OSCE PA vs. COVID-19 - Reflections, policy contributions and recommendations

OSCE PA vs COVID -19
Phase 1 (March - July 2020)
Reflections, policy contributions and recommendations
presented by OSCE PA President George Tsereteli
OSCEs Parlamentariske Forsamling 2019-20
OSCE Alm.del - Bilag 35
Offentligt
Foreword
In the absence of an Annual Session Final Declaration this year, we offer a
Presidential Summary of OSCE Parliamentary Assembly activities in
response to the COVID-19 crisis. This document collects general
conclusions and recommendations stemming from a series of
Parliamentary Web Dialogues organized by the OSCE PA during the
period March-June 2020 in response to the COVID-19 pandemic. Based
on reporting by OSCE PA staff with the input and endorsement of the
OSCE parliamentarians who served as Chairs for each of the Parliamentary
Web Dialogues, the document is authored by the President and issued by
the International Secretariat of the OSCE PA.
The International Secretariat
• “COVID’S Impact on Conflicts in the OSCE region”
• “The Economic Security Fallout of the COVID-19 Pandemic”
• “COVID-19: A turning point for environmental protection?”
• “Respecting human rights and maintaining democratic control
during states of emergency”
• “COVID-19 response in diverse societies: challenges and opportuni-
ties for stability and social cohesion”
• “Protecting refugees and migrants during the pandemic: Camps
and closed centres under lockdown”
• “Countering Terrorism and Violent Extremism amidst the COVID-19
Pandemic”
• “The Gendered Impacts of COVID-19”
Contribution of OSCE Parliamentary Assembly’s Special Rapporteur on
Disinformation and Propaganda Oscar Mina (San Marino)
ANNEX: List of keynote speakers and invited guests
Social Media
1
3
5
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19
22
25
28
31
33
TABLE OF CONTENTS
Message from the OSCE President
Message from the OSCE Secretary General
Parliamentary Web Dialogues:
35
Message from the OSCE PA President
Dear Members,
Dear Friends,
Let me first extend my best wishes of
good health to you, your families, and
your close ones, and hope for a speedy
and full recovery of all those infected
by COVID-19.
Despite these difficult circumstances,
which have upended our usual working
practices, I want to praise you for your
constant engagement, both in your
national parliaments and within our Par-
liamentary Assembly. Although there is no replacement to in-person dialogue, we have managed
to adapt rapidly and efficiently to maintain our precious channels of communication. This has been
possible thanks to the International Secretariat’s flexibility and the support of technical and admin-
istrative staff in our parliaments and Delegations.
As the OSCE region began to seriously face the pandemic last March, the OSCE PA immediately
recognized that this grave multifaceted crisis called for greater international assistance and solidar-
ity.
In the initial phase of the crisis, this was necessary to provide medical support and protective
equipment where it was most needed. As most countries shut down their economies and imposed
confinement, new challenges emerged, calling for the exchange of best practices. Today, as many
of our countries are gradually reopening their economies in preparation for the summer holidays,
clear and direct international communication is key to preventing or controlling an eventual sec-
ond outbreak.
Going forward, we also need to maintain international co-operation as countries, pharmaceutical
companies, and research laboratories race towards the development of safe treatments and a vac-
cine. We must ensure an equal therapeutic response on a global scale, once available.
In this peculiar context, our parliaments have been required to operate with limited interaction and
debate to pass emergency measures. We, parliamentarians, have played our role as a link between
citizens and their governments by educating about new health and safety guidelines, such as social
distancing, and by relaying concerns and, sometimes, shedding light on situations of despair.
The fact that parliaments continued to function at the height of this crisis was precious to ensure
the continuity of parliamentary democracy in the OSCE area. In the post-COVID era, we are invited
to make the full use of our parliamentary prerogatives, in particular oversight.
OSCE PA vs. COVID-19, Phase 1
1
Beyond the health and economic crises, we have seen that major issues, such as corruption, human
trafficking, or disinformation, have been exacerbated. All of these are challenges that the OSCE
PA had already identified and developed an acquis, which can help develop adequate legislative
responses.
The core work of the OSCE, however, remains the same, although under even more complicated
conditions: facilitating dialogue to prevent and mediate conflicts, foster economic co-operation
and sustainable development, and promote and protect human rights.
Throughout these challenging times, the OSCE PA has continued to uphold our founding principles
and the fundamental rights of our citizens. In our mission to help protect our populations against
the wide range of enduring threats to their security, we must continue to denounce violations of
the Helsinki principles.
We have made it clear that we cannot solve this unprecedented crisis by walking away from the
many challenges the OSCE region continues to face. We must continue to defend the most vul-
nerable among us, especially those living in conflict zones or in refugee camps, as well as women
and minorities. We must carry on reporting electoral fraud and denouncing votes organized in
violation of the principles of the OSCE and the norms of international law. We must continue to
promote greater engagement and equal opportunities from people of all genders, ages, and
origins. And of course, we must also pay the utmost attention to the highest vital issue of our time,
climate change.
Faced with the need to provide a global response to this global crisis, the OSCE PA has encouraged
close co-ordination with parliaments at the national and the international level to promote demo-
cratic, effective, and coherent public policy responses, and to address our citizens’ concerns.
Although the pandemic has canceled our meetings and conferences, including our 2020 Annual
Session and our Autumn Meeting as well as a number of planned election observation missions,
we have managed to navigate through unchartered territory for our Parliamentary Assembly,
thanks to regular consultations with our elected leadership and advice from Secretary General
Roberto Montella and his team. These discussions have been complemented by regional talks
with many Delegations to ensure that the OSCE PA remains an inclusive forum for dialogue.
Overall, the situation has encouraged us to continue in our efforts to modernize the work of the
PA.
Our Parliamentary Web Dialogues have provided new platforms for our Members to hear from
experts, and share experience and best practices, in order to learn lessons from this crisis and
enhance preparedness, resilience, and response for an eventual new pandemic. Our collective work
during this difficult period has been compiled in this “OSCE PA vs. COVID-19,” which is being pre-
sented to the OSCE PA Standing Committee in July 2020.
Thanking you once again for your diligent work and engagement in support of multilateralism and
the OSCE, I look forward to seeing you in person very soon.
George Tsereteli
OSCE PA vs. COVID-19, Phase 1
2
Message from the OSCE PA Secretary General
As soon as it became clear that the
COVID-19 pandemic was not just a
normal flu and that we were heading
towards unprecedented challenges, we
immediately made “rethinking” and
“readapting” our key words. The first
priority was to think of ways, creative
and innovative, on how to enable our
Assembly, an international parliamen-
tary platform for more than 300 Parlia-
mentarians from 57 participating States
representing more than one billion cit-
izens, to continue to provide an added
value and a distinct contribution.
We promptly acknowledged that, during such an unprecedented type of crisis, international orga-
nizations like ours had a strong role to play. Therefore, it was necessary for the OSCE PA to develop
a new sense of purpose for our work, in line with the new reality brought about by the pandemic.
This, besides a number of administrative decisions, such as the cancellation of meetings and other
activities, switching to telecommuting and reinforcing our digital and technical capacities, included
ensuring that the political relevance and added value of the Assembly would not diminish in a con-
text where our main opportunity to meet and debate - the Annual Session - was being cancelled.
This is why I shared with our Members in April the OSCE PA - COVID Compact, a Report on Re-
adapting the Parliamentary Assembly to challenges in the time of the COVID-19 Pandemic . The re-
port focuses, inter alia, on a three-pillar strategy: a) continuation of the political dialogue through
new formats; b) increase of public messaging; c) facilitation of exchange of information, best prac-
tices and aid requests.
As new format for the political debate, we have launched a cycle of Parliamentary Web Dialogues -
online meetings on the model of webinars - which gave the opportunity to discuss the impact of
COVID-19 on a number of priority areas for the OSCE’s work. They have been very successful, and
their results are what this document is all about. But before diving into that, I wish to give a per-
sonal reflection on our duty as international organizations in this critical period.
The COVID-19 pandemic is much more than a health emergency: it impacts on the security of our
societies and citizens, which are at the core of the OSCE’s focus. The economic recession and the
growing social discontent which most likely will hit our societies in the coming months will also
impact political systems with a prevailing climate of uncertainty affecting domestic policy as well as
international relations.
Global problems require global responses and that is why international cooperation and coordina-
tion at all levels, including the parliamentary one, are a key asset. The risk of entering into blame
games and mistrust is always present and could lead to a period of even deeper divisions and a
OSCE PA vs. COVID-19, Phase 1
3
general failure to cooperate. International Organizations are instrumental to keep multilateralism
alive and effective, promoting a strong sense of solidarity, responsibility and joint ownership of
efforts among States.
This concept has been our “mantra” in the last few months. Debating the issues at stake, collecting
information and successful experiences from all over the OSCE region to enable Members of Par-
liament to make more informed decisions, replicate positive measures, and facilitate the sharing
of vital information to the people they represent in their constituencies. This is a great value of the
PA’s unique infrastructure, as it allows a swift two-way linkage between the international and the
local levels of decision making.
Of course, to achieve all of this we need two important tools: reciprocal trust and strategic long-
term foresight. In other words, we need strong leadership and politics with a capital P. That politics
that has the courage to think big and look ahead without drowning in the daily tittle-tattle of party
fights and the electoral cycle. I often made this appeal to our PA Members: use our platform to fly
high on these objectives.
Strategic thinking is particularly crucial now, as we embark on the post (post is my optimistic ap-
proach!) COVID phase, a new normal whose facet is very difficult to predict at the moment. When
we plan the future we may need to be creative and think, perhaps even unconventionally, of al-
ternative working methodologies for the implementation of our regular activities, including with
a more effective use of new communication technologies and a careful, coherent and responsible
utilization of the resources, especially in the coming economic hardship period. In this regard, I
wish to thank our Standing Committee for a smooth approval of our next year’s budget.
Finally, we need to maintain unity among international actors, avoiding duplication of efforts and
investing in each other’s added values to prove that only effective multilateralism will bring about
concrete solutions to the current crisis. For our Assembly, there are two main avenues of
cooperation, one is within the OSCE and the other is with partner interparliamentary organizations.
In this regard, I wish to draw your attention to the joint statement on the “Comprehensive security
approach needed for global response to COVID-19” issued by all OSCE Heads of Institution on the
occasion of the International Day of Multilateralism and Diplomacy for Peace, positioning the Or-
ganization and its unique toolbox to play a role in facilitating international cooperation to address
the pandemic.
In conclusion, I wish to thank our Members for their precious support, active engagement and
dedicated contributions. Be it around the same table or connected from a computer in some re-
mote areas of the world, we continue to prove the added value of this Assembly and of parliamen-
tary diplomacy. I would also like to thank the OSCE PA Staff, including those who recently joined
our team and our research assistants, who committed with passion and dedication to the new
working modalities. We will spare no efforts to ensure this continues for the benefit of the only real
end-users of our “product”, the citizens of the OSCE region.
Roberto Montella
OSCE PA vs. COVID-19, Phase 1
4
On 23 March UN Secretary General António Gu-
terres urged warring parties across the world to
lay down their weapons in support of the bigger
battle against COVID-19. The global pandemic
poses a particular threat to countries and soci-
eties affected by conflicts. The populations of
conflict-affected countries are likely to be espe-
cially vulnerable to outbreaks of disease. With
limited access to basic healthcare infrastructure
and public services, people in conflict areas are
in the most dangerous frontline of the pandem-
ic risk zone. With emergency measures restrict-
ing movement, national and international med-
ics and humanitarian and crisis management
actors are struggling to get relief to people in
need. While international institutions working
on conflict resolution have faced obstacles in
their activities and movements following the
restrictions, closure of borders, travel bans, and
bans on social gathering also negatively impact
the work of observers and peace builders, in-
creasing the risk of rapid conflict escalation.
In order to assess these challenges, the OSCE PA
organized a web-based seminar focused on the
topic “COVID’s Impact on Conflicts in the OSCE
Region”. The event was chaired by Congressman
Richard Hudson, Chair of the OSCE PA General
Committee on Political Affairs and Security and
was moderated by OSCE Parliamentary Assem-
bly Deputy Secretary General Gustavo Pallares.
In total, the event was virtually attended by 110
participants, more than 50 of which were OSCE
PA Members.
The web dialogue participants included par-
liamentarians and staff from Albania, Armenia,
Austria, Azerbaijan, Belgium, Bulgaria, Canada,
Cyprus, Denmark, Estonia, Finland, France, Geor-
gia, Germany, Greece, Hungary, Iceland, Ireland,
Italy, Kazakhstan, Kyrgyzstan, Latvia, Lithuania,
Moldova, Netherlands, North Macedonia, Nor-
way, Montenegro, Poland, Portugal, Romania,
Russian Federation, Slovenia, Spain, Sweden,
Switzerland, Turkey, Ukraine, the United King-
dom and the United States, as well as a range of
OSCE experts and others.
SUMMARY
Opening the event, Chair of the OSCE PA General Committee on Political Affairs and
Security Congressman Richard Hudson stressed the crucial role that the Committee plays,
saying “we must continue working toward a free and peaceful OSCE area in which all partici-
pating states fully implement the fundamental principles agreed under the Helsinki Final Act.”
Congressman Hudson went on to say, “Unfortunately, the OSCE region bears sad witness to a
number of ongoing conflicts in countries including Ukraine, which continues to be subjected
to a war that has killed thousands and impacted millions, including civilians who continue to
suffer today. Additionally, the invasion in parts of Georgia is ongoing. These and other conflicts
in the OSCE region defy resolution year after year.”
OSCE PA vs. COVID-19, Phase 1
Parliamentary Web Dialogue: “COVID’S Impact on
Conflicts in the OSCE region” - 15 May 2020
IMPACT ON CONFLICTS
5
In his welcoming remarks, OSCE PA President George Tsereteli (Georgia) noted that con-
flicts will not magically disappear in the post COVID-19 world. He stressed that to overcome
the crisis, a comprehensive response on various issues, which are, in general, at the heart of all
OSCE work: public health, economic collapse, and ongoing conflicts is much needed. President
Tsereteli continued underlining the need to keep monitoring occupied territories and conflict
zones, where people are living in harsh conditions, and encouraged to keep these issues high
on the agenda of national parliaments.
Presentation by Ambassador Tuula Yrjölä, Director of the OSCE Conflict Prevention Centre
• The COVID-19 crisis and its indirect effects can have a heavy impact on conflict-affected pop-
ulations, already enduring precarious conditions: the closure of crossing points or entry-exit
checkpoints, reduced access to healthcare and economic difficulties place a heavy burden on
vulnerable populations.
• The crisis has disrupted meetings and prevents the direct and informal interactions which are
essential for securing progress in any mediation process. It also risks diverting attention and
resources away from formal negotiation and resolution processes.
◊ The Trilateral Contact Group and its four Working Groups (Security, Political, Human-
itarian and Economic) now meet exclusively in VTC format, but are keeping the same
rhythm as before: discussions have continued to focus on the measures set out by
the Normandy Four leaders in December. There have been some encouraging steps
such as the further exchange of detainees on 16 April. But the commitment made
during the Paris N4 Summit for a full and comprehensive implementation of the
ceasefire, has yet to materialize.
◊ The Transdniestrian Settlement Process has been heavily affected by the pandemic.
The Mission to Moldova and Special Representative Thomas Mayr-Harting remain
very active. Contacts continue on issues such as medical supplies and the visit of a
WHO mission to Tiraspol last week, such co-operation is encouraging. However, the
regular Working Groups and meetings between the chief negotiators of the sides
(1+1) have been discontinued, and there is little evidence of agreement on moving to
a wider meeting in the 5+2 format.
◊ Moreover, the pandemic has influenced the Geneva International Discussions as well.
There are no clear indications as to when these discussions could be resumed. The
associated Incident Prevention and Response Mechanisms already faced challenges
before, and their resumption would be even more crucial now.
• Unfortunately, the already difficult conditions for people affected by conflict seem to have
generally worsened. Conflict resolution has become harder, and progress on the efforts has
slowed. We should consider the COVID-19 crisis as an opportunity to promote new tools for
enhanced interaction. When in-person meetings cannot take place, digital tools offer viable
OSCE PA vs. COVID-19, Phase 1
EXPERTS’ KEY POINTS
6
alternatives. However, it’s important to bear in mind the importance of trust-building and the
strengthening of interpersonal relations in negotiations. The risks and opportunities of digital
tools need to be carefully weighed. But COVID-19 restrictions may be long lasting, and so
mediators need to increase the digital literacy of their mediation teams.
• Despite these challenges, the OSCE itself can be proud of how it is responding operational-
ly to the pandemic and its effects; it will continue to seek to help societies recover from the
severe economic impact and socio-political consequences of the pandemic in many OSCE
countries.
Presentation by Ambassador Yasar Halit Çevik, Head of the OSCE Special Monitoring Mission
to Ukraine.
• Outbursts of violence continue along the line of contact, despite the commitment made to a
full and comprehensive implementation of the ceasefire and the current COVID-19 pandemic.
◊ Since the beginning of May the Mission has received the most serious increase in
reported civilian casualties in at least two years. Even with the challenges linked with
COVID-19, the Mission remains dedicated to corroborating civilian casualties.
◊ The Mission continues to record damages to civilian properties: heavy weapons are
still observed near populated areas and civilian infrastructure. The continued fighting
around essential civilian infrastructure is threatening, amongst the others, water sup-
ply, vital to protecting the health of civilians.
◊ Recent weeks have seen frequent incidents affecting the safety and security of Mis-
sion personnel, which are unacceptable. Illegitimate restrictions on the Mission also
include numerous instances of monitors being blocked from accessing areas within
its mandate under the pretext of restrictions relating to the pandemic.
• The working group on security issues of the Trilateral Contact Group, which has continued to
meet through VTC, has focused on key points: ceasefire, disengagement, and mine action. To
achieve progress in the implementation of such measures, discussions need to become more
constructive.
• A long-standing concern that remains unaddressed is the Mission’s access to the southern
part of the Donetsk region outside of government control, where the SMM’s restrictions
are chronic. Any impediment to the SMM’s freedom of movement is a violation of the SMM
mandate agreed by the Permanent Council, as well as of the commitments undertaken in the
Minsk Agreements.
• The SMM follows the strictest measures to protect the Mission members and to reduce the
risk for the local population, while implementing the mandate. The Mission has adapted and
continues to carry out core activities, including monitoring and reporting on the security
situation in eastern Ukraine.
OSCE PA vs. COVID-19, Phase 1
7
THE DISCUSSION
OSCE PA vs. COVID-19, Phase 1
In the ensuing discussion, more than fifteen parliamentarians shared their perspectives, expe-
riences, and concerns on the developments in conflicts in the OSCE area. Members highlighted
that the pandemic should not distract from the need to focus on conflict resolution, uphold
international law, and defend principles of the Helsinki Final Act. The need for expansion of
multilateral approach and diplomatic work in conflict resolution was stressed outlining the
important role that parliamentarians can play in this process.
Highlights:
• Implications of the global pandemic are going beyond the health crisis and heavily affecting
dynamics of conflicts. Governments are preoccupied with COVID-19 challenges and issues of
ongoing conflicts are slipping down from international agenda.
• Civilians in conflict-affected areas remain among the most vulnerable groups during the out-
break due to limited access to healthcare and public services. The humanitarian aid provision
chain was significantly affected by pandemic-related border closures and travel restrictions.
• Unfortunately, the global cease-fire call by UN Secretary General António Guterres was dis-
regarded by combatants in the OSCE area. Full implementation of Helsinki Final Act commit-
ments and other international obligations should be the basis for addressing these conflicts.
• Lockdown measures introduced by countries affected by conflicts have slowed down interna-
tional mediation efforts and peace negotiations. Nevertheless, travel restrictions must not be
allowed to interfere with the work of mediators and observers. The OSCE will have to adapt
to meet current circumstances in order to most effectively continue its crucial role in early
warning, conflict prevention and resolution.
• Containment of the so-called “protracted conflicts” cannot be viewed as a success and strong
political will should be demonstrated by all parties to stop the violence. Their perpetuation
only increases the negative effects on people, government and challenge the trust and con-
fidence in OSCE. Constructive dialogue and multilateral approaches for conflict resolution
should continue to be a priority.
• Despite the pandemic, participating States should demonstrate readiness to maintain and
improve international co-operation, provide mutual support, and show solidarity in order to
minimize the negative consequences of conflicts and tensions. Conflict parties should restrain
from engaging in military activities and demonstrate solidarity with the UNSG’s call for cease-
fire.
• Efforts taken by the OSCE under the leadership of Albanian Chairmanship and activities of
the OSCE Conflict Prevention Centre in order to continue the work on conflict resolution and
mediation are positively evaluated and highly appreciated.
8
OSCE PA vs. COVID-19, Phase 1
• Efforts to address the pandemic should not be politicized, and emergency measures should
not be misused for political purposes.
• The pandemic is likely to aggravate challenges in areas as diverse as unemployment, migra-
tion, and inequality, which could in turn trigger social tensions and foster new conflicts in
the OSCE area. Collective and national responses should seek to take these challenges into
account.
Ukraine:
• The deterioration of the security and humanitarian situation in Eastern Ukraine was lament-
ed by nearly all participants. Civilians and health structures are under the pressure of conflict
conditions and threats from COVID at the same time. The number of civilian casualties is in-
creasing. The situation with internally displaced persons is alarming and the risk of the num-
ber of IDPs to grow (which is currently around 1.5 million people) is only increasing. OSCE
SMM observers are facing more movement restrictions (especially with crossing checkpoints)
which, in addition to general lockdown and unavailability of Mission’s staff to travel to the
country, creates significant challenges for the Mission to implement its mandate.
• These challenges demanded continued attention from the international community, partic-
ipants agreed. Civilians suffering in the contact zone required assistance and support, and
the flow of the humanitarian aid and healthcare services should also extend beyond areas
of governmental control. All sides should fully remain committed to the conflict resolution
objective while the basis for it still should be the same – full implementation of Minsk agree-
ments. Joint measures aiming to contain the spread of COVID might serve as an example
of practical collaboration to build the trust among the parties. The OSCE could consider, for
example, offering to facilitate access to medical assistance across the contact line. One par-
ticipant called for the immediate re-establishment of the joint centre for co-ordination and
control.
• Parliamentarians highlighted the immediate importance for OSCE observers and humani-
tarian aid organizations to be provided with necessary access and freedom of movement to
report on the humanitarian crisis and assist in delivery of humanitarian aid.
9
The Parliamentary Web Dialogue on “The Eco-
nomic Security Fallout of the COVID-19 Pan-
demic” was aimed at raising awareness about
the short and long-term economic and secu-
rity repercussions of the COVID-19 pandemic.
Experts and parliamentarians exchanged views
on the socio-economic impact of the health
crisis, shared preliminary lessons learned, and
considered the way forward for economic
recovery in the region.
BACKGROUND
1. While the COVID-19 pandemic is first and
foremost a health crisis, its social and eco-
nomic repercussions have severely impacted
the lives of millions of citizens by generat-
ing significant economic and security fall-
outs which are pushing both advanced and
emerging economies into a recession. The
worst affected economies seem to be those
that are most integrated into the global sup-
ply chain or supply intermediate inputs.1
Ul-
timately, the crisis triggered by the pandemic
overlaps with other important themes, such
as the rule of law, conflicts, migration-related
challenges, climate protection, and health
care.
2. Drastic public health measures adopted to
contain the virus (e.g., quarantine, social dis-
tancing, and border controls) disrupted pro-
duction, trade, and logistic chains at national
and international levels and led to extreme
shutdowns, job losses, and severe disruption
of travel, mobility and financial activities.2
3. While the crisis is expected to be temporary
in nature, the mobility, tourism, trade, and
entertainment sectors will likely face lon-
ger-term, possibly fatal, repercussions. The
economic impact of the crisis has been par-
ticularly profound for smaller businesses, low
income workers, undocumented migrants
and the underemployed and self-employed.
Countries hosting large migrant communi-
ties are particularly exposed at this critical
juncture.
4. Consequently, OSCE participating States
are facing serious policy problems, such as
rising sovereign debt levels, triggering state
interventions which could distort market
competition, changes in supply chains, and
a potential long-term rise in unemployment
rates.
5. Supporting the economy in this critical
moment is essential for safeguarding social
security. Policy makers are called to make
difficult choices which require trade-offs
between addressing the public health crisis
and limiting its economic damage. While it
Parliamentary Web Dialogue: “The Economic
Security Fallout of the COVID-19 Pandemic”
- 22 April 2020
KEY FINDINGS
1
Such as commodities, raw materials and oil.
2
For example, the pandemic has led to historic drops in oil prices (due to the lack of storage capacity).
ECONOMICS
OSCE PA vs. COVID-19, Phase 1
10
is critical to be quick and flexible in devel-
oping/implementing these new policies, it
is also important to keep in mind that they
should serve a longer-term perspective.
6. Monetary policy co-ordination between
central banks is key to stabilizing financial
markets, as well as to ensure the liquidity re-
quired by governments and markets. Public
guaranties, equity measures, wage subsidies,
and tax deferrals are required to support the
most affected companies. While demand-
side measures might be less effective at this
juncture, preserving the regulatory
supervisory framework is paramount.
7. At this critical juncture, the role of national
parliaments is key to provide strong over-
sight of governments’ actions and to pro-
mote good governance principles in public
spending to avoid any waste of critical
resources and prevent corruption.
8. Considering the pandemic’s extensive reach,
as well as globalized economic relations, the
need for a well-co-ordinated international
response is clear. International co-operation
among countries and multilateral organiza-
tions is instrumental for the effectiveness of
healthcare and economic measures, as well
as to prevent the recession from becoming a
long-term depression.
9. Ultimately, the pandemic has brought to
light certain fragilities of the neoliberal
globalized world, which provides an oppor-
tunity for revisiting certain aspects of our
economic system.
KEY RECOMMENDATIONS
1. Against this backdrop, OSCE participating States should urgently introduce balanced fiscal,
monetary, and financial market measures to mitigate the economic and social impact of
the crisis. More specifically, policy makers should subsidize the economy through targeted
instruments and provide emergency financing to their healthcare and infrastructure sys-
tems, while keeping public spending and financial stability in mind.
2. Public interventions should target the IT, healthcare, manufacturing, and other vital sec-
tors of the economy, starting from those hit hardest by the lockdown, such as the mobility,
tourism, and entertainment sectors. The focus should be on saving as many businesses as
possible and on preserving employment.
3. Supporting the most vulnerable and exposed groups is a priority that requires well-con-
ceived measures. For instance, it is imperative to adequately assist those who are left with-
out any income, as well as those who do not have internet access (i.e., the digital divide).
4. Governments should ensure liquidity for additional bank lending to private companies, as
they are often experiencing severe decreases in income, while sustaining high fixed costs.
Banks should be part of the solution by providing the required liquidity, loans, and guaran-
tees to their clients.
5. Parliaments must ensure that recovery measures are adopted taking all stakes into account
and implemented in a balanced manner, thereby safeguarding public health and keeping
the economy running. It is vital that parliamentarians work together to build recovery in
OSCE PA vs. COVID-19, Phase 1
11
the post-COVID-19 world and avoid future similar crises.
6. OSCE participating States should refraining from excessively protectionist and inward-look-
ing policies. In particular, they should resist political arguments fuelled by the psychological
pressure of the emergency that advocate for national self-sufficiency in the provision of
essential goods, nor exploit the asymmetric impact of the emergency to restructure trans-
national production and trade networks to their advantage
7. Rather, OSCE participating States must be solidary in the recovery process. They should es-
tablish security corridors to overcome sudden supply shortages due to the delocalization of
production. Similarly, the expansion of the private sector at the expense of key public ser-
vices – such as healthcare and emergency response - should be duly considered as against
the interests of the end-users. Finally, OSCE participating Sates should create emergency
lines to better co-ordinate during similar future crises.
8. International organizations, such as the OSCE, should provide privileged fora for co-
ordination and sharing of information and lessons learned, thereby building a safer and
brighter future for all citizens.
OSCE PA vs. COVID-19, Phase 1
12
The Parliamentary Web Dialogue on “COVID-19:
A Turning Point for Environmental Protection?”
enabled OSCE PA members and renowned ex-
perts to explore the interlinkages between envi-
ronmental degradation and public health, foster
dialogue around the need to better protect our
environment in order to enhance human se-
curity, and consider opportunities for targeted
“green” policy interventions in response to the
crisis.
BACKGROUND
1. The COVID-19 pandemic has placed a spot-
light on the links between the environment
and public health. As such, it should serve as
an opportunity to pause and reflect, rethink
old habits and consider how to make the
globalization process more fair, solidary, sus-
tainable and safe. Sustainable development
can only be achieved if economic, social,
environmental, and public health factors are
duly balanced and given equal attention by
policymakers.
2. Long-term exposure to air pollution and
particulate matter (PM) adversely affects
respiratory and cardiovascular systems and
increases mortality risk. Numerous scientific
studies have linked air pollution exposure
to health issues including non-fatal heart
attacks, irregular heartbeats, aggravated
asthma, decreased lung function, increased
respiratory symptoms (such as airway irrita-
tion, coughing or difficulty breathing), de-
mentia, and premature death.
3. Notably, most of these diseases seem to
exacerbate the severity of COVID-19 infec-
tion symptoms. While researchers continue
to investigate whether there is a direct link
between exposure to air pollution and ad-
verse outcomes, or more difficult recoveries,
from COVID-19, early indications suggest
that such a connection exists.
4. Breathing polluted air clearly increases the
risk of heart attack, pneumonia and, if in-
fected by COVID-19, death. Low-income and
minority communities seem to be particular-
ly at risk, as they usually live in more pollut-
ed areas. In short, air pollution kills! All
citizens have the right to breathe clean air.
5. The decisions taken at this juncture will
shape economies and the global system for
decades. If recovery from the crisis is to be
sustainable - if the world is to become more
resilient – OSCE participating States should
do everything in their power to promote
“green” recoveries.
6. National green recovery plans should be
recognized as beneficial both in the short
run, for example through technical innova-
tion and job creation, and in the long run,
KEY FINDINGS
OSCE PA vs. COVID-19, Phase 1
Parliamentary Web Dialogue: “COVID-19: A turning
point for environmental protection? ” - 22 May 2020
ENVIRONMENT
13
by contributing to promote a more healthy,
secure, and resilient world.
7. Clean energies which are environmentally
friendly should be considered as financial
and economic opportunities. The transition
from fossil fuel to green energy is generally
recognized as the single most relevant step
towards cleaner air and the mitigation of cli-
mate change. Countries that are relaxing en-
vironmental laws as part of their COVID-19
response will cause long-term environmental
damage.
8. It is essential to preserve natural habitats, re-
visit our relationship with nature and rebuild
a more environmentally responsible world
- a healthy planet is critical to our ability to
rebound from the COVID-19 pandemic and
prevent future global disease crises.
9. The severe health implications brought on
by inadequate environmental protection
should serve as a wake-up call for legisla-
tors. National parliaments play a central role
in making sure that sound policies and laws
are adopted and implemented to safeguard
public health and prevent future similar cri-
ses, including through direct public support
towards green projects, green finance and
higher carbon pricing. Youth also play a key
role in this field.
10.Despite the COVID-19 crisis, the 2030 Sus-
tainable Development Goals and the Paris
Agreement on Climate Change remain the
best road maps for future actions in this
field.
11.The commitment of the European Union
with regards to the development of a sus-
tainable climate plan, including the recent-
ly launched “Green Deal”, is also deemed
critical.
12.Intensified international co-operation and
co-ordination is urgently needed to recov-
er from the COVID-19 crisis, as well as to
build resilience against similar future health
crises and to mitigate the effects of climate
change.
KEY RECOMMENDATIONS
1. Against this background, OSCE participating States’ should reinforce their commitment to
environmental protection, public health, and green economy. The pandemic should provide
momentum for developing and implementing green economic recovery plans throughout
the OSCE region.
2. OSCE participating States should consider declaring a “state of climate emergency” and
appointing dedicated Ministers with expertise in environmental protection to take charge
of elaborating on green recovery plans.
3. OSCE participating States should impose tighter regulations to ensure cleaner air, thereby
contributing to minimize the COVID-19 death toll and related hospitalizations. Govern-
ments should ensure better air quality by greening and electrifying transportation and by
decreasing greenhouse gas emissions.
4. OSCE participating States should implement green recovery plans prioritizing green
OSCE PA vs. COVID-19, Phase 1
14
investments, promoting clean energies (e.g. carbon pricing) and low-carbon technologies,
advancing green finance, and ensure a just green transition by providing the necessary
support.
5. Opportunities for investing in nature should be expanded as part of the global socio-eco-
nomic response to the COVID-19 crisis. This could be achieved by facilitating innovative
financing and investments to safeguard nature and promoting investments that recognize
the immense value of nature and ecosystem services.
6. Bearing in mind that COVID-19 is a zoonotic disease, wildlife trade should be banned
throughout the OSCE region, and beyond.
7. Awareness about the linkages between nature and health should be raised through tar-
geted communication campaigns, innovative educational content and by wider sharing of
science-based information. Participating States should pro-actively engage young in this
context.
8. If environmental protection is to be successful, dedicated efforts shall be deployed at local
and global levels, including through transboundary collaboration. Transboundary man-
agement of ecosystems should be enhanced by fighting zoonotic disease transmission,
improving support to ecosystem services and advancing the implementation of Multilateral
Environmental Agreements.3
9. International support should be provided to those countries which do not currently have
the capacity to put into place ecologically sound measures.
10.Recalling the Ottawa (1995) and Stockholm (1996) Declarations, the OSCE PA should re-
new its political commitment to protect public health and safeguard the environment as
two sides of the same coin, as well as its determination to promote environmental good
governance principles and coordinate environmentally sound recovery policies, including
through the targeted work of its committees.
3
The EU funded Central European Green Corridors Project was hailed as a successful example of a transborder effort of decarbonization and
electrification of road transport.
OSCE PA vs. COVID-19, Phase 1
15
With the onset of the COVID-19 pandemic,
some two-thirds of OSCE participating States
declared a state of emergency or a similar
regime establishing different degrees of con-
tainment and mitigation measures. Given that
such scenarios typically entail not only addi-
tional powers to governments, but often place
restrictions on the enjoyment of human rights,
the OSCE Parliamentary Assembly organized
a web-based seminar on 8 May 2020 focused
on ‘Respecting Human Rights and Maintaining
Democratic Control During States of Emergen-
cy’.
BACKGROUND
1. When implementing states of emergency, it
is crucial to maintain the widely recognized
standards that any restrictions on rights and
freedoms should be proportionate and
limited to the situation, consistent with other
legal obligations, and non-discriminatory.
Restrictions must also be limited in duration,
and legislative bodies should continue their
functioning to the highest degree possible.
2. In some cases, initial government plans for
emergency measures required adjustment, as
parliaments demanded a greater ability to
intervene and maintain oversight than
originally proposed by governments. Not all
countries had legislation governing states of
emergency in place at the beginning of the
crisis that could be invoked, requiring inten-
sive work by parliaments.
3. Governmental and parliamentary actions
during this period will have long-term con-
sequences for public trust in institutions. At
the end of this crisis, the world will be differ-
ent. The changes caused by the crisis pro-
vide an opportunity to shape better, more
inclusive and responsive societies.
4. Parliaments, by nature consultative bodies,
have been significantly affected by the out-
break, with many legislative bodies reducing
their work to only the necessary emergency
decision-making processes.
5. Some parliaments have adapted their proce-
dures to enable work to continue. Measures
have included amending regulations, remote
consultation, and voting to accommodate
social distancing; reducing physical pres-
ence to a minimum required by quorum;
increased video conferencing; oversight
through special committees or parliamentary
enquiries; and increased use of written ques-
tions. Some efforts appear to have increased
transparency overall. The impact these may
have on parliamentary oversight functions
remains to be seen. Other parliaments have
been less able to quickly adapt processes.
6. There has been a disturbing trend in parts
KEY FINDINGS
OSCE PA vs. COVID-19, Phase 1
Parliamentary Web Dialogue: “Respecting human rights
and maintaining democratic control during states of
emergency” - 8 May 2020
HUMAN RIGHTS
16
of the OSCE region towards a breakdown in
parliamentary tolerance for the ‘other’ side.
The crisis should not be a pretext for perse-
cution of the opposition, nor for the opposi-
tion to target the government in bad faith.
7. This is not an appropriate time to make
permanent changes that may restrict peo-
ple’s rights. The crisis has already compro-
mised respect for freedom of expression,
with a number of violations noted, including
through efforts to criminalize false informa-
tion and attempts to require journalists to
report only officially issued information.
8. Surveillance mechanisms serve as important
tools in efforts to combat the pandemic. In
collecting such information, however, there
is the potential for misuse of private data if
safeguards are not put in place.
9. Electoral processes may need some adapta-
tion of procedures in order to proceed safely
during a pandemic. These adaptations can
take time. Proceeding with elections imme-
diately may stress untried procedures and
result in limited and unfair opportunities for
campaigning and/or for voting. Parliamen-
tarians and political candidates also need
to establish new methods to meet with the
public in a safe manner.
10.Coming out of the pandemic, it is crucial
that elections are free and fair so that the
political challenges caused by the crisis do
not continue into the future without ac-
countability.
11.Particularly during the pandemic, there is a
critical need for international co-ordination,
including in steps to reopen societies fol-
lowing lockdowns and recommencing inter-
national travel. States can also benefit from
experience in other countries through multi-
lateral exchanges.
12.Civil society continues to play a very import-
ant role during the pandemic, particularly
given their potential to provide information
based on their networks at a time when trav-
el is restricted.
KEY RECOMMENDATIONS
1. With the functioning of parliaments limited, it is inappropriate to take any steps that may
have a permanent impact on people’s rights, such as by criminalizing false information
or permanent changes to laws on assembly. It is crucial that parliaments undertake care-
ful scrutiny of all conferral of power under extraordinary measures. All such extraordinary
measures should be strictly limited in time.
2. Parliamentary oversight and transparent legislative procedures are particularly important
under the current circumstances. Parliaments should play an important role in shaping
both immediate responses as well as longer-term solutions.
3. All political actors should work in good faith at this time, and governments should look for
ways to strengthen co-operation across party lines to improve responses to the crisis. It is
important to fully respect parliamentary minorities’ role and ability to conduct robust ques-
tioning and oversight. Parliaments should also work inclusively to ensure that all voices in
society are heard.
OSCE PA vs. COVID-19, Phase 1
17
4. A more complete study of the impact this crisis has had on parliamentary procedures and
functioning will be important.
5. It may be necessary to postpone some elections in order for them to be conducted safely
and fairly. Standard approaches cannot necessarily be relied upon for campaigning or vot-
ing, with some groups likely to be significantly disadvantaged if precautions are not tak-
en. The pandemic must not be used as an opportunity to hold elections within a severely
restricted campaign.
6. Firewalls between public health use of personal data and national security use must be
maintained to safeguard against misuse of private information.
7. To help ensure the sustainability of a healthy civil society, continued funding for NGO ef-
forts is needed, also within the challenging budgetary situation faced by many countries.
8. Pressure should be applied to ensure the release of all prisoners of conscience and political
prisoners, particularly considering the vulnerability of prisons to the spread of infectious
diseases.
9. The pandemic has made clear that access to health care services should be recognized as a
basic human right.
10.Parliamentarians should lead efforts aimed at increased international co-operation and
solidarity coming out of the pandemic response.
OSCE PA vs. COVID-19, Phase 1
18
Racism and discrimination against ethnic, lin-
guistic, and religious minorities is becoming
increasingly widespread during the COVID-19
crisis. In the face of this alarming trend, United
Nations Secretary-General António Guterres
appealed for global action as the COVID-19
pandemic “continues to unleash a tsunami of
hate and xenophobia, scapegoating and scare-
mongering.” Following this appeal, the OSCE
Parliamentary Assembly organized a web-
based dialogue on 22 June 2020 focused on
‘COVID-19 Response: Challenges and Opportu-
nities for Stability and Social Cohesion’ aimed at
better understanding the particular challenges
faced by minorities and vulnerable populations
in the context of the COVID-19 pandemic and
exploring opportunities to build more inclusive
and cohesive societies.
BACKGROUND
1. The social and psychological aspects of the
COVID-19 pandemic are significant and
should be taken seriously. There is a long
history of public health crises leading to
stigma and discrimination, and the pandem-
ic is exacerbating existing social and eco-
nomic divisions.
2. The pandemic has revealed many alarming
systemic inequalities resulting from mar-
ginalization, discrimination, racism, and
xenophobia, with serious shortcomings in
policies. Governmental and parliamentary
actions during this period have an increased
potential to bring long-lasting changes for
our societies.
3. The COVID-19 pandemic has created an op-
portunity to build new, more inclusive, and
equal societies with the help of the lessons
learned from this crisis. These efforts will re-
quire us to understand and embrace the in-
divisibility of human rights and how all rights
are connected (access to health care, right to
work, right to housing, education, etc).
4. Some minority communities have been
disproportionately targeted by the police,
and the pandemic has been used to justify
harsher measures against migrants and ref-
ugees. The closure of borders has also im-
pacted the ability of some minority groups
to work, with trade suffering massively from
these closures.
5. The Black Lives Matter movement has high-
lighted a pressing need for police reform.
6. Minorities often provide frontline services
in health care, transport, and other fields,
placing them in a particularly vulnerable
situation. Some workplaces employing large
shares of minority workers have become
hotspots for the disease.
7. Minorities and vulnerable groups often
KEY FINDINGS
OSCE PA vs. COVID-19, Phase 1
Parliamentary Web Dialogue: “COVID-19 responsein
diversesocieties:challengesandopportunitiesforstabilityand
socialcohesion” - 22 June 2020
SOCIAL COHESION
19
do not have the same degree of access to
health care, and in many cases do not have
health insurance, limiting their access to
treatment. As a result, the percentage of
fatalities linked to COVID-19 tends to be
higher in these communities.
8. With travel restrictions impacting many
people and impacting abilities to collect data
on emerging problems, parliamentarians
have an important role to play in identify-
ing problematic areas in need of increased
attention.
9. Women have also been disproportionately
affected by the pandemic, with mortality
rates linked to COVID-19 being higher for
women of colour, for instance.
10.Failure to provide information in minority
languages has increased the vulnerability
of minority groups, migrants, and refugees.
In many cases teaching was continued on
online platforms solely in the state language,
while the same investment in online learning
for minority languages was not made. Dis-
ruptions in education caused by COVID-19
may have long-term consequences and a
disproportionate impact on those already
impacted by discriminatory schooling.
11.Parliamentarians have the ability to help mi-
grants and unaccompanied minors who are
particularly vulnerable by supporting mea-
sures promoting relocation, access to health
care, housing, and education.
12.A prolonged pandemic may affect electoral
processes, with significant consequences for
minority groups.
13.The COVID-19 pandemic will have a long-
term impact not only on health care, but
also on the economic and social spheres.
The global fight against COVID-19 can only
be successful if it is carried out on the basis
of international co-operation, solidarity, and
inclusiveness in all areas.
KEY RECOMMENDATIONS
1. Parliamentarians have a unique role and ability to bring a human rights and anti-discrimi-
nation perspective into their work and legislation. Members of the Assembly have a duty to
speak out against intolerance and to work towards of social cohesion.
2. Authorities should intervene to stop the spread of false information blaming minori-
ty groups for spreading the virus. The fight against false information must remain at the
forefront and both governments and internet companies need to address the so-called
“infodemic” of unsubstantiated claims, fake cures and conspiracy theories associated with
the pandemic. Governments must promote and protect access to the free flow of reliable
information during the pandemic.
3. There is a pressing need for disaggregated data on testing. Gathering data on race, religion,
ethnicity, and gender would allow policymakers to obtain a clearer picture of the ways in
which different groups are affected by the pandemic.
4. Greater attention needs to be dedicated to nurturing multilateralism and international
co-operation in order to effectively combat this cross-border challenge. The social, eco-
OSCE PA vs. COVID-19, Phase 1
20
nomic, and health care issues involved in rebuilding cohesive societies benefit from such
collaboration.
5. Within the ongoing health crisis, it is important to continue to respect the right to freedom
of assembly in relation to the Black Lives Matter protests and other movements.
6. As we approach the recovery phase, it is crucial to implement corrective economic mea-
sures to ensure minorities are not more penalized than they have already been. Effective
policies for recovery can only be developed with the full engagement of all those affected,
particularly those who are not usually involved in decision-making. Parliamentarians are
uniquely equipped to encourage genuine inclusive participation.
7. There is a need for parliamentary oversight of military authorities and policing, as these
have the potential to exacerbate relations with minority groups and erode public trust in
government.
8. In making adjustments to procedures during the pandemic, whether related to elections,
health care, education or other fields, it may be prudent to restrict these to temporary mea-
sures to ensure no groups are disproportionately affected in the longer term.
OSCE PA vs. COVID-19, Phase 1
21
Refugees and migrants, especially those in
camps and immigration detention centres, are
at increased risk of contracting COVID-19 due
to overcrowded living conditions; limited access
to health, water, sanitation and hygiene services;
limited access to reliable information in their
own languages; and reduced access to human-
itarian aid. On 26 May the OSCE PA organized a
web dialogue focused on “Protecting Refugees
and Migrants During the Pandemic: Camps
and Closed Centres under Lockdown” with the
objective of discussing the specific challenges
associated with protecting refugees and mi-
grants during the pandemic throughout the
OSCE region.
Participants paid special attention to the hu-
manitarian crisis in Greece and the Western
Balkans, as well as vulnerable migrants such as
women and unaccompanied minors. This event
also aimed to exchange examples of ‘good
practice’ and to put forth recommendations on
how to address migration management chal-
lenges whilst ensuring the protection of the hu-
man rights of refugees and migrants, including
the right to health and the right to seek asylum.
BACKGROUND
1. The multifaceted impacts of the COVID-19
pandemic highlight the exceptional expo-
sure of vulnerable people on the move. It
has had a disproportionate effect on refu-
gees, asylum seekers and migrants across
the OSCE region, in particular women and
children, adding to their vulnerabilities due
to poor living conditions, and limited access
to health and hygiene services.
2. COVID-19 has exacerbated the problem of
racism, xenophobia, anti-Semitism, Islam-
ophobia, as well as anti-Roma and anti-Chi-
nese sentiments. There has been a signif-
icant increase of violent incidents against
Asians.
3. The risk of human trafficking has also in-
creased during the pandemic as livelihoods
have been lost; children are at even greater
risk of exploitation due to school closures.
4. Essential workers of migrant backgrounds
have made a particular contribution during
the crisis and have been at greater risk of
exposure.
5. Authorities have so far been successful in
mitigating infection risks by decongesting
migrant facilities, testing, implementing
quarantines for new arrivals, and separating
infected and non-infected persons. Howev-
er, standards are generally low in reception
centers and social distancing and other
guidelines cannot be adequately followed.
Migrants and staff in immigration detention
KEY FINDINGS
OSCE PA vs. COVID-19, Phase 1
Parliamentary Web Dialogue:“Protectingrefugeesand
migrantsduringthepandemic:Campsandclosedcentres
underlockdown” - 26 May 2020
REFUGEES AND MIGRANTS
22
centres are at particular risk.
6. Access to asylum has been severely limited
due to the closure of borders and suspen-
sion of asylum services, leaving migrants at
risk and without a legal status. Rescue at sea
has been delayed or has not taken place at
all and ports have been closed, leaving res-
cued migrants without a safe port of disem-
barkation.
7. The detention of children, regardless of
whether they are unaccompanied or not, is
in violation of their rights and puts them at
greater risk during the current pandemic.
8. The COVID-19 pandemic is not only creating
problems; it is also amplifying existing ones
which have deep roots and which need to
be addressed, such as underlying policies of
exclusion, containment, and deterrence.
9. There is also an urgent need to develop
anticipatory mechanisms and to build on
lessons learned, as the COVID-19 pandemic
has exposed the vulnerability of states and
societies in responding to large-scale crises.
10.Implementing human rights standards from
the beginning enables asylum and migration
systems to become more resilient and bet-
ter cope with unexpected challenges. This
serves not only refugees and migrants but
society as a whole.
KEY RECOMMENDATIONS
1. Refugee and migrant communities must be an integral part of any public health response.
They must have equal access to medical services and reliable information without lan-
guage barriers. Their inclusion is necessary for an effective response and is for the benefit
of the whole of society. At the same time, COVID-19 prevention measures should be im-
plemented in a reasonable, proportionate, and non-discriminatory fashion and should not
stigmatize these communities.
2. The vulnerability of low-paid and seasonal migrant workers should be recognized. The
health impact on these persons should be mitigated, and their living and working condi-
tions should be improved.
3. Authorities should work together with local communities to develop inclusive migration
policies and address prejudice, discrimination, racism, and conspiracy theories which
scapegoat migrant and minority populations.
4. Dialogue and co-operation among police, border management, and other law enforce-
ment authorities must also be reinforced to foster a humane treatment of refugees and
migrants.
5. States should ensure that measures taken in response to the Coronavirus pandemic which
limit freedom of movement are compatible with international and regional human rights
obligations and do not undermine fundamental principles of international protection of
refugees, including the principle of non-refoulement.
OSCE PA vs. COVID-19, Phase 1
23
6. States should consider providing asylum services through videoconferencing. If this is not
possible, they should consider the automatic extension of residence permits and regulariz-
ing the status of asylum seekers to ensure access to health and support services.
7. States should refrain from implementing returns during the pandemic in order to protect
the health of both migrant and local communities.
8. Given the limited prospects of returns, states should consider releasing immigration de-
tainees and implementing alternatives to detention on a larger scale. No person should be
subjected to unjustifiable and/or long-term detention based on their migration status.
9. Children – whether unaccompanied or with their families – should never be detained based
on migration status.
10. Access to education of refugee and migrant children should be ensured during lockdown.
11. Policy makers should view the current crisis as an opportunity to advance dialogue on
migration issues and to address root causes. Human rights, shared responsibility, solidarity,
and accountability should be placed at the heart of migration policies.
12. The European Union should adopt as soon as possible an equitable mechanism for the
redistribution of asylum seekers.
13. Parliamentarians should speak out to protect fundamental human rights principles and
push their governments to do more, by relocating unaccompanied minors and other vul-
nerable migrants and by displaying solidarity towards migrants rescued in the Mediterra-
nean.
14. Ensuring legal and safe passage should be a priority of migration policies. Human
trafficking should be addressed through a common OSCE approach with common rules
and a joint plan based on respect for the dignity of persons and solidarity.
15.There is a need for enhanced international co-operation in implementing effective long-
term responses to migratory issues.
OSCE PA vs. COVID-19, Phase 1
24
The Parliamentary Web Dialogue “Countering
Terrorism and Violent Extremism amidst the
COVID-19 Pandemic” was jointly organized with
the Parliamentary Assembly of the Mediterra-
nean (PAM) and the United Nations Office of
Counter-Terrorism (UNOCT) on 30 June 2020.
The event provided an opportunity for repre-
sentatives of over 65 parliaments to engage
in a focused security debate, take stock of the
latest terrorism and violent extremism trends,
and recognize the important role of parliamen-
tarians in contributing to effective responses
to interrelated regional security challenges in
this context. As such, it served as an informal
platform to exchange views on how counter-ter-
rorism efforts can remain high on governments’
agendas, both during and after the COVID-19
pandemic, and how parliamentary co-operation
can be reinforced at this critical juncture.
BACKGROUND
1. While the long-term impact of COVID-19 on
terrorism is yet to be fully comprehended,
the uncertainty caused by the health crisis
is likely to trigger dangerous dynamics and
fuel violent extremism throughout the OSCE
region, which should be closely monitored
by all OSCE participating States (pS) in the
upcoming period.
2. It is critical to closely follow terrorism-related
trends in adjacent regions, in particular in
North Africa, the Middle East and the Sahel,
as they are interconnected and likely to im-
pact the security of the OSCE region.
3. The unprecedented global health crisis has
exacerbated existing grievances and pro-
tracted conflicts worldwide, while the hu-
manitarian and security situation in camps
and places of detention is particularly worri-
some.
4. Repatriation of FTFs and family members,
in particular children, remains a matter of
utmost urgency.
5. All forms of ideological extremism thrive off
instability and have exploited the COVID-19
crisis in the short term to support their
narratives and overall agenda. For instance,
the use of extreme right-wing rhetoric has
increased on online platforms, thus under-
mining trust in democracy and highlighting
hate narratives and conspiracy theories that
target minorities and migrant groups in
particular.
6. The longer-term change in the terrorist
threat depends on the severity of the cri-
sis in individual States. Many regions could
become vulnerable to the (re-)emergence
of terrorist groups as a result of the current
health crisis, while the most dangerous out-
come could be a resurgence of ISIS.
KEY FINDINGS
OSCE PA vs. COVID-19, Phase 1
Parliamentary Web Dialogue: “Countering Terrorism
and Violent Extremism amidst the COVID-19
Pandemic” - 30 June 2020
COUNTERING TERRORISM
25
7. There is a concern that some terrorist groups
use the pandemic to “replace” and under-
mine the official authorities in countries
which are unable to provide basic needs to
their citizens by offering health services and
economic relief to their respective commu-
nities.
8. There are predictions that after the major
financial crisis induced by COVID-19, voters
could be drawn to more extreme political
narratives which blame state authorities, for-
eigners and minorities for their woes.
9. The health crisis, however, has also illustrat-
ed the fundamental necessity of together-
ness, partnerships, and collective responses
as the only way to secure sustainable results
and build more resilience in the field of
counter-terrorism as well as renew the focus
on what can be done remotely, including for
parliaments. Multilateralism in this regard is,
and must remain, crucial in essence.
10.Strong and continuous inter-organizational
co-operation remains vital. In this context,
the OSCE PA strategic partnership with
UNOCT, enhanced by the MoU signed in
February 2020, serves to engage in goal-ori-
ented initiatives for preventing and counter-
ing terrorism and violent extremism in the
OSCE region. In addition, the UNOCT views
the OSCE PA Publication on Strengthening
Border Security and Information Sharing in
the OSCE Region: A Parliamentary Oversight
Exercise from 2019 as a good practice which
could be replicated on other terrorism-re-
lated resolutions, thus strengthening parlia-
mentary oversight.
11.It is crucial to fully explore the nexus be-
tween terrorism and organized crime to
improve OSCE participating States’ respons-
es against these interlinked phenomena. An
enhanced OSCE – OSCE PA partnership in
this context is deemed essential, and several
concrete project proposals to better lever-
age on the potential of parliamentarians are
being jointly developed.
12.To be effective in the longer run, count-
er-terrorism responses must consider the
private sector, communities on the ground,
and have a strong gender perspective, thus
applying a whole of society approach.
13.Providing accurate, accessible, and inclusive
information about the pandemic and ad-
dressing disinformation disseminated online
is essential.
14.Technological ways of tracking the spread of
virus is a valuable, but double-edged sword,
since it tends to increase social concerns
pertaining to privacy and human rights.
Against this backdrop, parliamentary over-
sight is important, as some countries might
use counter-terrorism legislation and mass
digital surveillance in ways that do not com-
ply with human rights, under the pretext of
the pandemic response.
15.It remains essential to draw a clear distinc-
tion between social movements seeking
to address legitimate concerns in consti-
tutionally guaranteed ways, and terrorist
movements resorting to violence to pursue
their illegal agendas. Hence, there is a need
to achieve a greater balance between coun-
tering terrorism and preserving individual
liberties and human rights.
OSCE PA vs. COVID-19, Phase 1
26
KEY RECOMMENDATIONS
1. Counter-terrorism efforts should always be kept high on the agendas of all OSCE pS, es-
pecially in times of crises, as authorities’ attention tends to shift towards other priorities,
creating fertile ground for terrorist groups to exploit these challenging circumstances and
pursue their own criminal ends.
2. The OSCE pS should continue to monitor trends and share assessments on how extremist
groups are exploiting COVID-19, and thus consolidate national, regional, and international
policy and legislative strategies in this domain. In this context, international co-operation
and parliamentary dialogue in exchanging relevant information remains vital.
3. It is crucial to try to stay ahead of groups that capitalize from states’ lack of resources, by
increasing COVID-19-related services and providing reliable information to citizens. In ad-
dition, pS should continue addressing online disinformation and conspiracy theories spread
by terrorist groups.
4. While countering terrorism, pS should ensure that emergency powers, and the use of
counter-terrorism tools to support response efforts to health crises, should be time-limit-
ed, non-discriminatory and proportional. It is vital to remain committed to human rights,
fundamental freedoms and the rule of law at all times.
5. In order to properly address the issue of returning FTFs and their relatives, OSCE pS should
come up with adequate policies, legislation and programs for repatriation and reintegration
that are tailored to their needs, and in particular to those of women and children.
OSCE PA vs. COVID-19, Phase 1
27
The Parliamentary Web Dialogue on “The Gen-
dered Impacts of COVID-19” aimed at highlight-
ing the differentiated impact of the health crisis
on women and girls while raising awareness
about its short- and long-term repercussions
on women’s health and security. The webinar,
drawing upon main conclusions from the 2020
OSCE PA Gender Balance Report, published in
early June, presented an opportunity for experts
and parliamentarians to exchange views on the
short- and long-term impacts of the COVID-19
pandemic and led to the consideration of pre-
liminary gender-sensitive policy recommenda-
tions for lawmakers across the region.
BACKGROUND
1. The COVID-19 pandemic has reaffirmed
women’s vital and meaningful role in our
societies. Women currently represent 70
per cent of the health and social care sector
workforce globally, providing essential care
and aid during this crisis, while also facing
significant infection and psychological risks.
2. The crisis has brought to light and exacer-
bated chronic hardships faced by women
and girls regarding their safe and unhin-
dered access to quality health care services,
further restraining the enjoyment of basic
sexual, reproductive, and maternity rights. In
addition, the crisis has compromised wom-
en’s access to basic maternal and reproduc-
tive commodities exposing them to signifi-
cant risks to their well-being.
3. The economic downturn inflicted by the
crisis has affected women more acutely than
men. Early evidence points to an increase
in unpaid care work with a higher propor-
tion of female unpaid care workers than
men. Labour rights are enduring significant
pressures as a result of the economic hard-
ship, especially for women workers, who
are already in a precarious situation due to
chronic inequalities, including the gender
wage gap.
4. Drastic public health measures adopted
to contain the virus (e.g. quarantine, social
distancing) are having an important impact
on women’s security. Women and girls are at
risk of intimate partner violence and other
forms of domestic violence due to increased
emotional tension and financial stress in the
household, recommendations and orders
from authorities to stay at home, and disrup-
tions in social networks and services.
5. Access to services and structures destined
to protect women and girls, including com-
munity centres, has been interrupted during
the COVID-19 pandemic, thus increasing
women’s vulnerability and feelings of help-
lessness.
6. The COVID-19 crisis has had a dispropor-
KEY FINDINGS
OSCE PA vs. COVID-19, Phase 1
Parliamentary Web Dialogue: “The Gendered Impacts
of COVID-19”- 15 June 2020
GENDER
28
tionate effect on certain groups of women.
Women with disabilities, women living in
extreme poverty, racialized and Indigenous
women, LGBTI+ individuals, refugee and
migrant women and senior women, among
other vulnerable groups, have been exposed
to additional risks during this pandemic,
further worsening their already precarious
living conditions. Risks of abuse and ill-
ness due to the lack of equal access or/and
availability of services put women of these
groups at further risk.
7. State responses to the crisis reveal an im-
portant lack of gender-sensitive policymak-
ing. The low proportionality of women in all
branches of government limits the incorpo-
ration of women’s perspectives, which will
negatively affect effectiveness of policies
focusing on mitigating the effects of the
pandemic.
8. Ultimately, the pandemic has brought to
light a considerable absence of social aware-
ness on gender issues, presenting significant
challenges and accentuating risks of abuse
and discrimination towards LGBTI+ commu-
nities and other vulnerable groups across
the OSCE region.
KEY RECOMMENDATIONS
1. Against this backdrop, OSCE participating States should upgrade their work to ensure their
responses are implemented in a gender-conscious manner. More specifically, policymakers
should engage in dialogue with diverse women as well as women-led civil society orga-
nizations in the creation and implementation of gender-responsive policies, especially in
addressing observed deficiencies of health care system models exposed by the pandemic.
2. Comprehensive responses to the effects of the health crisis require the collection and anal-
ysis of data disaggregated not only by sex but also by other intersectional factors such as
race, indigeneity, sexuality, age, disability, socioeconomic status and migratory status. Such
data is crucial in outlining gender-sensitive policies. By investing in analysis of the ongoing
developments from a gender perspective, participating States would enhance their pre-
vention and crisis-response capabilities that will allow for the implementation of justified,
targeted, and cost-efficient responses to future crises.
3. Policies aiming at mitigating the impact of the health crisis should also ensure that women,
particularly those who are marginalized, benefit from equal and unhindered access to qual-
ity health care services. Setbacks observed in the availability and provision of maternal and
reproductive health care should be addressed while ensuring that women and girls fully
enjoy their sexual and reproductive rights.
4. Considering the observed increase of gender-based and intimate partner violence incidents
across the OSCE region during the COVID-19 pandemic, efforts should be multiplied by
State institutions in addressing the root causes of gender-based and intimate partner vio-
lence, as well as the immediate and long-term effects of gender-based crimes.
5. Emergency support lines, shelters and psychological support services must remain
OSCE PA vs. COVID-19, Phase 1
29
available and reachable to women and girls, and participating States should ensure these
services receive adequate financing and undisrupted functioning.
6. In parallel, law enforcement bodies must provide their personnel with continuous and com-
prehensive training on gender-related issues as they often act as first-responders to report-
ed incidents of gender-based and intimate partner violence.
7. Participating States must ensure that their economic recovery and social assistance plans
are gender-responsive by taking into account the prevalence of women in many of the in-
dustries affected by COVID-19 shutdowns and providing specific assistance to women-led
businesses. These plans should also support women and families who face increased care
responsibilities at home as a result of the pandemic, including single parents, the majority
of whom are women.
8. Efforts should be multiplied in defining and implementing inclusive and well-targeted ed-
ucational curricula, an important element for enhancing social empowerment and aware-
ness. Accelerating gender mainstreaming efforts through education, life-long learning
opportunities on civic education and open public dialogue should be supported and rein-
forced as they constitute a key driver for the formation of a gender aware society.
9. Gender-sensitive policymaking is considered key for ensuring democratic, inclusive, and
holistic responses to old and new socioeconomic challenges. While efforts to mitigate the
negative effects of the crisis should remain gender-responsive, participating States must
also advance their efforts in ensuring equal and fair representation of women in the legisla-
tive, executive, and judicial branches of government.
10.The crisis is also exposing the lack of women in health care leadership positions, despite
making up the vast majority of health care workers. Participating States should work to
address this discrepancy and increase the representation of diverse women in health care
leadership.
11.Parliaments must ensure that recovery measures are adopted while taking all stakehold-
ers into account and that these measures are implemented in a gender-sensitive manner.
Parliamentarians should enhance their efforts in achieving more equal and proportionate
participation of women in legislative bodies, particularly advocating for equal representa-
tion of women in budgetary committees and leadership positions. It is also vital that par-
liamentarians co-operate in a gender-sensitive spirit in building State recovery responses,
also in co-operation with colleagues across the OSCE region.
12.International Organizations, such as the OSCE, must do their utmost to encourage their
participating States to advance their gender mainstreaming efforts while ensuring that
these are also mirrored in the work of the entire Organization.
OSCE PA vs. COVID-19, Phase 1
30
1. An enormous amount of false and mislead-
ing information related to the COVID-19
pandemic led the World Health Organization
(WHO) and several governments to warn in
March of a so-called “infodemic.”
2. Since the start of the crisis, misleading
healthcare information, conspiracy theories,
fake claims about vaccines, bogus cures, and
medicines have been circulating on the in-
ternet and on social media platforms, which
resulted in the spread of panic, confusion,
and distrust.
3. With quarantine and lockdown being im-
plemented worldwide, citizens have been
forced to stay home and rely heavily on
the internet as source of information. The
increased use of social media and the over-
abundance of information in links and posts,
some of it fake or inaccurate, together with
the lack of knowledge about the virus, given
its novelty, made it complicated for people
to find the trustworthy sources they needed.
4. Vulnerable groups, such as young people,
the elderly, children, and people with limited
access to the internet and plurality of infor-
mation sources, face a higher risk of being
misinformed.
5. Disinformation is being disseminated by
some governments and authorities in order
to discredit opposition, interfere in foreign
affairs, or manipulate public discourse. In
these cases, multilateral co-operation and
the work of international organizations
becomes key to addressing the issues and
ensuring that citizens have access to plural-
ity of information and to increase resistance
to the spread of disinformation.
KEY FINDINGS
OSCE PA vs. COVID-19, Phase 1
Contribution of OSCE Parliamentary Assembly’s
Special Rapporteur on Disinformation and
Propaganda Oscar Mina (San Marino)
KEY RECOMMENDATIONS
1. Combating the flow of disinformation must be a common effort of OSCE participating
States’ competent authorities, civil society, social media platforms, and international
organi-zations.
2. OSCE participating States should strengthen legislation to combat disinformation and
propaganda by promoting high-quality journalism, developing norms and standards that
apply to both traditional and digital platforms, and encourage accurate and diverse media
content.
3. All efforts taken by parliaments and governments to address the spread of disinformation
DISINFORMATION
31
must comply with international legal guarantees of the rights to freedom of expression and
freedom of the media.
4. Building on experience in fighting COVID-19-related disinformation so far, the OSCE partic-
ipating States should take further steps to strengthen co-operation within the OSCE and its
partners and other international organizations for a more co-ordinated and faster response
to future challenges.
5. While maintaining a democratic debate, key decisions by governments and authorities
should be science-based and include vetted advice from researchers and scientists.
6. Measures should be taken to empower citizens to critically analyze information online, by
implementing measures that promote media literacy and improve digital skills. In this
regard, authorities should develop strategies and work in conjunction with civil society
organizations, the private sector, and the relevant OSCE institutions, including the
Representative on Freedom of the Media.
OSCE PA vs. COVID-19, Phase 1
32
• Prof. Giovanni Tria, former Italian Minister of Economy and Finance
• Jeffrey Schlagenhauf, Deputy Secretary-General of the OECD
• Prof. Gottfried Haber, Vice Governor of the National Bank of Austria
Parliamentary Web Dialogue “The Economic Security Fallout
of the COVID-19 Pandemic” - 22 April 2020
List of keynote speakers and invited guests for
each of the Parliamentary Web Dialogues
ANNEX
• Ingibjorg Gisladottir, Director of the OSCE Office for Democratic Institutions and
Human Rights
• Michael Abramowitz, President of Freedom House
Parliamentary Web Dialogue “Respecting human rights and maintaining
democratic control during states of emergency” - 8 May 2020
• Ambassador Tuula Yrjölä, Director of the OSCE Conflict Prevention Centre
• Ambassador Yasar Halit Çevik, Head of the OSCE Special Monitoring Mission to
Ukraine
Parliamentary Web Dialogue “COVID’s impact on conflicts in the OSCE region”
- 15 May 2020
• Dr. Francesca Dominici, Co-Director of the Harvard Data Science Initiative, Clarence
James Gamble Professor of Biostatistics, Population and Data Science at the Harvard
T.H. Chan School of Public Health
• Tao Zhang, Deputy Managing Director, International Monetary Fund
• Susan Gardner, Director of the Ecosystems Division of the UN Environment Programme
Parliamentary Web Dialogue “COVID-19: A turning point for environmental
protection?” - 22 May 2020
• Dunja Mijatovic, Council of Europe Commissioner for Human Rights
• Gianluca Rocco, IOM Chief of Mission in Greece and Regional Response Coordinator
Parliamentary Web Dialogue “Protecting refugees and migrants during the
pandemic: Camps and closed centres under lockdown” - 26 May 2020
OSCE PA vs. COVID-19, Phase 1
33
• Gabriela Cuevas Barron, Inter-Parliamentary Union President
• Ingibjörg Sólrún Gísladóttir, Director of the OSCE Office for Democratic Institutions and
Human Rights
• Françoise Girard, President of the International Women’s Health Coalition
Parliamentary Web Dialogue “Gendered Impacts of COVID-19”
- 15 June 2020
• Ambassador Lamberto Zannier, OSCE High Commissioner on National Minorities
• Nada Al-Nashif, Deputy UN High Commissioner for Human Rights
Parliamentary Web Dialogue “COVID-19 response in diverse societies: challenges
and opportunities for stability and social cohesion” - 22 June 2020
• Gennaro Migliore, Chair of the Parliamentary Assembly of the Mediterranean’s Special
Committee on Counterterrorism
• Mauro Miedico, Deputy Director, and Chief, Special Projects and Innovation Branch,
UN Office of Counter-Terrorism
• Reinhold Lopatka, Chair of the OSCE PA Ad Hoc Committee on Countering Terrorism
• Ambassador Mohamed El-Amine Ould Ikek, Assistant Secretary General for Legal Af-
fairs, League of Arab States
• Ambassador Alena Kupchyna, Co-ordinator of Activities to Address Transnational
Threats, Transnational Threats Department, OSCE Secretariat
• Dr. Andrea Margelletti, President, International Studies Centre (Ce.SI), Advisor to the-
Ministry of Defense of Italy
Parliamentary Web Dialogue “Countering Terrorism and Violent Extremism amidst
the COVID-19 Pandemic” - 30 June 2020
OSCE PA vs. COVID-19, Phase 1
34
All media content pertaining to the Parliamentary Web Dialogues, including videos of all the
events, as well as related op-eds and interviews, can be found on the OSCE PA social media
accounts and on our website, www.oscepa.org. We encourage OSCE PA members and
supporters to use these tools, subscribe to our channels, and share our content widely.
SOCIAL MEDIA
Youtube
Facebook
Twitter
Flickr
OSCE PA vs. COVID-19, Phase 1
35
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