OSCE

VALLETTA/VIENNA, 9 April 2024 — The OSCE Chair-in-Office, Minister for Foreign and European Affairs and Trade of Malta, Ian Borg, will visit Serbia on 10 April.

During his visit, Chair-in-Office Borg will meet with President Aleksandar Vučić, Speaker of the National Assembly Ana Brnabić, First Deputy Prime Minister and Foreign Minister Ivica Dačić, and Deputy Prime Minister/Minister of Defence and Prime Minister designate Miloš Vučević.

In addition to meeting high-level officials, Minister Borg is expected to pay a visit to the OSCE Mission to Serbia, where he will meet with Head of the OSCE Mission to Serbia, Jan Braathu as well as staff members of the Mission.

The agenda of Minister Borg also features a roundtable discussion with media and journalists’ associations. Additionally, the Chair-in-Office will meet with various youth groups and young beneficiaries of Mission-supported initiatives, including Environmental Law Clinic alumnae at the University of Belgrade Law Faculty.  His programme will conclude with a visit to a Mission-supported drop-in shelter for children from the Roma community, managed by the Center for Youth Integration.

Chair-in-Office Borg will give a Joint Press Conference with the First Deputy Prime Minister and Foreign Minister Ivica Dačić at the Foreign Ministry in Belgrade at 1150 hrs.

Contacts:

Thomas Attard
CiO Spokesperson
+43 660 1202877
thomas.attard.1@gov.mt

Ivana Milatovic
OSCE Mission in Serbia
National Political and Press Affairs Officer
+381 11 3606151
ivana.milatovic@osce.org

MFA point of contact for the press conference:

Dijana Vukomanovic
Press Service
Ministry of Foreign Affairs of the Republic of Serbia
+381 65 217 1513
dijana.vukomanovic@mfa.rs

WARSAW, 8 April 2024 – With the political participation of Roma and Sinti remaining marginal in many places and elections taking place in almost half the countries of the OSCE area this year, it is more important than ever that Roma and Sinti are empowered to participate and thereby help shape their societies for the better, the OSCE Office for Democratic Institutions and Human Rights (ODIHR) said on International Roma Day.

“In this year full of elections, Roma and Sinti across the OSCE area must have equal opportunities to participate both as voters and as candidates,” said ODIHR Director Matteo Mecacci. “Increasing public and political participation is critical to achieving meaningful social inclusion and empowerment for Roma and Sinti communities. By fostering genuine dialogue and partnerships, societies can move closer to realizing diversity’s full potential and ensuring the rights and dignity of every individual.”

Roma and Sinti remain under-represented in all areas of political life. Governments need to work more closely with Roma and Sinti communities and civil society to combat anti-Roma rhetoric, build narratives inclusive of democratic values and tolerance, establish voter education programmes, assist in overcoming difficulties Roma voters may have such as those arising from a lack of ID documents or the fact they are not included in voter registers, and support the participation of Roma and Sinti as candidates in both national and local elections.

In 2023, two decades after ODIHR began assisting countries across the OSCE in improving the lives of Roma and Sinti and working towards societies that promote the diversity of our nations, the Office published its five-yearly report to assess efforts made by OSCE states in ensuring equal opportunities for Roma and Sinti people in all areas of life.

While some visible progress has been made, especially in enhancing public participation, much remains unchanged. Some aspects have also worsened, as populist rhetoric and the increase in racism and intolerance in many places continue to hinder the participation of Roma and Sinti, particularly that of women and youth. Worryingly, ODIHR has noted not only that mainstream political parties are now using discriminatory language previously found only on the extremes, but that this anti-Roma rhetoric is increasingly becoming normalized.

International Roma Day is a yearly celebration of the contributions of Roma to our societies. It was established in 1990 after the 4th World Romani Congress, and is observed every year on 8 April. All OSCE states have recognized “the particular difficulties faced by Roma and Sinti and the need to undertake effective measures in order to achieve full equality of opportunity.” ODIHR works to increase Roma inclusion by providing much-needed space for dialogue between Roma civil society and governments across the OSCE region, helping to move towards more inclusive societies.

GENEVA, 5 April 2024  –  The 60th round of the Geneva International Discussions (GID) took place on 4-5 April 2024 in accordance with the six-point agreement of 12 August 2008 and implementing measures of 8 September 2008.

Despite the continued highly challenging regional and geopolitical environment, the participants reconfirmed their commitment to GID process as the only platform where the conflict consequences are being addressed since 2008.

The participants reviewed the security situation on the ground since the last round held in December 2023, and assessed it as relatively stable. There were extensive and substantive exchanges of views on ways to further address core issues on the GID agenda, including non-use of force and international security arrangements. The Co-Chairs called on the participants to think about innovative approaches and engage constructively in order to achieve progress and concrete results on these and other topics, for the benefit of the conflict-affected population and lasting peace.

The issue of internally displaced persons and refugees could not be discussed due to a walkout by some participants.

It was agreed to hold the next GID round on 25-26 June 2024.

566299 Therese Abrahamsen Edita Buçaj

The sixth edition of the OSCE Mission in Kosovo Media Fellowship Programme, an annual initiative designed to enhance skills of young journalists in a rapidly evolving media landscape and establish a network of fellow journalists from diverse communities, started on 4 April in Prishtinë/Priština.

Eight participating journalists from across Kosovo will engage with local journalist associations, public broadcasters, press councils, and investigative media outlets in Prishtinë/Priština and Belgrade from 13 to 18 May 2024. In the second phase of the programme, the journalists will visit Tirana and Podgorica in September and will meet with media outlets and institutions there.

During the programme, the young journalists will gain first-hand insights into professional reporting standards, journalism ethics, qualitative reporting techniques, media and information literacy, and adherence to codes of ethics.

Arlinda Osmanaj, National Programme Officer at the OSCE Mission in Kosovo, said that the Media Fellowship Programme serves as a guiding opportunity, bringing together young journalists from diverse communities, and equips fellows with essential tools and networks needed for success in today's dynamic media landscape through facilitating connections with esteemed journalists and experts.

“Having witnessed the journeys of numerous fellows, I am truly delighted to see these young and talented journalists carve their paths in this sacred profession. As they embark on their journalistic endeavours, these individuals are poised to become pivotal voices, shaping public discourse, defending press freedom, and safeguarding access to trustworthy information," Osmanaj said.

This year's selected journalists include, Adelina Ahmeti, Kallxo.com; Antigone Isufi, Prishtina Insight; Rrezon Gashi, KOHA; Arbreshe Uka, Klan Kosova; Sandra Dobrić, Kontakt Plus; Edona Vuçiterna, Klan Kosova; Predrag Perović, Radio Kosovska Mitrovica; and Biljana Vlašković, KoSSev.

The fellowship programme, launched in 2017, serves as a platform to nurture local journalistic talent while advancing gender equality in the field, and is another Mission commitment in its work to support media development and foster a vibrant and diverse journalistic landscape in Kosovo. So far, it has welcomed 46 journalists from diverse communities in Kosovo, each contributing unique perspectives and experiences to the Media Fellowship Alumni.

566287

On 3 April, OSCE Project Co-Ordinator in Uzbekistan, Ambassador Antti Karttunen, held an introductory meeting with the Minister of Foreign Affairs of the Republic of Uzbekistan, Bakhtiyor Saidov.

Ambassador Karttunen stated that he was thrilled to assume his new role as a Head of PCUz. Ambassador Karttunen highlighted the importance of close cooperation with the Ministry of Foreign Affairs, other line ministries and governmental and non-governmental organizations in planning and implementing joint projects. “My aim is to continue and, if possible, further enhance, close collaboration with our project partners in Uzbekistan. We will set together the priorities for our future projects and activities”, Ambassador Karttunen said.

The sides agreed that it is the right time to launch planning of the Roadmap for co-operation in the years 2025-2026.Ambassador Karttunen expressed his gratitude for the warm welcome he has received everywhere in Uzbekistan during his first weeks and months in the country.

566116 Željka Šulc

Systemic change requires meaningful and proactive engagement by those decision-makers and institutions across all levels of governance mandated to respond to domestic violence and gender-based violence, including violence against women. Today’s joint session of the parliamentary committees of the Parliament of the Federation of Bosnia and Herzegovina (BiH) on the Institutional Response to Domestic Violence and Violence against Women was an important step in making those changes.

Today's session was organized in co-operation with four relevant parliamentary committees, namely, the committees for gender equality of both houses, the Committee for Security of the House of Representatives, and the Committee for Human Rights and Freedoms of the House of Peoples. Supported by the OSCE Mission to BiH, this joint effort reflects a domestic and international commitment to enhance institutional responses to domestic and gender-based violence cases.

Following the joint session, Ambassador Brian Aggeler, Head of the OSCE Mission to BiH, concluded that “We must not take progress on gender equality for granted; we must not put our guard down in pursuit of a more just and equal world. This is about all of us, because security and safety in society are impossible if all of us are not safe and secure and domestic and gender-based violence are eliminated.”

The suggested conclusions from the thematic session, which will be the subject of discussion and deliberation in the committees in the coming weeks, read as follows:

1. The Gender Centre of the Federation of BiH is tasked with preparing and submitting to the FBiH Parliament an overview of the Council of Europe Committee of the Party and GREVIO recommendations and plans for their implementation in FBiH.
2. FBiH Parliament shall urgently adopt the Strategy of Prevention of Domestic Violence 2024 – 2027 in the Federation of BiH as an overarching strategic document for improvement of institutional response to domestic violence and violence against women.
3. FBiH Government shall urgently prepare and submit the FBiH Parliament revised legal framework for protection against domestic violence and violence against women harmonized with international conventions.
4. The Gender Centre of the Federation of BiH Government shall establish a biannual coordination between domestic and international institutions and organizations focusing on the activities for the implementation of the Strategy of Prevention of Domestic Violence 2024 – 2027 and GREVIO recommendations.
5. Four committees of the FBiH Parliament will organize two joint thematic sessions, focusing on the justice sector response to domestic violence and comprehensive support for victims, including vulnerable groups.

566104 OSCE High Commissioner on National Minorities Recommendations on the Effective Participation of National Minorities in Social and Economic Life Supporting social and economic participation OSCE celebrates 30th anniversary of High Commissioner on National Minorities Thematic Recommendations and Guidelines

OSCE High Commissioner on National Minorities Kairat Abdrakhmanov visited Mongolia from 1 to 3 April 2024 where he discussed co-operation and issues of mutual interest with the authorities, signed a new Memorandum of Co-operation and organized a roundtable.

During his meeting with Foreign Minister Battsetseg Batmunkh, Abdrakhmanov underlined the important role that Mongolia has played in strengthening regional peace and security since joining the OSCE in 2012. The High Commissioner commended the country for its good practices with regard to promoting diversity and integration, and preserving and developing minority cultures, traditions and languages. They discussed the role of minority women and youth in securing long-lasting peace and stability and Abdrakhmanov conveyed his best wishes for a successful World Women’s Forum in Ulaanbaatar in 2024. He encouraged the authorities and civil society to share their experience with other OSCE participating States

The High Commissioner signed a new Memorandum of Co-operation with the Education and Science Ministry to further enhance co-operation between his office and the Ministry on the development of multilingual and multicultural education in Mongolia. During his meeting with Education and Science Minister Enkh-Amgalan Luvsantseren, Abdrakhmanov expressed his readiness to support Mongolia in its efforts to create an inclusive and quality education framework for all, including minorities.

On 2 April, the High Commissioner took the opportunity to present his Recommendations on the Effective Participation of National Minorities in Social and Economic Life (Socio-economic Recommendations) at a roundtable organized in co-operation with the Foreign Ministry in Ulaanbaatar. The participants discussed how socio-economic integration can be further enhanced in Mongolia, where diverse cultures have historically co‑existed harmoniously, and shared positive examples of social and economic inclusion from other OSCE participating States. They also considered how to ensure that minorities are not excluded from digital developments, including the internet and new technologies.

Addressing the participants, which included experts, government officials, politicians, representatives of the National Human Rights Commission of Mongolia and academics, Abdrakhmanov said: “Through these Recommendations, our vision is to work towards a future in which every national minority group can thrive, have influence and be empowered. This will enable us to weave a tapestry in our respective countries that is rich in diversity, equity and inclusion.”

The Socio-economic Recommendations assist policymakers to design policies that increase the participation of minorities in education, employment, housing, health care, the digital sphere, regional development and the environment. Each of these areas gives specific consideration to minority women and youth.

In his various meetings with the authorities – including Deputy Culture Minister Battur Purevsuren; the heads of the National University of Mongolia and the University of Internal Affairs of Mongolia, respectively Badarch Dendev and Batbaatar Purevdorj; and Member of State Great Hural (parliament) and Head of the Delegation of Mongolia to the OSCE Parliamentary Assembly Tsogtbaatar Damdin – Abdrakhmanov presented his mandate and priorities, and discussed the situation of national minorities and ethnic communities, including Mongolia’s rich religious diversity and how it intersects with ethnic and cultural diversity. He also discussed the potential to further embed multiculturalism in education for majority and minority communities. The High Commissioner learned about Mongolia’s best practices in regard to preserving and developing minority cultures and languages. He also heard about the impact that climate change is having on traditional livelihoods in Mongolia and how it can be mitigated.

565882 For Media inquires

On 1 and 2 April 2024, representatives of the Agency for Regulation and Development of the Financial Market of Kazakhstan (the Agency) and commercial banks gathered in Almaty for a two-day intensive practical workshop focusing on tackling money laundering networks and detecting schemes involving "money mules". Recognizing the growing use of these sophisticated methods in contemporary financial crimes and significant challenges they pose to financial institutions and regulatory agencies, the workshop aimed to equip participants with advanced knowledge for detection and prevention activities.

The need to enhance the qualifications of entities combating money laundering, including preventing illicit capital outflows, has become increasingly apparent. According to the annual Basel AML (Anti-Money Laundering) Index ranking, Kazakhstan ranked 100th in 2023, with an estimated impact on its economy amounting to monetary losses from money laundering and capital flight abroad exceeding USD 150 billion. So-called “money mules” are persons who are used by criminal networks to launder money through bank accounts, often without the mule’s knowledge. In many cases, the “mule” is unaware of the criminal activity and may be convinced that they are simply performing transactions for legitimate business.

Through hands-on capacity-building activities, the workshop aimed to empower Kazakhstan’s financial intelligence community by providing up-to-date knowledge and effective strategies to proactively address emerging threats, including advanced analytical techniques, technological solutions for monitoring financial transactions, and enhanced collaboration between regulatory agencies and financial institutions. Addressing emerging threats is crucial as they constantly evolve, posing significant risks to the financial system's integrity and stability, thus necessitating proactive measures.

The workshop saw the participation of eighteen financial compliance and anti-fraud specialists, comprising six women and twelve men. Sessions were conducted by an expert from K2 Integrity, a U.S. company specializing in financial crime investigations and anti-money laundering/countering financing of terrorism consulting for public and private sectors. The workshop emphasized a combination of theoretical frameworks and practical approaches, particularly focusing on techniques that could be implemented on a short-term operational basis. This included Know Your Customer (KYC) and Customer Due Diligence (CDD) methodologies, as well as the deployment and use of transaction monitoring systems.

“One of the key takeaways from the workshop was the implementation of innovative monitoring techniques to track illicit money movement networks. By integrating advanced algorithms into our systems, we can now identify suspicious transactions more effectively” shared Maksat Shagdarov, Head of the Agency’s Department for Combating Abuse in the Financial Market. “Understanding the mindset of money mules was eye-opening. Through case studies and real-life examples shared by the expert, we gained insights into how to disrupt their operations” remarked Arman Omarbekov, Head of Anti-Unfair Practices Division at the Agency’s Banking Regulation Department.

This workshop represents a step forward in enhancing the resilience of the host country against money laundering activities, thereby contributing to a secure investment climate and sustainable economic growth. The OSCE Programme Office in Astana remains committed to continuing its efforts to improve the host country's ability to combat money laundering and terrorist financing offenses. Through ongoing collaboration and knowledge-sharing, stakeholders can work together to strengthen the financial integrity and security of the region.

565813

In view of the 2025 parliamentary elections in Albania, the OSCE Presence and the Central Election Commission (CEC) organized a technical workshop on findings and recommendations regarding voter education, on 3 April 2024.

Opening the event, Acting Head of OSCE Presence in Albania Clarisse Pasztory said: “There are a number of issues that are raised by the OSCE/ODIHR recommendations – both by the most recent ones on local elections, but also previous ones – that do not necessarily require legislative change or the amendment of the electoral or any other law, but much rather implementation of the law and/or in some cases sanctioning of the non-implementation of the law.”

Considering the 2023 voter information and education campaign among the best, State Election Commissioner Ilirjan Celibashi said that what has been achieved so far constitutes a very good basis to develop education and information programmes especially for certain categories of voters. He added that other institutions should increase the focus on some categories that, for legal reasons, do not have access to the voting process.

The activity served as a discussion forum for representatives and experts of the CEC, other state institutions, civil society and political parties on how to improve the informative, educational and awareness-raising voter campaigns.

Discussions focused on the findings of OSCE/ODIHR election observation reports and their recommendations to improve voter education programmes, as well as the findings of domestic observer groups and the experience from the observations of civil society organizations.

Participants stressed the importance of a broader strategy for voter outreach tailored to the diverse needs of various voter categories, in time for the upcoming elections. A particular emphasis was given to engaging underrepresented groups, such as national minorities, people with disabilities – including visually impaired voters – women, youth, as well as voters residing in rural or remote areas.

565708 OSCE

The OSCE Project Co-ordinator in Uzbekistan, in co-operation with the Committee on Innovative Development, Information Policy and Information Technology of the Legislative Chamber of the Oliy Majlis of the Republic of Uzbekistan and the Centre for Retraining of Journalists of Uzbekistan, organized a two-day training session on 3-4 April 2024. The event was opened jointly by Odiljon Tojiyev, the Deputy Speaker of the Legislative Chamber of the Oliy Majlis of the Republic of Uzbekistan, and Ambassador Antti Karttunen, OSCE Project Co-ordinator in Uzbekistan.

“Engaging with citizens is crucial for lawmakers in the democratic process. However, the emergence of new media and social networks has significantly changed how this engagement happens,” Ambassador Karttunen said.

He added: “The digital age demands a heightened awareness of the ethical, gender-sensitive, and conflict-sensitive aspects of media content. By conducting a thorough analysis of media content from social networks, we can develop strategies to mitigate the spread of hate speech and hostility, fostering a more inclusive and respectful online environment.”

During the training, 25 representatives of the Oliy Majlis engaged in discussions on various aspects of media literacy, focusing especially on the challenges and issues of media literacy in engaging citizens on social networks. They examined such topics as the role of new media and social networks in legislative engagement with citizens, ethical considerations in media content, and gender-sensitive analysis of social media materials. In addition, participants explored the impact of artificial intelligence, issues concerning the creation of digital profiles, and the influence of social media on government image.

The training session provided a platform for participants to enhance their knowledge of media literacy and its significance in today's rapidly evolving media landscape. This event was supported within the framework of the PCUz project “Promoting Rule of Law, Human Rights and Media Freedom”.

565654 Communication and Media Relations Section

National experts from the Government of Kazakhstan convened at the Law Enforcement Academy under the Prosecutor General’s Office near Astana on 27 and 28 March 2024 for an interactive national workshop on the protection of vulnerable targets from terrorist attacks.

This event marks the second activity under the OSCE’s new initiative – Project PROTECT. Project PROTECT strengthens national approaches to protecting vulnerable targets from terrorist threats and other hazards. As part of Project PROTECT’s capacity-building efforts, this workshop raised awareness of the need to protect vulnerable targets from terrorist attacks in a human rights-compliant manner. It also gathered good practices from Kazakhstan and identified priorities for future project activities in the country.

A key focus throughout the event was the importance of partnerships and collaboration within government entities as well as with the private sector, including those involved in the management of critical infrastructure. The complex web of actions that make up risk-based strategies that protect vulnerable targets from terrorist attacks is spread throughout government agencies and affects the entirety of society – from emergency management and law enforcement to the private sector and beyond. Therefore, effective vulnerable targets protection is collaborative at its core.

“The terrorist threat to critical infrastructure and vulnerable facilities is among the most serious security challenges facing the international community today, and it is constantly evolving. In many countries of the OSCE region, businesses, governments, and emergency and security services work in close co-operation to continuously improve and strengthen the protection of critical infrastructures and services,” said Deputy Head of the OSCE Programme Office in Astana Yuri Fenopetov during his opening remarks. 

“Today, representatives of law enforcement agencies and interested organizations have gathered here to learn from current knowledge and best practices. I would like to express my gratitude to our permanent partners – the OSCE Action against Terrorism Unit and the OSCE Programme Office in Astana for jointly organizing this workshop,” said Maralbek Eshimov, Vice-Rector of the Law Enforcement Academy under the Prosecutor General's Office of Kazakhstan.

The workshop covered a range of topics related to the protection of both critical infrastructure and soft targets – or public spaces – from terrorist attacks. Deep-dive sessions covered topics including risk assessment and mitigation, insider threat management, identification of critical infrastructure interdependencies, public-private partnerships, human rights and privacy considerations, and business continuity planning. The event also benefited from the participation of independent experts and officials from the United Nations Office of Counter-Terrorism and the Government of France’s Agency for French Education Abroad.

This workshop was organized with financial support from Germany.

565378 Željka Šulc SARAJEVO, 01 April 2024 -  The OSCE Mission to BiH strongly condemns the attack on Stari Grad Municipality Mayor Irfan Čengić. We appreciate the swift investigation by the FBiH and Sarajevo Canton law enforcement agencies and expect the perpetrators to be brought to justice as a matter of priority. 

565624

From 27 to 29 March, the Office of the Co-ordinator of OSCE Economic and Environmental Activities (OCEEA) organized a 3-day study visit for representatives of the National Bank of Moldova to Tbilisi, Georgia. The visit aimed to promote the exchange of insights and experiences between representatives of the National Bank of Moldova and its Georgian counterpart, the National Bank of Georgia.

The study visit focused on leveraging the expertise of the National Bank of Georgia in regulating virtual assets and Virtual Asset Service Providers (VASPs), with particular emphasis on addressing Anti-Money Laundering/ Countering Financing of Terrorism (AML/CFT) risks. The delegation from the National Bank of Moldova received valuable insights into regulatory and supervisory approaches, compliance measures, and risk mitigation strategies implemented by the National Bank of Georgia.

"The OSCE's support has been instrumental in advancing the capabilities and capabilities of the National Bank of Georgia to build AML/CFT regulatory and supervisory frameworks around Virtual Assets and Virtual Asset Services,” said Ms Natela Turnava, acting Governor of the National Bank of Georgia. “We appreciate the OSCE's ongoing commitment to support us on this journey."

Throughout the visit, participants engaged in a series of interactive sessions and knowledge-sharing discussions hosted by the National Bank of Georgia. The visit provided a platform to discuss national virtual asset regulation and supervision, including the identification of AML/CFT risks associated with virtual assets, the development of robust compliance frameworks, and the implementation of effective oversight mechanisms for VASPs.

The delegation from the National Bank of Moldova had the opportunity to learn first-hand from the experiences of their Georgian counterparts, gaining insights into the practical challenges these face and the innovative solutions they apply in the regulatory and supervisory approaches of virtual assets. Interactive discussions and an exploration of case studies provided a platform for fruitful exchange, enabling both parties to deepen their understanding of the risks and challenges their counterparts face, as well as explore avenues for co-operation in enhancing regulatory frameworks.

"Over the course of this period, the National Bank of Georgia has not only gained expertise but has also been sharing the knowledge and experience with other jurisdictions within the OSCE region - facilitating the cross border collaboration and co-ordination in relation to Virtual Asset Regulatory and supervisory approaches,“ Turnava said.  

The study visit is a part of an OSCE extra-budgetary project “Innovative policy solutions to mitigate money-laundering risks of virtual assets”. Tailored to support the OSCE participating States, the project aims to increase the capacities of national authorities in mitigating money laundering risks of virtual assets and cryptocurrencies. The project is funded by Germany, Italy, Poland, Romania, the United Kingdom and the United States.

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From 25 to 29 March, the Office of the Co-ordinator of OSCE Economic and Environmental Activities (OCEEA) conducted a workshop aimed at strengthening the Virtual Asset Service Providers (VASPs) regulatory framework of the National Bank of Georgia. Held in Tbilisi and hosted by the National Bank of Georgia, the workshop aimed to enhance the National Bank of Georgia's capacity to regulate VASPs operating within the country. 

The event provided an opportunity to discuss the registration rule requirements for VASPs in Georgia. Throughout the workshop, OSCE experts and officials from the National Bank of Georgia analyzed the regulatory landscape and brainstormed solutions on compliance measures aimed at mitigating the risks of money laundering and financial crime involving virtual assets.

Attendees actively participated in knowledge-sharing sessions, interactive discussions, and collaborative exercises with the goal of developing best practices, regulatory frameworks, and efficient strategies to foster transparency and combat illicit activities conducted with virtual assets and cryptocurrencies in Georgia.

“The OSCE is fully committed to supporting the National Bank of Georgia in strengthening the regulatory framework for Virtual Asset Service Providers,” said Vera Strobachova-Budway, Acting Senior Economic Officer. "We must work together to ensure that regulatory measures are robust and align with international standards. By doing so, we not only ensure financial integrity but also enhance consumer protection and combat financial crime."

The workshop is part of an OSCE extra-budgetary project focused on innovative policy solutions to mitigate money-laundering risks associated with virtual assets. Tailored to support OSCE participating States, the project aims to increase the capacities of national authorities in mitigating money laundering risks of virtual assets and cryptocurrencies. The project is funded by Germany, Italy, Poland, Romania, the United Kingdom and the United States.

565594

On 28 March, the OSCE Project Co-ordinator in Uzbekistan (PCUz), in co-operation with the Public Fund to Support and Develop National Media in Uzbekistan, convened a roundtable discussion on the topic of “Media Ethics and Self-Regulation of Media”.

The roundtable was opened by Ambassador Antti Karttunen, OSCE Project Coordinator in Uzbekistan.

The roundtable highlighted the challenges facing journalists in the modern information space and addressed critical issues related to journalistic ethics, the aim being to foster professional growth in the media sector. The event brought together 60 representatives from the Legislative Chamber of the Oliy Majlis, the office of the OSCE Representative on Freedom of the Media (RFoM), journalists and legal experts.

The invited participants discussed the importance of preventing the proliferation of hate speech on media platforms and explored strategies to safeguard journalists from online harassment.

This roundtable was organised within the framework of the PCUz project “Promoting Rule of Law, Human Rights and Media Freedom”.

565576 Marina Živaljević

Effective border control is a key element in the fight against international organized crime, including human trafficking, which is why the OSCE Mission to Montenegro from 25 to 29 March organized two training sessions in Budva in Kolašin for border police officers from across the country on how to interview a victim of human trafficking.

A total of 43 participants discussed how to conduct interviews with victims of trafficking, using gender-sensitive approach and guidelines developed with Mission’s support using a standardized set of questions. The training sessions strengthened the capacities of police border officers to identify through interviewing victims of human trafficking, providing legal protection and avoiding secondary victimization.

Tijana Šuković, Head of the Department for Combating Human Trafficking in the Ministry of Interior, stated that effective border control is a key condition for efficient police action and the safety of all citizens. “In 2023, the team for the formal identification of victims of human trafficking identified a total of 18 persons as victims of human trafficking. The forms of exploitation to which these persons were exposed included both labour and sexual exploitation, forced begging, illegal marriage, use for pornographic purposes,” said Šuković. She explained that the largest percentage of victims were women and female minors, coming from marginalized environments characterized by poor education, discrimination, poverty, and the constant presence of various types of violence.

These training sessions have been implemented for the third year in a row. In previous years, 108 police officers were trained through eight sessions. Mission’s continuous support is part of the efforts to assist Montenegro in implementing the national Strategy for Combating Trafficking in Human Beings 2019–2024.

565570 Participants of the closing meeting of the interagency working group on development of national draft law on illicit drug trafficking, Bishkek, 12 December 2023. Chyngyz Zhanybekov Aida Almazbekova

In 2023, the OSCE Programme Office in Bishkek (the Programme Office) collaborated with the Service on Countering Illicit Drug Trafficking (SCIDT) of the Kyrgyz Ministry of Internal Affairs to develop a new national draft law on illicit drug trafficking. This initiative aimed to address the limitations of the existing legal framework, which encountered difficulties in tackling the increasing complexities of national, regional, and global drug trafficking challenges.

The development process, supported by the Programme Office, involved the engagement of national consultants to aid in drafting the law. Additionally, the Programme Office facilitated two meetings of the interagency working group, ensuring effective co-operation between consultants and working group members. The foundation for this draft law was laid through collaborative efforts between the SCIDT and the United Nations Office on Drugs and Crime in 2019, reflecting the joint commitment of international organizations and national stakeholders to combat illicit drug trafficking.

The adoption of the new draft national law on 7 March, 2024, signed by President Sadyr Japarov, signifies Kyrgyzstan's dedication to strengthening its legal framework against illicit drug trafficking. By aligning with key international conventions ratified in 1994, the newly developed law equips law enforcement agencies of Kyrgyzstan with modernized tools and mechanisms, enhancing their capacity to combat organized crime networks involved in illicit drug trafficking.

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

Election experts from the OSCE Office for Democratic Institutions and Human Rights (ODIHR) presented the final reports on Uzbekistan’s 2023 constitutional referendum and early presidential election during a visit to Tashkent that took place from 26 to 28 March 2024.

“The interest shown in our reports and recommendations was noteworthy. We had frank and open discussions on all relevant subject matters,” said Urszula Gacek, Head of the ODIHR Election Observation Mission for the 9 July presidential vote. “We hope that the openness and collaboration demonstrated during the visit will translated into tangible improvements as part of the upcoming elections.”

ODIHR experts discussed their key findings and recommendations with representatives from the Ministry of Foreign Affairs, the Central Election Commission, the Ministry of Justice, the Ministry for Development of Information Technologies and Communications, the parliament’s lower chamber, as well as with representatives of political parties, civil society and the international community. and

The discussions covered both the recent amendments to electoral legislation and the recommendations that are yet to be implemented. Priority areas highlighted include: removing restrictions on the fundamental rights of expression, peaceful assembly and association; revising administrative requirements for the registration of political parties; strengthening the independence of election administration; introducing further safeguards against multiple voting; enabling citizen election observation by independent civil society organizations; and ensuring honest counting and publication of voting results disaggregated by polling station.

ODIHR experts also suggested potential areas for collaboration with national institutions to bring the process in line with OSCE commitments and international standards, offering support through legal reviews and thematic workshops. The authorities expressed an interest in engaging in further discussions to address these recommendations.

ODIHR’s election observation methodology includes an assessment of countries’ efforts to implement previous recommendations through changes in legislation, procedures and practices.  For Uzbekistan, the latest ODIHR observation mission evaluated the follow-up to recommendations from the ODIHR final reports on the 2019 parliamentary elections and the 2021 presidential election. The reports concluded that seven recommendations had been fully implemented, five mostly implemented and 15 partially addressed, while others remain to be carried out.

In the 1999 OSCE Istanbul Document, all OSCE participating States committed themselves to “follow up promptly the ODIHR’s election assessment and recommendations”.

565435 Volunteers with the OSCE Programme Office in Bishkek (POiB) team, accompanied by Ambassador Alexey Rogov, Head of the OSCE POiB, at the Youth Tree Planting, Batken, 23 March 2024. Chyngyz Zhanybekov Aida Almazbekova

BISHKEK, 23 March 2024 - Youth of Kyrgyzstan planted more than 1000 seedlings of Virginia juniper and 555 seedlings of rose hips in the Batken region, thereby launching the traditional Youth Tree Planting campaign across the country.

The "Jashyl Muras" national campaign seeks to enhance environmental awareness among youth, safeguard and enrich Kyrgyzstan's natural heritage, and broaden the youth volunteer environmental movement. It was initiated by the President of the Kyrgyz Republic, Sadyr Japarov, in March 2022. 

Within this campaign, environmental activists will gradually visit every region of the country to rally youth in planting over 1,000 seedlings per region. Through the collective efforts of the youth, the goal is to plant over 7,000 seedlings nationwide.

“Promoting the development of the Batken region is among the top priorities of the OSCE, and we are especially proud of the opportunity to support its youth in the fight against global warming,” emphasized Ambassador Alexey Rogov, Head of the OSCE Programme Office in Bishkek.

The OSCE Programme Office in Bishkek is commited to advancing environmental security and protection. In collaboration with our partners, we view this initiative as a driving force in uniting youth to combat the pressing global issue of climate change.

The event was organized by the NGO “Students of Kyrgyzstan for a Green Economy” together with the Forest Service under the Ministry of Emergency Situations of the Kyrgyz Republic, the Ministry of Culture, Sports, Information, and Youth Policy, with the support of the OSCE Programme Office in Bishkek, GIZ in Kyrgyzstan, and the National Red Crescent Society of Kyrgyzstan.

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From 26 to 29 March 2024, the OSCE Mission to Bosnia and Herzegovina (BiH) organized a study visit to the Central Election Commission of Georgia for representatives of the BiH Central Election Commission (CEC), the BiH Agency for the Protection of Personal Data, the BiH Agency for Identification Documents, the Records and Data Exchange as well as the BiH Parliamentary Assembly. This visit provides insights into the application of election technologies and electoral processes.

Giorgi Kalandarishvili, Central Election Commission of Georgia Chairperson, emphasized the significant international interest surrounding Georgia’s Election Administration operations and the utilization of technological advancements. "I am pleased to announce that, under the auspices of the OSCE Mission, we are currently hosting a delegation from Bosnia and Herzegovina. This presents an opportunity for us to impart our insights into Election Administration practices, particularly concerning the integration of technology, and other relevant electoral matters."

“The study visit to Georgia is being undertaken at a crucial moment for Bosnia and Herzegovina. This is because the experiences and lessons learned from a country that has implemented as many as 8 pilot projects are essential at this juncture, particularly as Bosnia and Herzegovina embarks on significant reforms regarding the piloting of election technologies. We are grateful to the OSCE Mission to BiH for facilitating the transfer of Georgia's experience to the institutions of Bosnia and Herzegovina,” said Irena Hadžiabdić, President of the BiH Central Election Commission.

The study visits to the Central Electoral Commission of Georgia featured presentations on experiences by electoral implementation bodies and other institutions involved in the political/legislative processes preceding the pilot project implementation. Topics included procurement modalities, staff training, data transfer, cyber security, and other issues pertaining to the introduction of election technologies

“As we navigate the complexities of electoral processes, it is imperative that we remain open to learning from the experiences of others, and Georgia certainly has a lot of experience with election technologies to share. By actively learning and adapting, we can strengthen our endeavours towards electoral reform” said Ahmed Rifatbegović, National Political Officer at the OSCE Mission to BiH. “Addressing electoral fraud and corruption is essential to rebuilding trust in the electoral process and governmental institutions, marking a crucial step towards restoring public confidence.”

The study visit also resulted in the signing of a Memorandum of Understanding between CEC BiH and CEC Georgia, as well as for discussing the modalities of further cooperation between the two election management bodies.

This study visit is part of the OSCE Mission to BiH's broader project, "Improving the Integrity of Electoral Processes in 2024 and 2026 in accordance with the recommendations of the ODIHR and international standards." This project is implemented with the support of the Governments of the Germany, Kingdom of Norway, United Kingdom, and USA.