To the Heads of the OSCE PA Delegations
Vienna, 12 July 2023
Dear Colleagues,
Following the OSCE PA Annual Session, I am pleased to share with you once more the
Resolution
on the Wagner Group’s Terroristic Nature and Actions,
which was adopted with unanimous support
by the OSCE PA in Vancouver.
Inter alia, the resolution recognizes the terroristic nature of the Russian private military company
(PMC) Wagner Group and its strong ties with the government of the Russian Federation.
Accordingly, it calls on participating States to 1)
consider designating the group a terrorist
organization,
2)
thwart its presence wherever it operates,
and 3)
hold its members accountable for
all crimes committed.
As pointed out in the resolution, various national parliaments are already
addressing the terroristic actions of the Wagner Group, including the legislatures of Ukraine,
Lithuania, Estonia, France, Canada, Belgium and the United States. As result of the OSCE PA
resolution and efforts of other international and national actors, the discussions in Austria of
following those role models just started once again, and I very much hope that we will see the
positive results soon.
The designation of Wagner Group as terrorist organization has major implications for its members
as it brings legally serious consequences, including impeding Wagner’s financial flow and material
support and improving accountability for all crimes perpetrated.
That’s why, I’m asking you as Vice-President, Chairperson of the OSCE PA Ad Hoc Committee on
Countering Terrorism and main sponsor of the respective resolution, to
drive discussions in your
national parliaments and translate the resolution on the Wagner Group’s Terroristic Anture and
Actions as soon as possible.
For your reference, I attach the adopted OSCE PA resolution and also the motion for a resolution
of the
Assemblée Nationale
as an example.
Thank you in advance for your consideration and support!
With my best regards,
Reinhold Lopatka
Vice-President & Chairperson of the OSCE PA Ad Hoc Committee on Countering Terrorism