Report

From 24 to 26 November 2022, a delegation of four Canadian parliamentarians attended the 20^th Autumn Meeting of the Organization for Security and Co-operation in Europe Parliamentary Assembly (OSCE PA) which was held in Warsaw, Poland. The delegation comprised:

• The Honourable Hedy Fry, P.C., M.P., head of the delegation;

• The Honourable Senator David Wells;

• Mr. Philip Lawrence, M.P.;

• Ms. Kristina Michaud, M.P.

The delegation was assisted by Anne-Marie Therrien-Tremblay, Advisor with the Library of Parliament, and Matthieu Boulianne, the Association’s Secretary.

2022 OSCE PA Autumn Meeting

Parliamentarians from 46 parliaments from across the OSCE region met in Warsaw, Poland, for the 20^th OSCE PA Autumn Meeting. The Autumn Meeting consisted of a Parliamentary Conference, and a meeting of the Standing Committee. A number of other side events and meetings were also held over the course of the Autumn Meeting, including a meeting of the Ad Hoc Committee on Migration.[1]

Parliamentary Conference on “The War in Ukraine: The Role of the OSCE and National Parliaments in response to the conflict and future reconstruction”

The theme of the Parliamentary Conference, held on 24 and 25 November, was “The War in Ukraine: The Role of the OSCE and National Parliaments in response to the conflict and future reconstruction.” It was divided in three sessions.

The Parliamentary Conference began with an inaugural event with remarks from the Speakers of the two chambers of the Parliament of Poland – Elzbieta Witek, Marshal of the Sejm, and Tomasz Grodzki, Marshal of the Senate. In her remarks, Ms. Witek stated that Russia’s aggression in Ukraine violates the values to which Russia has agreed as an OSCE participating State. She urged parliamentarians to use the OSCE PA, as well as other parliamentary forums, to condemn Russia and to propose concrete solutions to address the consequences of the war in Ukraine. Mr. Grodzki outlined that Russia’s invasion of Ukraine has had devastating impacts on Ukrainians and populations around the world, citing heightened food insecurity in certain parts of the world. Chairperson-in-Office of the OSCE and Foreign Minister of Poland, Zbigniew Rau, then addressed the assembly. Mr. Rau stated that the OSCE is experiencing a fundamental crisis and highlighted the need to preserve cooperation and dialogue among all OSCE participating States.

The President of the OSCE PA, Margareta Cederfelt (Sweden), stressed that the OSCE PA must maintain its support for Ukraine’s security and territorial integrity, and continue to provide assistance to Ukrainian refugees. She highlighted Poland’s support to Ukraine in this regard.

President Cederfelt remarks were followed by a video address by President of Ukraine Volodymyr Zelenskyy. In his remarks, President Zelenskyy urged the OSCE and OSCE PA members to increase their support to Ukraine. Highlighting that Russia is violating its OSCE commitments, President Zelenskyy questioned Russia’s participation in OSCE activities.

Following the three sessions of the Parliamentary Conference, Roberto Montella, Secretary General of the OSCE PA, addressed the assembly. Secretary General Montella noted the continued attention that the OSCE PA has given to Russia’s actions in Ukraine since 2014. President Cederfelt and Ms. Barbara Bartus, head of the Polish delegation to the OSCE PA, also delivered closing remarks.

The Parliamentary Conference was attended by all members of the Canadian delegation.

SESSION 1 ON “THE WAR AGAINST UKRAINE: IMPACT ON THE OSCE, LESSONS LEARNED TO SAFEGUARD THE ORGANIZATION’S TOOLBOX AND COMPARATIVE ADVANTAGE”

OSCE PA Vice-President Pascal Allizard (France) introduced Session 1 of the Parliamentary Conference, noting the devastating consequences of the war in Ukraine and the role of the OSCE PA in addressing them.

The session’s panel included an intervention by Ms. Barbara Bartus, head of the Polish delegation to the OSCE PA. She noted the urgency of the discussions at the OSCE PA 20^th Autumn Meeting and the need to maintain the OSCE PA’s support to Ukraine. Special Envoy of the OSCE Chairperson-in-Office, Mr. Artur Dmochowski, then outlined the importance of preserving the OSCE principles and functions, including by strengthening the OSCE arms control regime and ensuring that the organization remains a useful platform for dialogue for all participating States. Former United Nations Crisis Coordinator for Ukraine, Mr. Amin Awad, was next to address the assembly. He spoke about the impact of the war in Ukraine on agriculture and food security, as well as on supply chains.

These presentations were followed by an open debate among delegates on the subject of “The war against Ukraine: Impact on the OSCE, lessons learned to safeguard the Organization’s toolbox and comparative advantage.”

1. ACTIVITIES OF THE CANADIAN DELEGATION   

The Honourable Dr. Hedy Fry condemned Russia’s illegal and unprovoked war on Ukraine, noting that Russia’s actions are in violation of the principles enshrined in the Helsinki Final Act. She also emphasized the need for women’s equal representation and full participation in conflict resolution and peace processes.

Ms. Kristina Michaud, M.P. spoke about Russia’s use of unconventional warfare tactics. In her remarks, Ms. Michaud condemned Russia’s cyberattacks targeting Ukraine, and stressed the significant consequences of these attacks on essential civilian infrastructure. She also underlined the potential contribution of youth to OSCE efforts to address cyber security challenges and those related to new technologies.

SESSION 2 ON “PROMOTING ECONOMIC AND ENVIRONMENTAL SECURITY AMID THE CURRENT CRISIS”

OSCE PA Vice-President Irene Charalambides (Cyprus) chaired Session 2. In her remarks, Ms. Charalambides highlighted the environmental impacts of the war. In particular, she noted the potential disastrous consequences of Russia’s attacks on Ukrainian nuclear power plants.

Ambassador Igli Hasani, Coordinator of OSCE Economic and Environmental Activities, was among the session’s panellists. In his remarks, Ambassador Hasani noted the devastating effects of the war in Ukraine on energy and food security. He also spoke about the environmental hazard caused by the war, both in Ukraine and the OSCE region. Dr. Joanna Maćkowiak-Pandera, President of Forum Energii, stressed that there is an urgent need to rebuild and strengthen Ukraine’s energy infrastructure. She added that the war also highlighted the importance of diversifying energy sources – including green and renewable – to strengthen energy security in Europe. Kazimierz Kleina, member of the Polish delegation to the OSCE PA, spoke about the destruction of essential infrastructure in Ukraine, and the need for financial and humanitarian aid to those affected by the war, especially as winter was beginning.

These presentations were followed by an open debate among delegates on the topic of “Promoting economic and environmental security amid the current crisis.”

1. ACTIVITIES OF THE CANADIAN DELEGATION   

The Honourable Senator David Wells discussed the impacts of the war in Ukraine on international trade and global markets. In his remarks, Senator Wells emphasized that the deterioration in food and energy security caused by Russia’s aggression in Ukraine has had profound global economic and humanitarian implications. He called on OSCE participating States to increase their support of food and energy to those in need, if they have the capacity to do so.

Mr. Philip Lawrence, M.P. focused his comments on anti-corruption efforts in the context of global economic security. Mr. Lawrence noted that anti-corruption progress has stalled, which he linked to the current decline of freedom and democracy around the world. He highlighted measures to combat corruption, including the Canadian Parliament’s passage of the Sergei Magnitsky Law in 2017, and urged OSCE participating States to hold accountable those responsible for acts of corruption.

SESSION 3 ON “PROTECTING FUNDAMENTAL RIGHTS AND FREEDOMS IN SITUATIONS OF ARMED CONFLICT AND HUMANITARIAN CRISIS”

OSCE PA Vice-President Reinhold Lopatka (Austria) chaired Session 3. In opening the session, Mr. Lopatka condemned Russia’s attack against Ukraine, which he said resulted in large-scale violations of human rights and freedoms. He further noted the destruction of civilian infrastructure, unlawful killings, sexual violence, and enforced disappearances, torture, and ill-treatment that have been documented by the United Nations.

The session’s panel included an address by Mr. Matteo Mecacci, Director of the OSCE Office for Democratic Institutions and Human Rights (ODIHR). Mr. Mecacci outlined ODIHR’s work to support the millions of civilians displaced since Russia’s invasion of Ukraine in February 2022. In his remarks, he also presented ODIHR’s efforts to collect evidence of violations of human rights, including by investigating war crimes and documenting breaches of international law. He stressed the importance of holding governments accountable for such violations and upholding OSCE commitments. Following Mr. Mecacci’s remarks, Mr. Radoslaw Fogiel, Chair of the Foreign Affairs Committee of the Sejm, addressed the assembly. He spoke about Russia’s violation of human rights in Ukraine and drew attention to ways by which the respect of human rights in armed conflicts could be strengthened.

These presentations were followed by an open debate among delegates on the subject of “Protecting fundamental rights and freedoms in situations of armed conflict and humanitarian crisis.”

1. ACTIVITIES OF THE CANADIAN DELEGATION   

The Honourable Dr. Hedy Fry focused her intervention on the gendered impacts of the war in Ukraine. Dr. Fry discussed the increases in gender-based violence, sexual exploitation and trafficking common in armed conflict contexts. Specifically, she noted the importance of ensuring access to sexual and reproductive health care for women affected by such violence. Among other points, she also called on participating States to find concrete ways to continue to support the Ukrainian women and to hold Russia accountable.

Mr. Philip Lawrence, M.P. spoke about the necessity of consequences for those who violate international human rights. Highlighting that Russia’s human rights abuses in Ukraine have been widely documented, Mr. Lawrence called on the OSCE community to find ways to deepen sanctions on Russia and Russian nationals responsible for ongoing corruption and human rights violations.

Standing Committee

The meeting of the Standing Committee, which took place on 25 November, was opened by the President of the OSCE PA, Margareta Cederfelt (Sweden).[2] President Cederfelt first delivered her report, outlining the recent activities of the OSCE PA. President Cederfelt also noted that the current war in Ukraine remains the biggest challenge for the OSCE community. The Treasurer of the OSCE PA, Mr. Peter Juel-Jensen (Denmark), and the Secretary General of the OSCE PA, Roberto Montella, then delivered their reports, both providing administrative information on the OSCE PA. In his remarks, Secretary General Montella also stressed that Russia’s attack on Ukraine constitutes a violation of the Helsinki Final Act principles.[3]

Following these presentations, the Chair of the Sub-committee on Rules of Procedure and Working Practices, Pascal Allizard (France), presented a proposed amendment to the OSCE PA Rules of Procedure. The Standing Committee then debated the sub-committee’s proposed amendment, which would establish a mechanism to suspend the mandate of an OSCE PA delegation whose country had violated Helsinki Final Act principles and OSCE commitments. With no agreement reached on the amendment, it was sent back to the sub-committee for further consideration.

1. ACTIVITIES OF THE CANADIAN DELEGATION   

The Honourable Dr. Hedy Fry represented the Canadian delegation at the Standing Committee, as head of the delegation. Dr. Fry spoke in support of a mechanism that would allow the suspension from OSCE PA activities of a delegation whose country had violated the sovereignty and territorial integrity of another OSCE participating State.

Meeting of the Ad Hoc Committee on Migration

The Honourable Dr. Hedy Fry represented the Canadian delegation at the meeting of the Ad Hoc Committee on Migration, which took place on 24 November. Members of the Ad Hoc Committee listened to presentations on the Ukraine refugee situation, including by members of the Ukrainian delegation to the OSCE PA, and the heads of the Czech, Slovak and Moldovan delegations to the OSCE PA. The Committee also reviewed upcoming activities and the plans for its next meeting.

Additional Activities of the Canadian Delegation

• On 24 November, the Canadian delegation and the Ukrainian delegation to the OSCE PA held a bilateral meeting during which delegates discussed the situation in Ukraine and Canada–Ukraine relations. Members of the Ukrainian delegation highlighted Ukraine’s financial, humanitarian and military needs. These needs include equipment to repair the country’s energy infrastructure, such as generators, as well as tanks and equipment needed for humanitarian landmine clearance.

• On 25 November, the Canadian delegation met with the Ambassador of Canada to Poland, Catherine Godin. Discussions focused on a number of issues, including the situation in Ukraine and Canada–Poland relations. Ambassador Godin noted Poland’s role in welcoming Ukrainian refugees and highlighted the work of the Canadian Embassy in Poland in processing Ukrainian refugee applications.

• On 25 November, the Canadian delegation met with members of the Armenian delegation to the OSCE PA. Among other issues, delegates discussed Canada–Armenia relations and the situation along the border between Armenia and Azerbaijan and in Nagorno-Karabakh. Members of the Armenian delegation indicated that incidents of military hostilities continue to threaten the safety of civilians residing along the border between Armenia and Azerbaijan and in Nagorno-Karabakh.

• On 25 November, the Canadian delegation met with members of the Azerbaijani delegation to the OSCE PA. The meeting focused on Azerbaijan–Canada relations and diplomatic mediation between Armenia and Azerbaijan. Members of the Azerbaijan delegation welcomed Canada’s support to the negotiation process and mediation efforts.

• On 25 November, members of the Canadian delegation attended a networking reception hosted by the OSCE ODIHR.

Respectfully submitted,

The Honourable Dr. Hedy Fry, P.C., M.P.

Director, Canadian Delegation to the OSCE PA