Speaking at the opening of the OSCE’s Warsaw Human Dimension Conference on Monday, Sikorski said lasting peace must also entail accountability for those responsible for crimes.
"There can be no durable peace between nations if crimes are denied, if victims are silenced and if perpetrators escape accountability," he said.
He called on Russia to refrain from "aggressive and destabilising actions in the region."
Sikorski said the erosion of the rules-based international order and a growing democratic deficit in many OSCE states made it more important to hold those responsible for human rights violations to account.
He also highlighted Poland’s efforts to promote human rights and democracy.
The opening session was attended by representatives of Switzerland, which currently chairs the Organisation for Security and Co-operation in Europe (OSCE), as well as OSCE Secretary-General Feridun H. Sinirlioğlu and the heads of its autonomous institutions.
On the sidelines of the conference, Sikorski met Sinirlioğlu.
According to the ministry, they discussed Poland’s support for the OSCE’s human rights office, ODIHR, including in response to Russia’s actions and amid debates over the organisation’s budget.
They also discussed the OSCE’s engagement in Ukraine and continued support for the country, as well as the potential role the organisation could play in monitoring a future ceasefire.
The conference, which focuses on human rights, international humanitarian law and the rule of law, runs until October 15.
It is organised by Switzerland and ODIHR, which is based in Warsaw, and about 1,900 government and civil society representatives have registered to take part.
(ał)
Source: PAP
Click on the audio player above for a report by Marcin Matuszewski