The selection of commitments contained in the thematic and the chronological parts of this publication has been made on the basis of a definition of the term "human dimension" as it is used today, encompassing all aspects related to human rights and fundamental freedoms, democracy, tolerance and the rule of law, as well as to national minorities, human contacts and international humanitarian law.1 In addition, the compilation includes provisions for mechanisms to monitor the implementation of these commitments as well as the mandates of all OSCE institutions active in the field of the human dimension. The documents used for this publication were signed, or otherwise adopted, by various high-level CSCE/OSCE forums. While these documents do not have the character of legally binding treaties under international law, they represent political commitments, adopted by consensus and binding on each participating State. (Preface, fragment)