The OSCE Parliamentary Assembly (OSCE PA)
The Organization for Security and Cooperation in Europe, the OSCE, is an organisation for security policy dialogue and cooperation in Europe. The organisation works to prevent conflicts and to protect human rights. An important task for its parliamentary assembly is to monitor parliamentary elections in different countries.
The OSCE was established in 1975, and the Parliamentary Assembly was formed in 1991. The Assembly consists of members of parliament from 57 participating states. In addition to countries in Europe, Russia, countries in the Caucasus and Central Asia, as well as the USA and Canada are also members. Each country is represented in relation to its size.
The OSCE's activities primarily focus on conflict-prevention measures, protection of national minorities, human rights, support for democracy-building, arms control and confidence- and security-building measures.
Adopts resolutions
The OSCE's Parliamentary Assembly debates topical issues and adopts non-binding resolutions designed to increase security and cooperation in Europe. Resolutions are not legally binding for the member states, but can influence their foreign policy.
The Parliamentary Assembly has three annual meetings, also called sessions: a winter meeting, a summer meeting and an autumn meeting. Every other year a special meeting is also held focusing on economic issues. Work is carried out in plenary sessions and in three committees. The committees are as follows:
- The General Committee on Political Affairs
- The General Committee on Economic Affairs, Science, Technology and Environment
- The General Committee on Democracy, Human Rights and Humanitarian Questions
The Assembly may also appoint special working groups for different subject areas or countries. Special representatives can also be appointed by the President of the Parliamentary Assembly to promote dialogue and to gain better knowledge of a specific issue.
Election-monitoring missions
In order to promote democratic development, the Parliamentary Assembly monitors parliamentary elections and, in certain cases, presidential elections, in various countries. The monitoring missions are often carried out in new democracies in the former Soviet Union, Central and Eastern Europe, in Central Asia, as well as in the USA. These are sometimes carried out in collaboration with the Parliamentary Assembly of the Council of Europe (PACE), the NATO Parliamentary Assembly and the European Parliament.
The Swedish OSCE delegation participates actively in the monitoring of elections. Whenever possible, members of the Riksdag who have received training also take part in the Swedish OSCE delegation during elections They then visit polling stations before and during election day in order to monitor compliance with election laws.
The Swedish delegation
The Riksdag delegation to the OSCE is elected by the Riksdag for an entire electoral period, that is for four years. The delegation comprises eight members, from whom a chair and deputy chair are elected at an inaugural meeting for the full electoral period. Every year, the delegation submits an annual report of its activities to the Riksdag. The report is considered by the Committee on Foreign Affairs and a debate is held in the Chamber.