The WHDC continues to be an important platform for civil society to engage directly with State representatives and seek meaningful solutions to human rights issues across Europe.. HRHF worked to ensure that the voices of human rights defenders were not only heard but actively shaping key conversations—from the growing repression in Georgia and reprisals against defenders, to the need for inclusive approaches that centre marginalised communities in Russia and Belarus. Through coordinated advocacy, targeted side events, and direct engagement with dozens of delegations, we helped drive political attention where it’s needed most—while laying the groundwork for long-term engagement with the incoming Swiss Chairpersonship-in-Office.
Dave Elseroad, Head of Advocacy, Human Rights House Foundation
Amplifying civil society voices
During WHDC, HRHF arranged targeted briefings for representatives of a number of OSCE participating States, including civil society representatives from the Network of Human Rights Houses and beyond. The WHDC attracts representatives from participating State capitals as well as OSCE delegations and provides an important opportunity for civil society to engage directly with high-level decision-makers.
On 8 October, HRHF delivered a statement amplifying the voice of imprisoned Azerbaijani election monitor Anar Mammadli, reading excerpts from his 22 September opening statement from his trial in Baku. HRHF urged OSCE Member States to act against reprisals targeting human rights defenders and journalists.
Elevating Key Human Rights Issues at WHDC Side Events
During WHDC, HRHF supported nine side events. In addition to organising and moderating events directly, HRHF co-sponsored or provided logistical and financial support for partners and speakers across multiple topics.
Human rights in the context of Russia’s aggression against Ukraine
- In collaboration with ZMINA (member organisation of Human Rights House Crimea), HRHF co-sponsored side events on media freedom in Ukraine and fair trial violations as atrocity crimes in Russia’s war.
- In partnership with Human Rights House Crimea, HRHF co-sponsored and moderated a session on political repression in Crimea, highlighting the erasure of civic space in occupied territories.
The human rights crisis in Georgia
- HRHF co-organised and moderated an event on the human rights crisis in Georgia alongside OMCT and FIDH, facilitating the participation of Georgian civil society speakers.
- Georgia’s justice system was the focus of a side event organised by Netherlands Helsinki Committee and co-sponsored by HRHF.
Domestic repression in the Russian Federation
- HRHF organised a side event on indigenous and LGBT+ rights in Russia
- HRHF moderated an event on political prisoners in Russia, organised by Nordic and Baltic States.
Human rights in Belarus
- PEN Belarus and HRHF organised a side event on the human rights situation in Belarus with the participation of Belarusian civil society speakers and moderated by Netherland Helsinki Committee.
The deteriorating situation in Serbia
- HRHF co-sponsored a side event hosted by Human Rights House Belgrade on repression and lawfare in Serbia.
HRHF also supported several events on the sidelines of WHDC’s official agenda. These included a torture prevention dialogue at the Danish Embassy hosted by Denmark and Norway, a Democracy Defender Initiative Workshop hosted by a coalition of OSCE States, a civil society reception including Network of Human Rights Houses representatives organised by the Nordic delegations, and an evening reception with the Belarusian democratic opposition at the German Embassy.
, Human Rights House Foundation (HRHF) advocated alongside partners for concrete action by OSCE participating States to address rising authoritarianism and increasing human rights violations across the OSCE region. HRHF worked to ensure that both international attention and policy responses were informed directly by civil society actors from across the OSCE region.&redirect_uri=http%3A%2F%2Fwww.facebook.com%2F){kind=link}