11/18/2024 - 3:00 PM - Venue: SRDA The Joseph H. Edwards Active Adult Center

Companies selling dairy products in Oregon must understand whether they have obligations under the EPR law.

UBS is sticking to its bullish gold forecast.

• says the move higher for equities and lower for gold is a 'highly optimistic' view for lower policy and political risk, this is premature
• expect US yields and US dollar to move into downtrend, which will support gold
• gold fundamentals, as a hedge and diversity play, are intact

Japan's former vice minister of finance for international affairs, Masato Kanda was reported with comments on Wednesday ICYMI.

• currency market volatility had increased reflecting recent changes in monetary policies and political situations in major countries
• "There is no change to our stance that we will need to respond appropriately to excess movements on the currency market as excessive foreign exchange volatility is undesirable"

His comments have not slowed the yen decline:

***

Kanda is now a special adviser to Prime Minister Shigeru Ishiba and the finance ministry., said in an interview that currency market volatility had increased reflecting recent changes in monetary policies and political situations in major countries.

The dollar continues to push higher in the post-election period and in the case of USD/JPY, that momentum is helped by higher yields as well. The pair has been on a tear since October trading, racing up from 143.00 all the way to touching 156.00 earlier today. The break above 155.00 yesterday is a crucial one, signifying another breach of a key technical/psychological level.

When it comes to USD/JPY, there's always something about big figure levels. And this is arguably no exception.

With buyers clearing the key daily moving averages and 150.00 mark last month, the focus has been drawn on the 155.00 mark since. And inevitably with Trump winning the election, we've finally gotten there today.

And having done so, we're into a bit of a pocket of space with little to no technical resistance all the way to 160.00 potentially.

It doesn't mean we'll get there overnight but it does present an attractive level for buyers to take aim at. Nonetheless, the pace of any further gains will of course be another thing to be mindful of though.

That might invite scrutiny from Japan officials to verbally intervene. As for any real intervention threat, it's going to be tough to fight the underlying market momentum in play currently. So, I wouldn't imagine Tokyo trying that out - at least for the time being.

The bond market is once again going to be a key driver to be mindful of when it comes to USD/JPY. But for now, the overall dollar bullishness is also helping to underpin the pair rather strongly. That especially when the greenback is starting to creep up on some key technical levels in the bigger picture, as seen here with EUR/USD.

The pullback in gold continues to play out since the post-election period. The precious metal is now down for a fifth straight day in what is already easily its worst weekly showing so far this year. It has more or less been a case of waiting for said pullback to reach some key technical levels on the charts. And we're just about there already in trading today.

The 100-day moving average (red line) is the key technical focus right now and that is seen at roughly $2,543. The last time gold actually had a brush against the key level was all the way back in February. And the last time that gold traded back below either that or its 200-day moving average (blue line) was all the way back in October last year.

That underscores the breathtaking momentum that has been in play for gold all through this year so far.

As such, this makes the 100-day moving average an even more important technical juncture now. A break there will not only signify a break in the bullish bias in gold. However, it could set off another wave of selling that leads to an even bigger pullback.

Traders love key levels like these and USD/JPY is a good example of that when it broke its own 100-day moving average back in late July as well. The drop there of course owed to a myriad of other factors but the technical consideration certainly exacerbated things. And it could also be the case for gold when we get there in the sessions ahead.

I'm still an advocate for gold in the bigger picture of things. However, I would say dip buyers will need to be patient to let this correction run its course before coming back in. From earlier this week: Gold pullback might prove to be timely for dip buyers

The European session is going to be once again a bit empty on the data front with just a couple of low tier data points. We get the 2nd estimate of the Eurozone Q3 GDP and the ECB Meeting Minutes. Both of them are old news and the market won't care much about it.

In the American session, the focus will be on the US PPI and Jobless Claims data. Yesterday's US CPI came in line with expectations and after a bit of a "sell the fact" reaction in the US Dollar, the market started to bid it again.

The CPI wasn't the main culprit though as the momentum got triggered by Fed's Logan comment saying "models show that Fed funds could be very close to neutral" potentially implying a lot more cautious approach on rate cuts in 2025.

13:30 GMT/08:30 ET - US October PPI

The US PPI Y/Y is expected at 2.3% vs. 1.8% prior, while the M/M measure is seen at 0.2% vs. 0.0% prior. The Core PPI Y/Y is expected at 3.0% vs. 2.8% prior, while the M/M figure is seen at 0.3% vs. 0.2% prior.

This report will be seen in light of the US CPI data yesterday as it will give us a better estimate of the US Core PCE due at the end of the month. An upside surprise might trigger some more US Dollar gains as the market could price out some more the rate cuts expected in 2025, but the December cut remains pretty much assured.

13:30 GMT/08:30 ET - US Jobless Claims

The US Jobless Claims continues to be one of the most important releases to follow every week as it’s a timelier indicator on the state of the labour market.

Initial Claims remain inside the 200K-260K range created since 2022, while Continuing Claims after an improvement in the last two months, spiked to the cycle highs in the last couple of weeks due to distortions coming from hurricanes and strikes.

This week Initial Claims are expected at 223K vs. 221K prior, while Continuing Claims are seen at 1880K vs. 1852K prior.

Central bank speakers:

• 08:30 GMT - ECB's de Guindos (dove - voter)
• 13:00 GMT/08:00 - BoE's Mann (hawk - voter)
• 14:00 GMT/09:00 ET - Fed's Barkin (neutral - voter)
• 15:00 GMT/10:00 ET - Fed's Kugler (dove - voter)
• 18:30 GMT/13:30 ET - ECB's Schnabel (hawk - voter)
• 19:00 GMT/14:00 ET - ECB's Lagarde (neutral - voter)
• 20:00 GMT/15:00 ET - Fed Chair Powell (neutral - voter)
• 21:15 GMT/16:15 ET - Fed's Williams (neutral - voter)

• Prior +1.5%
• HICP +1.8% vs +1.8% y/y prelim
• Prior +1.7%

Core annual inflation was seen at 2.5% on the month, up slightly from 2.4% in September. That just reaffirms a small bump in the works in the disinflation process. But given recent developments, the ECB will still feel comfortable in sticking with rate cuts for now.

Valhalla, Floki’s PlayToEarn Massively Multiplayer Online Role-Playing Game (MMORPG) blockchain game is proud to announce a partnership in the United Arab Emirates (UAE).

On Nov. 13, Valhalla unveiled a partnership with Dubai's Mall of the Emirates, marking a milestone in its global outreach efforts.

The partnership will see Valhalla’s branding prominently displayed across 93 screens in the mall for a four-week campaign running from November 15 to December 12.

Mall of the Emirates, located in the heart of Dubai, is one of the world’s most prestigious shopping destinations. Since opening in 2005, it has become an iconic landmark, attracting millions of visitors each year. The mall sees daily traffic of approximately 111,500 people, making it a prime venue for Valhalla’s campaign to reach a diverse and international audience.

The mall’s strategic location on Sheikh Zayed Road, a prime area in Dubai, combined with its diverse visitor base, offers Valhalla an opportunity to engage both local and international audiences.

Spanning an area of 255,489 square meters, the multi-level mall boasts over 630 retail outlets, 80 luxury stores, and 250 flagship stores. It also features some of Dubai’s most popular attractions, including the indoor ski resort Ski Dubai, the Magic Planet entertainment center, and VOX Cinemas. The mall’s dining options, with over 100 restaurants and cafés, further enhance its appeal as a top destination for both residents and tourists.

The Campaign’s Goal

Valhalla is ramping up its presence in the UAE, a key market for crypto adoption.

Despite its smaller population, the UAE ranks as the third-largest crypto economy in the MENA region, with $34 billion in crypto transactions recorded between July 2023 and June 2024. This represents an impressive 42% year-on-year growth, far outpacing the MENA average of 11.73%, according to Chainalysis.

Dubai’s rapid evolution into a crypto hub has been fueled by initiatives like the Dubai International Financial Centre (DIFC) and Virtual Asset Regulatory Authority (VARA), which offer crypto-friendly regulatory frameworks. This has drawn major players and startups, solidifying Dubai’s status as a global crypto leader.

Valhalla’s campaign at Mall of the Emirates aligns perfectly with this momentum. By showcasing its brand in one of Dubai’s busiest and most iconic locations, Floki aims to boost awareness and adoption of its ecosystem.

This campaign follows Floki’s recent four-week marketing initiative at WAFI Mall in Dubai, running from November 8 to December 5, where its branding appears across 18 digital screens. Together, these efforts are part of Floki’s larger strategy to dominate the Dubai crypto scene.

About Valhalla

Valhalla (https://valhalla.game/) is a blockchain-based MMORPG inspired by Norse mythology, offering players the chance to discover, tame, and battle with creatures called Veras. The game features a player-driven economy and a hexagonal battlefield designed for dynamic combat. Users can learn more at Valhalla.game.

About Floki

Floki is the people’s cryptocurrency and utility token of the Floki Ecosystem. Focused on utility, community, philanthropy, and strategic marketing, Floki is working toward becoming the world’s most recognized and used cryptocurrency. With over 490,000 holders globally, Floki has already established a strong brand presence.

• Rate cuts to date are an acknowledgement of growing confidence that inflation is on the path to 2% goal
• Hope productivity growth can outrun the effects of slowing population growth
• Won't let enthusiasm over rising productivity get ahead of data or commitment to reaching Fed goals

There isn't much of a hint on anything here.

2100 GMT / 1600 US Eastern time on Thursday, November 14, 2024:

• Bank of England Governor Andrew Bailey will deliver a speech at the Annual Financial and Professional Services Dinner, Mansion House

We last heard from Bailey a week ago:

• BOE governor Bailey: I will not specify what gradual means for rate cuts
• BOE governor Bailey: We do not have a specific equilibrium level of interest rate in mind
• BOE governor Bailey: We still need to see services inflation to come down more broadly

Federal Reserve Chair Jerome Powell delivers a speech on his economic outlook, followed by a question and answer session.

• Powell participates in "Global Perspectives" conversation before event hosted by the Dallas Regional Chamber, World Affairs Council of DFW and the Federal Reserve Bank of Dallas
• @ 2000 GMT / 1500 US Eastern time

While the Fed seems committed to a December rate cut not all signs in the CPI data on Wednesday were encouraging.

Mann spoke Wednesday:

• BOE's Mann: I describe myself as an 'activist' rather than a 'gradualist' on rates
• BOE's Mann: Inflation has definitely not been vanquished

Mann was the sole dissent at the previous BoE meeting, voting to keep the Bank rate on hold.

Speaking again at 1300 GMT / 0800 US Eastern time:

• at the Society of Professional Economists Annual Conference

Also on the speaker circuit is Governor Bailey:

• GBP traders heads up - Bank of England Governor Bailey is speaking late Thursday

The data is here from earlier:

• Australian October unemployment rate 4.1% (vs. 4.1% expected)
• AUD/USD little changed after the October employment report showed a steady jobless rate
  • (ps. AUD/USD has slid a little since this post, broadly stronger USD the culprit)

Westpac with the recap, in brief:

Australian labour market remains in relatively solid health

• employment growth slowing broadly in line with population growth
• average hours holding steady
• few signs that labour demand is capitulating to an extent that warrants concern
• labour market conditions remain somewhat tight ... this is not translating to stronger wage inflation pressures
• On balance, today’s update will see the RBA continue to remain focused on the dynamics around underlying inflation.

***

Speaking of the RBA, we heard from Bullock earlier, not dovish:

• RBA Bullock says rates are restrictive enough, staying there until confident on inflation

***

AUD/USD update:

Commercial Changes / Commercial viability

Associations Plan Joint Effort to Advance Blockchain Technology for Accounting Profession

NEW YORK (Oct. 23, 2017) – The American Institute of CPAs (AICPA) and Wall Street Blockchain Alliance (WSBA), a leading nonprofit trade association promoting the comprehensive adoption of blockchain technology across global markets, today announced plans to work together to define the impact of blockchain technology for the accounting profession and advance the interests of both the public and profession in this area.

As part of this collaboration, the AICPA – through its technology arm, CPA.com – will administer the WSBA’s working group on tax and accounting, a focal point for advocacy and education on blockchain adoption within the profession. Other existing WSBA working groups include research and innovation, legal, and technology and product. The working group model is designed to provide a forum for experts to share information, guide advocacy and technical efforts and create broader educational opportunities—such as webcasts, roundtables and other content—to address issues arising from the adoption of blockchain, distributed ledgers and smart contract technologies.

“The accounting profession is built on confirmation and verification, and that’s what blockchain is all about,” said AICPA President and CEO Barry C. Melancon, CPA, CGMA. “This technology can have a profound impact on accounting and finance going forward, and it’s important we make sure that its adoption proceeds in a way that’s in the best interest of the public and our financial markets. Our working relationship with the WSBA, combined with our expanded global reach through the Association of International Certified Professional Accountants, will help further that goal.”

The collaboration was announced at the fall meeting of the AICPA’s governing Council in San Antonio, Tex.

“The WSBA is very pleased to be collaborating with the AICPA and CPA.com to guide the evolution of the global accounting profession in a future with blockchain technology,” said Ron Quaranta, chairman of the WSBA. “We look forward to working together to advance the world of accountancy and its use of blockchain, as accountants become integral participants in the adoption of this innovative technology for global markets.”

As a first step in collaboration, the AICPA will be part of an accounting-related panel at the WSBA’s Blockchain for Wall Street education day on Nov. 14, 2017.

“Blockchain is one of several innovations that are reshaping the accounting profession,” said Erik Asgeirsson, president and CEO of CPA.com, one of the participants in the upcoming panel. “Our role with the WSBA working group is to guide and speed the use of blockchain technology as it applies to the core areas of an accounting practice.”

About the Wall Street Blockchain Alliance

The Wall Street Blockchain Alliance (WSBA) is an industry leading 501(c)(6) non-profit trade association created for financial market professionals, by financial market professionals. Its mission is to guide and promote comprehensive adoption of blockchain and distributed ledger technology across global financial markets.

For information about the WSBA, including membership, visit www.wsba.co or email to info@wsba.co.

About the American Institute of CPAs

The American Institute of CPAs (AICPA) is the world’s largest member association representing the CPA profession, with more than 418,000 members in 143 countries, and a history of serving the public interest since 1887. AICPA members represent many areas of practice, including business and industry, public practice, government, education and consulting. The AICPA sets ethical standards for its members and U.S. auditing standards for private companies, nonprofit organizations, federal, state and local governments. It develops and grades the Uniform CPA Examination, offers specialized credentials, builds the pipeline of future talent and drives professional competency development to advance the vitality, relevance and quality of the profession.

The AICPA maintains offices in New York, Washington, DC, Durham, NC, and Ewing, NJ.

Media representatives are invited to visit the AICPA Press Center at www.aicpa.org/press.

About the Association of International Certified Professional Accountants

The Association of International Certified Professional Accountants (the Association) is the most influential body of professional accountants, combining the strengths of the American Institute of CPAs (AICPA) and The Chartered Institute of Management Accountants (CIMA) to power opportunity, trust and prosperity for people, businesses and economies worldwide. It represents 650,000 members and students in public and management accounting and advocates for the public interest and business sustainability on current and emerging issues. With broad reach, rigor and resources, the Association advances the reputation, employability and quality of CPAs, CGMAs and accounting and finance professionals globally.

TASHKENT, 22 June 2015 – A two-day training course on improving judicial responses to human trafficking, organized by the OSCE Project Co-ordinator in Uzbekistan, in co-operation with the Lawyers’ Training Centre under the Uzbek Justice Ministry, was launched today in Tashkent.

Some 20 newly-appointed judges from all regions of Uzbekistan will discuss effective ways to use international and national legal tools in dealing with criminal cases on trafficking in human beings as well as relevant good judicial practices and challenges.

“The training course is designed to help the judges to assess the implementation of the non-punishment principle for victims while handling the criminal cases,” said Ambassador Gyorgy Szabo, Project Co-ordinator in Uzbekistan. “This kind of training course serves as a platform for the exchange of experience and professional expertise related to Human Rights Protection.”

Askar Gafurov, Director of the Lawyers’ Training Centre, said: “The training course is one of the commitments of Uzbekistan to improve the effectiveness of countering human trafficking and to develop a comprehensive victim-support system through expert advice and in service training activities.”

The training course is part of  the OSCE Project Co-ordinator’ s long-term project to assist Uzbekistan in combating trafficking in human beings.

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TASHKENT, 21 September 2015 – An OSCE-organized week-long training course for Uzbek law enforcement bodies on identifying and tracing illegitimate assets and the various instruments of asset forfeiture and recovery began today in Tashkent.

Experts from the Basel Institute of Governance will share international best practices with senior representatives in charge of international legal co-operation and the fight against corruption and money laundering within the General Prosecutor’s Office, the Ministry of Interior and other law enforcement bodies.

“The ability to launder ill-acquired assets outside of the jurisdiction of their country of origin is one of the major enablers of corrupt behaviours,” said Ambassador Gyorgy Szabo, Project Co-ordinator in Uzbekistan. “This is why the OSCE regards the identification and recovery of illegitimate assets, no matter where they might be hidden, as a crucial element of the fight against corruption.”

The OSCE Project Co-ordinator in Uzbekistan organized the training course jointly with the Swiss Agency for Development and Co-operation, the Basel Institute of Governance and the General Prosecutor’s Office of Uzbekistan.

During the course, participants will also learn about the mechanisms of international mutual legal assistance and how they can be used during anti-corruption investigations.

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TASHKENT, 5 November 2015 – Addressing and preventing human trafficking in the hospitality and tourism sector is the topic of a two-day OSCE-supported training course, launched today in Tashkent, for 25 representatives from Uzbekistan’s tourism infrastructure, airlines, airport services and police.

The course, organized by the OSCE Project Co-ordinator in Uzbekistan and the National Inter-agency Commission on Counteracting Human Trafficking, aims to contribute to preventing human trafficking through awareness raising and developing the anti-trafficking codes of conduct for personnel.

The OSCE Project Co-ordinator in Uzbekistan Gyorgy Szabo said the training course would help representatives from private businesses develop corporate responsibility for preventing human trafficking in the tourism infrastructure.  

Astrid Winkler, representative of the ECPAT International (End Child Prostitution, Child Pornography and Trafficking of Children for Sexual Purposes), said that “It is important that all stakeholders, including the tourism business, understand what human trafficking is and take a stance against it. Business can do a lot in terms of prevention.”

The training course is part of the OSCE Project Co-ordinator’s project to assist Uzbekistan in combating the trafficking in human beings.

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TASHKENT, 12 July 2016 – A three-day seminar for journalists to improve their skills in reporting on human trafficking, organized by the OSCE Project Co-ordinator in Uzbekistan and the Office of the Prosecutor General, began yesterday.

The seminar brings together 26 journalists from all the regions of Uzbekistan to discuss the challenges of reporting on human trafficking and effective ways to overcome them by drawing on international and national good practices. “For better coverage of human trafficking, it is important to both see it as a global phenomenon and understand its specifics in your own country,” said Anatoly Verbin, an international media expert, addressing the media specialists.  

Ambassador John MacGregor, the Project Co-ordinator in Uzbekistan, said that OSCE anti-trafficking commitments include the cultivation of partnership with journalists to enhance their knowledge and understanding of the complexity of the phenomenon, which is a composite of many serious crimes as well as denials of rights. “Prevention of human trafficking cannot be effective if the media do not join us in raising awareness of this crime. The trafficked persons need understanding and assistance in restoring their rights, not moral accusations, judgment or pity,’’ he noted.

Gyulnoza Rakhimova, the head of the press service of the Office of the Prosecutor General, stressed that the training will cover current legislative and law enforcement practices, how to make the information more interesting for readers and not to violate the rights of victims of trafficking.”

The training is part of the OSCE Project Co-ordinator’s project to assist Uzbekistan in combating trafficking in human beings and to develop a comprehensive victim-support system through expert advice and information.

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Equal access to justice for women and men was the focus of an OSCE-supported forum on 9 June 2016 in Kyiv, which brought together over 80 representatives of the national justice system, legislative and executive authorities, the Ombudsman Office, regional and international organizations and NGOs.

The OSCE Project Co-ordinator in Ukraine organized the forum jointly with USAID’s Fair Justice project and the National Judicial Institute of Canada.

The participants discussed common barriers to access of women and men to justice, such as discriminatory laws, social and cultural patterns, gender bias in the justice system and lack of financial and other resources, and outlined the measures needed to gather gender- disaggregated statistical data in the judiciary. They also exchanged experiences and presented good practices for promoting equal access of women and men to justice and enhancing networking and partnerships among judiciary and civil society, and developed recommendations for improving gender mainstreaming in judicial reform.

During the forum, the OSCE Project Co-ordinator presented its new publication ‘Gender in Justice’, which provides recommendations for judges and lawyers on the implementation of gender equality in their work. The publication is based on the findings of a survey conducted among 400 judges and lawyers designed to uncover existing behavioural prejudices in their professional environment.

The event was organized as part of the OSCE Project Co-ordinator’s project on  safeguarding human rights through courts, implemented with financial support from the Government of Canada. 

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The OSCE Project Co-ordinator in Ukraine and the Supreme Court of Ukraine organized on 10 June 2016 in Kyiv a joint roundtable discussion on protection of property in times of conflict, bringing together over 60 representatives of Ukrainian legislative and executive powers, leading judicial and law schools, as well as judges and international and local experts.

The participants discussed the guarantees of exercising the right to property and the mechanisms of its protection under special circumstances, such as armed conflict, occupation, annexation of territories and anti-terrorist operations. They identified mechanisms of protection, which would be efficient in terms of practical implementation and useful for judicial practice, and produced recommendations to keep up with international standards in this field.

The participants shared visions about international standards and the European Court of Human Rights (ECtHR) case law regarding the protection of the right to peaceful enjoyment of possessions, and reviewed the experience of other states which faced similar circumstances, such as Bosnia and Herzegovina, Croatia, Georgia and Moldova. They also discussed problems of the judicial settlement of disputes related to the protection of property rights of individuals and legal entities in the conflict zone.

The event is part of the OSCE Project Co-ordinator’s project on safeguarding human rights through courts, which is implemented with financial support from the Government of Canada. The project also addresses the problem of property rights protection through development and piloting specialized courses for judges on the application of the ECtHR case law in the context of Article 1 of Protocol 1 to the European Convention on Human Rights.

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Thirty experts were trained to deliver specialized training courses for judges on how to review corruption–related disputes and prevent corruption in the judiciary during a two-day session, organized by the OSCE Project Co-ordinator in Ukraine and the National School of Judges on 5-6 July 2016 outside Kyiv.

The trainees, judges-lecturers of five regional branches of the School, enhanced their knowledge of anti-corruption legislation, including national regulations and relevant international conventions, major aspects of judges’ ethics, including the identification and prevention of real and potential conflicts of interest, and judicial review of corruption-related disputes. The purpose of the session was to create a pool of experts able to deliver training courses for their peers at the National School of Judges on a regular basis.

According to the Judicial Education Concept adopted by the School, the training methodology was based on interactive techniques and included discussions, case studies, mini-lectures, various exercises and role plays, and screenings of short simulation videos on the topic.

To ensure the sustainability of OSCE efforts, the training course on anti-corruption will be submitted for institutionalization at the National School of Judges by the end of the year. This course will form part of the School’s mandatory curriculum for every judge appointed to the post.

The training session was part of a project by the OSCE Project Co-ordinator in Ukraine to enhance the quality of judicial education and training.

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Twenty-five lecturers from law faculties at fifteen universities from around Ukraine, during a roundtable discussion supported by the OSCE Project Co-ordinator on 13 July 2016 in Kyiv, developed recommendations on teaching human rights within Master of Law university programmes.

The discussions focused on teaching the European Convention on Human Rights and the case-law of the European Court of Human Rights (ECtHR), with international experts from the Max Planck Institute Luxembourg for International, European and Regulatory Procedural Law, the Union University and the ECtHR highlighting ways of ensuring a human rights-based approach to legal education.

Participants exchanged syllabi, research materials and teaching methodologies and agreed to set up a platform to further develop the human rights law curricula. This community of practice will function on a permanent basis with further support from the OSCE Project Co-ordinator and with the participation of leading Ukrainian law schools.

The roundtable discussion was held as part of the Second Annual Inter-University Human Rights School on 11-15 July 2016, which was organized by the OSCE Project Co-ordinator in Ukraine in co-operation with the Lviv and Kyiv Universities.

The School was held as part of the OSCE Project Co-ordinator’s project on safeguarding Human Rights through the courts. The project is being implemented with the financial support of the Government of Canada, and follows on from the First Annual Inter-University School dedicated to the Right to Life held in 2015.

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KYIV, 15 July 2016 – The OSCE Project Co-ordinator in Ukraine today opened a new sphere of project assistance to Ukraine – improving democratic control of defence and security sectors – with a presentation of international experience and best practices at a conference in Kyiv.

The event, co-organized with the Parliament and the Ministry of Defence, brought together more than 120 parliamentarians, military and civilian representatives of various ministries, experts, and civil society activists to learn about the basic principles in this area, as well as practical examples from other countries.

During the conference, the OSCE Code of Conduct on Politico-Military Aspects of Security and the OSCE Security Sector Governance and Reform Guidelines were presented. Ukrainian translations of these documents can be found at www.osce.org/fsc/41355  and www.osce.org/uk/secretariat/253156, respectively.

The participants discussed in detail the national models of parliamentary and civic control over the defence sectors of Austria, Bulgaria, Denmark, Germany, and Norway.

“The ability of Parliament, and of society at large, to exercise control over its security services is a true litmus test for democracy and rule of law,” said Jeffrey Erlich, Senior Project Officer at the OSCE Project Co-ordinator’s Office. “Such oversight contributes to a much more effective security sector by rooting out corruption, and by strengthening the bond between society and the armed forces.”

Igor Dolgov, Deputy Minister of Defence, said: “For me there is no question of whether it is possible to simultaneously deal with current crisis and implement reforms in defense sectors, including strengthening mechanisms of democratic control over armed forces. It is needed and it is already happening.”

Until the end of the year, the OSCE Project Co-ordinator will provide expertise in developing a concept paper and implementation plan for democratic oversight; assist in promoting dialogue between the military, parliamentarians, experts and civic activists; and contribute to raising awareness among the public by publishing relevant online resources.  Further assistance efforts will continue after 2016.

In partnering with the Geneva Centre for the Democratic Control of the Armed Forces (DCAF), the project will also draw on their expertise.

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KHARKIV, Ukraine, 18 July 2016 – Today is the first working day for eighty-four cyber-police officers, trained by the OSCE Project Co-ordinator in Ukraine on the grounds of Kharkiv National University of Internal Affairs. 20 special agents and 64 inspectors make up one-third of the personnel of the new Cyber Police Department, which was created within the National Police of Ukraine as part of the wider law enforcement reforms in the country.

The Project Co-ordinator helped to organize the selection process by facilitating the integrity testing of over 500 candidates in 2015, developing the 760-hour training curricula and materials, and supporting four months of training for the selected officers.

“Cyber security is an important area of efforts for the National Police of Ukraine,” said Khatia Dekanoidze, chief of the country’s National Police. “It took us a lot of time to find good people for this job. They had to pass a difficult competitive selection, and the training was delivered not only by local, but also by international experts. And we are grateful to our partners, the OSCE for making this happen.”

Jeffrey Erlich, Senior Project Officer of the OSCE Project Co-ordinator, said: “As Ukraine moves into the new economy, crimes affecting e-governance, e-banking, e-commerce and other highly technological areas are shadowing this progress. This is a threat to people’s human rights, it hurts their economic wellbeing, some perpetrators may even threaten national and international security.”

The OSCE Project Co-ordinator has been building the capacity of Ukrainian law enforcers in their responses to cybercrime since 2011. The Project Co-ordinator has helped to equip a training room with modern equipment in two police education establishments and headquarters, and trained police staff with the support of international practitioners. 

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Ways to increase the sustainability of social businesses by using social media marketing tools were discussed at a training session organized in Kyiv on 26 July 2016 by the OSCE Project Co-ordinator in Ukraine.

The event gathered representatives of three social businesses that were established with the support of the OSCE Project Co-ordinator in Ukraine so that they can provide job skills for people vulnerable to human trafficking. The social businesses also simultaneously serve as revenue sources for local NGOs working on anti-trafficking.

The training course focused on widespread social networks and ways of using them for increasing social enterprises’ profit, including the best use of social media to attract customers and gain their positive feedback. The participants had a chance to practice their digital skills and communication abilities during the hands-on exercises aimed at producing high-quality content for social networks.

Natalia Myakushko, Head of the Rukomysli Social Enterprise in Lviv, thanked the OSCE Project Co-ordinator for its continuous support. “The innovative idea of social business requires innovative tools for its development and this training helps us to use modern communication channels in an efficient way for the benefit of people vulnerable to human trafficking,” she said.

This is the first of three training sessions which will help social entrepreneurs develop a strategy for interacting with new media.

The training sessions are part of a project on preventing human trafficking in Ukraine through the economic empowerment of vulnerable persons, which is being implemented by the OSCE Project Co-ordinator in co-operation with the Ukrainian Ministry of Social Policy, and with the support from the Canadian Government and Norwegian Ministry of Foreign Affairs.

The project aims at the establishment of and support to social businesses that work to prevent human trafficking by providing beneficiaries with sufficient and sustainable income at home, giving them genuine and viable livelihood options, and therefore decreasing the likelihood of persons taking up deceptive job offers where they may be exploited.  

So far, 52 people at risk of human trafficking, including 14 internally displaced people, two victims of domestic violence and one ex-combatant, as well as six people who were formerly subjected to human trafficking have already benefited from the job skills’ courses within these social businesses.

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The OSCE Project Co-ordinator on 15 July 2016 launched the first distance course in Ukraine on the application of the case-law of the European Court of Human Rights (ECtHR).

Developed, designed and produced by the OSCE Project Co-ordinator, the course was finalized after it was successfully piloted on the online platform of the National School of Judges of Ukraine (NSJU).

From now the NSJU will have this sustainable tool at its disposal for systematically training judges on applying the case-law of the ECtHR without having to involve extra human or financial resources. Thirty judges from all over Ukraine have already been trained distantly and received their certificates of accomplishment.

The content was developed in co-operation with experts on the European Convention on Human Rights and the case-law of the ECtHR, and Ukrainian judges.

The course was developed as part of the “Safeguarding Human Rights through Courts” project, which is being implemented by the OSCE Project Co-ordinator in Ukraine with the financial support of the Government of Canada.

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The OSCE Mission to Moldova held the final in a series of three training sessions for 12 psychologists and professionals working with domestic violence victims. The session took place on 27 June 2016 in Rybnitsa, a town on the left bank of the Dniester/Nistru River.

The event aimed to equip participants with essential skills in family counselling and post-traumatic stress rehabilitation. Participants studied means to identify family violence, various coaching techniques to use when working with families, as well as methods for handling trauma and post-traumatic stress among domestic violence victims.

In the past week, similar training events have been held in Chisinau and Tiraspol with the total participation of 50 professionals from Bender, Causeni, Chisinau, Comrat, Drochia, Rybnitsa and Tiraspol.

Participants in the training sessions included psychologists, teachers, medical professionals, lawyers and social workers, all of whom encounter cases of domestic violence in their work through Moldova’s referral system.

The training events were held as part of the Mission’s project to strengthen the capacity of those who provide crisis services to women and families on both banks of the Dniester/Nistru River. The project was developed following a country-wide assessment conducted in 2014 and 2015. The assessment identified a number of challenges in this field in Moldova, most notably the difficulties in accessing domestic violence services – including shelters and crisis centres – for those living in rural areas, and a lack of state resources. 

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SARAJEVO, 30 June 2016 - The Special Representative of the OSCE Chairmanship-in-Office on Gender Issues Ambassador Melanne Verveer is to visit the OSCE Mission to Bosnia and Herzegovina (BiH) from 1 to 4 July 2016, where she will meet with officials and activists and discuss the status of women in the country.

In Sarajevo and Zenica, Verveer will meet with the BiH Ministers of Human Rights and Refugees, Security and Defence, as well as representatives of the Gender Equality Committee of the BiH Parliamentary Assembly, State Gender Equality Agency, Entity Gender Centers, international organizations and civil society.

“Gender equality remains high on the agenda of Germany's 2016 OSCE Chairmanship and I am pleased that the OSCE Mission to BiH already has extensive co-operation with the governmental and non-governmental sector in BiH on promoting gender equality,” said Verveer. “I am very hopeful that during my visit we will get concrete proposals on how the OSCE can further assist BiH officials in achieving full respect for human rights and by that, women’s rights in BiH.”

Head of the OSCE Mission to BiH Ambassador Jonathan Moore said: “This is not the first visit of Ambassador Verveer to BiH, but the first in her capacity as the Special Representative of the OSCE Chairperson-in-Office on Gender Issues. We are looking forward to faciliting her visit and continuing our efforts to support women’s political, social and economic empowerment in BiH.”

Ambassador Verveer spent four years working with U.S. Secretary of State Hillary Clinton to co-ordinate foreign policy issues and activities relating to the political, economic and social advancement of women. In 2009, the President of the United States Barack Obama nominated Verveer to be the first ever U.S. Ambassador-at-Large for Global Women’s Issues at the Department of State, and appointed her to serve as U.S. Representative to the UN Commission on the Status of Women.

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VIENNA, 22 July 2016 - Violence against women and girls is one of the most serious and pervasive human rights violations. More needs to be done to eliminate this problem so that women can participate without barriers in all spheres of life, said participants of a high-level OSCE conference today in Vienna.

The conference, organized by the OSCE Gender Section and Germany’s 2016 OSCE Chairmanship, brought together representatives of governments of OSCE participating States, international organizations and civil society to discuss the progress, and to exchange good practices and lessons learned in the efforts to end violence against women..

“One in three women worldwide has experienced physical and/or sexual violence in their lifetime, perpetrated by intimate partners, family members, acquaintances and strangers,” said OSCE Secretary General Lamberto Zannier, opening the conference. “While we should take note of past and current achievements and activities, we need to now translate our commitments into concrete action”.

 Ambassador Zannier referred to the 2004 OSCE Action Plan on the Promotion of Gender Equality and OSCE Ministerial Council Decisions of 2005 and 2014, which called on participating States to address gender-based violence through legislation, supporting victims’ access to justice, education of relevant institutions and ensuring that women and girls receive special consideration in terms of protection and assistance.

Baroness Joyce Anelay, the UK’s Minister of State at the Foreign and Commonwealth Office and Department for International Development was one of the prominent speakers of the event.

"The OSCE Action Plan on the Promotion of Gender Equality is clear that this agenda is essential to achieving comprehensive security across the OSCE region. We all have a responsibility to promote women's empowerment and their full political, social and economic participation," she said.

Baroness Anelay is also UK Prime Minister’s Special Representative on Preventing Sexual Violence in Conflict. Earlier this week she addressed representatives of OSCE participating States and Partners for Co-operation at meetings of the Forum for Security Co-operation and the Permanent Council on the need to promote the role of women in conflict prevention and resolution.

Ambassador Eberhard Pohl, Chair of the OSCE Permanent Council and representing Germany’s OSCE Chairmanship, said: “The protection of women and girls needs our special attention. Violence against women is not only a traumatizing experience for individuals; it has an adverse impact on the stability of societies as a whole. As the OSCE Chairmanship we call for the joint political will in the OSCE to speed up combating violence against women. It is a violation of human rights and all OSCE participating States have committed to ensuring human rights for all its inhabitants equally.”

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A mentoring training programme for women politicians was launched by the OSCE Office in Tajikistan on 1 August 2016 in Dushanbe and will see experienced women politicians cascading their knowledge, provide guidance, support and reassurance to younger women in politics.

The training programme is a part of the women's political participation project, which addresses the needs of women politicians active in seven official political parties in Tajikistan.

“Political mentoring is a very important tool to promote and increase the role of women in public and political life,” said Acting Head of OSCE Office in Tajikistan Fabio Piana. “Based on the expressed needs by the political parties, the Office stands ready to continue providing support in this area.”

At the end of this week’s five-day training course, teams of mentors and mentees will be created.  

Vesna Ivanovikj-Castarede, Head of the OSCE Democratization Unit and the project leader, said: “We have identified active, committed and devoted women politicians in Tajikistan who wish to further empower other women in the country and are ready to become mentors to the peers in their political parties.”

The trainer Dr. Alenka Verbole said women are the key actors in political life of their countries and yet they are often under-represented and their voices do not get heard enough. “Mentoring will certainly strengthen women's political identity and confidence.”

Other similar courses for the political parties with inclusion of men will follow towards the end of 2016.

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A campaign highlighting the benefits of composting household waste, supported by the OSCE Mission to Montenegro, was launched on 1 July 2016 in Pljevlja, by the Montenegrin Sustainable Development and Tourism Ministry, the Municipality of Pljevlja and the Eco-Centre Dolphin NGO.

Some 40 participants - representatives of the Sustainable Development and Tourism Ministry; the municipal authorities of Berane, Bijelo Polje and Pljevlja; local public utility companies from Pljevlja and Kotor; and NGOs as well as citizens, attended the campaign launch.

“Composting household waste is just an element of broader waste management, one of the most current issues facing Montenegrin authorities in their efforts to bring the relevant policy, strategy and legislative frameworks in line with the international standards and requirements of the advancing integration processes,” said Programme Manager at the OSCE Mission Vladimir Ragozin.

President of the Municipality of Pljevlja Mirko Đačić said: “Our municipality is actively involved in enhancing the local environment, especially regarding air quality improvements.”

State Secretary at the Sustainable Development and Tourism Ministry Daliborka Pejović stated that the primary waste separation is unquestionable and the educational campaigns are crucial bearing in mind the State’s plan of 50-70% of waste to be primary separated d until 2020.

“The waste should be perceived as a resource that can be further used through development of recycling and composting industry,” said Director of Eco-Centre Dolphin NGO Ljilja Radunović. “It is recommended, under the EU Directive on Landfills, to consider the policy of the closure of landfills starting from 2020 because they proved to be unsustainable.” 

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ALMATY, Kazakhstan, 22 June 2016 – An OSCE-supported train-the-trainer regional course on document security for some 20 border guards from Kazakhstan, Kyrgyzstan, Tajikistan and Uzbekistan began today in Almaty, Kazakhstan.

The three-day event is organized by the OSCE Programme Office in Astana in co-operation with the EU-funded Border Management Programme in Central Asia (BOMCA).

Experts from Latvia and Slovakia will share best practices in international document security, including the identification of falsified travel documents, document control, the use of paper and polymer substrates in document security, conventional printing techniques, photo protection, secondary verification, and profiling techniques to identify potential criminals during the border crossing check-up procedure. The participants will also have an opportunity to work with genuine and falsified travel documents from different countries in order to utilize the new methods learned in the course.

“In order to protect a country’s borders, it is crucial to know what verification methods are used in all travel documents and the common features of forged documents,” said Colin McCullough, Political Officer at the OSCE Programme Office in Astana. “This is best done through consistent familiarization on relevant technology and regular exchange of information and experience with other relevant authorities,”

Gunta Laganovska, a trainer at the seminar and Chief of the Expert Service, Central Department of the State Border Service for the Republic of Latvia, said: “International co-operation between border services is a crucial part of a system to prevent illegal migration. The exchange of information and experience in identifying forged documents enables the growth of the professionalism of all participants in this seminar. The train-the-trainers approach allows for the possibility to transfer new skills to a large number of border guards where they work.”

The seminar is part of the Office’s long-standing efforts to promote the OSCE border security concept and counter transnational crime in the host country.

DUSHANBE, 15 July 2016 – Combating the illicit trade in cultural property and the smuggling of historical artifacts was the focus of a week-long workshop organized by the OSCE for representatives of Tajik Border Troops, Customs Service, State Committee of National Security, the Ministry of Culture and Ministry of Internal Affairs, in Dushanbe from 11 to 15 July 2016.  

The workshop, organized by the Border Security and Management Unit of the OSCE Transnational Threats Department and the OSCE Office in Tajikistan in co-operation with the OSCE Border Management Staff College, examined the trafficking of cultural property and smuggling of historical artefacts as an emerging trend for funding organized crime and terrorist organizations. The workshop also highlighted the roles of the responsible agencies in addressing the problem.

“Being the first workshop of its kind organized by the OSCE, we were shown that this is not only an issue of cultural protection but that it has become a serious transnational security issue as well,” said Ambassador Markus Mueller, Head of the OSCE Office in Tajikistan. “As such, and bearing in mind its complexity, this problem can be tackled efficiently only by increasing the knowledge of the officers from different government agencies as well as through promoting co-operation among them."

During the workshop, participants heard from experts at the OSCE, INTERPOL, the United States Department of Homeland Security, the United Nations Office on Drugs and Crime, the Greek National Police’s Department Against the Smuggling of Antiquities, the UNESCO Office in Afghanistan and the Afghan Customs Service. They shared their experiences on cross-border co-operation in identifying the trafficking of cultural property cases and financial investigations into the smuggling of historical artefacts.

VIENNA, 20 July 2016 – Presenting the OSCE Parliamentary Assembly’s work concerning the refugee and migrant crisis at a special meeting of the OSCE Permanent Council in Vienna today, Swiss parliamentarian Filippo Lombardi laid out the Assembly’s plan of action going forward, which includes monitoring the situation on the ground and developing policy recommendations for the OSCE and its participating States.

The meeting was convened by the OSCE German Chairmanship to present and discuss the report by Amb. Claude Wild, Chair of the OSCE Informal Working Group Focusing on the Issue of Migration and Refugee Flows. The participants discussed in particular the importance of improving global migration governance and how the OSCE can lend its contribution to promoting regional implementation of a global migration governance architecture.

Lombardi noted that the OSCE PA’s Ad Hoc Committee on Migration, which he chairs, has been active in three main areas, including by organizing field visits, strengthening co-operation with the OSCE and other international actors, and promoting discussions on the migration crisis within the OSCE PA.

“The migration and refugee crisis remains high on the agenda of the OSCE Parliamentary Assembly as highlighted by the importance accorded to this issue in the Tbilisi Declaration adopted at the OSCE PA Annual Session on 5 July,” Lombardi said. “Indeed, the various aspects of this complex issue are addressed in the resolutions of all three general committees as well as in a number of supplementary resolutions” adopted in Tbilisi, he added.

Stressing the need for better communication strategies between governments and the public, Lombardi said that while media plays a fundamental role in shaping public opinion on migration, “political forces bear an equally important responsibility.

“Governments, diplomats and parliamentarians must join forces to tackle the root causes of migration,” he said.

Lombardi further highlighted a recent field visit to camps in Calais and Dunkirk, the Parliamentary Assembly’s contribution to the 27 June meeting of the Informal Working Group, which was addressed by five OSCE parliamentarians, and noted that the PA’s Ad Hoc Committee on Migration met officially for the first timeduring the OSCE PA Annual Session in Tbilisi on 3 July.

In June, the OSCE PA’s then-human rights and humanitarian committee chair, Portuguese parliamentarian Isabel Santos, joined a delegation of the OSCE’s Special Representative and Co-ordinator for Combating Trafficking in Human Beings, Ambassador Madina Jarbussynova, for a visit to Lampedusa, Italy, to an aircraft carrier in the Mediterranean Sea, and to a refugee reception centre in Catania.

Migration will also occupy a prominent position in the discussions of the OSCE PA Autumn Meeting to be held in Skopje from 29 September to 2 October, Lombardi pointed out.

Other than Lombardi’s presentation, today’s special meeting of the Permanent Council included a comprehensive report by Amb. Wild, who noted that addressing the migration crisis requires a multidimensional response based on protection, combating crime, border management, successful integration, and solidarity and partnerships. The OSCE has a number of comparative advantages when addressing migration and refugee flows and is thus uniquely positioned to address this crisis, he emphasized.

Lombardi welcomed the priorities of the OSCE’s Informal Working Group and stressed that members of the PA’s Ad Hoc Committee have agreed to keep in mind the principles identified by this body in carrying out its work.

The Permanent Council and the Ministerial Council are the primary decision-making bodies of the OSCE.

To learn more about the OSCE Parliamentary Assembly’s work in the field of migration, please click here. A video interview conducted with Ad Hoc Committee Chair Filippo Lombardi is available on the OSCE PA’sYouTube channel.

Holocaust education and remembrance are the main topics of a five-day study visit of Azerbaijani officials to the Netherlands, organized by OSCE Project Co-ordinator in Baku, in co-operation with the Anne Frank House in Amsterdam, which will take place from 15 to 20 December 2014.

The Azerbaijani delegation consists of eight representatives from the Ministry of Education, the Ministry of Foreign Affairs and the Baku International Multiculturalism Centre.

Thedelegation will meet representatives of the Anne Frank House in Amsterdam, the Ministry of Education, Culture and Science of the Netherlands, the Institute for Curriculum Development and HAN University of Applied Science - College of Education for Secondary School Teachers. They will also visit the Institute for War, Holocaust and Genocide Studies and the Dutch Holocaust Memorial.

The main topics of discussions will include a review of the Dutch government policy regarding primary and secondary education and Holocaust education, as well as experience on improving skills of secondary school teachers in this field. Azerbaijani and Dutch experts will also exchange views on current practices regarding Holocaust remembrance activities.

This visit is part of a wider project agreed between the OSCE Project Co-ordinator in Baku and the Azerbaijani government aimed at strengthening tolerance and non-discrimination in Azerbaijan. As a first component of this project, an international conference on “Strengthening religious tolerance -Azerbaijan’s model, challenges in the OSCE area and beyond” took place in Baku on 17-18 November 2014. The PCiB will organize other events under this project during 2015. 

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BAKU, 13 March 2015 – The OSCE Special Representative and Co-ordinator for Combating Trafficking in Human Beings, Ambassador Madina Jarbussynova, today praised the government for its progress in the fight against human trafficking.

Ambassador Jarbussynova was in Azerbaijan for four days to assess the country’s implementation of the anti-trafficking recommendations made in the official report issued after the OSCE’s visit in 2012.

“I would like to commend the valuable efforts undertaken by the authorities,” Jarbussynova said. “I would like to particularly highlight recent legislative amendments to improve the government’s response to trafficking in human beings.”

The measures strengthening criminalization of human trafficking and forced labour, as well as the adoption of rules on the repatriation of victims, are two of the key changes in the legislation.

Azerbaijan’s growing economy has made it a more attractive destination for labour migrants and the country now faces the challenge of preventing and combating abuse and exploitation of migrant workers. This includes adapting its regulatory framework and enforcement mechanisms to a complex and ever-changing reality. The OSCE Project Co-ordinator in Baku has enjoyed excellent co-operation with the government and continues to provide substantial support to efforts by the state and civil society to combat trafficking in human beings.

“In line with our Office’s 2012 recommendations, more efforts have been made to prevent labour exploitation and I encourage the authorities to continue inspections, without prior notice, of sectors at-risk, such as construction sites” Jarbussynova said. “I am pleased to report that Azerbaijan’s latest Action Plan to combat human trafficking puts more emphasis on labour exploitation.”

Jarbussynova visited shelters which provide assistance to victims of trafficking in Baku and the surrounding region. She also welcomed the opening of a new facility in Ganja, the country’s second largest city. Indeed, assistance, along with protection and non-punishment of victims, is a crucial element of any integrated efforts aiming to eliminate modern day slavery.

During the visit, Jarbussynova met Minister of Labour and Social Protection Salim Muslumov, Deputy Interior Minister  and National Co-ordinator in the Fight Against Trafficking in Human Beings Vilayat Eyvazov, Deputy Foreign Minister Mahmud Mammad-Guliyev, Chairman of the Criminal Board of the Supreme Court Shahin Yusifov, Deputy Chairperson of Parliament and two Heads of Committees of Parliament, and several other high-ranking officials, including representatives of the Office of Commissioner for Human Rights (Ombudsperson) of Azerbaijan. She also met with representatives of civil society and international organizations.

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BAKU, 13 April 2015 - The OSCE Project Co-ordinator in Baku and Azerbaijani Foreign Ministry organized a two-day conference on ensuring national security in the information age, which brought together more than 80 representatives from more than 30 government and private organizations in Azerbaijan as well as international experts on cybersecurity.

The conference aims at raising awareness within the government, private and non-profit sectors about new developments in the sphere of cybersecurity with special emphasis on legislation, policy framework, international co-operation and overall capacity development for the security of cyberspace.

“The rapid economic development that Azerbaijan is enjoying, accompanied by the modernization of infrastructure and permeation of information technologies throughout the public and private sectors, reinforces the need for developing the capacity for preventing and countering cyber-crimes in Azerbaijan,” said Ambassador Alexis Chahtahtinsky, OSCE Project Co-ordinator in Baku. “In our efforts to effectively address all possible threats, we have to ensure that we do not overreact and sacrifice the benefits that a functioning cyberspace brings to society as a whole.”

During the conference, renowned experts and practitioners shared with Azerbaijani colleagues the best international practices in cybersecurity. The panel discussions provided an opportunity to develop the operational and technical knowledge of prosecutors, judges and law enforcement officers. They also opened avenues for officials to develop partnerships with the private sector in order to increase the capacity of Azerbaijan for cybersecurity.

This event is part of a project by the OSCE Project Co-ordinator in Baku on preventing and countering cybercrimes in Azerbaijan. The project is being implemented in co-operation with the Ministries of Foreign Affairs, National Security, Justice as well as Communications and High Technologies.

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VIENNA, 17 April 2015 – In a new interactive campaign launched today, the OSCE is inviting members of the public to send in photos, videos and social media messages on how we can work together to make security a reality and promote peace through co-operation.

The campaign “Co-operation matters” aims to show that everyone, as part of a global community, has a stake in efforts to make the world a safer and more peaceful place. It is part of a series of events commemorating the 40th anniversary of the signing of the Helsinki Final Act, the key founding document that brought the OSCE into being and guides its comprehensive approach to security to this day.

The public can get involved by using the hashtags #WeCooperate and #OSCE and submitting their entries via Twitter, Instagram, or directly to the campaign webpage and/or the OSCE Facebook page. The best entries will be published on the website with prizes of a gadget reflecting different areas of security and cooperation every two weeks and a visit to an OSCE event for the best overall entry. Details of the campaign as well as the rules for taking part are available on the campaign webpage.  

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Personal Representative of the OSCE Chairperson-in-Office on Combating Anti-Semitism, Andrew Baker, stressed importance of different communities to join forces to tackle anti-semitism.

“We have witnessed important and moving symbolic actions such as the encircling of the synagogues in Oslo and Copenhagen by Muslims who want to show their solidarity with their fellow Jewish citizens. We must build on this,” said Baker speaking at the Third World Forum on Intercultural Dialogues that took place in Baku on 18-19 May 2015.

He noted that today many European Jews question their future in Europe. “An EU survey of Jews by the Agency for Fundamental Rights found that nearly 30 percent were considering emigration, while in some countries, notably Hungary, France and Belgium, this number was well over 40 percent,” Baker said.

Recalling the dangers the Jewish communities faced earlier this year as victims of terror attacks in Paris and Copenhagen, Baker applauded the French government for calling on the military to ensure that all Jewish schools and synagogues in France are protected. “But we know this is only a short-term solution and cannot be sustained indefinitely,” he said.

Underlining the important role that Muslim communities could play in this field, Baker called for more Muslim voices in Europe that will speak out and condemn anti-Semitism.

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BAKU, 1 June 2015 – OSCE Chairperson-in-Office and Serbia’s Foreign Minister Ivica Dačić started his official trip to the South Caucasus today with a visit to Baku.

He was received by President llham Aliyev and discussed with him the potential for progress towards a comprehensive peace agreement for the Nagorno-Karabakh conflict, as well as co-operation between the OSCE and Azerbaijan.

During his visit, Dačić also had meetings with Foreign Minister Elmar Mammadyarov, Speaker of Parliament Ogtay Asadov, as well as representatives of political parties and of the Azerbaijani community of Nagorno-Karabakh.

Dačić expressed concern about the unprecedented number of service personnel and civilians reported killed and wounded in the first four months of the year, and stressed the need for all involved to honour the ceasefire agreement. “There is no alternative to a peaceful settlement,” he said. “Serbia’s own experience confirms that it is only through dialogue that a sustainable, peaceful solution can be found, one which would put the region on the path of co-operation, the only way forward in our increasingly interconnected international community,” he said.

Dačić emphasized his full support for the efforts of the Co-chairs of the OSCE Minsk Group and his Personal Representative, Ambassador Andrzej Kaspryzk, directed towards promoting dialogue between the parties.

He stressed that, besides offering tools for advancing democratic reforms in its participating States, the OSCE is a good platform for joining forces in addressing transnational threats. “The Organization stands ready to continue to work with Azerbaijan to help boost the country’s capacities to combat such threats,” Dačić said, “as well as to pursue its domestic reform agenda.”

Dačić also visited the premises of the OSCE Project Co-ordinator’s in Baku, where he discussed with mission members ongoing programmatic activity.

The Chairperson-in-Office was accompanied by Ambassador Kaspryzk and his Special Representative for the South Caucasus, Ambassador Angelo Gnaedinger.

Later today, Dačić will depart for Tbilisi where he will hold high-level talks tomorrow. He will conclude the visit to the region on 3 June in Yerevan.

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VIENNA, 4 July 2015 – The OSCE Project Co-ordinator in Baku’s operations in Azerbaijan were discontinued today. The OSCE remains open to other forms of co-operation with Azerbaijan.

The discontinuation follows the termination by Azerbaijan of the Memorandum of Understanding on the Project Co-ordinator in Baku between the government of Azerbaijan and the OSCE at the beginning of last month, resulting in a month-long process which ended today.

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BISHKEK, 12 July 2016 – A two-day training course on effective investigation of cases of torture conducted by the OSCE Centre in Bishkek in co-operation with the General Prosecutor’s Office and its Prosecutors’ Training Centre ended today in the Kyrgyz capital.

Twenty-four public prosecution officers from Chui, Issyk-Kul, Jalalabad, Talas and Osh provinces had a chance to enhance their knowledge of the notion of “torture” as a criminal offence and the criteria for efficient investigation of torture allegations. The participants also received a comprehensive insight into the mechanisms of prevention of gender-based violence and the specifics of victim assistance.

“According to the Constitution of the Kyrgyz Republic, human rights and fundamental freedoms have supreme value. No one may be subjected to torture or other cruel, inhuman or degrading treatment or punishment. In this regard, prevention of torture and effective investigation of torture allegations represent one of the key priorities in the work of the prosecutorial bodies,” said Damira Kaimova, Director of the Prosecutors’ Training Centre under the General Prosecutor’s Office.

The training elicited a vigorous debate among the participants on the challenges arising during investigation of torture allegations. The attendees also exchanged best practices applied within their respective duty stations to address these challenges.

The training course is part of the OSCE Centre’s project on promoting a comprehensive approach to the rule of law, administration of justice, prevention of torture and capacity building.         

BISHKEK, 15 July 2016 – The OSCE Centre in Bishkek and the Regional Office for Central Asia of the Office of the High Commissioner for Human Rights (OHCHR ROCA) completed a training course in Bishkek today for 35 advisors and experts of the Kyrgyz parliament on promoting human rights in the legislative process.

The two-day training course aimed at enhancing the knowledge of parliamentarians on human rights principles.

National and international experts shared their know-how with participants on the international human rights standards, and the United Nations Human Rights Treaty System and its mechanisms. They also discussed the role of parliamentarians in promoting and protecting human rights, the principles of equality and non-discrimination as well as the relations between the state and other actors.

“Today’s training course is an important step towards ensuring that new laws will be drafted in compliance with these principles for the continuous democratic development of Kyrgyzstan,” said Daniele Rumolo, Senior Human Dimension Officer at the OSCE Centre in Bishkek. “Following the successful organization of parliamentary elections in October 2015, it is necessary that Kyrgyz authorities continue to meet their obligations and implement the relevant OSCE commitments on human rights.”

Ryszard Komenda, OHCHR ROCA Regional Representative, said: “It is critical that advisors and experts working closely with members of the parliament are fully versed in and committed to international and national human rights standards in order to propose and adopt legislation that is in full compliance with them. This training course represents one way in which OHCHR supports Kyrgyzstan to protect and promote human rights.”

The training course is part of the OSCE Centre’s project on strengthening democratic governance in Kyrgyzstan.

BISHKEK, 28 July 2016 – A two-day training conducted by the OSCE Centre in Bishkek for 14 defence lawyers and 12 officers from the Prosecutor’s office on the right to liberty and freedom from arbitrary arrest or detention, ended today in the Kyrgyz capital.

The workshop focused on the international framework for measures of restraint, as well as the internationally recognized constitutional right to institute proceedings in cases of violations.

The detention of minors, persons with disabilities, women with children, or defendants in need of continued medical treatment and hospitalization were among the topics discussed, and participants learned more about their specific concerns to ensure that the restraint measures taken comply with human rights standards.

“The right to liberty is a basic fundamental right, protected by international human rights law and enshrined in the Kyrgyz Constitution,” said Anete Erdmane, acting Senior Human Dimension Officer at the OSCE Centre. “To ensure that restrictions on liberty are applied in compliance with the law and that other human rights are not violated as a result of the deprivation of liberty, it is important that prosecutors and lawyers are aware of the relevant standards and obligations. In line with its mandate, the OSCE Centre works to improve the administration of justice and strengthen the rule of law in Kyrgyzstan.”

The course was delivered by Ulugbek Azimov, a well-known national expert in the field, while  Sergey Poduzov, an international human rights law expert from Russia, also led a training session.

The training course is part of the OSCE Centre’s project on promoting a comprehensive approach to the rule of law, administration of justice, prevention of torture, and capacity building. 

BISHKEK, 30 July 2016 – To mark today’s World Day against Trafficking in Persons, the OSCE Centre in Bishkek supported a public awareness-raising campaign and held a public discussion with academic representatives in Bishkek and Osh.

On 29 July, in co-operation with the State Service on Migration, the International Organisation for Migration (IOM), the United Nations Office on Drugs and Crime (UNODC), the United States Agency for International Development (USAID) and local partners, the OSCE Centre raised public awareness about the risks of human trafficking in Bishkek and Osh.

Information material such as pocket calendars with the hotline number and contact information of the Kyrgyz Embassies in the five top migrant destination countries were distributed among the public. Illustrated silhouettes of people, symbolizing victims of trafficking, were displayed on posters in public places with stories in the Russian and Kyrgyz languages narrating their experience of human trafficking.

“Public awareness campaigns play an important role in the prevention of trafficking in human beings,” said William Leaf, OSCE Senior Field Representative in Osh. “The OSCE works to assist the government in improving its education and outreach efforts at the local and central levels in line with its commitments to prevent and combat all forms of human trafficking.”

In addition to the awareness-rising campaign, today the representatives of five local universities in Osh participated in a roundtable discussion organized by the OSCE Centre in co-operation with the Centre for Support of International Protection. The discussion focused on the ways of promoting inter-disciplinary research efforts among students and professors on the scope, tendencies and root causes of human trafficking in southern Kyrgyzstan.  

“As trafficking in human beings is a complex phenomenon, it requires a multi-disciplinary approach, covering, among others, socio-economic, legal, migration, human rights, gender and law enforcement aspects,” said Akylbek Tashbulatov, Director of the Centre for the Support of International Protection. “The academic community have the necessary research potential and tools to positively contribute to the development of such an assessment.”

The events were organized as part of the OSCE Centre’s project on addressing human trafficking in Kyrgyzstan through grassroots initiatives and multi-agency cooperation.

International standards and the national legal framework on freedom of religion or belief were the focus of two consecutive training events organized jointly by the OSCE Office for Democratic Institution and Human Rights (ODIHR) and the Regional Office for Central Asia (ROCA) of the UN High Commissioner for Human Rights (OHCHR) from 25 to 28 July 2016 in Bishkek.

The training for 25 prosecutors and 31 defence lawyers from all regions of Kyrgyzstan was provided in close co-operation with the Training Centre for Prosecutors under the General Prosecutor’s Office of the Kyrgyz Republic and the Training Centre for Lawyers. The course covered a wide variety of topics directly relevant to the work of the participants, including recent developments in Kyrgyzstan.

Drawing on the guidance of national and international experts, participants discussed the nature of the right to freedom of religion or belief, its interrelatedness with other human rights and fundamental freedoms, the nature, extent and impact of violations of freedom of religion or belief, and the duties of the state to respect, protect and fulfil this universal human right. Participants also took part in mock trials on cases involving interference with freedom of religion or belief, such as through the banning of religious clothing and discrimination against religious organizations. 

“In using topical case studies, the participants were able to apply the knowledge they had acquired in a practical ‘courtroom’ environment and improve their legal skills in analysing freedom of religion or belief cases and advancing cogent and structured arguments,” said Mark Hill, one of the participating international experts and a senior barrister from the United Kingdom.

Dilnoza Satarova, Associate Officer on Freedom of Religion or Belief at ODIHR, said: “ODIHR welcomes co-operation with the Training Centre for Prosecutors of Kyrgyzstan and the Training Centre for Lawyers in organizing this course. Such capacity-building activities are key to advancing freedom of religion or belief for all, and ODIHR stands ready to support similar initiatives in Kyrgyzstan in the future.”

The two events are part of a series of training events for lawyers, prosecutors and judges on a variety of human rights-related issues conducted as part of the OHCHR project “Peace and Reconciliation through strengthening the rule of law and protection of human rights”, which is funded by the Peacebuilding Fund. 

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WARSAW / BUCHAREST, 2 August 2016 – Michael Georg Link, Director of the OSCE Office for Democratic Institutions and Human Rights (ODIHR) and Ambassador Mihnea Constantinescu, Chair of the International Holocaust Remembrance Alliance (IHRA), called today for greater efforts to protect endangered memorial sites related to the Roma and Sinti genocide during World War II.

Speaking on the occasion of the commemoration of the liquidation of the “Gypsy family camp” at Auschwitz-Birkenau in 1944, when the close to 3,000 remaining Roma and Sinti in the camp were murdered, they stressed that states have to do more to demonstrate their sincere and strong commitment to education about and remembrance of the genocide.

“Positively, we have seen increasing attention in recent years on the part of OSCE participating States to commemorate the Roma and Sinti genocide, and to educate people about this horrible event. This practice and these experiences should be widely shared and replicated,” Director Link said. “Promoting understanding of the Holocaust and its effect on different communities can help to create empathy and promote equality and non-discrimination for all.”

“Accurate and ethical education about the Holocaust includes the respectful and dignified preservation of memorial sites,” said Ambassador Constantinescu. “States have to take resolute action to protect endangered memorial sites and continue to do more to commemorate the Roma and Sinti victims. The history of these endangered sites should be included as part of broader efforts to educate about the consequences of indifference to racism.”

They called on governments to ensure that endangered memorial sites for Roma and Sinti victims are preserved and protected, to include this history as an integral part of civic and human rights education in their countries. They stressed that current developments, including a disturbing rise in xenophobic public rhetoric and racism, mean it is even more essential to build strong alliances among different communities.

In 2003, with the Action Plan on Improving the Situation of Roma and Sinti within the OSCE Area, the OSCE participating States committed themselves to strengthen education about the Roma and Sinti genocide. Through its Contact Point for Roma and Sinti Issues, ODIHR promotes knowledge about and recognition of the plight of Roma and Sinti during the Holocaust to counter present-day discrimination and racism, and to promote tolerance. According to ODIHR’s recent publication Teaching about and Commemorating the Roma and Sinti Genocide: Practices within the OSCE Area, seven OSCE participating States officially commemorate the Roma and Sinti genocide on 2 August, while a larger number of states commemorate the Roma and Sinti victims on the International Holocaust Memorial Day, 27 January.

The International Holocaust Remembrance Alliance is an inter-governmental organization and the foremost international network of political leaders and professionals advancing and shaping Holocaust education, remembrance and research. Its 31 member countries are committed to the tenets of the Stockholm Declaration. The IHRA Committee on the Genocide of the Roma aims to increase the commitment of IHRA Member Countries to educate, research and commemorate the genocide of the Roma.

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