Human Rights P articipating States have made extensive and detailed commitments in the area of human rights, and the monitoring and assessment of compliance with these commitments is a core activity for ODIHR. The effective implementation of these commitments remains a challenge in many areas, and for all participating States, so the Office, in co-operation with numerous partners including governments and civil society and international organizations, has developed specific tools to fulfil its mandate to support participating States in the implementation of their human dimension commitments. ODIHR’s human rights programmes addressing key issues in the OSCE region combine a thematic focus with a common approach, to provide monitoring and reporting on the implementation of commitments; to support their implementation; and to address key human rights issues. The effective implementation of human dimension commitments in participating States depends on a combination of strong institutions, guarantees for a vigorous civil society, understanding the nature and importance of these commitments and, not least of all, political will. Main Issues kk Threats to human rights and fundamental freedoms: One major facet of ODIHR’s work is the provision of support for non-governmental organizations, including human rights defenders, in addressing the numerous obstacles and, sometimes, dangers they face in the course of their activities. Equipping individuals and groups to translate human rights values into action locally is the focus of efforts in support of human rights education. kk Protecting human rights in the fight against terrorism: The participating States have committed to maintaining full respect for human rights, fundamental freedoms and the rule of law while fighting terrorism. But this fight is being used as a pretext in some countries to unduly reinforce the power of the authorities and limit human rights and freedoms in contradiction of OSCE commitments. Counter-terrorism measures that violate human rights commitments can be counterproductive, by bolstering terrorist recruitment strategies and creating conditions that could help terrorists win support. kk Human rights and the armed forces: Armed forces personnel should enjoy the rights and freedoms guaranteed to all people in the commitments made by OSCE participating States, with certain limitations necessitated by the nature of military life and service. There is, however, a broad divergence across the OSCE region in the degree to which the human rights and fundamental freedoms of service personnel are protected. This situation can be the result of restrictions on the exercise of certain rights, legislative and regulatory shortcomings, or the absence of proper control mechanisms to protect and enforce these rights. kk Trafficking in human beings: Trafficking in human beings is a global problem that affects all states in the OSCE region, whether as countries of origin, transit or destination. In essence, trafficking concerns the exploitation of human beings. Until recently, participating States had focused almost exclusively on the exploitation of trafficked persons in the sex industry. They are now, however, registering a growing problem with trafficking for labour exploitation in traditionally low-wage employment sectors. Annual Report 2008 37