30th Anniversary of OSCE Office for Democratic Institutions and Human Rights marked in Warsaw
On 14-15 October 2021, Ambassador Vaidotas Verba, Permanent Representative of Lithuania to the International Organizations in Vienna, participated at a conference „ODIHR: three decades and ready for the future Democracy, human rights and security“ in Warsaw (Poland), marking the 30th anniversary of the OSCE Office for Democratic Institutions and Human Rights (ODIHR).
In their statement, European Union Member States highlighted ODIHR‘s fundamental role in preserving democratic standards in the OSCE region and in securing a platform for civil society representatives and human rights defenders to interact with national authorities, so that their voices are heard.
During two-day conference, participants debated current threats and ODIHR’s role in finding lasting solutions to the challenges faced across the OSCE region by continuing to promote democracy, human rights and the rule of law, and strengthening the resilience of our societies. OSCE participating States were called to oppose any intimidation or reprisals against civil society and human rights defenders, and to fully adhere to their undertaken international human rights obligations and OSCE commitments.
The OSCE Office for Democratic Institutions and Human Rights (ODIHR) is an autonomous OSCE institution tasked with assisting governments of OSCE participating States in meeting their commitments in the field of human rights and democracy. While implementing its mandate, ODIHR observes elections, promotes and monitors respect for human rights, and works with various democracy assistance projects throughout the OSCE region.
