Press release issued by the OSCE Parliamentary Assembly

VIENNA, 25 February 2011 - The following is a press release issued by the OSCE Parliamentary Assembly on 24 February. The views expressed in this press release do not necessarily reflect those of the OSCE Chairmanship, nor of all OSCE participating States.

Statement of the OSCE PA issued by President Efthymiou

The OSCE PA, gathered in Vienna on the occasion of its Winter Meeting, expresses its deepest concern for the conflicts and violence in the countries of North Africa and for the unacceptable repression carried out in Libya by Gaddafi’s regime.

We support the principles of democracy, freedom and human rights in any place, as well as the need for a peaceful evolution towards democracy.

In compliance with the Helsinki Final Act, the OSCE PA pledges to cooperate with the United Nations, European Union, Arab League, and all international organizations, so that effective and proactive measures are adopted in order to stop violence and the massacres of the civil population as well as to share the commitment to helping and supporting the refugees and victims of this crisis.