Lisa Vasciannie hails OAS observer missions
International Relations lecturer at The University of the West Indies, Dr Lisa Vasciannie has affirmed that Organization of American States (OAS) observer missions have played a major role in promoting and protecting democracy in Latin America and the Caribbean.
Dr Vasciannie offered the viewpoint at a Forum of Reflection to Mark the 70th Anniversary of the OAS. The event was held recently in the Hall of the Americas, pursuant to resolution CP/RES 1101 (2160/18), adopted on May 14, 2018.
In her presentation, Dr Vasciannie noted that the OAS has gradually progressed from the passive support of democracy to the active and highly specialised field of election observation, having observed over 240 elections since its first mission in Costa Rica in 1962.
Dr Vasciannie noted that the organisation has taken numerous steps and implemented initiatives to improve the quality of its electoral observer missions. Specifically, the OAS “has developed a comprehensive and standardised methodology for election observation”, established “an online training programme”, developed an extensive database of all OAS election observer missions since 1962, and “has also established an online portal for the registration of persons who wish to be considered to serve on observation missions.”
Most notably, Dr Vasciannie highlighted the June 2017 General Assembly Resolution to “lift the restrictions that prevent the Regular Fund from being used” to fund electoral observation missions and to report on “the sources of funding” for these missions. She stated that placing election observation firmly on the regular budget of the OAS is a major advancement for the OAS, as it more closely aligns the organisation’s budget with the priorities and mandate of the regional organisation.
The forum was hosted by the chair of the Permanent Council, Ambassador Carlos Játiva Naranjo, the permanent representative of Ecuador. Other presenters included former secretary general, Senator Jose Miguel Insulza; former assistant secretary general and former Acting Secretary General, Ambassador Luigi R Einaudi; professor of law and dean emeritus, American University Washington College of Law, Dr Claudio Grossman; and current Secretary General Luis Almagro.
Dr Vasciannie was also the keynote speaker at the 37th Model OAS Assembly for High School, also held in the Hall of the Americas at the OAS Headquarters. This was the culmination of a three-day simulation of activities and included students from Belize, Colombia, El Salvador, Peru, Spain and the United States — representing all the OAS Member States.