OSCE, Alm.del - 2016-17 - Bilag 19: Praktik og procedurer i forbindelse med den årlige session i Minsk fra 5. til 9. juli 2017

OSCEs Parlamentariske Forsamling 2016-17
OSCE Alm.del Bilag 19
Offentligt

AS (17) RP 1 E

Original: English

REPORT

FOR THE GENERAL COMMITTEE ON

POLITICAL AFFAIRS AND SECURITY

Enhancing Mutual Trust and Co-operation

for Peace and Prosperity in the OSCE Region

RAPPORTEUR

Ms. Margareta Cederfelt

Sweden

MINSK, 5

–

9 JULY 2017

OSCE, Alm.del - 2016-17 - Bilag 19: Praktik og procedurer i forbindelse med den årlige session i Minsk fra 5. til 9. juli 2017

REPORT FOR THE GENERAL COMMITTEE

ON POLITICAL AFFAIRS AND SECURITY

Rapporteur: Ms. Margareta Cederfelt (Sweden)

Introduction

The OSCE area is undergoing many significant changes, ranging from social and economic

advances to emerging security threats and political upheaval. Most of the citizens throughout

the OSCE area live in general peace and prosperity, yet, ongoing crises are challenging OSCE

values and contributing to rising insecurity. Many throughout the OSCE region are impacted

directly by conflicts and violent extremism. The three priorities of the Austrian Chairmanship

– defusing existing conflicts, fighting radicalization and violent extremism, and re-establishing

trust and confidence – are useful and appropriate guidelines in addressing current threats and

challenges.

Now more than ever it is a crucial time to uphold OSCE commitments and further strengthen

the OSCE’s role as the primary forum for transatlantic and Eurasian dialogue, however, trust

between participating States needs to be regained to move the OSCE’s agenda forward. The

OSCE Ministerial Council last December in Hamburg reached consensus on several key issues

but clearly gridlock in the Organization remains. The OSCE Parliamentary Assembly should

harness its unique abilities to support the OSCE and the participating States in tackling the

threats at hand. Inter-parliamentary dialogue will be essential to strengthening dialogue and the

political will to bring about a comprehensive diplomatic solution to conflicts.

This report will touch upon six main points: cybersecurity, terrorism, Turkey, women in

peacebuilding, the Russian aggression against Ukraine, and protracted conflicts.

Cybersecurity

The OSCE plays an important role in enhancing cybersecurity and Information

Communication Technologies (ICT) security. Cybersecurity is becoming an increasingly

central facet of the national security strategy of participating States in the OSCE area, which

includes cyber warfare, encryption, military cyber capacity, hacking and financial terrorism.

Participating States should make full use of the OSCE toolbox, including the Conflict

Prevention Center, the Forum for Security Co-operation and field operations, to work together

in reducing the risks of conflict stemming from cyber-attacks. Confidence-building measures

(CBMs) are key to making cyberspace more predictable and more manageable, considering

that cyber warfare is a serious threat to world peace in the 21

century. Governments are

investing considerable resources in offensive and defensive information communication

technologies to guarantee their own safety or to target third States. Disruptive tactics have been

on the rise in recent months – ranging from hacking email accounts or servers to spreading

disinformation in social media with the goal of influencing an election. The risks are real and,

therefore, consultations over potential cyber incidents and dialogue among OSCE participating

States are a cornerstone to de-escalate tensions.

Recent hacking attacks conducted against some OSCE participating States – and even the

OSCE itself – are disruptive and underline the necessity to act. More effective rules and

increased co-operation and dialogue with governments, non-state actors, and other

OSCE, Alm.del - 2016-17 - Bilag 19: Praktik og procedurer i forbindelse med den årlige session i Minsk fra 5. til 9. juli 2017

international organizations can prevent further incidents. The operationalization of pertinent

UN guidance by groups of governmental experts on the regional level is a key concern in that

regard.

Terrorism

The OSCE and its Partners for Co-operation continue to face an increasing threat to domestic

security posed by terrorist attacks, such as mass shootings, suicide bombings, and other mass

killing tactics. We strongly condemn such inhuman practices and deplore the loss of life caused

by these horrific attacks. The radicalization of primarily young people and their subsequent

recruitment to the cause of terrorism is problematic for participating States and needs to be

thoroughly addressed. OSCE countries need to counter the financing of radical groups, their

recruitment strategies, and the threat posed by returning fighters to Europe with the help of the

OSCE anti-terrorism activities.

The fight against terrorism is further complicated by the refugee and migrant crisis. While it is

important to not politicize the issue or put the blame of a few individuals on a whole group of

people, the matter remains a security issue for the OSCE area. Governments have a duty to

protect their citizens and conduct more effective border controls and asylum procedures while

upholding OSCE principles. More importantly, however, participating States should focus on

resolving the conflicts in the Middle East and North Africa, notably the bloody civil wars in

Syria and Libya, which have led to this situation.

We encourage the OSCE participating States to take all necessary measures to support ongoing

conflict resolution initiatives, while fully upholding OSCE commitments and to prevent youth

from joining extremist groups. Dialogue and prevention are key to achieve this, and

parliamentarians should support national and international initiatives countering violent

extremism. Toward that end, the “Parliamentary Conference on Combatting International

Terrorism”, which was jointly organized by the OSCE PA and the Interparliamentary

Assembly of the Commonwealth of Independent States in St Petersburg on 28 March, was an

important initiative promoting co-operation and dialogue in the search for common ground.

Turkey

The security situation in Turkey has been highlighted as a concern by a number of participating

States. The coup attempt on 15 July 2016, terrorist attacks that have killed many innocent

people, and the December 2016 assassination of the Russian Ambassador in Ankara underline

the high level of the threat that the country is facing. Turkey is also hosting up to three million

refugees – more than any other country in the world. While we condemn last summer’s coup

attempt and support efforts to counter violent extremism, Turkey should uphold its OSCE

commitments and make use of the OSCE toolbox in the fight against both internal and external

threats. The alarmingly high number of journalists and parliamentarians imprisoned in Turkey

underlines the need to respect freedom of expression, fundamental rights and human rights in

the fight against terrorism.

Women in Peacebuilding

Enhancing women’s political, social, and economic empowerment in armed conflict and

disaster settings is a priority for the OSCE’s work in implementing UN Security Council

resolution 1325 along with participating States. Achieving long-term stability and security is

OSCE, Alm.del - 2016-17 - Bilag 19: Praktik og procedurer i forbindelse med den årlige session i Minsk fra 5. til 9. juli 2017

an inclusive process that requires greater involvement of women in decision-making as well as

conflict mediation and dialogue. The OSCE’s role in peacebuilding is an ideal platform to push

for gender equality and mainstreaming at all stages of conflict resolution. The OSCE PA can

lead the way here and push for more women’s participation in parliamentary diplomacy; so far

only 27 per cent of delegates are women, and some delegations have no women at all in their

ranks. The OSCE PA Special Representative on Gender Issues, Dr. Hedy Fry, is doing

exemplary work in the field of gender equality and contributes greatly to the empowerment of

women in peacebuilding.

Enhancing the participation of women in conflict resolution and peace-building efforts is

important to achieve security and stability. The Special Monitoring Mission (SMM) to Ukraine

is working to change the perception of women’s roles in Ukraine, which still emphasizes the

traditional role of women as caregivers instead of focusing on their contributions to

peacebuilding efforts through dialogue. The OSCE must further support efforts in gender

mainstreaming. In times of crisis women often see their rights undermined; this trend needs to

be reversed, and their participation at all levels of peacebuilding is essential for the peaceful

resolution of conflicts not only in the OSCE area, but on an international scale.

At the Tbilisi Annual Session in 2016, OSCE participating States were encouraged to develop

and implement gender-responsive policies, programmes, and services to address the specific

needs and priorities of women and girl refugees and migrants. An OSCE-wide action plan to

better include women in the response to the refugee and migrant crisis is an important step

towards peace and security.

The Russian Aggression Against Ukraine

The Austrian Chairmanship’s priority of re-establishing trust and confidence is key for the

OSCE’s crisis and conflict management. The crisis in and around Ukraine, spurred by Russian

aggression, can only be resolved through constructive and inclusive dialogue. Participating

States should refrain from using unilateral decision-making and violence in order to change the

status quo. The Russian Federation’s annexation of Crimea and the conflict in the Donbas

region have breached the Helsinki Final Act principles and undermine the territorial integrity

of Ukraine. In that regard, the OSCE PA has been clear that the annexation of the Crimean

Peninsula by the Russian Federation was illegal and illegitimate. The implementation of all the

provisions of the Minsk II agreement of 11 February 2015 by all sides remains the key for a

comprehensive peace agreement in the Donbas. The withdrawal of heavy weapons and foreign

fighters from the contact line, unlimited access for OSCE monitors, and the restoration of

Ukrainian control over its eastern border are essential to de-escalate and resolve the crisis. We

condemn the recent killing of an American SMM observer and call all parties to allow

unhindered and secured access to the observers along the Line of Contact. The Minsk

Agreement remains the best path forward for Ukraine and the region, and despite setbacks, the

goals set forth in these agreements are still achievable.

OSCE, Alm.del - 2016-17 - Bilag 19: Praktik og procedurer i forbindelse med den årlige session i Minsk fra 5. til 9. juli 2017

Protracted Conflicts

The 2016 April clashes in the territories around Nagorno-Karabakh, which represented the

most serious escalation since 1994, and the numerous recent violations of the ceasefire on the

Line of Contact are cause for concern. The OSCE, through the work of the Minsk Group and

the Personal Representative of the Chairperson-in-Office on the conflict dealt with by the

Minsk Conference, Ambassador Andrezj Kaspryzk, should utilize the full potential of conflict

resolution mechanisms, including the Parliamentary Assembly, to stabilize the situation and

work towards a comprehensive peace agreement. We regret the lack of progress towards the

settlement of the conflict. A return to the negotiation table by all parties is needed to avoid

further military confrontation and de-escalate the situation. Participating States should refrain

from using unilateral decision-making and violence that would hinder diplomatic negotiations

and dialogue initiatives.

We welcome the Ministerial Statement on the negotiations on the Transdniestrian settlement

process in the “5+2” format adopted in December 2016 in Hamburg, and we support the results-

oriented approach promoted by the international partners under the German Chairmanship in

2016 and continued by the Austrian Chairmanship in 2017. Achieving results in practical areas

is key to creating a positive dynamic for broader negotiations while improving the living

conditions of the people on both banks of the Dniester/Nistru River. It remains essential to

reach a comprehensive, peaceful and sustainable settlement of this conflict based on the

sovereignty and territorial integrity of the Republic of Moldova. Parliamentarians have a key

role to play in reaching a long-lasting settlement. We encourage the resumption of formal

contacts between the legislative bodies on both sides, without preconditions and in good faith,

to ensure political support for the solutions identified in the talks.

The OSCE PA needs to strengthen its political involvement to address the consequences of the

August 2008 conflict between the Russian Federation and the territory of Georgia. Russia

should implement the EU-brokered Six-Point Ceasefire Agreement of 12 August 2008 which

ended the conflicts in Abkhazia and the Tskhinvali region/South Ossetia and refrain from using

and withdraw its military forces in order to create conditions for a peaceful resolution of the

conflict. Parliamentary diplomacy should enhance confidence-building between both sides and

create an atmosphere of co-operation and mutual trust. However, we reject the holding of

parliamentary elections in Abkhazia and the approval of a military deal between South Ossetia

and the Russian Federation. Unilateral decisions such as holding Presidential elections in South

Ossetia and changing the name of the region, as well as the opening of a Russian Embassy in

Abkhazia, undermine the peace process on the territory of Georgia.

Conclusion

The current challenges facing the OSCE area require constructive dialogue and deeper co-

operation. Confidence-building measures and mediation among participating States are key to

avoid further escalation, be it on cyber security issues, the fight against terrorism, protracted

conflicts or the crisis in and around Ukraine. The OSCE therefore needs to effectively utilize

all its tools to counter the emerging threats and guarantee an atmosphere of mutual respect, co-

operation and trust between participating States. The consensus-based decision-making process

of the OSCE has its merits, but has at times been an obstacle to timely action.

OSCE, Alm.del - 2016-17 - Bilag 19: Praktik og procedurer i forbindelse med den årlige session i Minsk fra 5. til 9. juli 2017

The OSCE’s action depends entirely on the political will of participating States, but if this

prevents the Organization from living up to its commitments in line with the Helsinki Final Act

Decalogue, we should engage in a serious discussion about reforms within the OSCE. The lack

of legal personality of the OSCE – although considered by some participating States as

essential for flexibility and increased legitimacy – has resulted in a serious challenge for the

Organization on both an operational and political level. Uncertainties over field presences,

diminished liability, and political deadlock are a threat to the future relevance of the OSCE. In

the South Caucasus and the Western Balkans, where we have noted with concern a

deterioration of the political situation, the work of field missions is more important than ever.

The unique role of the OSCE Parliamentary Assembly, including through open debate and

inter-parliamentary dialogue, will be key to rebuild relationships based on trust and mutual

respect between OSCE countries. We as elected parliamentarians, representing the people,

need to lead the way and inspire our governments to take the necessary steps to guarantee the

effective survival of the OSCE as the main regional security organization in the area spanning

Vancouver to Vladivostok.