OSCE

PRISHTINË/PRIŠTINA, 26 May 2023 — The OSCE Chairman-in-Office, Minister of Foreign Affairs of North Macedonia, Bujar Osmani, concluded his one-day visit, during which he met President Vjosa Osmani-Sadriu, Prime Minister Albin Kurti, and Deputy Prime Minister and Foreign Minister Donika Gërvalla-Schwarz, and visited the OSCE Mission in Kosovo.

His talks focused on recent developments and the security situation in the north of Kosovo. Chairman Osmani called for de-escalation and defusing of tensions. During the visit, he also addressed OSCE Mission’s support of ongoing reforms in promoting human and community rights, strengthening the rule of law and enhancing public safety. Youth related work and the role of young people in promoting dialogue and trust building was a strong focus of the visit.

“It is essential to reduce tensions on the ground in the north of Kosovo in order to give room to the political process of the EU-facilitated Dialogue. The OSCE stands ready to continue to support the implementation of agreements reached within the Dialogue,” said Chairman Osmani.

During his visit to the OSCE Mission, Osmani was briefed on programmatic activities by the Head of Mission, Michael Davenport, and other staff.

“Supporting the work of field missions is a top priority for our OSCE Chairpersonship. The OSCE Mission in Kosovo has credibility and trust with both people and institutions, which is crucial to preserving peace and stability,” Osmani said. “I want to express my appreciation for the Mission’s dedicated work in strengthening the rule of law, supporting democratic institutions and enabling a safer environment for all communities.”

The Chairman saw the impact of the Mission’s work during his visit to the Kosovo Academy for Public Safety, where together with Prime Minister Kurti he met with police cadets from all communities.

“I was impressed by the work I saw at the Academy today, training the next generation of women and men police cadets to serve their local community. A diverse police force benefits all,” he said.   

Speaking with participants of the OSCE Youth Academy, one of the Mission’s flagship projects, Osmani praised this successful model for engaging young people in decision-making and fostering inclusive societies, which he said could be replicated elsewhere.

“If we are serious about reconciliation in this region, our young people must be the bridge to a brighter future,” Osmani said. “My message was that the young generation has a critical role in building peace. As the OSCE Chairman, I will always be ready to amplify young people’s voices in shaping their future.”

544633 Communication and Media Relations Section Alexandra Taylor

The Special OSCE Asian Partners for Co-operation Group met today to discuss key aspects for ensuring women’s participation in political and public life. The meeting was convened by the Polish Chair of the Group.

The session particularly highlighted the critical human rights situation of women and girls in Afghanistan, which has worsened as a consequence of developments in the country. The marginalization of women from the public sphere and the denial of their rights to education, work, and freedom of movement results in grave long-term effects on the country’s development and prosperity. This poses significant risks to regional stability as the country’s capacity to cope with transnational threats deteriorates.

A stable Afghanistan, with an inclusive and representative government that respects and protects the rights of girls and women, is not only in the interest of the OSCE and its participating States but also of the whole international community.

“Among a plethora of human rights violations and abuses, the situation of women and girls stands out as particularly alarming. Women have been pushed away from the public sphere. They have been denied their rights to education, work, and freedom of movement. This does not only constitute a grave violation of basic human rights but also translates into a deplorable loss of human capital and creative potential in Afghanistan.”, said Ambassador Adam Hałaciński, Permanent Representative of Poland to the OSCE and Chair of the OSCE Asian Partners for Co-operation Group.

The meeting identified the main obstacles to women’s political and social engagement during crises in the context of the ongoing situation in Afghanistan, and further explored the direct impact this has on the human rights of women and girls in the country.

“The institutionalized and systemic exclusion of Afghan women and girls from public, social and economic life is a sobering reminder of how swiftly women’s and girls’ rights can be taken away. These severe violations of human rights erode also our collective security”, said OSCE Secretary General Helga Maria Schmid, “the OSCE will continue to continue to address the regional consequences of developments in Afghanistan and to support the courageous and inspiring women and girls who continue their resilient resistance and struggle for their human dignity”.

Participants drew on previous international responses to the situation of women and girls in Afghanistan and explored future initiatives aimed at improving women’s engagement in public and political life.

Fawzia Koofi, Former Member of the Parliament of Afghanistan added “What is happening in Afghanistan in fact does not happen anywhere in the world, without changing the political ecosystem of the situation in Afghanistan nothing will progress."

The OSCE supports the Asian Partnership in its efforts to further promote common values in the international community and address the new challenges affecting European security and beyond.

544645 Communication and Media Relations Section Alexandra Taylor Colours of the Dniester

The award ceremony for the winners of the 14th edition of the basin-wide contest “Colours of the Dniester”, organized for children and youth from the Dniester River basin in Ukraine and Moldova, took place on 26 May, 2023.

The contest uses creative expression to increase awareness for conservation and environmental management topics among schoolchildren and students in the Dniester River basin. Participants were invited to join in person or virtually both in Moldova and Ukraine. 

The key objectives of the contest include nurturing the environmental consciousness of children and youth, mobilizing the public to join environmental protection efforts in the basin, cultivating a sense of belonging, and recognizing the increasing importance of using water resources of the Dniester River in a sustainable manner. While both the means of creative expression and the background of the competitors might have differed, participants were united by their shared values: preserving the Dniester River and its valuable resources and ecosystem for present and future generations.

“The young generation represents our future. However, it is also the generation that will face the consequences of current actions and, more importantly, the cost of inaction,” said Sylvie Goyet, Deputy Co-ordinator and Head of Environmental Activities at the Office of the Co-ordinator for OSCE Economic and Environmental Activities (OCEEA).

“It is our duty to contribute to awareness raising and capacity-building activities for young people, as well as enabling their participation in the decision-making processes,” Goyet added, underscoring the significant link between youth and environmental issues.

Mariia Shpanchyk, Head of the Department of Water Resources Management at the Ukrainian State Agency of Water Resources, highlighted the connection between environmental issues and good neighbourly relations.

“An environmentally conscious future in partnership with friendly neighbours is of great importance to Ukrainians, including in the Dniester River basin,” Shpanchyk said.

Furthermore, she underlined that “Ukraine and Moldova are jointly following the European path and developing a management plan for the Dniester River basin. This is a strategic document for achieving good water status. “

In the closure of the event, Mr. Petru Tataru, Secretary General of the Ministry of Environment of the Republic of Moldova, announced the opening of the 15th edition of the “Colours of the Dniester” competition. “The transboundary art competition "Colors of the Dniester" is an event that aims to attract pupils, students and civil society to activities aimed at contributing to the protection of the entire basin of the Dniester River, its ecosystems and biodiversity," Tataru said.

"The competition is focused on international cooperation and the participation of territorial communities in solving environmental problems. This year, the motto of the competition is: 'With small steps - towards big changes'," Tataru added.  

The event is part of the long-term engagement of the OSCE in supporting transboundary water management between Moldova and Ukraine. It is driven by a successful collaboration between national and local authorities, educational institutions, civil society and the youth community.  The event took place ahead of the celebration of the Dniester River Day, which will take place on 28 May, 2023.

544612 Marina Živaljević

With the support of the OSCE Mission to Montenegro, the Ministry of Interior - Police Directorate launches the “Respect Life – Return the Weapons” campaign, which should raise citizens’ awareness of the dangers and harmful consequences of firearms possession.

The Mission supported production of three videos that will be published on social networks and broadcast on national TV stations, inviting citizens to voluntarily surrender firearms to the police, without legal consequences, regardless of the category of firearms and whether they are in illegal or legal ownership.

The produced videos illustrate three different situations in which citizens decide to return their weapons and thereby protect themselves and their families. The videos also contain instructions on how citizens can surrender their weapons.

By calling the number 122, a citizen can inform the police that he/she wants to return weapons. A police officer will come to the place where the person is located, collect the weapons and issue a certificate about it. It is important to note that, primarily for safety reasons, citizens should not bring weapons to the police stations by themselves.

Since the entry into force of the Law on Weapons in 2015, a total of 2,315 firearms, 49,712 pieces of ammunition of various calibres, 419 mine-explosive devices and 1,285 parts of weapons have been returned.

The Mission and the Police Directorate express gratitude to all the citizens who have voluntarily handed over their weapons, thus contributing to the personal and safety of their families and the society as a whole.

ANKARA, 26 May 2023 – International election observers will hold a press conference to present their findings following the second round of the presidential election in Türkiye.

What:

• A press conference of the international election observation mission to the second round of the presidential election in Türkiye
• The press conference can be attended in person or via Zoom (details below)
• You can also follow the livestream here

Who:

• Farah Karimi, Special Co-ordinator and leader of the short-term OSCE observer mission / Head, OSCE PA delegation
• Frank Schwabe, Head of the PACE delegation
• Ambassador Jan Petersen, Head of the ODIHR election observation mission

When:

• 15:00 local time (GMT +3) on 29 May 2023

Where:

• Da Vinci 1, Divan Ankara Hotel, Yıldızevler, Jose Marti Cd. No:2, Ankara

Registration:

• To take part via Zoom, please register by 11:00 local time on 29 May using the following link.      

The international election observation is a joint mission of the OSCE Office for Democratic Institutions and Human Rights (ODIHR), the Parliamentary Assembly of the OSCE (OSCE PA), and the Parliamentary Assembly of the Council of Europe (PACE). The observation mission totals 232 observers, made up of 181 ODIHR-deployed experts, long-term, and short-term observers, 31 from the OSCE PA, and 20 from PACE.

For more information, please contact:

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

Nat Parry, OSCE PA: +45 60 10 81 77 or nat@oscepa.dk

Sylvie Affholder, PACE: +90 536 958 97 70 or Sylvie.AFFHOLDER@coe.int

544588

The OSCE Project Co-ordinator in Uzbekistan (PCUz) plays an important role in providing guidance and assisting with the implementation of ambitious anti-corruption reforms in Uzbekistan. The PCUz is supporting the host country in its reform agenda to strengthen the integrity of the public sector and combat corruption, including in co-operation with other international organizations and partners.

To this end, the PCUz supported the visit of a delegation of the Anti-Corruption Agency of the Republic of Uzbekistan (ACA), headed by its Deputy Director Ms. Umida Tukhtasheva, to Paris from 23 to 25 May 2023. On 24 and 25 May, the delegation participated in the 2023 OECD Global Anti-Corruption and Integrity Forum to discuss policy solutions and business innovations that strengthen integrity and fight corruption. Emphasis was placed on the importance of leadership, partnership, political integrity, open data and zero-tolerance against corruption.

As Uzbekistan’s National Anti-Corruption Coordinator, the ACA is carrying out the work and ensuring progress within the framework of the Istanbul Anti-Corruption Action Plan under the aegis of the OECD Anti-corruption Network for Eastern Europe and Central Asia (ACN). The Forum was therefore an opportunity for the ACA to study the OECD standards and best international practices ahead of the next ACN round of monitoring.

During the visit, the delegation also met with representatives of the French Anti-Corruption Agency (AFA) and the French National Judiciary School (Ecole Nationale de la Magistrature, ENM). The ACA and the AFA exchanged anti-corruption expertise, including advanced French preventive measures and Uzbek anti-corruption reforms, and explored areas and mechanisms of cooperation on the basis of the interagency Memorandum signed in 2022. The meeting at the French National Law School then allowed for discussions on the training and professional development of legal personnel, as well as possible areas for future co-operation.

The PCUz continues to support the capacity building of the Anti-Corruption Agency as part of its project to improve good governance reforms in Uzbekistan.

544582 For Media inquires

An OSCE-supported regional training seminar on the practical implementation of the Vienna Document 2011 concluded on 25 May 2023 in Astana. Twenty-seven military officers from Azerbaijan, Kazakhstan, Kyrgyzstan, Mongolia, Tajikistan, and Turkmenistan took part in the seminar.

The Vienna Document was adopted by all OSCE participating States and obliges them to share information on their armed forces and military activities. It also contains provisions on compliance and verification, such as conducting and hosting inspections and evaluations, as well as on risk reduction, military contacts and co-operation, and prior notification of certain military activities.

The seminar aimed to increase understanding, raise the role of confidence- and security-building measures, while taking into account contemporary developments, and promote military co-operation between OSCE participating States in Central Asia and Mongolia. Military and civilian experts from Belarus, France, Germany, Italy, Kazakhstan, the Benelux Arms Control Agency (BACA), and the OSCE Conflict Prevention Centre shared their expertise in the field of organization and co-operation between Vienna Document verification centres. The seminar also included lectures by professors of Gumilyov Eurasian National University, theoretical exercises and a simulated inspection visit to the 36th Air Assault Brigade near Astana city, where participants conducted a simulated assessment in accordance with the provisions of the Vienna Document on compliance and verification.

Yuri Fenopetov, Deputy Head of Mission of the OSCE Programme Office in Astana said: “OSCE participating States should continue to uphold, support and further strengthen arms control and confidence- and security-building measures in order to reduce the risk of conflict, increase confidence and promote greater openness and transparency in military planning and activities. We believe that the development and strengthening of confidence- and security-building measures are always relevant and we welcome the active role of Kazakhstan in this matter.”

The OSCE Programme Office in Astana organized the three-day event in co-operation with Kazakhstan's Defence Ministry, OSCE Secretariat Conflict Prevention Centre, and with the support of the OSCE Centre in Ashgabat, OSCE Programme Office in Bishkek and OSCE Programme Office in Dushanbe.

The Office has been organizing seminars on the Vienna Document in Kazakhstan since 2006. The seminar is part of the Programme Office's long-standing efforts to promote OSCE confidence- and security-building measures and regional security.

544327

From 22 to 24 May 2023, six prominent Ukrainian women peacebuilders, civil society representatives and mediators gathered in Vienna to discuss actions required to support women's leadership and participation in all decision-making processes. After two online meetings, this was the first in-person gathering of the group, organized by the Gender Issues Program in the Office of the Secretary General within the framework of the WIN-supported OSCE Networking Platform of Women Peace Leaders, including Peacebuilders and Mediators launched by Secretary General Helga Maria Schmid in December 2021.

During their visit, the participants shared their experiences and perspectives on the war against Ukraine with the OSCE Secretary General, the participating States and donors of the WIN project, as well as staff of the OSCE Secretariat. Among many issues, participants called for ensuring women’s meaningful participation in recovery planning and strengthening the support for grass-root women activists. They welcomed the networking platform provided by the OSCE as a unique opportunity to connect diverse women mediators and peacebuilders and to provide them with a safe space to share experiences and shape common strategies.

"Supporting the work of women peacebuilders and women-led organizations operating on the ground remains a top priority for the OSCE," said OSCE Secretary General Schmid, "they must be empowered, supported, and recognized for the critical work they do for their communities in times of peace and in times of war. The OSCE is well placed to provide these spaces to enhance women’s participation and influence in peace processes at all levels," she underscored.

Despite the overwhelming challenges posed by the ongoing war, Ukrainian women have stood at the forefront of humanitarian responses. Leading civil society organizations, they provide life-saving and essential support to entire communities, addressing the consequences of war and providing support to survivors of gender-based and conflict-related sexual violence.

But despite progress, further efforts are necessary to ensure the continued inclusion of women in all relevant decision-making processes. "The variety of women's experiences and voices must be heard and considered when shaping the present and future of Ukraine," highlighted Marta Chumalo, a prominent human rights defender and co-founder of the NGO "Center "Women's Perspectives".

During the event, the participants presented concrete recommendations on how to amplify the voices of women. The three-day event also included sessions on how to build self-resilience within women’s civil society and how to develop strategies to enhance women's leadership during and after conflict.            

Above all, the participants emphasized the importance of including women in decision-making and peace-building processes and the need to bring their participation and crucial work to the forefront. In this context, the OSCE has a vital role to play in empowering and supporting Ukrainian women.

The event is a part of the multi-year project WIN for Women and Men on strengthening comprehensive security through innovating and networking for gender equality, which aims to build capacity and increase participation of women in conflict prevention, mediation, and other processes relevant to comprehensive security.

Željka Šulc

SARAJEVO, 26 May 2023 – In response to the recent passing of the draft amendments to the Criminal Code of Republika Srpska, the OSCE Office for Democratic Institutions and Human Rights (ODIHIR) raised concerns about their compatibility with the right to freedom of expression.

In a newly published analysis requested by the OSCE Mission to Bosnia and Herzegovina, ODIHR says: “The right to freedom of expression is a human right crucial to the functioning of a democracy and is central to achieving other human rights and fundamental freedoms. The full enjoyment of this right is one of the foundations of a free, democratic, tolerant and pluralist society in which individuals and groups with different backgrounds and beliefs can voice their opinions, while bringing visibility to marginalized or underrepresented groups”. 

“Bearing in mind the negative impact that defamation laws may have on the freedom of expression, international human rights bodies, including the OSCE Representative on Freedom of the Media, have called upon states to abolish any criminal defamation laws.State practices show that criminal defamation laws are often used against journalists, political opponents, human rights defenders and others who are critical of government officials and policies,” the legal analysis continues. “It is acknowledged that the right to protection of reputation is also a fundamental right which is protected under international law, and could be impacted by defamatory statements. At the same time, defamation laws could have a chilling effect on the exercise of the right to freedom of expression. Therefore, it is important that defamation laws when they exist are formulated in a way that excludes potential abuse by the public authorities, and at the same time conform to the principle of proportionality.”

ODIHR calls upon the authorities not to pursue the adoption of the provisions that aim at criminalizing “insults” and “defamation” in the Republika Srpska. In its analysis, the Office suggests considering a number of possible alternatives, at the same time ensuring that they are carefully crafted to exclude arbitrary application or abuse by the public authorities and fully comply with all international human rights standards.

The full analysis can be found here: Urgent comments on the draft criminal offences against honor and reputation in Republika Srpska | OSCE

544522 Munira Shoinbekova, OSCE Programme Office in Dushanbe Farhod Nabiyulloev

A five-day train-the-trainers course (ToT) for twelve staff members (seven women and five men) of the Women’s Resource Centres (WRC) concluded on 19 May 2023 in Dushanbe. The ToT provided the participants with skills and knowledge on how to promote harmony within vulnerable families and help reduce violence through a combination of gender norms, behavioural change and income-generating activities. The OSCE Programme Office in Dushanbe organized the ToT with the financial support of the United States of America, Finland, Norway Germany and Andorra.

The training module included social components of the Zindagii Shoista (Living with Dignity) methodology, which is effective in preventing domestic and intimate partner violence and helps to improve mental and physical well-being, livelihoods and food security. The ToT also addressed questions of gender, relationships, family conflict, violence and communication.

Each WRC will identify ten vulnerable families in their respective regions upon completion of the training and apply acquired knowledge to help selected families reduce the tension among the family members, rebuild relations and improve social and economic well-being.

“The skills and knowledge that we acquired in this training will help us to conduct awareness-raising events among those families exposed to violence and help them ease the tensions, improve communications and relations and live their lives with dignity and in harmony,” said Ms Saodatkhon Allayarova, a representative of WRC from Balkhi district.

BELGRADE, 25 May 2023 — The OSCE Chairman-in-Office, Minister of Foreign Affairs of North Macedonia, Bujar Osmani, concluded a two-day visit to Serbia.

Chairman Osmani met with Prime Minister Ana Brnabić and First Deputy Prime Minister responsible for foreign policy and security and Foreign Minister Ivica Dačić. They discussed the current political climate and the country’s progress on reforms related to democratization, security, media, rule of law, and human rights. Chairman Osmani reaffirmed the OSCE’s strong commitment to its partnership with Serbia and co-operation in key reform areas as well as remaining engaged in the region.

“In South-Eastern Europe, we have common challenges: reconciliation and trust-building, the fight against corruption and climate change. These are the top three priorities for our region,” Osmani said. “The OSCE remains committed to supporting the region and beyond in addressing our common challenges toward building a better future.”

The Chairman also spoke with the Speaker of the National Assembly, Vladimir Orlić, about the Parliament’s work on youth engagement, ethics, gender equality, and environmental issues. In discussions with the Head of the Serbian Delegation to the OSCE Parliamentary Assembly, Sandra Božić, Osmani discussed ways to further strengthen co-operation between Serbia and the OSCE Parliamentary Assembly.

Chairman Osmani held a joint meeting with the Minister of Human and Minority Rights and Social Dialogue, Tomislav Žigmanov, the acting director of the Coordination Body for the Municipalities of Preševo, Bujanovac, and Medveđa, Danijela Nenadić, and the Head of Macedonian National Minority Council and Informal Coordination of National Minority Councils, Borče Veličkovski. They discussed Serbia’s and the OSCE Mission to Serbia’s support to work around human and minority rights, including development of the National Strategy for Human Rights.

“Our motto as the 2023 OSCE Chairpersonship is: ‘It's About People’. This is a key driver behind everything we do as Chair and reflects the importance we attach to people’s rights and social cohesion as part of the path toward improving our societies,” Chairman Osmani said.

Osmani met with the Head of the OSCE Mission to Serbia, Jan Braathu, and Mission staff, to discuss the Mission’s achievements and ongoing projects. He also had an opportunity to meet with women and national minority police officers trained by the Mission as part of its support to the Women Police Officer’s Network and Vocational Police Association.

During a field visit to Bujanovac, Osmani participated in a roundtable discussion with civil society groups focusing on youth and security issues in the multi-ethnic municipalities of south Serbia.

“Count on us for supporting the voices of young people and youth initiatives that foster dialogue and solidarity with younger generations,” Osmani said. “These efforts have a significant impact on people’s lives and move us toward a more sustainable, secure and stable region.”

544525 Participants at multi-stakeholder event in Moldova on youth crime prevention

On 25 May 2023, the OSCE Transnational Threats Department and the Office of the Co-ordinator of OSCE Economic and Environmental Activities, in co-operation with implementing partner Terre des Hommes Moldova, held a multi-stakeholder event in Chisinau, Moldova to present and discuss the findings of the OSCE needs assessment on youth crime prevention in the country.

The assessment found that fostering multi-stakeholder co-operation between police, social services, schools, and health practitioners as a means to identify and jointly address risk factors for juvenile delinquency at an early stage is key for youth crime prevention. It also highlighted the importance of strengthening the inclusion of youth as agents for positive change and as advocates to raise awareness among their peers about the dangers of involvement in criminality and the harms caused by organized crime and corruption.  

Participants also discussed current challenges concerning youth criminality, exchanged information about their capacity-building needs, and learned about good practices from the German youth crime prevention initiative Kurve Kriegen.

The event paved the way for several initiatives. It set the stage for targeted multi-stakeholder capacity-building on youth crime prevention for Moldovan state authorities, as well as for the development of a platform for dialogue and experience-sharing for youth. The latter seeks to give Moldovan youth a voice in the design and development of youth crime prevention policies and initiatives.

The event gathered representatives of the Moldovan Ministry of Internal Affairs, Prosecutor General’s Office, Ministry of Justice, Ministry of Labor and Social Protection, Ombudsman Office, Ministry of Education and Research, National Anti-Corruption Agency, and Ministry of Health, alongside academia, local administrations, civil society, and young people.

The workshop was held in the framework of the OSCE-wide project “Enhancing youth crime and drug use prevention through education on legality and awareness campaigns addressing threats of organized crime and corruption” and was funded by Germany. Other donors supporting the project are Andorra, Italy, and Poland.

544471 Marina Živaljević

What procedures need to be followed in drafting primary legislation and what steps Parliament should take in considering proposed legislation – were the topics discussed at the workshop on practices of democratic law making and Parliament’s oversight role, organized by the OSCE Mission to Montenegro on 24 and 25 May in Podgorica.

Around 15 parliamentary committees’ staff continued the discussion with two Mission’s experts initiated in November 2022, further enhancing their skills in drafting and reviewing legislation. They also discussed the role of Parliament in the EU integration and in considering reports of independent institutions.

Opening the workshop, Dominique Waag, Head of Mission, stated that the principles of democratic law making are embedded in the OSCE commitments. “Legislation should be well-defined, transparent, streamlined and enforceable, developed through a democratic process, which is open, inclusive, and consultative, while upholding human rights. Law-making, when done well, reinforces fight against corruption and good governance. Good laws are simply the result of good law-making procedures,” said Ambassador Waag.

She added that transparent and accountable laws increase public trust in democratic institutions. “The three elements of lawfulness, fairness and transparency overlap, but it is important that laws satisfy all three,” said she.

Strengthening Parliament’s legislative and oversight functions, which includes enhancing professional capacities of parliamentary staff, is an essential part of the Mission’s work in support of democratic processes in Montenegro.

544405 Munira Shoinbekova, OSCE Programme Office in Dushanbe Farhod Nabiyulloev

Twenty specialists and practitioners of the military, law enforcement, and security services from Kazakhstan, Kyrgyzstan, Tajikistan, Turkmenistan, and Uzbekistan completed a five-day Regional Explosive Hazards Awareness and Reduction course in Tashkent on 19 May 2023.

The OSCE Programme Office in Dushanbe organized the event in close co-operation with the OSCE Project Co-ordinator in Uzbekistan and with the support of Uzbekistan’s Ministry of Defence.

The activity aimed to develop the competencies and enhance the qualifications of military personnel from Central Asia in Explosive Ordnance Risk Education (EORE), and Gender, Diversity, Equality, and Inclusion (GDEI) in Mine Action.

Four international experts from the United Kingdom and the Geneva International Centre for Humanitarian Demining delivered the course per International Mine Action Standards.

“The course not only served as a platform for learning but also as a platform to exchange views and discuss potentials on combining our time, ideas, and resources to efficiently work together,” said Sonja Stanisavljevic, the Integrated Cooperation on Explosive Hazards’ Project Manager at the OSCE Programme Office in Dushanbe. “It aimed to enable Central Asian specialists to effectively, efficiently, and self-reliantly address issues related to explosive hazards over time.”

Colonel Ravil Baybekov, Head of the Engineering Department of Uzbekistan’s Defence Ministry noted the importance of co-operation among the respective Ministries of Defence of Central Asia and thanked the OSCE for its continuous and unwavering support in implementing the regional project on explosive hazards. “The Ministry of Defence of the Republic of Uzbekistan stands ready to continue and expand the co-operation with the OSCE Programme Office in Dushanbe in these priority areas.”

The closing ceremony was attended by representatives from Uzbekistan’s Ministry of Defence, the Office of Military Cooperation of the U.S. Embassy in Dushanbe, the OSCE Project Co-ordinator in Uzbekistan, and the OSCE Programme Office in Dushanbe.

The course was financially supported by the United States Department of State, Bureau of Political-Military Affairs/Office of Weapons Removal and Abatement, and the governments of Germany and Switzerland.

544357 Communication and Media Relations Section

On 22 – 24 May 2023, the OSCE Secretariat’s Transnational Threats Department conducted a national table-top exercise in Ashgabat, Turkmenistan on countering the use of the internet for terrorist purposes while respecting human rights. The exercise was organized together with the OSCE Centre in Ashgabat.

The three-day event brought together over 25 participants from Turkmenistan’s governmental agencies, law enforcement, civil society, the media, academia and the private sector, and was facilitated by experts from the OSCE Office for Democratic Institutions and Human Rights, Office of the OSCE Representative on Freedom of the Media, SecDev and the UN-led Tech Against Terrorism initiative.

Participants discussed challenges in countering terrorist use of the internet and in improving the efficiency of national efforts to tackle these challenges. With the current National Strategy and Action Plan on Prevention of Violent Extremism and Countering Terrorism running until 2024, this event also offered an opportunity to discuss how the OSCE could support the possible development of a new strategy.

“The OSCE, as the largest regional security organization, was one of the first international organizations to take a comprehensive approach to countering the use of the internet for terrorist purposes while respecting human rights and fundamental freedoms,” said John MacGregor, Head of the OSCE Centre in Ashgabat.

“It is noteworthy that back in 2002, the OSCE participating States committed themselves to taking the necessary measures to prevent the misuse of information technologies for terrorist purposes and since then have adopted a number of important decisions and declarations,” added MacGregor.

Luigi Ferrari, Ambassador of Italy to Turkmenistan and Michael Bierhoff, Ambassador of Germany to Turkmenistan, also presented their opening remarks.

During the exercise, participants engaged in interactive and scenario-based discussions to enhance their knowledge on countering terrorism-related online threats prevalent in Central Asia and on practical human rights-centred approaches to tackling these issues. Experts presented good practices in addressing challenges emanating from the use of the internet by terrorists while respecting the right to privacy and the freedom of expression, association, peaceful assembly, and religion or belief.

The event also served as a platform for networking and exchanging experiences among participants and led to a development of a Policy Response and Recommendation Paper aimed at improving the efficiency of related national efforts. These recommendations will then be shared with the national authorities to help formulate relevant human rights-compliant and gender-mainstreamed policies and frameworks for preventing and countering violent extremism and terrorism online, to be integrated in broader national strategies and action plans.

“The recommendations will have an added value as they will also help the OSCE Centre in Ashgabat prioritize its efforts in providing practical assistance to Turkmenistan in countering the use of the internet for terrorist purposes.” stated MacGregor.

The event was organized in the framework of the OSCE extra-budgetary project “Preventing and countering the use of the internet for terrorist purposes in Central Asia” with the financial support of Austria, Germany and Italy.

544342 Communication and Media Relations Section Alexandra Taylor

On 22 and 23 May, the OSCE’s Transnational Threats Department organized a regional training event on cyber/ICT security in Astana, Kazakhstan. The training was organized in co-operation with the OSCE Programme Office in Astana and the Ministry of Digital Development, Innovations and Aerospace Industry of the Republic of Kazakhstan.

In his opening remarks, Askar Zhambakin, Vice Minister of Digital Development, Innovations and Aerospace Industry of the Republic of Kazakhstan said “I believe this event will serve as a platform for the exchange of experiences and best practices in the field of cyber/ICT security”.

Twenty-two participants from Central Asia, South Caucasus and Mongolia participated in the event, strengthening their understanding of cyber/ICT security as an international policy field and discussing the effective implementation of the OSCE cyber/ICT security confidence-building measures.

“Using opportunities to share your national updates focusing on policy, new legislation and recent good practices relevant to cyber/ICT security and reflecting on the role of confidence-building measures does contribute to the promotion of greater cyber resilience. This is a key element in building confidence between states to foster greater co-operation and stability,” added Paula Gilevska, Counselor for Defense Affairs at the Permanent Mission of the Republic of North Macedonia to the OSCE, on behalf of the 2023 OSCE Chairpersonship of North Macedonia.

During the event, a scenario-based discussion was also held to promote enhanced national preparedness, crisis management and co-ordination mechanisms at the technical and policy levels as well as effective regional communication and co-operation in the event of a cyber incident.

“In 2017, the Ministers of all 57 OSCE participating States recommitted efforts to reduce the risks of conflict stemming from the use of information and communication technologies. OSCE cyber/ICT security confidence-building measures are a vital tool and the OSCE is an important platform to further the implementation of these measures,” said Kathy Leach, Ambassador of the United Kingdom to the Republic of Kazakhstan.

The training event 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 support of the United Kingdom.

544297 Munira Shoinbekova, OSCE Programme Office in Dushanbe Farhod Nabiyulloev

A group of eight young members of the OSCE Network of Youth for Gender Equality, four women and four men, visited Tbilisi, Georgia to network and learn about gender equality during a study visit from 1 to 4 May 2023. The visit was organized by the OSCE Programme Office in Dushanbe.  

The study visit aimed to exchange experiences and learn from gender equality advocates in Georgia, enhance the capacity of Tajik youth to promote gender equality in their communities, and increase the awareness of participants about the role of gender equality and women’s political participation in ensuring comprehensive security.   

Nino Tsilosani, Chairperson of the Permanent Parliamentary Gender Equality Council in Georgia said: “Georgia stands at the frontline of gender equality in the region and always shares its best practices with other countries.”

“Participation in this kind of study visit will leverage the knowledge and skills of the members of the Network in promoting the gender equality agenda in Tajikistan,” said Farhod Jabbarov, Co-ordinator of the OSCE Network of Youth for Gender Equality. "The acquired knowledge will help us to improve the legal culture of our society, promote equal opportunities among men and women as well as increase the status of women in the society and make a modest contribution to the implementation of Sustainable Development Goals.”

During the visit, participants met with the Parliamentary Gender Equality Council; the Inter-Agency Commission on Gender Equality; Georgia’s National Council of Youth Organizations; the Policy Institute at the International School of Economics in Tbilisi as well as NGOs and international organizations working on gender equality in both urban and rural settings.    

544291 Communication and Media Relations Section Alexandra Taylor

On 23 May 2023, the OSCE  Transnational Threats Department hosted a side event on promoting a whole-of-society approach to youth crime prevention on the margins of the 32nd Session of the United Nations Commission on Crime Prevention and Criminal Justice. The event was organized in co-operation with the Permanent Missions of Germany and Italy to the OSCE.

Drawing on experiences from across the OSCE area, this side event explored how to develop and deliver a multi-stakeholder approach to youth crime prevention, as well as methodologies to provide platforms for young people to discuss the challenges and vulnerabilities they face. Reflecting the whole-of-society approach that underpins the OSCE’s work on youth crime prevention, the side event panel brought together over 70 participants including young people, policymakers, law enforcement practitioners and civil society.

Discussions highlighted the importance of young people’s active participation in shaping youth crime prevention policies by providing opportunities for open dialogue and exchange of experiences. Speakers also underlined the significance of incorporating crime prevention education in school curricula, adopting a multi-stakeholder approach and involving civil society for effectively mitigating the risk factors leading to juvenile crime.

Addressing the participants, Ambassador Gesa Bräutigam, Head of the Permanent Mission of Germany to the OSCE, emphasized the importance of joint action, stating that “Coming together and joining forces is key when we want to become more effective in preventing youth crime and its long-term effects on societies.”

Ambassador Stefano Baldi, Permanent Representative of Italy to the OSCE, added “Education and awareness-raising are essential components of the youth crime prevention toolbox, giving young people the skills and confidence they need to make positive choices and become active contributors to society.”

Ambassador Alena Kupchyna, OSCE Co-ordinator of Activities to Address Transnational Threats stressed that “A multi-stakeholder approach is the foundation of holistic efforts to prevent youth crime.  The OSCE is committed to assisting its participating States in enhancing the involvement of young people in decision-making processes, providing targeted capacity-building and promoting the involvement of all sectors of the society in preventing youth crime.”

The event drew on lessons learnt from the OSCE extra-budgetary project “Enhancing youth crime and drug use prevention through education on legality and awareness campaigns addressing threats of organized crime and corruption” jointly implemented by the OSCE Secretariat’s Transnational Threats Department and Office of the Co-ordinator of OSCE Economic and Environmental Activities.

The OSCE Mission to BiH launches project on prevention of cyberbullying in Brčko District of BiH Željka Šulc

BRČKO, 22 May 2023 – The OSCE Mission to BiH (the Mission), in co-operation with the Brčko District Government’s Police and Education Department, launched  the “No to Internet violence!” project today. The project focuses on preventing and addressing cyberbullying.  

The launch was attended by representatives of schools, NGOs, and the media, as well as the Brčko Municipal Committee for Youth, the Brčko District Police, and the Education Department of the Brčko District Government.

Part of the project is dedicated to campaigning against internet violence. The campaign will last several months and employ a billboard campaign, video production, media outreach and inter-active workshops.

Project partners include school directors, NGOs, and members of the media and government.

Sabrina Schirmer, Head of the Mission’s Brčko Field Office, addressed participants at the launch, elaborating that the project will establish response mechanisms for the protection and raising of awareness among youth against violence on the internet.

“The 2020 Study published by Institute for Youth Development KULT suggests that on average, 3,6 % of young people in the Brčko District of BiH admit to have been victims of internet violence. As with all other forms of violence and given its sensitive nature, the estimated number of unreported cases may be considerably higher,” she added.

Participants at the launch were informed of the results of a recent survey conducted by the Education Department of Brčko District Government on cyberbullying, and discussed how to recognize internet violence. The Brčko Police elaborated on the security of students at schools.

Building off of the “No to Internet violence!” in Brčko District, the Mission will continue to support activities addressing cyberbullying and the safety of young people in BiH.

544174 Jeff Bieley Edita Buçaj

The OSCE Mission in Kosovo launched today its fifth Media Fellowship Programme, an annual initiative that seeks to develop young journalists’ skills and establish a network of fellow journalists from different communities. 

Eight journalists from across Kosovo will visit local journalist associations, public broadcasters, press councils, and investigative media outlets in Prishtinë/Priština and Belgrade. They will learn first-hand about professional reporting standards, journalism standards, qualitative reporting, media and information literacy and adherence to the codes of ethics.

“The OSCE Mission’s Media Fellowship Programme is bringing young journalists from different communities together, giving them an opportunity to network with renowned journalists and experts, and helping them to thrive in a fast changing media landscape,” said Ambassador Michael Davenport, Head of the OSCE Mission in Kosovo. “As they forge their own professional paths, these young journalists will shape future public discourse, and will I hope champion both press freedom and access to reliable information,” he added.

Launched in 2017, with a two-year break during the pandemic, the Media Fellowship Programme cultivates local journalist talent, while promoting gender equality. It continues to serve as an opportunity to strengthen inter-community relations among the journalists from different communities and their insights into how the media functions in the region.

To date, 38 journalists from different communities in Kosovo have participated in the program and joined the Media Fellowship Alumni.

Journalists selected for this year’s Fellowship include Shkodrane Dakaj, BIRN; Unitet Berisha, T7; Vlera Shabani, Kallxo.com; Zoran Savić, KOSSEV; Dušica Stanković, Kontakt Plus Radio; Uroš Nikolić, RTV Mir; Donjeta Zeqiraj, Telegrafi.com; and Armand Hoti, ATV.

“I wanted to be part of the Media Fellowship Programme because I think that collaborating with others in the programme can be beneficial in multiple ways. You can exchange ideas, receive feedback on your work, and gain insights from different perspectives. These interactions can spark creativity, inspire new story angles, and help us refine our storytelling skills,” said Shkodrane Dakaj from BIRN.

“My expectations from this assessment visit to the media in Prishtinë/Priština and Belgrade is that I will have the opportunity to see and observe how the big media work. What makes me especially happy is that I will have the opportunity to maybe attend a live program on a television with a national frequency. As a journalist, I believe that this experience will mean something to me in my future work and advancement, because I will have the opportunity to talk with colleagues who have many years and even decades of work behind them,” said Dušica Stanković, journalist at Kontakt Plus Radio.

“Being part of this program will help me a lot in my future work. I know that I will meet people with whom I will collaborate in the future. I also appreciate the fact that I will also meet colleagues with whom we will share different ideas about our work, and also share our experiences,” Unitet Berisha from T7 said.

The OSCE Mission in Kosovo is mandated with human rights protection and promotion, democratization and public safety sector development. It helps safeguard freedom of media and freedom of expression and supports media development.