OSCE, Alm.del - 2008-09 - Bilag 37: Dreaft resolution for the general committee on democracy, human rights and humaitarian questions: "The OSCE: Addressing New Security Challenges"

1. Recognising the devastating effect that the current global financial crisis is having onpeople across the world,2. Underlining that vulnerable and marginalised sections of the population are effecteddisproportionately and are suffering particularly hard,3. Noting that no part of the OSCE is immune to the social and humanitarian consequencesof the ongoing crisis,4. Recalling previous OSCE PA declarations addressing the particular challenges ofvulnerable groups such as women, children, national minorities, and migrants,5. Convinced that urgent action is needed to safeguard against further marginalisation of at-risk groups,6. Recalling United Nations Security Council Resolution 1325 which specifically notes thedisproportionate impact of armed conflict on women, and recognizes the under-valuedand under-utilized contributions women make to conflict prevention, peacekeeping,conflict resolution and peace-building,The OSCE Parliamentary Assembly:7. Notes that at-risk groups are typically the first ones to suffer from economic difficulties,and the last ones to recover;8. Encourages participating States to promote policies aimed at increasing inclusiveness inthe workforce;9. Affirms the importance of equitable access to education for all children and youths tofacilitate their quick entry into the labour market;10. Regrets that women’s economic dependency on men, particularly in times of economicdifficulty, makes women easy targets for oppression and abuse, as well as potentialvictims of prostitution and human trafficking;11. Urges the OSCE, field missions, and participating States to redouble efforts to combattrafficking in human beings through preventative programmes;12. Recognises the crucial role that the family and traditional social networks play inassisting at-risk individuals and groups, and encourages participating States to increasesupport for such networks;13. Calls upon parliamentarians to be particularly vigilant in fighting intolerance againstminorities and other vulnerable groups, who are often made scapegoats during times offinancial difficulty;

14. Urges participating States to vigorously combat child labour, particularly through:a)comprehensive legislation outlawing all exploitative child labour,b)special training for law enforcement personnel on methods to identify victimsof child labour;c)mechanisms protecting victims of this crime,d)support programmes to assist victims’ entry into schools;15. Calls upon participating States to redouble efforts aimed at fighting paedophilia, childpoverty, and the involvement of children in crime, including through partnershipprogrammes with mass-media aimed at bringing greater focus to these crimes;16. Requests participating States to increase efforts aimed at establishing bilateral co-operation agreements on child adoption issues, ensuring that the best interests of childrenare always maintained;17. Notes the difficulties faced by children after a divorce between parents who are differentnationalities, and urges that all efforts, including legislation, be aimed at ensuring that thebest interests of the children are protected in custody arrangements;18. Further urges OSCE parliamentarians to actively facilitate international exchange of best-practice in addressing the particular needs of vulnerable social groups;19. Reminds that during conflicts, particular care must be taken to protect the human rights ofcivilians.