On January 1, 2010, Kazakhstan assumed the rotating chairmanship of the Organization for Security and Cooperation in Europe (OSCE). For the first time this placed a country that does not comply with international human rights norms at the organization's helm.
Proponents argued that the chairmanship would serve as an impetus for reform in the country and would help heal rifts within the organization between states to the East and West of Vienna. Prior to assuming the chairmanship, Kazakhstan promised but failed to carry out serious reforms of its media, political party, election, and local self-government legislation. Meanwhile, in many respects the human rights situation in the country has only deteriorated.
Kazakhstan is calling for the OSCE to hold a summit in Astana this year, which would be the first such high-level meeting in 11 years. At this Open Society Institute forum, speakers will explore the impact of Kazakhstan's chairmanship on the OSCE and on developments in the country. They will focus on how Kazakhstan's desire to stage a summit could be leveraged to reverse the shrinking space for independent civil society and political activity in the country and revitalize efforts for real legislative reform.
Speakers
- Vladimir Shkolnikov, formerly of the office for Democratic Institutions and Human Rights of the Organization for Security and Co-operation in Europe
- Anthony Pahigian, Deputy Director in the State Department Office of European Security and Political Affairs
- Anthony Richter, Director, Central Eurasia Project and Associate Director of the Open Society Institute (moderator)