Marco Bonabello, Kamil Aydin and Michael McElgunn in Dublin, 3 October 2024DUBLIN, 4 October 2024 – On the margins of the OSCE Parliamentary Assembly’s 22nd Autumn Meeting this week in Dublin, the ad hoc committees on counter-terrorism, migration, and Ukraine, as well as the Network of Young Parliamentarians, met to discuss ongoing work and a range of relevant issues.
Chaired by Kamil Aydin (Türkiye), the Ad Hoc Committee on Countering Terrorism (CCT) met Thursday to learn more about the fight against terrorism in Ireland, as well as to discuss upcoming CCT Activities. The CCT chair noted the value of examining the Irish experience with terrorism and welcomed Michael McElgunn, Assistant Commissioner at Ireland’s National Police and Security Service, to share his thoughts with the committee.
McElgunn described Ireland’s approach to counter-terrorism, recalling the history of violent extremism in Ireland, in particular the terrorist activities of groups such as the Irish Republican Army and its offshoots. Some of the lessons learned in Ireland after decades of counter-terrorism, he said, include the need to ensure that state responses are always conducted under the rule of law in order to maintain legitimacy, and the need for a strong focus on intelligence-gathering and sharing information. It is also important to pay close attention to how external events might exacerbate threats, he said, including the effects of online radicalization.
Pavlo Frolov, Member of the Ukrainian Delegation, addresses the PSTU in Dublin, 2 October 2024The meeting of the Parliamentary Support Team for Ukraine (PSTU) was chaired by OSCE PA President Pia Kauma, Chair (Finland) and Vice-President Mykyta Poturaiev (Ukraine). The PSTU engaged in a strategic discussion to define the way forward in the coming months. The discussion was introduced by President Kauma through a statement in which she outlined her vision for the short- to medium- terms. This included an exchange on thematic priorities, a possible follow-up visit to Kyiv, interaction with the governmental branch of the OSCE and with other international entities.
The discussion focused on how parliamentarians and the broader international community can most effectively support Ukraine in its fight for its sovereignty and territorial integrity within its internationally recognized borders. Several members of the Ukrainian Delegation to the OSCE PA addressed the committee, sharing tragic stories of the ongoing effects of the Russian Federation’s aggression, and highlighting priorities for shoring up Ukraine’s defences. Ensuring energy security was emphasized as essential, particularly in light of what is expected to be a difficult winter ahead.
Farima Daftary, Amr Taha and Daniela De Ridder in Dublin, 2 October 2024The OSCE PA’s Ad Hoc Committee on Migration, chaired by Vice-President Daniela De Ridder (Germany), met on Wednesday to discuss migration trends and upcoming activities. In a presentation by Amr Taha, Senior Regional Liaison and Policy Advisor at the International Organization for Migration (IOM), committee members heard about the progress that has been made since the adoption of the Global Compact on Migration. Taha’s remarks focused on promoting sustainable returns and addressing the root causes of migration, as well as its potentially mutually beneficial aspects for both destination countries and countries of origin.
In the discussion, committee members raised concerns about the demographic challenges in Europe and the impact of migration on labour markets. De Ridder stressed the need to adopt a positive narrative, noting that some regions, such as Morocco, face “brain drain” as skilled professionals emigrate. Taha stressed, however, that when well-managed, migration contributes significantly to economic development.
The committee discussed key takeaways from its recent visit to Morocco and proposals for upcoming activities. Vice-President De Ridder also briefly reported on her recent visit to Tel Aviv, Jerusalem and Ramallah, in which she learned about internal displacement due to ongoing hostilities in the Middle East.
OSCE PA Network of Young Parliamentarians in Dublin, 1 October 2024The meeting of the OSCE PA Network of Young Parliamentarians on Tuesday consisted of a day-long programme, starting with a briefing by Senator Lynn Ruane, Director General of the Irish Prison Service Caron McCaffrey, and Governor of Mountjoy Prison Ray Murtagh, followed by a visit to Mountjoy Prison. The programme concluded with a debate in Trinity College Dublin.
In the visit to the prison, the Network of Young Parliamentarians participated in a structured conversational process with prisoners, focused on how personal experiences shape individual perceptions of truth. Some 15 parliamentarians and several staff members participated in the event.
More information on the Autumn Meeting is available here.
For photos of the meeting, please visit the OSCE PA’s Flickr page.
Video of the Autumn Meeting is available here.
