Poland: Latest info on WTBTS's involvement with OSCE (Organiztion for Security and Co-operation in Europe). Meetings begin Oct. 26th and end Oct. 7th

Last week I received an email that said:  "Just thought to share with you that the Watchtower is again having a meeting with the O.S.C.E in Poland, Sept. 26th - Oct 7th."
 
To be honest, I knew little about the relationship between OSCE and the WTBTS, so I sent out some emails to associates and received back quite a bit of information. There have been postings on JWN before about OSCE but the following information that has been compiled is the latest and is certainly exceedingly informative. It is a comprehensive evaluation of the WTBTS’s lobbying efforts with this world organization.

 FYI, here's a link to a recent thread (two years ago) posted on JWN about OSCE and the WTBTS: http://www.jehovahs-witness.net/watchtower/scandals/180234/1/WTS-attends-as-a-NGO-to-OSCE-in-July-4-branches-present

If you have the time, be sure to follow the instructions in the last paragraph of this post and go to the OSCE website and in the search box, follow the suggestion and type in "Jehovah," then you'll find some pretty fascinating material.

Barbara

OSCE stands for Organization for Security and Co-operation in Europe. From the information available, it is WTBTS's Political Lobbying Arm. From what is presented in this post, I ask, who needs the UN when you have the OSCE?
 

Starting this week on Monday, the WTBTS and Jehovah's Witnesses again mingle with the political and religious community as part of the official "Side Events" of the "Human Dimension Implementation Meeting (HDIM)" held in Warsaw, Poland between 26 September – 7 October 2011.

This year, the WTBTS and the Association of Jehovah's Witnesses join forces with the Office of Muslim Denomination (Bulgarian office) and Human Rights Without Frontiers as partners and conveners to co-present the following program and joint-presentation:
 

"Acts of violence by far–right political parties against Muslims and Jehovah’s Witnesses"

This event is held and sponsored through the OSCE.

What is the OSCE?

With 56 States from Europe, Central Asia and North America, the OSCE is the world's largest regional security organization. It offers a forum for political negotiations and decision-making in the fields of early warning, conflict prevention, crisis management and post-conflict rehabilitation, and puts the political will of its participating States into practice through its unique network of field missions.

The OSCE has a comprehensive approach to security that encompasses politico-military, economic, environmental, and  human aspects. It therefore addresses a wide range of security-related concerns, including arms control, confidence- and security-building measures, human rights, national minorities, democratization, policing strategies, counter-terrorism and economic and environmental activities.

All 56 participating States enjoy equal status, and decisions are taken by consensus on a politically, but not legally binding basis.
 

The Background

In 1991 the OSCE, then known as the CSCE, announced the intention of allowing NGO's greater access to member States and invited suitable NGO's to register their interest the following year. This arrangement came into formal effect in 1992 following the acceptance of the Helsinki Document (Chapter IV), in particular paragraph 15 in which the participating States decided to facilitate during CSCE meetings informal discussion meetings between representatives of participating States and of NGO's, and to provide encouragement to NGO's organizing seminars on CSCE-related issues. In line with this decision, NGO's, governments, and other participants are encouraged to organize side meetings at the HDIM on relevant issues of their choice.

 It was the WTBTS status as an NGO with the United Nations that enabled them to knock on the door of the OSCE and become involved in dialogue with major world players, not just political, but religious as well.

NGO status with then UN guaranteed acceptance as a "player" and NGO within the OSCE (formally the CSCE).

In 1991, the WTBTS applied for and was granted NGO status with the United Nations of which status also allowed them direct access within the corridors of the OSCE, although full advantage of the arrangements offered by the OSCE for NGO's was not taken up by the WTBTS or by the Jehovah's Witnesses until Stephen Bates (Religious Affairs Correspondent for The Guardian UK newspaper) exposed the WTBTS as being an NGO member with the United Nations in two published articles on October 8 and 15, 2001.

The WTBTS withdrew their NGO status with the UN but maintained the same "foot in the door" and "political clout" by utilizing the OSCE with particular emphasis on being associated with all other religions through TANDIS which is the Tolerance and Non-Discrimination Information System.

The OSCE has regularly reported on the activities of Jehovah's Witnesses, since the WTBTS began NGO association with the UN in 1991.

The WTBTS has, since 2001 and the UN scandal, solely relied on their association with OSCE for the single purpose of lobbying sovereign States and policy makers within various state and government departments.

The presence of Jehovah's Witnesses, and in turn the WTBTS as NGO within the corridors of the OSCE, also allows them access to The Holy See (Vatican) who is a member State for the purpose of lobbying should the need ever arise.

The WTBTS and the Association of Jehovah's Witnesses have greatly increased their activities and presence within the OSCE since 2006.

THE European Association of Jehovah's Christian Witnesses maintains a constant presence with much of the work load and negotiating being initially carried out by Paul Gillies, whom many may recognize through his involvement in dealing with Stephen Bates of The Guardian newspaper which exposed the WTBTS as being an NGO member associated with the United Nations.

The WTBTS has, since withdrawing their NGO status with the UN in 2001, been using a number of key WTBTS representatives to build up a rapport with government officials and UN representatives in relation to countries and areas the Society is having trouble with, France ($$$), Russia, Singapore, Georgia, Armenia, Azerbaijan, Korea, to name a few.

While on the surface, the activities of the WTBTS appear to be in relation to human rights violations and persecution, it is not necessary to have a presence or to regularly operate seminars within the OSCE arrangement. Simply put, the WTBTS are actually trying to lobby and influence policy and decision makers, including the USA, NATO, the European Union, and all 56 OSCE member States.

The benefits to the WTBTS are not confined to Europe and the 56 OSCE member States. For example-

In 1994 formal relations were initiated by the OSCE and South Korea under the OSCE Asian Partners for Co-operation.

In 2009, Australia was granted the status of Partner for Co-operation and invited to participate in the meetings of the Contact Group with the Asian Partners for Co-operation.

Through the OSCE the WTBTS and the Association of Jehovah's Witnesses now had political access to South Korea through the OSCE Asian Partners for Co-operation should the need ever arise.

The situation of Jehovah's Witnesses in South Korea and military service was brought up with the Australian Government and on April 8, 2010, when Don MacLean, director WTBTS of Australia, sent a fax to the Australian Refugee Review Tribunal regarding the Situation of Jehovah's Witnesses in South Korea. (RFT ref: KOR36429).

While there was no direct lobbying in this regard, the groundwork was set for future relations. The official Australian Government Report "Country Advice - South Korea – KOR36429 – Jehovah’s Witnesses – Conscientious objection – Employment – Social security - 22 April 2010," concluded:
 

"There is no indication that Jehovah’s Witnesses in South Korea are discriminated against merely on the basis of their faith. Although Jehovah’s Witnesses in South Korea were not contacted for this response, Mr. Don MacLean, Director of the Australian arm of Jehovah’s Witness organization the Watchtower Bible and Tract Society (the Watchtower Society), advised that Witnesses in South Korea enjoyed freedom of worship. He said the Watchtower Society of Australia considered that the South Korean government respected freedom of religion with respect to Witnesses, and the South Korean branch was a large and active body with one of the highest rates of missionary work in the world."

The OSCE involvement, in many cases, allows the WTBTS to provide information (regardless of its accuracy) to Human Rights Watch and particularly Human Rights Without Frontiers who then use this information to write up a report and make a press release. A number of media outlets and journalists around the world write an article or two based on these press releases. The WTBTS then take these newspaper and media articles to the OSCE and various government officials who are present and lobby them by using the media reports as proof of what is happening to Jehovah's Witnesses by being able to cite a third-party. They also use the same media articles to politically lobby the USA and the NATO Parliamentary Assembly through the provisions of the OSCE.

At last years OSCE HIGH-LEVEL CONFERENCE ON TOLERANCE AND NON-DISCRIMINATION, held at Astana, between June 29 – 30, 2010, the WTBTS was represented by Luca Luigi Toffoli (a Belgian ???) who is described as the "Manager" of the EUROPEAN ASSOCIATION OF JEHOVAH'S CHRISTIAN WITNESSES.

Who is Part of the OSCE?

The OSCE has 56 participating States from Europe, Central Asia and North America:

The OSCE maintains special relations with 12 countries, which are known as Partners for Co-operation. Six of them are in the Mediterranean region, and five are in Asia, in addition to Australia.

Mediterranean Partners for Co-operation

The OSCE maintains special relations with the following six Mediterranean countries:

·         Algeria

·         Egypt

·         Israel

·         Jordan

·         Morocco

·         Tunisia

Asian Partners for Co-operation

Starting from the early 1990s, formal relations were also initiated with the following Asian countries:

·         Japan (1992)

·         South Korea (1994)

·         Thailand (2000)

·         Afghanistan (2003)

·         Mongolia (2004)

In 2009, Australia was granted the status of Partner for Co-operation and invited to participate in the meetings of the Contact Group with the Asian Partners for Co-operation.

This years official program as co-presented by
the Association of Jehovah's Witnesses and
the Office of Muslim Denomination

Tuesday, 27 September 2011
 

Time: 13.15-14.45

Venue: Plenary Hall

Title: Acts of violence by far–right political parties against Muslims and Jehovah’s Witnesses

Convenor: Human Rights Without Frontiers – Office of Muslim Denomination of Bulgaria - Association of Jehovah's Witnesses of Bulgaria

Working languages: English

Summary: Around one million Muslims currently live in the country. In May 2011, the supporters of Volen Siderov, the leader of the Bulgarian ultra-nationalist party Ataka, burned carpets used during Friday prayers at Sofia Grand Mosque and attacked the Muslims with stones and eggs. Several people were injured as nationalists clashed with Muslims during Friday prayers. The Ataka party's followers had gathered in downtown Sofia to protest against the Muslim community in the country. The violence erupted after one of the rightist members grabbed a prayer rug and set it on fire, leading to a fight between the two groups. The tension also escalated after an Ataka activist tried to play patriotic music on the loudspeakers of the mosque. Siderov, who is running in the October 11 presidential election, said during the Friday protest that he wants demonstrations against Muslims to continue in Bulgaria.
 

Concerning Jehovah's Witnesses, representatives of the political party VMRO have disrupted their peaceful meetings on several occasions in the past and have repeatedly used the media to circulate defamatory lies about the Witnesses. Criminal complaints against this political party have been filed on numerous occasions, but the attacks have continued. Now, the international community is watching to see how the authorities of the Bulgarian government will react to these lawless and criminal acts.
 

On Sunday, April 17, 2011, at 7:30 pm, Jehovah's Witnesses in the city of Burgas were peacefully gathered at their Kingdom Hall for the annual commemoration of the death of Jesus Christ. About 20 minutes before the program was to begin, an angry mob of about 60 men, some waving flags of the political party VMRO, gathered in front of the Kingdom Hall. The mob threw large stones at the Witnesses who were at the entrance of the building.
 

After that, the mob stormed the door. The Witnesses called the police immediately, but they were slow to respond. At the time of the attack, more than 100 people were inside the hall, including women, children and elderly ones. Injuries resulted from the attack, and five victims were taken to the hospital by ambulance with severe injuries, including concussions.
 

Human Rights Without Frontiers is concerned about the increasing number of violent acts committed by Ataka and VMRO, two far-right political parties.
 

Refreshments will be provided

The OSCE web site:
 

http://www.osce.org/

In the search box type in "Jehovah" and press enter. This will provide a list of over 250 related documents, press releases, and statements.
 

 The WBT$ is Joining Forces with the Muslims?..

         Going out in the Field Service has never been More Fun!..

                    Would you Like to be a Jehovah`s Witness?..

                                                    Or..

       Would you like me to Blow Up the Entire Neighbourhood?..

                                                                                             ........................ ...OUTLAW

Recently there was another thread on why JWs pick on Catholics & not muslims, now we know why

Good one outlaw

Thanks for the info

That is a lot of research Barbara, thanks

Are the JWs (or their sub-entities such as the European organisation of JWs) a member or associate of the OSCE or is it a matter of them petitioning the OSCE?

Hey Barb!..

                  I just got this from Blondies Thread..

*** w53 11/1 pp. 653-656 Examining Islamic Teachings ***

In examining the Quran, which is about the size of the Christian Greek Scriptures, one is struck with the absence of miracles or proof that Muhammad was indeed a prophet sent of God.When Moses, the first Bible writer and first prophet to be sent to the descendants of Jacob, went to Israel he was well fortified with miracles to prove his divine mission. See Exodus, chapter 4. Likewise, when Christ Jesus came, he performed so many miracles that all those who had not let themselves be blinded with selfishness had to admit that he was sent of God.—John 7:31; 10:37, 38; 14:11.

                           I wonder What Muslims would think..

                If they Knew the WBT$ was Disrespecting their Religion..

                      Kill the Infidel WBT$ GB..

                                        Kill Them All!..

               LA-La-La-LA-La-La-LA-La-La

                                                                                              ........................ ...OUTLAW

Seeing the WTS had a nearly ten-year relationship with the UN, why should we be surprised to find it in bed with the OSCE?

Quendi

I had been wondering lately why the WTBTS has bothing to say against the muslims as it has with every other religion in the past.

Just now i found the answer: It is because they are PARTNERS. They are sleeping in the same bed! And silly me was thinking that perhaps it was because they were scared of them, and perhaps they ARE. So afraid that they would rather risk being their ally than enemy. Me thinks the WT is hedging its future survival in an alliance with Islam.

This is big...and every JW should find out

This years official program as co-presented by
the Association of Jehovah's Witnesses and
the Office of Muslim Denomination

Wherever you are face Brooklyn roll out your prayer rug and pray 5 times per day...

I outed Paul Gillies here (c/- Randy TV) about a month ago for the benefit of lurkers and newbies . . .

http://www.jehovahs-witness.net/watchtower/scandals/215772/1/Watchtower-Still-Has-2-NGOs

Your post was most comprehensive Barbara . . . but it's function in relation to the UN bears repeating . . .

The OSCE is an ad hoc organization under the United Nations Charter (Chap. VIII)

The OSCE considers itself a regional organization in the sense of Chapter VIII of the United Nations Charter and is an observer in the United Nations General Assembly. The Chairperson-in-Office gives routine briefings to the United Nations Security Council.

  - Wikipedia

Russia has complained about this organisation as being a tool to advance "Western" interests . . .

“They [unnamed Western States] are trying to transform the OSCE into a vulgar instrument designed to promote the foreign policy interests of one or a group of countries. And this task is also being accomplished by the OSCE's bureaucratic apparatus, which is absolutely not connected with the state founders in any way. Decision-making procedures and the involvement of so-called non-governmental organizations are tailored for this task. These organizations are formally independent but they are purposefully financed and therefore under control."

There is some suggestion that NGO's such as the WTB&TS are receiving financial rewards for adding weight to certain issues and "decision making" proceedures.

It's clear the hypocrisy of this Organisation is boundless.  They are not in the slightest governed by God or the Bible.  They are governed by expansion and $$$$$$.  It's now just a business.

give me a break. The reason why they are mentioned in the same context in this meeting is that they have been victims of attacks in the same country.

Thus it it is  logical to present those issues at the same meeting.

From the OSCE website comes this document dated 2004.  It is headed

"NGO RIGHTS AND THEIR PROTECTION UNDER INTERNATIONAL HUMAN RIGHTS LAW -

It states in part -

The activities of non-governmental organisations are generally recognised as an important element not only in the initial establishment of a genuine democracy but also in ensuring that, once achieved, it remains healthy and flourishing1

. The contribution which such organisations make is often political in the broader and non-party sense but it is also manifestedin their pursuit of a vast array of interests - such as culture, recreation, sport and social and humanitarian assistance, to say nothing of the rights of those at work and the simple personal fulfilment of those who belong to the bodies concerned – that underpin the vitality of civil society. However, the essential role played by non-governmental organisations, although not open to question, is not one that is appreciated by all States at all times, not least because it does entail an unambiguous commitment to democracy. Nonetheless realising and sustaining such a commitment is an objective of paramount importance for global and regional organisations such as the United Nations, the African Union, the Council of Europe, the Organisation for Security and Co-operation in Europe and the Organisation of American States and it is thus not surprising that provisions guaranteeing and promoting the rights of non-governmental organisations have readily found a place in many of the instruments adopted by all these bodies.

The principal basis for securing the position of non-governmental organisations rests upon the guarantee of freedom of association but there are also a limited number of instruments...."

This is an interesting article because it basically says that by an organisation excercising their rights to freedom they are in fact participating in the political democratic system.

Why has this not been publicised in the same way as the UN ngo scandal? Has anyone spoken to a journalist about writing an article on jw's having an ngo affiliation with the OSCE? Here's something that I found that seems relevant.. "The OSCE (Organization for Security and Co-operation in Europe) recently held a Conference entitled "Human Dimension Implementation Meeting," in Warsaw, Poland, from September 24 - October 5, 2007. On its official website all members were invited: Welcome "The Human Dimension Implementation Meeting is the largest human rights conference in Europe. It is also the only such event where representatives of civil society sit with governments on an equal footing. For two weeks, OSCE delegations, intergovernmental agencies, and NGOs come together to discuss the implementation of OSCE commitments on the protection of human rights, therule of law, and democracy." — Ambassador Christian Strohal, ODIHR Director. see http://www.osce.org/conferences/hdim_2007.html Note that at the OSCE conference the "representatives of civil society sit with governments on an equal footing." Its extensive attendance list also included representatives of Jehovah's Witnesses" "Also it has been shown by a fellow servant of Jehovah that no one, except a government, can "join" the OSCE. Just like the UN, the Warsaw Pact or NATO, it is comprised only of governments. One can petition to become a recognized NGO (NON-governmental organization) in order to obtain standing with the OSCE. In order to become a recognized NGO, one must declare support for the governing charter. So they joined to the fullest extent they could possibly join. This is just as bad if not worse than the direct joining of the UN as an NGO, with that we perhaps had an excuse, as given by the society, but this there is no longer any way to avoid the subtle support of these governmental organizations." http://perimeno.ca/Letters_1107_OSCE.htm

As the WTS pushes for their "Human Rights," I wish it could be interejected at the right moment, the quote in the WT 7/15, how the JW organization name their 'former' members as "mentally diseased' and that the members cannot even greet them, including family. 

This is not real news. Because the WTBTS and OSCE have long time contact. The Belgium branch office (mr. Gillet) is one of the initiators.

I'm not against this involvement, and would be happy when the WTBTS remains the contact with the UN earlier.

Does not this qualify as Interfaith?

*** Watchtower 2010 6/1 p. 27 How Do Jehovah’s Witnesses View Interfaith? ***
Our Readers Ask . . .
How Do Jehovah’s Witnesses View Interfaith?
? According to the World Christian Encyclopedia, there are some “10,000 distinct religions worldwide.” Because conflicts between them have led to untold hurt, the concept of interfaith brings hope to many worshippers. They believe that it can engender peace and unity in a divided world.
The Bible encourages unity. The apostle Paul likened the Christian congregation to a human body, each member being “harmoniously joined together and being made to cooperate.” (Ephesians 4:16) Similarly, the apostle Peter urged his fellow believers: “All of you be like-minded.”—1 Peter 3:8.
The early Christians lived in a multicultural and multireligious world. Yet, when writing about the mingling of different religions, Paul asked: “What portion does a faithful person have with an unbeliever?” Then he warned Christians to “get out from among them.” (2 Corinthians 6:15, 17) Clearly, Paul was speaking against interfaith. Why did he do so?
The apostle explained that spiritual fellowship between one who is a true Christian and one who is not would be an uneven yoke, a misfit. (2 Corinthians 6:14) It could result only in harm to the Christian’s faith. Paul’s concerns were like those of a father who knows that some children in his neighborhood behave badly. As a concerned parent, he wisely sets limits on whom his child should play with. His restrictions may be unpopular. Under the circumstances, however, being separate would protect his child from bad influences. Similarly, Paul knew that being separate from other religions would protect Christians against their harmful practices.
In taking that stand, Paul was imitating Jesus. While Jesus set the greatest example in promoting peace among people, he did not practice interfaith. Many religious groups, such as the Pharisees and the Sadducees, were active during Jesus’ earthly ministry. In fact, these religious factions joined forces to challenge Jesus, going as far as to plot his death. Jesus, on the other hand, directed his followers to “watch out . . . for the teaching of the Pharisees and Sadducees.”—Matthew 16:12.
What about today? Is the Bible’s warning against interfaith still valid? Yes, it is. This is because differing religious beliefs cannot bond through interfaith any more than oil and water can mix simply by putting them together in a pot. For instance, when people of different religions come together to pray for peace, which god is being petitioned? Christendom’s Trinitarian God? Hinduism’s Brahma? The Buddha? Or someone else?

*** rs p. 325 Religion *** (Reasoning Book)
What is the Bible’s viewpoint as to interfaith?
Would it demonstrate loyalty to God and to his righteous standards if his servants were to embrace in religious brotherhood those who themselves practice what God condemns or who condone such practices?...... “Whoever . . . wants to be a friend of the world is constituting himself an enemy of God.” (Jas. 4:4)