Central Europe

The OSCE Presence in Albania and the Embassy of the Kingdom of Netherlands jointly organized a workshop on 11 December 2020 in Tirana. The event focused on the current application of the Law on Decriminalization in view of the upcoming parliamentary elections on 25 April 2021.

Key stakeholders of the Central Election Commission, General Prosecutor’s Office, state and public institutions, representatives of political parties, civil society and the main international partners in Albania that follow closely the implementation of the Law on Decriminalization participated in the workshop.

“The OSCE Presence strongly believes that proper application of Decriminalization Law is the foundation for a more efficient fight against electoral fraud as well as for a more efficient cleansing of the candidates lists from individuals with criminal records or those under criminal investigation”, said Head of Presence, Vincenzo Del Monaco.

The implementing partner of the activity, the Institute of Political Studies, presented the main findings of an assessment and survey they recently conducted on the implementation of this law in the field of elections; providing a synopsis of its implementation until now and identifying various hurdles they have encountered towards a fully-efficient application.

Participants highlighted that the Law on Decriminalization has achieved significant results since its adoption in December 2015, which has led to the dismissal and resignation of a considerable number of high-level state officials, including many in elected positions such as MPs, mayors and local councilors.

The Central Election Commission and the General Prosecutor’s Office shared their experiences and challenges faced in its implementation in the area of elections over the years.

Participants committed to further strengthen the cooperation among them and support each-other towards a more efficient and timely prevention of incriminated individuals’ intrusion in the candidate lists for the 2021 parliamentary elections.

The OSCE Presence in Albania will continue to closely follow and support the Central Election Commission, General Prosecutor’s Office and political actors in view of a fully effective application of the Law on Decriminalization in the upcoming elections.

Twenty-seven officers and managers from different border security and law enforcement agencies from OSCE’s participating States completed the first module of the one-year Border Security and Management for Senior Leadership course (BSMSL) on 11 December 2020. Due to the COVID-29 pandemic and the travel restrictions, the traditional face-to-face phase of the first module was held via video teleconferencing.

The course was conducted by the OSCE Border Management Staff College in collaboration with the Geneva Centre for Security Sector Governance.

Participants represented Armenia, France, Greece, Lithuania, Moldova, Mongolia, the Netherlands, North Macedonia, Poland, Portugal, Spain, Tajikistan, and Ukraine, as well as three of the OSCE’s Partners for Co-operation: Afghanistan, Egypt, and Jordan.

The purpose of the first module was to expand the knowledge and expertise of the mid-to-senior level border officials on modern security challenges on border management as well to address possible countermeasures. “The course provided a good foundation for the participants on ways to deal with current security threats,” said Dr. Stanislav Filippov from the National Academy of the State Border Guard Service of Ukraine. Filippov is the leading expert of the BSMSL Module One. 

The main topics covered during the course included the analysis of security threats, human trafficking, cybercrime, counter-terrorism threats as well as refugee protection and border management. Mohammad Amran Sahak, provincial co-ordination manager at Afghanistan’s Customs Department and course participant said: “I learned many things but the most interesting part for me was to gain an understanding about what integrated border management is. Afghanistan is in the process of implementing integrated border management strategy and I was nominated to become part of the committee.” Upon the completion of Module One, participants will now embark on the second stage of the one-year course, which emphasizes the application of leadership skills in border management.

The course is accredited by the EKKA Quality Assessment Council for Higher Education and equals to an internationally recognized one-year postgraduate diploma course.

473391 Marina Živaljević

With the support of the OSCE Mission to Montenegro, from June to December 2020, six staff of Montenegro’s parliament acquired the knowledge and tools to organize and facilitate workshops on a range of skills for their colleagues within parliament.  

In co-operation with the parliament’s Human Resources Management Bureau, the Mission facilitated a mentoring programme for the parliamentary staff that spanned 13 days, conducted over six months. The staff developed a detailed training curriculum and practiced delivering courses on communication, presentations and stress management.

Dražen Malović, Head of the Service for Human Resources and Corporation Affairs said: “As in the previous period, all agreed activities with the OSCE Mission were successfully implemented, in spite of all the challenges caused by COVID-19 pandemic. Our joint achievements represent a fertile ground for building further successful co-operation.“

The experts who delivered the training, Jadranka Vojinović and Bego Begu, said that participants have gained skills that will increase the professionalism, efficiency and effectiveness of the parliamentary service.

This activity was part of the Mission’s efforts to strengthen the capacities of the parliamentary services to create an enabling working environment. The Mission plans to support the pool of trainers to conduct training workshops on the three topics for their colleagues in 2021 by providing mentoring throughout the process.

473412 Communication and Media Relations Section

Promoting the social re-use of assets confiscated from criminal activity was the focus of two online workshops for Serbian and North Macedonian civil society organizations, law enforcement practitioners, asset management agencies and prosecutions offices, which were held on 7 and 10 December 2020. More than 30 participants attended. The workshops are part of a series of national workshops the OSCE is organizing for five South-Eastern European countries to promote the social re-use of assets as an efficient tool in preventing and fighting against organized crime and corruption.

The events were organized as part of the OSCE extra-budgetary initiative led by the OSCE Secretariat’s Transnational Threats Department and the Office of the Co-ordinator of OSCE Economic and Environmental Activities on asset recovery-related efforts in South-Eastern Europe.

The workshops aim to reinforce the importance of asset re-use for social purposes among government agencies and civil society; build awareness of the infiltration of organized crime money in the legal economy; and foster a public discourse on the role of civil society in the fight against organized crime and corruption.

Opening the meeting for Serbian participants, Carlo Lo Cascio, Italian Ambassador to Serbia, said: “In line with the goals of the project, we have also emphasized and supported the importance of a joint response to organized crime involving civil society, that in Serbia — and in the Western Balkans — should play a fundamental role in developing a common effort towards the progress needed.”

Ambassador Clemens Koja, Head of OSCE Mission to Skopje addressed the attendees of the workshop for North Macedonia, and highlighted the importance of a multi-stakeholder approach. “There can be no real progress in increasing accountability and transparency, without the reinforced joint efforts between governments and civil society organizations.”  

During both workshops, participants were familiarized with the national legislative framework under which assets can be socially re-used. They also learned from international civil society organizations and experts on best practices to convert confiscated assets into safe places for communities and use them for social, cultural and rehabilitation purposes.

The donors of this cross-dimensional project are the United States Department of State, Italy, Germany and the United Kingdom.

SDGs SDGs:  16 - Peace, justice and strong institutions

Summary

• The SMM recorded two ceasefire violations in Donetsk region. In the previous reporting period, it recorded 16 ceasefire violations in the region.
• The Mission recorded five ceasefire violations in Luhansk region. In the previous reporting period, it recorded 45 ceasefire violations in the region.
• The SMM continued monitoring the disengagement areas near Stanytsia Luhanska, Zolote and Petrivske.
• The Mission observed weapons in violation of withdrawal lines in non-government-controlled areas of Donetsk and Luhansk regions.
• The SMM facilitated and monitored adherence to localised ceasefires to enable the construction and maintenance of and repairs to critical civilian infrastructure.
• The Mission continued following up on the situation of civilians, including at four entry-exit checkpoints and four checkpoints of the armed formations in Donetsk and Luhansk regions.
• The SMM’s freedom of movement continued to be restricted.*

WARSAW, 10 December 2020 – On Human Rights Day, the OSCE Office for Democratic Institutions and Human Rights (ODIHR) pays tribute to human rights defenders and many organizations across the OSCE region that have protected our rights throughout the Covid-19 pandemic, and will have a key role to play if the global recovery is to put respect for human rights at its core.

OSCE states have long recognized the important role played by civil society in ensuring full respect for human rights, fundamental freedoms, democracy and the rule of law.  Throughout the pandemic, numerous organizations, initiatives and activists have worked hard to lessen the suffering caused by the health crisis. They have exposed gaps in responses to the health emergency and drawn attention to the undermining of human rights standards and democratic values in the name of public safety.​​

As public emergencies were introduced across the OSCE region and human rights and freedoms of millions of people were restricted, national human rights institutions (NHRIs) as well as civil society organizations were swift to hold accountable those states that were using vaguely defined regulations to bypass human rights obligations and lower standards. In addition to their regular monitoring activities, NHRIs were often quick and resourceful in developing solutions and disseminating key information to the public when it was needed.   

A spirit of dialogue and compromise, the ability to combat systematic inequality and exclusion, and the will to overcome ever-deepening polarization, are hard to imagine without a strong and vibrant civil society. But in many places across the OSCE region, pressure on civic space is increasing. This takes many forms, from legislation restricting the activities of civil society to smear campaigns against human rights defenders and journalists.

Despite their commitment – or because of it – many courageous human rights defenders across the OSCE region have been the brunt of attacks in 2020. They have faced threats and intimidation, frequently initiated by national authorities, as well as funding cuts and risks to their data security and privacy.

Two years ago, ODIHR launched its first ever targeted assessments on the situation of human rights defenders. Early next year, ODIHR will publish trends and recommendations based on an analysis of almost 250 discussions across five OSCE countries. The report will identify gaps and challenges in the protection of human rights defenders, as well as highlighting good practices so countries can learn from each other as they seek to rebuild societies overwhelmed by the challenges of the pandemic.

Today, ODIHR wants to thank all those brave people across the OSCE region who are committed to safeguarding the human rights of us all. The Office will continue to support and work with them towards this ultimate goal.

COPENHAGEN, 10 December 2020 – At the close of a year defined by a global pandemic that has killed more than 1.5 million people worldwide, devastated economies and uprooted daily life for billions, the leaders of the OSCE Parliamentary Assembly’s human rights and humanitarian committee today called for ensuring that recovery efforts focus on protecting the most vulnerable. Prioritizing an inclusive approach to the COVID-19 recovery is vital to ensure greater enjoyment of human rights, particularly for those suffering from extreme poverty and food insecurity, the parliamentarians said in a joint statement.

“As we celebrate Human Rights Day, we are reminded that inequalities continue to exclude many from their enjoyment of basic rights,” said Kyriakos Hadjiyianni (Cyprus), Michael Link (Germany), and Kari Henriksen (Norway). “It is therefore fitting that today is also the day that the Nobel Peace Prize is awarded to the UN’s World Food Programme for its vital work in feeding the world’s most vulnerable people – those living in conflict zones, refugee camps and people suffering conditions of extreme poverty. Human rights must be protected for every human being, and so today we honour all those fighting for freedoms of speech and conscience and freedom from fear and want. As the work of recovery from the COVID-19 pandemic begins, ensuring a truly inclusive approach to human rights promotion and humanitarian support is a challenge we must all rise to meet.”

This year’s Human Rights Day is being held under the theme “Recover Better - Stand Up for Human Rights,” and is focused on promoting equal opportunities for all, addressing the failures exposed by COVID-19, and applying human rights standards to resolve inequalities, exclusion and discrimination.

Hadjiyianni, Link and Henriksen are the Chair, Vice-Chair and Rapporteur, respectively, of the General Committee on Democracy, Human Rights and Humanitarian Questions. They recalled that on 12 November, David Beasley, Executive Director of the UN World Food Programme, addressed the OSCE PA’s Standing Committee of heads of delegations, warning that 2021 could be a catastrophic year for food security if appropriate resources are not dedicated to the effort, highlighting the possibility of increased famine and mass migration.

SDGs SDGs:  16 - Peace, justice and strong institutions

Summary

• The SMM recorded 16 ceasefire violations in Donetsk region. In the previous reporting period, the Mission recorded 28 ceasefire violations in the region.
• The SMM recorded 45 ceasefire violations in Luhansk region. In the previous reporting period, the Mission recorded no ceasefire violations in the region.
• The Mission continued monitoring the disengagement areas near Stanytsia Luhanska, Zolote and Petrivske.
• The SMM observed weapons in violation of withdrawal lines in a non-government-controlled area of Donetsk region.
• The SMM facilitated and monitored adherence to localised ceasefires to enable the construction and operation of and repairs to critical civilian infrastructure.
• The Mission continued following up on the situation of civilians, including at four entry-exit checkpoints and three checkpoints of the armed formations in Donetsk and Luhansk regions.
• The SMM observed a calm situation in east and south-east Kherson region.
• The SMM’s freedom of movement continued to be restricted, including at checkpoints of the armed formations near non-government-controlled Korsun and Oleksandrivske, both in Donetsk region.*

473346

The OSCE Mission to Montenegro completed on 9 December 2020 a series of training workshops for research staff of the Parliamentary Institute on infographics and data visuals as a modern way of presenting parliamentary work data.

During the 12 training days, in the period from October to- December, the participants learned how to present successfully a complex data in an eye-catching and easy to understand visual. Several infographics related to their daily work were produced.

“The lectures were of a very high quality and have been extremely useful,” said Jelena Ulic, Head of the Parliamentary Institute. “We learned the steps to create infographics related to our work and the trainer helped us to produce material that we can already use in the Research Centre, the Education Centre, the Library and the Parliamentary Budget Office.” 

Luka Lakovic, the expert who was leading the workshop said that Parliamentary Institute members gained knowledge, but also a passion for infographics. “They realized that creating infographics is not only an important professional skill, but it can be easy and fun,” he said.

During the training period, the Mission completed a baseline report related to the work of the Parliamentary Institute that confirmed the importance of enhancing data presentation material. “The Mission will continue supporting the Parliamentary Institute to enhance its services and effective communication with Members of the Parliament and citizens,” said Lia Magnaguagno, OSCE Democratization Programme Manager.

473337

The OSCE Project Co-ordinator in Uzbekistan, in co-operation with the Public Foundation for Support and Development of National Mass Media, is organizing a series of training courses to enhance the skills of journalists and bloggers in the regions of Uzbekistan. Each training session will last for two days and will be conducted in the following regions of Uzbekistan: Karshi, Samarkand, Bukhara and Nukus from 10 to 25 December 2020.

The training courses will enable journalists and bloggers to study and discuss topics such as digital security in journalism; online tools for detecting fake texts, photos and videos; digital hygiene in journalism; legal awareness issues for journalists; criteria for the professional ethics of a journalist; principles of working with YouTube; security issues; and other media-related topics.

The training courses will be held in an interactive format and will assist with strengthening group cohesion, and developing verbal communication and teamwork skills. Each training course will include a presentation session, which will be followed by a question and answer session. All participants will be able to share their experiences with each other.

Communication and Media Relations Section

The OSCE Transnational Threats Department’s Border Security and Management Unit (BSMU) organized a two-day workshop for representatives of relevant agencies in Algeria, Egypt, Israel, Jordan, Morocco and Tunisia on establishing an Advance Passenger Information (API) system for preventing the movement of foreign terrorist fighters and enhancing aviation security on 8 and 9 December 2020.

The workshop, which was held online, aimed at presenting the benefits of an API system, current implementing challenges, technical requirements, the importance of strong inter-agency co-operation and a comprehensive legal framework.

Participants also engaged in interactive tabletop exercises to reflect on practical aspects of implementing an API system such as the collection of passenger data while fully respecting travellers’ right to privacy, as well as adhering to international commitments on the collection and processing of API data, laid down in various United Nations Security Council (UNSC) Resolutions.

“Our world, our regions, continue to evolve and present new challenges and risks for border and travel security, but also new opportunities for co-operation between countries and organizations,” said Dennis Cosgrove, Head of BSMU, opening the event. “As the nature of terrorism and other forms of organized crime changes constantly, there is a need for a strengthened response to this ever-evolving transnational threat - the response for which we must continue to collaborate as partners.”

An API system is an electronic system through which biographic data from a traveller’s passport and flight details are collected by airlines and transmitted to the relevant entities, such as border control agencies, before departure or arrival.

The collection and processing of API data by government structures has grown in importance since the adoption of UNSC Resolution 2178 (2014), which calls for the establishment of individual API systems. This obligation has been further reinforced with the adoption of UNSC Resolution 2396 (2017) and Amendment 26 to the Chicago Convention, making an API system mandatory.

This training course was the eighth activity of a multi-year OSCE initiative aimed at strengthening co-operation mechanisms between border security and management agencies of the OSCE participating States and the Mediterranean Partners for Co-operation.

473244 Andrii Dziubenko

At a ceremony in Kyiv on 9 December 2020, Ukraine’s State Border Guard Service and State Customs Service received equipment and reference materials from the OSCE Project Co-ordinator in Ukraine as part of their efforts to strengthen the country’s control over transboundary movement of chemicals.

“No modern economy can exist now without active movement of chemical products across its borders. There are also growing risks of criminal activity in this sphere, be it a smuggling attempt or a planned terrorist activity with the use of controlled substances,” said Henrik Villadsen, OSCE Project Co-ordinator in Ukraine. “We hope that our assistance will help strengthen Ukraine’s own capacity for timely identification of and response to chemical threats at the border to minimize risks to the health and lives of people”.

The equipment includes 60 sets of chemical control kits with protective gear and tools to enable quick identification of toxic hazards. Four hydrogen generators and two precise laboratory scales were also received by the State Customs Service’s specialized laboratory for performing investigative tests to evaluate suspect materials and address incidents with chemicals at border crossings.

Both services also received 820 sets of pocket guides with tips on identifying toxic chemicals, as well as brief guidance on actions to take in case of emergencies; including spills of dangerous substances, transportation accidents and other cases involving chemical materials.

Last year, the Co-ordinator also trained around 100 border officials, including trainers-of-trainers, to respond to chemical emergencies through a series of three theoretical training sessions and four practical drills at land, air and sea border crossing points. Thematic educational videos were also produced for institutions that train and retrain border guards and customs officers.

The training and equipment were provided as part of a project implemented by the Co-ordinator with the financial assistance of the European Union and the United States of America.

COPENHAGEN, 9 December 2020 – OSCE Parliamentary Assembly President George Tsereteli (Georgia) has appointed Special Representatives to cover the important portfolios of the South Caucasus, Central Asia, and Eastern Europe. The Special Representatives will serve as focal points for the PA’s work in the regions, provide advice, and regularly report back to the President and the Assembly.

Ditmir Bushati, Head of the OSCE PA’s Albanian Delegation and former Foreign Minister of Albania, has been designated Special Representative on the South Caucasus. His mandate includes:

• Following the overall political situation in the region and seeking to promote dialogue in all segments of society, in particular at the parliamentary level, in order to encourage reconciliation and rehabilitation with regard to the protracted conflicts in the region;
• Considering ways for confidence-building measures to create more favourable conditions, conducive to the identification and implementation of political solutions based on the principles and values of OSCE commitments and international law;
• Working closely with the OSCE Chairmanship and executive structures, the Minsk Group, its Co-Chairs, as well as the Chairman-in-Office’s Personal Representative on the Conflict Dealt With by the Minsk Group, and following the developments in the Geneva International Discussions.

Reinhold Lopatka, Deputy Head of the Austrian Delegation to the OSCE PA and Chair of the Ad Hoc Committee on Countering Terrorism, has been appointed Special Representative on Central Asia. His mandate includes:

• Encouraging active participation by parliamentarians from Central Asia (Kazakhstan, Kyrgyzstan, Tajikistan, Turkmenistan, Uzbekistan), as well as Mongolia, in the work of the OSCE Parliamentary Assembly to strengthen parliamentarism in the region;
• Liaising with and supporting the work of the OSCE field missions in the region, as well as relevant OSCE institutions, international and regional organizations and diplomatic missions;
• Encouraging closer contacts between the parliaments in the region to promote greater intra-regional co-operation in all three OSCE dimensions.

Daniela De Ridder (Germany) will serve as Special Representative on Eastern Europe, with a mandate to serve as the primary point of contact within the OSCE PA on issues pertinent to the region. Additionally, she will:

• Promote dialogue in all segments of society, in particular at the parliamentary level, in order to lend the Parliamentary Assembly’s contribution in the spheres of parliamentary diplomacy, confidence building, reconciliation and dialogue facilitation;
• Liaise and co-ordinate with other OSCE and OSCE PA structures as well as other relevant domestic and international actors on regional issues, particularly in relation to Belarus, Ukraine, and Moldova;
• Advise the President on the situation in the region and potential actions by the PA, and undertake country visits as deemed necessary.

All the mandates expire at the end of the OSCE PA’s Annual Session in Bucharest, in July 2021.

COPENHAGEN, 9 December 2020 – Effectively preventing and combatting corruption requires co-ordinated responses at both national and international levels guided by strong political will, said Irene Charalambides (Cyprus), the OSCE PA’s Special Representative on Fighting Corruption, at an event today marking International Anti-Corruption Day.

Addressing a webinar organized by the Office of the Co-ordinator of OSCE Economic and Environmental Activities (OCEEA), entitled “Open Data in Action: Beneficial Ownership and Public Procurement,” Charalambides underlined the role of parliamentarians in building political will and proactively safeguarding the independence of key anti-corruption national stakeholders from interference.

“Without political will, anti-corruption laws will remain empty shells and anti-corruption authorities will feel abandoned,” Charalambides said. “Political will is therefore the Alfa and the Omega of any effective anti-corruption strategy.”

Open data initiatives are critical, she emphasized, in making information available to the public and improving government accountability and enhancing public participation. “Open data makes existing information easier to analyze, process, and combine, allowing a new level of public scrutiny,” she said. “If used properly, open data also supports technological innovation and economic growth.”

Charalambides highlighted the role of interparliamentary fora such as the OSCE Parliamentary Assembly in building policy convergence on anti-corruption issues for the steady implementation of good governance principles at the national level.

She also pointed to the adoption last week of the Ministerial Council Decision “Preventing and Combating Corruption through Digitalization and Increased Transparency,” which confirmed that fighting corruption must remain a top priority across the OSCE region and recognized the important role played by national parliaments in this critical field.

“International organizations such as the OSCE also represent a privileged platform for sharing best practices, developing coordinated responses and promoting strategic partnerships among key actors in this field, including parliaments, governments, civil society, the business community, media and youth,” Charalambides said.

The Special Representative commended the work of journalists who act as a watchdog by uncovering and publicly exposing malfeasance as well as by fighting impunity. “To ensure their effective role in fighting corruption, journalists must be free and independent, and the media environment needs to be pluralistic, safe and protected from undue influence,” she said.

Special Representative Charalambides chaired a Parliamentary Web Dialogue on 14 October, entitled “Parliamentarians & Journalists: Partners Against Corruption,” which explored topics such as money laundering, the risks of organized crime infiltrating economic activity, the importance of transparency, and the need for promoting a safe work environment for journalists to carry out their essential work in combating corruption.

For more on the work of the OSCE Parliamentary Assembly's Special Representative on Fighting Corruption, please click here. 

473133 Anna Vorobeva OSCE Mission to Moldova

Around 175 school teachers from all over Moldova attended a workshop on the history of the Holocaust from 1 to 3 December 2020. The OSCE Mission to Moldova, in co-ordination with the Moldovan Ministry of Education, Culture and Research, facilitated the workshop for school teachers to learn about the teaching methodology for the optional school course "The Holocaust: History and Lessons of life", which was introduced in September 2019.

The teachers discussed topics outlined in the Methodological Guide, which experts developed with the Mission's support in 2019. The Guide is a practical instrument for teaching the optional course with a strong emphasis on the local history context. 

Participants were presented with a large variety of sources for their work, ranging from historic documents and maps to short documentary films as well as personal stories of Holocaust survivors.  The workshop also included an overview of online resources available at Yad Vashem, the World Holocaust Remembrance Centre located in Israel as well as an overview of several educational projects prepared by university and school students.

Participants said that they especially appreciated the practical approach adopted by the trainers, which equipped them with practical skills necessary for effective teaching of the optional course. 

The training workshop was conducted in Romanian and Russian languages, thus facilitating participation of teachers from schools with both languages of instruction. 

As part of its broader engagement to promote awareness and a conciliatory dialogue, the OSCE Mission to Moldova has supported the Moldovan authorities in the implementation of the country’s first action plan on the Holocaust remembrance and education in 2017-2019, and will provide further assistance in the realization of the next thematic policy document. 

VIENNA, 9 December 2020 — The winners of the OSCE–Institute for Peace Research and Security Policy at the University of Hamburg (IFSH) Essay Competition: Conventional Arms Control and Confidence- and Security-Building Measures in Europe were announced today at a virtual award ceremony held during an OSCE Forum for Security Co-operation (FSC) meeting organized by the German FSC Chairmanship.

The first-of-its-kind essay competition was launched in March 2020 and invited students and young professionals under 35 years of age from OSCE participating States and Partners for Co-operation to submit original essays on five topics related to conventional arms control and confidence- and security-building measures (CSBMs) in Europe.

The goal of the competition was to strengthen youth engagement in the field of arms control and CSBMs through a joint initiative between the OSCE and its long-standing partners and experts: the IFSH, the Geneva Centre for Security Policy (GCSP), Moscow State Institute of International Relations and the Vienna Centre for Disarmament and Non-proliferation (VCDNP).

“The generation of ‘arms control negotiators’ from the 80s and 90s have reached peaks in their careers and are now starting to retire. The active political knowledge about arms control is therefore dwindling,” said Gesa Bräutigam, Ambassador and Permanent Representative of Germany to the OSCE, during her opening remarks at the ceremony. “We need the young generation of specialists on conventional arms control and CSBMs who will promote and develop it further either as members of diplomatic service or academia. To add our contribution to develop this generation of young practitioners, the OSCE’s Conflict Prevention Centre (CPC) has developed the essay competition. Today is the pinnacle of that competition.”

Ambassador Tuula Yrjölä, Officer in Charge/Secretary General and Director of the OSCE CPC announced the three winners of the competition who then presented their essays to the ceremony participants. 

First prize was awarded to Benjamin Schaller (Germany, Arctic University of Norway in Tromsø) for his essay that considered the “untapped potential” of European arms control and laid out policy proposals and recommendations on how to strengthen the role of the OSCE.

The second prize went to Naomi Egel (USA, Cornell University) whose essay explored how the OSCE’s history, structure, and political position offers a distinct, yet often overlooked approach to arms control, non-proliferation, and disarmament.

Anastasia Prokhorova (Russian Federation, Central European University) was awarded the third prize for her essay that examined perceptions of the OSCE in reducing military risks in Europe and the organization’s innovative approach to security.

The winners each received cash prizes of up to €3,000 and an all-expenses paid trip to Vienna to attend a future FSC meeting. Other prizes for the winners and runners-up included a spot in the Non-Proliferation and Disarmament Short Course offered by the VCDNP, book vouchers of up to €500, and an opportunity to intern with GCSP. Adapted versions of the winning essays will also be published in GCSP’s Strategic Security Analysis Series.

The winning essays were selected from 96 entries submitted by participants in 36 OSCE participating States and Partners for Co-operation. Each entry was evaluated anonymously by a jury of experts from the field using a process and scoresheet defined prior to the competition launch. Of the entries received, 44% were from female participants.

“The main purpose of this initiative is to bring young talented students and professionals closer to the topics that we discuss here in the FSC every week. We hope that some of them will choose to continue working on these important topics in the future,” said Yrjölä.

Representatives from each organization supporting the competition were also invited to speak and shared details about the competition, its development, and the selection process. They highlighted continuing efforts to support current and future competition participants, and to expand on the competition’s momentum by developing further joint initiatives.

“The academic community needs the inflow of the young generation of experts who will be able to support future negotiation processes and in this manner contribute to more stability, predictability and security in the Euro-Atlantic region,” said Cornelius Friesendorf, Head of the Centre for OSCE Research (CORE) at the IFSH, who spoke on behalf of all the partners involved in the competition. “The future belongs to the youth, and that is why they should engage in forming the future security landscape. That is why we have joined this initiative without hesitation.”

Read more about the winners and their entries here: https://www.osce.org/forum-for-security-cooperation/473055

Željka Šulc

SARAJEVO, 9 December 2020 - The OSCE Mission to Bosnia and Herzegovina joins BiH citizens, the country’s national institutions and other international organizations in marking today’s International Anti-corruption Day. Today, we take stock and highlight what changes are needed to ensure citizens are served by efficient, effective and transparent government institutions.

The situation in BiH in 2020 is particularly concerning given the country's failure to make progress in curbing corruption, despite support from national and international anti-corruption stakeholders. 

According to Transparency International’s Corruption Perception Index, BiH continues to regress steadily on the global scale. The latest report of the Council of Europe’s Group of States against Corruption (GRECO) concluded that BiH has made no progress in implementing recommendations provided in previous evaluation reports.

The Mission’s own monitoring, as reported in our recently-released third annual Report on the Judicial Response to Corruption entitled "The Impunity Syndrome," indicates a clear failure of the BiH criminal justice system to address corruption effectively. Meanwhile, the COVID-19 pandemic has created new openings for corrupt actors to exploit inadequate institutional oversight, co-ordination, and transparency, testing the resilience of institutions and corruption prevention mechanisms. 

Recognizing these challenges, the Mission remains committed to assisting institutions and stakeholders to improve their capacities to curb corruption. In 2020, based on the positive example of Sarajevo Canton, the Mission supported the establishment of databases that help identify situations of conflict of interest in the Brčko District, Bosnian-Podrinje Canton, and the Travnik Municipality.

The Mission helped with the development and adoption of anti-corruption action plans at all government levels to combat pandemic-related corruption. To improve co-ordination efforts and alleviate technical challenges, the Mission plans to provide IT equipment to key anti-corruption authorities. Ongoing Mission monitoring of corruption cases serves to identify issues and trends; information which can be used to help secure the integrity, impartiality, and accountability of the judiciary as a necessary precondition for effective judicial response to corruption.

While Mission and other international support remains available to help BiH in its efforts to combat corruption, progress will not occur without the commitment of all citizens, including public officials, legislators, prosecutors, police and the media. 

We urge citizens to report suspected cases of corruption and press their elected officials for action to curb corruption in government. We commend the dedication and courage of investigative journalists who have helped uncover cases of corruption.  We call on judicial and law enforcement authorities to step up efforts to investigate and prosecute violations.  We urge lawmakers to adopt needed legislation on conflict of interest and crucial amendments to the existing law on the High Judicial and Prosecutorial Council.

Unless and until BiH makes progress in combatting corruption, it will continue to fall short of its potential to develop as a prosperous democratic state.   

VIENNA / TIRANA, 9 December 2020 – On the occasion of the Fifth Anniversary of the adoption of United Nations Security Council Resolution 2250 on Youth, Peace and Security, Keisi Seferi, OSCE Chairperson-in-Office Special Representative on Youth and Security said that “this is a moment to take stock of the achievements of the international community in engaging with youth and reflect on the way forward to enhance young people’s role as providers of human security”.

Seferi acknowledged the importance of engaging youth in conflict prevention and conflict resolution, including reflecting their perspective in negotiations and in the implementation of peace agreements. She called on governments and civil society to recognize the full potential of young people as actors of change and agents of peace and security.

“OSCE participating States should implement all commitments related to youth and put into action their engagement in giving youth a dedicated space, so that young people can play a proactive role in supporting participating States in the implementation of commitments in all three dimensions of the OSCE concept of comprehensive security,” Seferi said.

She also encouraged OSCE participating States to explore all possible ways to further deepen the co-operation with the United Nations on the Youth, Peace and Security agenda and to join efforts in upholding the role of youth in contributing to a culture of peace, dialogue, justice and peaceful coexistence, trust and reconciliation.

SDGs SDGs:  16 - Peace, justice and strong institutions

Summary

• The SMM recorded 28 ceasefire violations in Donetsk region. In the previous 24 hours, the Mission recorded 20 ceasefire violations in the region.
• The SMM recorded no ceasefire violations in Luhansk region. In the previous 24 hours, the Mission recorded eight ceasefire violations in the region.
• The Mission continued monitoring the disengagement areas near Stanytsia Luhanska, Zolote and Petrivske.
• The SMM observed weapons in violation of withdrawal lines in a non-government-controlled area of Donetsk region.
• The SMM facilitated and monitored adherence to localised ceasefires to enable the construction, maintenance and operation of and repairs to critical civilian infrastructure.
• The Mission continued following up on the situation of civilians, including at four entry-exit checkpoints and three checkpoints of the armed formations in Donetsk and Luhansk regions.
• The SMM’s freedom of movement continued to be restricted.*

BISHKEK, 9 December 2020 – The OSCE Office for Democratic Institutions and Human Rights (ODIHR) today opened a limited election observation mission (LEOM) for the 10 January early presidential election in Kyrgyzstan, following an invitation from the national authorities.

The mission is led by Tamas Meszerics and consists of a core team of 13 experts based in Bishkek and 22 long-term observers, who will be deployed throughout the country from 15 December.

The mission will assess whether the elections are held in line with OSCE commitments and other international obligations and standards for democratic elections, as well as with national legislation. Observers will closely monitor fundamental aspects of the elections such as voter registration, campaign activities, the work of the election administration and relevant government bodies, election-related legislation and its implementation, and the resolution of election-related disputes. The mission will also monitor media coverage of the campaign.

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

While mission members will visit a limited number of polling stations on election day, there will not be any systematic observation of voting, counting or tabulation of results.

An interim report will be published to update the public and media during the course of the observation. The day after the elections, ODIHR’s preliminary findings and conclusions will be presented at a press conference. A final report summing up the observation and making recommendations for improvements will be published approximately two months after the end of the election process.

NB The ODIHR LEOM and the OSCE Programme Office in Bishkek operate separately and independently under their own mandates.

For further information, please visit https://www.osce.org/odihr/elections/kyrgyzstan or contact Egor Tilpunov, Media Analyst, at egor.tilpunov@odihr.kg or +996 772 207 028,

or

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