Valuable suggestions made at OSCE Review Conference

ISTANBUL, 12 November 1999 - The fight against corruption, prevention of torture, issues surrounding children in armed conflict areas, and proposals for strengthening the Secretariat of the Organization for Security and Co-operation in Europe were among the topics discussed in the 1999 OSCE Review Conference in Istanbul this week. The conference was a continuation of the Review Conference held in Vienna in September.

During a press briefing, Review Conference Chairman Ambassador Kai Eide noted that keynote speakers offered valuable contributions and made concrete suggestions in several areas. In addition, conference participants examined some issues in depth, during informal side meetings.

The fight against corruption and the situation of children in armed conflict were topics for two keynote presentations by Mr. Olara Otunnu, Special Representative of the United Nations Secretary General for Children and Armed Conflict, and Ms. Danuta Hübner, Deputy Executive Secretary in the United Nations Economic Commission for Europe.

The OSCE, with its broad concept of security is well positioned to pursue the issue of children in armed conflict, noted Mr. Otunnu. He also proposed the establishment of an OSCE representative of children and children's welfare, and that protection of children be included in OSCE mission mandates. He suggested the situation of children be monitored by the OSCE High Commissioner on National Minorities, the Office of Democratic Institutions and Human Rights, and the OSCE Representative on Freedom of the Media.

A member of the ODIHR advisory panel for the prevention of torture, Mr. Douglas Johnson, suggested the OSCE use its moral authority to make the use of torture politically not viable and morally unacceptable. He suggested the concept of torture should be broadened to include inhumane and degrading treatment, rape and sexual abuse, as well as poor prison conditions.

Representatives of more than 100 non-governmental organizations (NGOs) also attended the conference. The final report will be presented to OSCE Heads of States when they gather in Istanbul for the OSCE Summit, November 17-18.