For the 3rd consecutive year, the Brussels International Center was invited to attend the OSCE’s Warsaw Human Dimension Conference, which during 10-days of discussions brought together international organizations, governments and civil society for a constructive exchange on the recent state of play of human rights and fundamental freedoms in the OSCE region.
The Human Dimension Implementation Meeting (HDIM) of OSCE participating States is Europe's largest annual human rights and democracy conference. ODIHR, the OSCE Office for Democratic Institutions and Human Rights, organizes it every year in Warsaw as a platform for the 57 OSCE participating States, the OSCE Partners for Co-operation, OSCE structures, civil society, international organizations and other relevant actors to take stock of the implementation of OSCE human dimension commitments, discuss associated challenges, share good practices and make recommendations for further improvement.
Fernando Aguiar, BIC Senior Advisor on Conflict and EU Politics said:
“This year, discussions were predominantly focused on Russia’s war in Ukraine, but without the Russians presence. During the discussions, representatives highlighted the crucial position of the OSCE to enhance a comprehensive security approach to current regional developments. However, when Russian missiles came raining down and tanks began streaming across the Ukrainian border in February, it had no preventive or even reactive plan in place for the assault. Instead, several logistic issues were faced, including local OSCE employees detained in Russia-controlled Donetsk and Luhansk areas, and sensitive data compromised into Russian hands. This unfortunately shows how the OSCE still lacks a coordinated, responsive, and most importantly preventive approach to regional security, and risks therefore loosing grip of the very foundation it was built upon. But for all the challenges it faces, the OSCE remains an essential forum. It is one of the only remaining multilateral spaces outside the UN for dialogue between Russia and the West, even with a lack of engagement from the part of the Russians”.
The Conference included high-level officials, such as Chairman-in-Office, Foreign Minister of Poland, Zbigniew Rau, and OSCE Secretary General Helga Maria Schmid.
“Human rights are inalienable, and their articulation and defence are among the greatest achievements of humanity. Denying human rights to anyone, especially the vulnerable and weak, is to take away their dignity and their sense of freedom and security.” said Foreign Minister of Poland, Zbigniew Rau.
In her opening remarks, OSCE Secretary General Helga Maria Schmid said “Sustainable security cannot be achieved without human rights, democracy and rule of law. That is why the OSCE integrates issues in the human dimension into all that we do”. She also highlighted the importance of the presence of civil society organisations and the numerous cooperation the OSCE develop with the. “In all of our activities, we do in close co-operation with civil society, a key partner for facing the unprecedented challenges across the OSCE region. When we – the OSCE, our participating States, civil society, and other partners – combine efforts, we can improve security, rights, freedoms, and opportunities today and for generations to come” she concluded.
During his participation in the discussions, Former President of Estonia Mr. Toomas Hendrik Ilves stated that “Human rights depend upon a rule-based order regarding borders. For using force to change borders perforce leads to violence, the violation of human rights”. He continued, “It’s no surprise then, that all OSCE participating States have agreed that lasting security cannot be achieved without respect for human rights and functioning democratic institutions. They have committed themselves to a comprehensive catalogue of human rights and democracy norms”.
The BIC participated in numerous plenary sessions, side-events and meetings. In total more than 50 side events hosted by OSCE participating States, civil society organizations and OSCE institutions were hold designed to address broad aspects of the human dimension commitments.
The Warsaw Human Dimension Conference continues until 7 October. Follow the BIC on twitter @bicrhr and Facebook for our daily news on the Conference.