BELGRADE, 6 July 2011 – The Standing Committee of the OSCE Parliamentary Assembly voted today to approve 25 resolutions for consideration in the three general committees.

Four resolutions dealing with human rights in Belarus, human trafficking, organized crime, and women’s representation at the Assembly were assigned to be debated Saturday in the plenary.

The Standing Committee is comprised of the Assembly’s elected leadership and Heads of Delegation from all participating States present at the Belgrade Annual Session.

Committee work begins 7 July. Resolutions will be considered for inclusion in the Assembly’s Belgrade Declaration, which helps set OSCE policy and shape domestic legislation.

The Belgrade Annual Session, including committee debates and votes, are open to the press and public, and will be streaming online. The session runs 6-10 July 2011.

The OSCE Parliamentary Assembly is comprised of 320 parliamentarians from 55 countries spanning, Europe, Central Asia and North America. The Assembly provides a forum for parliamentary diplomacy, monitors elections, and strengthens international cooperation to uphold commitments on political, security, economic, environmental and human rights issues.