Conference highlights human rights challenges in OSCE region

WARSAW, 2 October 2006 - The OSCE's annual Human Dimension Implementation Meeting opened today in the Polish capital with a call for states to take up the challenge of fulfilling their commitments to uphold human rights.

"Many could argue that we are witnessing an implementation crisis indicative of corroding political will in the face of new challenges," said Ambassador Christian Strohal, Director of the OSCE's Office for Democratic Institutions and Human Rights (ODIHR), in his opening remarks. "This meeting provides us with a reality check."

Among the challenges highlighted by the ODIHR Director were torture, inequality and discrimination, stifling of the media by authorities, trafficking in human beings and inadequate protection of victims, widespread suppression of human rights and harassment of human rights defenders, and election fraud.

The conference, which will run from 2 through 13 October, will host around 1,000 participants, including representatives from more than 300 non-governmental organizations.

In addition to reviewing the progress made by the OSCE's 56 participating States in implementing their commitments in the broad fields of human rights and democratization, there will also be three days dedicated to the special topics of trafficking in human beings; access to justice; and promotion of tolerance, non-discrimination, and mutual respect and understanding.

Journalists are invited to attend the regular working sessions and side events at the hotel Sofitel Victoria, ul. Krolewska, Warsaw. Interviews with participants can be arranged upon request.