Publications

This report highlights the impact of activities carried out by the OSCE Office for Democratic Institutions and Human Rights (ODIHR) in 2019.

This paper offers analysis and recommendations for building a more inclusive justice system in the OSCE region, drawing on results of a needs assessment study carried out by the OSCE Office for Democratic Institutions and Human Rights (ODIHR) in 2017. The study, which relied on both desk-based research and the collection of field data, was structured around two separate but interlinked themes: a) gender and diversity among justice system actors, in terms of recruitment and selection of a diverse workforce and ensuring workplace equality; and b) the effects of gender and diversity among justice system actors on the fairness of outcomes, as perceived by end users of justice systems. This paper outlines specific challenges identified by the needs assessment study and highlights some of the good practice solutions used to address them.

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

This handbook provides an overview of main fair trial rights and OSCE commitments applicable to judicial hearings within administrative justice, as well as practical information for establishing and running a trial monitoring operation in the field of administrative justice.

The ODIHR Panel of Experts on Freedom of Peaceful Assembly was established in 2006. The Panel consists of up to twelve independent experts from OSCE participating States selected on the basis of their expertise, experience, integrity and objectivity. The Panel is an advisory and consultative body to ODIHR. It seeks to enhance the promotion and protection of the freedom of peaceful assembly in the OSCE region.

In March 2014 the authorities of the Kyrgyz Republic asked the Organization for Security and Co-operation in Europe’s Office for Democratic Institutions and Human Rights (OSCE/ODIHR) to provide an opinion on the draft law “On Elections in the Kyrgyz Republic” (hereinafter “the draft law”, CDL-REF(2014)014), giving particular consideration to the draft law’s compatibility with international standards and OSCE commitments in three areas: establishment of electoral districts under the proportional representation system, preference voting, and quotas for women and persons belonging to national minorities on lists of candidates. As these three areas have been specifically identified in the request for this joint opinion, they are addressed under the discussion on the electoral system for the distribution of parliamentary mandates. The OSCE/ODIHR and the Venice Commission decided to provide a joint legal opinion on the draft Code.

The scope of this Joint Opinion covers only the Draft Amendments, submitted for review, and the legislation that they are amending. Thus limited, the Joint Opinion does not constitute a full and comprehensive review of the entire legal and institutional framework governing the status and disciplinary responsibility of judges in the Kyrgyz Republic.

The scope of this Opinion covers only the Law on the selection, performance evaluation and career of judges of Moldova, submitted for review. Thus limited, the Opinion does not constitute a full and comprehensive review of the judicial system of Moldova.

Factsheet on the Kyiv Recommendations, a document published by ODIHR consisting of policy suggestions in three areas that are of particular relevance for judicial independence: (1) judicial administration with a focus on judicial councils, judicial self-governing bodies, and the role of court chairs; (2) judicial selection criteria and procedures; and (3) accountability of judges and judicial independence in adjudication.