Opening Remarks by Minister Valtonen at the annual Warsaw Human Dimension Conference of the OSCE

Opening Remarks by Minister Elina Valtonen at the annual Warsaw Human Dimension Conference of the Organization for Security and Co-operation in Europe (OSCE).

Excellencies, colleagues, ladies and gentlemen,

Fifty years ago, the Helsinki Final Act redefined the meaning of security—not merely as the absence of conflict, but as the presence of human rights and fundamental freedoms.

The Helsinki principles—such as respect for sovereignty and territorial integrity, the inviolability of borders, peaceful settlement of disputes, and the promotion of human rights and fundamental freedoms—are not abstract ideals. They are principles enshrined in the UN Charter and therefore the bedrock of the rules-based international order. They bind us even in times of tension and conflict.

We must be clear-eyed about the challenges before us. Russia’s war of aggression against Ukraine is not only a blatant violation of international law—it is an assault on the very principles that underpin the Helsinki Final Act. It is a direct assault on the sovereignty and territorial integrity of Ukraine and a brutal rejection of the norms that have preserved peace in Europe for decades. Forced deportations, attacks on civilians and war crimes - these are not just violations of international law; they are an attack against humanity itself. 

Through its actions, Russia is breaking every one of the ten Helsinki Principles – the very principles it took part in drafting fifty years ago.

 We need to ensure that accountability is not a distant aspiration, but concrete reality. Justice must be pursued—not only for the sake of Ukraine, but for the credibility of the international system itself. The OSCE does its bit by documenting Russia’s Human Rights violations and violations of international humanitarian law in the context of the war of aggression against Ukraine.

Defending Helsinki principles requires more than condemning aggression. Across the OSCE region, it demands that we uphold human rights and fundamental freedoms, including freedom of opinion and expression, peaceful assembly and association, and freedom of religion and belief. It also demands that we strengthen democratic institutions, uphold freedom of the media, protect free and fair elections, promote gender equality and ensure that civil society can operate without fear or restriction.

Governments alone cannot shape the future. Civil society is not a threat to stability. On the contrary, it is the foundation of stability. Human rights defenders, journalists, youth activists and community leaders are the lifeblood of democratic resilience. They challenge injustice, drive innovation and hold power to account. Their voices must not only be heard—they must be protected.

This year, as the Chair of the OSCE, I’ve met with civil society on multiple occasions. I’ve heard how civic space is shrinking, freedom of the media is undermined, and human rights defenders are facing threats. The OSCE can support participating states in implementing their Human Dimension commitments and I urge states to welcome OSCE’s support, including co-operation with Field Operations to strengthen civic space.

Democratic processes are the cornerstone of legitimate governance. They must be protected from manipulation, interference, and erosion. ODIHR’s role in election observation is vital, and we must ensure it continues with full support and independence. Where elections are undermined, democracy itself is weakened.
We must also recognize the transformative power of youth and innovation. Young people are not just future leaders—they are present-day changemakers. Their engagement in civic life, digital activism, and democratic processes must be nurtured, not suppressed.

Ladies and gentlemen,

The world we inhabit today is vastly different from that of 1975. We face new and complex threats—disinformation, climate insecurity and hybrid activities —while old dangers have not disappeared: aggression, democratic erosion, and restrictions on fundamental freedoms. Yet the core idea remains: Security must include the protection of human rights and fundamental freedoms.

OSCE must change with time. We need to concentrate on the things where the OSCE brings added value, such as the work of the autonomous institutions. The OSCE’s work must reflect today’s realities but remain anchored in timeless values. Let us engage youth, empower civil society, and uphold the principles that are the very foundation of this organization.

Because the true strength of those principles lies not in institutions alone, but in the people who believe in them—and who are willing to fight for a freer, safer, and more just world.

Ladies and gentlemen,

I regret that for the fourth consecutive year, consensus for holding the Human Dimension Implementation Meeting was not reached. The Warsaw Conference, as the largest annual Human Rights Conference in Europe, is an important event. The fact that we, this year, have a record number of almost 1900 participants is a testament to the fact that these discussions are meaningful, relevant and more urgent than ever.

We have organized this Chairpersonship Conference, because these encounters between the civil society and government representatives are truly the added value of the OSCE.

I thank ODIHR for your dedication and excellent cooperation with my Chairpersonship team in making this Warsaw Human Dimension Conference happen.

I wish everyone a fruitful and thought-provoking conference! I thank you.