Special Representative of the OSCE Chairman-in-Office on Civil Society Andreja Stojkovski and OSCE PA Special Representative on Civil Society Engagement Kyriakos Hadjiyianni in Vienna, 26 June 2023VIENNA, 26 June 2023 – At the third OSCE Supplementary Human Dimension Meeting of 2023 on the “Role of Civil Society in the Promotion and Protection of Tolerance and Non-Discrimination,” OSCE PA Special Representative on Civil Society Engagement Kyriakos Hadjiyianni (Cyprus) underlined the role civil society organizations play in tackling discrimination and intolerance in democratic societies, as well as the role of national parliaments in guaranteeing, protecting and promoting the participation of civil society in parliamentary and decision-making processes.
“It is impossible to tackle the issues of discrimination and intolerance alone for any authority or institution. I truly believe that we must work together, by involving all relevant actors – parliaments, governments, experts in the field, civil society and academia, among others. Parliamentarians, as public officials, have a key role as political leaders, and are natural partners for civil society as we can benefit from your expertise and amplify your constructive messaging,” stressed Hadjiyianni during his speech at the opening session.
The Special Representative described the OSCE PA’s efforts to address the issue of the shrinking space for civil society – for example by passing resolutions which can then be applied to the national legislative and policy framework, specifically mentioning one that will be considered at the 2023 Annual Session in Vancouver in just a few days. Also important is the PA’s role as a forum to bring together parliamentarians and experts to identify best practices in dealing with the cases of discrimination and intolerance and with the issues pertaining to enhancing the role of civil society.
The third OSCE Supplementary Human Dimension Meeting of the year is taking place on 26-27 June and is organized by the OSCE Chairpersonship of North Macedonia and OSCE Office for Democratic Institutions and Human Rights (ODIHR).
As part of his visit to Vienna, the OSCE PA Special Representative on Civil Society Engagement also met with the Special Representative of the OSCE Chairman-in-Office on Civil Society Andreja Stojkovski to discuss common issues the civil society faces in the OSCE region, as well as to identify possible areas for co-operation. He also held a meeting with the Vienna staff of the OSCE PA International Secretariat.
More information about the work of the OSCE PA Special Representative on Civil Society Engagement can be found here.
