Human Dimension
Respect for human rights and functioning democratic institutions are a key for lasting security. Therefore, the OSCE participating States have committed themselves to a comprehensive catalogue of human rights and democracy norms. Through the activities and mechanisms in human dimension, the OSCE promotes fair elections, rule of law, media freedom, rights of national minorities and tolerance and non-discrimination.
The OSCE established autonomous institutions to act as protectors and promoters of human rights and democracy:
- Office for Democratic Institutions and Human Rights (ODIHR) based in Warsaw,
- High Commissioner on National Minorities (HCNM) based in The Hague,
- Representative on the Freedom of the Media (RFoM) based in Vienna.
Representatives of the OSCE participating States meet in Human Dimension Committee regularly during the year. Yearly, the Office for Democratic Institutions and Human Rights (ODIHR) organises the Human Dimension Implementation Meeting (HDIM). It is Europe's largest annual human rights conference bringing together hundreds of government officials, experts, civil society representatives and human right activists. A special focus within the human dimension is given to the rights and opportunities of the Roma and Sinti.