Newsroom
OSCE Mission observes International Human Rights Day
PRISTINA 10 December 2004
PRISTINA, 10 December 2004 - The OSCE Mission in Kosovo (OMiK) is observing International Human Rights Day by organizing several events today, which will be carried out by OSCE-established Human Rights Clubs.
"The observance of and adherence to human rights standards are of vital importance for any society," said Carsten Weber, Director of the OSCE Mission's Department of Human Rights and Rule of Law. "The fair, proper and equal treatment of all people in Kosovo can only be assured if local institutions and the public are committed to these principles."
Activities co-ordinated by the OSCE and the Human Rights Clubs include the distribution of the Universal Declaration of Human Rights, theatre performances and concerts, public exhibitions of artwork, the showing of a film and debates on human rights issues.
Human Rights Clubs are a part of the Mission's youth capacity building efforts, in which awareness of human rights is raised amongst and by secondary school students. Training is provided to the students on a variety of human rights topics and they, in turn, share that knowledge with their peers and the community at-large. There are more than a dozen such clubs across Kosovo.
The OSCE Mission is drafting a human rights training package which will be offered to local education authorities as an additional teaching tool. The human rights teacher's manual will provide content and working methodology for those teachers working with the Human Rights Clubs.
Work will be continued throughout the next years in local communities to promote human rights and to help increase awareness of individual rights.
As the Institution Building Pillar in the UNMIK structure, the OSCE is the lead agency promoting the development of local institutions. This aims to ensure that human rights and the rule of law are respected and that effective remedies are available when rights are violated. This is done by monitoring, protecting, and promoting human rights.
"The observance of and adherence to human rights standards are of vital importance for any society," said Carsten Weber, Director of the OSCE Mission's Department of Human Rights and Rule of Law. "The fair, proper and equal treatment of all people in Kosovo can only be assured if local institutions and the public are committed to these principles."
Activities co-ordinated by the OSCE and the Human Rights Clubs include the distribution of the Universal Declaration of Human Rights, theatre performances and concerts, public exhibitions of artwork, the showing of a film and debates on human rights issues.
Human Rights Clubs are a part of the Mission's youth capacity building efforts, in which awareness of human rights is raised amongst and by secondary school students. Training is provided to the students on a variety of human rights topics and they, in turn, share that knowledge with their peers and the community at-large. There are more than a dozen such clubs across Kosovo.
The OSCE Mission is drafting a human rights training package which will be offered to local education authorities as an additional teaching tool. The human rights teacher's manual will provide content and working methodology for those teachers working with the Human Rights Clubs.
Work will be continued throughout the next years in local communities to promote human rights and to help increase awareness of individual rights.
As the Institution Building Pillar in the UNMIK structure, the OSCE is the lead agency promoting the development of local institutions. This aims to ensure that human rights and the rule of law are respected and that effective remedies are available when rights are violated. This is done by monitoring, protecting, and promoting human rights.