C. Role of institutions 10. In the early days, the CSCE did not have any institutions of its own through which assistance could be given. The responsibility for implementation, and also for review thereof, remained with the governments of participating States. States did, however, foresee that existing international frameworks and organizations would and should have a role in implementation. In addition, the OSCE has equipped itself with a number of specifically designed bodies and structures, such as the institutions in the human dimension. 11. Most commitments undertaken since Helsinki are in fact implemented without any particular reference to the OSCE, in a multitude of activities of a unilateral, bilateral, or multilateral nature. Many commitments have also been reconfirmed in other international frameworks, and some have been further developed through the adoption of more advanced standards for certain geographically limited groups within the OSCE region, such as the Council of Europe. Yet, there are a number of core areas that have not been paralleled elsewhere, where the OSCE has the highest standards and in which OSCE institutions have been mandated to play particular roles. 12. While their specific mandates differ, the OSCE’s institutions, as well as the OSCE Secretary-General, assist participating States in implementing their commitments. They can assist in monitoring and identifying shortcomings and also offer technical advice and practical assistance where there is sufficient political will to change. The OSCE Parliamentary Assembly, which enjoys a large degree of resource and administrative independence from the Organization, constitutes another forum that can use its influence to hold States politically accountable for failures to implement commitments.10 13. The OSCE High Commissioner on National Minorities (HCNM) is tasked to identify, and seek early resolution of, ethnic tensions that might endanger peace, stability, or friendly relations between OSCE participating States. Operating in confidence and independently of all parties involved, the High Commissioner conducts on-site missions and engages in preventative diplomacy at the earliest stage of tension. In addition to seeking first-hand information, the High Commissioner promotes dialogue, confidence, and co-operation and provides governments with recommendations on legislative and practical measures needed to promote harmonious interethnic relations.11 The HCNM is the most visible reminder of the inseparability of the human dimension from security concerns, and of the need for a crossdimensional approach to resolving problems in this regard. 14. The OSCE Representative on Freedom of the Media (RFoM) assists participating States in furthering free, independent, and pluralistic media as one of the basic elements of a functioning pluralistic democracy. The Representative observes media developments in all participating States and advocates and promotes compliance with relevant OSCE principles and commitments. The participating States have pledged to co-operate fully with the 10  The role of the OSCE Parliamentary Assembly has been acknowledged a number of times, for instance, in the framework of the 2004 OSCE Action Plan for the Promotion of Gender Equality (MC.DEC//14/04, (para. 44(h)). Also see the 1999 Istanbul Summit Declaration, paras. 22, 26. 11  In particular, Section II of the Report of the CSCE Meeting of Experts on National Minorities, Geneva, 19 July 1991.  Common Responsibility: Commitments and Implementation