1. Against the backdrop of Russia’s continued unprovoked, unjustifiable and illegal war of aggression against Ukraine, the OSCE commitments on combating all forms of intolerance and discrimination, and protecting the human rights and fundamental freedoms of all persons in full equality before the law are more relevant than ever.
2. Early warning and seeking early action with regard to tensions involving persons belonging to national minorities is central to the OSCE concept of comprehensive security. We underline the crucial role of the HCNM’s mandate and the importance of the effective implementation of OSCE commitments on the protection of human rights, including those of persons belonging to national minorities, and their non-discriminatory treatment throughout the territory of participating States.
3. We condemn Russia’s false narrative and misuse of minority issues to justify its war of aggression against Ukraine. Russia is obliged by international law to observe human rights, including those of persons belonging to national minorities, in all territories temporarily under its illegal military control or held by Russia-backed armed formations, as well as within its own territory.
4. In Belarus, the peoples’ will to live in a democratic country was met with brutal repression, and increasing human rights violations. The persons belonging to the Polish, Lithuanian and other national minorities in Belarus, have also become a target.
5. With the number of forcibly displaced persons increasing in recent years, ensuring tolerance and non-discrimination has become a more pressing challenge. EU’s relevant policies are founded on the principles of non-discrimination, solidarity and responsibility, as well as non-refoulement.
6. In this sense, the EUMS are also committed to ensuring a non-discriminatory treatment of Roma and Sinti persons, including those displaced in the context of Russia’s war of aggression, and preventing stereotyping and segregation.
7. Last year we marked the 20th anniversary of the OSCE Action Plan on Improving the Situation of Roma and Sinti within the OSCE Area. The 4th Status report indicated that, despite progress in legislation and policies across the OSCE, more needs to be done to eradicate discrimination and bring about equality of opportunities. We therefore need to strengthen our efforts to implement the existing OSCE commitments and we welcome the persistent efforts of the Contact Point on Roma and Sinti Issues (CPRSI) in supporting participating States to this end.

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

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