Central Europe

558144 Marina Živaljević

Crafting project applications on youth mobility, co-operation, activism and intercultural learning was the focus of a three-day capacity building training course, the Regional Youth Cooperation Office (RYCO) Local Branch Office in Montenegro organized with the support of the OSCE Mission to Montenegro from 14 to 17 November in Bar.

Fourteen NGO representatives from different parts of Montenegro strengthened their capacities in project proposal writing. Participants acquired information on how to develop project proposals and budgets, conduct youth exchanges, establish regional partnerships and ensure project visibility.

In her opening remarks, Siv-Katrine Leirtroe, Deputy Head of Mission, emphasized that the OSCE Mission is proud to be one of the first institutional supporters of RYCO, recognizing the importance of youth engagement and youth connections in the region as a key factor to peace and stability. “Among many joint activities that the Mission and RYCO Local Branch Office have implemented, I would underline seven capacity building trainings for potential grant applicants from Montenegro, gathering 160 participants, representatives of secondary schools and CSOs, some of whom later were shortlisted or awarded RYCO grants”, said Leirtroe.

Bojana Lalatović, Program Officer of RYCO Local Branch Office stated: “Our goal extends beyond the training room. It is about empowering NGOs across Montenegro, nurturing their potential to drive meaningful change. The high number of participants in the training course, coupled with positive evaluations, demonstrates the success of their workshops”.

Together with RYCO, the Mission recognizes the role of youth in Montenegro, and will continue to promote the spirit of reconciliation, dialogue and co-operation between them, enhancing youth participation and mobility.

558138 Communication and Media Relations Section David Dadge

From 15 to 17 November 2023, the OSCE Transnational Threats Department (TNTD), the OSCE Mission to Serbia, and the Serbian Ministry of the Interior delivered a National Table-Top Exercise (TTX) in Belgrade on countering the use of the internet for terrorist purposes.

The TTX gathered over fifty participants from Serbian governmental agencies, civil society, the media, and international organizations. It was facilitated by local and international experts, including experts from the OSCE Office for Democratic Institutions and Human Rights, the Office of the OSCE Representative on Freedom of the Media, UNOCT, Europol, and the UN-led Tech against Terrorism initiative. The participants were introduced to best practices in addressing challenges related to 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 TTX scenario directed participants' discussion towards generating actionable recommendations at both policy and operational levels within the context of Serbia's national security priorities and aimed at enhancing the co-ordination of national efforts and combating the threats arising from the misuse of the internet by violent extremists and terrorist groups. Participants engaged in interactive, scenario-based exchanges, enhancing their expertise on countering terrorism-related online threats prevalent in Serbia, and ways to tackle these based on practical human rights-centred approaches.

“The implementation of the national table-top exercise on countering the use of the internet for terrorist purposes will be an open opportunity for practical simulation and performing the exercise in the field of preventing the abuse of the internet. Moreover, it serves the purpose of achieving its primary objective, that is strengthening the efficiency of the institutions in Serbia in the field of preventing and countering violent extremism and terrorism, while exercising maximum respect for human rights and freedoms,” said Police Colonel Ivan Brandic, Assistant Head of the Criminal Investigations Directorate at the Serbian Ministry of the Interior in his opening remarks.

“Our experiences have illustrated that collaboration between the government and civil society is absolutely crucial for effectively countering the use of the internet for terrorist purposes while respecting human rights. Non-governmental organizations, the media, local communities, and individuals, as concerned citizens, can play an important role in this,” emphasized Irfan Saeed, Head of the TNTD Action against Terrorism Unit.

Ambassador of Norway to Serbia, Kristin Melsom, and Deputy Head of Mission of the Embassy of Germany in Serbia, Carsten Meyer-Wiefhausen, also delivered opening remarks.

The event was organized in the framework of TNTD’s extra-budgetary project “Preventing and countering the use of the Internet for terrorist purposes in Central Asia” with the financial support of Germany and Poland, as well as the OSCE Mission to Serbia’s extra-budgetary project “Strengthening national capacities to counter misuse of the Internet for terrorist purposes”, funded by Norway.

Munira Shoinbekova, OSCE Programme Office in Dushanbe

An OSCE-organized five-day train-the-trainers course (ToT) for facilitators of Women’s Resource Centres (WRCs) concluded on 17 November 2023 in Dushanbe. A one-week course brought together 26 participants to strengthen the knowledge of WRC facilitators on the Zindagii Shoista (Life with Dignity) methodology.

The training encouraged reflection on values and attitudes towards gender and relationships within the family. Participants gained knowledge about family health and built awareness about violence against women. During the training, WRC facilitators developed skills to help family members better communicate with each other.

Zindagii Shoista consists of 11 modules such as: Let’s Communicate; Men and Women – Expectations versus Reality; Relationships; Peer Group Meetings; Family Health; Violence in Relationships; Supporting Women Experiencing Violence in Relationships; Changing Behaviours; Being Assertive and Showing Appreciation and other modules.

Nargiza Mukhtorova, Facilitator of the WRC “Umed” in Isfara of the Sughd region said: “The skills and knowledge that I acquired in this training will help me to conduct information sessions among those families who have experienced violence and help them reduce the tensions, improve communications and relations, and live their lives with dignity and in harmony.”

“I learned communication skills, role-playing, and experience sharing in the ToT,” said Aysifat Norbekova, Facilitator of “Darmonbakhsh” WRC in the Dusti district of the Khatlon region. She added that she will use her new knowledge in her practical work with women who have gone through violence and women living in unhealthy families.

The training course is being implemented within the OSCE’s Women’s Resource Centres project funded by the United States of America, Finland, Norway, Germany, and Andorra.  The training is part of the Office’s ongoing support to the Government of Tajikistan and civil society organizations in preventing and combatting domestic violence including by improving professional support services to survivors.

558105 Communication and Media Relations Section David Dadge

The OSCE delivered a national training course on gender-responsive policing of violence against women and girls from 13 to 17 November in Riviera Golem, Albania.

The course – organized by the OSCE Transnational Threats Department, the OSCE Presence in Albania and the Albanian Security Academy – was delivered by national police officers and prosecutors who had previously benefited from the OSCE train-the-trainers course in Warsaw, as well as by other national experts engaged with the OSCE. Twenty police officers and eight prosecutors from various municipalities in Albania - twenty women and eight men – learned to respond to cases of violence against women and girls while maintaining a victim-centred approach.

“Gender-based violence is not a mere statistic. It is an unfortunate and underreported phenomenon that permeates the fabric of society, impacting the security and well-being of every individual residing in Albania,” said Ambassador Bruce Berton, Head of the OSCE Presence in Albania.

“Gender-based violence is a concern nowadays, representing a violation of human rights and freedoms and leading to long-term consequences for the community. Since the Albanian State Police is the first point of contact for the victims of gender-based violence, there is a need to develop an effective approach to preventing this phenomenon. Therefore, the Albanian Security Academy has integrated gender-based violence in its curriculum,” said Professor Ilirjan Mandro, rector of the Security Academy.

“Let us not forget the rising number of teenagers and young people who are experiencing online gender-based violence. Threats, abuse and exploitation on social media platforms often result in stigma, shame and serious trauma. The police have to respond to these crimes, and support the victims,” underlined Bjorn Tore Saltvik, project manager and OSCE Adviser on Police Development and Reform.

“In Albania, prosecutors and police officers tend to prefer dealing with major crimes like corruption or organized crime. What is the point, however, in fighting against such phenomena, if we do not address crimes within the family in the first place, considering such crime destroys families and the entire society?,” stressed Albert Kuliçi, public prosecutor at the Prosecutor’s Office in Tirana.

OSCE will continue to support the criminal justice practitioners from South-Eastern Europe in their fight against violence against women and girls and deliver similar training course to law enforcement also in Serbia at the end of November 2023, in addition to the ones already organized in North Macedonia, Bosnia and Herzegovina and Montenegro.

These activities contribute to the implementation of the Council of Europe’s Istanbul Convention on preventing and combating violence against women and domestic violence. They are organized in the framework of the OSCE project Enhancing Criminal Justice Capacities for Combating Gender-based Violence in South-Eastern Europe, funded by Germany, Norway, Finland, Austria, France and Italy.

The OSCE Office for Democratic Institutions and Human Rights (ODIHR) today opened an election observation mission for the 17 December early parliamentary elections in Serbia, following an official invitation from the national authorities.

The mission is headed by Ambassador Albert Jónsson and consists of a core team of 11 international experts based in Belgrade and 30 long-term observers, who will be deployed throughout the country from 21 November. ODIHR will request 250 short-term observers, to arrive several days before election day. 

The mission will assess the conduct of the elections for its compliance with OSCE commitments and other international obligations and standards for democratic elections, as well as with national legislation.

Observers will closely monitor all aspects of the elections, including pre- and post-election developments. Specific areas of focus include the implementation of the legal framework, the conduct of the campaign, including on social networks, as well as the work of the election administration at all levels, election dispute resolution and media coverage. They will also assess the implementation of previous ODIHR election recommendations.

Meetings with representatives of state authorities, and political parties, civil society, the media and the international community form an integral part of the observation.

On election day, the ODIHR mission will join efforts with the delegations of the OSCE Parliamentary Assembly, the Parliamentary Assembly of the Council of Europe and the European Parliament to observe the opening of polling stations, voting, the counting of ballots and the tabulation of results.

The day after the elections, the mission’s preliminary findings and conclusions will be presented at a press conference. A final report with an assessment of the entire election process and containing recommendations, will be published some months after the process.

Media contacts:

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

Kira Kalinina, Media Analyst with the Election Observation Mission: Kira.Kalinina@odihr-serbia.org or +381 61 616 77 31

558081 Chyngyz Zhanybekov Aida Almazbekova

On 16 November, the Green Economy Forum 2023: Common Goals for Sustainable Development of the Central Asian Region took place in Bishkek. The Forum brought together representatives from Central Asian countries and international experts in the field of sustainable business and management to discuss common challenges and find solutions for scaling green initiatives. 

This year, the Forum delved into best international practices of interaction between the public and private sectors and tools to stimulate the “greening” of the private sector to promote global integration, as well as recognize potential sectorial initiatives in Central Asia for their coordinated promotion at the global level. 

First Deputy Chair of the Cabinet of Ministers Adylbek Kasymaliev emphasized the Kyrgyz Republic's commitment to the gradual decrease of the greenhouse emissions by 2050. “SDGs are the basis of state policy of the Kyrgyz Republic, and we will accelerate the progress in achieving the SDGs where green economy is the core of our commitment. We are working on the current economy's transformation to the green economy through attracting green investment, developing renewable energy sources and introducing "clean" transportation”. 

“The OSCE is diligently promoting the development of the green economy by supporting the improvement of the legislative framework, the implementation of key measures and plans in accordance with the Green Economy Development Programme. We also provide ongoing support to the Kyrgyz Republic in the implementation of strategic legal, economic and institutional reforms," noted Alexander Eliseev, Acting Head of the OSCE Programme Office in Bishkek. 

With its development partners the OSCE Programme Office in Bishkek is committed to the achievement of the Sustainable Development Goals and will continue to provide multilateral support to the Kyrgyz Republic on transitioning to the green economy and enhancing regional co-operation.

558051

Fourteen supervisory and law enforcement officials from Ukraine enhanced their knowledge and skills in identifying and investigating financial crimes conducted with cryptocurrencies and other virtual assets in a training course held from 14 to 17 November 2023 in Vienna. The course was organized by the Office of the Co-ordinator of OSCE Economic and Environmental Activities (OCEEA) in partnership with the United Nations Office on Drugs and Crime (UNODC).

“With the growing use of virtual assets and cryptocurrencies in Ukraine, there is a pressing need to strengthen the capacity of law enforcement and supervisory bodies. This is essential for effective investigations, enhancing Ukraine's resilience against money laundering and other financial crimes,” said Ralf Ernst, Acting Co-ordinator of OSCE Economic and Environmental activities. “This is the second training on investigation of virtual assets for Ukrainian officials, and the OSCE will continue to support Ukraine’s efforts to combat money laundering, particularly through virtual assets and cryptocurrencies.”

During the course, participants learned about advanced techniques and practical tools to investigate financial crimes committed with virtual assets. The course also equipped participants with knowledge on advanced tracing of criminal transactions on different blockchains through case studies and best practices, and provided an opportunity for participants to familiarize themselves with specialized analytics software.

This course is part of an OSCE-led extra-budgetary project on “Innovative policy solutions to mitigate money-laundering risks of virtual assets”. The project is designed to support the governments of Georgia, Moldova and Ukraine in building the capacity of national authorities to mitigate criminal risks related to virtual assets and cryptocurrencies with the help of analytical tracing software. The project is funded by the United States, the United Kingdom, Germany, Romania and Poland.

Observers from the OSCE Office for Democratic Institutions and Human Rights (ODIHR) will hold a press conference on the opening of the observation mission to the early parliamentary elections in Serbia on Friday, 17 November.

What:

• An introduction to the role of the ODIHR election observation mission and its planned activities
• The press conference will take place on Zoom only (details below)

Who:

• Ambassador Albert Jónsson, Head of the ODIHR election observation mission

When:

• 16.00 local time (GMT +1) on Friday, 17 November 2023

Registration:

Please register by 13:00 local time (GMT +1) on 17 November using the following link.

For further information on ODIHR’s election observation activities in Serbia, please visit: https://www.osce.org/odihr/elections/serbia

Media Contact:

Kira Kalinina, EOM Media Analyst: kira.kalinina@odihr-serbia.org or +381 61 616 77 31

558072 A session from the anti-corruption masterclasses series, organized in cooperation with four national universities. Mirvete Islam, OSCE Mission to Skopje

Open to: students attending Bachelor and Master studies at Ss. Cyril and Methodius University in Skopje, Goce Delcev University - Shtip, University St. Kliment Ohridski Bitola and South East European University

Submission deadline: 5 December

Awards: the three best essays will receive vouchers for IT equipment

The Project Strengthening the Rule of Law and Human Rights in North Macedonia III aims to advance the rule of law and human rights by implementing applicable international standards and OSCE commitments in the judiciary and fundamental rights areas, in line with North Macedonia's strategic priorities. The project addresses various challenges in the domains of judicial independence and impartiality, criminal justice, anti-corruption, anti-discrimination, gender equality and fundamental rights in North Macedonia as identified in various governmental policy documents and international expert assessments.

Following the successful completion of the anti-corruption masterclasses series, organized in cooperation with four national universities (Ss. Cyril and Methodius University in Skopje, Goce Delcev University - Shtip, University St. Kliment Ohridski Bitola and South East European University), the expressed enthusiasm by the students and in order to further encourage active anti-corruption engagement, OSCE Mission to Skopje is organising an essay writing competition for students. The essay competition was inspired by the enthusiasm of the students that attended the anticorruption masterclass activity which provided them with inspiring lectures from a dozen of anti-corruption professionals, scholars and activists.

Authors of the three best essays will receive vouchers for the purchase of IT equipment. The competition will be open until 5 December 2023.

Essays shall demonstrate a well-informed understanding of the complex nature of corruption and the need to provide realistic ideas on how to reduce corruption. Authors shall provide one or few arguments related to the chosen topic of analysis that need to be elaborated and backed with some credible sources from the academic, legal or policy literature. Thus, authors are encouraged to present their own opinion but need to make sure such opinion is based on credible and convincing evidence. Essays shall be written in a well-structured and clear manner, with adequate use of language.

Essays shall be based one of the following general topics:

•            Corruption: a problem of culture or institutions

•            Corruption and elections

•            Corruption and public expenditures

•            Corruption and gender

These topics serve as a general direction and authors are free to develop their own essays in a more specific manner as long as they stay in line with one of the four general topics.

Essays will be anonymously evaluated by an evaluation committee of three professors, who will evaluate the essays according to the following criteria:                  

•            Essay topic and relevance (max. 25 points)

•            Creativeness and originality of proposed argument(s) and solution(s) (max. 25 points)

•            Argumentation and use of evidence and sources (max. 25 points)

•            Language, structure and clarity (max. 25 points)

Essays shall be written in English, using Times New Roman, font size 12 and 1.5 line spacing, and should be 1400 and 1600 words long (3 pages). Longer essays will not be taken into consideration.

Essays shall be original work of the authors. Any sign of plagiarism (including the use of Chat GTP) will be sanctioned with disqualification from the competition.

Info session

For interested students, the OSCE Mission to Skopje will organise an online info session, with more precise guidelines on how to prepare a competitive essay, one week before the end date for sending the essays. In order to obtain information on the exact time and date for the session and a zoom link, please send an email to Svetlana.Crvenkovska@osce.org and provide your contact information.

Application process

Instructions for the essay competition are accessible in Macedonian and Albanian languages as well.

Authors shall send their essays to Svetlana.Crvenkovska@osce.org by 5 December 2023 as an attached PDF file. In order to help the process of anonymous evaluation, authors shall state their full name and surname and the name of the university in the email body text, but should not put their name in the essay document.

558009 OSCE High Commissioner on National Minorities OSCE and UN promote socio-economic inclusion of minorities as a strategy for conflict prevention Recommendations on the Effective Participation of National Minorities in Social and Economic Life Thematic Recommendations and Guidelines OSCE celebrates 30th anniversary of High Commissioner on National Minorities Supporting the social and economic participation of national minorities Roundtable on Promoting Conflict Prevention through the Socio-Economic Inclusion of Minorities

OSCE High Commissioner on National Minorities (HCNM) Kairat Abdrakhmanov and Director-General of the United Nations Office at Geneva (UNOG) Tatiana Valovaya organized a roundtable on Promoting Conflict Prevention through the Socio-Economic Inclusion of Minorities on 15 November 2023 at the Palais des Nations in Geneva.

“Leaving no one behind is the central promise of the 2030 Agenda. This promise means that all the 17 Sustainable Development Goals should be met for everyone, including those who are the poorest, most vulnerable and furthest behind. Halfway through the 2030 Agenda, we must recognize that keeping this promise remains a distant goal for too many persons belonging to national, ethnic, religious and linguistic minorities who continue to endure discrimination, marginalization and exclusion. Furthermore, persons belonging to minority groups feel much more discriminated and excluded from society if they are stateless,” said Director-General Valovaya.

“I welcome the valuable guidance on the participation of national minorities in social and economic life published last month by the OSCE High Commissioner on National Minorities. Over the last three decades, the OSCE has provided crucial expertise and support to states to secure the dignity and inclusion of minorities. You have worked to ensure respect for their language, culture, religion or belief, and for their full participation in decisions of relevance to them and their communities,” said Deputy High Commissioner for Human Rights Nada Al-Nashif.

“When minority rights are firmly anchored in national legislation, including policy documents, and when they are implemented through electoral, legal, educational and regional development systems before a conflict has the opportunity to fester, then there is a good chance that a conflict might be prevented from happening. This is precisely why I encourage national authorities to invest in promoting and enabling the active participation of minorities in their country’s social and economic development:  making this a priority will support and sustain integration, peace and stability in the long term,” said High Commissioner Abdrakhmanov.

The roundtable discussed the measures and policy approaches set out in a new set of HCNM thematic Recommendations on the Effective Participation of National Minorities in Social and Economic Life in the context of the UN Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs) and other UN frameworks that could prevent the escalation of social and inter-ethnic tensions.

The participants discussed the challenges and reflected on how to achieve a more inclusive socio-economic-cultural balance, leaving no one behind. They paid specific attention to the socio-economic inclusion of minority youth and women.

The panel was comprised of Executive Secretary, United Nations Economic Commission for Europe Tatiana Molcean; UNHCR Deputy Director in the Division of International Protection Patrick Eba; Ambassador, Director, DCAF – Geneva Center for Security Sector Governance Nathalie Chuard; Chief, Indigenous Peoples and Minorities Section, OHCHR Hernan Vales; former UN Special Rapporteur on Minority Issues (2017-2023) Fernand de Varennes; and Associate Professor in Nationalism, European Institute of the London School of Economics and Political Science Jennifer Jackson-Preece. It was moderated by HCNM Senior Legal Adviser Elzbieta Kuzborska-Pacha.

The roundtable was organized as a follow up to an event on the Effective Participation of Minorities in Economic Life as a Strategy for Conflict Prevention, which was held on 21 November 2021 at the UN Office at Geneva. It also marks one of a series of events organized throughout 2023 to mark the 30th anniversary since the institution of the OSCE HCNM began operations in The Hague in 1993.

558012 Željka Šulc

The OSCE Mission to Bosnia and Herzegovina commemorated the 20th anniversary of Criminal Justice Reform with an international conference titled "Two Decades Back, Two Decades Forward." The event, held on November 15 and 16, 2023, in Sarajevo, convened over 100 domestic and international legal practitioners, academics, civil society members, and other experts. The purpose of the conference was to reflect on the 2003 criminal justice system reforms in Bosnia and Herzegovina and to assess the progress made over the past two decades, while also recognizing ongoing challenges.

Ambassador Brian Aggeler, Head of the OSCE Mission to Bosnia and Herzegovina, emphasized: "Twenty years ago, the people of Bosnia and Herzegovina aspired to embody essential principles such as fairness, accountability, equality, and the rule of law. Unfortunately, progress has faced hurdles and impediments, and the development and implementation of much-needed reforms have been uneven at best."

Since the adoption of new criminal legislation and the establishment of State-level judicial institutions in 2003, Bosnia and Herzegovina has navigated a multifaceted legal system, addressing complex criminal matters such as war crimes, organized crime, economic crimes, terrorism, trafficking in human beings, and corruption.

Addressing challenges in processing cases of organized crime and corruption, Halil Lagumdžija, President of the High Judicial and Prosecutorial Council of Bosnia and Herzegovina, said: "It is undeniable that a strong and independent judiciary is a key link in the fight against these forms of crime. We must bear in mind that corruption is, unfortunately, a pronounced model of behavior in society and that it is influenced by social, political, legal, institutional, and economic causes, against which the judiciary often cannot fight alone. That is why I always insist that the fight against corruption can only be effective as a systematic and clearly defined fight of the entire justice system, while society as a whole must be strategically determined in suppressing forms of corruption."

Denis Džidić, Executive Director of the Balkan Investigative Reporting Network in BiH (BIRN BiH), stressed the significance of discussing the integrity and transparency of judicial functions on the 20th anniversary of the judicial reform. He expressed concern about increasing pressures on judges and prosecutors from politicians, emphasizing that "the success or failure of state judicial institutions to resist these pressures will directly impact Bosnia and Herzegovina's path toward the European Union because the rule of law is crucial on that path."

WARSAW, 16 November 2023 – Launching its annual Hate Crime Report on today’s International Day for Tolerance, the OSCE Office for Democratic Institutions and Human Rights (ODIHR) emphasized the importance of identifying the underlying bias motives of hate crimes in order to diminish the impact on victims and assist their recovery.

“Hate crimes are especially harmful because they target victims simply for being who they are,” said Matteo Mecacci, ODIHR Director. “Greater efforts are needed by the authorities to acknowledge the underlying bias and prosecute hate crimes accordingly. In this way, they are also publicly recognizing the impact of such crimes on victims and increasing their confidence in the criminal justice system.”

When hate crimes are investigated and prosecuted as such, victims and their communities receive a clear message that their efforts to report hate-motivated attacks are not in vain and that the criminal justice system will provide redress for the harm caused. Without effective prosecution and investigation of hate crime cases, targeted groups are left to address the impact of hate on the community, undermining trust in the authorities and, as a result, potentially causing wider social instability.

While ODIHR’s new hate crime report indicates increased efforts by police to record hate crimes, it also identifies ongoing challenges in effectively prosecuting and sentencing them as bias-motivated crimes. Of the 39 OSCE states that provided police statistics for 2022, only 29 supplied data on hate crimes that were prosecuted or sentenced as such. This highlights a need to improve mechanisms to record and share hate crime data at all stages of the criminal justice system, and to train police, prosecutors and the judiciary to ensure that hate crimes are fully addressed.

ODIHR’s hate crime database is the largest of its kind worldwide. It is updated each year with information from official, civil society and other sources, and includes data on hate crime legislation, recording, prosecution and sentencing, as well as best practices.

A key area of ODIHR’s work is to support a comprehensive approach to address hate crime across the OSCE region. ODIHR assists OSCE countries through a range of resources and programmes, including in the areas of hate crime recording and data collection, and training for police and prosecutors.

Today and tomorrow, the findings of the 2022 dataset will be presented to official representatives from across the OSCE region responsible for reporting hate crime data to ODIHR. Held in Warsaw, the meeting provides an opportunity to share good practices, discuss challenges and coordinate ODIHR’s support to national authorities on addressing hate crime.

557997 Communication and Media Relations Section David Dadge Ensuring Human Rights Compliance in Cybercrime Investigations

The OSCE Transnational Threats Department launched a new training guide on human rights compliance in cybercrime investigations.

Cybercrimes and other crimes involving electronic evidence can have implications for human rights such as the right to privacy, a fair trial, freedom of expression, and the protection of property. The guide raises criminal justice practitioners’ awareness of that fact and helps them uphold human rights in their daily investigative work.

“This publication aims to build participating States’ capacity to address emerging criminal threats, including those posed by new technologies. It helps ensure that the work of criminal justice practitioners across the OSCE is conducted in line with international human rights standards,” underlined Alena Kupchyna, OSCE Co-ordinator of Activities to Address Transnational Threats.

“Upholding human rights is an obligation under international law and is crucial for the effective investigation and prosecution of these types of crimes. Human rights compliance is necessary to access electronic evidence, ensure its admissibility in court, and to build public trust – all essential components of a criminal justice response,” said Rainer Franosch, Deputy Director-General for Criminal Law and Criminal Procedure at the Ministry of Justice of the German Federal State of Hesse.

This was echoed by Robert Golobinek, Secretary at the Directorate for Criminal Law and Human Rights of the Ministry of Justice of the Republic of Slovenia, who added: “We have a strong framework of international human rights safeguards but to make them effective in practice it is critical to ensure that criminal justice practitioners have the necessary knowledge and understanding of these issues. Tools such as this guide play an important role in building awareness of human rights considerations”.

The launch – held on the margins of the 2023 OSCE Annual Meeting of Heads of Law Enforcement/Security Co-operation Departments – brought together staff working on police-related activities from the OSCE Field Operations and Institutions.

The guide was developed under the extra-budgetary project “Capacity Building on Combating Cybercrime in Central Asia” funded by the United States, Germany and the Republic of Korea.

ASTANA, 15 November 2023 – The OSCE Representative on Freedom of the Media, Teresa Ribeiro, concluded a two-day official visit to Kazakhstan. During the visit, she engaged in a series of productive meetings with various stakeholders, including Minister of Culture and Information Aida Balayeva, Deputy Minister of Foreign Affairs Roman Vassilenko, and Assistant to the President on internal policies and communication Ruslan Zheldybay. She also met with members of Parliament, including the Chair of the Committee for Social and Cultural Development of the Mazhilis, Ashkat Aimagambetov, the Chair of the Working Group on Drafting the Law on Mass Media, Zhanarbek Ashimzhanov, and with MP Nikita Shatalov.

Representative Ribeiro discussed current challenges to media freedom, including the safety of journalists and the veracity of information in the digital sphere, the value of establishing an independent media regulatory body, and ongoing media reforms in Kazakhstan. Focus lay on the legal review of the draft Law on Mass Media, requested by the Kazakh authorities and conducted by media law expert Begaim Usenova on commission of the OSCE Media Freedom Representative.

Ribeiro stressed the value of including all relevant stakeholders, such as civil society actors, in legislative processes. She commended several provisions in the current draft law, such as the prohibition of censorship, the reduced statutes of limitations in claims against media outlets, and the reduced term for providing journalists with government information.

She also identified some points in the draft law that could be improved, such as the envisaged process of registration of media outlets, the system of so-called pre-emptive control, as well as remaining vague and overly broad definitions regarding which media fall under the scope of the law.

“I am confident that by taking ample time such improvements can be made in full alignment with international standards,” Riberio said. The Representative welcomed the fact that Kazakh authorities expressed their readiness to take further steps for improvement and both sides agreed to continue their consultations on the draft law at expert level.

The text of the review of the draft Law on Mass Media can be read here: https://www.osce.org/ru/representative-on-freedom-of-media/557946.

The text of the summary and key recommendations can be read here: https://www.osce.org/representative-on-freedom-of-media/557949.

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.

557967 Staff of the Border Service of the State Committee for National Security, the OSCE Programme Office in Bishkek and international experts at the opening of the new education facility of the Advanced Training Centre in the city of Osh, Kyrgyzstan.

As part of an extrabudgetary initiative aimed at mitigating the risks associated with the illicit movement of small arms, ammunition, and explosives across the State Border of the Kyrgyz Republic, the OSCE is enhancing the institutional capacity of the Border Service of the State Committee for National Security of the Kyrgyz Republic to effectively counter transnational threats.

On 13 November, 2023 the Border Service of the State Committee for National Security of the Kyrgyz Republic, with the support of the OSCE Programme Office in Bishkek, officially inaugurated a training facility at the Advanced Training Centre in Osh, Kyrgyzstan.

The training facility underwent extensive renovations, with multiple classrooms being refurbished and equipped to facilitate training in key areas such as weapons service, engineering service, border control organization and medical support for troops. Each classroom is furnished with essential equipment and augmented with visual and interactive teaching aids.

The renovation of this training facility significantly expands the Centre's training capabilities, specifically in the domains of physical security and safe storage of ammunition, explosive ordnance disposal, border control and the provision of first aid and medical support.

These efforts, bolstered by the support of the United States and the Federal Republic of Germany, play a pivotal role in fortifying border security and thereby contribute to enhancing the overall security of both the Kyrgyz Republic and the broader Central Asian region.

557961 Željka Šulc

The OSCE Mission to Bosnia and Herzegovina, in co-operation with the BiH Ministry of Security, convened representatives from the BiH Ministry of Security, entity Civil Protection Administrations, the BiH Ministry of Defence and Armed Forces, the Brčko District (BD) Government, international and non-governmental organizations, and the academic community for a workshop on 14 to 16 November, in Konjic. The workshop aimed to facilitate the development of the 2023-2027 BiH Disaster Risk Reduction Strategy (DRR Strategy), in accordance with the BiH Council of Ministers' Conclusion of 9 November, 2022 and with requirements of the global Sendai DRR Framework for 2015-2030.

"The importance of having a DRR Strategy cannot be overstated. Such a strategy aligns with the UN and OSCE security commitments. A robust DRR framework, coupled with enhanced capacities at all levels of authority, is essential to strengthen BiH’s ability to prevent and respond to disasters. It will also enhance the country’s resilience," emphasized Mateusz Lempkowski, Programme Coordinator at the OSCE Mission to BiH.

The work will build upon the outcomes of the initial workshop co-organized by the OSCE Mission to BiH and the BiH Ministry of Security on 19 and 20 June, incorporating its conclusions and recommendations. Participants in the initial workshop were briefed on the requirements stemming from the Sendai Framework, which is recognized as an international obligation for BiH. The workshop delved into discussions on the methodology, structure, procedures, and timeline for the development of the country’s inaugural DRR Strategy, employing cross-sectoral and syndicated work.

Highlighting the commitment of Bosnia and Herzegovina as a member of the United Nations and a signatory of the Sendai Framework, the BiH Ministry of Security stated: "The Ministry of Security of Bosnia and Herzegovina, Sector for Protection and Rescue, through its activities, expresses commitment and readiness in the division of responsibilities at the local, regional, and international levels in the response and management of all types of natural or other disasters."

This workshop is part of a broader set of initiatives undertaken by the OSCE Mission to Bosnia and Herzegovina to assist relevant authorities in the country in developing a reliable disaster preparedness and management system in BiH.

SKOPJE, 14 November 2023 – Innovative and entrepreneurial solutions for creating a culture of peace, dialogue, justice, trust, and reconciliation were the focus of the Youth Forum organized by the OSCE 2023 Chairpersonship of North Macedonia with the support of the OSCE Secretariat.

The integration of youth perspectives in all three dimensions of security – politico-military, economic and environmental, and the human dimension – is central to the OSCE’s commitment to peace and security in Europe and beyond.

“Youth is a priority for our Chairpersonship of North Macedonia and young people are not merely beneficiaries of our actions; but partners in our mission as OSCE, to promote and uphold our values and principles, and further our role as unique platform for dialogue and a values-based Organization” said OSCE Chairman-in-Office, Minister of Foreign Affairs of North Macedonia, Bujar Osmani. “Nothing evidences better that within the OSCE, youth is not only able to speak up, but their voices are very much heard, and listened to. We genuinely would like to see youth perspectives integrated across OSCE different dimensions and to magnify the involvement of youth in respective OSCE processes. And the road there leads through active dialogue.”

Young people have unique perspectives on security challenges that threaten their future. Promoting innovation and entrepreneurship among youth – especially social and green entrepreneurship – is key to addressing growing economic, social, and environmental challenges. This will support inclusive development, bridging inequalities, and creating greater potential for peaceful and prosperous societies.

“Engaging and supporting young people – and working together to shape a better future is a priority for me as the Secretary General. The young entrepreneurs present here today come from different backgrounds and have unique perspectives. Yet they are working to bring their ideas to life in ways that can lead to real transformation for their communities while addressing global challenges.”

The event provided a forum for lively discussions on how young entrepreneurs in the OSCE region are addressing social and environmental security concerns in their communities. It was also an opportunity to develop recommendations that will be presented at the Ministerial Council meeting in Skopje on 30 November to 1 December.

557940 Communication and Media Relations Section David Dadge

The OSCE Transnational Threats Department and the OSCE Project Co-ordinator in Uzbekistan delivered a training course on women leadership and effective communication strategies in Tashkent on 8-10 November.

Twenty-seven mid- and senior-level women officers from Uzbekistan’s border security and management agencies sought to advance their careers through developing leadership skills and networking. The training provided tools to communicate with confidence, care, and honesty. Participants engaged in exercises outlining that the unique value they bring to their workplace can be source of self-confidence. They also discussed establishing Customs and Border Services Women Association in Uzbekistan, inspired by successful examples of similar activities in other OSCE participating States, such as neighboring Kyrgyzstan.

“The role of women in the law enforcement sector cannot be overestimated. The establishment of the law enforcement and rule of law sector women's associations in Kyrgyzstan in 2017 proved to be instrumental not only in enlarging female officers’ network but also in strengthening their capacities and confidence. This is why a similar initiative would be helpful in Uzbekistan, too,” said Colonel Kaana Aidarkul, Chairperson of the Kyrgyz association of women in the security sector.

“Every turning point in our lives should be used for self-discovery and discovering our talents. Set and achieve your goals! The path to success really exists,” added Umida Pirmukhamedova, Chief Inspector of the Risk Targeting and Monitoring Department and a focal point on gender issues of the Customs Committee of the Republic of Uzbekistan.

The event was implemented in the framework of the OSCE project “Strengthening the resilience of Uzbekistan to address cross-border challenges emanating from Afghanistan”, funded by Germany, Sweden, and the United States. It anticipates delivery of a series of thematic training courses. A gender mainstreaming perspective is integrated in all activities envisaged under the project. A number of follow-up events are envisaged in 2024-2025.

Sarajevo, 14 November 2023 - We are deeply saddened by the femicide case that occurred in Sarajevo yesterday and we express our deepest condolences to the family and friends of the victim.

It is devastating that, after Gradačac, Zavidovići, Živinice and Bijeljina and other places in which such horrific incidents have happened, today we must again call for decisive action to prevent femicide in Bosnia and Herzegovina.

This latest murder painfully reminds us that promises, pledges, and commitment mean nothing without immediate and effective action.

The OSCE Mission to BiH once again urges all levels of authorities in BiH to prioritize prevention and combating gender-based violence and respond urgently,  effectively and sensitively. 

557913 Marina Živaljević

From 10 to 12 November, a training course on intercultural dialogue and professional reporting standards gathered in Budva 14 young journalists from both prominent media outlets and youth magazines, as well as youth interested in journalism, from across Montenegro. The event was organized by the Regional Youth Co-operation Office (RYCO) Local Branch Office in Montenegro, with the support of the OSCE Mission to Montenegro.

In opening the workshop, Edin Koljenović, Head of the RYCO Local Branch Office, said that the training course provided young journalists with the opportunity to grasp the fundamental aspects of professional reporting, intercultural dialogue, media literacy, prejudices, stereotypes, and many more. “Our focus is on elevating the skills of young journalists in media reporting standards, as media plays a crucial role in shaping and advocating for sustainable and inclusive peace,” said Koljenović.

Martin Lulgjuraj, Director of the Directorate for Youth in the Ministry of Sports and Youth, pointed out the key role of RYCO as a mechanism for co-operation among young people in the Western Balkans. “Every opportunity to empower young people is extremely important since their work influences public opinion and contributes to building mutual trust and understanding in our society,” said Lulgjuraj.

Irena Marunović, Senior Programme Assistant in the OSCE Mission, emphasized the importance of young journalists in influencing their peers: “How you act and report affects the way youth from Montenegro, but also Western Balkans creates opinions on different topics. You have an important role in preventing youth from creating stereotypes and prejudices among each other,” said Marunović.

This was the second training course that RYCO and the OSCE Mission organized for young journalists in Montenegro. The first one discussed the role of the media in the regional reconciliation process and took place in December 2022.