1. Rule of law, including independence of the judiciary, the right to a fair trial and democratic law-making are cornerstones of the OSCE’s comprehensive security framework. In this regard, we are committed to improving the effectiveness on administration of justice, ensuring fair trials and transparent processes through an independent and impartial judiciary. 

2. It is our collective duty to uphold and defend these fundamental pillars that lie at the heart of the rule of law and are key to effective oversight in democratic societies. Fair, appropriate and equitable laws bind all individuals, institutions and State authorities, safeguarding their integrity and proper functioning. It is our responsibility to promote confidence in the justice system and to ensure that everyone, without discrimination, has the right to a fair trial.  Any deviation from these legal principles or arbitrary use of state power stands in clear opposition to OSCE commitments. 

3. In the context of Russia’s war of aggression against Ukraine, we call for accountability for all international crimes and human rights violations and abuses, thus OSCE, through ODIHR and Human Dimension Mechanisms, can bring its contribution. In this context, we take note with grave concern of the Moscow Mechanism report on the treatment of Ukrainian prisoners of war, including arbitrary killings, torture and their deprival of the right to a fair trial. 

4. Russia's external aggression is accompanied by accelerating internal repression, dismantling the rule of law and challenging the principle of separation of powers. The continuous harassment of human rights lawyers in Russia equally concerning as lawyers have a fundamental role in upholding the rule of law and the human rights of defendants. We call on Russia to end its political misuse of the judiciary and law enforcement, recalling the importance of the independence of judiciary and the right to a fair trial. 

5. The EU remains deeply concerned about the human rights situation in Belarus. While we welcome the recent releases of political prisoners in Belarus, with the engagement of our American partners, there are still at least 1,198 political prisoners unjustly detained. We reiterate our calls for the immediate and unconditional release of all remaining political prisoners in Belarus and for their effective rehabilitation. 

6. The EU affirms that safeguarding judicial independence, ensuring the right to a fair trial, and upholding democratic law-making are indispensable to peace and stability in the OSCE region. We stand ready to work with our partners to uphold these values and ensure justice, accountability, and trust in democratic institutions. 

The Candidate Countries NORTH MACEDONIA*, MONTENEGRO*, ALBANIA*, UKRAINE, the REPUBLIC OF MOLDOVA, BOSNIA and HERZEGOVINA*, and the EFTA countries ICELAND, LIECHTENSTEIN and NORWAY, member of the European Economic Area, as well as ANDORRA align themselves with this statement.

* North Macedonia, Montenegro, Albania and Bosnia and Herzegovina continue to be part of the Stabilisation and Association Process.