Central Europe

PRISHTINË/PRIŠTINA, 6 October 2021 – The municipal communities protection mechanisms have demonstrated gradual advancement in reaching their full potential, with incremental progress in meeting their substantive duties. Gaps in the legislative and policy framework continue to exist, however, the progress of these mechanisms has shown that they are capable of positively impacting communities across Kosovo, concludes the OSCE Mission in Kosovo’s report presented today. 

The report assesses the four key municipal-level mechanisms that have been created to promote and protect the rights and interests of communities at the municipal level, namely the Communities’ Committees, Municipal Offices for Communities and Return, Deputy Mayors for Communities and Deputy Chairpersons of the Municipal Assembly for Communities. It evaluates their compliance with the legal and policy framework, composition and performance.

“Protecting the values and interests shared by non-majority communities at the municipal level is essential to ensure that its members are able to significantly contribute to the society as a whole. Municipalities are crucial nodes of governance and critical in the promotion and protection of the rights and interests of communities, also through these mechanisms, and we believe that stronger co-operation between the government and municipal institutions is instrumental in the establishment and performance of these mechanisms,” said Nadica Pavlovska, Chief of the OSCE Mission in Kosovo Communities Section.

The report recommends that government and municipal level institutions strengthen the mandates of municipal communities’ protection mechanisms by incorporating their duties and responsibilities from policy documents into sub-legal acts. This will make them legally binding and will strengthen the government level ownership and sustainability over the process of monitoring the establishment and functioning of these mechanisms.

Full report is available at: https://www.osce.org/mission-in-kosovo/499819

499846 OSCE High Commissioner on National Minorities High Commissioner builds on OSCE’s long-term co-operation with Hungary on national minority issues OSCE High Commissioner on National Minorities meets new government in Ukraine, discusses integration and minority-related issues

OSCE High Commissioner on National Minorities Kairat Abdrakhmanov visited Ukraine from 26 September to 1 October 2021.

The High Commissioner welcomed Ukraine’s progress on draft legislation regulating national minority affairs during his visit to the country. “I am pleased to note that consultations with minority communities on the draft law on national minorities have recently taken place, and I have offered the technical support of my office to intensify them,” Abdrakhmanov said. “In my meetings with both State officials and civil society representatives, I stressed the importance of developing a comprehensive legal framework regulating national minority rights, including in the spheres of language and education, that is responsive to the wishes and expectations of all minority communities.”

In Kyiv, the High Commissioner met heads and representatives of State authorities, including the Culture and Information Policy Ministry, the Internal Affairs Ministry and the Verhovna Rada. He also met with representatives of civil society, minority communities and international organizations. He thanked the Ukrainian side for the opportunities provided for a fruitful visit and reiterated his support for measures to improve the integration of Ukraine’s diverse society.

The High Commissioner also visited the ethnically diverse region of Zakarpattia to acquaint himself with the situation on the ground.

During his meetings in the cities of Uzhhorod and Berehove, Abdrakhmanov discussed issues related to national minorities with representatives of regional authorities and local communities. The implementation of education reforms featured prominently in these interactions. He welcomed progress in bilateral dialogue between Ukraine and Hungary on such issues. “I am glad to see that both parties are working to find much needed common ground and tangible solutions to outstanding challenges,” said the High Commissioner.

SARAJEVO, 6 October 2021 – The OSCE Mission to Bosnia and Herzegovina (BiH) organized today an online conference for members of the state, entity and Brčko District (BD) judiciaries and legal practitioners to review key challenges to the domestic processing of war crimes cases.

Topics included the negative effects of the non-appointment of a Supervisory Body for monitoring the implementation of the Revised National War Crimes Processing Strategy; the transfer of cases from the State-level to entity and BD jurisdictions; and harmonization of case law.

"While the judiciary in BiH has made progress in processing war crimes, significant challenges remain, including the negative trends of decreasing completion and conviction rates, and the current backlog of more than 550 cases with known suspects in all jurisdictions," said Kathleen Kavalec, Head of the OSCE Mission to BiH.

"As time passes, it is becoming increasingly difficult to achieve justice, as victims, witnesses and perpetrators age and pass away. It is, therefore, critical that the BiH Council of Ministers appoints a Supervisory Body for monitoring the implementation of the Revised National War Crimes Processing Strategy without further delay, and that all institutions involved in the implementation of the Strategy fulfil their obligations," added Kavalec.

The conference was organized one year after the adoption of the Revised Strategy that aims to strengthen the oversight of the implementation of the Strategy and to improve the mechanism for prioritization of war crimes cases and transfer of less complex cases from the State-level to entity and BD judiciary.

“Without the appointment of a Supervisory Body, both those goals remain elusive as there is no dedicated monitoring and overseeing of the process. It is concerning that cases continue to be transferred without adequate prior analysis of the complexity, most responsible perpetrators, and the relevance of cases to other events,” noted Kavalec.

Conference panellists included prominent judges, prosecutors, attorneys, and BiH Justice Ministry and High Judicial and Prosecutorial Council representatives, who discussed ways to remedy the current situation and move forward with more effective and efficient war crimes processing.

The OSCE Mission to BiH is mandated with strengthening human rights, democratic governance, and security co-operation. It is committed to working alongside domestic institutions to improve the effectiveness of war crimes prosecutions and to ultimately achieve justice for all victims.

SDGs SDGs:  16 - Peace, justice and strong institutions

Summary

• In Donetsk region, the SMM recorded 178 ceasefire violations, including four explosions. In the previous 24 hours, it recorded 63 ceasefire violations in the region.
• In Luhansk region the Mission did not record any ceasefire violations. The last time the Mission recorded ceasefire violations in the region was on 2 October.
• Small-arms fire was assessed as directed at an SMM mini-unmanned aerial vehicle (UAV) near government-controlled Novoluhanske, Donetsk region.
• The Mission continued monitoring the disengagement areas near Stanytsia Luhanska, Zolote and Petrivske. It recorded ceasefire violations inside the disengagement area near Petrivske. Near this area it also heard ceasefire violations assessed as a live-fire exercise.
• The SMM facilitated and monitored adherence to localized ceasefires to enable the operation of critical civilian infrastructure.
• The Mission continued following up on the situation of civilians, including at five entry-exit checkpoints and four corresponding checkpoints of the armed formations in Donetsk and Luhansk regions.
• The SMM’s freedom of movement continued to be restricted, including at the corresponding checkpoint of the armed formations in non-government-controlled Olenivka, Donetsk region. Its UAVs again experienced instances of jamming.*

499741 Marina Živaljević

In partnership with the parliamentary Gender Equality Committee, the OSCE Mission to Montenegro organized a capacity-building workshop on gender mainstreaming on 29 and 30 September 2021, to implement gender assessments in drafting and adopting legislation and policies.

Members of Parliament and parliamentary staff examined processes to assess gender sensitivity and mainstream gender in legislation. They also discussed gender responsible budgeting, as an example of gender sensitive fiscal policy of the state as well as gender sensitive statistics and mainstreaming gender in local policies.

Speaking about the significance of gender mainstreaming in the legislative process, expert Vesna Rajković said that public sector services must be consciously tailored to meet the needs of women and men.

Božena Jelušić, Chair of the Gender Equality Committee, said that gender knowledge is essential for drafting laws and policies that can effectively address inequalities. In anticipation of the next Law on Budget, this knowledge on gender will be inseparable from understanding the specific sectors to which funds should be allocated. It is crucial that both parliamentary staff as well as Members of Parliament who will vote on legal solutions and policies are fully versed in how to mainstream gender in all legislative initiatives,” said Jelušić.

Guest speaker, Olivera Komar, talked about gender mainstreaming in local policies. “Neglecting the female perspective in problems and solutions is often neither intentional nor malicious, but stems from the basic assumption that the male gender is the default. Therefore, a conscious effort is necessary to look at things from a different perspective. Very often, policy-making means simply raising public awareness that a particular topic has more than one dimension,” said Komar.

The Mission will organize two other workshops to discuss topics of gender perspective in the legislative process and gender responsive budgeting, contributing to enhancing gender sensitive approach within the Parliament.

TIRANA, 5 October 2021 – OSCE Chairperson-in-Office, Swedish Minister for Foreign Affairs Ann Linde, concluded her visit to Albania today. She commended the Government’s support for multilateralism, including chairing the OSCE in 2020, and its dedication to reform. She also underlined the importance of continued reforms.

In a meeting with the President of Albania Ilir Meta, Linde reaffirmed the OSCE’s strong partnership with the country. “Albania’s 2020 Chair represented a significant contribution to multilateral diplomacy, particularly as a part of the South East Europe region,” said Linde. “Every actor in the region plays a role in the overall security; therefore, I cannot emphasize enough the importance dialogue has in enhancing regional security.”

Linde met with Foreign Affairs Minister Olta Xhacka and commended Albania’s reform-oriented agenda. “Albania is progressing with crucial reforms, such as justice reform, improving the independence of the judiciary and fighting corruption. I encourage the authorities to implement and focus on reforms further, standing ready to offer support,” the Chairperson said.

During her meeting with the Speaker Lindita Nikolla and Deputies Speakers of the Parliament Ermonela Valikaj Felaj and Enkelejd Alibeaj, Linde highlighted the importance of inclusive democratic and legislative processes and political dialogue across party lines. Gender equality is a key prerequisite to achieving comprehensive security and Chairperson Linde welcomed that the newly constituted Assembly has recently passed its first Gender Action Plan, drafted with support from the OSCE Presence in Albania.

“It is encouraging to see the gender composition of the Government, with women holding around 70 per cent of ministerial posts. Many other countries can look to Albania as a leader here,” said Linde.    

Linde also met the staff of the OSCE Presence in Albania and representatives from civil society.

PRISHTINË/PRIŠTINA, 5 October 2021 – The OSCE Mission in Kosovo will present tomorrow online the report “An Assessment of the Establishment, Functioning, and Performance of Municipal Community Participation and Representation Mechanisms”.

The report assesses the four key municipal-level mechanisms that have been created to promote and protect the rights and interests of communities at the municipal level: the Communities’ Committees, Municipal Offices for Communities and Return, Deputy Mayors for Communities and Deputy Chairpersons of the Municipal Assembly for Communities. It evaluates the compliance of these mechanisms with the legal and policy framework, their composition and performance.

Nadica Pavlovska, Chief of the OSCE Mission Communities Section, Gazmen Salijević, Deputy Minister for Communities and Return, and the General Secretary of the Ministry of Local Government Administration, Trim Berisha will deliver opening remarks, to be followed by a presentation of the report and a Q&A session.

Media representatives are cordially invited to attend the online event on Wednesday, 6 October, starting at 14.00.

Information for Zoom meeting:

OMiK Webinar1 is inviting you to a scheduled Zoom meeting.

Topic: Launch of Participation Report

Time: Oct 6, 2021 14:00 Amsterdam, Berlin, Rome, Stockholm, Vienna

Join Zoom Meeting

https://osce-org.zoom.us/j/95322162953

Meeting ID: 953 2216 2953

Passcode: 11324967

Join by SIP

95322162953@zoomcrc.com

Join by H.323

162.255.37.11 (US West)

162.255.36.11 (US East)

213.19.144.110 (Amsterdam Netherlands)

213.244.140.110 (Germany)

Meeting ID: 953 2216 2953

Passcode: 11324967

499729

A review meeting on the implementation of OSCE assistance projects in the field of small arms and light weapons (SALW) and stockpiles of conventional ammunition (SCA) has been organized in-person and online by the Austrian Chair of the OSCE Forum for Security Co-operation (FSC) on 5 and 6 October 2021.

“Excessive accumulation and the uncontrolled spread of SALW and SCA can negatively affect societies and people’s security,” said Ulrika Funered, Chairperson of the OSCE Permanent Council. “The commitments in the field of SALW and SCA, even though political, are among the core commitments of OSCE participating States which, to this day, are among very few unquestionable and unanimously acknowledged.”

During the two-day meeting, more than 200 participants from the OSCE participating States and international organizations will share their experiences and assess present progress achieved in implementing practical projects on the ground. At the same time, they will analyze challenges and opportunities related to these concretes measures. They will also discuss practical examples and analyze challenges related to these multilateral projects.

“Effectively combating threats such as the illicit trafficking in SALW and SCA requires joint action, across organizations and political differences,” emphasized Florian Raunig, Chairperson of the FSC. He explained how combatting illicit trafficking through efficient implementation of SALW and SCA projects is one of the priorities of the Austrian FSC Chairpersonship.

Tuula Yrjölä, Director of the OSCE Conflict Prevention Centre and Deputy Head of the OSCE Secretariat, highlighted: “The requirements to address SALW and SCA concerns are becoming increasingly more complex, simple interventions may not be feasible anymore. To address this, she added, requires a “shift towards more comprehensive and regional approaches.”

VIENNA/STOCKHOLM, 5 October 2021 — The OSCE Chairperson-in-Office, Swedish Minister for Foreign Affairs Ann Linde will visit the Republic of Moldova on 6 October for talks with high-level Moldovan officials and the political leadership in Tiraspol.

Linde will hold talks with President Maia Sandu, Prime Minister Natalia Gavrilita, Deputy Prime Minister and Minister of Foreign Affairs and European Integration Nicu Popescu, and Deputy Prime Minister for Reintegration Vlad Kulminski. In Tiraspol, she will meet with Transdniestrian leader Vadim Krasnoselsky and Chief Negotiator Vitaly Ignatiev. She will also meet with civil society representatives.

On 6 October, the OSCE Chairperson-in-Office Linde will have a press briefing after the bilateral meeting with Minister of Foreign Affairs and European Integration Popescu at 09:30 at the Ministry of Foreign Affairs and European Integration (80, 31 August 1989 Street) and on the same day at 17:45 at the entrance to the Delegation Hall of the Chisinau International Airport.

Media representatives are invited to attend the press briefings in person and are requested to observe social distancing guidelines and wear facemasks, as per instructions issued by the Moldovan authorities.

For more information, please contact the Press Office of the OSCE Mission to Moldova, at +373 22 887 887 (landline), e-mail: MtMpress@osce.org.

For other requests regarding the visit, please contact Tove Wennergren from the Swedish OSCE Chairpersonship at e-mail: tove.wennergren@gov.se

For more information about Sweden's 2021 OSCE Chairpersonship, please visit the OSCE website: https://www.osce.org/chairmanship.

SDGs SDGs:  16 - Peace, justice and strong institutions

Summary

• In Donetsk region, between the evenings of 1 and 3 October, the Mission recorded 157 ceasefire violations, including 15 explosions. In the previous reporting period, it recorded 209 ceasefire violations in the region.
• In Luhansk region, between the evenings of 1 and 3 October, the SMM recorded 372 ceasefire violations, including 82 explosions. In the previous reporting period, it recorded 21 ceasefire violations in the region.
• The Mission continued monitoring the disengagement areas near Stanytsia Luhanska, Zolote and Petrivske.
• The SMM facilitated and monitored adherence to localized ceasefires to enable the operation of critical civilian infrastructure.
• The Mission continued following up on the situation of civilians, including at three entry-exit checkpoints and the corresponding checkpoints of the armed formations in Luhansk region.
• The SMM visited three border crossing points outside government control and monitored areas close to the border with the Russian Federation in Donetsk region.
• The Mission monitored the security situation in east and south-east Kherson region.
• The SMM’s freedom of movement continued to be restricted, including near non-government-controlled Tavrycheske and Prymorske, southern Donetsk region. Its unmanned aerial vehicles again experienced multiple instances of jamming.*

SARAJEVO, 4 October 2021 - OSCE Chairperson-in-Office, Swedish Minister for Foreign Affairs Ann Linde, concluded her visit to Bosnia and Herzegovina (BiH) today. The President of the OSCE Parliamentary Assembly, Margareta Cederfelt, also participated in the visit. Linde expressed concern that the continued political impasse on state level is hindering functionality and progress in BiH. She stressed the need for compromise and co-operation, and called for advancing trust-building, which is key to strengthening security and prosperity.

“Leaders must focus on constructive dialogue to find a way out of the current situation and take necessary steps to rebuild trust and push key reforms – including resolving amendments to BiH Election Law,” said Linde.

In a meeting with BiH Presidency Linde encouraged the different institutions to make full use of the OSCE’s assistance. “Many challenges remain, and I hope that co-operation prevails for the benefit of the citizens of BiH,” Linde said.

The President of the OSCE Parliamentary Assembly, Margareta Cederfelt (MP, Sweden), stressed the importance of parliamentarism, the need for citizens to represented in an elected assembly and for the necessary compromises to be struck, in order for reforms to go forward. “As parliamentarians we have a responsibility to transparently represent our citizens,” Cederfelt said.

In a meeting with Foreign Minister Bisera Turkovic, Linde reaffirmed the OSCE’s continued partnership on reform priorities. Turkovic and Linde also discussed Bosnia and Herzegovina’s positive role in the implementation of regional arms control, including on Small Arms and Light Weapons.

At a meeting with civil society organizations, Linde said that the OSCE remains committed to advancing women’s rights in the country. “I welcome BiH’s commitment to ensure the full implementation of the Law on Gender Equality and the Gender Action plan of BiH. Without the meaningful participation of women, we will not reach the full potential of our societies.”

Linde also met with members of the international community in Sarajevo and visited the staff of the OSCE Mission to BiH. The Chairperson unveiled, together with Masha Durkalic, co-author of the #WomenOfBiH book, and artist Nataša Konjević, a mural depicting Milena Mrazović, the first woman journalist, editor, and publisher in Bosnia and Herzegovina.

VIENNA, 4 October 2021 – Amid continued designation of journalists and media outlets as ‘foreign agents’ in the Russian Federation, the OSCE Representative on Freedom of the Media Teresa Ribeiro today reiterated her grave concern regarding this controversial practice and called on the authorities to abandon it.

On 29 September, the Ministry of Justice expanded its ‘foreign agent’ registers by adding more than 20 individuals and several legal entities, including editor-in-chief Sergei Smirnov of Mediazona media portal, Pyotr Verzilov, its publisher, the company that owns the website, and the OVD-Info media project. These online media are popular for their reports on abuses by law-enforcement agencies.

“I once again call on the Russian authorities to abandon the special regime associated with ‘foreign agent’ status, including the related administrative and criminal sanctions, as it exerts disproportionate interference with the freedom of expression and freedom of the media,” Ribeiro said.

The Representative previously addressed the issue in August 2021 (see: https://www.osce.org/representative-on-freedom-of-media/496291).

Ribeiro also noted reports that on 28 September, the Russian Federal Security Service approved a vast list of non-secret military and military-technical topics on which an individual may not collect information, otherwise he/she may be designated a ‘foreign agent’. She expressed concern that this decision could effectively limit the dissemination of otherwise open information in the public domain and, therefore, hinder free and independent journalism.

The OSCE Representative on Freedom of the Media observes media developments in all 57 OSCE participating States. She provides early warning on violations of freedom of expression and media freedom and promotes full compliance with OSCE media freedom commitments. Learn more at www.osce.org/fom, Twitter: @OSCE_RFoM and on www.facebook.com/osce.rfom.

499603 Marina Živaljević

The OSCE Mission to Montenegro is supporting the Department for Media Studies and Journalism at the Faculty of Political Science, University of Montenegro with intensive workshops on project management cycles during the month of October.

Nina Beširević, an international consultant with extensive experience in project management, will conduct two series of in-house training courses on project proposal writing, monitoring and evaluation. The goal is to train staff at the Department for Media Studies and Journalism and the recently established Media Research and Training Centre, both located within the Faculty of Political Science, on project writing to secure external funding to support long-term sustainability of these institutions.

Siv Katrine Leirtroe, Acting Head of the Mission, said: “This support to the University will equip staff with the necessary knowledge to write projects, so that the Journalism Centre can function and provide journalism students with the practice they need and lack during journalism studies. This assistance to our long-term partner is just one in a series of activities that the Mission has conducted with the Faculty.”

Nataša Ružić, Head of the Department for Media Studies and Journalism, thanked the Mission for providing significant support to the Department. “This year, we will improve the project activities of the Centre for Media Research and Training through the education of academic staff, with the support of an international expert,” said Ružić, adding that they also plan to include Master students to educate future media researchers.

The Mission will continue to work with the Department for Media Studies and Journalism, as well as with media outlets across the country, to further improve the skills and knowledge of journalists in Montenegro.

499618

Albanian border police officers enhanced their skills and knowledge in detecting document and identity fraud at border crossing points through a five-day, hands-on training course jointly organized by the OSCE’s Border Security and Management Unit, the OSCE Presence in Albania and the Austrian Ministry of Interior from 27 September to 1 October 2021. The aim of the course was to fill knowledge gaps and help border control officers address the growing volume of diverse identity documents in circulation and related risks of forgery.

The participants comprised 15 front-line officers of the Albanian border police officer who were trained by experts of the Austrian Federal Ministry of Interior. In addition to enhancing their skills and knowledge, they explored the latest trends and counterfeiting techniques through interactive sessions that included real-life examples and cases, examining real counterfeit documents, studying printing techniques, as well as a practical module on facial comparison methods. They also learned how to use the 15 hand-held mobile devices donated by the OSCE for better performing document checks as part of their daily duties.

The training course was provided by the Austrian Ministry of Interior (BMI) and has also been adopted by the European Union’s European Border and Coast Guard Agency (FRONTEX) in a bid to raise and harmonize the levels of expertise in this field across the European Union. It is also part of a series of OSCE activities launched in 2015, which are designed to strengthen the detection of forged travel documents and imposters in different countries.

499510 Munira Shoinbekova, OSCE Programme Office in Dushanbe

A five-day training course on “Activities of psychologists in domestic violence issues”, organized by the OSCE Programme Office in Dushanbe concluded on 1 October 2021 in Dushanbe. Twenty-one female psychologists from women’s resource centres (WRCs) and Tajikistan’s Committee on Women and Family Affairs from the Sughd, Khatlon, Rasht Valley regions, and Gorno-Badakhshan Autonomous Region of Tajikistan took part.

Participants learned about the psychology of the aggressor, types and features; methods of working with the aggressor; psychological crisis and providing psychological assistance for recovery; violence against children in the family and compiling a psychological report on children who are victims of violence. Other main topic covered at the event was how the WRC’s psychologists can use hotline services to assess the risk and how to best help the person who is suffering.

Fotima Shohzodamuhammadova, a psychologist from Tajikistan’s Committee on Women and Family Affairs in Khorog, Gorno-Badakhshan Autonomous Region said: “This training course helped me gain new knowledge on psychological methodologies.” She added that she will use it in her practical work. She also mentioned she found the sessions on classifying types of aggressions against victims particularly informative.

Javohirkhon Davlatova, a psychologist from the WRC in the Rasht District, gained insight into recognizing signs of burnout that psychologists working in this field often face and added that she benefited from advice on working with the psychology of an aggressor.

The OSCE Programme Office will continue to support the Government of Tajikistan in implementing the Law on Prevention of Domestic Violence. The Programme Office provides a comprehensive support to victims of domestic violence in the regions through a network of 14 OSCE-established WRCs in close partnership with local authorities.

The current activity is being implemented within the WRCs project of the OSCE Programme Office funded by Norway, the United States of America, Finland, the European Union, Andorra and Germany.

499852 Richard Wheeler

An OSCE-supported series of online thematic webinars on human rights and freedoms were  launched on 30 September 2021 and will last until 10 November 2021. The first event was attended by some 46 participants consisting of civil activists, human rights defenders and representatives of governmental agencies.

The OSCE Programme Office in Nur-Sultan organized the event in partnership with the Kazakhstan International Bureau for Human Rights and Rule of Law. The first webinar focused on Kazakhstan in the context of human rights. Three national experts provided an overview of human rights situation in Kazakhstan and underlined some challenges that people working with human rights face.

Participants discussed current challenges of observance of human rights and freedoms in the context of COVID-19 through the prism of international law.

The series of seminars are a part of the Programme Office’s efforts in supporting the host country in strengthening human rights and fundamental freedoms.

TBILISI, 3 October 2021 – Georgia’s local elections were competitive and technically well administered, but marred by widespread allegations of electoral violations, vote-buying, and an unlevel playing field, as well as intimidation and pressure, international observers said in a statement today.

The joint observation mission from the OSCE Office for Democratic Institutions and Human Rights (ODIHR), the Council of Europe Congress of Local and Regional Authorities, and the European Parliament (EP), found that the legal framework was conducive to holding democratic elections. However, the legislation still remains unnecessarily complex and over-regulates many aspects of the process, and despite a number of improvements, requires further refinement to address remaining shortcomings.

“These elections saw a large range of candidates campaigning freely and many diverse views. They were also run transparently and professionally,” said Albert Jónsson, who heads the ODIHR election observation mission. “However, an increasingly aggressive political discourse, and even cases of physical violence was of deep concern. Widespread and consistent claims of violations need to be thoroughly investigated by the authorities.”

Some 3.5 million citizens were registered to vote. The elections were centred on national political issues due to a protracted political crisis overshadowing local issues. While the candidate registration process was inclusive, many opposition candidates withdrew from the race, a number of them reportedly under pressure from the ruling party. Women hardly featured in the campaign and are generally underrepresented in public office, making up less than a fifth of seats both in parliament and the outgoing local councils.

“From the Congress’ perspective, the election was a missed opportunity for local democracy in Georgia. It became, in fact, a referendum on the national government and overshadowed local issues, which is regrettable,” said David Eray, Head of the Congress delegation. “In addition, the situation of women in local politics remains an issue in Georgia, despite recent legislative amendments.”

The election administration managed the process efficiently, amidst the circumstances caused by the pandemic. The sessions of the Central Election Commission were open and livestreamed for the first time, increasing the transparency of the process. Meanwhile, doubts were expressed over the impartiality of the lower-level election administration, particularly at the precinct level.

Election day went smoothly overall, and the international observers had a positive assessment in the overwhelming majority of polling stations. However, there was concern over the widely observed practice of observer organisation representatives acting as party supporters and even interfering in the voting process, as well as the intimidating presence of party activists outside some polling stations.   

The election campaign was generally calm, although cases of violence, and aggressive confrontation were observed as election day drew closer. Allegations of electoral violations by both opposition and ruling party were numerous throughout the campaign. In addition, the announcement of large-scale government projects was not in line with the spirit of the law. This, together with the involvement of senior state officials in the campaign, gave the ruling party an undue advantage.

“The pre-electoral environment, however competitive, did not provide a level playing field for the contesting parties and candidates,” said Michael Gahler, Head of the EP Delegation. “Widespread and consistent allegations and personal testimonies should lead the competent authorities to investigate robustly cases of intimidation aiming at the withdrawal of opposition candidatures, pressure on civil servants, misuse of administrative resources, huge imbalances of financial means, in order not to further strengthen a feeling of impunity. For the post electoral period and beyond we would wish that the government and all parties follow the mature attitude Georgian citizens have shown by going to the polls in a peaceful spirit.”

Georgia’s media scene is diverse but strongly polarized, mirroring the deep divide between the ruling party and the opposition. Although legislation guarantees freedom of expression and of the media, recent cases of intimidation and threats against journalists raise concerns about their ability to work in freedom and safety.

The international election observation mission to the Georgian local elections totalled 334 observers from 37 countries, composed of 302 ODIHR experts and long- and short-term observers, 18 Congress members and staff from the Congress/Council of Europe, and 14 parliamentarians and staff from the EP.

For more information, please contact:

Katya Andrusz, ODIHR: +48 609 522 266 or katya.andrusz@odihr.pl

Renate Zikmund, Congress/Council of Europe: +33 659786455 or renate.zikmund@coe.int

Raffaele Luise, EP: +32 477855324 or raffaele.luise@europarl.europa.eu

STOCKHOLM, 3 October 2021 — The OSCE Chairperson-in-Office, Sweden’s Minister for Foreign Affairs Ann Linde, will visit Albania on 5 October 2021

The Chair will discuss regional security and co-operation and Albania’s reform agenda with Albanian counterparts.

Chairperson Linde will meet with President Ilir Meta and Minister for Europe and Foreign Affairs Olta Xhacka. The Chairperson will attend the signing of a Memorandum of Understanding between the OSCE and Albania to strengthen the work against the risk of weapon proliferation and misuse of Small Arms and Light Weapons. The meeting between the two ministers is followed by a press conference at 11:40, at the Ministry of Foreign Affairs

She will also meet with Speaker of the parliament, representatives of civil society in the country and the OSCE Presence in Albania.

For details about the press conference, please contact the Albanian Ministry for Europe and Foreign Affairs.

For more information about Sweden's 2021 OSCE Chairpersonship, please visit the OSCE website: https://www.osce.org/chairmanship

STOCKHOLM, 3 October 2021 — The OSCE Chairperson-in-Office, Sweden’s Minister for Foreign Affairs Ann Linde, will visit Bosnia and Herzegovina (BiH) on 4 October 2021.

Chairperson Linde visits BiH together with the President of the OSCE Parliamentary Assembly, Margareta Cederfelt.

Linde’s visit will focus on the current political situation in the country, implementation of crucial reforms, the importance of reconciliation and trust-building, regional co-operation and women’s empowerment and participation in political decision-making processes. She will also discuss the country’s EU integration agenda, anti-corruption efforts, election law and pandemic recovery.

Chairperson Linde will meet with the Members of the BiH Presidency and the Minister of Foreign Affairs Bisera Turkovic.

A press conference at 14:45, at the Ministry of Foreign Affairs will be held after her meeting with Minister Turkovic.

Linde will also have a meeting with representatives of civil society to discuss women, peace and security, organized by the OSCE Mission to BiH and will meet with members of the international community in BiH.

For more information on the press conference, please contact the BiH Ministry of Foreign Affairs.

For more information about Sweden's 2021 OSCE Chairpersonship, please visit the OSCE website: https://www.osce.org/chairmanship

STOCKHOLM, 3 October 2021 — The OSCE Chairperson-in-Office, Swedish Minister for Foreign Affairs Ann Linde highlighted today the importance of the landmark Document of the Moscow Meeting of the Conference on the Human Dimension of the CSCE[1] – the Moscow Document – which was adopted 30 years ago today by participating States.

In Moscow on 3 October 1991, the participating States jointly emphasized that issues relating to human rights, fundamental freedoms, democracy and the rule of law are of international concern, as respect for these rights and freedoms constitutes one of the foundations of the international order. They categorically and irrevocably declared that the commitments undertaken in the field of the human dimension of security are matters of direct and legitimate concern to all participating States and do not belong exclusively to the internal affairs of the State concerned. They also expressed their determination to fulfil all of their human dimension commitments.

“The Document, adopted in Moscow, constitutes a milestone in the history of the Organization,” said Chairperson-in-Office Linde. “What we jointly agreed to then is as important today, and it is our obligation to stand up for and implement these commitments. As States, this is our responsibility towards our citizens and towards each other.”

The Document also established the Moscow Mechanism. This instrument can be activated in relation to any participating State if at least ten participating States consider that a particularly serious threat to the fulfilment of the provisions of the OSCE human dimension has arisen in that participating State.

“The Moscow Mechanism is a unique tool for States to hold each other accountable in the human dimension. Its strength lies in the fact that we all have agreed to this mechanism,” Linde said. “It is deeply worrisome that some States have decided not to co-operate when the mechanism has been activated. As Chairperson-in-Office, I urge all participating States to respect and use the tools of this Organization and to implement all our joint commitments in the human dimension.”

[1] Conference on Security and Co-operation in Europe, which changed its name to the Organization for Security and Co-operation in Europe in 1995.