Central Europe

528234 Event participants (left to right): Myroslava Keryk, President of Fundacja Nasz Wybór/Our Choice Foundation of Ukrainians in Poland, Maria Koinova, Professor of International Relations at the University of Warwick, United Kingdom, and Alice Szczepanikova, ODIHR Migration and Freedom of Movement Adviser. Warsaw, 6 October 2022. Public Affairs Unit, OSCE Office for Democratic Institutions and Human Rights Katya Andrusz

Opportunities and challenges of engaging the Ukrainian diaspora in post-conflict reconstruction and development, including examples of good practices from other countries’ diasporas, were discussed at an event organized by the OSCE Office for Democratic Institutions and Human Rights (ODIHR) on 6 October 2022 during the Warsaw Human Dimension Conference.

“Diasporas play a vital role that remains under-appreciated in the post-conflict process,” said Maria Koinova, Professor of International Relations at the University of Warwick, United Kingdom. “The Ukrainian diaspora provides financial support from afar for the reconstruction of buildings, houses, and family businesses. But beyond financing projects to assist the recovering economy, they can bring institutional change and expertise from abroad. From a human rights perspective, they can also play a major role in transitional justice processes to confront, understand, and find ways of compensating the human rights violations that have taken place.”

The 31 participants included authorities from OSCE participating States, experts and practitioners from civil society, including Ukrainian diaspora organizations, and academia from across the OSCE region. Speakers and participants reflected on specific characteristics of the Ukrainian diaspora, discussed key mobilizing drivers and possibilities for diaspora engagement.

The participants concluded that all those involved in reconstruction efforts, including the Ukrainian authorities and those in countries hosting the Ukrainian diaspora, should already consider strategies for enabling future engagement and ensuring the voice of the diaspora is heard and their contribution is fully recognised. In this regard, the focus on democratic institutions and human rights will be of key importance. Participants also learned more about ODIHR’s plans to bring diaspora scholars and Ukrainian diaspora organizations together to produce a set of related policy recommendations.

DUSHANBE, 7 October 2022 - The OSCE Representative on Freedom of the Media, Teresa Ribeiro, raised several media freedom issues during her official visit to Tajikistan between 3 and 7 October 2022.

Ribeiro met with Deputy Minister of Culture Davlat Safarzoda, First Deputy Prosecutor General Abdugaffor Khikmatullozoda and Deputy Ombudsperson Mijgona Bobojonzoda. At those meetings, she discussed various media freedom obstacles in the country, such as physical and legal safety of journalists – with particular focus on online safety of female journalists – media regulation, accreditation of media workers, access to information, countering violent extremism and terrorism as well as removal of any restrictions on freedom of the media that do not comply with the country’s OSCE and other international commitments. The Representative also met journalists, media rights advocates and members of the diplomatic corps.

“I am very much concerned about the high number of imprisoned journalists in Tajikistan and the lengthy prison sentences against them. Such practices strongly hinder the work of media professionals in the country, have a strong chilling effect and create self-censorship. I urge the authorities to enable favorable working conditions for all journalists in the country,” said Ribeiro, adding that freedom of the media, as one of our democratic pillars is crucially important for the well-being of all countries and societies.

During the visit, Representative Ribeiro also expressed great discontent that journalist Abdullo Ghurbatti was sentenced to 7.5 years in a high security colony. She stressed the necessity for the authorities of Tajikistan to fully align their laws, and the application thereof with the international media freedom standards.

“I encourage the authorities to step up their efforts in addressing media related challenges in accordance with the OSCE media freedom commitments. In line with my mandate, I remain ready to provide any necessary support and constructively work with the authorities as well as other media stakeholders in the country,” concluded Ribeiro.

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

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On 6 October, the OSCE Transnational Threats Department, in co-operation with the United Nations Office on Drugs and Crime (UNODC), and with the support of the OSCE Mission to Skopje, organized a train-the-trainer course aimed at improving the skills of officials from North Macedonia to disrupt terrorist groups through the application of financial tools.

During the three-day course in Vienna, a team of selected trainers from the Republic of North Macedonia’s Prosecutor’s Office, the Ministry of Defence, the Ministry of Internal Affairs, the Financial Intelligence Office, and the Agency for National Security and the Customs Administration, examined and further developed the exercise-based training material together with OSCE lead experts. The inter-agency team studied the ‘business model’ of terrorist networks and learned how to apply techniques, including auditing and vulnerability analysis, to disrupt the financing of terrorism.

As part of a comprehensive training programme, organized with the financial support of the United States, the experts taking part in the initiative, jointly with the lead trainers, will go on to deliver this course to their peers from relevant state authorities involved in countering terrorist financing.

The multi-year programme aims to further strengthen North Macedonia’s Combating the Financing of Terrorism framework, increase the country’s capacity to detect and combat terrorist financing and strengthen compliance with relevant UN Security Council Resolutions, Financial Action Task Force standards, and OSCE commitments.

WARSAW/VIENNA, 6 October 2022 – The Russian Federation’s illegal annexation of territory in the Donetsk, Luhansk, Zaporizhzhia and Kherson regions of Ukraine, which was signed into law earlier this week, was strongly condemned by the Director of the OSCE Office for Democratic Institutions and Human Rights (ODIHR) Matteo Mecacci and OSCE Representative on Freedom of the Media (RFoM) Teresa Ribeiro.

The annexation, which follows the illegal so-called ‘referenda’ in Ukraine’s occupied territories, clearly runs contrary to the peremptory norm of international law prohibiting the acquisition of territory by force. ODIHR and RFoM wish to emphasise that in addition to having no validity under international law, such conduct further aggravates the already abysmal human rights situation.

“ODIHR has been on the ground monitoring the human rights situation in Ukraine for many months now, and we are particularly concerned that the annexation will further worsen the alarming situation in these territories, including the new reports of forced conscription of civilians and the plight of human rights defenders,” Mecacci said.

“Independent journalists working in those territories were already facing massive challenges, but this move will make their situation worse amidst an already dire state of media freedom,” said Ribeiro. “I will therefore continue to closely monitor the situation.”

Mecacci and Ribeiro emphasised that illegal annexation does not change the status of these territories and that the rights of all people living in it remain protected under international humanitarian law and international human rights law. The Russian Federation is obliged to uphold all relevant provisions under international law within the parts of the territory that it controls.

WARSAW, 6 October 2022 - Protecting Ukrainian women and children from risks of sexual exploitation was the focus of an event co-organised by the Office of the OSCE Special Representative and Co-ordinator for Combating Trafficking in Human Beings and the U.S. Mission to the OSCE, held today on the margins of the Warsaw Human Dimension Conference.

The discussion highlighted the current challenges in protecting women and children fleeing the war in Ukraine, analysing the role technology and demand play in fostering trafficking. Participants also reflected on the need to develop anti-trafficking strategies to prevent the current humanitarian crisis from turning into a human trafficking crisis.

“In the midst of this humanitarian crisis, we continue to be especially concerned about the susceptibility of refugees from Ukraine—the majority of whom are women and children—to human trafficking,” said Uzra Zeya, the U.S. Under Secretary for Civilian Security, Democracy, and Human Rights.  She added, “these vulnerabilities are often exacerbated for members of certain groups, such as persons with disabilities; lesbian, gay, bisexual, transgender, queer, and intersex (LGBTQI+) people; and members of racial and ethnic minorities.”

“This dramatic humanitarian situation is a business opportunity for traffickers, and technology is a great facilitator in recruiting and advertising victims. Data shows a rising and toxic demand for sexual services from the most vulnerable,” said Valiant Richey, the OSCE Special Representative and Co-ordinator for Combating Trafficking in Human Beings. “To address this challenge, we need stronger prevention efforts, including discouraging demand, to keep people safe,” he added.

Following remarks from Kateryna Cherepakha, President of “La Strada-Ukraine”, Kateryna Ryabiko, First Deputy Director of ODIHR, Anna Ekstedt, Swedish Ambassador-at-large for Combating Trafficking in Persons, Ioana Bauer, Chairwoman of the Romanian NGO eLiberare, the participants and audience exchanged views on how to keep people seeking refuge, particularly women and children, safe from trafficking.

528051 Left to right: Anara Ibrayeva, Director of the “Dignity” Public Association in Kazakhstan, Ghenadie Barba, Chief of the Rule of Law Unit at ODIHR, and Karine Simonsen, ODIHR Rule of Law Officer. Warsaw, 5 October 2022. Public Affairs Unit, OSCE Office for Democratic Institutions and Human Rights Katya Andrusz

Criminal justice and technology experts discussed rule of law challenges arising from the Covid-19 pandemic together with civil society representatives at an event held by the OSCE Office for Democratic Institutions and Human Rights (ODIHR) on 5 October 2022. The event took place in the margins of the Warsaw Human Dimension Conference.

While the pandemic is largely under control today, OSCE participating States still face challenges in ensuring the right to a fair trial, the participants noted.

“The continuous use of online hearings in situations where fair trial rights cannot be guaranteed should stop,” said Karine Simonsen, ODIHR Rule of Law Officer. “At the same time, states need to work on developing clear and foreseeable emergency rules and legislation to be used in the case of future public health emergencies.”

The experts highlighted good practices from ODIHR’s “Fair Trial Rights and Public Health Emergencies” policy brief developed in the wake of the pandemic. This provides tailored recommendations to policymakers and the judiciary on how to respect the right to a fair trial and to administer the justice system during public health emergencies. In particular, it notes the importance of confidential attorney-client communication during online hearings and of accessible remote technologies for victims and witnesses.

Protecting human rights and fundamental freedoms remains an obligation of states under international law even during public emergencies, which is also reflected in the commitments made by all OSCE countries (Moscow Document, 1991). In view of this, steps taken by the Council of Europe to move towards digitalizing justice in line with the European Convention of Human Rights were highlighted as a positive practice. At the national level, civil society can participate in both proposing adequate legislation and ensuring that states meet the standards they have set for themselves.

“Respect for the right to a fair trial and access to justice must be guaranteed by law,” said Anara Ibrayeva, Director of the “Dignity” Public Association in Kazakhstan. “Partnership with civil society organizations working on rule of law issues can help state authorities improve both legislation and judicial practice.”  

528042 Marina Živaljević

Following an in-house training on live and emergency reporting in May, the OSCE Mission to Montenegro organized the second round of a training course for journalists of the national public service broadcaster – Radio Television Montenegro (RTCG) to improve their skills and techniques to better report live on developing stories from 3 to 5 October.

Through discussions and practical exercises, journalist learnt about key elements of crisis reporting, and the role of media headquarters vis a vis the safety of journalists reporting from the field. International expert Adnan Rondić said that most of the training course was based on practical work, television simulations of live broadcasts.

One of the trainees, RTCG journalist Anđela Minić, noted that for her, as a young reporter, the most useful was the acquisition of practical knowledge and skills, which she would use and apply in her future work. “Through various simulations, we clearly saw what details should be paid attention to and why they are very important for the overall image of our reporting,” said Minić.

For Bojan Terzić, RTCG editor and reporter, training sessions like this offer the opportunity to exchange experiences and different views, so that the final product is as high quality as possible. “Lack of education and of good practice often lead to certain omissions during work. This was an opportunity thanks to which we, all together, saw in which segments we need and can improve our work,” remarked Terzić.

Concluding the workshop, Boris Raonić, the RTCG General Director, said that global risks oblige media to strengthen their professional capacities. “Reliable and responsible information is at the core of the public mission and ethics of journalism. Training course on live and emergency reporting will strengthen knowledge and skills, but also ensure a greater degree of safety and impartiality in the work of journalists, for whom systemic support must be an ally,” said Raonić.

The Mission will continue with activities aimed at improving journalists’ reporting skills and strengthening the national public broadcaster.

GENEVA, 5 October 2022 - The Co-Chairs of the Geneva International Discussions (GID) welcome the holding of the 56th round of the GID in Geneva on 5 October 2022. As mandated by the Six-point Agreement of 12 August 2008 and the implementing measures of 8 September 2008, the GID process continues to serve as the only platform where the consequences of conflict are addressed and other important issues are discussed.

This round was the first to be held since December 2021. The channels of communication between the Co-Chairs and the respective participants remained operational during this period. 

The Co-Chairs reiterated their appreciation of the participants’ commitment to the GID format.

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Combating human trafficking and forced labour in supply chains of companies and public entities was the focus of a forum organised today in Tashkent by the Office of the OSCE Special Representative and Co-ordinator for Combating Trafficking in Human Beings and the OSCE Project Co-ordinator in Uzbekistan, in partnership with the National Commission for Combating Trafficking in Persons and Forced Labour of the Republic of Uzbekistan.

The goal of the forum was to examine how countries are tackling human trafficking in public and private supply chains and good practices that can be implemented in Uzbekistan. With several recent initiatives launched in the OSCE area, including a proposed EU ban on products made with forced labor, the topic of the forum is timely.

“There is a momentum right now across the OSCE region with the adoption of new laws in several OSCE participating States that prevent human trafficking and advance human rights by exercising due diligence in supply chains,” said the OSCE Special Representative and Co-ordinator for Combating Trafficking in Human Beings, Valiant Richey.

Richey also noted a shift from voluntary, reactive approaches in the OSCE area to mandatory laws that require companies and governments to take positive steps to tackle trafficking in human beings and forced labour in their supply chains.

"One of the most serious issues affecting every member state in the international community is human trafficking. Consequently, it is crucial to defend all aspects of human rights in order to avoid and fight this atrocity. In this regard, Uzbekistan has made it a priority of the state policy to promote the protection of fundamental human rights and liberties, as well as the welfare of its citizens and their sense of hope for the future based on the core principle ‘The needs of people are fundamental’. Concurrently, related reforms have been systematically implemented and have produced tangible results,” Highlighted Tanzila Narbaeva, Chairperson of the Senate of the Oliy Majlis.

“The OSCE Project Co-ordinator welcomes a number of measures taken by the Republic of Uzbekistan to eliminate forced labor in supply chains, including the signing by the President of the Republic of Uzbekistan of the Law on Criminalization of Forced Labor; a substantive increase in administrative fines in 2021 for forced labor; doubling the number of labor inspectors; and finally, excluding the cotton produced in the country from the so-called ‘List of goods produced using child and forced labor’,” said Hans-Ullrich Ihm, Acting Head of Mission of the OSCE Project Co-ordinator in Uzbekistan.

Looking ahead, the forum aims to establish a network of experts to support OSCE participating States, including Uzbekistan, in adopting and implementing policies to ensure that their supply chains do not contribute to human trafficking.

527937 OSCE Centre in Ashgabat

The second in a series of  three-day training courses on raising awareness on the threat of Violent Extremism and Radicalization that Lead to Terrorism (VERLT) concluded on 5 October 2022 in Ashgabat. The aim of the events is to introduce the basic concepts of VERLT and to raise awareness of conditions conducive to terrorism.

The first event was organized in September for law enforcement officials and police cadets, including representatives from the Ministry of National Security, Ministry of Internal Affairs, and Institute of the Ministry of Internal Affairs, Ministry of Justice, Supreme Court and General Prosecutor’s Office.

The ongoing event targeted youth participants and brought together representatives from the Ministry of Education, Ministry of Sports and Youth Policy, Youth Union named after Magtymguly, university students and youth activists from local public organizations.  

The series will conclude in November with a course for community leaders, which will gather representatives of the national parliament, government institutions and ministries, as well as accredited parties, public organizations and national media.

All three courses are facilitated by local experts who completed the OSCE Leaders against Intolerance and Violent Extremism (LIVE) Training-of-Trainers programme and were later engaged in the development of special training modules in the framework of the project agreed between the OSCE and host government.

The training agenda covered the VERLT situation in the Central Asian region and provided an overview of the respective national legislation of Turkmenistan.. National experts addressed issues related to gender stereotypes, human vulnerabilities, and media literacy, and emphasized the importance of the respect for human rights in response to VERLT. Depending on the target audience in each event, relevant training sessions discussed the role of either youth, law enforcement or community leaders, including women and religious leaders thus demonstrating a gender-responsive and whole-of-society approach to VERLT prevention.

“With the help of these trainings, specifically designed for law enforcement officials, youth and community leaders, the OSCE Centre in Ashgabat project aims to deepen the participants' understanding of what is violent extremism and how to plan preventive and countering measures in compliance with human rights,” – said William Leaf, Political Officer at the Centre in Ashgabat.

527925 Munira Shoinbekova, OSCE Programme Office in Dushanbe Farhod Nabiyulloev

An OSCE Central Asian regional conference on strengthening law enforcement co-operation in combating trafficking in human beings, co-organized by the Programme Office in Dushanbe and the Programme Office in Astana, in co-operation with the Office of the OSCE Special Representative and Co-ordinator for Combating Trafficking in Human Beings, was held on 4 and 5 October 2022 in Astana.

The objective of the conference was to improve cross-border co-ordination between the law enforcement agencies of Central Asian countries in identifying, investigating and protecting the rights of victims of human trafficking.

Law enforcement officials from Kazakhstan, Kyrgyzstan, Tajikistan, Turkmenistan and Uzbekistan discussed current issues and challenges in their efforts to combat trafficking in human beings and shared the best experiences of OSCE participating States in enhancing the institutional response to cases of human trafficking  

In his opening remarks, Valiant Richey, OSCE Special Representative and Co-ordinator for Combating Trafficking in Human Beings said: “There is a growing disparity between a high number of estimated victims and an extremely low rate of investigations, prosecutions and convictions. To revert the tide, we need to exercise a holistic approach, addressing factors that drive supply and demand of the trafficking in human beings business model, as well as using all available means to hold perpetrators accountable: from making the best use of technology and implementing our laws, to following the money to ensure that the crime does not pay.”

“Keeping in mind the increasing pressure to Central Asia as a region of destination, transit and origin, it is important more than ever to inspire concerted action when addressing human trafficking. This is a stark example of why we need effective multilateralism: large, complex and common problems are better tackled together, with common strategies and multi-faced approaches,” said Volker Frobarth, Head of the OSCE Programme Office in Astana stressed.

Tea Jaliashvili, the Acting Head of the OSCE Programme Office in Dushanbe, emphasized that the event is an opportunity to “exchange experiences, discuss challenges of investigating the transnational crimes, share best practices and advance regional and international co-operation to combat human trafficking.”

The participants developed recommendations for the strengthening of both regional and international co-operation and co-ordination between law enforcement agencies of the Central Asian countries towards effectively combating trafficking in human beings. 

527715 Amu Urhonen, Chair of ODHIR’s newly convened Advisory Panel on the Political Participation of Persons with Disabilities, participates in the ODIHR event on ensuring the rights of people with disabilities in times of crisis. Warsaw, 4 October 2022. Public Affairs Unit, OSCE Office for Democratic Institutions and Human Rights Katya Andrusz

Crises such as health emergencies and armed conflicts have a disproportionate impact on people with disabilities. This issue and examples of positive practice that ensure disability inclusion amid the COVID-19 pandemic and the ongoing armed conflict in Ukraine were discussed at an event organized by the OSCE Office for Democratic Institutions and Human Rights (ODIHR) on 4 October 2022 in the margins of the Warsaw Human Dimension Conference.

“The position of people with disabilities in crises and conflicts is very vulnerable. They are often left behind,” said Amu Urhonen, Chair of ODHIR’s Advisory Panel on the Political Participation of Persons with Disabilities. “It is not inevitable but a result of lack of disability inclusion in crisis planning and preparation. Lack of disability inclusion in legislation, infrastructure and services escalates in times of crisis and conflict, this can now be seen for instance in Ukraine.”

The 50 participants included representatives of OSCE participating States and civil society organizations, including disabled people’s organizations from Ukraine, as well as members of ODIHR’s newly convened Advisory Panel.

“To be heard, persons with disabilities must never stop advocating for their rights; even more so in times of crisis when everyone is thinking about their own safety,” said Raisa Kravchenko, a Board Chair of the “Djerela” Charity Association for Persons with Intellectual Disabilities. “Disability rights organizations have to be unanimous and active in their advocacy activities. It is important that the disability policy of a civilized state introduces special measures for persons with disabilities to ensure their safety and opportunity to be heard."

The event reflects ODIHR’s commitment to strengthening the rights of people with disabilities throughout the OSCE region. ODIHR recognizes that people with disabilities continue to be under-represented in governing structures and decision-making positions across the OSCE region. ODIHR helps participating States advance the participation of people with disabilities in political and public life through supporting institutional change, giving expert advice, carrying out capacity-building and disability-disaggregated research and creating tools and platforms for dialogue and advocacy.

In Ukraine, these initiatives include training programmes on disability rights and developing awareness-raising materials. While the current focus is on humanitarian concerns following the Russian Federation’s military attack, this will later move on to emphasize the political participation of people with disabilities.

527709 Johannes Heiler, ODIHR Adviser on Anti-Terrorism Issues, addresses event participants. Warsaw, 4 October 2022. Public Affairs Unit, OSCE Office for Democratic Institutions and Human Rights Katya Andrusz

The misuse of counter-terrorism measures against dissenting voices has reached alarming levels in the OSCE region, participants concluded at an event on counter-terrorism and shrinking civic space organized by the OSCE Office for Democratic Institutions and Human Rights (ODIHR) on 4 October 2022. The event took place in the margins of the Warsaw Human Dimension Conference.

“Civic space is under sustained pressure in many parts of the world, and the OSCE region is no exception,” said Anne Charbord, Senior Legal Adviser to the UN Special Rapporteur on human rights and counterterrorism. “Too often counter-terrorism measures as well as various measures to counter ‘extremism’ are used as weapons to silence civic activists, human rights defenders, journalists and peaceful political opposition.”

The 50 participants included representatives of OSCE participating States’ delegations, international organizations, civil society and academia. They discussed how expanding counter-terrorism legislation and policies lead to the further narrowing of civic space by undermining the ability of civil society to operate freely and without undue interference by authorities. They also shared examples of anti-terrorism measures used in some OSCE participating States to justify repression against social unrest, demonstrations, or simply criticism of the government and its actions. Ways to promote stronger support for civil society, human rights defenders and other critical voices targeted by such measures were also discussed.

Using a counter-terrorism narrative as a pretext to justify repressive measures against critical voices is against human rights, fundamental democratic principles, and directly undermines the credibility and legitimacy of genuine counter-terrorism efforts in the OSCE region. Speakers and participants agreed that there is an urgent need to confront this growing trend.

Information for Google Short description:  Ensuring quality education for Roma children helps societies curb poverty and exclusion, say ODIHR event participants 527664 Rita Izsák-Ndiaye, Personal Representative of the OSCE Chairperson-in-Office on Children and Security, during the event. Warsaw, 3 October 2022. Public Affairs Unit, OSCE Office for Democratic Institutions and Human Rights Katya Andrusz

Access to quality and inclusive education for Roma and Sinti was the topic of an event organized by the OSCE Office for Democratic Institutions and Human rights (ODIHR) on 3 October 2022 in the margins of the Warsaw Human Dimension Conference.

"In strong and healthy societies, everyone has a chance to succeed and thrive. Exclusion from education may lead to illiteracy and lack of competitive skills on the job market, pushing people into unemployment, poverty and lack of prospects,” said Rita Izsák-Ndiaye, Personal Representative of the OSCE Chairperson-in-Office on Children and Security. “Ensuring access to quality education for Roma and Sinti children brings benefits to everyone and contributes to the overall development of countries and nations.”

Education experts, representatives of OSCE participating States and civil society shared their assessments of anti-segregation policies in education, access to desegregated schools for Roma and Sinti children, as well as key educational reforms and their impact on Roma and Sinti children. They also discussed the impact of the COVID-19 pandemic on Roma and Sinti educational outcomes.

“Education remains a treasure to be passed on to the next generation of children and future citizens. It is vital that Roma and Sinti children have equal opportunities in education,” said Costel Bercus, Executive Chair of the Center for Education and Human Rights (ACEDO) in Romania. “As a society, we are responsible for ensuring that each and every child has access to education and benefits from it.”   

Participants noted that education is a prerequisite for the equal inclusion of Roma and Sinti communities in political, social and economic life. They stressed that decision-makers must address the substantial gaps which exist in education for Roma children compared to non-Roma.

527667 Farhod Nabiyulloev Munira Shoinbekova, OSCE Programme Office in Dushanbe

A three-day course for Tajik governmental experts on designating and imposing targeted financial sanctions pursuant to UN Security Council Resolutions 1267 against individuals and entities associated with terrorist groups concluded on 29 September 2022 in Dushanbe. The course was organized by the OSCE Programme Office in Dushanbe, in close co-operation with the OSCE Transnational Threats Department and the UN Office on Drugs and Crime. Thirteen representatives from Tajikistan’s Interior Ministry, National Bank of Tajikistan, Prosecutor General’s Office, as well as the Anticorruption Agency took part in the course.

The Analytical Support and Sanctions Monitoring Team concerning ISIL (Da'esh), Al-Qaida and the Taliban and associated individuals and entities also presented their mandate and work during the course. 

The course aimed at at raising the awareness of local beneficiaries regarding UNSCR 1267 and related resolutions, increasing the understanding of external and internal tools for identifying and proposing persons/entities for listing, as well as equipping participants with techniques to determine whether a subject is suitable for listing in line with human rights considerations.

The course forms part of a joint OSCE and UNODC multi-year programme on countering terrorist financing which aims to strengthen capacities of competent authorities and improve the effectiveness of inter-agency work on counter-terrorism investigations, in line with international commitments and standards.

527640 Marina Živaljević

From 26 to 30 September, the OSCE Mission to Montenegro organized three training courses for police officers in Bar, Kolašin and Podgorica on how to conduct interviews with victims of human trafficking, using a Guidance with standardized set of questions to ensure their rights are respected.

In close co-operation with Ministry of Interior’s Department for fight against Trafficking in Human Beings, the Mission gathered around 60 police officers from central, southern and northern regions of the country, who discussed how to identity and treat trafficked victims. They learned how to prepare for interviews, establish a safe environment and assess the general medical condition of the victim while being interviewed.

Opening the training session in Podgorica, Stephen Harmon, Mission’s Programme Manager for Security Co-operation and Governance, said that less than one percent of trafficking victims are identified.  “The early and accurate identification of individuals as victims should be treated as a priority, to ensure that victims are removed from exploitation and placed in safe care, receive protection, assistance and support.  Identification and a thorough interview of victims can lead to rescue of additional victims, identification and dismantling of trafficking networks, and arrest and prosecution of offenders,” said Harmon.

Tijana Šuković, Head of the Department for Combating Human Trafficking in the Ministry of Interior, said that in the first six months of 2022, the Ministry’s Team for formal identification of victims of human trafficking identified 16 persons, of which 13 were assigned the status of trafficked victims. “There were 10 minors and three adults. Ten persons were female and three were male. When it comes to the form of exploitation, three persons were victims of forced begging, three were victims of sexual exploitation, while seven persons were victims of illegal marriage,” said Šuković.

The first training session focusing on human trafficking was organized in October 2021, including heads of security centres and police officers from all police stations throughout Montenegro.

These activities were in line with one of the key measures from the national Strategy to combat human trafficking 2019-2024, which refers to improving the knowledge of law enforcement professionals who are in contact or may come into contact with trafficked victims.

527622 Taiia Avram, from the “Chirikli” Roma Women Fund in Ukraine, addresses event participants. Warsaw, 3 October 2022. Public Affairs Unit, OSCE Office for Democratic Institutions and Human Rights Katya Andrusz

The importance of monitoring and addressing racist and discriminatory practices against Roma who have fled Ukraine amid the ongoing military conflict was the focus of an event organized by the OSCE Office for Democratic Institutions and Human Rights on 3 October 2022.  The discussion took place in the margins of the Warsaw Human Dimension Conference.

The participants included representatives of OSCE participating States and Roma and Sinti experts and activists. They discussed the challenges, good practices and recommendations to help participating States, OSCE institutions and other stakeholders ensure the safety and security of Roma refugees.

“Ukrainian Roma, many already displaced within Ukraine in the wake of the 2014 crisis, have now been forced to flee their country alongside their fellow citizens,” said Theodoros Alexandridis, a human rights lawyer and mentor of the ODIHR-supported Roma Human Rights Defenders who have been monitoring the situation of Roma refugees from Ukraine in neighbouring participating States.

“As our monitoring demonstrates, the outpouring of heartfelt support that Ukrainian refugees experienced in their host countries did not extend to the Roma who were forced to flee,” he said. “Pre-existing prejudice against Roma communities in those countries fuelled discrimination against Roma refugees at all stages of their travel to safety, from crossing borders to applying for temporary protection and securing shelter. Their predicament would have been far more dramatic had it not been for the solidarity shown by Roma NGOs and communities in the host countries.”

Taiia Avram, from the “Chirikli” Roma Women Fund in Ukraine, highlighted the role of Roma civil society in drawing attention to the concerns of Roma in and around Ukraine.

“We foster an open dialogue with authorities and provide recommendations on how to ensure unbiased implementation of policies and procedures to alleviate the hardships experienced by refugees,” she said.

ODIHR has a mandate to combat racism and discrimination and address Roma and Sinti issues in crisis and post-crisis situations in line with the 2003 OSCE Action Plan on Improving the Situation of Roma and Sinti within the OSCE Area.

SARAJEVO, 3 October 2022 – The general elections in Bosnia and Herzegovina were competitive and overall well organised with fundamental freedoms respected during the campaign. However, failed reform efforts, a widespread mistrust in public institutions, and ethnically divisive rhetoric continued to mark the election environment, international observers said in a statement today.

The joint observation mission from 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) found that the legal framework forms an adequate basis for holding democratic elections.

The elections took place against the backdrop of ongoing political deadlock and widespread disillusionment with the political establishment, with some key institutions blocked. The largest parties in power have frequently used ethnically divisive rhetoric as the standard form of debate. The campaign was calm overall, but observers noted incidents of pressure on public sector employees. The process on election day itself was largely peaceful, although there were some disruptive incidents in and around polling stations. While voting procedures were observed to be generally followed, the secrecy of the vote was often compromised, and there were also cases of unauthorized people keeping track of voters and assisting multiple voters. Observers assessed the counting procedures negatively in numerous places, mainly due to procedural irregularities.

“Serious efforts to manage this electoral process successfully need to be accompanied by similar efforts to solve the continued political deadlock which keeps undermining real democratic development here,” said Pascal Allizard, Special Co-ordinator and leader of the OSCE short-term observers. “Overall disillusionment towards the political establishment is evident, but I have noticed efforts of a few forward-looking candidates to ignite political and socioeconomic change in the country, which is a positive trend I encourage the newly elected representatives to develop.” 

Restrictions on the right to become a candidate based on ethnicity and residency go against both the principle of universal and equal suffrage and international standards for democratic elections. Rulings by both the European Court of Human Rights and the state constitutional court against the discriminatory nature of these limitations remain unimplemented.

“Now that the citizens of Bosnia and Herzegovina have voted, the politicians and political parties should see this as a mandate to work for the future of their country and the perspective of European integration,” said Stefan Schennach, Head of the PACE delegation. “It is particularly important to give the younger generation of voters the sense that their future lies within their own country.  For this, it is vital to bridge the gaps between different ethnic groups. It should be sufficient for each citizen of Bosnia and Herzegovina to identify themselves as such without any further specification being necessary.”

The effectiveness of the legal framework is undermined by a number of shortcomings, while failed negotiations between political parties left it without needed reforms. Still, recent legislative changes from 27 July have added important safeguards. However, the fact that the changes were made so close to the elections meant that not all enforcement mechanisms could be fully established. Further changes announced on election day were not foreseeable at the time of voting, leaving both voters and contestants uncertain about the full impact of the cantonal assembly vote.

“The capacity to manage an election process appears to have been established relatively well here in Bosnia and Herzegovina,” said Irene Charalambides, Head of the OSCE PA delegation. “But real trust in democratic processes will likely remain elusive until state structures are responsive to the people's will rather than to entrenched political party interests.”

With a few notable exceptions, women did not feature prominently in the campaign, and women candidates were often targets of insult and ridicule on social networks. Long-standing gender stereotypes remain and efforts made to increase women’s active participation in the elections were insufficient.

“Yesterday, we observed an overall well organised and competitive election, despite the very different visions of the future for Bosnia and Herzegovina. We met poll workers – many of them young and many of them women – committed to administer a smooth election. And we saw the citizens make their democratic choice,” said Mimi Kodheli, head of the NATO PA delegation. “Today, the citizens of this country rightfully expect that the elected politicians will take responsibility and ownership for their country's future for the benefit of all citizens – for a safe and secure country, for reconciliation, for social and economic advances and for democratic progress.”

The upper-level election administration enjoyed election stakeholders’ trust, and managed the elections efficiently and transparently. However, there was little confidence in polling station commissions due to widespread accusations that some political parties were trading positions to control polling stations on election day.

“These elections took place against a background of challenging internal and international circumstances,” said Andreas Schieder, head of the EP delegation. “We regret that last-minute changes were imposed by the High Representative. Now after the election, the European Parliament calls for a smooth government formation and for the speedy implementation of all committed reforms, including electoral ones, in line with local and international court decisions. There is no time to lose.”

The lack of public debate and the use of divisive rhetoric, which was also reflected in the limited and biased media coverage, reduced voters’ opportunity to make an informed choice on election day. Recent defamation cases brought against journalists, cyber-attacks targeting prominent media outlets, and the intimidation and harassment of journalists created a working environment of political pressure or even persecution.

“The mission’s media monitoring concluded that most media outlets’ coverage of the campaign was significantly limited,” said Ambassador Peter Tejler, Head of the ODIHR election observation mission.  “It further reflected division along ethnic lines and political partisanship.  As a result voters didn’t have complete and unbiased information when deciding whom to vote for. Elections are not a one day event. In the days to come we will continue our observation of post-election developments so we can make a comprehensive assessment of the entire electoral cycle.”

The international election observation mission to the general elections in Bosnia and Herzegovina totalled 471 observers, made up of 336 ODIHR-deployed experts, long-term, and short-term observers, 83 parliamentarians and staff from the OSCE PA, 23 from PACE, 17 from the NATO PA, and 12 from the European Parliament.

For more information, please contact:

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

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

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

Bogdan Torcătoriu, PACE: +387 62522009 or bogdan.torcatoriu@coe.int

Henrik Bliddal, NATO PA: +32 474 844015 or hbliddal@nato-pa.int

SOFIA, 3 October 2022 – Bulgaria’s 2 October early parliamentary elections were competitive and fundamental freedoms were generally respected, although allegations of vote-buying and pressure on voters negatively affected parts of the process, international observers said in a statement today. Despite a late start to the preparations and the limited technical and administrative capacity of the election administration, the elections were organized adequately, the statement says.

Contestants were able to campaign freely in elections that took place amid voter fatigue from the holding of three early parliamentary elections in less than two years. The campaign was competitive, with a range of contestants representing different views. It was often negative in tone, however, and marked by mutual accusations among the parties of corruption or wrongdoing.

“It appears that political compromise is needed to ensure long-term stability in Bulgaria,” said Thorhildur Sunna Aevarsdottir, Alternate Head of the delegation from the Parliamentary Assembly of the Council of Europe (PACE). “After the low turnout we saw yesterday, it is clearly now the responsibility of the newly elected parliamentarians to do their utmost to regain the electorate’s trust.”

The statement notes that the accuracy of the voter list for the elections was diminished by the exclusion of undocumented residents, and Roma in particular, and that limited reporting and oversight reduced the transparency of campaign finances. Contestants were provided substantial coverage in the mainstream media, but inadequate journalistic scrutiny of their policies and of their records in office limited voters’ access to comprehensive information. Election day was generally calm, and voting proceeded smoothly.

Repeated allegations of vote-buying, pressure on public and private sector employees and voters’ dependence on local employers in economically vulnerable communities raised concerns about voters’ ability to make their choice free of fear of retribution. The legal framework for elections does not sufficiently address campaigning by high-level public officials, and such instances raised concerns over the misuse of public resources and ensuring a level playing field.

“While many aspects of the election were conducted smoothly, it is clear that improvements are needed to the election-related legislation and procedures,” said Nina Suomalainen, Head of the election observation mission from the OSCE Office for Democratic Institutions and Human Rights (ODIHR). “ODIHR will provide recommendations in its final report on these elections, and we hope these will aid the government in introducing the needed improvements.”

The media environment is vibrant, and freedom of expression is constitutionally guaranteed. The concentration of media ownership and close ties between some media and political parties reduce pluralism and decrease public trust in journalists’ work. Recent cases of protracted civil and criminal litigation against independent investigative media highlight journalists’ vulnerability to pressure through the courts and prompt self-censorship. Prime-time newscasts focused on the provisional government and the president, whose critical statements often disadvantaged parties they blamed for current socioeconomic problems, although some broadcasters provided additional journalistic scrutiny.

While many of those with whom the observers spoke expressed trust in the use of voting machines, citing the positive effect on the accuracy of the vote count and reduced opportunities for malfeasance, some noted that their use might dissuade some elderly voters or those who distrust the technology from voting. The voting machines were not equipped with accessibility functions to enable voters with certain disabilities to vote independently. Moreover, the law does not address possible instances of discrepancies between the machine and manual count.

The legal framework provides an overall adequate basis for the conduct of democratic elections but contains provisions inconsistent with a number of international standards, and ambiguous provisions and shortcomings that adversely affected several aspects of the electoral process. Several longstanding concerns remain to be addressed, including those related to passive and active suffrage rights, the prohibition against campaigning in languages other than Bulgarian, and limitations on the opportunity to challenge election results.

Overall, the underrepresentation of women as candidates and in the campaign demonstrated the need for greater commitment to ensuring their adequate participation. There are no legislative or other measures to promote women’s participation in elections, and most political parties did not include any policies for the promotion of women in their platforms. Some 30 per cent of candidates were women, and of the 867 candidate lists registered, only 208 were led by women.

The Constitution guarantees the right to self-identification but does not define national minorities. Issues related to minorities rarely featured in the campaign, and most political parties and coalitions did not include policies for persons belonging to minorities or for Roma integration in their electoral platforms. There were several instances of inflammatory rhetoric against Roma and other ethnic communities. The observers were told that Roma voters are still vulnerable to intimidation and attempted vote-buying.

CHISINAU, 3 October 2022 – Ambassador Kelly Keiderling, appointed by the Polish OSCE Chairmanship as the Head of the OSCE Mission to Moldova, takes office today. She will also serve as the OSCE mediator in the Transdniestrian Settlement Process. 

Ambassador Keiderling succeeds Dr. Claus Neukirch who completed his term as Head of Mission in September.

"I am excited to assume this important post at this fluid and challenging time for the Transdniestrian Settlement Process. I look forward to working with the authorities in Chisinau and Tiraspol, and the other 5+2 participants to continue and nurture the negotiations for the reintegration of Transdniestria into the Republic of Moldova. The OSCE Mission's mandate - to settle the Transdniestrian conflict in all its aspects - remains the noble goal of the OSCE participating States," said Keiderling.  

Previously, Ambassador Keiderling served as U.S. Ambassador to Uruguay, Deputy Chief of Mission of the U.S. Embassy in Chisinau, Moldova, and Deputy Chief of Mission and intermittently as Charge d’Affaires at the U.S. Embassy in Caracas, Venezuela. Ambassador Keiderling has held diplomatic positions at U.S. missions to Kyrgyzstan, Cuba, Botswana, the Dominican Republic, Ethiopia, and Zambia, as well as multiple positions in Washington, D.C. Her intellectual interests include societies in transition, effective communication, and diplomatic tradecraft. 

The key priorities of the OSCE Mission to Moldova is to help achieve a lasting, comprehensive political settlement of the Transdniestrian conflict based on the territorial integrity and sovereignty of the Republic of Moldova within its internationally recognized borders, with a special status for Transdniestria. 

The mandate of the OSCE Mission to Moldova is endorsed and renewed every year by all 57 OSCE participating States, including the Republic of Moldova.