Central Europe

546247 OSCE Centre in Ashgabat

Good practices in the field of effective participation of national minorities and consultative mechanisms in the OSCE participating States were in focus of an OSCE-supported roundtable discussion that took place on 15 June 2023.

The OSCE Centre in Ashgabat organized the event in co-operation with the Office of the OSCE High Commissioner on National Minorities (HCNM) to support Turkmenistan’s efforts in the implementation of the National Human Rights Action Plan for 2021-2025 in the field of ensuring ethnic minorities’ rights.

Opening the roundtable discussion, Kairat Abdrakhmanov, OSCE High Commissioner on National Minorities, who was visiting Turkmenistan from 12 to 16 June 2023, stated: “A meaningful level of representation and participation of minorities in all fields of a country’s public life − such as in elected assemblies, executive structures, the courts and advisory and consultative bodies at the national, regional and local level − is vital to foster loyalty to, and trust in, the institutions of the State.”

Experts from the Office of HCNM presented principles of effective participation and inclusion of ethnic communities and elaborated on key HCNM documents, including the 1999 Lund Recommendations on the Effective Participation of National Minorities in Public Life and the 2012 Ljubljana Guidelines on Integration of Diverse Societies.

Rune Castberg, Programme Co-ordinator of the OSCE Centre in Ashgabat, of the OSCE Centre in Ashgabat, stressed the importance of the Memorandum on Co-operation between the Ministry of Education of Turkmenistan and the Office of HCNM on Multilingual and Multicultural Development in Turkmenistan, signed in 2021.

“It is important that the event will also address the protection of the rights and cultural heritage of ethnic minorities and in this way will contribute to the implementation of the National Human Rights Action Plan for 2021-2025, which envisaged the development of measures to preserve ethnic, cultural and religious diversity and strengthen intercultural dialogue in society,” added Castberg.

International experts from Estonia and Lithuania shared best practices of the OSCE participating States in creating consultative mechanism for ethnic minorities and national minorities, enhancing their integration process and ensuring native language education.

The event brought together representatives of the Mejlis, Ministries of Education and Culture, Ombudsperson’s Office, Institute of State, Law and Democracy and law-enforcement bodies of Turkmenistan as well as city municipality, institutions of higher education and other relevant institutions.

546166 Kunduz Rysbek

Demonstrating its unwavering commitment to promoting financial literacy and inclusion among the youth and the general population, the OSCE Programme Office in Bishkek, in collaboration with the National Bank of the Kyrgyz Republic, successfully organized a series of regional training courses from May 22 to June 7. These courses, conducted by experienced national trainers, were specifically tailored to engage students and participants with differenct backgrounds, fostering their understanding of financial literacy.

Throughout this initiative, 50 training courses were delivered across the Chui, Talas, Naryn, and Issyk-Kul regions of Kyrgyzstan, with approximately 1208 (889- women, 319- men) participants. More than half of these courses were dedicated to students from various high schools and colleges, allowing them to actively participate and benefit from the programme. The OSCE Programme Office in Bishkek played a vital role in providing support and resources to ensure the success of these courses.

By leveraging the expertise of qualified national trainers, the training courses fostered an engaging learning environment that encouraged active participation and knowledge exchange. The attendees had the opportunity to delve into various topics, including family budgeting, electronic digital financial services, financial security, savings, financial products and services (including deposits and loans), investment, taxes, and insurance.

In alignment with the Financial Inclusion Strategies for 2022-2026, adopted by the Cabinet of Ministries of the Kyrgyz Republic, as well as the Action Plan for the implementation of the first stage of the Concept of Migration Policy of the Kyrgyz Republic for 2021-2030, and the Action Plan for the implementation of the Strategic Directions of the National Bank for 2022-2025, the training courses aimed to equip participants with the necessary tools and knowledge to enable them to make informed financial decisions and cultivate a sense of financial well-being.

"The OSCE Programme Office in Bishkek, in collaboration with the National Bank of the Kyrgyz Republic, is proud to have facilitated these regional training courses on financial literacy. We recognize that empowering individuals with financial knowledge is key to enhancing economic stability and promoting inclusive growth. Through these courses, we aim to equip participants with the necessary skills and understanding to navigate the complexities of personal finance effectively," said Mr. Stein Swaanen, Acting Head of Economic and Environmental Department at the OSCE Programme Office in Bishkek.

The success of the training courses signifies the collective efforts of the OSCE Programme Office in Bishkek, the National Bank of the Kyrgyz Republic, and the dedicated national trainers. Their shared commitment to fostering financial literacy and inclusion has positively influenced participants from various regions in Kyrgyzstan.

STRUGA, 14 June 2023 — Promoting security and stability in the OSCE area through sustainable development, and resilient and inclusive economic growth, was the focus of the 2023 Struga Conference on the Economic and Environmental Dimension of the OSCE that took place in Struga, North Macedonia, on 13 and 14 June. 

The event provided a platform for representatives from the OSCE’s 57 participating States, the private sector, academia, civil society and international organizations to engage in discussions on economic and environmental aspects of security in the OSCE region against the backdrop of Russia’s ongoing war against Ukraine.

Chairman-in-Office Osmani said: “The potential of the OSCE in mitigating the vast economic and environmental challenges our societies are facing today shall not be underestimated. Through its structures and valuable project work across regions, it can truly make a difference for the people.”

“I firmly believe that we must work together by sharing information and fostering regional and cross-regional cooperation, in order to truly make an impact on the ground. It is imperative for all participating States to address the far-reaching consequences of the current situation by putting in place measures and economic plans that promote sustainable development. We must stand together in enabling resilient and inclusive economic growth, as the theme of this conference and the guiding lines for all four thematic sessions,” he added. 

With the aim of strengthening dialogue and exchanging best practices, participants discussed ways to strengthen good governance through transparency and anti-corruption measures, address challenges cause by climate change, promote energy security, and foster resilience through trade and transport facilitation.

“The consequences of the war extend far beyond the military theatre”, said Igli Hasani, Co-ordinator of OSCE Economic and Environmental Activities. “There are wider and far-reaching implications, especially in terms of global climate action, energy security and regional connectivity.  To address them effectively, the OSCE participating Sates must take immediate action and put in place robust partnerships with the private sector, scientific community, international organizations and civil society”, he added.

Covering a broad range of topics at the intersection of the environmental and economic issues, which constitute the OSCE’s second dimension of security, participants and speakers underlined the urgency of developing tools to strengthen safety, resilience and prosperity in the fields of climate, the environment, technology and trade.

The approximately 150 participants who joined the event used the opportunity of the conference to continue the longstanding political dialogue on economic and environmental issues linked to security.

The 2023 Struga Conference on the Economic & Environmental Dimension of OSCE was organized by the 2023 OSCE Chairpersonship, with the support of Office of the Co-ordinator of OSCE Economic and Environmental Activities.

SKOPJE, 14 June 2023 — The OSCE Mission to Skopje unveiled a renovated administrative building for the Police Canine (K9) Unit of North Macedonia today in Hipodrom, a suburb of Skopje. The Mission helped equip the building with modern IT surveillance infrastructure and provided secure access control systems to the weapon storage facility for authorized personnel. These efforts help improve working conditions for police officers, making them better equipped to respond to emerging threats and ensure the efficient deployment of police service dogs.

“The refurbishment of this site is a tangible, effective and visible testament to what strategic co-operation and generous support can deliver. I want to use this occasion to underline the value of building networks and co-operation among all involved parties. This contributes to building the trust, which is necessary to mitigate the risk of proliferation and misuse of small arms and light weapons,” said Kilian Wahl, Head of the OSCE Mission to Skopje.

The Minister of Internal Affairs, Oliver Spasovski, emphasized how the improved facilities will contribute to their capacity building efforts.

“The issue of the control of small arms and light weapons and ammunition is of great importance for all of us. This project contributes to strengthening the capacities of the Ministry of Internal Affairs and establishing new knowledge and skills, enhancing the professionalism of employees, and thus increasing the security of citizens,” noted Spasovski.

The unveiling of the new building is part of the Mission’s ongoing efforts to reduce the risk of weapon proliferation and misuse of small arms and light weapons (SALW). This includes strengthening the operational capacity of North Macedonia’s Police K9 Unit, so they are better equipped to identify SALW at border crossings and within the country. Outcomes of this initiative thus far include the development of a standard operating procedure and a training manual for working with, and caring for, police dogs, as well as the donation of 14 specialty vehicles and three trailers to build a fully functional and agile K9 Unit.

This initiative was made possible through extra-budgetary project funding from Belgium, France, Germany, Norway, Slovakia, the United States, and the European Union.

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The first two groups of operators and dispatchers of Ukraine’s National Police emergency “102” hotline have strengthened their knowledge and skills in effective communication with children during a series of two-day trainings organized by the OSCE Support Programme for Ukraine in Uzhhorod from 6 to 9 June 2023.

"Nowadays, we receive more calls from children reporting incidents of abuse and domestic violence, and it is crucial to know how to address those calls effectively. Therefore all the knowledge and skills gained by the participants during the trainings will serve as an essential tool in addressing gender-based and domestic violence cases in times of war," said Andrii Kanashuk, the Deputy Head of the Organisational and Analytical Support and Operational Response Unit, Head of the Department of Organization of Response and "102" service of the National Police of Ukraine.

The “102” hotline personnel are the first responders for children calling the police for help in dangerous or stressful situations. They must quickly collect the necessary information from a child caller, and keep communicating with them until the police arrive. The hotline’s goal is to establish good contact, provide initial psychological support and assurance, and give the necessary instructions to ensure the safety of the child and those around them.

The training provided information on how to effectively handle calls from children reporting gender-based violence, including domestic violence cases in the context of war. The topics included identifying gender-based violence, domestic violence, cruel treatment, bullying, as well as their roots and origins, related stereotypes and impact of the war on these issues. Special attention was paid to interagency response and the role of other institutions and services in responding to cases.

The OSCE Support Programme for Ukraine is planning to deliver 20 training sessions, so that by the end of the year up to 600 “102” hotline operators and dispatchers will improve their knowledge and skills.

These courses are part of the project "Building Capacity of National Stakeholders to Provide Social and Psychological Support to Conflict-Affected People in Time of War and During Post-Conflict Recovery", which is being financially supported by the participating States and partners, listed here.

546109 Model OSCE participants in Vienna Communication and Media Relations Section Alexandra Taylor

From 12 to 14 June, 26 young professionals from Western Europe had the opportunity to try their hand at diplomatic negotiations as they simulated the Helsinki Process by renegotiating the Helsinki Final Act as part of the 2023 Model OSCE event. The event, which takes place annually, was organized by the OSCE Office of the Secretary General, in close co-operation with the OSCE Chair of North Macedonia, and in partnership with the Friedrich-Ebert-Stiftung Regional Office for Cooperation and Peace in Europe.

The event brought together 16 women and 10 men from different backgrounds who all share a strong passion for multilateralism and security.

“Security personally affects everyone. Young people are the next generation, but we tend to forget they are also the generation of today. By empowering young people, we make them aware that they can already be agents of change,” said Viktória Granecová, a participant of the event.

During the three-day event, participants were able to learn about mediation and dialogue facilitation, negotiation skills and strategies, and the decision-making process at the OSCE. They also had the opportunity to apply their new knowledge and skills first-hand during a simulation exercise about the adoption of the Helsinki Final Act. Role-playing representatives of OSCE participating States, they researched their assigned country's position and then engaged in bilateral and multilateral negotiations to reach consensus of all delegates on the final document.

“It’s important to participate and to be included. Simulating international relations in events like Model OSCE is an excellent first step for young people to find out how difficult negotiations can be,” said Athina Papapavlou, another participant.

Participants also engaged in a discussion on the role of multilateralism and diplomacy with the OSCE Ambassadors and other representatives. Some of the key topics that were discussed include the role of the OSCE in promoting security and dialogue in the region, how security benefits from gender equality and what it means to be a diplomat.

“This Model OSCE initiative builds confidence among young people and supports them by enhancing their knowledge on OSCE principles, values and processes. We also provide an opportunity to practice skills that they can then apply not only in their professional endeavours but in many aspects of their lives,” said the Senior Advisor/Chief of Staff to the OSCE Secretary General, Allison Hart. “Such events also provide valuable opportunities for participants to share their perspectives on regional security and to foster mutual understanding across diverse communities,” she added.

“We work to integrate young voices in European security debates every chance we get,” said Christos Katsioulis, Director of Friedrich-Ebert-Stiftung’s Vienna-based Regional Office for Cooperation and Peace in Europe. “The Helsinki Act 50 years ago was a watershed moment for European security architecture. If we want to come up with similarly ground-breaking initiatives today, we need young minds with fresh ideas.”

The event paved the way for increased youth inclusion in the work of the OSCE. Interested participants can become part of a ‘pool of young experts’, meaning a roster of young professionals that was recently established to ensure more consistent engagement with youth. With this initiative, the Organization will be better able to include the voices and perspectives of young people in its work.

The OSCE Chairman-in-Office Special Representative on Youth Memet Zhaku highlighted the importance of youth engagement and participation on the agenda of the 2023 North Macedonia’s OSCE Chairpersonship.  “We are not merely the leaders of tomorrow, we are the leaders of today. We, the youth, hold a unique position in shaping the world we want to live in, a world that embodies the values of peace, equality, and justice. Our voices matter and our contributions are crucial to finding innovative and sustainable solutions to the challenges we face,” he said.

This edition of Model OSCE was the first of a series that will be held at national, sub-regional and regional levels in the framework of the OSCE-wide project launched in March 2023 “Accelerating the implementation of the Youth and Security Agenda in the OSCE region”, which has thus far been supported by Italy, Liechtenstein and Spain.

546094 Communication and Media Relations Section Alexandra Taylor

On 14 June, in co-operation with the OSCE’s Transnational Threats Department and the OSCE Chairpersonship of North Macedonia, the United Nations Office for Disarmament Affairs (UNODA) held a regional consultation on the United Nations Programme of Action for cybersecurity. The consultations seek to advance responsible behaviour in the use of information and communications technologies in the context of international security.

The event is part of a series of consultations by UNODA, requested by the General Assembly, in collaboration with regional organizations, which will act as a platform for States to share views on the Programme of Action for cybersecurity proposal.

In her opening address, Izumi Nakamitsu, Under-Secretary-General and High Representative for Disarmament Affairs said “We are facing extraordinary challenges to peace and security in cyberspace. In moments like these, we must recognize the critical importance of common norms, rules and principles of responsible state behaviour and redouble our efforts to ensure their effective implementation. I wholeheartedly welcome States’ consideration of action-oriented mechanisms for advancing the implementation of the normative framework and for supporting State capacities to implement it. The programme of action proposal fits squarely in this basket.”

OSCE participating States offered unique perspectives on the proposal, drawing on the work already undertaken by the OSCE in the region. A segment of the consultation was also dedicated to the views of regional non-state stakeholders, reflecting the OSCE’s multi-stakeholder approach when engaging with cybersecurity policy.

“We strongly believe that the regional perspective – especially from the largest regional security organization - has to be taken into account when discussing the scope, content and modalities of the UN Programme of Action on cybersecurity. I am convinced that the views expressed by participating States today will provide valuable input to the process,” said Marijan Pop-Angelov, Minister Counselor and Head of First Dimension, on behalf of the 2023 OSCE Chairpersonship of North Macedonia.  

Alena Kupchyna, OSCE Co-ordinator of Activities to Address Transnational Threats, added “UN and OSCE efforts in cybersecurity are necessarily interlinked – we continue to be guided by UN-level agreements and support them through our expert knowledge and our independent activities.”

Participants underlined their commitment to continuing discussions on the Programme of Action proposal, with the next regional consultation taking place with EU Member States on 16 June.

546088

On 8 June, Judge Erkki Kourula, Vice-President of the OSCE Court of Conciliation and Arbitration, addressed the Permanent Council, reporting on the Court’s activities in the past year. He reminded that the OSCE Court, based on a treaty concluded within the OSCE, should not be considered only as a theoretical example of legal idealism but also as a mechanism based on flexible models to achieve practical results.

Vice-President Kourula underlined that the Court was founded on Principle V relating to the peaceful settlement of disputes of the Helsinki Final Act, as part of the comprehensive set of principles, including  refraining from the threat or use of force, the inviolability of frontiers and the territorial integrity of States, equal rights and self-determination of peoples and the fulfilment in good faith of obligations under international law, not to mention respect for human rights and fundamental freedoms. He first appealed to the States that are parties of the 1992 Stockholm Convention and encouraged them to resort to mechanisms provided by the Convention for settling disputes at an early stage before they become more serious conflicts. Kourula also invited OSCE participating States to accede to the Convention to confirm their commitment to promote dispute settlement in a peaceful manner.

“What is called for is the political will of States parties and the OSCE institutions to resort to the Court’s mechanisms to promote peace and justice on our continent. A starting point for many participating States is to accede to the Stockholm Convention. We venture to suggest that the volatile situation in Europe underlines the need to maintain treaty-based mechanisms. The Court of Conciliation and Arbitration within the OSCE is one of such mechanisms,” he concluded.

Mirvete Islam, OSCE Mission to Skopje Corruption Risk Assessment of the Judiciary in North Macedonia

The first-hand accounts and experiences of judges and prosecutors are at the heart of a corruption risk assessment in the justice system by the State Commission for Prevention of Corruption. This assessment, published today with the support of the OSCE Mission to Skopje, sheds a light on the risks and vulnerabilities that hinder the delivery of justice in North Macedonia.

The Assessment explores both external and internal corruption risks that pose threats to judicial independence and prosecutorial autonomy. The publication was prepared in co-operation with the Association of Judges and Association of Public Prosecutors, which helped ensure that nearly half of their members participated in the assessment process.

“Through the voices of judges and prosecutors and their personal experiences this assessment challenges the status quo. It is not merely a document—it is a catalyst for change. It is a call to action, urging us to strive for a judiciary that upholds the principles of fairness, independence, and accountability. It is our collective duty to ensure that public institutions protect the rights of the citizens and strengthen the pillars of democracy and the rule of law,” said the Head of the OSCE Mission to Skopje, Kilian Wahl at the launch event.

"Allegations of corruption are rampant.  Anecdotes of undue influence in the justice sector are real, and they are too numerous.  This is not a time for “business as usual”; this is a time for bold steps and action.  To best direct our collective resources, let us look at what the data tells us.  And let’s work together to combat corruption that exists and eliminate the risks it poses in the judiciary,” said Eric Meyer, Deputy Chief of Mission at the US Embassy.

Biljana Ivanovska, President of the State Commission for Prevention of Corruption, said that the Assessment findings will be followed up with tangible policy recommendations to accompany the country’s key strategic documents concerning the judiciary.

She urged judges and prosecutors to use these findings to improve the integrity of their respective institutions.

“The co-operation with the OSCE Mission to Skopje dating back for years resulted in numerous activities, many documents created, researches and recommendations, aimed to improve the situation in the justice system. The Assessment is part of this co-operation and I hope that it will significantly contribute to the implementation of legal mechanisms for an independent, accountable and open judiciary, as a prerequisite for raising public trust,” said Judge Xhemali Saiti, President of the Association of Judges of North Macedonia.

Elvin Veli, president of the Association of Public Prosecutors, said that personal integrity of public prosecutors is the most important tool for removing any influence in the proceedings.

“All judicial institutions are interconnected and efficient results can only be achieved if each of us personally invests and provides maximum effort to raise the standards and ethics in the proceedings,” he added.

VIENNA, 12 June 2023 - The OSCE Secretary General, Helga Maria Schmid, concluded her visit to Turkmenistan, Kyrgyzstan and Kazakhstan on 8 June. She met with high-level government officials, parliamentarians and civil society representatives, and discussed how the OSCE can facilitate regional solutions in addressing the broad range of security challenges that the region is facing and provide further support across all aspects of the OSCE’s work.

In Ashgabat, the Secretary General met with the President of Turkmenistan, Serdar Berdimuhamedov, the Chairman of the Halk Maslakhaty, Gurbanguly Berdimuhamedov, the Speaker of the Mejlis, Dunyagozel Gulmanova, the Acting Minister of Foreign Affairs, Vepa Khadjiev, Ombudsperson Yazdursun Gurbannazarova, and other stakeholders.

She presented the international EcoPorts certificate to the Turkmenbashi International Seaport during her meeting with President Berdimuhamedov. It certifies that the Seaport meets the high environmental standards set by the European port sector. The OSCE had helped the port to meet these standards through its project “Promoting Green Ports and Connectivity in the Caspian Sea region”.

“We are proud to have supported the Turkmenbashi International Seaport in achieving the standards necessary for this certification. It is a great example of how we can strengthen sustainability, connectivity, security and economic growth across the region by working together,” Schmid said.

In Bishkek, during meetings with President of Kyrgyzstan, Sadyr Zhaparov, Minister of Foreign Affairs, Zheenbek Kulubaev, and other interlocutors, the Secretary General highlighted the constructive co-operation the OSCE has with the country through its Programme Office and institutions.

“For over three decades, the OSCE has been committed to supporting Kyrgyzstan and working with the government and civil society on all aspects of security. Today, the whole OSCE region – including Central Asia – is facing unparalleled challenges, and we need to put even more effort into building a safer world for the people we serve,” Schmid stressed.

Opening the international conference “Women, Peace and Security: Problems and Development Prospects”, the Secretary General underlined the OSCE’s co-operation with the Kyrgyz Association of Women Police as well as OSCE-wide efforts to promote women’s empowerment, like with the OSCE Networking Platform for Women Leaders, including Mediators and Peacebuilders.

She also met with students and alumni during her visit to the OSCE Bishkek Academy, a flagship project providing high-quality education to students from Central Asia, Afghanistan, and beyond. 

In Astana, the Secretary General discussed regional challenges from climate change to instability in Afghanistan and the impacts of the war against Ukraine on the region in meetings with the President of Kazakhstan, Kassym-Jomart Tokayev, Chairman of the Senate, Maulen Ashimbayev, Deputy Prime Minister and Foreign Minister, Murat Nurtleu, and other high-level officials.

“I commend Kazakhstan’s commitment to deepening regional co-operation and promoting connectivity. In today’s era of increasingly polarized positions, we can only tackle global challenges and strengthen security through joint efforts. With its decades of experience and expertise, and a unique role to play in Central Asia, the OSCE stands ready to support,” Schmid emphasised.

Like the port of Turkmenbashi, the port of Kuryk has been granted the international EcoPorts certificate, and the Secretary General handed it over to Minister of Ecology and Natural Resources, Zulfiya Suleimenova, commending the achievement.

In her speech to the plenary of the Astana International Forum, the Secretary General gave an overview of both the OSCE’s project work and its value as a political platform: “Despite geopolitical challenges, the OSCE continues to deliver real benefits every day – making a meaningful difference for our citizens, including here in Central Asia.”

In all three countries, Schmid met with the staff of the OSCE structures there, including the Centre in Ashgabat, and the Programme Offices in Bishkek and Astana. 

545965

On 9 June 2023, the OSCE Project Co-ordinator in Uzbekistan (PCUz) in collaboration with the National Human Rights Centre and the Ministry of Emergency Situations of the Republic of Uzbekistan held a roundtable to discuss the draft Methodological Guidelines to Ensure Rights of Women and Children in Emergency Situations.

This draft was developed by the PCUz supported expert Henri Myrttinen in the framework of the recently adopted National Action Plan for the implementation of the UN Security Council Resolution 1325 (Women, Peace and Security) in Uzbekistan. Eighteen representatives from the Ministry of Emergency Situations and the Institute of Civil Protection under the Academy of the Ministry of Emergency Situations learnt about the international good practices on integrating gender aspects in the various emergency situations, including natural disaster risks such as earthquakes, floods and droughts as well as regional and global trends such as pandemics and climate change.

In her welcoming remarks, Dilnoza Muratova, Deputy Director of the National Center for Human Rights, stressed that “introducing a gender perspective into the field of disaster risk reduction is key to the development of the specific abilities of different gender groups to survive the crisis and cope with its consequences.”

Nadia Yakhlaf-Lallemand, the Head of Human Dimension at the PCUz, added that “recognizing these gender differences will enable better planning and implementation of disaster prevention, risk reduction, and immediate and long-term responses to address the needs and vulnerabilities of all people affected by disasters.”

This roundtable was organised within the PCUz project “Promoting Gender Equality and Combating Human Trafficking”.

PODGORICA, 12 June 2023 – Montenegro’s early parliamentary elections were competitive and voters were offered a wide range of choices, but the process was weakened by legislative shortcomings as well as divisive campaign rhetoric and a polarized media environment, international observers said in a statement today.

The joint observation mission from the OSCE Office for Democratic Institutions and Human Rights (ODIHR), the Parliamentary Assembly of the Council of Europe (PACE), and the European Parliament (EP) found that the elections were well managed and the legal framework provides a basis for holding democratic elections, despite a number of gaps and inconsistencies, leaving most previous recommendations unaddressed.

“Voters had an array of choices to make in yesterday’s elections, and fundamental freedoms were respected throughout the campaign,” said Nina Suomalainen, head of the ODIHR election observation mission. “But looking ahead, there is a clear need for election reform to close the remaining gaps and ambiguities and strengthen the system for future elections.”

The elections took place against the backdrop of a lengthy institutional and constitutional crisis. The legal and political uncertainty over the date of the elections contributed to the low-key start to the campaign, which only picked up in the two weeks before voting day. During the campaign, some candidates resorted to populist and divisive rhetoric, often on national and religious grounds. While the use of public resources is banned by law during the campaign, numerous public employment contracts were issued in the election period. There was also a lack of clear distinction between the role of some candidates who are also senior officials, including in their activities on social media.

Women remain underrepresented in political life, mostly because the parties fail to promote their participation beyond the legal minimum. Gender stereotypes are widespread, and observers also noted concerns that violence against women deters many from becoming involved in political life and standing as candidates, with online attacks posing a particularly acute problem.

“With 15 candidate lists, the elections were competitive and all candidates enjoyed equal opportunities in the campaign,” said Reinhold Lopatka, head of the PACE delegation. “However, women remained underrepresented; the culture of gender equality is still low and violence against women who enter politics is not uncommon – particularly on social media.”

Longstanding concerns over voter list accuracy continued to weaken public trust in voter registration. At the same time, the candidate signature collection process needs additional safeguards to avoid abuse. Election day itself was calm and professionally managed, although some procedural safeguards were not always followed during the counting.

“The elections were well run, and we hope the new parliament will provide the support to the government necessary to make the long-awaited and much-needed reforms,” said Nikos Papandreou, head of the EP delegation. “These will only be possible when there is a stable and consensual political environment, a political space where partisan differences will not be an obstacle to an inclusive and equitable growth.”

The media environment is free and diverse, but it is polarized along political lines. The public broadcaster met the legal requirements for offering free airtime and organizing election debates, but most of the election coverage was broadcast on its less popular channel.

The international election observation mission to the early Montenegrin parliamentary elections totalled 147 observers from 27 countries, consisting of 122 ODIHR-deployed experts and long-term and short-term observers, 19 parliamentarians from PACE and 6 from the EP.

For more information, please contact:

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

Bogdan Torcătoriu, PACE: +382 68650143 or Bogdan.TORCATORIU@coe.int

Raffaele Luise, EP: +32 470 95 22 06 or raffaele.luise@europarl.europa.eu

PODGORICA, 9 June 2023 – International election observers will hold a press conference to present their findings following the early parliamentary elections in Montenegro.

What:

• A press conference of the international election observation mission to the early parliamentary elections in Montenegro
• Those unable to attend in person can follow the livestream here

Who:

• Nina Suomalainen, Head of the ODIHR election observation mission
• Reinhold Lopatka, Head of the PACE delegation
• Nikos Papandreou, Head of the EP delegation

When:

• 14:30 local time (GMT +2) on 12 June 2023

Where:

• Lesendro Conference room, Ramada hotel, 74 Bulevar Save Kovačevića, Podgorica

The international election observation is a joint mission of the OSCE Office for Democratic Institutions and Human Rights (ODIHR), the Parliamentary Assembly of the Council of Europe (PACE), and the European Parliament (EP). The observation mission totals 147 observers, made up of 122 ODIHR-deployed experts, long-term, and short-term observers, 19 from PACE, and 6 from the EP.

For more information, please contact:

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

Bogdan Torcătoriu, PACE: +382 68650143 or Bogdan.TORCATORIU@coe.int

Raffaele Luise, EP: +32 470 95 22 06 or raffaele.luise@europarl.europa.eu

Public Affairs Unit, OSCE Office for Democratic Institutions and Human Rights Katya Andrusz

The 2023 presidential election in the Czech Republic offered voters a wide variety of choices across the political spectrum. The overall campaign, both offline and online, was competitive but divisive, and voters could make an informed choice in both rounds. Campaign coverage was extensive in both public and private media, and contestants enjoyed allocated free airtime. The media overall fulfilled their watchdog function and positively, there were no verbal attacks by the candidates toward journalists. Political finance is adequately regulated, however, consideration should be given to further enhancing transparency of campaign finance.

These are some of the main conclusions from the final report on the Czech Republic’s 2023 presidential election, published today by the OSCE Office for Democratic Institutions and Human Rights (ODIHR). The report offers nine recommendations to bring elections in the Czech Republic closer in line with OSCE commitments and other international standards for democratic elections

Recommendations include:

• Strengthening the electoral participation of people with disabilities through accessible and easy-to-understand format campaign materials;

• Recognizing violence against women in the campaign by political parties and institutions as a barrier to women’s political participation, and strengthening existing proactive and preventive measures against such actions;

• Introducing reasonable limits on individual donations from natural and legal persons for presidential campaigns to avoid undue influence by donors;

• Regulating foreign donations for presidential campaigns;

• Providing the Office for Oversight with adequate financial and human resources to ensure effective oversight;

• Introducing a reasonable timeline for the Office for Oversight to publish the results of campaign finance audit;

• Introducing thresholds for ownership across all media types and an impact assessment of potential mergers on media pluralism before their approval;

• Repealing criminal sanctions for defamation in favour of proportionate civil sanctions;

• Providing adequate funding to public media to guarantee editorial independence and programmatic quality.

ODIHR deployed an Election Expert Team on 9 January 2023 to observe the presidential election. All 57 participating States across the OSCE region have formally committed to following up promptly on ODIHR’s election assessments and recommendations.

VIENNA, 9 June 2023 – Teresa Ribeiro, the Representative on Freedom of the Media (RFoM), concluded her visit to Slovakia yesterday. The purpose of the visit was to discuss persistent challenges to freedom of the media and assess the progress made in ensuring the safety of journalists in Slovakia.

During her visit, Representative Teresa Ribeiro held meetings with Minister of Foreign and European Affairs Miroslav Wlachovský, Minister of Culture Silvia Hroncová, State Secretary at the Ministry of Interior Ľubomír Šablica, and Chairperson of the Council for Media Services Marta Danielová.

She addressed the concerning backdrop of the recent acquittal in the double murder case of investigative journalist Ján Kuciak and his fiancée Martina Kušnírová. In this context, she commended Slovakia for establishing a new protection mechanism, Safe.Journalism.sk, designed to enhance the safety and security of journalists operating within the country.

Further discussions were held regarding the independence and financial sustainability of public service media in Slovakia.

"The crucial role of a vibrant and independent media sector in upholding democracy, promoting human rights, fostering diversity, and enhancing social cohesion and peacebuilding, especially in the run-up to the general election this year, cannot be overstated," Representative Ribeiro said.

The Representative on Freedom of the Media exchanged opinions with stakeholders on the measures introduced to strengthen the safety of journalists and enhance their institutional protection. Her proposals encompassed a range of measures to address existing challenges and ensure a more secure environment for media professionals to carry out their important work.

As part of her visit, Representative Teresa Ribeiro also highlighted the significance of ongoing legal reforms in Slovakia.

"These reforms play a crucial role in enabling media freedom and guaranteeing the protection of journalists' rights. They are essential to preserving freedom of the media and freedom of expression in the country while countering the proliferation of disinformation."

Moving forward, the RFoM expressed her optimism that the government of Slovakia will continue to demonstrate its commitment to media freedom and take concrete steps to implement the suggested measures. She stressed the importance of close cooperation between the government, civil society, and media organizations in fostering an environment conducive to the free flow of information, the protection of journalists, and the promotion of democratic values.

The RFoM will continue to monitor the situation closely and continue cooperating with interlocutors in Slovakia to safeguard media freedom, enhance the safety of journalists, and promote a vibrant and independent media landscape.

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From 5 to 9 June, the OSCE Transnational Threats Department, in co-operation with the OSCE Programme Office in Dushanbe, organized an introductory training course on cybercrime and digital evidence at the Academy of the Ministry of Internal Affairs of the Republic of Tajikistan.

Around twenty representatives of the Ministry of Internal Affairs, the Academy of the Ministry of Internal Affairs and the Office of the Prosecutor General took part in the course delivered by two international experts from Moldova and Uzbekistan. The participants were introduced to key concepts regarding cybercrime and digital evidence, and learnt how to identify, seize and secure potential sources of digital evidence at a crime scene and on the Internet.

“Tajikistan, just like other countries in Central Asia, has witnessed rapid digitalization in all spheres of society over recent years. Criminals have been increasingly using digital technologies as well. It is therefore crucial for law enforcement officers to be familiar with these technologies and their role in conducting or facilitating crime,” said Deputy Head of the Academy, during the course’s opening.

This was echoed by Jukka Tuononen, Head of the Politico-Military Department of the OSCE Programme Office in Dushanbe. “With the continuous evolution of digital technologies and their role in our daily life, every criminal justice actor needs at least a basic understanding and knowledge of these issues. Systematic and long-term education on this topic for criminal justice actors is key for building and sustaining capacities of the OSCE participating States to investigate and prosecute contemporary forms of crime”.

The training was delivered under the extra-budgetary project “Capacity Building on Combating Cybercrime in Central Asia”, which is funded by the United States of America, Germany and the Republic of Korea. This was the first national training event in Tajikistan under the project. Two additional training courses for the same group of participants are scheduled for autumn this year.

545794 Joint co-operation strategy on climate change and security in the Shar/Šara Mountains and Korab Massif Area

Biodiversity loss is one of humanity’s greatest challenges. Amplified by climate change, it threatens not only ecosystems but also the people who depend on them.

On June 9, OSCE and adelphi, a Berlin-based think tank, published a Strategy Paper on strengthening co-operation to address climate-related security risks in Shar/Šara Mountains and Korab Massif Area. The strategy includes an implementation plan developed by regional stakeholders to jointly counter the shared risks.

The Shar/Šara Mountains and Korab Massif area in South-Eastern Europe is a biodiversity hotspot, home to a diverse ecosystem of rare flora and fauna with outstanding natural value. Comprising the four protected areas Korab-Koritnik, Mavrovo, Shar Mountain, and Sharri/Šara, it covers a combined area of more than 240,000 hectares, making it one of the largest protected areas on the continent. More than 100,000 people rely on its natural resources to earn a living, but climate change is threatening the area’s rich biodiversity, putting at risk the lives and livelihoods of local communities.

In response to these challenges and building on the earlier Scoping Study, the Strategy Paper prioritizes areas for joint action, identifies ways to strengthen co-operation among the four protected areas, and outlines tangible project ideas to address climate-related security risks in the Shar/Šara Mountains and Korab Massif Area. Among the project ideas for joint implementation in the protected areas are initiatives to prevent illegal logging, hunting, and wildlife smuggling, to enhance resilience to forest fires and to create livelihood opportunities for women.

The strategy was developed through a consultation process that brought together park management authorities, governmental agencies, municipalities, local NGOs, relevant regional and international organizations, and experts to discuss climate-related security risks and to develop a joint vision and action plan for this mountain region.

This strategy was prepared within the framework of the OSCE extra-budgetary project Strengthening responses to security risks from climate change in South-Eastern Europe, Eastern Europe, the South Caucasus, and Central Asia, which is implemented by the Office of the Co-ordinator of OSCE Economic and Environmental Activities (OCEEA) in partnership with adelphi and funded by Andorra, Austria, Czech Republic, Finland, France, Germany, Italy, Japan, Liechtenstein, Luxembourg, Norway, Poland, Sweden, and the United States. The project is part of the OSCE’s active effort to support its participating States in implementing the 2021 OSCE Ministerial Council Decision on climate change.

545734 Jeff Bieley Edita Buçaj

The OSCE Mission in Kosovo concluded on 31 May 2023 a series of five workshops for high school students on sexual violence and sexual harassment. Organized in co-operation with the Ministry of Education, Science, Technology and Innovation (MESTI), the workshops aimed at further enriching the participants’ knowledge about these topics and preparing them to conduct similar activities for their peers, following a round of five workshops last year.

The five workshops were held in Gjilan/Gnjilane, Mitrovicë/Mitrovica South, Prishtinë/Priština, Gjakovë/Đakovica and Prizren, and reached 71 high school students. Students learned about definitions of gender-based violence, sexual assault, sexual harassment, available services and the importance of early reporting, as well as the roles of different institutions in addressing and handling cases of sexual violence and sexual harassment.

“Based on the OSCE Survey on Women Safety and Wellbeing published in 2019, almost a third of all women, or 29%, say they have experienced at least one form of sexual harassment since the age of 15. Violence against women is especially high among students, 60%, and is a cause and effect of gender inequality, driven by existing norms and attitudes,” said Valentina Bejtullahu Turjaka from the OSCE Mission in Kosovo.

“On the other hand, although early reporting of sexual violence is crucial to ensure access to justice for victims during court proceedings, it remains low mainly due to lack of support from the family, school and society, followed by stigma and fear of being threatened. Many students are not aware that sexual harassment is a criminal act and punishable by law in Kosovo, and many of them do not have information on available services and reporting mechanisms. Therefore, increasing the awareness of new generations on this sensitive violation of human rights is a must in order to break the silence, empower girls and prevent any form of discrimination and violence among them,” she added.

During the workshops, through group exercises, participants also discussed the methodology and developed an action plan on how to conduct workshops for their fellow students. So far, with the support of the OSCE Mission and schools’ psychologists, the trained students have organized 12 information sessions on sexual violence and sexual harassment for around 290 of their fellow students. In addition, they have also developed artwork and posters with messages on sexual violence and reporting mechanisms. Throughout 2023, with the support of schools’ psychologists, students will organize additional information sessions on sexual violence and sexual harassment for more students.  

The OSCE Mission in Kosovo is mandated to protect and promote human and community rights, as well as democratization and public safety sector development.

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On 5 and 6 June 2023, the OSCE Presence in Albania held the last phase of a comprehensive multi-module curriculum training for state auditors on diagnosing and assessing corruption risks in the public procurement area. The training sessions – organized in partnership with the Italian Anti-corruption Authority (ANAC) – were designed and implemented together with the Albanian Supreme Audit Institution (ALSAI).

Since 2021, about 50 ALSAI auditors attended a series of capacity development and discussion sessions. The wide range of topics included corruption risk identification; risk assessment and management in procurement and public private partnership contracts; methodologies on conducting economic and financial analysis; and monitoring of public contracts. The participants discussed concrete case studies brought by the ANAC and recommendations to strengthen anti-corruption and transparency tools in the national framework. 

The training sessions offered ALSAI officials the opportunity to exchange information and share good practices with ANAC senior experts, as well as to strengthen the professional capacities of the auditors in conducting more qualitative public procurement audits.

The final two-day training focused on monitoring of public contracts and promoting innovative digital tools to improve public auditing. Addressing the event, Deputy Head of Presence Clarisse Pasztory, ALSAI General Director Mariola Llanaj, Public Procurement Agency General Director Reida Kashta and ANAC representatives Paolo Giacomazzo and Filippo Romano stressed the importance of transparency, accountability and efficiency in public procurement.   

Tashkent, 8 June 2023 - The OSCE Office for Democratic Institutions and Human Rights (ODIHR) today opened an election observation mission for the 9 July early presidential election in Uzbekistan, following an official invitation from the national authorities.

The mission is headed by Ambassador Urszula Gacek and consists of a core team of 11 international experts based in Tashkent and 24 long-term observers, who will be deployed throughout the country from 14 June. ODIHR will request 250 short-term observers, to arrive several days before election day. 

The mission will assess the conduct of the election 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 election, 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, the work of the election administration at all levels, election dispute resolution and media coverage. The observers will also assess the implementation of previous ODIHR election recommendations.

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

An interim report will be published some two weeks prior to the election to update the public and the media on the observation mission’s activities. The day after the election, 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 election.