This hearing examined the United States’ policy towards the Organization for Security and Cooperation in Europe, in particular how to support the OSCE’s human rights work in the face of opposition to it from several countries within the OSCE. The witnesses and commissioners discussed ways in which the U.S. can strengthen the priority given to human rights and humanitarian concerns within the OSCE. Priorities identifed were: supporting oppressed people of Belarus; turning back the trend to restrict Internet and media freedoms, supporting democracy in Kyrgyzstan and democratic activists throughout all of central Asia. The discussion also focused on using the OSCE partnership program to promote human rights for minorities, particularly the Copts in Egypt.
Members
Hon. Benjamin Cardin
Co-Chairman
Commission on Security and Cooperation in Europe
Hon. Christopher Smith
Chairman
Commission on Security and Cooperation in Europe
Witnesses
Philip Gordon
Assistant Secretary of State for European and Eurasian Affairs
Department of State
Alexander Vershbow
Assistant Secretary of Defense for International Security Affairs
Department of Defense
Michael H. Posner
Assistant Secretary of State for Democracy, Human Rights, and Labor
Department of State
Dr. Michael Haltzel
Senior Fellow, Center for Transatlantic Relations
Johns Hopkins University (SAIS)
Catherine Fitzpatrick
Consultant
Jacob Blaustein Institute for the Advancement of Human Rights
Relevant Issues
Relevant Countries
Leadership
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