Foreword Torture; unfair trials; new curbs on the freedoms of association and assembly; harassment of NGOs and journalists by government authorities; fraudulent election processes; manifestations of anti-Semitism, racism, xenophobia, and other forms of discrimination; trafficking in human beings; the plight of Roma and Sinti – 2004 again witnessed a broad range of violations of OSCE commitments and international law throughout the region. And this is only a partial list. At the same time, 2004 also presented occasions for renewing commitments by all participating States for improvement in these areas, and it provided new opportunities for the OSCE’s institutions, including the The new Council of Europe Secretary General, Terry Davis (right), made his first visit to the ODIHR on 1 October 2004 and met with Director Ambassador Christian Strohal. The two organizations have a long-standing working relationship. ODIHR, to assist with their effective implementation. The ODIHR continued internal reforms in 2004 to ensure sustainability of results. This included an in-house assessment of all ongoing activities, projects, and programmes, based on evolving needs. The result is a comprehensive and long-term programming process to help ensure effective implementation by the participating States of their OSCE commitments in the human dimension. The ODIHR is in a strong position to meet the longterm needs of participating States and to respond to them in an effective and timely manner, while at the same time retaining the flexibility to react to new challenges that threaten security, and this includes individual rights and freedoms of human beings. 4