International organizations review threats to security and stability

VIENNA, 13 February 2004 - High-level representatives of the United Nations (UN), the Council of Europe (CoE) and the Organization for Security and Co-operation in Europe (OSCE) met today, in Vienna, to discuss how to respond to threats to security and stability in the 21st century and how to improve co-operation in the field.

They agreed to step up the fight against racism, xenophobia, intolerance, anti-Semitism, Islamophobia and discrimination and called for implementation of the relevant decisions taken by the OSCE Ministerial Council in Maastricht in December 2003. They also highlighted the Council of Europe's conventions and monitoring mechanisms in this field and urged closer co-operation between partner organizations, including the UN system (x). They further stressed the importance of social cohesion for long-term stability and the need for full integration of migrants into host societies, including migrant workers and refugees, settlement of internally displaced persons, and balanced approaches towards migration management.

Participants underlined the need for a common and effective framework to combat terrorist acts, which gravely impact on human rights, in particular the right to life. They underscored the need to respect human rights under international law, including where applicable, humanitarian law. In this regard they welcomed the Council of Europe's Guidelines on Human Rights and the Fight against Terrorism and the work presently underway in the CoE in that spirit. They also welcomed the initiative by the OSCE's Office for Democratic Institutions and Human Rights to hold an expert seminar in the spring of 2004 in Copenhagen on the protection of human rights while countering terrorism. Furthermore, participants welcomed the publication of the Digest of Jurisprudence of the UN and regional organizations on the protection of human rights while countering terrorism.

Highlighting the importance of preventive action to counter terrorism, they noted that tolerance, respect for the rule of law, democratic values and human rights remained a sound basis for responding to the threat of terrorism.

Participants also noted that a comprehensive approach to security, emphasizing the link between long-term development and conflict prevention, is vital in tackling the underlying causes of terrorism. The Millennium Development Goals were recognized as a framework for collaboration. Immediate efforts should particularly concentrate on needs assessments to achieve the millenium targets at the country level.

The meeting called for ratification of international conventions and protocols related to the prevention and suppression of terrorism and welcomed the growing co-operation between organizations on practical assistance activities to implement counter-terrorism obligations under UN Security Council Resolution 1373 of 28 September 2001.

Participants agreed to step up co-operation to curb organized crime and corruption, which posed a serious threat to human security and democratic values. They took note of the entry into force of the UN Convention against Transnational Organized Crime (TOC) and its two protocols on Trafficking in Human Beings and smuggling and encouraged all countries to ratify and implement them.

Reiterating their commitment to protect the rights of trafficked persons, including children, they welcomed the forthcoming establishment of an OSCE mechanism to provide assistance to participating States to combat trafficking in human beings. They also expressed their support for the drafting of a European convention on action against trafficking in human beings by the Council of Europe, building on the United Nations' achievements in this area and geared to striking a proper balance between the protection of victims' human rights and the prosecution of traffickers. They agreed to set up a communication network to launch an awareness-raising campaign on human trafficking issues.

The meeting also noted other important agreements and declarations on trafficking such as the "Brussels Declaration", constituting a corner stone of the EU fight against trafficking in human beings.

Participants welcomed the adoption of the OSCE Strategy Document for the Economic and Environmental Dimension at the Maastricht Ministerial Council, which would foster greater economic and environmental co-operation among the participating States and increased security and stability in the OSCE region. Monitoring the implementation of commitments of this strategy calls for the active involvement of several international organizations and appropriate co-ordination.

The meeting voiced support for promoting and assisting police reform in the OSCE region, including Central Asia and the southern Caucasus.

Participants commended the constructive dialogue during the Target-Oriented Meeting on activities of and co-operation between partner international organizations in the southern Caucasus. The meeting provided a forum for exchanging information on ongoing and planned activities among international players in the southern Caucasus and sought to facilitate co-ordination and identify possibilities for enhanced co-operation.

Participants agreed on the usefulness of fostering co-ordinated approaches by the International Community, so as to promote synergies and improve co-operation. This should lead, as appropriate, to a further improvement of interaction in the field. Such interaction should be complemented by more systematic exchanges at headquarters level, taking into account experiences in other areas. This process should be flexible and pragmatic. It should be geographically and/or thematically focused. Participants underscored the importance of exchanging information on the respective programmes of activities at the beginning of each year.

Calling for international co-operation and co-ordination in police-related activities the meeting also advocated establishing common standards for police training taking into account the CoE's Code of Ethics for the Police, and the UN Code of Conduct for Law Enforcement Officials.

Proper border management, and cross-border co-operation were seen as key tools to address many threats and challenges to security and stability. Participants stressed the need for better co-ordination of international community assistance in this area, and improved co-operation in the field.

On education, it was agreed that the CoE, the UN and its relevant agencies as well as the OSCE should increase co-operation, to which the IOM would also contribute.

Participants expressed serious concern for the security of staff working in the field, particularly in the light of the deadly attacks directed against personnel of international organizations, both local and international, and pledged to give the highest priority to staff security.

Participants also discussed improved information sharing, security assessment and operational security procedures in the field. They agreed to study the feasibility of joint enhanced training programmes, and urged closer co-operation with local authorities.

The meeting, chaired by the Secretary General of the OSCE, Ambassador Jan Kubis, was also attended by the European Union, represented by the European Commission and the General Secretariat of the Council of the European Union, the International Organization for Migration and the International Committee of the Red Cross.

It was agreed that the CoE should host the next meeting in early 2005.

(x) Representatives from the UN system, including DPA, DPKO, IAEA, UNDP, UNHCR, UNHCHR, UNICEF and UNODC, also attended the meeting.