Event is being held in Warsaw, Poland on 14 and 15 October
Over the next two days, over 500 participants will gather in person and online to discuss the ODIHR’s achievements and its role in finding lasting solutions to the challenges faced across the OSCE region. This is the fourth consecutive year that the BIC takes part at an OSCE event.
During the opening session, ODIHR Director Matteo Mecacci said that “ODIHR was created 30 years ago in the knowledge that democracy and human rights are key to lasting safety and security across the vast OSCE region, and this remains the basis of our work today”. He continue “As countries continue to struggle with the aftermath of the pandemic and we continue to witness violations of human rights around the OSCE region, this anniversary year is a time for both reflection and for looking forward. It also reminds us that genuine dialogue is not just a good solution to global problems, but the only solution.”
He further highlighted how the ODIHR has taken on a leading role across the 57 countries of the OSCE in surmounting the region’s many challenges, supporting states in strengthening their democratic institutions and respect for human rights and the rule of law in a multitude of ways.
Following Mr. Mecacci’s’statement, Ann Linde, Chairperson-in-Office of the OSCE and Swedish minister for foreign affairs, said “ODIHR’s assistance over the last three decades has had a major impact throughout the OSCE region. All participating States will continue to need the support of ODIHR in implementing our commitments and in protecting and promoting democracy and the rule of law, as well as human rights including gender equality. This we owe to all individuals of this region”.
ODIHR’s strong ties with civil society are at the heart of its work, creating a platform for civil society organizations to interact with national authorities and ensuring all voices are heard.
“I wish to stress that Poland is proud of hosting ODIHR. Our capital, Warsaw, has become a vibrant centre of dialogue on human rights and democracy. Being a seat of both ODIHR and the Permanent Secretariat of the Community of Democracies, it is also the city where the largest human rights conferences in Europe take place,” said Polish Deputy Foreign Minister Szymon Szynkowski vel Sęk. He recalled the role of ODIHR and regular Human Dimension events for strengthening cooperation among the OSCE Participating States based on human rights and democratic values.
As well as marking the many achievements of the last three decades, participants in the two-day meeting will debate current challenges and opportunities, and discuss ODIHR’s role in continuing to promote democracy, human rights and the rule of law in the future in a common spirit of co-operation. The conference will also allow participants to share experiences and exchange best practices as the countries of the region seek to emerge from the Covid-19 pandemic, on the understanding that societies that stand together are more resilient in times of crisis.
Other high-level speakers include OSCE Secretary General Helga Schmidt, OSCE Representative on Freedom of the Media Teresa Ribeiro, OSCE High Commissioner on National Minorities Kairat Abdrakhmanov, OSCE Parliamentary Assembly President Margareta Cederfelt, Amnesty International Secretary General Agnès Callamard, and Kevin Casas-Zamora, Secretary General of the International Institute for Democracy and Electoral Assistance (International IDEA).