Publications

While the definition and scope of the term “foreign terrorist fighter” (FTF) is controversial, in recent years it has been commonly used to refer to individuals who have travelled from their home states to other states to participate in or support terrorist acts, including in the context of armed conflict, especially in Iraq and Syria. This document seeks to provide states with recommendations, and supporting analysis, on some of the key human rights issues that they must grapple with as they seek to respond to the threats posed by FTFs in a manner that is consistent with human rights and the rule of law. Following a brief overview of background facts, international and national responses, this document offers a series of recommendations for a human rights-compliant approach to addressing the flow and return of FTFs.

This report provides a comprehensive overview of all police-related projects, activities and events, which draw on the combined strength of the OSCE’s Institutions and its network of field operations, often cutting across the OSCE’s three security dimensions.

The first Youth Strategy of the Municipality of Kichevo 2017-2022 was developed by the Kichevo Youth Council with the support of the OSCE Mission to Skopje. The strategy, which was unanimously adopted by the Kichevo Municipal Council on 23 November 2016, is an advocacy document that aims to establish the strategic commitment of the Municipality of Kichevo and the municipality’s Youth Council to work on the promotion of youth issues.

The Law on Prohibition of Discrimination (LPD) was adopted by the Bosnia and Herzegovina (BiH) Parliamentary Assembly in 2009. It was subsequently amended in 2016, with the goal of strengthening BiH mechanisms designed to fight discrimination, particularly against persons of vulnerable social categories.

For 20 years, the OSCE Office for Democratic Institutions and Human Rights (ODIHR) has been tasked by participating States to promote “full integration of Roma and Sinti communities into the societies they live in, while preserving their identity” (1998 OSCE Oslo Ministerial Decision). This year marks the 15th anniversary of the “OSCE Action Plan on Improving the Situation of Roma and Sinti in the OSCE Area”. The primary objective of the Action Plan is “to reinforce the efforts of the participating States and relevant OSCE institutions and structures aimed at ensuring that Roma and Sinti people are able to play a full and equal part in our societies, and at eradicating discrimination against them.”

The OSCE Representative on Freedom of the Media and its staff observe media developments in the 57 participating States and promote compliance with OSCE media freedom commitments. 

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.

This handbook aims to provide guidance for the police in facilitating the right to assemble peacefully. The handbook has been written primarily for police officers working in the OSCE area who have command responsibilities, at any level, for the policing of public assemblies. The handbook outlines key steps and principles for careful police work with assemblies through considered and proportionate policing, having at its core the aim of facilitating the right to peaceful assembly. It provides guidance for the successful policing of assemblies based on the requirements of international human rights law and established good practice from across the OSCE area. Although the focus of the handbook is on “assemblies”, the guidance and recommended practices are also applicable to other types of gatherings (e.g., state occasions, sporting events).

This non-paper aims to facilitate the OSCE participating States in formulating national and international law and policy toward the current spread of propaganda intertwined with the conflict in and around Ukraine.

This handbook sets out ODIHR’s approach and practices in assisting participating States in the follow-up of electoral recommendations. While ODIHR has conducted follow-up activities for several years, this handbook aims to establish a more systematic approach that provides clarity and consistency and promotes greater attention to the implementation of recommendations. It has been developed on the basis of generous extra-budgetary contributions as part of ODIHR’s continued effort to improve its methodology and to increase professionalism in election observation activities. The handbook is primarily intended for actors in OSCE participating States addressing ODIHR’s electoral recommendations, but it will also be of use to those following up on recommendations outside the OSCE region.