Annex III: Compilation of Relevant OSCE Commitments Note: This compilation includes OSCE commitments of relevance to the work of human rights defenders. These include commitments on non-governmental organizations; freedom of expression, free media and information (including the right to act upon one’ s right); freedom of thought, conscience, religion or belief; workers’ rights/conditions of work; national minorities; rule of law; independence of the judiciary; right to a fair trial; right to effective remedies; and respect for private and family life. This list should not be considered exhaustive. 1975 Helsinki Final Act The participating States will respect (...) the freedom of thought, conscience, religion or belief, for all without distinction as to race, sex, language or religion. (...) Within this framework the participating States will recognize and respect the freedom of the individual to profess and practice, alone or in community with others, religion or belief acting in accordance with the dictates of his own conscience. The participating States confirm that religious faiths, institutions and organisations, practicing within the constitutional framework of the participating States, and their representatives can, in the field of their activities, have contacts and meetings among themselves and exchange information. (…) The participating States recognize the universal significance of human rights and fundamental freedoms (…) They confirm the right of the individual to know and act upon his rights and duties in this field. (…) They confirm that (…) organizations and persons have a relevant and positive role to play in contributing toward the achievement of these aims of their cooperation. 1983 Madrid Concluding Document (12) The participating States reaffirm that they will recognize, respect and furthermore agree to take the action necessary to ensure the freedom of the individual to profess and practice, alone or in community with others, religion or belief acting in accordance with the dictates of his own conscience. (14) They will favorably consider applications by religious communities of believers practicing or prepared to practice their faith within the constitutional framework of their States, to be granted the status provided for in their respective countries for religious faiths, institutions and organizations. (17) The participating States will ensure the right of workers freely to establish and join trade unions, the right of trade unions freely to exercise their activities and other rights as laid down in relevant international instruments. They note that these rights will be exercised in compliance with the law of the State and in conformity with the State' s obligations under international law. They will encourage, as appropriate, direct contacts and communication among such trade unions and their representatives. 53