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Organization for Security and Co-operation in Europe

OSCE Code of Conduct for OSCE Mission Members

Vienna, November 2000

(Staff regulations)

1. Mission Members’ Conduct

Mission members shall conduct themselves at the highest personal and professional level at all times, while on duty and off duty, in order to successfully represent the OSCE.

2. International Nature of the Service

By accepting appointment/assignment, Mission members pledge themselves to discharge their functions and regulate their conduct with the interests of the OSCE only in view.  Mission members shall be subject to the authority of the Secretary General and the Head of Mission, and shall be responsible to the Head of Mission in the performance of their duties. 

3. Relations with National Authorities

Mission members shall neither seek nor accept instructions regarding the performance of their duties, from any Government, including their national authorities, or from any authority external to the OSCE. They must not allow national interests to interfere in any way with their ability to effectively carry out their OSCE tasks.

4. Loyalty

Mission members shall not act in a manner which is likely to bring discredit to the Mission, its members and/or to the OSCE in general. They shall comply with the principles, norms and commitments of the OSCE and adhere to the mandate of the Mission in performing their duties.

5. Impartiality

Mission members shall conduct themselves at all times in a manner befitting the international status of the OSCE. They shall refrain from any action that might cast doubt on their ability to act impartially. Mission members shall not to engage in any activity which is incompatible with the proper performance of their duties with the OSCE or may adversely reflect on their status, as well as on the integrity, independence and impartiality of their position and function as OSCE mission members.

6. Compliance with accepted human rights standard

Mission Members must refrain from any conduct which could be detrimental to the goals of the OSCE. This includes but is not limited to an affiliation with any person who is suspected of being involved in any activity that violates national or international law or accepted human rights standards, or an affiliation with any person who could reasonably be suspected of engaging in the trafficking in human beings.

Mission members shall be aware that the use of the services of a person suspected of being a victim of trafficking contributes both to the profit of traffickers and the harm to victims. Mission members shall adopt exemplary standard of personal behaviour to ensure the OSCE is contributing to combating trafficking in human beings, and is not exacerbating the problem.

7. Relations with the Host Country

Notwithstanding privileges and immunities which are granted to mission members by the host country in the interest of the OSCE and not for their personal benefit, mission members shall respect the laws and regulations of the host country, as well as its local customs and traditions.

8. Professional working environment

As the OSCE is committed to providing a professional working environment in which all mission members are treated equally and with respect, regardless of gender, race, religion or belief, nationality, ethnic or social origin, age, sexual orientation, marital status or other aspects of personal status, mission members shall abstain from any action which may be contrary to this policy.

9. Acceptance of Gifts, Honours and other Distinctions

Mission members shall not use or attempt to use their position for private advantage and shall not accept any gratuity or gift which goes beyond simple courtesy. In connection with their assignment to the Mission, mission members shall not receive any honour, decoration, favour or gift from any Government or from any source external to the OSCE without prior authorization of the Head of Mission.

10. Discretion

10.1 Mission members shall observe maximum discretion with regard to all matters of official business.  They shall at no time use information known to them by reason of their official position to private advantage nor may they publish anything based thereon, except with the written approval of the Head of Mission.  Mission members shall also not communicate such information to third parties, except in connection with the discharge of their functions.

10.2 Except as part of official duties, Mission members are required to seek prior approval of the Head of the Mission for performance of any one of the following acts, if such act relates to the purpose, activities or interests of the OSCE or involves the use of information known to them by reason of their official duties:

- Issue statements to the press, radio or other media of public information;

- Accept speaking engagements;

- Take part in film, theatre, radio or television productions or presentations

- Submit articles, books or other material for publication; or

- Disclose, duplicate or transfer any information for uses other than those specified by the Head of Mission to any person, Government or authority.

10.3 These obligations do not cease upon separation from the OSCE.

11. Security

Mission members shall make every effort to ensure the security of the Mission as a whole and of its individual members, and shall follow closely all instructions regarding safety matters.

12. Protection of OSCE Property

Mission members shall protect, manage and use OSCE resources and property efficiently and with necessary care and must not wilfully, or through negligence, cause any waste, loss and/or damage to OSCE property (including vehicles), documents and resources.  Mission members may be required to reimburse the OSCE either partially or in full for any financial loss suffered by the OSCE as a result of their negligence or of their failure to observe any regulation or administrative instruction.  Reimbursement shall, in any event, be required if the loss is due to a wilful act by the Mission member.

13. Intellectual Property

All rights, including title, copyright and patent rights, in any work performed by a Mission member as part of his/her official duties are vested in the OSCE with a view to ensuring the widest possible distribution of information.