OSCE: DRAFT STATEMENT ON EFFECTIVE PARTICIPATION

UNCLAS SECTION 01 OF 02 STATE 159370

SIPDIS

SIPDIS

E.O. 12958: N/A
TAGS: OSCE PHUM
SUBJECT: OSCE: DRAFT STATEMENT ON EFFECTIVE PARTICIPATION
IN DEMOCRATIC SOCIETIES

REF: USOSCE 440

(U) USOSCE is authorized to join consensus on the following
draft decision, MC.DD/10/07/Rev.3, (with proposed change as
noted in paragraph 2) which is scheduled to be discussed at
the Prep Com this week. Post should seek the change outlined
in paragraph 2, but should not break consensus should this
change not be attainable.


2. (SBU) Proposed changes:

In operative paragraph 2, press for deletion of &all8
before the phrase "Human Rights and Fundamental Freedoms"


3. (U) Begin Text

The Ministerial Council,

(1.) Recalling that in the Charter of Paris for a new Europe,
adopted at the Second Meeting of Heads of State of Government
of the CSCE in Paris (1990) the participating States
undertook "to build, consolidate and strengthen democracy as
the only system of government of our nations" and in this
regard, reaffirming the commitments that participating States
undertook in Copenhagen (1990),Bonn (1990),Moscow (1991),
Helsinki (1992) and Istanbul
(1999),

(2.) Recognizing that providing conditions for the effective
participation in public life of all individuals, within the
framework provided by law, represents an indispensable
component of every democratic society and contributes to the
development of a sense of belonging and societal cohesion,

(3.) Recognizing that the full enjoyment of the rights to
freedom of association and expression and the right to
peaceful assembly are indispensable foundations for effective
public participation,

(4.) Recognizing that public confidence in elections results
from the transparency of the electoral process, including its
unhindered election observation by international and domestic
observers, including the ODIHR and the OSCE Parliamentary
Assembly, and accountability of the election officials,

(5.) Recognizing that a transparent, accountable and
effectively monitored election process also, enhances the
effective political participation of all segments of society,
including women, persons belonging to national minorities,
migrants eligible under domestic law and youth and voters
with special needs,

(6.) Recognizing that democracy is only sustainable when men
and women are equally enfranchised in the decision-making
process through their effective political and public
participation,

(7.) Acknowledging the political, economic and social
benefits of pluralism and of respect for cultural and
religious diversity in our societies,

(8.) Reaffirming OSCE commitments concerning the rights of
persons belonging to national minorities, Roma and Sinti as
well as migrants legally residing in host countries,

(9.) Convinced that the promotion of effective participation
is a valuable tool in enabling participating States to
strengthen democracy, to further develop inclusive societies,
to combat social exclusion and to minimize risks of tensions
which may arise from cultural and religious diversity,

(10.) Noting the OSCE's 2007 Human Dimension Seminar on
Effective Participation and Representation in Democratic
Societies as well as the recommendations that emanated from
it,

Calls on the participating States to:


1. Provide, within the framework of the law, opportunity for
the full and equal participation of all individuals within
society in political, economic, social and cultural life
including through democratic participation in decision-making
without discrimination on the grounds of race, colour, sex,
language, religion or belief, political or other opinion,
national or social origin, property, disability, birth or
other status;


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2. Provide for a framework, including a legal environment,
conducive to the full enjoyment of all human rights and
fundamental freedoms, in particular the rights to freedom of
association and expression, and the right to peaceful
assembly;


3. Further promote democratic elections conducted in a
transparent and accountable manner, including its unhindered
observation by the ODIHR, the OSCE Parliamentary Assembly and
other independent international and national observers, to
instill public confidence, competition, fair representation
and effective participation;


4. Facilitate the effective functioning of parliaments,
independent of the executive, as key instruments of law
making, democratic oversight and political dialogue in
representative democracies;


5. Facilitate that the law-making process is conducted in a
transparent and participatory manner, and is open for input
from civil society;



6. Ensure that legal environments for the registration and
functioning of political parties and non-governmental
organizations do not impede effective participation;


7. Ensure that media can operate freely in order to provide
platforms for genuine debate on issues confronting societies;


8. Promote, when appropriate, the components of civic
education in the curricula of educational institutions in
order to equip children and youth with the skills that they
need to effectively participate in public life;


9. Provide conditions that encourage persons belonging to
under-represented and disadvantaged groups to exercise their
political rights and effectively participate in electoral
processes as voters and candidates;


10. Enhance the implementation of the relevant provisions of
the 2004 OSCE Action Plan on Gender Equality adopted by the
Permanent Council in 2003 (PC.DEC/566),and UN Security
Council resolution 1325 in order to ensure equal
opportunities for the participation of women in all aspects
of political and public life;


11. Implement the relevant provisions of the 2003 Action Plan
on Improving the Situation of Roma and Sinti within the OSCE
Area by appropriate national instruments, at the national and
local levels in order to enhance the participation of Roma
and Sinti in public and political life;


12. Take appropriate measures in order to encourage the
participation of youth in political life, (including, when
eligible, as voters and candidates in free and fair
elections;)


13. Seek to provide migrants legally residing in host
countries, within the framework provided by law, with
opportunities for effective participation in public life;


14. Encourage civil society participation in and contribution
to the processes of governance by promoting consultation and
co-operation between the authorities and non-governmental
organizations;


15. Encourage OSCE institutions, based on existing
commitments, to continue sharing best practices in promoting
effective participation in democratic societies amongst
participating States.

End text.
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