Documents

Conclusions by the Chairman Max van der Stoel

The Working Table on Democratisation and Human Rights held its inaugural meeting in Geneva on the 18/19th of October. The Working Table was addressed by the Swiss Federal Councillor for Foreign Affairs Joseph Deiss, by the Special Co-ordinator of the Stability Pact Bodo Hombach and by the representative of the EU Presidency, Ambassador Timo Lahelma. In introducing the meeting, the Chairman underlined that its central purpose was to avoid project-driven solutions and to concentrate on developing a cohesive, priority-driven strategy.

The Table noted the need for cohesive action between all three Stability Pact Tables on cross-cutting issues such as corruption, judicial reform and human trafficking. It acknowledged concerns that trafficking in human beings be viewed as a human rights issue as well as a law enforcement problem. The Chairman undertook to ensure, through the Secretariat, close cooperation with sub-groups established by other Tables. The Presidency of the European Union referred to its framework document, which highlights the EU perception of the priority areas for the Working Table.

The Table supported the Chairman's desire to keep administrative structures to an absolute minimum and build instead on existing expertise and programmes. In light of the diversity of tasks assigned to the Table, the Chairman proposed a formula of open-ended task forces, lead by sponsoring organisations/countries, to meet on specific issues in priority areas and accelerate the development of concrete programs of action in priority areas.

The Table agreed with the Chairman that these task forces should be action oriented "coalitions of the willing" on each issue, dividing rationally labour among those best suited to do it. The task forces will be flexible tools for review, evaluation and harmonisation of activities and priorities. The mandate of the task forces will be to propose a program of action, to select and prioritise ongoing activities, identify complementarities and draw up inventories of projected events and activities. The Table welcomed Hungary's offer to convene a meeting between the Working Table Chairman, the Stability Pact Secretariat and task force representatives in Budapest on 24 January 2000 to assess progress in advance of the next plenary meeting of the Working Table.

Task forces should finalize concrete proposals by the Budapest meeting. They should also identify funding sources for activities undertaken.

The Chairman will assist the task forces in the evaluation, review and assessment of proposals and give guidance as appropriate.

The Chairman requested task force sponsors to make proposals, prior to the Budapest meeting, on how to involve relevant NGOs in their work.

The Chairman stressed that it was critical that countries of the region provide a significant input into the task forces. He also urged them to join forces to develop common projects of cross-border or regional character to contribute to swift action.

Human Rights and National Minorities

The Table felt that all states of the region should accept and implement existing human and minority rights obligations, including the Council of Europe Framework Convention on the Rights of National Minorities. It endorsed the initiative of the Council of Europe to launch, in cooperation with the OSCE Office of High Commissioner for National Minorities, a series of consultations between actors at the regional level. These consultations would also aim at a systematic analysis of the views of governments and national minorities in South Eastern Europe with regard to human rights and minority problems.

The Table endorsed the Chairman's proposal to establish a Task Force on Human Rights and Ethnic Minorities, sponsored by Slovenia. It also welcomed the offer of the Slovenian government to host a Conference in early 2000 on questions related to national minorities, to refine a concrete program of action, taking account of the above fact finding missions. The Table welcomed the proposal by the Council of Europe on a steering Group, composed inter alia of Slovenia, Council of Europe, OSCE High Commissioner for National Minorities and OSCE, in view of the Conference and other relevant task force activity.

The Table further noted that the vulnerability and displacement of Roma and Sinti populations throughout the region merited special attention. It requested the Human Rights and Ethnic Minorities Task Force to investigate specific measures to safeguard the rights of such populations on a region-wide basis.

Ombudsmen Institutions

The Table considered the Ombudsman Institution an important complement to judicial protection of human rights and an important mechanism through which to promote accountability and good governance. It welcomed the initiative, co-sponsored by Hungary and the Council of Europe, to host a conference on human rights and minority rights protection institutions in December in order to investigate opportunities to create, empower and network such institutions on a region-wide basis. The Table invited further consideration of how to provide practical and political assistance to human rights protection institutions under the auspices of the Good Governance Task Force.

Return

The Table felt that the Stability Pact offered a valuable framework to support constructive regional dialogue on return of refugees and displaced persons. The Table recognised that long-term solutions for refugees and displaced persons throughout the region were central to stability and should be treated comprehensively.

The Table supported the Humanitarian Issues Working Group (HIWG) under UNHCR auspices, in which many Stability Pact participating states and organisations take part. The Table called for close action-oriented cooperation with the HIWG. The UN welcomed the renewed impetus that the Stability Pact could give the HIWG. The Table welcomed the willingness of the HIWG to work within the framework of the Stability Pact. The Chairman of the Working Table will participate in the next meeting of the HIWG, scheduled for early December, and report to the Working Table on how the Stability Pact can creatively contribute to ongoing efforts.

Parliamentary cooperation

The Table recognised that the Stability Pact could provide impetus for enhancing relations between parliamentarians through several existing fora, including the European Parliament, the Council of Europe Parliamentary Assembly and the OSCE Parliamentary Assembly. The Table welcomed the interest expressed by several delegations from the region to facilitate closer substantive cooperation and exchange of expertise among democratically oriented parliamentarians. The Table endorsed the Chairman's proposal to invite the Royaumont process to consult with interested parties and develop an action plan to advances these prior to the 24 January meeting in Budapest.

Good Governance

The Table agreed that promoting transparent, accountable and responsive governance based on human rights values and principles is a key Stability Pact objective. The Table endorsed the Chairman's proposal to establish a task force on Good Governance, sponsored by the Council of Europe. In addition to developing measures to strengthen independent human rights institution-building, the task force will investigate means of rationalising public administration, taking innovative measures to combat corruption and strengthen local government and trans-frontier co-operation. Special attention will be given to bolstering local democratic processes throughout the region.

Gender

Participants committed themselves to advancing gender equality. The Table recommended that all task forces ensure that gender mainstreaming is reflected in their activities. After discussion, the Table agreed that the overall relevance of gender equality issues also justified the creation of a task force, sponsored by the OSCE, to focus specifically on this issue. The OSCE informed the Chairman that it will propose the appointment of the head of a local NGO to chair the task force. The Table welcomed the OSCE's willingness to provide initial administrative assistance and discuss longer-term support for partner organisations. The final composition of the task force will include representatives from regional NGOs and governments, to ensure inter-linkage between the states of the region and civil society elements. This task force will develop programs designed to strengthen existing NGO networks by improving communication and joint lobbying efforts. It will also implement measures designed to empower women politically. It will report to the Chairman of the Working Table in December 1999 with an action plan for 2000.

Media

The Table noted the various initiatives already under way in this field. It concurred with the Chairman's proposal to establish a Media Task Force, sponsored by the United Kingdom. The task force will advance a coordinated plan, including specific action to assist independent media in the Federal Republic of Yugoslavia, to promote freedom of expression throughout the region. The task force will consider, in particular, how the Stability Pact process can be used to promote adherence to existing international standards for freedom of expression and how ongoing efforts to improve regulatory frameworks could be given a regional dimension. The Table also endorsed the principle of a Charter for the protection of independent media, which the UK would draft and discuss within the task force. A draft proposal was circulated at the meeting. The Table felt that a Media Charter with verifiable commitments could be a critical tool to enhance the democratic transition of the countries in the region, and encouraged the task force to finalise the Charter within the shortest possible delay.

Education

Recognising that accelerated economic, political and social transitions in South Eastern Europe have placed great and varied strains on educational systems, the Table agreed to formulate a co-ordinated, concrete programme of educational reforms within an enhanced "Graz Process." Contributors will confer with a wide range of social partners from the region as well as the World Bank, Council of Europe, United Nations and OECD and give special consideration to the teaching of history throughout the region. Proposals are expected by the 15th of November.

The Table requested the "enhanced Graz process" to consider youth issues, with a view to making a proposal on how the process could include these issues in its proceedings.