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17 Helsinki Monitor 352 (2006)
Summaries

handle is hein.journals/helsnk17 and id is 362 raw text is: SUMMARIES Editorial note: Below you will find summaries of the articles in this issue of Helsinki Monitor. Protecting human rights defenders: A priority for the OSCE participating states, Aaron Rhodes Independent civil society activists play a crucial role in promoting human rights in the OSCE region. However, although the work of human rights defenders recently has gained growing recognition and their formal protection has improved as a result of the adoption of new international standards, human rights activists remain under threat in many OSCE states and - in some cases - their situation has deteriorated dramatically over the last few years. To date, the OSCE participating States have failed to address violations against human rights defenders with sufficient urgency. It is imperative that the participating States give greater priority to this topic and consistently treat intimidation, harassment and violence against human rights defenders as matters of international concern. Towards a new strategic goal: The OSCE and the dialogue of civilizations, Vahram Abadjian The author argues that the OSCE should contribute to combating new challenges to peace and security through establishing and promoting genuine dialogue between civilizations. This argument is based on the OSCES instruments and experience in the field of preventive diplomacy. To that end, it is necessary to include the Mediterranean countries and the Gulf region in the sphere of the organization's activities. This could be done by establishing two field presences in those areas, as well as launching a thematic mission to mitigate the tensions in some Western European countries with a considerable amount of Muslims communities. The OSCEs participating states should demonstrate vision and courage by embarking upon this new strategic direction which, in turn, might help generate the political will and solidarity necessary to settle the procrastinated problems in the traditional area of the OSCEs responsibility. Supporting civil society and NGOs in Eastern Europe: Some lessons learned, Wilco de Jonge To a certain extent, the transition processes in the countries of Eastern Europe are unique. These countries have a common history of dictatorships which were based upon the principle of democratic centralism, i.e. leadership by the communist