OSCE Conference on human rights and fundamental freedoms

The NHC is participating in the OSCE Human Dimension Conference in Warsaw from 6 to 17 October. Berit Lindeman will deliver a keynote speech at the opening session. We are also arranging two side events.

This year marks the 50th anniversary of the Helsinki Final Act. Therefore, this year’s conference, devoted to human rights and fundamental freedoms in the OSCE area, is of particular significance. Participants will discuss current developments and their consequences in the OSCE region. The conference will address human rights commitments during plenary sessions and side events, covering democratic institutions, the rule of law, tolerance and non-discrimination, fundamental freedoms and humanitarian issues.

Our Secretary General, Berit Lindeman, will give one of the keynote speeches during the opening session on Monday, 6 October at 2 p.m.

See the main programme for the conference

Read more about the conference

 

Side events on political prisoners and journalists in exile

The NHC is the main organiser of the ‘Voices behind bars’ side event and is collaborating with the Justice for Journalists Foundation (JFJ). The oppression of dissidents, restrictions on press freedom, persecution of journalists and lawyers who speak freely, and an increasing number of political prisoners are a sad reality for several of the 57 OSCE member countries. We have invited experts, lawyers, colleagues, and family members of political prisoners. The panel includes participants from Turkmenistan, Georgia, Azerbaijan, Turkey and Kazakhstan.

Read more and follow the side event on Facebook

The second side event is entitled ‘Exile Is Not Safety: Countering Transnational Repression of Journalists’. Here, too, we are collaborating with JFJ to focus on when oppression and persecution cross national borders. Journalists who flee persecution are often assumed to be safer abroad. Yet, they are increasingly exposed to transnational repression, digital surveillance, smear campaigns, extradition requests, intimidation of family members, and even physical attacks outside their home countries. This is done to silence critical voices, but also to undermine international protection systems and press freedom globally. Journalists in exile, lawyers and human rights activists will participate in this event, which is only open to physical presence.

Here is an overview of all side events

Contact us

Employee

Marius Fossum

Representative in Central AsiaEmail: [email protected]Phone: +7-771-506-4955Twitter: @Marius_Fossum
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Employee

Berit Lindeman

Secretary GeneralEmail: [email protected]Phone: +47 909 33 379Twitter: @LindemanBerit
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Employee

Dag A. Fedøy

Director of CommunicationsEmail: [email protected]Phone: +47 920 54 309Twitter: @dagfedoy
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