PART I 1.3 1 HUMAN RIGHTS AND THE OSCE INSTITUTIONS The Office for Democratic Institutions and Human Rights (ODIHR) is the main OSCE institution concerned with the human dimension. Its mandate includes assisting the participating States in building democratic institutions and in implementing their human dimension commitments. The ODIHR also provides advice and assistance to the OSCE Chairman-in-Office and the OSCE field operations. It assists the monitoring of implementation by participating States of their human dimension commitments by serving as a venue for bilateral meetings, acting as a clearing house for the exchange of information, and by providing support to field missions. In certain instances, the ODIHR intervenes directly with states on broad human rights issues and on individual cases. The ODIHR may also pursue individual cases in other ways, including in the Permanent Council, in Human Dimension Meetings, and in public statements.9 The Representative on Freedom of the Media promotes full compliance with OSCE principles and commitments in respect of freedom of expression and free media. The Representative concentrates on rapid response to serious non-compliance with OSCE commitments and seeks direct contacts with the participating State and other parties involved. As such, the Representative on Freedom of the Media frequently becomes involved in cases of individuals whose rights to freedom of expression may have been violated. The High Commissioner on National Minorities (HCNM) provides early warning and, as appropriate, early action with regard to tensions involving national minority issues. The High Commissioner’s goal is to develop a process to exchange views, co-operate, and take concrete steps to de-escalate tensions and resolve underlying issues. Although the High Commissioner’s mandate is almost always relevant to the human dimension work of OSCE field operations, dealing with individual cases is not part of the HCNM’s mandate. 9 For more on the mandate of the ODIHR, see Helsinki 1992 (Decisions, Chapter VI, Paragraphs 4-6), Rome 1993 (Decisions, Chapter IV, Paragraphs 3-4), Budapest 1994 (Decisions, Chapter VIII, Paragraphs 8-13), and Vienna 2000 (Decision 1, Paragraphs 7 and 13). 22