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The Lithuanian OSCE Chairmanship is proud to have organized, together with ODIHR, this Conference on National Human Rights Institutions.   We are honored by your presence.
 

My particular thanks go to Ambassador Lenaric and the ODIHR for their invaluable input and for the work they have done in preparing the event.

Let me begin with two thoughts.

Speaking on Human Rights Day a number of years ago, UN Secretary General Kofi Anan observed that “Human rights are much more than well-meaning aspirations set to legal language. It is important for society to live human rights through its practices, behavior, and attitudes. Living human rights every day is essential. To live human rights values means to support the oppressed, embrace the excluded, advocate for the voiceless, and celebrate the diversity of our community.

Last December the collective leadership of the OSCE declared in the Astana Commemorative Document, “Convinced that the inherent dignity of the individual is at the core of comprehensive security, we reiterate that human rights and fundamental freedoms are inalienable, and that their protection and promotion is our first responsibility

At the same time in the 2011 work programme the OSCE Chair, Lithuania’s Foreign Minister Audronius Ažubalis, stressed “Human rights and fundamental freedoms need constant protection.”  In this connection he called on participating States to make “a new effort to examine the role of independent national human rights institutions” in protecting and promoting human rights and fundamental freedoms in the OSCE area.
 

Though NHRIs are independent in nature, they are state-established and authorized institutions legitimized by our parliaments. As such they are mandated to assist participating States in implementing the OSCE’s -- and participating States’ --commitments on human rights and fundamental freedoms.  At present there are no fewer than 41 NHRIs in OSCE participating States. Turkey is in the  process of adopting an ombudsman law, and the Netherlands  is considering a draft law to establish an NHRI. Lithuania has begun the process of the establishing such an institution as soon as possible.   OSCE field operations and ODIHR  play a crucial role in providing assistance to participating States in establishing National Human Rights Institutions and in helping the NHRIs to flourish.

What are the problems?  In the present world, governments find themselves constantly confronted by new realities. Our real-life environment has become increasingly more complex. There are an ever growing number of issues that governments cannot handle on their own. Communication between civil society and government too often breaks down. In this process human rights suffer; the society as a whole suffers.
 
The establishment and empowerment of National Human Rights Institutes provides an institutionalized, independent focal point and physical location for communication and collaboration by government and civil society to take place.

The chair knows of at least one case where this has happened.  In one participating State a proposed Human Rights Institutes was viewed by some in that government as a threat to their power and control.  Lip service was given to the institute. But every effort was made to maintain government control. Representatives of civil society, encouraged and supported by the OSCE and the UN High Commissioner for Human Rights, were able  ultimately to win government support to establish the NHRI as a politically and financially independent entity, recognized and accepted as such by both the government and civil society.  Today that institute is viewed by all parties as an independent meeting place where ideas and concerns are exchanged openly for the benefit of the entire society.
 

I invite you to use this conference as a forum to exchange ideas and best – and worst -- practices, so that when you return to your home countries, you will be even better equipped to carry out your duties and responsibilities of working with governments and civil society in support of Human Rights. 
 
I encourage you to examine how national institutions can step up the pace of the dialogue and the scope of our joint partnerships with the non-governmental organizations.  Explore how NHRI’s can bridge the gap between the government and civil society and helps in creation of public awareness.   
 
Ladies and gentlemen,

I look forward to a lively debate at this Conference. It may generate enough momentum to upgrade our OSCE commitments, indeed the only OSCE commitment in this field that dates back to the 1990 Copenhagen Document. And if it does, the Lithuanian Chairmanship will work with you on a serious and substantial OSCE Ministerial Council decision for the December 6-7 meeting in Vilnius.

Without further due I wish you all productive discussion and if weather co-operates enjoy the old town of Vilnius.