Publications

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.

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.

A Short Guide to Free Access to Information of Public Importance and Personal Data Protection" is a guide to the rights which appear to be opposed at first glance but are actually complementary rights belonging to all citizens. The aim of this guide is to provide the citizens with answers to

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.

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.

The OSCE Mission to Serbia will sponsor up to eight selected students for the post-graduate master studies (MA) at the Belgrade University’s Faculty of Political Sciences and Faculty of Security Studies, and up to seven selected students for one academic year of their doctoral studies at the Belgrade University’s Faculty of Political Sciences and Faculty of Security Studies. For more information, please download the document. Deadline for applications: 25 September 2023.

In co-operation with the Commissioner for Information of Public Importance and Personal Data Protection, the OSCE Mission in Serbia supported a second research exploring citizens' perceptions of personal data protection. The research was conducted in April and May 2023 and included 1211 respondents from Serbia.

A factsheet on ODIHR's activities in Ukraine

The mandate of the OSCE Presence in Albania is to promote democratization, the rule of law, and human rights as well as to consolidate democratic institutions in line with OSCE principles, standards and commitments.

By supporting activities aimed at increasing the capacity of executive and legislative structures to work in the interest of citizens, ensure legislative oversight, and assist the country to achieve its reform policy goals, the Mission contributes to promoting stability and reconciliation in BiH by developing systems of governance. The OSCE Mission to Bosnia and Herzegovina works on safeguarding the main principles of democratic governance at all levels of authority and ensuring that institutions and governments in Bosnia and Herzegovina adhere to good governance standards to ensure that they are responsive, transparent, effective, representative of and accountable to citizens.