OSCE/ODIHR Human Dimension Seminar on “The role of political parties in the political process”. 18-20 May 2011, Warsaw

OSCE/ODIHR held its annual Human Dimension Seminar in Warsaw, Poland, on 18-20 May 2011. The Seminar was devoted to the topic “The role of political parties in the political process”. The audience included delegations of OSCE participating States as well as legal and political experts and representatives of international organizations and NGOs.

On 19 May 2011, during a Side Event organized on the margins of the Human Dimension Seminar, OSCE/ODIHR presented the OSCE/ODIHR - Venice Commission "Guidelines on Political Party Regulation".

The Guidelines are the result of a broad, consultative and inclusive process that included surveys of political party regulations in the OSCE area as well as the development of a common understanding of  relevant OSCE commitments. The Guidelines are not intended to provide a single and uniform framework for regulation on political parties, but rather to clarify issues related to political party legislation and to provide examples of good practice from OSCE participating States.

The side event focused on the purpose and nature of the Guidelines and provided an opportunity for discussion on the challenges of drafting and implementing political party regulation.

 

Attached: OSCE Human Dimension Seminar 2011, Consolidated Summary