Protecting civil rights more important than ever, OSCE human rights head and Polish Ombudsman say
To discuss means of putting democracies across the OSCE region back on track as intolerance increases and pressure grows on the independence of the judiciary in many places, the OSCE Office for Democratic Institutions and Human Rights (ODIHR) together with the Office of the Polish Ombudsman are holding the third annual Civil Rights Congress.
“This year we were marking the 30th anniversary of the peaceful revolutions that brought down the Berlin Wall, which brought Europe together after so many years of division,” said ODIHR Director Ingibjörg Sólrún Gísladóttir. “But although this year is a time of celebration, the foundations of our human rights system are under unprecedented attack. We must push back against those who seek to undermine democracy from within.”
The velvet revolutions that swept Central Eastern Europe 30 years ago gave rise to a time of optimism that has been lost as threats to democracies grow. In the face of increasing conflict across the OSCE region and a lack of solidarity with communities who find themselves excluded and discriminated against, respect for human rights and the rule of law are under threat. This makes it all the more important to discuss and demonstrate their essential role in developing and sustaining flourishing democracies.
Since the first Civil Rights Congress in Poland took place in 2017, the event has brought together more than 5,000 people to exchange views and experiences and seek to develop effective ways of protecting human rights and freedoms. It was conceived as a platform for both frank discussion and deeper reflection, helping those who work in the area of human rights, from activists through to legal experts, to find new and effective solutions.
“Both human rights activists and the general public need to be empowered to think and act when they witness intolerance, hatred, or any other human rights abuse,” said Polish Ombudsman Adam Bodnar. “A frank discussion about the current dangers to our democratic systems and the principles on which they are founded is crucial to finding sustainable solutions.”
Participants will discuss urgent challenges to human rights, from the move by some governments around the OSCE region to increase their control over judicial appointments and promotions, through to the use of hate speech in political or election campaigns. While fuelling prejudice against the most vulnerable in society can bring short-term political gain, European history has shown many times that the consequences of xenophobia and polarization leading to a breakdown in dialogue can be fatal.
Almost 2,000 participants registered for the 2019 Congress, demonstrating the high degree of interest by activists and the public in working to protect civil society, strengthen judicial independence, fight for gender equality and support those whose rights are often threatened on an everyday basis.