Statement by the Russian Federation on the second Supplementary Human Dimension Meeting (16-17 May, Vienna)

Statement by the Russian Federation on the second

Supplementary Human Dimension Meeting

(16-17 May, Vienna)

The Russian Federation states the following with regard to the Supplementary Human Dimension Meeting on the topic: «Functioning Democratic Institutions in Times of Crisis» (Vienna, 16-17 May).

We deeply regret the decision of the Polish Chairmanship-in-Office (CiO) to conduct this meeting with the assistance of the OSCE/ODIHR (as prescribed by p.II, para 5 of the PC Decision №476) without reaching an agreement among all participating States on the «package» of human dimension events, which includes Human Dimension Implementation Meeting, Human Dimension Seminar and the three Supplementary Human Dimension Meetings (SHDMs).

Given the openly hostile thematic context of the SHDM concerning the Russian Federation, attempts to impose blatantly politicized views and misinterpretations, we would like to recall that in accordance with its mandate the CiO is obliged to reflect the collective position of all OSCE participating States, taking into account the full range of their approaches.

Moreover, we are deeply concerned by the unilateral and unjustified decision of the Polish CiO to deprive a number of respected Russian non-governmental organizations of registration for the SHDM. This gives serious grounds for reflection on the ability of the official Warsaw to perform its functions of the OSCE CiO. It is well-known that the Polish CiO constantly and deliberately abuses its duties and violates its mandate as an „honest broker” by shamelessly promoting views of some countries or blocks.

Since the position of the Russian Federation with respect to the work of the OSCE human dimension in general and to this SHDM in particular was maliciously ignored by the Polish CiO, the delegation of the Russian Federation has to abstain from official participation in the Meeting mentioned. In conclusion, we would like to emphasize that the effective work of the OSCE is only then possible, and would have an added value, when the interests of all are addressed on the consensus basis.