Publications

A factsheet on ODIHR's activities in Ukraine

The mandate of the OSCE Presence in Albania is to promote democratization, the rule of law, and human rights as well as to consolidate democratic institutions in line with OSCE principles, standards and commitments.

Strengthening Targeted Assistance and Response Structures for Hate Crime Victims in the OSCE Region (STARS).

The 1990s conflict in BiH resulted in vast displacement and consequently ethnic homogenization in many areas. In an attempt to reverse this process and encourage the return of refugees and displaced persons, the practice of ‘two schools under one roof’ was established as a temporary measure in three ethnically-divided cantons of the Federation of Bosnia and Herzegovina (Zenica Doboj Canton, Central Bosnia Canton, and Herzegovina Neretva Canton). This interim measure provided children of different ethnicities, who had previously studied in separate, often inadequate private premises (houses, bars, or restaurants), an opportunity to at least receive education in a single school building. Unfortunately, the temporary has become permanent without any systemic solution in sight to transition to integrated schools.

Social cohesion is a societal challenge that requires a strategic approach and the engagement of numerous stakeholders. Improved community cohesion achieved via the sustained engagement of civil society actors and public authorities in the implementation of locally-designed Community Cohesion Action Plans (CCAPs), is a central element of the OSCE Mission to Bosnia and Herzegovina’s engagement in this field.

Education as a fundamental human right must be ensured without discrimination on any ground. It is therefore crucial for every society, including Bosnia and Herzegovina and all its levels of government, to recognize and combat discrimination in education. Two decades after the war ended, many children in BiH are still faced with discriminatory practices in education and a subsequent lack of inclusive quality education. This, in essence, challenges their right to education. Education policies and practices in BiH still uphold ethno-national divisions as opposed to promoting mutual understanding, tolerance, and respect for diversity. A key objective of the OSCE Mission to Bosnia and Herzegovina is to strengthen and support the efforts of BiH education authorities to ensure non-discriminatory inclusive quality education for all children.

The Mission works to strengthen human rights-based practices and to combat discrimination by collaborating with legislative and governmental institutions at all levels, the judiciary, the BiH Institution of Human Rights Ombudsman, civil society organizations, and human rights defenders.

This fact-sheet summarizes the key findings of the analysis of the OSCE Mission to Bosnia and Herzegovina (Mission) of 433 domestic court decisions rendered in anti-discrimination cases from mid-2018 to mid-2021.

This factsheet provides key information about the OSCE Office for Democratic Institutions and Human Rights (ODIHR), its mandate and its areas of activity.

Intolerance and discrimination have affected Roma and Sinti communities for centuries, and continue to be a concern in the OSCE region, including harmful discourse and stereotyping. Too often, this intolerance can morph into anti-Roma hate crimes, ranging from anti-Roma graffiti to racially-motivated violence. Hate crime has a significant, long-lasting impact on victims, perpetuates inequality, and undermines security and social cohesion. Anti- Roma hate crimes send a message of exclusion not only to Roma and Sinti victims and their communities, but society as a whole. Everyone has a role to play in addressing anti-Roma hate crimes and all forms of intolerance and discrimination. This factsheet highlights the impact of anti-Roma hate crime and provides guidance on identifying such crimes.