More than 1,800 participants from across the OSCE region are taking part in the 2026 Warsaw Human Dimension Conference (WHDC), the largest annual human rights conference in Europe, which opened today.
Organized by the Swiss OSCE Chairpersonship with the support of the OSCE Office for Democratic Institutions and Human Rights (ODIHR), the conference provides a platform for participating States, OSCE institutions and structures, national human rights institutions and civil society to take stock of the implementation of OSCE human dimension commitments and discuss developments affecting democracy, human rights and the rule of law across the OSCE region.
"This conference is about two things: holding ourselves to the commitments that we have made and keeping alive a space for dialogue among all participating States, especially when dialogue has become difficult", recalled OSCE Chairman-in-Office, Federal Councillor Ignazio Cassis. "As OSCE Chair this year, we want to turn existing commitments into concrete actions".
At a time when civic space is under growing pressure, participants will discuss how to strengthen implementation of OSCE human dimension commitments across a broad range of issues, including judicial independence, media freedom, democratic elections, national minorities, gender equality, freedom of assembly and association, torture prevention, and tolerance and non-discrimination.
"In today's volatile security environment, the foundation we built together over decades on human rights and democratic principles matters more than ever. It is at the heart of the OSCE's comprehensive approach to security. Advancing peace and security in our region depends on us preserving it - and doing so is our shared responsibility," said OSCE Secretary General Feridun H. Sinirlioğlu in his opening remarks.
"The Warsaw Human Dimension Conference provides a unique space for participating States, civil society and international partners to come together and discuss openly the implementation of our Human Dimension commitments. The value of these discussions goes beyond these two weeks: the dialogue and exchange taking place here are essential to keeping our shared commitments alive and turning them into action throughout the year," said ODIHR Director, Maria Telalian.
Among the high-level speakers at the conference's opening session was also the Polish Deputy Prime Minister and Minister of Foreign Affairs Radoslaw Sikorski.
At the margins of the conference, the Swiss Chairpersonship will present its Roadmap on the Prevention and Eradication of Torture, a practical tool to strengthen the implementation of existing commitments. In his opening remarks, State Secretary of the Swiss Federal Department of Foreign Affairs Alexandre Fasel said: "Torture prevention has long been a priority of Switzerland and was already a focus of our 2014 Chairpersonship. This year, we want to build on that foundation. The Roadmap on the Prevention and Eradication of Torture helps participating States translate existing international obligations and OSCE commitments into practice".
The Swiss Chairpersonship has also introduced new elements to the conference format, including dedicated roundtables with OSCE institutions and field operations. Around 90 side events will complement the ten plenary sessions, allowing for more in-depth exchanges on thematic and country-specific contexts. With more than half of registered participants representing civil society, the conference also provides a vital space for human rights defenders, journalists and civil society organizations to bring their concerns and experience directly into dialogue with participating States.
The conference will continue until 15 October, providing opportunities for participants to exchange views and experiences on the implementation of human rights and fundamental freedoms across the OSCE region.
