Documents library
OSCE/ODIHR-Venice Commission Preliminary Joint Opinion on the Draft Law on Introduction of Changes and Amendments to the Constitution of the Kyrgyz Republic
Publishing date: 31 August 2016
Collections: Legal Opinions and Comments
Content type: Report
Where we are: OSCE Office for Democratic Institutions and Human Rights
What we do: Democratization
Publisher: Organization for Security and Co-operation in Europe
The Draft Amendments propose changes to constitutional provisions on the status of international human rights treaties and their position in the hierarchy of norms, the separation of powers, the dismissal of members of Cabinet, the manner of appointing/dismissing heads of local state administration, the independence of the judiciary and of judges as well as the roles of the Supreme Court, and of the Constitutional Chamber, among others. The OSCE/ODIHR and the Venice Commission note that the proposed amendments to the Constitution may negatively impact the balance of powers by strengthening the powers of the executive, while weakening both the parliament and, to a greater extent, the judiciary. In particular, although the Constitutional Chamber is retained as such, the Draft Amendments would seriously affect its institutional status and role as an effective organ of judicial constitutional review. Moreover, some of the proposed amendments raise concerns with regard to key democratic principles, in particular the rule of law, the separation of powers and the independence of the judiciary, and have the potential to encroach on certain human rights and fundamental freedoms.
Opening remarks by ODIHR Director Michael Georg Link at Working Session 1 (Democratic Institutions) of the Human Dimension Implementation Meeting (HDIM) 2016
Publishing date: 23 September 2016
Collections: Speeches by Director Michael Link
Content type: Statement / speech
Where we are: OSCE Office for Democratic Institutions and Human Rights
Publisher: Organization for Security and Co-operation in Europe
19 September 2016
Opening remarks by ODIHR Director Michael Georg Link at the 20th Human Dimension Implementation Meeting
Publishing date: 23 September 2016
Collections: Speeches by Director Michael Link
Content type: Statement / speech
Where we are: OSCE Office for Democratic Institutions and Human Rights
Publisher: Organization for Security and Co-operation in Europe
19 September 2016, Warsaw
Talking Points of the OSCE Secretary General
Publishing date: 23 September 2016
Content type: Statement / speech
Where we are: OSCE Secretary General
What we do: Tolerance and non-discrimination
Publisher: Organization for Security and Co-operation in Europe
Talking Points of the OSCE Secretary General on “Combatting xenophobia through fostering inclusive dialogue” Ministerial Meeting of the Group of Friends of the UN Alliance of Civilisations, New York, 23 September 2016.
Statement by the Delegation of the United States of America in response to the statement by the Delegation of the Russian Federation made at the 1104th meeting of the Permanent Council on the rights of migrants in the United States of America
Publishing date: 14 July 2016
Collections: 1108th Plenary Meeting of the Permanent Council
Content type: Statement / speech
Where we are: Permanent Council
What we do: Human rights, Migration, Rule of law
Publisher: Organization for Security and Co-operation in Europe
1108th Plenary Meeting of the Permanent Council
Statement by the Delegation of the Russian Federation in response to the statement by the Delegation of the United States of America on the legislation restricting the rights to freedom of speech, assembly and religion in the Russian Federation
Publishing date: 14 July 2016
Collections: 1108th Plenary Meeting of the Permanent Council
Content type: Statement / speech
Where we are: Permanent Council
What we do: Human rights, Rule of law
Publisher: Organization for Security and Co-operation in Europe
Address by the Minister for Foreign Affairs of Austria, H.E. Sebastian Kurz
Publishing date: 14 July 2016
Collections: 1108th Plenary Meeting of the Permanent Council
Content type: Statement / speech
Where we are: Permanent Council
Publisher: Organization for Security and Co-operation in Europe
1108th Plenary Meeting of the Permanent Council
Statement by the Delegation of Albania in response to the report by the Head of the OSCE Mission to Skopje, Ambassador Nina Suomalainen
Publishing date: 14 July 2016
Collections: 1108th Plenary Meeting of the Permanent Council
Content type: Statement / speech
Where we are: Permanent Council
Publisher: Organization for Security and Co-operation in Europe
1108th Plenary Meeting of the Permanent Council
Statement by the Delegation of Armenia in response to the address by the Minister for Foreign Affairs of Austria, H.E. Sebastian Kurz
Publishing date: 14 July 2016
Collections: 1108th Plenary Meeting of the Permanent Council
Content type: Statement / speech
Where we are: Permanent Council
Publisher: Organization for Security and Co-operation in Europe
1108th Plenary Meeting of the Permanent Council
Statement by the Delegation of Belarus in response to the address by the Minister for Foreign Affairs of Austria, H.E. Sebastian Kurz
Publishing date: 14 July 2016
Collections: 1108th Plenary Meeting of the Permanent Council
Content type: Statement / speech
Where we are: Permanent Council
Publisher: Organization for Security and Co-operation in Europe