OSCE

557688 Communication and Media Relations Section David Dadge

The OSCE Transnational Threats Department, the Office of the Co-ordinator of OSCE Economic and Environmental Activities and the United States Department of Justice, Office of Overseas Prosecutorial Development, Assistance and Training (US OPDAT) facilitated an advanced interactive workshop for prosecutors and judges from Albania, Bosnia and Herzegovina, Croatia, Montenegro, North Macedonia and Serbia on recovery of illicit assets, including cross-border organized crime cases. Prosecutors and judges from Kosovo also attended.

The participants of the three-day workshop, held in Dubrovnik from 7 to 9 November, exchanged good practices, analyzed challenges related to procedural mechanisms in different jurisdictions, and examined case scenarios. They also discussed third-party interests in seizure and confiscation, conviction and non-conviction-based confiscation, extended confiscation, international co-operation, and seizure and confiscation of virtual assets. Extensive experience in handling seizure and confiscation and illicit asset recovery cases was required of all participants.

Asset recovery is recognized as an effective tool in fighting organized crime and corruption. However, due to the complex nature of transnational organized crime and corruption cases, applying asset recovery provisions can be a challenging task. Discussions among justice practitioners at the regional level are therefore key to strengthen the cross-border co-operation and ensure exchange on any legal novelties and good practices.

The OSCE supported the organization of the regional event under the extra-budgetary project “Strengthening Asset Recovery Efforts in the OSCE Region”, financially supported by Austria, Germany, Italy and the United States. 

557631 Communication and Media Relations Section David Dadge

How do state agencies effectively manage businesses, real estate, securities, and financial instruments seized from organized crime groups? How do they ensure that their value does not depreciate by the end of lengthy court proceedings, and that they do not become a liability to the seizing authority? These are some of the questions tackled during an OSCE-facilitated workshop on the effective management of seized and confiscated criminal assets that took place in Moldova this week.

The three-day workshop aimed to equip participants with the necessary tools to strengthen their capabilities in asset recovery.

"This activity has contributed toward improving our practical skills in areas that are very important and relevant for us. I am confident that what we learned here will make our work more efficient,” said Alexandru Cernei, Prosecutor at the Anti-Corruption Prosecutor’s Office in Moldova.

The workshop, held from 7 to 9 November 2023 in Chisinau, gathered representatives from the police, the prosecution service, the courts, the State Tax Service, the bailiff’s office and the Criminal Asset Recovery Agency. It was delivered through three sessions covering different phases in asset management: pre-seizure planning, post-seizure handling, and disposal of assets. Each session involved a group exercise. The sessions also highlighted best international practices and solutions to asset management applicable in the Moldovan context.

The workshop was organized within the framework of the extra-budgetary project “Strengthening Asset Recovery Efforts in the OSCE Region”, implemented jointly by the Transnational Threats Department and the Office of the Co-ordinator of OSCE Economic and Environmental Activities, with the financial support of Austria, Germany, Italy and the United States.

557613 OSCE Centre in Ashgabat

An OSCE-organized two-day seminar on the development of small and medium enterprises (SMES) in the field of agriculture took place on 8 and 9 November 2023 in Ashgabat.

The event addressed the role of SMEs in the rural development and ensuring food security and highlighted best practices of the OSCE participating States in the introduction of measures and instruments to support agricultural business.

An international expert facilitated discussions on how to promote the development of SMEs in the field of agriculture taking into account its differences from other sectors and shared success stories of the OSCE participating States. Particular attention was paid to E-business and e-commerce tools and the role of women in the agricultural business.

“The OSCE participating States attach great importance to sustaining and further promoting economic connectivity, which requires, inter alia, improved business environment and human capital development, including development of SMEs and promoting women’s economic empowerment,” said William Leaf, Acting Economic and Environmental Officer of the OSCE Centre in Ashgabat.

“Furthermore, SMEs could be the biggest source of domestic employment, providing a livelihood for the significant part of the country’s workforce, especially for life in rural areas.”

The seminar brought together representatives from the Ministry of Trade and Foreign Economic Relations, Ministry of Agriculture, Ministry of Finance and Economy of Turkmenistan, Ministry of Labour and Social Protection of Population, Union of Industrialists and Entrepreneurs of Turkmenistan, State Institute of Agriculture, commercial banks and other relevant institutions, as well as the Women's Union, Youth Organization and Nature Protection Society of Turkmenistan.

The seminar was organized to contribute to the further elaboration of policies governing the development of the SMEs, introduction of know-how tools for the consequent agricultural business development and promotion of women’s economic empowerment.

557508 Communication and Media Relations Section David Dadge

On 6 November, the OSCE Transnational Threats Department held in Vienna an international cyber diplomacy training course focused on building national capacities to engage in international cyber policy deliberations.

“The surge in cyber-related discussions within multilateral forums is notable and of paramount importance. These dialogues namely facilitate the exchange of best practices, knowledge, and expertise among nations, enabling them to enhance their cyber resilience and respond effectively to cyber threats. Moreover, the emphasis on cyber capacity building has become more prominent, reflecting the recognition that empowering nations with the necessary skills and resources is fundamental in tackling the cyber challenges that we are facing,” said Christophe Kamp, Chair of the Informal Working Group and Permanent Representative of the Kingdom of the Netherlands to the OSCE.

“Why is it important for all participating States and all UN Member States to engage in international cyber policy discussions? As these grow in frequency and complexity, we are defining the principles which States must observe when engaging in cyberspace. It is therefore crucially important that the voices of all States are represented in these discussions,” added Alena Kupchyna, OSCE Co-ordinator of Activities to Address Transnational Threats.

Twenty-one delegates from Eastern and South-Eastern Europe, Central Asia, South Caucasus and Mongolia built capacities to engage in and contribute to UN and OSCE processes on international cyber policy. The training event provided them with opportunities to exchange views with renowned cyber practitioners and diplomats closely involved in these processes.

Participants engaged in practical sessions on how to prepare for international cyber deliberations and presented examples of enabling national governments to deal with international cyber policy.

The training event, organized on the margins of the OSCE’s cyber/ICT security Informal Working Group established by Permanent Council Decision No. 1039, was delivered as part of the “Activities and customized support for the implementation of OSCE cyber/ICT security confidence-building measures” project, with the financial and subject-matter support of the Netherlands.

OSCE Centre in Ashgabat

International standards and best practices of the OSCE participating States in the development and functioning of the effective capital market were presented during an OSCE-organized seminar that took place on 7 November 2023.

International experts focused on the development and functioning of the primary and secondary securities market and provided insights into the procedure of the organization and functioning of exchange electronic trading

“Over the last years, Turkmenistan has been undertaking consistent steps to develop the business and investment climate and promote economic co-operation”, said William Leaf, Acting Economic and Environmental Officer of the OSCE Centre in Ashgabat.

“The OSCE Centre stands ready to continue to provide comprehensive advisory and technical support to Turkmenistan in these important areas,” he added.

The seminar elaborated on key actors of the securities market. and their interaction as part of brokerage, registrar, depositary, exchange and regulatory activities. The experts also gave an overview of virtual assets and related money laundering risks.

The seminar was held in a hybrid format and brought together representatives of the Ministry of Finance and Economy of Turkmenistan, the Central Bank and Ashgabat Stock Exchange as well as brokers and other stakeholders.  

Earlier this year, the Centre organized an online seminar on capital market development for representatives of relevant institutions and a study tour to Uzbekistan, during which representatives of the Ashgabat Stock Exchange shared practical experiences with their colleagues from the Tashkent Stock Exchange and other participants of the Uzbek capital market.

OSCE Centre in Ashgabat

Representatives of the State Energy Institute of Turkmenistan, State Concerns “Turkmengas” and “Turkmenoil” participated in an OSCE-organized seminar on monitoring and scientific research on the reduction of methane emissions that took place on 6 and 7 November 2023.

The two-day online event aimed to present best practices of the OSCE participating States in the area of verification of methane emissions and introduce relevant measuring and monitoring methods.

“Methane is a powerful greenhouse gas and climate pollutant, which poses a serious threat to security and ecological stability,” said William Leaf, Acting Economic and Environmental Officer.

“We organized this seminar to support the efforts of the government of Turkmenistan in promoting ecological sustainability, and assist with the implementation of the Roadmap for the development of international co-operation for 2023-2024 adopted with the aim to explore the prospects of Turkmenistan’s accession to the Global Methane Pledge,” added Leaf.

International experts elaborated on assessing the possibilities and results of methane emission reduction and its technological aspects. Lively discussions centred on verification of methane emission as well as measuring and monitoring methods.

554494 Public Affairs Unit, OSCE Office for Democratic Institutions and Human Rights Katya Andrusz

The 2023 parliamentary elections in Turkmenistan took place in an environment that lacked genuine competitiveness and pluralism, and while the constitution guarantees fundamental freedoms, they remain very restricted. Media is tightly controlled by the state, with limited access to the Internet further limiting voters’ right to information. Despite the expressed commitment to make elections more accessible for persons with disabilities, the legal framework does not provide a sound basis for the conduct of democratic elections, and the lack of sufficient regulation of the process caused legal uncertainty. The election administration lacked independence and significant shortcomings were identified in the management of elections. The right to stand remains unduly restricted and candidates did not offer voters genuine political alternatives.

These are some of the main conclusions of the final report on the 26 March elections published by the OSCE Office for Democratic Institutions and Human Rights (ODIHR).

The report offers 20 recommendations to improve the conduct of elections and to support efforts to bring them in line with OSCE commitments, as well as other international obligations and standards for democratic elections.

Key recommendations include:

• Introducing standards and training to prevent family and proxy voting, ballot box stuffing and the manipulation of voter turnout;

• The introduction of a permanent and centralized voter register which would be regularly updated before elections;

• Developing and implementing extensive training for precinct election commission members on closing and counting procedures and further elaborating procedures for tabulation of results;

• Ensuring clear separation between the State and electoral contestants;

• Guaranteeing the freedom for political parties and candidates to organize their own campaign events;

• Allowing media outlets the freedom to pursue their own editorial policies and enabling a more vibrant media landscape with outlets presenting a wider range of viewpoints;

Ensuring that election commissions are independent from the government at all levels and establishing mechanisms to improve gender balance in election administration at all levels.

ODIHR deployed an Election Assessment Mission for these elections from12 to28 March 2023. All 57 countries across the OSCE region have formally committed to follow up promptly on ODIHR’s election assessments and recommendations.

554614 ODIHR Director Matteo Mecacci presents the Recommendations at the event in Warsaw. 9 October 2023. Public Affairs Unit, OSCE Office for Democratic Institutions and Human Rights Katya Andrusz

As part of its ongoing effort to support OSCE states in upholding their commitments to the rule of law, the OSCE Office for Democratic Institutions and Human Rights (ODIHR) presented newly developed recommendations to ensure judicial independence and accountability across the region on 9 October 2023, during the Warsaw Human Dimension Conference.

ODIHR’s Recommendations on Judicial Independence and Accountability address new challenges and good practices from across the OSCE region that have emerged over the past decade. They are a result of comprehensive consultation with over 250 rule of law specialists, over a period of four years. This publication follows the Kyiv Recommendations on Judicial Independence and Accountability in Eastern Europe, South Caucasus and Central Asia, developed by ODIHR together with the Max Planck Institute for Comparative and Public International Law (MPI) and widely used across the OSCE region since their publication in 2010.

“All OSCE countries have recognized the crucial role that a fully independent judiciary plays in safeguarding the human rights and freedoms of every individual,” said ODIHR Director Matteo Mecacci. “Unfortunately, in many places we are seeing the independence of judges undermined, the separation of state powers eroded, and an overall lack of accountability. Our new Recommendations on Judicial Independence and Accountability are an example of ODIHR’s unique mandate and what it enables us to achieve.”

The recommendations address some of the crucial rule of law-related issues facing OSCE countries, including the functioning and accountability of judicial councils and self-governing bodies, disciplinary proceedings against judges, the transfer of judges within and between courts, and the principles of equality, diversity and non-discrimination within the judiciary.

The recommendations are the latest tool produced by ODIHR to help assist states in upholding their commitment to ensure that the independence of the judiciary is both guaranteed in law and respected in practice.

554533 Marina Živaljević

How to approach and interview children is focus of a three-day regional OSCE-supported workshop on interviewing child victims of trafficking and sexual exploitation that has started on 9 October in Budva.

During the three days of the workshop, around 40 participants will discuss different approaches and experiences in working with child victims of human trafficking. The workshop will also introduce participants to the universally recognized, National Institute of Child Health and Human Development (NICHD) protocol in interviewing child victims of abuse and exploitation. 

Opening the event, Head of Mission Dominique Waag stated that child sexual abuse and exploitation remain one of the most serious security issues the world is facing. “The regional workshop is an opportunity to reinforce a victim centred, rights-based approach to interviewing child victims. The Ministry of Interior has demonstrated a strong commitment to protect children. The OSCE Mission to Montenegro fully supports their commitment,” said Ambassador Waag.

Nikola Terzić, Acting Director of the Police Directorate, stated that the Police Directorate makes efforts to fight against all forms of organized crime, including human trafficking. “It is very important how conversations with minors, who are victims of human trafficking, are conducted. The interview with a minor should be conducted only once, psychologists and other professionals must be prepared, while all circumstances that could lead to another interview process should be avoided, as it can have consequences on minors’ lives,” said Terzić. He added that the training process related to this topic should be intensified, thanking the OSCE for the support provided so far and expecting its continuation in the future.

The OSCE Mission to Montenegro and Ministry of Interior’s Police directorate jointly organized this regional event that is gathering around 40 delegates – prosecutors, judges, police officers, psychologists, social workers and NGO representatives from Bosnia and Herzegovina, Croatia, Kosovo[1], North Macedonia, Romania and Slovenia.

In 2022, the Mission organized the regional conference “Countering online Child Exploitation in Southeast Europe”, a growing concern, which brought together around 50 delegates from 10 countries.

[1] Any reference to Kosovo, whether it is a matter of territory, institutions or population, should be considered in accordance with Resolution 1244 of the United Nations Security Council.

554524 ODIHR experts and representatives of civil society take part in the event. Warsaw, 6 October 2023. Public Affairs Unit, OSCE Office for Democratic Institutions and Human Rights Katya Andrusz

The importance of self-representation and self-advocacy for women from diverse groups was the focus of a discussion organized by the OSCE Office for Democratic Institutions and Human Rights (ODIHR) on 6 October 2023 on the margins of the Warsaw Human Dimension Conference.

The discussion was part of the ODIHR’s award-winning “Capitalizing on the Human Dimension Mandate to Advance Gender Equality” (CHANGE) project. Together with civil society participants, representatives of ODIHR and OSCE states discussed means of increasing the participation of Roma and Sinti women, women with disabilities and young women in politics in the justice system and the security sector.

“I always dreamt of running my own social organization, but I was not confident enough to try,” said Agnieszka Caban, President of the Home of the Borderland Foundation. “After taking part in an I-CHANGE self-advocacy training, I set my sights higher and finally saw myself as a leader. I have now founded an NGO. And I see many other women who also believe in themselves and manage to fulfill their plans. I always wanted to work with women who think like me, and now I know that this is possible.”

Participants noted that self-advocacy helps turn the experience of discrimination, often on multiple grounds, into a strong voice that effectively advocates for human rights and social justice.

“Making a difference on the ground is what ODIHR’s CHANGE project, with its hallmark methodology, is achieving,” said Gorica Atanasova-Gjorevska from the 2023 OSCE Chairpersonship of North Macedonia. “This is fully in line with the approach of the Chair, whose motto – “It is about people” – reflects the drive to deliver real change for all people in the OSCE region.”

VIENNA/SKOPJE, 8 October 2023 — The OSCE Chairman-in-Office, Minister of Foreign Affairs of North Macedonia Bujar Osmani, will visit Turkmenistan on 9 October to meet with high-level government officials, parliamentarians and civil society.

In Ashgabat, Chairman Osmani will meet the President of Turkmenistan Serdar Berdimuhamedov, Chairman of the People's Council Gurbanguly Berdimuhamedov, Chairperson of Mejlis (the Parliament) Dunyagozel Gulmanova, and Minister of Foreign Affairs Rashid Meredov.

Throughout the visit, Chairman Osmani will also meet with OSCE field operations staff and civil society representatives.

For more information about the 2023 OSCE Chairmanship of North Macedonia, please visit the OSCE website: https://www.osce.org/chairmanship.

554500 Marina Živaljević

Intelligence-led policing, which utilizes data to conduct police operations, is an increasingly valued resource in combatting crime, was at the heart of the workshop the OSCE Mission to Montenegro organized for 17 police officers of the Police Directorate’s Criminal Intelligence Division from 2 to 6 October in Podgorica.

Experts from the Montenegrin Police Directorate presented the new criminal-intelligence model in police work, while the training course equipped participants with analytical and training skills to further train their police counterparts. Participants discussed, among others, role-based information/intelligence access control concept, data access protection scheme, standards for creation, entry and quality control of operational information, modification and deletion of analytical information, as well as linking information.

Toni Škrinjar, Mission’s Organized Crime Police Adviser, said that intelligence-led policing has a significant role in investigating serious and organized crime. “Police officers must collect and analyse large amounts of information, verify accuracy of their sources and prepare objective reports. High-quality analysts and the co-operation of the entire team is key,” said Škrinjar.

Ivan Jokić, Head of the Criminal Intelligence Unit, thanked the OSCE Mission for its continuous support in the implementation of the intelligence-led policing project. He said that they are aware of the necessity to work proactively, to gather, but also share information, so that they can have more quality feedback and protect both citizens and police officers.

The workshop was part of the Mission’s long-term support to strengthen the capacity and effectiveness of Montenegrin police to prevent and combat serious and organized crime.

554485 Public Affairs Unit, OSCE Office for Democratic Institutions and Human Rights Katya Andrusz

The situation of human rights defenders forced to work outside their countries to avoid danger or persecution at home was the topic of an event organized by the OSCE Office for Democratic Institutions and Human rights (ODIHR) on 5 October 2023 in the margins of the Warsaw Human Dimension Conference.

"Human rights defenders play a legitimate and important role in our societies,” said Andrew Gardner, ODIHR’s Deputy Head of the Human Rights Department. “It is essential that they can operate in a free and safe environment when this does not exist in their own countries.”

Experts and representatives of civil society, some who had themselves relocated to safer countries, shared their assessments of the needs of human rights defenders in exile, including rapid access to safe third countries, overall safety and a secure legal status, and their ability to continue their human rights work.

Participants stressed the importance of being able to form associations, seek and receive funding and travel as part of their human rights work. They also discussed the impact of being uprooted on human rights defenders’ well-being.

“Defenders are determined to continue their human rights work,” said Tamar Beria of the International Partnership for Human Rights (IPHR). “But states and donor organizations must do more to make this work viable in the long term by tackling pervasive issues such as visa access, inflexible funding and a lack of institutional support.”   

Participants stressed that decision-makers must address protection gaps which exist for exiled human rights defenders and ensure the fulfilment of their fundamental rights and freedoms.

Željka Šulc

TUZLA, 06 October 2023 - The OSCE Mission to Bosnia and Herzegovina welcomes adoption of the curriculum for the subject "Romani Language and Culture" in Tuzla Canton. This is a momentous step not only for Tuzla Canton but for Bosnia and Herzegovina as a whole, demonstrating a commitment to embracing diversity and promoting cultural understanding.

The Mission congratulates the Tuzla Canton Ministry of Education and Science, the Tuzla Canton Pedagogical Institute, and the Tuzla-based Roma NGOs "EuroRom" and "Bolja budućnost" for achieving this important milestone.

This subject represents a significant contribution to creating an inclusive and non-discriminatory educational environment and upholding the rights of national minorities.

The Mission recognizes that this development and the curriculum itself align with the values and principles that the Mission actively supports.

The adoption of this curriculum is a testament to what can be achieved when communities, government institutions, civil society and international organizations work together to promote diversity, inclusivity, and mutual respect.

As such, this also serves as an invaluable model for other educational institutions aiming to increase their own inclusivity, and the Mission remains prepared to support others in following this example.

We are excited about the positive impact this curriculum will have on the future generations of students in Tuzla Canton and look forward to its successful implementation in classrooms.

The Mission remains dedicated to supporting educational authorities across Bosnia and Herzegovina in ensuring inclusive and high-quality education for all children.

SKOPJE, 6 October – OSCE Chairman-in-Office, Minister of Foreign Affairs of North Macedonia Bujar Osmani, expressing serious concerns, calls for increased international support and humanitarian relief for the over 100,000 Karabakh Armenians that have found refuge in the Republic of Armenia.  Humanitarian needs must remain the top priority and the international donor community should continue to actively demonstrate solidarity and responsibility sharing to assist Armenia as its government responds to this unfolding humanitarian crisis. 

OSCE Chairman-in-Office Osmani took note of the visit by UN representatives to Khankendi/Stepanakert on 1 October and believes that continued engagement by the international community would contribute to stabilizing the situation on the ground and efforts toward sustainable peace.

Discussions regarding international involvement on the ground should continue, as an independent international observation mission would bring confidence and reassurance to those who want to return.

OSCE Chairman-in-Office Osmani notes the public statements by Azerbaijan on the integration of the Armenian population and prospects for the return of the displaced population. Safeguarding the rights and security of Karabakh Armenians, in line with its OSCE commitments, is Azerbaijan’s responsibility.

The use of force over diplomatic negotiation to settle disputes is always unacceptable and hinders prospects for dignified and inclusive peace. 

Chairman-in-Office Osmani supports the continuation of political processes towards a peace treaty between the countries. 

The OSCE and its relevant structures, within their mandate, stand ready to contribute to this process in line with the Organization’s values and commitments to achieve just, durable, dignified and inclusive peace in the region.

554443 Bishkek, 6 October 2023 - Participants of the Training on E-Commerce and Government Export Policy Facilitated by OSCE Programme Office in Bishkek and Ministry of Economy and Commerce of the Kyrgyz Republic Chyngyz Zhanybekov

Bishkek, 6-7 October 2023 - The Ministry of Economy and Commerce of the Kyrgyz Republic in partnership with the OSCE Programme Office in Bishkek organized a training on E-Commerce and government policy issues in the field of exports. The training brought together representatives from the Ministry of Economy, Ministry of Foreign Affairs, Ministry of Agriculture, National Agency for Investments and Kyrgyzstan’s prominent Business Associations.

The training honed in on the synergy between E-Commerce and government policies, specifically related to export promotion. Discussions centered on global E-Commerce trends, particularly in markets strategically linked to the Kyrgyz Republic, such as the Eurasian Economic Union members, Turkey, Uzbekistan, and the EU countries.

Real-world case studies demonstrated state support for exporters, showcasing practical solutions. Notably, participants engaged in brainstorming sessions to devise innovative services for international E-Commerce platforms.

As part of the wider OSCE project on Trade Facilitation and Export Promotion, the training supports the Kyrgyz Republic in navigating international trade complexities, thereby fostering economic growth and sustainability.

554371 Kishan Manocha, Head of the ODIHR Tolerance and Non-Discrimination department, addressing participants in an ODIHR event on addressing online hate in the age of artificial intelligence. Warsaw, 5 October 2023. Public Affairs Unit, OSCE Office for Democratic Institutions and Human Rights Katya Andrusz

Generative artificial intelligence (AI) is a transformative technology that offers opportunities for societies across the OSCE region, but without effective regulation can also endanger human rights. If the risks are not addressed when AI tools are developed, online hate can proliferate, warned participants at an event organized by the OSCE Office for Democratic Institutions and Human Rights (ODIHR) in Warsaw on 5 October 2023.

Held on the margins of the Warsaw Human Dimension Conference – organized by the 2023 OSCE Chairpersonship of North Macedonia with the support of ODIHR – the event brought together experts in the field of technology and tolerance and non-discrimination, state officials and civil society representatives from across the OSCE region to discuss measures to address online hate and its impact in the real world.

“AI has great possibilities within the field of understanding and detecting antisemitism and all forms of intolerance,” said Melissa Mott, Director of Antisemitism, Holocaust, and Genocide Education, Echoes and Reflections, at the Anti-Defamation League (ADL). “Uncovering AI’s potential will require actions aimed at strengthening media literacy skills, in particular in the education system, so that young people are better equipped to address the challenges.”

During the event, participants discussed the use of AI to develop online content and explored strategies that governments and civil society can adopt to address intolerance and hate in the online space.

Participants highlighted the impact of AI in generating and spreading online hatred, its corrosive effects on societies, and its potential for inspiring hate-motivated attacks in real life. At the same time, they noted, civil society actors can harness the positive potential of generative AI to create and disseminate prosocial messaging and work with young technologists to tackle intolerance and hate in an unprecedented way. 

ODIHR convenes the experiences and knowledge of experts, practitioners and change-makers from across the 57 States of the OSCE to develop targeted tools and resources to address hate and exclusion. The resulting dialogue is essential in shaping and guiding efforts to foster open, equal and inclusive societies throughout the OSCE region.

554425 Public Affairs Unit, OSCE Office for Democratic Institutions and Human Rights Katya Andrusz

Work to counter anti-religious hate crime must safeguard communities from hate-motivated crimes, and at the same time cultivate an environment in which religious or belief communities can flourish, said participants at an event organized by the OSCE Office for Democratic Institutions and Human Rights (ODIHR) in Warsaw on 5 October 2023.

The event took place on the margins of the Warsaw Human Dimension Conference, organized by the 2023 OSCE Chairpersonship of North Macedonia with the support of ODIHR.

“Hate crimes can have a devastating impact on targeted communities. To effectively counter anti-religious hate, policies and genuine dialogue are needed to foster mutual respect and understanding,” said Kishan Manocha, Head of the ODIHR Tolerance and Non-Discrimination department. “This approach will not only allow individuals and communities to live lives free from hate, but to actually thrive”.

The event brought together representatives of religious and belief communities and experts to discuss the situation of anti-religious hate crime in the OSCE area. The discussions focused on OSCE states’ commitments to address anti-religious intolerance, including hate crimes motivated by bias against Christians, Jews, Muslims and members of other religions. Participants debated good practices in the area of combating hate crime, as well as on addressing the impact of crimes motivated by multiple biases, for instance, when victims are targeted for both their religion and gender.

Participants highlighted the importance of engaging with the communities most affected by such crimes to identify their security needs. They also underscored the need for authorities to demonstrate real commitment to protecting freedom of religion or belief for all – including by swiftly condemning anti-religious hate crimes – in order to build trust and establish the authorities’ primary role in tackling such crimes. They concluded that meaningful co-operation and communication with targeted communities should be central to States’ efforts to build equal, open and inclusive societies.

During the event, ODIHR presented its programmes, resources and tools for use by OSCE participating States and civil society to address anti-religious hate, in particular ODIHR’s Hate Crime Report, a collection of data and information on hate crimes in the OSCE area.

554359 Marina Živaljević

Through continuous support the OSCE Mission to Montenegro has provided to the country’s Forensic Centre, with today’s provision of software licenses and technical equipment for its Digital Forensic Unit, this institution is now better equipped to process digital evidence stored on mobile device and therefore to help advance police investigations into serious and organized crime.

On 5 October, Head of Mission Dominique Waag met with the Forensic Centre’s director, Dr. Sandra Kovačević in Danilovgrad, to discuss the continuation of Mission’s support in the coming years.

“We are pleased to see that the 15-years-long support of the Mission has helped the Forensic Centre to implement new methods of investigation of serious crimes and extend the range of services, as well as the quality and the number of cases processed. Through this strong partnership, the Forensic Centre has evolved into a regional centre where its work is recognized and accepted in courts, not only in Montenegro, but across the region and in Europe,” said Ambassador Waag.

Director Kovačević expressed gratitude for the longstanding support from the Mission and said “that with the Mission’s support, including the provision of training and equipment, the Forensic Centre has new and more sophisticated methods of investigation, increasing the quality and the number of cases processed”.

Ambassador Waag added that she was particularly pleased that the Forensic Centre is headed by Dr. Kovačević, a capable and reputable scientist. “The OSCE Mission is committed to seeing more women in high-ranking positions in the Montenegrin Police,” said she.

The preparation for the upcoming eighth regional conference of forensic centres, supported by the Mission, which will take place next week in Budva, was also discussed.

The Mission remains committed to continuing its support to the Forensic Centre of Montenegro in providing the scientific evidence necessary to serious crime.

554341 Public Affairs Unit, OSCE Office for Democratic Institutions and Human Rights Katya Andrusz

The role of women in strengthening peace and security and the human rights of women in Central Asia were the topics of discussion at the annual Women’s Power Breakfast organized by the OSCE Office for Democratic Institutions and Human Rights (ODIHR) in Warsaw on 5 October 2023. The breakfast took place at the margins of the Warsaw Human Dimension Conference, convened by the OSCE Chairpersonship of North Macedonia with ODIHR’s support.

“The human rights of women and girls are at the heart of the Women, Peace and Security agenda. It is about the right of women and girls to live free from violence, including during conflicts and crises,” said ODIHR Director Matteo Mecacci, who also stressed the crucial role of civil society in upholding women’s rights and security.

Speakers included Fatmire Isaki, Deputy Minister of Foreign Affairs, North Macedonia, as well as women human rights defenders from Kyrgyzstan and Kazakhstan and international experts from the UN and OSCE, who discussed the importance of supporting women from civil society and women human rights defenders in their work.

“Women often find themselves marginalized and excluded from positions of influence and power, which hinders their ability to advocate for their rights effectively,” said Aiman Umarova, a panellist and defence attorney from Kazakhstan. “Traditional gender norms and stereotypes still prevail, relegating women to a secondary status in society”.

ODIHR has been active in promoting women’s public and political participation across the OSCE region and has developed a number of tools to assist governments, parliaments, security sector institutions and civil society in this process.