ABSTRACT

Title of the Project: The Organization for Security and Co-operation in Europe

The Organization for Security and Co-operation in Europe (OSCE) is the largest regional
security organization in the Euro-Atlantic and Eurasian space with its 57 participating and 11
partner states covering an area from Vancouver to Vladivostok. The Conference on Security
and Co-operation in Europe (CSCE), renamed in 1994 the Organisation for Security and Co-
operation in Europe (OSCE), is not strictly speaking a European organisation. Although its
members now include all European countries, some other states, such as the United States,
Canada and Tajikistan, are also members. Although the Organisation’s main focus is regional
security it provides a comprehensive system in the field of human rights protection, differing
considerably from that of other international bodies. For one, the OSCE standards do not
generally impose enforceable international legal obligations, nor do they contain a list of rights
to be protected. The instruments are of a more political nature, and have provided states and
international bodies with valuable guidance in formulating standards as to what is ‘politically
acceptable’ to states. The CSCE came into being in the wake of the Cold War, when tensions
between East and West had eased to such an extent that both blocs agreed to sit at one table to
discuss the future. The preparatory talks that marked the start of the actual negotiating process
for the CSCE took place between November 1972 and June 1973 in Helsinki. The Conference
on Security and Co-operation in Europe was officially opened on 3 July 1973 in Helsinki. The
subjects for discussion in Helsinki were divided into headings, which have become known as
the three ‘Baskets’ of Helsinki: a) Matters of European security (First Basket); b) Co-operation
in the field of economics, science, technology and environment (Second Basket); and c) Co-
operation on humanitarian matters, including information, education and culture (Third
Basket).

I will try to do a critical analysis of “The Organization for Security and Co-operation in Europe”
with the help of this project.

Sahil Mathur

Roll No. 2015103