HAMBURG (Sputnik) — Steinmeier, who currently chairs the OSCE, was speaking on the eve of the Ministerial Council of this world's largest permanent organization on security that will gather more than 50 foreign ministers on Thursday and Friday in Hamburg.
"We note with concern increasing restrictions on freedoms of association, peaceful assembly and expression. Growing threats to the security of human rights defenders are alarming," he said at the closing session of the Parallel Civil Society Conference in Hamburg.
The Parallel Civil Society Conference that has been held each year on the margins of the OSCE Ministerial Council since 2010 saw more than 100 civil society representatives discussing and adopting concrete recommendations directed at the OSCE. The outcome is due to be presented to Council delegates on Thursday.
