office of the OSCE Secretary General, addressing participants in the opening plenary session of the 2018 Human Dimension Implementation Meeting, 10 September 2018, Warsaw.

OSCE/Piotr Dziubak Photo details

Representatives of OSCE participating States participate in the opening plenary session of the 2018 Human Dimension Implementation Meeting, 10 September 2018, Warsaw.

OSCE/Piotr Dziubak Photo details

Participants in the 2018 Human Dimension Implementation Meeting in Warsaw, 10 September 2018.

OSCE/Piotr Dziubak Photo details

ODIHR publications presented at the premises of the 2018 Human Dimension Implementation Meeting in Warsaw, 10 September 2018.

OSCE/Piotr Dziubak Photo details

Today’s security challenges make defence and promotion of human rights more important than ever, speakers say at opening of OSCE conference in Warsaw

The need to address today’s security challenges means the defence and promotion of human rights are more important than ever, speakers said today at the opening of the OSCE Human Dimension Implementation Meeting in Warsaw. Read more>>

В свете сегодняшних вызовов безопасности значение защиты и поощрения прав человека велико, как никогда, считают докладчики, выступившие на открытии совещания ОБСЕ в Варшаве

Необходимость решения современных проблем в области безопасности означает, что защита и поощрение прав человека сегодня важны, как никогда. Такое мнение высказали участники Совещания по рассмотрению выполнения обязательств в области человеческого измерения ОБСЕ, которое открылось сегодня в Варшаве. Подробнее>>

Key Quotes

Livestreaming

The conference was livestreamed in English and Russian. Recordings are available under the link below. By clicking on the link, you will be taken to the ODIHR Facebook page and agree to the following statement:

The simultaneous interpretation of debates serves to facilitate communication and does not constitute an authentic record of proceedings. The OSCE and the interpreters decline any responsibility for any errors or omissions that may occur in the interpretation, and for any damages that might arise from the use of the interpretation. I pledge to ensure that the simultaneous interpretation of debates accessible on this website will not be used in any manner by me, or any other person or entity, for any commercial gain purposes.

Draft Agenda

Click the image below to access the high resolution version of the visual.

Highlights

Victim support must be at the centre of an effective response to hate crime, say participants at OSCE/ODIHR event

Techniques to improve states’ support for victims of hate crime were the focus of an event organized by ODIHR on 20 September in Warsaw on the margins of the HDIM.

Gender dynamics of human trafficking explored at OSCE/ODIHR event in Warsaw

Trafficking in human beings is often gender-specific, as are its consequences, including the harm it causes and the recovery process for survivors, said participants in an event co-organized by ODIHR and the OSCE Office of the Special Representative and Co-ordinator for Combating Trafficking in Human Beings in Warsaw on 19 September 2018.

The role of national referral mechanisms in protecting the rights of trafficked persons subject of event organized by ODIHR

The role of national referral mechanisms (NRMs) in protecting the rights of trafficked persons was addressed in an event organized by ODIHR in Warsaw on 18 September 2018, on the margins of the HDIM.

Freedom of speech and expression in the armed forces focus of ODIHR and EUROMIL discussion in Warsaw

Experts and representatives of armed forces, defence ministries, military trade unions and professional associations from a range of OSCE participating States shared experiences and good practices in protecting armed forces’ right to freedom of expression while ensuring operational effectiveness at an event held on 17 September 2018, on the margins of the HDIM.

International human rights standards and good practices in policing assemblies in Western Balkans focus of event co-organized by OSCE/ODIHR in Warsaw

Challenges and good practices in ensuring human rights-compliant assembly policing in the Western Balkans region and related available resources were explored and presented at an event in Warsaw on 17 September 2018, during the Human Dimension Implementation Meeting.

Warsaw event explores tools to advance youth political participation throughout the OSCE region

New, youth-specific tools and research aimed at assisting policymakers and youth stakeholders working to enhance youth wellbeing and political engagement in the OSCE region were introduced at an event in Warsaw on 14 September 2018. Youth experts and practitioners, as well as representatives of governments and civil society organizations from OSCE participating States took part.

Greater efforts to protect Roma from violence and punish perpetrators key to ensuring Roma security and inclusion, say participants at Warsaw event

The very limited progress in implementing government strategies and policies for Roma inclusion remain a major obstacle to their inclusion, participants said at an event in Warsaw on 14 September 2018. The lack of progress is coupled with negative public and political discourse, persistent discrimination and growing manifestations of intolerance and racially motivated violence against Roma and Sinti in the OSCE area.

Addressing anti-Semitism through education focus of event co-organized in Warsaw by OSCE Italian Chairmanship, ODIHR and group of OSCE delegations

How educational policy and practice can address anti-Semitism was at the centre of discussions at an event held on 14 September 2018 on the margins of the HDIM.

Good practices for building civil society coalitions to address intolerance and discrimination subject of OSCE/ODIHR event in Warsaw

Good practices for promoting tolerance and non-discrimination and the challenges that civil society may face in this work were the subject of an event held by ODIHR on 13 September 2018 on the margins of the HDIM.

Measures to end trade in torture tools in OSCE region focus of expert discussion in Warsaw

Existing regional processes to control the trade of equipment that was designed or can be used for torture or other ill-treatment was the focus of an event organized by ODIHR and the Omega Research Foundation during the HDIM.