Call for Inputs: Oversight of Human Rights Compliance of State Measures to Prevent and Counter Terrorism

Overview 

The OSCE Office for Democratic Institutions and Human Rights (ODIHR) is issuing the following call for inputs to collect information on gaps, challenges and good practices related to security sector oversight and accountability for the protection of human rights in counter-terrorism. Submissions will inform ODIHR’s programmatic work on the issue. 

ODIHR welcomes input from those involved in human rights monitoring, oversight, and accountability regarding state measures to prevent and counter terrorism in OSCE participating States and Partners for Co-operation. 

This includes, but is not limited to:

• Independent oversight bodies (e.g., ombuds institutions, national human rights institutions, data protection authorities, equality bodies)
• Civil society organizations
• Human rights defenders
• Think tanks
• Academia and research institutions
• Independent experts and other stakeholders and
• Regional and international organizations

Governmental bodies and agencies or other state actors are welcome to contribute. Please note, however, that ODIHR may also seek input from authorities of OSCE participating States directly. 

Background

ODIHR has observed that the steady expansion of counter-terrorism laws, policies and practices has serious implications for human rights. Continuing impunity for gross human rights violations in the counter-terrorism sphere, such as renditions and secret detentions, and the lack of publicly available information on the human rights impact of measures such as mass surveillance, testify to the importance of enhancing accountability in this field. Therefore, it is important that security sector institutions and other state actors involved in countering terrorism – e.g., the police, intelligence agencies, the military as well as other public authorities engaged in preventing and countering violent extremism and radicalization leading to terrorism (VERLT) – are subject to external oversight.

Besides internal oversight, external security sector oversight by governmental institutions, the judiciary and parliament is essential for scrutinizing counter-terrorism approaches. Importantly, external oversight is also carried out by independent bodies and actors such as national human rights institutions (NHRIs), ombuds institution, data protection authorities and civil society. Designed to provide checks and balances, external oversight mechanisms can prevent and address human rights violations and abuses. By conducting oversight of counter-terrorism measures taken by the government and its security sector, they can contribute to strengthening accountability and respect for human rights.  

Purpose of this call

In line with ODIHR’s mandate to assist participating States in developing and implementing anti-terrorism laws, policies and practices in accordance with their international human rights obligations and OSCE commitments, the Office seeks input from across the OSCE region to inform its programmatic work on external and independent security sector oversight and accountability in the context of protecting human rights while preventing and countering terrorism.

The call aims to identify relevant patterns, gaps and challenges. It also seeks to collect recommendations and good practices about effective and independent oversight and accountability in counter-terrorism measures. The Office is further interested in the role civil society plays in enhancing accountability and external scrutiny in this context.

Submissions will feed into ODIHR’s work on the issue and may contribute to the development of tailored policy or practical guidance for relevant stakeholders in the OSCE region. 

For more information on ODIHR’s work on the issue, please consult pages 6-7 of this document, also available at the bottom of this page.

Submission criteria

Please send inputs by 8 March 2026 by email to hr-ct@odihr.pl. The subject line is “Call for Input: Oversight”.   

• Concise submissions are encouraged; please do not exceed the maximum number of words as indicated for each question. If necessary, relevant attachments can be placed in an annex.
• Accepted languages for the submission are English and Russian.  
• Please state whether you are submitting the responses in your personal capacity or on behalf of an organization and, if so, which one (giving the organization’s name and e-mail address.
• Information submitted will not be attributed to any individuals or organizations in subsequent reports and publications themselves, unless expressly permitted.
• Please ensure that the data provided in your response does not contain any references or information that would violate privacy or other legally protected rights. 

Contact

For any questions, please contact Maximilian Scheid, ODIHR Associate Human Rights Officer, at Maximilian.Scheid@odihr.pl.