Many in civil society have been watching with great alarm the recent blocking by #Azerbaijan #Tajikistan #Turkey of the four senior leaders of @osce @osce_odihr's key #humanrights bodies to remain in their posts, leading to an unprecedented crisis for @osce during a pandemic (..) 
One of the top concerns arising from this crisis has been a concern that absent key leaders more repressive @osce member states could push through their long-held desire to muzzle the participation of independent, critical #civilsociety voices in the organization (...)
Indeed, today, an unusually impassioned statement from @usosce @USAmbOSCE echoes that key concern. The statement is dramatically entitled "Saving the Human Dimension Implementation Meeting" osce.usmission.gov/intervention-o… (...)
For those not up on the @osce-speak the #HDIM is Europe's largest, & perhaps most unique annual #humanrights gathering. It is more than a conference-it is an essential platform where civil society activists & NGOs have an equal right to plenary participation as member states (..)
Despite its many drawbacks-from sometimes heavy protocol & formalities-#HDIM is still remarkably open to a variety of diverse civil society activists, often some of the most embattled & courageous & persecuted by their member states (...)
Many diplomats confess that #HDIM is the one-stop shopping gathering for understanding #humanrights concerns from across the region-one of the last places where they can convene with w/ so many activists at one time & listen to uncomfortable truths (...)
In part current @osce crisis is direct retaliation by #Azerbaijan #Tajikistan #Turkey & others to #HDIM's open format: They have sought 4 yrs to classify dissidents, peaceful opp'n & other govt critics as "terrorists" & "extremists" who shd not be allowed to attend #HDIM (..)
Over last 3 yrs #Tajikistan #Turkey, among others have skipped #HDIM rather than recognize fundamental #freespeech of #civilsociety to occupy same space. Rather than achieving desired effect these actions have only reinforced the view these govts are involved in repression (..)
They lodged complaints & "concerns" w/ @osce_odihr-responsible for safeguarding #HDIM's essential character-only to now use the unique vulnerability of current #COVID19 moment to sabotage the organization's mission. Now, predictably, #HDIM could be at risk of not going ahead (..)
Impt to remember that @osce is virtually international organization or quasi-legal venue where #humanrights concerns in #CentralAsia can be addressed. (Jurisdiction of European Ct. of #HumanRights, #COE, for example, don't include this area marked by myriad #humanrights abuses).
Let's hope that along @usosce, other like-minded states will insist both on filling the leadership positions now vacant w/ leaders #CommittedToHumanRights but also ensure that #HDIM takes place in September 2020, as stated in @osce by-laws (..)
#COVID19 has exacerbated many #humanrights crises across the region, from crackdowns on opp'n, press in #Azerbaijan to rising authoritarianism in #Hungary, use of administrative detention in #Kazakhstan-the list is long. This makes holding #HDIM2020 more important than ever (END)
