Central Europe

440693 Munira Shoinbekova, OSCE Programme Office in Dushanbe

A three-day training course on methods of investigating drug trafficking crimes on the Internet, supported by the OSCE Programme Office in Dushanbe, concluded on 28 November 2019in Dushanbe.

Some 22 officials from the Drug Control Agency under the President of the Republic of Tajikistan and other law enforcement agencies of Tajikistan attended the course, which was conducted by experts from the Ministry of Internal Affairs of the Russian Federation.

The aim of the course was to build the capacity of law enforcement agencies of Tajikistan in combating transnational organized crime, including the fight against illicit drug trafficking, psychotropic substances and their precursors. It used interactive methods and practical examples that showed participants methods of how cell phones and personal computers are used in drug-related crimes.

Rajab Turakhonzoda, a senior employee at the Drug Control Agency’s operational investigative department in the Khatlon region, noted that the training course helped him update his knowledge with new information regarding money laundering on the Internet.

VIENNA, 1 December 2019 – The OSCE Representative on Freedom of the Media Harlem Désir today welcomed the bringing of criminal charges against businessman Yorgen Fenech for complicity in the murder of Maltese investigative journalist Daphne Caruana Galizia on 16 October 2017.

This follows charges brought, in July, against three men suspected to have murdered the journalist, as well as the arrest of a middleman, on 14 November, who was granted a presidential pardon on 25 November in exchange for evidence related to the case.

“I welcome the arrest and indictment of one of the alleged masterminds of this horrendous crime,” said Désir.

“This indictment is an important step in the investigation into the murder of Daphne Caruana Galizia. It’s high time to cast a full light on all the circumstances surrounding the assassination of the journalist, and to ensure, now, that all those involved will face justice.”

“This is why it is crucial that the investigation continues, and is fully transparent, independent and free from any political interference,” insisted Désir.

The suspect, Yorgen Fenech, was the former head of the Tumas business group and a director of the Electrogas energy company. He was identified last year as being the owner of a Dubai-registered company, 17 Black, listed in the Panama Papers. “Daphne Caruana Galizia had written about 17 Black eight months before her death, alleging it had business links with several political figures,” recalled Désir.

“The new developments in the investigation confirm that Daphne Caruana Galizia was killed because of her investigative reporting, and for revealing corruption and collusion at the highest levels,” Désir said. “I hope that the investigation and subsequent trials will ensure that there will be no impunity for her tragic death. All those involved must face justice.”

The OSCE Representative on Freedom of the Media observes media developments in all 57 OSCE participating States. He 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.

SDGs SDGs:  16 - Peace, justice and strong institutions

Summary

• Compared with the previous reporting period, the SMM recorded more ceasefire violations both in Donetsk and Luhansk regions.
• Small-arms fire occurred close to SMM patrol in non-government-controlled Pikuzy.
• The SMM continued to monitor the situation in the Zolote and Petrivske disengagement areas.
• Inside the Stanytsia disengagement area, the SMM saw workers from non-government-controlled areas repairing asphalt and installing new railings on the metal part of the Stanytsia Luhanska bridge.
• The SMM observed for the first time anti-tank mines near non-government-controlled Verkhnoshyrokivske and mine hazard signs near government-controlled Marinka.
• It monitored adherence to the ceasefire to facilitate repairs to critical civilian infrastructure on both sides of the contact line.
• The SMM’s freedom of movement continued to be restricted, including at a checkpoint of the armed formations near Kovske in southern Donetsk region.

SDGs SDGs:  16 - Peace, justice and strong institutions

Summary

• Compared with the previous reporting period, the SMM recorded fewer ceasefire violations in both Donetsk and Luhansk regions.
• In fields inside the Zolote disengagement area, an SMM mini-unmanned aerial vehicle spotted again anti-tank mines, assessed as belonging to the armed formations.
• Inside the Stanytsia Luhanska disengagement area, the SMM saw workers from non-government-controlled areas placing and welding new railings on both sides of the metal span of the Stanytsia Luhanska bridge.
• The Mission monitored adherence to a localized ceasefire to facilitate repairs to critical civilian infrastructure, including to water pipelines in Zaitseve, to the phenol sludge reservoir near Zalizne, and to communication equipment in Obozne.
• The SMM saw convoys of trucks with Russian Federation licence plates in non-government-controlled areas.
• The SMM’s freedom of movement continued to be restricted, including at a checkpoint of the armed formations near Zaichenko, in southern Donetsk region.

KHARKOV/STANYTSIA LUHANSKA, Ukraine, 29 November 2019 – OSCE Chairperson-in-Office and Slovak Foreign and European Affairs Minister Miroslav Lajčák, together with Ukrainian Deputy Foreign Minister Vasyl Bodnar, today visited the repaired and reopened Stanytsia Luhanska Bridge.

“I am very happy to see for myself that the repair works of the bridge in Stanytsia Luhanska were completed ahead of schedule and that pedestrians are now able to safely cross. It is a clear sign that change for the better is possible,” the OSCE Chair said today. The bridge, the only crossing point at the contact line in the Luhansk Region, was opened last week by Ukrainian President Zelensky.

“My first trip as OSCE Chair took me to Stanytsia Luhanska in January. I was shocked and depressed to see elderly people forced to cross a damaged bridge and put themselves at risk, just to do basic things like collect their pensions or visit relatives. It was a disgraceful situation – and not something we would expect to see in Europe, in the 21st century,” said Minister Lajčák.

“When I talked to some of these people, I could see how defeated they were. Having to climb the shaky wooden ramp built to substitute for the damaged section of the bridge was extremely difficult and challenging, and I could see that they had no hope for it to change,” Lajčák recalled.

“This is why I am so pleased to be here today, to see a fully functioning bridge. For me, it is probably the key achievement to happen under our watch at the OSCE, in line with our priority to alleviate the impacts of the crisis for the people on the ground. Because it really makes a difference to them,” he said.

OSCE Chair Lajčák also highlighted the role the OSCE Special Monitoring Mission to Ukraine (SMM) played in monitoring the repairs, and stressed the need for increased support to its crucial work from all OSCE participating States. “The OSCE Special Monitoring Mission is playing a key role in reducing tensions, preventing escalations and building confidence,” he noted. “The monitors act as our eyes and ears, as they make up the most relevant international presence currently on the ground. Without them here, things would be much worse – and they need our support.”

Speaking about high expectations for the upcoming OSCE Ministerial Council on 5 and 6 December in Bratislava, and the leaders’ Summit in the Normandy Format in Paris, on 9 December, as well as the ongoing important work of his Special Representative, Ambassador Martin Sajdik, Lajčák stressed the need to see more positive steps to make daily life easier for the people in the east of Ukraine, including the opening of more crossing points. “I do not have to remind anyone that this conflict has been going on for more than five years now. It is time to finally resolve it,” the OSCE Chair concluded.

440597 Marina Živaljević

“The OSCE recognizes violence against women as both a threat to individuals and a broader security concern,” said the Head of the OSCE Mission to Montenegro, Maryse Daviet, in an address on 29 November 2019 to the 11th session of the ‘Women’s Parliament’, held within Montenegro’s Parliament, as part of the 16 Days of Activism Against Gender-Based Violence international campaign.

More than 100 women from Montenegro’s state institutions, members of parliament, ministers, corporate directors and NGO representatives gathered to discuss equality rights in practice as well as joint efforts to combatviolence against women. The women also discussed how to address trafficking in human beings.

Daviet recalled the OSCE-led Survey on the Well-being and Safety of Women, which showed that women of all ages and from across Montenegro have experienced either physical or psychological violence. This datais crucial for policy- and lawmakers, for citizens, law enforcement agencies among many other stakeholders, she said.

Daviet also congratulated the Gender Equality Committee for leading the process to pilot gender responsive budgeting within the agricultural budget. “This process is at the core of gender mainstreaming and the Mission remains committed to continue furthering this co-operation with the committee and the relevant ministries,” she said.

Ivan Brajović, President of the Parliament of Montenegro, said that the date, 29 November, should be a reminder that women in post-war Montenegro and the then Yugoslavia gained the right to vote, became educated and participated equally in one society. “Every day must be dedicated to fighting all kinds of violence in Montenegro. Our effort must be to make Montenegro a society that does not tolerate any kind of violence,” said Brajović.

Nada Drobnjak, Chairperson of the Parliamentary Committee on Gender Equality said that this year Montenegro celebrates 150 years since the inauguration of the Girls’ Institute – a respected institution that has educated girls from Montenegro and beyond. “We also celebrate 100 years since women in Montenegro engaged in politics,” said Drobnjak and added that the current Parliament has the highest number of women: 29.63percent of MPs are women.

440567 Communication and Media Relations Section

The impact of big data and digitalization on energy, security and society was the focus of the 2nd Vienna Energy Strategy Dialogue, which concluded on 29 November 2019 in Vienna.

Aimed at fostering a cross-cutting approach to energy security, the event was hosted by the Federation of Austrian Industries. It was co-organized  by the Office of the Co-ordinator of OSCE Economic and Environmental Affairs and in partnership with the Austrian Member Committee of the World Energy Council (WEC Austria).

Over 60 leading energy experts from academia, business, government and international organizations debated key challenges associated with future digitalization trends such as big data and artificial intelligence for energy system transformation, data security and development of climate policies. In light of increasing digitization, the requirements for a secure and affordable energy supply system are rapidly changing, creating new economic, technical and political challenges.

“The Vienna Energy Strategy Dialogue offers a unique platform for the national members of the WEC Austria to engage in a dialogue with international experts concerning hot topics driving the latest and future developments in the energy, technology and security sector,” said Dr. Robert Kobau, Secretary General of the WEC Austria.

Daniel Kroos, OSCE Senior Programme Officer on Energy Security said: “Digitalization will shape the future of energy throughout the OSCE region, creating new challenges that we need to address. The OSCE provides an effective platform for dialogue between energy leaders from government, business and academia to develop solutions to these challenges. This the purpose of the Vienna Energy Strategy Dialogue”.

Hossein Hassani, Co-ordinator of Statistics Team at the Data Services Department, OPEC said: “Big data bolsters our capacity to develop and deploy game-changing technologies that contribute to climate change mitigation efforts. Big data holds great promise for alleviating energy poverty and addressing the climate change challenge, two important pillars of the UN SDGs.”

440555 OSCE High Commissioner on National Minorities

The development of bilingual and multilingual education policies and programmes was the focus of a workshop organized by the office of the OSCE High Commissioner on National Minorities and hosted by Moldova’s Ministry of Education, Culture and Research in Chisinau on 28 November 2019.

Designed for the country’s education policymakers, the workshop presented findings from a mapping of the current initiatives in the field of multilingual education in Moldova and an analysis of the legislative and policy framework. The participants also discussed opportunities to support the broader dissemination of multilingual education models in Moldova.

Opening the workshop, Moldova’s Minister of Education, Culture and Research Corneliu Popovici said: “The limited knowledge of the state language among representatives of ethnic minorities remains one of the main hindrances towards strengthening interethnic relations in Moldova. It is therefore necessary to take urgent measures to ensure quality teaching of the Romanian language for the representatives of all ethnic groups and to promote linguistic diversity in society.”

SARAJEVO, 29 November 2019 – Arms control, violent extremism and radicalization that leads to terrorism, and cyber security were the focus of “Annual Security Review Days 2019”, a three-day conference organized by the OSCE Mission to Bosnia and Herzegovina (BiH), which concluded today in Sarajevo.  

The conference gathered participants from the security sector, academia, international organizations and civil society. The objective of the conference was to assess the progress BiH has achieved in terms of its compliance with OSCE commitments and develop recommendations for measures aimed at increasing capacities of the BiH security sector.

“This event is an important opportunity for key security actors to jointly reflect on the current state of the implementation of OSCE security-related commitments, to strategically plan in view of agreed priorities, and to reinforce their commitment to ensuring that BiH meets its international obligations,” said Susan Penksa, Head of OSCE Mission to BiH Department for Security Co-operation. “All of us recognize the significance of inclusive, democratic and transparent policymaking. The security challenges of the 21st century cannot be adequately responded to in isolation – not by a single authority, Ministry or country.”

The conference was an opportunity to mark the 25th anniversary of the adoption of the OSCE Code of Conduct on Politico-Military Aspects of Security, as the first multilateral instrument to encompass norms and principles regulating the conduct of armed and security forces.

Sead Jusić, Deputy Defence Minister of BiH, emphasized that it was of particular importance that the OSCE’s Code of Conduct was applied in all segments of society. “BiH has established mechanisms and tools for practical implementation of the commitments from the Code. The Defence Ministry, over the past several years, adopted a number of bylaws and regulations governing the issues of transparency of work, professionalism and ethics, as it impossible to talk about democratic society and transparency without these elements,” said Jusić.

Emir Vajzović, Head of the Institute for Social Sciences Research at the Faculty of Political Science of Sarajevo University said that it was important that society as a whole understands that digitalization brought a range of challenges for all actors in the society. “In terms of the security sector, the digital transformation introduced new hybrid, asymmetrical challenges, which require adequate response by state actors and their mutual communication. The OSCE’s Code, even 25 years after its adoption, remains a significant tool for overcoming all security challenges, preventing and ending conflicts and, what is the most important, for building trust among the OSCE participating States,” said Vajzović.    

Marina Živaljević

The emerging threat to the health and safety of society posed by new psychoactive drugs was the focus of a regional meeting organized by the OSCE Mission to Montenegro, in co-operation with the country’s Ministry of Health and the Police Directorate, on 26 and 27 November 2019 in Podgorica.

Around 30 participants from law enforcement agencies and health care institutions of Montenegro, Albania, Bosnia and Herzegovina, Slovenia, and Serbia attended the event. Together with experts from the Strategic Police Matters Unit of the OSCE Transnational Threats Department, the UN Office on Drugs and Crime’s Programme Office in Serbia and the European Monitoring Centre for Drugs and Drug Addiction (EMCDDA), they discussed problems and challenges, and exchanged information and best practices on how to combat the illegal use of psychoactive substances.

John Corrigan, Mission’s Security Co-operation and Governance Programme Manager, pointed to the unprecedented growth in the synthetic drugs market, and the increasing sophistication and diversification of drug trafficking, both regionally and globally.

“The reports on the increase in the availability and trafficking of these new psychoactive drugs have raised alarm amongst the international community, especially with regard to organized crime groups profiting and exploiting this market,” he said.

Jasna Sekulić, Head of the Department for Drugs Policy in Montenegro’s Ministry of Health said that the country has established an early warning system for new substances in line with the EU acquis and international recommendations.

“The issue is common and knows no boundaries. We can act preventively only through joint forces and co-operation,” she said.

The Mission supported this regional meeting as part of its efforts to provide assistance to Montenegrin institutions in devising a multidisciplinary approach to combating illicit drugs, especially in the context of law enforcement agencies’ efforts in countering serious and organized crime.

OSCE Centre in Ashgabat

Promoting economic connectivity through regional stability was the focus of an OSCE-supported preparatory meeting of the Regional Technical Groups (RTG) of the Regional Infrastructure: Confidence Building (RI-CBM) Measures held on 29 November 2019. The event was organized within the framework of the Istanbul Process on Afghanistan.

The meeting brought together experts from Afghanistan, Turkmenistan and a number of the participating countries of the Istanbul Process as well as representatives from regional and international organizations. The preparatory meeting was organized by the Ministry of Foreign Affairs of Turkmenistan with support from the OSCE Centre in Ashgabat.

The participants reviewed the progress of the existing projects implemented by other multilateral organizations  that facilitate regional economic connectivity. They discussed multilateral funding mechanisms and the dependence of trade facilitation on the development of physical infrastructure and regulatory framework.

Vepa Hajiyev, Deputy Minister of Foreign Affairs of Turkmenistan, addressed the participants of the preparatory meeting: “It is symbolic that this event is held ahead of a meeting of the Foreign Ministers of the Istanbul Process participating countries on 9 December which will discuss the ways to resolve issues pertaining to our primary goal – establishing lasting peace and ensuring sustainable development in Afghanistan.”

“It is our strong belief that infrastructure projects are key factors in promoting security and stability in Afghanistan and we are confident that today’s meeting will make a positive contribution to the enhancement of our co-operation within support for the strengthening of security and economic progress in Afghanistan.”

The OSCE, the UN Office for Drugs and Crime (UNODC), the Border Management Programme in Central Asia (BOMCA), and the Asian Development Bank (ABD) presented their activities covering the region and involving Afghanistan in their projects on economic connectivity.

“The OSCE considers regional co-operation to be a powerful mechanism leading to stability and economic prosperity and commends the active role of Turkmenistan as a regional actor and contributor to the regional stability,” said Natalya Drozd, Head of the OSCE Centre in Ashgabat.

“It is our firm belief that today’s meeting will provide an efficient platform for  the exchange of ideas among multilateral organizations on how to better streamline their efforts for the benefit of the RI-CBM and will foster action towards building confidence among the stakeholder countries of the infrastructure projects

The Istanbul Process was created as a platform for regional dialogue and co-operation to encourage security, political, and economic stability between Afghanistan and its neighbors. The regional technical groups for the RI-CBM within the Istanbul Process are currently co-chaired by Turkmenistan and Azerbaijan.

The event was organized as part of an extra-budgetary project of the OSCE Centre funded by the United Kingdom.

440531 Kunduz Rysbek

The second futsal tournament "Border Co-operation through Unity in Sports" took place on 27 November 2019 in Osh, Kyrgyzstan. Teams from the State Border Service of Kyrgyzstan, border servicemen of the State Committee for National Security of Tajikistan, the Operative Border Service Unit of the Russian Federation based in Osh and a team from the OSCE Programme Office in Bishkek participated in the event. The tournament aimed at strengthening regional border co-operation.

“Sport has always been not only a means of strengthening the physical and mental health of a person, but also a force that unites people. I am sure that the motto of this tournament will appeal to all of us to strengthen co-operation and improve the protection of joint borders,” stated Nurlan Tynaliev, Head of the Combat Training Department of the State Border Service of the Kyrgyz Republic.

The Head of the OSCE Programme Office in Bishkek, Pierre von Arx, in turn, noted that: “This traditional sports festival, from year to year, unites strong-spirited and courageous border guards and residents of border regions. The OSCE Programme Office in Bishkek will continue to support the efforts of participating States and Partners for Co-operation aimed at building the capacity of border agencies and promoting co-operation, harmonizing border policies and practices in line with the OSCE Concept on Border Management and Security.”The tournament concluded with prizes awarded to the participants and individual medals were given to the best players. Participants, representatives of local authorities and law enforcement agencies noted the high level of the organization of the tournament and stressed the necessity to hold similar activities in the future.

SDGs SDGs:  16 - Peace, justice and strong institutions

Summary

• Compared with the previous reporting period, the SMM recorded fewer ceasefire violations in Donetsk region and more in Luhansk region.
• The SMM saw that some of the previously observed positions of the Ukrainian Armed Forces and of the armed formations inside the Zolote disengagement area had been dismantled or partially dismantled.
• The Mission observed members of the State Emergency Service of Ukraine filling in trenches inside the disengagement area near Petrivske, and that a bunker and a trench of the armed formations just outside the disengagement area had been partially dismantled and filled in.
• The Mission observed workers from non-government-controlled areas installing railings on the metal part of the Stanytsia Luhanska bridge.
• The Mission followed up on hardship faced by civilians at checkpoints along the contact line.
• It monitored adherence to the ceasefire to facilitate repairs to critical civilian infrastructure on both sides of the contact line.
• Restrictions of the SMM’s freedom of movement continued, including at a heavy weapons holding area in a government-controlled area of Donetsk region, and in non-government-controlled Novoazovsk and Verkhnoshyrokivske in southern Donetsk region.

YEREVAN, 28 November 2019 – During his visit to Yerevan on the occasion of the 15th Anniversary of the Armenian Human Rights Defender’s Institution, the OSCE Representative on Freedom of the Media, Harlem Désir, encouraged authorities to continue promoting a safe and enabling environment for media freedom.

On 26 November, Désir met with Prime Minister Nikol Pashinyan and Minister of Foreign Affairs Zohrab Mnatsakanyan where he highlighted the co-operation established between his Office, the Government of Armenia and the Armenian Ombudsman. The Representative welcomed their efforts to protect freedom of expression and media freedom in the country.

The Representative discussed with Prime Minister Pashinyan and Foreign Minister Mnatsakanyan initiatives needed to promote media diversity and independence, to address hate speech and disinformation in line with international principles, enhance access to information, and the protection of journalist’s sources. The completion of the digital switchover process, including through a review of the broadcast regulation, to ensure a better diversity at the local level was also discussed.

During his meetings, Désir welcomed the recent exchange visits of journalists between Armenia and Azerbaijan, as an important confidence-building measure.

Désir also addressed the conference for the 15th Anniversary of the Armenian Human Rights Defender’s Institution. He underlined the important role, since its creation, of the Ombudsman in defending media freedom. With international experts and parliamentarians the Representative addressed the issues of curtailing hate speech, disinformation and extremism, while protecting the freedom of speech.

The OSCE Representative on Freedom of the Media observes media developments in all 57 OSCE participating States. He 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

Communication and Media Relations Section OSCE Guidebook Intelligence-Led Policing

Intelligence-led policing (ILP) as a modern approach to contemporary law enforcement management that combines intelligence gathering and analysis with informed decision-making procedures was focus the of an OSCE workshop in Bishkek on 28 November 2019.

Some 25 senior representatives and managers from Kyrgyzstan’s Ministry of Internal Affairs, the Ministry’s Training Centre and the General Prosecutor’s Office took part in the event organized by the Strategic Police Matters Unit of the OSCE’s Transnational Threats Department (SPMU), in close co-operation with the OSCE Programme Office in Bishkek.

Participants were introduced to the OSCE Guidebook on Intelligence-Led Policing and familiarized with experiences, good practices and lessons learned from implementing ILP in Serbia and Sweden.

“With the growing complexity of crime, the police need to adopt a more proactive approach, which prevents rather than only reacts to criminal acts. Just as in other areas of our lives, information and data play an increasingly important role in this regard,” said Alexander Eliseev, Head of the Politico-Military Department at the OSCE Programme Office in Bishkek.

Arnar Jensson, ILP Project Manager at SPMU, said: “ILP ensures that strategic decision-making as well as operational planning of law enforcement work is based on empirical evidence. This makes it not only more effective and efficient but also more accountable and transparent.”

During the discussions about the prospects of adopting a more proactive policing model in Kyrgyzstan, participants stressed the need to enhance inter-agency co-operation among the country’s law enforcement bodies, further develop and integrate databases from various agencies, update the legislative framework, and train the relevant practitioners. A summary of key findings and outcomes from the event will be shared with Kyrgyzstan’s authorities.

The event was a part of a series of national and regional training workshops organized by SPMU under its extra-budgetary project on ILP.

440492 Communication and Media Relations Section

VIENNA, 28 November 2019 – OSCE Secretary General Thomas Greminger presented two members of permanent delegations representing their countries in the OSCE with a White Ribbon Award in recognition of their personal commitment and achievements in promoting gender equality.

In a ceremony at the Hofburg Congress Centre in Vienna Greminger awarded the white ribbons to Ambassador Alessandro Azzoni, the Permanent Representative of Italy to the OSCE, in recognition of his efforts in championing gender equality when Italy chaired the OSCE in 2018 and Colonel Hans Georg Lueber, former senior military adviser at the Permanent Delegation of Switzerland and former Forum for Security Co-operation’s Chair Coordinator for the Vienna Document. Colonel Lueber was nominated for his outstanding engagement in advocating for gender equality in the framework of the OSCE MenEngage Network

As he presented the ribbons, Secretary General Greminger praised the awardees for leading by example and demonstrating their strong dedication to gender equality. “You serve as an inspiration to all of us,” he said.

The White Ribbon Award was presented for the sixth time. The awardees were nominated by delegations to the OSCE and selected through the Selection Committee, which awarded diplomats and military attachés who went beyond the minimum standards and demonstrated exceptional efforts in promoting gender equality.

440480 Željka Šulc

SARAJEVO, 28 November 2019 - Following prior successful co-operation with law enforcement agencies in Bosnia and Herzegovina (BiH), the OSCE Mission to BiH organized today a workshop on preventing, handling and combating domestic violence for representatives of all police stations in the Canton Sarajevo and the Canton’s Interior Ministry. 

“According to the official data from the Canton Sarajevo Ministry of Interior, there were 31 cases identified as domestic violence in October 2019. Out of all perpetrators, half of them had already been reported for committing similar crimes. Cases of rape and homicides where victims were women were also reported,” said Admir Katica, the Minister of Interior of the Canton Sarajevo. He also added: “Exactly because of such cases we must encourage all citizens of the Canton and beyond, not to allow anybody to harass them physically or mentally. If they cannot solve conflicts on their own, they should turn to the social welfare centres or the police.”

Mustafa Bešić, Head of Office of the Police Commissionaire of Canton Sarajevo Police Administration stated: “It is extremely important to continue training courses with target audiences in this field, as it is the case today. Prevention is a key factor in combating domestic violence.” 

Joeri Maas, Chief of Policy and Planning of the OSCE Mission to BiH said: “Domestic violence directly affects a significant number of women in Bosnia and Herzegovina and beyond. This issue is not always visible and it is not always easy to respond to it. However, it is always a security concern of the entire society, and it has to be prevented and dealt with. The responsibility to address these crimes lies with all of us, and requires a strong and co-ordinated response. Violence is not a private matter.”

In the framework of the global campaign of 16 Days of Activism against Gender-based Violence, the OSCE Mission to Bosnia and Herzegovina invites all those who witness or are experiencing any form of violence or abuse to report it to the police on 122. Free SOS lines: 1264 (for Republika Srpska) or 1265 (for Federation of Bosnia and Herzegovina) are also available for support and assistance.

440462 Marina Živaljević

On 27 November, the Head of the OSCE Mission to Montenegro Maryse Daviet congratulated the management, employees and citizens on the anniversary of National Public Broadcaster (RTCG) for 75 years of Radio and 55 years of Television of Montenegro.

“On behalf of the OSCE Mission to Montenegro, it is my great pleasure to convey to you and your colleagues sincere congratulations on the anniversary marking 75 years of Radio and 55 years of Television. Moreover, I take this opportunity to wish the Public Service Broadcaster a successful completion of the digitalization process,” said Daviet in a Letter of Congratulations sent to RTCG Director-General Božidar Šundić.

Daviet said that the digitalization process had been a very comprehensive and important endeavour, which will now provide the RTCG with the much needed signal quality and faster information flow.

“I am confident that the RTCG will continue to improve its programmatic content, and the OSCE Mission to Montenegro will remain a partner in the process,” said Daviet.

440456 Marina Živaljević

At the initiative of the Parliamentary Committee on Gender Equality, the Montenegrin Ministry of Finance and the Ministry of Agriculture and Rural Development announced the Government’s intention to pilot gender responsive budgeting in the next cycle of the agro budget within the Ministry of Agriculture and Rural Development. The initiative, supported by the OSCE Mission to Montenegro, was presented at a press conference on 26 November 2019 in Podgorica.

Nada Drobnjak, Chairperson of the Gender Equality Committee, said that gender responsive budgeting is a powerful instrument of economic policy and a tool to transform society. It makes sense to pilot gender responsive budgeting within the agro budget. While 65 per cent of rural women work on farms, only 13 percent are landowners. “Women’s entrepreneurship must be supported and nurtured. Gender responsive budgeting will help break barriers and enable women to participate equally in agro-budget programmes,” said Drobnjak.

The Head of the OSCE Mission to Montenegro, Maryse Daviet, said that the Mission has worked closely with the Parliament. The way budgets are constructed, in both politics and life, is at the core of most issues. “Today is an important day. Gender responsive budgeting is a tool to ensure that the needs of men and boys, women and girls are addressed fairly,” said Daviet.

Đuro Žugić, State Secretary in the Ministry of Agriculture and Rural Development, said that accepting the OSCE’s recommendations and analysis is a deliberate step to focus budget allocations in order to improve the position of women in the countryside.

Bojan Paunović, Director General of the State Budget Directorate at the Ministry of Finance, said that the department started in early 2019 to implement the multi-annual budgetary framework and its further programme development. “Through this reform process, gender responsive budgeting is envisaged to be an integral part of the programme budget and its entire cycle,” said Paunović.

The OSCE-engaged expert in gender issues, Marija Risteska, said that the analysis showed that gender budgeting was a tool to evaluate how policies affect men and women.  Based on her assessment, she recommended to include a gender perspective into the Ministry's sectoral analysis and to take measures that would meet the needs of rural women.

440453 Colin McCullough, OSCE Programme Office in Nur-Sultan

Some 40 officials from governmental institutions, law enforcement agencies and civil society associations attended the launch of a Community Policing Project in Karaganda on 27 November 2019. The project,which emphasizes the joint responsibility of the State and civilians in ensuring public security, is supported by the OSCE Programme Office in Nur-Sultan and Kazakhstan’s Ministry of Internal Affairs

As a result of the project, a permanent inter-departmental group has been formed on the basis of the akimat of the Karaganda region, combining the efforts of the police force, prosecutors, probation officers, labour and social protection workers as well as the city’s community representatives. The group will focus on analyzing the problems of law and order at the local level, develop recommendations, and work to enhance community strength.

Guy Vinet, Head of the Strategic Police Matters Unit of the OSCE Transnational Threats Department, said: “The function of the police is to work in order to better serve communities. Community-oriented policing is nowadays a proven and effective way to provide security and safety to our compatriots.”

The event is a part of the OSCE Programme Office’s efforts to enhance security, increase accountability, and promote best practices related to security in the host country.