Astrid Thors is a Finnish politician & the former Organisation for Security and Cooperation in Europe (OSCE) High Commissioner on National Minorities (2013-2016). She currently serves as deputy chairperson of Liberal International’s Human Rights Committee and was elected as vice president at LI’s 70th-anniversary congress in Andorra in 2017. 

Ms Thors has extensive experience in international politics and human rights which provides valuable insight into international relations and diplomacy. She served parliamentary terms in the European Parliament (1996-2004) and in the Finnish Parliament (2004-2013), where she was the Finnish Minister of Migration and European Affairs (2007-11).

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“Presently no cause can be more important than to work for the liberal values – so threatened in many parts of the world. That is one of the reasons why I stand for re-election as Vice-President.

LI can make a very valuable contribution in the defence of the rules-based world order, of the rule of law, human rights and democracy. The Johannesburg Declaration of our organisation adopted in 2017 which was prepared by Athol Trollip and myself, sets out important principles on good governance.

Liberal International is the only global political organisation with a Human Rights Committee, and I am proud to be the vice-chair of it. Together we must work against the shrinking space for civil society and to support human rights defenders who belong to our political family. Respect for Human Rights and combatting root causes of discrimination, including discrimination of minorities is the best way to promote peace and thus sustainable development. Unfortunately, a steep uphill battle is ahead of us. New technology might divide the world into different areas and some estimates say only 20 % of the world’s population lives in countries with free internet.

I believe my experience of international organisations as Minister for Migration and European Affairs in the Government in Finland and as High Commissioner on National Minorities of the Organisation for Security and Cooperation in Europe gives me valuable insight into international relations and diplomacy. Parliamentary work is known to me both from the Finnish Parliament and the European Parliament.

J`èspère que je puisse aussi travailler avec les pays francophone dans une manière étroite.”