EFSAS meets with OSCE High Commissioner and Justice and Peace Netherlands

19-01-2018

Ms. Yoana Barakova and Mr. Dušan Vejinović held a meeting with the High Commissioner on National Minorities, Mr. Lamberto Zannier, who works under the umbrella of the Organization for Security and Co-operation in Europe (OSCE) based in the Hague, The Netherlands. Mr. Zannier was awarded the distinction of Grand Decoration of Honour in Gold with Star for services to the Republic of Austria and Grand Officer in the Order of Orange Nassau by the Government of the Netherlands.

The OSCE High Commissioner acts in confidence and independently from all parties concerned and his work involves identifying and addressing causes of ethnic tensions and conflicts in regards to national minorities.

Mr. Lamberto Zannier expressed the need of promoting a stable and diverse society and universal access to justice. He stressed the importance of investing in education as a tool towards eradicating marginalization and settling a peaceful resolution to inter-ethnic conflicts. He further enlightened EFSAS on the role of the international community in achieving sustainability when resolving such tensions.

Ms. Yoana Barakova and Mr. Dušan Vejinović with Lamberto Zannier, OSCE High Commissioner on National Minorities

Members of EFSAS, Mr. Dušan Vejinović (Senior Research Analyst) and Ms. Yoana Barakova (Research Analyst), met Ms. Marieke van der Vliet, Programme Coordinator at the Justice and Peace Netherlands - an organisation with Special Consultative Status at the United Nations (UN), participatory status within the Council of Europe and member of the Human Rights and Democracy network (EU level).

The two organizations discussed the opportunities for expanding their project interests. The Jammu & Kashmir conflict, with a particular focus on the region of Gilgit Baltistan, and the safeguarding of human rights defenders and the equitable treatment and protection of refugees, were among the topics discussed.

Meetings