Publications

The present guidelines are based on OSCE commitments and universally recognized human rights standards that OSCE participating States have undertaken to adhere to. The guidelines are informed by key international instruments relevant to the protection of human rights defenders, in particular the UN Declaration mentioned above. The guidelines do not set new standards or seek to create “special” rights for human rights defenders but concentrate on the protection of the human rights of those who are at risk as a result of their human rights work. As such, the guidelines aim to contribute to promoting equal protection of human rights for all.

A set of OSCE High Commissioner on National Minorities Guidelines on integration of diverse societies.

This publication is designed to clarify the interrelationship between freedom of religion and security in light of the OSCE’s comprehensive framework for peace and security. It further explains the nature, status and scope of freedom of religion or belief as enshrined in OSCE commitments and international and regional standards. Finally, it provides guiding principles, practical guidance and recommendations to address a number of issues of note at the intersection of freedom of religion or belief and security in the OSCE region.

Armed forces should make every effort to remove barriers to the manifestation of religion or belief for their personnel. This is important not only to protect the right to freedom of religion or belief, but also to ensure that armed forces are representative of the diverse communities they serve.

These guidelines detail the components of a legal framework governing elections and the relevant standards for democratic elections. They are intended to contribute to uniformity, reliability, consistency and accuracy in the review and preparation of electoral legislation. Therefore these guidelines can provide guidance to both reviewers of electoral legislation and to national authorities when they draft or amend election-related documents.

The joint OSCE/ODIHR and Venice Commission Guidelines on Freedom of Association aim to offer advice and expertise on how to legislate on freedom of association-related matters, in a manner that is compliant with international human rights standards and OSCE commitments. They also reflect evolving good state practices, and are intended to enhance awareness of the above right in general. They will offer a practical toolkit to legislators tasked with drafting laws which regulate or affect associations, but also to associations, members of associations and human rights defenders, to support advocacy in this field of human rights law.

These Guidelines have been developed to support educators in countering intolerance and discrimination against Muslims. They are intended for a wide audience, including education policymakers and officials, teacher trainers, teachers, principals and head teachers, staff in teacher unions and professional associations, and members of NGOs.

These guidelines present approaches to be adopted when planning or implementing education programmes for human rights activists.

These guidelines, which focus on human rights education in secondary schools, aim to support systemic and effective human rights learning for all young people.

These Guidelines on Political Party Regulation have been created as a tool to assist OSCE participating States and Council of Europe Member States in formulating legal frameworks that comply with OSCE commitments and other international standards in facilitating the proper establishment, development and functioning of political parties.