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Democracy promotion / Working Paper

OSCE democracy promotion: grinding to a halt?

30/10/2007 By Jos Boonstra

While the Organisation for Security and Cooperation in Europe (OSCE) is a less high profile body than either the European Union or NATO, the world’s biggest regional organisation has established an impressive body of democracy and human rights commitments as well as democracy-related activities in a large number of its participating states and continues to be a lead player in election monitoring.

However, the OSCE is floundering. Participating states are divided from Vladivostok to Vancouver on the OSCE’s functioning and future. The organisation’s last four Ministerial Councils have concluded without agreement.

This paper dissects the OSCE’s problems and the internal reform process and assesses how the OSCE can retain a useful role in supporting democratic values. It also examines developments under the current Spanish chairmanship of the OSCE.

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Keywords

Caucasus Central Asia and Russia Civil Military Relations Democracy promotion Eastern Europe and Russia Europe Human rights OSCE Security Sector Reform Spain US Western Balkans

Bio author: Jos Boonstra

Jos Boonstra is senior researcher in the democratisation programme of FRIDE. He focusses on EU, NATO and OSCE policies in Eastern Europe and beyond with specific attention to democratisation of security and defence.