Our challenge
Many factors can affect security and stability, often across borders, population segments or the OSCE’s three dimensions.
Human rights are the foundation of any democratic society. Without human rights, stability, peace and security would be at risk or absent, as would be equality, democracy, and all fundamental freedoms. OSCE participating States have recognized that human rights are the birthright of all human beings, are inalienable and are guaranteed by law.
Ours is a time for fulfilling the hopes and expectations our peoples have cherished for decades: steadfast commitment to democracy based on human rights and fundamental freedoms; prosperity through economic liberty and social justice; and equal security for all our countries.
Our action
Building on our comprehensive and co-operative approach to security, we work on strategies to tackle the issue head-on.
Human rights are at the heart of our work. We monitor the human rights situation across our region and help strengthen and promote the protection of human rights. Our work in this field includes, among many other issues, trial monitoring; human rights training and education; reviewing legislation to ensure its compliance with OSCE commitments and international human rights standards; and supporting human rights-focused civil society groups.
Our teams
Our institutions, field operations and offices bring to the task expert skills and knowledge to develop tailor-made solutions for each challenge.
Our institutions and offices
Our leading institution on the issue of human rights, the Office for Democratic Institutions and Human Rights, provides participating States with advice and assistance and supports individuals and civil society with targeted training and education. The Office covers a broad spectrum of issues, ranging from the fundamental freedoms of religion or belief, movement, assembly and association, to reporting on the use of the death penalty, monitoring trials, and preventing torture and other forms of ill-treatment.
Our operations on the ground
As one of the OSCE’s central tenets, human rights constitute an important element of the work of all our field operations. They are active in a broad array of initiatives, from work to eliminate discriminatory laws, policies and practices; to monitoring and helping strengthen executive, judicial, legislative and law enforcement institutions; to training human rights advocacy groups; to monitoring hate crimes and hate speech, and preventing human trafficking and torture.
Presence in Albania
Presence in Albania
Established on 27 March 1997 with the mandate to promote democratization, the rule of law and human rights, and to consolidate democratic institutions.
Centre in Ashgabat
Centre in Ashgabat
Set up on 23 July 1998, the Centre works on a broad array of security issues, from arms control to economic-environmental topics and human rights.
Programme Office in Astana
Programme Office in Astana
Established on 23 July 1998, the Office's work ranges from arms control and border management to economic-environmental issues and human rights.
Programme Office in Bishkek
Programme Office in Bishkek
Established on 23 July 1998, the Office works in all OSCE dimensions, including the economic-environmental, human and political aspects of security.
Mission to Bosnia and Herzegovina
Mission to Bosnia and Herzegovina
Established on 8 December 1995, the Mission works on human rights, education, the rule of law, gender equality, governance and security co-operation.
Programme Office in Dushanbe
Programme Office in Dushanbe
Established on 1 December 1993, the Office works on activities ranging from arms control to disaster risk reduction, good governance and gender equality.
Mission in Kosovo
Mission in Kosovo
Set up on 1 July 1999, the Mission has its headquarters in Prishtinë/Priština and maintains five regional offices. It runs a wide array of activities.
Mission to Moldova
Mission to Moldova
Established on 4 February 1993 to facilitate the achievement of a lasting political settlement of the Transdniestrian conflict in all its aspects.
Mission to Montenegro
Mission to Montenegro
Established on 29 June 2006, the Mission assists Montenegro with its reform agenda and helps it further strengthen its democratic development.
Mission to Serbia
Mission to Serbia
The Mission, set up on 11 January 2001, is based in Belgrade and assists Serbia in building accountable democratic institutions.
Mission to Skopje
Mission to Skopje
Established on 18 September 1992, the Mission’s key priorities are constructive inter-ethnic relations and the 2001 Ohrid Framework Agreement.
Project Co-ordinator in Uzbekistan
Project Co-ordinator in Uzbekistan
Active in the country since 1 July 2006, the Co-ordinator helps strengthen legislation and build institutional capacity in Uzbekistan.
Projects
Initiatives funded by individual states and organizations
Events
Upcoming conferences, meetings and training events
Conference
Warsaw Human Dimension Conference
Meeting
From the shadows of human trafficking to an advocate: Itohan Okundaye’s story
Meeting
The power of survivor-informed response: Resilient and crisis-adapted anti-trafficking systems
Meeting
Hate Crime Targeting Migrants
Meeting
Hate Crime Targeting Migrants: Consultation with Civil Society Organisations
Meeting
Roma and pro-Roma human rights defenders in Ukraine: How to strengthen their responsive capacity?
Meeting
Roma and Sinti women: Understanding inequalities through an intersectional lens
Training
3rd All-Ukrainian Student Competition on the Application of the European Convention on Human Rights and ECtHR Case Law in National Proceedings: "European Human Rights Law – At Home"
Ceremony
2026 Max van der Stoel Award Ceremony
Training
Call for applications: Risk management training for human rights defenders in the Western Balkans
Apply by 15 October for ODIHR’s training for young human rights defenders in the Western Balkans, Sarajevo, 30 November–2 December 2026. Costs covered.
Seminar
Justice, Law and Society. Seminar for Judges
Studies and reports
Reports, studies and analyses for policymakers, researchers and all those interested in this field of our work
Manuals and guides
Practice-oriented manuals, guides, handbooks and recommendations for policymakers and practitioners working in this field
OSCE stories
Read up on the OSCE, our people on the ground and our work
