The Responsibility to Implement elections to the Duma in the Russian Federation. A number of unprecedented restrictions imposed on the planned observation mission, in addition to difficulties in obtaining visas for our experts, made it impossible to conduct any long-term observation in accordance with ODIHR’s mandate for monitoring “before, during and after elections”. Election observation is not an end in itself. It is a tool to identify challenges and point to ways in which shortcomings can be addressed. ODIHR has therefore continuously stepped up efforts to follow up on our observations by presenting recommendations and offering our assistance in meeting them. These efforts increasingly touch all ODIHR programmes. Of course, meeting commitments on democratic elections is a responsibility that ultimately lies with the authorities of the participating States themselves. freedoms. With its strong mandate, its freedom from undue political influence, its operational autonomy, its internationally recognized expertise and its ability to work flexibly, ODIHR is uniquely positioned to help participating States in what is their common responsibility: implementing their commitments to the benefit of human security for all. Ambassador Christian Strohal ODIHR Director Outlook: renew the Helsinki movement With our highly professional team of ODIHR staff, we have, over the past five years, worked hard to reshape ODIHR into an even more effective tool in identifying and helping to address the challenges states face in the human dimension. Sadly, the sometimes uncomfortable truths uncovered by our reports have led some to call for ODIHR’s activities to be modified and for its reports to be subjected to tighter control by states. At the opening of my first Human Dimension Implementation Meeting, in 2003, I came to the following conclusion: “Democracy, the rule of law, human rights: they are always in danger, everywhere. This is the message from the Helsinki movement of civil society, governments, and international organizations. This movement has been the avant-garde in Europe, and beyond. We must strive to serve as this avantgarde again.” This conclusion, I believe, is more valid than ever. Stability and regional security are based on legitimacy that, in turn, can only derive from upholding democratic values and fundamental Annual Report 2007 7