THE ORGANISATION FOR SECURITY AND CO-OPERATION IN EUROPE (OSCE)

Question 1

What are the main functions and roles of the OSCE?

Answer 1

arms control, the promotion of human rights, freedom of the press, and free and fair elections

Question 2

What are its main goals?

Answer 2

promote democracy, human rights and the rule of law, to overcome differences between states and to build trust through close cooperation

Question 3

Is the OSCE the largest regional security organisation?

Answer 3

the world’s largest regional organization which consists of 57 States of Europe, Central Asia and North America.

Question 4

What are its structures and institutions?

Answer 4

2. Institutions, Field Operations, and Specialized Units:
   
   • OSCE Institutions: The OSCE has several institutions, including the Office for Democratic Institutions and Human Rights (ODIHR), the High Commissioner on National Minorities (HCNM), and the Representative on Freedom of the Media. These institutions have specific mandates related to human rights, minority rights, and media freedom.
   • Field Operations: The OSCE has a network of field operations in various countries, which carry out activities related to conflict prevention, crisis management, and post-conflict rehabilitation. These field operations work closely with local authorities and civil society to address security challenges and promote stability.
   • Specialized Units: The OSCE also has specialized units focused on areas such as counter-terrorism, transnational threats, economic and environmental activities, and gender equality. These units provide expertise and support to participating States in addressing specific security challenges.
3. Secretariat:
   
   • The OSCE Secretariat, based in Vienna, provides administrative and organizational support to the decision-making bodies, institutions, field operations, and specialized units. It also facilitates coordination and communication among the various components of the organization.
4. Participating States:
   
   • The OSCE consists of 57 participating States from North America, Europe, and Central Asia. Participating States are represented in the decision-making bodies and play a key role in shaping the organization’s policies and activities.

Question 5

What are its decision-making bodies?

Answer 5

Decision-Making Bodies:
- Ministerial Council: Comprised of foreign ministers or other high-level officials from OSCE participating States, the Ministerial Council meets annually to make decisions on political and security-related issues.
- Permanent Council: This is the main regular decision-making body of the OSCE, composed of ambassadors from participating States. It meets weekly in Vienna to discuss and make decisions on various aspects of the organization’s work.

Question 6

What structures and institutions put decisions into practice?

Question 7

What countries are involved in the international activity of the OSCE?

Question 8

document

Answer 8

Helsinki Accords

Question 9

when:

Answer 9

1973