Publications
Parliamentary Oversight of the Executive in the OSCE Region
Publishing date: 29 May 2025
Content type: Guide / manual / handbook
Where we are: OSCE Office for Democratic Institutions and Human Rights
What we do: Democratization, Rule of law
Publisher: Organization for Security and Co-operation in Europe
Parliamentary oversight is one of the core tasks of parliaments and, alongside their legislative and representative roles, is a fundamental element of any effective system of democratic governance.
Stronger Democratic Institutions in Eastern Partnership Countries
Publishing date: 7 April 2025
Content type: Factsheet
Where we are: OSCE Office for Democratic Institutions and Human Rights
What we do: Democratization
Publisher: Organization for Security and Co-operation in Europe
Supporting and strengthening democratic institutions and processes is the objective of ODIHR’s project Stronger Democratic Institutions in Eastern Partnership Countries: an ODIHR project supported and funded by the EU. The project aims to increase public trust in democratic institutions and foster more inclusive, accountable and transparent governance, with respect for human rights and the rule of law. Stronger democratic institutions contribute to more effective responses to current crises while building resilience to future challenges.
ODIHR in Ukraine
Publishing date: 15 January 2025
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
Advancing gender equality in politics — National assessments and action plans — Tool 1
Publishing date: 12 September 2024
Collections: Gender-responsive Governance Toolkit
Content type: Guide / manual / handbook
Where we are: OSCE Office for Democratic Institutions and Human Rights
What we do: Democratization, Good governance, Gender equality
Publisher: Organization for Security and Co-operation in Europe
This publication explains gender equality in political life in terms of access, voice and transformation and provides guidance on how to conduct a national assessment of gender equality in political life and on how to develop a national action plan based on the findings of the assessment.
ODIHR support for parliaments in advancing gender equality
Publishing date: 10 September 2024
Content type: Factsheet
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
This factsheet describes how ODIHR works in multiple areas to advance gender equality in political and public life.
Transforming political parties from within — Gender audits and action plans — Tool 2
Publishing date: 8 August 2024
Collections: Gender-responsive Governance Toolkit
Content type: Guide / manual / handbook
Where we are: OSCE Office for Democratic Institutions and Human Rights
What we do: Democratization, Good governance, Gender equality
Publisher: Organization for Security and Co-operation in Europe
This publication, intended for gender equality and party development experts from political parties across the OSCE region and beyond, complements ODIHR's online gender audit tool and provides practical guidance on how to conduct gender audits and implement gender action plans.
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.