The OSCE Human Rights Dimension is a set of norms and activities related to human rights and democracy and one of the dimensions of security. The Human Rights Dimension encompasses all aspects related to human rights and fundamental freedoms; democracy, including democratic elections and democratic governance and institutions; tolerance and non-discrimination; the rule of law; and national minorities, human contacts, and international humanitarian law. The Human Rights Dimension Thematic Compilation includes an overview of the OSCE commitments and the instruments for monitoring the progress in achieving these commitments. These commitments are not legally binding norms; instead, they are politically binding – a political promise to comply with the standards elaborated in the OSCE documents. Follow-up meetings to review the implementation of the commitments is based on the principle that the commitments undertaken in the field of the human dimension directly concern all participating States and do not belong exclusively to the internal affairs of the state at issue.

The Helsinki Final Act of 1975 recognizes the necessity for the protection of human rights and fundamental freedoms as the matter of international concern:

A number of OSCE documents address the general issue of human rights and fundamental freedoms, including the freedom of association. An overview of OSCE commitments can be found in the OSCE Commitments Relating to Freedom of Assembly and Association, which was published in 2004.

• The Charter of Paris of 1990 asserts the right of every individual to freedom of association and peaceful assembly.
• The Copenhagen Document of 1990 guarantees freedom of association: “II.(9.3) The participating States reaffirm that […] the right of association will be guaranteed.[…];” In addition, “(10) […] the participating States express their commitment to (10.3) – ensure that individuals are permitted to exercise the right to association, including the right to form, join and participate effectively in non-governmental organizations which seek the promotion and protection of human rights and fundamental freedoms, including trade unions and human rights monitoring groups.”
• The Moscow Document, adopted in 1991, addresses the issue of NGOs: “(43) The participating States will recognize as NGOs those which declare themselves as such, according to existing national procedures, and will facilitate the ability of such organizations to conduct their national activities freely on their territories; to that effect they will:
  • (43.1) – endeavour to seek ways of further strengthening modalities for contacts and exchanges of views between NGOs and relevant national authorities and governmental institutions;
  • (43.2) – endeavour to facilitate visits to their countries by NGOs from within any of the participating States in order to observe human dimension conditions;
  • (43.3) – welcome NGO activities, including, inter alia, observing compliance with CSCE commitments in the field of the human dimension;
  • (43.4) – allow NGOs, in view of their important function within the human dimension of the CSCE, to convey their views to their own governments and the governments of all the other participating States during the future work of the CSCE on the human dimension.”

The joint OSCE/ODIHR and Venice Commission Guidelines on Freedom of Association adopted in 2014 offer advice and expertise on how to legislate on freedom of association-related matters, in a manner that is compliant with international human rights standards and OSCE commitments. They also reflect evolving good state practices, and are intended to enhance awareness of the above right in general. This is a practical toolkit to legislators tasked with drafting laws, which regulate or affect associations, but also to associations, members of associations and human rights defenders, to support advocacy in this field of human rights law.

As the main principles for protection of freedom for associations the Guidelines list:

1. Presumption in favour of the lawful formation, objectives and activities of associations;
2. The state’s duty to respect, protect and facilitate the exercise of the right to freedom of association;
3. Freedom of establishment and membership;
4. Freedom to determine objectives and activities, including the scope of operations;
5. Equal treatment and non-discrimination;
6. Freedom of expression and opinion;
7. Freedom to seek, receive and use resources;
8. Good administration of legislation, policies and practices concerning associations;
9. Legality and legitimacy of restrictions;
10. Proportionality of restrictions;
11. Right to an effective remedy for the violation of rights.

Generally, any NGO, except those that resort to violence, may participate in OSCE activities such as meetings and conferences. The Section for External Cooperation under the OSCE Secretariat is responsible for organizing multilateral meetings and serves as a contact point for NGOs. In practice, some OSCE meetings are also preceded by the preparatory civil society meetings.

The basis of NGO participation in OSCE activities is outlined in detail in the Helsinki Document 1992, adopted at the Conference for Security and Co-operation in Europe (CSCE). Through the Helsinki Document, the member states are committed to providing opportunities for increased NGO involvement in OSCE activities.

Member states commit to:

• apply to all CSCE meetings the guidelines previously agreed for NGO access to certain CSCE meetings;
• make open to NGOs all plenary meetings of review conferences, ODIHR seminars, workshops and meetings, human rights implementation meetings, as well as other expert meetings. In addition each meeting may decide to open some other sessions to attendance by NGOs;
• instruct Directors of CSCE institutions and Executive Secretaries of CSCE meetings to designate an “NGO liaison person” from among their staff;
• designate, as appropriate, one member of their Foreign Ministries and a member of their delegations to CSCE meetings to be responsible for NGO liaison;
• promote contacts and exchanges of views between NGOs and relevant national authorities and governmental institutions between CSCE meetings;
• facilitate during CSCE meetings informal discussion meetings between representatives of participating States and of NGOs;
• encourage written presentations by NGOs at CSCE institutions and meetings, titles of which may be kept and provided to the participating States upon request;
• provide encouragement to NGOs organizing seminars on CSCE-related issues;
• notify NGOs through the CSCE institutions of the dates of future CSCE meetings, together with an indication, when possible, of the subjects to be addressed, as well as, upon request, the activations of CSCE mechanisms which have been made known to all participating States.

According to OSCE’s procedural rules, only “persons and organizations which resort to the use of violence or publicly condone terrorism or the use of violence” may be barred from participating in the OSCE meetings (Helsinki Document 1992, The Challenges of Change, IV (16)).

An additional human rights forum in the region is the Human Dimension Implementation Meeting (HDIM), which includes participants from both governments and civil society. The OSCE member states have an opportunity to discuss the implementation of human dimension commitments that were adopted by consensus at prior OSCE Summits or Ministerial Meetings. These review conferences are open to all civil society organizations and serve as an important means of holding governments accountable. There are also three informal Supplementary Human Dimension Meetings organized within the Permanent Council.

On the national level OSCE field missions have established “Aarhus” centers in the countries of South-eastern Europe, Eastern Europe, the Caucasus and Central Asia, which are intended to give greater access to civil society participation in consultations on environmental issues.

With its expertise in conflict prevention, crisis management and early warning, the OSCE contributes to worldwide efforts in combating terrorism. Many effective counter-terrorism measures fall into other areas in which the OSCE is active, such as police training and border monitoring. The OSCE also looks at human rights issues in relation to counter-terrorism.

Recently, OSCE participating States adopted two declarations at the 2015 OSCE Ministerial Council, which address the issue of preventing extremism and importance of joint efforts in combating terrorism, including through implementation of the UN Security Council resolutions 2170, 2178, 2199 and 2249. The declarations also underline the importance of the rule of law and fundamental and human rights in mutually reinforcing counter-terrorism efforts:

• Ministerial Declaration on Preventing and Countering Violent Extremism and Radicalization that lead to Terrorism
• Ministerial Declaration on Reinforcing OSCE Efforts to Counter Terrorism in the Wake of Recent Terrorist Attacks
• Inventory of Policy Documents and Legislation adopted by OSCE participating States and Partners for Co-operation on Countering violent extremism and radicalization that lead to terrorism (last updated in December 2016)

The OSCE has continued to promote the protection and promotion of human rights and fundamental freedoms while countering terrorism since 2016. In March 2020, for example, the UN Special Rapporteur on the protection and promotion of human rights and fundamental freedoms asserted that, “The United Nations counter-terrorism architecture must do better in protecting human rights and the rule of law when they support and engage with national programmes.” In addition, the OSCE has sought to prevent the misuse of counter-terrorism measures against dissenting voices, which has “reached alarming levels in the OSCE region,” according to participants at an event on counter-terrorism and shrinking civic space organized by the OSCE Office for Democratic Institutions and Human Rights (ODIHR) on October 4, 2022. Since the Russian invasion of Ukraine in February 2022, the OSCE has also expressed concern about the “complete censorship and isolation of [Russian] citizens from any form of independent information” and the “imposition of severe restrictions on freedom of assembly and association, on the right to liberty and security of person, and on the right to vote and to be elected” in Russia.

Democracy and human rights must be at the heart of renewed dialogue, OSCE leaders say (October 2023)
Building on strong partnerships and returning to genuine dialogue are key to overcoming challenges to human rights and democracy. This was the main message from OSCE leaders at the opening of a major human rights conference to discuss the condition of human rights and freedoms across the 57 states of the region.

Greater collaboration needed to strengthen our diverse societies and counter hatred, OSCE leaders say (June 2023)
Closer co-operation and an innovative approach are needed by governments and civil society to build respect and trust in the diversity of our societies and combat intolerance and hatred, OSCE leaders said as a two-day conference began. The event brings together representatives of OSCE states, international organizations, and civil society. Participants will explore the role of civil society organizations in promoting and protecting tolerance and combating discrimination, as well as assessing the effectiveness of their efforts and discussing the best means of providing them with the space and support they need to carry out their work.

Journalists’ ban adds to clouds over OSCE meeting (February 2023)
Journalists are now banned from attending the upcoming OSCE assembly in Vienna. However, for logistical and security reasons, journalists will not be allowed on site as it would be impossible to provide a media room. The decision to exclude journalists could “severely compromise the freedom of independent reporting”, the Association of European Journalists (AEJ) and the Foreign Press Association in Vienna warned.

The OSCE continues to support Ukraine (August 2022)

Russia blocks holding of OSCE human rights conference (September 2021)

OSCE Secretary General Schmid concludes visit to Ukraine (May 2021)

Internal Squabbling Paralyzed OSCE  (August 2020)

Outrage at ‘authoritarian’ Hungary after parliament endorses Emergency Bill (March 2020)

Belarusian human rights watchdog wins OSCE award (March 2020)

OSCE Pushes for Political Compromises in Albania (March 2020)

OSCE warns Ukraine over disinformation bill  (February 2020)

OSCE warns Ukraine over disinformation bill (February 2020)

Human Dimension Implementation Meeting (HDIM) in Warsaw (September 2018)

ODIHR launched new version of Legislationline.org database (July 2018)

ODIHR’s new guide to assist civil society in building lasting coalitions to address intolerance and discrimination (June 2018)

Addressing Anti-Semitism through Education: Guidelines for Policymakers (May 2018)

Venice Commission criticizes Ukraine’s bills on financial disclosure requirements for NGOs (March 2018)

Italy’s OSCE Chairmanship: priorities and programme (January 2018)

Human Rights Are the Core of the Answer rather than an Obstacle to Addressing Terrorism (December 2017)

ODIHR Director: reacting to violence and discrimination against women should become a reflex for all of us (December 2017)

Improving co-operation between government and civil society in Ukraine (December 2017)

Exploring ways to enhance transparency and public participation in lawmaking in Georgia (December 2017)

Spanish authorities to ensure respect for freedoms of peaceful assembly and expression (October 2017)

OSCE/ODIHR report: threats and attacks against human rights defenders have continued to increase (September 2017)

Political participation of persons with disabilities – new ODIHR booklet (September 2017)

Youth engagement contributes to developing active citizenship skills and to creating effective policies that adequately address the needs of young women and men (September 2017)

OSCE Human Dimension Implementation Meeting: Dialogue and the open exchange of ideas among countries and with civil society are vital to democracy and the promotion of human rights (September 2017)

OSCE/ODIHR Opinion on the draft act on the National Freedom Institute – National Centre for Development of Civil Society of Poland(August 2017)

Meet ODIHR’s new Director: Ingibjörg Sólrún Gísladóttir (July 2017)

ODIHR expert panel assesses restrictions on peaceful assembly in OSCE States (June 2017)

OSCE-wide Counter-Terrorism Conference 2017 (May 2017)

Almaty hosts 8th annual forum on Internet development in Central Asia (May 2017)

OSCE to Shut Office in Armenia (May 2017)

Human rights-based approach key to effectively countering phenomenon of foreign terrorist fighters (April 2017)

OSCE/ODIHR-Venice Commission Opinion on Two Draft Laws on Guarantees for Freedom of Peaceful Assembly in Ukraine (April 2017)

OSCE/ODIHR Opinion on the Draft Amendments to the Legal Framework on Countering Extremism and Terrorism in the Republic of Kazakhstan (April 2017)

OSCE/ODIHR Opinion on the Draft Law of Ukraine on Public Consultations (April 2017)

UN Experts, OSCE Demand End To Persecution Of Gays In Chechnya (April 2017)

Austria’s priorities for 2017 OSCE Chairmanship (January 2017)

2016 in Review: OSCE Chairperson-in-Office Steinmeier (December 2016)

OSCE/ODIHR report calls for strengthening mechanisms, procedures to ensure freedom of peaceful assembly (December 2016)

Safety Guide for Media Professionals in Reporting from Riots and Protests (December 2016)

OSCE media freedom representative urges protection for journalists reporting on civil unrest in Armenia (August 2016)

UN Special Rapporteur and OSCE Representative on Freedom of the Media deplore crackdown on journalists and media outlets in Turkey (July 2016)

A High-level OSCE Counter-Terrorism Conference (May 2016)

Access to Information: This Is Your Right! #WPFD2016 (April 2016)

Effectively responding to violent extremism online (April 2016)

Are women getting their say in politics? (February 2016)

OSCE Official Calls On Azerbaijan To Release More Prisoners (March 2016) (March 2016)

Interview with the OSCE Chairperson-in-Office, German Federal Minister for Foreign Affairs Frank-Walter Steinmeier (March 2016)

Oligarchs and Political Elites vs. Media Freedom and Civil Society (March 2016)

ODIHR expresses appreciation for work of Poland’s Commissioner for Human Rights (March 2016)

OSCE ODIHR keen to open new page in ties with Baku (February 2016)

EUAM and OSCE brought together officials and civil society to discuss the challenges of reforming the justice system in Ukraine (November 2015)

OSCE Project Co-ordinator in Baku discontinues its operations in Azerbaijan (July 2015)

ODIHR Director Link calls on Armenian authorities to respect right to freedom of peaceful assembly of protesters in Yerevan (June 2015)

Freedoms of association and assembly cornerstones of democracy and security (April 2015)

Freedom of Assembly in Crimea Occupied by the Russian Federation (April 2015)

OSCE/ODIHR and Venice Commission launch guidelines on freedom of association (March 2015)

Restrictive measures toward Russian journalists reporting from Ukraine excessive (February 2015)

OSCE/ODIHR opens mission to observe parliamentary elections in Uzbekistan (December 2014)

OSCE/ODIHR hosts meeting on human rights defenders in Hungary (November 2014)

OSCE/ODIHR director raises case of Azerbaijani human rights defender (October 2014)

Recommendations to facilitate establishment and functioning of associations (September 2014)

Political will is key to ensuring the protection of human rights defenders (June 2014)

Roundtable in Warsaw discusses funding for associations (May 2014)

Protecting Peaceful Protest: The OSCE/ODIHR and Freedom of Peaceful Assembly (February 2013)

OSCE media freedom representative concerned by arrest of social media activists in Belarus (September 2012)

All participating States must intensify real steps to defend media freedom, says OSCE media freedom representative (May 2012)

OSCE representative on freedom of the media urges Tajikistan to end shutdown of Facebook and other websites (April 2012)

Chairperson condemns new restrictions on freedom of assembly and association in Belarus (October 2011)

National human rights institutions need clear mandate, resources and independence, speakers at OSCE meeting say (April 2011)

ODIHR publishes updated compilation of OSCE human dimension commitments (April 2011)

Statement by IPHR and six other human rights NGOs to the OSCE Review Conference on challenges faced by human rights defenders in Central Asia (September 2010)

Does an International Investigation in Kyrgyzstan Have Backing? (July 2010)

Lavrov Says OSCE Too Easy on NGOs (May 2010)

OSCE tells Kyrgyzstan to stop censoring online news (March 2010)

Kazakhstan Raises Questions over OSCE’s Direction (January 2010)