OSCE Warsaw Human Dimension Conference Warsaw, 30 September - 11 October 2024

1. Torture is an abhorrent violation of human rights, human integrity and human dignity that runs counter to the principle of human security that the OSCE concept of comprehensive security is founded upon.
2. Our OSCE commitments and international obligations are clear: The prohibition of torture is absolute and unconditional. Nonetheless, the use of torture and other cruel, inhuman or degrading treatment or punishment continues.
3. Russia's continued unprovoked, unjustifiable and illegal war of aggression against Ukraine has had devastating humanitarian and human rights consequences. The latest Moscow Mechanism and ODIHR monitoring in Ukraine has detailed Russia's widespread and systematic use of torture, including against Ukrainian civilian detainees. Similar patterns were documented in previous reports[1]including "summary executions", mock executions and rape of civilian detainees by the Russian forces. The UN Special Rapporteur on torture referred to Russia's war of aggression as becoming synonymous with torture.
4. All OSCE participating States have a commitment to prevent acts of torture, prosecute perpetrators, identify victims, and ensure redress and reparation for victims. We urge all participating states to adopt a holistic, victim-centered and gender-responsive approach, paying special attention to the views and needs of victims and survivors and we stress the importance of documentation as the basis for proper investigation and redress, as set out in the "Méndez Principles".
5. The EU remains deeply alarmed by the reports of the use of torture against political prisoners in Belarus under the guise of anti-extremist legislation, which is vague and hence arbitrary. At least six political prisoners have lost their lives in detention while others have life threatening conditions and require urgent medical assistance. We deplore the application of the capital punishment, including the widening of its scope for civil servants and army personnel convicted of "high treason".[1]
6. The latest Moscow Mechanism report on Ukraine, "recorded cases of extrajudicial killings of arbitrarily detained Ukrainian civilians". We remain deeply alarmed by these reports. The EU will continue to support all accountability efforts, in the OSCE and beyond.
7. The EU opposes the death penalty in all cases and in all circumstances and calls on those States that still carry out death sentences to introduce a moratorium as a first step towards full abolition.The EU maintains the worldwide abolition of the Death Penalty at the heart of its priorities and will continue to insist on the upholding of international minimum standards where it is still applied. The EU also recommends the United States the introduction of a moratorium on executions as a first step towards full abolition.
8. According to the 2024 Annual Report of the UNSG António Guterres, to the HRC, "[…] There is no conclusive evidence to support the theory that the death penalty deters crime more effectively than any other punishment." And it is, tragically, irreversible should any miscarriage of justice occur.
9. The EU firmly believes that the rule of law and human rights must stay at the heart of the fight against terrorism. We recommend all participating States to review counter-terrorism laws and national security related policies, online and offline, and reverse all measures that do not live up to OSCE and international commitments and obligations. Finally, we reiterate our support for the global Convention against Torture Initiative and its efforts to achieve global ratification and implementation of the UN Convention against Torture by 2024

The Candidate Countries NORTH MACEDONIA*, MONTENEGRO*, ALBANIA*, UKRAINE, the REPUBLIC OF MOLDOVA, and BOSNIA and HERZEGOVINA*, and the EFTA countries ICELAND, LIECHTENSTEIN and NORWAY, members of the European Economic Area, as well as ANDORRA and SAN MARINO align themselves with this statement.

* North Macedonia, Montenegro, Albania and Bosnia and Herzegovina continue to be part of the Stabilisation and Association Process.

[1]Report of the OSCE Moscow Mechanism's mission of experts entitled 'Report On Violations Of International Humanitarian And Human Rights Law, War Crimes And Crimes Against Humanity Committed In Ukraine Since 24 February 2022': ODIHR.GAL/26/22/Rev.1 (osce.org)

[2]ODIHR background paper 2022 on the Death Penalty in the OSCE Area: 527082_1.pdf (osce.org).