December 3-5, 2025, Vienna, Austria. 

Bir Duino Kyrgyzstan, a member of the Civil Solidarity Platform, notes the substance and effectiveness of the joint work of the Parallel Conference of Civil Society Organizations in Vienna, where strategically important recommendations were developed in the Helsinki +50 format ahead of the 32nd OSCE Ministerial Council in Vienna, chaired by the Finnish Ministry of Foreign Affairs. 

The Civic Solidarity Platform is a coalition of independent human rights NGOs that has remained one of the key voices of civil society in the OSCE area and in promoting the values of the Helsinki Final Act for many years[1].

CSP is a network of solidarity, mutual support, and collective action on processes that directly affect the rights and freedoms of people in our countries^[2]. In the context of shrinking civic space, the ability to speak with one strong voice alongside dozens of organizations in the region takes on strategic importance. Through the platform, we not only contribute to the formation of joint statements and recommendations, but also defend the space for human rights defenders to work, promote state accountability, and strengthen international mechanisms for the protection of human rights in times of crisis. 

The Civic Solidarity Platform is our partner, our protection, and our space of strength, allowing us to defend the rights of every person more effectively and consistently^[3].

The current OSCE Chairperson, Finnish Foreign Minister Elina Valtonen called on all member states to “do more and act bolder,” stressing that the principles of the Helsinki Final Act remain the foundation of the OSCE and that the organization must be modernized to meet today's challenges^[4].

The future OSCE Chairperson-in-Office for 2026, Ignazio Cassis, Minister of Foreign Affairs of Switzerland, emphasized that Switzerland intends to promote “dialogue, trust, and security” through inclusive multilateral diplomacy, drawing on the country's experience in mediation and neutrality^[5].

Director of Bir Duino Kyrgyzstan Tolekan Ismailova, in her presentation “Gender Inequality in Central Asia as a Risk Factor for the Economy, Environment, and Security,” emphasized that contemporary global crises—environmental, political, and social—are greatly exacerbated by the persistence of gender inequality, and that the lack of women's participation in decision-making processes makes it impossible to achieve genuine security and sustainable development[6].

Bir Duino's report paid particular attention to the importance of promoting the Helsinki+50 Guidelines^[7], which consider freedom, human dignity, and the expansion of civic space as the foundation of security in the OSCE region. The weakening of the OSCE's third “humanitarian” dimension and the narrowing of space for human rights defenders and civil society activists directly undermine the stability of states, as civil society is a key indicator of early warning of crises. The data presented shows that the Central Asian region remains one of the most dangerous in terms of political participation and the real influence of women on decision-making processes^[8].

Within the conference, civil society representatives from OSCE countries united around a common goal: to return the organization's activities to its original principles of security, democracy, and respect for human rights, as well as to strengthen civil society's influence on decision-making processes. The discussions resulted in a key declaration, the Vienna Declaration: Reviving the Helsinki Principles, Strengthening Security in a Comprehensive Way, and Ensuring Meaningful Civil Society Participation.

During the discussions, Anu Juvenen, Special Representative of the OSCE Chairperson-in-Office on Civil Society, expressed her support for human rights organizations in the region and emphasized the key role of civil society in conflict prevention, protecting human rights, strengthening trust between states, and promoting civic space at the global level. In their speeches, representatives of the Civic Solidarity Platform, Sasha Romantsova and Yuri Dzhibladze, emphasized that one of the central challenges for the OSCE remains the need to stop the war in Ukraine, restore respect for international law, and ensure accountability for serious violations. They also called on participating States and the civil sector to develop a joint strategy of action aimed at protecting peace, supporting sustainable security, and strengthening the role of civil society in the region[9].

OSCE joint document highlights a number of strategically important calls for action and practical recommendations:

— Restoring the OSCE's comprehensive approach to security, encompassing not only military-political but also economic, environmental, and humanitarian dimensions; 

— Ensuring meaningful, institutional participation of civil society (including NGOs, human rights defenders, activists) in decision-making processes at all levels; 

— Strengthening mechanisms for the protection of human rights, freedom of expression, freedom of association, and peaceful assembly — especially in countries where civic space is shrinking; 

— Drawing attention to the protection of vulnerable groups — women, youth, people with disabilities and the need for their active inclusion in peace, security, and democratic development processes; 

— Building cross-sectoral and intergenerational partnerships for shared success in times of crisis.

For Bir Duino Kyrgyzstan, participation in the conference was an important indicator of the promotion of the regional human rights context in Central Asia, emphasizing the need to:

-        International solidarity in the protection of human rights and civil liberties

-        Support for independent civil society activists and human rights defenders

-        Drawing the attention of OSCE countries to the risks and dangers faced by human rights defenders and activists in the region.

We are convinced that strengthening civil society is an integral part of sustainable security and justice. At a time when democratic values and human rights are under pressure in many countries, the voice of civil society organizations and human rights defenders must be heard more clearly.

We call on OSCE participating States and international institutions to seize the moment marked by the Vienna Declaration and the Helsinki Principles to translate declarative commitments into concrete action: expand civil society participation, ensure the protection of human rights defenders and freedom of association, more actively involve civil society organizations in decision-making processes, and, most importantly, localize OSCE values and principles at the national level.

Bir Duino is honored that OSCE Special Representative on Civil Society Anu Juvenen delivered a welcoming speech for the opening ceremony of the 19th International Human Rights Documentary Film Festival “Bir Duino Kyrgyzstan”[10].

For all questions, please contact the Bir Duino Kyrgyzstan team and Executive Director Murat Karypov by email: birduinokyrgyzstan@gmail.com, m.karypov@gmail.com and by phone: +996555422222 and +996 501 156 390. For questions regarding the Bir Duino International Festival, please contact coordinator Nakina Aidakeeva: n.aidakeeva@gmail.com and assistant Aliye Beishebaeva: aliysha4503@gmail.com  

[1] https://www.osce.org/chairpersonship/660987

[2] https://civicsolidarity.org/article/helsinki-50-reflection-process/