Central Europe

563698 SDGs SDGs:  7 - Affordable and clean energy 13 - Climate action

Central Asia, with its untapped renewable energy potential, can make a major contribution to the green energy revolution. To meet this potential, Central Asian countries have prioritized the need to invest in an enabled workforce. Against this background, the OSCE has launched an E-learning course "Renewable Energy, Energy Transition, and Energy Efficiency in Central Asia" in partnership with the Kazakh-German University (DKU).

This E-learning initiative seeks to equip participants with foundational knowledge in renewable energy, energy transition, and energy efficiency within the context of Central Asia. While it places a particular emphasis on the technical, legislative, economic, and financial dimensions of renewable energy development in the region, it also addresses the crucial issue of gender equality by empowering women to actively engage in the energy sector.

This comprehensive E-learning course is available in both English and Russian, catering to individuals with varying levels of expertise in Central Asian energy dynamics. Comprising five sections, each housing four modules, the course offers participants the flexibility to complete the training at their own pace, with an estimated time investment of 12 to 15 hours.

·      Section I - Renewable Energy Development in Central Asia: Overview (Part I)

·     Section II – Renewable Energy Development in Central Asia: Overview (Part II)

·     Section III – Technical Aspects of Renewable Energy Development (Part I)

·     Section IV – Technical Aspects of Renewable Energy Development (Part II)

·     Section V – Financial and Gender Aspects of Renewable Energy Development in Central Asia

According to the International Energy Agency, in a net-zero emission scenario, the global shift towards clean energy is anticipated to create 17 million new jobs by 2030. Central Asia's vast renewable energy potential positions the region to seize this opportunity, including creating employment prospects and empowering women within the sector.

This course supports the OSCE’s commitment to enhancing energy security and promoting sustainability in Central Asia. Its development was made possible by financial contributions from Austria, France, Germany, Italy, Norway, Poland to our extra-budgetary initiatives.

The course is now available to all interested experts in the OSCE region, learn more here: 2024 Renewable Energy, Energy Transition, and Energy Efficiency in Central Asia | OSCE e-learning platform

563668 Officers of the Border Guard Service of the State Committee for National Security (SCNS) of the Kyrgyz Republic Chyngyz Zhanybekov Aida Almazbekova

From February 26 to March 1, 2024, a training course on the 'Combatting Illicit Trafficking of Small Arms and Light Weapons (SALW), Conventional Ammunition (CA), and Explosives at the border' took place in Osh, Kyrgyz Republic, aiming to address the adverse impact of illicit trafficking on safety and security in the OSCE region.

The uncontrolled spread of SALW, CA, and explosives, particularly to terrorists and criminal groups, has significantly impacted the safety of populations and the security of OSCE Participating States, increasing the intensity and duration of recent armed conflicts.

The training provided Kyrgyz border guard officers with an in-depth understanding of their roles in combating illicit trafficking of SALW, ammunition, and explosives, the identification of sources and proliferation of illicit SALW, and enhanced expertise in risk management. Participants gained insights into international legal frameworks, national regulations, and effective post-seizure procedures.

"This training is part of the OSCE regional approach for Central Asia in strengthening the capacities of the Border and Customs Services in detecting SALW, ammunition, and explosives at border crossing points based on international best practices," noted Nora Vanaga, Associate Project Officer at the Conflict Prevention Centre in the OSCE Secretariat.

"The illicit trafficking of SALW and their proliferation across national borders affect the safety of the entire population. Border guard officers play a key role in intercepting this phenomenon as they are the first to screen persons and goods entering a country. This course was designed to build the capacity of the Border Service in combating the illicit trafficking of SALW, ammunition, and explosives, with particular attention to promoting international standards in Kyrgyzstan," shared Ewa Klimuk, Project Manager at the OSCE Programme Office in Bishkek.

This course was organized within the framework of the extra-budgetary project project by the OSCE Programme Office in Bishkek (POiB) and the OSCE Conflict Prevention Centre Supporting Unit, in collaboration with experts from INTERPOL, UNODC, and the German Verification Centre. The course was conducted as part of the ExB project of the POiB entitled 'Reducing the risk of the illicit proliferation of SALW, CA, and explosives across the border of Kyrgyz Republic,' funded by the Federal Republic of Germany and the United States of America.

By collaborating with international partners, the OSCE is committed to supporting the Kyrgyz Republic’s efforts in addressing transnational threats and ensuring safety and security in the broader OSCE area.

On 28 and 29 February 2024, the OSCE Presence in Albania organized the second regional expert meeting on advancing the regulatory framework of police canine units. This event, held for the second year in a row in Albania, brought together representatives of police canine units from Tirana, Sarajevo, Podgorica, Belgrade, Skopje, Pristina, and police canine experts from France and Austria. It provided theoretical sessions and practical exercises, discussions and presentations from canine experts.

“Considering the similar challenges our region is actively combatting and treating, these meetings serve as platform through which officials of Western Balkans jurisdictions, international experts and donor community, share knowledge and skills among canine units benefiting from the OSCE assistance projects,” stressed Sasho Trpchevski, Law Enforcement Development Officer in the OSCE Presence in Albania

Saimir Boshnjaku, Director of the Albanian Border and Migration Directorate highlighted the contribution of such meetings to the capacities of the Border and Migration Police, by exchanging the best practices with partners. The praised the co-operation between the State Police and the OSCE Presence on the project of small arms and light weapons.

This year the regional workshop focused on the newly-developed training manual that will serve as a professional growth tool for all dog handlers and instructors. The manual – prepared according to the international standards and tailored to the Albanian State Police needs – will serve as a bases for a training-of-trainers series that will contribute to the enhancement of canine capacities and capabilities to detect illicit firearms, ammunition, and explosives.

The development of the training manual is one of the many activities of the project “Assisting the national authorities of the Republic of Albania to decrease the risk of weapon proliferation and misuse of Small Arms and Light Weapons (SALW)”, implemented by the Presence with the financial support of the European Union, Germany and France. The regional meeting, also part of the project, was organized with the support of the OSCE Secretariat’s Forum for Security Co-operation Unit and in co-ordination with OSCE SALW projects implemented in the Western Balkans.

VIENNA, 1 March 2024 - OSCE Secretary General Helga Maria Schmid will visit Turkmenistan from 4 to 6 March for meetings with the Ministers of Environment from Kyrgyzstan, Tajikistan, Turkmenistan, Uzbekistan, and with the Deputy Minister of Ecology and Natural Resources of the Republic of Kazakhstan.

In Ashgabat, the Secretary General will engage with the high-level officials at a strategic discussion organized and hosted by the government of Turkmenistan. This discussion will focus on the implications of climate change for security and stability in Central Asia and the complex challenges the region faces in such areas as transboundary water management, energy security, sustainable connectivity, disaster risk reduction and others.

The meeting is part of continuing efforts following the OSCE High-Level Conference on Climate Change hosted by the Secretary General last July at which participating States discussed the potential implications of climate change for security and stability in the OSCE area, and how the OSCE has been effective in tackling climate change through concrete projects. The meeting in Ashgabat will offer Central Asian participating States a forum to lay out key opportunities to foster regional co-operation to address these challenges and discuss how the OSCE can support these efforts.

During her visit, Secretary General Schmid will also have a bilateral programme, including a meeting with the President of Turkmenistan, Serdar Berdimuhamedov.

With OSCE Field Operations being present in every Central Asian country, the Secretary General will also chair the annual gathering of the Heads of these Field Operations. The meeting will examine not only the work of each Mission and the impact of OSCE projects in the respective States, but also look for ways to improve regional cooperation to achieve greater benefits for the nearly 79 million people in Central Asia.

563655

Open government data boost good governance, digital innovation and economic development. To promote the use and benefits of open data, the Office of the Co-ordinator of OSCE Economic and Environmental Activities (OCEEA) conducted two training courses for national and regional Ukrainian government officials. The training courses, titled “OSCE: The making and implementation of open data policy”, were organized with the Ministry of Digital Transformation of Ukraine and its Chief Digital Transformation Officers (CDTO) Campus, along with Texty.org.ua, an independent analytical media organization.

The two courses took place on 22 and 23 February and 29 February and 1 March. They brought together open data practitioners, speakers and guest lecturers from government, civil society and business representatives in Kyiv. Topics ranged from an introduction to national open data legislation to offering guidance on how to improve the quality of open data and ensure its effective usage by Ukrainian government bodies.

"We are building the most convenient digital state in the world,” said Valeriya Ionan, Deputy Minister for Eurointegration at the Ministry of Digital Transformation of Ukraine.

“Ukraine was one of the first countries to introduce the position of chief digital transformation officer, which allowed us to effectively implement digital reforms at the national and regional levels. However, we need more digital-era leaders. That is why we have created the CDTO Campus to provide the state with qualified digitalization specialists, as well as to train and support officers already working on the ground. Together with the OSCE, we are launching the first training courses of the CDTO Campus on open data policy development and implementation. This is a powerful anti-corruption step in improving the efficiency of decision-making and making it transparent to the public,” she added.

The sessions delved into the technical aspects of working with open data and also showcased national and international best practices and cases. Digital transformation officers from both national and local governments shared their experience in publishing and using open data for effective decision-making.

“The Ministry of Digital Transformation has placed a renewed emphasis on enhancing and building capacities in the field of open data. However, we know that it is not enough to simply collect it – we must ensure that it is effectively utilized to have a meaningful impact. This partnership emphasizes our shared commitment to leveraging technology for better societies,” said Olena Dobrunik, Assistant Project Officer at the OCEEA.

She highlighted that a key component of this effort is to cultivate a deeper understanding among civil servants of the importance and the effective use of open data. “By equipping them with the necessary skills and knowledge, we can improve the quality of publicly available information and enhance the effectiveness of government regulations and policies. This, in turn, allows decision makers to better respond to the needs of citizens and promote transparency and accountability.”

The OSCE’s focus on digitalization and open data underscores its commitment to fostering good governance and improving the business climate in the country, and highlights the immense opportunities that digital tools offer in enhancing transparency to prevent and combat corruption.

563526 Communication and Media Relations Section David Dadge

Enhancing airport security through behaviour detection was the focus of a training session held from 27 to 29 February in Chisinau by the OSCE Transnational Threats Department and the Airport Police Network (AIRPOL). Bringing together 15 officers from the Moldovan Border Police, Customs Service, and Airport Administration, the interactive session equipped Moldovan border and law enforcement officers with advanced techniques and methods of effective behaviour detection at airports.

With the expert guidance of AIRPOL trainers on Behaviour Detection, the participants engaged in discussions and practical exercises designed to deepen their understanding of the behaviour detection process. The training covered four essential steps of behaviour detection, focusing on the improvement of interviewing techniques, ways of effectively conducting an interview, as well as applying risk-based security assessments, among others. These critical skills will enable Moldovan border officers to identify individuals who may pose a threat to airport security more effectively.

This course was also an opportunity for participants to explore and experience the benefits of behaviour detection at airports, and the importance of such techniques in safeguarding airports against acts of unlawful interference, thereby reinforcing the security of airport operations. The training course also helped foster better co-operation among Moldovan border agencies mandated with airport security.

This training initiative is part of a project supporting law enforcement agencies in Moldova in response to the security challenges in the region that is implement by the Transnational Threats Department in partnership with the Forum for Security Co-operation. The project is supported by Germany, Poland and the United States of America.

452374 Public Affairs Unit, OSCE Office for Democratic Institutions and Human Rights Katya Andrusz

Slovakia’s 2023 early parliamentary elections were competitive and pluralistic, with fundamental rights and freedoms respected, but while the contestants enjoyed equitable campaign conditions, they competed in an environment characterized by high polarization. The elections were managed efficiently, but the campaign finance oversight and election dispute resolution mechanisms could benefit from further improvements to improve accountability.

These are some of the main conclusions from the final report on the 30 September elections published by the OSCE Office for Democratic Institutions and Human Rights (ODIHR). The report offers 24 recommendations to support efforts to bring elections further in line with OSCE commitments, as well as other international obligations and standards for democratic elections.

Key recommendations include:

• Clearly defining and delineating competencies and activities of the Ministry of Interior and the State Election Commission to ensure institutional and functional independence;
• Removing restrictions on candidacy based on residency, criminal conviction and intellectual or psychosocial disabilities;
• Giving responsibility for campaign finance oversight to an independent body with a strong mandate and capacity;
• Decriminalizing defamation in favour of civil remedies;
• Providing adequate deadlines for election disputes and clear guidelines for handling complaints;
• Increasing efforts to allocate adequate premises for polling stations that allow independent access for voters with physical disabilities, providing election documents in accessible formats and using assistive tools to allow voters with disabilities to vote independently.

ODIHR deployed an Election Assessment Mission on 16 September 2023 to observe the early parliamentary elections. All 57 participating States across the OSCE region have formally committed to following up promptly on ODIHR’s election assessments and recommendations.

563634 Chyngyz Zhanybekov Aida Almazbekova

Bishkek, Kyrgyz Republic – 27 February 2024 - Today, the OSCE Programme Office in Bishkek launches its first round of Consultative Mechanism for the year 2024. This structured platform serves as a pivotal space where all state partners and civil society organizations of the Kyrgyz Republic convene to reflect on the achievements of the OSCE Programme Office in Bishkek, exchange ideas, and provide consultations on future collaboration initiatives.

During the Consultative Mechanism, representatives from all three Dimensions - the Politico-Military Dimension, Economic and Environmental Dimension, and the Human Dimension - presented their accomplishments in 2023 and outlined their priorities and plans for 2024.

Traditionally, the OSCE Programme Office in Bishkek conducts two rounds of consultative mechanisms annually, aligning its operations with requests of the Government of the Kyrgyz Republic. This mechanism serves as a practical tool for facilitating dialogue, collaboration, and decision-making among stakeholders, ensuring that all decisions are well-informed and considerate of the interests and needs of the people of the Kyrgyz Republic.

Commenting on the launch of the Consultative Mechanism, Ambassador Alexey Rogov, Head of the OSCE Programme Office in Bishkek, stated, "This important platform underscores our commitment to fostering collaboration and dialogue among all stakeholders. By aligning our efforts with the priorities of the Kyrgyz Republic, we aim to deliver impactful initiatives that address the diverse needs of the country."

As the OSCE Programme Office in Bishkek embarks on its next chapter of collaboration, it reaffirms its dedication to further supporting the Kyrgyz Republic. Through the Consultative Mechanism and other initiatives, the Programme Office looks forward to continuing its work for years to come, promoting peace, stability, and prosperity in the Kyrgyz Republic and in the region.

563523 Therese Abrahamsen Edita Buçaj School Dropout Report: Behind the Numbers of Dropouts from Compulsory Education in the Kosovo System 2020-2023

PRISHTINË / PRIŠTINA, 1 March 2024 - The OSCE Mission in Kosovo published today its latest thematic report “School Dropout: Behind the Numbers of Dropouts from Compulsory Education in the Kosovo System 2020-2023.”

The report explores beyond the statistics to reveal the complex realities of dropout rates within Kosovo’s compulsory education system from 2020 to 2023. It finds that, despite commendable efforts by the Ministry of Education, Science, Technology and Innovation (MESTI), challenges persist, particularly among children from vulnerable communities like the Kosovo Roma, Ashkali, and Egyptians.

The report presents data on over 400 individual cases of school abandonment from all over Kosovo between 2020 and 2023, and what measures, if any, were implemented to return the children to school. It points out that, while many factors contribute to school dropouts, poor socio-economic conditions and frequent discrimination intensify the phenomenon.

It also includes an analysis of MESTI dropout data from registered school children in grades I-IX, which shows that 43 per cent of school dropouts are from the Ashkali community, 43 per cent are from the Egyptian community, 13 per cent from the Roma community and 1 per cent from the majority community.

“Without active and systematic intervention, the practice of early school leaving will persist, limiting young people’s employment prospects and contributing to a disadvantaged and unskilled workforce. Urgent and co-ordinated efforts are crucial to break this cycle and promote a more inclusive education system in Kosovo,” said Michael Davenport, Head of the OSCE Mission in Kosovo.

The report lists a number of targeted recommendations for MESTI, the municipal education directorates, schools and non-governmental organizations across Kosovo, underlining the need to work together in consolidated efforts to keep children in school.

The full report is available here: https://www.osce.org/mission-in-kosovo/563373

524376 Public Affairs Unit, OSCE Office for Democratic Institutions and Human Rights Katya Andrusz

Although technically well-administered and offering voters a choice of political alternatives, Serbia’s 2023 early parliamentary elections were dominated by the decisive involvement of the President, which, together with the ruling party’s systemic advantages, created unjust conditions for contestants. Fundamental freedoms were generally respected in the campaign, but it was marred by harsh rhetoric, bias in the media, pressure on public sector employees and misuse of public resources.

These are some of the main conclusions from the final report on the 17 December elections published today by the OSCE Office for Democratic Institutions and Human Rights (ODIHR). The report offers 25 recommendations to support efforts to bring elections further in line with OSCE commitments, as well as other international obligations and standards for democratic elections.

Key recommendations include:

• Reviewing the legislation to effectively address prior recommendations through an inclusive consultative process built upon a broad political consensus;
• Introducing standardized mandatory training for all local electoral commission and polling board members, including the extended compositions of these bodies;
• Developing and implementing a timely, comprehensive and targeted voter education programme, including on voters’ rights, the prevention of group voting and the importance of voting by secret ballot;
• Conducting a meaningful audit of the voter and civil registers with the participation of relevant stakeholders;
• Taking measures to prevent misuse of office and state resources and proactively addressing violations;
• Implementing effective legal and institutional oversight mechanisms to prevent intimidation and pressure on voters, including employees of public and state institutions;
• Effectively guaranteeing the independence of the Electronic Media Regulatory Authority and proactively addressing media violations identified through its systematic media monitoring.

The ODIHR Election Observation Mission for the early parliamentary elections commenced its work on 15 November and remained in the country until 27 December 2023.

All 57 participating States across the OSCE region have formally committed to following up promptly on ODIHR’s election assessments and recommendations.

563490 Communication and Media Relations Section David Dadge

Between December 2023 and February 2024, the OSCE organized five national round tables in South-Eastern Europe bringing together media, law enforcement government and civil society representatives to discuss how to foster gender-sensitive and victim-centred approaches to media reporting on gender-based violence (GBV).

These events sparked dialogue and insights on how to reshape reporting norms and ensure the necessary mechanisms are in place to support victims. The series of round tables brought together 470 participants from Albania, Bosnia and Herzegovina, Montenegro, North Macedonia and Serbia who discussed current practices and identified areas for improvement by underscoring the need for consideration of ethics, sensitivity and accuracy. Participants acknowledged the need to portray GBV cases with empathy while upholding journalistic standards. They also recognized the need for collaborative efforts to amplify the voices of victims and dismantle barriers to justice and support services.

Participants highlighted the need to increase understanding among law enforcement officers and media professionals about the importance of sensitive reporting on GBV and to recognize the role the media plays in shaping societal perceptions and responses to GBV cases.

The discussions also underscored the importance of collaborative efforts across sectors to combat GBV effectively. By fostering dialogue, sharing expertise and promoting empathy-driven reporting practices, the round tables marked a step towards creating safer, more supportive environments for victims of GBV, while challenging the societal norms that perpetuate violence.

The first round table took place in Belgrade on 4 December 2023 and was followed by roundtable discussions in Podgorica on 7 December 2023, Sarajevo on 12 December 2023, Skopje on 15 December 2023 and Tirana on 27 February 2024. The round tables brought together a diverse array of participants, including police officers and cadets, prosecutors, judicial professionals, journalists, editors, legal experts, gender advocates, NGO representatives, academics, researchers and university students.

The events were organized by the OSCE's Transnational Threats Department, in co-ordination with national law enforcement authorities and the respective OSCE Field Operations in each participating State. The round tables were organized as part of the OSCE project "Enhancing Criminal Justice Capacities for Combating Gender-based Violence in South-Eastern Europe", funded by Austria, Finland, France, Germany, Italy and Norway.

563478

Alongside many opportunities, cryptocurrencies and other virtual assets bring about a plethora of risks, such as money laundering, terrorist financing, fraud and more. To strengthen Moldova’s crypto-related crime investigations, the Office of the Co-ordinator of OSCE Economic and Environmental Activities (OCEEA), in partnership with the United Nations Office on Drugs and Crime (UNODC), gathered 15 law enforcement representatives in Chisinau to foster their expertise in this area.

From 26 to 28 February, the training equipped participants with cutting-edge techniques and practical tools, including advanced methods for tracing criminal transactions across different blockchains, case studies highlighting real-world scenarios, best practices, and orientation with specialized analytics software as well as open-source tools.

“As we navigate the evolving landscape of financial technology, it becomes crucial for Moldova to prioritize the development of national law enforcement capacities, particularly in enhancing investigative and tracing capabilities related to crypto-assets,” said Maksym Mishalov Dragunov, Assistant Project Officer at OCEEA.

“This is the third training on investigation of virtual assets for Moldovan authorities, and the OSCE will continue to support Moldova’s efforts to combat money laundering, particularly through virtual assets and cryptocurrencies,” he added.

The course is part of an OSCE-led extra-budgetary project on “Innovative policy solutions to mitigate money-laundering risks of virtual assets”, funded by Germany, Poland, Romania, the United Kingdom and the United States. The project supports OSCE participating States in building national capacities to mitigate criminal risks related to virtual assets and cryptocurrencies.

Željka Šulc

SARAJEVO, 27 February 2024 - We urgently call on authorities in Bosnia and Herzegovina to act immediately to prevent the collapse of the Public Broadcasting System (PBS).

The PBS should play a critical role in upholding democratic principles, fostering informed citizenship, and promoting the free flow of information. However, years of political interference and financial mismanagement have pushed the PBS to the brink of insolvency, jeopardizing its ability to serve the public interest. This poses a grave threat to media pluralism and democratic discourse.

Failure to implement the BiH Law on the PBS has allowed political pressure, partisan, and ethnonationalist agendas to compromise the editorial independence of the PBS, further eroding trust in its ability to provide unbiased and impartial information.

Finding a sustainable solution for financing the PBS is a key priority on the EU path, is embedded in the relevant OSCE commitments, but is also one of the prerequisites for the integration and functioning of the system as a whole and as such needs to be urgently addressed. In parallel, authorities in BiH must support efforts to make the PBS fit for purpose in a modern digital environment. The proper functioning of the PBS is not only a matter of media freedom but also proof of Bosnia and Herzegovina's commitment to democratic values and the rule of law.

563460

On 26 and 27 February, 2024, the OSCE Project Co-ordinator in Uzbekistan (PCUz), together with the Chamber of Advocates of Uzbekistan, carried out in Nukus (Karakalpakstan) a two-day training course on the international standards of human rights and freedoms.

The event gathered 20 defence lawyers from Karakalpakstan, and covered a number of topics, including the theory of human rights, international mechanisms for human rights protection, and practical application of international human rights standards in the activities of defence lawyers.

The event was delivered by trainers who had successfully completed the “Training of Trainers” course organized by the PCUz in November-December 2021. Similar events will continue in 2024 and are planned to be held in all regions of the country.

This training course is a part of the PCUz UB project “Support to the Implementation of Judicial and Legal Reforms”. 

563430 Public Affairs Unit, OSCE Office for Democratic Institutions and Human Rights Katya Andrusz

The 2023 early parliamentary elections in Spain took place in a competitive and pluralistic environment, with fundamental freedoms respected. The elections were managed effectively and the election management bodies enjoyed stakeholders’ trust. Nevertheless, a number of the technical aspects assessed by an expert team from the OSCE Office for Democratic Institutions and Human Rights (ODIHR) merit revision. This includes the transparency of decision-making by the election administration, the legal framework for postal voting, and enhanced access for persons with disabilities to the electoral process. Voters were offered ample opportunities to make an informed choice, but disinformation negatively featured in the vibrant campaign, despite commendable efforts undertaken by the authorities to counter its spread.

These are some of the main conclusions of the final report on the 23 July elections published by ODIHR on 23 February 2024. The ODIHR expert team specifically focused on the practical implementation of the amended electoral legal framework, the conduct of electoral operations, in particular postal voting, and the conduct of the campaign, including on social networks. The report does not offer an overall assessment of the electoral process.

The report offers 10 recommendations to support efforts to bring them in line with OSCE commitments, as well as other international obligations and standards for democratic elections.

Recommendations include:

• Ensuring effectiveness and consistency in the implementation of polling procedures by providing mandatory training;
• Making gender-disaggregated data about the election administration and process available;
• Holding open election commissions meetings and making decisions publicly available to increase transparency;  
• Enhancing accessibility of the entire electoral process for persons with different types of disabilities;
• Providing for legal certainty by introducing changes that are foreseen in the law;
• Enhancing the transparency and integrity of the electoral process, including by publishing disaggregated election results;
• Reinforcing the secrecy of the vote, including by amending the layout of the polling stations;
• Strengthening efforts to pre-emptively address potential misuse of administrative resources;
• Continuing ongoing efforts to counter disinformation.

The ODIHR expert team also assessed the country’s efforts to implement previous recommendations through changes in legislation, procedures and practices. The observers evaluated the follow-up to recommendations from the 2019 and the 2015 parliamentary elections, and concluded that two recommendations had been fully implemented, another five mostly implemented and three partially addressed, while others are still outstanding.

ODIHR deployed an Election Expert Team for these elections from 12 to 28 July. All 57 countries across the OSCE region have formally committed to follow up promptly on ODIHR’s election assessments and recommendations.

563391 International Conference on the protection of human rights

The OSCE Project Co-ordinator in Uzbekistan along with other international partners like UN Agencies, USAID, and Friedrich-Ebert-Stiftung Foundation, supported the organization of the Ombudsperson’s Conference "Human Rights – an important factor of the sustainable development of states" in Tashkent, commemorating the 29th Anniversary of the Ombudsperson Institute in Uzbekistan.

The Conference was opened by Ombudsperson Ms. Feruza Eshmatova, followed by high-level speakers including Mr. Akmal Saidov, First Deputy Speaker of the Legislative Chamber of the Oliy Majlis, Mr. Narimon Umarov, Chairman of the Senate Committee of Oliy Majlis of the Republic of Uzbekistan on Judicial and Legal issues and anti-corruption, Mr. Chris Field PSM,  President of the International Ombudsperson Institute and Mr. Sergei Sizov, Senior Project Officer, the OSCE Project Co-ordinator in Uzbekistan. During their opening remarks, the speakers highlighted the crucial role of the Ombudsperson in protecting the country’s democratic progress and human rights of Uzbekistan’s citizens.                    

The event, organized in a blended format, brought together more than 140 participants, including representatives of the national human rights institutions from a number of OSCE participating States (Azerbaijan, Hungary, Kazakhstan, Kyrgyzstan, Mongolia, Serbia, Tajikistan, Turkmenistan and Turkey) and three OSCE Partners for Co-operation (Australia, Morocco and Thailand). In the framework of the conference, plenary discussions focused on four major topics: cooperation of Ombudsperson’s institution with the state bodies and civil society organizations; ensuring gender equality and the rights of persons with disabilities within the framework of the UN Sustainable Development Goals; the relevance of human rights protection in the context of digitalization; expanding employment opportunities and decent work for young people, women and vulnerable groups of population. As a result, the Tashkent Resolution was adopted highlighting relevant proposals and statements agreed by the participants.

Mr. Sergei Sizov, Senior Project Officer of the OSCE Project Co-ordinator in Uzbekistan, emphasized the importance of the Ombudsperson institution in the promotion and protection of human rights. Mr. Sizov, underscoring the fruitful co-operation with the Ombudsperson highlighted the significant achievements and assured that the OSCE Project Co-ordinator in Uzbekistan will continue to provide expert and technical assistance to improve the protection of human rights in the country, and looks forward to strengthening co-operation in this field.

This roundtable was organised within the framework of the PCUz UB project “Support to the Implementation of Judicial and Legal Reforms”.

VIENNA, 24 February – Today, as we mark the second year of Russia’s full scale war against Ukraine, the OSCE Troika - Chair-in-Office of the OSCE and Minister of Foreign and European Affairs and Trade of Malta Ian Borg, Minister of Foreign Affairs of North Macedonia Bujar Osmani and Minister for Foreign Affairs of Finland Elina Valtonen - and OSCE Secretary General Helga Maria Schmid call on Russia to immediately stop its war against Ukraine and to respect the country’s sovereignty and territorial integrity within its internationally recognized borders.

“Throughout Malta’s Chairpersonship of the OSCE, Ukraine will remain a priority” said Chair-in-Office Minister Ian Borg, adding that “Russia’s illegal war of aggression against Ukraine has not only undermined peace and stability across the OSCE region, but also set a concerning precedent for global security and the international rules-based order.” Minister Borg reiterated his pledge to maintain the OSCE’s support to Ukraine in addressing and mitigating the fallout of the aggression. Highlighting this commitment, Minister Borg’s recent visit to Kyiv conveyed a resolute message of enduring determination and willingness to further deepen cooperation between Ukraine and the OSCE.

Minister of Foreign Affairs of North Macedonia Bujar Osmani added “This war is not waged only on the battlefield. Ukrainians are its immediate victims but the consequences go beyond; they are widespread and complex. Today, the very essence of human dignity and freedom has been challenged. Here, at the OSCE, we must continue exposing Russia and condemning its illegal and unjustified aggression, to request for its immediate cessation and to hold those responsible to account. We have a duty to join and effectively support the struggle of all those defending freedom, democracy and justice.”

In her remarks, Minister for Foreign Affairs of Finland Elina Valtonen reiterated Finland’s respect for and admiration of the courage, resistance and perseverance of Ukraine and its people, adding that Ukraine will remain at the centre of the work in the OSCE also during the Finnish Chairpersonship in 2025. “Finland is dedicated to ensuring full accountability for Russia’s war of aggression against Ukraine,” stated Minister Valtonen, recalling that three Moscow Mechanisms have so far been invoked to investigate the impact of the war. Minister Valtonen also added that Finland will work in the International Coalition, convened by Ukraine and Canada, for the return of Ukrainian children who have been unlawfully deported or forcefully transferred by Russia in violation of their rights, and of international law.

Secretary General Schmid said “these have been two years of death and tragedy which have caused unbearable suffering to so many innocent civilians. Among them are three OSCE colleagues who have been detained in Donetsk and Luhansk for almost 700 days now. I reiterate our call for their immediate return to their families and will continue to use every channel and every opportunity to secure their release”.

The OSCE continues to support the people, government, and civil society of Ukraine, through the Support Programme for Ukraine, financed by extrabudgetary funding from the participating States. The Programme implements 20 projects with Ukrainian partners to mitigate the impact of the war. 

The OSCE Troika was established at the Helsinki Summit in 1992 to bring continuity to the Organization's leadership. It is a format of co-operation between the present, previous and incoming Chairpersonships.

WARSAW, 23 February 2024 – As the war in Ukraine following Russia’s military attack enters its third year, the suffering of Ukrainian civilians is worsening as indiscriminate military strikes continue together with cases of torture, arbitrary detention, and other serious human rights violations, the OSCE Office for Democratic Institutions and Human Rights (ODIHR) said in a statement today.

“The terrible consequences of this war for civilians and particularly children cannot be overestimated,” said ODIHR Director Matteo Mecacci. “As the  situation deteriorates, people are increasingly left with no choice but to flee their homes or stay and live in fear.”

ODIHR has been monitoring violations of international law in Ukraine and their impact on civilians and prisoners of war since 24 February 2022. Interviews with more than 330 survivors and witnesses of violations, both in Ukraine and outside the country, bear testimony to the continued disregard shown by the Russian Federation for the basic principles set out in international humanitarian and human rights law. The ultimate aim of this work is to help ensure accountability for violations of international law.

The four monitoring reports published to date provide details of violations on the ground, including deliberate attacks against civilians, arbitrary detention, torture, wilful killing and enforced disappearances. Many survivors told ODIHR that their arbitrary arrest and fear of subsequent persecution were the main reasons for leaving their hometowns. They also talked about their anxiety for family and friends left behind, following reports of increased pressure to acquire Russian citizenship and forced mobilization. At the same time, credible reports of forcible transfers and deportations of Ukrainian children continue, both within occupied areas of Ukraine and from there to the Russian Federation and Belarus.

ODIHR’s support to Ukraine has continued this year in many areas, from contributing to better lawmaking, through combating human trafficking, to increasing the involvement of the Ukrainian diaspora in post-conflict reconstruction and development. Helping to strengthen the rule of law has been a key element of the Office’s support, for example by assisting some two hundred judges in their efforts to adjudicate war crimes cases in line with national and international law. Over the last year, ODIHR has also collected hate crime data that demonstrates the impact of the war beyond Ukraine, with cases of people being targeted for speaking Russian or Ukrainian and attacks on property.

International humanitarian law, or the law of war, prohibits all parties to the conflict from carrying out indiscriminate attacks or those deliberately targeting civilians, and protects the civilian population at all times from violence and inhumane treatment. The many violations that have characterised the war in Ukraine run contrary to the OSCE’s founding principle of respect for human rights as a precondition for the security of the entire region.

Obstructing terrorists’ access to financing channels, funds and property is key to diminish their activities. To help foster effective strategies for this goal, a training-of-trainers course to improve experts’ skills in disrupting terrorist groups through financial tools concluded on 22 February in Vienna. The course was organized by the OSCE’s Transnational Threats Department (TNTD), in co-operation with the United Nations Office on Drugs and Crime and with the support of the OSCE Mission in Kosovo.

Using realistic scenarios based on current threats, the three-day course offered participants a chance to learn about and practice methods to plan operations that can effectively intercept terrorists’ financial operations. Inter-agency teams studied the ‘business model’ of terrorist networks and learned how to apply techniques, including auditing and vulnerability analyses.

“We want to give the participants an opportunity to establish and maintain a network of experts who will have a specialist understanding of how to disrupt terrorist networks by targeting their financial infrastructure,” said Irfan Saeed, Head of TNTD’s Action against Terrorism Unit, as part of his opening remarks.

Experts taking part in the initiative, jointly with the lead trainers, will go on to deliver this course to peers from competent agencies involved in countering terrorist financing.

The course capitalizes on learnings from previous modules of a comprehensive training programme on this topic, organized with the financial support of the United States. The aim of the programme is to further improve the operational counter-terrorism financing framework and to enhance capacities to prevent terrorists from moving, using, and raising funds for illicit purposes, in line with international commitments and standards.

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SARAJEVO, 16 February 2024 - The OSCE Mission to Bosnia and Herzegovina welcomes the adoption of the Law on Preventing Money Laundering and Terrorist Financing, a piece of legislation vital for the ability of authorities and institutions in Bosnia and Herzegovina to more effectively fight organized crime, corruption and terrorism.

Over the course of the past several years, the Mission has been providing extensive support to the Council of Ministers working groups tasked with developing key policy and legal documents in the field of combatting money laundering and terrorist financing. A number of these key policies have since been adopted, including an updated National Risk Assessment on Money Laundering and Terrorist Financing and its Action Plan and the new Strategy for Preventing and Combating Terrorism, the Risk Assessment on Organized Crime, and the Strategy for Combating Organized Crime. These documents were developed with a commendable degree of professionalism and commitment by representatives from competent institutions from all levels of government - and with exemplary leadership from the BiH Ministry of Security.

The Working Group for the Law on Preventing Money Laundering and Terrorist Financing was effective and constructive in finding solutions that have now materialized in a Law which is largely aligned with Financial Action Task Force (FATF) recommendations. This positive outcome benefits the political and economic prospects of Bosnia and Herzegovina - for citizens and businesses alike.