Central Europe

TBILISI, 24 October 2024 – International election observers will hold a press conference to present their findings following the parliamentary elections in Georgia.

What:

• A press conference of the international election observation mission to the parliamentary elections in Georgia
• The press conference can be attended in person or via Zoom (details below)
• You can also follow the livestream here

Who:

• Pascal Allizard, Special Co-ordinator and leader of the OSCE short-term observers
• Iulian Bulai, Head of the PACE delegation
• Pia Kauma, Head of the OSCE PA delegation
• Faik Öztrak, Head of the NATO PA delegation
• Antonio López-Istúriz White, Head of the EP delegation
• Eoghan Murphy, Head of the ODIHR election observation mission

When:

• 15:00 local time (GMT +4) on 27 October 2024

Where:

• Radisson Blu Iveria Hotel, 1 First Republic Square, Tbilisi

Registration:

• To take part, please register by 11:00 local time on 27 October using the following link. All journalists attending in person are requested to bring press ID.

The international election observation is a joint mission of the OSCE Office for Democratic Institutions and Human Rights (ODIHR), the OSCE Parliamentary Assembly (OSCE PA), the Parliamentary Assembly of the Council of Europe (PACE), the NATO Parliamentary Assembly (NATO PA), and the European Parliament (EP). The observation mission totals 530 observers, made up of 380 ODIHR-deployed experts, long-term, and short-term observers, 61 parliamentarians and staff from the OSCE PA, 39 from PACE, 38 from the NATO PA, and 12 from the EP.

For more information, please contact:

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

Anna Di Domenico, OSCE PA: anna.didomenico@oscepa.dk  or +45 60 10 83 80

Sylvie Affholder, PACE: Sylvie.AFFHOLDER@coe.int or +995 591926635

Svitlana Svyetova, NATO PA: ssvetova@nato-pa.int or +32 478 554 816

Cristina Castagnoli, EP: cristina.castagnoli@europarl.europa.eu or +32 470 880872

579196 Nino Sukhitashvili OSCE Mission to Moldova

On 23 October, the OSCE Mission’s Donors’ Forum united nearly 90 civil society organizations (CSOs) from both banks of the Dniester/Nistru River and over 30 donors and development partners. Civil society shared positive experiences, achievements and challenges. One highlight was that organizations from both banks conducted successful information campaigns on HIV/AIDS prevention and healthcare. As for challenges, civil society members noted their limited capacity and resources, and suggested that donors help with small-scale projects, and not just large ones.

“The Forum helps us present our ideas and initiatives, and learn about new opportunities for funding and cooperation. We can interact with colleagues from other NGOs, gain experience and build partnerships. Such events are important for building trust between communities on both sides of the river, for peaceful and sustainable development of the society”, - Margarita Cojuhar from the Transdniestrian Media Center said after the Forum.

The Chair of Legal Center in Causeni, Ion Oboroceanu, shared his impressions: “Cooperation between CSOs on both banks of the Dniester is crucial for the promotion and protection of human rights, thus facilitating access to impartial justice for the vulnerable groups we represent.”

The Head of the OSCE Mission, Ambassador Kelly Keiderling noted: “Any settlement of the Transdniestrian issue requires that residents of Transdniestria and the members of Transdniestrian civil society groups feel connected to the life of all of Moldovan society. We need you, the people on both banks of the Nistru/Dniester River, to raise awareness about the social, economic, and political challenges you face. We need you to extend protection to the most disadvantaged and vulnerable. We need you to widen the reach of political-civil rights to more citizens.”

Since 2013, our Mission has held the Donors Forum to assist civil society from both banks of the Dniester/Nistru River, donors and development partners meet and exchange information.

579157 Head of Presence's remarks at 10th annual Media Development Forum

Representatives from local media, public institutions, academics, and civil society gathered at the OSCE Presence in Albania's 10th annual Media Development Forum, a key event focused on the future of media freedom and integrity in the country.

Ambassador Michel Tarran, Head of the OSCE Presence in Albania, opened the forum with a commitment to fostering a structured dialogue between Albania’s institutions and its media sector. He said: “Building on last year’s discussions, the OSCE Presence is willing and remains committed to supporting the structured dialogue between Albania’s institutions and its media sector. For this purpose, we avail not only the resources we have at disposal at the OSCE Presence in Albania but also from the broader set of OSCE institutions that are specialized in democratization and media affairs. We believe that this dialogue will foster a more collaborative environment where public officials and media professionals can work together to strengthen press freedom and find solutions that work in the Albanian context.”

Opening remarks were also delivered by Ambassador Silvio Gonzato, Head of the Delegation of the European Union in Albania, and Philippe Tremblay, Director of the Office of the OSCE’s Representative on Freedom of the Media, through a video address.

The forum facilitated discussions on the intersection of media policy and journalist safety, highlighting the importance of aligning with European standards while exploring how to enhance protections for journalists. Participants emphasized the need for continued reforms to strengthen the media landscape and ongoing efforts to further communication between the media and government institutions.

Another key focus was the current state of media ownership in Albania and its impact on journalistic independence. The increasing concentration of media ownership raised concerns about the impartiality of information that the public receives, with discussions centred on strategies to promote transparency and media pluralism.

The relationship between the media and the judiciary was another relevant and intertwining topic. Participants explored ways to improve communication and collaboration between journalists and judicial authorities, aiming to foster a more supportive environment for accurate reporting.

By bringing together diverse stakeholders, the Media Development Forum aimed to enhance cooperation among public institutions, media organizations, and civil society, ultimately working towards a more vibrant and secure media environment in Albania.

579142 Communication and Media Relations Section

From 21 to 22 October 2024, government officials and experts gathered in Skopje for an interactive workshop on protecting critical infrastructure and soft targets from terrorist attacks. The workshop was organized by the OSCE Transnational Threats Department and the OSCE Mission to Skopje.

“The expert discussion and training on soft targets and critical infrastructure via Project PROTECT, as well as the practical exercises organized by the OSCE, are of exceptional importance and will be of great benefit in reforming and strengthening the system for the prevention and protection of the soft targets and critical infrastructure,” said Pavle Trajanov, National Coordinator for the Prevention and Countering Violent Extremism and Counter-Terrorism of the Republic of North Macedonia in his opening remarks.

Experts and practitioners from the Ministry of Interior, Ministry of Defence, Ministry of Health, Ministry of Foreign Affairs, Crisis Management Centre, Intelligence Agency, Agency for National Security, Chamber of the Republic of North Macedonia for Private Security explored effective practices for protecting vulnerable targets from terrorist attacks. The workshop covered a range of topics including processes for identifying and prioritizing vulnerable targets, assessing and managing risks, engaging in public-private partnerships, enacting security measures, building resilience frameworks, and communicating effectively with the public during emergency situations. The participants also had an opportunity to hear insights from independent technical experts and a guest lecturer from the European Commission’s Joint Research Centre.

During the workshop, break-out working groups were organized as well as a simulation exercise where participants worked through several stages of the response to a terrorist attack at a hospital. The practical exercise allowed participants to discuss multi-stakeholder co-ordination and effective incident response practices. These will be further enhanced later this week with table-top simulation exercises for commanders and first responders.

“Project PROTECT plays a crucial role here as we recognize that when terrorists carry out acts of violence across the world, they specifically target critical infrastructure, soft targets and public spaces. Therefore, it is our shared responsibility to reinforce the security of these spaces while also preserving their accessibility and utility to the public. And while this is a shared responsibility, it is also a shared challenge. No country has the single best solution for the protection of vulnerable targets from terrorist attacks. Instead, what we see are good practices from the lived experiences of each OSCE participating State,” said Paul Martin, Senior Police Adviser at the OSCE Mission to Skopje.

The workshop has been the fourth activity under the OSCE’s Project PROTECT. Project PROTECT enhances national approaches to protecting vulnerable targets from terrorist threats and other hazards in a manner that integrates compliance with human rights.

This workshop was organized with financial support from the United States of America.

From 21 to 23 October 2024, the OSCE Presence in Albania conducted a comprehensive three-day training course focused on Informant Management, specifically designed for the Albanian State Police Informant Management Unit. This initiative also welcomed participation from representatives of the National Bureau of Investigation and the Police Oversight Agency.

The training was developed in collaboration with the International Criminal Investigation Training Assistance Program (ICITAP) from the US Department of Justice.

The training program encompassed a range of critical topics, including the selection, management, and handling of informants, as well as best practices for conducting successful operations and engaging in joint international investigations.

This significant event is part of the OSCE Presence in Albania’s ongoing project, “Supporting Albanian law enforcement agencies to efficiently fight serious crimes and organized crime and to improve regional cooperation Phase V.”

This initiative aims to bolster the capabilities of Albanian law enforcement in combating both national and transnational organized crime and serious offenses. By aligning with international best practices, the project seeks to enhance cooperation with regional and international partners, ultimately contributing to a safer and more secure environment for all.

578962

From 22 to 24 October, the OSCE hosted the second workshop on cryptocurrency investigations in Astana, Kazakhstan. The intermediary workshop gathered more than thirty practitioners from the Asset Recovery Committee, the Financial Monitoring Agency, the Anti-Corruption Agency and the Prosecutor’s General Office of the Republic of Kazakhstan.

“Criminal use of virtual assets has become one of the most discussed problems of the financial system and for the economic security of most countries,” said Mr. Murat Tuleganov, the Head of the Office of the Asset Recovery Committee. “This highlights the critical need for capacity building of practitioners in order to identify, trace and effectively seize cryptocurrencies used for criminal activities,” he added.

Through real-life case studies, participants had the opportunity to learn about various steps in the investigation process including identification of the perpetrator, analysis of basic transactions, gathering evidence, reporting of suspicious transactions, and freezing and suspending cryptocurrency assets.

The workshop also covered how to effectively communicate with other institutions and the private sector throughout the investigation process, including with international counterparts.

This workshop was organized within the framework of the extra-budgetary project “Innovative Policy Solutions to Mitigate Money-Laundering Risks of Virtual Assets”, implemented by the Office of the Co-ordinator of OSCE Economic and Environmental Activities. The project is financially supported by Germany, Italy, Poland, Romania, the United Kingdom and the United States.

578956 SDGs SDGs:  5 - Gender equality 7 - Affordable and clean energy

As part of the 2nd edition of the OSCE-GWNET Empowering Central Asian Women in Renewable Energy Mentoring Programme, the Office of the Co-ordinator of OSCE Economic and Environmental Activities (OCEEA) organized a study tour in Vienna for female energy experts to gain hands-on experience in the renewable energy transition and strengthen the role of women in the sector.

The programme included training sessions on career development and advancements in clean technologies, alongside meetings with government officials and leading energy institutions. Participants visited key renewable energy sites, and had the opportunity to network with experts in the field, fostering the development of a community of female leaders driving the energy transition in Central Asia.

The study tour kicked off with an Experience Sharing Meeting hosted by Ambassador Bakyt Dzhusupov, Co-ordinator of OSCE Economic and Environmental Activities. The meeting was attended by Kate Fearon, Officer-in-Charge/Secretary General and Director of the OSCE Conflict Prevention Centre, as well as Permanent Representatives of Central Asian participating States and donors. It provided a platform for Central Asian mentees to share their personal stories, and discuss the challenges women face in the energy sector, including gender inequality, limited access to professional development, and the lack of female representation in leadership roles.

"The energy sector holds immense potential for growth, particularly in Central Asia, and by amplifying women’s voices and contributions, we can unlock new pathways for innovation and progress,” said Ambassador Dzhusupov, highlighting the broader impact of the initiative.

Kate Fearon reinforced this message, adding, "This initiative is more than a mentoring programme. It is a powerful step towards a sustainable, secure, and inclusive future."

"We are witnessing first-hand how these women are breaking barriers and becoming role models for the next generation," said Giulia Manconi, Project Manager and Senior Energy Security Adviser.

The study tour also featured an insightful exchange with Ambassador Fatène Benhabylès-Foeth, Permanent Representative of France to the OSCE, during which Central Asian mentees shared their views and explored the barriers to achieving gender equality. Other activities included a female leadership training led by coach Maren Wölfl at Climate Lab, participation in the 2024 Edition of the Vienna Energy Security Dialogue, and a site visit to the Austrian Institute of Technology, including the SmartEST Laboratory, which provides a simulation infrastructure to analyze the interactions between components and the grid under realistic conditions. Additionally, participants visited the 'Plus-Energie-Office Tower' at TU Wien, the world’s first office building that feeds more energy into the grid than it consumes, and the Spittelau waste incineration facility.

The study tour was implemented in partnership with the Global Women’s Network for the Energy Transition (GWNET), and is part of the OSCE project ‘Promoting women’s economic empowerment in the energy sector in Central Asia’ funded by Austria, France, Germany, Italy, Norway, and Poland.

578938 Marina Živaljević

As part of the continuous support to the Ministry of Interior to improve its learning opportunities for police officials, in May and October 2024 the OSCE Mission to Montenegro organized three training cycles for 29 Ministry officials to create, maintain and manage the e-learning platform, developed with the Mission’s support.

The Ministry’s e-learning platform provides online and hybrid learning opportunities on a variety of topics relevant for policing, including non-discrimination, human rights, as well as lectures on combatting stereotypes.

In May, through the first training session, the Mission supported the Ministry’s officials who managed the e-learning platform in adapting and uploading the courses on “Safety and health at work and first aid assistance”, “Basic training course in the field of fire protection” and “English language course for police officers”. In October, two training sessions were organized for the platform’s content creators, which equipped them with skills to create and upload training content, as well as to use advanced options for video content to be inserted in the created course.

These training courses will be followed by a six-week mentorship process with the Mission’s experts, during which each of the participants will develop a course within their own field of expertise, to be posted on the platform or further developed by the Ministry’s Directorate for police training and development.

In 2022, the OSCE Mission provided to the Ministry of Interior the technical equipment to host the e-learning platform, while in 2023 it trained 15 officials on the platform’s use, thus reducing the government’s training and education expenses.

578908 Marina Živaljević

The OSCE Mission to Montenegro and the Ministry for Culture and Media commissioned the Damar Institute to conduct research into self-regulation in Montenegro. The research showed that as many as 74% of respondents were not familiar with self-regulation of the media. On the other hand, the interviews conducted among media workers showed a relatively high degree of familiarity with the process of self-regulation and a limited level of trust in self-regulation.  The key findings of the research show what constitutes professional values and standards, including self-regulation. It was found that continuous dialogue and training are key to overcoming gaps and improving the effectiveness of the self-regulation framework.

Vuk Čađenović from the Damar Institute said that about two-thirds of respondents believed it would be better for all media in Montenegro to be part of a single joint self-regulatory body, while 34% disagreed with this idea. Just under two-thirds of respondents believe that the state should not increase regulations on social media content, while 38% think it should.

Speaking at conference, the Minister of Culture and Media, Tamara Vujović, said that the number of media outlets that are part of a collective self-regulatory body had increased from 17 outlets to 55. “The number of media with an ombudsperson or an internal body for monitoring compliance with ethical standards is constantly growing, which represents progress in strengthening responsibility and professionalism in the Montenegrin media space. Media self-regulation is a key mechanism for improving professionalism and ethics in the media,” said Minister Vujović.

The acting Head of the OSCE Mission to Montenegro, Giovanni Gabassi, stated that the research indicated that the public needs more information about self-regulatory mechanisms. “Robust self-regulation empowers the media, leading to more responsible reporting and facilitating direct public feedback. Since 2017, through the Technical Working Group for Self-Regulation, the Mission has facilitated developments of manuals that offer practical guidance to journalists on interpreting and adhering to the Code of Ethics of Montenegrin Journalists,” said Gabassi, announcing that in 2025, based on previous results and in cooperation with the Council of Europe, the Mission will initiate an official review process of the Code of Ethics for Montenegrin Journalists.

The report implies that a single self-regulatory body led by independent experts, or the establishment of internal ethical guidelines and mechanisms for self-regulation, can improve the system of self-regulation and have a higher level of transparency.

The research was conducted in June and July 2024 using a combined method, with semi-structured qualitative interviews with journalists, editors, media owners and regulators, and public opinion research on a representative sample of 1,002 Montenegrin adult citizens.

578881 Communication and Media Relations Section

On 17 and 18 October 2024, the OSCE hosted the second in-person meeting of women professionals from Central Asia and South-Eastern Europe working on preventing and countering violent extremism and radicalization that lead to terrorism (P/CVERLT). Established in February 2023 by the OSCE Secretariat’s Gender Issues Programme WIN Project, in collaboration with the OSCE Secretariat's Transnational Threats Department, the two regional networks comprise 68 women professionals from diverse sectors including government agencies, civil society, academia, media and OSCE field operations.

The primary focus of the meeting was on sharing good practices and learning from each other about the key P/CVERLT challenges and trends. Participants discussed the importance of community resilience and multi-stakeholder co-operation in P/CVERLT efforts, as well as media and information literacy for preventing the spread of misinformation, disinformation and malign information. Particular attention was given to examining gendered aspects of radicalization to violence and the ways the education sector can be safely involved in P/CVERLT efforts. The meeting also helped to strengthen connections among network members both within and across regions, as well as to introduce new members, who joined the networks in 2024.

“Not only is violent misogyny in violent extremist narratives across the ideological spectrum becoming increasingly evident in the online space, but harmful content is reaching and influencing younger and younger audiences. In fact, we see increasing evidence of teenagers being negatively impacted by violent extremist content and in some cases exploited by violent extremist groups and individuals. That is why educators and parents must be better included in the comprehensive prevention of radicalization to violence with the objective of protecting children and youth,” said Ambassador Alena Kupchyna, OSCE Co-ordinator of Activities to Address Transnational Threats.

“By supporting these networks, we are sending a clear message: gender-sensitive approaches are vital to effectively address the complex threat that violent extremism poses to our societies,” said Dr. Lara Scarpitta, OSCE Senior Advisor on Gender Issues, “This is not merely a question of representation – it is about integrating the unique perspectives, experiences and expertise that women bring to the table into the P/CVERLT policies and programming,” she added.

This meeting reaffirmed the OSCE's commitment to enhancing the capacity of women professionals in the critical field of P/CVERLT. By facilitating regular online meetings every two months and in-person gatherings, the OSCE is creating a sustainable platform for knowledge exchange, collaboration, and capacity-building among women professionals in this crucial security domain.

578770

On 18 October, the Office for Human Rights and Rights of National Minorities of Croatia, the OSCE Office of the Special Representative and Co-operation for Combating Trafficking in Human Beings, and the UN Global Compact Network Croatia marked EU Anti-Trafficking Day with a pivotal roundtable discussion in Zagreb on supply chains and human rights. The event, titled 'Sustainable Supply Chains: Promoting Human Rights and Social Responsibility', was a landmark occasion that brought together the public and private sectors to discuss human rights in global supply chains, with a particular focus on combating human trafficking for labour exploitation in the context of the new EU Corporate Sustainability Due Diligence Directive (CSDDD).

Convening 30 participants from diverse backgrounds, including representatives from businesses, government agencies, international organizations, academia, and civil society, the roundtable was a testament to the widespread interest in the topic. Their collective engagement in discussions on preventing human rights abuses and ensuring environmental sustainability in supply chains underscored the broad commitment to this critical issue.

“In order to enhance awareness of the phenomenon of labour exploitation and to formulate an appropriate response to the emerging situation, the Government of the Republic of Croatia is committed to strengthening the collaboration between the private and public sectors through joint initiatives and the involvement of the private sector in shaping public policies,” said Alen Tahiri, National Anti-Trafficking Coordinator of Croatia. “Public-private partnerships are crucial for identifying and mitigating the risks of labour exploitation.”

Additionally, the CSDDD requires the Croatian government to amend several national laws, making this event a timely opportunity to discuss the challenges faced not only by businesses required to comply, but also by governments that must implement these changes.

According to the UN Global Compact Croatia Network, the roundtable discussion is just the beginning, serving as a platform for ongoing co-operation between the public and private sectors on human rights issues.

Vali Marszalek, Board Chair of the UN Global Compact Network Croatia and ESG Director for the Adria Region at Forvis Mazars, emphasized that while companies are currently focused on sustainability reporting, a crucial shift towards evaluating business behaviour is needed. “With the new directive in effect, businesses must scrutinize their operations and entire chains of activity, recognizing that they cannot distance themselves from negative impacts,” she said.

Boris Topić, National Anti-Trafficking Officer at the OSCE Mission to Bosnia and Herzegovina, underscored that “the OSCE is walking the talk when it comes to ethical supply chains and has implemented several measures in its own operations and procurement processes. We are excited to see the next steps that Croatia will take as a joint effort from the public and private sectors toward the implementation of the CSDDD, and we stand ready to support Croatia in this endeavor.”

Discussions underscored Croatia's ongoing commitment to high human rights standards, including efforts against trafficking and labour exploitation. By sharing insights and best practices, the roundtable fostered collaborative efforts to enhance compliance and enforcement of due diligence legislation, reinforcing the importance of responsible business conduct for the benefit of all employees in the country.

VIENNA, 23 October 2024 – The Economic and Environmental Dimension Implementation Meeting (EEDIM), held annually to review the implementation of the commitments undertaken by OSCE participating States through various Ministerial Council decisions, will take pace in Vienna on 29 October.

The EEDIM provides a platform to enhance dialogue and co-operation on key thematic areas within the second dimension of the OSCE. The focus of this year’s EEDIM is on water management, exploring its various roles within the OSCE framework. Discussions will highlight best practices in good governance, climate change adaptation and mitigation, and the sustainable management and conservation of water resources, including environmental protection and disaster risk reduction, across the OSCE area.

The opening session of the meeting on taking stock of the implementation of water management commitments will take place from 9:30 to 11:30 a.m. CET and will be livestreamed on https://www.osce.org/live

For more information about EEDIM, please click here 

CHISINAU, 21 October 2024 – Moldova’s 20 October presidential election and constitutional referendum were well-managed, and contestants campaigned freely in an environment characterized by concerns over illicit foreign interference and active disinformation efforts. While this affected the integrity of the process, additionally, campaign conditions did not allow for a level playing field among contestants, international observers said in a preliminary statement released today.

The election administration worked professionally and demonstrated impartiality in their decision-making. In a competitive but only minimally visible campaign, voters were offered a variety of political alternatives among presidential candidates, who were registered in an inclusive process. However, the manner in which the presidential election and referendum campaigns were conducted simultaneously, and media coverage that favoured the incumbent and the government, did not provide fully equal opportunities. Misuse of public resources in the campaign was noted, the statement says.

“Moldova deserves credit for implementing a number of reforms to increase public confidence in the electoral system, in the context heavy Russian propaganda. From implementing cybersecurity measures to ensuring a high degree of women’s participation, there is much to celebrate in this election,” said Lucie Potůčková, Special Co-ordinator and leader of the short-term OSCE observers. “There are, however, some areas for improvement. The overlapping period between candidate registration and the campaign, for example, has created an uneven playing field, which is something we would like to see improved.”

The campaigns took place in the context of the government addressing national security threats resulting from the war caused by the Russian Federation’s invasion of Ukraine. Law enforcement authorities, many international actors and civil society organizations have proclaimed that Moldova is the target of an ongoing “hybrid war” directed from abroad that includes illicit financing of political actors, disinformation campaigns, and cyberattacks.

"Yesterday marked a pivotal moment for Moldova, despite Russia's full-scale aggression against Ukraine and intensive Kremlin-backed interference in the electoral processes,” said Petra Bayr, Head of the delegation from the Parliamentary Assembly of the Council of Europe. “We commend the country's leadership for boldly consulting the population on this fundamental choice, and stand ready to support Moldova in further strengthening its inclusive and open society. Success will depend on further democratic reforms and the ability to combat disinformation and external interference, ensuring Moldova's democratic process remains legitimate and transparent."

“We welcome the results of the referendum,”  said Michael Gahler, Head of the delegation from the European Parliament. “Despite the unprecedented massive, malign and illicit Russian interference, especially through vote buying, hybrid attacks and disinformation, the people of the Republic of Moldova chose a future in the EU. We commend the competent Moldovan authorities for holding a well-managed and efficient election under these extraordinary circumstances. We call on all stakeholders to resist any interference, in order not to allow it to distort the results of the second round of the presidential election and the 2025 parliamentary elections.”

While the revised legal framework for the presidential election provides an adequate basis for holding democratic elections, frequent amendments, introduced shortly prior to the election and without sufficient consultation, diminished the coherence of election legislation and potentially affected legal certainty. The legal framework for the referendum, which was on the question of enabling the parliament to integrate EU rights and obligations into national law without further constitutional reform, has certain shortcomings, including insufficient safeguards against the misuse of public resources and, as such, is not fully in line with international standards and OSCE commitments. While there are no international standards prohibiting the concurrent holding of the two contests, doing so without adjusting campaign regulations contributed to an unlevel playing field for presidential contestants.

“The substantial number of international observers that deployed to observe the elections serve as a testament to the international community’s steadfast support for Moldova’s democratic path,” said Johan Büser, Head of the delegation from the OSCE Parliamentary Assembly. “In the context of Russia’s full-scale war of aggression against Ukraine, pro-Russian actors have directed foreign interference and disinformation campaigns, while traditional views on minorities and LGBT rights were sometimes framed as reasons to vote ‘No’ on the EU referendum.”

Election day was calm and well-organized, and the voting process was assessed overwhelmingly positively by the observers, with only a few procedural problems noted. The vote count and tabulation were assessed positively, overall.

“The electoral authorities have been transparent and professional in their work, and this was reflected in our overwhelmingly positive assessment of election day,” said Urszula Gacek, head of the election observation mission from the OSCE Office for Democratic Institutions and Human Rights. “Our observation over the last several weeks shows that the conditions did not provide the contestants with a level playing field. The recommendations we will make based on our observation will be aimed at addressing this and other areas in need of improvement, to increase the resilience of and citizens’ confidence in electoral processes in the country.”

Recent changes created a robust legal framework for campaign finances, but oversight was diminished due to the limited capacity and resources of the electoral authorities. Campaign donation and expenditure limits apply separately to election and referendum participants, meaning political parties and election blocs participating in both contests had the ability to spend more.

During the campaign, radio and television political coverage was tightly regulated to ensure fairness, accuracy and impartiality, but ODIHR media monitoring showed that the incumbent received the most coverage overall in news and editorial programmes in both her official capacity and as a candidate, without clear distinction between the two. Coverage of the referendum in all newscasts was very limited. In line with electoral media laws, candidates were granted sufficient free airtime.

The effectiveness of the resolution of election disputes was limited in the handling of some cases. Although the dispute resolution deadlines comply with international good practice, the Central Election Commission and the appellate court did not always comply with legal deadlines. As most of the Commission’s decisions on inadmissibility were upheld upon judicial review, some important campaign-related issues were not examined on their merits.

578833 Željka Šulc

The OSCE Mission to Bosnia and Herzegovina (Mission), in cooperation with the Cantonal Prosecutor’s Office of Hercegovina Neretva Canton (HNC), organized a training for the police officials of the HNC Ministry of Interior on “Good and Pro-active Investigations”. The training aimed to enhance the quality of criminal investigations and foster stronger cooperation, coordination and communication between police officials and prosecutors.

The training, which brought together 30 police officials from the three police administrations in HNC, delivered through three core components: a) the role of the police in proactive investigations and evidence collection; b) duties and responsibilities of police investigators in ensuring the legality of evidence; and c) a practical case-study focusing on building knowledge and skills concerning responses to prosecutorial instructions and court orders during investigations. This practical component was designed to enable police officials to engage in hands-on exercises, learning from both exemplary and deficient practices in crime scene investigations.

The Mission is committed to supporting the professional development of law enforcement agencies across the country, with the aim of improving the overall quality of investigations and ensuring that police actions align with relevant domestic and international standards and are delivered in such a way to ensure effective responses to crime in Bosnia and Herzegovina.

578818 A dog handler and his service dog participating in the III Inter-Agency K9 Competition. Osh, Kyrgyzstan. Chyngyz Zhanybekov Aida Almazbekova

The OSCE Programme Office in Bishkek is supporting a series of joint inter- and intra-agency exercises designed to enhance collaboration between the Border Service and law enforcement agencies in combating the illicit trafficking of small arms and light weapons, conventional ammunition, and explosives in southern Kyrgyzstan.

These scenario-based exercises are vital in reinforcing co-operation between the Border Service’s internal structures and units, while also fostering stronger partnerships with law enforcement agencies. By working together, participants will become familiar with each other’s operational procedures, improving their ability to respond swiftly and effectively to security threats.

For three days, the teams, composed of K9 units from the Correctional Service under the Ministry of Justice, the State Customs Service, the Drug Trafficking Control Service, and the Border Guard Service, competed in a series of rigorous tasks. These included detecting narcotics in luggage, vehicles, and indoor environments, as well as overcoming obstacle courses and demonstrating general obedience training. German and Belgian Shepherds, renowned for their agility and training capacity, were the star participants.

"Until the final moments, it was difficult to predict the winner," said Colonel A. Abdyldaev, Chief Judge of the competition. "Initially, the team from the Ministry of Internal Affairs Drug Trafficking Control Service and the State Customs Service was in the lead. However, yesterday, the team from the Border Guard Service of the State Committee for National Security (SCNS) took the lead.”

The judges assessed not only the execution of the tasks but also the dogs' behaviour and their responsiveness to the handlers' commands.  In addition, special attention was paid to the technique of performing the elements. The “Obedience” stage of the competition was judged by Josef Schützenhofer, an invited expert from Austria in the field of K9.

The team from the Border Guard Service of the State Committee for National Security claimed victory in a highly competitive final stage, securing first place. The Ministry of Internal Affairs’ Drug Trafficking Control Service team claimed second place, while the State Customs Service team finished third. The Corrections Service under the Ministry of Justice took fourth place.

In the individual competition, Warrant Officer N. Sultanov from the Border Guard Service, along with his dog Zakat, took first place. Lieutenant B. Batyrkul uulu and his dog Tina, representing the Ministry of Internal Affairs, secured second place, and Major N. Gladkova with her dog Gerda from the State Customs Service earned third place.

Winners received special awards, including medals, diplomas, and valuable gifts provided by the OSCE Programme Office. In addition, the winning teams were presented with specialised backpacks for dog handlers and dry food for their service dogs.

This marks the third consecutive year that the OSCE Programme Office in Bishkek has supported the inter-agency K9 competition, reinforcing its dedication to enhancing security co-operation in Kyrgyzstan through capacity building and professional training initiatives.

The III Inter-Agency K9 Competition is implemented within the framework of the extrabudgetary project “Reducing risk of illicit small arms and light weapons, 

ammunition and explosives proliferation across border of Kyrgyz Republic,” funded by the US, Germany, Norway, UK, and supported by Austria and Poland.

578797 OSCE Centre in Ashgabat

\

On 21 October 2024, the OSCE Centre in Ashgabat hosted a conference dedicated to the 25th anniversary since Turkmenistan acceded to the Aarhus Convention, a key UN document on access to environmental information, public participation in decision-making and access to justice in environmental matters.

The conference brought together representatives of the Aarhus Centre in Turkmenistan and public organizations, national environmental experts and governmental officials from relevant ministries and agencies.

“As we celebrate this significant anniversary, I am pleased to highlight that Turkmenistan was the first Central Asian state to ratify the Aarhus Convention and commit to implementing provisions of this unprecedented environmental agreement,” said Olivera Zurovac-Kuzman

, Economic and Environmental Officer at the OSCE Centre in Ashgabat.

The event presented the draft National Report on the Implementation of the Aarhus Convention in Turkmenistan and its provisions and discussed the main areas of Aarhus Centre’s activities.

A representative from the Aarhus Convention Secretariat, UNECE, focused on the role of the Aarhus Convention in promoting the principles of good environmental governance and sustainable development.

Representatives of the Aarhus Centre in Turkmenistan reflected on the role of the Aarhus Centre in promoting the Aarhus Convention and the main areas of their activities emphasizing the importance of their work aimed at promoting sustainable water management. Experiences of organizing environmental campaigns were also shared.

“We highly value our long-standing co-operation with the Aarhus Centre, hosted by the public organization ”Tebigy Kuwwat”,  in supporting Turkmenistan in the implementation of the Aarhus Convention and promoting access to information, public participation and access to justice in environmental matters,” added Zurovac-Kuzman.

578773

From 15 to 17 October 2024, the OSCE Transnational Threats Department’s Action against Terrorism Unit organized a training course for officials from Montenegro on how to use financial intelligence to effectively cut off terrorism financing channels in Bar, Montenegro. The event was organized with the support of the OSCE Mission to Montenegro and the United Nations Office on Drugs and Crime.

The course brought together 15 representatives from the Montenegro Special State Prosecutor’s Office, the Police Directorate’s Financial Intelligence Unit and Organized Crime Department, and the Tax and Customs Administrations. Representatives gained valuable insights into both proactive and reactive analytical techniques, as well as investigative methods for financial investigations within the broader context of counter-terrorism operations.

The training highlighted the critical role of collecting, managing and using financial intelligence in counter-terrorism efforts. It also included a component on virtual assets, with a focus on analyzing cryptocurrency transactions. A team of national trainers, previously trained by the OSCE and supported by international experts, led sessions focused on financial information analysis and application of various analytical techniques in counter-terrorism operations. The trainers also engaged inter-agency teams in practical exercises, covering the intelligence cycle, intelligence grading, and network and data analysis.

The course is part of a comprehensive effort to further build Montenegro’s domestic framework to prevent terrorists from moving, using and raising funds for terrorist purposes, in line with international commitments and standards. This multiannual training programme is supported by the United States.

578740

With the outbreak of the full-scale war, the judicial system in Ukraine faced unprecedented challenges, especially in communities adjacent to a frontline where courts ceased to operate. In response, an ad hoc procedure was introduced for the duration of the war which stipulates the suspension of periodic judicial reviews of detention legality and its automatic prolongation.

Following the appeal by two suspects in  criminal investigations to consider the constitutionality of their detention without judicial review, the Constitutional Court, requested that the OSCE provide an amicus curiae, a consultative opinion from international expert Alexandru Tanasie on the case. Following this, the Court declared unconstitutional the ad hoc procedure, thus invalidating relevant provisions of the Criminal Code of Ukraine. The ruling comes into force on 18 October 2024.

“Every human being is bestowed with inalienable dignity as part of his or her human nature. His or her dignity may not be denied even in cases when he or she is suspected of committing criminal wrong – in no case can a person be treated as an instrument in pursuit of however compelling public interest. I commend the opinion delivered in this case with the OSCE support by my eminent colleague Alexandru Tanase. Such instruments, like this amicus, offered by the OSCE within our project co-operation are effective and practical; they enrich our case law and help persuade. Thus, they have a lasting impact on human rights protection,” said Vasyl Lemak, the Constitutional Court’s judge-rapporteur on the case.

“We are pleased, that our help has such a noticeable impact, and our assistance is being used by our Ukrainian partner to prove in practical terms, that even in the duress of war Ukraine keeps human rights defense high on its agenda,” noted Pierre Baussand, the Chief of Operations of the OSCE Support Programme for Ukraine.  

The tool of constitutional complaint, used in this case, was introduced by the 2016 Constitutional reform and put into operation in 2017, when changes to the Law on the Constitutional Court of Ukraine developed with the OSCE’s support were approved by the Parliament. The OSCE comprehensive support in this area also involved training courses for human rights defenders on how to use constitutional complaints and capacity-building for the Court’s Secretariat’s staff to enable swift processing of submissions.

578593

Representatives from the Aarhus Centres, pioneers in promoting environmental democracy, good governance, transparency and inclusivity, gathered for their annual meeting on 15 and 16 October to exchange experiences and ideas. This year, the event took place in Belgrade, Serbia and online.

The meeting was organized by the Office of the Co-ordinator of OSCE Economic and Environmental Activities (OCEEA) in close collaboration with the OSCE Mission to Serbia and with the support of the United Nations Economic Commission for Europe, the Ministry of Environmental Protection of the Republic of Serbia and the Aarhus Centre New Belgrade.

Over 70 representatives from the Aarhus Centres, national authorities, international organizations, civil society and OSCE field operations discussed the role of the Centres in implementing the key pillars of the Aarhus Convention and the 2030 Agenda for Sustainable Development. This year, the meeting mainly focused on the contribution of Aarhus Centres to implementing SDG 16 on “Peace, justice and strong institutions”, the importance of including the perspectives of youth and children in environmental decision-making, and the importance of climate change and environmental education.

“The unique role of the Aarhus Centres in bringing together different stakeholders including national and local authorities and citizens,” said Ambassador Bakyt Dzhusupov, Co-ordinator of OSCE Economic and Environmental Activities. “They are effective promoters of other Multilateral Environmental Agreements, such as the Espoo Convention and the Water Convention,” he added.  

Mrs. Sandra Dokic, State Secretary at the Ministry of Environmental Protection of the Republic of Serbia, said that her Ministry supported the establishment of the Aarhus Centres in Serbia to provide local population with environmental information and to promote public participation in environmental matters, and thanked the OSCE for the valuable support provided to the operation of the Centres.

Ambassador Jan Braathu, Head of OSCE Mission to Serbia, stated that “since Serbia ratified the Aarhus Convention in 2009, it has been a cornerstone of the OSCE Mission to Serbia’s efforts to promote environmental governance. The Mission will continue supporting Aarhus Centres as key partners in promoting good governance and citizens engagement”.

“The Aarhus Centres can assist authorities in organising trainings, conducting consultations on pressing challenges related to climate change and environmental protection, adapting environmental information to the needs of children and youth, supporting their involvement in decision-making and promoting environmental awareness raising and education,” said Mr. Marco Keiner, Director of the Environment Division at the United Nations Economic Commission for Europe.

The 2024 Aarhus Centres Annual Meeting was partially financed thanks to contributions from Italy and Norway to the extra-budgetary project “Strengthening Aarhus Centres in the OSCE area to promote good environmental governance and sustainable development”.

For more information about the OSCE supported Aarhus Centres, please see the webpage: Aarhus Centres | OSCE Aarhus

From 14 to 17 October 2024, a delegation from Albania’s Central Election Commission (CEC), including representatives from the Regulatory Commission and the technical staff, conducted a study visit to Sarajevo, focused on the administration of the out-of-country voting. The visit – organized by the OSCE Presence – comes at a crucial time for Albania, as the CEC is drafting secondary legislation to facilitate the participation of Albanian citizens living abroad in the 2025 parliamentary elections.

The Albanian delegation met with representatives of Bosnia and Herzegovina’s Central Election Commission, officials overseeing the election counting process, and representatives of the OSCE Mission to Bosnia and Herzegovina. During the meetings, participants discussed the rules and procedures for out-of-country voting, focusing on voter registration for citizens living abroad, the preparation of voter lists, voting procedures, tabulation of results, and the use of new technology. The Albanian officials were introduced to Bosnia and Herzegovina’s nearly three decades of experience in implementing out-of-country voting, including challenges faced and the solutions developed over the years. Special emphasis was placed on the recent local elections, where measures were taken to enhance the integrity and inclusiveness of voting from abroad.

The OSCE Presence in Albania organized the visit as part of its "Support to electoral reform and processes in Albania" project funded by Sweden, Switzerland, the U.S. Mission to the OSCE and Poland.