Report

From 3 to 5 October 2014, a delegation of five Canadian parliamentarians attended the OSCE Parliamentary Assembly’s (OSCE PA) Autumn Meeting in Geneva, Switzerland. Mr. Dean Allison, M.P., led the delegation, which also included, from the Senate, the Honourable Senators Ghislain Maltais and Percy E. Downe and, from the House of Commons, Mr. Peter Stoffer, M.P., and the Honourable Hedy Fry, M.P. The delegation was accompanied by David Gagnon, Delegation Secretary, and Julia Nicol, Advisor.

Overview of the OSCE and Its Parliamentary Assembly

Established by the Helsinki Final Act in 1975 as the “Conference on Security and Co-operation in Europe” (CSCE)[1], the Organization for Security and Co-operation in Europe (OSCE) was given its current name at the Budapest Summit in December 1994. The OSCE participating states, currently 57 in number, are “all European states, the United States and Canada,” [2] as well as the states that made up the former Soviet Union and Mongolia. The OSCE maintains special relations with eleven other states from the Mediterranean area and Asia-Pacific, referred to as “Partners for Cooperation.” The organization is a primary instrument for early warning, conflict prevention and crisis management. The OSCE is also recognized as a regional arrangement under Chapter VIII of the Charter of the United Nations, which requires that participating UN Member States “make every effort to achieve pacific settlement of local disputes through such regional arrangements or by such regional agencies before referring them to the Security Council.”[3] However, the OSCE is not an international organization in the strict sense of international law.

The OSCE’s 2014 budget was €142,304,100, a decrease from the 2013 budget of €2.5 million. In 2014, approximately 62% of the OSCE’s budget was dedicated to 17 field missions and other field activities in South-Eastern Europe, Eastern Europe, the South Caucasus and Central Asia. The OSCE employs approximately 2,480 individuals, the vast majority of whom are assigned to field missions. Approximately 20% of the OSCE employees are seconded by the participating states.[4]

An Inclusive, Global and Cooperative Approach to Security

The OSCE’s unique character derives from its composition, which enables the United States and Canada to participate as full members in an organization that addresses European issues. The OSCE favours inclusive dialogue over selective admission. This enables it to keep communication channels open on key security issues between Western democracies and countries with less exemplary democratic records. Whereas the key goals of the Council of Europe are to promote and defend democratic development and human rights, and to hold member governments accountable for their performance in these areas, the OSCE aims to foster the development of an expansive, conflict-free geographic area – from Vancouver to Vladivostok. In this context, the OSCE also aims to foster democratic principles in participating states.

The OSCE’s commitments, decisions and activities stem from a comprehensive understanding of security that extends beyond the political–military model. In the Charter for European Security, adopted at the November 1999 Istanbul Summit, the heads of state and of government of the participating countries agreed to “address the human, economic, political and military dimensions of security as an integral whole.”[5] All forms of peaceful cooperation between the participating countries are considered as having the potential to reduce the risks of conflict in the region. The OSCE’s cooperative approach is confirmed by the fact that all 57 states have equal status. All decisions and commitments are made by consensus rather than majority vote.[6]

Under the auspices of the OSCE, participating states have undertaken a variety of commitments, which are contained in the Helsinki Final Act and in other decisions of the OSCE Ministerial Council. The Ministerial Council is made up of the foreign ministers of the participating states. OSCE commitments are not legally binding on the participating states under international law; on the other hand, because they are undertaken by consensus, there is a political imperative for participating states to live up to the commitments they have made.

Operational Capacity

After the end of the Cold War, the OSCE developed its institutions and operational capacities in response to particular and often urgent needs, and not as a long-term strategic plan. The 1990 Charter of Paris for a New Europe laid the foundations for the OSCE’s institutional framework.

Approximately two thirds of the OSCE budget is devoted to its field missions, which are located in South‑Eastern Europe, Eastern Europe, the South Caucasus and Central Asia.[7] The six OSCE missions in South-Eastern Europe account for 57% of the field mission budget and just over one third of the organization’s total budget. The fact that the OSCE has no field missions in Western Europe or North America is a point frequently raised by the Commonwealth of Independent States[8] to argue that, although it claims to be cooperative and egalitarian, the OSCE applies a double standard in its relations with the participating countries. The OSCE’s response is that its operations stem from commitments made in a consensual manner and at the invitation of the countries themselves.

The OSCE is led by a rotating “chairman-in-office” selected to serve a one-year term from among the foreign ministers of the participating countries. As the organization’s senior diplomat, the chairman-in-office is supported by the Secretariat and its Secretary General who are based in Vienna.

On 1 January 2014, Switzerland succeeded Ukraine as the chair of the organization. The President of the Swiss Confederation and Head of the Swiss Federal Department of Foreign Affairs, Didier Burkhalter, served as Chairman-in-Office. Serbia succeeded Switzerland as chair of the organization on 1 January 2015.

Italy’s Lamberto Zannier has served as OSCE Secretary General since 1 July 2011. He succeeded France’s Marc Perrin de Brichambaut who served as OSCE Secretary General from 2005 until 2011.

The OSCE Parliamentary Assembly

The OSCE Parliamentary Assembly (OSCE PA) is the parliamentary dimension of the OSCE. It was created by the OSCE (at that time the CSCE) in 1991 following the call set out by the participating States in the 1990 Charter of Paris for a New Europe. Its primary purpose is to facilitate inter-parliamentary dialogue on issues facing the participating states and to issue recommendations for the OSCE and for the governments of the participating States, parliaments and citizens concerning the OSCE’s three spheres of action. Among the OSCE PA’s objectives are:

·         to assess the implementation of OSCE objectives by participating states;

·         to discuss subjects addressed during meetings of the OSCE;

·         to develop and promote mechanisms for the prevention and resolution of conflicts;

·         to support the strengthening and consolidation of democratic institutions in OSCE participating States; and

·         to contribute to the development of OSCE institutional structures and of relations between existing OSCE Institutions.

The OSCE PA is organised according to three General Committees representing the three “baskets” of the 1975 Helsinki Final Act and the areas of focus of the OSCE: the First General Committee on Political Affairs and Security, the Second General Committee on Economic Affairs, Science, Technology and Environment, and the Third General Committee on Democracy, Human Rights and Humanitarian Questions.[9] Its work is also carried out by way of ad hoc committees, working groups, and special representatives and envoys. The Parliamentary Assembly also plays a key role in observing elections in the OSCE region and regularly sends parliamentary delegations on field missions.

The Parliamentary Assembly is managed by a Bureau and a Standing Committee. The Bureau comprises a president, nine vice-presidents, a treasurer, and the president emeritus, as well as the chair, the vice-chair and rapporteur for each of the three General Committees. The Bureau is responsible for ensuring that the decisions of the Standing Committee are carried out and takes decisions by majority vote. The Standing Committee of the OSCE PA comprises the members of the Bureau and the 57 heads of delegation of the participating states. The Standing Committee guides the work of the Assembly, approves its budget and appoints the Secretary General. It uses the “consensus minus one” rule when voting on decisions, except in the case of the appointment of the Secretary General, which is done by a majority vote.

The Secretary General and the Secretariat located in Copenhagen provide administrative support to the OSCE PA. These support structures were established and became operational in January 1993 soon after the creation of the OSCE PA.

Today, the OSCE PA comprises more than 300 parliamentarians who are appointed by their respective parliaments. Observers of the Assembly include parliamentarians from the OSCE’s Mediterranean Partners for Co-operation (Algeria, Egypt, Israel, Jordan, Morocco and Tunisia), Asia-Pacific Partners for Co‑operation (Japan, Korea, Thailand, Afghanistan and Australia), as well as representatives from other parliamentary assemblies and security organizations, such as the North Atlantic Treaty Organization (NATO).

Since its first Annual Meeting in Budapest in July 1992, members of the OSCE PA and representatives of the Partners for Co-operation have convened several times a year to carry out the mandate of the Assembly.

The General Committees convene jointly and separately at the Winter Meeting in February in Vienna, where the OSCE’s headquarters are located, to discuss and debate issues of importance, receive briefings by senior OSCE officials, and hear presentations by the committee Rapporteurs on their draft resolutions for the upcoming Annual Session.

The Annual Session held in July is hosted by the parliament of a participating State. The Annual Session is the most important event in the OSCE PA calendar. At this meeting, the Assembly debates a number of OSCE matters and resolutions, receives reports, adopts the Session’s declaration, and elects its officers.

At the Autumn Meetings, also hosted by the parliament of a participating State, the Assembly in plenary holds a conference on a topical issue.

The Bureau meets at the Annual Session as well as in April and December. The Standing Committee meets at the Annual Session, the Autumn Meeting, and at the Winter Meeting.

The OSCE PA also convenes to discuss more specific topics either on the margins of these regular annual meetings or at other times. For instance, the Parliamentary Forum on the Mediterranean is held during the Autumn Meetings of the OSCE PA, and the Economic Conference is hosted by the parliament of a participating State, typically every second spring.

The Assembly’s budget covers most of the organizational expenses related to the Annual Session, Winter Meeting, Autumn Meetings, Standing Committee and Bureau Meetings, official visits, the election observation programme, as well as the costs of the International Secretariat. Host parliaments of the Annual Sessions contribute significantly by providing considerable support. The Secretariat’s office facilities are provided free of charge by the Danish Folketing (parliament).

The PA’s budget is approved at the Annual Session for a fiscal year that runs from 1 October to 30 September of the following year. The draft budget is circulated by the Treasurer at least 30 days prior to the beginning of the Annual Session. At the 2014 Annual Session in Baku, the Standing Committee unanimously approved a 1.1% increase in the budget. The 2014–2015 budget, therefore, is €3.03 million. For 2014–2015, Canada’s budgeted contribution is €167,559 (approximately C$239,308). National contributions to the OSCE PA are apportioned according to the same formula that is used to set the membership dues of the participating states at the inter-governmental level of the OSCE. The OSCE PA’s accounts are audited annually and the results are presented to the Standing Committee.

Mr. Ilkka Kanerva (Finland) was elected President of the Assembly at the 2014 Annual Session in Baku. President Kanerva replaced President Ranko Krivokapic (Montenegro). Spencer Oliver (United States) has served as secretary general since January 1993. Dr. Hedy Fry (Canada) was appointed by the OSCE PA President in October 2010 as the Special Representative on Gender Issues and was re-appointed by President Kanerva following the 2014 Annual Session.

2014 Autumn Meeting

From 3 to 5 October 2014, parliamentarians from across the OSCE area, together with parliamentarians from Mediterranean Partner for Cooperation states Algeria, and Morocco, met in Geneva, Switzerland for the 2014 OSCE Parliamentary Assembly Autumn Meeting. The program included a Mediterranean Forum, a Parliamentary Conference on the topic of “New Security Challenges: The Role of Parliaments,” and a meeting of the OSCE PA Standing Committee.

A.   MEDITERRANEAN FORUM

OSCE PA President Ilkka Kanerva (Finland) opened the Mediterranean Forum on the theme of “Facing Current Challenges to Security in the Mediterranean Region: the OSCE Model”. In his address, he discussed extremism as one of the most important regional threats, mentioning the Islamic State of Iraq and the Levant’s s destabilizing influence and the humanitarian crisis in Syria. He also touched on the Arab-Israeli conflict, as well as the Arab Spring and the challenge of ensuring that democratic values take hold in the Mediterranean region. Mr. Kanerva ended his remarks by addressing the issue of migrants and asylum-seekers in the Mediterranean region and by stressing the importance of cooperation in addressing these various issues.[10] Mr. Andreas Aebi, Head of the Delegation of Switzerland to the OSCE PA also gave opening remarks, calling for action from the OSCE and the OSCE PA to address the issue of foreign fighters going to Syria and Iraq. He urged parliamentarians to focus their attention on the issue of terrorist financing, and on the need to stop the payment of ransoms and political concessions in response to kidnappings.

Parliamentarians from Algeria and Morocco then started the debate. Other parliamentarians, as well as a representative of the Palestinian National Council, also intervened. Delegates discussed issues including the Israeli-Palestinian conflict, solutions to conflicts in the OSCE region, migrant and refugee flows in the Mediterranean and the importance of providing opportunities in home countries to limit the push factors affecting such migratory flows.

Activities of the Canadian Delegation:

The Mediterranean Forum was attended by all members of the Delegation.

The Hon. Senator Percy E. Downe intervened to speak about the Syrian refugee crisis and its impact on Lebanon, calling on parliamentarians and governments to provide support to the affected refugees and host communities.

The Hon. Hedy Fry, M.P., also intervened during the debate to stress the importance of understanding the root causes of terrorism and of recognising their complexity. She stated that violence brings further violence, hatred and alienation. She encouraged delegates to identify realistic ways to end violence in the long-term.

B.   INAUGURAL SESSION

President Kanerva and Mr. Hannes Germann, Speaker of the Council of States of Switzerland, opened the Parliamentary Conference. President Kanerva focused his remarks on the legal framework for private military and security companies, noting the leadership of Switzerland on the issue and the OSCE PA’s calls for parliamentary oversight and respect for international humanitarian law and human rights by such companies. He also discussed the crisis in Ukraine, including the need for Russia to abide by all Helsinki Commitments, and for Kyiv to ensure that its armed militias respect the Code of Conduct. He finished by mentioning the challenges of foreign fighters and climate change, and discussing the OSCE PA’s Helsinki+40 Project.[11] Speaker Germann stressed the importance of dialogue in his remarks, referring to the Swiss model of federalism, which incorporates proportional representation and four national languages and linguistic regions as an example where such dialogue works. He affirmed the importance of the OSCE as a platform to bring people together and to be able to understand the perspectives of others.

OSCE Chairperson-in-Office Didier Burkhalter, (also Swiss Foreign Minister and President of the Confederation) gave the keynote address. He noted the importance of collective effort to restore stability in Ukraine, and Europe more broadly, while recognizing the important role that the OSCE plays in such efforts. Mr. Burkhalter provided an update concerning Switzerland’s priorities as Chair, including the de-escalation of the conflict in Ukraine, reforming and strengthening the OSCE, and launching a process of reflection about how to overcome the broader crisis of European security resulting from the crisis in Ukraine.[12]

There was no debate at the inaugural session.

Activities of the Canadian Delegation:

The Inaugural Session was attended by all members of the Delegation.

C.   SESSION 1: POLITICAL AND MILITARY DIMENSION SPECIAL DEBATE ON THE SITUATION IN UKRAINE

The first session of the Parliamentary Conference began with a special debate on the situation in Ukraine chaired by President Kanerva and Mr. Azay Guliyev (Azerbaijan), Vice-Chair of the General Committee on Political Affairs and Security. The panel was made up of:

·         Mr. Simon Lunn, International Advisory Board of the Geneva Centre for Democratic Control of Armed Forces (DCAF) and former Secretary General of the NATO Parliamentary Assembly; and

·         Ms. Astrid Thors, OSCE High Commissioner on National Minorities.

Mr. Kanerva briefly outlined the efforts of the OSCE and the OSCE PA to resolve the crisis in Ukraine, including diplomatic efforts, election monitoring and the promotion of dialogue and respect for OSCE principles. Mr. Lunn stated that the fundamental principles of the OSCE have been violated in Ukraine. He provided his analysis of the Ukrainian crisis, the international response and the broader security implications of the situation for Europe and the strengthening of the current framework that regulates military forces.

Ms. Thors referred to the obligations outlined in the OSCE High Commissioner on National Minorities’ 2008 Bolzano/Bozen Recommendations on Minorities in Inter-State Relations. She reminded attendees of the impact of the politicization of Ukrainian and Russian language policies and of differing interpretations of history on the crisis. She stressed the importance of inclusive, representative elections in Ukraine, as well as a balanced education policy allowing for both national and minority languages to be used. Ms. Thors also expressed concern about the situation of Tatars and Ukrainian-speaking individuals in Crimea.[13]

This was a popular session and many parliamentarians spoke about the crisis in Ukraine, including Ukrainian and Russian parliamentarians.

Activities of the Canadian Delegation:

The Special Debate was attended by all members of the Delegation.

Mr. Dean Allison, M.P., intervened during the debate to underscore the close ties between Canada and Ukraine and reaffirmed Canada’s commitment to provide support to Ukraine. Mr. Allison spoke strongly against Russia’s intervention in Ukraine and called on Russia to respect its OSCE commitments, including the recent Minsk agreement.

D.   SESSION 2: ECONOMIC AND ENVIRONMENTAL DIMENSION

The second session was chaired by Ms. Roza Aknazarova (Kyrgyzstan), Chair of the General Committee on Economic Affairs, Science, Technology and Environment. The panel was made up of:

·         Professor Keith Krause, Graduate Institute of International and Development studies in Geneva, speaking on “The Shifting Face of Violence: New Challenges”;

·         Ambassador Theodor Winkler, Director of DCAF, speaking on “Public Private Parnterships: Regulating Private Military and Security Companies”; and

·         Ms. Desiree Schweitzer, Deputy Coordinator for Economic and Environmental Affairs of the OSCE, speaking on ”The Role of the OSCE”.

Professor Krause discussed the shifting nature of contemporary violence, explaining that the battles between states in the 19^th and 20^th century no longer reflect the reality of violent conflict. Now, he argued, asymmetrical warfare, low intensity conflicts and operations other than war, such as the drug wars in Mexico, are the norm. He encouraged delegates to rethink the role of national militaries in this new context. He concluded by stressing the need for states to protect their citizens from internal and external threats, and to ensure that they maintain a monopoly on the use of force, while not abusing that power.[14]

Ambassador Winkler outlined the legal void that existed in Iraq with respect to private security contractors that was a catalyst to action in developing mechanisms relating to the industry. He also explained DCAF’s work to clarify the legal situation of private security companies using non-binding or “soft” international law. He explained the development of the Montreux Document on Pertinent International Legal Obligations and Good Practices for States Related to Operations of Private Military and Security Companies During Armed Conflict and the related International Code of Conduct for Private Security Service Providers to delegates. He then went on to assess progress in implementing the two documents and remaining challenges. He also suggested that similar soft law guidelines could be elaborated to improve international regulation of the Internet.[15]

Finally, Ms. Schweitzer outlined the OSCE’s work in the economic and environmental sectors. With respect to the environment, she discussed efforts to reduce disaster risks and to promote sustainable water management as a tool to encourage cooperation. She also addressed the linkages between climate change and security. Ms. Schweitzer informed delegates that the OSCE also runs projects on environmental good governance, as well as energy security and sustainability. In the economic sphere, she discussed her office’s work in the transport sector, as well as on combatting corruption, money laundering and terrorism financing in OSCE participating states. Ms. Schweitzer also noted that her office is integrating a gender perspective in their work.

After the presentations, parliamentarians engaged in an open debate.

Activities of the Canadian Delegation:

The Second Session was attended by all members of the Delegation.

Mr. Dean Allison, M.P., stressed the importance of trade in providing economic opportunities, which can in turn assist in addressing the root causes of security challenges, such as crime, terrorism and violence. As an example, he mentioned the recently signed Comprehensive Economic and Trade Agreement (CETA) and Strategic Partnership Agreement which provide new opportunities for cooperation between Canada and Europe and the creation of new jobs.

Mr. Peter Stoffer, M.P., intervened to discuss his recent visit to Kazakhstan, where he was impressed by the country’s significant economic progress. He also spoke about cooperation between Canada and Kazakhstan on safety, non-proliferation and trade in the nuclear industry.

The Hon. Hedy Fry, M.P., intervened concerning the intricate interrelationship between the environment, economy and social issues, stressing the importance of social services such as education and health care in ensuring that individuals are able to participate in the economy and be autonomous. She also noted the particular vulnerabilities of women and children, particularly where governments are not able or willing to play their role of providing security.

E.   MEETING OF THE STANDING COMMITTEE

At the meeting of the Standing Committee, budget questions dominated much of the discussion. Parliamentarians were encouraged to consider providing supplementary contributions, which would allow, for example, staff to spend more time in the field during election observation missions and provide more support to the OSCE PA’s special representatives. Parliamentarians were encouraged by PA Secretary General Spencer Oliver to request that their governments second personnel to the PA Secretariat. The Standing Committee also discussed the impact of the 50% cut to the OSCE Office for Democratic Institutions and Human Rights’ 2014 anti-trafficking budget.

The Standing Committee heard reports from a number of officials, including the President of the OSCA PA, Mr. Ilkka Kanerva; the Treasurer, Mr. Roberto Batteli (Slovenia); and the OSCE PA Secretary General, Mr. Spencer Oliver. The OSCE Secretary General, Ambassador Lamberto Zannier (Italy), provided a briefing with respect to the proposed 2015 OSCE Unified Budget, which includes a modest increase from 2014. 

In addition, a report was made by Ms. Vilija Aleknaitė-Abramikienė (Lithuania), Special Co-ordinator for the short-term OSCE election observation mission to Turkey, with respect to the presidential elections that took place in August 2014. A number of the President’s Special Representatives, including the Hon. Hedy Fry, M.P., also provided updates on their recent activities. Finally, it was decided that the 2016 annual session will be held in Georgia.

Activities of the Canadian Delegation

The Standing Committee meeting was attended by Mr. Dean Allison, M.P., and the Hon. Hedy Fry, M.P.

The Hon. Hedy Fry, M.P., in her capacity as OSCE PA Special Representative on Gender Issues, provided an update to the Standing Committee. Dr. Fry reminded delegates that 2014 is the 10^th anniversary of the OSCE 2004 Action Plan for the Promotion of Gender Equality, which was marked by a number of events and conferences. She noted that some progress has been made towards gender equality in the OSCE region and within the OSCE’s institutions. For example, seven of nine committee executives at the OSCE PA are now women. However, much remains to be done, such as increasing the percentage of women in leadership roles at the OSCE. Dr. Fry recommended that the OSCE PA’s Helsinki+40 project be used as an opportunity to push for greater gender mainstreaming at the OSCE. She also stressed the need to fix concrete, measurable goals with indicators and evaluation mechanisms. Dr. Fry encouraged the OSCE PA to play a role in promoting gender-based analysis at the national and regional levels.

F. SESSION 3: HUMAN DIMENSION

The third session was chaired by Mr. Mehmet Sevki Kulkuloglu (Turkey), Vice-Chair of the General Committee on Democracy, Human Rights and Humanitarian Questions. The panel was made up of:

·         Mr. Peter Maurer, President of the International Committee of the Red Cross (ICRC), speaking on ”New Security Challenges and the International Committee of the Red Cross”;

·         Mr. Gianni Magazzeni, Chief of the Americas, Europe & Central Asia Branch, Office of the High Commissioner for Human Rights-Geneva, speaking on ”The Role of the United Nations Organisation in Protecting Human Rights”;

·         Mr. Guy Rhodes, Director of Operations of the Geneva International Centre for Humanitarian Demining, speaking on ”Protection of Civilians from Explosive Hazards: an Operational Approach”; and

·         Ms. Margareta Wahlstrom, Special Representative of the UN Secretary General for Disaster Risk Reduction, speaking on ”The UN and Disaster Risk Reduction”.

In his remarks, Mr. Maurer outlined six key developments that pose challenges for international security: the changing global environment; the introduction of new actors in armed conflicts, including increasingly fragmented groups; the changing nature of the battlefield, which now includes urban, cyber, remote weapons, covert warfare and militarized police forces; the deepening and expansion of conflict dynamics; the lack of capacity in some conflict-affected states to provide basic services to their people; and, finally, the impacts of social media and global interconnectivity on armed conflicts. He then outlined the challenges resulting from these six factors. He advocated keeping implementation and development of international humanitarian law and humanitarian action distinct from the political agendas of the international community.[16]

Mr. Magazzeni provided a brief overview of the evolution of human rights work at the UN, as well as the countries where the Office of the High Commissioner for Human Rights has operations. He also outlined the Office’s partnership initiatives with the OSCE and its work in Ukraine. He argued that parliamentarians play a crucial role in upholding human rights, in part because of their roles in overseeing executive power, in passing legislation and in conducting parliamentary investigations of alleged human rights violations.[17]

Mr. Rhodes discussed the dangers of explosive remnants of war and other explosive hazards. He affirmed the importance of the Anti-Personnel Mine Ban Convention (Ottawa Treaty) banning anti-personnel landmines, as well as the Convention on Cluster Munitions, but also noted that anti-vehicle landmines have not been banned under international law. Mr. Rhodes encouraged action to make ammunition stocks safer and to prevent theft and unplanned explosions and recognized OSCE involvement in such efforts. He also outlined a number of areas to focus on moving forward, including universalization of the relevant conventions, training and influencing non-state actors.

Ms. Wahlstrom discussed the importance of disaster risk reduction and the role of parliaments. She noted that, while loss of life due to natural disasters has been successfully reduced in some parts of the world through early warning and evacuation efforts, economic losses due to natural disasters are increasing rapidly. She pointed out the importance of transnational cooperation in many disaster situations and the interconnections between disasters and conflict. Emphasizing the roles parliaments can play, she highlighted parliamentarians’ public education role and their ability to ensure that appropriate national legislative frameworks are in place to respond to disasters.

Activities of the Canadian Delegation

The Third Session was attended by all members of the Delegation.

The Hon. Senator Ghislain Maltais called for action to respect human dignity in situations such as Ukraine and Syria. He recognized the difficulty of intervening in such conflicts, but suggested an OSCE special committee should visit Syria with a message of humanity, human rights and peace.

Mr. Peter Stoffer, M.P., spoke about the impact of anti-personnel landmines, as well as progress made in demining and preventing injuries caused by these weapons. He called on delegates to work to limit the number of landmines in the ground.

The Hon. Hedy Fry, M.P., spoke about gender-based violence in Syria, where rape is being used as a weapon of war and domestic violence and forced marriage are increasing. She asked the speakers from ICRC and the UN about plans to respond to these violations of women’s human rights.

G.   CLOSING SESSION

At the Closing Session, remarks were made by the Head of the Swiss Delegation to the OSCE PA, Mr. Andreas Abei, as well as President Kanerva.  Closing remarks were made by the Speaker of the National Council of Switzerland, Mr. Ruedi Lustenberger.

Mr. Abei reviewed the proceedings of the conference. He recognized parliamentarians’ experience in using dialogue to resolve conflicts and encouraged delegates to promote peace, security and the principles of the Helsinki Act.

President Kanerva called for the OSCE and OSCE PA to assist in finding a political solution to the crisis in Ukraine and encouraged delegates to take part in the OSCE PA’s upcoming election monitoring mission to that country. He also reaffirmed the PA’s commitment to increased engagement with its Mediterranean Partners for Cooperation and finished with a call for delegates to turn the discussions held in Geneva into concrete plans upon return to their home countries.

In his remarks, Speaker Lustenberger spoke about the important role of the division of powers and parliamentary oversight for democracy.

Activities of the Canadian Delegation

The Closing Session was attended by all members of the Delegation.

H.   ADDITIONAL ACTIVITIES OF THE CANADIAN DELEGATION

The Hon. Hedy Fry, M.P., met with Secretariat staff to discuss the application of a gender lens to the PA’s Helsinki+40 Project.

Respectfully submitted,