OSCE

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Improvements in prevention, law enforcement, prosecution and judicial review of sexual violence cases in times of war were the focus of discussions among more than 150 legal professionals, officials and civil society organisations during the of the 4th Forum of Women Lawyers held on 16 June. The event was organized by NGO Association of Women Lawyers “YurFem” with the support of the OSCE Support Programme for Ukraine. The discussion, available online, focused on drafting a roadmap to improvements in three key areas – overall legal response to sexual violence, dealing with war-related cases and incidents of violence against minors.

“I do hope the exchange of ideas here will help to bring the perpetrators to justice at the national and international levels. This justice is what all the survivors expect and should receive,” - said Pierre Baussand, the OSCE Support Programme Manager welcoming participants of the Forum.  “As for the roadmap that should put an end to sexual violence in Ukraine… let’s try to make the road as short as possible so that women can have a safe life,” he added.

Elaborated proposals include, inter alia, recommendation to establish regular monitoring and analysis of investigation and prosecution of sexual violence cases; specialized trainings for justice sector professionals and local authorities on handling war-related incidents; introduction of assistance to survivors of war-related sexual violence, including rehabilitation programmes and legal provisions enabling emergency reparations; efforts to protect survivors and witnesses; improvement of practices in forensic expertise.  When the Forum’s organizers finalize gathering of the input from the participants of the event the roadmap will be handed over to authorities and shared with the public as an analytical guidance on further reforms.  

In a parallel, on 15 June 2023 the OSCE Support Programme trained 20 judges of first instance courts, appeal courts, and the Supreme Court on identification of gender sensitive cases in their practice, review of the sexual violence crimes, including those committed during the war and relevant ECHR practice. The effort implemented in partnership with the National School of Judges will help the trainees to review such cases in line with international standards, as well as promote gender-sensitive approach in justice.

These project efforts are part of the OSCE Support Programme for Ukraine, implemented with financial contributions from participating states and partners, full list of donors is available here. 

546572 OSCE High Commissioner on National Minorities OSCE High Commissioner on National Minorities and Turkmenistan’s authorities agree to strengthen co-operation on education and integration of society The Ljubljana Guidelines on Integration of Diverse Societies The Lund Recommendations on the Effective Participation of National Minorities in Public Life Effective participation and inclusion of national minorities in focus of OSCE meeting in Turkmenistan Multilingual education - strengthening inclusive societies

During a working visit to the Republic of Turkmenistan from 12 to 16 June 2023, OSCE High Commissioner on National Minorities Kairat Abdrakhmanov met with representatives of the national and regional authorities. The visit included meetings with high-level officials in Ashgabat and the Dashoguz region and presented an opportunity to further intensify the ongoing co-operation between the Republic of Turkmenistan and the OSCE HCNM in areas of education and integration of society.

High Commissioner Abdrakhmanov had fruitful discussions with the Chairperson of the Mejlis Dunyagozel Gulmanova, the Deputy Chairman of the Cabinet of Ministers, the Minister of Foreign Affairs Rashid Meredov, the Minister of Education Gurbangul Atayeva, Ombudsperson Yazdursun Gurbannazarova, the Hyakim (Governor) of Dashoguz velayat (region) Nazarmyrat Nazarmyradov and other high-level officials.

It was observed that co-operation between the office of the High Commissioner on National Minorities (HCNM) and the authorities of Turkmenistan has reached a new level, with education as one of the main priority areas.  The relevant parties agreed to continue working on the implementation of the Memorandum of Co-operation between the Ministry of Education of Turkmenistan and the OSCE HCNM, as well as within the framework of the National Human Rights Action Plan in Turkmenistan for 2021-2025.

On 15 June, a roundtable on “Good practices of the OSCE participating States in promoting the effective participation of national minorities in public life, including consultative mechanisms” was co-hosted by the office of the OSCE High Commissioner on National Minorities, the Government of Turkmenistan, and the OSCE Centre in Ashgabat. It attracted a number of participants from the relevant authorities and academia of Turkmenistan. During his presentation, Abdrakhmanov recommended two sets of HCNM Guidelines and Recommendations: The Ljubljana Guidelines on Integration of Diverse Societies and The Lund Recommendations on the Effective Participation of National Minorities in Public Life. Both offer a useful roadmap for policymakers and educationalists.

International experts from Estonia and Lithuania who were present at the roundtable shared existing practices of the OSCE participating States in creating a consultative mechanism for national minorities to enhance the integration process in diverse societies.

546494 Kunduz Rysbek

About 50 state officials from the Ministry of Internal Affairs, Prosecutor General’s Office, the State Committee for National Security of the Kyrgyz Republic and private sector representatives have participated at the specialized training seminars on joint financial investigations: “Best Practices in Terrorist Financing and Money Laundering Investigations”, conducted in Osh (May 17-19) and Issyk-Kul (June 19-21). For the first time, the state officials from the Penitentiary Service under the Ministry of Justice of the Kyrgyz Republic were invited to discuss issues related to financial investigations.

During the trainings, lectors have elaborated on the role and possibilities of financial intelligence in the investigation of cases related to money laundering (ML) and terrorist financing (TF), discussed the interaction between the subjects of the national system for combating money laundering and the financing of terrorism (AML / CFT) and talked about the experiences in conducting joint financial investigations. In addition, the LEA representatives had a chance to lead trial practical exercises on investigation of real cases related to ML and FT using the analytical software “Graphus”, which was granted to the Training Center by the Rosfinmonitoring during the 38th EAG Plenary meeting.

Using “Graphus” allows to gain practical experience in financial investigations and develop skills in analyzing data arrays and finding optimal solutions.

The last session day was dedicated to profiling training and its general characteristics, as this will particularly increase the professional level of employees of investigative and operational units in lie detection and verification of information, which will help to increase the efficiency of procedural, investigative actions and operational-search activities.

These trainings are aimed at enhancing the knowledge of the representatives of the law-enforcement agencies and private sector, raise awareness on the nature of the terrorist financing (TF) risks and increase the personnel potential.

The trainings were organized in the framework of the OSCE UB project “Supporting the Kyrgyz Republic in improvement of the national AML/CFT system”. The project contributes to the improvement of the national AML/CFT system, strengthening of international and interagency cooperation, as well as improving the professional skills of employees.

WARSAW, 20 June 2023 – By making refugee integration a priority as a long-term and sustainable response to forced migration, we support refugees in their journey to rebuild their lives and foster inclusive societies that strengthen the fabric of our communities, the OSCE Office for Democratic Institutions and Human Rights (ODIHR) said on the occasion of World Refugee Day.

“The journey of a refugee does not end when they arrive in their host country,” said ODIHR Director Matteo Mecacci. “By actively supporting integration, governments provide refugees with the stability they need to move forwards with their lives and at the same time allow their skills and experience to benefit our societies.”

Dialogue is key in promoting mutual respect and understanding between increasingly diverse communities. States and civil society need to both support and take part in public dialogue initiatives that bring together migrants, refugees and host communities, as breaking down stereotypes and learning from each other are vital for successful integration. For this reason, ODIHR has been training civil society in different countries to organize public dialogues on migration and diversity with refugees and other communities.

While migration policy is generally set and coordinated nationally, migrant and refugee integration and inclusion measures often take shape at the regional and local level. Cities therefore play a crucial role in accommodating and integrating refugees, and governments need to increase the capacity of cities to respond effectively to the presence of refugees, including by providing adequate housing, education, healthcare, and employment opportunities.

ODIHR contributes to these efforts through its training courses for national and local authorities across the OSCE region on good practices in migrant and refugee integration, also focusing on the specific challenges of migrant and refugee integration in cities.

Integration support does not exclude the possibility of refugees returning to their countries and contributing to their rebuilding after military conflict. States therefore also need to ensure that integration programmes help refugees to maintain ties with their home countries and prepare for their eventual return if they so wish and conditions allow.

All OSCE countries have recognized the need for cooperation to ensure refugees receive the support they need. They have also committed to finding long-term solutions to protect and assist all those who have been forced by conflict or persecution to flee their homes. By actively supporting refugee integration and learning from successful models, states and civil society can build inclusive and resilient communities, provide refugees with a dignified life, and promote social cohesion across the OSCE region.

On 19 June 2023, the OSCE’s Transnational Threats Department (TNTD) and the Office of the Co-ordinator of OSCE Economic and Environmental Activities (OCEEA), in co-operation with the OSCE Academy in Bishkek and the Programme Office in Bishkek, launched a comprehensive awareness raising campaign throughout Kyrgyzstan on preventing youth involvement in organized crime, corruption and drug use.

With the motto and hashtag #KolubuzdanKelet (Kyrgyz for: “We can do it!”), the campaign aims to raise awareness among young people in Kyrgyzstan about the importance of  the rule of law and integrity, as well as strengthening youth resilience to being involved in criminal and corrupt activities.

The campaign involves some of Kyrgyzstan’s leading influencers, bloggers, artists, youth activists, and athletes. By showcasing individuals who have achieved success through lawful, ethical, and constructive means, the campaign seeks to not only inspire young people but also to provide tangible examples of the positive paths they can follow.

The campaign aims to reach over 1 million young people in Kyrgyzstan over two months of implementation through Instagram, TikTok, Facebook and YouTube, as well as through national TV channels in co-operation with the Ministry of Culture, Sports and Youth Policy of Kyrgyzstan. The campaign videos will also be featured by the OSCE Programme Office in Bishkek.

The campaign has been developed and launched within the framework of the Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) on youth crime prevention signed between the OSCE and the Government of Kyrgyzstan in April 2022. The development of the campaign was facilitated by multi-stakeholder working groups and consultations established in the framework of the MoU, which consisted of relevant state authorities and civil society in Kyrgyzstan.

The campaign is being implemented under the OSCE-wide multi-year extra-budgetary project, Enhancing youth crime and drug use prevention through education on legality and awareness campaigns addressing threats of organized crime and corruption, funded by Germany. Other donors supporting this project are Andorra, Italy and Poland.

546485 Munira Shoinbekova, OSCE Programme Office in Dushanbe Farhod Nabiyulloev

The OSCE Programme Office in Dushanbe organized a study visit to Barcelona, Spain for six representatives of the Union of Women Judges of the Republic of Tajikistan on 13-15 June 2023. The Tajik officials learned from their Spanish counterparts the best practices of improving women and girls' access to justice, increasing gender sensitivity in cases of violence against girls and women, eliminating gender stereotypes in judicial proceedings and protecting child rights.

The Tajik officials met with the representatives of the Spanish Association of Women Judges, the School of Justice, judges of the City of Justice, the Catalan Women’s Institute and other partners. The sides exchanged information about Tajikistan and Spain’s experiences in legislative changes on the rights of women, children and teenagers. The members of the Union also had a tour of the City of Justice and got acquainted with the work of different courts and their respective departments.

“The most important principles of our Association are belief in feminism and to do our best to protect the rights of women and children in Spain. Our country has many challenges in the judiciary system, however, we have achieved many positive results in gender mainstreaming and increasing the representation of women,” said Isabel Gimenez Garcia, a member of the Spanish Association of Women Judges.

“The trip helped the members of the Union to learn the structure of the Spanish Association of Women Judges and familiarize themselves with the best practices of improving the living standards of women, children and adolescents, protecting their rights, combating gender inequality and violence against women and girls. We hope to increase the capacity of the Tajik judges in training courses, round table events and analysis of judicial practices on gender mainstreaming in the judiciary system,” said Mavjuda Pulodi, Chair of the Union of Women Judges of the Republic of Tajikistan.

The Union of Women Judges of the Republic of Tajikistan was established with the support of the OSCE Programme Office in Dushanbe on 30 May 2022. The Union consists of 94 women judges representing the Constitutional, Economic, and Supreme Courts.

Ambassador Brian Aggeler at meeting with Republika Srpska Prime Minister Radovan Višković Željka Šulc

BANJA LUKA, 19 June 2023 - Head of the OSCE Mission to Bosnia and Herzegovina, Ambassador Brian Aggeler, concluded his two-day visit to Banja Luka and Prijedor, where he actively participated in the Banja Luka TrotoArt festival and held meetings with political and non-governmental representatives.

Ambassador Aggeler joined street performers and various artists at the TrotoArt manifestation, organized by the City of Banja Luka, and engaged in a drawing activity with children and youth.

"Being part of the lively TrotoArt festival has truly been a remarkable opportunity to witness and celebrate the exceptional artistic talent and creative spirit of Banja Luka," said Ambassador Aggeler.

During his visit to Banja Luka, Ambassador Aggeler had a constructive meeting with Republika Srpska Prime Minister Radovan Višković, discussing the current socioeconomic and political situation in the entity, as well as ongoing reform processes.

Furthermore, the visit provided an opportunity for the Head of the OSCE Mission to BiH to meet with the President of the RS National Minority Council, Ms. Maja Kremenović, and the President of the RS Union of National Minorities, Mr. Franjo Rover. The discussions focused on the development and implementation of relevant strategic documents aimed at enhancing the status and well-being of national minorities in RS, as well as the rest of BiH.

Continuing his visit in Prijedor on 19 June, Ambassador Aggeler met with Seida Karabašić, President of the NGO Izvor, and Vesna Šolaja and Rezija Mujkanović, President and representative of the Women’s Association "Rudarka" from Ljubija. Ambassador Aggeler commended the valuable role of women's associations in the Prijedor area as important peacebuilders. He extended his support to their initiatives, efforts, and networking with other civil society organizations, which are crucial for the implementation of trust-building activities in Prijedor.

"It is essential to highlight that all trust-building activities are valuable for advancing community relations and community cohesion in BiH," emphasized Ambassador Aggeler, highlighting the significance of fostering mutual understanding and healing wounds from the past.

During a meeting with Fikret Bačić, a representative of the Prijedor Association of Parents of Killed Children during 1992-1995, and a representative of the Youth Center Kvart, Ambassador Aggeler reaffirmed the Mission's readiness to provide support for restarting discussions on the construction of a monument to the killed children of Prijedor, as well as for various trust-building initiatives.

The OSCE Mission to Bosnia and Herzegovina remains committed to supporting community cohesion and fostering lasting peace-building efforts.

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From 12 to 16 June 2023, the OSCE Presence in Albania, in co-operation with the General Directorate of Prisons, organized a training seminar for 25 senior prison staff of the special regime in high security prisons, the Prisons Internal Oversight Service, and the General Directorate.

The special regime – introduced in Albania in 2020 based on the Italian 41-bis model – puts several restrictions on the offenders, which, if applied improperly, may lead to violations of human rights.

The training provided the participants with the concepts, tools and skills to manage the high-risk offenders in the special regime. It focused on the specialization of prison staff on both security aspect and the management of high-risk inmates in compliance with the international human rights standards.

“This very valuable training aims for the special regime to be functional in the effective prevention of organized crime networks within the prison system and to minimize the possibility of orchestrating criminal activities from behind bars. It is part of the efforts of the Ministry of Justice and the General Directorate of Prisons to fight organized crime and maintain public safety. We are thankful to the OSCE Presence for being one of the main supporters of the efforts to reform the prison system,” said Admir Abrija, General Director of Prisons.

Director of Prison Police Paulin Rajta and Head of the OSCE Presence’s Rule of Law and Human Rights Department Cailean Maclean also spoke at the event. Brigadier General Mauro D’Amico – a former director of the Italian Penitentiary Police’s Gruppo Operativo Mobile, with a vast experience on the 41-bis regime – provided substantial contribution to the training.

In parallel, on 15 June, the Presence and the General Directorate of Prisons also organized a consultative roundtable on the special regime and its challenges. The event saw the participation or about 30 judges, prosecutors and senior staff of the Special Anti-Corruption and Organized Crime Structure, and representatives of the General Prosecutor’s Office, State Informative Service, State Police, General Directorate of Prisons and others.

Earlier this month, the Presence finalized a training curriculum of the special regime prison staff, which will be incorporated in the professional training curriculum for prison staff delivered by the General Directorate of Prisons.

These activities build upon the Presence’s support to prison reform in Albania over the years and its active involvement in promoting the rights of people in detention. Most recently, in December 2022, the Presence organized a study visit for Albanian officials to the Italian special detention regime 41-bis facilities.

Apart from the special regime, the Presence has contributed to the achievements in the penitentiary system by offering legislative support to the legal package on the penitentiary system; working on Preventing and Countering Violent Extremism and Radicalization that Lead to Terrorism in prisons and probation settings; and establishing a Master’s Programme in Criminology at Tirana University.

The OSCE Presence will continue to provide support to the penitentiary reform in Albania.

546303 Communication and Media Relations Section Alexandra Taylor

From 12 to 16 June 2023, gender-responsive policing of violence against women and girls (VAWG) was the focus of a national specialized training course in Bar. The training was organized by the OSCE Secretariat’s Transnational Threats Department (TNTD) in co-ordination with the OSCE Mission to Montenegro.

A total of 23 police officers and prosecutors (11 women and 12 men) from the municipalities of Montenegro developed their skills in effectively responding to cases of VAWG, while maintaining a victim-/survivor-centred approach. The five-day course covered topics such as causes and cycles of violence, violence prevention, harmful biases, attitudes and stereotypes, risk assessment, victim/survivor protection protocols, referral mechanisms, and inter-agency co-operation.

The training course was delivered by national experts, who benefited from the Regional Train-the-Trainers Course on Gender-responsive Policing of VAWG, organized by TNTD last year in Warsaw, Poland.

“This training is an important milestone in the fight against gender-based violence in Montenegro, as it complements the OSCE’s ongoing efforts in combatting this crime at the national level and beyond,” said Siv-Katrine Leirtroe, Deputy Head of the OSCE Mission to Montenegro.

Bjorn Tore Saltvik, manager of the project, underlined that “the initial responses provided by law enforcement institutions to victims of gender-based violence crimes are crucial for the safety of the victims themselves, as well as for the successful investigation and prosecution of such crimes. These responses should be victim-centered, meaning they should prioritize the well-being, support, and rights of the victims throughout the entire process. In doing so, law enforcement institutions can better address the needs of survivors and facilitate a more effective pursuit of justice”.

As part of their continued support of criminal justice practitioners from South-Eastern Europe in their fight against VAWG, TNTD will deliver similar training courses to law enforcement in Albania, North Macedonia and Serbia throughout 2023, in addition to the one already delivered in Bosnia and Herzegovina.

These activities will contribute to the full implementation of the Council of Europe’s Convention on preventing and combating violence against women and domestic violence (Istanbul Convention) in the countries covered by the project Enhancing Criminal Justice Capacities for Combating Gender-based Violence in South-Eastern Europe.

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On 14 June, the OSCE organized a regional workshop on energy co-operation and natural resource management in Central Asia within the context of the situation in Afghanistan. The event gathered around 30 policymakers and experts from Tajikistan, Turkmenistan and Uzbekistan to discuss possible ways forward.

“The crisis in Afghanistan has a pronounced regional dimension, and it is important for Central Asian governments to develop joint strategies and further regional co-operation efforts to tackle common energy and environmental security challenges in the long-term”, Christian Melis, Environmental Governance Officer said.

The event offered an opportunity to present and discuss the projects’ preliminary findings, and to identify a common regional approach to mitigating the consequences of the security and humanitarian situation in Afghanistan for Central Asia. Furthermore, it elaborated an implementation roadmap for the two projects in coordination with national partners and experts.

The workshop, hosted in Ashgabat, Turkmenistan, was a joint initiative of two OSCE projects. The project “Addressing vulnerabilities and improving resilience in communities in the Central Asian border regions with Afghanistan: natural resource management” focused on enhancing the resilience of border communities in Tajikistan, Turkmenistan and Uzbekistan on natural resources management.

The second project “Strengthening Energy Sector Co-operation and Analysis in Central Asia in the Context of Afghanistan’s Energy Crisis” aims to provide up-to-date data and analysis on energy trade and cooperation, as well as developing a regional framework to help address the impact of the Afghan crisis on regional energy security.

The projects are part of the wider OSCE Response to the Implications of Afghanistan for the OSCE Region (RIAOR), launched by the OSCE Secretary General in 2021.

546247 OSCE Centre in Ashgabat

Good practices in the field of effective participation of national minorities and consultative mechanisms in the OSCE participating States were in focus of an OSCE-supported roundtable discussion that took place on 15 June 2023.

The OSCE Centre in Ashgabat organized the event in co-operation with the Office of the OSCE High Commissioner on National Minorities (HCNM) to support Turkmenistan’s efforts in the implementation of the National Human Rights Action Plan for 2021-2025 in the field of ensuring ethnic minorities’ rights.

Opening the roundtable discussion, Kairat Abdrakhmanov, OSCE High Commissioner on National Minorities, who was visiting Turkmenistan from 12 to 16 June 2023, stated: “A meaningful level of representation and participation of minorities in all fields of a country’s public life − such as in elected assemblies, executive structures, the courts and advisory and consultative bodies at the national, regional and local level − is vital to foster loyalty to, and trust in, the institutions of the State.”

Experts from the Office of HCNM presented principles of effective participation and inclusion of ethnic communities and elaborated on key HCNM documents, including the 1999 Lund Recommendations on the Effective Participation of National Minorities in Public Life and the 2012 Ljubljana Guidelines on Integration of Diverse Societies.

Rune Castberg, Programme Co-ordinator of the OSCE Centre in Ashgabat, of the OSCE Centre in Ashgabat, stressed the importance of the Memorandum on Co-operation between the Ministry of Education of Turkmenistan and the Office of HCNM on Multilingual and Multicultural Development in Turkmenistan, signed in 2021.

“It is important that the event will also address the protection of the rights and cultural heritage of ethnic minorities and in this way will contribute to the implementation of the National Human Rights Action Plan for 2021-2025, which envisaged the development of measures to preserve ethnic, cultural and religious diversity and strengthen intercultural dialogue in society,” added Castberg.

International experts from Estonia and Lithuania shared best practices of the OSCE participating States in creating consultative mechanism for ethnic minorities and national minorities, enhancing their integration process and ensuring native language education.

The event brought together representatives of the Mejlis, Ministries of Education and Culture, Ombudsperson’s Office, Institute of State, Law and Democracy and law-enforcement bodies of Turkmenistan as well as city municipality, institutions of higher education and other relevant institutions.

546166 Kunduz Rysbek

Demonstrating its unwavering commitment to promoting financial literacy and inclusion among the youth and the general population, the OSCE Programme Office in Bishkek, in collaboration with the National Bank of the Kyrgyz Republic, successfully organized a series of regional training courses from May 22 to June 7. These courses, conducted by experienced national trainers, were specifically tailored to engage students and participants with differenct backgrounds, fostering their understanding of financial literacy.

Throughout this initiative, 50 training courses were delivered across the Chui, Talas, Naryn, and Issyk-Kul regions of Kyrgyzstan, with approximately 1208 (889- women, 319- men) participants. More than half of these courses were dedicated to students from various high schools and colleges, allowing them to actively participate and benefit from the programme. The OSCE Programme Office in Bishkek played a vital role in providing support and resources to ensure the success of these courses.

By leveraging the expertise of qualified national trainers, the training courses fostered an engaging learning environment that encouraged active participation and knowledge exchange. The attendees had the opportunity to delve into various topics, including family budgeting, electronic digital financial services, financial security, savings, financial products and services (including deposits and loans), investment, taxes, and insurance.

In alignment with the Financial Inclusion Strategies for 2022-2026, adopted by the Cabinet of Ministries of the Kyrgyz Republic, as well as the Action Plan for the implementation of the first stage of the Concept of Migration Policy of the Kyrgyz Republic for 2021-2030, and the Action Plan for the implementation of the Strategic Directions of the National Bank for 2022-2025, the training courses aimed to equip participants with the necessary tools and knowledge to enable them to make informed financial decisions and cultivate a sense of financial well-being.

"The OSCE Programme Office in Bishkek, in collaboration with the National Bank of the Kyrgyz Republic, is proud to have facilitated these regional training courses on financial literacy. We recognize that empowering individuals with financial knowledge is key to enhancing economic stability and promoting inclusive growth. Through these courses, we aim to equip participants with the necessary skills and understanding to navigate the complexities of personal finance effectively," said Mr. Stein Swaanen, Acting Head of Economic and Environmental Department at the OSCE Programme Office in Bishkek.

The success of the training courses signifies the collective efforts of the OSCE Programme Office in Bishkek, the National Bank of the Kyrgyz Republic, and the dedicated national trainers. Their shared commitment to fostering financial literacy and inclusion has positively influenced participants from various regions in Kyrgyzstan.

STRUGA, 14 June 2023 — Promoting security and stability in the OSCE area through sustainable development, and resilient and inclusive economic growth, was the focus of the 2023 Struga Conference on the Economic and Environmental Dimension of the OSCE that took place in Struga, North Macedonia, on 13 and 14 June. 

The event provided a platform for representatives from the OSCE’s 57 participating States, the private sector, academia, civil society and international organizations to engage in discussions on economic and environmental aspects of security in the OSCE region against the backdrop of Russia’s ongoing war against Ukraine.

Chairman-in-Office Osmani said: “The potential of the OSCE in mitigating the vast economic and environmental challenges our societies are facing today shall not be underestimated. Through its structures and valuable project work across regions, it can truly make a difference for the people.”

“I firmly believe that we must work together by sharing information and fostering regional and cross-regional cooperation, in order to truly make an impact on the ground. It is imperative for all participating States to address the far-reaching consequences of the current situation by putting in place measures and economic plans that promote sustainable development. We must stand together in enabling resilient and inclusive economic growth, as the theme of this conference and the guiding lines for all four thematic sessions,” he added. 

With the aim of strengthening dialogue and exchanging best practices, participants discussed ways to strengthen good governance through transparency and anti-corruption measures, address challenges cause by climate change, promote energy security, and foster resilience through trade and transport facilitation.

“The consequences of the war extend far beyond the military theatre”, said Igli Hasani, Co-ordinator of OSCE Economic and Environmental Activities. “There are wider and far-reaching implications, especially in terms of global climate action, energy security and regional connectivity.  To address them effectively, the OSCE participating Sates must take immediate action and put in place robust partnerships with the private sector, scientific community, international organizations and civil society”, he added.

Covering a broad range of topics at the intersection of the environmental and economic issues, which constitute the OSCE’s second dimension of security, participants and speakers underlined the urgency of developing tools to strengthen safety, resilience and prosperity in the fields of climate, the environment, technology and trade.

The approximately 150 participants who joined the event used the opportunity of the conference to continue the longstanding political dialogue on economic and environmental issues linked to security.

The 2023 Struga Conference on the Economic & Environmental Dimension of OSCE was organized by the 2023 OSCE Chairpersonship, with the support of Office of the Co-ordinator of OSCE Economic and Environmental Activities.

SKOPJE, 14 June 2023 — The OSCE Mission to Skopje unveiled a renovated administrative building for the Police Canine (K9) Unit of North Macedonia today in Hipodrom, a suburb of Skopje. The Mission helped equip the building with modern IT surveillance infrastructure and provided secure access control systems to the weapon storage facility for authorized personnel. These efforts help improve working conditions for police officers, making them better equipped to respond to emerging threats and ensure the efficient deployment of police service dogs.

“The refurbishment of this site is a tangible, effective and visible testament to what strategic co-operation and generous support can deliver. I want to use this occasion to underline the value of building networks and co-operation among all involved parties. This contributes to building the trust, which is necessary to mitigate the risk of proliferation and misuse of small arms and light weapons,” said Kilian Wahl, Head of the OSCE Mission to Skopje.

The Minister of Internal Affairs, Oliver Spasovski, emphasized how the improved facilities will contribute to their capacity building efforts.

“The issue of the control of small arms and light weapons and ammunition is of great importance for all of us. This project contributes to strengthening the capacities of the Ministry of Internal Affairs and establishing new knowledge and skills, enhancing the professionalism of employees, and thus increasing the security of citizens,” noted Spasovski.

The unveiling of the new building is part of the Mission’s ongoing efforts to reduce the risk of weapon proliferation and misuse of small arms and light weapons (SALW). This includes strengthening the operational capacity of North Macedonia’s Police K9 Unit, so they are better equipped to identify SALW at border crossings and within the country. Outcomes of this initiative thus far include the development of a standard operating procedure and a training manual for working with, and caring for, police dogs, as well as the donation of 14 specialty vehicles and three trailers to build a fully functional and agile K9 Unit.

This initiative was made possible through extra-budgetary project funding from Belgium, France, Germany, Norway, Slovakia, the United States, and the European Union.

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The first two groups of operators and dispatchers of Ukraine’s National Police emergency “102” hotline have strengthened their knowledge and skills in effective communication with children during a series of two-day trainings organized by the OSCE Support Programme for Ukraine in Uzhhorod from 6 to 9 June 2023.

"Nowadays, we receive more calls from children reporting incidents of abuse and domestic violence, and it is crucial to know how to address those calls effectively. Therefore all the knowledge and skills gained by the participants during the trainings will serve as an essential tool in addressing gender-based and domestic violence cases in times of war," said Andrii Kanashuk, the Deputy Head of the Organisational and Analytical Support and Operational Response Unit, Head of the Department of Organization of Response and "102" service of the National Police of Ukraine.

The “102” hotline personnel are the first responders for children calling the police for help in dangerous or stressful situations. They must quickly collect the necessary information from a child caller, and keep communicating with them until the police arrive. The hotline’s goal is to establish good contact, provide initial psychological support and assurance, and give the necessary instructions to ensure the safety of the child and those around them.

The training provided information on how to effectively handle calls from children reporting gender-based violence, including domestic violence cases in the context of war. The topics included identifying gender-based violence, domestic violence, cruel treatment, bullying, as well as their roots and origins, related stereotypes and impact of the war on these issues. Special attention was paid to interagency response and the role of other institutions and services in responding to cases.

The OSCE Support Programme for Ukraine is planning to deliver 20 training sessions, so that by the end of the year up to 600 “102” hotline operators and dispatchers will improve their knowledge and skills.

These courses are part of the project "Building Capacity of National Stakeholders to Provide Social and Psychological Support to Conflict-Affected People in Time of War and During Post-Conflict Recovery", which is being financially supported by the participating States and partners, listed here.

546109 Model OSCE participants in Vienna Communication and Media Relations Section Alexandra Taylor

From 12 to 14 June, 26 young professionals from Western Europe had the opportunity to try their hand at diplomatic negotiations as they simulated the Helsinki Process by renegotiating the Helsinki Final Act as part of the 2023 Model OSCE event. The event, which takes place annually, was organized by the OSCE Office of the Secretary General, in close co-operation with the OSCE Chair of North Macedonia, and in partnership with the Friedrich-Ebert-Stiftung Regional Office for Cooperation and Peace in Europe.

The event brought together 16 women and 10 men from different backgrounds who all share a strong passion for multilateralism and security.

“Security personally affects everyone. Young people are the next generation, but we tend to forget they are also the generation of today. By empowering young people, we make them aware that they can already be agents of change,” said Viktória Granecová, a participant of the event.

During the three-day event, participants were able to learn about mediation and dialogue facilitation, negotiation skills and strategies, and the decision-making process at the OSCE. They also had the opportunity to apply their new knowledge and skills first-hand during a simulation exercise about the adoption of the Helsinki Final Act. Role-playing representatives of OSCE participating States, they researched their assigned country's position and then engaged in bilateral and multilateral negotiations to reach consensus of all delegates on the final document.

“It’s important to participate and to be included. Simulating international relations in events like Model OSCE is an excellent first step for young people to find out how difficult negotiations can be,” said Athina Papapavlou, another participant.

Participants also engaged in a discussion on the role of multilateralism and diplomacy with the OSCE Ambassadors and other representatives. Some of the key topics that were discussed include the role of the OSCE in promoting security and dialogue in the region, how security benefits from gender equality and what it means to be a diplomat.

“This Model OSCE initiative builds confidence among young people and supports them by enhancing their knowledge on OSCE principles, values and processes. We also provide an opportunity to practice skills that they can then apply not only in their professional endeavours but in many aspects of their lives,” said the Senior Advisor/Chief of Staff to the OSCE Secretary General, Allison Hart. “Such events also provide valuable opportunities for participants to share their perspectives on regional security and to foster mutual understanding across diverse communities,” she added.

“We work to integrate young voices in European security debates every chance we get,” said Christos Katsioulis, Director of Friedrich-Ebert-Stiftung’s Vienna-based Regional Office for Cooperation and Peace in Europe. “The Helsinki Act 50 years ago was a watershed moment for European security architecture. If we want to come up with similarly ground-breaking initiatives today, we need young minds with fresh ideas.”

The event paved the way for increased youth inclusion in the work of the OSCE. Interested participants can become part of a ‘pool of young experts’, meaning a roster of young professionals that was recently established to ensure more consistent engagement with youth. With this initiative, the Organization will be better able to include the voices and perspectives of young people in its work.

The OSCE Chairman-in-Office Special Representative on Youth Memet Zhaku highlighted the importance of youth engagement and participation on the agenda of the 2023 North Macedonia’s OSCE Chairpersonship.  “We are not merely the leaders of tomorrow, we are the leaders of today. We, the youth, hold a unique position in shaping the world we want to live in, a world that embodies the values of peace, equality, and justice. Our voices matter and our contributions are crucial to finding innovative and sustainable solutions to the challenges we face,” he said.

This edition of Model OSCE was the first of a series that will be held at national, sub-regional and regional levels in the framework of the OSCE-wide project launched in March 2023 “Accelerating the implementation of the Youth and Security Agenda in the OSCE region”, which has thus far been supported by Italy, Liechtenstein and Spain.

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On 14 June, in co-operation with the OSCE’s Transnational Threats Department and the OSCE Chairpersonship of North Macedonia, the United Nations Office for Disarmament Affairs (UNODA) held a regional consultation on the United Nations Programme of Action for cybersecurity. The consultations seek to advance responsible behaviour in the use of information and communications technologies in the context of international security.

The event is part of a series of consultations by UNODA, requested by the General Assembly, in collaboration with regional organizations, which will act as a platform for States to share views on the Programme of Action for cybersecurity proposal.

In her opening address, Izumi Nakamitsu, Under-Secretary-General and High Representative for Disarmament Affairs said “We are facing extraordinary challenges to peace and security in cyberspace. In moments like these, we must recognize the critical importance of common norms, rules and principles of responsible state behaviour and redouble our efforts to ensure their effective implementation. I wholeheartedly welcome States’ consideration of action-oriented mechanisms for advancing the implementation of the normative framework and for supporting State capacities to implement it. The programme of action proposal fits squarely in this basket.”

OSCE participating States offered unique perspectives on the proposal, drawing on the work already undertaken by the OSCE in the region. A segment of the consultation was also dedicated to the views of regional non-state stakeholders, reflecting the OSCE’s multi-stakeholder approach when engaging with cybersecurity policy.

“We strongly believe that the regional perspective – especially from the largest regional security organization - has to be taken into account when discussing the scope, content and modalities of the UN Programme of Action on cybersecurity. I am convinced that the views expressed by participating States today will provide valuable input to the process,” said Marijan Pop-Angelov, Minister Counselor and Head of First Dimension, on behalf of the 2023 OSCE Chairpersonship of North Macedonia.  

Alena Kupchyna, OSCE Co-ordinator of Activities to Address Transnational Threats, added “UN and OSCE efforts in cybersecurity are necessarily interlinked – we continue to be guided by UN-level agreements and support them through our expert knowledge and our independent activities.”

Participants underlined their commitment to continuing discussions on the Programme of Action proposal, with the next regional consultation taking place with EU Member States on 16 June.

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On 8 June, Judge Erkki Kourula, Vice-President of the OSCE Court of Conciliation and Arbitration, addressed the Permanent Council, reporting on the Court’s activities in the past year. He reminded that the OSCE Court, based on a treaty concluded within the OSCE, should not be considered only as a theoretical example of legal idealism but also as a mechanism based on flexible models to achieve practical results.

Vice-President Kourula underlined that the Court was founded on Principle V relating to the peaceful settlement of disputes of the Helsinki Final Act, as part of the comprehensive set of principles, including  refraining from the threat or use of force, the inviolability of frontiers and the territorial integrity of States, equal rights and self-determination of peoples and the fulfilment in good faith of obligations under international law, not to mention respect for human rights and fundamental freedoms. He first appealed to the States that are parties of the 1992 Stockholm Convention and encouraged them to resort to mechanisms provided by the Convention for settling disputes at an early stage before they become more serious conflicts. Kourula also invited OSCE participating States to accede to the Convention to confirm their commitment to promote dispute settlement in a peaceful manner.

“What is called for is the political will of States parties and the OSCE institutions to resort to the Court’s mechanisms to promote peace and justice on our continent. A starting point for many participating States is to accede to the Stockholm Convention. We venture to suggest that the volatile situation in Europe underlines the need to maintain treaty-based mechanisms. The Court of Conciliation and Arbitration within the OSCE is one of such mechanisms,” he concluded.

Mirvete Islam, OSCE Mission to Skopje Corruption Risk Assessment of the Judiciary in North Macedonia

The first-hand accounts and experiences of judges and prosecutors are at the heart of a corruption risk assessment in the justice system by the State Commission for Prevention of Corruption. This assessment, published today with the support of the OSCE Mission to Skopje, sheds a light on the risks and vulnerabilities that hinder the delivery of justice in North Macedonia.

The Assessment explores both external and internal corruption risks that pose threats to judicial independence and prosecutorial autonomy. The publication was prepared in co-operation with the Association of Judges and Association of Public Prosecutors, which helped ensure that nearly half of their members participated in the assessment process.

“Through the voices of judges and prosecutors and their personal experiences this assessment challenges the status quo. It is not merely a document—it is a catalyst for change. It is a call to action, urging us to strive for a judiciary that upholds the principles of fairness, independence, and accountability. It is our collective duty to ensure that public institutions protect the rights of the citizens and strengthen the pillars of democracy and the rule of law,” said the Head of the OSCE Mission to Skopje, Kilian Wahl at the launch event.

"Allegations of corruption are rampant.  Anecdotes of undue influence in the justice sector are real, and they are too numerous.  This is not a time for “business as usual”; this is a time for bold steps and action.  To best direct our collective resources, let us look at what the data tells us.  And let’s work together to combat corruption that exists and eliminate the risks it poses in the judiciary,” said Eric Meyer, Deputy Chief of Mission at the US Embassy.

Biljana Ivanovska, President of the State Commission for Prevention of Corruption, said that the Assessment findings will be followed up with tangible policy recommendations to accompany the country’s key strategic documents concerning the judiciary.

She urged judges and prosecutors to use these findings to improve the integrity of their respective institutions.

“The co-operation with the OSCE Mission to Skopje dating back for years resulted in numerous activities, many documents created, researches and recommendations, aimed to improve the situation in the justice system. The Assessment is part of this co-operation and I hope that it will significantly contribute to the implementation of legal mechanisms for an independent, accountable and open judiciary, as a prerequisite for raising public trust,” said Judge Xhemali Saiti, President of the Association of Judges of North Macedonia.

Elvin Veli, president of the Association of Public Prosecutors, said that personal integrity of public prosecutors is the most important tool for removing any influence in the proceedings.

“All judicial institutions are interconnected and efficient results can only be achieved if each of us personally invests and provides maximum effort to raise the standards and ethics in the proceedings,” he added.

VIENNA, 12 June 2023 - The OSCE Secretary General, Helga Maria Schmid, concluded her visit to Turkmenistan, Kyrgyzstan and Kazakhstan on 8 June. She met with high-level government officials, parliamentarians and civil society representatives, and discussed how the OSCE can facilitate regional solutions in addressing the broad range of security challenges that the region is facing and provide further support across all aspects of the OSCE’s work.

In Ashgabat, the Secretary General met with the President of Turkmenistan, Serdar Berdimuhamedov, the Chairman of the Halk Maslakhaty, Gurbanguly Berdimuhamedov, the Speaker of the Mejlis, Dunyagozel Gulmanova, the Acting Minister of Foreign Affairs, Vepa Khadjiev, Ombudsperson Yazdursun Gurbannazarova, and other stakeholders.

She presented the international EcoPorts certificate to the Turkmenbashi International Seaport during her meeting with President Berdimuhamedov. It certifies that the Seaport meets the high environmental standards set by the European port sector. The OSCE had helped the port to meet these standards through its project “Promoting Green Ports and Connectivity in the Caspian Sea region”.

“We are proud to have supported the Turkmenbashi International Seaport in achieving the standards necessary for this certification. It is a great example of how we can strengthen sustainability, connectivity, security and economic growth across the region by working together,” Schmid said.

In Bishkek, during meetings with President of Kyrgyzstan, Sadyr Zhaparov, Minister of Foreign Affairs, Zheenbek Kulubaev, and other interlocutors, the Secretary General highlighted the constructive co-operation the OSCE has with the country through its Programme Office and institutions.

“For over three decades, the OSCE has been committed to supporting Kyrgyzstan and working with the government and civil society on all aspects of security. Today, the whole OSCE region – including Central Asia – is facing unparalleled challenges, and we need to put even more effort into building a safer world for the people we serve,” Schmid stressed.

Opening the international conference “Women, Peace and Security: Problems and Development Prospects”, the Secretary General underlined the OSCE’s co-operation with the Kyrgyz Association of Women Police as well as OSCE-wide efforts to promote women’s empowerment, like with the OSCE Networking Platform for Women Leaders, including Mediators and Peacebuilders.

She also met with students and alumni during her visit to the OSCE Bishkek Academy, a flagship project providing high-quality education to students from Central Asia, Afghanistan, and beyond. 

In Astana, the Secretary General discussed regional challenges from climate change to instability in Afghanistan and the impacts of the war against Ukraine on the region in meetings with the President of Kazakhstan, Kassym-Jomart Tokayev, Chairman of the Senate, Maulen Ashimbayev, Deputy Prime Minister and Foreign Minister, Murat Nurtleu, and other high-level officials.

“I commend Kazakhstan’s commitment to deepening regional co-operation and promoting connectivity. In today’s era of increasingly polarized positions, we can only tackle global challenges and strengthen security through joint efforts. With its decades of experience and expertise, and a unique role to play in Central Asia, the OSCE stands ready to support,” Schmid emphasised.

Like the port of Turkmenbashi, the port of Kuryk has been granted the international EcoPorts certificate, and the Secretary General handed it over to Minister of Ecology and Natural Resources, Zulfiya Suleimenova, commending the achievement.

In her speech to the plenary of the Astana International Forum, the Secretary General gave an overview of both the OSCE’s project work and its value as a political platform: “Despite geopolitical challenges, the OSCE continues to deliver real benefits every day – making a meaningful difference for our citizens, including here in Central Asia.”

In all three countries, Schmid met with the staff of the OSCE structures there, including the Centre in Ashgabat, and the Programme Offices in Bishkek and Astana.