Central Europe

VALLETTA/WARSAW/WASHINGTON, 27 January 2024 – On today’s International Holocaust Remembrance Day, the OSCE honours the victims of Nazi persecution, reflecting on the painful lessons from one of the darkest chapters of human history and seeking to learn from them, both for the present and future.  The immense suffering and anguish endured by six million Jews, as well as millions of other innocent people, cannot be overstated or much worse forgotten.

“On Holocaust Remembrance Day, we honour the resilience of those who survived the unimaginable horrors of the Holocaust and remember those who perished, with the unwavering pledge to ensure that such atrocities are never repeated,” said OSCE Chair-in-Office, Minister for Foreign and European Affairs and Trade of Malta Ian Borg. “As we strive to learn from the past, let us forge a path towards a world where tolerance triumphs over hatred, and where these lessons guide us in building a future marked by compassion, unity, and the shared pursuit of peace.

As we pay tribute to the victims and survivors, we also recognize the ongoing need to stand against hatred, discrimination, and acts that threaten the principles of humanity. Across the OSCE region, we continue to witness instances of violence, ranging from online and offline anti-Semitic hate speech, through damage to property and threats, that test our commitment to these principles. This adds to other major challenges, with social media algorithms playing a key role in amplifying malicious content, including posts containing anti-Semitic conspiracy theories, as well as content that denies or distorts the Holocaust.

The recent attacks by Hamas in Israel on October 7th and human suffering in the ensuing violent conflict in the Middle East serve as a stark reminder that the echoes of history's atrocities remain with us. Chair-in-Office Borg added that “as we continue to bear witness to conflicts that inflict immeasurable suffering on countless innocent lives, the pervasive threat of discrimination and intolerance persist, casting shadows of insecurity across our world. It is against this backdrop that we are reminded of the profound importance of never allowing the tragic lessons of the Holocaust to fade from our collective memory.”

The Holocaust is a historical truth, and it is our duty to honour the memory of those who perished by educating future generations about the consequences of hatred, discrimination, and prejudice.

Also for this reason, ODIHR joined other international organizations including the United Nations and the European Commission in #ProtectTheFacts, a global awareness-raising campaign created by the International Holocaust Remembrance Alliance that focuses on countering Holocaust distortion.

“Anti-Semitism is an age-old and insidious prejudice that has no justification and no place in our societies,” said Matteo Mecacci, Director of the OSCE Office for Democratic Institutions and Human Rights (ODIHR). “Young people’s awareness of the Holocaust is declining, while their exposure to Holocaust denial and distortion online continues to grow. With ever fewer survivors left to provide eye-witness accounts, our societies must all work harder to ensure the memory of this terrible tragedy remains alive.”

Especially on this day, we commit ourselves to promoting tolerance, empathy, and understanding, fostering a world where diversity is celebrated, and the inherent dignity of every individual is recognized and respected. Governments have a particular responsibility for combating intolerance and preventing anti-Semitism while ensuring the safety of all citizens.

“This day of remembrance is not only about looking back but also a warning to be alert to present dangers,” said Rabbi Andrew Baker, Personal Representative of the OSCE Chairman-in-Office on Combating Anti-Semitism. “In recent months we have witnessed the most lethal attack on Jews since the Holocaust and an explosion of antisemitic incidents around the world. There is still much for us to do to combat this age-old hatred.” 

Today ODIHR publishes the eighth edition of Holocaust Memorial Days: An overview of remembrance and education in the OSCE region. With this regular overview of the commemoration and study of the Holocaust and the genocide of Roma and Sinti, ODIHR seeks to encourage governments to further develop their activities to combating anti-Semitism, discrimination, and all forms of hatred.

All OSCE countries have unequivocally condemned intolerance and anti-Semitism. This year also marks the twentieth anniversary of the Berlin Declaration, when OSCE states acknowledged that anti-Semitism has assumed new forms and poses a threat to security and stability across the region, and pledged to develop targeted and practical measures to combat the phenomenon. Through its hate crime database, ODIHR collects data on anti-Semitism and other crimes of bias that are published each year on a dedicated website.

562028 For Media inquires

On 26 January 2024, the Deputy Head of the OSCE Programme Office in Astana, Mr. Yuri Fenopetov, met with the Chairman of the Asset Recovery Committee of the Prosecutor General's Office, Mr. Nurdaulet Suindikov, to discuss collaborative efforts in combatting illicit financial activities in Kazakhstan. The Asset Recovery Committee (the Committee) is the authorized body for asset recovery that have been illegally removed from the country. The Committee is also responsible for international co-operation in criminal, administrative, and civil law and carries out asset recovery activities on behalf of and in the interests of the State by evaluating and analyzing information on origin of assets.

During the meeting, the Chairman briefed the representatives of the OSCE Programme Office in Astana on the mandate of the recently-established Committee, and legislation developed related to asset recovery in Kazakhstan. Both sides underscored the commitment to address current and future challenges in asset recovery that resonate not only at the national level but also within the broader global framework. The OSCE Programme Office in Astana expressed its readiness to support and organize various initiatives aimed at facilitating the recovery of unlawfully obtained and removed assets, based on priorities of the host country. A key point of agreement was the intention to work together on improvement of the national legislation on asset recovery through expert support, and to enhance the capacities of the Committee’s staff on various topics, including through practical training activities, demonstrating a pro-active approach to tackling the evolving challenges posed by transnational financial crimes.

The co-operation between the OSCE Programme Office in Astana and the Asset Recovery Committee represents a significant advancement in the joint efforts to combat financial offenses. It is noteworthy that the return of illegally withdrawn assets falls within the scope of Anti-Money Laundering/Combating the Financing of Terrorism (AML/CFT), which serves as one of the key priorities of the OSCE Programme Office in Astana. By fostering international collaboration and equipping relevant authorities with enhanced capabilities, the partnership aims to contribute to the fight against illicit financial activities on the regional level and the recovery of unlawfully acquired assets.

Lost in the Smog Željka Šulc

Op-Ed by Ambassador Brian Aggeler, Head of the OSCE Mission to BiH

Lost in the smog

“If I ever leave Bosnia and Herzegovina, it will be because of the air pollution. I, as an individual, may not be in a position to do much about all the other negative issues such as corruption or the lack of rule of law (or I may not be aware of the fact that those are “killing us softly”) but I can feel and see how smog kills us…or actually I see nothing these days,” said Maja, inhabitant of Sarajevo, to me at the OSCE regional kick-off meeting on “Climate change and security in South Eastern Europe: Tackling challenges at the interface of air pollution and health”.

Maja, we fully share your concerns and support your intention to secure a healthy life for you and your family. However, it's crucial to emphasize, as you're well aware, that the impact of air pollution on your well-being is sadly connected to corruption and the absence of a robust rule of law. This forms a vicious and destructive cycle that demands substantial and committed efforts from all of us to break.

World Health Organization data shows BiH to have the fifth-highest mortality rate from air pollution in the world (Ambient air pollution attributable death rate (per 100 000 population, age-standardized) (who.int)) whilst The World Bank estimates that PM 2.5 air pollution causes 3,300 premature deaths in BiH every year and the loss of over 8% of GDP.

It's hard to envision a more explicit manifestation of the repercussions of corruption, negligence, and the absence of effective rule-of-law mechanisms than what unfolds when you gaze outside your window on winter days in BiH. The impact is direct and universal – no one is unaffected, and it is literally killing thousands of people.

Decades of negligence, corruption, turning a blind eye and ongoing irresponsibility, combined with a lack of public awareness and increasing suppression of civic activism, are now resulting in thousands of premature deaths and countless illnesses every year in BiH, with the city of Sarajevo being one of the worst affected urban areas. 

Corruption led us to weak enforcement of environmental regulations where regulatory authorities fail to monitor and penalize industries that violate emission standards, allowing them to continue polluting without consequences. The issuance of permits without proper scrutiny has allowed businesses and individuals to operate, build and pollute without adhering to environmental standards. And the lack of rule of law, resulting in a weak judicial system. leads to a lack of accountability, which further encourages unlawful practices that contribute to this horrible air pollution.

When decision-making processes related to environmental policies are not transparent, it becomes challenging for the public to hold authorities accountable for their actions or inaction in addressing air pollution.

Access to information, public participation in environmental decision-making and access to justice in environmental matters are the three pillars of the Aarhus Convention, an international agreement to which BiH is a party. You have the right to know all the facts, you have the right to demand all the relevant information, you have the right to participate in all decision-making processes that affect your environment and health - this is all provided to you by this Convention.

Aarhus Centres, currently operating in 14 countries throughout the OSCE area, including in BiH, are there to serve as a bridge between public authorities, civil society, business and the public. And they are also investing great efforts to try to address the growing problem of air pollution in the country.

In South Eastern Europe, and in BiH especially, reliable research and data on the impacts of climate change and air pollution on public health remains lacking and so do local policies to tackle the issue.

That’s why Aarhus Centre Zenica, hosted by the Eko Forum NGO, is pioneering scientific research into the health effects of industrial air pollution, one of the main exposure sources in Bosnia and Herzegovina. The research looks into air pollution caused by coking (a part of the steel-making process) and uses genetics and DNA analysis to examine the impacts of such pollution on the health of local residents and will result in a first-of-its-kind study in BiH, which will inform future mitigation efforts and public health interventions.

I am sure that everyone has heard the alarming statistics many times before, and we all tend to pass them by not worrying too much. But they are alarming. And they require urgent action by everyone.

And yes, it is the decision-makers who are primarily responsible. But, let’s not just point fingers.  You have the right to know, to assess, to challenge, to influence – you have the power to hold them accountable. Every single action, project, permit, decision they made has an influence on your life, your health and well-being of your family.

It seems absurd that in the 21st century we are fighting for clean air, but unfortunately it is the reality we live in, not just people in BiH but the rest of the world as well. Some countries are dealing with this more effectively while others still struggle to address this issue adequately. What I see as one of the main factors that divides them is the strength of people. Awareness and the strength of people. Awareness that begins very early, when you, as power holders, demand programmes that suit you and your community, when you go out to vote, and when you demand accountability from your elected officials.  I think their intention is not merely to cast a vote in the hope of choosing competent, honest, and accountable politicians; rather, they actively contribute to shaping individuals with such qualities.

Let’s not be lost in the smog. Change begins with every individual commitment. Speak up, demand change - each small action adds up to a monumental impact. The result will be visible from your window.

International Holocaust Remembrance Day Željka Šulc

SARAJEVO, 27 January 2024 - On International Holocaust Remembrance Day, the OSCE Mission to Bosnia and Herzegovina pauses to reflect on the millions of people who were persecuted and murdered by the Nazi regime and its collaborators. The unimaginable suffering of Jews, Slavs, Roma and Sinti, individuals with disabilities, sexual and religious minorities, and many others during one of the darkest chapters in human history serves as a stark but necessary reminder that we must prevent the recurrence of such inhumanity.

Unfortunately, as evidenced in Bosnia and Herzegovina and around the world, we have failed to learn these lessons. Whilst the unspeakable brutality of the Holocaust provided the vocabulary through which we now attempt to understand the crime of genocide, we still struggle to comprehend the true extent of such horrors. Denialism, the glorification of war criminals, and a disturbing rise in hate incidents and speech, locally and globally, often undermine our calls for “never again” and for the unconditional recognition and respect for victims of such crimes.

The echoes of the Holocaust underscore our individual and collective responsibility to preserve and protect the human rights of all, regardless of ethnicity, gender, sexuality, race or religion. Through education, dialogue, and a steadfast commitment to justice and accountability, we can prevent the recurrence of history's gravest mistakes.

The OSCE Mission to Bosnia and Herzegovina reiterates its dedication to combatting all forms of discrimination and intolerance. As individuals, communities and governments, we must denounce hatred wherever and whenever it arises while acting jointly to promote empathy and respect. Together, we can move towards a future shaped by tolerance and dignity.

Munira Shoinbekova, OSCE Programme Office in Dushanbe

On 15 December 2023, the OSCE Programme Office in Dushanbe completed its second train-the-trainers course for 19 staff officers of the Tajik Border Troops in Bokhtar, Khatlon Region. The course is a key activity of the Patrol Field Capacity Building of the Tajik Border Troops – Phase II (PFCB2) project which will run through 2023 and 2024. 

The three-week course was taught by two contracted international instructors with expertise in adult learning and curriculum development – one with an academic background in theories and practice of adult learning and another with a background in planning and conducting military collective training and field exercises. The course participants were Tajik Border Troops officers who are currently serving as trainers/instructors within their institutional training structure and those officers who have expressed an interest in becoming trainers/instructors. The course was developed to increase the internal training capacity of the Tajik Border Troops, instructing them on topics that included: training needs identification, adult learning theories, teaching methodologies, developing lesson plans and presentation materials, and evaluating learning. The course also covered planning and conducting field training and collective unit training for border security forces. To demonstrate their skills as trainers, each student developed and delivered training to other students on a topic of their choice.

Kelsey Harris-Smith, representing the Head of Mission Office, and the PFCB2 Project Manager, Jon Casey, delivered closing remarks at the graduation, emphasizing the importance of the course participants’ newly developed skills in helping to further professionalize the Tajik Border Troops. These new skills will help make the organization more adaptive to the dynamic border security challenges that Tajikistan faces, particularly along the Tajik-Afghan border. Following completion of the course, the students will return to their units within the Tajik Border Troops with an increased capacity to identify training needs, develop and conduct their training, and assess the learning of training participants.  

The event is conducted in the framework of the OSCE’s project “Patrol Field Capacity Building of the Tajik Border Troops through Promotion of Regional Co-operation”, financed by France and implemented by the OSCE Programme Office in Dushanbe. The course is part of the Office’s multi-year efforts to support Tajikistan’s border security response capabilities.    

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To increase awareness and discuss regional co-operation on climate change and security, the OSCE gathered more than 40 representatives from its field operations to meet in Istanbul for a workshop on 13 and 14 December 2023. Emphasizing that the effects of climate change can exacerbate economic challenges and environmental degradation, which may negatively affect prosperity, stability and security in the OSCE area, the OSCE provides a platform for political dialogue on a wide range of issues associated with climate related security risks. These conversations form the basis for the implementation of activities on the ground.

“Climate change poses immense challenges to societies, economies and the environment, which is evidenced by a wide range of interconnected climate risks in the OSCE area,” said Ellen Baltzar Mossop, Climate Adviser at the Office of the Co-ordinator of OSCE Economic and Environmental Activities (OCEEA). “This workshop is the second of its kind where we gather practitioners from OSCE field operations to contribute to building a shared understanding of climate-related security risks in the OSCE area and to foster collaboration among participants on this topic.”

Organized by OCEEA in co-operation with the Berlin-based think tank adelphi, the workshop was a follow-up to the Training on Climate Change and Security for OSCE Field Operations and Other OSCE Executive Structures that took place in Istanbul in November 2022. Both events built on the 2021 OSCE Ministerial Council Decision on climate change, which tasks the relevant OSCE executive structures and the OSCE field operations with supporting OSCE participating States in implementing its provisions.

“The workshop demonstrated the important role that the OSCE, through its regional presence and field operations, can play in promoting regional co-operation and joint activities to address the multiple risks and challenges posed by climate change,” emphasized Lukas Rüttinger, Senior Advisor at adelphi.

The event also reflected the Secretary General’s Conclusions from the OSCE High-Level Conference on Climate Change, which highlighted the importance of raising awareness around climate considerations and mainstreaming them throughout the work of the OSCE.

“This workshop was a great opportunity for us to learn from each other’s experience working in climate and security hotspots across the OSCE region, and to reflect on how the organization’s joint activities are facilitating co-operation within and among different regions. Our work in the Shar/Šara Mountains and Korab Massif area is a good example of this,” said Kristina Jovanova, National Programme Officer at the OSCE Mission to Skopje.

“The impact of climate change and its security implications are already evident in Central Asia, and especially in the region’s high mountain areas,” said Dmitry Prudtskikh, Regional Development Officer at the OSCE Programme Office in Bishkek. “The workshop was a useful opportunity for us practitioners to gain insights on how to efficiently design and deliver climate and security programming, with a focus on inclusive and participatory approaches. It also allowed us to brainstorm future joint activities to co-operatively address climate-related security risks.”

The Practitioners Workshop: Building Capacities and Fostering Collaboration among OSCE Field Operations was organized 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 in partnership with adelphi and funded by Andorra, Austria, Czech Republic, Finland, France, Germany, Italy, Japan, Liechtenstein, Luxembourg, Norway, Poland, Sweden, Switzerland and the United States.

VIENNA, 25 January 2024 – The OSCE Chair-in-Office, Minister for Foreign and European Affairs and Trade of Malta Ian Borg, presented the country’s vision for its 2024 Chairpersonship at the inaugural session of the OSCE Permanent Council today.

“The trust bestowed upon us by all participating States during these challenging times is a responsibility we embrace with profound commitment, humility, and pride - fully mindful of the critical juncture at which we assume this role,” said Chair-in-Office Borg.

Under the motto ‘Strengthening Resilience, Enhancing Security’, Chair-in-Office Borg emphasized Malta's overarching commitment to upholding the principles and commitments outlined in the Helsinki Final Act and the Charter of Paris, stressing that these are not optional but shared obligations agreed upon by all the participating States of the OSCE.

The first priority outlined by the Maltese Chairpersonship is its unequivocal commitment to addressing Russia's illegal war of aggression against Ukraine. Chair-in-Office Borg condemned the intensified attacks witnessed earlier in the month and in recent days, and underlined that the protection of all civilians must be of paramount importance. He called for Russia's immediate withdrawal from the entire territory of Ukraine. He called on participating States to do everything possible to break the chain of violence, anguish, and suffering, not only in this war but in conflicts around the world.

“I join the Secretary General in her call for the release of the three illegally detained staff members of the OSCE Special Monitoring Mission” emphasised Minister Borg.

“The OSCE has a pivotal role to play in Ukraine. We commend the important work of the Support Programme for Ukraine and pledge our support for even more engagement,” added Minister Borg as he announced his plans to visit Kyiv to reiterate the steadfast support for Ukraine's sovereignty and territorial integrity.

Chair-in-Office Borg outlined Malta’s commitment to facilitating dialogue towards finding durable and sustainable political solutions to other conflicts across the OSCE region, particularly in Eastern Europe and the South Caucasus. The Chair-in-Office also pledged support for the OSCE’s field operations in Eastern Europe, South Eastern Europe, and Central Asia, by sustaining their engagement with host authorities in line with OSCE principles and commitments and supporting their work in the field to strengthen national capacities and capabilities

Safeguarding the OSCE's functionality and finding solutions for its leadership is another key priority. “We count on the collaboration of all participating States to demonstrate the necessary political will to give this Organization the foundations it needs for a secure and resilient future,” said Chair-in-Office Borg.

The Chair-in-Office emphasized Malta's readiness to serve as a bridge between Skopje and Helsinki, reinforcing the pillars of the Organization and upholding its principles and commitments. Minister Borg called on all participating States to demonstrate the necessary political will to reach a consensus on a Unified Budget and ensuring predictable leadership beyond 4 September 2024.

Malta's Chairpersonship aims to build on North Macedonia's success in keeping the over one billion people in the OSCE region at the centre of this Organization’s initiatives. Malta's goal is to adopt an inclusive approach by mainstreaming gender and increasing the meaningful engagement of youth in discussions.

Chair-in-Office Borg underlined that Malta’s “parallel Chairpersonship of the OSCE and elected membership of the UN Security Council provides a unique opportunity to identify constructive synergies between these multilateral institutions dedicated to promoting peace and security.”  

Against this backdrop, Malta aims to focus on the Women, Peace, and Security agenda and to renew the OSCE's initiatives against cyber threats, transnational challenges and ensuring compliance with arms control commitments.

Recognizing the interconnectedness of security, economic prosperity, and the environment, Malta will emphasize bridging digital divides, promoting access to digital technologies, and co-operating on climate resilience, combatting corruption and food security.

The Chair-in-Office called on participating States to uphold human rights, fundamental freedoms, democracy, and the rule of law, especially in the important election year ahead. The Chair-in-Office added that “at a time when media freedom is more under threat than ever before, Malta’s Chairpersonship will push forward initiatives on media literacy and the safety of journalists, particularly female journalists, both online and offline”. Furthermore, Malta will actively engage in combating violence against women and trafficking in human beings.

In his concluding remarks, Chair-in-Office Borg affirmed that Malta “will leave no stone unturned in strengthening the resilience of this Organization and our people, in pursuit of a secure and peaceful future.”

561556 Željka Šulc

SARAJEVO, 24 January 2024 - The OSCE Mission to Bosnia and Herzegovina (Mission) commends the Una-Sana Cantonal (USC) Assembly for yesterday’s adoption of the Law on Peaceful Assembly. Following a legislative process initiated in 2022, this represents an important step forward in aligning USC freedom of assembly laws with international human rights standards.

The Mission is committed to assisting all authorities across BiH in improving their legislative protections of fundamental rights, including freedom of assembly. The Mission further recognizes the dedicated efforts and collaboration of the USC Ministry of Interior in the development and adoption of this law and remains available to support all relevant authorities in the proper implementation of this legislation.

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Children and youth are particularly vulnerable to getting drawn into criminal and corrupt activities. Practitioners and institutions can play a crucial role in the early identification and prevention of delinquent behavior among young people. To foster their knowledge and expertise on this topic, the OSCE, in co-operation with youth crime prevention initiative Kurve Kriegen under the Ministry of Interior of the State of North Rhine-Westphalia in Germany, gathered law enforcement representatives from Albania and Tajikistan for a joint study visit to Düsseldorf to exchange best practices.

The study visit enabled practitioners to learn how to leverage collaboration between government agencies, schools and social services to prevent at-risk youth from becoming involved in criminal and corrupt activities. Participants also strengthened their knowledge of effective approaches to promoting a culture of lawfulness and integrity among young people from an early age.

"Kurve Kriegen's experience once again showed us that crime prevention among youth people is most effective when addressed at an early age through multi-stakeholder engagement” said Klaudia Hasanllari, Director of the National Youth Crime Prevention Center in Albania. “Integrating the methods learned through this study visit into the youth crime prevention work in Albania is an ambitious plan we aim to implement," she said.

Dilshod Barotiyon, a representative of the Drug Control Agency under the President of the Republic of Tajikistan, said: “Through this study visit we learned that fostering a culture of lawfulness among youth requires the adoption of a co-ordinated set of measures and actions by multiple government bodies, social workers and educational institutions”.

“According to our research, one multiple offender causes up to 1.7 million euro in social follow-up costs by the age of 25, which makes the issue of preventing youth engagement in crime from an early age extremely important and relevant” said Christopher Ursuleack, Criminologist at the Kurve Kriegen initiative. “We are thus honored to be able to share our best practices on juvenile delinquency prevention with our colleagues from Albania and Tajikistan to address this issue.”

As a follow-up to the study visit, the representatives will discuss the possibility of a partial replication of the Kurve Kriegen model in Albania and Tajikistan to strengthen early identification and prevent at-risk youth from becoming involved in illicit activities.

The study visit was held in the framework of the OSCE-wide multi-year project “Enhancing youth crime and drug use prevention through education on legality and awareness campaigns addressing threats of organized crime and corruption”, implemented by the OSCE’s Transnational Threats Department and the OSCE Office of the Co-ordinator of OSCE Economic and Environmental Activities. The project is funded by Germany and Italy, with additional support from Andorra, Finland and Poland.

WARSAW, 23 January 2024 – The initiative of the Albanian authorities to resume the country’s electoral reform ahead of the 2025 parliamentary elections is an important and positive development in a process that has already served as an example of good practice for the region and beyond, the OSCE Office for Democratic Institutions and Human Rights (ODIHR) said today.

“We welcome the decision of the Albanian authorities to renew their commitment to these vital reforms so far ahead of the elections,” said ODIHR Director Matteo Mecacci. “We urge all parties to commit to open and inclusive consultations in the months ahead, ensuring that the resulting reforms improve the election process for the benefit of all Albanians."

It is of crucial importance to set practical and realistically achievable goals that focus on implementing ODIHR’s previous recommendations and addressing the shortcomings noted during past elections, in line with international standards.  Major priorities include preventing the misuse of public resources and vote-buying, ensuring the secrecy of the vote, safeguarding media freedom, and increasing the effectiveness of the election administration.

Following recent discussions on the topic, ODIHR has received an invitation from the Albanian parliament to support the national authorities, and has offered to provide support and technical expertise to drive the reform process forward.

ODIHR’s longstanding election observation methodology includes an assessment of implementation of previous recommendations. ODIHR’s most recent observation mission to Albania in 2023 evaluated the follow-up to the Office’s recommendations following the 2019 local elections and the 2021 parliamentary elections. The reports concluded that three recommendations had been fully implemented, another seven mostly, and 16 partially implemented, while others still remain to be addressed.

539522 Željka Šulc

SARAJEVO, 23 January 2024 - As yet unidentified parties have been conducting cyber-attacks against BUKA's website for the past two weeks, affecting everyday operations and their ability to provide timely information to the public. To safeguard media freedom, the OSCE Mission to BiH calls on authorities to respond swiftly, per their respective mandates, to counter these escalating threats.

561772 Marina Živaljević

In congratulating journalists in Montenegro, Dominique Waag, Head of OSCE Mission to Montenegro noted that 23 January reminds us of the vital part journalists play as fact-checkers and guardians of verified information in democratic societies.

“Professional journalists perform a crucial role in investigating, reporting and publishing impartial stories. With the increased use of artificial intelligence in content production, journalists will continue to be those who can be trusted to produce information, as the media have an obligation to their audience to uphold the highest professional standards,” said Ambassador Waag.

Pointing to the OSCE commitments to freedom of information, freedom of the media and the freedom to hold opinions and to receive and impart information and ideas without interference, Head of Mission Waag said: “A priority must be to create conditions for freedom of information and foster an environment in which media are free from political, financial or any other influence, and journalists, especially women journalists, are safe to work independently, investigate stories, and have access public documents.”

“We celebrate Montenegro’s professional journalists and media outlets and encourage them to uphold the highest journalistic standards,” said Head of Mission Waag.

To support of journalists, especially women journalists, young journalists and journalism students, the Mission has designed programmes to strengthen their knowledge and practice-oriented skills, and nurture fact-checking and ethical reporting, investigative journalism, and co-operation amongst media professionals.

539531 Željka Šulc

SARAJEVO, 19 January 2024 - The OSCE Mission to BiH (Mission) condemns the 12 January attack on the journalist and editor of Times.ba, Mirza Dervišević, in Brčko District of BiH (BD). The Mission commends the prompt reaction by the BD authorities in identifying and detaining a suspected perpetrator and expects the proper further processing of this incident. The Mission reiterates that all media professionals must be guaranteed a safe working environment, in which all fundamental rights and freedoms are fully protected and respected.

VIENNA, 22 January 2024 – The OSCE Chair-in-Office, Minister for Foreign and European Affairs and Trade of Malta Dr Ian Borg, will present the programme of the 2024 Chairpersonship of Malta to the OSCE Permanent Council on Thursday, 25 January.

Journalists are invited to cover the statement by Chair-in-Office Borg to the Permanent Council as part of the formal inauguration of Malta as OSCE Chair, and the subsequent press conference attended by Chair-in-Office Borg and OSCE Secretary General Helga Maria Schmid.

Events will take place in Vienna at the Hofburg. The statement to the Permanent Council will begin at 10:00 am, followed by the press conference at 12:30 pm.

To attend either event in person, please register by 12:00 on 24 January by sending an email to press@osce.org with your name, outlet and position. Please also indicate which event(s) you would like to participate in. There will be a pool for the Permanent Council meeting due to limited camera spots and you will be informed in due time on pool participation. Details will follow successful accreditation.

Malta took over the OSCE Chairpersonship from North Macedonia on 1 January 2024. Chair-in-Office Borg will outline the programme of Malta for the 2024 OSCE Chairpersonship. Ukraine remains a central priority for Malta during its Chairpersonship, as does the resolution of other regional conflicts. Another primary task of the Maltese Chairpersonship will be to address the OSCE’s outstanding decisions relating to its budget and leadership. The Chair will also focus on promoting an inclusive approach to security by giving a voice to gender and youth perspectives. This will be reflected throughout its initiatives across the three dimensions of the OSCE’s comprehensive approach to security.

The latest information from the OSCE 2024 Chairpersonship of Malta can be found at https://www.osce.org/chairpersonship and on Twitter: @MinisterIanBorg and @OSCE24MT.

Journalists unable to attend in person can follow the livestream on https://www.osce.org/live.

The OSCE Permanent Council is a decision-making body gathering representatives of all 57 participating States of the Organization and 11 Partners for Co-operation. It convenes weekly in Vienna to discuss developments in the OSCE area and to make decisions.

Željka Šulc

Joint Op-Ed by Bojana Urumova, Head of Council of Europe Office in Sarajevo, Johann Sattler, Head of the Delegation of the European Union to Bosnia and Herzegovina, Brian Aggeler, Head of the OSCE Mission to BiH, and Ingrid Macdonald, United Nations Resident Coordinator in Bosnia and Herzegovina 

The devastation of the 1992-1995 war continues to impact Bosnia and Herzegovina (BiH) in numerous ways. Amongst other issues, key decision-makers lack the political will to help victims of war deal with lingering trauma and various forms of marginalization. As such, nearly 30 years after the conflict, victims in BiH still lack essential institutional assistance, including compensation. Beyond its grave effects on both individuals and communities, these failures also hinder BiH’s progress toward genuine and lasting reconciliation.

As recently noted by the Council of Europe Commissioner for Human Rights, confronting past gross human rights violations is central to achieving long-term peace and security in cohesive, pluralist democratic societies. That said, moving forward to achieve durable peace and security respectful of human rights and the rule of law requires full recognition of the depth and breadth of the suffering of all victims of war, including the challenges that hinder access to adequate support, reparation, protections and justice. Chronic neglect and widespread denial of their suffering compound the physical and psychological trauma inflicted during the war. Responses to trauma, therefore, must reflect the realities of these timelines and the evolving needs of victims.

Despite these challenges, some progress has been made. Notably, as a result of years of advocacy by victims’ associations, both the Brčko District (BD; 2022) and the Federation of Bosnia and Herzegovina (FBiH; 2023) adopted laws that recognize children who were born as a consequence of wartime rape as victims.

Most recently, on 1 January 2024, application of the new FBiH Law on the Protection of Civilian Victims of War (FBiH Law) began. The adoption of this law was an essential step in ensuring the recognition and rights of civilian victims of war and in providing support to a historically neglected and marginalized group.

While important, the FBiH Law and comparable legislation in the Republika Srpska (RS) and BD are insufficient to address these issues.

As consistently recommended by United Nations (UN) human rights mechanisms and the Universal Periodic Review, a unified BiH-wide framework should be established to replace the patchwork of existing laws and ensure the provision of readily accessible and sufficiently and sustainably financed institutional and legal support to victims, free from any form of discrimination, including based on place of residence.

The statutory deadlines enshrined in the various laws regulating the status of victims of war impose arbitrary and undue burdens on victims’ ability to obtain recognition and are inconsistent with BiH’s international legal obligations and human rights norms.

Decisions by international mechanisms affirming the rights of civilian victims of war to effective forms of redress, including compensation, remain unimplemented. This includes recommendations by several UN treaty bodies as well as the 2019 Decision by the UN Committee Against Torture (UNCAT) requiring that BiH issue a public apology and secure payment of compensation to a victim of wartime rape as awarded by the Court of BiH, as well as to establish a comprehensive and effective national-level reparation scheme for all victims of war crimes. Over four years after UNCAT issued its decision, the authorities have yet to fulfil their obligations.

Compounding these difficulties around compensation, RS authorities have engaged in the deeply unfair practice of seeking reimbursement for court costs from victims of war who were barred by statutes of limitations from seeking compensation through civil proceedings. Moreover, despite the availability of formal mechanisms allowing victims to seek compensation through criminal proceedings, judicial authorities throughout BiH have not ensured that victims are able to exercise that right. Indeed, according to the OSCE’s comprehensive trial monitoring program, compensation has been awarded in just 19 of nearly 700 adjudicated war crimes cases.

This unjust situation also creates serious impediments to genuine reconciliation. One of the Key Priorities that determines BiH’s path to the European Union calls for concrete steps to promote an environment conducive to reconciliation and overcome the legacies of the war. In this regard, BiH should implement received and accepted recommendations related to justice and reparation for victims of war, including of conflict-related sexual violence, before its 4th Universal Periodic Review in January 2025.

Authorities in BiH at all relevant levels must take meaningful and prompt action to improve the status of victims who remain vulnerable and marginalized nearly three decades after the war. In this respect, with urgency, we call on:

• The FBiH, RS and BD authorities to ensure that all victims can have their status recognized and can effectively access comparable social, financial and medical support, regardless of their place of residence or ethnicity and without fear of intimidation or discrimination or undue burden. This should include the harmonization of the respective approaches and the immediate elimination of all deadlines for obtaining recognition of the status of victims of war.
• The BiH authorities, including the Council of Ministers, to ensure the prompt and comprehensive implementation of the 2019 UNCAT decision, including compensating and offering public apologies to the complainant and establishing an effective national-level reparation scheme for all victims of war crimes.
• The FBiH authorities to implement the FBiH Law promptly, meaningfully and comprehensively, including the allocation of adequate budgetary resources.
• The RS authorities to undertake the legal and policy reforms necessary to ensure a formal end to the practice of seeking reimbursement for costs of proceedings from victims of war who sought and were denied compensation through civil litigation.
• Judicial authorities to identify and address any obstacles to awarding compensation to victims in both criminal and civil proceedings. Simultaneously, legislative authorities should promptly remedy any existing laws contrary to international standards relied on by judicial authorities to avoid awarding compensation as part of such proceedings.

The Council of Europe Office in Sarajevo, the European Union Office in BiH, OSCE Mission to BiH, and the UN in BiH remain committed partners to victims, victims’ associations and authorities across the country in order to improve the status and well-being of all victims of war.

561673 Marina Živaljević

Half of the respondents report that they are informed about the work of the State Prosecutor’s Office, while in 2022 less than a quarter reported the same. 41 per cent of respondents believe that the State Prosecutor’s Office is accessible and open to the public, which represents an increase of 11% compared to the previous year. Approximately 41 per cent of respondents believe that the work of the State Prosecutor’s Office is transparent, and a bit less than a half of respondents are familiar with this jurisdiction, indicating the need for improved communication between the institution and citizens.

These are some of the findings from an opinion poll Perception of the State Prosecutor's Office in Montenegro, commissioned by the OSCE Mission to Montenegro and conducted by DeFacto Consultancy in September 2023.

“Overall, nearly one-third of the respondents hold a positive or somewhat positive general attitude towards the State Prosecutor’s Office, while just over one-third have a some-what negative or very negative attitude,” said Slaven Živković of the DeFacto, presenting the results.

The survey also shows that trust in state prosecution offices at all levels has increased compared to 2022. Almost fifty per cent of citizens have some or complete trust in the Supreme State Prosecutor’s Office, a seven per cent increase from 2022, and around 55 per cent of respondents have some or complete trust in the Special State Prosecutor's Office, a 12 per cent increase from 2022. Corruption and organized crime were overwhelmingly identified as problems in Montenegro, showing that citizens have strong expectations in the work of the Prosecution in this regard.

Tatjana Begović, Acting Supreme State Prosecutor, thanked the OSCE Mission to Montenegro for its continuous support of this annual research. “We are encouraged that this year’s research shows a growing trust in state prosecution offices at all levels. At the same time, this obligates us to further improve our work.” said Ms. Begović.

Head of OSCE Mission to Montenegro, Dominique Waag welcomed the decision to publicize the research for the second time. “This will support the Supreme State Prosecutors’ Office in enhancing their communication with citizens. To boost transparency is imperative for the State Prosecution Service to communicate effectively with the public and the activities they undertake, said Waag, adding that to inform the public about ongoing OCC cases, in line with transparency standards, while ensuring the presumption of innocence, is of public interest.”

The OSCE Mission to Montenegro assisted the Supreme State Prosecutor’s Office in drafting and implementing their first communication strategy; an important effort to increase transparency and institutional outreach. In addition to supporting this research, the Mission contributes to the production of a TV format “Get to know the Prosecutor’s Office”, to enhance the State Prosecution Office’s public outreach. The Mission will continue its support to State Prosecution Service in 2024 and offered to equip a conference/press room to communicate effectively with the media and the public.

The public opinion survey on the perception of the State Prosecutor’s Office in Montenegro was conducted on a sample of 1,002 adult respondents, using a multistage random sampling selection method.

561667 OSCE High Commissioner on National Minorities OSCE celebrates 30th anniversary of High Commissioner on National Minorities

OSCE High Commissioner on National Minorities (HCNM) Kairat Abdrakhmanov dedicated a bench to the city of The Hague on 18 January 2024 in gratitude for hosting the office of the HCNM for 30 years.

High Commissioner Abdrakhmanov thanked the Mayor of The Hague, Jan van Zanen, for the city’s long-term support for the office of the HCNM. He also expressed gratitude to the Foreign Ministry of the Netherlands.

“With this bench, we wish to express our thanks to the city of peace and justice that has hosted us for the past 30 years and, at the same time, create a special space in the park near our office to inform the general public about the presence of the institution of the HCNM here and its important work,” said Abdrakhmanov.

“The High Commissioner on National Minorities is one of the key players in the ecosystem of peace and justice in The Hague. We are proud to host this important organization in The Hague,” said Mayor van Zanen.

Representing the Foreign Ministry, Ambassador for International Organizations Paul van den IJssel said: “The Netherlands strongly believes in the work of the office of the High Commissioner on National Minorities as a conflict prevention mechanism and we are honoured to have been a host nation for the past 30 years.”

The OSCE HCNM has a unique mandate: to provide “early warning” and, as appropriate, “early action” at the earliest possible stage with regard to tensions involving national minority issues within the OSCE participating States. The first High Commissioner, eminent Dutch statesman Max van der Stoel, shaped the institution into a principled, respected, quiet force in the field of conflict prevention. The successive High Commissioners and their staff have continued to honour the mandate, methods and commitments established by Max van der Stoel in addressing minority rights and security.

As a small institution with a unique approach to conflict prevention, the HCNM has benefited greatly from being a part of the international centre of peace and justice, with its active community of human rights experts, lawyers, diplomats, academics and other international organizations. The rigorous discourse on peace and justice feed into the HCNM’s daily work of conflict prevention throughout the OSCE region. 

The office of the HCNM in The Hague was established in 1993. The HCNM organized several activities throughout 2023 to mark its 30th anniversary. The presentation of this bench in January 2024 is the concluding event of this series of activities, and commemorates the long-standing relationship between the OSCE HCNM and the Netherlands.

The bench is in Walther Boerweide Park, Haagse Bos. The plaque reads, in English and in Dutch: Integration with respect for diversity; In gratitude to the City of The Hague and the Dutch Ministry of Foreign Affairs for hosting and supporting our work for thirty years.

The ceremony was also attended by representatives of the Municipality of The Hague, the Foreign Ministry, and the Dutch Forestry Service, as well as several bilateral ambassadors to the Netherlands.

VIENNA, 17 January 2024 – Today marked the opening session of the OSCE Forum for Security Co-operation (FSC) under the Chairpersonship of Cyprus, during which Minister of Foreign Affairs Dr. Constantinos Kombos outlined the country’s priorities for its Chairpersonship.

“We are assuming the Chair of the Forum with a great sense of responsibility and with strong commitment to further promote the knowledge which has emerged from the previous Chairs, in close co-operation with the FSC Troika as well as the Chairpersonship of the OSCE, our good partner Malta. We are fully aware that our Chairpersonship coincides with an extended period of deep reflection, due to Russia’s unjustified war of aggression, which has devastating impacts on its victims, while also gravely affecting the security and stability of our continent and beyond,” said Minister Kombos, who underlined the special importance of international law, the rules-based order and multilateralism for Cyprus.

The programme of Cyprus’ FSC Chair will comprise a series of sessions dedicated to specific topics, involving international experts. The topics addressed will include humanitarian demining, the application of International Humanitarian Law during armed conflicts with a focus on gender-based violence, the role of security forces in the protection of the environment and the response to climate change, and the Women, Peace and Security agenda. All of these thematic areas will incorporate gender equality as the Chair’s cross-cutting priority.

“Despite the challenges, the OSCE remains the most important regional platform for dialogue, with a unique comprehensive concept on security,” emphasised Minister Kombos. “The perseverance of peace should continue to be our collective compass. We must recall what brought us together and our commitment for peace, security and stability in the OSCE area and beyond.”

The FSC is an autonomous decision-making body of the OSCE, with the aim of maintaining military security and stability in the OSCE area. The FSC brings together delegates from all 57 participating States on a weekly basis. It contributes to the implementation of trust and security-building measures regulating the exchange of military information among states. Furthermore, the FSC plays an important role in the implementation of the Code of Conduct, a crucial document for ensuring the democratic control of security forces by the participating States.

Cyprus will chair the FSC meetings until April 2024.

539531

The OSCE Mission to Bosnia and Herzegovina (Mission) is very concerned about growing threats to media freedom in Bosnia and Herzegovina (BiH), noting the worsening of this trend in recent years. 

Journalists in BiH regularly face violence and intimidation, and they are often subject to attacks, threats and lawsuits, which adversely impact their ability to report objectively and consistently and limit the right to freedom of media and expression.

Since the Mission began systematically monitoring the safety of journalists in BiH in 2019, we have recorded, on average, 30-40 incidents or attacks on journalists per year. In 2023, however, the Mission recorded over 50 incidents that included verbal and online threats, harassment and intimidation as well as cases of physical violence, confiscation and/or the damaging of equipment or property belonging to journalists, targeting and insults by public officials and politicians, and defamation lawsuits that may serve as a form of strategic action against public participation (SLAPP). In addition to the above, the Mission is increasingly concerned with cyber-attacks on independent media outlets’ websites and social media profiles.

Read the full article here. 

561559

On 12 January, the OSCE Project Co-ordinator in Uzbekistan (PCUz) organized in Tashkent the launch of a digital platform developed by the social start-up Coozin. The aim is to further develop women's entrepreneurship and increase their self-employment skills by  using advanced digital technologies.

The Coozin start-up was launched in 2020, in the midst of the COVID-19 pandemic. Since then, it has helped more than 2,000 women to generate additional income from home by running online culinary companies.

After the first successful Coozin years, time has come to further professionalize the digital platform.  This is why online courses about business, marketing, sales and other key skills on how to start a thriving online business have been included. The platform now features additional services like tools for marketing and promotion and a marketplace, where women entrepreneurs can can sell goods and services.

The PCUz has been supporting the Coozin start-up since its creation, and will continue to strengthen women's entrepreneurial potential in Uzbekistan. Reducing economic inequality and bridging the digital divide for inclusive economic development are among the most important goals.

This activity is part of the extra-budgetary project “Support to women employment and facilitation of women led small businesses through digital tools” (2021-2024) funded by Austria, Germany, Norway and the International Coca-Cola Foundation.