Enhanced Structure and Geographical Balance: Reforming the OSCE's Human Dimension Meetings

Summary

ABSTRACT

Competing with other international and regional intergovernmental organisations in the area of fundamental freedoms and human rights, the review mechanism of the Organisation for Security and Co-operation in Europe (OSCE) Human Dimension is currently struggling for to maintain its relevance. The article provides an overview of the reform proposals concerning the review conferences of OSCE Human Dimension and advocates in favour of a comprehensive reform of the OSCE Human Dimension Meetings in order to rebuild trust and efficiency within the OSCE‘s human dimension of security. Different reform proposals presented in the past are analysed, followed by the presentation of a comprehensive reform proposal, suggesting a new ‘ OSCE Human Dimension Implementation Review Mechanism ‘ (IRM).

INTRODUCTION

This article advocates in favour of a comprehensive reform of the OSCE Human Dimension Meetings in order to rebuild trust and efficiency within the OSCE‘s human dimension of security. The work in the OSCE‘s human dimension of security should be more structured, geographically balanced and more innovative in order to fulfil one of its main tasks, which is to identify and recommend areas of concrete political action for the OSCE participating States. Furthermore, the OSCE‘s human dimension of security should be of enhanced operational relevance for the political-military and the economic-environmental dimensions.

First, an overview of the review meetings of OSCE Human Dimension in the context of the OSCE‘s comprehensive security concept will be provided, followed by an outline of the urgent need for reform of these meetings. Furthermore, different reform proposals presented in the past will be analysed, to be followed by the presentation of a comprehensive reform proposal, introducing a new IRM.

THE OSCE HUMAN DIMENSION AND ITS REVIEW MEETINGS IN THE CONTEXT OF THE OSCE ‘ S COMPREHENSIVE SECURITY CONCEPT

Since the adoption of the Helsinki Final Act in 1975, politically binding commitments in the field of human rights and fundamental freedoms as well as the regular review of their implementation by the participating States play a crucial role within the OSCE.