Efthymiou, Soares meet OSCE Chair-in-Office in Dublin
OSCE Parliamentary Assembly President Petros Efthymiou expressed support today for the Irish Chairmanship agenda, including internet freedom and conflict resolution, during a meeting with Ireland's Deputy Prime Minister and Minister for Foreign Affairs and Trade Eamon Gilmore.
The Assembly's Special Representative on South Caucasus Joao Soares and Secretary General Spencer Oliver joined President Efthymiou in the meeting with Gilmore to discuss common goals to further the OSCE's comprehensive approach to security. Frank Cogan, chair of the OSCE Task Force, also participated in the meeting.
Human rights chair welcomes release of Zhovtis
COPENHAGEN, 1 February 2012 – OSCE Parliamentary Assembly human rights committee chair Matteo Mecacci (Italy) today welcomed the news that Kazakhstani authorities are set to release imprisoned human rights defender Yvgeny Zhovtis under a general amnesty later this month.
"I hope Mr. Zhovtis' release from prison will be the beginning of a new chapter in developing fundamental freedoms and human rights in Kazakhstan," said Mecacci, chair of the OSCE PA Committee on Democracy, Human Rights and Humanitarian Questions. "I look forward to Mr. Zhovtis continuing the important human rights work he was doing before his arrest."
Habsburg Douglas hosts Kyrgyz Parliamentarians in Sweden
STOCKHOLM, 31 January 2012 – OSCE Parliamentary Assembly Vice President Walburga Habsburg Douglas (Sweden) is co-hosting a delegation of parliamentarians this week from the Parliament of the Kyrgyz Republic on a study visit to Sweden.
The visiting delegation includes representatives of all five political parties in the Kyrgyzstani Parliament. The delegation will meet with Swedish parliamentarians, including colleagues from the committees on constitutional issues and foreign affairs. Visiting parliamentarians will also hold meetings at the Foreign Ministry and be briefed on the work of the parliamentary ombudsman.
Concern raised over Kyrgyzstan prison conditions
COPENHAGEN, 26 January 2012 – Matteo Mecacci, Chair of the OSCE PA human rights committee today called for respect of human rights and easing of conditions in Kyrgyzstan prisons after the government reported 80 per cent of the country's prisoners are on a hunger strike.
More than 400 detainees in four correctional facilities in Kyrgyzstan are reported to have sewn their mouths shut as part of a protest demanding improved prison conditions.
The inmates' actions follow the shutting down of the last common cell, in which inhabitants had the freedom to move around in day and night.
OSCE Secretary General visits Parliamentary Assembly
COPENHAGEN, 24 January 2012 – OSCE Secretary General Lamberto Zannier stressed the importance of parliamentary engagement today during a meeting with OSCE Parliamentary Assembly Secretary General Spencer Oliver.
The two discussed prospects for closer co-operation between the Assembly and OSCE executive structures, including enhancing the OSCE's efforts to prevent and respond to emerging crisis situations.