Commentary on Sections Section 4 The Organization for Security and Co-operation in Europe
7.The Organization for Security and Co-operation in Europe (“the OSCE”), was previously known as the Conference on Security and Co-operation in Europe (“the CSCE”). The OSCE consists of 55 member states and is active in conflict prevention, crisis management, human rights, democracy building and post-conflict rehabilitation throughout the Euro-Atlantic region, extending to the Caucasus and Central Asia. Although the OSCE has similar structures and working methods to an international organisation it is not considered to have international legal personality separate from its participating States. It is, therefore, not currently an “organisation” for the purposes of the International Organisations Act 1968 (“the 1968 Act”). The International Organisations Act 2005 brings the OSCE within the scope of the 1968 Act and enables the United Kingdom to implement the provisions regarding legal capacity and privileges and immunities set out in a report of the CSCE Ad Hoc Group of Legal and Other Experts annexed to the decision of the CSCE Council of Ministers of 1 December 1993 held in Rome.