An Azerbaijani border guard receives her diploma after completing a one-year officer's course at the Polish Border Guard Academy in Ketrzyn, Poland, in September. Freedom of Movement One of the main characteristics of a modern society is in- to move involuntarily, becoming either refugees (by virtue of creased population mobility. As people in the OSCE region crossing international boundaries) or displaced persons. move both within their countries and between countries, Despite the best efforts of the ODIHR and its many partners, there are serious obstacles to protecting the human rights of migrants in the OSCE. Moreover, there are persistent negative stereotypes and perceptions about the impact of migrants. A lack of information on migration as a phenomenon and on migration laws and policies of other participating States presents a challenge to citizens and governments alike and needs to be overcome. Another challenge is the growing perception in one group of OSCE states that the other part of the region is erecting a “paper curtain” of onerous visa requirements that would divide the region - and its citizens - thereby preventing them from learning more about each other and from reaching mutual understanding. current migration phenomena are more complex than ever. Migration can be a positive factor in economic and social development and can contribute to understanding among cultures and to democratization trends. But migrants can also become victims of negative stereotyping, intolerance, and violations of human rights. It is not possible for any organization to engage in all migration-related issues; thus, addressing them requires a web of activities by NGOs, governments, bilateral and multilateral assistance agencies, and by international organizations. The OSCE has developed a number of important commitments to facilitate the movement of people across borders, as well as within the borders of their countries. There are The main issues also specific commitments related to the treatment of migrant workers. As deadly conflicts erupted in the OSCE area in the early 1990s, more attention was put on the plight of
those who did not intend to become migrants but who had the collapse of communism in the early 1990s, Soviet-era 38 The right to free choice of place of residence: Since