New ODIHR Director assumes post
Ambassador Strohal, 51, served as Austrian Representative to the United Nations Commission on Human Rights, as a delegate to the UN General Assembly and as representative to the European Union working group on human rights. From 1994 to 2000, he was Director for Human Rights, International Humanitarian Law, and Minority and Gender Issues at the Austrian Ministry of Foreign Affairs. Before joining the ODIHR, Ambassador Strohal headed the Austrian Embassy in Luxembourg.
"I have always considered ODIHR to be a unique pillar for realizing the OSCE's comprehensive security concept," said Ambassador Strohal after his appointment by the OSCE's Permanent Council in January 2003. "Under the excellent leadership of Ambassador Stoudmann, the Office has demonstrated that it contributes very effectively to the protection and promotion of democracy and human rights throughout the OSCE region. I look forward to continuing this work."
Ambassador Strohal spoke of the tremendous change he has witnessed during his long involvement in human rights issues: "The protection of human rights has been brought from the conference room to the field. It is there, on the ground, where we have to live up to people's expectations and where we have to make a difference. Everybody talks about human rights - we all have to do human rights! There are still way too many victims of human rights violations throughout the OSCE region. This is a daily challenge."
Given the broad range of the ODIHR's activities, as well as its current priorities, he sees the challenge as considerable. "I look forward to working with ODIHR's highly professional and motivated staff, as well as to co-operating closely with all partners - governments, civil society and non-governmental organizations - as well as those within the OSCE and in other international organizations," he said.
"The ODIHR should be a centre of expertise for the whole organization, including its field missions. It is a unique and very exciting institution, which must remain credible, fair, effective and strong."