ANNUAL REPORT 2003 Human Rights Human Rights With the expansion of the Monitoring Unit into the Human Rights Section in 2003, the ODIHR enhanced its capacity to promote the protection of human rights and fundamental freedoms throughout the OSCE region. The main issues
Anti-terrorism: Since the terrorist attacks on the United States on 11 September 2001, countries throughout the To achieve its goal, the ODIHR carries out a work programme that approaches issues from a variety of perspectives, includ- OSCE region have taken important new anti-terrorism measures. This new security environment may put at risk a number of fundamental rights, including the rights to a fair trial and to ing training, research, reporting, and technical assistance. privacy, as well as other fundamental freedoms, such as free- Furthermore, the ODIHR organizes several major meetings dom of association and freedom of religion or belief. every year that are dedicated to particular human rights top
Tolerance and non-discrimination: Tolerance and The ODIHR has enhanced its capacity to promote the protection of human rights non-discrimination are important aspects of the OSCE’s strategy of addressing threats to security and stability. Racism, xenophobia, anti-Semitism, and discrimination are serious problems that demand complex responses. A coherent and comprehensive response to these problems requires accurate information. Accordingly, the importance of ics. These meetings provide a forum for reviewing the implementation of the OSCE human dimension commitments by monitoring these phenomena in order to develop strategies is clear. participating States; such reviews show where work needs to
Freedom of religion or belief: In many parts of the be done, thus becoming the impetus for future research and OSCE region, adherents of various religions or beliefs face technical assistance, as well as suggesting areas for further obstacles in manifesting those beliefs, either because of re- activities. In its terrorism and human rights programme, the strictions imposed by the state or because of a lack of toler- ODIHR works to raise awareness of human dimension issues ance on the part of those adhering to other belief systems. in the context of combating terrorism and carries out proj
Death penalty: There is an increasing trend towards ects that address factors engendering terrorism. abolition of the death penalty in the OSCE region. However, those participating States that retain the death penalty have committed themselves to do so only in a manner that does not contravene international standards. In some participating States, these standards are not always adhered to, and in particular there are concerns about the imposition of the death penalty following trials that fail to comply with fairtrial standards. The lack of transparency in some states that retain the death penalty is also cause for serious concern. Moreover, the level of public discourse on the use of the death penalty is often limited. 51