The OSCE and the EU to celebrate the anniversary of the Universal Declaration of Human Rights in Vienna

Press release 464/2008
12 December, 2008

The Chairmanship of the Organization for Security and Co-operation in Europe and the Presidency of the European Union, i.e. Finland and France, are organising a joint event to mark the 60th anniversary of the Universal Declaration of Human Rights in Vienna on 15 December. Minister Elisabeth Rehn will represent Finland at the celebration.

The Universal Declaration of Human Rights has been a fundamental document in developing the human dimension of the OSCE since ratification of the Final Act of the Conference on Security and Cooperation in Europe held in Helsinki in 1975. At the Helsinki Ministerial Council, held in December 2008, the participating States of the OSCE reinforced their commitment to the principles and rights in the Declaration.

The topics of the event in Vienna are the role of the OSCE in promoting and protecting human rights, and the challenges faced by the participating States in achieving full realisation of human rights. The event will also discuss the realisation of human rights in pre-conflict situations, during conflicts and in post-conflict situations. The role of the civil society and human rights defenders in the promotion of human rights in the OSCE area will also be highlighted at the event.

Additional information: Ambassador Aleksi Härkönen, Head of the Finnish OSCE Chairmanship Task Force, tel. +358 9 1605 5496, mobile tel. +358 400 330 406; Second Secretary Ann-Mari Fröberg, Finnish OSCE Chairmanship Task Force, tel. +358 9 1605 5493, mobile tel. +358 400 183 421