OSCE human rights chief calls for humane treatment of refugees

BUDAPEST, 19 June 2015 – Michael Georg Link, Director of the OSCE Office for Democratic Institutions and Human Rights, ahead of Saturday’s World Refugee day, called today on countries in the OSCE region to ensure the dignified treatment and human rights of all individuals wanting to cross borders.   

“Ahead of World Refugee Day, we have to be aware of our responsibility to treat refugees and migrants humanely,” Director Link said. “States should continue to work to ensure that the human rights of all individuals – including refugees and other migrants – are respected within their countries, as well as to find ways to prevent discrimination against these vulnerable groups.”

The 57 OSCE participating States have committed themselves to combat discrimination, where existing, against asylum seekers and refugees, as well to support efforts to ensure the protection of and assistance to refugees and displaced persons, with the aim of finding durable solutions.

“As recent events in and around the OSCE have raised the question of the treatment of refugees to the top of policy agendas, the authorities in participating States have to ensure that the solutions they adopt comply completely with their OSCE commitments and other international human rights standards and obligations,” said Director Link.