Jan 13, 2012
Ireland and the OSCE
In December of 2009 we discussed on the blog the announcement that Ireland was to take over the Chair of the Organization for Security and Co-Operation in Europe (OSCE) in 2012. The OSCE is a regional European security body that has over 56 participating states including members in Europe, Central Asia and North America such as the United States, the UK, the Holy See, France, Russia and Canada. Ireland joined the organisation as an original member in 1973, though the organisation in its current form emerged in 1994 in the post Cold War era. Its work covers areas such as arms control, anti-trafficking, combating terrorism, conflict prevention, democratisation, elections, gender equality, minority rights, policing, rule of law, tolerance and non-discrimination.
Since the announcement the OSCE has undergone the Chairship of Lithuania and Kazakhstan, the latter having been an extremely controversial choice given its human rights record. Indeed quite a number of human rights organisations have been critical of both the choice and the lack of reform in Kazakhstan following and during its tenure. Indeed Amnesty International 2011 Report on Kazakhstan states that,
Reports of torture or other ill-treatment remained widespread, despite government promises to adopt a zero tolerance policy toward its practice. Impunity for such human rights violations persisted. The authorities stepped up efforts to forcibly return asylum-seekers and refugees to China and Uzbekistan under national security and counter-terrorism measures.
Given, what many argued was an ill-considered choice of Chair for the OSCE, it is incumbent on the states which followed, Lithuania and now Ireland, to re-establish the OSCE’s reputation, most particularly in the field of human rights. On this note, the Tánaiste Eamon Gilmore presented the priorities for Ireland’s term of as Chair of the organisation. In his address to the Organization, the Tánaiste stressed that Ireland’s priorities would be,
working to achieve full respect for human rights and fundamental freedoms, democratic institutions and the rule of law, and working towards full implementation of OSCE Human Dimension commitments.
More specifically, Ireland’s chairship is committed to internet freedom in furthering the organisations commitment to freedom of expression and media in the digital age. The chairship will also focus on racism, discrimination and intolerance in sport. Given the recent controversies in English football on this topic and the impending Olympic Games and European Championships in Poland and Ukraine, this seems prescient, though perhaps the addition of gendered discrimination would have been pertinent given ongoing controversies in this area. The Tánaiste also listed trafficking in human beings, freedom of association and assembly, professional and ethical standards in democratic life, freedom of religion or belief, and the legislative process as priorities. In the area of security tackling organised crime, cyber threats, drugs, terrorism and trafficking were highlighted.
As part of the Chairship Ireland appoints Special and Personal Representatives, including former Chair of the Irish Law Reform Commission and Supreme Court Judge, Mrs. Justice Catherine McGuinness as Personal Representative Combating Racism, Xenophobia and Discrimination focusing on Intolerance and Discrimination against Christians and Members of Other Religions. While the other choices represent a wide inter-national spread and expertise, there is a real lack of gender balance in the appointments.
Ireland may be constrained in its activities by the current financial constraints on the economy with several voices raising concerns about the ability of Ireland to successfully take on such an important global role with such limited resources. The damage done to the reputation of the Organization that seeks to see itself as a champion of human rights and human security during Kazakhstan’s ill-considered tenure in office makes Ireland’s chairship all the more important. It also presents an opportunity to the new Government in Ireland to establish Ireland in world relations beyond the current financial troubles as a credible voice in human rights and conflict management. This obviously requires a commitment to both of these not only in its Chairship but also by leading by example, particularly in this economically difficult period. The damage caused by Kazakhstan was due to its domestic record and not its handling of the Chairship. The Irish Government should take heed of this and not only make positive steps as Chair but also lead by example by tackling difficult human rights issues at home.
