Democratization

Members of parliament raise their hands during a vote at a session of the Polish parliament, the Sejm, Warsaw.

(Polish parliament/Krzysztof Białoskórski) Photo details

The OSCE helps its participating States build and consolidate democratic institutions. This means helping governments become more responsive, accountable and representative.

As one of the world’s principal regional human rights bodies, the OSCE Office for Democratic Institutions and Human Rights (ODIHR) works with government institutions, political parties and parliaments, and assists civil society in policy-making. ODIHR also supports the efforts of participating States in increasing the participation of women and youth in politics, strengthening parliaments, developing multiparty political landscapes, improving the integration of migrants and modernizing population-registration systems.

A number of OSCE field operations also actively work in supporting democratic institutions in their countries of operation. Some of their activities include:

Running public information, awareness-raising and outreach campaigns;
Working with government structures and civil society organizations on capacity building;
Working with government institutions and civil society to encourage civic participation;
Supporting parliamentary bodies in the oversight of the security sector;
Providing an informal and non-partisan forum for government, political parties and constituents;
Supporting media reform; and
Helping further electoral and political processes in line with international standards.

Democratization

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Democratization

OSCE in Action

Information and activities on Democratization from across the Organization.

Institutions and Structures

Court of Conciliation and Arbitration

Conflict prevention and resolution

The Court is mandated to settle, by means of conciliation or arbitration, the disputes between States submitted to it. This may include conflicts in respect of territorial integrity, maritime delimitation, or environmental and economic issues. The Court is a non-permanent body and creates conciliation commissions and arbitral tribunals on an ad hoc basis.

More about Conflict prevention and resolution

Forum for Security Co-operation

Creating trust through transparency and openness

The OSCE’s approach is that military security and stability can be achieved through greater military transparency and openness, and exchange of military information. This is done through a set of mutually reinforcing and interlocking agreements and related information exchanges. These ensure the verification of compliance with agreed commitments; the notification of military activities; different forms of military co-operation and the regular exchange of military information on defence planning documents; military budgets; and defence policy and doctrines including visits to military facilities, observation visits, and demonstrations of new weapons systems. These measures serve as early warning indicators of potential conflict situations and by helping states to avoid misunderstandings, contribute to stability and security.

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Providing a platform for dialogue

The FSC represents a unique platform for mutual dialogue on security issues. Every state can raise security concerns at any time, with the possibility for discussion amongst all 57 members every week. The Forum can provide solutions to these concerns or create measures to mitigate its impact on European security.

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Non-proliferation of weapons of mass destruction

The OSCE helps implement United Nations Security Council Resolution 1540 on the non-proliferation of weapons of mass destruction. It runs a project that assists interested participating States in producing national action plans and building up the required legislative basis. The Organization also undertakes awareness-raising activities, provides tailored training, promotes best practices, and intensifies co-operation with other international organizations.

More about Non-proliferation of weapons of mass destruction

Connecting the participating States

OSCE participating States require the possibility of instant communication in order to fulfil their legal and political commitments. The OSCE provides a secure and reliable infrastructure through its Communications Network, complementing traditional diplomatic channels.

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Fighting illicit small arms and ammunition

Small arms and light weapons are recognized to cause the majority of deaths in conflicts and non-combat situations. The OSCE area comprises many major producers of such weapons and the Organization takes the issue of illicit arms proliferation very seriously. The participating States have adopted a number of key documents to regulate the production, transfer, storage, collection, and destruction of such weapons, and to control their export. The FSC is instrumental in helping states implement these documents. Upon request, it provides assistance with collection and destruction of small arms and light weapons and conventional ammunition, helps improve legislation to effectively control small arms and assists in improving stockpile management. It also promotes information exchange on small arms and light weapons; conventional arms transfers; and anti-personnel landmines.

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Democratic control of armed and security forces

Recognizing the importance of democratic civilian control of the armed and security forces, the Forum adopted in 1994 a Code of Conduct on Politico-Military Aspects of Security. This unique document represents a landmark in security sector governance, by obliging participating States to provide for democratic oversight of their armed, internal, paramilitary, intelligence and police forces. The Code of Conduct also includes key principles on relations between states. States are obliged to ensure that their armed forces remain politically neutral and to guarantee that the human rights of security personnel are respected. States report back on national practices annually, helping to build confidence and security in the OSCE region.

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Minsk Group

Conflict prevention and resolution

The Minsk Group’s Co-Chairs visit the region regularly to conduct high-level talks with the parties to the conflict, and hold meetings with the OSCE Chairperson-in-Office and the Minsk Group members to brief them on the process. They are mandated to provide an appropriate framework for conflict resolution in the way of assuring the negotiation process; to obtain conclusion by the Parties of an agreement on the cessation of the armed conflict in order to permit the convening of the Minsk Conference; and to promote the peace process by deploying OSCE multinational peacekeeping forces.

More about Conflict prevention and resolution

OSCE High Commissioner on National Minorities

Education and conflict prevention

Schools are an excellent place to foster mutual trust, break down stereotypes, explain the value of diversity and broaden understanding of universal human rights. Education equips children with the necessary skills to effectively participate in political, social and economic life. Teaching in and of minority languages and ensuring pupils have opportunities to learn the state or official language is particularly important, and the High Commissioner regularly reminds both government and minority representatives of both the right to education in and of minority languages and the responsibility of people belonging to minorities to master the state language.

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Minority and majority languages

When the legitimate concerns of both majorities and minorities regarding language use are accommodated, tensions are greatly reduced. Both sides need to compromise and recognize their mutual rights and responsibilities. This can be achieved through efforts to ensure multilingualism throughout society, and through using positive rather than punitive measures. If one language is promoted at the expense of others, this can be a considerable source of inter-ethnic tension. The High Commissioner frequently advises states to ensure that minority language rights are respected.

More about Minority and majority languages

Max van der Stoel Award

Every two years, the High Commissioner on National Minorities and the Government of the Netherlands organize the Max van der Stoel Award. The prize of €50,000 is presented to a person, group or institution for extraordinary and outstanding achievements in improving the position of national minorities in the OSCE participating States.

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Minorities and the media

When minorities do not have sufficient access to the media, this can lead to tensions. The High Commissioner works directly with governments and minority representatives to support the right of national minorities to access to the broadcast media. Such work often involves reviewing legislation and providing advice, particularly in the areas of language, representation and regulatory frameworks.

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Promoting effective participation in public life

Effective participation in public life is a prerequisite for a peaceful and democratic society. Without it, groups can easily become marginalized. It is especially important that national minorities are meaningfully consulted on decisions that affect them directly. The High Commissioner offers a broad range of recommendations on themes such as minority representation at national, regional and local levels; access to the civil service, judiciary and law enforcement; consultative bodies; and local self-government. The High Commissioner specifically reminds governments that everyone, including those belonging to minorities, has the right to effective participation and that it is an important aspect of good governance.

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Integration of societies

Integration is a dynamic, multi-actor process of mutual engagement that facilitates effective participation by all members of a diverse society in economic, political, social and cultural life, and fosters a shared sense of belonging at national and local levels. Weak or non-existent integration policies often contribute to instability by failing to adequately address the root causes of tensions. Good integration policies can create a society in which everyone has a sense of belonging and of contributing no matter what their ethnic, linguistic, cultural or religious background. The HCNM therefore provides guidance and recommendations to help states improve the cohesiveness of their societies through context-specific advice.

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National minorities in inter-State relations

Almost every country has minorities, many of them belonging to communities that cross state borders. These communities can serve as a bridge and contribute to friendly relations, but the potential for tension can also exist, especially when states claim protection of their “kin” abroad, making these issues a matter of legitimate international concern. Although the primary responsibility for protecting minority rights lies with the state within which they reside, minority issues often engage the interest of more than one state. In such cases, the High Commissioner addresses issues not only within, but also between, states. The High Commissioner recommends that states resolve such issues on the basis of friendly and good neighbourly relations.

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Policing in multi-ethnic societies

Interactions between police officers and national minorities can help or hinder inter-community relations. Police need to be responsive to the concerns and wishes of all ethnic communities to guarantee a free and peaceful diverse society. The High Commissioner offers expertise on how police can deal sensitively with tense situations, encouraging authorities to include a minority aspect in law-enforcement structures and ensuring that police forces have the capacity to build lasting partnerships, based on trust, with all ethnic communities. This can require structural reform or targeted recruitment, training and professional support, constructive engagement with ethnic communities within community policing frameworks, operational practices, and building capacity for the prevention and management of conflict.

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Conflict prevention and resolution

The OSCE established the High Commissioner on National Minorities to strengthen its early warning and conflict prevention capabilities. The High Commissioner is involved at the earliest possible stage in participating States where inter-ethnic tensions could lead to conflict. A society can be divided by factors related to ethnicity, religion or language, or a combination. If social cohesion is hampered, divisions can lead to tensions and even conflict. Minorities may face obstacles in participating in the socio-economic or political life of the country. The High Commissioner also works on long-term conflict prevention activities, including addressing the protection and promotion of minority rights, and providing advice and recommendations on how to maintain a stable multi-ethnic State.

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Access to justice and national minorities

Access to justice for national minorities is not only about minorities’ enjoyment of rights but is also relevant to conflict prevention within and between states. If states deny, restrict or fail to provide access to justice, national minorities may become alienated, which undermines social cohesion and increases the risk of inter-ethnic tensions. Minority communities may also seek support from “kin” states, potentially leading to tensions between states. The High Commissioner provides guidance and recommendations to states on the relationship between access to justice and conflict prevention and access to justice and national minorities, complementing the work of other international actors, which focus on access to justice in general.

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OSCE Office for Democratic Institutions and Human Rights

Migration

ODIHR assists participating States in assessing, formulating and implementing migration policies and legislation that are gender-sensitive, protect the fundamental rights of migrants and facilitate migrant integration into the societies in which they live. In these areas, ODIHR identifies and facilitates the sharing of good practices, matching these to the needs identified in participating States. Upon request, the Office also designs and implements projects on the collection of migration data.

More about Migration

Democratization

By assisting states in building and consolidating democratic institutions, ODIHR aims to help governments become more responsive, accountable and representative. The Office works with government institutions, political parties and parliaments, and assists civil society in policy-making. ODIHR also supports the efforts of participating States in increasing the participation of women and youth in politics, strengthening parliaments, developing multiparty political landscapes, improving the integration of migrants and modernizing population-registration systems. These activities are often undertaken to assist states in implementing recommendations made by ODIHR election observation missions.

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Gender equality

Gender equality in the OSCE region is improving but significant inequalities persist. ODIHR works to strengthen gender-equality institutions, identify discriminatory laws and policies, and increase women’s participation in politics and electoral processes. Through gender equality training for parliamentarians, civil society and security sector personnel, and by encouraging women’s recruitment and promotion within the security ranks, ODIHR supports effective institutions, policies and programmes that reflect the needs and interests of both men and women.

More about Gender equality

Education

Respect for human rights is a universal value and principle important for all communities throughout the OSCE. Educators, whether in schools or in particular professions, play a central role in shaping the behaviour and attitudes of the people with whom they work in society. ODIHR has developed a number of resources to promote respect for diversity and mutual understanding in schools, and to assist educators working in a range of professions in training their colleagues to understand and defend human rights and to encourage societies based on the respect for human rights.

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Human rights and fundamental freedoms

OSCE participating States have recognized that human rights are the birthright of all human beings, are inalienable and are guaranteed by law. In promoting respect for human rights, ODIHR monitors governments’ compliance with their human dimension commitments. The Office provides states with advice and assistance, and supports individuals and civil society with targeted training and education. ODIHR covers a broad spectrum of issues, ranging from the fundamental freedoms of religion or belief, movement, assembly and association, to reporting on the use of the death penalty, monitoring trials, and preventing torture and other forms of ill-treatment.

More about Human rights and fundamental freedoms

Legislative support

Good and effective legislation is the foundation of every functioning state based on the rule of law. Laws should be adopted through democratic procedures and be clear and concise. To ensure the quality and effectiveness of laws related to the human dimension, ODIHR supports participating States by reviewing their law-making systems and relevant draft and existing legislation. In providing such support, the Office draws on legislative guidelines in specific areas, such as election, freedom of assembly and political party legislation, as well as the resources of Legislationline.org, ODIHR’s online legislative database.

More about Legislative support

Rule of law

OSCE participating States continue to require assistance in developing justice systems that guarantee the respect for everyone’s fundamental rights and freedoms in a fair and independent manner. ODIHR supports judicial and legislative reforms to ensure that judiciaries operate free from undue influence. The Office also assists criminal justice reform compliant with human rights standards to bolster the development of robust legal professions. To strengthen fair trial guarantees, ODIHR uses trial monitoring as an assessment tool to promote reforms based on rule of law principles in the area of criminal, civil and administrative justice.

More about Rule of law

Field Operations

OSCE Centre in Ashgabat

The Centre assists Turkmenistan in improving the security, safety, and management of state-controlled stockpiles of small arms and light weapons, and conventional ammunition. It trains senior and mid-level armed forces officers on ammunition storage management. The Centre holds workshops and round-table meetings to discuss issues such as how to implement the 2011 Vienna Document provisions on reciprocal verification visits, information exchange and defence planning.

More about Arms control

OSCE Centre in Ashgabat

The Centre runs a variety of seminars and training courses to assist the country in its efforts to prevent human trafficking, prosecute traffickers and protect victims of this ominous crime. The Centre conducts awareness-raising campaigns for youth and the general public, contributes to capacity building and facilitates the participation of national officials in regional conferences and training courses focused on combating trafficking in human beings through collaboration, partnership and anti-trafficking standards.

More about Combating human trafficking

OSCE Centre in Ashgabat

As part of its extrabudgetary project “Strengthening Border Service Capacities in Turkmenistan”, the Centre regularly organizes activities, such as advanced border patrol, maritime, alpine, medical and canine training, and workshops covering security aspects of trade facilitation. Workshops on relevant aspects of border management for participants from Turkmenistan and Afghanistan are also part of this project. The Centre also organizes specialized training courses for navy and border security officers, customs personnel, and aviation and airport security staff on topics that range from patrolling procedures and surveillance techniques to maritime security protocols and airport safety management. The Centre trains Turkmen law enforcement officials on techniques to counter drug trafficking, strengthen travel document security, and promote a code of conduct for law enforcement.

More about Border management

OSCE Centre in Ashgabat

The Centre supports national efforts towards further economic development. It also implements activities aimed at enhancing regional co-operation and improving economic connectivity through facilitating political dialogue in the area of good economic governance. The Centre contributes to the building of national capacity in the area of effective transport and trade management. It also conducts awareness-raising training workshops on labour migration issues for national stakeholders, including officials and non-governmental organizations.

More about Economic activities

OSCE Centre in Ashgabat

The Centre’s key activities in this field are aimed at raising the awareness of representatives of relevant institutions and organizations about environmental issues and building their capacities to address them. It assists Turkmenistan in the implementation of its international commitments under the Aarhus Convention and other international environmental instruments. The Centre also actively contributes to endorsing national policies on the sustainable use of natural resources, and continuously supports the development of national environmental legislation. In addition, the Centre provides a platform for national discussions and promotes a regional dialogue on environmental issues.

More about Environmental activities

OSCE Centre in Ashgabat

To assist Turkmenistan with the implementation of its commitments to combat corruption and money laundering and terrorist financing, the Centre supports the Good Governance Centre within the Ministry of Finance and Economy. It organizes training seminars and workshops for senior experts and civil servants on international mechanisms and tools to prevent corrupt practices, curb money laundering and terrorist financing, and improve the integrity of the public service. The Centre also provides expert support to the Ministry of Finance and Economy in drafting and amending legislation on anti-money laundering and combating the financing of terrorism.

More about Good governance

OSCE Centre in Ashgabat

The Centre regularly organizes seminars and training courses for officials from the judiciary and legislative authorities, law enforcement, legal practitioners, office of the Ombudsperson and human rights researchers to familiarize them with international human rights standards and OSCE commitments in this area. It also trains prison officers on prisoners’ rights and organizes human rights lectures at universities and institutes.

More about Human rights

OSCE Centre in Ashgabat

To assist the country with the holding of democratic elections, the Centre works with the Central Election Commission and the parliament on recommendations to bring the electoral legislation in line with international standards. It also organizes study visits for election officials to other OSCE participating States.

More about Elections

OSCE Centre in Ashgabat

The Centre works and maintains partnerships with national legislative and human rights institutions, public organizations and unions on a number of issues and projects targeting gender mainstreaming and domestic violence. The Centre ensures the promotion of gender equality by providing expert and legal advice to relevant national authorities and stakeholders in Turkmenistan on gender-related commitments.

More about Gender equality

OSCE Centre in Ashgabat

The Centre provides training on legislative techniques for representatives of the parliament and other law-making institutions. It organizes study visits for parliamentarians to other OSCE participating States and OSCE institutions, including to ODIHR. As part of its support for legal reform, the Centre has developed a database that includes all official legislative acts and international treaties to which Turkmenistan is a party. It is assisting the state in compiling a set of commentaries to a number of national legislative acts.

More about Rule of law

OSCE Centre in Ashgabat

Providing assistance in the modernization of Turkmenistan’s media legislation and the reform of journalism education are the Centre’s main activities in this field. It trains journalism students and instructors on modern reporting techniques and work standards in traditional print, broadcast and online media. It also works on media reform with the parliament and other institutions, assisting with the drafting and enhancing of the country’s media legislation.

More about Media freedom and development

OSCE Centre in Ashgabat

The Centre holds a constant dialogue with the host government to address existing and evolving transnational threats such as violent extremism and radicalization that lead to terrorism, the use of the Internet for terrorist purposes and foreign terrorist fighters. The Centre supports comprehensive national efforts to counter drug trafficking and cybercrimes.

More about Countering terrorism

OSCE Centre in Ashgabat

As part of its extrabudgetary project “Assistance to Istanbul Process Secretariat”, the Centre supports Turkmenistan’s co-chairmanship of the Regional Infrastructure – Confidence Building Measures (RI-CBM) of the Heart of Asia – Istanbul Process by facilitating the organization of regular meetings of the technical working groups and other events in Ashgabat hosted by the Ministry of Foreign Affairs of Turkmenistan.

More about Conflict prevention and resolution

OSCE Mission in Kosovo

The Mission works with religious leaders, young people and school officials to promote tolerance, inter-community and inter-faith dialogue and acceptance of diversity in Kosovo.

More about Tolerance and non-discrimination

OSCE Mission in Kosovo

The Mission provides the Central Election Commission and the Election Complaints and Appeals Panel, as well as their Secretariats with technical advice and expertise for the revision of election bylaws and managing the electoral process, in order for them to meet international standards and follow the recommendations of international election observation missions.

More about Elections

OSCE Mission in Kosovo

The Mission supports central and local legislative bodies to improve their oversight role over executives, and provides advice on how to increase transparency, communication and public participation, in line with good governance principles.

More about Good governance

OSCE Mission in Kosovo

The Mission works to advance human and community rights through their monitoring, protection, and promotion. It supports Kosovo institutions in complying with domestic legislation and international legal instruments. Community rights include, among others, language rights, access to education, support for returnees and repatriated persons, communities’ participation in decision-making processes, property and housing rights of vulnerable groups (e.g. displaced persons), access to justice, religious and cultural heritage protection, as well as communities’ security issues.

More about Human rights

OSCE Mission in Kosovo

The Mission works closely with key media institutions, including the Press Council of Kosovo, the Independent Media Commission, and Radio Television of Kosovo, to help them become effective and fully functioning institutions through monitoring, reporting, and advocacy initiatives.

More about Media freedom and development

OSCE Mission in Kosovo

To help ensure the independence, impartiality and accountability of the justice system, the Mission regularly monitors and reports on the work of the judiciary, prosecution and advocates and assesses whether they perform in compliance with international human rights and rule of law standards. It engages in activities to improve performance of the justice sector and to support non-judicial institutions in defending human rights.

More about Rule of law

OSCE Mission in Kosovo

Women’s empowerment, gender equality and women’s rights are at the core of all the Mission’s activities. The Mission focuses on supporting enactment and implementation of non-discriminatory legal frameworks and policies. Particular attention is given to women’s participation in public and political life and gender-responsive budgeting to ensure that the interests of women and men are equally taken into account in all public policies.

More about Gender equality

OSCE Mission in Kosovo

The Mission focuses its support on increasing and improving young people’s participation and contribution to policy design and decision-making in public life.

More about Youth

OSCE Mission in Kosovo

The Mission provides support to Kosovo institutions in implementing and updating the strategies and action plans against terrorism and to prevent violent extremism and radicalization that lead to terrorism.

More about Countering terrorism

OSCE Mission in Kosovo

The Mission works closely with institutions on improving cyber security in Kosovo.

More about Cyber/ICT Security

OSCE Mission to Bosnia and Herzegovina

The Mission works closely with security sector institutions to decrease the risk of accidental explosion, theft and onward proliferation of weapons and ammunition stockpiles in BiH. Safer and more secure storage, handling and disposal of unstable and surplus ammunition is being attained through upgrades to physical security infrastructure at ammunition and weapons storage sites and improved ammunition and weapons life cycle management.

More about Arms control

OSCE Mission to Bosnia and Herzegovina

The Mission works alongside domestic institutions and with international partners to enhance the legislative and policy framework for the prevention and prosecution of trafficking in human beings. It monitors individual cases and advocates for harmonization of the country’s anti-trafficking legislation with international standards.

More about Combating human trafficking

Democratization

Events

The Second OSCE-IFSH Essay Competition 2021: Conventional Arms Control and Confidence- and Security-Building Measures for Students and Young Professionals

Submit to essay-competition2021@osce.org , 17 March 2021 - 1 August 2021

OSCE Perspectives 2030 Online Academy

Online (Zoom). In December 2021 you may be invited to a day networking meeting in Vienna, Austria. , 26 March 2021 - 10 December 2021

OSCE-UNODA Scholarship for Peace and Security: Training on Arms Control and Disarmament

Online and in-person in Vienna, Austria , 24 May 2021 - 30 July 2021

Jun	JUL	Aug
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2020	2021	2022

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