Publications
Guidelines on Democratic Lawmaking for Better Laws
Publishing date: 16 January 2024
Content type: Guide / manual / handbook
Where we are: OSCE Office for Democratic Institutions and Human Rights
What we do: Democratization, Good governance
Publisher: Organization for Security and Co-operation in Europe
The quality of laws is a direct consequence of how they are developed and discussed. Lawmaking procedures and practices should follow democratic principles, adhere to the rule of law and comply with international human rights obligations and standards. At the same time, they should be evidence-based, open and transparent, participatory and inclusive, and subject to effective oversight.
ODIHR Public Ethics and Integrity Toolkit: Guidelines for Parliaments
Publishing date: 11 December 2023
Content type: Guide / manual / handbook
Where we are: OSCE Office for Democratic Institutions and Human Rights
What we do: Democratization, Good governance
Publisher: Organization for Security and Co-operation in Europe
This tool is designed to support national parliaments in OSCE participating States in developing parliamentary integrity systems. It provides a concise roadmap for designing and implementing a code of conduct for MPs from scratch, as well as guidance for parliaments that want to improve their existing integrity systems.
Institutional Mechanisms as Critical Actors for Gender Equality: A Review from the OSCE Region
Publishing date: 16 November 2023
Content type: Guide / manual / handbook
Where we are: OSCE Office for Democratic Institutions and Human Rights
What we do: Democratization, Gender equality
Publisher: Organization for Security and Co-operation in Europe
Institutional mechanisms for the advancement of women and gender equality have a unique potential for making women’s and men’s lives better and, more generally, making democracies stronger, more resilient and egalitarian. In these challenging times for democracy, institutional mechanisms play an important role in preventing the reversal of gender equality in practice.
Enhanced Understanding on Freedom of Movement in all Phases of the Conflict Cycle
Publishing date: 7 November 2023
Content type: Guide / manual / handbook
Where we are: OSCE Office for Democratic Institutions and Human Rights
What we do: Democratization, Border management, Migration
Publisher: Organization for Security and Co-operation in Europe
Since the Helsinki Final Act of 1975, the OSCE region has experienced a number of conflicts that have not only destabilized the region but have also had a very negative impact on human rights and fundamental freedoms, triggering grave humanitarian consequences and human suffering. Unfortunately, the tensions, crises and conflict situations continue to this day. In 2023, according to UNHCR, displacement has reached approximately 27 million, including internal displacement within the OSCE region. This number includes those displaced from Ukraine since February 2022. At times of conflict, protection under International and Regional Human Rights Law and International Refugee Law is complemented by the protection offered under International Humanitarian Law, all mirrored in OSCE Commitments.
Recommendations on Judicial Independence and Accountability (Warsaw Recommendations), 2023
Publishing date: 27 October 2023
Content type: Guide / manual / handbook
Where we are: OSCE Office for Democratic Institutions and Human Rights
What we do: Democratization
Publisher: Organization for Security and Co-operation in Europe
In 2019, in response to numerous requests for guidance on issues related to judicial independence falling outside the geographic and thematic scope of the Kyiv Recommendations, ODIHR initiated a comprehensive consultative and expert-driven process to ensure that its recommendations on judicial independence respond effectively to current challenges. The inaugural meeting of a core group of experts convened in Warsaw, followed by extensive further assessment of the thematic areas in focus. The Recommendations on Judicial Independence and Accountability (Warsaw Recommendations) are the result of this review process.
ODIHR Brief: Guiding Principles of Democratic Lawmaking and Better Laws
Publishing date: 6 October 2023
Content type: Brochure
Where we are: OSCE Office for Democratic Institutions and Human Rights
What we do: Democratization
Publisher: Organization for Security and Co-operation in Europe
Given the ongoing erosion of democratic and constitutional standards and the rule of law across the world, and declining public trust in democratic institutions, it is essential to strengthen democratic institutions and processes by promoting openness, transparency, inclusiveness and accountability in lawmaking. Contemporary lawmaking displays a number of weaknesses, including a lack of proper policy discussions, impact assessments or public consultations before drafting a law and the practice of sidelining democratic institutions throughout the legislative process. In principle, lawmaking procedures and practices should follow democratic principles, adhere to the rule of law and comply with international human rights obligations and standards. A democratic lawmaking process not only leads to better laws but usually improves the implementation of the adopted laws, ultimately enhancing public trust in democratic institutions and processes.
ODIHR in Ukraine
Publishing date: 14 June 2023
Content type: Factsheet
Where we are: OSCE Office for Democratic Institutions and Human Rights
What we do: Democratization, Human rights, Good governance, Rule of law, Tolerance and non-discrimination
Publisher: Organization for Security and Co-operation in Europe
A factsheet on ODIHR's activities in Ukraine
OSCE Human Dimension Commitments: Volume 2, Chronological Compilation (4th Edition)
Publishing date: 27 April 2023
Collections: OSCE Human Dimension Commitments - 4th Edition
Content type: Book
Where we are: OSCE Office for Democratic Institutions and Human Rights
What we do: Combating trafficking in human beings, Democratization, Human rights, Good governance, Gender equality, Migration, Roma and Sinti, Youth, Rule of law, Tolerance and non-discrimination
Publisher: Organization for Security and Co-operation in Europe
This volume presents chronologically the OSCE's human dimension commitments over its 30-year history. It is intended for use by government officials and civil society organizations, academics, students, and practitioners alike.
OSCE Human Dimension Commitments: Volume 1, Thematic Compilation (4th Edition)
Publishing date: 27 April 2023
Collections: OSCE Human Dimension Commitments - 4th Edition
Content type: Book
Where we are: OSCE Office for Democratic Institutions and Human Rights
What we do: Combating trafficking in human beings, Democratization, Human rights, Good governance, Gender equality, Migration, Roma and Sinti, Youth, Rule of law, Tolerance and non-discrimination
Publisher: Organization for Security and Co-operation in Europe
This volume is arranged thematically according to the main issues related to the human dimension. It is intended for use by government officials and civil society organizations, academics, students, and practitioners alike.
Promoting the Political Participation of People with Disabilities in the OSCE region: Easy to Read Version
Publishing date: 11 April 2023
Content type: Brochure
Where we are: OSCE Office for Democratic Institutions and Human Rights
What we do: Democratization
Publisher: Organization for Security and Co-operation in Europe