WASHINGTON—President of the OSCE Parliamentary Assembly (PA) George Tsereteli has re-appointed Helsinki Commission Ranking Member Sen. Ben Cardin (MD) as the OSCE PA Special Representative on Anti-Semitism, Racism, and Intolerance.
“I am pleased to continue in my role as Special Representative, especially given recent attempts to explicitly divide communities for political gain without regard for the violence this foments and harm it does to our democracies,” said Sen. Cardin. “Earlier this month, I convened an event at the 2019 OSCE PA Annual Session where we discussed what more we as leaders can do to unify our societies. As Special Representative, I will continue to work with my colleagues toward a shared future where differences are embraced and the human rights of all are protected and respected.”
Sen. Cardin was first appointed to the position of Special Representative in 2015. In his role, he raises awareness of the persistent problem of prejudice and discrimination in the OSCE region, with a focus on addressing anti-Semitism, anti-Muslim, migrant, and refugee bias, and discrimination in the justice system. His work includes advising the OSCE PA on the implementation of its agreed upon policies and development of new strategies to empower and protect vulnerable communities. He also seeks to promote dialogue and exchange of best practices within the OSCE PA and coordinates with relevant actors within the OSCE to address prejudice and discrimination in the 57 OSCE participating States.
Within both the U.S. Congress and the OSCE PA, Sen. Cardin consistently has worked to address intolerance through the promotion of equality and respect for the individual.
In Congress, Sen. Cardin has long been an advocate for justice, from leading on the End Racial and Religious Profiling and Democracy Restoration Acts to securing passage of a Senate resolution supporting the goals and objectives of the Prague Conference on Holocaust Era Assets. His introduction of the Lavender Offense Victim Exoneration Act, or LOVE Act, prompted a long-overdue apology from the U.S. Secretary of State. He has been a leading Congressional voice on the protection of migrants and refugees, and his legislative efforts have resulted in U.S. funding to support civil society coalitions against anti-Semitism and racial and religious intolerance throughout the OSCE region.
In the OSCE PA, he has been a vocal advocate for more vigorous responses to acts of anti-Semitism and intolerance across the OSCE area. Sen. Cardin is a member of the United States Holocaust Memorial Council.
Parliamentary diplomacy is an important tool in U.S. foreign policy, especially in the United States, where the legislative and executive branches share responsibility for foreign policy. In the OSCE region, U.S. interests are advanced through the OSCE PA, which offers opportunities for engagement among more than 300 parliamentarians from OSCE participating States. Members of Congress consistently have held leadership positions in the OSCE PA since its inception.
