An Introduction to the Human Dimension pa rt I Maastricht 2003 (I. OSCE Strategy to Address Threats to Security and Stability in the Twenty-First Century) 4. Respect for human rights and fundamental freedoms, democracy and the rule of law is at the core of the OSCE’s comprehensive concept of security. Strong democratic institutions and the rule of law play an important role in preventing threats from arising. Weak governance, and a failure by States to secure adequate and functioning democratic institutions that can promote stability, may in themselves constitute a breeding ground for a range of threats. Equally, systematic violations of human rights and fundamental freedoms, including the rights of persons belonging to national minorities, can give rise to a wide range of potential threats. (…) 8. Against this background, it is clear that the OSCE’s comprehensive approach to security, covering the politico-military, economic and environmental and human dimensions retains its full validity and should be maintained and further strengthened. 9. (…) Non-compliance with international law and with OSCE norms and principles, as well as a range of factors within the politico-military, economic and environmental and human dimensions lie behind the immediate causes of violent conflict. 1.2 The Human Dimension as a Matter of Direct and Legitimate International Concern Moscow 1991 (Preamble) The participating States emphasize that issues relating to human rights, fundamental freedoms, democracy and the rule of law are of international concern, as respect for these rights and freedoms constitutes one of the foundations of the international order. They categorically and irrevocably declare that the commitments undertaken in the field of the human dimension of the CSCE are matters of direct and legitimate concern to all participating States and do not belong exclusively to the internal affairs of the State concerned. Lisbon 1996 (Declaration on a Common and Comprehensive Security Model for Europe for the Twenty-First Century) 5. We recognize that, within the OSCE, States are accountable to their citizens and responsible to each other for their implementation of OSCE commitments. Istanbul 1999 (Charter for European Security: II. Our Common Foundations) 7. (…) All OSCE commitments, without exception, apply equally to each participating State (…) We regard these commitments as our common achievement and therefore consider them to be matters of immediate and legitimate concern to all participating States.  OSCE Human Dimension Commitments