Publications

The OSCE Secretary General’s Annual Report gives an overview of the Organization's activities and its co-operation with partner states and other organizations.

Building on existing international norms, the Principles were first developed and published in 2017 by a group of organizations committed to supporting the development of identification systems that are inclusive, trusted, accountable, and used to enhance people’s lives and the achievement of the Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs). Given the quickly evolving nature of the identification sector, the original signatories to the Principles committed to revisiting them to incorporate new perspectives and lessons learned. This second edition released in 2021 reflects inputs from this process and broader public consultations.

This report evaluates progress made in mainstreaming gender issues in OSCE structures and the working environment. Reporting period: 1 January 2015- 31 December 2015.

In 2020, the OSCE Office for Democratic Institutions and Human Rights has promoted publications focused on key topics such as COVID-19, hate crime, gender equality and human rights in detention.

This Occasional Paper is based on findings from a multi-method research project, including surveys, expert interviews, and expert group meetings carried out with participants from more than half of the OSCE’s participating States. By bringing together the voices of survivors, anti-trafficking experts, service providers, and law enforcement, this paper offers a comprehensive account of gender aspects in trafficking in human beings. It also provides a basis for discussion about possible ways to apply gender-sensitive approaches. The report, therefore, explores a range of gender aspects that are often not addressed in existing prevention, protection, and prosecution strategies.

This publication has been developed in cooperation between DCAF and the OSCE Office for Democratic Institutions and Human Rights (ODIHR) as part of an ongoing research project on ombuds institutions for the armed forces. It is the result of an effort to conceptualize and examine issues and challenges related to oversight of the armed forces and the promotion of human rights based on the feedback provided by the institutions themselves. It maps prominent capacity development needs of ombuds institutions in the OSCE region, and offers best practices through which these needs can be addressed. The study also examines different models, functions and approaches of ombuds institutions for the armed forces in the OSCE region. The mapping study will hopefully help states that wish to establish ombuds institutions by identifying the best format for doing so but it can also support existing ombuds institutions, scholars, policy-makers and armed forces commanders by offering a reference instrument on the current state of ombuds institutions in the OSCE region.

The Commentary to the OSCE Action Plan to Combat Trafficking in Human Beings (PC.DEC/557), the 2005 Addendum Addressing Special Needs of Child Victims of Trafficking for Protection and Assistance (PC.DEC/557/Rev.1) and the 2013 Addendum to the OSCE Action Plan to Combat Trafficking in Human Beings: One Decade Later (PC.DEC/1107/Corr.11) is designed to clarify the most challenging issues addressed by the OSCE anti-trafficking commitments and recommendations and to continue to help in the Action Plan’s implementation by all stakeholders. The Commentary has the goal to provide technical assistance to the participating States, in line with the SR/CTHB’s mandate. It also is to serve as a useful, and much needed, reminder of the so-called “agreed OSCE language”, language that clearly demonstrates basic human rights principles and internationally agreed human rights norms and terminology.

This study on the OSCE’s engagement with insider mediators has been conducted by the Berghof Foundation and commissioned by the OSCE Conflict Prevention Centre/Operations Service Mediation Support Team jointly with the German OSCE Chairmanship. Insider mediators enjoy an inherent legitimacy and authority to engage with conflict actors and possess potential advantages in comparison to mediators coming from outside a conflict context. They are highly relevant for the OSCE as peacemakers, yet engagement requires acute sensitivity and strategizing. The study deliberates on some conceptual and operational considerations for OSCE support to insider mediation.

Published by the OSCE Presence in Albania

This publication presents a compilation of the ten best essays written by the M.A. and Ph.D. alumni whose academic studies were financially supported by the Mission. The essays were written on the topic: “The OSCE and contemporary security challenges”.