Response to the Head of the OSCE Programme Office in Bishkek and the Director of the OSCE Academy in Bishkek

The effects of Russia’s war of aggression against Ukraine have had an impact on the economic development of Central Asia as well, leading to high inflation rates and driving up prices of basic necessities such as food and energy. 

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Joint Statement on the Report by the Rapporteur under the OSCE Moscow Mechanism on the Serious Threat to the OSCE Human Dimension in Belarus since 5 N

The first steps toward security and stability for the people of Belarus remains for the Belarusian authorities to release all those unjustly imprisoned, to end the campaign of violence against peaceful protesters, and to hold perpetrators to account. 

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Joint Statement: Moscow Mechanism Invocation on Human Rights Violations and Abuses in the Republic of Belarus

We invoke paragraph 12 of the 1991 Document of the Moscow meeting of the Conference on the Human Dimension of the (then) CSCE in order to establish a fact-finding mission of experts to examine the human dimension issues identified above.

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Response to the Report by the Director of the Office for Democratic Institutions and Human Rights

ODIHR’s quick reaction to Russia’s brutal and unprovoked full-scale invasion of Ukraine through your human rights monitoring work is an important contribution to international accountability efforts. 

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Joint statement on the anniversaries of the Moscow Mechanism Report on Belarus and the invocation of the Vienna Mechanism

The Belarusian authorities have further increased harassment and intimidation efforts by widening of the scope of the death penalty to vaguely defined “attempted terrorist activities”.

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Response to the Special Representative and Coordinator on Combatting Trafficking in Human Beings, Val Richey

One of the many unfortunate impacts of Russia’s aggression has been the enormous refugee and humanitarian crisis that, in turn, has created the conditions for a significantly increased risk of trafficking in human beings throughout the region. 

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Response to the Report of the Head of the OSCE Mission in Kosovo, Michael Davenport

We continue to urge the governments of Kosovo and Serbia to fully implement their past commitments, refrain from actions and rhetoric that increase tensions, and to engage urgently, constructively, and in good faith in the EU-facilitated Dialogue. 

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Ensuring Accountability for Sexual and Gender-Based Violence resulting from Russia’s War against Ukraine 

Early on after Russia intensified its unprovoked war of aggression against Ukraine, we began hearing reports how Russian soldiers raped Ukrainian women in front of their children in places like Bucha after breaking down the doors where they had sought shelter.  

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Moscow Mechanism Report On Russia’s Legal and Administrative Practice in Light of its OSCE Human Dimension Commitments

This report effectively summarizes the terrible cost of a decade of legislative attacks on human rights in Russia under what can only be described as a police state.

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Warsaw Human Dimension Conference

Warsaw Human Dimension Conference The OSCE was founded on the principles that respect for human rights and fundamental freedoms was just as important to the concept of security as sovereignty of borders and peaceful settlement of disputes. And nearly every year since 1993, OSCE participating States met for the Human Dimension Implementation Meeting (HDIM) – …

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Joint Statement on invoking the Moscow Mechanism: Human Rights Violations and Abuses in the Russian Federation

According to a statement made by the OSCE Representative on Freedom of the Media on 16 March 2022, “the Russian Federation is rapidly moving towards a situation of complete censorship and isolation of its citizens from any form of independent information”

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Response to the OSCE Secretary General on the Implementation of the 2004 Gender Equality Action Plan

Through the implementation of the Women, Peace, and Security (WPS) Act of 2017 and ongoing support for UN Security Council Resolution 1325, the United States continues to advance the full, equal, and meaningful participation of women, in all their diversity, across diplomatic and foreign policy engagements.

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Response to the Report by the OSCE High Commissioner on National Minorities, Ambassador Kairat Abdrakhmanov

Russia’s cynical attempt to use minority issues to justify its brutal war – a war which is wreaking death and destruction on Ukrainian citizens of many ethnicities, including ethnic Russians – is a chilling example of “the serious dangers of exploiting minority issues.” 

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Response to the Report by the OSCE Project Coordinator in Ukraine, Ambassador Henrik Villadsen

We commend your longstanding efforts in support of the government of Ukraine on rule of law, human rights, democratization, and good governance, all of which are indispensable to Ukraine’s implementation of its OSCE commitments and to its future as a vibrant democracy. 

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Response to the Report of the Head of the OSCE Mission in Kosovo, Michael Davenport

The United States strongly supports the work of the Mission and appreciates our close collaboration to support Kosovo’s development as a secure, democratic, and inclusive member of the European community of nations.  

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On the Summit for Democracy

On the Summit for Democracy As delivered by Acting Deputy Chief of Mission Elisabeth Rosenstock-Siller to the Permanent Council, Vienna December 10, 2021 Thank you, Madam Chair.  Yesterday and today, coinciding with International Human Rights Day, President Biden is hosting a Summit for Democracy.  As the OSCE has long recognized, democracy, the rule of law, …

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Welcome Remarks to the Group of Friends of Youth and Security as Group Co-Chair

Welcome Remarks to the Group of Friends of Youth and Security as Group Co-Chair As prepared for delivery by Chargé d’Affaires Courtney Austrian to the Group of Friends of Youth and Security October 29, 2021 Thank you, Ambassador Makeyev. Dear Special Representative Marbinah, Special Representative Karimi, Ambassador Valdés, invited guests, colleagues: The last year and a half has been extraordinarily challenging …

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Right of Reply to Russia on “Mass and Systemic Violations of Human Rights in the United States”

My esteemed colleagues raised quite a litany of issues pertaining to the United States, all of which were clearly learned about from U.S. media sources, so it is at least hard to imagine that there are legitimate complaints about media freedom in the United States.

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Deteriorating Human Rights Situation in Russia

In recent months, the Kremlin intensified its efforts to suppress independent voices and viewpoints, including those of members of civil society organizations, human rights defenders, independent journalists, political opposition members, and believers belonging to religious minority communities.

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Joint Statement on the Human Rights Violations and Abuses in the Chechen Republic of the Russian Federation

Joint Statement on the Human Rights Violations in the Chechen Republic of the Russian Federation As delivered by Ambassador Jeroen Boender of the Netherlands to the Permanent Council, Vienna December 17, 2020 I have the honor to deliver this statement on behalf of the Moscow Mechanism invoking participating States: Belgium, Canada, Denmark, Estonia, Finland, France, Germany, Iceland, Ireland, Latvia, Lithuania, the …

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Statement on the 51st Round of the Geneva International Discussions (Conflict in Georgia)

Statement on the 51st Round of the Geneva International Discussions (Conflict in Georgia) As delivered by Deputy Chief of Mission Courtney Austrian to the Permanent Council, Vienna December 17, 2020 Thank you, Mr. Chair. The United States welcomes the successful effort to convene the 51st round of the Geneva International Discussions in Geneva on December …

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Human Rights Violations in Belarus

Human Rights Violations in Belarus As delivered by Ambassador James S. Gilmore III to the Permanent Council, Vienna December 17, 2020   Thank you, Mr. Chairperson. Mr. Chairperson, at the final PC of the year, it is appropriate that we take stock of events in Belarus since the fraudulent August 9 presidential election.  We continue to …

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Response to the Presentation of the President of the International Committee of the Red Cross, Mr. Peter Maurer

Response to the Presentation of the President of the International Committee of the Red Cross, Mr. Peter Maurer As delivered by Ambassador James S. Gilmore III to the Permanent Council, Vienna December 10, 2020 Thank you, Mr. Chairman. The United States warmly welcomes you, President Maurer, to the Permanent Council, and thanks you for your comprehensive report.  …

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Response to the Address by the Secretary General of the Council of Europe, Ms. Marija Pejčinović Burić

Response to the Address by the Secretary General of the Council of Europe, Ms. Marija Pejčinović Burić As delivered by Ambassador James S. Gilmore III to the Permanent Council, Vienna December 10, 2020 Thank you, Mr. Chairman. Secretary General Pejčinović Burić, the United States welcomes you in your second appearance here at the OSCE’s Permanent Council.  The …

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Chairmanship Statement on COVID-19

Chairmanship Statement on COVID-19 As delivered to the Ministerial Council, Tirana, Albania December 4, 2020   1. We, the ministers for foreign affairs of the participating States of the OSCE, have convened in a world profoundly affected by the COVID-19 pandemic. 2. We recognize that COVID-19 constitutes an unprecedented global challenge, including to all participating …

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OSCE Ministerial – Belarus Side Event Closing Remarks

OSCE Ministerial – Belarus Side Event Closing Remarks As prepared for delivery by DAS George Kent to the OSCE Side Event on Belarus Tirana, Albania (remotely, via Zoom) December 3, 2020 As we conclude today’s event, I want to express my government’s thanks to our UK colleagues, the other co-sponsors, and Minister Kofod of Denmark …

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U.S. Statement on the International Day for the Elimination of Violence against Women

U.S. Statement on the International Day for the Elimination of Violence against Women As delivered by Ambassador James S. Gilmore III to the Permanent Council, Vienna November 26, 2020 Thank you, Mr. Chairman. In commemorating the International Day on the Elimination of Violence Against Women, the United States reaffirms its strong commitment to gender equality and eradicating …

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Right of Reply to the Russian Federation on the International Day to End Impunity for Crimes Against Journalists

Right of Reply to the Russian Federation on the International Day to End Impunity for Crimes Against Journalists As delivered  by Deputy Chief of Mission Courtney Austrian to the Permanent Council, Vienna November 6, 2020   Thank you, Madam Chair.   In respect for my colleagues time on a beautiful Friday, I will be brief but …

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Right of Reply to the Report under the Moscow Mechanism in Relation to Belarus

Right of Reply to the Report under the Moscow Mechanism in Relation to Belarus  As delivered  by Ambassador James S. Gilmore III to the Permanent Council, Vienna November 5, 2020   Thank you, Mr. Chairman. I’ve listened closely to the discussions that have been held from some of the other countries and I think it’s …

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U.S. National Statement on the Report under The Moscow Mechanism in Relation To Belarus

U.S. National Statement on the Report under The Moscow Mechanism in Relation To Belarus As delivered by Ambassador James S. Gilmore III to the Permanent Council, Vienna November 5, 2020   Thank you, Mr. Chairman.  Mr. Chairman, the United States thanks OSCE Moscow Mechanism Rapporteur Professor Wolfgang Benedek for his compelling, thorough, and exceptionally well documented report.  …

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Joint Statement on the Report under The Moscow Mechanism in Relation to Belarus

Joint Statement on the Report under The Moscow Mechanism in Relation to Belarus Statement Delivered by H.E. René Rosager Dinesen, Ambassador of Denmark to the Permanent Council, Vienna November 5, 2020   Mr Chair, I am delivering this statement on behalf of the following delegations who, acting together, on 17 September invoked the Moscow Mechanism …

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Right of Reply on “Gross Violations of Human Rights in the USA” Raised by Russia

Right of Reply on “Gross Violations of Human Rights in the USA” Raised by Russia As delivered by Deputy Chief of Mission Courtney Austrian to the Permanent Council, Vienna October 29, 2020 Thank you, Mr. Chair. Since the distinguished representative from Russia has mentioned my country, I’d like to exercise my Right of Reply. As …

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Response to the Report by the OSCE Special Representative and Coordinator for Combating Trafficking in Human Beings, Val Richey

Response to the Report by the OSCE Special Representative and Coordinator for Combating Trafficking in Human Beings, Val Richey As delivered by Ambassador James S. Gilmore III to the Permanent Council, Vienna October 15, 2020   Thank you, Mr. Chairperson.    The United States welcomes OSCE Special Representative and Coordinator on Combatting Trafficking in Human Beings …

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Statement at the Human Dimension Webinar on Defending and Promoting Rule of Law Principles

Statement at the Human Dimension Webinar on Defending and Promoting Rule of Law Principles Thirty years ago, our heads of state and government gathered in Paris and voiced one of the most critical tenets of our relations: “We undertake to build, consolidate, and strengthen democracy as the only system of government of our nations.” The …

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Statement at the Human Dimension Webinar: Combating Racism and Discrimination against the Roma and Sinti rights

Statement at the Human Dimension Webinar: Combating Racism and Discrimination against the Roma and Sinti rights October 5, 2020 The United States appreciates the opportunity to address the issue of combating racism and discrimination against the Roma and Sinti at today’s webinar.  While we regret that we were unable to meet at the Human Dimension Implementation …

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On Developments in the Human Dimension in the OSCE Region

On Developments in the Human Dimension in the OSCE Region As delivered by Political Counselor Elisabeth Rosenstock-Siller to the Permanent Council, Vienna October 1, 2020 Mr. Chair, the United States deeply regrets that the ongoing CoViD-19 pandemic prevented us from convening in Warsaw for the annual Human Dimension Implementation Meeting.  We look forward to doing …

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Introductory Remarks for the Film Screening of “Love, Sonia” at HDIM 2019

Introductory Remarks for the Film Screening of “Love, Sonia” As prepared for delivery by Deputy Assistant Secretary Roger D. Carstens, Bureau of Democracy, Human Rights, and Labor during the 2019 Human Dimension Implementation Meeting in Warsaw Thursday, 19 September 2019 The United States is pleased to cosponsor this ODIHR event. Raising awareness of trafficking in …

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US Statements at the 2019 OSCE Human Dimension Implementation Meeting

HDIM brings together hundreds of civil society representatives and government officials from North America, Europe, and Central Asia for talks to advance human rights and fundamental freedoms. These participants review how the 57 OSCE participating States are implementing the full range of their human rights commitments, including those on: fundamental freedoms of expression, peaceful assembly, …

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Ambassador Gilmore and UK Ambassador Neil Bush discuss OSCE contribution to Euro-Atlantic security

Ambassador Gilmore and UK Ambassador Neil Bush discuss OSCE contribution to Euro-Atlantic security PRESS RELEASE | August 28, 2019 USOSCE Ambassador James Gilmore and Ambassador Neil Bush, Head of the United Kingdom’s delegation to the Organization for Security and Cooperation in Europe (OSCE), met on August 29 to confer on vital emerging foreign policy for …

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