OSCE/ODIHR Annual Report 2004

"Torture; unfair trials; new curbs on the freedoms of association and assembly; harassment of NGOs and journalists by government authorities; fraudulent election processes; manifestations of anti-Semitism, racism, xenophobia, and other forms of discrimination; trafficking in human beings; the plight of Roma and Sinti - 2004 again witnessed a broad range of violations of OSCE commitments and international law throughout the region. And this is only a partial list." (From the Foreword)

The ODIHR continued in 2004 to conduct a broad range of activities towards fostering democracy and the rule of law, promoting and protecting human rights, addressing pertinent shortcomings, and assisting participating States in the implementation of their commitments.

It also added a new programme in the area of tolerance and non-discrimination and a special unit  dedicated to providing legislative support to OSCE participating States.

As Europe's leading election observation agency, the ODIHR had one of its busiest years ever in 2004, with 15 observation missions.

In addition to monitoring elections in OSCE's new democracies in the region, the ODIHR continued to follow elections in the Organization's long-standing democracies. Among others, it conducted observations and assessments in Georgia, Russia, Belarus, the United States, Ukraine, Spain, Romania, and Slovakia.

The ODIHR's annual report provides detailed information about these and many other activities, as well as information about the more than 120 staff members who make up the ODIHR.

Of the professional staff members, more than one-third come from countries of the CIS, while the rest come from all parts of Europe, as well as North America. This internal community of nations is a reflection of the make-up of the greater organization and represents the common values of all 55 of the OSCE's participating States.