Situation in Ukraine among topics as OSCE Chair visits ODIHR in Warsaw

WARSAW, 27 January 2014 – The OSCE Chairperson-in-Office, Swiss Foreign Minister Didier Burkhalter, today met the Director of the OSCE Office for Democratic Institutions and Human Rights (ODIHR), Ambassador Janez Lenarčič, to discuss the situation surrounding anti-government protests in Ukraine, the need for greater efforts to protect human rights defenders, and the Swiss Chairmanship’s priorities in the areas of human rights, democracy and the rule of law.

Burkhalter expressed his concern about the situation in Ukraine and underlined the need to find a political solution, without delay.

“Switzerland, holding the OSCE Chairmanship, has submitted a proposal to Prime Minister Mykola Azarov to take advantage of OSCE tools and instruments in order to facilitate dialogue to defuse the crisis in Ukraine,” he said. “This offer remains open.”

Lenarčič provided the Chairperson-in-Office with further information on a review ODIHR is conducting of a set of amendments passed in Ukraine on 16 January to laws related to public assemblies, among other issues.

“The amendments, and the manner in which they were passed, contributed to the tense and, tragically, deadly situation surrounding the demonstrations in Kyiv,” Lenarčič said. “Like all OSCE participating States, Ukraine has committed itself to promote and respect the right to freedom of peaceful assembly. Our Office is reviewing the amendments to determine to what degree they are in line with OSCE commitments.”

The legal review is being carried out following a request by the Committee on Human Rights, National Minorities and Interethnic Relations of the Verkhovna Rada – Ukraine’s parliament – and will be published in early February.

Burkhalter also underlined the value of independent institutions within the OSCE.

“The Swiss Chairmanship attaches great importance to reviewing and improving the implementation of existing OSCE commitments on human rights,” he said. “Combatting torture, the respect for minority rights, promoting democratic elections and strengthening the rule of law in combatting terrorism will be at the forefront of the 2014 Swiss Chairmanship.

Burkhalter’s visit to Poland coincides with today’s International Holocaust Remembrance Day and will include a visit to the Auschwitz/Birkenau Memorial in Oświęcim on Tuesday. Lenarčič familiarized the visiting Chairperson with ODIHR resources on combatting anti-Semitism and other forms of intolerance. Among these are materials on Holocaust remembrance education, including Holocaust Memorial Days in the OSCE Region, which provides an overview of the commemoration events and practices in different OSCE participating States.