MPs debating, amending committee resolutions

ISTANBUL, 1 July 2013 - In the first full day of committee activity, rapporteurs delivered reports covering the three OSCE dimensions of security and presented their resolutions for debate.  With more than 100 amendments pending in the three general committees, the members have full agendas to finalize resolution texts before moving on to supplementary items.

First Committee Chair Asa Lindestam (Sweden) opened the political affairs and security committee meeting Sunday morning and gave the floor to Rapporteur Vilija Aleknaite Abramikiene (Lithuania), who highlighted the importance of the Helsinki +40 process in addressing issues related to the politico-military dimension of security.

The rapporteur focused on arms control, resolving protracted conflicts, and the future challenges associated with the 2014 withdrawal of International Security Assistance Forces from Afghanistan.

In the debate, parliamentarians emphasized the need to closely monitor the situation in Afghanistan. A delegate from Tajikistan stressed that support for Afghanistan should be one of the OSCE’s highest priorities.

The committee considered 26 amendments, 17 of which were adopted. There are 74 proposed amendments to the First Committee draft resolution.

Chairing the Second Committee, Vice-Chair Roza Aknazarova (Kyrgyzstan) opened the meeting by giving the floor to Ambassador Sergey Kapinos, Head of the OSCE Centre of Bishkek. Amb. Kapinos pointed to the importance of co-operative work across three dimensions of security to best tackle issues facing the OSCE region. He underlined the significant role that the Assembly can play for Central Asia through the engagement of OSCE PA Special Representative for Central Asia Thierry Mariani.

Rapporteur Doris Barnett (Germany) presented her report and draft resolution “Helsinki +40” arguing that to tackle the challenges in the economic and environmental dimension, a revitalization of the spirit of Helsinki is needed. Barnett highlighted alternatives to austerity, such as green growth initiatives, and the need for collective action on climate change.

In the debate, members spoke about challenges posed by extractive industries and economic austerity. Several MPs spoke in favor of increased trade, green growth and sustainable development, as well as food security, water management, and energy security.

The amendments to the draft resolution were debated and with a few changes seven amendments out of ten passed.

Chaired by Vice-Chair Isabel Santos (Portugal), the Third Committee opened Sunday with the presentation of the report from Rapporteur Ann Phelan (Ireland), followed by a debate in which 15 parliamentarians took the floor. Phelan discussed new challenges that have emerged in the 40 years since the Helsinki Final Act was adopted, with a focus on human trafficking.

In the debate, members further discussed human trafficking as well as freedom of the media, particularly the situation of journalists in prison.

Two delegates from Turkey discussed the recent demonstrations in Istanbul and other cities, expressing support for the right of assembly and offering assurances that any alleged excessive force by police is being investigated.

Eight amendments to Phelan’s draft resolution were considered and among them, five were adopted.

This is a press release issued by the OSCE Parliamentary Assembly. The views expressed in this press release do not necessarily reflect those of the OSCE Chairmanship, nor of all OSCE participating States.

The OSCE Parliamentary Assembly is comprised of 323 parliamentarians from 57 countries spanning, Europe, Central Asia and North America. The Assembly provides a forum for parliamentary diplomacy, monitors elections, and strengthens international cooperation to uphold commitments on political, security, economic, environmental and human rights issues.