Office for Democratic Institutions and Human Rights

Last updated
Office for Democratic Institutions and Human Rights (ODIHR)
Office for Democratic Institutions and Human Rights.png
Mlodziejowski Palace in Warsaw.JPG
Młodziejowski Palace in Warsaw, the seat of ODIHR
Office overview
Formed1990
Jurisdiction Organization for Security and Co-operation in Europe
Headquarters Warsaw, Poland
Employees180
Office executive
Website www.osce.org/odihr/
Map
Europe blank laea location map.svg
Red pog.svg
Warsaw
Office for Democratic Institutions and Human Rights (Europe)

The Office for Democratic Institutions and Human Rights (ODIHR) is the principal institution of the Organization for Security and Cooperation in Europe (OSCE) dealing with the "human dimension" of security. The Office, originally established in 1991 under the 1990 Paris Charter as the Office for Free Elections, is still best known for its role in observing elections although its name changed in 1992 to reflect the broadening of its role by the Helsinki Summit.

Contents

Based in Warsaw, Poland, ODIHR is active throughout the 57 participating States of the OSCE. It assists governments in meeting their commitments as participating States of the OSCE in the areas of elections, human rights, democracy, rule of law, and tolerance and non-discrimination. The Office also hosts the organization's Contact Point for Roma and Sinti Issues.

On 4 December 2020, Matteo Mecacci of Italy, received a nomination for the position of ODIHR's Director. [1]

In 2021 the Office had a budget of €16 million and employed 146 people, of which a supermajority were women. [2]

03 September 2024 Dr Tea Jaliashvili was entrusted with ensuring the uninterrupted implementation of ODIHR’s mandate function. [3]

In 2024, ODIHR was included in the unofficial list of five possible candidates for the Nobel Prize for peace issued annually by the Peace Research Institute Oslo (PRIO). [4]

ODIHR activities

The ODIHR has observed more than elections across the OSCE region and has deployed some 75,000 observers.

The Office organizes the annual OSCE Human Dimension Implementation Meeting in Warsaw, Europe's largest human rights conference.

ODIHR international electoral observer activities

ODIHR Directors

ODIHR Directors
PhotoName and SurnameOSCE participating StateMandate
Luchino Cortese Flag of Italy.svg Italy1991–1994
Audrey Glover.png
Dame Audrey Glover Flag of the United Kingdom.svg United Kingdom1994–1997
Gérard Stoudmann Flag of Switzerland (Pantone).svg Switzerland1997–2003
Christian Strohal Flag of Austria.svg Austria2003–2008
Janez Lenarcic Hearing of Janez Lenarcic (Slovenia) - Crisis management (48832709173) (cropped).jpg
Janez Lenarčič
Janez Lenarčič Flag of Slovenia.svg Slovenia2008–2014
Michael Georg Link 2014.jpg
Michael Georg Link Flag of Germany.svg Germany2014–2017
Ingibjorg Solrun Gisladottir (2007) Islands utrikesminister Ingibjorg Solrun Gisladottir vid Nordiska Radets session i Oslo. 2007-10-31. Foto- Magnus Froderberg-norden.org.jpg
Ingibjörg Sólrún Gísladóttir (2007)
Ingibjörg Sólrún Gísladóttir Flag of Iceland.svg Iceland2017–2020
Katarzyna GardapkhadzeAlternate Director Flag of Poland.svg Poland2020
Matteo Mecacci, deputato radicale XVI legislatura e relatore dell'Osce su democrazia e diritti umani.jpg
Matteo Mecacci Flag of Italy.svg Italy2020–2024
Tea JaliashviliAlternate Director Flag of Georgia.svg Georgia2024
Maria Telalian Flag of Greece.svg Greece2024-

See also

References

  1. "Matteo Mecacci appointed Director of OSCE/ODIHR". www.esteri.it. Retrieved 2022-07-01.
  2. "Democracy and Human Rights in the OSCE" (PDF). Warsaw: Organization for Security and Co-operation in Europe. 2021.
  3. "Leadership of the OSCE". Warsaw: Organization for Security and Co-operation in Europe. 2024.
  4. "Nobel Peace Prize 2024: PRIO Director's Shortlist Announced". www.esteri.it. Retrieved 2024-03-06.
  5. Donovan Slack (November 6, 2012). "International Observers Blocked From Polls". Politico.com . A group of international electoral observers has been blocked from polling places in nine states and has had to take precautions in the face of security threats.