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OAS Permanent Council Approves Meeting of Ministers of Security and the Entry of 15 Civil Society Groups to the Organization

The Permanent Council of the Organization of American States (OAS) today approved, in a regular meeting, the convening of the Fourth Meeting of Ministers Responsible for Public Security in the Americas from November 21-22 in Medellin, Colombia, and also gave its approval to 15 civil society groups to participate in the activities of the hemispheric organization.

The Council approved the proposal of Colombia to host the Fourth Meeting of Ministers Responsible for Public Security in the Americas after hearing a report from the Chair of the Committee on Hemispheric Security and the Permanent Representative of Guyana, Bayney Karren. The Council also approved the holding of three thematic meetings on the tenth anniversary of the Declaration on Security in the Americas and completion of the process with a protocolary ceremony to be held in Mexico City in October.

The Council also gave its approval to the inclusion of 15 civil society organizations in the register of the OAS, after hearing a report from the Chair of the Committee on Inter-American Summits Management and Civil Society Participation in OAS Activities, and Alternate Representative of Panama to the OAS, José de Jesús Martínez, on the applications for entry of these organizations.

The Chair of the Council and Permanent Representative of Panama, Arturo Vallarino, reported that hundreds of international, regional and civil society organizations have been invited to the 43rd OAS General Assembly to be held in Antigua, Guatemala between June 4 and 6. At the request of El Salvador and Nicaragua, the Council also approved extending the invitation to the Central American Court of Justice.

On another issue, the Council adopted the invitation to its meeting on May 1 of the six candidates for Commissioner of the Inter-American Commission on Human Rights, who will be elected during the General Assembly of Guatemala, to present their visions of the Inter-American System.

During the meeting, the Chair of the Permanent Council expressed "our congratulations to the people and government of the Bolivarian Republic of Venezuela, who in a civic election day carried out ​​with broad citizen participation held presidential elections on Sunday April 14.” He also called for a national dialogue for the Venezuelan people to trace a common and shared path towards the strengthening of its democracy, peace and progress." Several representatives of Member States expressed their congratulations to Venezuela and greeted the government elect.

For his part, Secretary General Insulza expressed his desire to join in "the congratulations that have been offered to the Venezuelan people for the civic event held on Sunday," and pointed out "that this organization and the General Secretariat have always been respectful of the decisions of the internal consitutional bodies of the countries." In that sense, he said, "we wish the President-elect success in fulfilling his duties."

Along similar lines, Secretary General Insulza reiterated that "our intention has never been other than to join the openness that was first expressed by both candidates, the night of the election, to submit to any recounts that were necessary." He said that "what, in our judgment, is essential today, as in all democratic countries, is an effective dialogue between the political forces for the advancement of their country, especially when an outcome is produced as narrow as what has happened to this point."

He also expressed his hope that "the path of dialogue will be chosen" and wished "the government, the political forces, from the government and the opposition, and the Venezuelan people, success in a common path towards greater democracy.”

In another agenda item, the Chair expressed, on behalf of the Council "our sincere condolences to the people and government of the United States for the attack that took place on Monday, April 15 in the city of Boston that killed three people and has left more than a hundred people injured. Once again, an mindless act of violence has affected a sister nation." Several delegations condemned the attack and expressed their solidarity with the victims.

The Council then paid tribute to the Permanent Representative of Grenada, Gillian Bristol, who is stepping down after four years of service. The Permanent Representatives held a farewell ceremony for Ambassador Bristol in the Hall of Heroes in the main building of the organization.

The Council also remembered former OAS official Ronald Scheman, who passed away recently. Mr. Scheman was an expert in legal affairs and international trade, and among other things, helped to found the OAS Credit Union and the Trust for the Americas.

A gallery of photos of the event will be available here.

The video of the event will be available here.

The B-roll of the event will be available here.

The audio of the event is available here.

For more information, please visit the OAS Website at www.oas.org.

Reference: E-144/13