Michelle Pirotta

OSCE High Commissioner on National Minorities

The High Commissioner on National Minorities (HCNM) is mandated to work as "an instrument of conflict prevention at the earliest possible stage." This involves containing and de-escalating tensions involving national minorities within the OSCE area and alerting the Organization to risks by providing early warning and early action where a situation has the potential to turn into a conflict. The High Commissioner gets involved in a situation if, in his judgement, there are tensions involving national minorities which could develop into a conflict. Much of the day-to-day work is in identifying and addressing causes of ethnic tensions and conflicts. The High Commissioner addresses the short-term triggers of inter-ethnic tension or conflict and long-term structural concerns. If a participating State is not meeting its political commitments or international norms, the High Commissioner will assist by providing analysis and recommendations. The High Commissioner does not require the approval of the Permanent Council or of the state concerned to get involved. He acts in confidence and independently of all parties concerned, although speeches, news and publications are available to the public. Based on experience, the HCNM publishes thematic Recommendations and Guidelines (https://www.osce.org/hcnm/thematic-recommendations-and-guidelines) that give advice on common challenges and best practice. The HCNM also provides structural support through small collaborative projects that aim to achieve sustainability through increasing local ownership. He does not deal with individual cases or situations involving organized acts of terrorism, or communicate with any person or organization that practices or publicly condones terrorism or violence.