Rejserapport fra OSCE PAs vintermøde i Wien, Østrig den 19.-21. februar 2020

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OSCEs Parlamentariske Forsamling
REJSERAPPORT
ÅRLIGE VINTERMØDE i Wien, Østrig
Tid: 19. – 21. februar 2020
Sted: Wien, Østrig
Deltagere: Formand Peter Juel-Jensen (V), næstformand Malte Larsen
(S), Katrine Robsøe (RV), Christoffer Melson (V) og Mette
Hjermind Dencker (DF)
Ledsaget af: Delegationssekretær Eva Esmarch og delegationsassistent
Charlotte Faber
1. Formål
Deltagelse i OSCEs Parlamentariske Forsamlings (OSCE PA) årlige vinter-
møde den 19. – 21. februar 2020 i Wien, Østrig.
OSCE PA blev etableret i 1992 og udgør den interparlamentariske del af
OSCE. Forsamlingen har til opgave at vurdere gennemførelsen af OSCEs
overordnede mål, debattere aktuelle emner for OSCE samt afgive anbefalinger
til regeringssiden af OSCE. Forsamlingen består i alt af 320 parlamentarikere
fra OSCEs 57 medlemslande. Der deltog ca. 250 parlamentarikere fra 53 af
medlemslandene i efterårsmødet. Program og dagsorden for mødet og mø-
derne i de tre komitéer er vedlagt.
2. Væsentlige punkter fra efterårsmødet
På vintermødet i OSCEs Parlamentariske Forsamling (PA) blev der holdt
møde i forsamlingens tre komiteer for (1) politik og sikkerhed, (2) økonomiske
forhold, videnskab, teknologi og miljø samt (3) demokrati, menneskerettighe-
der og humanitære forhold. På dagsordenen ved disse møder var blandt an-
det, hvordan man bedst og mest effektivt bruger OSCEs værktøjskasse til løs-
ning af langvarige konflikter, de sikkerhedsmæssige implikationer af klima for-
andringer og multilateralt samarbejde om menneskerettighederne. På et møde
i plenarforsamlingen var der afslutningsvist også en debat om, hvordan man
bekæmper antisemitisme, diskrimination og intolerance i OSCE regionen. Der-
til kom et møde i Standing Committee. Formålet med Vintermødet var derud-
over at behandle follow-up rapporter i forhold til forsamlingens deklaration ved-
taget på sessionen i Luxembourg i juli 2019. Desuden blev kommende rappor-
ter og resolutioner, som forventes fremsat på OSCE PAs årlige session i juli
2020 i Vancouver, Canada drøftet.
2. a. Plearforsamlingen
Indledningsvist talte præsidenten for Østrigs National råd Wolfgang Sobotka til
OSCE PA forsamlingen og understregede parlamentarikernes vigtige rolle
som udenrigspolitiske diplomater. Han bemærkede, at ”Parliamentary diplo-
OSCEs Parlamentariske Forsamling 2019-20
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Side 2 | 4
macy is a growing trend in foreign policy” and “the OSCE Parliamentary As-
sembly can act as a bridge builder between the West and the East and in the
Mediterranean region. We should make full use of the OSCE tools to help set-
tle the conflict in eastern Ukarine.”
Herefter var der indlæg ved Præsident George Tsereteli, og Albaniens Deputy
Minister of European and Foreign Affairs Etjen Xhafaj og OSCEs generalse-
kretær Thomas Greminger. Præsident Tsereteli bemærkede, at der var grund
til at være optimistisk som følge af de teknologiske og økonomiske fremskridt
og det ny niveau for global konnektivitet. Samtidig var der også mange kriser,
udfordringer og krav om forandring, og protester og politisk ustabilitet kende-
tegnede den tid, vi lever i. Som repræsentant for OSCE formandskabet be-
mærkede Xfahaj, at han satte stor pris på parlamentarikernes støtte, når
OSCE skulle implementere sine prioriteter. Især var den parlamentariske
støtte i form af opbakning til OSCE og OSCE projekter meget velkommen. Han
bemærkede, at ”As elected officials you have not only a role but a responsabil-
ity for the implementation, to help us hold your government to account for the
commitments undertaken.” Endelig roste generalsekretæren for OSCE Gre-
minger OSCE PA møderne for at være møder, hvor man kunne have åbne og
direkte drøftelser. Alle talere kondolerede og udtrykte i øvrigt støtte til Tyskland
efter angrebet i Hanau onsdag nat, hvor 11 døde.
Der blev derefter afholdt en særlig debat i plenarforsamlingen om bekæmpelse
af antisemitisme, diskrimination og intolerancen i OSCE regionen. På det fæl-
les møde for alle tre komiteer var der tillige afrapporteringer fra lederne af valg-
observationerne til Ukraine, Hviderusland, Usbekistan og Azerbaijan og fra
den særlige repræsentant for ligestillingsspørgsmål Hedy Fry. Hedy Fry be-
mærkede særligt, at der stadig var store udfordringer i forbindelse med vold
mod kvinder herunder vold mod kvindelige journalister og politikere. ”Gender-
based violence affects all women, regardless of positon and status, but can
manifest in dangerous and alarming ways for women in the public eye, ” sagde
hun.
2. b. Møder i de 3 komitéer
Der blev afholdt møder i forsamlingens tre komiteer for (1) politik og sikkerhed,
(2) økonomiske forhold, videnskab, teknologi og miljø samt (3) demokrati,
menneskerettigheder og humanitære forhold. I komitéerne aflagde formand-
skaberne rapport om opfølgningen på deklarationen, der blev vedtaget af for-
samlingen på sessionen i Luxembourg 2019. Endvidere redegjorde de tre ko-
miteers rapportører for deres overvejelser om rapporter og resolutioner til den
årlige session i Vancouver til juli 2020. Udover at behandle tidligere og kom-
mende rapporter deltog en række personer i debatterne i komiteerne. Det dre-
jede sig bl.a. om FN’s Højkommissær for menneskerettigheder Michelle Bach-
elet, ambassadør og direktør for OSCEs konfliktforebyggelsescenter Tuula Yr-
jölä, direktøren for OSCEs kontor for demokratiske institutioner og menneske-
rettigheder, Ingibjörg Solrun Gisladottir, direktøren for OSCEs Højkommissær
Side 3 | 4
for nationale minoriteter Lamberto Zannier og formanden for Sikkerhedskom-
mitéen i OSCEs permanente Råd ambassadør Rauf Engin Soysal.
2. c. Standing Committee
Mødet blev indledt med en afrapportering fra Præsident George Tsereteli om
status for arbejdet i OSCE PA. Han understregede blandt andet, at eftersom
OSCEs ministerråd arbejdede med konsensus, var der meget lidt fremdrift i
arbejdet. Faktisk mente han, at der tværtimod var tilbageskridt på flere områ-
der i OSCEs arbejde. Derefter var der afrapporteringer fra ad hoc komiteerne
og de særlige repræsentanters aktiviteter.
OSCE PAs revisor Peter Juel-Jensen for aflagde for første gang rapport til ko-
mitéen om regnskabet for finansåret 2019/2020. Han kunne med glæde be-
rette, at det var et overskud i regnskabet på 121.00 Euro, hvilket var i fuld
overensstemmelse med OSCE PA Financial Rules. Han understregede, at det
ikke alene var hans personlige mål, men også sekretariatets mål, at reducere
udgifterne, så skatteborgernes penge blev brugt fornuftigt. Budgettet for
2020/21 ville blev præsenteret på Bureau-mødet i København i april 2020. På
baggrund at feed-back fra og godkendelse af Bureauet ville han så cirkulere
udkastet til budget til Standing Committee, som han så frem til kommentarer
og bemærkninger fra. Uafhængigheden af de øvrige OSCE institutioner gjorde
heldigvis, at OSCE PA var en fleksibel og stabil organisation med en høj tro-
værdighed, og OSCE PA var heldigvis meget langt fra de budgetmæssige pro-
blemer, regeringssiden stod ansigt til ansigt med hvert år. Rapporten fra Peter
Juel-Jensen er vedlagt som bilag.
Derefter redegjorde OSCE PAs generalsekretær, Roberto Montella, for sin
rapport, som også vedlægges. Han roste særligt Danmark, som var den stør-
ste bidragsyder til OSCE PA og takkede for den store danske indsats. Afslut-
ningsvist redegjorde Lord Peter Bownes, som er formand for udvalget om
Rules of Procedure, også for ideer og visioner for, hvordan forsamlingen kan
effektivisere sit arbejde. Han fremsatte to forslag til justeringer af Rules of Pro-
cedure, som blev vedtaget. Ændringerne ville få virkning fra sommersessionen
i Canada. Rapporten fra Lord Peter Bownes og de vedtagne ændringsforslag
vedlægges som bilag. Lord Peter Bownes beklagede dog samtidig, at det ikke
var lykkedes at finde en løsning på problemet omkring qvorum-reglen i Rules
of Procedure. Da alle ændringsforslag skulle vedtages med konsensus, havde
det ikke været muligt at finde et forslag til en ny regel, som imødekom russer-
nes ønske. Dermed faldt man tilbage på den eksisterende regel. Hvis nogen
kunne fremkomme med et forslag til en ændring af qvorum-reglen, som var
acceptabel for alle, ville han være meget taknemmelig. Men status var altså,
at Rules of Procedure ikke blev ændret på dette punkt forud for sommersessi-
onen i Canada. Han var i øvrigt meget åben over for forslag til forbedringer af
den måde OSCE PA fungerede på og opfordrede til, at man fremsendte even-
tuelle ændringsforslag til ham.
Side 4 | 4
3. OSCE PAs kommende aktiviteter
 Bureaumøde i København, Danmark den 26.-27. april 2020
 Årlige session i Vancouver, Canada den 3.-7. juli 2020
 Efterårsmøde i San Marino den 4.-6. oktober 2020
 Bureaumøde i Tirana, den 2. december 2020
4. Bilag
 Program for vintermødet
 Dagsorden for møderne i Standing Committee
 Rapport for Præsident George Tsereteli
 Rapport fra generalsekretær Roberto Montella
 Rapport fra organisationens revisor Peter Juel-Jensen
 Rapport fra formanden for komitéen for Rules of Procedure and Work-
ing Practices Lord Peter Bownes
 Ændringsforslag til Rules of Procedure
 Tale af Hedy Fry, særlige repræsentant i ligestillingsspørgsmål


General Committee on Economic Affairs, Science,
Technology and Environment
Meeting on 20 February 2020, 15:15-18:00
Hofburg Congress Centre, Vienna, Ratsaal, 5th
floor
DRAFT AGENDA
1. Adoption of the Agenda
2. Opening Remarks by Mr. Artur Gerasymov, Vice-Chairperson of the Committee
3. Presentation by Ms. Elona Hoxha, Rapporteur of the Committee, on her ideas and
intentions regarding her report for the 29th
Annual Session in Vancouver (3 - 7 July 2020)
Debate
4. The contribution of the OSCE to economic and environmental security
 Presentation by Amb. Sherzod Asadov, Chairperson of the Economic and
Environmental Committee, Permanent Representative of Uzbekistan to the OSCE (TBC)
 Presentation by Amb. Vuk Žugić, Co-ordinator of OSCE Economic and
Environmental Activities
Debate
5. Special Debate on “The Security Implications of Climate Change and the Role of
Parliamentarians”
 Introduction by Ms. Torill Eidsheim, PA Special Representative on Arctic Issues.
 Presentation by Mr. Lukas Rüttinger, Senior Project Manager, Adelphi
Debate
6. Presentation by Mr. Pascal Allizard, Vice President of the OSCE PA, on the Belt & Road
Initiative: Challenges and Opportunities (TBC)
Debate
7. Any other business
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General Committee on Democracy, Human Rights and
Humanitarian Questions
Meeting on 20 February 2020, 15:15 – 18:00
Hofburg Congress Centre, Vienna, Neuer Saal, 2nd
floor
DRAFT AGENDA
1. Adoption of the Agenda
2. Opening remarks by Mr. Kyriakos Hadjiyianni (Cyprus), Chairperson of the
Committee
3. Presentation by Ms. Kari Henriksen (Norway), OSCE PA Vice-President, Rapporteur
of the Committee, on her ideas and intentions regarding her report for the 29th
Annual
Session in Vancouver (3-7 July 2020)
Debate
4. Presentation by Ambassador Ivo Šrámek, Chairperson of the Human Dimension
Committee of the OSCE Permanent Council and Permanent Representative of the
Czech Republic to the OSCE
Multilateralism in action: International Human Rights Co-operation
5. Keynote address by Dr. Michelle Bachelet Jeria, United Nations High Commissioner
for Human Rights
6. Presentation by Ms. Ingibjörg Sólrún Gísladóttir, Director of the OSCE Office for
Democratic Institutions and Human Rights (ODIHR)
7. Presentation by Mr. Harlem Désir, OSCE Representative on Freedom of the Media
Debate
8. Any Other Business
Closure of meeting
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Report to the Standing Committee from the Chair of the Sub-
Committee on the Rules of Procedure and Working Practices
Vienna, February 2020
RE: Suggested amendments to the Rules of Procedure
As I reported when we last met in Marrakech, there are a number of adjustments to the
Rules of Procedure that the Sub-Committee on the Rules of Procedure and Working
Practices have been looking at.
A number of proposed changes to the Assembly’s Rules of Procedure were brought
forward for consideration and were extensively discussed by Sub-Committee members
at a meeting on 4 December in Bratislava. Consequently, the Sub-Committee has agreed
to recommend to the Standing Committee approval of the attached changes (in English,
French, Russian; other languages will follow once they are available).
Two proposals are put forward, both related to processes for Supplementary Items (Rule
21):
• Adjustments are proposed to Rule 21.2, related to compromise supplementary
items, intended to ensure a more fair and inclusive process.
• Adjustments are also proposed to Rule 21.3 to eliminate ambiguous language.
The Sub-Committee proposes that these be considered at the meeting of the Standing
Committee during our coming Winter Meeting in Vienna, on 20 February 2020. This
will enable changes to take effect before our Annual Session this summer, and should
help to make our work more productive. The Sub-Committee hopes for your support in
adopting the proposed amendments.
Following concerns raised during our last Annual Session in Luxembourg, the Sub-
Committee also explored in detail proposals for adjusting our quorum procedures
(particularly in Rule 34). Despite extensive discussion, we have not yet found a
proposal that meets all concerns, and so the Sub-Committee is not able to propose any
adjustments related to quorum procedures.
In addition to continuing efforts to clarify our quorum procedure, there are a number of
other topics that I expect the Sub-Committee to examine at upcoming meetings, and I
look forward to reporting on this work in due time.
Peter Lord Bowness
Vice-President,
Chair of the Sub-Committee on the Rules of Procedure
and Working Practices
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General Committee on Political Affairs and Security
Meeting on 21 February 2020, 09:00-11:45
Hofburg Congress Centre, Vienna, Neuer Saal, 2nd
floor
DRAFT AGENDA
1. Adoption of the Agenda
2. Opening Remarks by Mr. Costel Neculai Dunava (Romania), Vice-Chairperson of the
Committee
3. Presentation by Mr. Laurynas Kasciunas (Lithuania), Rapporteur of the Committee,
on his ideas and intentions regarding his report for the 29th
Annual Session in
Vancouver (3-7 July 2020)
Debate (item 3)
4. Presentation by Ambassador Neil Bush, Chairperson of the Security Committee of the
OSCE Permanent Council and Permanent Representative of the United Kingdom to
the OSCE
5. Presentation by Ambassador Rauf Engin Soysal, Chairperson of the Forum for
Security Co-operation and Permanent Representative of Turkey to the OSCE
6. Presentation by Ambassador Lamberto Zannier, OSCE High Commissioner on
National Minorities (HCNM)
Debate (on items 4,5,6)
7. Special Debate: “Resolving ‘Protracted Conflicts’: The Tools and Mechanisms of
the OSCE” / Introduction by Ambassador Tuula Yrjölä, Director of the OSCE
Conflict Prevention Centre
8. Any other business
Closure of the meeting
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DRAFT PROGRAMME OF THE 19th
WINTER MEETING
OF THE OSCE PARLIAMENTARY ASSEMBLY
Vienna, 20-21 February 2020
(Hofburg Congress Centre, Vienna)
Wednesday, 19 February 2020
14.00 – 20.00 Registration in the lobby of the Vienna Marriott Hotel (Parkring 12a, 1010 Vienna)
Thursday, 20 February 2020
08.00 - 09.00 Time reserved for meetings of various groups
09.00 – 11.45 Standing Committee Meeting (Ratsaal, 5th floor)
12.00 – 13.15 Joint Session of the three General Committees (Neuer Saal, 2nd floor)
13.15 – 15.15 Lunch Break
15.15 – 18.00 General Committee on Democracy, Human Rights and Humanitarian
Questions (Neuer Saal, 2nd floor)
15.15 – 18.00 General Committee on Economic Affairs, Science, Technology and
Environment (Ratsaal, 5th
floor)
18.30 Reception hosted by the President of the Austrian Parliament, Mr. Wolfgang
Sobotka at Palais Niederösterreich (Herrengasse 13, 1010 Wien)
Friday, 21 February 2020
08.00 - 09.00 Time reserved for meetings of various groups
09.00 – 11.45 General Committee on Political Affairs and Security
(Neuer Saal, 2nd floor)
11.45 – 13.30 Lunch Break
13.30 – 16.30 Joint Session of the three General Committees (Neuer Saal, 2nd floor)
* * *
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STANDING COMMITTEE
of the
OSCE Parliamentary Assembly
Meeting on 20 February 2020, 09:00 – 11:45
Hofburg Congress Center, Vienna, Ratsaal, 5th
Floor
DRAFT AGENDA
9:00 Call to order
1. Adoption of the Agenda
2. Approval of the Agenda for the 2020 Winter Meeting (Rule 16.1)
3. Report of the President of the OSCE Parliamentary Assembly, Mr. George Tsereteli
4. Report of the Treasurer of the OSCE Parliamentary Assembly, Mr. Peter Juel-Jensen
(Rule 41.3)
5. Report of the Secretary General of the OSCE Parliamentary Assembly, Mr. Roberto
Montella
6. Report of the Chairperson of the Sub-Committee on the Rules of Procedure and
Working Practices, Vice-President Peter Bowness, and consideration of the
amendments to the Rules of Procedure
7. Report by the Chair of the Ad Hoc Committee on Countering Terrorism
8. Report by the Chair of the Ad Hoc Committee on Migration
9. Reports by the OSCE PA Special Representatives
10. Review of current political issues / follow up to Assembly’s Decisions
11. Reports on preparations for future OSCE PA meetings in 2020:
- Bureau: 26 –27 April in Copenhagen
- Twenty-Ninth Annual Session: 03 – 07 July in Vancouver
- Autumn Meeting: 05-07 October in San Marino
- Bureau: 02 December in Tirana
(OSCE MC 03-04 December)
Other future OSCE PA Meetings in 2021 and beyond
12. Other business
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REPORT OF THE PRESIDENT
OF THE OSCE PARLIAMENTARY ASSEMBLY
Mr. George Tsereteli
Winter Meeting
of the OSCE Parliamentary Assembly
VIENNA, 20-21 February 2020
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Report of the President of the OSCE Parliamentary Assembly
1
1
The OSCE Programme Office in Nur-Sultan, the OSCE Programme Office in Bishkek, the OSCE Project Co-
ordinator in Uzbekistan, the OSCE Presence in Albania, the OSCE Mission to Serbia, the OSCE Project Co-
ordinator in Ukraine, and the Special Monitoring Mission to Ukraine.
Dear colleagues and friends,
Following my re-election as President of the OSCE
Parliamentary Assembly during our Luxembourg Annual
Session, I have continued to be active on your behalf to
promote our work with leaders from our national parliaments
and partner institutions, affirm our role within the OSCE
family, and highlight some key priorities, in particular conflict
resolution.
I appreciate your strong support and the valuable assistance
and advice provided by the Secretariat in both Copenhagen
and Vienna. This has been crucial to provide parliamentary
responses to a broad OSCE agenda and aim to meet our most
pressing challenges.
Detailed information on my work as President is listed in this
report. In addition to these primary activities, I have met on
several occasions with Heads of OSCE institutions to improve
co-ordination at headquarters and in the field and ensure that
our activities complement each other. I have also met with
numerous PA delegations on the margins of my travels to
ensure that all voices are heard and reflected in the work of
our Parliamentary Assembly. Finally, together with a small
group of Members, the Bureau and the International
Secretariat, we have continued to hold regular discussions to
consider changes in the Assembly’s work, in order to make it
more effective and more visible.
I want to thank those parliaments that have hosted my visits,
but also particularly applaud and thank OSCE staff. Since our
last Annual Session, I have had the opportunity to visit seven
OSCE field missions1
and I have met with dedicated
professionals from many other OSCE offices. I can personally
attest to the excellent work they do, at times under difficult
circumstances.
Report of the President of the OSCE Parliamentary Assembly
2
2
Prompt and effective action needed to help people suffering from conflicts and human rights violations, says
Tsereteli in Slovakia, 9 July 2019, https://www.oscepa.org/news-a-media/press-releases/press-2019/prompt-and-
effective-action-needed-to-help-people-suffering-from-conflicts-and-human-rights-violations-says-osce-pa-
president-tsereteli-in-slovakia.
3
Inclusive multilateralism needed to meet challenges and strengthen human rights, PA President Tsereteli says
in Vienna, 16 July 2019, https://www.oscepa.org/news-a-media/press-releases/press-2019/inclusive-
multilateralism-needed-to-meet-challenges-and-strengthen-human-rights-pa-president-tsereteli-says-in-vienna-2
July 2019
Immediately following our latest Annual Session, I travelled
to the High Tatras Mountains of Slovakia to take part in the
Informal Ministerial meeting convened by Slovak Foreign
Minister and then-OSCE Chairperson-in-Office Miroslav
Lajcak. I underlined that our Parliamentary Assembly, armed
with our newly adopted Luxembourg Declaration, remains
ready to provide key input to the work of the organization in
all fields of security, leveraging the distinct contributions and
added value of parliamentarians. I explained that our
Declaration covers a wide range of topics reflecting issues of
concerns for OSCE citizens, in particular the suffering of
people in conflict zones. This gathering also provided a good
opportunity for informal exchanges with a number of foreign
ministers, including those from Sweden, Spain, Luxembourg,
Kazakhstan, Albania, and Armenia.2
The following week, I was in Vienna, Austria to address the
Supplementary Human Dimension Meeting. There, I stressed
that a broad outlook to multilateral diplomacy, involving
parliamentarians, civil society, academia and others, is needed
in order to ensure a strong and principled approach to human
rights. I am firmly convinced that many different actors,
beyond state governments, have a legitimate voice. We must
therefore listen to them if we want to find lasting solutions to
the challenges facing us. This inclusive approach also adds
strength and legitimacy to international relations that can
otherwise appear distant from the real needs of the people we
serve.3
August 2019
Over the summer, we coordinated a plan of activities together
with the International Secretariat. I also proceeded with
several appointments to better place our Assembly on some
key issues identified during our Luxembourg Annual Session.
I therefore appointed Irene Charalambides (Cyprus) as Special
Report of the President of the OSCE Parliamentary Assembly
3
4
Mr. Santolini’s parliamentary mandate ended following the 2019 Sammarinese general election.
5
Mr. Raja has since been appointed Minister of Culture. Ms. Chambers’ parliamentary mandate ended
following the 2020 Irish general election.
6
In visit to Kyiv, President Tsereteli expresses solidarity with people of Ukraine, urges continued efforts to
strengthen democratic institutions, 30 August 2019, https://www.oscepa.org/news-a-media/press-releases/press-
Representative on Fighting Corruption and Pia Kauma
(Finland) as Special Representative on Civil Society
Engagement. I also tasked Stefana Miladinovic (Serbia) as
Special Rapporteur on the Digital Agenda and Luca Santolini
(San Marino) as Special Rapporteur on Disinformation and
Propaganda.4
Following the departure of Makis Voridis
(Greece) from the Assembly, I also appointed Abid Raja
(Norway) and Lisa Chambers (Ireland) as Co-Chairs of the Ad
Hoc Committee on Countering Terrorism.5
We also continued to work diligently to modernize our
working practices with a view of making the OSCE PA more
visible and more effective. I visited the International
Secretariat in early September to finalize our plans.
At the end of August, I attended the opening session of the
Verkhovna Rada in Kyiv, Ukraine to express solidarity with
the Ukrainian people as the new parliament committed to
ambitious reforms in the face of continuous challenges in the
East. I was able to exchange with the new Chairman of the
Verkhovna Rada, Dmytro Razumkov. I underlined the vital
role of the OSCE in Ukraine and encouraged continued strong
engagement by Ukrainian parliamentarians in the OSCE
Parliamentary Assembly. I also exchanged with other foreign
dignitaries, including European Parliament Vice-President
Klara Dobrev, on ways to boost co-operation with the PA.
As on previous occasions, my visit to Kyiv allowed me to hold
fruitful talks with the Chief Monitor of the OSCE Special
Monitoring Mission in Ukraine, Ambassador Yaşar Halit
Çevik, and thank the SMM for the support provided on
parliamentary visits to eastern Ukraine, their tireless efforts to
support people’s humanitarian and human rights’ needs,
reduce tensions, and foster peace and security throughout
Ukraine. I also met with the OSCE Project Co-ordinator in
Ukraine, Ambassador Henrik Villadsen, to exchange on
ongoing PCU initiatives to reform the judiciary, foster
dialogue, protect human rights and safeguard the
environment.6
Report of the President of the OSCE Parliamentary Assembly
4
2019/in-visit-to-kyiv-president-tsereteli-expresses-solidarity-with-people-of-ukraine-urges-continued-efforts-to-
strengthen-democratic-institutions
7
OSCE PA President Tsereteli visits Danish capital for meetings at Secretariat, Parliament and Foreign
Ministry, 5 September 2019, https://www.oscepa.org/news-a-media/press-releases/press-2019/osce-pa-
president-tsereteli-visits-danish-capital-for-meetings-at-secretariat-parliament-and-foreign-ministry
8
Sustainable development in focus at Switzerland conference, featuring high-level OSCE PA participation, 9
September 2019, https://www.oscepa.org/news-a-media/press-releases/press-2019/sustainable-development-in-
focus-at-switzerland-conference-featuring-high-level-osce-pa-participation
September 2019
Early in September, I was in Copenhagen, Denmark for a
series of meetings at the International Secretariat, the Danish
Parliament, and the Ministry of Foreign Affairs. I thanked the
Danish parliament and the Danish Delegation for its continued
support to the Assembly, noting that as the host of the
International Secretariat, Denmark is the single biggest
contributor to the OSCE PA’s budget. I also welcomed Head
of Delegation Peter Juel Jensen’s new role as Assembly
Treasurer. At the Ministry of Foreign Affairs, we also had
interesting conversations on the role of parliamentarians in
mitigating the effects of climate change, ongoing conflicts in
the OSCE area, including in Ukraine, OSCE PA work in the
human dimension, and the situation in Georgia.7
I then travelled to Andermatt, Switzerland to participate in the
third international parliamentary conference of the OSCE PA
Silk Road Support Group. This event provided a useful
follow-up on our Luxembourg discussions on the Sustainable
Development Goals (SDGs), and I stressed that, through our
defense of freedom, democracy, strong principles, shared
commitments and common goals, our Organization already
makes strong contributions towards their fulfilment. I also
emphasized that parliaments can further help advance
sustainable development and security by adopting relevant
legislation, providing oversight, ratifying treaties, approving
budgets and setting agendas that prioritize the need to comply
with international commitments. Furthermore, this conference
was the occasion to strengthen interparliamentary oversight
over the Belt and Road project, and I welcomed the
opportunity to exchange with officials from the People’s
Republic of China on some of the concerns expressed by our
Assembly.8
Report of the President of the OSCE Parliamentary Assembly
5
9
Civil society engagement essential to advance human rights, says OSCE PA President at Warsaw meeting, 16
September 2019, https://www.oscepa.org/news-a-media/press-releases/press-2019/civil-society-engagement-
essential-to-advance-human-rights-says-osce-pa-president-at-warsaw-meeting
I addressed the Human Dimension Implementation Meeting
(HDIM) in Warsaw in mid-September, where I deplored a
downward trend in the struggle to respect and promote human
rights and human security in the past decade. This requires
increased dedication and focus by all, and I thank our
Assembly’s human rights committee Chair Kyriakos
Hadjiyianni (Cyprus) and our new Special Representative on
Civil Society Engagement Pia Kauma (Finland), who
accompanied me and Secretary General Roberto Montella at
this important gathering.9
This edition of the HDIM also
enabled us to engage further with civil society by holding a
side-event on priority recommendations formulated by the PA
in the human dimension.
Towards the end of the month, I returned to Central Asia by
first participating in the Fourth Meeting of Speakers of
Eurasian Countries’ Parliaments in Nur-Sultan, Kazakhstan
together with Vice-President Pascal Allizard (France).
On the margins of the parliamentary conference, we held
several bilateral meetings with Armenian Speaker Ararat
Mirzoyan, Azerbaijani Speaker Ogtay Asadov, Moldovan
Speaker Zinaida Greceanii, North Macedonian Speaker Talat
Xhaferi, Tajik Speaker Shukurjon Zuhurov, and Uzbek
Speaker Nurdinjon Ismoilov. We also exchanged with the
Speakers from Austria, Belarus, Cyprus, and Turkey.
We also met with Mazhilis Chairman Nurlan Nigmatulin and
Senate Chairwoman Dariga Nazarbayeva, who serves as the
Head of Kazakhstan’s Delegation to the OSCE PA, as well as
with Kazakhstan’s First President Nursultan Nazarbayev. The
conversations underlined Kazakhstan’s long-standing
commitment and contributions to international dialogue and
to the effectiveness of the OSCE and its Institutions, including
through good co-operation with the OSCE Programme Office
in Nur-Sultan.
As the Special Co-ordinator and leader of short-term OSCE
observers for the early presidential election of June 2019, I
also took the time to meet with NGO representatives and
opposition figures to discuss post-election developments,
Report of the President of the OSCE Parliamentary Assembly
6
10
Respect for rules-based order key to achieving peace across Eurasia, OSCE PA President underlines at
Speakers’ meeting, 25 September 2019, https://www.oscepa.org/news-a-media/press-releases/press-
2019/respect-for-rules-based-order-key-to-achieving-peace-across-eurasia-osce-pa-president-underlines-at-
speakers-meeting
11
Strong parliamentary oversight essential for democracy and good governance, says OSCE PA President
Tsereteli in Bishkek, 27 September 2019, https://www.oscepa.org/news-a-media/press-releases/press-
2019/strong-parliamentary-oversight-essential-for-democracy-and-good-governance-says-osce-pa-president-
tsereteli-in-bishkek
including concerns related to limitations on freedom of
expression, association, and assembly, as well as the state of
co-operation between civil society and public authorities.10
I then took part in a seminar organized by the United Nations
Development Programme in Kyrgyzstan, together with the
support of the Swiss Agency for Development and
Cooperation (SDC), the OSCE’s Office for Democratic
Institutions and Human Rights (ODIHR), and the Bishkek-
based Legal Clinic “Adilet,” which aimed to take stock of the
current status of parliamentary oversight functions in the
Kyrgyz Republic and in other countries. In my keynote
speech, I pointed out that political will remains a key
requirement for the effective implementation of parliamentary
oversight. This compels us, parliamentarians, to lead by
example and adhere to the same strict standards which we
demand of members of government.
In a meeting with the Speaker of the Jogorku Kenesh,
Dastanbek Dzhumabekov, I recalled Kyrgyzstan’s strong
engagement within the OSCE PA, as demonstrated by its
hosting of the 2018 Autumn Meeting in Bishkek. I also noted
that the negative trend of deterioration of the media
environment, which occurred in the run-up to the 2017
presidential election, seemed to have been reversed. I
expressed the hope that Kyrgyz authorities will continue to
promote respect for freedom of the media and expression,
enable an engaged civil society, and promote fundamental
rights and freedoms.
I also visited the OSCE Academy to meet its leadership and
the new cohort of students, as well as the OSCE Programme
Office in Bishkek, headed by Ambassador Pierre Von Arx, to
discuss how the PA can further support the work of the OSCE
in the country.11
Report of the President of the OSCE Parliamentary Assembly
7
12
Security, environment, economic development and religious tolerance in focus at OSCE PA’s Autumn
Meeting in Morocco, 6 October 2019, https://www.oscepa.org/news-a-media/press-releases/press-2019/security-
environment-economic-development-and-religious-tolerance-in-focus-at-osce-pa-s-autumn-meeting-in-morocco
13
Attacks on journalists are attacks on democracy, says OSCE PA President Tsereteli in Tbilisi, 10 October
2019, https://www.oscepa.org/news-a-media/press-releases/press-2019/attacks-on-journalists-are-attacks-on-
democracy-says-osce-pa-president-tsereteli-in-tbilisi
14
In high-level meetings in Belgrade, OSCE PA President and Secretary General emphasize dialogue, co-
operation and reform, 16 October 2019, https://www.oscepa.org/news-a-media/press-releases/press-2019/in-
October 2019
Our 2019 Autumn Meeting in Marrakesh strongly reaffirmed
our Mediterranean dimension. This first OSCE PA statutory
meeting held outside of the OSCE region and organized by an
OSCE Partner for Co-operation was the result of several years
of preparation between the Moroccan parliament and our
International Secretariat. I want to thank in particular our
Moroccan colleagues for their continued engagement in our
work and for driving this project.12
Back in Georgia, I had the pleasure to take part in the 16th
South Caucasus Media Conference organized by the OSCE
Representative on Freedom of the Media under the theme
“Strengthening media freedom and safety of journalists in a
changing environment.” In my remarks, I recalled that our
Luxembourg Declaration calls upon OSCE participating
States to ensure that efforts to protect journalists should not be
limited to those formally recognized and documented as such,
but should also cover support staff, citizen journalists,
bloggers and others active in this field. It also urges that OSCE
countries develop strategies to eliminate the harassment of
women journalists. On the margins of the conference, I
exchanged with Harlem Désir to further discuss opportunities
for further co-operation and common strategies to strengthen
the impact of the OSCE’s work.13
Together with Secretary General Roberto Montella we then
took part in a series of meetings and engagements in Belgrade,
meeting with the President of the Serbian National Assembly,
Maja Gojković, Prime Minister Ana Brnabić, Foreign
Minister Ivica Dačić, representatives of the political
opposition, civil society, and the Serbian Delegation to the
OSCE PA. I noted the excellent co-operation with the OSCE
Mission to Serbia, notably in the field of legislative reform
and encouraged meaningful dialogue between all political
factions to deliver concrete reforms.14
Report of the President of the OSCE Parliamentary Assembly
8
high-level-meetings-in-belgrade-osce-pa-president-and-secretary-general-emphasize-dialogue-co-operation-and-
reform
15
OSCE PA President Tsereteli and SG Montella build co-operation with Inter-Parliamentary Union in
Belgrade, 21 October 2019, https://www.oscepa.org/news-a-media/press-releases/press-2019/osce-pa-president-
tsereteli-and-sg-montella-build-co-operation-with-inter-parliamentary-union-in-belgrade
16
Situation in N. Syria must be urgently normalized to avoid another humanitarian crisis, says OSCE PA
President with Speaker of Turkish Parliament, 17 October 2019, https://www.oscepa.org/news-a-media/press-
releases/press-2019/situation-in-northern-syria-must-be-urgently-normalized-to-avoid-another-humanitarian-
crisis-says-osce-pa-president-with-speaker-of-turkish-parliament
17
Tsereteli and Montella meet European Parliament officials, highlight importance of OSCE-EU relations and
parliamentary diplomacy, 24 October 2019, https://www.oscepa.org/news-a-media/press-releases/press-
In Belgrade I also addressed the Inter-Parliamentary Union’s
141st
Assembly, speaking about the importance of
parliamentary diplomacy and strengthening international law.
Together with Secretary General Montella, we had an
interesting meeting with Martin Chungong, Secretary General
of the IPU, for discussions on how to enhance co-operation
between the OSCE PA and the IPU.15
I exchanged with a number of parliamentary leaders on the
margins of the IPU Assembly, including with the President of
the Grand National Assembly of Turkey, Mustafa Şentop, as
Turkey carried military operations in Northern Syria.
Notwithstanding the complex issues involved, particularly
terrorism and border control, I emphasized the need to
normalize the situation in northeastern Syria and expressed
hope for a quick end to the military operations. The Turkish
Speaker provided useful information on Turkey’s actions and
objectives in Syria.16
With Secretary General Montella, we were in Strasbourg later
that month and met with Klara Dobrev, Vice President of the
European Parliament, and the Chair of the European
Parliament’s Committee on Foreign Affairs, David
McAllister, to discuss OSCE-EU relations as well as common
challenges of the European continent. We agreed on the need
to enhance co-operation between the OSCE PA and the
European Parliament and invest more on joint projects,
including on election observation and conflict prevention
efforts. On the margins, we held useful meetings with a
number of MEPs from across the region and also met with
former members of the OSCE PA leadership, including then-
Commissioner Christos Stylianides and MEPs Isabel Santos,
Ignacio Sanchez Amor, Tonino Picula and Roman Haider.17
Report of the President of the OSCE Parliamentary Assembly
9
2019/president-tsereteli-and-sg-montella-meet-european-parliament-officials-highlighting-importance-of-osce-
eu-relations-and-of-parliamentary-diplomacy
18
Restoring citizens’ trust a key responsibility of parliamentarians, says Tsereteli at European Conference of
Presidents of Parliament, 25 October 2019, https://www.oscepa.org/news-a-media/press-releases/press-
2019/restoring-citizens-trust-a-key-responsibility-of-parliamentarians-says-tsereteli-at-european-conference-of-
presidents-of-parliament-in-strasbourg
19
Three decades after historic changes in Europe, PA President stresses effective multilateralism in speech to
OSCE Permanent Council, 31 October 2019, https://www.oscepa.org/news-a-media/press-releases/press-
2019/three-decades-after-historic-changes-in-europe-president-tsereteli-underlines-need-for-efthree-decades-
after-historic-changes-in-europe-president-tsereteli-underlines-need-for-effective-multilateralism-in-speech-to-
osce-permanent-councilfective-multilateralism-in-speech-to-osce-permanent-council
In Strasbourg, I also took part in the European Conference of
Presidents of Parliament, hosted by the Parliamentary
Assembly of the Council of Europe. The event, which
gathered Speakers of Parliament from 47 countries on the
Eurasian continent, provided an opportunity for productive
discussions on common challenges in the region and on the
role of parliaments and parliamentary diplomacy in
international relations.
On the margins of the conference, we met with the President
of the Parliamentary Assembly of the Council of Europe,
Liliane Maury Pasquier, the Secretary General of PACE,
Wojciech Sawicki, and with the Secretary General of the
Council of Europe, Marija Pejcinovic Buric. Our discussions
underlined the excellent co-operation between our
organization, as well the challenges we face in addressing
effectively current political and security issues.18
At the very end of the month, I delivered my fourth address to
the OSCE Permanent Council in Vienna, where I appealed to
strengthen co-operation between all OSCE institutions in an
effort to close the gap between what governments have
committed to and what they do in practice. I underlined
specifically the importance of conflict resolution in order to
ensure security and peaceful development for the people in all
OSCE countries. In this context, I highlighted the Assembly’s
efforts in Ukraine, where OSCE parliamentarians have offered
assistance to those who are ready to engage in conflict
settlement and worked to raise awareness about human
suffering in the conflict-affected areas. I also drew attention to
the suffering of Georgians as a consequence of the continued
illegal occupation of territories of their country, and the urgent
need for progress regarding the Nagorno-Karabakh Conflict.19
Report of the President of the OSCE Parliamentary Assembly
10
20
High-level OSCE PA visit to Egypt highlights security, individual freedoms and Mediterranean co-operation,
8 November 2019, https://www.oscepa.org/news-a-media/press-releases/press-2019/high-level-osce-pa-visit-to-
egypt-highlights-security-individual-freedoms-and-mediterranean-co-operation
21
OSCE PA President and SG visit Albania for discussions on 2020 OSCE Chairmanship, domestic reforms and
foreign policy priorities, 19 November 2019, https://www.oscepa.org/news-a-media/press-releases/press-
2019/osce-pa-president-and-secretary-general-visit-albania-for-discussions-on-2020-osce-albanian-
chairmanship-domestic-reforms-and-foreign-policy-priorities
November 2018
Following up on the success of our Autumn Meeting in
Morocco, I was in Egypt with Vice-President Pascal Allizard,
our Special Representative on Mediterranean Affairs, and
Secretary General Roberto Montella for the first visit by an
OSCE PA delegation since 2009. In Cairo, we met the
Speaker of the House of Representatives, Ali Abdel Aal
Sayyed Ahmed, and we held talks with Deputy Foreign
Minister Hamdi Loza, as well as the Assistant Ministers in
charge of Human Rights, Parliamentary Affairs, and
Multilateral Affairs. We all agreed that stronger ties between
both sides of the Mediterranean Sea are necessary to tackle
security challenges in the OSCE area, including the fight
against radicalization and terrorism, and the migrant and
refugee crisis. We also met with Coptic Pope Tawadros II to
exchange on the role of interfaith dialogue in promoting
stability in Egypt. This visit was essential to nurturing
personal relationships with our Partners for Co-operation,
which are key to better understanding the realities on the
ground and to build the trust necessary to work together.20
In preparation for Albania’s Chairmanship of the OSCE in
2020, I was in Tirana with Secretary General Montella to meet
the President of the Republic, Ilir Meta, the Prime Minister,
Edi Rama, the Speaker of the Assembly, Gramoz Ruci, as well
as members of the Assembly and with representatives of the
political opposition. This was the occasion to reiterate our full
support for Albania’s endeavour and to welcome the
government’s commitment to nurture the OSCE in a spirit of
collective responsibility. I also encouraged all political forces
to join efforts in contributing to the country’s commitment to
guide the OSCE in 2020.21
To close the month, I visited Yerevan for meetings with Prime
Minister Nikol Pashinyan, Speaker Ararat Mirzoyan, Foreign
Minister Zohrab Mnatsakanyan, and Members of the
Armenian Delegation to the OSCE PA led by Hayk
Report of the President of the OSCE Parliamentary Assembly
11
22
Democratic reforms and regional dialogue at crux of OSCE PA President's visit to Yerevan, 27 November
2019, https://www.oscepa.org/news-a-media/press-releases/press-2019/democratic-reforms-and-regional-
dialogue-at-crux-of-osce-pa-president-s-visit-to-yerevan
23
Political leaders must unleash OSCE’s potential to benefit citizens, PA President Tsereteli says at Bratislava
Ministerial Council, 5 December 2019, https://www.oscepa.org/news-a-media/press-releases/press-
2019/political-leaders-must-unleash-osce-s-potential-to-benefit-citizens-pa-president-tsereteli-says-at-bratislava-
ministerial-council
Konjoryan. We had interesting exchanges on the deep and
comprehensive reforms launched by Armenia following a
peaceful transition of power in 2018, and I welcomed
sustained efforts to firmly establish democratic institutions
and practices in the country. I encouraged our Armenian
colleagues to continue working closely with all OSCE
institutions, and I offered the assistance of the Assembly's
Special Representatives and Rapporteurs on relevant issues
such as the fight against corruption, engagement with civil
society, or combating disinformation.
Our meetings in Yerevan further offered an opportunity to
discuss the status of negotiations in the Nagorno-Karabakh
conflict and assess the added value of parliamentary
diplomacy in this context. We all agreed on the need to build
mutual confidence and refrain from inflammatory public
statements in order to foster an environment conducive to
greater regional co-operation.22
December 2018
Our Bureau met in Bratislava prior to the OSCE Ministerial
Council for productive discussions on our work and our
priorities for 2020. We also used this opportunity to organize
a separate discussion on the reform of our Rules of Procedure,
considering the issues that arose during our Luxembourg
Annual Session.
In my remarks to OSCE Ministers, I deplored the continued
shortcoming in the implementation of OSCE commitments
and called on political leaders to demonstrate resolve in joint
efforts to overcome conflicts and other challenges. I
underlined that recent tangible achievements in Ukraine were
a sign of hope that progress can be made with the help of the
OSCE, but that in several countries, anti-democratic attempts
to consolidate state power limit what the OSCE can do. I
above-all stressed that it has become necessary to renew
obligations to provide real security.23
Report of the President of the OSCE Parliamentary Assembly
12
24
In Kyiv, OSCE PA delegation encourages Ukraine to implement Normandy Four commitments to maintain
conflict resolution momentum, 19 December 2019, https://www.oscepa.org/news-a-media/press-releases/press-
2019/in-kyiv-osce-pa-delegation-encourages-ukraine-to-implement-commitments-made-by-normandy-four-
leaders-to-maintain-momentum-toward-conflict-resolution
I further discussed developments in Ukraine during a visit
Kyiv in mid-December, accompanied by human rights
committee Chair Kyriakos Hadjiyianni (Cyprus) and
economic and environmental committee Rapporteur Elona
Gjebrea Hoxha (Albania). This was the sixth time that a PA
delegation visited Ukraine in 2019, underlining the high
priority we have attached to the conflict.
In discussions with the Chair of the Verkhovna Rada, Dmytro
Razumkov, Foreign Minister Vadym Prystaiko, members of
Ukraine’s OSCE PA Delegation and the Foreign Affairs
Committee, as well as the leaders of two parliamentary
groups, David Arakhamia and Artur Gerasymov, we also
explored ways the Assembly can continue to support Ukraine
as well as the incoming OSCE Albanian Chairmanship’s
priorities. We welcomed the resumption of dialogue between
the leaders of Ukraine and the Russian Federation and the
outcomes of a recent Normandy Four summit in Paris, and we
expressed our continued support for a full and comprehensive
ceasefire, additional disengagement zones, exchange of
detainees, and further humanitarian and confidence-building
measures to advance efforts to restore peace and Ukraine’s
territorial integrity in eastern parts of the country.
We also met again with the Chief Monitor of the OSCE
Special Monitoring Mission, Ambassador Cevik, and Deputy
Chief Monitor Antje Grawe, to be briefed about the challenges
the SMM faces. We commended the crucial role the SMM
continues to play in the disengagement process through
dialogue facilitation, as well as reporting and verification at
all stages of the process. We also stressed that it is imperative
that the SMM gets unhindered access to effectively monitor
all areas.24
I closed 2019 by serving as the Special Co-ordinator and
leader of the OSCE short-term observers for the election
observation mission to Uzbekistan. This was the first time that
the OSCE PA observed elections in Uzbekistan, after several
years of good co-operation with our Uzbek colleagues. We
Report of the President of the OSCE Parliamentary Assembly
13
25
Important progress in election legislation could not offset lack of real contest in Uzbekistan’s parliamentary
elections, international observers say, 23 December 2019, https://www.oscepa.org/news-a-media/press-
releases/press-2019/important-progress-in-election-legislation-could-not-offset-lack-of-real-contest-in-
uzbekistan-s-parliamentary-elections-international-observers-say
26
OSCE PA members pay tribute to 22 July 2011 victims in Norway, stress need for effective counter-terrorism
strategies, 15 January 2020, https://www.oscepa.org/news-a-media/press-releases/2020/osce-pa-members-pay-
tribute-to-22-july-2011-victims-in-norway-stress-need-for-effective-counter-terrorism-strategies
welcomed improvements to Uzbekistan’s election law and
greater acceptance of freedom of expression, but the absence
of opposition parties, a continuing lack of respect for
fundamental rights, and some serious irregularities on election
day underlined that much work remains. We saw that the
wide-scale reforms being pursued by the authorities in
Uzbekistan have had a real and direct impact on these
elections, but democratic development requires increased
competition and respect for basic rights and freedoms, and we
look forward to continuing our support for this process.25
January 2020
In the middle of January, I joined Members of the Ad Hoc
Committee on Countering Terrorism (CCT) in Norway. This
was an emotional visit which paid tribute to the 77 victims of
the July 2011 attack in Utøya and Oslo. I noted that at times
of increasing political divides and rising extremist ideologies,
it is important to be extremely vigilant not to lose sight of our
common goal to protect citizens from any terrorist threats.
Our discussions with members of the Storting (Norwegian
Parliament), including its President, the Prime Minister, the
Minister of Justice and Public Security, the Minister of
Environment, the Mayor of Oslo, the Norwegian Correctional
Services and the Norwegian Police Security Services, outlined
how the Norwegian criminal justice system and legislative
framework have been improved to address emerging threats.
This encouraged us to work together to harmonize legislation
among OSCE countries and improve mechanisms for data
exchange.
Our inspiring exchanges with members of the Workers Youth
League (AUF) and family members of victims of the 22 July
attack also compelled us to redouble our dedication to
democracy and tolerance, and do everything in our power to
ensure that such cruel acts of violence do not happen again.26
Report of the President of the OSCE Parliamentary Assembly
14
27
Overarching goal of Parliamentary Assembly to help overcome differences, says President Tsereteli in
address to OSCE Permanent Council, 16 January 2020, https://www.oscepa.org/news-a-media/press-
releases/2020/overarching-goal-of-parliamentary-assembly-to-help-overcome-differences-says-president-
tsereteli-in-address-to-osce-permanent-council
28
Implementation of OSCE commitments is key to achieving credibility and trust in newly elected parliament,
said President Tsereteli visiting Azerbaijan, 31 January 2020, https://www.oscepa.org/news-a-media/press-
releases/2020/implementation-of-osce-commitments-is-key-to-achieving-credibility-and-trust-in-newly-elected-
parliament-said-president-tsereteli-visiting-azerbaijan
I was then in Vienna for my fifth and final address the OSCE
Permanent Council. There, I reiterated the PA’s support for
the priorities of the Albanian OSCE Chairmanship and
expressed appreciation for Chair-in-Office Edi Rama’s stated
intention to further strengthening the Chairmanship’s work
with parliamentarians.
While the OSCE region continues to suffer from serious
disagreements on key political and security issues, I
underlined that multilateralism is the only way forward, and
pledged the continued efforts of our Parliamentary Assembly
in support of that objective.27
Ahead of the country’s early parliamentary elections, I was in
Azerbaijan for a series of high-level meetings with President
Ilha Aliyev and Speaker Ogtay Asadov, as well as other
officials, electoral stakeholders and representatives of
political parties. I stressed the importance of a transparent and
competitive election to enable voters to fully enjoy their
fundamental rights, to uphold Azerbaijan’s commitment to
OSCE principles, and to produce a representative parliament
able to support Baku’s ambitious reform agenda.28
February 2020
To begin February, I was in Washington, DC with Secretary
General Montella for a series of engagements, starting with a
seminar on “Future Leadership for Political inclusion in the
OSCE Region” hosted by the U.S. Helsinki Commission. I
found this to be an excellent opportunity to follow up on a call
made by our Assembly during our Berlin Annual Session to
establish a forum of young parliamentarians in order to foster
greater mutual trust between OSCE participating States.
Events like this strengthen the role of young leaders in the
OSCE region and in the world, and it is my wish that we
Report of the President of the OSCE Parliamentary Assembly
15
29
Young parliamentarians gather in Washington D.C. to discuss the role of youth in leading responses to
emerging crises, 4 February 2020, https://www.oscepa.org/news-a-media/press-releases/2020/young-
parliamentarians-gather-in-washington-d-c-to-discuss-the-role-of-youth-in-leading-responses-to-emerging-
crises
30
President Tsereteli testifies in front of United States Helsinki Commission on the power of parliamentary
diplomacy, 6 February 2020, https://www.oscepa.org/news-a-media/press-releases/2020/president-tsereteli-
testifies-in-front-of-united-states-helsinki-commission-on-the-power-of-parliamentary-diplomacy
31
In Washington, OSCE PA President underlines need for multilateralism and transatlantic co-operation to
meet current challenges, 10 February 2020, https://www.oscepa.org/news-a-media/press-releases/2020/in-
washington-osce-pa-president-underlines-need-for-multilateralism-and-transatlantic-co-operation-to-meet-
current-challenges
explore effective ways to institutionalize this kind of
initiative.29
I also testified in front of the Helsinki Commission alongside
the acting President of the NATO Parliamentary Assembly,
Attila Mesterhazy, at a hearing on “The Power and Purpose of
Parliamentary Diplomacy.” I discussed the OSCE PA’s
activities, challenges and achievements, and ways OSCE
parliamentarians support and add value to the multilateral
diplomatic efforts of governments and OSCE institutions. Our
conversation discussed the role the Assembly plays in
upholding our shared principles, in promoting democratic
values, and in preventing and settling conflicts.30
I was able to
further present the work of our Assembly during a roundtable
discussion on “Strengthening Democracy, Security and
Transatlantic Cooperation” hosted by the German Marshall
Fund, where I noted interest in our response to the emerging
role of China in the international scene. Concerns over the
deployment of the 5G technology were also on display in a
forum on cyber security in South East Europe.
As part of this visit to Washington, Secretary General
Montella and I met with Members of Congress, officials from
the State Department, and Helsinki Commission staff to
discuss current priorities of the Assembly and efforts to ensure
security and stability in the OSCE region. I warmly welcomed
the leadership and engagement of the U.S. Congress and
government in the work of the OSCE and the OSCE PA,
including through the continued support of the U.S. Helsinki
Commission and the U.S. Permanent Mission to the OSCE.31
* * *
In this period, I have also made statements when the PA voice
needed to be heard.
Report of the President of the OSCE Parliamentary Assembly
16
32
President Tsereteli’s statement on developments in Kyrgyzstan, 9 August 2019,
https://www.oscepa.org/news-a-media/press-releases/press-2019/president-tsereteli-s-statement-on-
developments-in-kyrgyzstan
33
OSCE PA President Tsereteli expresses hope for positive developments in resolution of Ukraine conflict, 8
October 2019, https://www.oscepa.org/news-a-media/press-releases/press-2019/osce-pa-president-tsereteli-
expresses-hope-for-positive-developments-in-resolution-of-ukraine-conflict
In August 2019, I reacted to developments in Kyrgyzstan,
leading to the detention of former President Almazbek
Atambayev, and I encouraged the authorities and members of
the opposition to exercise restraint and for calm to be restored
in accordance with the country’s constitution and democratic
values. I reiterated our Parliamentary Assembly’s steadfast
commitment to support Kyrgyzstan’s democratic
consolidation and efforts to build a society based on law and
order. I also noted the need to continue strengthening
democratic institutions and the rule of law, especially as the
country prepares for parliamentary elections in 2020.32
In October 2019, I welcomed the recent initiatives by the
Russian Federation and Ukraine to agree on a roadmap for the
implementation of the Minsk Agreements, while underlining
the firm stance that the Assembly has upheld in defense of
Ukraine’s territorial integrity and sovereignty. I underlined
that the conflict will not be settled by military means, and that
the only way to alleviate human suffering in eastern Ukraine
is a step-by-step approach with further confidence-building
measures.33
* * *
As you will note from this exhaustive report, I have continued
to actively represent our Parliamentary Assembly throughout
the OSCE region to support our priorities and maximize the
impact of our activities. I highly value your personal
contributions towards our collective goals and I look forward
to continuing this important work with you in the coming
months.
George Tsereteli


REPORT OF SECRETARY GENERAL
ROBERTO MONTELLA
TO THE OSCE PARLIAMENTARY ASSEMBLY
STANDING COMMITTEE
Updated version – 13 Feb. 2020
VIENNA, 20 FEBRUARY 2020
OSCEs Parlamentariske Forsamling 2019-20
OSCE Alm.del - Bilag 12
Offentligt
Report of the Secretary General of the OSCE Parliamentary Assembly – 2020 Winter Meeting
1
The OSCE Parliamentary Assembly (PA) Winter Meeting, which takes place every February
in Vienna, allows the PA and its Members to meet, exchange views and build synergies with
the governmental side of our organization. The parliamentary and governmental sides of the
OSCE are complementary one to the other and I am particularly grateful for the mutual support
and excellent co-operation we have enjoyed in 2019 with the Slovak Chairmanship and we
now enjoy with the Albanian Chairmanship. The combination of their two slogans – “for
people, dialogue and stability” and “implementing commitments together” reflects very well
the role of the PA: leveraging on the added values of parliamentary diplomacy to revive
multilateralism and work for the benefit of our citizens who are, at the end of the day, the only
real end users of the “OSCE product”.
As I begin the last year of my first mandate as OSCE PA Secretary General and following the
decision of the Standing Committee in Luxemburg (July 2019) to grant me a second term from
January 2021, I would like to use the opportunity of this report to take stock of where our
Assembly is and share also some personal reflections on where it is heading to. To this
end, you can find attached to this report the document “Assess, Adapt, Advance: an
organization on the move” I have presented to the PA Bureau in December with a brief
overview of achievements during my first mandate.
I - Activities
Since my last official report at our Autumn Meeting in Marrakech in October 2019, the OSCE
PA has maintained a high pace of engagement. Outreach activities supported by the
International Secretariat took place every week, in addition to other routine work undertaken
by our staff. President Tsereteli conducted six official Visits (Serbia, Albania, Armenia,
Ukraine, Azerbaijan and the United States of America) and traveled across the region on
several other occasions to address or meet with OSCE counterparts as well as key
international partners, including the European Parliament, the Inter-Parliamentary
Union (IPU), the Council of Europe and its parliamentary assembly (PACE). This in
addition to the setting up and the running of three Election Observation Missions (Belarus,
Uzbekistan and Azerbaijan), in coordination with ODIHR and external partners. Moreover,
several Special Representatives held targeted meetings with respective stakeholders and
participated in a number of international conferences. The Ad Hoc Committee on Countering
Terrorism organized a visit to Norway and various other Members took part on behalf of the
Assembly in relevant international events. Particularly through the Vienna Liaison Office, we
have also continued to ensure an extensive PA participation at all levels in OSCE events,
including the Ministerial Council, the Annual Meeting of the Chairmanship with Institutions
and Field Operations, the Annual Anti-Semitism Conference, and many others.
Report of the Secretary General of the OSCE Parliamentary Assembly – 2020 Winter Meeting
2
A comprehensive list of activities undertaken during the reporting period is annexed to the
report for easy reference.
II – Achievements and Objectives
Without entering into the merit of each one of the above-mentioned activities, which I leave to
the reports of those directly concerned, I would like to highlight two major results: firstly, our
recognized presence on a wide range of key topics on the international security agenda and,
secondly, our excellent co-operation and interaction with OSCE participating States, executive
structures and Institutions.
As a matter of fact, the increased engagement of our Bureau members and the new impetus
given by our President with the appointment of Special Representatives have, from an
operational perspective, complemented the valuable work of our General Committees and
allowed the Assembly to position itself as a stakeholder on a number of important
international priorities. Interestingly enough, the Assembly’s efforts and dedication have
created a virtuous circle: on the one side, they have generated interest and broad recognition
regarding the added value of parliamentary diplomacy – the testimonies of our President in
front of the US Helsinki Commission, the expressed determination and generosity of
participating States to host our statutory meetings and other conferences, as well as the signing
of a Memorandum of Understanding with the UN Office for Countering Terrorism are just a
few of many other illustrative examples. On the other side, they are in turn also demanding us
to increase our targets. This is a privilege and a great achievement which however also bears
responsibilities, which I will refer to later in the report.
The second noteworthy achievement is the excellent co-operation we continue to enjoy with
the OSCE executive structures. The general perception regarding the added value of our
Parliamentary Assembly is increasing. We will therefore continue to complement the work of
the Governmental branch with sense of collective responsibility and in a non-competitive mode
so as to maximize the OSCE’s overarching response to the wide array of challenges inflicting
upon the OSCE region. Such a co-operation takes place on a daily basis at multiple levels,
including through the Vienna Liaison Office. It is often made of silent diplomacy, but it is a
tireless work that ensures that the OSCE family is acting and delivering to its citizens as one
organization. Some examples include regular coordination meetings on key political and
programmatic issues, joint statements and projects, the one side looking for the other to add
value to its activities, reciprocal feedbacks on outcomes of high-level visits and other important
events, and our active participation in the OSCE early warning focal points network. In this
spirit, I will myself host in August an informal retreat of OSCE Heads of Institution, who I
thank for the excellent relationship we enjoy, with the aim of addressing, in an honest and
brainstorming fashion, the state of the organization and its way forward.
Report of the Secretary General of the OSCE Parliamentary Assembly – 2020 Winter Meeting
3
I assess this as a very good standpoint for the OSCE PA and I am proud of the cruising speed
we have reached. However, especially in the light of the new achievements, we have to work
on its sustainability, and, to this end, further strategic planning is needed for the longer
term.
The growth of our activities is continuing to challenge our finances and human resources. Being
present simultaneously on a wide spectrum of stages is something we want to preserve and, if
possible, strengthen. However, it is key for us to identify our priorities and focus our
commitment in those activities where the PA can truly provide a distinct parliamentary added
value. This is why, during our recent Bureau Meeting in Bratislava in December, I have asked
our political leadership for guidance: we reached a good level of engagement, but we now have
to maintain the pace and optimize our impact. The potential of the OSCE PA is huge for three
reasons: two are permanent features, and are the general service of parliamentary diplomacy to
provide a useful platform for dialogue, especially in the current challenging geopolitical
scenario, and the ability to mobilize national Parliaments, leveraging on their institutional
oversight and legislative functions, to promote the visibility of the OSCE and to support the
implementation of international commitments, including PA resolutions; the third is a
contingent one, namely the capability of our Assembly to step in and play a more important
role given the current challenges affecting the OSCE governmental side - abuse of
consensus rule and high mistrust between participating States - which is preventing the
organization from taking many decisions of the utmost importance, including adopting a
budget.
Longer term projects based on the comparative advantage of the PA are currently being studied
by my staff. For instance, we are planning to set up a project to work more intensively at the
parliamentary level, including with national delegations, on post-EOM recommendations,
particularly in the legislative field. We are also analyzing the possibility of organizing visits
of our Members to OSCE Field Operations in order to explore how we could provide a
stronger contribution to the work of the OSCE on the ground. These are just two of the many
examples of how we could continue to boost or activities while at the same time being more
targeted.
III – Administration
As you will read more in detail in the report of our Treasurer, for the second year in a row all
57 OSCE participating States have contributed to our yearly budget in a timely fashion and I
am extremely grateful for the continued support we receive from all Parliaments in our
Assembly.
Report of the Secretary General of the OSCE Parliamentary Assembly – 2020 Winter Meeting
4
Following our two last Annual Sessions in Berlin and Luxembourg, the Assembly is
undergoing a process of revision and clarification of its Rules of Procedure and the
International Secretariat has continued to work hard to support Lord Peter Bowness, Vice-
President and Chair of the Sub-Committee on the Rules of Procedure and Working Practices,
to this end. The Sub-Committee, in its new composition, met in Bratislava in December to
discuss a number of issues particularly related to quorum procedures and supplementary items.
The Sub-Committee has subsequently put forward proposed changes related to supplementary
items for consideration by the Standing Committee during this Winter Meeting, which would
enable them to enter into force by the upcoming Annual Session in Vancouver.
As far as human resources are concerned, I wish to share several updates. Following the
retirement of Deputy Secretary General Semyon Dzakhaev in December 2019, I have entrusted
our Special Representative in Vienna, Ambassador Andreas Nothelle, with the title and
functions of Deputy Secretary General ad interim until the process of appointing a successor,
in line with the Rules of Procedure, will be completed. Moreover, at the beginning of this year
we have welcomed in our Vienna Liaison Office Ambassador Miodrag Panceski, a long-
serving career diplomat with extensive OSCE experience, including in the framework of the
2015 OSCE Chairmanship, who will serve as Chief Diplomatic Advisor, and Ms. Hana
Dogovic, previously human rights officer in the OSCE Mission to Kosovo, who assumed her
duties as Programme Officer (JPO). Furthermore, Ms. Stephanie Koltchanov had joined
our staff in Copenhagen in October as Election Officer, while Ms. Anzhelika Ivanishcheva
assumed office in December as Media Support Officer, and Ms. Freyja Koci will join the
Office of the Secretary General from March. Together with these five new entries, I have
continued to optimize human resources within the International Secretariat, with some further
position adjustments that try to balance growing needs with available resources.
In the coming months, acknowledging the both mentioned general increase of PA activities
and the unprecedented level of interaction with OSCE executive structures, we are planning to
find new premises for our Vienna Liaison Office, which is increasingly becoming a neuralgic
center for our work.
IV – Upcoming months
The months ahead of us will continue to be engaging and demanding, leading us towards our
Annual Session, the most important yearly event for the Assembly, which will take place from
3 to 7 July in Vancouver, Canada. 2020 will also be a record year in terms of election
observation missions, with other ten being currently planned (among the confirmed ones:
Serbia, North Macedonia, Belarus, Montenegro, Kyrgyzstan, Moldova, Georgia, United
Report of the Secretary General of the OSCE Parliamentary Assembly – 2020 Winter Meeting
5
States). Our Special Representative on fighting Corruption is organizing an important
parliamentary conference on the topic in May in Cyprus, while the German Delegation is
working hard for the annual Leinsweiler Seminar, yet another opportunity for parliamentary
dialogue. Our President and his Special Representatives also have a busy agenda and the
International Secretariat will, as usual, spare no efforts in supporting all such activities.
--
In conclusion, I wish to express my gratitude to all the Members of the Bureau, the Standing
Committee and the numerous Members of Delegations with whom I continue to enjoy a
personal interaction and I thank them for approaching me with advice, suggestions, and
proposals. I greatly value such personal interactions as well as the friendly environment we
managed to build in our Assembly. I would also like to express my gratitude to all the members
of the Staff in Copenhagen and Vienna, including our Research Assistants, for their
commitment, professionality and teamwork. We will continue to ensure that the priorities set
by our political leadership are duly addressed and implemented, and that co-operation with all
our partners and stakeholders – both inside and outside the OSCE framework – runs smoothly
and productively.
Report of the Secretary General of the OSCE Parliamentary Assembly – 2020 Winter Meeting
6
Annex I – OSCE PA Activities during the reporting period October 2019 – February 2020
Presidential and SG Visit to Serbia 14-16 Oct. 2019
President Address to the IPU 17 Oct. 2019
Presidential and SG Visit to Europ. Parliament, PACE, Council of Europe 23-25 Oct. 2019
President Address to the European Conference of Speakers of Parliament 24 Oct. 2019
Vice-Presidential Address to Nordic Council, Stockholm 30 Oct. 2019
Special Representative on Arctic Issues meetings with Nordic Council 30 Oct. 2019
President Address to the OSCE Permanent Council 31 Oct. 2019
President, SG and Special Representative on Mediterranean Visit to Egypt 5-6 Nov. 2019
Needs Assessment Mission (electoral) to Serbia 11-16 Nov. 2019
Special Rep. on fighting Corruption Visit to OECD and Council of Europe 11-14 Nov. 2019
Ad Hoc Com. on count. Terrorism Address to OSCE Security Committee 11 Nov. 2019
SG Meeting with the OSCE High Commissioner on National Minorities 13 Nov. 2019
SG Meeting with the OSCE CiO Pers. Representative on Anti-Semitism 13 Nov. 2019
SG Address to the HCNM Conference in Lund on National Minorities 14 Nov. 2019
Election Observation Mission to Belarus 14-18 Nov. 2019
Presidential and SG Visit to Albania 18 Nov. 2019
Statutory pre-assessment Visit to Bucharest (Annual Session 2021) 19-21 Nov. 2019
Participation in ODIHR meeting on election observation organization 20-21 Nov. 2019
Presidential Visit to Armenia 25-26 Nov. 2019
CCT Contribution to PAM countering terrorism conference, Rome 29 Nov. 2019
Meeting of PA Sub-Com. on Rules of Procedure and Working practices 4 Dec. 2019
OSCE PA Bureau Meeting 4 Dec. 2019
OSCE Ministerial Council 5-6 Dec. 2019
Statutory Meeting Pre-Assessment Visit to Dublin (Autumn Meeting 21) 9-11 Dec. 2019
Needs Assessment Mission (electoral) to Tajikistan 9-12 Dec. 2019
Special Representative on Arctic Issues Address to PACE Meeting 16 Dec. 2019
Presidential Visit to Ukraine 17-18 Dec. 2019
Election Observation Mission to Uzbekistan 19-23 Dec. 2019
Opening of OSCE 2020 Albanian Chairmanship and related meetings 9-10 Jan. 2020
Ad Hoc Committee on Countering Terrorism Visit to Norway 14-15 Jan. 2020
3rd
Committee leadership Visit to the Bundestag, Berlin 15 Jan. 2020
President Address to the OSCE Permanent Council 16 Jan. 2020
Special Rapporteur on Digital Agenda Visit to Denmark 20-21 Jan. 2020
Presidential Visit to Azerbaijan 30-31 Jan. 2020
Signature of Memorandum of Understanding with UNOCT 3 Feb. 2020
US Seminar for Young Parliamentarians 3-4 Feb. 2020
Presidential and SG Visit to the United States of America 3-7 Feb. 2020
Vice-Presidential Address to OSCE Chairm. Anti-Semitism Conference 4-5 Feb
Election Observation Mission to Azerbaijan 5-10 Feb. 2020
Contribution to the OSCE-UNOCT Conference on FTFs, Vienna 11 Feb. 2020
Special Rep on fighting Corruption contribution to EEF prep. meeting 17-18 Feb. 2020
This table refers to the outreach activities conducted by the International Secretariat autonomously or
in direct support to PA Members. It does not include daily and office-based work on a number of further
projects and activities. It also does not include the daily liaison work conducted in Vienna and the active
participation in the OSCE Permanent Council and its committees, the Forum for Security and Co-
operation (FSC), and several other OSCE conferences and working groups.
Report of the Secretary General of the OSCE Parliamentary Assembly – 2020 Winter Meeting
7
Annex II – “Assess, Adapt, Advance: on Organization on the move” OSCE PA 2016-2019
Co-operation
o Excellent co-operation and regular exchanges with OSCE executive
structures at all levels (coordination on activities, positions, statements,
etc., reciprocal invitations to meetings, PA in ministerial documents)
o Excellent co-operation with EOM partners (reforms in EOM
coordination, informal brainstorming, exchanges, etc., leadership role
well recognized)
o External Co-operation: regular exchanges with partner organizations
and concrete steps (e.g. MoU with UNOCT)
Targeted activities
o Two “ad hoc” Committees to deal with current crucial issues (migration
and terrorism)
o Special Representatives and Rapporteurs dealing with emerging
pressing issues in the political debate (5 new ones in the last year:
combating corruption, Arctic issues, Digital Agenda, Fake news and
disinformation, Civil Society engagement)
o Distinct parliamentary contributions (e.g. oversight initiative on
terrorism, HDIM side event)
Engagement
o Every week at least one OSCE PA member or official is engaged in a public
activity
o Consistent high participation to statutory meetings and election
observation missions
o Request to change standard agendas and meeting formats to allow more
time/room for debate due to highest demand
Reachout
o First time organizing a PA statutory meeting in a Partner State
(Morocco)
o New areas of election observation (e.g. Mongolia, Uzbekistan, Italy,
Germany)
Report of the Secretary General of the OSCE Parliamentary Assembly – 2020 Winter Meeting
8
o Continued careful attention to contribution of small states (e.g. San
Marino: hosting AM, Special Rapporteur and Presidential visit; Andorra
hosting AM; Presidential visit to the Holy See)
Internal Reforms
o Rules of procedure (ongoing process): continuous revision and
adaptation
o EOM Code of Conduct and guidelines: more transparency
o Gender (objective of bridging gender gap – individuation of a gender
mainstreaming strategy to be implemented in the Secretariat, Bureau,
EOMs, etc. – e.g. success in EOMs leadership – women 50% in last two
years)
o New Staff Rules
o New Financial rules and regulations
Staff
o 4 Secondments
o Introduction of Junior Professional Officers (2)
o Staff structure reform (departments, lines of reporting, etc.)
o MoU with OSCE Academy in Bishkek regarding Internships
o Staff participation to OSCE and external training programmes
Media
o New Media strategy (philosophy of amplifying Members’ voices
through press releases, increased focus on social media channels,
increased production of profession videos, including video news releases
e.g. EOM Belarus)
o OSCE PA App
o Modern redesign of website, brochures and News from Copenhagen


_________________
Tordenskjoldsgade 1, 1055 Copenhagen K., Denmark
Phone: +45 33 37 80 40 - Fax: +45 33 37 80 30 - OSCEPA@oscepa.dk - www.oscepa.org
PROPOSED AMENDMENTS
TO THE RULES OF PROCEDURE
Standing Committee
20 February 2020
OSCEs Parlamentariske Forsamling 2019-20
OSCE Alm.del - Bilag 12
Offentligt
In Rule 21, adjust paragraph 2 as follows:
RULE 21
Supplementary Items
…
2. If more than one supplementary item is presented on the same issue, the President may ask the
principal sponsors of the draft resolutions on the same issue to hold consultations in order to
present a compromise draft resolution. If such a compromise draft resolution is received at the
Secretariat at least fourteen days before the opening of the first plenary session with signatures
of the principal sponsors and at least ten signatories of each of the two or more draft resolutions
in question, it shall be presented to the Annual Session as a supplementary item and all other of
the original draft resolutions on the same issue shall fall. The principal sponsors of the draft
resolutions which was received first shall be the principal co-sponsors of the compromise draft
resolution, listed according to alphabetical order. If there is no agreement on a compromise
draft resolution, the original draft resolutions shall proceed to the Standing Committee for
decisions whether to include one or more of them on the agenda of the Annual Session, in
accordance with Rule 21.1. draft resolution which was received first shall be presented to the
Annual Session and others on the same issue shall fall.
_________
Reasoning:
• The current requirement that the sponsor of the item received first is the sole sponsor of the
compromise item is somewhat arbitrary. Including the names of all those who have contributed
as principal co-sponsors is more appropriate and gives recognition to all those involved.
• Similarly, the current requirement that the first item submitted receives precedence if no
compromise is reached is also arbitrary and does not enable taking account of the relative merits
of the drafts. It is suggested that if no compromise is reached, both (or all) items are considered
in the normal procedure by the Standing Committee, which shall decide if any / all proceed.
In Rule 21, adjust paragraph 3 as follows:
RULE 21
Supplementary Items
1. The agenda of the Annual Session may be supplemented by an item or a motion on any matter
within the competence of the OSCE, which does not relate directly to subjects proposed by
the General Rapporteurs to the three General Committees. Such a supplementary item shall be
in the form of a draft resolution with signatures of at least twenty Members representing at
least four different countries. In addition, a Member of the Assembly cannot be a co-sponsor
of more than four supplementary items. The first signatory of a supplementary item will be its
principal sponsor. A supplementary item must be received by the Secretariat after the General
Rapporteurs have submitted their reports, but at least 35 days before the opening of the first
plenary session. The Standing Committee may place only fifteen supplementary items on the
agenda of the Annual Session. The Standing Committee shall decide by a two-thirds majority
of the votes cast whether to include a supplementary item on the agenda of the Annual
Session, subject to the following provision. If more than fifteen supplementary items receive
a two-thirds majority in the Standing Committee, a ballot shall be held to determine which
items are placed on the agenda. Each member of the Standing Committee present shall have
no more than fifteen votes. The fifteen supplementary items receiving the highest number of
votes shall be placed on the agenda of the Annual Session. The Standing Committee shall
then decide by a majority of votes cast whether to refer a supplementary item to the
competent Committee or to submit it to the plenary. In any discussion under this paragraph,
debate shall be limited to one speaker against if any of placing the supplementary item on the
agenda of the Annual Session (or of referring the item to the Plenary or to the Competent
Committee), and one speaker in favour. Each speaker may speak for no more than two
minutes.
2. …
3. Supplementary Items which obtain the level of support required by Rule 21.1 and obtain the
two-thirds majority support to be placed on the agenda of the Annual Session but which are
nonetheless not placed on the agenda following balloting and have no amendments meeting
the requirements of Rule 22.1, but which are not placed on the agenda of the Annual
Session by the Standing Committee under rule 21.1, shall be referred directly to the
plenary or competent Committee. The principal sponsor of such an item or in case of absence
of the principal sponsor another sponsor may speak for one minute in support, another
member may speak for one minute against, and immediately thereafter it shall be put to the
vote without further debate. Such items shall not be amendable. If carried the item shall be
included in the final document.
_________
Reasoning:
• This is simply a clarification of the existing rule, intended to eliminate ambiguous language.


ADDRESS BY
DR. HEDY FRY
SPECIAL REPRESENTATIVE ON GENDER ISSUES
TO THE OSCE PARLIAMENTARY ASSEMBLY
19TH
WINTER MEETING
20–21 FEBRUARY 2020
VIENNA, AUSTRIA
CHECK AGAINST DELIVERY
OSCEs Parlamentariske Forsamling 2019-20
OSCE Alm.del - Bilag 12
Offentligt
1
INTRODUCTION
Good afternoon. I’m thrilled to be speaking to you today in my capacity as the Special Representative on
Gender Issues for the Organization for Security and Co-operation in Europe Parliamentary Assembly
(OSCE PA). As we embark on this new decade, I note that 2020 marks an especially important year for
gender equality. It represents the 20th
anniversary of United Nations Security Council Resolution
(UNSCR) 1325 on Women, Peace and Security, the first of its kind that recognized the necessity of
including women in decision-making processes at all stages of conflict. UNSCR 1325 has provided a
blueprint for the OSCE’s ongoing work in this area.1
This year also marks the 25th
anniversary of the
Beijing Declaration and Platform for Action signed by 189 countries, the first major international
agreement dedicated exclusively to advancing the rights of women and girls.2
As I reflect on my ten
years as Special Representative and on these important anniversaries, I recognize and applaud the
significant strides and improvements the OSCE PA and its participating States have made in the pursuit
of gender equality. However, significant challenges remain and must be addressed.
In my remarks to you today, I will provide updates on various issues relevant to my mandate. Then, I
will share some initial ideas for the 2020 gender report, which I will present at the 2020 Annual Session
in my home town of Vancouver, Canada.
DEVELOPMENTS IN THE ORGANIZATION FOR SECURITY
AND CO-OPERATION IN EUROPE
Since my remarks to you last year, there have been numerous developments related to gender equality
within the OSCE and its operations that I would like to highlight. First, in July 2019 OSCE Secretary
General Thomas Greminger presented the 2018 Annual Progress Report on the Implementation of the
OSCE 2004 Action Plan on the Promotion of Gender Equality to the organization’s Permanent Council.3
The report noted several areas of progress regarding gender equality in the organization, including:
• the release of the OSCE-led Survey on the Well-being and Safety of Women, which provides much-
needed data on the prevalence of violence against women in South-eastern and Eastern Europe;
• the production of the documentary film A Dark Place by the OSCE Representative on Freedom of
the Media, which highlights the experiences of female journalists affected by online harassment;
• an increase in efforts to combat sexual harassment and sexual exploitation and abuse within the
organization and its various activities;
• ongoing gender mainstreaming training of OSCE staff;
• the development of the OSCE Gender Parity Strategy 2019–2026, with the goal of achieving gender
parity across all levels of the OSCE by 2026; and
• the banning of male-only panels at OSCE events.
1
United Nations [UN] Security Council, Resolution 1325 (2000), 31 October 2000.
2
UN, Beijing Declaration and Platform for Action, 15 September 1995.
3
Organization for Security and Co-operation in Europe [OSCE], 2018 Annual Progress Report on the Implementation of the OSCE
2004 Action Plan on the Promotion of Gender Equality.
2
These and other advances in the quest for gender equality are terrific achievements and should be
applauded. There remains, however, continued room for improvement. For example, although the OSCE
has almost reached gender parity, with 52% of staff being male and 48% being female, there continues to
be a distinct lack of women in positions of senior management and as heads of missions. Women are also
underrepresented in seconded positions, due to a lack of female nominations for these roles on the part of
participating States.4
I reiterate the OSCE’s call in the 2018 annual progress report to participating States
to nominate more women for these important posts.
I would also like to welcome Albania as this year’s OSCE Chair. I was pleased to see that the Albanian
Chairmanship intends to focus significant energy on gender issues, notably combating violence against
women and promoting the role of women in peace and security.5
I am hopeful that these initiatives will
focus on empowering women, including them in decision-making processes and moving beyond the
harmful narrative that women are victims in need of saving. I look forward to a renewed and increased
focus on these and other issues of importance for gender equality in 2020 and beyond.
VIOLENCE AGAINST WOMEN JOURNALISTS AND POLITICIANS
I will now turn to the subject of my report for this year: violence against women journalists and
politicians. Gender-based violence affects all women, regardless of position or status, but can manifest in
dangerous and alarming ways for women in the public eye. I note that gender-based violence refers to
not just physical abuse but also words, actions, or attempts to degrade, control, humiliate, or threaten
another person on account of their gender.6
As reports of violence against women journalists and
politicians, particularly in online spaces, continue to emerge with distressing frequency, I have
determined that it is important to focus this year’s report on this topic.
As we all know, violence against women is a global epidemic that affects at least one in three women
worldwide.7
It is rooted in harmful stereotypes and patriarchal social norms that identify women as
inferior to men, and men as being entitled to women’s bodies. In the case of women in journalism and
politics, these stereotypes and norms are behind the intense scrutiny these women face on matters
including their appearance, intellect, personal relationships, professional credentials, and “likeability.”
With the advent of the #MeToo movement, awareness of gender-based violence and its impacts on
women in all aspects of their lives, including the workplace, has increased but unfortunately the problem
itself continues unabated.
Over the years, countries in the OSCE region and beyond have made significant advances in gender
equality. These include an increase of women in the workplace and women in government, and the
subsequent involvement of more women in important decision-making processes. With an increase of
women in these spaces, however, there has been a backlash from groups and individuals resisting
women’s equal participation. Women in journalism and politics are particularly affected because they are
in the public eye and at significant risk of gender-based violence as a result.
4
Ibid., p. 5.
5
OSCE, Programme of the Albanian OSCE Chairmanship 2020.
6
Status of Women Canada, About Gender-Based Violence.
7
UN Women, Facts and figures: Ending violence against women.
3
VIOLENCE AGAINST WOMEN JOURNALISTS
Numerous observers agree that attacks on freedom of the press and on the activities of journalists have
intensified in recent years. Increasingly hostile political rhetoric towards the media across the OSCE
region and beyond, combined with the advent of social media, have put unique pressures on all
journalists.8
They are now expected to be present and active on social media as part of their basic
activities, which, while raising their profile and distributing their work to a wider audience, places them
at greater risk of violence and harassment both physically and online. As stated in one 2018 report:
Not only are they being required to use social channels as part of their work,
they are also using social channels that blend personal and professional
identities, exposing them to threats 24 hours a day, seven days a week, from
domestic and international sources.9
Both men and women in the media face immense risk for doing their jobs. Reporters Without Borders
reports that worldwide in 2019, 389 journalists and media workers were detained, 57 were held hostage,
and 49 were killed as a direct result of their journalistic work.10
In the OSCE region, the OSCE
Representative on Freedom of the Media reports that journalists are regularly subject to harassment,
threats, detainment, targeted attacks and even killings.11
While both men and women face considerable risk as journalists, women face additional danger simply
on account of their gender. In fact, in response to a recent survey, the majority of women journalist
respondents reported gender being a factor in the attacks and threats they faced in their roles.12
Every
day, women journalists face sexist threats and attacks based on their appearance, personal relationships,
intellect, and professional credentials, most commonly online where perpetrators remain anonymous and
unaccountable. The same survey found that, among the 597 women journalists they interviewed from
across the globe:
• 63% had been threatened or harassed online;
• 58% had been threatened or harassed in person;
• 26% had been physically attacked; and
• 10% received one or more death threats in the past year.13
8
UN Educational, Scientific and Cultural Organization, Intensified Attacks, New Defences: Developments in the Fight to Protect
Journalists and End Impunity, 2019; Reporters Without Borders [RSF], RSF’s 2018 round-up of deadly attacks and abuses against
journalists – figures up in all categories, 14 December 2018; and Dr. Michelle Ferrier, Attacks and Harassment: The Impact on
Female Journalists and Their Reporting, TrollBusters and International Women’s Media Foundation, 2018.
9
Dr. Michelle Ferrier, Attacks and Harassment: The Impact on Female Journalists and Their Reporting, TrollBusters and International
Women’s Media Foundation, 2018.
10
Reporters Without Borders, Worldwide Round-Up of journalists killed, detained, held hostage, or missing in 2019.
11
See OSCE, The Representative on Freedom of the Media, Regular Report to the Permanent Council for the period from 5 July 2019
to 21 November 2019, 21 November 2019; and OSCE, The Representative on Freedom of the Media, Regular Report to the
Permanent Council for the period from 22 November 2018 to 4 July 2019, 4 July 2019.
12
Dr. Michelle Ferrier, Attacks and Harassment: The Impact on Female Journalists and Their Reporting, TrollBusters and International
Women’s Media Foundation, 2018.
13
Ibid.
4
In addition, 90% of those surveyed agreed that online threats against them had increased in the past
five years. These alarming numbers demonstrate the gravity of the myriad challenges and threats faced
by women journalists around the world.
The impact of these gendered attacks is to silence women’s voices in the media. To protect themselves
and those close to them, women journalists often change their behaviour and activities out of necessity –
they may self-censor, close their social media accounts, or avoid covering certain stories that could draw
more negative attention. At worst, women may choose to leave the profession for their own mental and
physical well-being.14
In addition to the disruption of women’s careers, the result of this systematic
silencing is a less diverse and representative media. Numerous studies show that more diverse
newsrooms lead to more accurate and fulsome reporting and coverage of issues that would otherwise be
dismissed, including issues of importance to women.15
VIOLENCE AGAINST WOMEN POLITICIANS
Just as with journalists, politicians all over the world, regardless of gender, are often vulnerable to
harassment, threats and attacks. In 2019, the Inter-Parliamentary Union (IPU) Committee on the
Human Rights of Parliamentarians identified human rights violations against 533 MPs in 40 countries,
with threats and acts of intimidation being one of the most common violations. Of these MPs, 64 were in
Europe.16
While all politicians are subject to human rights violations, women politicians face additional risks in the
form of sexist attacks and discrimination much like their counterparts in journalism. Indeed, women
politicians and journalists share many similarities generally: they operate in the public eye and are
subject to public scrutiny, they often bring attention to potentially controversial issues that are of
importance to women, and they are working in spaces once reserved for men. In the case of politics,
while the increase of women in this space around the world marks an important advancement for
democracy, it has also provoked significant backlash. This resistance manifests in different ways,
including sexist remarks, intimidation, harassment and even violence.
As explained by the United Nations Special Rapporteur on Violence against Women:
Men and women can both experience violence in politics. Such acts of
violence against women, however, target them because of their gender and
take gender-based forms, such as sexist threats or sexual harassment and
violence. Their aim is to discourage women from being politically active and
exercising their human rights and to influence, restrict or prevent the political
participation of individual women and women as a group.17
14
Ibid.; and Amnesty International, Toxic Twitter – A Toxic Place for Women, 2018.
15
Anna Griffin, “Where Are the Women?,” Nieman Reports, 11 September 2014.
16
Inter-Parliamentary Union [IPU], Violations of the human rights of MPs in 2019.
17
UN General Assembly, Report of the Special Rapporteur on violence against women, its causes and consequences on violence
against women in politics, 6 August 2018, p. 5.
5
A 2016 survey of women politicians by the IPU revealed the shocking extent to which women in politics
face discrimination and violence on account of their gender. Of the women surveyed, during their time in
office:
• 81.8% had experienced psychological violence;
• 21.8% had experienced sexual violence; and
• 25.5% had experienced physical violence.18
Most instances of psychological violence involved humiliating sexual or sexist remarks as well as threats
of death, rape and other violence. The majority of these attacks occurred online.19
I suspect that women in this room have experienced similar threats and attacks. Indeed, all of us in this
room, men and women alike, have at the very least seen reports on the news of the real risks that women
in politics face. The impacts on these women are similar to those felt by women in journalism. Women
politicians may feel forced to make decisions for their safety that undermine their ability to fulfil their
mandate and freely express their opinions. For example, to protect themselves, women may decide to
travel less or avoid certain areas, increase their security, shut down their social media, and self-censor.
Many women may leave politics entirely.20
Violence against women in politics not only represents a threat to women, but to democracy itself. As we
know, women are still significantly underrepresented in parliaments around the world, despite advances
in recent decades. As of October 2019, 24.3% of all parliamentarians in national parliaments were
women, up from 11.3% in 1997.21
Until violence against women politicians is sufficiently addressed, this
significant lack of equal representation will persist.
INTERSECTIONALITY
In my upcoming report, I will also address the need to consider an intersectional approach in our efforts
to combat violence against women journalists and politicians. The concept of intersectionality in this
context recognizes that women are a diverse group of individuals that experience sexist discrimination
and attacks differently based on their race, religion, ethnicity, sexual orientation, gender identity,
disability and other factors.22
In its survey of women politicians, for example, the IPU noted that women
under 40 faced more threats and attacks, particularly online, than their older counterparts. It also
observed that women belonging to a minority group are disproportionately targeted not only for their
gender but also their race, especially by far-right parties. Additionally, women in opposition parties, or
who are vocal about women’s rights, are at greater risk.23
Acknowledgement of these realities is
necessary in any response to gender-based violence.
18
IPU, Sexism, harassment and violence against women parliamentarians, October 2016.
19
Ibid.
20
Ibid.; UN General Assembly, Report of the Special Rapporteur on violence against women, its causes and consequences on
violence against women in politics, 6 August 2018; and National Democratic Institute, #NotTheCost: Stopping Violence against
Women in Politics, June 2018.
21
IPU, “Situation as of 1st
October 2019,” Women in National Parliaments; and IPU, “Situation as of 25 December 1997,” Women in
National Parliaments.
22
Imkaan, The Value of Intersectionality in Understanding Violence against Women and Girls (VAWG), July 2019.
23
IPU, Sexism, harassment and violence against women parliamentarians, October 2016.
6
WOMEN, PEACE AND SECURITY
In my report, I also intend to touch briefly on the Women, Peace, and Security (WPS) Agenda and how it
relates to violence against women journalists and politicians. As I stated earlier, this year marks the
20th
anniversary of UNSCR 1325 on WPS. To recognize the important milestone this year represents, my
report will explore the importance of considering how violence against women journalists and politicians
can hinder efforts to meaningfully include women in peace and security processes. As these women face
threats and attacks on account of their gender, their ability to actively participate in conflict resolution
and post-conflict reconstruction suffers. It is important that we consider these impacts as we continue
efforts to implement the WPS agenda in the OSCE region.
WAYS FORWARD
The surveys I have cited and others indicate that women in journalism and politics often avoid reporting
the threats and attacks they face for a number of reasons. These include fear of retribution or punishment,
or of appearing weak or unfit for the “tough” worlds of journalism and politics. In addition, many women
felt that the costs of speaking out outweighed the benefits, as they doubted their superiors or the
authorities would properly respond to their complaints.24
Indeed, these are the reasons many women,
irrespective of their occupation, avoid reporting gender-based violence.
As parliamentarians, it is crucial that we bring attention to this problem and no longer support, even
indirectly, the culture of silence, stigma and impunity that is associated with gender-based violence. We
must speak publicly in support of our colleagues when they have such experiences and never minimize
the impact on them. We must also champion policies and laws that support women, encourage them to
report instances of sexual harassment and assault, and provide effective remedies. Furthermore, any
approach to this problem must include strategies to counter online threats and other forms of
cyberviolence.
I note with appreciation the OSCE’s focus on the problem of violence against women in journalism and
politics, as evidenced by the OSCE Representative on Freedom of the Media’s campaign for the Safety
of Female Journalists Online and the OSCE Office for Democratic Institutions and Human Rights’ work
to promote women’s political participation and gender equality.25
In addition, in 2018 the Ministerial
Council passed two decisions on the safety of journalists and violence against women, respectively, that
address the unique risks faced by women journalists and politicians.26
I urge all parliamentarians to
continue to support the OSCE in this important work.
CONCLUSION
To conclude, violence against women in journalism and politics requires our urgent attention and action.
While I have focused my remarks on the many risks and threats women in these positions face on a daily
24
Ibid.; UN General Assembly, Report of the Special Rapporteur on violence against women, its causes and consequences on
violence against women in politics, 6 August 2018; and National Democratic Institute, #NotTheCost: Stopping Violence against
Women in Politics, June 2018.
25
OSCE, Safety of Female Journalists Online; and OSCE, Promoting women’s political participation and gender equality.
26
OSCE, Decision No. 3/18: Safety of Journalists, Ministerial Council, Milan, 7 December 2018; and OSCE, Decision No. 4/18:
Preventing and Combating Violence against Women, Ministerial Council, Milan, 7 December 2018.
7
basis simply due to their gender, I would like to recognize the strength and resilience of these women
despite this reality. Of the women politicians surveyed by the IPU, 80% said that the threats and attacks
they encountered strengthened their determination to fulfil their parliamentary mission.27
Nevertheless,
gender-based violence should never be the “price of admission” for women seeking careers in
journalism, politics or any other field. I look forward to presenting my report on this important topic at
this year’s Annual Session and welcome feedback from you in the interim.
Thank you for your attention.
27
IPU, Sexism, harassment and violence against women parliamentarians, October 2016.