OSCE

527925 Munira Shoinbekova, OSCE Programme Office in Dushanbe Farhod Nabiyulloev

An OSCE Central Asian regional conference on strengthening law enforcement co-operation in combating trafficking in human beings, co-organized by the Programme Office in Dushanbe and the Programme Office in Astana, in co-operation with the Office of the OSCE Special Representative and Co-ordinator for Combating Trafficking in Human Beings, was held on 4 and 5 October 2022 in Astana.

The objective of the conference was to improve cross-border co-ordination between the law enforcement agencies of Central Asian countries in identifying, investigating and protecting the rights of victims of human trafficking.

Law enforcement officials from Kazakhstan, Kyrgyzstan, Tajikistan, Turkmenistan and Uzbekistan discussed current issues and challenges in their efforts to combat trafficking in human beings and shared the best experiences of OSCE participating States in enhancing the institutional response to cases of human trafficking  

In his opening remarks, Valiant Richey, OSCE Special Representative and Co-ordinator for Combating Trafficking in Human Beings said: “There is a growing disparity between a high number of estimated victims and an extremely low rate of investigations, prosecutions and convictions. To revert the tide, we need to exercise a holistic approach, addressing factors that drive supply and demand of the trafficking in human beings business model, as well as using all available means to hold perpetrators accountable: from making the best use of technology and implementing our laws, to following the money to ensure that the crime does not pay.”

“Keeping in mind the increasing pressure to Central Asia as a region of destination, transit and origin, it is important more than ever to inspire concerted action when addressing human trafficking. This is a stark example of why we need effective multilateralism: large, complex and common problems are better tackled together, with common strategies and multi-faced approaches,” said Volker Frobarth, Head of the OSCE Programme Office in Astana stressed.

Tea Jaliashvili, the Acting Head of the OSCE Programme Office in Dushanbe, emphasized that the event is an opportunity to “exchange experiences, discuss challenges of investigating the transnational crimes, share best practices and advance regional and international co-operation to combat human trafficking.”

The participants developed recommendations for the strengthening of both regional and international co-operation and co-ordination between law enforcement agencies of the Central Asian countries towards effectively combating trafficking in human beings. 

527715 Amu Urhonen, Chair of ODHIR’s newly convened Advisory Panel on the Political Participation of Persons with Disabilities, participates in the ODIHR event on ensuring the rights of people with disabilities in times of crisis. Warsaw, 4 October 2022. Public Affairs Unit, OSCE Office for Democratic Institutions and Human Rights Katya Andrusz

Crises such as health emergencies and armed conflicts have a disproportionate impact on people with disabilities. This issue and examples of positive practice that ensure disability inclusion amid the COVID-19 pandemic and the ongoing armed conflict in Ukraine were discussed at an event organized by the OSCE Office for Democratic Institutions and Human Rights (ODIHR) on 4 October 2022 in the margins of the Warsaw Human Dimension Conference.

“The position of people with disabilities in crises and conflicts is very vulnerable. They are often left behind,” said Amu Urhonen, Chair of ODHIR’s Advisory Panel on the Political Participation of Persons with Disabilities. “It is not inevitable but a result of lack of disability inclusion in crisis planning and preparation. Lack of disability inclusion in legislation, infrastructure and services escalates in times of crisis and conflict, this can now be seen for instance in Ukraine.”

The 50 participants included representatives of OSCE participating States and civil society organizations, including disabled people’s organizations from Ukraine, as well as members of ODIHR’s newly convened Advisory Panel.

“To be heard, persons with disabilities must never stop advocating for their rights; even more so in times of crisis when everyone is thinking about their own safety,” said Raisa Kravchenko, a Board Chair of the “Djerela” Charity Association for Persons with Intellectual Disabilities. “Disability rights organizations have to be unanimous and active in their advocacy activities. It is important that the disability policy of a civilized state introduces special measures for persons with disabilities to ensure their safety and opportunity to be heard."

The event reflects ODIHR’s commitment to strengthening the rights of people with disabilities throughout the OSCE region. ODIHR recognizes that people with disabilities continue to be under-represented in governing structures and decision-making positions across the OSCE region. ODIHR helps participating States advance the participation of people with disabilities in political and public life through supporting institutional change, giving expert advice, carrying out capacity-building and disability-disaggregated research and creating tools and platforms for dialogue and advocacy.

In Ukraine, these initiatives include training programmes on disability rights and developing awareness-raising materials. While the current focus is on humanitarian concerns following the Russian Federation’s military attack, this will later move on to emphasize the political participation of people with disabilities.

527709 Johannes Heiler, ODIHR Adviser on Anti-Terrorism Issues, addresses event participants. Warsaw, 4 October 2022. Public Affairs Unit, OSCE Office for Democratic Institutions and Human Rights Katya Andrusz

The misuse of counter-terrorism measures against dissenting voices has reached alarming levels in the OSCE region, participants concluded at an event on counter-terrorism and shrinking civic space organized by the OSCE Office for Democratic Institutions and Human Rights (ODIHR) on 4 October 2022. The event took place in the margins of the Warsaw Human Dimension Conference.

“Civic space is under sustained pressure in many parts of the world, and the OSCE region is no exception,” said Anne Charbord, Senior Legal Adviser to the UN Special Rapporteur on human rights and counterterrorism. “Too often counter-terrorism measures as well as various measures to counter ‘extremism’ are used as weapons to silence civic activists, human rights defenders, journalists and peaceful political opposition.”

The 50 participants included representatives of OSCE participating States’ delegations, international organizations, civil society and academia. They discussed how expanding counter-terrorism legislation and policies lead to the further narrowing of civic space by undermining the ability of civil society to operate freely and without undue interference by authorities. They also shared examples of anti-terrorism measures used in some OSCE participating States to justify repression against social unrest, demonstrations, or simply criticism of the government and its actions. Ways to promote stronger support for civil society, human rights defenders and other critical voices targeted by such measures were also discussed.

Using a counter-terrorism narrative as a pretext to justify repressive measures against critical voices is against human rights, fundamental democratic principles, and directly undermines the credibility and legitimacy of genuine counter-terrorism efforts in the OSCE region. Speakers and participants agreed that there is an urgent need to confront this growing trend.

Information for Google Short description:  Ensuring quality education for Roma children helps societies curb poverty and exclusion, say ODIHR event participants 527664 Rita Izsák-Ndiaye, Personal Representative of the OSCE Chairperson-in-Office on Children and Security, during the event. Warsaw, 3 October 2022. Public Affairs Unit, OSCE Office for Democratic Institutions and Human Rights Katya Andrusz

Access to quality and inclusive education for Roma and Sinti was the topic of an event organized by the OSCE Office for Democratic Institutions and Human rights (ODIHR) on 3 October 2022 in the margins of the Warsaw Human Dimension Conference.

"In strong and healthy societies, everyone has a chance to succeed and thrive. Exclusion from education may lead to illiteracy and lack of competitive skills on the job market, pushing people into unemployment, poverty and lack of prospects,” said Rita Izsák-Ndiaye, Personal Representative of the OSCE Chairperson-in-Office on Children and Security. “Ensuring access to quality education for Roma and Sinti children brings benefits to everyone and contributes to the overall development of countries and nations.”

Education experts, representatives of OSCE participating States and civil society shared their assessments of anti-segregation policies in education, access to desegregated schools for Roma and Sinti children, as well as key educational reforms and their impact on Roma and Sinti children. They also discussed the impact of the COVID-19 pandemic on Roma and Sinti educational outcomes.

“Education remains a treasure to be passed on to the next generation of children and future citizens. It is vital that Roma and Sinti children have equal opportunities in education,” said Costel Bercus, Executive Chair of the Center for Education and Human Rights (ACEDO) in Romania. “As a society, we are responsible for ensuring that each and every child has access to education and benefits from it.”   

Participants noted that education is a prerequisite for the equal inclusion of Roma and Sinti communities in political, social and economic life. They stressed that decision-makers must address the substantial gaps which exist in education for Roma children compared to non-Roma.

527667 Farhod Nabiyulloev Munira Shoinbekova, OSCE Programme Office in Dushanbe

A three-day course for Tajik governmental experts on designating and imposing targeted financial sanctions pursuant to UN Security Council Resolutions 1267 against individuals and entities associated with terrorist groups concluded on 29 September 2022 in Dushanbe. The course was organized by the OSCE Programme Office in Dushanbe, in close co-operation with the OSCE Transnational Threats Department and the UN Office on Drugs and Crime. Thirteen representatives from Tajikistan’s Interior Ministry, National Bank of Tajikistan, Prosecutor General’s Office, as well as the Anticorruption Agency took part in the course.

The Analytical Support and Sanctions Monitoring Team concerning ISIL (Da'esh), Al-Qaida and the Taliban and associated individuals and entities also presented their mandate and work during the course. 

The course aimed at at raising the awareness of local beneficiaries regarding UNSCR 1267 and related resolutions, increasing the understanding of external and internal tools for identifying and proposing persons/entities for listing, as well as equipping participants with techniques to determine whether a subject is suitable for listing in line with human rights considerations.

The course forms part of a joint OSCE and UNODC multi-year programme on countering terrorist financing which aims to strengthen capacities of competent authorities and improve the effectiveness of inter-agency work on counter-terrorism investigations, in line with international commitments and standards.

527640 Marina Živaljević

From 26 to 30 September, the OSCE Mission to Montenegro organized three training courses for police officers in Bar, Kolašin and Podgorica on how to conduct interviews with victims of human trafficking, using a Guidance with standardized set of questions to ensure their rights are respected.

In close co-operation with Ministry of Interior’s Department for fight against Trafficking in Human Beings, the Mission gathered around 60 police officers from central, southern and northern regions of the country, who discussed how to identity and treat trafficked victims. They learned how to prepare for interviews, establish a safe environment and assess the general medical condition of the victim while being interviewed.

Opening the training session in Podgorica, Stephen Harmon, Mission’s Programme Manager for Security Co-operation and Governance, said that less than one percent of trafficking victims are identified.  “The early and accurate identification of individuals as victims should be treated as a priority, to ensure that victims are removed from exploitation and placed in safe care, receive protection, assistance and support.  Identification and a thorough interview of victims can lead to rescue of additional victims, identification and dismantling of trafficking networks, and arrest and prosecution of offenders,” said Harmon.

Tijana Šuković, Head of the Department for Combating Human Trafficking in the Ministry of Interior, said that in the first six months of 2022, the Ministry’s Team for formal identification of victims of human trafficking identified 16 persons, of which 13 were assigned the status of trafficked victims. “There were 10 minors and three adults. Ten persons were female and three were male. When it comes to the form of exploitation, three persons were victims of forced begging, three were victims of sexual exploitation, while seven persons were victims of illegal marriage,” said Šuković.

The first training session focusing on human trafficking was organized in October 2021, including heads of security centres and police officers from all police stations throughout Montenegro.

These activities were in line with one of the key measures from the national Strategy to combat human trafficking 2019-2024, which refers to improving the knowledge of law enforcement professionals who are in contact or may come into contact with trafficked victims.

527622 Taiia Avram, from the “Chirikli” Roma Women Fund in Ukraine, addresses event participants. Warsaw, 3 October 2022. Public Affairs Unit, OSCE Office for Democratic Institutions and Human Rights Katya Andrusz

The importance of monitoring and addressing racist and discriminatory practices against Roma who have fled Ukraine amid the ongoing military conflict was the focus of an event organized by the OSCE Office for Democratic Institutions and Human Rights on 3 October 2022.  The discussion took place in the margins of the Warsaw Human Dimension Conference.

The participants included representatives of OSCE participating States and Roma and Sinti experts and activists. They discussed the challenges, good practices and recommendations to help participating States, OSCE institutions and other stakeholders ensure the safety and security of Roma refugees.

“Ukrainian Roma, many already displaced within Ukraine in the wake of the 2014 crisis, have now been forced to flee their country alongside their fellow citizens,” said Theodoros Alexandridis, a human rights lawyer and mentor of the ODIHR-supported Roma Human Rights Defenders who have been monitoring the situation of Roma refugees from Ukraine in neighbouring participating States.

“As our monitoring demonstrates, the outpouring of heartfelt support that Ukrainian refugees experienced in their host countries did not extend to the Roma who were forced to flee,” he said. “Pre-existing prejudice against Roma communities in those countries fuelled discrimination against Roma refugees at all stages of their travel to safety, from crossing borders to applying for temporary protection and securing shelter. Their predicament would have been far more dramatic had it not been for the solidarity shown by Roma NGOs and communities in the host countries.”

Taiia Avram, from the “Chirikli” Roma Women Fund in Ukraine, highlighted the role of Roma civil society in drawing attention to the concerns of Roma in and around Ukraine.

“We foster an open dialogue with authorities and provide recommendations on how to ensure unbiased implementation of policies and procedures to alleviate the hardships experienced by refugees,” she said.

ODIHR has a mandate to combat racism and discrimination and address Roma and Sinti issues in crisis and post-crisis situations in line with the 2003 OSCE Action Plan on Improving the Situation of Roma and Sinti within the OSCE Area.

SARAJEVO, 3 October 2022 – The general elections in Bosnia and Herzegovina were competitive and overall well organised with fundamental freedoms respected during the campaign. However, failed reform efforts, a widespread mistrust in public institutions, and ethnically divisive rhetoric continued to mark the election environment, international observers said in a statement today.

The joint observation mission from the OSCE Office for Democratic Institutions and Human Rights (ODIHR), the OSCE Parliamentary Assembly (OSCE PA), the Parliamentary Assembly of the Council of Europe (PACE), the NATO Parliamentary Assembly (NATO PA), and the European Parliament (EP) found that the legal framework forms an adequate basis for holding democratic elections.

The elections took place against the backdrop of ongoing political deadlock and widespread disillusionment with the political establishment, with some key institutions blocked. The largest parties in power have frequently used ethnically divisive rhetoric as the standard form of debate. The campaign was calm overall, but observers noted incidents of pressure on public sector employees. The process on election day itself was largely peaceful, although there were some disruptive incidents in and around polling stations. While voting procedures were observed to be generally followed, the secrecy of the vote was often compromised, and there were also cases of unauthorized people keeping track of voters and assisting multiple voters. Observers assessed the counting procedures negatively in numerous places, mainly due to procedural irregularities.

“Serious efforts to manage this electoral process successfully need to be accompanied by similar efforts to solve the continued political deadlock which keeps undermining real democratic development here,” said Pascal Allizard, Special Co-ordinator and leader of the OSCE short-term observers. “Overall disillusionment towards the political establishment is evident, but I have noticed efforts of a few forward-looking candidates to ignite political and socioeconomic change in the country, which is a positive trend I encourage the newly elected representatives to develop.” 

Restrictions on the right to become a candidate based on ethnicity and residency go against both the principle of universal and equal suffrage and international standards for democratic elections. Rulings by both the European Court of Human Rights and the state constitutional court against the discriminatory nature of these limitations remain unimplemented.

“Now that the citizens of Bosnia and Herzegovina have voted, the politicians and political parties should see this as a mandate to work for the future of their country and the perspective of European integration,” said Stefan Schennach, Head of the PACE delegation. “It is particularly important to give the younger generation of voters the sense that their future lies within their own country.  For this, it is vital to bridge the gaps between different ethnic groups. It should be sufficient for each citizen of Bosnia and Herzegovina to identify themselves as such without any further specification being necessary.”

The effectiveness of the legal framework is undermined by a number of shortcomings, while failed negotiations between political parties left it without needed reforms. Still, recent legislative changes from 27 July have added important safeguards. However, the fact that the changes were made so close to the elections meant that not all enforcement mechanisms could be fully established. Further changes announced on election day were not foreseeable at the time of voting, leaving both voters and contestants uncertain about the full impact of the cantonal assembly vote.

“The capacity to manage an election process appears to have been established relatively well here in Bosnia and Herzegovina,” said Irene Charalambides, Head of the OSCE PA delegation. “But real trust in democratic processes will likely remain elusive until state structures are responsive to the people's will rather than to entrenched political party interests.”

With a few notable exceptions, women did not feature prominently in the campaign, and women candidates were often targets of insult and ridicule on social networks. Long-standing gender stereotypes remain and efforts made to increase women’s active participation in the elections were insufficient.

“Yesterday, we observed an overall well organised and competitive election, despite the very different visions of the future for Bosnia and Herzegovina. We met poll workers – many of them young and many of them women – committed to administer a smooth election. And we saw the citizens make their democratic choice,” said Mimi Kodheli, head of the NATO PA delegation. “Today, the citizens of this country rightfully expect that the elected politicians will take responsibility and ownership for their country's future for the benefit of all citizens – for a safe and secure country, for reconciliation, for social and economic advances and for democratic progress.”

The upper-level election administration enjoyed election stakeholders’ trust, and managed the elections efficiently and transparently. However, there was little confidence in polling station commissions due to widespread accusations that some political parties were trading positions to control polling stations on election day.

“These elections took place against a background of challenging internal and international circumstances,” said Andreas Schieder, head of the EP delegation. “We regret that last-minute changes were imposed by the High Representative. Now after the election, the European Parliament calls for a smooth government formation and for the speedy implementation of all committed reforms, including electoral ones, in line with local and international court decisions. There is no time to lose.”

The lack of public debate and the use of divisive rhetoric, which was also reflected in the limited and biased media coverage, reduced voters’ opportunity to make an informed choice on election day. Recent defamation cases brought against journalists, cyber-attacks targeting prominent media outlets, and the intimidation and harassment of journalists created a working environment of political pressure or even persecution.

“The mission’s media monitoring concluded that most media outlets’ coverage of the campaign was significantly limited,” said Ambassador Peter Tejler, Head of the ODIHR election observation mission.  “It further reflected division along ethnic lines and political partisanship.  As a result voters didn’t have complete and unbiased information when deciding whom to vote for. Elections are not a one day event. In the days to come we will continue our observation of post-election developments so we can make a comprehensive assessment of the entire electoral cycle.”

The international election observation mission to the general elections in Bosnia and Herzegovina totalled 471 observers, made up of 336 ODIHR-deployed experts, long-term, and short-term observers, 83 parliamentarians and staff from the OSCE PA, 23 from PACE, 17 from the NATO PA, and 12 from the European Parliament.

For more information, please contact:

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

Anna Di Domenico, OSCE PA: +45 60 10 83 80 or anna.didomenico@oscepa.dk

Cristina Castagnoli, EP: +32 470 880872 or cristina.castagnoli@europarl.europa.eu

Bogdan Torcătoriu, PACE: +387 62522009 or bogdan.torcatoriu@coe.int

Henrik Bliddal, NATO PA: +32 474 844015 or hbliddal@nato-pa.int

SOFIA, 3 October 2022 – Bulgaria’s 2 October early parliamentary elections were competitive and fundamental freedoms were generally respected, although allegations of vote-buying and pressure on voters negatively affected parts of the process, international observers said in a statement today. Despite a late start to the preparations and the limited technical and administrative capacity of the election administration, the elections were organized adequately, the statement says.

Contestants were able to campaign freely in elections that took place amid voter fatigue from the holding of three early parliamentary elections in less than two years. The campaign was competitive, with a range of contestants representing different views. It was often negative in tone, however, and marked by mutual accusations among the parties of corruption or wrongdoing.

“It appears that political compromise is needed to ensure long-term stability in Bulgaria,” said Thorhildur Sunna Aevarsdottir, Alternate Head of the delegation from the Parliamentary Assembly of the Council of Europe (PACE). “After the low turnout we saw yesterday, it is clearly now the responsibility of the newly elected parliamentarians to do their utmost to regain the electorate’s trust.”

The statement notes that the accuracy of the voter list for the elections was diminished by the exclusion of undocumented residents, and Roma in particular, and that limited reporting and oversight reduced the transparency of campaign finances. Contestants were provided substantial coverage in the mainstream media, but inadequate journalistic scrutiny of their policies and of their records in office limited voters’ access to comprehensive information. Election day was generally calm, and voting proceeded smoothly.

Repeated allegations of vote-buying, pressure on public and private sector employees and voters’ dependence on local employers in economically vulnerable communities raised concerns about voters’ ability to make their choice free of fear of retribution. The legal framework for elections does not sufficiently address campaigning by high-level public officials, and such instances raised concerns over the misuse of public resources and ensuring a level playing field.

“While many aspects of the election were conducted smoothly, it is clear that improvements are needed to the election-related legislation and procedures,” said Nina Suomalainen, Head of the election observation mission from the OSCE Office for Democratic Institutions and Human Rights (ODIHR). “ODIHR will provide recommendations in its final report on these elections, and we hope these will aid the government in introducing the needed improvements.”

The media environment is vibrant, and freedom of expression is constitutionally guaranteed. The concentration of media ownership and close ties between some media and political parties reduce pluralism and decrease public trust in journalists’ work. Recent cases of protracted civil and criminal litigation against independent investigative media highlight journalists’ vulnerability to pressure through the courts and prompt self-censorship. Prime-time newscasts focused on the provisional government and the president, whose critical statements often disadvantaged parties they blamed for current socioeconomic problems, although some broadcasters provided additional journalistic scrutiny.

While many of those with whom the observers spoke expressed trust in the use of voting machines, citing the positive effect on the accuracy of the vote count and reduced opportunities for malfeasance, some noted that their use might dissuade some elderly voters or those who distrust the technology from voting. The voting machines were not equipped with accessibility functions to enable voters with certain disabilities to vote independently. Moreover, the law does not address possible instances of discrepancies between the machine and manual count.

The legal framework provides an overall adequate basis for the conduct of democratic elections but contains provisions inconsistent with a number of international standards, and ambiguous provisions and shortcomings that adversely affected several aspects of the electoral process. Several longstanding concerns remain to be addressed, including those related to passive and active suffrage rights, the prohibition against campaigning in languages other than Bulgarian, and limitations on the opportunity to challenge election results.

Overall, the underrepresentation of women as candidates and in the campaign demonstrated the need for greater commitment to ensuring their adequate participation. There are no legislative or other measures to promote women’s participation in elections, and most political parties did not include any policies for the promotion of women in their platforms. Some 30 per cent of candidates were women, and of the 867 candidate lists registered, only 208 were led by women.

The Constitution guarantees the right to self-identification but does not define national minorities. Issues related to minorities rarely featured in the campaign, and most political parties and coalitions did not include policies for persons belonging to minorities or for Roma integration in their electoral platforms. There were several instances of inflammatory rhetoric against Roma and other ethnic communities. The observers were told that Roma voters are still vulnerable to intimidation and attempted vote-buying.

CHISINAU, 3 October 2022 – Ambassador Kelly Keiderling, appointed by the Polish OSCE Chairmanship as the Head of the OSCE Mission to Moldova, takes office today. She will also serve as the OSCE mediator in the Transdniestrian Settlement Process. 

Ambassador Keiderling succeeds Dr. Claus Neukirch who completed his term as Head of Mission in September.

"I am excited to assume this important post at this fluid and challenging time for the Transdniestrian Settlement Process. I look forward to working with the authorities in Chisinau and Tiraspol, and the other 5+2 participants to continue and nurture the negotiations for the reintegration of Transdniestria into the Republic of Moldova. The OSCE Mission's mandate - to settle the Transdniestrian conflict in all its aspects - remains the noble goal of the OSCE participating States," said Keiderling.  

Previously, Ambassador Keiderling served as U.S. Ambassador to Uruguay, Deputy Chief of Mission of the U.S. Embassy in Chisinau, Moldova, and Deputy Chief of Mission and intermittently as Charge d’Affaires at the U.S. Embassy in Caracas, Venezuela. Ambassador Keiderling has held diplomatic positions at U.S. missions to Kyrgyzstan, Cuba, Botswana, the Dominican Republic, Ethiopia, and Zambia, as well as multiple positions in Washington, D.C. Her intellectual interests include societies in transition, effective communication, and diplomatic tradecraft. 

The key priorities of the OSCE Mission to Moldova is to help achieve a lasting, comprehensive political settlement of the Transdniestrian conflict based on the territorial integrity and sovereignty of the Republic of Moldova within its internationally recognized borders, with a special status for Transdniestria. 

The mandate of the OSCE Mission to Moldova is endorsed and renewed every year by all 57 OSCE participating States, including the Republic of Moldova.

SARAJEVO, 30 September 2022 – International election observers will hold a press conference to present their findings following the general elections in Bosnia and Herzegovina.

What:

• A press conference of the international election observation mission to the general elections in Bosnia and Herzegovina
• The press conference can be attended in person or via Zoom (details below)
• You can also follow the livestream on www.facebook.com/osce.odihr and www.oscepa.org

Who:

• Pascal Allizard, Special Co-ordinator and leader of the short-term OSCE observer mission
• Stefan Schennach, Head of the PACE delegation
• Irene Charalambides, Head of the OSCE PA delegation
• Mimi Kodheli, Head of the NATO PA delegation
• Andreas Schieder, Head of the EP delegation
• Ambassador Peter Tejler, Head of the ODIHR election observation mission

When:

• 14:30 local time (GMT +2) on 3 October 2022

Where:

• ‘Holiday’ Room, Hotel Holiday, Zmaja od Bosne 4, Sarajevo

Registration:

• To take part via Zoom, please register by 11:00 local time on 3 October using the following link.       

The international election observation is a joint mission of the OSCE Office for Democratic Institutions and Human Rights (ODIHR), the OSCE Parliamentary Assembly (OSCE PA), the Parliamentary Assembly of the Council of Europe (PACE), the NATO Parliamentary Assembly, and the European Parliament. The observation mission totals 467 observers, made up of 332 ODIHR-deployed experts, long-term, and short-term observers, 84 parliamentarians and staff from the OSCE PA, 23 from PACE, 16 from the NATO PA, and 12 from the European Parliament.

For more information, please contact:

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

Anna Di Domenico, OSCE PA: +45 60 10 83 80 or anna.didomenico@oscepa.dk

Cristina Castagnoli, EP: +32 470 880872 or cristina.castagnoli@europarl.europa.eu

Bogdan Torcătoriu, PACE: +387 62522009 or Bogdan.TORCATORIU@coe.int

Henrik Bliddal, NATO PA: +32 474 844015 or hbliddal@nato-pa.int

VIENNA, 30 September 2022- The OSCE Representative on Freedom of the Media, Teresa Ribeiro will pay an official visit to Tajikistan from 3 to 7 October 2022. During her visit she will meet with high level authorities as well as civil society and various media stakeholders in the country.

WARSAW, 30 September 2022 - The OSCE Representative on Freedom of the Media, Teresa Ribeiro, concluded today her participation in the Warsaw Human Dimension Conference, where she and her Office engaged in various discussions with OSCE participating States, civil society organizations, OSCE Institutions, representatives of inter-governmental organizations, and other stakeholders on a range of media freedom issues and challenges.

“The media and civil society have a hugely important role; we depend on them to ensure that OSCE participating States implement their commitments, and they alert us of misconduct and threats to media freedom,” said Ribeiro. “We all need to work together. That is why human dimension conferences like these are so valuable. Let me reiterate: without journalists being able to do their work there is no media freedom, without media freedom there is no security. More than ever we need to join forces to keep our democracies healthy and our societies secure.”

During a three-hour plenary session, the fundamental connection between democracy and media freedom was discussed. Following presentations by Damian Tambini, distinguished policy fellow in the department of media and communications at the London School of Economics and Gulnara Akhundova, regional director for Eastern Europe at International Media Support, participants discussed the current situation of freedom of expression, freedom of the media and media pluralism in the OSCE region and how OSCE participating States can better uphold their commitments in this regard.

During a roundtable on safety of journalists, the Representative discussed her Office’s new project on the topic. The roundtable also provided an opportunity to elaborate on diverse challenges to journalists’ safety and to identify common actions to promote and ensure it.

In another session, the role and impact of professional journalists and media in the context of international armed conflicts were discussed. The panel drew upon the courageous work and reflections of journalists covering the Russian war against Ukraine, including their role in enabling accountability for possible human rights abuses and war crimes. The session also explored personal goals, the remit of professional standards of war reporters, as well as their coping strategies in dealing with the horrors of the war.

Finally, the Office organized a side event that explored how encryption technologies and advancements such as end-to-end encryption have proven pivotal for protecting freedom of expression and privacy in the digital age. The participants discussed challenges arising from laws and practices that are leading to an erosion of encryption, risking weakening the role of the media and investigative journalism across the OSCE region. The session concluded that a lack (or perceived lack) of privacy can have a chilling effect and lead to self-censorship.

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

SOFIA, 1 October 2022 – International observers will hold a press conference to present their preliminary conclusions following the early parliamentary elections in Bulgaria.

What:

• A press conference of the international election observation mission for the early parliamentary elections in Bulgaria
• The press conference can be attended in person or via Zoom (details below)
• You can also follow the livestream on www.facebook.com/osce.odihr

Who:

• Nina Soumalainen, Head of the ODIHR election assessment mission
• Thórhildur Sunna Ævarsdóttir, Alternate Head of the delegation from the Parliamentary Assembly of the Council of Europe (PACE)

When:

• 14:30 local time  (GMT +3), on 3 October 2022

Where:

• InterContinental Sofia, Ballroom, 4 Narodno Sobranie Square, Sofia

Registration:

• No registration is necessary if you are attending the press conference in person, but only questions from journalists will be taken
• To take part via Zoom, please register with Thomas Rymer, ODIHR election observation mission spokesperson, thomas.rymer@odihr.bg, and Inta Lase, media analyst, inta.lase@odihr.bg, by 11:00 local time on 3 October.

WARSAW/VIENNA/COPENHAGEN, 30 September 2022 – The OSCE Chairman-in-Office, Polish Foreign Minister Zbigniew Rau, OSCE Parliamentary Assembly President Margareta Cederfelt (MP, Sweden), OSCE Secretary General Helga Maria Schmid, and OSCE Parliamentary Assembly Secretary General Roberto Montella, unanimously and categorically condemn the Russian Federation’s illegal annexation of territory in the Donetsk, Luhansk, Zaporizhzhia and Kherson oblasts of Ukraine, as well as the continued occupation of Crimea.

The illegal annexation of sovereign Ukrainian territory, announced today by Russian President Vladimir Putin, is unacceptable. It eviscerates the principle of territorial integrity, which is at the core of the OSCE’s founding principles and the international order. This action by the Russian Federation, which includes military mobilization and irresponsible nuclear threats, will only lead to greater escalation of conflict, putting further millions of lives at risk and causing more senseless human suffering. The step announced today is a blatant violation of the fundamental rules of international law, OSCE principles, and the UN Charter. It constitutes an affront to the commitments to which all participating States have agreed.

We once again call on the Russian Federation to withdraw all its forces from across Ukraine. We also reiterate our unwavering support to Ukraine’s population in these challenging times and its commitment to Ukraine’s independence, sovereignty and territorial integrity within its internationally recognized borders.

527085 ODIHR experts address event participants. Warsaw, 29 September 2022. Public Affairs Unit, OSCE Office for Democratic Institutions and Human Rights Katya Andrusz

Addressing intolerance in all its forms requires a collective effort from political and community leaders, policymakers, criminal justice officials, civil society actors and representatives of faith-based organizations, among others, concluded participants in an ODIHR event held in Warsaw on 29 September 2022.

The event, which gathered more than 40 participants, took place on the margins of the Warsaw Human Dimension Conference.

“Inclusion and tolerance among diverse groups are the hallmarks of peaceful, cohesive societies,” said Kishan Manocha, Head of the Tolerance and Non-Discrimination department at ODIHR. “Our Office works to realize this vision through comprehensive initiatives to counter intolerance and foster mutual respect and understanding.”

ODIHR presented its tools, activities and programmes to deepen participants’ knowledge of the Office’s work to help participating States meet their OSCE commitments on tolerance and non-discrimination. These include reviewing hate crime legislation, training police and prosecutors, building the capacity of civil society and developing mechanisms to ensure a comprehensive and coordinated response to hate crime.

Underpinning these efforts is ODIHR’s hate crime report, published each year on 16 November – International Day of Tolerance. The largest hate crime dataset in the world, the report helps inform policymaking and practices, making it instrumental in strengthening societies’ response to hate crime.

As part of its work, ODIHR provides a vital space for experts, practitioners and change-makers to convene and consolidate their experience in addressing hatred and exclusion. This dialogue is essential for shaping and guiding efforts to foster tolerance and inclusion throughout the OSCE region.

527088 Marina Živaljević

As part of a comprehensive mentoring process the OSCE Mission to Montenegro has been implementing since 2020, five professional staff of the Parliament of Montenegro have been equipped with the necessary skills and knowledge as trainers to deliver in-house training sessions for their peers.

In co-operation with Parliament’s Human Resources Management Bureau, the Mission completed the process that consisted of 10 training sessions over three years on leadership, presentation and communication skills; time and stress management, and the last session on negotiation skills.

On 26 and 27 September, five parliamentary trainers worked with 12 colleagues on how to conduct negotiations and apply these skills in their work at the Parliament.

Parliamentary trainers agreed that the participants recognized the benefits of in-house training course, which is tailored to their specific interests and needs, and that these training sessions strengthen the capacities of parliamentary staff, as the negotiation skills are one of the most important tools necessary to achieve effective and positive results in a public administration.

The Mission-engaged experts, who provided guidance throughout the whole process, agreed that parliamentary trainers demonstrated solid skills and knowledge of the topic and were able to successfully pass it on to the participants. They are confident that the acquired skills will help parliamentary staff to increase their efficiency and professionalism and further support the Parliament as a democratic institution.

This activity is part of the Mission’s long-standing support to Parliament, enhancing its institutional capacity and transparency, and strengthening professional competency.

527052 Illustration from the ODIHR publication "Holocaust Memorial Days: An overview of remembrance and education in the OSCE region" Public Affairs Unit, OSCE Office for Democratic Institutions and Human Rights Katya Andrusz

Creative approaches that harness the power of technology and the arts can strengthen youth engagement in Holocaust education and commemoration activities, agreed participants in an event organized by the OSCE Office for Democratic Institutions and Human Rights (ODIHR) on 29 September 2022. The event was held on the margins of the Warsaw Human Dimension Conference, organized by the Polish 2022 OSCE Chairman-in-Office (CiO) with the support of ODIHR.

“During the Holocaust, music was a way for people to express their humanity in inhuman conditions,” said Blandine Smilansky, Head of Communications and Partnerships at the House of European History, an initiative of the European Parliament. “Today, music and other forms of creative expression can act as a compelling reminder and reflection of their suffering and yearning for freedom.”

During the event, ODIHR launched the seventh edition of its Holocaust Memorial Days: An overview of remembrance and education in the OSCE region. The publication provides information on when, where and how OSCE participating States promote the commemoration and study of the Holocaust, including the genocide of Roma and Sinti, in line with their commitments.

The event brought together around 40 experts and practitioners from across the OSCE region to identify trends and highlight good practice examples shared with ODIHR by the 45 States that contributed to the publication. Rabbi Andrew Baker, the Personal Representative of the OSCE CiO on Combating Anti-Semitism, provided closing remarks.

Participants concluded that innovative approaches – such as virtual museum visits, recorded survivor testimonies and performing music connected to the Holocaust – can effectively enhance youth engagement in Holocaust education and commemoration.

527040 Marina Živaljević

For the fourth year in a row, youth engagement in combating violent extremism and radicalization was the focus of a two-day workshop the OSCE Mission to Montenegro and the Ministry for Sports and Youth organized jointly on 27 and 28 September in Podgorica.

This year, 20 young sportswomen and sportsmen from different disciplines increased their knowledge on prevention of violent extremism and radicalization. Participating in sport, young athletes can play an important role in social integration and strengthening of intercultural dialogue. During this workshop, participants discussed basic concepts of violent extremism, that may lead to terrorism, how they can identify, react and tackle this issue.

Opening the workshop, Siv-Katrine Leirtroe, Deputy Head of the Mission, stated that the OSCE strongly believes in young people’s role as agents of change. “The power of sport in preventing radicalization, promoting gender equality, tolerance and mutual understanding is undeniable. Sports disseminate positive values, builds self-confidence, demands a high level of self-control and promotes strong teamwork,” said Leirtroe, adding that this workshop will not only increase their understanding about violent extremism and radicalization, but more importantly what they can do to prevent and combat it.

Amina Cikotić, the State Secretary in the Ministry of Sports and Youth, said that young people, as the group most exposed to extremism and radicalism in the country, should be a shield with a high degree of solidarity towards others. “In the moments when they are searching for themselves and exploring their possibilities, young people must be aware that they are the biggest target of various radical currents and ideologies. Precisely because of this, they must be aware of the danger of spreading such ideas and their harmfulness to the whole society. Young people, united, can effectively act against such and similar negative phenomena in society,” said Cikotić.

The Mission will continue to implement activities that involve youth as drivers of change, promoting their role and inclusion in the OSCE peace and security agenda.

527030

On 27 September, the OSCE held the third workshop on the use and social re-use of confiscated assets in North Macedonia, which gathered government representatives, civil society, and national and international legal experts, to foster public discourse on this highly relevant topic.

This workshop in Skopje comes in a timely for North Macedonia, as the country is in the process of amending the law on the management of confiscated assets. The Deputy Minister of Justice, Agim Nuhiu, and the Deputy Head of the OSCE Mission to Skopje, Jeffrey Goldstein, in their opening remarks reiterated the importance of asset recovery in countering organized crime and corruption.

The Deputy Head of the OSCE Mission to Skopje thanked the Government of North Macedonia for the ongoing efforts in improving asset recovery processes in the country. “Your dedication shows readiness for further development of strong institutions that through an increased mutual support will ensure a higher level of security and safety in the country,” he said.

The Deputy Minister of Justice highlighted the recent efforts by the Government and stressed the important work done by the Agency for Management of Confiscated Property and the Working Group drafting the amendment of the law on the management of confiscated assets as well as the need to meet international commitments in this area.

“Within the framework of the amendment process (of the law), which involves several stakeholders, I would like to emphasize the need to affirm the principle of re-using confiscated property for social purposes. I am convinced that this process (of the amendment of the law) will be finalized by applying all international standards and best practices from countries that have experience in social re-use,” the Deputy Minister added.   

The workshop also included presentations of practices and experiences from Italy, Romania, Spain, and the UK who also shared examples and challenges related to social re-use from their jurisdictions. OSCE asset recovery experts closed the workshop with an overview of international practices of re-use and social re-use, as well as the importance of good governance, incentivisation of relevant government agencies, and public communication in re-use efforts.

This initiative was organized within the framework of the OSCE’s extra-budgetary project Strengthening the fight against transnational organized crime in South-Eastern Europe through improved regional co-operation in asset seizure, confiscation, management and re-use – jointly implemented by the Transnational Threats Department (TNTD) and the Office of the Co-ordinator of Economic and Environmental Activities (OCEEA). The project is financially supported by the United States, Italy, Germany, and the United Kingdom.