Dear Member of the Standing Committee,
As you will recall, we have on several occasions in the past two years discussed ways to make our
adopted Declarations and resolutions more effective and concise. With the intention of fulfilling this
stated desire, I would like to bring to your attention an issue related to submitting supplementary
items for consideration at OSCE PA Annual Sessions.
Many of us will have already received requests from colleagues to support supplementary items
related to different issues. However, as you know, according to Rule 21.1
“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”.
Having recently heard from the General Rapporteurs, it is clear
that the topics in some of the proposed supplementary items being circulated will already be
covered in the draft reports and draft resolutions of the Rapporteurs of the Committees. While
Rapporteurs gave an overview of their intentions during the Winter Meeting, it is not yet possible
for sponsors of supplementary items to identify the precise subjects of draft reports and draft
resolution before reading the documents, therefore Rule 21.1 is quite clear that
“a
supplementary
item must be received by the Secretariat after the General Rapporteurs have submitted their
reports”.
Considering the current situation of submitting supplementary items ahead of the General
Rapporteurs reports it would be appropriate if Members of the Assembly strictly adhere to the Rule
21.1 of the Rules of Procedure regarding subjects and time of submitting supplementary items. I
hope that all Members will carefully read the proposed resolutions of our General Rapporteurs and
work with them on the topics they raise through our amendment process to develop effective
resolutions. Supplementary items that address issues already covered by the Rapporteurs will lead
to unnecessary duplication and redundancy that is not in the best interests of the Assembly.
I would appreciate this information being forwarded to the Members of your Delegation.
Lord Peter Bowness
OSCE PA Vice-President
Chair of the Sub-Committee
on the Rules of Procedure and Working Practices
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