REPORT

From 1 to 5 July 2016, a delegation of eight Canadian parliamentarians attended the OSCE Parliamentary Assembly’s (OSCE PA) Annual Session in Tbilisi, Georgia. The Honourable Hedy Fry, P.C., M.P. led the delegation, which also included from the Senate, the Honourable Senators Ghislain Maltais and Vernon White, and from the House of Commons, Ms. Yasmin Ratansi, M.P., Mr. John Aldag, M.P., Mr. Earl Dreeshen, M.P, Mr. Luc Berthold, M.P., and Ms. Christine Moore, M.P. Ms. Julia Nicol, Advisor, and Ms. Josée Thérien, Secretary, accompanied the delegation.

2016 Annual Session[1]

For five days, from 1– 5 July 2016, parliamentarians from across the OSCE area, together with representatives of the “Partners for Cooperation” states met in Tbilisi, Georgia for the 2016 OSCE PA Annual Session. The theme of the Annual Session was “25 Years of Parliamentary Co-operation: Building Trust Through Dialogue” as the Parliamentary Assembly was celebrating 25 years since its creation.

The program began with a meeting of the Standing Committee and an opening plenary[2]. Over the next four days, the Assembly held meetings of the General Committees, a working lunch on gender issues, and a meeting of the Bureau. The final day of the Annual Session was devoted to a closing plenary session.

A. Standing Committee   

At the Standing Committee meeting, the 2015–2016 OSCE PA President, Ilkka Kanerva (Finland) presented a document outlining his vision for the OSCE PA going forward entitled Our common vision for the OSCE Parliamentary Assembly: Supporting OSCE principles and facilitating parliamentary dialogue. The document outlines suggested guiding principles for the work of the OSCE PA and its International Secretariat and calls for stronger cooperation with the OSCE Executive Branch.

During its meeting, the Standing Committee heard a report from the PA’s Treasurer, Ms. Doris Barnett (Germany), and approved a budget increase of 1.9% to cover staff expenses due to post adjustments, pension contributions and education allowance for dependents. As required by the OSCE PA’s rules of procedure, the 2016/2017 budget increase was adopted by consensus of all heads of delegation present at the meeting.

The Standing Committee also heard the report of the Secretary General Roberto Montella (Italy), and from the President’s special representatives on a variety of topics, in addition to hearing about progress in planning future OSCE PA meetings.

The Standing Committee considered 19 supplementary items (SI). Supplementary items are resolutions brought forward by parliamentarians to supplement the principal resolution to be debated in each General Committee. New rules of procedure, adopted at the 2013 Annual Session in Istanbul, limited the number of supplementary items that are considered by the Standing Committee and placed on the agenda for debate by the Assembly to 15.[3]

As per the rules, the Standing Committee approved 15 supplementary items for debate at the Annual Session. They voted against debating one SI proposed by a Russian delegate and another went directly to a vote in the plenary as no amendments were proposed. A draw then took place to see which of the remaining 17 SIs would be debated.

Canadian Participation:

• The Honourable Hedy Fry, P.C., M.P., represented the Canadian delegation at the Standing Committee meeting

B. Plenary Sessions    

Plenary Sessions were held on Friday, 1 July, Monday, 4 July and Tuesday, 5 July. At the first plenary session, delegates were welcomed to the Annual Session by the President of the Parliament of Georgia, Mr. David Usupashvili, the President of Georgia, Mr. Giorgi Margvelashvili and the Prime Minister of Georgia, Mr Giorgi Kvirikashvili, as well as OSCE PA President Ilkka Kanerva (Finland). The Chairperson-in-Office of the OSCE and German Federal Minister of Foreign Affairs, Mr. Frank-Walter Steinmeier, and the President of the Parliamentary Assembly of the Council of Europe, Pedro Agramunt (Spain) also addressed delegates at the opening plenary. Remarks at the opening session touched upon terrorism, including the recent terrorist attack on Ataturk airport in Turkey which occurred while delegates were travelling to Tbilisi, uncertainty given current events and the need to reach out and maintain an honest dialogue to achieve results. The frozen conflicts in the OSCE region were highlighted, as well as the migration crisis in Europe.

Following the presentations, the plenary considered and adopted a supplementary item sponsored by Mr. Guðmundur Steingrimsson (Iceland) on “Strengthening Relations between the OSCE PA and the OSCE.”[4]

The second plenary session, which was held on 4 July 2016, began with the annual gender address, delivered by the Honourable Hedy Fry, P.C., M.P., in her capacity as OSCE PA Special Representative on Gender Issues, followed by a debate.[5]

Next, a supplementary item on “The Need to Equip Passenger Aircraft with Additional Technical Means for Monitoring Conditions on Board in Real Time” (principal sponsor: Mr. Kovalev, Russian Federation) was adopted with no amendments and “Unrestricted Access of Members of the OSCE Parliamentary Assembly Attending Official OSCE Events and other Parliamentary Activities” (Mr. Lombardi, Switzerland) was adopted with one oral amendment.

Finally, an open debate was held in the plenary session, during which delegates intervened on a wide range of issues. The open debate continued in the final plenary on Tuesday, 5 July.

At the closing plenary, delegates voted to adopt the Tbilisi Declaration and annexed resolutions. The closing plenary also included reports by the Treasurer on the PA’s budget and by the PA’s Secretary General and elections for president and vice-president positions were held (further details on the elections are below).

Canadian Participation:

• All Canadian parliamentarians attended the plenary sessions.

At the second plenary session, the Honourable Hedy Fry, P.C., M.P. presented her report as the OSCE PA Special Representative on Gender Issues entitled A Gender Sensitive Response to the Migrant and Refugee Influx in Europe is Needed. In addition to her annual summary of statistics relating to gender in the OSCE organization (personnel, delegates, etc.), the report called for a number of changes in how the migrant and refugee influx into Europe is being managed. It outlines the particular challenges of migrant and refugee women during their journey to Europe, in receiving fair treatment of their refugee claims and in integrating into host communities, as well as offering a number of concrete suggestions to better integrate gender considerations in responses to the influx of migrants and refugees.

Ms. Yasmin Ratansi, M.P. and Mr. John Aldag, M.P., both spoke in support of Dr. Fry’s report. Ms. Ratansi focused her remarks on the importance of integration and economic empowerment for migrant and refugee women arriving in Europe. Mr. Aldag discussed the challenges such women face and urged further action to address their needs. Ms. Ratansi also spoke in plenary regarding terrorism, criticising comments associating terrorism with Islam.

Mr. Earl Dreeshen, M.P., spoke in the general debate at the final plenary concerning energy security. Among other issues, he discussed Canada’s use of renewable energy and the country’s reserves of oil and uranium and promoted Canada as a stable energy partner with a strong democracy.

C. General Committee on Political Affairs and Security (First General Committee)   

Chair: Roger Wicker (U.S.)

Vice-Chair: Azay Guliyev (Azerbaijan)

Rapporteur: Margareta Cederfelt (Sweden)

The Committee considered and debated a draft report and resolution submitted by the Rapporteur. The report and resolution focused mainly on the following issues: transnational terrorism; Russian aggression against Ukraine; the frozen conflicts in the OSCE region; women in armed conflict; the link between security and democracy; and the migrant and refugee influx in Europe. Following the presentation, delegates debated issues raised in the report and draft resolution, proposed and adopted amendments to the draft resolution, and adopted the resolution as amended.

The Committee then debated and adopted the following supplementary items proposed by OSCE parliamentarians with a number of amendments:

• Possible Contributions of the OSCE Parliamentary Assembly to Developing Effective Response to Crisis and Conflicts (Ms. Barnett, Germany)
• The Conflict in Georgia (Mr. Usupashvili, Georgia)
• Reconsolidating European Security as a Common Project (Mr. Lombardi, Switzerland)
• The Republic of Moldova (Ms. Dade, Albania)
• Enhanced Co-operation and Confidence Building Measures in the Baltic Sea Region (Mr. Klimke, Germany)

The following will be committee officers for 2016–2017:

• Roger Wicker (U.S.) – Chair
• Guglielmo Picchi (Italy) – Vice-Chair
• Margareta Cederfelt (Sweden) – Rapporteur

Canadian Participation:

• All members of the Canadian delegation attended meetings of the First General Committee and delegates voted on the amendments to the draft resolution prepared by the rapporteur and on the supplementary items, though meetings were held concurrently so not all delegates were there at all times.

The Honourable Hedy Fry, P.C., M.P. sponsored a number of gender-related amendments to the First General Committee Resolution. She also proposed two amendments to the SI on Georgia to ensure accuracy and include wording regarding human rights. Mr. John Aldag, M.P., spoke to some of Dr. Fry’s amendments at the meeting as she was speaking in another meeting held simultaneously. All of Dr. Fry’s amendments were adopted.

The Honourable Hedy Fry, P.C., M.P., also spoke to the Rapporteur’s report, congratulating her on including reference to United Nations Security Council Resolution 1325 on the women, peace and security agenda and calling for ongoing dialogue, negotiation and peaceful resolution of disputes, despite challenges for the OSCE including the situation in Ukraine.

Mr. Luc Berthold, M.P., also spoke in response to the report by the Rapporteur, focusing his remarks on counter terrorism and the importance of understanding the causes and motivations that lead to terrorist acts.

D. General Committee on Economic Affairs, Science, Technology and Environment (Second General Committee)   

Chair: Vacant

Vice-Chair: Nilza Sena (Portugal)

Rapporteur: Marietta Tidei (Italy)

The Committee considered and debated a draft report and resolution submitted by the Rapporteur. Ms. Tidei’s report and resolution covered a range of issues, including climate change, migration, corruption, food and water security, energy and economic cooperation. Following the presentation, delegates debated issues raised in the report and draft resolution, proposed and adopted amendments to the draft resolution, and adopted the resolution as amended.

In addition, the Committee debated and adopted the following supplementary items proposed by OSCE parliamentarians with amendments:

• Acting Against Corruption in the OSCE Region to Strengthen the Rule of Law (Ms. Cederfelt, Sweden)
• The 30th Anniversary of the Chernobyl Disaster (Mr. Gerasymov, Ukraine)

The following will be committee officers for 2016–2017:

• Nilza Sena (Portugal) – Chair
• Artur Gerasymov (Ukraine) – Vice-Chair
• Marietta Tidei (Italy) – Rapporteur

Canadian Participation:

• The Honourable Hedy Fry, P.C., M.P., Ms. Yasmin Ratansi, M.P., Mr. John Aldag, M.P., and Mr. Early Dreeshen, M.P. attended the Second General Committee meetings. Canadian delegates voted on the amendments to the draft resolution prepared by the rapporteur and on the supplementary items, though meetings were held concurrently so not all delegates were there at all times.

The Honourable Hedy Fry, P.C., M.P., sponsored a number of gender-related amendments to the Second General Committee Resolution which were adopted.

Ms. Yasmin Ratansi, M.P., spoke a number of times about corruption and the importance of good governance and transparency and outlined a number of Canadian initiatives in this regard.

Mr. John Aldag, M.P., spoke in response to the Rapporteur’s report regarding the threats posed by climate change and Canada’s commitments to addressing the issue.

Mr. Earl Dreeshen, M.P., spoke in response to the Rapporteur’s report regarding the Canadian response to the 2008 financial crisis, including tax reductions, strong banking regulation and stimulus spending.

E. General Committee on Democracy, Human Rights and Humanitarian Questions (Third General Committee)   

Chair: Isabel Santos (Portugal)

Vice-Chair: Ivana Dobesova (Czech Republic)

Rapporteur: Gordana Comic (Serbia)

The Committee considered and debated a draft report and resolution submitted by the Rapporteur. The Rapporteur was unable to attend the session in Tbilisi so the report was presented by the Chair of the Committee and the Vice-Chair chaired the meeting. The draft report focused largely on the Rapporteur’s concerns that the OSCE is suffering from a “lack of ideas and leadership” and a lack of developments in the human dimension in recent years. She mentioned LGBT rights, the rights of persons with disabilities and the influx of migrants and refugees as areas of particular concern where OSCE action is needed. She sees the current situation as eroding the “comprehensive” concept of security that is foundational to the OSCE, with too much focus on the political/military dimension.

In addition, the Committee debated and adopted the following resolutions proposed by OSCE parliamentarians with a number of amendments:

• Violations of Human Rights and Fundamental Freedoms in Crimea (Ms. Ahafonova, Ukraine)
• Law Enforcement Co-ordination to Prevent Child Sexual Exploitation and Trafficking by Known Sex Offenders (Mr. Smith, USA)
• A Call for OSCE Action to Address Violence and Discrimination (Mr. Cardin, USA)
• The Rights of Refugees (Mr. Voisin, France)
• The Security Challenges of Migration (Ms. Dobesova, Czech Republic)
• Integrating Gender-based Analysis and Gender Mainstreaming in the Response to the Migrant and Refugee Crisis (Dr. Fry, Canada)

The following will be committee officers for 2016–2017:

• Ignacio Sanchez Amor (Spain) – Chair
• Ivana Dobesova (Czech Republic) – Vice-Chair
• Kyriakos Kyriakou-Hadjiyanni (Cypress) – Rapporteur

Canadian Participation:

• All Canadian parliamentarians attended meetings of the Third General Committee. Delegates voted on the amendments to the draft resolution prepared by the rapporteur and on the supplementary items, though meetings were held concurrently so not all delegates were there at all times.

The Honourable Hedy Fry, P.C., M.P., proposed a supplementary item on gender mainstreaming in the response to the influx of migrants and refugees into Europe that was adopted. Dr. Fry also proposed a number of amendments to the Rapporteur’s report and gave remarks calling for balance between humanitarian and security responses to the influx of migrants and refugees. She called for OSCE participating States to work together to develop common practices, develop managed migration policies and share the burden.

Ms. Yasmin Ratansi, M.P., spoke in support of Dr. Fry’s SI.

Senator Vernon White, proposed an amendment to the SI on child sexual exploitation to promote the marking, refusal and/or revoking of passports to prevent child sexual exploitation offences overseas.

Mr. Early Dreeshen, M.P., spoke in support of the same SI on overseas child sexual exploitation, noting a number of Canadian initiatives to address the issue.

Ms. Christine Moore, M.P., spoke to the Rapporteur’s report, calling for compassion in responding to the influx of migrants and refugees to Europe. She focused her remarks on the importance of efforts to successfully integrate new arrivals.

F. Elections   

During the closing plenary session, elections were held for three Vice-Presidential positions and for the President. Ms. Christine Muttonen (Austria) was elected President. Ms. Vilija Alkenaite Abramikiene (Lithuania), Mr. Azay Guliyev (Azerbaijan) and Ms. Isabel Santos (Portugal) were elected vice-presidents. However, because Ms. Muttonen was a Vice-President and became President, leaving her vice-presidential position empty, the 4th candidate for Vice-President, Mr. Victor Paul Dobre (Romania) also became a Vice- President.[6]

G. Additional Activities of the Canadian Delegation   

The Honourable Hedy Fry, P.C., M.P., co-hosted the OSCE PA’s annual gender lunch, along with the Parliament of Georgia. The theme of the luncheon was “Transforming Gender Equality Goals into Concrete Action.” Ms. Manana Kobakhidze, First Vice-Speaker of the Georgian parliament, gave the keynote address. Participants also discussed the following question: “From commitment to action: what are the concrete actions for success in achieving gender equality.” Dr. Fry also attended a working lunch for heads of delegation hosted by the Georgian parliament where the Prime Minister and others spoke about Georgia’s experiences of democratization. Dr. Fry also attended a meeting of the OSCE PA’s Ad Hoc Committee on Migration as she is a member of that committee.

Members of the Canadian delegation attended the gender lunch, as well as side events hosted by Parliamentarians for Nuclear Non-Proliferation and Disarmament, by the American delegation on child exploitation, by the Ukrainian delegation on human rights in Crimea and by the Finnish delegation on mediation and women negotiators, as well as holding a side meeting with the Israeli delegation.

Respectfully submitted,

The Honourable Hedy Fry, P.C., M.P.
Director  
Canadian Delegation to the Organization for Security and
Co-operation in Europe Parliamentary Assembly
(OSCE PA)