Counter-Terrorism Technical Assistance Programmes
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Counter-Terrorism Technical Assistance Programmes |
| Technical Assistance Programme Description | Institution Building and Rule of Law The ODIHR is the main OSCE institution for the human dimension of security -- the protection and promotion of human rights and fundamental freedoms and the promotion of strong democratic institutions and the rule of law. The human dimension of security is considered to be as important for the maintenance of peace and stability as are the politico-military or economic dimensions, which all together, comprise the OSCE's comprehensive approach to security. The ODIHR has the primary task of supporting OSCE participating States in their efforts to implement their human dimension commitments. It does this both by monitoring implementation by states and by conducting its own programmes that are aimed a helping states develop and uphold a democratic culture that will in and of itself respect and promote the values expressed in the human dimension commitments. To do this, the ODIHR develops and implements a broad range of programmes aimed at protecting human rights, strengthening democratic institutions, respecting the rule of law, promoting democratic electoral processes, combating intolerance and discrmination and fostering civil society in all participating States. The ODIHR is engaged in a broad range of technical-assistance projects designed to strengthen respect for human rights and the rule of law in the OSCE region. Through its programmes in the areas of human rights and criminal-justice reform, the ODIHR provides practical assistance and training to lawyers, judges, prosecutors, and government officials, as well as to civil society. It also works directly with legal policy-makers and non-governmental partners regarding legislative reforms e.g. the public website www.legislationline.org. Specific projects range from training for legal professionals to supporting public monitoring of places of detention. Specific issues of focus for the ODIHR's Rule of Law Programme include lending assistance to combat torture, encouraging and supporting institutional capacity-building and legislative reform, and promoting fair trial standards in compliance with OSCE commitments. As a tool for upholding fair trial guarantees, the ODIHR supports and facilitates trial monitoring programmes. In a number of OSCE participating States, ODIHR has promoted defense-bar reform and reform of criminal-justice systems. Work in the area of criminal-justice reform takes place at different levels, ranging from the working level of lawyers, prosecutors, judges, and law-enforcement personnel to the political level, involving policy changes in dealing with crime. *** *** The ODIHR assists participating States to address the threat of terrorism in a way that fully complies with international human rights obligations. For example, the ODIHR conducts a training programme for senior public officials to raise awareness about the relevant international standards and to assist them in applying these stenadards in their daily work. As an additional tool for policy-makers, the ODIHR is currently finalizing a manual on human rights and counter-terrorism that provides in-depth background on the human rights issues involved in counter terrorism and the relevant standards that apply in the OSCE region. This training is available upon request to OSCE participating States, resources permitting. The ODIHR also aims to provide fora for discussion and exchange of experience between practitioners, academics and NGOs with a view to facilitating human rights compliant international co-operation to combat terrorism in the OSCE region. (See e.g. Final Report: Expert Workshop on Human Rights and International Co-operation in Counter-Terrorism, Triesenberg, Liechtenstein, 15-17 November 2006 http://www.osce.org/documents/odihr/2007/02/23424_en.pdf ) |
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| Technical Assistance Methodology | The ODIHR: -- assists OSCE participating States in the implementation of their human dimension commitments by providing expertise and practical support in strengthening democratic institutions through longer-term programmes to strengthen the rule of law, civil society, and democratic governance; -- offers technical assistannce to participating States with regard to the implementation of international legal obligations and OSCE commitments on anti-terrorism in compliance with international human-rights standards; -- assists OSCE field operations in implementing their human dimension activities, including through training, exchange of experiences, and regional co-ordination; -- contributes to early warning and conflict prevention by monitoring the implementation of OSCE human dimension commitments by participating States; -- provides regular human-rights training for government authorities, civil society, and OSCE staff; -- assists participating States in implementing their commitments on tolerance and non-discrimination and supports efforts to respond to, and combat, hate crimes and incidents of racism, anti-Semitism, and other forms of intolerance. |
| Technical Assistance Eligibility | OSCE-ODIHR programmes are available to all OSCE participating States. |
| Organization's Member States | OSCE participating States (56). |