Chairman-in-Office stresses OSCE role in European security at annual human rights meeting
OSCE Chairman-in-Office, Portuguese Foreign Minister Antonio Martins da Cruz. (OSCE) Photo details
WARSAW, 9 September 2002 - Recalling the terrorist attacks against the United States nearly a year ago, the OSCE Chairman-in-Office, Portuguese Foreign Minister Antonio Martins da Cruz, today stressed the important role the OSCE plays in European security.
"Within the OSCE, security entails the strengthening of democratic institutions, encouraging economic prosperity and social inclusiveness, preventing conflicts and building security at the national and international levels", Foreign Minister da Cruz said in his opening speech at this year's OSCE Human Dimension Implementation Meeting in Warsaw.
"The fight against terrorism is a very complex issue. But at no stage should it be done at the expense of respect for human rights".
"The OSCE's Human Dimension commitments stress that pluralistic democracy based on the rule of law is the only system of government suitable to ensure freedom in it widest sense", Minister da Cruz added.
He put particular emphasis on strengthening the rule of law and the independence of the judiciary. "An open and transparent law-making process safeguards against hidden interests and helps to ensure better compliance with the OSCE's Human Dimension commitments", he said.
Foreign Minister da Cruz called for a more concerted approach to eradicating torture and ill-treatment in the OSCE region. "Since most of these cases take place in prisons and concern persons under detention, a thorough approach to the issue of prison reform could mean an important step in the right direction", he said.
The Chairman-in-Office stressed the important role of the OSCE in protecting freedom of thought, conscience, religion and belief. "This is a subject of major importance and definitely deserves increased attention, especially after the events of September 11th. The OSCE is particularly well positioned to deal with these issues", he said.
Minister da Cruz reminded the participating States of their responsibility to co-operate in the fight against trafficking, adding that adequate victim protection and assistance deserved particular attention. The Chairman-in-Office also expressed his hope that the Warsaw meeting would produce a comprehensive document on election standards.
"Within the OSCE, security entails the strengthening of democratic institutions, encouraging economic prosperity and social inclusiveness, preventing conflicts and building security at the national and international levels", Foreign Minister da Cruz said in his opening speech at this year's OSCE Human Dimension Implementation Meeting in Warsaw.
"The fight against terrorism is a very complex issue. But at no stage should it be done at the expense of respect for human rights".
"The OSCE's Human Dimension commitments stress that pluralistic democracy based on the rule of law is the only system of government suitable to ensure freedom in it widest sense", Minister da Cruz added.
He put particular emphasis on strengthening the rule of law and the independence of the judiciary. "An open and transparent law-making process safeguards against hidden interests and helps to ensure better compliance with the OSCE's Human Dimension commitments", he said.
Foreign Minister da Cruz called for a more concerted approach to eradicating torture and ill-treatment in the OSCE region. "Since most of these cases take place in prisons and concern persons under detention, a thorough approach to the issue of prison reform could mean an important step in the right direction", he said.
The Chairman-in-Office stressed the important role of the OSCE in protecting freedom of thought, conscience, religion and belief. "This is a subject of major importance and definitely deserves increased attention, especially after the events of September 11th. The OSCE is particularly well positioned to deal with these issues", he said.
Minister da Cruz reminded the participating States of their responsibility to co-operate in the fight against trafficking, adding that adequate victim protection and assistance deserved particular attention. The Chairman-in-Office also expressed his hope that the Warsaw meeting would produce a comprehensive document on election standards.