The OSCE was established to keep war away from Europe. Yet, Russia blatantly violates international law and OSCE principles. The EU will stay the course. Only more pressure on Russia and more support to Ukraine will change the balance. My statement at OSCE Ministerial Council ↓

ODIHR:s work to protect and promote democracy, human rights and the rule of law deserves our strongest support. Dag Hartelius, Deputy Minister for Foreign Affairs, Sweden, had a fruitful meeting with Director of @odihr.pl Maria Telalian at the OSCE Ministerial Council. #OSCEMC2025

Peak of OSCE year! Sweden's priorities for the Ministerial Council #OSCEMC2025: ✅Defend the European Security Order ✅Support Ukraine ✅Hold Russia accountable for its aggression against Ukraine ✅Promote & Protect #HumanRights & #Democracy

We thank members of the Civic Solidarity Platform for your courage, invaluable work and recommendations to OSCE States on human rights, democracy and the rule of law. Your message from the Parallel Civil Society Conference in Vienna this week is heard loud and clear. 📷Andreas Tischler

As the @OSCE Ministerial Council nears, we thank Finland for principled leadership and for standing up for shared commitments. You spared no effort - even a screaming Finnish men’s choir has reminded us on the importance and value of the #HelsinkiFinalAct principles.

Every 10 minutes a woman is killed. Women and girls’ full enjoyment of human rights need to be protected. Sweden stands up against gender-based violence in the OSCE region and beyond. We strongly condemn all kinds of reprisals, violence, threats and attacks against women and girls.

The Helsinki Final Act is a blueprint for the European Security Order. Sweden reiterated our unwavering support for Ukraine and its right to independence, sovereignty and territorial integrity at today’s @OSCE Security Dialogue.

Russia’s illegal deportations of Ukrainian children violate international law, including the UN Convention on the Rights of the Child and international humanitarian law. Sweden is working to ensure that the children can return home and that those responsible are held accountable.

ODIHR deeply deplores Russia’s latest attacks on 🇺🇦#Ukraine, which have killed numerous civilians and injured many more, including children. Such actions constitute a clear violation of international humanitarian law & fundamental human values, and must stop immediately. #IHL

Interns play a key role in our work – bringing fresh perspectives and gaining invaluable experience within the OSCE community. We thank Finland for inviting our and other EU member states’ interns this week to discuss youth involvement in international diplomacy.

We thank Finland for marking 25-years of #UNSCR1325 at today’s OSCE FSC-meeting and for launching the OSCE-wide roadmap earlier this year to support the effective implementation of commitments on Woman, Peace & Security, #WPS.

The latest UN Commission of Inquiry report concludes that Russia’s systematic drone attacks targeting civilians in Kherson may amount to crimes against humanity. Supporting Ukraine and holding Russia accountable for its grave violations of international law remains a top priority for Sweden.

Thank you, dear Ulf Kristersson, for inviting me to the Nordic Leaders Meeting. I see the Nordic countries as the Polaris of Europe. You often show us the way forward. As we take greater responsibility for our common defence, your experience will guide all of Europe.

We’ve entered an age of competitive geopolitics and geoeconomics. The global order is fraying. The Nordics stand right at the frontier of it. As Europe takes more security into its own hands, the role of the Nordics is central.

Russia is intensifying its attacks on civilian infrastructure. Putin aims to inflict maximum suffering on Ukrainians as winter approaches. Europe is ready to support Ukraine further – new measures are in the works. Extract of my press remarks with President Zelenskyy ↓

As #WarsawHDC concludes, we thank Finland and @odihr.pl for organising this vital platform for following up on our joint obligations & commitments on #HumanRights & #Democracy. We highly value the chance to meet civil society & defenders from across the region.🙏 Photos: OSCE/Piotr Dziubak

European Human Rights Ambassadors (EE FI DE FR IS LT NL NO ES SE)🙏 @odihr.pl & Finland for organizing #WHDC2025. A crucial space to assess implementation of int’l obligations & #OSCE commitments on #humanrights & democracy. We listened carefully to your concerns, needs & recommendations.📸OSCE

Side event at #WarsawHDC by Group of Friends of Democratic Belarus on the continuously deteriorating human rights situation in Belarus. Repression must stop, and all political prisoners be immediately and unconditionally released.

2nd week of #WarsawHDC. Gender equality is a core value of the EU and cornerstone of OSCE's comprehensive approach to security. We thank civil society for its decisive work for gender equality, including the prevention and elimination of violence against women and girls. Photo: OSCE/Piotr Dziubak

At #WarsawHDC Sweden co-hosted side-event, Voices in Exile, with OSCE Group of Friends on the Safety of Journalists & @oscemediafreedom.bsky.social on threats faced by journalists in exile. Even in exile, they face harassment, surveillance & reprisals. Media freedom must be protected everywhere.

Confidence and security-building measures are crucial, especially under Russia’s aggression against Ukraine. Sweden remains committed to the Open Skies Treaty and its role for European security. At the OSCE Open Skies Review Conference, we emphasize the importance of transparency & predictability.

Russia continues to target civil society, media and opposition. Vienna Mechanism still unanswered & accountability is urgently needed. Today, at #WarsawHDC, the Nordic and Baltic countries together with other delegations co-hosted a side event on repression in Russia. #HumanRights #Democracy

Today at #WHDC EU stressed the urgent need to protect freedom of expression, media freedom and journalist safety: ”Media freedom and pluralism are a vital part of democracy. Independent and pluralistic media are key in upholding the checks and balances that sustain democratic governance.”

Today at #WarsawHDC 📌Side event on Russia’s treatment of Ukrainian POWs amidst its war of aggression. Russia must & will be held to account for violations of international law. Sweden will support Ukraine for as long as it takes #StandWithUkraine (1/2)

The #WarsawHDC has officially begun - Europe’s largest forum for promoting accountability across the OSCE area, especially in light of Russia’s ongoing aggression against Ukraine. We’re ready for ten days of vital discussions on #HumanRights & #Democracy.

Finland and Sweden do not only share borders and history – we also share #fika traditions! Thanks to Finland for adding a sweet touch to this week's OSCE Permanent Council. You are the best of friends in getting ready for #CinnamonBunDay #Kanelbullensdag #Korvapuusti!

Arbitrary killings, torture, denial of fair trial rights, & unsafe detention & transfer conditions. Report under #MoscowMechanism presented today found that Russia committed widespread and systematic violations of IHL & #HumanRights in its treatment of Ukrainian POWs. (1/2)

Election observation is key to our work and our mandate. So far ODIHR has observed some 460 elections, helping to improve the quality and transparency of elections across the OSCE region. Find out more about how our election observation works ➡️ buff.ly/1rcWRCT

While gender-based violence affects different genders, women and girls are disproportionately impacted. This week’s OSCE Human Dimension Committee meeting focused on various manifestations of gender-based violence in the OSCE area and explored strategies on how to prevent and combat it. (1/2)

Russia’s aggression causes immense suffering in Ukraine, widespread environmental & climate damage and harms global economic development. Thanks @Finland_OSCE for organizing the OSCE Forum on building a resilient future in a changing climate and thanks Minister Lipavský for a warm welcome in Prague.

The 1st regular autumn OSCE Permanent Council addressed key issues such as: ➡️Russia’s continued aggression against Ukraine #StandwithUkraine. ➡️Russia’s violation of Polish airspace. ➡️the deteriorating human rights situation in Georgia. ➡️our support for a free and democratic Belarus.

Invitation from 🇬🇪#Georgia less than a month before #elections makes meaningful observation impossible. Read our full statement: buff.ly/kPhXguJ

Honored to host meeting w. Sviatlana Tsikhanouskaya &OSCE Group of Friends of Democratic Belarus. Sweden continues to call on the Belarusian regime to: ➡️end violence & repression ➡️release all political prisoners immediately & unconditionally ➡️stop its support for Russia’s aggression against Ukraine

#TeamSweden is happy gather for a pre-autumn-kick-off to: ➡️Prepare for @odihr.pl #WarsawHDC in October. ➡️Continue to #StandwithUkraine and work for #FreedomOfExpression, #Democracy and #HumanRights in the OSCE ➡️Welcome new colleagues!

Registration is open for the 2025 Warsaw Human Dimension Conference. Join the 2025 OSCE Finnish Chairpersonship and ODIHR for 10 days of discussion on the challenges & opportunities for democracy & human rights across the OSCE region. Register here: buff.ly/ZQA5XPJ #WarsawHDC

The principles of Helsinki are under attack — but they remain our compass. 🙏 Finland for hosting the Helsinki +50 conference and for principled OSCE-leadership 2025. ➡️Statement by Sweden on the occasion of the commemoration of the #HelsinkiFinalAct 50 years: bit.ly/SE_HFA50

At this week's OSCE Human Dimension Committee on democratic elections and the role of youth in promoting democratic resilience, participants discussed the various barriers young people face and shared good practices for supporting meaningful youth involvement. 🙏 to all speakers!

We’re proud of our Administrative Officer, Ms. Charlotte Wenhoda, who today received the Swedish Foreign Service Medal🏅. She’s been invaluable to the delegation for 17 years, supporting several Swedish OSCE and EU presidencies. Congratulations on this great honor!

#WPS remains high on the OSCE agenda. Thanks Estonia for highlighting women’s role in strengthening defense & ensuring resilience at the Forum for Security Cooperation. The Swedish Armed Forces is made up of soldiers, sailors, officers & others, rather than women or men. @mfaestonia.bsky.social

Our hearts are in #Graz and our thoughts are with the victims of the devastating school shooting, their families and loved ones, our host country #Austria and its people.

States have a legal obligation to protect #HumanRights of all without discrimination. Still, violence & discrimination against #LGBTIQ+ persons is prevalent. 🙏 @humanrightshouse.bsky.social for organising important discussions on #LGBTIQ+ person’s enjoyment of human rights in BY, RU, AM & GE.

Human rights defenders increasingly promote & protect #HumanRights online. Digital tools also pose risks: surveillance, harassment, attacks & censorship - in the OSCE region & beyond. Opportunities & challenges were addressed at today’s OSCE Human Dimension Committee meeting.

Strong message from Mariana Betsa, Deputy Minister for Foreign Affairs of Ukraine, at today's OSCE PC; “We should redouble our joint efforts to defend the fundamental principles enshrined in the UN Charter. This is an existential fight. We should stay united”. #StandwithUkraine 📷Micky Kroell/OSCE

Thank you Finland, CiO OSCE, for organizing the Conference on #GenderEquality. Sweden is dedicated to supporting the implementation of the CiO’s OSCE-wide roadmap #WomenPeaceSecurity with concrete actions. Information about the roadmap: www.osce.org/chairpersons...

This week’s OSCE Human Dimension Committee meeting highlighted challenges to the rights of freedom of peaceful assembly and association in the OSCE area. Good practices and key policy recommendations and measures to be taken by the OSCE and participating States were identified. 📷 M. Kroell/OSCE

At today’s special OSCE Permanent Council, in support for Ukraine, Sweden reiterated that we #StandwithUkraine for as long as it takes, for its right to defend itself, its independence & territorial integrity, and to achieve justice for the immense harm caused by Russia’s aggression.

This year’s #DemocracyDefenderAward goes to The Georgian Young Lawyers' Association (GYLA) (gyla.ge/en) from Georgia for their work to protect #democracy, #humanrights, the rule of law and due process. Congratulations GYLA!

As Russia’s brutal attacks continue to injure and kill civilians all over Ukraine, Sweden steps up its support. Today we launched our largest military support package to Ukraine so far, worth almost $1.6 billion. Read more about Sweden’s support to Ukraine at government.se/Ukraine

OSCE Human Dimension Committee: despite ample commitments, intolerance and discrimination remain pervasive in the OSCE area. In focus at this week's meeting: identifying gaps and sharing good practices to combat intolerance & discrimination based on religion or belief. Photo: M.Kroell/OSCE