Human Rights and Democracy are vital for security in the OSCE region: UK statement to the OSCE
Ambassador Holland calls on Russia and Belarus to live up to their OSCE commitments and reiterates UK support for the Office of Democratic Institutions and Human Rights.
Thank you, Madam Chair.
Welcome back to the Permanent Council, Director Mecacci, dear Matteo. Thank you for your remarks. And thank you for your leadership. Against worsening human rights and democracy indicators in our OSCE region and worldwide, the UK continues to regard the human dimension as a critical part of the OSCE’s comprehensive approach to Euro-Atlantic security.
We continue to support you Director, and the OSCE’s Office for Democratic Institutions and Human Rights (ODIHR), in your work to support and encourage participating States to implement our shared Human Dimension commitments. From tolerance and non-discrimination to work on democracy, elections and human rights, ODIHR makes an important contribution to ensuring the OSCE fosters peace, security, justice and co-operation within and among our countries.
I am delighted to confirm that the UK will increase its extra-budgetary support for ODIHR from April 2024. Adequate resources for your work – including through an agreed Unified Budget – are in the UK’s view essential.
The human dimension of the OSCE’s work has never been more important. As we see daily in Ukraine, Russia’s war exacts a terrible price. The UK continues to be resolute in support of Ukraine and is prioritising its humanitarian support to reach the most vulnerable victims of Russia’s war, including women and children, the elderly and those with disabilities. I welcome ODIHR’s valuable reporting on the human consequences of Russia’s illegal invasion and look forward to publication of the Moscow Mechanism report on the treatment of Ukrainian civilian detainees.
Strengthening democratic institutions and practices must be a continuous process across the OSCE region, including in the face of misinformation and other deliberate undermining of fundamental freedoms. In this year of elections the UK will remain a stalwart supporter of ODIHR’s election observation work.
Madam Chair, it is against this backdrop that we again call on Russia and Belarus to implement their human dimension commitments, to engage with ODIHR and the other autonomous institutions, and to cease violating and abusing human rights and undermining Euro-Atlantic security.
Looking forward to future challenges, we are in the midst of a technological revolution that will fundamentally alter the way we live, work, and relate to one another. The UK believes it is vital to ensure human rights are respected, protected and promoted throughout the life cycle of digital and AI systems. We were therefore delighted that the OSCE was represented at a recent UK conference on Human Rights and New and Emerging Technology. We look forward to working with ODIHR and others this year to address the impact of new technology on human rights and fundamental freedoms.
Thank you, Director, and I assure you of the UK’s continued support for ODIHR’s vital work on human rights and democracy.