Human Rights Day is a reminder of the safeguards on which a secure and peaceful future depends, OSCE human rights head says

WARSAW, 9 December 2022 – Tomorrow’s Human Rights Day reminds us of the universality embodied in the Universal Declaration of Human Rights and the entire international human rights framework, but also of the efforts still needed to achieve its guarantees in both word and spirit, said the OSCE Office for Democratic Institutions and Human Rights (ODIHR).

“Times of crisis are a stress test for human rights protection – including for the international framework that was built to support or intervene in situations where national authorities unfortunately breach them,” said ODIHR Director Matteo Mecacci. “As human rights continue to be violated, we must work together in a spirit of dialogue at both the national and international level if we are to fulfil the promise contained in the Universal Declaration, of a world where everyone is free and equal in dignity and in rights.”

This year’s Human Rights Day marks the launch of the countdown to next year’s 75th anniversary of the Universal Declaration of Human Rights, a landmark on the path towards respect for human rights for all. ODIHR assists countries across the OSCE region to fulfil their commitments to respect the rights of every individual, for example through monitoring the freedom to peaceful protest, helping to ensure that policies to counter terrorism integrate a human rights perspective, working to strengthen the rule of law, and helping to build more equal and open societies.

ODIHR’s strong ties with civil society are at the heart of its work. At present, however, a healthy civil society is too often seen by governments not as a partner for safeguarding rights more effectively, but as a security risk, with the result that civil society organisations as well as human rights defenders have come under increasing threat. By assisting governments to engage actively with civil society, ODIHR helps to increase respect for human rights and in this way strengthen the security of the entire region.

Every OSCE country has recognized that human rights are the birthright of all human beings, are inalienable and are guaranteed by law. According to the OSCE’s unique vision, sustainable security is only possible if it is based on respect for human rights, which can only be fully guaranteed in a pluralistic democracy based on the rule of law.