Thematic Human Rights Expertise
Combating trafficking in
human beings. ODIHR’s
work in the anti-trafficking
field is aimed at ensuring
that states’ efforts to combat
trafficking fully incorporate
a human rights perspective.
ODIHR has developed policy
tools, provided advice, supported capacity building on
the establishment of anti-trafficking national referral mechanisms, on providing compensation to victims of trafficking,
and on human rights in the
return of trafficked persons to
their countries of origin.
Freedom of peaceful assembly. Since 2011, ODIHR
has monitored public assemblies in a number of participating States across the OSCE
area, publishing key findings in
regular public reports. Moreover, ODIHR has developed
tools and offered training programmes for law enforcement
officials on the human rights
compliant policing of assemblies and, for civil society and
OSCE field operations, on the
monitoring of assemblies.
Human rights compliance
and gender mainstreaming in the security sector.
ODIHR assists OSCE participating States in mainstreaming human rights and achieving gender equality in the
security sector, as well as in
meeting their commitments on
UN Security Council Resolution 1325 on Women, Peace
and Security (UNSCR 1325).
This has included: advice,
training and publications on
promoting the human rights
of armed forces personnel,
increasing gender diversity in
the security sector, addressing the security concerns of
women, including by supporting efforts to prevent sexual
and gender-based violence,
and support in designing and
implementing national action
plans on UNSCR 1325.
Human rights and fundamental freedoms while
countering terrorism.
ODIHR monitors compliance
with human rights standards
of anti-terrorism policies
and practices, and provides
advice to participating States
in ensuring that anti-terrorism
measures are in line with the
protection of human rights.
Capacity-building activities
include the development of
tools and training programmes
for law enforcement and
other security sector officers
– counter-terrorism officers in
particular – to increase their
operational effectiveness by
respecting and protecting
human rights when combating
terrorism.
Prevention of torture and
other cruel, inhuman or
degrading treatment or
punishment. ODIHR’s work
on torture prevention includes
assistance to and promotion
of exchanges of good practices among national preventive mechanisms under the
Optional Protocol of the UN
Convention against Torture.
Moreover, ODIHR assists
participating States in meeting
international standards on the
treatment of persons deprived
of their liberty.
Freedom of religion or
belief. Key ODIHR activities in
this area include contributing
to legislative reviews, developing guidelines that clarify
international standards on
freedom of religion or belief,
and building the capacity of
State and non-State actors to
ensure the effective implementation of OSCE and other
international commitments on
freedom of religion or belief. In
its work, ODIHR is assisted by
its Advisory Panel of Experts
on freedom of religion or belief, consisting of independent
experts from throughout the
OSCE region.
Human rights education
for secondary schools,
professionals and activists. ODIHR has developed
resources to promote respect
for diversity and mutual understanding in schools, and
to assist educators in training
their colleagues to understand
and promote human rights. In
this area, ODIHR has engaged
in human rights education
work through training groups
of trainers, including among
civil society representatives,
school teachers, university
lecturers and students.