OSCE PA Practical and procedural information og udkast til rapporter og resolutionstekster for de 3 komiteer i forbindelse med dette års Annual Session

1/2
OSCEs Parlamentariske Forsamling
Til:
Dato:
Delegationens medlemmer
9. maj 2022
Procedurer deadlines i forbindelse med den årlige session i Birmingham
fra 2. – 6. juli 2022
Hermed omdeles procedurer og deadlines samt udkast til rapporter og resolutionstek-
ster fra forsamlingens tre komitéer til brug for OSCE’s Parlamentariske Forsamlings
(OSCE PA) årlige session i Birmingham 2.- 6. juli 2022.
Der en række krav og tidsfrister, som I skal overholde, hvis I ønsker at fremsætte æn-
dringsforslag eller forslag til supplerende resolutioner (”Supplementary Items”) i forbin-
delse med den kommende session i Birmingham. Jeg har opsummeret krav og tidsfrister
i nedenstående skema. I lighed med tidligere vil jeg samle alle de indkomne forslag til
supplerende resolutioner sammen og præsenteres dem samlet for jer inden fristen for
at støtte dem. Derved får I et samlet overblik over forslagene, så I bedst kan vurdere,
hvilke 4 forslag I ønsker at støtte. Underskiftsskemaer til brug for eventuelle ændrings-
forslag bliver omdelt, så snart de modtages fra OSCE PA sekretariatet.
Forslag Krav Frist for modtagelse i
Folketingets sekreta-
riat
Frist for modta-
gelse i OSCE PAs
sekretariat
Forslag til supplerende
resolutionsudkast
(supplementary items)
Skal som minimum være under-
skrevet af 20 medlemmer af
OSCE PA fra mindst 4 forskellige
lande. Hvert medlem kan maksi-
malt underskrive 4 supplerende
resolutionsudkast.
Onsdag den 25. maj 2022
kl.10.00
Lørdag den 28. maj
2022
Kompromisforslag til sup-
plerende resolutionsud-
kast (compromise sup-
plementary items)
Skal som minimum være under-
skrevet af forslagsstillerne og af
10 af underskriverne på de sup-
plerende resolutionsudkast.
Fredag den 17. juni 2022
kl.10
Lørdag den 18. juni
2022
Ændringsforslag til rap-
portørernes resolutions-
udkast (amendments to
draft resolutions)
Skal som minimum være under-
skrevet af 5 medlemmer af
OSCA PA fra mindst 2 forskellige
lande. Hvert medlem kan maksi-
malt underskrive 4 ændringsfor-
slag.
Fredag den 17. juni 2022
kl.10
Lørdag den 18. juni
2022
Ændringsforslag til sup-
plerende resolutionsud-
kast (amendments to
supplementary items)
Skal som minimum være under-
skrevet af 5 medlemmer af
OSCA PA fra mindst 2 forskellige
lande. Hvert medlem kan maksi-
malt underskrive 4 ændringsfor-
slag.
Fredag den 24. juni 2022
kl.10
Lørdag den 25. juni
2022
Offentligt
OSCE Alm.del - Bilag 19
OSCEs Parlamentariske Forsamling 2021-22
2/2
Delegationssekretariatet vil koordinere og videreformidle forslag til OSCE PAs Interna-
tionale Sekretariat. Af praktiske hensyn vil den interne tidsfrist for aflevering af forslag til
delegationens sekretariat være fredagen kl. 10.00 før OSCE PAs Internationale Sekre-
tariat skal have dem i hænde.
Såfremt I selv ønsker at fremsætte forslag, anbefales det at være ude i god tid før udlø-
bet af tidsfristerne. Maj - juni er typisk en travl tid i de fleste parlamenter, og det kan
derfor være forbundet med visse praktiske problemer at få indsamlet det nødvendige
antal underskrifter. Så sig til i god tid. Ændringsforslag fordeles alene elektronisk.
Samtidig vil jeg også bemærke, at der maksimalt kan behandles 15 supplementary items
på sessionen i Birmingham. Hvis flere end 15 supplementary items har fået det fornødne
antal underskrifter, vil Standing Committee stemme om, hvilke supplementary items, der
skal behandles.
Reglerne for valg til posterne i forsamlingen er desuden beskrevet i de vedlagte infor-
mationer, ligesom det fremgår, hvilke poster der er på valg.
I Birmingham skal der således vælges:
• 1 Præsident
• 4 vicepræsidenter
• Formand, næstformand og rapportør for hver af de tre komitéer
Med venlig hilsen
Eva Esmarch,
delegationssekretær


AS (22) PDT E
Original: English
OSCE PARLIAMENTARY ASSEMBLY
PROCEDURAL DOCUMENT
AND TIMELINE
Birmingham, 2 – 6 July 2022
Offentligt
OSCE Alm.del - Bilag 19
OSCEs Parlamentariske Forsamling 2021-22
1
TABLE OF CONTENTS
Documents........................................................................................ 2
General Committee Reports & Draft Resolutions ....................................... 2
Supplementary Items.............................................................................. 2
Amendments .......................................................................................... 3
Validation of Signatures .......................................................................... 4
Submission of Documents ....................................................................... 5
List of Speakers for the General Debate .......................................... 5
Voting and Voting Cards................................................................... 5
Election of the Officers of the Assembly .......................................... 6
President of the Parliamentary Assembly.................................................. 6
Vice-Presidents of the Parliamentary Assembly ......................................... 7
Treasurer ............................................................................................... 7
Election of the General Committee Officers............................................... 8
Officers of the Assembly .................................................................. 9
Calendar of Key Deadlines ...............................................................10
2
This document seeks to give a brief and basic guide to the procedures of the
OSCE Parliamentary Assembly and the practical arrangements in view of the
29th Annual Session to be held in Birmingham from 2 to 6 July 2022. This
document is not exhaustive and should be read in conjunction with the Rules
of Procedure dated 21 March 2020.
DOCUMENTS
Please pay special attention to the Rules of Procedure and the document deadlines (page
10) regarding the submission of Supplementary Items, Amendments, Compromise
Supplementary Items and Questions of Urgency.
General Committees Reports and Draft Resolutions
The Rapporteur of each General Committee will present a report which will form the basis
of the debate in the General Committee. The text of the report is the responsibility of the
Rapporteur.
The Rapporteur will also present a draft resolution based on the report. Both documents
will be translated and circulated as soon as possible, expected to be in early May 2022.
The Draft Resolution, but not the Report, is subject to amendment by Members of the
Assembly in accordance with the provisions of Rule 22, paragraph 1 of the Rules of
Procedure. Amendments should, therefore, relate only to the subjects addressed by the
Rapporteur in the Draft Resolution.
Supplementary Items
Rule 21 of the Rules of Procedure states that 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. Proposed supplementary items may therefore only
be submitted to the Secretariat after the Reports and Draft Resolutions of the Rapporteurs
are made available in early May but at least 35 days before the opening of the first plenary
session, on Saturday 28th May 2022.
Supplementary Items 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 Standing Committee may place only fifteen supplementary items on the agenda of
the Annual Session. The Standing Committee decides by a two-thirds majority of the votes
cast whether to include a supplementary item on the agenda of the Annual Session. 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, and
3
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.
According to Rule 21.3, Supplementary Items which obtain the level of support required
by Rule 21.1 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, are referred directly to the plenary or competent Committee.
Supplementary Items must be received at the International Secretariat in
Copenhagen not later than SATURDAY 28 MAY 2022.
Compromise Supplementary Items must be received at the International
Secretariat in Copenhagen not later than SATURDAY 18 JUNE.
Amendments
According to paragraph 1 of Rule 22 of the Rules of Procedure, amendments to the draft
resolutions presented by the General Rapporteurs or to supplementary items shall be
submitted in writing and signed by at least five Members representing at least two
participating States. A Member of the Assembly may not sign more than four
Amendments to a draft resolution or to a supplementary item.
Amendments to the draft resolutions prepared by the Rapporteurs of the three General
Committees shall be received at the Secretariat with the required signatures at least
fourteen days before the opening of the first plenary session (Saturday 18th June 2022).
Amendments to supplementary items shall be received at the Secretariat with the required
signatures at least seven days before the opening of the first plenary session (Saturday
25th June 2022).
Each Amendment may only relate to one paragraph. If two or more Amendments relate
to the same paragraph, they will be voted upon according to the following order:
- Amendments to delete the entire paragraph
- Amendments to delete part of the paragraph
- Amendments that modify the paragraph
- Additional Amendments that insert a new paragraph.
Delegations are particularly requested not to present Amendments which incorporate or
re-order large sections of the Rapporteur’s original draft resolution. In order to allow
proper debate, it is necessary that any Amendments be addressed specifically to individual
paragraphs of the Rapporteur’s text. Amendments should not take the form of alternative
resolutions.
The forms for submitting amendments to draft resolutions and supplementary items will
be forwarded to you.
4
Amendments to the three General Committee Draft Resolutions must be
received at the International Secretariat in Copenhagen not later than
SATURDAY 18 JUNE 2022.
Amendments to Supplementary Items must be received at the International
Secretariat in Copenhagen not later than SATURDAY 25 JUNE 2022.
Final Document
The draft Final Document to be debated and considered at the Plenary Session on
Wednesday, 6 July 2022 will be, in principle, a composite of the three resolutions of
the three General Committees. Supplementary Items adopted in General Committees will
also be considered by the Plenary Session. In the event of incompatibilities between the
texts adopted by the General Committees, a Drafting Committee composed of
representatives of the three General Committees and others appointed by the President
will seek to reconcile the texts (Rule 39, paragraph 3).
Validation of Signatures
Please note that Rule 24 of the Rules of Procedure, related to validation of signatures, was
amended at the 2019 Winter Meeting. In accordance with this change, for the purposes
of validation of signatures, the Standing Committee is expected to approve the list of
registered participants maintained by the Secretariat.
RULE 24 (as amended)
Validation of Signatures
1. The signatures of Members of the Assembly who signed a supplementary item or
an amendment in accordance with the Rules of Procedure are valid provided they
register for the Annual Session; the Secretariat shall maintain a list of registered
participants subject to approval by the Standing Committee.
2. In the event that a Member of the Assembly who registered for but cannot attend
the Annual Session due to unavoidable obligations, his or her signatures shall
remain valid provided that the President of the Assembly and the Secretary General
are notified in writing by the Head of a Delegation before the Standing Committee
meeting.
5
Submission of Documents and Signatures
For the submission of documents and signatures (Supplementary Items, Amendments,
etc.), please use ONLY the following:
Email: birminghamdocs@oscepa.dk
Fax: +45 33 37 80 30
List of Speakers for General Debates
In advance of general debates held in both Plenary Sessions and General Committees,
Members wishing to speak should enter their names in a register provided for that purpose
in the Table Office not later than one hour before the announced time for the
opening of the sitting (Rule 27, paragraph 2). Please note since that Birmingham is an
in-person Annual Session, there will not be a virtual Table Office. It will not be possible
to sign up to speak via email.
Considering the time constraints, Members wishing to speak in the general debate in the
Plenary Session on Tuesday, 5 July 2022 are particularly encouraged to enter their
names in a register provided for that purpose in the Table Office in good time and in all
cases not later than one hour before the announced time for the opening of the sitting.
The Chair may close the list when the number of speakers multiplied by five minutes
exceeds the time available for the session. Alternatively, the Chair may reduce the time
limit for each speaker to less than five minutes in order to allow more Members to
participate in the debate (Rule 27, paragraph 2).
Voting and Voting Cards
Under Rule 34, paragraph 1, decisions in the Assembly, Standing Committee, General
Committees or Bureau can only be taken when a majority of Members are present. The
Chair shall determine the presence of a quorum.
Under Rule 32, paragraph 1, the Assembly shall vote by a show of hands except in cases
where a roll-call vote or secret ballot is required.
Each delegation will receive colour-coded voting cards for the three General Committees
and for the Plenary Sessions. Voting cards can be picked beginning up at 9:00 a.m. on
Saturday 2 July 2022 at the venue of the Session (the International Convention Centre) in
Birmingham.
The voting cards for the three General Committees will be distributed according to Rule
36, paragraphs 2 and 4. The OSCE PA International Secretariat will distribute the voting
cards divided equally, to the extent possible, among the General Committees. The
difference between voting cards distributed for each committee shall not exceed one.
6
Where the Assembly's accounts show that a participating State has not made its due
contribution for a period of 9 months, Members of its delegation shall not be allowed to
vote until the contribution has been received (Rule 41, paragraph 5).
ELECTION OF OFFICERS OF THE ASSEMBLY
(Current list of Officers of the Assembly can be found on page 9)
Election of the President and Vice-Presidents will be held on the last day of the Annual
Session, Wednesday, 6 July 2022. These Officers will be elected by secret ballot (Rule
5, paragraphs 1 through 4). In considering proposed candidates, the Assembly shall take
into account the national composition of the Assembly (Rule 4, paragraph 9).
Under Rule 4, paragraph 5, candidates for the offices of President and Vice-President must
be sponsored in writing by twenty-five (25) or more Members of the Assembly. Nomination
papers should be handed in at the Table Office no later than 10:00 a.m. on Tuesday,
5 July 2022. In accordance with Rule 4, paragraph 5, the Bureau will verify the
candidatures prior to submission to the Assembly.
The elections will be held on Wednesday 6 July 2022 between 8:30 a.m. and 11:00
a.m. Details regarding distribution of ballot papers and the organization of the election
will be announced during the Birmingham Session. Proxy voting is not allowed. Each voting
member shall cast their ballot in person.
In accordance with Rule 31, paragraph 3, a Member who has an unavoidable obligation to
leave the Annual Session before the day of the election of a President, Vice-President, and
a Treasurer has the right to vote earlier, provided that he or she has notified the Assembly
President in writing. Early voting shall start only when all candidates have been duly
nominated. In the event of a second ballot, any members who have left the Annual Session
will be unable to vote.
In accordance with Rule 32, paragraph 4, the Chair will appoint three tellers to supervise
the elections and count the ballots. All duly appointed candidates or those that represent
them have the right to monitor the voting procedure, the counting of the ballot papers,
and the tabulation of the votes in all polling places.
If the number of candidates nominated is the same or less than the number of positions
to be filled, the candidates shall be declared elected by acclamation (Rule 5, paragraph 4).
President of the Parliamentary Assembly
The President will be elected for a period of one year, until the closure of the 2023 Annual
Session (Rule 4, paragraph 6). The President may be re-elected only once to the same
office (Rule 5, paragraph 6).
In accordance with Rule 5, paragraph 1, the President shall be elected by secret ballot and
each Member entitled to vote may cast one vote. If, on the first ballot, no candidate has
7
obtained an absolute majority of the votes cast, a second ballot shall be held between the
two candidates who obtain the most votes in the first ballot. The candidate who, on the
second ballot, obtains the most votes shall be elected. In the event of a tie, the issue shall
be decided by lot.
Ms. Margareta CEDERFELT (Sweden) was elected President in a hybrid session in 2021 for
a one-year term. Ms. Cederfelt is eligible for re-election as President.
Vice-Presidents of the Parliamentary Assembly
Vice-Presidents may be re-elected once to the same office (Rule 5, paragraph 6). A Vice-
President who has served less than two three-year terms is eligible for re-election (Rule 5,
paragraph 7).
In Birmingham it is expected that there will be elections for three Vice-
Presidents who will serve for three years until the end of the 2025 Annual
Session and one Vice-President who will serve for one year (until the end of the
2023 Annual Session).
• Mr. Azay GULIYEV (Azerbaijan), elected Vice-President in 2016 in Tbilisi for a three-
year mandate, and re-elected Vice-President in Luxembourg in 2019 for a three-
year mandate, is not eligible for re-election as Vice-President.
• Mr. Kristian VIGENIN (Bulgaria), elected Vice-President in Berlin in 2018 for a three-
year mandate, and re-elected in a hybrid session in 2021 for a one-year mandate,
is eligible for re-election as Vice-President.
• Ms. Irene CHARALAMBIDES (Cyprus), elected Vice-President in a hybrid session in
2021 for a one-year mandate, is eligible for re-election as Vice-President.
• Ms. Daniela DE RIDDER (Germany), elected Vice-President in a hybrid session in
2021 for a two-year mandate, is no longer a Member of Parliament. This mandate
expires in 2023.
The Assembly will vote on all four positions of Vice-President simultaneously. The three
candidates obtaining the greatest number of votes will serve for three years until the end
of the 2025 Annual Session (Rule 4, paragraph 7). Since there is an unexpired term to be
filled (until 2023), the candidate receiving the next highest number of votes shall be
elected.
Treasurer
In Birmingham, there will not be an election for Treasurer.
The Treasurer shall hold office from the close of the Annual Session in which he or she is
elected to the close of the second Annual Session thereafter (Rule 4, paragraph 8). The
Treasurer may be re-elected twice to the same office (Rule 5, paragraph 6).
8
• Mr. Peter JUEL-JENSEN, elected in 2019 in Luxembourg for a two-year term, was
re-elected in a hybrid session in 2021 for a two-year term. This mandate concludes
in 2023.
Election of General Committee Officers
General Committees shall elect a Chair, a Vice-Chair and a General Rapporteur, who are
the Officers of General Committees, at the close of the sitting at each Annual Session for
the following year (Rule 36, paragraph 5). Candidates shall be sponsored in writing and
submitted to the Table Office. Unless the General Committee decides otherwise, they shall
be nominated before the opening of the last scheduled meeting of the General
Committee during the Annual Session.
The General Committee Officers shall be elected by a majority of votes cast in a secret
ballot. If no candidate has obtained a majority, a second ballot shall be held between the
two candidates having obtained the highest number of votes in the first ballot. If there is
only one candidate nominated for an office the candidate shall be declared elected by
acclamation (Rule 36, paragraph 5).
9
OFFICERS OF THE OSCE PARLIAMENTARY ASSEMBLY
MEMBERS OF THE BUREAU
Name Country Position Term
Ms. Margareta Cederfelt Sweden President To end 2022 Session
Mr. Azay Guliyev Azerbaijan Vice-President To end 2022 Session
Ms. Irene Charalambides Cyprus Vice-President To end 2022 Session
Mr. Kristian Vigenin Bulgaria Vice-President To end 2022 Session
Mr. Pascal Allizard France Vice-President To end 2023 Session
Vacant Vice-President To end 2023 Session
Mr. Askar Shakirov Kazakhstan Vice-President To end 2023 Session
Mr. Roger Wicker U.S.A. Vice-President To end 2024 Session
Ms. Pia Kauma Finland Vice-President To end 2024 Session
Mr. Reinhold Lopatka Austria Vice-President To end 2024 Session
Mr. Peter Juel-Jensen Denmark Treasurer To end 2023 Session
Vacant President Emeritus To end 2022 Session
OFFICERS OF THE GENERAL COMMITTEES
I. GENERAL COMMITTEE ON POLITICAL AFFAIRS AND SECURITY
Mr. Richard Hudson U.S.A. Chair
Mr. Costel Neculai Dunava Romania Vice-Chair
Mr. Laurynas Kasciunas Lithuania Rapporteur
II. GENERAL COMMITTEE ON ECONOMIC AFFAIRS, SCIENCE, TECHNOLOGY AND
ENVIRONMENT
Mr. Pere Joan Pons Spain Chair
Mr. Artur Gerasymov Ukraine Vice-Chair
Ms. Gudrun Kugler Austria Rapporteur
III. GENERAL COMMITTEE ON DEMOCRACY, HUMAN RIGHTS AND HUMANITARIAN
QUESTIONS
Ms. Sereine Mauborgne France Chair
Mr. Michael Georg Link Germany Vice-Chair
Mr. Johan Buser Sweden Rapporteur
10
Calendar of Key Deadlines for Birmingham Annual Session
Date Action Further
information
27 May 2022 Deadline for registration for Annual Session General Information
28 May 2022
Deadline for submission of
Supplementary Items Rule 21
10 June 2022
Deadline for registration of non-parliamentary
delegations General Information
15 June 2022 Deadline for booking meeting rooms General Information
18 June 2022
Deadline for submission of Amendments
to General Committee Draft Resolutions Rule 22
18 June 2022
(If needed) Deadline for Compromise
Supplementary Items Rule 21.2
25 June 2022
Deadline for submission of Amendments
to Supplementary Items Rule 22
10:00, 5 July
2022
Nominations of candidates for President and
Vice-President Rule 4.5
09:00 and
11:30, 5 July
2022
Nominations of candidates for General
Committee Officers (unless decided otherwise
by Committee) Rule 36.5
08:30-11:00,
6_July 2022 Voting for Assembly Officers Rule 5
For the submission of documents and signatures (Supplementary Items, Amendments,
etc.), please use ONLY the following:
Email: birminghamdocs@oscepa.dk
Fax: +45 33 37 80 30


AS (22) RP 1 E
Original: English
REPORT
FOR THE GENERAL COMMITTEE ON
POLITICAL AFFAIRS AND SECURITY
Defence of the OSCE Principles and Commitments Amidst
Unprecedented Military Hostilities in the OSCE Region
RAPPORTEUR
Mr. Laurynas Kasciunas
Lithuania
BIRMINGHAM, 2 – 6 JULY 2022
Offentligt
OSCE Alm.del - Bilag 19
OSCEs Parlamentariske Forsamling 2021-22
1
REPORT
FOR THE GENERAL COMMITTEE ON
POLITICAL AFFAIRS AND SECURITY
Rapporteur: Mr. Laurynas Kasčiūnas (Lithuania)
Introduction
The world as we know it today, the European security order we have been living in so
far, the OSCE we are used to working with, are under attack. We face the clash of two
absolutely different realities.
There is one reality – our reality – where democratic values, respect for human rights
and fundamental freedoms prevail, where international law is respected, and where
diplomacy and co-operation are always chosen as the only means to advance
countries’ foreign policy objectives. Our reality, where we witness that millions of
people across their own country, Ukraine, in the very heart of Europe, fight for ideals
and values which are anchored in the OSCE’s founding documents and commitments.
Our reality, where millions of people are ready to sacrifice their lives to defend the
independence and sovereignty of their country. In this dedicated pursuit of peace,
security, and justice for their own country and all of Europe, thousands of innocent
people and children have lost their lives. The people of Ukraine, but also the people
of Georgia and the Republic of Moldova, have dedicated their lives to fighting for their
inherent rights and freedoms, political independence, and the sovereignty and integrity
of the frontiers of their country. In the meantime, Ukraine is at the front line of this
courageous fight, the outcome of which will define the destiny of the security order
contours in the OSCE region.
Regretfully, there is another reality, the brutal one. The unlawful reality in which we
observe the absolute disregard for human life and human dignity and the absence of
commitment by participating States to the ideals and principles of the OSCE. We
witness States who choose to entirely reject the fundamental principles of this
Organization and favour waging unprovoked war and States that refuse to co-operate
under the Vienna Document and adhere to the mechanism of Risk Reduction. This
unwillingness to fulfil previously undertaken responsibilities eventually translates into
the flagrant breach of OSCE commitments and dismantles the very basis of the
European security architecture. Within this fragile reality, we witness the perpetration
of gross human rights violations, repression of political opposition and independent
civil society, the instrumentalization of migrants, and the utilization of destabilizing
cyber and other kinds of hybrid warfare. Such determination to violate and deviate
from the common values and principles and the over-reliance on the use of force and
mutual acquisitions only exacerbates an already complex security situation, while
risking returning the OSCE region to the adversity of past times.
In order to reconcile these two different realities, there is a need to recommit to OSCE
principles; namely, in the dimension of political affairs and security, but also to make
a very critical self-assessment of what has led to this situation. These unprecedented,
heightened tensions, military aggression, and mounting unconventional threats can be
2
averted only when all OSCE participating States and nations persistently contribute
towards upholding the Helsinki principles in full conformity with international law. This
may also bring a unique opportunity for us to recharge the OSCE and make it stronger
and more efficient, resilient to the attempts by one or two OSCE participating States
that are trying to take the Organization hostage. In this report, I outline the key pressing
security challenges which are having a detrimental effect on European security,
alongside the OSCE’s unique tools and frameworks that should be employed to
alleviate the unfolding conflicts and crises and enable conditions for immediate and
long-lasting stabilization, peace, and security across the OSCE region.
Ongoing Military Aggression and Protracted Conflicts
The whole of the OSCE region is engulfed in prolonged conflicts and escalating armed
threats. Within our region, alarming developments in several of our participating States
have the potential to have a lasting effect on European security.
Over the past few decades, the whole of Europe has been shaken by one of the most
dramatic shifts in the security and political calculus in Europe. The advent of the
Russian aggression against Georgia, the Republic of Moldova, and now Ukraine, has
blatantly violated the fundamentals of international law.
The Russian Federation’s Invasion of Ukraine
2022 has become a repugnant year when the OSCE region was shaken by the
eruption of the largest military invasion since WWII. The entire OSCE community once
again experienced the worst feeling that one might encounter about the historical
record - the sense of déjà vu. After eight years of the Russian Federation’s occupation
and illegal annexation of Crimea and the start of Russia’s war against Ukraine, Russia
has launched a full-scale war of aggression against Ukraine. And Belarus, another
OSCE participating State and neighbor of Ukraine, is shamefully helping Russia in
this. Large explosions targeted Kyiv, Kharkiv, Mariupol, Chernihiv, Zhytomyr, Lviv,
Dnipro, and many other cities of Ukraine. The wanton airstrikes have severely hit
civilian buildings, schools, and maternity hospitals, nuclear facilities, and many other
national critical infrastructures, causing numerous civilian deaths, including a tally of
children killed, and displacing millions of people. Each day of the war reveals mounting
evidence of new horrific scenes and massive war crimes, perpetrated by Russian
forces in Bucha, Irpin, Borodyanka, Mariupol, Kramatorsk, and many other Ukrainian
cities. Aggravating the humanitarian crisis, engineering blockades and starvation, and
seizing humanitarian aid, while putting civilians and non-combatants on the frontline
in a deliberate manner constitute Russia’s warfare tactics.
We condemn in the strongest terms all acts of war crimes and crimes against humanity
committed by the Russian Federation against the people of Ukraine. In an attempt to
ensure that all these war crimes and crimes against humanity are duly registered and
those responsible are brought to account, on March 3rd, 45 OSCE participating States,
supported by Ukraine, initiated the OSCE Moscow Mechanism. The OSCE PA
welcomes the findings of the report ‘On Violation of International Humanitarian and
Human Rights Law, War Crimes Against Humanity Committed in Ukraine Since 24
February 2022,’ prepared by three independent experts (released on 13 April 2022)
and considers that these findings might also contribute to establishing political
3
accountability for the committed violations. The Russian Federation should face an
international tribunal and accountability mechanisms. Therefore, we support any
investigative initiative launched by the international community to collect and
safeguard evidence of the illegal perpetration, including the independent international
Commission of Inquiry mandated by the UN Human Rights Council and the work of
the Prosecutor of the International Criminal Court.
Regretfully, this barbaric war happening on European soil has brought devastating
security, economic, and humanitarian consequences to the whole OSCE region. In the
meantime, within the OSCE, and especially here within the OSCE PA, serving the
interests of our constituents, we are jointly responsible for how we handle this war and
ensure that there is accountability for those States and individuals that commit war
crimes and crimes against humanity and attempt to violate the sovereignty and
territorial integrity of another State.
Russia’s declaration of a full-scale war is an unlawful and unjustifiable attempt to
undermine the independence and sovereignty of Ukraine. Russia’s invasion of Ukraine
represents an unprecedented danger for all three dimensions of the comprehensive
security for Ukraine as well as for our common security order. In this regard, we urge
Russia to respect the verdict of the International Court of Justice which underscores
the Russian Federation’s responsibility for waging this unlawful war and orders Russia
to immediately suspend military operation commenced on the territory of Ukraine on
24 February 2022.1 Likewise, we support the investigation started by the International
Criminal Court, as well as all other international efforts in this regard. We also welcome
the adoption of the UN General Assembly Resolution on Aggression against Ukraine
which demands that Russia “immediately, completely and unconditionally withdraw all
of its military forces from the territory of Ukraine within its internationally recognized
borders.”
Then and now, in the face of a military escalation across the OSCE region, we are
unified in our determination to bring an end to this brutal and unprovoked war. On this
point, I would like to once again reiterate our unwavering support for Ukraine, its
independence, its unity, its sovereignty and territorial integrity within its internationally
recognized borders and territorial waters, and its right to freely pursue and choose its
own security arrangements.
Let me use this opportunity to express my appreciation for the long-standing, brave
and rigorous work of the OSCE Special Monitoring Mission in Ukraine, which
continuously and impartially reported on the security situation on the ground despite
the increased volatility and obstruction of their monitoring and reporting mandate. In a
perilous and uncertain time, the fact-based work of the SMM is an integral contribution
to lasting peace in Ukraine and the OSCE region, and therefore, we would like to call
for the resumption of the Mission's mandate as the security situation in the country
permits.
As guardians of democracy, international law, and OSCE principles, the members of
the General Committee on Political Affairs and Security urge Russia to immediately
1
ICJ, Order ALLEGATIONS OF GENOCIDE UNDER THE CONVENTION ON THE PREVENTION
AND PUNISHMENT OF THE CRIME OF GENOCIDE (UKRAINE v. RUSSIAN FEDERATION)
https://www.icj-cij.org/public/files/case-related/182/182-20220316-ORD-01-00-EN.pdf
4
cease all military hostilities in Ukraine, withdraw its forces from Ukraine’s territory
within internationally recognized borders, followed by diplomacy and negotiations to
reach a lasting and peaceful solution. We will insist that our governments maintain the
sanction regime and other crippling restrictions until the sovereignty and territorial
integrity of Ukraine is fully restored. Finally, the members of the General Committee
on Political Affairs and Security condemn Belarus, which has also joined Russia’s
aggressive stance against Ukraine and facilitated this military incursion. Because of
this, Belarus has no moral authority to chair OSCE’s Forum for Security Co-operation
in the 2nd trimester of this year.
I wish to commend the brave people of Russia and Belarus, who despite the threat of
long-term imprisonment, apply all means at their disposal to protest against this war
by their governments against Ukraine. I also condemn in strongest possible terms all
those attempts to silence them, including prominent opposition leader Vladimir Kara-
Murza, close associate of Boris Nemtsov and one of the truest believers in the OSCE
Parliamentary Assembly. My message to him and to everyone illegally detained there
is: “Keep strong! Your struggle for peace is what we share! We will spare no effort until
this war is over and all of you are freed too!”
As was rightly emphasized by OSCE Secretary General Helga Maria Schmid on the
margins of the 28th Ministerial Council in Stockholm, the OSCE has played a crucial
role in averting and responding to conflicts and crises like these. On the same
occasion, OSCE PA President Margareta Cederfelt reminded us all that the OSCE
has been trusted as the most effective instrument in our arsenal to create the
conditions for dialogue and co-operation. Therefore, I urge the OSCE executive
structures to employ all existing mechanisms to jointly act in this decisive moment for
the whole OSCE region. There can never be too many efforts to end the war and to
preserve peace, no matter how fragile it is.
Smouldering Conflict in Georgia
The Russian Federation has persisted in its aggression and violence beyond Ukraine
on numerous occasions, which has also culminated in Georgia, bringing devastating
consequences to this region and its population. Within the OSCE PA, as members of
the General Committee on Political Affairs and Security, we welcome the OSCE Polish
Chairmanship’s priority to contribute towards a peaceful and sustainable resolution of
the conflict in Georgia.
Demonstrating the value of existing OSCE mechanisms, the participants in the
Geneva International Discussions held several rounds of talks over the past few
months, seeking to address all pertinent issues of the Russia-Georgia conflict,
including the most pressing concerns of conflict-affected populations in Georgia’s
regions of Abkhazia and Tskhinvali. This allowed effective exchanges on health
measures amid the COVID-19 pandemic and restrictions on freedom of movement,
but unfortunately still failed to resolve disagreements about the plight of refugees and
internally displaced persons. Another effective and practical OSCE mechanism is the
Incident Prevention and Response Mechanism Meetings in Ergneti, which continue to
be used to raise and address issues of concern.
5
Furthermore, Russia continues to strengthen its military presence in the occupied
parts of Georgia and to deepen the de facto integration of these Georgian regions into
Russia. This recognition of the so-called independence of the occupied territories of
Georgia must be reversed.
The settlement of the Russia-Georgia conflict still requires a balanced approach that
rests on the full implementation of the six-point EU-mediated ceasefire agreement of
August 2008. We call on the Russian Federation to bring to an end to its systematic
infringements of human rights, fulfil its obligations under the ceasefire agreement, and
implement the decision of the European Court of Human Rights of January 2021.
Transdniestrian Conflict
With regard to the Transdniestrian conflict, attempts at conflict resolution within the
5+2 format have stalled. At the 28th Ministerial Council, in their Statements on the
negotiations on the Transdniestrian Settlement Process, dignitaries once again
expressed their strong support for ongoing mediation efforts, but any such meeting
under the Swedish Chairmanship was not possible, despite strong diplomatic
engagement. Russia’s political and economic pressure on the pro-European and pro-
reformist government in Chisinau, including by means of energy blackmailing, also
played a negative role in this. I also deplore any attempt to destabilize the situation in
the Republic of Moldova and to drag this country into Russia’s war of aggression
against Ukraine. Let me use this opportunity to encourage all actors involved in the
5+2 format to engage in the negotiation process at all levels and make use of collective
co-operation within the parameters of a comprehensive settlement.
Ensuring Security and Stability in the South Caucasus Region
Within the OSCE, the Minsk Group has worked diligently to facilitate direct dialogue
between Armenia and Azerbaijan and promote confidence-building between them to
resolve numerous post-conflict issues, with the full support of the previous Swedish
and incumbent Polish Chairmanships. A political solution to the post-conflict issues
remains to be facilitated, yet relative progress can be seen regarding a number of
matters, demonstrated by the exchanges of mine maps and prisoners, the start of
discussions on the unblocking of transport links and border delimitation, as well as the
establishment of a direct line of communication across the line of contact. However,
further significant advancement on other issues is still outstanding.
On the margins of the 28th Ministerial Council, through Joint Statements, the OSCE
Minsk Group Co-Chair countries urged Armenia and Azerbaijan to abstain from
inflammatory rhetoric and provocative actions and encouraged all parties to continue
result-oriented dialogue to make progress on humanitarian issues, and establish
lasting security and sustainable development in the South Caucasus region. We,
within the OSCE PA, must call on both sides to work together to settle disputes
regarding the demarcation of the border and the restoration of economic and transport
links and to desist from any further antagonistic incitement that would hinder such co-
operation.
6
Deteriorating Security in Adjoining Regions
At the same time, we cannot ignore the fact that our common security is contingent on
adjoining regions. Principal among these is the situation in Afghanistan, an OSCE
Partner for Co-operation since 2003. The OSCE PA has been closely following recent
events, including by dedicating the parliamentary conference during the 2021 Autumn
Meeting to the current security challenges in that country.
Issues regarding border security affect not only Central Asia but all of us. While it is
imperative to respect the truly ravaged population’s right to seek asylum, the OSCE
must swiftly and efficiently respond to growing cross-border threats, whether that be
the re-emergence of transnational organized crime, the export of radicalization and
violent extremism, the illicit trafficking of drugs and weapons, or the shameful
instrumentalization of illegal migrants. The situation at the border between Belarus and
the EU Member States is far from being normalized, despite commendable efforts by
the Latvian, Lithuanian, and Polish governments. We once again urge Belarus to stop
instrumentalizing illegal migrants for political purposes and to start implementing their
respective international commitments with regard to border security and management,
including those undertaken within OSCE, in their letter and in spirit.
It must be noted that the OSCE already boasts several field missions within Central
Asia, which have undertaken a number of initiatives to help counter such trends. The
OSCE PA must be ready to continue to assist in such efforts, whether it be through
the further mediation of our Special Representative on Central Asia, Pia Kauma, or
dedicated platforms like the Ad Hoc Committee on Countering Terrorism, led by
Reinhold Lopatka, or the Ad Hoc Committee on Migration, led by Kristian Vigenin.
Simultaneously, there is a growing awareness of the importance of the Mediterranean
region. As called for by the dignitaries at the 25th Ministerial Council in the Declaration
on Security and Co-operation, the OSCE must act to intensify its work with its Partners
for Co-operation (Algeria, Egypt, Israel, Jordan, Morocco, and Tunisia) to address the
closely interlinked phenomena of illicit human trafficking, transnational organized
crime, and the financing of terrorism. The OSCE PA can contribute to this undertaking
through promoting a concerted regional focus, as it has done at the Annual
Mediterranean Forum, and supporting the engagement of its Special Representative
on Mediterranean Affairs Pascal Allizard.
After all, it is our duty, as parliamentarians, to persist in our attempts to protect and
promote our citizens’ interests, by urging our governments to engage in peaceful
dialogue and conflict resolution. As intermediaries between the populace and the
executive, we must do our very best to demand adherence to the fundamentals of
international law.
Emerging Non-Military Security Threats
While these regional armed hostilities and incursions continue, the sheer amount of
additional mounting threats to our common security order has simultaneously not
vanished. The convergence of conventional tools and emerging technological
advancements has generated new security trends which are unlikely to abate in the
coming years. Gone are the days when military attacks constituted the only paramount
7
threat to our stability. The era of hybrid warfare strategies has invited novel
destabilizing tactics which result in catastrophic implications for the security dimension
of the OSCE area.
On numerous occasions over the last few years, we have witnessed how offensive
hybrid strategies were orchestrated across and against OSCE participating States.
These strategies range from the weaponization of energy flows, illicit financial
operations, and subversion of independent political and social organizations to
attempts to engineer a migrant crisis at OSCE borders, disruptive cyberattacks against
critical infrastructure, and proliferation of disinformation operations. In particular, cyber
intrusion of critical and civilian infrastructure remains one of the most prevailing
components of any modern warfare. Perpetrators targeted financial entities,
telecommunication systems, oil and energy companies, military and intelligence units,
healthcare facilities, railway stations, and election systems. All of these have been
severely disrupted by cyberattacks across the OSCE region.
This non-military hybrid warfare served malevolent political ends to bring about
destabilization in the OSCE region. To that end, an exponential increase of such hybrid
transnational attacks requires our national authorities to recognize the threat
emanating from sophisticated modern threats and progressively implement non-
military confidence-building measures. Bearing this in mind, the OSCE has already
been at the forefront of bolstering region-wide cyber security, resilience and capacities
to establish a greater degree of accountability and transparency in cyberspace. In this
respect, the OSCE has been a trailblazer in scrutinizing the robust cyber/ICT security
confidence-building measures which are designed to reduce the risks of conflict
stemming from the use of information and communication technologies which are
enshrined in the Permanent Council Decisions Nos. 1039, 1106 and 1202.
The participating States are encouraged to operationalize confidence-building
measures so as to enhance the cyber resilience of their national critical infrastructure
and promote responsible behaviour and international co-operation in the cyber
dimension of the OSCE region. On a final note, the emerging cyber realm is not
confined to exclusively inter-state relations, and thus participating States are
encouraged to ensure a democratic and human-centered approach in the oversight
and protection of the cyber domain and its infrastructure.
In conclusion, one should not forget that conventional threats still prevail while posing
a danger to our common security. Hence, in recognition of the worsening security risks
emanating from illicit small arms and light weapons, we should ensure military
transparency by providing better compliance with arms control and confidence-
building frameworks in the OSCE region, including an adaptation of the long-delayed
Vienna Document to include new realities unfolding on the ground, and a revitalisation
of the Open Skies Treaty.
The Era of Retreating Democracy and Prevailing Unilateralism
The resurgence of animosities and authoritarianism coupled with the plethora of
transnational security threats has resulted in the dismantling of democratic institutions
and erosion of democratic rule-based order. As has been reported by Freedom House,
8
democratic backsliding has been increasing worldwide for 16 consecutive years.2
Whether in Europe, the Middle East, or any other hotspot, the world has become a
less democratic place.
The OSCE was founded to work towards building not only secure and peaceful
societies but also flourishing democracies. However, in the present day, democracy in
the OSCE region has been systematically paralyzed by the undemocratic practices
and repressive action of political opponents, abuse of human rights and freedoms, and
dangerous attempts to bypass parliamentary and legislative scrutiny and marginalize
the power of parliament. Instead of contributing toward democratic erosion, the OSCE
community should co-operate in solidarity towards enhancing robust and viable
democracy, while supporting the efforts of the Office for Democratic Institutions and
Human Rights, the High Commissioner on National Minorities, and the Representative
on Freedom of the Media in bolstering sustainable democratic institutions. Lasting and
comprehensive peace and stability in the OSCE region can only be achieved when
the faith in democratic governance is restored and well-functioning democratic
institutions prevail over the use of military power and means. In this context, I wish to
once again condemn in the strongest possible terms the continued unprecedented
repression by the regime in Minsk against the people of Belarus. This must be stopped
immediately!
It is also timely to revive faith in multilateral co-ordination and international co-
operation, which has been deliberately neglected and circumvented. Prevailing
unilateral actions only exacerbate the existing threats and instabilities, instead of
promoting lasting security and peaceful solutions. The rule-based international order
and co-ordinated multilateralism have proved on many occasions to be an added value
in achieving comprehensive and sustainable security. As parliamentarians, we have
been charged with powers to provide oversight of the governments and set agendas
that should advance effective multilateralism which remains a driving force in
mitigating modern global security dangers.
Prioritization of the Human Sphere
Against this backdrop, the Chairperson-in-Office, Polish Foreign Minister Zbigniew
Rau, has reminded participating States of the collective responsibility to advance the
Human Dimension in establishing peace and stability.
Civilians, including women, youth, and children, constitute the most vulnerable group
adversely affected by protracted conflicts and military hostilities. As such, their
involvement in conflict prevention and resolution, as recognized by the work of Special
Representative on Gender Issues Hedy Fry and Special Representative on Youth
Engagement Farah Karimi, is indispensable. Therefore, guided by the United Nations
Security Council Resolution 1325, which recognizes the importance of women's equal
participation in maintaining and promoting peace and security at all levels, the Women,
Peace and Security agenda should constitute an integral component of the OSCE’s
comprehensive and inclusive security. Likewise, in line with the UN Security Council
Resolution 2250 on Youth, Peace and Security, we should ensure that youth is
2
Freedom House, Freedom in the World 2022: The Global Expansion of Authoritarian Rule, available at:
https://freedomhouse.org/report/freedom-world/2022/global-expansion-authoritarian-rule
9
engaged in the decision-making process at the local, national and international levels.
The OSCE PA, as a unique platform for inter-parliamentary dialogue, can complement
traditional diplomatic channels in averting future crises by giving a voice to the
marginalized and oppressed. One should not forget that the OSCE stands for all
segments of society, it falls upon us to oversee our governments’ adherence to the
spirit of inclusivity, democracy, and security as enshrined in the Helsinki Final Act and
the Charter of Paris.
Disclaimer: The report was prepared in mid-April of 2022, and thus reflects solely the
events and incidents that took place prior to that period. This report does not take into
account any events that occurred after mid-April 2022.


AS (22) DRS 1 E
Original: English
DRAFT RESOLUTION
FOR THE GENERAL COMMITTEE ON
POLITICAL AFFAIRS AND SECURITY
RAPPORTEUR
Mr. Laurynas Kasciunas
Lithuania
BIRMINGHAM, 2 – 6 JULY 2022
Offentligt
OSCE Alm.del - Bilag 19
OSCEs Parlamentariske Forsamling 2021-22
1
DRAFT RESOLUTION
FOR THE GENERAL COMMITTEE ON
POLITICAL AFFAIRS AND SECURITY
Rapporteur: Mr. Laurynas Kasciunas (Lithuania)
1. Alarmed by the unprovoked Russian war of aggression against Ukraine, with the
facilitation by Belarus as co-aggressor, which constitutes a gross violation of the
fundamentals of international law, including a severe breach of the OSCE’s
commitments and principles, the Charter of the United Nations, and the Geneva
Conventions, and thus poses a great threat to the civilian population and
infrastructure of Ukraine and jeopardizes the security architecture of Europe and
the whole OSCE region,
2. Recalling the OSCE Parliamentary Assembly's Resolution on Clear, Gross and
Uncorrected Violations of Helsinki Principles by the Russian Federation, adopted
at its 23rd Annual Session in 2014, and the Resolution on The Continuation of
Clear, Gross and Uncorrected Violations of OSCE Commitments and
International Norms by the Russian Federation, adopted in 2015, whereby in the
former it is underscored that “the Russian Federation has, since February 2014,
violated every one of the ten Helsinki principles in its relations with Ukraine, some
in a clear, gross and thus far uncorrected manner, and is in violation with the
commitments it undertook in the Budapest Memorandum, as well as other
international obligations,” and welcoming the adoption of the UN General
Assembly Resolution on Aggression against Ukraine and the order of the
International Court of Justice on Russia to immediately suspend the military
operations that commenced on 24 February 2022,
3. Welcoming the fact that 45 OSCE participating States, supported by Ukraine,
initiated the OSCE Moscow Mechanism, in order to collect evidence of the
alleged massive atrocities and war crimes and crimes against humanity in
Ukraine, committed by Russia, with the help of Belarus as co-aggressor,
4. Acknowledging the value of the OSCE Special Monitoring Mission’s rigorous
work which delivered its mandate under a heightened level of volatility and
security uncertainties, and expressing regret over the lack of international unity
and consensus over the mandate renewal for the OSCE Special Monitoring
Mission due to the Russian Federation’s uncompromising stance,
5. Recalling the OSCE PA report “The Nemtsov Murder and Rule of Law in Russia”
of 20 February 2020, and determined to ensure all those responsible for this
murder are brought to account,
6. Underlining its unwavering support and solidarity with all those in Russia and
Belarus who are persecuted by the regimes in Moscow and in Minsk for
protesting against Russia’s war of aggression against Ukraine, implemented with
the complicit participation of Belarus,
2
7. Being seriously concerned with the attempts to destabilize the situation in the
Transdniestrian region of the Republic of Moldova,
8. Noting the final decision and declarations of the 28th Ministerial Council in
Stockholm, including the Statement on the negotiations on the Transdniestrian
settlement process in the “5+2” format,
9. Underscoring the importance of security and stability and the related
establishment of good-neighbourly relations between Armenia and Azerbaijan,
aimed at sustainable peace and development throughout the South Caucasus,
and supporting the continued engagement of the OSCE in this context, while
encouraging the wider international community to support multilateral efforts in
assisting the parties to that end through facilitating direct talks and promoting
confidence-building measures and abstention from the use of force,
10. Expressing deep regret over the unresolved conflict between the Russian
Federation and Georgia since 2008, and underscoring the necessity of full
implementation by Russia of the EU-mediated 12 August 2008 Ceasefire
Agreement, as well as the decision by European Court of Human Rights of
January 2021,
11. Emphasizing the deteriorating situation in Afghanistan, which has paved the way
for cross-border threats, organized crime, the spread of radicalization and violent
extremism, terrorism, the illicit trafficking of drugs and weapons, and a spill-over
effect on the security of the bordering Central Asia states,
12. Noting with concern the deteriorating situation in Belarus, in particular by violation
of international human rights obligations, its attempts to instrumentalize illegal
migrants, mass repression and oppression of opposing voices, and the overall
lack of commitment to OSCE principles and values,
13. Acknowledging the undeniable repercussions of the emerging digital realm which
require prioritizing the cybersecurity agenda and protection of critical and civilian
infrastructure from cyber threats emanating against and across the OSCE region,
14. Reiterating full support for the initiatives of the Polish Chairman-in-Office,
including the Renewed OSCE European Security Dialogue and the prioritization
of the human-centred security approach,
15. Noting the indispensable and valuable role of women and youth in preventing,
managing and resolving conflicts, as well as enhancing durable stability and
security across all OSCE participating States,
16. Emphasizing that transparent and accountable arms control, disarmament and
non-proliferation, and control of armed forces remain indispensable components
of the common military and political stability within the OSCE area,
17. Recognizing unprecedented heightened tensions, protracted conflicts, terrorism
and violent extremism, the instrumentalization of migrants, and the utilization of
destabilizing cyberwarfare and unprecedented distrust and diminishing
3
confidence in multilateralism and co-operation in the OSCE region requires all
participating States to recommit to OSCE principles; namely, in the dimension of
political affairs and security, in order to uphold the security architecture built on
the premises of the Helsinki Final Act and the Charter of Paris in full conformity
with international law,
18. Reiterating the role of the OSCE as an effective all-inclusive platform where
through the facilitation of diplomatic efforts and co-operation, participating States
can rebuild basic trust and confidence, de-escalate long-standing hostilities,
enhance sustainable peace, comprehensive security and democracy, and
revitalize shared values and principles of the OSCE region,
The OSCE Parliamentary Assembly:
19. Condemns in the strongest terms Russia’s ongoing war of aggression against
Ukraine, facilitated by Belarus as co-aggressor, the illegal occupation and
annexation of Crimea by the Russian Federation, calls upon the Russian
Federation to establish an immediate ceasefire and withdraw Russian troops
from the whole of Ukraine, and urges all sides to engage in negotiations aimed
at a peaceful resolution of the crisis with full respect for Ukraine’s sovereignty
and territorial integrity;
20. Expresses deep regret over the casualties in Ukraine and sympathy for all those
affected by the war, including internally displaced persons and refugees, and
urges the OSCE participating States to support international humanitarian
organizations and the authorities of Ukraine and neighbouring countries in their
efforts to ensure unhindered evacuation, humanitarian assistance, and overall
safety to all internally displaced people and refugees;
21. Expresses support for the work of the independent international Commission of
Inquiry mandated by the UN Human Rights Council and the ongoing proceedings
at the International Criminal Court, which is conducting an investigation into
alleged war crimes committed by any party to the conflict on any part of the
territory of Ukraine;
22. Demands the immediate release of all those in Russia and Belarus who are
persecuted by the regimes in Moscow and in Minsk for protesting against
Russia’s war of aggression against Ukraine, implemented with the complicit
participation of Belarus, including prominent Russian opposition leader Vladimir
Kara-Murza, and encourages OSCE participating States to intensify their efforts
to ensure those responsible for the murder of Boris Nemtsov are brought to
justice;
23. Reiterates full support for the work of OSCE Field Missions, which constitute a
key role in providing fact-based and valuable intelligence necessary for all
aspects of the OSCE’s comprehensive security dimensions, especially within the
first dimension, and thus calls for the restoration of the mandate of the OSCE’s
Special Monitoring Mission to Ukraine;
4
24. Encourages the intensification of result-oriented mediation efforts and
negotiations in the framework of the existing platforms for conflict resolution, and
calls on the parties to conflicts to immediately cease all hostilities and engage in
dialogue to achieve comprehensive and long-lasting peace in full respect for the
sovereignty, territorial integrity and inviolability of the internationally recognized
borders of Ukraine, Georgia and the Republic of Moldova;
25. Emphasizes the necessity of maintaining consistent dialogue and result-oriented
engagement for the comprehensive, peaceful, and viable settlement of the
Transdniestrian conflict in the “5+2” format based on the sovereignty and
territorial integrity of the Republic of Moldova within its internationally recognized
borders, with a special status for Transdniestria that fully guarantees the human,
political, economic, and social rights of its population;
26. Recommends the intensification of the involvement of the OSCE Mediterranean
Partners for Co-operation (Algeria, Egypt, Israel, Jordan, Morocco and Tunisia)
in joint efforts aimed at co-operation and alleviating current threats in the region,
including transnational threats, migration crises, human trafficking, and financing
of terrorism;
27. Urges participating States to refrain from exploiting the vulnerabilities of
cyberspace and weaponization of the novel digital domain for cybercrimes,
disruption of critical infrastructure, and infringement of human rights, alongside
continuing the work on implementation of confidence-building measures across
all OSCE participating States;
28. Calls on all participating States to leverage the potential of women and young
people in their equal engagement with security and peace efforts and their overall
integration in the decision-making process and institution-building, including local
governments and international platforms;
29. Urges all participating States that have not already done so to develop and
implement national action plans on Women, Peace and Security, as required by
United Nations Security Council Resolution 1325, which constitutes a
comprehensive agenda for the full involvement of women in maintaining all peace
and security efforts;
30. Urges all participating States to be guided by United Nations Security Council
Resolution 2250 on Youth, Peace and Security, which emphasizes that youth
constitute a priority in ensuring and promoting peace and security, and thus
encourages all OSCE participating States to empower youth representatives and
galvanize their engagements with all stakeholders at the local, national, and
international levels in line with this UN resolution;
31. Urges participating States to reinvigorate the debate over the revitalization of the
Open Skies Treaty and the full implementation and revision of the Vienna
Document in line with new security challenges on the ground;
5
32. Encourages all participating States to sign the Treaty on the Prohibition of
Nuclear Weapons of 2017 in light of the deterioration of critical nuclear security
which could bring about dire consequences for the OSCE region and beyond;
33. Calls on participating States to put an end to any flagrant contraventions of OSCE
commitments, and instead to re-commit and persistently uphold the Helsinki
principles in full conformity with international law, which enables conditions for
stabilization, peace, and security in the OSCE region;
34. Encourages all political leaders in participating States to reinvigorate the debate
over European security through the employment of OSCE’s unique tools and
multilateral negotiation frameworks, particularly through bolstering dialogue with
international partners and other stakeholders to avert crises and ensure peaceful
solutions to regional and protracted conflicts, while recalling that the
inclusiveness, broad membership, and principles of the OSCE provide the basis
for this.
6
GENERAL COMMITTEE ON
POLITICAL AFFAIRS AND SECURITY
PROPOSED AMENDMENT to the DRAFT RESOLUTION
[Set out text of Amendment here:]
Principal Sponsor:
Mr/Mrs
Family Name in
Capital Letters
Country Signature
Co-sponsored by:
Mr/Mrs
Family Name in
Capital Letters
Country Signature


AS (22) RP 2 E
REPORT
FOR THE GENERAL COMMITTEE ON
ECONOMIC AFFAIRS, SCIENCE, TECHNOLOGY
AND ENVIRONMENT
RAPPORTEUR
Ms. Gudrun Kugler
Austria
BIRMINGHAM, 2 – 6 JULY 2022
Offentligt
OSCE Alm.del - Bilag 19
OSCEs Parlamentariske Forsamling 2021-22
1
REPORT FOR THE GENERAL COMMITTEE ON
ECONOMIC AFFAIRS, SCIENCE, TECHNOLOGY AND ENVIRONMENT
Rapporteur: Ms. Gudrun Kugler (Austria)
1. INTRODUCTION
The OSCE PA 2nd General Committee examines topical security threats related to the
environment, economy, science, and technology, as well as exploring opportunities
for co-operation within these and related fields. Most of these themes are front page
in many OSCE participating States and clearly instrumental to longer-term peace,
stability, and sustainable development in the region. Accordingly, most of the work of
the OSCE PA General Committee on Economic Affairs, Science, Technology and
Environment is strongly oriented toward the future. The last year has highlighted the
profound interdependence of all people and nations with our home, planet Earth. In
light of this, the ethical dimension of political action, including on the topics addressed
by this Committee, has become more apparent.
Regrettably, today Europe faces war again – even though it has become widely
apparent that war knows no winners, but only losers. Without peace and freedom in
the European region, fair and sustainable socio-economic growth for our countries is
unattainable, thereby further exacerbating an already precarious security situation.
With this in mind, we vigorously condemn the Russian military invasion of Ukraine,
which has dramatic human, economic, and environmental consequences, and
represents a major setback to the goals of our committee. In this regard, food security
is a pressing issue for the OSCE region, and beyond, as Ukraine acts as a crucial
supplier of agricultural goods for many countries, with broader unpredictable security
implications. The security situation around the Ukrainian nuclear power plants is also
particularly alarming and should be dealt with as a matter of priority, for instance
through the establishment of “safe-zones.” Finally, assisting millions of displaced
individuals will significantly burden several participating States' budgets at a critical
juncture, likely deflecting critical public resources originally intended to meet other
needs.
All OSCE participating States should, therefore, consider effective and well-co-
ordinated actions in the economic and environmental spheres aimed at restoring
international peace and security in Ukraine, which should be strictly limited in time and
designed in such a way as to bear the minimum impact on civilian populations. OSCE
participating States should also stand ready to support Ukraine to rebuild its country,
its economy, and its infrastructures once peace and security have been restored.
With the signing of the 1975 Helsinki Final Act, our participating States underlined the
link between security and sustainable development. The OSCE’s comprehensive
approach to security lies in the recognition that wars and instability may arise not only
from political and military threats, but also from economic tensions, environmental
degradation, and social instability.
2
At the same time, the COVID-19 pandemic has profoundly changed our region.
Therefore, this Committee is called to use this opportunity to ensure that we emerge
for the better and promote tangible action in all areas and at all levels for the sake of
longer-term peace and stability. But answers cannot be found merely at a national
level – co-operation in the region is key to promote a balanced recovery and enhance
environmental security. How we will deal with the challenges that are in the focus of
the OSCE PA 2nd Committee is largely a political decision. As members of parliaments,
we are in the driver’s seat: It is our role to advocate for change, work with our
governments, co-operate, and enhance the dialogue in the region.
In bringing a distinct parliamentary contribution to this field, we strive to complement
ongoing OSCE efforts. Notably, the OSCE PA has actively co-operated with both the
2021 and 2022 OSCE Chairmanships and the Executive Structures of the
Organization to extend the reach of its actions. In line with the Polish Chairmanship’s
priorities for 2022, we endorse this year’s Economic and Environmental Forum
focused on promoting security and stability in the OSCE area through sustainable
economic recovery from the COVID-19 pandemic.
Moreover, we particularly appreciate the continued focus of the OSCE Economic and
Environmental Committee on environmental security and look forward to actively
contributing to its debates. The adoption of landmark Decision 3/21 on Strengthening
Co-operation to Address the Challenges caused by Climate Change at the last OSCE
Ministerial Council in Stockholm denotes how critical these issues are for our future.
The OSCE PA also welcomes the 2022 Office of the Co-ordinator of OSCE Economic
and Environmental Activities’ Work Plan and the assistance offered to participating
States in implementing economic and environmental commitments contributing to
security and stability in the OSCE region.
To date, we have exploited our planet, showing little mercy. Now we receive the bill
for it. Will we manage to live in harmony with each other and, perhaps even more
importantly, with the planet which graciously hosts us? Will we find ways to effectively
deal with the many critical security challenges related to the environment and
economy? How can we best leverage science and technology to underpin our
common security, rather than jeopardize it? These are just some of the critical
questions we urgently need to address.
2. ECONOMIC SECURITY
2.1 Sustainable Economic Recovery
The socio-economic crisis triggered by the COVID-19 pandemic has been
characterized by an unprecedented level of stimulus packages, an unprecedented
level of enhanced co-operation between all stakeholders, and an unprecedented
speed of increasing digital skills across all layers of society. However, the disruptive
effect of the COVID-19 pandemic on growth and development is still evident. Against
this background, promoting security and stability in the OSCE area through
sustainable economic recovery from the COVID-19 pandemic remains key.
3
Strengthening economic resilience requires greater global co-operation, including at
regional level, giving organizations such as the OSCE a prominent role to play in
promoting sustainable growth, inclusive labor markets, and equality between women
and men. The Stockholm Ministerial Council Decision on Climate Change provides a
blueprint for including much-needed climate change considerations in current COVID-
19 recovery efforts and strengthening co-operation to minimize its impact.
Notably, balanced policies and effective public-private partnerships will be critical to
support the most affected economic sectors, while also promoting innovative forms of
businesses. Sound investments will be instrumental to achieving a long-term resilient
and sustainable recovery. Ultimately, increasing investment and fostering innovation
remain at the center of long-term economic growth, and go hand-in-hand with the
challenges of green and digital transformation.
To this end, the key to sustainable economic recovery from the COVID-19 pandemic
lies in strengthening bilateral, regional, and global co-operation by, inter alia,
accelerating the deployment of green technologies, leveraging technology to enhance
economic change and interconnectedness, and supporting human capital
development.
In the spirit of shared responsibility - rather than shortsighted selfness - we must work
together towards building more fair, green, and sustainable economic models, leaving
no one behind in the process.
2.2 Demographic Challenges
It is a remarkable accomplishment and a distinctive trait of overall stability and
prosperity that people in the OSCE region live increasingly longer and healthier lives.
This has been achieved through an efficient articulation of policies that strengthen
public health and social inclusion, and prodigious technological and scientific
breakthroughs in various fields. In order to ensure the sustainability of such an
achievement, intergenerational exchange, initiatives against loneliness in old age, and
health programmes, including accessible telemedicine, as well as comprehensive
hospice and palliative care supply, are increasingly important to secure health and
quality of life in old age for everyone. I welcome the efforts of our Special
Representative on Elderly Issues, Ms. Paola Taverna (Italy), in this complex context.
Unfortunately, stagnant birth rates and high emigration trends have led several areas
in the OSCE region to experience alarming decreases in the overall population.
Demographic change affects both economic prosperity and the future performance of
social security systems. The self-reinforcing population decline in some areas as a
result of declining birth rates and migratory movements is becoming an increasing
challenge for infrastructure, regions, and communities.
In many participating States, the mortality rate has exceeded the birth rate: the
proportion of people older than 80 years in the EU has almost doubled in the last 20
years, life expectancy continues to rise, and the average age has increased from 38.4
to 44 years since 2001.1 Migration policies, aimed at compensating for this deficit,
1
Cf. https://ec.europa.eu/eurostat/cache/digpub/demography/bloc-1c.html?lang=en
4
have proven inadequate to meet the challenge and are also associated with several
problems: from the challenges in integration efforts to “brain drain” from the countries
of origin.
It is therefore of vital interest for economic security and stability in the OSCE region
not only to monitor such demographic changes, but also to promote a multi-level
dialogue aimed at identifying possible causes, likely consequences, and plausible
sustainable strategies for remedial action. In order to ensure generational
sustainability and structural solidarity, we should prevent further declines in birth rates,
including by empowering young people and adequately supporting all those who want
to have children.
The introduction of various family supportive measures, including tax benefits, could
be a possible means to achieve this. Furthermore, increasing the long-term efficiency
of the health and social systems will be a vital factor and should include making care
professions more appealing. In regions where “depopulation” is more prominent, a
special focus should be on attracting people to live in those areas through, inter alia,
investments in the necessary infrastructure, digitalization, smart working,
intergenerational housing, telemedicine, and improved quality of life.
Regrettably, these demographic changes do not always receive the attention
deserved. Parliamentary working groups, as well as government departments, should
therefore focus on the challenges posed by current demographic trends and develop
adequate responses with the aim to promote stability and prosperity across the region.
2.3 Economic Interdependence
On the one hand, the deepening of international economic connectivity and
globalization in the last thirty years was fueled by the opening of international trade
and the leveraging of computing and electronic communications. China has played a
predominant role in this context, greatly benefiting from the process, and progressively
expanding its production, communication, and distribution networks. China has also
been investing consistently in foreign ports, transportation facilities, and mining assets,
especially in developing countries.
While many participating States have strict rules barring state aid and requiring that
national export-credit agencies lend at market rates, Chinese companies are not
bound by these requirements. This allows for distorting competition, for example by
price dumping.
Moreover, purchasing Chinese products can contribute to the exploitation of ethnic
and religious minorities in and around China through coercive systems and forced
labor schemes, as witnessed in the example of Uighurs.2
The participating States should, therefore, reconsider their spectrum-auction policies,
sales of their infrastructure and companies, supply of energy, purchases of key
communications and safety technology, and debt management with the view to
2
https://www.theguardian.com/global-development/2020/jul/23/virtually-entire-fashion-industry-
complicit-in-uighur-forced-labour-say-rights-groups-china
5
safeguarding their economic security, including with regard to China. More specifically,
it is critical that healthy economic interdependence does not translate into excessive
political dependence to external players, with a loss of significant portions of States’
sovereignty.
On the other hand, the COVID-19 pandemic and the war in Ukraine have further
strained economic relations in parts of the OSCE region, with multiple supply,
distribution and consumption shocks hampering global trade and connectivity,
significantly eroding trust among some participating States. The strong set of
economic sanctions imposed by many OSCE participating States following the military
aggression in Ukraine have further strained economic relations in the OSCE region
and are impacting negatively on citizens.
While all governments are called upon to respect international law, trade rules and
understandings, OSCE participating States must be vigilant and tailor their economic
policies and investments to the needs and priorities of the region. To this end,
enhanced co-operation and adequate diversification of supply chains remain key to
ensuring regional stability. While economic sanctions can be effective instruments of
political persuasion, especially at times of gross violations of international law and
unacceptable loss of life, they must be limited in time and designed in a way that bears
the minimum impact on civilian populations.
2.4 Migration Management
“Of all things in the world, people are the most precious. It is the people that propel
social progress, create social wealth, develop science and technology and, through
their hard work, continuously transform the human environment,” we read in the
Declaration of the United Nations Conference on the Human Environment. In a
globalized world, the well-being of one depends on the well-being of another. Hence,
it is critical to promote socio-economic development within and beyond the OSCE
region, particularly in Africa.
Enhanced co-operation on economic and environmental affairs with third countries is
therefore key to enhance regional stability and prevent uncontrolled migratory flows,
and their resultant destabilizing effects on European security. Preventing “brain drain”
and promoting functioning local economies is critical in this context.
Economic co-operation must be conditioned by the actual enforcement of the rule of
law, a functioning administration, and the empowerment of individuals, which will
strengthen democratization and boost education and job opportunities. In particular,
women’s special role in development must be recognized: Economic empowerment
of women and girls is a form of participation and a step towards equality of
opportunities.
More economically developed, free and just societies, with sufficient job opportunities
for all, including those belonging to national minorities, will make citizens feel safer
and more secure at home, rather than seeking their fortune abroad.
It appears critical to study migration flows within the context of labor and development,
as well as in the increasingly relevant context of climate and pollution. For instance,
6
economic development, life aid in the countries of origin, and strong responses to the
climate crisis hold the key in working against push factors.
At the same time, OSCE participating States shall enhance border security, dismantle
human smuggling networks praying on desperate migrants and promote effective,
sustainable, and human-rights compliant migration management, including through
coordination between countries, exchange of best practices, and support from relevant
international organizations to meet the challenges of migration. Whenever
appropriate, opportunities for legal migration should be duly expanded to fill not only
highly qualified, but also lesser-skilled positions.
To maximize the positive impact of migration on the socio-economic development of
countries of origin and destination, and of the migrants themselves, the OSCE/OCEEA
promotes the implementation of international and OSCE commitments in the area of
migration governance, including the 2009 Ministerial Council Decision on migration
management and the 2016 Ministerial Council Decision on the OSCE’s role in the
governance of large movements of migrants and refugees.
As living standards significantly differ in the OSCE region, steps should be taken to
tackle existing inequalities and enhance living standards and opportunities across the
whole region.
As such, widespread economic development in the OSCE region and beyond will
promote citizens’ security and enhance geopolitical stability.
2.5 Combatting Human Trafficking in a Globalized Economy
On the occasion of the 2022 OSCE PA Winter Meeting, the 2nd Committee held a
special debate on Human Trafficking in a Globalized Economy. Trafficking is a
complex crime and combating it on the ground requires specific skills and tools. For
this reason, the establishment of specialized anti-trafficking units, strengthened multi-
agency co-operation, and joint investigation teams to tackle complex cross-border
criminal networks have been identified as best practices to fight traffickers and support
victims.
Nowadays, the intersection of technology and trafficking is one of the defining topics
of the global conversation on efforts to end human trafficking. Countries’ anti-trafficking
frameworks need to be updated to reflect the predominant role that the misuse of
technology plays in human trafficking, as victims are increasingly recruited and
exploited online, often in the sex market. This is true both for national policies and
practices, but also with respect to international co-operation, for example in cases
where the victim, the perpetrator, the user of services, and the server are from different
countries.
Appallingly, the use of forced labour is increasingly prevalent in the production of
goods and services regularly procured by our Governments. Indiscriminate purchasing
can inadvertently fuel human trafficking and forced labour, undermining fair economic
competition, incentivizing human rights violations, and financing criminal groups. As
supply chain regulations will increase in the future, all participating States must adapt
7
their national policies so that their enterprises will continue to engage ethically in the
global market.
One of the most effective ways to disrupt and prevent human trafficking for forced
labour is to eliminate the market for goods or services produced by trafficked people
through informed and ethical purchasing. To operationalize this concept, parliaments
across the OSCE region have increasingly been adopting laws to prevent human
trafficking in supply chains. By strategically taking action on supply chains, States
leverage the power of “demand” to combat trafficking and break the business model
of trafficking. Such legislative instruments can be broadly categorized into four groups:
import bans, reporting laws, disclosure laws, and due diligence laws.
International Organizations – including the OSCE – also have an important role to play
in combatting human trafficking, through standard-setting, technical assistance
programs, and ensuring their own supply chains are not contributing to human
trafficking. To this end, the work of Mr. Valiant Richey, OSCE Special Representative
and Co-ordinator for Combating Trafficking, in Human Beings, and Mr. Christopher H.
Smith, OSCE PA Special Representative on Human Trafficking Issues, has been
pioneering in promoting policies to prevent human trafficking by discouraging the
demand that fosters trafficking for the purpose of sexual exploitation3 and in the
procurement of goods and services.
2.6 Combating Corruption
Corruption has become increasingly systemic and affects all countries in the world.
Taking different shapes and forms, it destroys political, economic, and social systems.
To this extent, anti-corruption is a cross-cutting issue, not a stand-alone policy.
Lack of transparency in the work of public entities and widely perceived corruption in
public offices continue to hamper citizens’ trust in democratic institutions and
processes. In this context, open data initiatives are critical in ensuring free and
unhindered access to information on public contracts and tenders. Moreover,
experience shows that insofar as the ultimate beneficial owner of private companies
interfacing with public institutions or funds is unknown, the door to corruption, money
laundering and terrorist financing remains open. Thus, sound ultimate beneficial
ownership laws should be developed and duly implemented throughout the OSCE
region.
In addition, the COVID-19 pandemic has also presented an enormous challenge to
transparent, responsible, and effective governance, and the rule of law. Where the
pandemic response has lagged, corruption has often been a major contributing factor.
In a nutshell, States should undertake a holistic, multi-stakeholder approach, including
by providing for greater involvement of civil society groups, investigating how public
resources are being deployed, and pressing for accountability.
Interparliamentary fora such as the OSCE PA should continue to promote policy
convergence on anti-corruption, money laundering, and terrorist financing, and work
3 Occasional Paper of the Office of the Special Representative and Co-ordinator for Combating
Trafficking in Human Beings, 10 June 2021, https://www.osce.org/cthb/489388
8
hard to strengthen political will for the steady implementation of good governance
commitments at the national level. The OSCE PA Conference on “Combating
Corruption, Defending Democracy: The Role of National Parliaments,” hosted by the
Parliament of Cyprus in Nicosia on 27-28 May 2022, represents a case in point.
Such increased parliamentary engagement has been duly reflected in the 2020 OSCE
Ministerial Council Decision on Preventing and Combating Corruption Through
Digitalization and Increased Transparency. In this context, parliaments should
proactively engage in safeguarding the independence of key anti-corruption national
stakeholders, such as the Judiciary, Prosecution Service, Ombudsmen, Auditors-
General and Anti-Corruption Agencies from political or other interferences. For
instance, relevant appointments should require parliamentary consent, and
Parliaments should ensure that their mandates and resources are fit for purpose.
Furthermore, journalists act as a watchdog over shortcomings in the public
governance system by uncovering and publicly exposing malpractices, as well as by
fighting impunity. To ensure their effective role in fighting corruption, journalists must
be free and independent, and the media environment needs to be pluralistic, safe, and
protected from undue influence.
International organizations, such as the OSCE, also represent a privileged platform
for sharing best practices, developing co-ordinated responses, and promoting
strategic partnerships among key actors in this field, including parliaments,
governments, civil society, the business community, media and youth. To this end, the
work of OSCE PA Special Representative on Fighting Corruption, Ms. Irene
Charalambides, and OSCE Special Representative on Combating Corruption,
Professor Anita Ramasastry, to bring political momentum and expertise to the good
governance work of the Organization has been remarkable.
3. ENVIRONMENTAL SECURITY
3.1 Sustainable Development
Bridging economic and environmental considerations to global security, the
implementation of the UN Agenda 2030 is key to strengthen multilateralism and
promote lasting peace. As the 17 Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs) are deeply
intertwined, action in one area will affect outcomes in others. Hence, it is imperative to
duly balance social, economic, and environmental sustainability in building our shared
future.
In this regard, I welcome the efforts of our Vice-President Askar Shakirov (Kazakhstan)
who, since his appointment as the OSCE PA’s Special Representative on Sustainable
Development Goals in August 2021, has been working to promote the Assembly’s
engagement on issues related to achieving the UN’s SDGs and Agenda 2030, often
in partnership with our 2nd Committee.
In fact, the 2030 Agenda provides a strategic framework also for the efforts of the
OSCE PA General Committee on Economic Affairs, Science, Technology and
Environment. Resonating with the focus of our work, SDGs advocate for leaving no
9
one behind while reconciling global economic progress with social justice and the
conservation of our environment. For instance, we looked closely at the interrelation
between Goals n. 3 (Good Health and Well-Being), n. 8 (Economic Growth) and n. 15
(Life on Land) during our May 2021 Parliamentary Web Dialogue “Framing the
Environmental Security – Public Health Nexus: Science Informs Policymaking”.
Similarly, recognizing the critical role that energy plays in fueling our development and
shaping our security, we have recently held an interesting policy debate on “The Clean
Energy Revolution and its Implications for the OSCE Region”. The event allowed us
to put into greater focus Goals n. 7 (Affordable & Clean Energy), n. 9 (Industry &
Innovation) and n. 12 (Responsible Production & Consumption), thereby consolidating
our impression that a systematic shift is inevitable, and it will affect both our policies
and behaviors.
Finally, building on SDG n. 13 (Climate Action), n. 11 (Sustainable Cities &
Communities) and n. 17 (Partnerships), we have exhorted OSCE Governments to
address the climate crisis resolutely, coherently, and cooperatively, in line with the
letter and spirit of the Paris Agreement. This was accomplished through a very timely
and detailed Parliamentary Plea for Resolute Climate Action, issued on the occasion
of COP26 last November, by the leaders of the OSCE Parliamentary Assembly’s
Economic and Environmental Committee, together with the President’s envoys on
Arctic issues and Sustainable Development Goals.
To this end, as parliamentarians, we shall continue to act as strong agents of change
both at the national and international levels. At the national level, we need to monitor
the sound implementation of SDGs by our governments and ask for their accountability
in this field. At the international level, we must engage within the OSCE PA and beyond
to share lessons learned and catalyze co-operative efforts for their timely
implementation.
3.2 Climate Change
We realize that the vision of comprehensive security is not possible without addressing
the climate and environmental crisis. Ultimately, there can be no politico-military,
economic and environmental, or human security without climate security. The latest
report of the United Nations’ Intergovernmental Panel on Climate Change (IPCC)4
rightly underlines that the threat that climate change poses to human well-being and
the health of the planet is “unequivocal” and that “human and natural systems will face
additional severe risks”, including some that are “irreversible”.
Thus, we must urgently redirect our co-operative efforts towards shaping a truly
sustainable, carbon-neutral, development model in which environmental, economic,
social, and public health factors are duly factored in and given equal attention.
To achieve this goal - clearly entailing profound economic, social, and cultural
transformations in the coming decades - we will need strong political leadership, a
common vision, and a shared sense of responsibility. We will need to utilize the best
4
https://report.ipcc.ch/ar6wg2/
10
available science and accelerate innovation for an effective, long-term global response
to climate change, a response that promotes economic growth and counters poverty.
In October last year, Chair Pere Joan Pons represented the OSCE PA at the Pre-
COP26 Parliamentary meeting in Rome, where he, inter alia, reiterated the climate -
public health - security nexus and stressed the key role of parliamentarians in
monitoring the implementation of climate-related commitments.
Against this backdrop, our 5 November 2021 Parliamentary Plea for Resolute Climate
Action urged OSCE governments to commit to “progressively ambitious emission
reduction targets in line with capping temperature increases at 1.5 degrees.”5
Remarkably, our call has been immediately echoed by the OSCE participating States,
as they adopted the landmark Ministerial Decision on “Strengthening Co-operation to
Address the Challenges caused by Climate Change”, which includes a strong and
much-appreciated reference to the solid work of the OSCE PA and its parliamentarians
in this field.
Accordingly, concerted efforts are urgently needed to mitigate and adapt to climate
change, including through increased international collaboration, transfer of know-how,
technological development, a strong scientific approach, and financial support. We
must address the climate crisis resolutely, coherently, and co-operatively – in line with
the letter and spirit of the Paris Agreement6.
As parliamentarians, we shall act as national guardians of the Paris commitments on
behalf of our citizens, thereby ensuring that these commitments are rigorously being
met by governments, including through:
● MITIGATION – Securing global net-zero carbon emissions by mid-century and
keeping 1.5 degrees within reach.
● ADAPTATION - Protecting communities and natural habitats.
● FINANCE - Mobilizing funds for adaptation and mitigation measures.
A combination of approaches in addressing sectors that emit most GHG7 and
improving overall transparency and public participation can move us closer to our mid-
century objectives. Most mitigation measures are associated with clear co-benefits,
including, but not limited to, new business opportunities, better environmental
compliance, health benefits through better local air and water quality, better work
conditions, and reduced waste8. While implementing diversified national mitigation
measures, it will be critical to duly assess their ultimate environmental footprint and
prevent potential short- and long-term shocks to our economies, labor markets, and
5www.oscepa.org/en/documents/officers-of-the-assembly/4288-parliamentary-plea-for-resolute-
climate-action-8-november-2021/file
6 A milestone in global climate action was reached in October 2021: Turkey has ratified the Paris
agreement, thereby being the last OSCE participating State to do so.
7 According to the recent IPCC report, the various sectors' global emissions are the following: Electricity
and heat production - 25 %; Agriculture and other land use - 24 %; Buildings - 6.4 %; Industry - 21 %;
Transport - 14 %; Other energy (non-electricity or heat production related) - 9.6 %.
8 IPCC, 2014: Technical Summary. In: Climate Change 2014: Mitigation of Climate Change.
Contribution of Working Group III to the Fifth Assessment Report of the Intergovernmental Panel on
Climate Change, p. 85
11
social relations, effectively leaving no citizen behind. New forms of poverty, such as
energy poverty, must be avoided, and affordability, availability, and energy security
must be guaranteed.
Moreover, adaptation planning and implementation are learning processes that
require investment in knowledge and research, stakeholder engagement, and mixed
approaches at all levels.9 While recognizing the differentiated impacts of climate
change on different regions and individuals, supporting a community-based approach
focused on local communities’ priorities, needs, knowledge, and capacities appears
critical to empower people to plan for and cope with the impacts of climate change.
To achieve the mid-century goals that all OSCE participating States have committed
themselves to, it is also pivotal to scale up the level of financial flows from the public,
private and not-for-profit sectors towards sustainable development priorities. For
example, well-regulated “green finance” should channel private investments towards
those economic initiatives that better manage environmental and social risks, while
ensuring positive returns for the investors (win-win situation).
Climate change is a global problem that cannot be addressed without international co-
operation and co-ordination among local, national, and international stakeholders and
policymakers. Representing over one billion citizens, our 323 parliamentarians can
spur change and enhance security at all levels. As bridges between citizens and their
institutions, parliamentarians play a critical role in addressing the crisis, including by
adopting relevant legislation, mobilizing adequate resources, promoting public
participation, creating cross-regional responses, and ensuring that international
commitments are consistently being met in the interest of all individuals.
In moving ahead, it is therefore critical to duly synergize our efforts towards:
● drastic reductions in emissions of greenhouse gasses,
● cutting back on depletable forms of energy,
● development of effective adaptation strategies,
● creating a strong technology-science-policy interface,
● mobilization of the necessary financial resources, and
● international collaboration across the board.
Clearly, most developed countries and the largest emitters shall lead by example in
this field. We must not forget that developing nations are the most severely affected
and, at the same time, the least responsible for climate change. While no population
should be denied the benefits of economic growth and industrialization, all countries
should co-operate in the implementation of the agreed commitments in line with the
principle of common but differentiated responsibilities and respective capabilities in
light of different national circumstances.
3.3 Clean Energy Transition
Building on the General Committee on Economic Affairs, Science, Technology and
Environment 2021 Report and the 5 November Parliamentary Plea for Resolute
9 IPCC, 2014: Adaptation Planning and Implementation. In: Climate Change 2014: Impacts, Adaptation,
and Vulnerability. Part A: Global and Sectoral Aspects. Contribution of Working Group II to the Fifth
Assessment Report of the Intergovernmental Panel on Climate Change, p. 871
12
Climate Action, the Assembly held the Parliamentary Web Dialogue “The Clean
Energy Revolution and its Implications for the OSCE region” on 4 February 2022.
Ultimately, the web dialogue confirmed the centrality of decarbonized energy policies
for European security and reinforced the Assembly’s determination to engage in this
domain, which bridges economic and environmental security aspects. With the green
transition just starting - and all its unpredictable cultural, economic, social, and security
repercussions - our vigilance and common efforts will be critical to ensure that
upcoming reforms and investments meet, first and foremost, the needs of the people.
As scientists tell us and world leaders have committed to, to keep the goal of limiting
temperature rise to 1.5 degrees Celsius within reach, half of global emissions must be
cut by the end of this decade.10 Since over 70% of human-caused greenhouse gas
emissions stem from the energy sector, “greening” the latter holds the key to
addressing both climate change and environmental degradation.11 Accordingly, by the
end of the COP26 climate summit in Glasgow, 151 countries submitted new climate
plans to slash their emissions by 2030. To fully meet the Glasgow Agreement, clean
energy investments need to triple by 2030.
Moreover, the global energy market has proved increasingly unstable lately, as
illustrated by the high volatility of prices. Today, Europe finds itself at the heart of an
“energy storm” prompted by, inter alia, a combination of supply bottlenecks, limited
storage capabilities, the rebounding of the economy after the COVID-19 crisis, and the
economic consequences of the war in Ukraine.
Accordingly, the transition to clean energy sources bears the potential to alleviate
energy dependency on foreign producers and, by diversifying sources and making
them more broadly accessible and affordable, minimize related geopolitical tensions.
Enhancing and diversifying energy supplies towards cleaner energy sources is,
therefore, crucial for guaranteeing stable and affordable development opportunities for
all human needs throughout the region.
Hence, the energy transition is urgent and represents one of the most important topics
of our time. Intended as the global energy sector’s shift from fossil-based systems of
energy production and consumption (including oil, natural gas, and coal) to cleaner
energy sources (such as renewables and low-carbon hydrogen), it implies gradual
changes, structural ruptures, as well as systemic shifts.
As for the industrial and digital “revolutions”, science and technology play a central
role in the energy transition. The energy transition should leverage the latest scientific
findings and technological developments aimed at, inter alia, improving energy
efficiency, reducing energy costs, developing and making economically viable new
sources of clean energy, and capturing existing emissions.
The role of private businesses and citizens’ cooperatives in advancing the clean
energy transition is also critical. Incentivizing private initiatives and mobilizing private
capital is crucial to meet existing transition targets. Moreover, wide public support for
the energy transition is key to the process. In so far as possible, “energy democracy”
10 IPCC, 2018: Summary for Policymakers. In: Global Warming of 1.5°C. An IPCC Special Report on
the impacts of global warming of 1.5°C
11 Net-Zero by 2050: A Roadmap for the Global Energy Sector, IEA, May 2021.
13
should be promoted through social, participatory, and democratic parameters: The
involvement of civil society and the business sector in consultation and decision-
making, at both local and national levels, is imperative to ensure transparency and
broader ownership.
If managed properly, the transition could provide remarkable opportunities for States’
economies. Good governance, economic diversification, social dialogue, social
protection, availability of transition funds, as well as skills development, are important
aspects of an equitable energy transition. Finally, reducing dangerous emissions will
slow down environmental degradation and pollution, which are negatively impacting
public health and, consequently, the State’s finances.
Citizens’ needs and considerations should be put at the core of the energy transition
effort. It is necessary to further ensure the fairness of the transition towards a climate-
neutral economy, thereby leaving no one behind. The socio-economic impact of the
transition should be alleviated through financial mechanisms and suitable policies.
Parliaments must be in the driver’s seat when it comes to the energy transition, as
they can influence/make significant political decisions. Both the speed and depth of
the energy transition will be shaped by their decisions. Against this background,
Parliaments have the critical role of taking into account citizens’ considerations in the
process, as well as ensuring their support, inclusivity, and representation. For
instance, they should ensure that costs and benefits are distributed evenly throughout
society and that no one is left behind.
3.4 Environmental Protection and Sustainable Use of Natural Resources
Compelling correlations between environmental degradation and global security have
consistently emerged over the decades. Environmental challenges affect individuals
and countries in many ways, even when they do not lead to direct conflict. Effects are
wide-ranging and, besides the environment itself, they concern public health,
economy, development, infrastructure, and others.
Therefore, a more holistic and interdisciplinary approach to environmental security
should be advocated for, whereby the protection of the environment becomes the
precondition to effectively address both the public health and climate crisis.
The world is facing several major environmental crises including climate change,
biodiversity loss, unsustainable use of natural resources, and pollution. These come
with many human and animal health risks in the form of infections and non-
communicable diseases, water scarcity, and food safety problems. For instance, the
relationship between altered environmental conditions and human health is
particularly complex: drivers of global environmental change (e.g., land-use change,
resource scarcity, or climate change) can directly pose health risks, or impair
ecosystem services that subsequently influence public health.
The appalling, and widely documented, impact of pollution on human health has been
proficiently exposed in the 2021 Report. Notably, of all environmental factors that lead
to disease and shorten life expectancy, air pollution is the most predominant.
Statistically, loss of life expectancy in global terms is ten times larger due to air
14
pollution than due to any kind of violence (including armed conflicts or domestic
violence). Overall, it is estimated that air pollution kills approximately seven million
people every year, but recent figures are even more worrisome.
Micro- and nano-plastic particles have been found in recent years in all parts of the
world and in various organisms. Shockingly, the human body consumes on average
up to 5 grams of these particles per week. Although the health implications of such
exposure have not been explored so far, renowned researchers from the Netherlands
recently concluded that ‘multidisciplinary research efforts, involving scientists from
environmental and medical sectors as well as polymer scientists, are needed to tackle
this potential health hazard.’12 To this end, micro- and nano-plastic particles must be
explored as a public health concern, and research efforts must be strengthened in this
direction.
Clearly, environmental, social, and economic development also depends on the
sustainable management of our planet’s natural resources, and the promotion of
sustainable consumption and production patterns. As such, OSCE participating States
should increase their efforts in the protection of the environment and sustainable use
of natural resources, including soils, water, and forests, and in the conservation of
ecosystems and biodiversity through, inter alia, stringent regulatory frameworks.
One striking example is the Arctic region. Polar ice caps are melting as global warming
causes climate change. As a result, access to natural resources leads to new
economic opportunities. This, in turn, leads to further environmental concerns
regarding the exploitation of natural resources in areas with very fragile ecosystems.
Global climate efforts must, therefore, counteract these developments to prevent
further erosion of the polar ice cap and combat the acidification of the sea to protect
natural habitats and fisheries. I welcome the efforts of our Special Representative on
Arctic Issues, Ms. Bryndis Haraldsdottir (Iceland) in this critical context.
In this regard, co-operation and co-ordination among all stakeholders and at all levels
is key, including through the implementation of international agreements. The
Convention for the Protection of the Mediterranean Sea Against Pollution (Barcelona
Convention)13 represents a case in point. I commend the OSCE PA for officially joining
the United Nations Mediterranean Commission on Sustainable Development of the
Barcelona Convention as of 01 January 2022. Acting as a forum for sharing
experience and peer learning, the Commission14 assists Contracting Parties in
12 Vethaak D and Legler J, Science 2021, Gruber E et al, Journal Exposure & Health 2022.
13 The Convention for the Protection of the Mediterranean Sea Against Pollution (Barcelona
Convention) was adopted on 16 February 1976 in Barcelona and entered into force in 1978. The
Barcelona Convention was amended in 1995 and renamed as the Convention for the Protection of the
Marine Environment and the Coastal Region of the Mediterranean. The amendments to the Barcelona
Convention entered into force in 2004.
14 The Commission is unique in its composition and includes not only government representatives but
also local authorities, socio-economic actors, non-governmental organizations, intergovernmental
organizations, the scientific community, and parliamentarians. All MCSD members participate in its
deliberations on an equal footing. The MCSD notably coordinates the preparation of the Mediterranean
Strategy on Sustainable Development (MSSD), as a strategic framework document for all stakeholders
and partners to translate the 2030 Agenda and its Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs) at regional,
sub-regional, national and local levels.
15
protecting the environment and promoting sustainable development policies in the
Mediterranean region, which is integral to the OSCE region.
It is also critical to promote a multi-stakeholder approach, including dialogue between
public and private sectors, civil society, and the scientific world, in the protection of the
environment, considering that damage to the environment - such as the unsustainable
use of natural resources, climate change and biodiversity loss - is best avoided
through preventive measures.
To this end, good public and corporate governance in the sphere of the environment
can help to ensure a more sustainable and balanced socio-economic development.
Parliaments should therefore promote good environmental governance, including
through the development of relevant legislation and the strengthening of international
co-operation by exchanging experiences and lessons learned to enhance the
protection of the environment and the sustainable use of natural resources.
4. SCIENCE AND TECHNOLOGY
Science and technology are potent allies in the change we seek to achieve. A strong
science-policy interface is therefore key, including for better informing our policy
decisions in tackling climate change, promoting sustainable development, protecting
the environment, and safeguarding citizens’ health.
However, the potential misuse of new technologies, which have become so critical in
our modern lives - such as Artificial Intelligence - also carries along some security
challenges.
4.1 Artificial Intelligence
New technologies, and in particular Artificial Intelligence (AI), have profoundly
changed our lives. They offer countless opportunities in the OSCE area, but, at the
same time, they pose new challenges regarding human rights, democracy, and the
resilience of infrastructures. Such challenges need to be tackled co-operatively, as
new technologies are hardly affected by national borders.
Narrow artificial intelligence15 in which algorithms perform specific tasks, is a helpful
tool to aid people’s lives in a myriad of areas, from text translation to successful
advertisement placement. General artificial intelligence, such as humanoid robots,
would seem, in contrast, rather hyped ideas than realistic prospects. Nonetheless,
robotics will change, and has already significantly changed, the labor market as well
as our care systems.
Where drones take over border patrols, where protection from terrorist threats,
food/water security and energy supply are entrusted to centralized AIs, we may face
15 Narrow artificial intelligence (narrow AI) is a specific type of artificial intelligence in which a learning
algorithm is designed to perform a single task, and any knowledge gained from performing that task will
not automatically be applied to other tasks. Unlike general artificial intelligence, which seeks to mimic
complex thought processes, narrow AI is designed to successfully complete a single task without human
assistance.
16
some dangers. Marginal statistical errors may not be dramatic in many day-to-day AI
applications, but systems of critical nature require the highest precision and reliability.
Technology should never replace human experience and human decision-making,
especially in critical areas, such as defense, health, and critical infrastructures.
As a matter of fact, an excessively fast digitization process without adequate back-up
systems can make our societies more vulnerable to sporadic system failures and
targeted cyber-attacks. If faced with a major blackout or security attack, our supply
chains, logistics systems, commerce- and payment systems could be significantly
crippled, or even shut down. To ensure greater resilience, OSCE participating States
should secure the existence of functioning, analogous alternative economic processes
and backup plans for critical supply chains and infrastructure services. We should also
continue to support science and research efforts to optimize AI, better tailoring it to
human needs.
When AI analyses data, fairness and non-discrimination must be upheld, and the
absence of bias secured. Whenever used, AI must be transparent, tested and certified
prior to getting market access. Additionally, systematic machine-profiling of people
should be regarded as an infringement of personal rights and freedoms concerning
the job market, insurance policies, and many other services essential to citizen well-
being. Automation and profiling are furthermore susceptible to abuse. Parliaments
should legislate mandatory labeling for processes in which a person is dealing with AI
and not with a human being.16
I welcome the work of the new OSCE PA Special Representative on Digital Agenda,
Mr. Radu-Mihai Mihail (Romania) in the context of digitalization in the regard.
4.2 Communication in a Digitalized World
Modern communication platforms empowered by technological innovation and
digitalization have contributed greatly to the increase of citizens’ participation in public
discourse and have granted unlimited access to resources and information for
everyone. This is a benefit to democratization, co-operation, and the empowerment of
citizens, allowing for easy communication amongst people around the globe. At the
same time, the misuse of individualized algorithms prioritizing certain content in the
user’s news feed has increased the spread of disinformation, is prone to mass
manipulation, and could lead to polarization and civil unrest. This poses a very serious
threat to security in the OSCE region.
OSCE participating States should therefore define goals and create legal frameworks
for social media platforms to combat manipulation and disinformation while, at the
same time, protecting the freedom of expression from censorship and state
propaganda. I welcome the work of the OSCE PA Special Rapporteur on
Disinformation, Fake News and Propaganda, Mr. Oscar Mina (San Marino) in this
area.
Parliamentarians’ focus should be on strengthening media pluralism and information
literacy among citizens, enabling them to distinguish fake news from facts and discern
verified sources. Given their relevance and impact in modern societies, the activities
16 cf. EU AI Act
17
of social media platforms must be regulated through clear, transparent, and impartial
rules aimed at preventing disinformation, radicalization, and mass manipulation, also
for economic purposes, with a strong commitment to the protection of free speech.
The UN Joint Declaration on Freedom of Expression and “Fake News”, Disinformation
and Propaganda17 warns against the “outsourcing of public functions, like protection
of freedom of expression, to unaccountable private actors”18 and suggests companies
should make “high-level policy commitments to respect the human rights of their
users”19 and adopt measures which guarantee “transparency, meaningful
accountability and a commitment to remedy in order to protect the ability of individuals
to use online platforms as forums for free expression, access to information and
engagement in public life.”20
Legal obligations on companies to restrict content should not be put under vague or
complex criteria, such as broadly worded restrictive laws on “extremism” or “offensive”
speech, “false news” and “propaganda”. In all attempts to combat disinformation, we
must remember that freedom of speech is a fundamental human right.
In particular, the protection of children and youth from disinformation through
individualized preferential algorithms, as well as emotional or psychological
dependency through instant gratification, needs to be a priority. The linkage between
the economy, technology and education of future generations becomes a cross-
sectoral, cross-regional security concern, which requires a strong commitment of
governments and parliaments across the OSCE region.
17 UN Joint Declaration on Freedom of Expression and “Fake News”, Disinformation and Propaganda
as well as the Report (A/HRC/38/35) by former UN Special Rapporteur on the promotion and protection
of the right to freedom of opinion and expression, David Kaye.
18 Para. 1
19 Para. 11 (b)
20 Para. 64


AS (22) DRS 2 E
DRAFT RESOLUTION
FOR THE GENERAL COMMITTEE ON
ECONOMIC AFFAIRS, SCIENCE, TECHNOLOGY
AND ENVIRONMENT
RAPPORTEUR
Ms. Gudrun Kugler
Austria
BIRMINGHAM, 2 – 6 JULY 2022
Offentligt
OSCE Alm.del - Bilag 19
OSCEs Parlamentariske Forsamling 2021-22
1
DRAFT RESOLUTION FOR THE GENERAL COMMITTEE ON
ECONOMIC AFFAIRS, SCIENCE, TECHNOLOGY AND ENVIRONMENT
Rapporteur: Ms. Gudrun Kugler (Austria)
1. Recalling the Helsinki Final Act of 1975, in which participating States
recognized that “efforts to develop co-operation in the fields of trade, industry,
science and technology, the environment and other areas of economic activity
contribute to the reinforcement of peace and security in Europe and in the world
as a whole,”
2. Categorically condemning the Russian Federation’s military invasion of
Ukraine, and reiterating the disastrous humanitarian, socio-economic, and
environmental consequences of conflicts, including in terms of food and water
security,
3. Applauding the OSCE Ministerial Council Decision No. 3/21 on Strengthening
Co-operation to Address the Challenges caused by the Climate Change
adopted at the 28th OSCE Ministerial Council,
4. Welcoming the priorities of the Polish Chairmanship focused on promoting
sustainable economic recovery, advancing women’s economic empowerment,
and addressing environmental risks, and reiterating the support of the OSCE
PA for the work of the Office of the Co-ordinator of OSCE Economic and
Environmental Activities in aiding participating States to implement economic
and environmental commitments in the OSCE region,
5. Supporting the focus of the OSCE’s 30th Economic and Environmental Forum
on “Promoting security and stability in the OSCE area through sustainable
economic recovery from the COVID-19 pandemic”, and welcoming the OSCE
PA contribution in this framework,
6. Stressing the unique role of national parliaments in adopting legislation,
mobilizing resources, promoting public participation, and creating cross-
regional responses to advance economic and environmental security, promote
sustainable development, and implement relevant international commitments
in the OSCE region,
7. Alarmed that the war in Ukraine has significantly weakened stability,
connectivity, and prosperity across the OSCE region, and cognizant of the
adverse impact of sanctions on trade and citizens,
8. Concerned by the profound economic and social repercussions of the COVID-
19 pandemic, which has severely affected the lives of millions of citizens across
the region, and cognizant that, to better mitigate the impact of the health crisis
on vulnerable communities and particularly exposed sectors, many OSCE
participating States have enacted unprecedented fiscal, monetary, and
financial support measures which led, inter alia, to rising sovereign debt levels
and higher inflation rates,
2
9. Confirming that, while international trade and relations have been strained by
the prolonged health crisis and the war in Ukraine, economic connectivity
remains key to promote stability and prosperity across the OSCE region,
10. Stressing that the international community should learn from the COVID-19
pandemic to prevent and build resilience against future similar crises through
more responsible, forward-looking, and environmentally-friendly policies,
thereby balancing our civilization’s development needs with citizens’ legitimate
economic and environmental concerns,
11. Underlining the goal of promoting economic security through innovation, human
capital, good governance, and interconnectivity, as well as maximizing the role
of the digital economy as a driver for competitiveness and inclusive growth,
12. Taking note of the demographic changes in the OSCE region that affect both
economic prosperity and the future performance of social security systems,
13. Underlining the growing migratory pressure experienced by many participating
States within the context of labor, development, and climate, and
acknowledging the significant surge in environmentally driven migration and
displacement,
14. Alarmed by the rise of human trafficking in a globalized economy, the growing
misuse of digital technologies to exploit other human beings, and the use of
forced labor that is increasingly prevalent in the production of goods and
services,
15. Expressing concern over the persistent lack of transparency in the work of
public entities and widely perceived corruption in public offices that continue to
hamper citizens’ trust in democratic institutions and processes,
16. Recalling the OSCE PA 2018 Berlin Declaration, which urged parliaments to
adopt legislation to establish or further develop anti-corruption policies and to
promote best practices to ensure a genuinely free and competitive market, as
well as enable sustainable and environmentally friendly economic growth,
17. Underlining the benefits of a clean environment on socio-economic
development, including reduced public spending on medical treatments and
positive impact on work productivity, and reiterating the relevance of food and
water security across the OSCE region, especially against the backdrop of
climate change and conflict,
18. Inspired by the 2030 Agenda for Sustainable Development and its 17
Sustainable Development Goals that call for action to end poverty, protect the
planet and ensure peace and prosperity for current and future generations,
19. Fully realizing that comprehensive security is not attainable without addressing
several interrelated environmental crises including climate change, biodiversity
loss, unsustainable use of natural resources, and pollution in all its forms,
3
20. Recalling the nexus between the environment and security recognized by the
OSCE Parliamentary Assembly in the 1992 Budapest Declaration, as well as
the notion of protecting the planet’s health to preserve our own recognized by
the Assembly in 1995 Ottawa and 1996 Stockholm Declarations,
21. Recognizing that the connection between environmental security and public
health is profound and, therefore, should feature prominently in the international
security agenda,
22. Particularly concerned that pollution, in all its forms, represents a major health
hazard which should be studied, regularly monitored, and evaluated carefully,
including in the context of the COVID-19 pandemic,
23. Noting with concern the latest report of the United Nations’ Intergovernmental
Panel on Climate Change (IPCC), which underlines the “unequivocal” threat
that climate change poses to human well-being and the health of the planet,
24. Acknowledging that human-influenced climate change is increasingly disrupting
weather systems, impacting national economies, costing lives, and affecting
communities in countries around the world, and that, as such, it must be
addressed resolutely through enhanced international co-operation and co-
ordination at all levels, which takes into account its differentiated impact on
different regions and individuals,
25. Welcoming the steps taken since the 2015 United Nations Climate Change
Conference (COP21) and the adoption of the Paris Agreement with the goal of
holding the increase in the global average temperature to well below 2 °C above
pre-industrial levels and pursuing efforts to limit the temperature increase to 1.5
°C above pre-industrial levels,
26. Also welcoming the outcomes of COP26 in strengthening efforts to build
resilience to climate change, curb greenhouse gas (GHG) emissions, and
provide the necessary finance for both, as well as the European Green Deal's
objective to make the European Union climate neutral by 2050,
27. Recalling the OSCE PA 2019 Luxembourg Declaration, which urged
parliaments and governments of OSCE participating States to strengthen their
Nationally Determined Contributions (NDCs) with the goal of limiting the use of
fossil fuels such as oil, coal, and natural gas, and replacing them with cleaner
sources of energy while increasing energy efficiency,
28. Welcoming the 2021 OSCE PA Parliamentary Plea for Resolute Climate Action
which, inter alia, urged OSCE governments to (1) drastically reduce GHG
emissions in line with capping temperature increases at 1.5 degrees, (2)
develop effective adaptation strategies, (3) mobilize the necessary financial
resources, and (4) co-operate across the board,
29. Recognizing that over 70% of human-caused GHG emissions stem from the
energy sector, and therefore underlining the urgency to prioritize the greening
of participating States’ energy and transportation networks, industrial and
4
heating/cooling processes, as well as to promote circular economy patterns
across the OSCE region to support the transition to a low-carbon and more
resilient future,
30. Also stressing the benefit of carbon-neutral agricultural policies, forest
conservation and management, as well as sustainable land use for food
security, rural development, and the eradication of poverty,
31. Highlighting the need to implement a green transition that is fair and beneficial
for workers, consumers, companies, and states, including by safeguarding
decent work conditions, promoting more equitable access to natural resources,
and making our economies more resilient, innovative, and competitive,
32. Concerned by the growing instability of energy markets, as illustrated by the
high volatility of prices prompted by a combination of geopolitical tensions,
supply bottlenecks, limited storage, and the rebounding of the economy from
the COVID-19 crisis, and which contributed, inter alia, to higher inflation rates
in many OSCE participating States,
33. Convinced that enhancing and diversifying energy supplies towards clean
energy sources is instrumental to achieve carbon-neutrality, alleviate energy
dependency, and make energy more accessible, resilient, and affordable for all
human needs, thereby minimizing related geopolitical tensions and avoiding
new forms of energy poverty,
34. Recognizing that, in the long run, fossil fuel energy is constrained by too many
environmental and social drawbacks while new clean energy sources are likely
to become increasingly viable, and therefore determined to accelerate the clean
energy transition, including through well calibrated carbon pricing, the
expansion of carbon-neutral, affordable, and sustainable energy strategies, and
sustained investments in research and technological innovation,
35. Realizing that the energy transition - intended as the global energy sector’s shift
from fossil-based systems of energy production and consumption to cleaner
energy sources - implies gradual changes and structural ruptures, as well as
systemic shifts,
36. Underscoring the role of private business and citizens’ cooperatives in
advancing the clean energy transition, and underlining that good governance,
economic diversification, social dialogue, social protection, availability of
transition funds, as well as skills development, are important aspects of an
equitable energy transition,
37. Welcoming the critical contribution of science and technology in offering viable
solutions to economic and environmental problems that the world is facing, and
stressing the importance of a strong and transparent science-policy interface to
better inform critical decisions needed to tackle climate change, promote
sustainable development and economic growth, protect the environment and
safeguard citizens’ health,
5
38. Recognizing that the rapid digitalization process taking place across the OSCE
area is generating substantial changes in all spheres of life, and underlining the
incredible development opportunities stemming from new technologies, such
as Artificial Intelligence (AI), but also the potential threats arising from their
misuse,
39. Expressing concern about the increasingly frequent misuse of modern
communication platforms to spread disinformation and propaganda, and
manipulate public opinion, while reiterating the importance of protecting
freedom of speech, both offline and online,
40. Welcoming the Parliamentary Web Dialogues organized by the OSCE PA on
22 April 2020 on “The Economic Security Fallout of the COVID-19 Pandemic”,
on 22 May 2020 on “COVID-19: A turning point for environmental protection?”,
on 25 May 2021 on “Framing the Environmental Security – Public Health
Nexus” and on 4 February 2022 on “The Clean Energy Revolution and its
Implications for the OSCE Region” as excellent opportunities to share relevant
parliamentary experience, interface with the scientific community, and promote
policy greater convergence around several topical issues on the 2nd Committee
agenda,
The OSCE Parliamentary Assembly:
41. Reiterates its call on all OSCE participating States to redouble their efforts to
identify and pursue co-operative solutions to our common economic and
environmental security challenges, including those related to economic
recovery, connectivity, migration, trafficking in human beings, good
governance, climate change, environmental degradation, pollution, cyber
security, and disinformation;
42. Urges participating States to promote socio-economic development in the
OSCE region and beyond - in line with the Sustainable Development Goals -
with the aim to foster regional stability and prosperity;
43. Calls on the OSCE participating States to strengthen co-operation to achieve
sustainable economic recovery from the COVID-19 pandemic by, inter alia,
accelerating the deployment of green technologies, enhancing economic
growth and connectivity, and supporting human capital development;
44. Urges governments, in the context of the military invasion of Ukraine, to
consider effective and well-coordinated actions in the economic and
environmental spheres aimed at mitigating the impact of the conflict and
restoring international peace and security, which should bear minimal
repercussions on the civilian population;
45. Calls on participating States to develop initiatives for strengthening inter-
generational relations and dialogue, enhancing the quality of life in old age, and
raising living standards across the whole region, and encourages national
authorities to monitor demographic changes in the OSCE region through
dedicated working groups, committees and departments, with the aim to better
6
understand plausible causes and consequences as well as to consider viable
strategies for remedial action, such as various family supportive measures and
other measures intended to revitalize “depopulated” areas through
infrastructure, digitalization, smart working, intergenerational housing and
telemedicine;
46. Encourages the OSCE participating States to reconsider their supply of energy,
spectrum-auction policies, sales of infrastructure and companies, purchases of
key communications and safety technology, and debt management with the aim
of protecting their independence, particularly, but not only from China, and
achieve geopolitical stability and global security;
47. Urges the OSCE participating States to promote effective, sustainable and
human-rights compliant migration governance, develop adequate legal
pathways for economic migration, ensure comprehensive border security and
increase international co-operation to address the socio-economic and
environmental drivers of migration and displacement, including push factors
such as poverty, weak rule of law, and the lack of economic opportunities in the
countries of origin;
48. Urges participating States to prioritize and ensure a proactive leadership role in
economy-based development co-operation and to create competence-based
long-term strategies with clear and measurable goals to enhance economic co-
operation with neighboring regions in order to foster security in the OSCE
region;
49. Calls upon parliaments to adopt new legislation with the aim of preventing
human trafficking in supply chains through import bans, reporting laws,
disclosure laws, and due diligence laws, thereby leveraging the power of
“demand” to break the business model of trafficking and enabling enterprises
to engage ethically in the global market;
50. Encourages parliaments to take action to discourage the demand fostering
trafficking for sexual exploitation, including by strengthening prevention and
criminal justice frameworks to hold accountable those who use victims of
trafficking;
51. Calls on the OSCE participating States to establish specialized anti-trafficking
units, strengthen multi-agency co-operation and upgrade relevant policies -
including by reflecting the increasingly predominant role that technology plays
in facilitating human trafficking to effectively fight traffickers and protect the
victims;
52. Encourages parliaments to duly regulate issues such as conflicts of interest,
transparency in party financing and lobbying practices, as well as to adopt and
implement advanced anti-corruption legislation - including sound ultimate
beneficial ownership laws - and oversee the independence of relevant anti-
corruption authorities with the aim to ensure free, fair and competitive markets,
as well as promote sustainable economic growth;
7
53. Urges governments to establish effective internal and external controls and
audits, thus enhancing transparency and accountability of public authorities,
and to adopt and implement robust regulatory frameworks intended to mitigate
risks relating to money laundering and terrorist financing, in line with relevant
international standards;
54. Calls on governments of the OSCE participating States to redouble coordinated
efforts in the implementation of the 2030 Agenda for Sustainable Development
and relevant OSCE commitments, duly reconciling global economic progress
with social justice and the preservation of the environment, and urges national
parliaments to develop coherent and well-informed legislative proposals in this
context;
55. Prompts participating States to redirect efforts towards shaping a truly
sustainable, carbon-neutral, development model in which environmental,
economic, social, and public health factors are duly factored in and to
implement policies such as well-calibrated carbon taxes, effective emission
trading systems, and subsidies for low carbon industries and agriculture to
leverage incentives toward a more green and healthy economy;
56. Urges the OSCE participating States to increase their efforts in the protection
of the environment, sustainable use of natural resources, and the conservation
and restoration of ecosystems and biodiversity and to integrate nature-based
solutions into adaptation strategies that considers social, economic and cultural
co-benefits for local communities;
57. Calls on national authorities to regularly monitor the status of the environment
and strengthen efforts aimed at identifying the main causes of environmental
degradation, better understanding how the latter affects different public health
components and proposing viable solutions to protect citizens’ health,
especially in the context of pollution and micro- and nano plastic particles;
58. Urges the OSCE participating States to drastically cut their GHG emissions in
line with the Paris Agreement and the COP26 Glasgow Conclusions - including
by committing to progressively more ambitious emission reduction targets
through realistic NDCs aimed at capping temperature increases at 1.5 degrees
– and to boost the low-carbon energy transition by enhancing and diversifying
clean energy sources, incentivizing energy efficiency, prioritizing clean energy
technologies, and making economically viable new sources of clean energy,
including through sharp reductions of public subsidies to fossil fuels;
59. Calls on participating States to enhance early warning systems, improve hazard
mapping, increase capacity for disaster preparedness and response, and set
up contingency funding plans to prepare for the increased frequency of climate-
related shocks;
60. Encourages the OSCE participating States to support a community-based
approach in adapting to climate change, which should be focused on local
communities’ priorities, needs, knowledge, and capacities, including the
differentiated needs of women and men as well as the elderly and children, low-
8
income groups, and people with disabilities, thus empowering people to better
plan for and cope with the impact of climate change;
61. Exhorts the OSCE participating States to meet existing financial commitments
and come forward with new ambitious climate finance pledges, and prompts
the mobilization of private financial flows towards climate action by
implementing incentives to support lending and investment into green projects,
including through the adoption of appropriate regulatory frameworks;
62. Urges national parliaments to adopt coherent legislation, mobilize adequate
resources and actively monitor the implementation of the Paris Agreement
commitments, thereby facilitating inter-disciplinary knowledge-sharing,
promote public participation and build critical public support for resolute climate
action;
63. Urges participating States to avoid all energy-related confrontations and to
strengthen their energy dialogue within the OSCE region and other relevant
international fora, with the aim to depoliticize energy issues, foster climate
diplomacy, and address upcoming energy threats in a collaborative manner;
64. Urges parliamentarians to ensure that citizens are placed at the core of the
energy transition process, and that costs and benefits are distributed evenly
throughout society so that no one is left behind, including through financial
support mechanisms and suitable policies;
65. Calls on the OSCE participating States to harness the opportunities offered by
science, digitalization, and technological innovation to support the green
transition, ensure inclusiveness, and develop effective, coherent and well-
informed responses to the many interrelated economic and environmental
challenges affecting the region;
66. Calls on participating States to keep abreast of developments in the field of new
technologies - and in particular of Artificial Intelligence - and ensure that citizens
and their security needs remain at the core of all relevant efforts, including by
promoting multi-stakeholder dialogues, making sure that critical decisions are
taken by humans and introducing mandatory labeling when dealing with AI;
67. Encourages OSCE participating States to promote greater economic resilience
through alternative processes and analogue backup plans for critical supply
chains and infrastructure services;
68. Urges parliaments of the OSCE participating States to develop balanced
legislative frameworks to prevent the misuse of social media platforms in
spreading disinformation and propaganda, including by ensuring that their
algorithms are clear, transparent, and impartial and by strengthening
information literacy, particularly among children and youth, while also
safeguarding freedom of speech and protecting children and youth in the online
sphere, in particular with regard to violence, gambling, pornography, and
psychological dependency;
9
69. Invites the General Committee on Economic Affairs, Science, Technology, and
the Environment of the OSCE PA to continue raising awareness and providing
an open platform to share experiences, interface with the scientific world, and
foster policy convergence around key economic and environmental security
challenges in the OSCE region, including through dedicated initiatives in
partnership with the OSCE Executive Structures and other relevant actors.
10
GENERAL COMMITTEE ON
ECONOMIC AFFAIRS, SCIENCE, TECHNOLOGY AND ENVIRONMENT
PROPOSED AMENDMENT to the DRAFT RESOLUTION
[Set out text of Amendment here:]
Principal Sponsor:
Mr/Mrs
Family Name in
Capital Letters
Country Signature
Co-sponsored by:
Mr/Mrs
Family Name in
Capital Letters
Country Signature


AS (22) DRS 3 E
Original: English
DRAFT RESOLUTION
FOR THE GENERAL COMMITTEE ON
DEMOCRACY, HUMAN RIGHTS AND
HUMANITARIAN QUESTIONS
“Human Security for All as a Basis for
European Security”
RAPPORTEUR
Mr. Johan Buser
Sweden
BIRMINGHAM, 2 – 6 JULY 2022
Offentligt
OSCE Alm.del - Bilag 19
OSCEs Parlamentariske Forsamling 2021-22
1
DRAFT RESOLUTION FOR THE GENERAL COMMITTEE ON
DEMOCRACY, HUMAN RIGHTS AND HUMANITARIAN QUESTIONS
“Human Security for All as a Basis for European Security”
Rapporteur: Mr. Johan Buser (Sweden)
1. Acknowledging that for many people within the OSCE region, respect for
fundamental freedoms and human rights, as agreed in the Helsinki Final Act and
other key OSCE documents, remains an unfulfilled promise,
2. Recognizing that the COVID-19 pandemic produced a further strain on respect
for human rights and democratic principles, negatively impacted gender equality,
and further exacerbated socio-economic disparities between many groups in our
societies,
3. Extremely concerned that the unprovoked attack by Russian Federation forces
upon the people of Ukraine has once again brought war to the centre of Europe
and resulted in countless casualties and displaced persons,
4. Reiterating that international humanitarian law must be respected and that
access to humanitarian aid is a fundamental right of people living in conflict zones
and people on the move,
5. Recognizing that a vibrant civil society, independent of state structures and free
from their interference, is vital to a stable and prosperous society, and that non-
governmental organizations are important avenues for voicing public opinions
and shaping policies and serve as key partners for parliamentarians,
6. Concerned by efforts in some participating States to extend state control over or
increase regulation of the actions of civil society and non-governmental
organizations,
7. Disturbed that in many OSCE participating States women remain under-
represented in political life, and further disturbed by a resurgence of patriarchal-
based policies in some participating States,
8. Noting with regret that discrimination on the basis of race, gender identity,
religion, ethnicity, sexual orientation, and other grounds remains a real factor
impacting minority communities in all OSCE participating States,
9. Expressing deep concern regarding a continued increase in the number of
political prisoners across the OSCE region, including cases of activists and public
figures being detained, arrested, convicted, and otherwise punished for political
motives, as well as all other citizens who have faced similar retaliation for nothing
more than acting upon their rights and freedoms as contained in the Helsinki
Final Act,
2
10. Deeply convinced that independent media and an open exchange of information
and views, with minimal state regulation, are fundamental to a healthy, informed
and secure society, accountable systems of government and a democratic state,
11. Concerned with the mass circulation of disinformation, accelerated by
technological advances, and noting with deep concern that some participating
States have used state media to distribute disinformation and evidently false
narratives,
12. Noting with regret that intimidation and violence against journalists and media
actors, in particular women and those experiencing marginalization, continues to
pose a serious threat to the democratic functioning of our societies, and mindful
of the responsibility that state representatives, including parliamentarians, have
in condemning the targeting of journalists,
13. Determined to correct deficiencies in the respect for the human rights of our
populations,
The OSCE Parliamentary Assembly:
14. Condemns the invasion of Ukraine by the Government of the Russian Federation
under false pretences, as a flagrant violation not only of the sovereignty of
Ukraine and its territorial integrity, but as an attack against the human rights and
fundamental freedoms, most notably of the right to life, of the people of Ukraine;
15. Stresses that the need for increased focus and military spending that
participating States may feel necessary as a result of the Russian Federation’s
attack and disregard for the founding principles of the OSCE should not come at
the expense of the socio-economic well-being and human security of their
population;
16. Calls upon the OSCE Secretariat and participating States to continuously monitor
the situation in Ukraine with an aim to redeploying a strong OSCE presence in
Ukraine to help ensure the security of and support for the humanitarian needs of
its population;
17. Firmly condemns the targeting of civilians as part of the war in Ukraine, including
apparent mass killings in the cities of Bucha and Borodyanka, and calls for all
war crimes to be fully investigated and for those responsible to be held
accountable;
18. Welcomes the report of the OSCE Moscow Mechanism experts as an important
contribution to understanding the human rights violations caused by the war in
Ukraine, and urges further authoritative investigations into any and all violations;
19. Urges all military forces to enable full access by humanitarian aid agencies to all
persons impacted by the warfare in Ukraine, including full access to Crimea,
Donetsk and Luhansk regions of Ukraine;
3
20. Stresses that sanctions imposed by many OSCE participating States on the
Russian Federation for its aggression against Ukraine are targeted against the
leaders of the Russian Federation and not against the Russian people, whose
views are not effectively represented due to the undemocratic processes of the
modern Russian state;
21. Welcomes the extraordinary efforts of Ukrainian and neighbouring governments
and people to house and care for the millions of innocent people displaced by
the war in Ukraine and the strong support and assistance by participating States
across the OSCE region;
22. Expresses its appreciation to the many OSCE participating States that have
facilitated processes for resettlement of refugees displaced by the war, and
recalls that such efforts should be in addition to, rather than replace, existing
resettlement programmes for persons in need of protection from across the
world;
23. Recognizes with regret the devastating impact that conflict has on populations
long after open hostilities have ended, and urges increased diplomatic efforts to
find lasting peaceful solutions to protracted conflicts in the OSCE area;
24. Calls upon participating States to prioritize a burden-sharing approach towards
asylum-seekers, placing the well-being of vulnerable people at the centre of
policy responses, regardless of the origins of the migrants;
25. Recognizes the particular risks faced by vulnerable groups, in particular women
and children, of falling victim to human trafficking, and calls upon all participating
States to review and, where relevant, implement the recommendations of the
OSCE Special Representative and Co-ordinator for Combating Trafficking in
Human Beings;
26. Affirms the right of all persons to seek asylum, and condemns the increase in
“pushbacks” of asylum seekers in several participating States as a breach of law
and of their basic human rights;
27. Stresses that the provision of life-saving aid must never be criminalized,
applauds the invaluable work carried out by non-governmental organizations and
faith-based initiatives to provide humanitarian support to migrants and refugees,
and calls on all participating States to ensure that their legal frameworks facilitate
and protect the provision of such support by individuals and groups;
28. Reaffirms that non-governmental organizations are an important organizing
mechanism for civil society, and should be able to function with only the minimal
amount of regulation required by law to serve their purposes;
29. Regrets the increasing use of administrative, legislative, and legal tools to curtail
the independence of non-governmental organizations and civil society in some
participating States, including the application of overly burdensome registration
and taxation regulations, excessive requirements for physical offices, application
4
of inappropriate disparaging labels such as ‘foreign agents’, and spurious
prosecution efforts;
30. Calls upon all OSCE participating States to undertake regular reviews of
legislation related to the registration and regulation of the work of non-
governmental organizations in co-operation with experts from the OSCE/ODIHR
to ensure compliance with human rights standards;
31. Reaffirms the important role that an independent judiciary plays in a democratic
society, and condemns the efforts in a number of participating States to
undermine the independence of judicial systems as a serious and systemic
attack on peoples’ full enjoyment of their human rights;
32. Deplores that women politicians and women journalists are regularly subjected
to harassment and discrimination both online and offline, and recognizes this
trend as a serious impediment to true gender equality in the OSCE region;
33. Expresses its appreciation to the OSCE/ODIHR for its work supporting the
realization of gender sensitive parliaments, as well as to the office of the OSCE
Representative on Freedom of the Media for its work related to the safety of
female journalists, and calls upon all members of the OSCE PA to engage with
and meaningfully support such efforts;
34. Notes that the lack of comprehensive data related to hate crimes limits the
capacity for participating States and the OSCE to address these abhorrent
crimes;
35. Urges all OSCE participating States to increase awareness-raising efforts about
the special nature of hate crimes, including for criminal justice officials, and to
strengthen their support systems for victims of hate crimes in close co-operation
with civil society organizations;
36. Calls upon all participating States to work with the OSCE/ODIHR to improve the
mechanisms they use to record hate crimes and collect data, and to report at a
minimum data based on the following bias motivations: racist and xenophobic
crimes, anti-Roma crimes, anti-Semitic crimes, anti-Muslim crimes, anti-Christian
crimes, other crimes based on religion or belief, gender-based crimes, anti-
lesbian, gay, bisexual, transgender and intersex (LGBTI) crimes, and disability-
related crimes;
37. Encourages all Members of the OSCE Parliamentary Assembly to publicly
condemn hate crimes any time they occur, particularly in their own countries, and
to work within their own parliaments to ensure that legislation recognizes the bias
motivation in hate crimes and that adequate penalties are imposed on
perpetrators;
38. Notes the importance of Governments publicly recognizing State responsibility
for historical crimes and injustices committed particularly against indigenous
peoples as an important element in restorative justice;
5
39. Recalls its endorsement at the 2014 Annual Session of the adoption by the
Parliamentary Assembly of the Council of Europe of a resolution confirming the
definition of political prisoners;
40. Calls on the OSCE and its institutions, as well as the participating States
themselves, to focus greater attention on the issue of political imprisonment as a
violation of the human rights and fundamental freedoms enumerated in Principle
VII of the Helsinki Final Act and developed in subsequent commitments adopted
by the OSCE, and further to seek to raise their concerns about political
imprisonment directly;
41. Affirms the fundamental right of individuals, institutions and organizations, while
respecting intellectual property rights, to obtain, possess, reproduce and
distribute information material of all kinds, both online and offline, and reminds
participating States that they should remove any restrictions inconsistent with
these rights;
42. Concerned by the use of administrative, legislative, and legal tools to limit the
independence of the media in some countries, and calls on all participating
States to review legislation related to the media in consultation with the Office of
the Representative on Freedom of the Media to ensure compliance with human
rights standards;
43. Further affirms that everyone shall have the right of peaceful assembly and
demonstration, online and offline, and reminds participating States that any
restrictions placed on the exercise of these rights, including for public health
reasons, must be time-limited and directly related to the specific need on which
they are predicated;
44. Considers that actions to restrict human rights and fundamental freedoms, even
if endorsed through legislation, remain problematic, and calls upon participating
States to regularly review legislation impacting fundamental freedoms in co-
operation with the OSCE/ODIHR, the OSCE Representative on Freedom of the
Media, and other expert bodies;
45. Encourages OSCE Parliamentary Assembly members to initiate reviews of their
national legislation to ensure that the freedom of assembly, association,
conscience, and expression are subject to the same protections online as in the
offline world;
46. Notes the importance of transparency of information on media organizations, and
calls upon OSCE participating States to review their legislation related to media
outlets to ensure that members of the public and civil society can readily inform
themselves about ownership and funding of media organizations;
47. Concerned by the increasing negative impact of disinformation from both public
and state sources in the OSCE region, therefore calls upon all OSCE
participating States to act in accordance with the General Principles outlined in
the March 2017 Joint Declaration on Freedom of Expression and “Fake News,”
Disinformation and Propaganda of the United Nations Special Rapporteur on
6
Freedom of Opinion and Expression, the OSCE Representative on Freedom of
the Media, the Organization of American States Special Rapporteur on Freedom
of Expression and the African Commission on Human and Peoples’ Rights
Special Rapporteur on Freedom of Expression and Access to Information.
7
GENERAL COMMITTEE ON
DEMOCRACY, HUMAN RIGHTS AND HUMANITARIAN QUESTIONS
PROPOSED AMENDMENT to the DRAFT RESOLUTION
[Set out text of Amendment here:]
Principal Sponsor:
Mr/Mrs
Family Name in
Capital Letters
Country Signature
Co-sponsored by:
Mr/Mrs
Family Name in
Capital Letters
Country Signature


AS (22) RP 3 E
Original: English
REPORT
FOR THE GENERAL COMMITTEE ON
DEMOCRACY, HUMAN RIGHTS AND
HUMANITARIAN QUESTIONS
“Human Security for All as a Basis for
European Security”
RAPPORTEUR
Mr. Johan Buser
Sweden
BIRMINGHAM, 2 – 6 JULY 2022
Offentligt
OSCE Alm.del - Bilag 19
OSCEs Parlamentariske Forsamling 2021-22
1
REPORT FOR THE GENERAL COMMITTEE
ON DEMOCRACY, HUMAN RIGHTS AND HUMANITARIAN QUESTIONS
“Human Security for All as a Basis for European Security”
Rapporteur: Mr. Johan Buser (Sweden)
Introduction
In the OSCE’s founding documents we pledged to continually honour and respect
human rights as defined by the Charter of the United Nations. The Helsinki Final Act
asks us to “act in conformity with the purpose and principles of the Charter of the United
Nations and the Universal Declaration of Human Rights.” A pledge that is reiterated in
the Charter of Paris, stating that “we declare our respect for human rights and
fundamental freedoms to be irrevocable.” We have taken the responsibility to honour
the fundamental freedoms of every single individual within our national borders.
Respect for human rights, democracy, and rule of law are core aspects that lead to
lasting security. The OSCE and its Parliamentary Assembly must remind States that
they should be accountable to their pledges. These commitments should not be empty
words but resolutions to live by.
At a time when the European security architecture is facing its greatest challenge in
decades with Russia’s unprovoked invasion of Ukraine, we must take all steps possible
to strengthen security at its most basic level. This means human security for all, with a
focus on full respect for human rights and democratic principles.
Last year’s report highlighted how the COVID-19 pandemic has put a strain on the
global human rights situation and led to a general backsliding in respect for democracy.
The International Institute for Democracy and Electoral Assistance (IDEA) recently
published its Global State of Democracy Report for 2021, and its conclusion was
similar: democracy, for the fifth year in a row, is backsliding.1 The pandemic was used,
in some cases, as a pretext to curb liberties and increase state influence in sectors that
should remain independent.2 We are also witnessing that the world is becoming more
and more authoritarian; non-democratic governments are becoming bolder in their
actions to restrict free speech and weaken the rule of law.3 While overall a discouraging
picture, IDEA points out that protest and civic actions remain prevalent. This should
serve as a reminder that we must protect civil society from interference and preserve
its dynamism.
The pandemic also resulted in a greater inward focus for many. During the first phase
of the pandemic, states failed to co-operate by finding multilateral solutions, instead
closing their borders, and individually trying to address a shared problem.4
1
https://www.idea.int/gsod/
2
https://mertek.eu/en/2020/05/13/police-action-against-alleged-fake-news/
3
https://www.idea.int/gsod/
4
This was eerily reminiscent of the migrant crisis in 2015, when European states closed their national borders in the face of the
humanitarian catastrophe taking place.
2
These human rights abuses and democratic backslides did not start with COVID-19
but are symptoms of years of neglect. OSCE PA Reports and Resolutions tell us year
after year of lingering human rights abuses and democratic failings. Abuses are
particularly directed at women, who face persistent inequalities in all aspects of their
life, at Roma, at Sinti, at religious minorities, and at lesbian, gay, bisexual, transgender
and intersex (LGBTI) people.5 These failings present a worrying challenge considering
the progress that has been made in recent decades; we must not accept regression
after so much hard work on the improvements that have been made.
Civil society and free media, which are staples of our democracies, are witnessing a
shrinking space in which they can operate independently from state influence in
several participating States. These are testaments of failing ambitions to honour
fundamental rights. If our democracies are to prevail, then these are aspects that must
be defended at all costs. In many places the already limited tolerance for civil society
to criticize and question authorities is diminished, and overall the public sphere is
shrinking.6 We must be clear: by limiting the public sphere with governmental
requirements, we are chipping away at our democracies and their dynamic nature.
It now seems essential to reaffirm our commitments to human rights and our
democratic values, and not let authoritarian trends hollow out our democratic
institutions. The OSCE has a responsibility to remind us of this commitment and speak
out against any undemocratic tendencies and human rights abuses it witnesses.7
Human Rights and Humanitarian Protection in Conflict Zones;
the War caused by the Russian Federation’s Invasion of Ukraine
With the re-emergence of war in the heart of Europe, we must be clear in declaring
that military offensives are inconsistent with the values and principles of the OSCE.
Russia’s 2022 invasion of Ukraine not only challenges long-held commitments of
European security but has resulted in thousands of deaths and directly jeopardizes the
human rights and humanitarian well-being of millions. As de-escalation of tensions and
a return to diplomacy and dialogue is necessary in the political sphere, preservation of
safe access to humanitarian protection for every person remains a pressing need. In
this sphere, we should be guided by the four principles of humanitarian assistance: the
respect of humanity, neutrality, impartiality, and independence.
Since the Russian invasion of Ukraine began on 24 February, escalation in violations
of humanitarian and human rights law have been documented, including, but not
limited to: killings of civilians; military strikes on protected buildings (including hospitals
and schools) and use of indiscriminate weapons. These would qualify as war crimes
5
Last year we were also presented with a report by the OSCE PA Special Representative on Gender Issues on the increasing
violence that women journalists and politicians have faced in recent years and during the COVID-19 pandemic:
https://www.oscepa.org/en/documents/special-representatives/gender-issues/report-17/4247-2021-report-by-the-special-
representative-on-gender-issues-violence-against-women-journalists-and-politicians-a-growing-crisis/file
6
https://ejpr.onlinelibrary.wiley.com/doi/10.1111/1475-6765.12451
7
To address these issues the OSCE has certain tools at its disposal, the letter sent out on the 18th
of November to all OSCE PA
member by President Margareta Cederfelt regarding the failure to, for the second year in a row, organise the Human Dimension
Implementation meetings, is a good reminder of what actions can be taken. The Human Dimension Implementation meetings
are a valuable tool for the OSCE to openly discuss what challenges the region has faced throughout the year and what needs to
be done to address this.
3
and violate internationally recognised humanitarian principles. The rights to life, liberty
and security find themselves under attack in Ukraine, presenting a common concern
for the whole OSCE area.
Unimpeded passage of humanitarian relief for civilians in need must be allowed and
facilitated without any adverse distinction or discrimination. Furthermore, an immediate
cessation of targeting of civilians or civilian infrastructures, as well as the facilitation of
humanitarian corridors including the safe passage of all civilians and relief workers is
an absolute priority.
The OSCE’s Special Monitoring Mission in Ukraine has played an important role for
eight years in supporting the local population in many ways. With the forced evacuation
of international staff due to the war, the OSCE must find new ways to support those
affected. Given the scale of the breaches to OSCE principles, it is important that all
OSCE Institutions remain seized of the situation in Ukraine, and that all tools of the
organization are put to use. The application of the Moscow Mechanism, which resulted
in an investigation by a group of independent experts on violations of international
human rights and humanitarian law, is an important contribution to international work
on the conflict.
With massive geopolitical instability, finding lasting solutions to ensure the preservation
of human rights in conflict zones requires participation from every stakeholder,
including parliamentarians. It is necessary to adopt effective tools to sanction impunity,
to bring accountability for serious violations, and ensure that all States abide by
international humanitarian law.
The denial of human rights can engender and intensify conflict. It is therefore
unfortunately necessary once again to stress the unacceptability of extrajudicial
executions, enforced disappearances, torture, unlawful detention, arbitrary arrest,
restrictions on government critics, and failure to provide adequate protection for
internally displaced persons and refugees. All OSCE participating States should
demonstrate the political will to investigate and prosecute alleged war crimes and
implement efficient policies to protect those rights.
As the war has continued, millions of people have already been displaced. Ukraine’s
neighbouring countries, and indeed all OSCE participating States, should make efforts
to welcome and care for all those fleeing the violence, regardless of their country of
origin, religious background, race or ethnicity.
Shrinking Space for Independent Public Action
A strong civil society, operating independently of the state, serves as a guarantor of
independent democratic expression. Efforts by the state to assert control over civil
society therefore undermines the stability and security of our societies. It is vital that
we defend the vitality and spirit of society, and not just defend state and public
authorities. This requires a minimalistic approach to regulation of these independent
areas, and partnerships in good faith with civil society actors and groups.
4
Asphyxiating Civil Society
For society to remain dynamic, civil society must remain independent. The state must
ensure that it does not transgress its mandate or jeopardize civil society’s integrity. Yet
the evidence of pressure on civil society continues to mount. These past few years, we
have witnessed numerous examples of people in multiple countries not being ensured
the right to protest and freely express themselves in the public space.8 Governments
have either actively decided not to protect its citizens’ rights and left them at risk to be
threatened and attacked by hate groups or have actively denied NGOs and other
groups the right to exercise their fundamental rights. NGOs have more and more
become the focus of authoritarian governments’ persecution as their independence is
seen as a risk. In several OSCE participating States, restrictions on NGOs have been
endorsed through legislation, with legal restrictions, limitations on funding and
burdensome administrative procedures put in place that limit their capacity to function.
NGOs find themselves evicted from their home countries, their donors have been
subjected to government pressure, their employees harassed, and international
employees denied working visas on baseless grounds. In extreme situations some
NGOs have been effectively criminalized, including those providing humanitarian
support to migrants. Such interference represents an unacceptable limitation on the
enjoyment of basic human rights.9
All OSCE participating States should make use of expertise provided by the ODIHR to
review any draft legislation that impacts NGOs or civil society engagement in order to
preserve a fair and democratic space for activity.
Social Inequalities in Society
Socio-economic inequalities within countries serve as vectors of discontent and
democratic disillusionment. If citizens do not feel they are being included in economic
development and see that their material wealth stagnates or declines while those of
the upper classes continually see their wealth grow, then polarisation becomes
evident. Increasing poverty is a clear trend in many OSCE countries and represents a
threat to democratic processes. Socio-economic differences can lead to widespread
political discontent, as people do not see the real-world changes they want from a
responsive political system. Participating States should make particular efforts to
protect vulnerable populations and develop inclusive societies and democratic systems
that work for all.
Patriarchal Values and Authoritarian Movements Threaten Women’s Active Role in
Society
While there have been great advances in the cause for women and their enjoyment of
equal rights, there is still a long way to go. For example, the OSCE PA’s Special
Representative on Gender Issues has brought our attention to the increase in violence,
both online and offline, that women journalists and politicians have been facing. The
COVID-19 pandemic also reminded us that women remain among the most vulnerable,
8
References to shrinking space for civil society work has, unfortunately, become a regular conclusion of OSCE election
observation reports in recent years.
9
Venice Commission and OSCE/ODIHR, Joint Guidelines on Freedom of Association, Study no. 706/2012 OSCE/ODIHR
Legis-Nr: GDL-FOASS/263/2014, CDL-AD(2014)046, 17 December 2014
5
socially and economically, during times of difficulty. We must address the recent
evident trend in some places of authoritarian and patriarchal values resurfacing and
negatively impacting gender equality. The public sphere needs equal participation from
everyone, and it is vital that these concerns remain high on the agenda of the OSCE,
the Parliamentary Assembly, and all of our national parliaments. Parliamentarians
have great potential to undertake such work in their home countries, but members of
parliament should also lend their support to OSCE initiatives aimed at improving
gender equality and work by the Representative on Freedom of the Media towards
ensuring media pluralism and freedom of expression for all.
Independence of the Judiciary
While all OSCE participating States have declared an independent judiciary as
essential to the full expression of human rights,10 this independence continues to be
under threat in many countries. Personal attacks, external pressure, public slander and
other acts represent a grave menace to legal actors and consequently to rule of law
and democracy. Internationally recognised rights grant to members of the judiciary
freedom of expression, belief, association and assembly; however, these rights are
often jeopardised by authoritarian regimes. Such violations call for a monitoring of the
attacks faced by judicial systems and members of the judiciary, and the implementation
of measures protecting and enhancing their independence. All OSCE participating
States should make use of expertise provided by the ODIHR to ensure that judiciaries
operate free from undue influence and contribute to the preservation of the rule of law
in their respective countries.
Standing Up for Minorities’ Rights
Long-existing tendencies to scapegoat or otherwise target minorities unfortunately
remain a regular occurrence throughout the OSCE region. As vulnerable populations,
they require additional attention to ensure that they can benefit from the same rights
and protection as everyone else in our societies.
Religious Minorities
The OSCE PA’s Special Representative on Anti-Semitism, Racism, and Intolerance
has repeatedly highlighted the rise in hate crimes in the region, experienced by
Muslims, Jews, Christian minorities, and persons of Asian descent.11 It is worrying that
minorities in almost all countries are now faced with a rise in violence and persecution.
Discrimination on religious, racial, and other grounds remains a real factor in our
societies. In particular, the occurrence of hate crimes must be high on our agenda.
Governments should take responsibility to thwart these hate crimes, and the OSCE
can provide important support. Accurate statistics and information on hate speech and
hate crimes remains a vital tool for informed decision-making in this field, and all OSCE
participating States should report relevant information regularly to the ODIHR.
10
OSCE Copenhagen Document, paragraph 5.12
11
https://www.oscepa.org/en/documents/annual-sessions/2021-remote-session/urgency-items/4236-addressing-the-rise-in-
hate-intolerance-violence-and-discrimination-across-the-osce-region/file
6
Respecting the Rights of LGBTI People
In a similar scenario as faced by women and religious minorities in many places, LGBTI
people are witnessing worrying exclusionary trends in a number of OSCE countries.
So-called “LGBTI ideology” has been labelled as a foreign influence by governments
and political parties alike in certain countries of our region. Within the OSCE region we
can see governments copying these anti-LGBTI policies from other countries in a
populistic but harmful trend for society. In some places, schools must either avoid
discussion on any topics related to gender or “LGBTI ideology” or actively criticise them
in classrooms in an effort to discredit them. It is an unfortunate reality that the rights of
LGBTI people are not respected in all countries of the OSCE region, and there appears
to be little progress made in supporting this community. Parliamentarians must be
vocal in speaking up for the rights of this community, and work to put appropriate
protections in place. The OSCE/ODIHR should pay particular attention to this trend,
with the aim of supporting participating States’ protection of their populations’ rights.
This also includes collecting information related to hate crimes against LGBTI people
and advising on policy actions.
Cultural Memory
This last year we have been made aware of the horrible crimes committed against
indigenous peoples. The past is now resurfacing and displaying the ugly scars it has
left on those that were victims of former colonial systems. Attempts at burying the
cultures of those that have long lived on the land cannot be overlooked. We ought to
condemn this, remind our people of the societies that existed before, and encourage
compensation for the descendants of indigenous populations that have suffered.
Respect for Migrants’ Rights
Human rights violations against refugees, asylum seekers and migrants within the
OSCE area have dramatically increased in the past years, notably related to the denial
of access to asylum and returns without individual safeguards. The growing evidence
of brutal violence and endangerment of human life, as well as practices amounting to
torture or inhuman or degrading treatment, should be of a growing concern for every
OSCE participating State. Numerous NGOs have documented that the practice of
“pushbacks” is becoming widespread along most migration routes, in a clear violation
of States’ international obligations to protect the human rights of migrants. These
actions are unjustifiable, even in emergency situations.
There is a humanitarian duty for States to avoid legalising pushbacks or implement
measures eliminating crucial safeguards to protect the rights of refugees, asylum
seekers and migrants at borders. During the on-going humanitarian and migration
crisis, further accentuated by the Ukrainian war, key human rights protections must be
ensured for migrants, refugees and internally displaced persons.
Additionally, as was highlighted by the work of the OSCE PA ad-hoc Committee on
Migration, steps should be taken by all OSCE participating States to hold each other
accountable for these violations and respect fundamental rights inherent to refugee’s
protection.
7
Freedom of the Media, of Expression, and of Assembly
The freedom of the media, of expression, and of assembly are staples of democratic
systems, and the COVID-19 pandemic put further stress on the exercise of these
rights. Over the past few years, we have seen a growing distrust evolving towards the
media, including stemming from the coronavirus’ early uncertainties. The pandemic
has also exacerbated already existing challenges related to disinformation and
misinformation, as well as mistrust in the media. The independence and plurality of
media is vital for a well-functioning democracy, and we need to work to protect it from
harmful influences.
Violence Against Journalists and Legislation Restricting Freedom of Expression
Journalists and media workers continue to face harassment and violence, both online
and physically, to such a degree that independent reporting is a dangerous career in
some countries. Authoritarian governments and movements aim to subdue
independent voices and journalists through legislation as well as force. While the
pandemic resulted in massive amounts of disinformation and misinformation, to
counteract this it also led in certain cases to legislation being passed that made it
harder to scrutinise or criticise governments and their policies to deal with the crisis.
As the world has started to leave the pandemic behind, however, unfortunately some
of these COVID-era policies restricting speech remain. Indeed, some damaging
approaches have been spreading, with legislation and policies adopted by
authoritarian governments copied in other countries. The fact that governments use
legislative means to curtail freedom of speech does not make it right: whether in times
of pandemic, in times of war, or in ordinary times, governments must respect and fulfil
the right to freedom of expression and avoid legislation or other actions that curb this
fundamental freedom. The OSCE Representative on Freedom of the Media can
provide useful expertise on legislative and regulatory measures appropriate to the
media, which all participating States should make use of.
Additionally, freedom of expression has come under further threat as a result of the
Russian invasion of Ukraine. Several NGOs have brought forward evidence of targeted
killings, and journalists and media workers have been killed as a result of the hostilities
in Ukraine.
Freedom of Online Assembly
As the OSCE PA has previously discussed, the COVID-19 pandemic has exacerbated
human rights challenges across the OSCE region. In almost all countries, some
curtailment of public gathering rights was put in place; however, in some countries
overly restrictive approaches were taken and protests strictly repressed by using the
pandemic as an excuse. In view of such restrictions, people have come together
through new and creative ways of communication, particularly shifting from physical
spaces to online ones. Nonetheless, internet shutdowns continue to be a growing
phenomenon, imposed by an ever-greater number of governments to stop the free flow
of information and “online demonstrations.”12 As more and more of our lives take place
12
Report of the Special Rapporteur on the rights to freedom of peaceful assembly and of association 2019
8
online, it is important that freedom of online assembly13 should be protected, with
action needed in order to shape global norms on human rights online. The ODIHR and
the OSCE are well-placed to monitor trends in this field and to develop norms ensuring
the recognition and protection of this right online.
Fake News and Disinformation
During the COVID-19 pandemic the use of digital technologies has heavily increased,
with many of us making extensive use of these tools for daily communication. However,
digital technologies have also empowered the spread of misinformation, disinformation
and hate speech, at times driving conflict dynamics and even violence. Beyond the
digital space, disinformation can violate human rights and can cause physical harm
(for instance inciting violence against a minority group). The correlation between online
disinformation and harassment, intimidation, and discrimination is a reality that must
be examined and addressed with great care. There is a pressing need to closely
monitor the spread of disinformation and to counteract this phenomenon with accurate
and trustworthy sources of information through innovative partnerships that can help
to build confidence among a well-informed population. A vibrant, independent media
landscape and strong media and information literacy can strengthen society’s
resilience to disinformation and misinformation, as underlined by the OSCE
Representative on Freedom of the Media. Particularly in times of conflict, guaranteeing
the safety and freedom of expression of journalists is of paramount importance and
should be safeguarded by all participating States. With lives at stake on a daily basis,
propaganda and disinformation, as well as censorship, all have a distorting impact that
is exceptionally harmful.
The Increase of Anti-Democratic Rhetoric in Media
The authoritarian trends noted in a number of governments are often accompanied by
media outlets that are supportive of their actions. We can observe that there is a rise
in authoritarian-leaning media outlets that use anti-LGBTI and paternalistic rhetoric.
While all people should benefit from the right to freedom of expression, we must be
aware of the impact that media outlets can have on our efforts to promote equal rights
and democratic values. It is noteworthy that such media outlets often have close
financial ties to populistic political parties or governments, at times undermining their
genuine independence from government. We should be wary of this, as many
governments are already interfering more and more with civil society and increasing
governmental influence on media outlets and further authoritarian tendencies.
13
General comment no. 37 (2020) on the right of peaceful assembly (article 21) : Human Rights Committee