OSCE CiO Warsaw Human Dimension Conference Warsaw, 30 September to 11 October 2024

1. Freedom of Peaceful Assembly and Association and Freedom of Thought, Conscience, Religion or Belief are fundamental to open and democratic societies. They are essential for the work of human rights defenders and civil society organizations engaged in human rights advocacy, including National Human Rights Institutions.

2. Under no circumstances should participating States unduly restrict the right to peaceful assemblies, for example on the grounds that they do not agree with the opinions expressed by those wishing to demonstrate. Peaceful assemblies are an opportunity to facilitate the expression of diverse opinions, including unpopular or minority opinions. Unfortunately, the right of peaceful assembly and association is being unduly limited and restricted in the OSCE region. As highlighted by the Moscow Mechanism, violations are particularly widespread in Russia and Belarus, and in the Ukrainian territories temporarily and illegally occupied by Russia.

3.In Russia, as underlined by the 2022 Moscow Mechanism report, demonstrations have been made de facto impossible, and drastic measures to suppress opposing voices have created a climate of fear and intimidation. The EU strongly condemns Russia's continued use of repressive legislation and politically motivated trials, especially the use of laws regarding so-called "foreign agents" and "extremism" or "undesirable organizations", as well as laws on "fake news about the Russian army" and "discreditation of the Russian armed forces", resulting in steep fines, arbitrary detention and lengthy prison sentences, which run counter to Russia's legal obligations under international human rights law and OSCE commitments: The EU stands in solidarity with those who strive for an open and 1. democratic Russia, and those who want Russia to end its illegal, unprovoked and unjustified war of aggression against Ukraine.

4. The EU also remains deeply concerned regarding the situation of human rights in Belarus, where the right to freedom of assembly and association has been severely violated through the repression of peaceful demonstrations, the destruction of a large part of civil society, and the targeting of independent trade unions as well as independent political parties and associations.

5. We call on Belarus to repeal laws and regulations that unduly restrict the formation and operation of independent organizations, including labour unions, political parties, and other civil society groups. The EU will stand with Belarusians as long as it takes on their path towards democracy and freedom.

6. Hatred against persons from particular religious or belief communities often goes hand in hand with other manifestations of intolerance. Violence and discrimination do not only harm the individuals and communities concerned, but can also jeopardize security across the OSCE region. The EU encourages all participating States to strengthen efforts to protect the freedom of thought, religion or belief for all, and ensure that this right is guaranteed through comprehensive legislation and implementation.

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.