Central Europe

VIENNA, 30 May 2022 – Participants emphasised the essential need for co-operation to tackle rapidly intensifying climate-related challenges and risks, and build a more resilient and sustainable future at the OSCE Mediterranean Partners for Co-operation Group meeting that took place in Vienna today.

Chaired by North Macedonia, the first 2022 meeting of the OSCE Mediterranean Partners for Co-operation focused on the most pressing climate change challenges in the Mediterranean region and their implications for prosperity, security and stability.

"This unique partnership format, which dates back to the origins of our Organization, is of great importance to the OSCE. Worryingly, conflict in one region can often spark unrest in another as food insecurity and inflation exacerbate poverty and social instability," said Igor Djundev, Ambassador and Head of the Permanent Mission of North Macedonia to the OSCE. “North Macedonia’s ambition in 2022 is to actively engage the participating States and Partners in a pragmatic and forward-looking conversation to turn existing common challenges into opportunities for strengthened co-operation across the OSCE and Mediterranean region.”

The OSCE officials, a panel of experts, and practitioners highlighted the need for enhanced co-operation and partnership to build greater resilience to climate change and to take joint adaptation and mitigation measures. 

“The war in Ukraine has multiple economic and environmental impacts beyond its devastating humanitarian consequences. Many of these impacts go beyond borders, putting food and energy security at stake and creating risk to lives and livelihoods elsewhere. Climate change will exacerbate many of these challenges,“ said OSCE Secretary General Helga Maria Schmid.

“We are currently facing another critical issue for the stability of the security architecture in our region, which demands our immediate attention. The impacts of Russia’s military aggression against Ukraine cause far-reaching economic and environmental consequences in and beyond the OSCE area, including in the Mediterranean region: raising global food prices, disrupting energy markets, weakening supply chain resilience and triggering migration movements,” underlined Ambassador Adam Hałaciński, Permanent Representative of Poland to the OSCE and Chair of the Permanent Council.

“Together with our field operations we are assisting our participating States to identify and map potential security risks stemming from climate change and take joint measures to reduce such risks,” said Igli Hasani, Co-ordinator of OSCE Economic and Environmental Activities. “In line with the spirit of the 2021 OSCE Ministerial Council Decision on climate change, we are looking forward to replicating this work in the Mediterranean together with our partners,” he added.

519180 Željka Šulc

The OSCE Mission to Bosnia and Herzegovina and the Bihać Chapter of BiH Interreligious Council organized a series of activities for young people to promote dialogue, good practice and reconciliation.

On 24 May 2022, young people, gathered around different religious communities, visited several religious sites: the Catholic Church of St. Anthony of Padua, the Orthodox Church of the Descent of the Holy Spirit on the Apostles and the Fethija Mosque.

Coming across various historic, cultural and religious topics initiated a vivid discussion with participants elaborating on value and importance of prejudice-free society and tolerance for all citizens regardless of their origin both locally and across the country. It was a unique opportunity to learn more about rich traditions and customs of the Krajina inhabitants.

We continue to support and promote positive examples of trust building and reconciliation.

519153 Munira Shoinbekova, OSCE Programme Office in Dushanbe Farhod Nabiyulloev

The OSCE Programme Office in Dushanbe strengthened the skills of the officers of Tajikistan’s Defence Ministry (MoD) on explosive ordnance disposal. Train-the-trainer course on Explosive Ordnance Disposal (level 3) allowed the participants to acquired new knowledge and refresh their skills on how to detect, identify, recover, disarm and dispose unsafe explosive ordnance in minefields and battlefields.

The course took place in the Regional Explosive Hazards Training Centre of the MoD from 3 to 27 May 2022 in the outskirts of Dushanbe. The course, hosted by the MoD and facilitated by the OSCE Programme Office in Dushanbe, brought together eight officers from the MoD and Tajikistan National Mine Action Centre. The representatives from the MoD, U.S. Department of State Bureau of Political-Military Affairs Office of Weapons Removal and Abatement, OSCE and Tajikistan National Mine Action Centre participated at closing ceremony of the course.

The topics of the course focused on instruction and manuals on explosive ordnance disposal and safeties, land service ammunition, equipment, render safe procedures, transportation of explosive ordnance and final disposal during practical classes in demolition range. The course also provided the participants with knowledge and skills necessary to perform their duties and tasks during explosive ordnance disposal operations of a qualified Explosive Ordnance Disposal Operator (level 3) in accordance with International Mine Action Standards.

Head of the Engineering Department of Tajikistan’s Defence Ministry Major General Sayyorabek Bachabekzoda noted the importance of cooperation between the MoD, OSCE and the US Department of State and thanked for support and implementation of joint projects on Small Arms and Light Weapons and Integrated Cooperation on Explosive Hazards Programmes. He mentioned that the MoD hopes to continue and expand the cooperation in these priority areas.

“Over many years, and through numerous OSCE-managed projects, we have prepared, developed, and implemented a vision for establishing the first (and only) Regional Explosive Hazards Training Centre here in Tajikistan.  The MoD Officer`s attendance and graduation of the EOD Level 3 train-the-trainer course is a testimony of this achievement, and a confirmation of its success,” said Rodney A. Robideau, SCA Program Manager of US Department of State at the closing ceremony.

The course will sustain the training capacity within the MoD to train its staff on explosive hazards and operational management resources. It will allow the MoD to continue internal capacity development and skills transfer in their respective departments in Tajikistan, Central Asia, Afghanistan and other OSCE participating States in accordance with national and international standards.

519108 OSCE Centre in Ashgabat

The modernization of customs procedures in accordance with international standards and state commitments was discussed during an online event on 26 and 27 May 2022. The seminar was designed to present best practices from the OSCE participating States in bringing customs mechanisms and related regulations in line with relevant international standards, including the requirements of the World Trade Organization (WTO).

The event was organized by the OSCE Centre in Ashgabat and facilitated by international experts from Georgia and Italy. Representatives from the State Customs Service, the Ministry of Trade and Foreign Economic Affairs and the Ministry of Finance and Economy of Turkmenistan attended the event.

Opening the event, Rune Castberg, Officer-in-Charge of the OSCE Centre in Ashgabat said: “As we are all aware, joining the WTO requires comprehensive alignment of legislative and regulatory framework in several areas. This harmonization has the ultimate goal to increase predictability, competitiveness and transparency of the international trade, reduce trade barriers and create transparent, predictable and attractive investment regime”.

“The OSCE Centre in Ashgabat is committed to supporting this process by assisting Turkmenistan in improving good economic governance standards, which set a clear, transparent and predictable framework of economic policies, institutions and legislation in which business can thrive and the confidence of investors can grow,” he added.

Experts held discussions on relevant national priorities and emphasized the significance of the WTO Tariff Policy and its Agreements on Customs Valuation and Rules of Origin. They also addressed the elimination of non-tariff barriers and implementation of the WTO Trade Facilitation Agreement.   

519096 Enforced and involuntary disappearances in dictatorship and authoritarian past and contemporary settings: A social, legal, and historical appraisal of transitional and transformation polices and mechanisms Disappearance of persons under the communist regime Transitional Justice in Albania

Around 80 students from the University of Korça participated in a Youth Talk session focused on the issue of missing persons during the Communist regime, on 26 May 2022. The event – organized by the OSCE Presence in Albania and its Youth Advisory Group – aimed at increasing youth engagement in the transitional justice processes in the path towards coming to terms with the past, democratic consolidation and peacebuilding.

Following the screening of a documentary on the missing persons, the students heard from Presence-commissioned researchers about their findings in this field, with a particular focus on missing women, legal and sociological aspects of political persecution and international standards. The Youth Advisory Group presented on the role of youth in transitional justice processes and led discussions with students.

The Youth Talk discussed in depth the systematic gross violations of human rights during the communist period in Albania, resulting in more than 6,000 missing individuals. Young discussants noted on how citizens were extra-judicially imprisoned or executed, a number of detained victims lost their lives owing to exhaustion, malnutrition and disease, many children born in forced labour camps were never registered and could not survive in those places. They also dwelled on stories of victims who perished while attempting to escape the regime by leaving the country, and who were executed at border crossing points; prisoners who were executed while attempting to flee from places of detention; and individuals who disappeared during military service.

“Enquiring about and locating persons unaccounted for constitutes a state’s obligation under national and international legal framework. Since the beginnings of its democratic consolidation in the 1990s, Albania has made continuous attempts to engage in dealing with its past and the fate of the missing. Yet, a lot remains to be achieved,” said Cailean Maclean, Head of the Presence’s Rule of Law and Human Rights Department.

This was the second forum with youth on the issue of missing persons that the Presence organized this year. The first one held with Tirana University students in February. The Presence recognizes the role of younger generations in shaping the democratic future of the country, and works to bring them together to explore the issue of missing persons, their role in transitional justice processes, and the implications it has for public discourse on human rights, rule of law and the Youth, Peace and Security Agenda in the country.

The activity is part of the Presence project “Strengthening human rights protection in Albania” and of “Youth in Focus II” project, funded by the Austrian Development Agency, the Greek Embassy in Tirana, and the Permanent Mission of Italy to the OSCE.

Information for Google Short description:  Kyrgyzstan’s 2021 parliamentary elections: OSCE/ODIHR observation mission final report 488689 Public Affairs Unit, OSCE Office for Democratic Institutions and Human Rights Katya Andrusz Kyrgyzstan, Parliamentary Elections, 28 November 2021: Final Report

The 2021 parliamentary elections in Kyrgyzstan were competitive and voters were offered a wide range of political options to choose from, but the overall process was negatively affected by limitations on civil and political rights as well as diminished separation of powers and independence of the judiciary. While fundamental freedoms were generally respected, the stifled campaign and voter disillusionment hindered meaningful engagement with voters. The election administration handled technical aspects of the elections in an efficient way, but significant procedural problems were noted during the vote count and the initial stages of tabulation.

These are the main conclusions from the final report on Kyrgyzstan’s 28 November parliamentary elections, published by the OSCE Office for Democratic Institutions and Human Rights (ODIHR). The report offers 22 recommendations to bring elections in Kyrgyzstan closer in line with OSCE commitments and other international standards for democratic elections.

Key recommendations include:

• Reviewing the legal framework to ensure compliance with OSCE commitments and other international obligations and standards for democratic elections through an inclusive, timely, consultative and transparent process;

• Fostering an environment for unhindered campaign activities and meaningful voter and candidate engagement;

• Upholding media freedom and creating the conditions for freedom of expression without undue limitations on access to information and interference with journalists’ work;

• Enhancing the independence and impartiality of the Central Election Commission and amending the law to guarantee more balanced political representation in the election administration;

• Amending the legal definition of election campaigns to allow for comprehensive reporting on and editorial coverage of contestants’ campaigns by media;

• Addressing the issue of vote-buying and pressure on voters to promote confidence in the electoral process and a genuine commitment from political parties to combat vote-buying;

• Not rejecting appeals on formalistic grounds by the courts and enhancing the effectiveness of judicial remedies in election-related disputes.

ODIHR deployed an Election Observation Mission on 19 October 2021 to observe the parliamentary elections. All 57 participating States across the OSCE region have formally committed to following up promptly on ODIHR’s election assessments and recommendations.

The crucial importance of integrating a gender inclusive and human rights-based approach in border security and management in times of crises, especially when dealing with refugees at the borders, was the focus of webinar organized by the Border Security and Management Unit of the OSCE Transnational Threats Department on 25 May 2022.

The webinar brought together 50 representatives from border and customs agencies of 17 OSCE participating States and Mediterranean Partners for Co-operation.

“Gender equality is a priority for the OSCE. In times of conflicts and war, women, girls and boys are at a particularly high risk of being exploited and trafficked. Therefore a gender-inclusive approach is crucial in border security and management,” said Lara Scarpitta, OSCE Senior Adviser on Gender Issues, in her opening remarks.

Together with the experts from the International Organization for Migration and the OSCE Office for Democratic Institutions and Human Rights, participants have looked at the connection between gender-inclusive and human rights based border security, and effectively managed borders, in line with the OSCE’s comprehensive approach. They have also explored human rights sensitive and refugee-centered strategies when dealing with sudden and often high numbers of refugees at the borders.

During a practical exercise, conducted by an international expert, participants learned how to avoid unconscious biases, discrimination towards refugees, and how to recognize potential victims of human trafficking at the borders.

According to the OSCE Office of the Special Representative and Co-ordinator for Combating Trafficking in Human Beings, estimates suggest that less than 1 percent of victims of human trafficking are ever identified. This leaves millions of victims without the support they need to recover and without opportunity to seek legal justice.

The OSCE Gender Equality Platform in Border Security and Management was established in 2016 with the aim to support border agencies of OSCE participating States and Partners for Co-operation in their efforts towards promoting gender equality in border security and management.

519069 OSCE Centre in Ashgabat

To support the modernization of journalism education in Turkmenistan, the OSCE Centre in Ashgabat organized an online lecture course on digital journalism from 24 to 27 May 2022.

The four-day course brought together journalism students and lecturers from the Institute of International Relations of the Ministry of Foreign Affairs of Turkmenistan, the Magtymguly Turkmen State University and International University for Humanities and Development of Turkmenistan.

An international expert from the United Kingdom explored the nature of digital information space in the 21st century and elaborated on the impact of social media on classical news values and emerging online news values. The students learnt about digital storytelling and the role of visualization in digital journalism.

Referring to the 2013 OSCE conference held in Vienna, "Internet 2013 - Shaping Policies to Advance Media Freedom", Rune Castberg, Officer-in-Charge of the OSCE Centre in Ashgabat stressed the importance of the recommendations that were developed during this conference, which state that " online media create  conditions for greater diversity and pluralism, and the Internet brings significant benefits, in particular promoting education, economy and human rights, including the freedom to seek, produce, receive and impart information”.

He also added that the OSCE Center in Ashgabat is committed to providing comprehensive support for the modernization of journalism education in Turkmenistan. 

The course also introduced students to data journalism, infographic and mobile journalism. Future journalists discussed ethics in the digital space, defamation and the protection of private life and personal data. Practical exercises enabled them to learn new skills, such as writing digital profiles and online articles.

In addition to the course for students, the activity includes a session on methodological approaches in teaching modern digital journalism for teachers of journalism faculties.

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Twenty OSCE staff members from South-Eastern Europe and Central Asia participated in a two-part interactive workshop on limiting unintended harm in preventing and countering violent extremism and radicalization that lead to terrorism (P/CVERLT). The workshop was organized by the Action against Terrorism Unit of the OSCE Transnational Threats Department on 18 and 25 May 2022.

The “Do No Harm” workshop had a dual focus of encouraging a practice of self-reflection on one’s position about others while working with community stakeholders (e.g. looking into questions of identity, status, biases) and discussing effective strategies to limit unintended harm when addressing violent extremism.

The workshop has been implemented under the OSCE Leaders against Intolerance and Violent Extremism (LIVE) Initiative, a flagship training programme that seeks to build the resilience and capacity of communities. LIVE promotes context-specific efforts developed and led by women, youth and community leaders against violent extremism. The programme provided a platform for these active P/CVERLT practitioners to build OSCE internal capacity and encourage an internal expert exchange on the Do No Harm approach in P/CVERLT and harvest the experience and insights of key staff who work in this area.

The OSCE’s LIVE Initiative consists of three different training courses tailored to youth, women and community leaders across the OSCE area. From 2018 to 2021, the Action against Terrorism Unit of the OSCE Transnational Threats Department, in co-operation with the OSCE field operations, delivered a series of regional LIVE train-the-trainer seminars for South-Eastern Europe and Central Asia, and supported OSCE field operations in their implementation of national LIVE training courses.

VIENNA/WARSAW, 25 May 2022 - OSCE Chairman-in-Office, Foreign Minister of Poland Zbigniew Rau and OSCE Secretary General Helga Maria Schmid today reiterated their condemnation of persistent allegations against the Special Monitoring Mission to Ukraine (SMM) and called for the immediate release of four national Mission members detained in Donetsk and Luhansk.

“The continuous allegations made against the SMM’s Mission members have become increasingly outrageous,” said the Secretary General. “Our detained colleagues are being held unjustifiably and must be released immediately. This targeted campaign against the SMM and all intimidation or harassment of current or former OSCE staff must immediately stop”.

"The SMM was always providing objective information on the security and humanitarian situation in Ukraine,” said the OSCE Chairman-in-Office. “I highly appreciate the professionalism, dedication and impartiality of the SMM staff. Their protection and integrity are our priority. Acts of intimidation, harassment and hostile public rhetoric including undermining their credibility and impartiality by spreading unfounded claims are unacceptable".

The OSCE’s duty of care towards all of its employees continues after the closure of the SMM. The Secretary General has repeatedly communicated to all OSCE participating States and reassured SMM staff that functional immunity pertaining to acts performed by SMM mission members in their official capacity during their employment with the SMM should continue to be respected following separation, as a principle of international law. The OSCE has and will continue to take steps to pursue all available channels to secure the privileges and immunities of current and former OSCE officials.

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The President of the OSCE Court of Conciliation and Arbitration, Professor Emmanuel Decaux, addressed the Permanent Council on 19 May 2022 to present the Court’s activity report 2021.

On the eve of the 30th anniversary of the 1992 Stockholm Convention, Decaux made an appeal to the States parties to use the mechanisms provided by the Convention. He reminded OSCE participating States that the Stockholm Convention was a common good for all members of the OSCE community and accessions to the treaty possible at any time, as well as ad hoc seizure by a bilateral agreement.

“We are reminded every day how fragile the law can be when faced with opposing, dominating power relations. In the dramatic context of today’s war in Europe, the foundations of peace and international security, implemented by the UN Charter and the framework of the OSCE, are called into question. By establishing the Court of Conciliation and Arbitration within the OSCE, the Stockholm Convention offered an institutional structure, with both jurisdictional and diplomatic features,” he said.

“These challenges and defeats make law even more precious and indispensable. I hope the anniversary of the Convention will be a wakeup call, to remind us that a peaceful settlement of disputes is preferable to violence and war. And, by its very existence, the Court of Conciliation and Arbitration is the crucial reminder that the ideal of “peace by law” constitutes the cornerstone of European security,” Decaux concluded.

Decaux also highlighted that the Court’s Bureau has the capacity to set up, in a flexible and confidential manner, two different methods of procedures - namely conciliation commissions or arbitral tribunals.

518985 Nino Sukhitashvili OSCE Mission to Moldova

Today, twenty tons of obsolete Soviet-era pesticides were safely transported from Transdniestria to be disposed of in Germany. This is first of three truckloads to be removed during the final phase of a multi-year project, with the financial and technical support of the OSCE Mission to Moldova.

“Not only do these dangerous chemicals present a threat to the environment and people’s health, they also put a burden on the local authorities responsible for the storage sites,” said Claus Neukirch, Head of the OSCE Mission to Moldova.

He stressed that the project helps protect the environment and people’s health, and contributes to building confidence, dialogue and co-operation between both banks of the Dniester/Nistru River. Some 60 tons of hazardous material will be transported from the left bank of the Dniester/Nistru River in 2022.

Following a request from the Transdniestrian authorities, the OSCE developed the project to facilitate the disposal of some 500 tons of obsolete pesticides. In October 2019, the OSCE Mission to Moldova and the Moldovan Ministry of Agriculture, Regional Development and Environment signed a Memorandum of  Understanding to facilitate the safe international transit of obsolete pesticides stored in Transdniestria. More than 400 metric tons of hazardous materials have been repacked, removed and disposed over the course of 2019-2022.

According to expert assessments, several hundred of tons of pesticides and other hazardous chemicals remaining from the Soviet era still need to be removed from the region.

On 24 May, the OSCE Presence in Albania wrapped up a three-day training programme for 16 newly selected and vetted National Bureau of Investigation (NBI) investigators.

The training programme aimed at boosting up the overall capacities of the newly-established NBI to conduct criminal investigations against high-level corruption and transnational organized crime groups. The training focused on topics, such as special techniques in investigating organized crime outfits, the fight against corruption and the legality of processing personal data. The modules were delivered in conjunction with the Austrian Embassy in Albania, the Austrian Federal Criminal Police, and the Albanian Office of the Commissioner on Personal Data Protection and Right to Information.

Commenting on the training activity, the NBI Director, Aida Hajnaj, praised the support of international partners aimed at ensuring the further consolidation and growth of this law enforcement body. “The training of investigators is a special process that calls for particular attention, as it is directly related to the constant development of the investigators’ professional skills and the tangible results of their work in investigating organized crime and high-level corruption. We encourage and welcome the holding of many other similar activities in the future, as the best evidence to our partnership,” she said.

This activity was held in the framework of a joint cross-departmental support provided by the OSCE Presence on supporting Albanian law enforcement to tackle serious and organized crime and improve regional co-operation. In line with its mandate to assist Albanian law enforcement agencies in building capacities, improving professionalism, and supporting police development and reform, the OSCE Presence in Albania will continue to support the consolidation and efficient functioning of the NBI, in co-operation with United States’ ICITAP and other international partners.

ŁÓDŹ, 24 May 2022 – Promoting security and stability through sustainable economic recovery following the COVID-19 pandemic was the focus of the Second Preparatory Meeting of the 30th OSCE Economic and Environmental Forum held on 23 and 24 May in Łódź, Poland.

OSCE Chairman-in-Office, Polish Foreign Minister Zbigniew Rau and OSCE Secretary General Schmid addressed the meeting’s opening session.

“We are experiencing an extraordinary period for the OSCE - events that threaten its founding principles. The whole European security architecture is being undermined by Russia’s military aggression against a sovereign state - Ukraine,” Rau said. “In recent months we have seen the destabilizing effect of that war across the world economy and the enhanced risk it brings to the environment. I am convinced that the OSCE provides a unique platform for dialogue to address these pressing challenges.”

The meeting in Łódź brought together about 200 participants representing governments, civil society, business community and other international organizations.

With the aim of strengthening dialogue and exchanging best practices, participants discussed topics like environmental protection, sustainable use of natural resources, energy efficiency as well as renewable energy and digital and technological innovations in support of green recovery and growth. Other key issues raised by speakers and delegations during the meeting were the devastating economic and environmental consequences of Russia’s military aggression against Ukraine.

“The war in Ukraine, beyond its terrible human toll, has appalling effects on the environment. This adds to the climate crisis. As we rebuild, we must transition quickly to a more sustainable, affordable and secure energy system,” added Schmid. “We are supporting OSCE states to increase their energy efficiency and diversify their energy sources, including renewable energy and alternative fuels.”

The Second Preparatory Meeting of the 30th OSCE Economic and Environmental Forum was organized by the 2022 Polish OSCE Chairmanship and the Office of the Co-ordinator of OSCE Economic and Environmental Activities. This will be followed by the Concluding Meeting in Prague 8 and 9 September 2022.

Strengthening protection of Ukrainian children against any form of violence, including trafficking, was the focus of the roundtable organized on 20 May 2022 by the Office of the OSCE Special Representative and Co-ordinator for Combating Trafficking in Human Beings and the Special Representative of the UN Secretary-General on Violence against Children, with the support of the OSCE Project Co-ordinator in Ukraine.

As the war in Ukraine continues, unprecedented numbers of people continue to seek refuge from violence in neighbouring countries. According to UNICEF, more than 5.4 million people, half of them children, had fled Ukraine by 1 May 2022. These children need specific protection in the countries of transit or destination, in order for them not to go missing or become exploited by criminals.

In host countries, authorities, civil society, businesses, and international organizations have taken steps to provide Ukrainian children with accommodation, healthcare, childcare and education. Despite these joint efforts, several child protection challenges persist. These include:

• differences between Ukraine's and EU child protection legislation; 
• exchange of information between countries on the children in transit; 
• consular registration; 
• issues of legal adoption and guardianship. 

At the roundtable, national anti-trafficking co-ordinators and child protection agencies of Ukraine and OSCE participating States hosting Ukrainian children, discussed how to improve the information exchange and ensure that every child is accounted for and has full access to protection and services.  Participants also stressed  that it is critical that the proposed solutions should be  first and foremost guided by the best interest of these children.

The discussion highlighted the need for a memorandum of understanding on unified and co-ordinated protection measures that can be replicated between child protection agencies in Ukraine and similar institutions in other OSCE participating States.

The Office of the Special Representative and Co-ordinator for Combating Trafficking in Human Beings recently issued a set of recommendations on immediate prevention measures, including specific measures for children.

WARSAW, 20 May 2022 – As the precarious security situation in Ukraine continues, the OSCE Office for Democratic Institutions and Human Rights (ODIHR) is stepping up its monitoring of the impact of the conflict on civilians and prisoners of war for violations of international human rights and humanitarian law, following Russia’s military attack in Ukraine almost three months ago.

“The human impact of the military action in Ukraine is a tragedy that is still unfolding, and has already impacted millions of Ukrainian citizens forced to flee their homes” said ODIHR Director Matteo Mecacci. “Experience, expertise, and empathy are needed to investigate and document the abuses taking place in and around Ukraine, and that is what ODIHR brings. Above all, our many years of impartial monitoring of democracy and human rights across the OSCE region mean that an objective assessment of violations is assured – wherever they occur and whoever is responsible.”               

All parties to an armed conflict must abide by international humanitarian and human rights law, which expressly prohibits indiscriminate attacks targeting civilians and protects the civilian population at all times against violence and inhumane treatment. Parties to the conflict must also allow swift and unimpeded access of humanitarian relief to civilians in need.  

After carrying out research remotely since the start of the conflict, ODIHR is now deploying monitors on the ground in Ukraine and outside of the country, conducting interviews with witnesses to violations as well as survivors. A final public report including a detailed analysis of these interviews will help efforts to ensure accountability for violations of international human rights and humanitarian law.

ODIHR’s monitoring is prioritising the most urgent issues affecting the lives of civilians and prisoners of war, including deliberate attacks against the civilian population, the use of indiscriminate weapons, wilful killings, enforced disappearance, and torture. At the same time, monitors are looking at the situation of internally displaced persons forced by the conflict to leave their homes but still in Ukraine. ODIHR is also investigating the situation of people in territories not under the control of the Ukrainian authorities, and the denial of humanitarian relief and of the right of civilians to flee the violence to an area of their choosing.

As the situation continues to develop, ODIHR is focusing on broader human rights issues facing the civilian population, also including human rights defenders. These include the right to liberty, access to information, respect for the right to freedom of expression, the right to peaceful protest, and the right to a fair trial. The use of sexual violence as a weapon and women’s and girls’ rights – which are often the first to be violated in conflict situations – also form an integral part of the monitoring.

“ODIHR’s monitoring will help to ensure accountability for the human rights violations committed and provide justice for the many victims of this terrible conflict,” Mr Mecacci added.

All OSCE countries have committed to “respect and ensure respect for international humanitarian law including the protection of the civilian population” in situations of armed conflict, and to ensure “that those who violate international humanitarian law are held personally accountable”. Full accountability of the armed forces is fundamental to any democracy. At the same time, commanders also play a central role in upholding the rule of law and respect for human rights by the armed forces. The principle of individual accountability is a vital element of military leadership, underpinning respect for human rights and promoting responsible behaviour by each member of the armed forces.

VIENNA/ŁÓDŹ, 20 May 2022 – OSCE Chairman-in-Office Zbigniew Rau, Poland’s Foreign Minister, and OSCE Secretary General Helga Maria Schmid will open the Second Preparatory Meeting of the 30th OSCE Economic and Environmental Forum on 23 May 2022.

The overarching theme for this year’s Economic and Environmental Forum is “Promoting security and stability in the OSCE area through sustainable economic recovery from the COVID-19 pandemic”, while the Second Preparatory Meeting will focus on specific issues to promote green recovery and growth in all OSCE participating States.

The keynote address will be delivered by Ruslan Strelets, Ukraine’s Minister of Environmental Protection and Natural Resources. Among the speakers, we will welcome Sławomir Mazurek, Vice-President of the Management Board of the National Fund for Environmental Protection and Water Management in Poland and Nick Bridge, the United Kingdom’s Special Representative for Climate Change.

The opening session of the meeting takes place from 09:30 on 23 May and will be livestreamed on https://www.osce.org/live.

The Economic and Environmental Forum enables political dialogue among the 57 OSCE participating States on key economic and environmental issues related to security.

This year marks the Forum’s thirtieth anniversary and will gather representatives from governments, state institutions, international organizations, the business sector, civil society and academia.

518700 Marina Živaljević

The OSCE Mission to Montenegro congratulates citizens of Montenegro on its Independence Day, 21 May.

“In these challenging times, the OSCE Mission to Montenegro reaffirms its strong and long-standing partnership with Montenegro. The Mission stands ready to continue its support to national institutions, civil and media sector, and will remain responsive to the country’s reform agenda,” said Dominique Waag, Head of the Mission.

She welcomed country’s determination to maintain political and social stability, promote regional co-operation and good-neighbourly relations, and focus on reforms, particularly in the fields of elections and security, as well as to improve media freedom and safety of journalists, and strengthen youth engagement. “Through our projects and activities, the Mission will continue to support Montenegro in line with OSCE commitments and principles,” said Ambassador Waag.

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Law enforcement experts from Kazakhstan, Kyrgyzstan and Uzbekistan have improved their capacity to fight cybercrime through a training course organized on 16-20 May by the OSCE Transnational Threats Department in close co-operation with the OSCE Programme Office in Nur-Sultan and the Law Enforcement Academy under the General Prosecutor’s Office of the Republic of Kazakhstan.

The course was the first part of the two-week training programme originally developed by the European Cybercrime Training and Education Group (ECTEG). It provided participants with knowledge and skills necessary for understanding steps and key principles of a digital forensic process, reading computer data and using available open-source forensic tools to analyze data.

Digital forensic experts from Estonia, Georgia, Norway and Romania delivered the training. Participants also completed a half-day online session on human rights compliance in cybercrime investigations that was delivered by legal experts from Slovenia and the Netherlands.

“Cybercrime is one of the key challenges of our time. Cyberspace has no territorially based boundaries and, therefore, international co-operation is absolutely necessary if we want to effectively address threats emanating from it. Our Academy is proud to host this regional course and in co-operation with our international partners, such as the OSCE, our ambition is to become a regional training hub for combatting cybercrime and increasing cybersecurity in Central Asia in the future,” said Magomed Akaev, the Director of the Institute of Professional Development at the Law Enforcement Academy in his opening remarks.

The course was delivered within the framework of the OSCE extra-budgetary project “Capacity Building on Combating Cybercrime in Central Asia” funded by the United States of America and the Republic of Korea. The second part of the course will take place on 20-24 June 2022.

VIENNA, 19 May 2022 – Even though the Mandate she holds sees its 25th Anniversary this year, there is nothing to celebrate, said OSCE Representative on Freedom of the Media, Teresa Ribeiro, in her bi-annual statement to the members of the OSCE Permanent Council today.

“After my report to the Permanent Council in November last year, for a brief moment I cherished the hope that I could come back on a slightly positive note this time. Today, with the aggressive attack of the Russian Federation on the sovereign state of Ukraine taking a terrible toll on the lives and livelihoods of the Ukrainian people, and on security and media freedom in our region, there is nothing to celebrate. My slogan for this year ‘There is no security without media freedom’ could not ring truer than it does these days.”

The Representative referred in her statement to the dire situation of media workers in Ukraine, who have been injured, abducted, attacked, and lost their lives while doing their work.

“I pay tribute to all those brave journalists who keep us informed about developments on the ground, including serious violations of international humanitarian and human rights law. Let me underline the duty to protect media workers and express my gratitude to all those local and international actors who are doing their best to secure journalists’ safety. Such aid needs to be long-term and suited to the situation on the ground.”

In her report, the Representative also commented on the situation in the Russian Federation, where the most severe crackdown on free speech and media freedom of the last 25 years has been witnessed.

“The Russian authorities have systematically violated OSCE principles and commitments regarding media freedom. This has resulted in a situation of censorship and the almost complete isolation of Russian citizens from any form of independent information. They are deprived of some of their most fundamental rights: their freedom to seek and receive information of all kinds, and their freedom to share their opinions and to express themselves.”

The current situation does not only pose a threat to the 144 million people living in the Russian Federation, it is a threat to our common information space and security in the OSCE region, the Representative stated in her report. She went on to talk about how the actions by the Russian authorities might be used by other nations as a pretext to strengthen their clampdown on the media in their own countries.

“It might even give rise to the idea that our common principles regarding media freedom could be negotiable or open to interpretation. Which they are not,” she said.

The Representative pointed to the fact that journalism across national borders has suffered greatly, while also remarking the many limitations to media freedom in the national context.

“Taken together, these limitations form a systemic approach that silences critical voices and dismantles media pluralism. This includes restrictions on media workers’ ability to perform their journalistic duties, the public’s right to access independent sources of information and the rise of media capture, when many media outlets in one country come under control of a few companies or persons, sometimes with close connections to the ones in power."

In her report, the Representative touched upon the worrying practice of news website hacking, the use of surveillance software against journalists and the impact of artificial intelligence (AI) on freedom of expression and media freedom. She addressed the increasing use of violence and legal harassment against journalists, particularly female media workers, and highlighted the dreadful situation in Belarus, where many journalists have been sentenced, arrested or detained for doing their work.

“We are witnessing an unprecedented regress in media freedom and a severe clamp down on independent reporting across the OSCE region. And we cannot assume that this will be without severe consequences for our societies, our democracies and our common security,” Ribeiro said.

The report can be found here: https://www.osce.org/representative-on-freedom-of-media/518631

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