OSCE Office for Democratic Institutions and Human RightsInternational

The OSCE Office for Democratic Institutions and Human Rights (ODIHR) is the specialized human rights and democracy institution of the Organization for Security and Co-operation in Europe. Its mandate covers election observation, the promotion of human rights and fundamental freedoms, tolerance and non-discrimination, and strengthening democratic institutions and the rule of law across participating states. Established by the 1990 Charter of Paris for a New Europe, it began operations in Warsaw in 1991 as the Office for Free Elections before being renamed ODIHR in 1992 to reflect its expanded role.