Publications

The purpose of this publication is to improve the understanding of sexual and gender-based violence on the part of state actors and civil society, including an understanding of how such violence manifests in places of deprivation of liberty. It also identifies many of the factors that increase the vulnerability of persons deprived of their liberty and aims to contribute to the reduction and eventual elimination of sexual and gender-based violence in places of deprivation of liberty. The publication is primarily intended for policymakers, lawmakers and practitioners from criminal justice systems, including lawyers, prosecutors, judges and anyone else involved in arresting, investigating, interrogating or detaining suspects, those accused of a crime and prisoners or detainees.

These present guiding principles are intended for use by state authorities and civil society bodies, as well as inter-governmental organizations in the OSCE region involved in developing, applying, evaluating and reforming national laws, policies and practices related to trafficking, in particular to the return of trafficked persons. They provide the target audience with guidance that can be used to direct policies, procedures and practices on the return process, as well as an overview of relevant international standards. The guiding principles can also serve as an advocacy tool for civil society organizations that support a rights-based approach to combating trafficking.

This report provides a summary of key activities carried out by the OSCE Office for Democratic Institutions and Human Rights (ODIHR) in 2018.

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 paper was prepared by the OSCE’s Office for Democratic Institutions and Human Rights (ODIHR). It updates The Death Penalty in the OSCE Area: Background Paper 2017. It is intended to provide a concise update to highlight changes in the status of the death penalty in OSCE participating States since the previous publication and to promote constructive discussion of the issue. It covers the period from 1 April 2017 to 31 March 2018.

This document only provides guidance for the implementation of minimum standards for the treatment of prisoners. It incorporates existing international legal and practical tools, “soft law” principles and opinions of authoritative bodies, as well as promising national practice examples providing guidance for the interpretation and effective implementation of the revised Rules. It should in no circumstances obstruct the implementation and development of higher standards of prison management, treatment of prisoners or prison conditions.

The OSCE participating States have made a number of commitments regarding the issue of gender equality, women´s participation in efforts to promote peace and security and equal opportunities within the security services, including the armed forces, to allow for balanced recruitment, retention and promotion of women and men. In line with its mandate to assist participating States in the implementation of human dimension commitments, the OSCE Office for Democratic Institutions and Human Rights (ODIHR) has mapped the inclusion and situation of women in the armed forces in the OSCE region through a questionnaire addressed to delegations of all 57 OSCE participating States. The information received from delegations provides a baseline against which to measure progress, gather best practices and support the assistance ODIHR provides to participating States.

The ODIHR promotes democratic election processes, assists OSCE participating States in the implementation of their human dimension commitments and assists OSCE field missions in their human dimension activities.

The handbook highlights the complex implications of statelessness for individuals, states and societies, with good practices and recommendations aiming to increase engagement and progress in addressing this phenomenon by OSCE participating States. The book was jointly developed by the OSCE Office for Democratic Institutions and Human Rights (ODIHR), the OSCE High Commissioner on National Minorities (HCNM) and UNHCR.

OSCE participating States have committed themselves to ensuring special protection of human rights defenders. ODIHR brings attention to the situation of human rights defenders across the OSCE region, so that participating States can better support these individuals and the rights they defend.