ANNUAL REPORT 2003 Foreword by participating States - while also allocating resources to The implementation of OSCE commitments on human address emerging issues. rights and democracy is assessed at the annual Human Dimension Implementation Meeting held in Warsaw, which is The ODIHR deployed some 3,400 long- and short-term ob- attended by representatives from all OSCE participating servers to 12 election observation missions in 2003. The Of- States, missions, and institutions, as well as by civil society. fice increased its focus on follow-up to elections, for in- At the 2003 meeting, attended by some 800 participants, stance, by responding to a growing number of requests for special attention was given to the prevention of discrimi- review of electoral legislation. In recent years, the ODIHR has nation, racism, xenophobia, and anti-Semitism; national observed significant improvement in the conduct of elec- minorities; and migrant workers. Three supplementary tions in a number of countries; at the same time, it is clear meetings were held throughout the year, specifically ad- that further progress is needed in a number of participating dressing Roma and Sinti issues, freedom of religion or be- States. The Office has also seen clear value in election as- lief, and prevention of torture. sessments in more-established democracies, which has brought to light a need to reform there as well. 2003 was a year of new opportunities for the ODIHR Our activities to strengthen democratic instutions aim to create and maintain stability and respect for the main principles of democratic society. These activites continued to focus on rule of law, NGOs and democratic governance, gender equality, combating trafficking in human beings, freedom of These meetings set our priorities for the years to come; their movement and migration, and legislative support. outcome and the conclusions of numerous other events are included in this report. But our main aim is that the ODIHR The ODIHR has been moving towards longer-term and more- serve as a centre of expertise for the whole organization: its inclusive planning, responding to several new challenges participating States and field missions. Strengthening our ca- and demands on the Office's capacity. This has led to the pacity to do this emphasizes the importance of human di- creation of a new Human Rights Section, which, in addition mension work for the organization as a whole. to a monitoring role, will include more research, analysis, and training in its activities. In 2003, the ODIHR increased its The protection of human rights, effective rule of law, and focus on human rights education and training to serve as a strong democratic institutions are at the core of the OSCE’s focal point for capacity-building for governments, OSCE comprehensive security concept. The individual man, field missions, and other partners. woman, and child are at the heart of our activities. Ambassador Christian Strohal ODIHR Director 5