Central Europe

521131 OSCE High Commissioner on National Minorities The Hague Recommendations Regarding the Education Rights of National Minorities OSCE High Commissioner on National Minorities presents first ever children's illustrated Macedonian-Albanian/Albanian-Macedonian dictionary FRAZA quadrilingual phrasebook FRAZA information video

OSCE High Commissioner on National Minorities (HCNM) Kairat Abdrakhmanov launched the expanded version of the first-ever Macedonian-Albanian-Turkish-Serbian digitalized phrasebook today in Skopje on 23 June 2022.

Following the success of the initial Macedonian-Albanian/Albanian-Macedonian phrasebook in 2020, the HCNM and Nansen Dialogue Centre, Skopje (NDC Skopje) extended the innovative digital tool FRAZA to further incorporate the Turkish and Serbian languages, two additional commonly spoken languages in the country. The expanded phrasebook is part of the HCNM’s ongoing support for policies aimed at overcoming language barriers and providing individuals in diverse societies, such as the one in North Macedonia, with the necessary tools to help facilitate communication with each other. This digital tool builds upon the earlier HCNM and NDC Skopje initiative to develop the first-ever illustrated children’s Macedonian-Albanian/Albanian-Macedonian dictionary for primary schools.

“Language is so much more than just a means of communication — it is central to a person’s identity and their sense of belonging,” said Abdrakhmanov. He explained that in countries with diverse societies like North Macedonia, the ability to learn and communicate in a multitude of languages is a key component of a cohesive and stable society, one that incorporates the rights of all its citizens.

The phrasebook contains 42 dialogues providing useful phrases and pronunciation. Through a user-friendly interface, the phrasebook covers the common activities which can enable people to communicate with one another in everyday scenarios.

The phrasebook is freely available online, with android and iOS applications with enriched audio recordings of pronunciations.

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The second part of a two-week training programme on open-source digital forensics for law enforcement experts from Kazakhstan, Kyrgyzstan and Uzbekistan took place from 20 to 24 June in Nur-Sultan. The course, organized by the OSCE Transnational Threats Department in close co-operation with the OSCE Programme Office in Nur-Sultan and the Law Enforcement Academy under the General Prosecutor’s Office of the Republic of Kazakhstan, follows the first part, which took place in May.

Digital forensic experts from Estonia, Georgia, Norway and Romania delivered the training, which was originally developed by the European Cybercrime Training and Education Group (ECTEG). The course provides participants with the knowledge and skills necessary for understanding the steps and key principles of the digital forensic process, reading computer data and using available open-source forensic tools to analyze data.

“Nowadays, digital evidence plays a key role in all sorts of crimes, including traditional ones. The capacity to examine digital evidence is thus becoming an essential part of modern policing,” said Anna Illamaa, one of the trainers and a digital examiner at the Estonian Police and Border Guard Board.

This was echoed by Ivar Friheim, an investigator and lecturer from the Norwegian Police Service, who underlined that “as digital technologies are becoming an indispensable part of our every-day life, digital footprints provide key evidence in many criminal investigations, just as fingerprints or DNA samples”.

The course was delivered as part of the OSCE extra-budgetary project “Capacity Building on Combating Cybercrime in Central Asia” funded by the United States of America and the Republic of Korea.

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To celebrate the multi-annual OSCE Leaders against Intolerance and Violent Extremism (LIVE) initiative, the OSCE Transnational Threats Department’s Action against Terrorism Unit (TNTD/ATU) hosted a 2-day in-person workshop for facilitators in Central Asia and South-Eastern Europe trained under the LIVE initiative in Vienna on 21-22 June.

The event provided a platform to launch and shape the LIVE Community of Practice (CoP), through which facilitators in Central Asia and South-Eastern Europe will continue to exchange good practices in preventing violent extremism and radicalization that lead to terrorism (PVERLT) by engaging leaders of the civil society. Recently selected Leads of the LIVE Community of Practice discussed the role of the PVERLT network and how to effectively maintain and strengthen it. Training elements at the event provided an opportunity for the Community of Practice Leads to strengthen their peer coaching and mentorship skills with a focus on PVERLT.

While the event also marks the phase-out of the Secretariat’s multi-year stewardship of the initiative, TNTD/ATU will continue its steadfast support of the role of civil society in preventing violent extremism.

“Strengthening the promotion of human rights at the local level is an important element in PVE. This work becomes counterproductive if it does not pay due attention to respect for human rights and the rule of law. The OSCE plays a very important role in this. Regional cooperation in matters of security and ensuring human rights significantly increases the effectiveness of all stakeholders, including civil society, in preventing violent extremism”, highlighted Alexandr Klyushev, LIVE facilitator and Chair of the Association of Religious Organizations of Kazakhstan.

Enabling future cross-country and cross-regional interaction, the LIVE Community of Practice will offer an online space for LIVE facilitators to exchange experiences relevant to their ongoing work in preventing violent extremism. 

“Being part of the LIVE Community of Practice is a great opportunity for me in terms of knowledge and information sharing, networking, and exchanging good practices in preventing violent extremism. It is important to have such spaces to share challenges, have a dialogue on what are the innovative ways to address them, focusing on issues such as working together with communities, with young people, building media literacy or gender-responsive P/CVE”, said Erinda Bllaca from the Institute for Activism and Social Change (IANS) from Albania.

Selected female LIVE Community of Practice Leads have been invited to also become part of the WIN network for women in P/CVERLT in South-Eastern Europe and Central Asia, which is being established under the OSCE’s WIN project. It holds the potential to serve as a trust building mechanism between authorities and non-governmental actors and promote a comprehensive approach to P/CVERLT and as such complements the LIVE Community of Practice.

The two-day event was implemented under the LIVE initiative, a flagship training programme that seeks to build the resilience and capacity of communities in preventing violent extremism. Through tailored training courses, LIVE promotes context-specific efforts against violent extremism developed and led by women, youth, and community leaders. From 2018 to 2021, TNTD/ATU, in co-operation with the OSCE field operations, delivered a series of regional LIVE train-the-trainer seminars for South-Eastern Europe and Central Asia, and supported OSCE field operations in their implementation of national LIVE training courses. To date, over 700 individuals have been trained using the LIVE methodology.

520960 Kunduz Rysbek

Mailuu-Suu is a small town located in the Jalal-Abad province, Kyrgyzstan, with a population of 22 thousand people. During the Soviet years, the town used to be a regional centre for mining uranium ore – a large industry that came to a halt with the breakup of the Soviet Union in the early 1990’s. Mailuu-Suu’s industrial past left multiple uranium tailings pits that partially have been rehabilitated and recultivated; yet, there still remain tailings pits that pose threat to the local population’s and ecosystem’s health.

Today, Mailuu-Suu has potential for the development of small hydropower plants, production of glass, wool, and building materials. As such, on 16 June with the support of the OSCE Programme Office in Bishkek Mailuu-Suu hosted a Development Forum, which aimed to promote investment potential and stimulate socio-economic and environmental development of the town. The Forum provided a platform for the representatives of the National Investment Agency, private sector, the Mailuu-Suu City Hall, the Kyrgyz National Parliament, Kyrgyz Republic’s Ministry of Foreign Affairs, Ministry of Emergency Situations, the European Commission, International Atomic Energy Agency, UN agencies, and OSCE Programme Office in Bishkek to discuss challenges and opportunities for revitalizing the town’s economy in a sustainable manner.  

Within the framework of the Forum, an opening of the Museum of the History of Mailuu-Suu and the Uranium Heritage of Kyrgyzstan took place – a one of a kind in Central Asia. The Museum – designed to serve as a "living" place – is a space where everyone can share relevant historical materials, stories and memories in the recording booth, and participate in open discussions on various topics, such as radiation safety and reclamation of uranium tailings. It is envisioned that the Museum will contribute to the development of cultural tourism of the town as well. 

The Museum was created with joint efforts of the Ministry of Emergency Situations of the Kyrgyz Republic, the Mailuu-Suu City Hall, the European Commission, OSCE Programme Office in Bishkek, and UNDP. Also, the assistance was provided by the State Corporation Rosatom.

520927 Nino Sukhitashvili OSCE Mission to Moldova

Nineteen art students and two representatives from the teaching staff of the Republican College of Fine Arts “Alexandru Plamadeale” from Chisinau and the Bender Higher Education Art College “Victor Postoikin” took part in a four-day plein-air held in Old Orhei from 14 to 17 June 2022. 

Over the four days of the plein-air activity young women and men were given opportunity to express themselves on the topic of peace and freedom of movement. The results of their work will be later presented via an art exhibition. 

The event also fostered discussions and reflection among the participants on benefits of peace and unifying power of art. 

“I could not imagine that in a few days we can unite with people we have never met before, and find such a spiritual and creative contact. These days are some of the best and happiest in my life. We all have changed and become friends,” said Elena Reabciuc, student from the Bender Higher Education Art College “Victor Postoikin”.

“It is really something. I feel so blessed to be surrounded by people, who love art with all their heart. Our joint plein air is so emotional and inspiring that we will remember it for a long time. I really hope it is just a beginning of a story,” said Nichita Prepelita, student from the Republican College of Fine Arts “Alexandru Plămădeală” from Chisinau.

The event was organized within the framework of the OSCE Mission to Moldova’s project “Peace through art on both banks of the Dniester/Nistru river” aimed at building confidence and trust between the art community from both banks.

520849 OSCE Centre in Ashgabat

Social entrepreneurship, best practices and lessons learnt were discussed during an OSCE-organized online seminar in Ashgabat on 20 and 21 June 2022.

The seminar brought together representatives from the Ministry of Trade and Foreign Economic Relations, Ministry of Finance and Economy of Turkmenistan, Ministry of Labour and Social Protection of Population, Union of Industrialists and Entrepreneurs of Turkmenistan, commercial banks and other relevant institutions as well as the, Women's Union and Youth Organization of Turkmenistan.

Two international experts from Germany and the Russian Federation presented best practices of the OSCE participating States in developing measures and tools for promoting social entrepreneurship as well as strengthening the role of women-entrepreneurs.

"Taking into account the topical agenda of the OSCE Chairmanship in 2022 and national priorities, the Centre has intensified co-operation with the government on using science and know-how tools for sustainable development and green recovery, encouraging collaborative approaches in digitalization processes, and further promoting entrepreneurship and economic opportunities for women," said Ivana Markovic-Boskovic, Economic and Environmental Officer of the OSCE Centre in Ashgabat.

The experts touched upon the development of social entrepreneurship, and introduced measures to support social business, as well as financial instruments for its enhancement. Discussions focused on the role of women in the development of social entrepreneurship, the forecast of social entrepreneurship in Europe, and barriers encountered by social entrepreneurship.

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The OSCE Transnational Threats Department’s Action against Terrorism Unit (TNTD/ATU) marked a decade of efforts to prevent and counter violent extremism on 20 June 2022 in an anniversary Seminar held in Vienna. The seminar, titled In Retrospect: 10 Years of a Comprehensive Approach to Preventing and Countering Violent Extremism - Good Practices and Evolving Challenges in the OSCE area, was an opportunity to take stock of good practices, to identify and discuss evolving and existing challenges in the OSCE area, and to draft a set of recommendations that stakeholders can use moving forward.

Opening the seminar, representative of the 2022 Polish OSCE Chairmanship Michał Drożniewski emphasized the importance of cross-sectoral collaboration and multi-stakeholder approaches to address the threat of violent extremism in this complex security environment, characterized by the emergence, and re-surfacing of new and old challenges.

The event brought together around 70 participants from delegations to the OSCE and government officials, civil society, including alumni of the ‘Leaders against Intolerance and Violent Extremism’ (LIVE) capacity-building project, and from the OSCE executive structures and institutions.

“In addressing violent extremism, we need a joint approach, which brings together the governments, civil society and in which the private sector can act as an ally.  Building trust is not an easy task but we cannot succeed without each other”, said Elvira Hadžibegović, who serves as the civil society representative in the Montenegrin National Operational Team for preventing and countering violent extremism.

Building on the discussion, the event involved thematic workshops that addressed gender sensitive approaches, local structural drivers, and emerging and evolving threats of violent extremism, such as increased information disorder and the need for media literacy.

“It is important that all stakeholders see prevention efforts as something valuable. We need to educate them on human rights to build a strong basis for prevention efforts and resilience to violent extremist threats”, concluded Anna Gussarova, Director of Central Asia Institute for Strategic Studies in Kazakhstan.

Since 2011, the OSCE TNTD/ATU has provided support to more than a dozen participating States through national policy seminars on comprehensive approaches to preventing and countering violent extremism and radicalization that lead to terrorism (P/CVERLT). On top of providing support and tools for the development and review of policies, the seminars have helped to promote inclusive, gender-sensitive and human rights-based approaches to P/CVERLT, and strengthened co-operation between government and civil society.

VIENNA, 20 June 2022 — The OSCE Secretary General, Helga Maria Schmid, will visit Lithuania and Estonia from 21 to 22 June for meetings with high-level officials.

During the visit, Schmid will discuss the current role of the OSCE in the region particularly in light of the war in Ukraine and its ramifications, as well as perspectives for future engagement. 

In Lithuania, the Secretary General will meet with President Gitanas Nausėda, Foreign Minister Gabrielius Landsbergis, Minister of Environment Simonas Gentvilas, Speaker of the Seimas (the Parliament) Viktorija Čmilytė-Nielsen and Chair of Committee on Foreign Affairs Laima Liucija Andrikienė.

In Estonia, Schmid will meet with President Alar Karis, Acting Foreign Minister and Minister of Entrepreneurship and Information Technology Andres Sutt, and Chairman of the Foreign Affairs Committee of the Parliament Marko Mihkelson. The Secretary General will receive the Order of the Cross of Terra Mariana from the President, for services to European security.

520765 Jeff Bieley Edita Buçaj

The OSCE Mission in Kosovo held its fourth Media Fellowship programme, an annual initiative that seeks to develop young journalists and establish a network of fellows from different communities. 

From 13 to 18 June 2022, eight young journalists from all over Kosovo had the opportunity to visit journalist associations, public broadcasters, press councils, and investigative media outlets in Prishtinë/Priština and Belgrade. They learned first-hand about professional reporting standards, journalism standards, balanced narratives, media and information literacy, and adherence to codes of ethics.

“The OSCE Mission supports networks such as the Media Fellowship, which brings together experienced media professionals with young journalists from diverse ethnic communities to share experiences and facilitate a transfer of expertise,” said Ambassador Michael Davenport, Head of the OSCE Mission in Kosovo. “In addition to supporting young journalists in their professional development, the programme also aims to improve social cohesion and inter-community relations, a common goal we share with the media,” he added.

“I appreciate the opportunity that I have been given to see closely how my colleagues here in Kosovo and in Belgrade work, and in this way contribute to the exchange of different ideas and experiences in the media, which helps us develop professionally. As a young journalist early in my career I found this event very helpful and enlightening,” said Afërdita Lukaj from Kanal 10 TV.

For Uroš Milosavljević from TV Most, the Fellowship “was a great opportunity to meet people on both sides and see that we are actually very similar, in addition to the work that connects us.”

Other journalists selected as this year’s fellows are: Vlerë Mehmeti (Koha Group), Agnesa Sahiti (Klan Kosova TV), Benita Zeneli (ATV), Nemanja Jakšić (Radio Kontakt Plus), Teodora Živanović (TV Most), and Dragana Vukosavljević (KoSSev news portal).

They are also the latest addition to the Media Fellowship Alumni, which to date has gathered around 30 journalists from different communities in Kosovo.

The group will pay a similar study visit to Tirana in September, where they are scheduled to meet representatives of media institutions, regulatory bodies and various media outlets.

Launched in 2017, with a two-year break during the pandemic, the OSCE Media Fellowship programme cultivates local journalistic talent while promoting gender equality, multi-ethnicity, and reconciliation in Kosovo.

VIENNA, 19 June 2022 – Today, on the International Day for the Elimination of Sexual Violence in Conflict, OSCE Secretary General Helga Maria Schmid called for an urgent end to the use of rape and other sexual crimes as a tactic of war in Ukraine and elsewhere in the OSCE region and beyond.

“I am shocked by continued reports of sexual violence against women and girls, including rape, torture, trafficking and sexual exploitation occurring in Ukraine and in other conflict areas. Men and boys are also the targets of such crimes. This violence is completely unacceptable and must stop,” she said. 

The Secretary General reiterated her call on the Russian Federation to immediately cease all hostilities. She also called for the swift and independent investigation of all reports of sexual violence and other suspected crimes.

“Let me make this clear: sexual violence is a real threat to security. It affects victims, their families and their societies. It has a deep and lasting impact – including on the ability of communities to recover when the fighting has stopped,” she said. 

“We know that women and girls are often the targets of exploitation and trafficking. The OSCE is playing a leading role in helping to prevent trafficking and exploitation, including in its online forms,” Schmid said.

The Secretary General also emphasized the need to enhance international support to survivors of exploitation and sexual violence and to work with civil society to ensure that humanitarian efforts respond to the specific needs of women. 

“Working with civil society, particularly women’s organizations who serve and engage with local communities, is paramount,” she added. 

“The OSCE is engaged in these efforts, but we all need to do more to support victims and communities. There can be no impunity for these horrific crimes.” 

WARSAW/SKOPJE, 17 June 2022 - The OSCE Chairman-in-Office, Poland’s Minister of Foreign Affairs Zbigniew Rau, concluded his visit to Montenegro, Albania and North Macedonia today. The trip focused on co-operation with the OSCE and efforts towards stability, security and strengthening democratic institutions in the South-Eastern Europe region.

In Montenegro, the OSCE Chairman-in-Office held talks on co-operation and security with President Milo Đukanović, Prime Minister Dritan Abazović, and Minister of Foreign Affairs Ranko Krivokapić.

Minister Rau also met with Ambassador Dominique Waag, Head of the OSCE Mission to Montenegro, and Mission staff, whom he thanked for their excellent work, and with representatives of the civil society.

Minister Rau acknowledged the country’s recent reforms, which he perceives as reflecting the OSCE’s underlying principles and values and which make it a stable and constructive partner in the region. He pointed out that Montenegro’s solidarity, adherence to the rule of law and a culture of dialogue is strongly reaffirmed by the position it has taken recently at this difficult time for Europe and the world.

“Close relations and your country’s commitment to the values that have shaped the OSCE are yet again reflected in Montenegro’s unequivocal and principled position on Russian aggression against Ukraine,” stressed Minister Rau speaking to the Montenegrin leadership.

While in Tirana, the OSCE Chairman-in-Office spoke with Albania’s outgoing President Ilir Meta, President-elect Bajram Begaj and Deputy Prime Minister Arben Ahmetaj. He also met with representatives of the OSCE Presence in Albania.

The OSCE Chairman-in-Office confirmed the Organization’s support for the reform package implemented successively in Albania, which covers such fields as judicature, the rule of law, and fight against corruption.

“I am happy to confirm the OSCE’s readiness to extend further assistance to the reforms in important areas. Albania has been doing very well with their implementation. I also welcome the Albanian government’s strong support for the OSCE’s regional project concerning climate change and security in South-Eastern Europe,” said Minister Rau.

Minister Rau congratulated the hosts on the 30th anniversary of their membership of the Organization and on the 25th anniversary of the OSCE Presence in Albania.

During his visit to North Macedonia, Minister Rau met with President Stevo Pendarovski, Prime Minister Dimitar Kovačevski, and Minister of Foreign Affairs Bujar Osmani.

The OSCE Chairman-in-Office had the opportunity to discuss the priorities of the North Macedonia OSCE Chairmanship in 2023 and stressed the political responsibility of the upcoming Chair to protect the Organization and its potential to promote stability and security in Europe.

Minister Rau also held bilateral talks with the UN Under-Secretary  General Rosemary DiCarlo and OSCE Secretary General Helga Schmid, andparticipated in the Prespa Forum Dialogue where he spoke in the opening panel “What after the War in Ukraine?”.

“The Russo-Ukrainian war not only constitutes an “end of an era” for Europe. Its consequences will have immense and long term influence on the security situation in the Euro-Atlantic area and beyond. We have to make sure that there will be no coming back to the previous status quo. I strongly hope that the whole OSCE community will draw necessary conclusions, and take indispensable actions to enhance rules-based order in Europe,” the OSCE Chairman-in-Office stressed.

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The OSCE Project Co-ordinator in Uzbekistan continues to support  the integration of environmental education  into the pre-school curriculum throughout the country. On 16 June 2022, the Project Co-ordinator jointly with the Ministry of Preschool Education and the Innovative Center for Information and Pedagogical Technologies organized a national high-level conference to present the programme on environmental education “Earth is Our Common Home” for preschool educational institutions.

The programme aims at providing children, parents, and teachers with the support in building knowledge and skills necessary to address complex environmental issues. It was developed within the framework of a national project on environmental education in compliance with the best practicesin the OSCE region. The program will help teachers and parents to raise  awareness of issues impacting the environment not only in the educational process of preschool institutions but also in the family.

The event brought together around 70 participants, including government officials, representatives of civil society, and the media.

OHRID, 17 June 2022 – We, the Ministers for Foreign Affairs of Sweden, Poland, and North Macedonia, as the previous, current and incoming Chairpersons-in-Office of the Organization for Security and Co-operation in Europe (OSCE), joined with the OSCE Secretary General in this statement on the occasion of the second edition of the Prespа Forum Dialogue (PFD).

We are grateful to North Macedonia for the warm hospitality and the excellent organization of this event.

We noted that for the second year the PFD provided a unique platform for exchange of opinions on political–military, economic and environmental, and the human dimension, corresponding with the three core aspects of the OSCE’s mandate.

In the next years these topics will remain high on our agendas. Through fruitful intellectual and political debates, for instance at the PFD, we will continue to generate ideas for processes and practical solutions to issues of a regional and global character. 

These two days of deliberations in the heart of the Western Balkans was yet another opportunity to openly address the current security situation and the European perspectives of this region.

On this occasion, we reiterate our strong commitment to the fundamental principles of the OSCE, as expressed in the Helsinki Final Act and the Charter of Paris for a New Europe, which are based on international law, including the UN Charter.

As the OSCE region is confronted with new threats that seriously challenge the future of European stability and security, we reiterate calls for the full implementation of OSCE principles and commitments, including sovereign equality, refraining from the threat or use of force, respect for territorial integrity, and the freedom of States to choose their own security arrangements, as well as respect for human rights and fundamental freedoms, including the freedom of thought, conscience, religion or belief.

The OSCE participating States have created various mechanisms to build confidence and security. They are an indispensable part of the European security order.

Deplorably, from 24 February of this year, we are confronted with the unprecedented, unjustified and unlawful aggression by the Russian Federation against the sovereignty and territorial integrity of Ukraine. This is a clear violation of international law and the OSCE commitments and principles on which our Organization is based.

We urge the Russian Federation to adhere to its international commitments and stop the aggression, to withdraw its troops from Ukraine within its internationally recognized borders and to undertake other necessary steps for de-escalation. 

We deplore that our common efforts invested in trust and dialogue were abandoned and condemn the fact that force was chosen over dialogue and co-operation. 

Political dialogue is the only rightful response that will halt the atrocities and further escalation of the war.

The war must be resolved in accordance with international law and OSCE principles and commitments. In this regard, full accountability should apply for the violations and abuses of international human rights law and international humanitarian law. 

The consequences of the unprecedented illegal aggression go far beyond Ukraine and the OSCE region. The continued conflict risks leading to a humanitarian disaster and suffering for which the Russian Federation bears full responsibility.

The OSCE Troika, together with the OSCE Secretary General, pledge to work to preserve and promote the core values of our unique Organization, for the benefit and prosperity of its participating States and their peoples.

In that regard we highly value the work and activities of the OSCE Secretariat and the OSCE institutions – the Office for Democratic Institutions and Human Rights, the High Commissioner on National Minorities, and the Representative on Freedom of the Media – which were founded to assist participating States to uphold our jointly agreed commitments and principles. They are at the core of the OSCE’s work.

We also reaffirm the importance of the OSCE field operations and the value they deliver to the people and institutions of their host countries. They have been established upon requests for assistance by the hosting participating States. This principle needs to be respected. We therefore reiterate our firm support for the OSCE Project Co-ordinator’s valuable work in Ukraine, which continues to provide support and call on all participating States to extend the mission’s mandate before it expires at the end of the month. 

The OSCE‘s approach to security is comprehensive. All three dimensions are equally key to sustainable peace. Human rights and fundamental freedoms, democracy, and the rule of law are at the core of the comprehensive concept of security. They are prerequisites for peace and inextricably linked to security between States. We emphasize the crucial role of civil society, including human rights defenders, and women’s organizations, and free, independent, and pluralistic media for our comprehensive security.

Civil society and independent media are essential to a free and open society and accountable systems of government and are of particular importance in safeguarding human rights and fundamental freedoms, democracy - including genuinely democratic and pluralistic elections - and the rule of law. We deeply regret that we could not reach consensus on holding this year’s Human Dimension Implementation Meeting.

It is in the interest of all participating States to ensure that the operations in all parts of our organization continue to function well. We therefore call for the swift adoption of the 2022 OSCE Unified Budget and other essential consensus decisions, in support of our organization’s role to build security for all, based on the principles on which the OSCE was founded.

520535 Public Affairs Unit, OSCE Office for Democratic Institutions and Human Rights Katya Andrusz

Election experts from the OSCE Office for Democratic Institutions and Human Rights (ODIHR) presented the final report on Uzbekistan’s 2021 presidential election during a visit to Tashkent that took place from 14 to 17 June 2022.

The experts discussed the report’s key findings and recommendations with representatives of the ministries of foreign affairs, justice, and development of information technologies and communications, the Central Election Commission, the parliament’s lower chamber, the Agency of Information and Mass Communications, the Ombudsperson, as well as representatives of political parties, civil society and the media.

“We appreciate the frank and constructive discussions with our Uzbekistani counterparts  following our observation of the presidential election last year,” said Eoghan Murphy, Head of the ODIHR Election Observation Mission. “The authorities can rely on ODIHR's support and expertise in their efforts to advance democratic reforms towards a genuinely pluralistic political environment. We have also discussed the importance of including a wide range of electoral stakeholders in the reform process.”

Discussions focused on recommendations contained in the report. These include conducting a comprehensive review of election laws, removing remaining restrictions on the fundamental rights of expression, peaceful assembly and association, ensuring a clear separation between state and party, lifting restrictions on candidacy rights, strengthening integrity of the voter registration, providing for citizen election observation by independent civil society organizations. The implementation of gender-related electoral recommendations was also discussed during a dedicated roundtable event.

The ODIHR experts learnt about the ongoing constitutional and electoral reform process. In this context, the experts offered various forms of assistance, including expert discussions, thematic workshops and legal reviews, and electoral stakeholders expressed commitment to engage in further discussions and follow-up activities with ODIHR to bring Uzbekistan’s elections closer in line with international standards and commitments.

All OSCE participating States have committed to promptly follow up on ODIHR’s electoral assessments and recommendations.

520514 Farhod Nabiyulloev Munira Shoinbekova, OSCE Programme Office in Dushanbe

The representatives of the OSCE Programme Office in Dushanbe (Office) and Tajikistan’s Interior Ministry (Ministry) inaugurated Ministry’s coordination centre and new office premises on 14 June 2022 in Dushanbe. 

The Office provided expert advice and material aid to the Ministry for refurbishment of four modern reception facilities equipped with video surveillance system and two-way mirrors. The facilities will allow for modern investigation techniques and serve for protection of witnesses. 

The Office also supported the Ministry in establishment of a new coordination centre capable of connecting the Ministry’s headquarters with its regional departments online for operational issues, as well as renovated offices of the Ministry’s Women Council to implement modern approaches of gender mainstreaming.

In the inauguration ceremony, the Deputy Head of the OSCE Programme Office in Dushanbe, Tea Jaliashvili, said: “Our work to further promote gender aspects in the work of the Ministry will be further strengthened.”

In addition to technical assistance, the Office supported the Ministry in the development of the draft regulation on the Association of Police Women and organized a round table discussion for Tajikistan’s law enforcement officers to review its Charter. 

The Deputy Minister of Interior, General-Mayor Saidnakhsh Rahmonzoda appreciated the fruitful cooperation between the OSCE and the Ministry and emphasized that despite of COVID-19 challenges in 2020-2021, the OSCE and the Ministry were able to continue the work for creating mobile police receptions and analytical units, as well as refurbishment of office premises in the Ministry and its district directorates. He expressed hope for OSCE’s continued support, including the organization of donor coordination mechanism for implementation of Ministry’s projects.

The Chairperson of the Women's Council, Colonel Bibikhol Khushbakhtzoda thanked the OSCE for support and informed that the Council will review the Charter of the Association of Women's Councils in August 2022 and will submit it to the leadership of the Ministry for approval.

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On 16 June 2022, the OSCE Gender Issues Programme and the Transnational Threats Department’s Action against Terrorism Unit organized an online validation workshop on the needs assessment for creating two regional networks for female practitioners in preventing and countering violent extremism that lead to radicalization (P/CVERLT) in South-Eastern Europe and Central Asia.

Based on the needs assessment, carried out by the OSCE in early 2022, the OSCE plans to form two regional women P/CVERLT networks for South-Eastern Europe and Central Asia, with elements of cross-regional engagement and sharing. The networks will build on existing OSCE initiatives such as the Leaders against Intolerance and Violent Extremism (LIVE) Community of Practice.

The workshop gathered together 40 participants from governments, security, education, health and social welfare sectors, civil society, academia and international organizations. During the workshop, participants had the opportunity to validate and discuss key findings and recommendations of the needs assessment and to provide insights and advice on the management model, membership and objectives of the two regional networks.

The aim of the initiative is to provide a platform for the female P/CVERLT professionals in the two regions to exchange good practices, to learn from one another and to build long-lasting professional and personal relationships. It will also serve as a generator of new ideas and perspectives and lift up voices of women professionals in informing and shaping gender-sensitive P/CVERLT policies. In addition, the networks are envisaged to contribute to strengthened relationship between the authorities and non-governmental actors.

The workshop was implemented under the WIN for Women and Men: Strengthening Comprehensive Security through Innovating and Networking for Gender Equality (WIN) project, which aims to improve gender equality by taking action on Gender Based Violence, Economic Justice and Rights and Technology and Innovation.

520439 Andrii Dziubenko

Data and analysis on nearly 5000 incidents of war-related damages in Ukraine show that 92 industrial facilities in the high or very high environmental risk category were affected.  

The data stems from a recently created online map-based platform, Ecodozor, developed by Zoï Environment Network and supported by the OSCE Project Co-ordinator in Ukraine.

Presented today at the Ukraine Media Centre in Lviv, the platform draws on OSCE’s experience in assessing environmental damage in the eastern regions of Ukraine, affected by armed conflict since 2014.

The damages and disruptions were gathered from across the whole of Ukraine and included

infrastructure damage due to bombing and shelling, interrupted water, gas and electricity supplies, and disrupted industrial operations. The effects of these environmental threats are yet to be investigated.

“Of course, in these tragic times of war, we think first of all about people whose lives are in immediate danger from ongoing hostilities. Yet, we shouldn’t forget that environmental damage can have long-term effects on health and lives of everyone in the affected areas and beyond,” said Henrik Villadsen, the OSCE Project Co-ordinator during the event.

“This needs to be taken into account already in planning and accumulation of resources for assistance in the post-war reconstruction of Ukraine,” he added.

The Ecodozor platform will be continuously updated, to assist researchers and policy makers in developing a comprehensive response to environmental threats.

The OSCE Project Co-ordinator has been helping Ukrainian authorities to enhance their system of emergency response especially in the sphere of chemical safety and security. This includes several approaches, such as harmonizing regulatory systems with internationally accepted standards, reforming first responders trainings and enhancing capacities in identification of toxic chemicals.

The Co-ordinator has also supported the country in enhancing monitoring of its water resources in the Siverskyi Donets river basin. The reports, with data on these studies, are available here.

520409 Marina Živaljević

Dominique Waag, Head of the OSCE Mission to Montenegro and Maja Jovanović, Acting Supreme State Prosecutor, signed a Memorandum of Understanding on 16 June 2022.

The Memorandum will further contribute to effective implementation of the ongoing three-year project “Supporting a More Effective Administration of Justice in Organised Crime and Corruption Cases through Trial Monitoring”, funded by the European Union and implemented by the OSCE Mission to Montenegro. This is part of a regional project, also implemented by the OSCE Presence in Albania, Mission to Bosnia and Herzegovina, Mission to Skopje and Mission in Kosovo.

Ambassador Waag explained that project monitors trials by observing court hearings and examining case files. The collected data is triangulated after consultations with judges and prosecutors. Currently 43 cases, which are primarily under the jurisdiction of the Special Prosecutor’s Office are being monitored.

“The project also includes media analysis, which examines how media reports ongoing cases and instances when independence of prosecution may be undermined. I hope that the findings and recommendations of the project will support a more effective administration of justice in organised crime and corruption cases, which can be of use not only to prosecutors, but also to other important players in the justice sector,” said Ambassador Waag.

Acting Supreme State Prosecutor Jovanović welcomed the signing of the Memorandum and pointed out that in this way the State Prosecutor’s Office shows that it is giving its full contribution to the project. At the same time, she thanked for the continuous support that the State Prosecutor’s Office receives from the OSCE Mission, pointing to the readiness of the Mission to support them by providing the professional equipment for the press room.

“In addition to press conferences, sessions of the Prosecutorial Council can also be held in that hall, with the possibility of live broadcasting. I am fully convinced that this would greatly contribute to increasing the transparency of the State Prosecutor’s organization,” said Jovanović, adding that they also need support from the Cadastre and State Property Administration, which should help them provide adequate premises.

Waag and Jovanović also discussed the ways to tackle hate speech and ongoing and future joint activities related to domestic and gender based violence, trafficking in human beings, protecting children from online exploitation and intelligence led policing.

Warsaw, 15 June 2022 – Following the death sentences handed down to three soldiers reported to be members of the Ukrainian armed forces, the OSCE Office for Democratic Institutions and Human Rights (ODIHR) strongly condemns both their prosecution and sentencing, which have taken place in violation of international humanitarian law.

The court sentences were pronounced against two British nationals and one Moroccan national on 9 June 2022 in a non-government-controlled area of eastern Ukraine. Under international humanitarian law, combatants in the power of the enemy are entitled to prisoner of war status and cannot be prosecuted or punished purely for taking an active part in hostilities, even if this participation is defined as a criminal offence by the parties to an armed conflict.

The Office emphasises that all parties to an armed conflict are bound by international humanitarian law, including entities under the overall control of one of the parties to the conflict as in the present case. ODIHR calls on the Russian Federation to guarantee the rights of prisoners of war in line with the Third Geneva Convention, ensuring full respect for international humanitarian law.

All OSCE participating States have agreed that no form of public emergency,  including a state of war, a threat of war or internal political instability, can justify torture or other ill-treatment, or be used as an argument to disregard or undercut international humanitarian and international human rights law. There is also a growing consensus globally that the death penalty is a cruel, inhuman and degrading punishment. The vast majority of OSCE states have either completely abolished the death penalty, or maintain moratoria on executions as an important step towards complete abolition.

OSCE Centre in Ashgabat

An OSCE-organized online seminar on international experience in the modernization of water sector through the implementation of digital systems took place from 14 to 15 June 2022. The two-day event analysed global trends, policies and strategies in this area, and facilitated a discussion of further steps to modernize Turkmenistan's water management system.

Representatives from the State Committee of Water Economy of Turkmenistan, Hydrometeorology Service under the Ministry of Agriculture and Environmental Protection, other relevant ministries and non-governmental organizations attended the event.

Four international experts from Albania, the Netherlands and Switzerland facilitated the event and presented best practices of the OSCE participating States in the implementation of innovative solutions and digital systems for sustainable water management.

“Water management has always been an integral part of the OSCE agenda, reflecting the Organization`s comprehensive approach to economic and environmental matters. The OSCE has a long track record of supporting the OSCE participating States to jointly manage water resources sustainably and has successfully supported co-operation among its participating States,” said Ivana Markovic-Boskovic, Economic and Environmental Officer of the OSCE Centre in Ashgabat.

“Bearing in mind the devastating impacts of global warming and climate change on water resources, it is essential to develop and modernize the water sector through implementation of advanced solutions and digital systems which have become critical elements for enabling effective water management and distribution,” added Markovic-Boskovic.

The experts also elaborated on the use of open source data to improve hydrological water balance modelling, as well as the employment of open access to data and educational materials to develop a monitoring system to protect freshwater resources in Central Asia. They introduced participants to satellite remote sensing and its application for the analysis of irrigation efficiency and crop mapping in the Central Asian region, along with digital solutions to protect freshwater resources from environmental pollution.