Poland in the OSCE

On 13 October 2023, the Warsaw Human Dimension Conference (WHDC, 2. – 13.10.2023) – Europe's largest conference on human rights (1,500 participants and over 600 NGOs, 80 accompanying events) – came to an end. The conference was held for the second time as an event of the OSCE Presidency (North Macedonia) with the organizational support of the Office for Democratic Institutions and Human Rights (ODIHR).

The conference is a platform for representatives of governments, non-governmental organisations and civil society organisations to share information on actions and activities in particular areas of the OSCE's human dimension, as well as to formulate postulates (recommendations) for the OSCE and the participating States.

Among many issues discussed during the conference, the situation of human rights in Ukraine caused by the Russian aggression was the dominant topic. Discussions of experts, activists of civil society organisations, but also witnesses of the events were devoted to, among others, the kidnapping of civilians in Ukraine, including children; the illegal deportation and detention of kidnapped civilians in the occupied territories of Ukraine and in Russia; situation of human rights defenders in Ukraine and in Belarus. An important topic discussed during the conference was also the situation of women in Central Asian countries, as well as violence against women in Ukraine.

The Minister of Foreign Affairs Zbigniew Rau represented Poland at the opening of the conference.

 

Photo: Barbara Milkowska/MFA