Central Europe

From 22 to 24 February 2023, the OSCE Presence in Albania hosted a regional expert meeting on advancing the regulatory framework of police canine units, in Korça. The event brought together representatives of such units from Tirana, Sarajevo, Podgorica, Belgrade, Skopje, Pristina, and canine experts from France and the United Kingdom.

The regional meeting aimed to intensify regional co-operation, transfer of knowledge and skills, and improve co-ordination actions amongst canine units benefiting from the OSCE assistance projects. It was organized as part 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)”, with the support of the OSCE Secretariat’s Forum for Security Co-operation Unit, and in co-ordination with OSCE SALW projects implemented in Western Balkan.

“The significance of this event is to provide targeted support to Western Balkans authorities in advancing their professional development, improvement of proficiency, deployment and overall capability of their canine units in detecting unauthorized use, transport and trafficking of SALW, ammunition and explosives,” said Slobodan Boskovic, Project Officer at the Forum for Security Co-operation Support Unit.

Participants discussed draft Standard Operating Procedures for the Albanian State Police Canine Training Institute developed under the auspices of the OSCE Presence’s SALW project. The document - designed to provide specific guidelines for dog handlers, instructors, and managers – was developed based on the relevant regional good practice and suitable international standards.

In addition, the participants discussed national and regional skills and proficiency criteria for competitions that will be organized by authorities of each jurisdiction of the region and will be supported through the OSCE projects. The event also served as a platform of networking among the public officials and canine experts, considering the similarities and challenges in all the Western Balkans jurisdictions.

“Such meetings are highly valuable, not only to exchange knowledge, experiences and challenges between regional homologues, but also to discuss on potential unified solutions in terms of processes and best practices for the improvement and development of Police Canine Units,” said Petrit Bushati, Head of the Breeding and Training Section at the Albanian State Police Canine Training Institute.

Xhenis Ballco, SALW National Project Officer at the OSCE Presence in Albania, said: “The SALW project will further assist the Albanian State Police Canine Training Institute to upgrade the infrastructure of the facilities and the existing surrounding areas. Moreover, it will purchase and deliver specialized vehicles and equipment for canine deployment and will provide ongoing accredited capacity building for its officials.”

“Assisting the national authorities of the Republic of Albania to decrease the risk of weapon proliferation and misuse of Small Arms and Light Weapons” project is funded by the European Union, the Federal Republic of Germany and the Republic of France.

538107 Marina Živaljević

On 27 February, the OSCE Mission to Montenegro delivered advanced training course complimented with mentoring to participants coming from 10 ministries on how to implement the guidelines for gender-responsive budgeting and reporting, developed in 2022 with the Mission’s support.

Around 20 participants from the ministries of internal affairs, culture and media, economic development and tourism, ecology and spatial planning, justice, defence, education, labour and social welfare, public administration and agriculture, forestry and water management discussed how to conduct a gender analysis, and develop indicators specific for men or women and reporting.

Integrating a gender perspective into the preparation, implementation, and evaluation of public policies is a key strategy to promote women, decrease gender gaps and combat discrimination and inequalities.

The Mission-engaged consultant on gender responsive budgeting, Nataša Obradović, explained that this workshop emphasised the need to apply an integrated gender perspective in the entire budget cycle. “This approach requires planning be linked with budget execution. At the same time, budget users need to monitor and report on whether the programmes achieved the set goals, and whether the planned funds are spent efficiently and effectively in order to improve gender equality through the budget process,” said Obradović.

The Ministry of Finance launched a dialogue on gender responsive budgeting in 2021 with the support of the Mission and the Secretariat of the Competitiveness Council (SCC). The Mission assisted the Ministry to introduce gender indicators in the budget management information system within the budgeting reform programme. It will continue to support government institutions in developing their capacities to apply newly developed knowledge and use the guidelines on budget assessment and reporting.

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The development of women’s business in agriculture was the focus of the Forum of Women Farmers “Digitalization and New Technologies – Success Way of Farmer Women” co-organized today by the OSCE Project Co-ordinator in Uzbekistan (PCUz) together with the International Business Women Association of Uzbekistan (IBWA) and the Friedrich Ebert Foundation.

The forum was held for the fourth time in Tashkent and gathered over a hundred women farmers, as well as representatives of ministries and government agencies, academia and agribusiness from different regions of Uzbekistan.

Participants discussed challenges faced by female farmers, explored solutions provided by digital technologies, and considered innovative approaches to support and expand female farmers’ businesses.

Ms. Aliya Narkulova, Project Manager at Agromart.uz, the largest provider of digital services for agricultural producers in the country, gave women farmers an overview of the services available on their web-portal, including a trading hub and online consultations. The long-time support by the OSCE PCUz to the Agromart platform is one example of its projects in the field of economic development.

The OSCE remains committed to promoting equal opportunities for women and men in the economic sphere to not only achieve gender equality but also realize a more inclusive social development and higher economic growth, thus contributing to prosperity and stability.

Hans-Ullrich Ihm, Acting OSCE Project Co-ordinator, stressed the OSCE’s readiness to further support initiatives to strengthen women's capacities, improve their employment opportunities, and promote business education among them in Uzbekistan. “Facilitating the development of women’s entrepreneurial skills is indispensable to empower them socially and economically,” he said.

Communication and Media Relations Section Alexandra Taylor

On 23 and 24 February, the OSCE’s Transnational Threat Department (TNTD) conducted a two-day needs assessment visit in Podgorica on the status of Montenegro’s Advance Passenger Information and Passenger Name Record (API/PNR) system.

The implementation of such systems across the OSCE area is crucial to enhance travel security by facilitating passenger data exchange at border crossing points to tackle serious transnational threats, including terrorism and organized crime.

The visit, organized with representatives from the Montenegrin Ministry of Internal Affairs, including the Border Police, the Criminal Intelligence Unit and the Airport Police, served to support implementation of the API/PNR system in the country. It also reaffirmed the OSCE’s commitment in supporting the implementation of UN Security Council Resolutions 2396 (2017) and, UNSCR 2482 (2019).

The visit included an assessment of issues that could affect the establishment of an efficient and comprehensive travel document system. It was also an opportunity to gather information from relevant Montenegrin authorities involved in implementing and managing the country’s API/PNR system. This included a meeting with the to-be-established Montenegrin Passenger Information Unit (PIU) and participation in an API/PNR donor meeting.

The discussions focused on exploring opportunities for future funding and capacity building, including with other international partners and donors. Improving co-ordination and co-operation within the existing Eastern European Informal Working Group (EE IWG), an informal forum for the exchange of best practices and experience on API/PNR between 17 OSCE participating States, was also discussed.

This visit is part of the OSCE’s long-term efforts to support participating States in establishing their own national passenger data systems, which includes legal support, technical assistance and operations/training delivery.

538068 Public Affairs Unit, OSCE Office for Democratic Institutions and Human Rights Katya Andrusz

The 2 October early parliamentary elections in Bulgaria were competitive and fundamental freedoms were generally respected. Despite late preparations, and limited technical and administrative capacity of election administration, elections were conducted adequately. Contestants received substantial exposure in the mainstream media but insufficient journalistic scrutiny of their policies and records in office limited voters’ access to comprehensive information. Allegations of vote-buying and pressure on voters, and concerns over misuse of administrative resources negatively affected parts of the process. The underrepresentation of women as candidates and in the campaign remains of concern.

These are some of the main conclusions from the final report on the October 2022 elections published today by the OSCE Office for Democratic Institutions and Human Rights (ODIHR).

Key recommendations include:

• Revising the legal framework well in advance of the next election in an inclusive and transparent consultation process, to ensure a coherent and stable electoral framework;
• Providing the Central Election Commission with necessary resources corresponding to its legal and operational responsibilities;
• Promptly investigating allegations of intimidation, coercion and vote buying, and educating voters on their rights and safeguards in place;
• Introducing temporary special measures to promote women’s representation;
• Decriminalizing defamation and insult and giving consideration to capping of damages sought in civil cases with the aim to safeguard freedom of expression;
• Reviewing the legal framework to ensure that voters and other stakeholders whose rights are violated are entitled to lodge a complaint, and allowing for direct appeals against election results.

ODIHR deployed an Election Observation Mission on 31 August 2022 to observe the elections and remained in the country until 12 October.

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

538050 OSCE High Commissioner on National Minorities

OSCE High Commissioner on National Minorities Kairat Abdrakhmanov visited Finland from 13 to 17 February 2023.

In Helsinki, High Commissioner Abdrakhmanov met with the Minister for Foreign Affairs Mr. Pekka Haavisto and had an in depth discussion on national minority issues, the future of the OSCE and the role played by its Institutions, including the work of the High Commissioner on National Minorities (HCNM), as well as ways to strengthen efforts aimed at promoting peace and security in the OSCE region. In his meeting with the Minister of Education Ms. Li Andersson, the High Commissioner welcomed the country’s initiatives to support national minorities through inclusive education and was encouraged to hear of plans to reinforce efforts to this end, including through dedicated funding. During discussions with State Secretary Ms. Mikaela Nylander of the Ministry of Justice and the Chancellor of Justice Mr. Tuomas Pöysti, High Commissioner Abdrakhmanov took note of Finland’s demonstrated commitment to manage diversity, especially through mechanisms aimed at managing linguistic and cultural diversity and by creating opportunities for all, including the Sámi.  Abdrakhmanov also commended Finland’s commitment to sustainable development, noting the country’s considerable achievements to this end during a meeting with members of the National Commission on Sustainable Development, including Secretary General Ms. Eeva Furman.

The High Commissioner also held meetings with Non-Discrimination Ombudsman Ms. Kristina Stenman, the Deputy Parliamentary Ombudsman Maija Sakslin, the Advisory Board for Ethnic Relations, the Advisory Board on Language Affairs, the National Advisory Board on Romani Affairs, representatives of the Folktinget (Swedish Assembly of Finland) and the Director of the Human Rights Centre, Ms. Sirpa Rautio.

In Inari, the High Commissioner met with representatives of the Sámi Parliament, Sámi civil society organizations, members of the local community, and municipal officials from Inari, Utsjoki, and Enontekiö in an effort to deepen his understanding of the local context and challenges. During his conversations, the High Commissioner encouraged further dialogue between and among the Sámi communities, the municipal authorities, and the Government as a way to further enhance mutual trust. To this end, the High Commissioner offered the continued support and expertise of his Institution. High Commissioner also met with representatives of fisheries industry and Reindeer herding communities to learn about the impact of climate change and various legislation on these communities.

The socio-economic participation of national minorities, including the Sámi, features prominently in the High Commissioner’s consultations with a number of OSCE participating States, especially in relation to the nexus between climate change and security. He noted that climate change and security will likely become an increasingly important area of interest in the years to come and, as such, merits further attention by the OSCE to ensure peace and stability.

The High Commissioner commended the commitment of Finnish Government to promote an inclusive society that actively encourages national minorities, including the indigenous people, to participate in decision-making in matters affecting them. He encouraged the authorities to share their good practices within the OSCE region, especially in light of the upcoming OSCE Chairpersonship of Finland in 2025.

After thanking the Ministry for Foreign Affairs for organizing a comprehensive program for his visit, High Commissioner Abdrakhmanov expressed his deep appreciation for the professionalism of the officials and the authorities of Finland and especially for their warm welcome, good co-operation and excellent support during this visit.

SKOPJE, 27 February 2023 — In order to improve quality of justice, the OSCE Mission to Skopje has signed a Memorandum of Understanding agreement with the national Academy for Judges and Public Prosecutors (AJPP). 

The Mission will provide advanced training for judges and prosecutors with a special focus on strengthening the fight against organized crime, corruption and discrimination.

“Our training is geared towards higher quality indictments as well as an increase of confiscation of assets acquired through criminal activities,” said Kilian Wahl, Head of the OSCE Mission to Skopje. “Both are very important for an effective fight against organized crime and corruption as it means criminals will receive higher sentences and will not be able to enjoy their illicit wealth.”

The Memorandum of Understanding has a duration of three years. The OSCE Mission to Skopje will monitor the implementation of the training courses through its trial monitoring programme.

“We are grateful for the support we receive from the OSCE Mission to Skopje,” said Natasha Gaber-Damjanovska, Director of the Academy. “Through our joint efforts, we will invest in the quality of practicing and aspiring legal professionals, which will improve the justice system."

VIENNA, 24 February 2023 — Marking one year since the Russian Federation launched a devastating full-scale war of aggression against Ukraine, OSCE Representative on Freedom of the Media, Teresa Ribeiro, made the following statement:

“I stand in solidarity with the people of Ukraine, who have bravely fought against Russian aggression, in a war that continues to destroy the country, inflict suffering and ruin the lives of millions of innocent people, while undermining our common values and commitments.

“Violence against journalists is unacceptable under any circumstances, including in conflict situations,” Ribeiro said. “I closely monitor the situation with regards to the safety of journalists and pay tribute to all the brave media professionals who have paid the ultimate price for their important work or have been injured, abducted, harassed or intimidated during this war. Those responsible for crimes against journalists must be held accountable.”

“Despite all the difficulties and challenges, Ukrainian and international journalists continue to carry out their crucial mission of providing the public with reliable information, including exposing war crimes and grave human rights violations. Their professionalism and courage have my continued appreciation and support.”

VIENNA, 24 February 2023 — Today the OSCE Troika —Chairman-in-Office, Minister of Foreign Affairs of North Macedonia Bujar Osmani, Polish Foreign Minister Zbigniew Rau, Finnish Foreign Minister Pekka Haavisto — and OSCE Secretary General Helga Maria Schmid, President of OSCE Parliamentary Assembly Margareta Cederfelt and Secretary General Roberto Montella made the following statement:

“Today we mark one year since the people of Ukraine were forced to stand strong against Russia’s illegal, unjustifiable and unprovoked war of aggression in their country. Their resilience and courage in the face of unimaginable and senseless destruction is deeply inspiring.

Thousands have died. Millions have been forced to flee their homes. Whole cities have been razed. The untold human suffering of this humanitarian crisis is ravaging Ukraine and it is felt well beyond its borders. The magnitude of the destruction is immense and continues to increase.

This war is a threat to European and global security and stability. It is an enormous human tragedy. It is crucial to ensure accountability for violations and abuses of human rights and international humanitarian law. Russia must be held accountable for all violations of international law.

We must ensure that there is no impunity for international crimes committed in and against Ukraine, including for war crimes and the crime of aggression committed in Ukraine. Its perpetrators should be prosecuted before the appropriate court.

Our message today is clear: Russia’s aggression must stop. Russia must end its violations of international law as well as of the principles and commitments of the OSCE.

We stand by Ukraine in its time of need and fully support its sovereignty and territorial integrity within its internationally recognized borders and recognize its inherent right to self-defence.

We reiterate our demand for Russia to immediately stop its war and fully and unconditionally withdraw from Ukraine.

We strongly emphasize the role of the OSCE in upholding the European security order. We shall continue to use this platform to support Ukraine.”

The OSCE continues to do all it can to support the people, government, and civil society of Ukraine. The Organization’s dedicated team is now working on more than 20 projects that include supporting humanitarian de-mining efforts, combating human trafficking, improving disaster risk reduction, and addressing environmental impacts 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.

537942

The OSCE Project Co-ordinator in Uzbekistan, in co-operation with the Authorized Person of the Oliy Majlis (National Parliament) of the Republic of Uzbekistan for Human Rights (Ombudsperson), as well as the U.S. Agency for International Development (USAID) and the United Nations Development Programme (UNDP) in Uzbekistan, co-hosted the International Conference titled “Interaction and Cooperation in the Field of Reliable Protection of Human Rights and Freedoms.” The event took place on 23 February 2023 in Samarkand.

The Conference was opened by Ombudsperson Ms. Feruza Eshmatova, followed by high-level speakers including Ms. Tanzila Narbaeva, Chairperson of the Senate of the Oliy Majlis, Mr. Akmal Saidov, First Deputy Speaker of the Legislative Chamber of the Oliy Majlis, Ms. Matilda Dimovska, Resident Representative of UNDP Uzbekistan, Mr. Stephen Nix, Senior Regional Director for Eurasia at the International Republican Institute; and Mr. Hans-Ullrich Ihm, Acting OSCE Project Co-ordinator in Uzbekistan.

During their opening remarks, speakers highlighted the crucial role of the Ombudsperson in protecting the country’s democratic progress and human rights of Uzbekistan’s citizens.

The Conference provided a platform to discuss national and international mechanisms for protecting the rights of women and youth, the Ombudsperson’s interaction with state bodies and representatives of civil society, and compliance with international standards in ensuring the rights of persons with disabilities as well as of persons held in places of detention and with limited freedom of movement.

Government officials of Uzbekistan, as well as representatives of national human rights institutions from a number of OSCE participating States and two OSCE Partners for Co-operation took part in the event, including online.

Hans-Ullrich Ihm, the Acting OSCE Project Co-ordinator, underscoring the fruitful co-operation with the Ombudsperson, assured that the OSCE 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.

WARSAW, 24 February 2023 – A year after the launch of Russia’s military attack in Ukraine, the armed conflict is still having a devastating effect on civilians as they continue to be impacted by ongoing military strikes and subjected to other violence and inhumane treatment, said the OSCE Office for Democratic Institutions and Human Rights (ODIHR).

“The consequences of the conflict that started one year ago will be felt for generations to come by the people of Ukraine,” said ODIHR Director Matteo Mecacci. “We owe it particularly to the victims that we continue to document the human rights abuses taking place, and offer our support both during the war and in its aftermath. The human rights violations must end, and those responsible be held accountable.”

ODIHR has been monitoring violations of international human rights and humanitarian law in Ukraine and their impact on civilians and prisoners of war since 24 February 2022. To date, the Office has conducted interviews with some 140 survivors and witnesses of violations both in Ukraine and outside the country, finding credible evidence that the conduct of hostilities by the Russian Federation has been characterized by a general disregard for the basic principles set out by international humanitarian law. The two reports published by ODIHR so far provide details of violations on the ground, including deliberate attacks against civilians, the use of indiscriminate weapons, wilful killings and summary executions, enforced disappearances, and torture, and helping to ensure accountability for violations of international law.

Ukraine has been a priority of ODIHR’s work in many ways over the last year, including in combatting human trafficking, training human rights defenders, and monitoring discrimination against Roma who have fled the conflict. But while rapid response has been the focus of much work to assist Ukraine, the country’s democratic institutions and civil society also need support. To this end, ODIHR is working to strengthen democratic governance and rule of law in Ukraine, promoting open, transparent and inclusive law-making processes and policies, and discussing ways to involve the Ukrainian diaspora in post-conflict reconstruction and development.

The OSCE is founded on the concept that the respect for, protection and promotion of human rights is a precondition for the security of the entire region. ODIHR underlines that all parties to an international armed conflict must abide by international human rights and humanitarian law, which expressly prohibits intentional and indiscriminate attacks against civilians and protects the civilian population at all times against violence and inhumane treatment.

537921 Communication and Media Relations Section Alexandra Taylor

The OSCE supported the ninth annual meeting of the Permanent Conference of Organized Crime Prosecutors (PCOCP), held on 22 and 23 February in Belgrade, Serbia. The meeting gathered 25 prosecutors from Albania, Bosnia and Herzegovina, Bulgaria, Germany, Greece, Hungary, Italy, Montenegro, North Macedonia, Romania, Serbia, and Slovenia.

Over the course of three sessions, participants exchanged knowledge and experiences on topics such as integrated financial investigations in money laundering cases; processing and criminal prosecution of Foreign Terrorist Fighters (FTF); collecting e-evidence from the internet in organized and cybercrime cases, among others. In addition to the exchange of information and good practices, the PCOCP serves as a platform for enhancing regional co-operation in prosecution of organized crime and corruption.

“As globalization and technological advances increase the scope and extent of the threat caused by organized crime, the need for efficient investigations rises, and so does the need for advanced forms of co-operation. Sharing operational tools that improve the work of investigative bodies, and timely alert the institutions of other countries of suspicious activities have become increasingly significant,” said Ambassador Jan Braathu, Head of the OSCE Mission to Serbia.

The PCOCP was established in 2016 with the support of the OSCE Mission to Serbia, and is currently supported by the “Strengthening the fight against transnational organized crime in South-Eastern Europe through improved regional co-operation in asset seizure, confiscation, management and re-use” project. The project is jointly implemented by the OSCE Transnational Threats Department and the Office of the Co-ordinator of OSCE Economic and Environmental Activities, and is financially supported by the United States, Italy, Germany and the United Kingdom.

537804 Marina Živaljević

The OSCE Mission to Montenegro continues to support of the Police Directorate in its fight against cyber and organised crime.  On 21 February,  Dominique Waag, Head of the Mission, and Zoran Brđanin, Police Director signed an agreement providing equipment and software which will enhance the investigative capacity of the Cybercrime/Intelligence Unit and the Forensic Centre to counter serious and organized crime.

“With this equipment, the Mission continues its strategic support of police reform in line with our latest recommendations for good governance in policing. Our co-operation includes professional development of police officers and ongoing training sessions on intelligence-led policing; designing an e-learning platform and supporting the development of the Police’s communication strategy. On countering human trafficking, we promote a victim-centred approach, including on sexual exploitation,” said Ambassador Waag.

She announced that this year the Mission will commission two public perception surveys to measure citizens’ confidence and trust in the work of the police, to be followed by qualitative in depth studies on specific police work, at the request of Director Brđanin. The Mission will also continue to support a public information campaign to encourage young people and women to seek a career in policing. Ambassador Waag praised the increased efforts made by the police against domestic violence.

Director Brđanin emphasised the importance of projects implemented with the support from the Mission. He said he expects that the Mission will continue to support projects focused on strengthening the fight against transnational and organized crime and corruption, as well as  through its indispensable support on projects that contribute to the reform and reorganization of the Police Directorate. Brđanin welcomed the Mission’s plan to support countering environmental crime.

The Mission will continue to support the Police Directorate in enhancing its effectiveness and development of a professional accountable and efficient service, trusted by society, within the framework of international and national legislation, standards and commitments.

ANKARA, 20 February 2023 – The OSCE Chairman-in-Office, Minister of Foreign Affairs of North Macedonia Bujar Osmani, and Secretary General Helga Maria Schmid visited Ankara to express their condolences to all those affected by the terrible earthquake that struck Türkiye and Syria on 6th February. They announced OSCE support to address immediate needs, as well as to provide longer term assistance.

As part of the short-term measures, the OSCE’s Chief Medical Officer is ready to be deployed with an international team to support ongoing efforts to provide emergency medical assistance.

The OSCE is also prepared to provide longer-term assistance that supports increased cross-border co-operation among emergency services in the OSCE region.

The announcement was made during a visit by the Chairman-in-Office and the Secretary General to Ankara for a meeting with Foreign Minister Mevlüt Çavuşoğlu.

“I would like to take this opportunity to thank all OSCE participating States for the support they have given to Turkiye during this difficult time. These are times when humanity is tested. This tragedy reminds us of the importance of togetherness, unity, and solidarity. The bonds between nations are never stronger than in times of crisis. It is our collective responsibility to continuously provide aid and support to those affected by this tragedy,” said Osmani.

“The devastation caused by this earthquake is truly staggering. I am grateful to have the opportunity to provide whatever support the OSCE can offer – both to address the immediate needs of the women, men, and children affected and to support longer-term efforts to enhance regional co-operation in addressing natural disasters like this one,” said Schmid.

BISHKEK, 17 February 2023 – Valiant Richey, OSCE Special Representative for Combating Trafficking in Human Beings, concluded his three-day visit to Kyrgyzstan today. He highlighted the country’s comprehensive legal and policy framework including a dedicated anti-trafficking law, regional coordination councils and a National Rapporteur established under the Parliament. He also called for the proactive identification of victims, increased prosecutions of trafficking offenders and improvement of the mandate of labour inspectors to identify human trafficking.

During his visit, Richey met with the Deputy Speaker of the Kyrgyz Parliament, and high-level anti-trafficking stakeholders, including the Minister of Labour, Social Services and Migration, the Deputy Minister of Interior, and representatives of the General Prosecution Office, and the Supreme Court.  Richey also consulted with anti-trafficking NGOs providing victim assistance and met with bilateral organizations in Bishkek.

Richey urged stepping up measures to proactively identify trafficking victims, including on online platforms and through labour inspections, and ramping up criminal justice responses to end impunity for traffickers.

“The Kyrgyz Republic’s legal and policy framework is a positive example of a comprehensive approach to preventing and combating trafficking in human beings, but its inadequate implementation is an urgent challenge for the country,” the Special Representative stressed. “It is crucial that the government turns the tide to counter impunity, including by empowering labour inspectors to identify victims and perpetrators.”

The Special Representative also noted other good practices, including the recent establishment of the National Anti-trafficking Rapporteur under the Migration Council of the Parliament, the active role of the Association of Women Judges to improve judicial practices on human trafficking cases, and strong anti-trafficking efforts by civil society across the country.

The Special Representative conducts multiple country visits each year to help increase the capacity of OSCE participating States to address human trafficking, share recommendations for further action, and collect best practices for fighting this heinous crime. A report detailing the findings of his visit will be released during the last quarter of 2023.

537550 Željka Šulc

As part of the OSCE Mission to BiH project Enhancing of Intelligence-led Policing to Combat Serious Security Threats and Crimes (ILP Project), over the past four weeks the Mission organized both a workshop for senior managers of all law enforcement agencies (LEAs) in BiH and ten workshops for operational staff of the State Investigation and Protection Agency, BiH Border Police, BiH Directorate for Co-ordination of Police Bodies,  Service for Foreigners’ Affairs, Indirect Taxation Authority, Brčko District Police, Police Administration of the Federation of BiH, and the police administrations of ministries of interior of nine cantons: Una-Sana; Posavina; Tuzla; Zenica-Doboj; Bosnian-Podrinje; Central Bosnia; Herzegovina-Neretva; West Herzegovina; and Canton 10.

This activity aims to increase awareness of ILP principles, requirements and benefits and to promote ILP use for criminal-intelligence processes and police operations in addressing serious crime and threats to security. 

The senior LEAs' managers also participated in the second meeting of the BiH ILP co-ordination group for steering project activities and deliverables. 

The Mission held all workshops with the generous support of Norway, Germany, Liechtenstein, Turkey, Austria, and Luxembourg.  

537538 Communication and Media Relations Section Alexandra Taylor

The OSCE Transnational Threats Department, in co-operation with the Netherlands and Cyber Law International, organized an executive course on the international law of cyber operations. This course took place between 13 and 17 February 2023 in Skopje, North Macedonia.

“We are firmly convinced that international law is of critical importance when dealing with opportunities and risks related to the use of information and communication technologies in the international context. As a main pillar of the rules-based international order, international law as it stands provides binding guidance on States’ use and regulation of information and communication technologies and their defense against malicious cyber operations,” said Vladimir Anchev, State Secretary at the Ministry of Defense of the Republic of North Macedonia in his opening remarks.

Twenty-eight delegates from North Macedonia, Albania, Bosnia and Herzegovina, Moldova, Serbia, and Türkiye participated in the interactive course. Participants examined the law applicable to cyber operations during peacetime and discussed specialized regimes of international law as relevant for the cyber context. Two practical exercises enabled them to apply the legal principles and rules that were discussed to fictional scenarios.

“We are not starting from scratch. There is already broad recognition that international law applies in cyberspace. But there is much debate concerning how it applies. And this is exactly the debate that we need to advance,” said Dirk Jan Kop, Ambassador of the Kingdom of the Netherlands to North Macedonia.

“We therefore applaud the devotion of the OSCE Chairpersonship of North Macedonia to recognize cybersecurity as a key security challenge. And we welcome this opportunity to bring together cybersecurity experts from the region, here in Skopje” he added.

The training course was delivered as part of the “Activities and customized support for the implementation of OSCE cyber/ICT security Confidence-Building Measures” project, which is funded by Italy, the Netherlands, Slovakia, Switzerland, the United Kingdom and the Republic of Korea.

537496 Željka Šulc

The OSCE Mission to Bosnia and Herzegovina and the International Organization for Migration (IOM), Mission in Bosnia and Herzegovina organized the event “Legal Framework in the Process of Determining the Time and Place of Birth of Children Born in the Conflict Zone”, which took place today in Sarajevo.

The event gathered judges of courts in the Federation of Bosnia and Herzegovina (FBiH) responsible for determining the time and place of birth of children through non-contentious civil proceedings, as well as representatives of the BiH Ministry of Security, BiH Ministry of Human Rights and Refugees, the BiH Human Rights Ombudsman Institution and relevant ministries and bodies of the FBiH Government.

Participants took stock of the efforts of relevant authorities in repatriating BiH citizens from conflict zones. Discussion focused on the challenges in regulating the status and granting of citizenship to returnee children born in conflict zones, a precondition for their access to rights.

“For many children born in conflict zones, birth and citizenship registration is a matter of utmost urgency. It provides them with a legal identity, protection under the law and access to essential services such as education, health care and social welfare,” said Ambassador Brian Aggeler, Head of the OSCE Mission to BiH. “I hope that the judicial authorities will find effective solutions for the timely registration of birth of these children.”

Blanche Picarello, IOM Bosnia and Herzegovina Deputy Chief of Mission stated: “Legal status and establishing citizenship for children born in the conflict zone is a critical piece in the multifaceted context of reintegration and rehabilitation of returnees. Further improvements are needed in terms of harmonized implementation of the legal framework before courts in FBiH in determining the place and time of birth of children, taking into account the principles of urgency and the best interest of the child.”

The event featured a presentation by the BiH Ministry of Security on the comprehensive Repatriation Plan and the Program of Reintegration, Rehabilitation and Resocialisation (Plan and Program).

Ivana Veselčić, Assistant Minister, Ministry of Security of BiH: “The Ministry of Security of BiH presented a comprehensive Plan and Program, which was adopted by the BiH Council of Ministers in August 2022, based on information on the situation in the territories of conflict zones and conclusions. The plan regulates procedures for a safe, humane and controlled return to Bosnia and Herzegovina. citizens from conflict zones, while the Program is based on a multi-sectoral approach and activities in the process of reintegration, rehabilitation and resocialization of Bosnia and Herzegovina. citizens upon returning to Bosnia and Herzegovina (Official Gazette of Bosnia and Herzegovina, number: 69/22).”

The event is part of the IOM and OSCE Mission’s to BiH wider support to relevant institutions in ensuring a co-ordinated and harmonised approach in resolving status issues involving children returning from conflict zones.

CHISINAU/SKOPJE, 15 February 2023 — The OSCE Chairman-in-Office, Minister of Foreign Affairs of North Macedonia Bujar Osmani, concluded his visit to Moldova.

In Chisinau, Minister Osmani met with President Maia Sandu, Deputy Prime Minister, Minister of Foreign Affairs and European Integration of the Republic of Moldova, Nicolae Popescu, and Deputy Prime Minister for Reintegration Oleg Serebrian. He also met with the President of the Parliament of Moldova, Igor Grosu. The discussions focused on the OSCE’s efforts in Moldova, the current state of affairs in the Transdniestrian Settlement Process and the Organization’s support in overcoming challenges created by Russia’s war against Ukraine.

“The OSCE is fully aware of the ongoing challenges you face. Being here today is a clear signal of our Chairpersonship’s support to Moldova in addressing these challenges. The aggression against Ukraine has created specific challenges for the Transdniestrian Settlement Process. This vital process is a clear priority for our Chairpersonship,” said Osmani.  

The visit aimed at supporting a comprehensive and lasting political settlement of the Transdniestrian conflict in all its aspects, strengthening the independence, sovereignty and territorial integrity of the Republic of Moldova within its internationally recognized borders with a special status for Transdniestria.

Chairman Osmani also met with Transdniestrian leader Vadim Krasnoselsky and the Transdniestrian Chief Negotiator Vitaly Ignatiev in Bender.

On both banks of the Dniester/Nistru River, Osmani reiterated the importance of the 5+2 talks and maintaining dialogue. Additionally, OSCE Chairman-in-Office highlighted and welcomed the continuity of the 1+1 format.

“The OSCE will stand behind any effort that provides positive dynamics in support of the full implementation of previously agreed measures and identification of new areas for agreement,” added Osmani.

Chairman Osmani underlined the need to further build trust and constructive dialogue between the Sides for the benefit of the affected population on both banks of the Dniester/Nistru River.

During the course of his visit, Minister Osmani also met with the Special Representative on Gender, Liliana Palihovici, and members of civil society working on human rights, democratization and gender equality.

During his meeting with the staff of the OSCE Mission to Moldova, he expressed his gratitude and further encouragement for their important work. Osmani also visited a volunteer centre for support of the Ukrainian refugees and witnessed first-hand the incredible work of many young people, who are providing essential support to the refugees.

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The efforts of the Office of the OSCE Special Representative and Co-ordinator for Combating Trafficking in Human Beings to advance the dialogue on combating the misuse of technology by traffickers to exploit victims are being complemented by OSCE field operations. In this view, the OSCE Programme Office in Astana in partnership with the Office of the OSCE Special Representative and Co-ordinator for Combating Trafficking in Human Beings, and the Law Enforcement Academy under the Prosecutor General’s Office of Kazakhstan organized a regional roundtable on combatting tech-facilitated trafficking for the purpose of sexual exploitation.

Sixty representatives of law enforcement structures, private tech companies, and civil society organizations from Kazakhstan, Kyrgyzstan, Moldova, the Russian Federation, and Uzbekistan (16 women, 44 men) discussed the abuse of technology being used by human traffickers in Central Asia and across the OSCE region, specifically victims of sexual exploitation using online platforms.

Throughout the discussion, the panel presentations exposed a range of methods and technologies deployed by perpetrators and criminal networks to commit offenses throughout all trafficking stages.

The presentations also demonstrated good practices, policies, and legislation to combat trafficking in the region. The discussion concluded by highlighting the importance of and need for regional collaboration and information sharing among stakeholders.

The next steps include the production of a thematic report and the delivery of tailored recommendations in the Russian language for distribution at the national level. In addition, a needs assessment will determine the development of capacity-building training courses on enhancing cybercrime investigation strategies in March 2023 in Kazakhstan.