Specifically, Chapter I concludes that:
u States should demonstrate more focused political will to implement all human
dimension commitments in good faith, bilaterally and through international
fora or instruments. They should, as a matter of urgency, address the challenges
in the areas outlined in this report, in particular with regard to:
(1) Democratic elections;
(2) Freedom of assembly and association;
(3) Human rights and countering terrorism;
(4) Human rights defenders and national human rights institutions;
(5) Involuntary migration: the challenge of refugees and IDPs;
(6) Threats to the independence of the media;
(7) Aggressive nationalism, racism, chauvinism, xenophobia, and anti-Semitism.
u The OSCE should enhance the use of existing procedures and instruments, in
particular by:
(1) Intensifying the use of peer review for more systematic review of implementation of
human dimension commitments in the framework of the PC, thereby making full use
of the expertise and assistance of the OSCE institutions and structures;
(2) Making optimal use of the role of the Chairman-in-Office in informing the PC of serious cases of alleged non-implementation of human dimension commitments;
(3) Reviewing the effectiveness of the Vienna and Moscow Mechanisms;
(4) Strengthening the effectiveness of its action plans by ensuring more systematic periodic reviews, which could lead to an annual review at the Ministerial Council.
u All 56 States should ensure that the public is provided with maximum access to
information about human dimension commitments.
II.
Chapter II highlights that the existing acquis could be supplemented and defined more concretely in a number of areas, particularly in those pertaining to “Copenhagen Plus” commitments and to those that relate to fundamental ingredients of democratic constitutionalism:
the restraints, counterweights, and balances of powers of government. The ODIHR stands
ready to work on the formulation of commitments to supplement the existing ones, if so requested.
Chapter II recommends that:
u States should consider the value and need for supplementary commitments in
the areas identified in this report:
(1) Elections: transparency, accountability, and public confidence;
(2) Democracy and the rule of law, including the separation of powers, democratic lawmaking and in the area of administration of justice;
(3) Countering terrorism;
(4) Prevention of torture;
(5) Consolidating commitments on non-discrimination.
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Common Responsibility: Commitments and Implementation
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