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OSCE/ODIHR Director concerned about reported rise of hate incidents in the United Kingdom, supports calls for tolerance in a challenging time

WARSAW, 30 June 2016 – Michael Georg Link, Director of the OSCE Office for Democratic Institutions and Human Rights (ODIHR), expressed his concern following the rise in hate incidents reported to the police in the United Kingdom following the 23 June referendum vote to leave the European Union.

"These manifestations of hate and intolerance have a negative impact on the whole of British society, undermining the security of minority and immigrant communities. The current political climate in the United Kingdom provides absolutely no justification for racism and xenophobia," said Director Link.

He also commended the strong national response by Prime Minister David Cameron and other national leaders. "By publicly denouncing these incidents, the authorities have sent a strong message that bias motivated attacks have no place in the United Kingdom. I add my voice to those calling for the swift identification and prosecution of the perpetrators."

The National Police Chiefs’ Council reported a 57 per cent increase in reporting to True Vision, the online hate crime reporting site run by the police, between 24 and 27 June, compared to the same time in May 2016. ODIHR has also received reports of hate crimes and expressions of concern about the safety of people living in the United Kingdom.

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Assembly’s work on migration presented to OSCE ambassadors by Ad Hoc Committee Chair Lombardi at special Permanent Council

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.

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Countering terrorism threats to large public events in focus of OSCE course in Turkmenistan

ASHGABAT, 31 May 2016 – Some 25 law-enforcement and military officials, at an OSCE-organized training course that concluded in Ashgabat today, discussed practices of responding to terrorism threats to large public events.

The OSCE Centre in Ashgabat organized the eight-day training course to assist the host government in strengthening the capacities of relevant officials in countering terrorism threats while ensuring the security during large public events. Representatives from the Ministries of Defence and National Security, Interior Ministry, as well as the State Border Service, State Migration Service and the General Prosecutor’s Office discussed ensuring the security of public events, including facility security, resistance, emergency power, medical emergency and fire precaution.

International experts from Turkey introduced participants to the philosophy and models of crisis/hostage negotiations, practices of responding to hostage incidents and applying optimal negotiation tools.   

The course also addressed the relevant legislative acts, such as the Laws of Turkmenistan on Emergency Rule and on Organizing and Holding Meetings, Rallies, Demonstrations and other Mass Events.

“As Turkmenistan recently passed a number of laws addressing the organization of public events, rallies and demonstrations, the Centre designed this training course to facilitate the exchange of best practices in ensuring the security during mass gatherings and events in line with international standards and national legislation,” said Richard Wheeler, Political Officer of the OSCE Centre in Ashgabat.

“The training course has an added value as it familiarized the relevant officials with effective techniques and instruments they will need to successfully accomplish their important task of ensuring the security and maintaining public order during the 2017 Asian Indoor and Martial Arts Games and other large-scale events which will be held in Turkmenistan.”

During the course, participants also discussed contemporary crowd management techniques and took part in simulation exercises. 

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OSCE Mission to Skopje organizes workshop for national Police Union on countering gender-based discrimination

The OSCE Mission to Skopje on 28 June 2016 launched a two-day workshop for 22 members of the Police Union on countering gender-based discrimination with the aim of advancing the position of women in police services and increasing gender sensitivity among police officers.

The workshop focused on areas of gender-based discrimination in employment, education, health and family, explaining what gender inequality is and how it is addressed in international and domestic legislation and in practice.

Participants will learn how to identify harassment and sexual harassment as forms of discrimination, as well as workplace bullying. The legal protection, prevention and measures against such bullying will be illustrated through real cases.

This workshop is part of the Mission’s programme to support the democratization of the Police and is in line with the Mission’s efforts to encourage gender equality in all segments of society.

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OSCE Office in Tajikistan publishes manual on countering domestic violence

DUSHANBE, 29 June 2016 – Copies of the new Manual on Countering Domestic Violence, published by the OSCE Office in Tajikistan, were presented today to the Interior Ministry for further distribution among police inspectors dealing with cases related to this crime.

The Manual aims at increasing the professional skills of Tajik law enforcement agencies and is primarily designed for police inspectors who work to promote the implementation of the law on the Prevention of Domestic Violence. The law was adopted in 2013.

“Countering domestic violence is an important part of work carried out by the law enforcement on a daily basis, and the Manual equips the police inspectors with necessary tools to deal with both victims of domestic violence and the perpetrators,” said Ali Bobonazarzoda, National Co-ordinator on Police Reform under the Interior Ministry of Tajikistan.

Viorelia Rusu, the OSCE Office’s Gender and Anti-Trafficking Officer, said: “Importantly, the Manual also includes aspects of referral and building local partnerships in effective protection of violence survivors.”

By exploring the phenomenon of domestic violence through understanding the psychology of offenders and victims, as well as challenging stereotypes and examining aspects of gender equality, the Manual identifies the concrete role for police personnel in countering this negative social phenomenon. It also outlines the roles of police inspectors by taking a multidisciplinary and holistic approach of support and protection for the victims through close co-operation with civil society and community leaders. The Manual also provides guidance on how to work with both victims and offenders in order to prevent and address cases of domestic violence.

The publication is a part of the OSCE Office in Tajikistan’s activities to implement its Gender Strategy for 2016-2018, which supplements the OSCE’s wider 2004 Gender Action Plan for the Promotion of Gender Equality. The electronic version of the Manual in the Tajik and Russian languages is available online at: http://www.osce.org/tajikistan/248201.

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OSCE Mission to Serbia and ODIHR launch joint Report on peer elections for High Judicial Council and State Prosecutors’ Council

Serbia’s legal framework for governing elections to the High Judicial Council and the State Prosecutors’ Council is fairly comprehensive although there are a few minor issues with implementing the laws and regulations, partly as a result of gaps in the law. This is the conclusion of a joint Report launched on 24 May 2016 by the OSCE Mission to Serbia and the OSCE Office for Democratic Institutions and Human Rights (ODIHR).

The OSCE Mission and ODIHR followed the elections of judges and prosecutors to the High Judicial Council and the State Prosecutors’ Council throughout Serbia in December 2015, in partnership with the Lawyers’ Committee for Human Rights (YUCOM), a local civil society organization. The election processes were conducted without any major irregularities observed.

The Report makes a number of recommendations, largely similar for both the judicial and prosecutorial councils, including amending and further developing the legal framework regarding the election process for the judicial and prosecutors’ councils, the candidates’ nomination process, and procedures for resolving disputes and providing effective remedies.

The findings and recommendations resulting from the election monitoring will help inform the public about the ongoing judicial reform process in Serbia. The relevant state institutions and justice stakeholders will also have an objective assessment to assist them in further strengthening the independence, accountability and efficiency of the Serbian judiciary.

The Report is available at: https://www.osce.org/odihr/242346

The OSCE Mission to Serbia and ODIHR stand ready to continue supporting the legal reform efforts of the Serbian authorities in line with the recommendations of this report and OSCE commitments.

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In Georgia, OSCE PA Special Representative calls for calm in advance of elections, deplores shooting at administrative boundary line

TBILISI, 27 May 2016 – The OSCE Parliamentary Assembly’s Special Representative on the South Caucasus Kristian Vigenin (MP, Bulgaria), today concluded a two-day visit to Georgia.

The Special Representative met with Georgian President Giorgi Margvelashvili, Chairman of the Georgian Parliament David Usupashvili, and Foreign Minister Mikheil Janelidze, as well as Members of the OSCE PA delegation and representatives of various political forces in the country. Vigenin also participated in events commemorating the 25th anniversary of the restoration of Georgia’s independence.

“In just 25 years, Georgia has achieved a great deal, and I look forward to seeing what further progress the next 25 years will bring,” said the Special Representative. He noted that the upcoming OSCE PA's 25th Annual Session to be held in Tbilisi, 1-5 July, is an opportune moment for Georgia to demonstrate its achievements to hundreds of parliamentarians from across the OSCE region.

“With parliamentary elections later this year, this is a sensitive period. Following incidents of violence against opposition leaders a few days ago during the local by-elections, a thorough and transparent investigation is necessary. While it is the government’s responsibility to hold those responsible accountable, I also call on all political forces to act with restraint in the coming months so that the October elections can take place in a calm and peaceful environment,” said the Special Representative, encouraging all efforts aimed at consolidating democratic progress.

Interlocutors welcomed OSCE observation of the parliamentary elections, expected on 8 October.
Vigenin discussed a range of security challenges faced by Georgia, and visited the Administrative Boundary Line in Khurvaleti, where the de facto authorities of South Ossetia have erected barbed wire fences dividing the village.

“The recent killing of a Georgian citizen in Khurcha, at the Administrative Boundary Line, is a reminder of the significant security challenges Georgia continues to face. I condemn this shooting unconditionally, and expect that those responsible will be brought to justice,” said Vigenin.

Reports indicate that on 19 May at the Khurcha-Nabakevi crossing point on the Administrative Boundary Line, armed men crossed from the Abkhaz side of the bridge and carried out the fatal shooting.

The Special Representative’s visit to Georgia follows meetings earlier this week in Armenia. He continues his travels with a visit to Azerbaijan today where high-level meetings are expected.

Vigenin was appointed Special Representative by OSCE PA President Ilkka Kanerva in February 2016. In his mandate, he is tasked with promoting dialogue in all segments of society, in particular at the parliamentary level, in order to encourage reconciliation and rehabilitation with regard to the protracted conflicts in the region.
This week’s visit is his first visit to the region as Special Representative.

Vigenin is a former Foreign Minister of Bulgaria and currently serves as Deputy Head of the OSCE PA’s Bulgarian Delegation.

To watch a recent interview in which he discusses his priorities as Special Representative, please click here

For photos of Vigenin's visit to the region, click here.

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High Commissioner Thors, in her OSCE Permanent Council address, discusses country engagement and highlights the increase in hate speech targeting national minorities

Addressing the OSCE Permanent Council in Vienna on 2 June 2016, OSCE High Commissioner on National Minorities Astrid Thors described country engagement and highlighted the disturbing increase in hate speech.

The statement covered the High Commissioner’s activities since her last statement to the Permanent Council in November 2015. During this period Thors visited Kyrgyzstan, Serbia, Ukraine, Bosnia and Herzegovina, Georgia, Croatia, Hungary, Slovakia and Moldova.

The High Commissioner expressed concern about the increase in hate speech targeting national minorities. Thors called for renewed efforts to tackle hate speech in order to prevent tensions and to promote integration with respect for diversity.

Thors also informed the Permanent Council about the work her institution is doing together with researchers to identify best practices that highlight the bridge building potential of national minorities in diverse societies.

The full statement can be found here.

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Language rights, participation, security and access to justice fundamental to welfare of communities in Kosovo, says High Commissioner Thors

During her visit to Kosovo from 7 to 10 June 2016, the OSCE High Commissioner on National Minorities Astrid Thors focused on education, implementation of the framework of language rights and access to justice.

The High Commissioner continues to urge for the adoption of the Strategy for the Protection and Promotion of Language Rights, contending that it will make the implementation of legislation more efficient and improve the quality and the consistency of different language versions of legal acts. “When in place, the strategy will lead to positive results quickly,” said Thors.

The visit included Prishtinë/Priština, Mitrovicë/Mitrovica, Prizren, Janjevë/Janjevo and Gračanica/Gracanicë where Thors met with ministers, local authorities, media representatives, judges, university professors and students, as well as representatives of the international community. The High Commissioner was joined in several meetings by the Head of the OSCE Mission in Kosovo Jean-Claude Schlumberger.

Thors commended the recent adoption of an administrative instruction of the Ministry of Education Science and Technology, which will make it easier for members of non-majority communities to pursue studies at universities in Kosovo as it, among others issues, improves the functioning of the existing quota system.

Whilst visiting the University of Prizren, the High Commissioner expressed concern that courses taught in Turkish and Bosnian have not yet received official accreditation for the next academic year. Such courses cater to the fundamental needs of non-majority communities in Kosovo. “I encourage relevant authorities to take urgent measures so that these options remain available also the next academic year,” said Thors.

High Commissioner Thors discussed extensively with a number of stakeholders the prospective establishment of the Association/Community of Serb majority municipalities as well as ways to overcome the current stalemate in the process. She heard views on the need to respect the relevant legal framework but also to meet the expectations of concerned communities, in north Kosovo as elsewhere. Thors also noted the concerns expressed by Serbs living outside Serb majority municipalities, as well as non-Serb non-majority communities, who fear they will not benefit from the process.

In several meetings Thors pointed to the need to improve access to justice for all non-majority communities, to thoroughly follow up on crimes targeting them, as well as to fully enforce their property rights. “When such crimes are investigated and prosecuted, it sends a powerful and reassuring message to non-majority communities that their rights will be effectively protected by the authorities.”

On the last day of her visit, Thors attended a class of Serbian language instruction for Kosovo Albanian officials from the municipality of Prishtinë/Priština, part of a flagship partnership project on language acquisition by municipal officials sponsored by the Office of the Language Commissioner and the HCNM, with German funding, and implemented by the ECMI Kosovo.

The visit served to underline the importance attached by the High Commissioner to language learning as a key building block for integrated societies: “Speaking more than one language is beneficial, both for the person who speaks them and for society as a whole; it is even more important for local government officials, who regularly engage with members of public, to be able to communicate with every person in their community.”

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Institutional dialogue between central and Gagauz authorities in focus of OSCE Mission to Moldova-supported roundtable discussion

As part of a one-year project to support the engagement of national minority youth and civil society in public discussions and public service, a roundtable discussion was held at the OSCE Mission to Moldova on 24 June 2016.

The event brought together 23 representatives of the Moldovan Parliament, the authorities of Gagauz-Yeri, civil society and the international community to discuss institutional dialogue between central and Gagauz authorities.

Independent researchers from the Comrat-based NGO Piligrim-Demo presented a recent report detailing the joint commissions formed over the years to initiate dialogue on the implementation of Gagauzia’s status as an Autonomous Territorial Unit. They outlined their recommendations for improving the functioning of the current working group established between the Parliament of Moldova and the People’s Assembly of Gagauzia. 

“Such discussions on the process of dialogue between civil society, the expert community and members of the Parliament and People's Assembly are important as they provide critical input to the process and build common understanding of issues,” said Jale Sultanli, Country Manager Moldova of the Crisis Management Initiative (CMI). Participants from Comrat and Chisinau welcomed the opportunity to study past and present practices to strengthen co-operation between the central and regional authorities in Moldova.

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OSCE Mission-organized Junior Basketball Tournament

Photo Story
Around 100 boys and girls from different Kosovo communities took part in the OSCE Mission-organized Junior Basketball Tournament in Gёrmia/Grmija Park, Prishtinё/Priština, held from 20 to 30 June 2016. The aim was to empower young people through sport, help them get to know each other and socialize, overcome ethnic barriers, and make them more aware of issues young people face in Kosovo. Besides a basketball competition that was held under the supervision of accredited trainers from Prishtinё/Priština and Belgrade, the participants also engaged in thematic workshops, designed especially for youth and focused on promoting dialogue, tolerance and mutual understanding.
Wed, 2016-06-29 11:47
OSCE Mission in Kosovo
South-Eastern Europe
Democratization
Tolerance and non-discrimination

Around 100 boys and girls from different Kosovo communities took part in the OSCE Mission-organized Junior Basketball Tournament in Gёrmia/Grmija Park, Prishtinё/Priština, held from 20 to 30 June 2016. The aim was to empower young people through sport, help them get to know each other and socialize, overcome ethnic barriers, and make them more aware of issues young people face in Kosovo.

Besides a basketball competition that was held under the supervision of accredited trainers from Prishtinё/Priština and Belgrade, the participants also engaged in thematic workshops, designed especially for youth and focused on promoting dialogue, tolerance and mutual understanding.  

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OSCE Mission to Moldova strengthens professional skills and civic engagement among young people from both banks

The OSCE Mission to Moldova held a training event on essential debate techniques for 37 high-school students and 7 teachers from both banks of the Dniester/Nistru River on 1 to 3 July 2016 in Vadul-lui-Vodă, a town by the river. The event, which gathered students from Balti, Bender, Cahul, Ceadir-Lunga, Comrat, Parcani, Tiraspol and Vulcanesti, aimed to enhance youth engagement in civic processes at the local and national levels.

“This event has equipped me with skills that will be vital for both my professional and private life,” said Daria Bogdanova, a student from Tiraspol. “Engaging in debates is an excellent way to help us convey our thoughts more convincingly, search for compromise and exercise objectivity.”

The training event introduced students to the Karl Popper debate format that teaches students how to conduct and participate in academic debates, demonstrate leadership, make public speeches, co-operate in teams and apply critical thinking. The aim of the event was to develop students’ analytical and debate skills in order to strengthen their professional opportunities and civic engagement.

The students attending the training will apply their newly acquired knowledge and skills in a series of two debate tournaments to be held in the autumn. The training sessions and tournaments are organized as part of a one-year project implemented jointly by the OSCE Mission to Moldova and the Comrat-based NGO Piligrim-Demo that aims to actively engage young people, including those representing national minorities, in civic process at the local and national levels by developing their debate skills.

 

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Spot Report by OSCE Special Monitoring Mission to Ukraine: SMM threatened at gunpoint near Lobacheve in Luhansk region

This report is for media and the general public.

At 10:10 on 2 August, an armed man at a known Ukrainian Armed Forces position wearing military-style clothing with no markings stopped two SMM vehicles in government-controlled areas travelling east on the road from Lopaskyne (government-controlled, 24km north-west of Luhansk) to Lobacheve (government-controlled, 17km north-west of Luhansk).  When one of the SMM monitors stepped out of the vehicle to speak with the man, the latter chambered a round into his submachine gun (AKSU-74) and after removing the weapon’s safety, pointed it at the SMM monitor and put his finger on the trigger. Speaking in Russian, the armed man told the SMM “Stop. You are not going anywhere”.

The SMM requested the armed man call his commander, which he did. Standing approximately two metres away, the man kept his gun pointed at the SMM monitor and spoke to someone in Russian on his handheld radio. Approximately five to seven minutes later, another man arrived at the scene carrying an assault rifle (AK-74) with a silencer. He was accompanied by three other armed men carrying assault rifles, some of whom appeared to be intoxicated, and appeared to be in a position of authority. Some of the men were dressed in military-style clothing. Using Russian and speaking in an aggressive manner, the man said that he and the other armed men present were members of the Ukrainian Armed Forces. The SMM monitor asked the man who appeared to be in charge to order the armed man to lower his weapon. He did so but the weapon was not made safe.

Speaking with the commander of the group, the SMM monitor tried to diffuse the situation by explaining the Mission’s mandate and after approximately fifteen minutes, the SMM was allowed to leave the area and proceed to Lobacheve to complete their tasks.

The SMM returned safely to its base at 16:00. The Joint Centre for Control and Co-ordination was informed.

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Representatives of Belarus, Kyrgyzstan and Tajikistan discuss implementing UNSCR 1540 at OSCE-supported meeting in Minsk

Representatives of relevant ministries and other state agencies of Belarus, Kyrgyzstan and Tajikistan responsible for implementing provisions of UN Security Council Resolution (UNSCR) 1540 on preventing the proliferation of weapons of mass destruction met at an OSCE-supported peer review meeting in Minsk from 2 and 5 August 2016, to discuss progress in their work.

Experts from the OSCE Conflict Prevention Centre, the UN Office for Disarmament Affairs and the UN Security Council’s 1540 Committee also attended the meeting, which was hosted by the Ministry of Foreign Affairs of Belarus, and is the second event of its kind to be held in the OSCE region and in the world, and the first to be held in trilateral format.

Opening the event, Deputy Foreign Minister of Belarus Valentin Rybakov said that the issues of non-proliferation are among his country’s priorities in the area of international security.

He noted that Belarus was the first state of the former Soviet Union to voluntarily refuse the opportunity to possess weapons of mass destruction, and that the withdrawal of such weapons from the country’s territory was completed in 1996. Rybakov added that his country also initiated the adoption of the UN General Assembly resolution on prohibiting the development and manufacture of new types of weapons of mass destruction and new systems of such weapons.

Adriana Volenikova of the  OSCE Conflict Prevention Centre said regional co-operation on UNSCR 1540-related issues has become one of the most efficient means in bolstering national implementation and enhancing an open dialogue between countries that face similar challenges and benefit from close interaction in related areas.

The three States will work on a joint report on implementation and later submit it to the UNSC 1540 Committee and the UN Security Council.

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Representatives of Belarus, Kyrgyzstan and Tajikistan discuss implementing UNSCR 1540 at OSCE-supported meeting in Minsk

Representatives of relevant ministries and other state agencies of Belarus, Kyrgyzstan and Tajikistan responsible for implementing provisions of UN Security Council Resolution (UNSCR) 1540 on preventing the proliferation of weapons of mass destruction met at an OSCE-supported peer review meeting in Minsk from 2 and 5 August 2016, to discuss progress in their work.

Experts from the OSCE Conflict Prevention Centre, the UN Office for Disarmament Affairs and the UN Security Council’s 1540 Committee also attended the meeting, which was hosted by the Ministry of Foreign Affairs of Belarus, and is the second event of its kind to be held in the OSCE region and in the world, and the first to be held in trilateral format.

Opening the event, Deputy Foreign Minister of Belarus Valentin Rybakov said that the issues of non-proliferation are among his country’s priorities in the area of international security.

He noted that Belarus was the first state of the former Soviet Union to voluntarily refuse the opportunity to possess weapons of mass destruction, and that the withdrawal of such weapons from the country’s territory was completed in 1996. Rybakov added that his country also initiated the adoption of the UN General Assembly resolution on prohibiting the development and manufacture of new types of weapons of mass destruction and new systems of such weapons.

Adriana Volenikova of the  OSCE Conflict Prevention Centre said regional co-operation on UNSCR 1540-related issues has become one of the most efficient means in bolstering national implementation and enhancing an open dialogue between countries that face similar challenges and benefit from close interaction in related areas.

The three States will work on a joint report on implementation and later submit it to the UNSC 1540 Committee and the UN Security Council.

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Click 360° Rotation Smartphone Car Holder $3 + Delivery ($0 C&C/ in-Store/ OnePass) @ Bunnings

Cheap… bought 1 found it sturdy, ordered 2 extra spares.
Quick Lock Button
Air Vent Clip Option Included
Super Sticky Suction Cup
Secure your device effortlessly with the quick-lock button and super sticky suction cup. Enjoy versatile placement options with the included air vent clip. Stay connected and in control on the road with Click's adjustable car holder.




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SUNLU 3D Printer Filament: Buy 6kg, Get 4kg Free (Add 10 to Cart) PETG from A$120.32 + Delivery ($0 to Most) @ Sunlu 3D Global

Original Coupon Deal

This is a decent price for one of my go to filaments for my BambuLab P1S.

SUNLU 3D Printer filament: Buy 6 Get 4 Free(Add 10) 10kg PETG From AU$120.4, 10KG PLA for about $135.4

I purchased the PLA 2.0 which cost about $150
but not sure how much better it is yet.

if you buy 10 rolls of PETG in black and white, each roll costs just $12.04 AUD.

The PLA comes to $13.54 AUD per roll and the PLA+ is priced at $14.19 AUD.

You need the CBT20 code as mentioned.

The shipping was very fast I got it within 3 days.

I’m very happy with my purchase, I compared to AliExpress and this seemed the best deal as far as flexibility in colours, a brand I like and fast shipping.



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Official Trailer for Dark, Haunting New Version of 'The Little Mermaid'

"Are you accusing my new girlfriend of being a mermaid?" Lionsgate has revealed an official trailer for a public domain B-movie horror creation called The Little Mermaid, yes a dark and gritty horror take on this classic story. Don't forget The Little Mermaid is originally based on Hans Christian Andersen's story from his book, it's not a Disney creation. This new take is from the same director of Transmorphers, The Witches of Oz, and Piranha Sharks. Dr. Eric Prince, an archaeologist, makes a dramatic discovery on a small Caribbean island – proof of an ancient, advanced prehistoric society. While his dig is in progress, he meets the mysterious and beautiful Aurora Bey and falls in love with her, only to discover she's really a mermaid. This features Mike Markoff, Jeff Denton, Samuel Selman, Sean-Michael Argo, Winston Crooke, Steven Yniguez, Manon Laurent, and Lydia Helen as the mermaid Aurora. This is only worth a look to see how dumb & weird they can make it, please don't waste any money renting (or buying) the actual movie. Here's the official trailer (+ poster) for Leigh Scott's The Little Mermaid, direct from YouTube: Beauty is both deceiving and dangerous in this darkly fascinating […]




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Day 2 of COP29: Azerbaijan Pres says fossil fuels a ‘Gift from God’, UN parades world leaders

https://www.cfact.org/2024/11/13/day-2-azerbaijan-president-says-fossil-fuels-a-gift-from-god-un-parades-world-leaders/ By Craig Rucker Day two of the UN Conference of the Parties meeting (COP 29) in Baku, Azerbaijan, saw numerous heads of state roll into town to pay homage to he global warming cause. In all, some 100 world leaders were represented, with many ushered into the main plenary stage to deliver short testimonials on how […]




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Green Grifters: Another elite-laden UN climate summit demonstrates the staggering hypocrisy of climate activism

https://www.city-journal.org/article/green-grifters By Heather Mac Donald The latest global climate conference opened Monday in Azerbaijan. The timing is excellent. Any doubt regarding the wisdom of the next Trump administration’s likely pullout from such meetings should be dispelled by the conference photos alone. Here are tens of thousands of well fed, well-dressed members of the global elite—activists, […]




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Watch: Morano on Fox live from UN climate summit in Azerbaijan – Trump victory is like a ‘funeral wake’

  Broadcast November 13, 2024    “This conference is a funeral wake for one simple reason… Donald Trump’s election.” @ClimateDepot joins @dagenmcdowell and @SeanDuffyWI live from the COP29 Summit. pic.twitter.com/7sytxmbBWc — The Bottom Line (@BottomLineFBN) November 13, 2024




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Chef Cristina Bowerman takes over Biscotti until Dec 30

Chef Cristina Bowerman, the only female chef with a Michelin star in Rome for her restaurant, Glass Hostaria, takes over Anantara Siam’s Italian restaurant, Biscotti until Dec 30. 




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Two Myanmar men gunned down in Ratchaburi

Two Myanmar men working in Samut Sakhon were found dead from gunshot wounds in Suan Phung district of Ratchaburi province early Thursday.




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Poor countries ‘need $1 trillion a year in climate aid’

BAKU, Azerbaijan - Pay now to help poorer countries cope with climate change or pay more later, negotiators were warned on Thursday, as experts said poor states need at least $1 trillion per year by the end of the decade to move to greener energy and protect against extreme weather.




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This Axed Deadpool & Wolverine Idea Would Have Changed The Entire Marvel Cinematic Universe

Deadpool and Wolverine took a while to get off the ground because Ryan Reynolds was attempting to fold Deadpool into every MCU movie.




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Barry Keoghan on Young Fatherhood, Loving La La Land, and the Movement of Andrea Arnold’s Bird

In Andrea Arnold’s Bird, Irish actor Barry Keoghan plays a father of two teenagers. In the film, he had both children when he, too, was a teenager. He’s brash with tattoos everywhere, completely focused on an upcoming wedding with his three-month girlfriend. It’s a stellar performance from him, imbued with his own recent experiences of […]

The post Barry Keoghan on Young Fatherhood, Loving La La Land, and the Movement of Andrea Arnold’s Bird first appeared on The Film Stage.




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NASA Details Hundreds Of 'Painful But Necessary' Layoffs For Jet Propulsion Lab

NASA’s Jet Propulsion Laboratory (JPL) announced hundreds of layoffs, calling the move “painful but necessary.” The news came via a workforce statement and memo to JPL employees. JPL has been on the forefront of space exploration for decades. It was a camera, engineered by the space agency, on Voyager 1 that was able to capture the pale




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Dolphins make stunning cut of LB David Long Jr. weeks after demotion; Miami adds tight end

A team captain to start the season, David Long Jr. was demoted from his starting post two weeks ago and has now been waived. The Dolphins made room to claim tight end Jack Stoll off waivers.




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Round 1 of FHSAA football playoffs: Orlando area scoreboard updates

Week 13 of the high school football season includes two Wednesday bowl games, followed by Round 1 of the FHSAA playoffs on Friday -- with Jones, Lake Mary, Edgewater, DP, Osceola, Bishop Moore home games. Saturday, Master's Academy plays for repeat Sunshine State Athletic Association championship.



  • High School Sports
  • Sports
  • High school football

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Things to watch for: Miami Dolphins vs. Las Vegas Raiders on Sunday

Conventional wisdom says the Raiders game will be win No. 2 in a three-game win streak with Miami hosting New England next week, but the Dolphins aren’t good enough this season to overlook any opponent.




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Seminole County things to do, starting Nov. 15

Seminole County things to do include a baseball card and memorabilia show Nov. 15-16 at the Bahia Shrine Center in Apopka.




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Volusia County things to do, starting Nov. 15

Volusia County things to do include a chili cook-off Nov. 16 at St. Jude’s Episcopal Church in Orange City.




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Your Community in Brief: Lake County events and news, starting Nov. 15

Upcoming events in Lake County include Trout Lake Nature Center's Nov. 16 program on the Florida Black Bear Scenic Byway and Keep Lake Beautiful's Sorrento/Mount Plymouth Community Cleanup day, also Nov. 16.




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Orange County things to do, starting Nov. 15

Orange County things to do include the Central Florida International Auto Show Nov. 15-17 at the Orange County Convention Center in Orlando.




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Demings says Orange County may sue election supervisor over $4 million giveaway

Glenn Gilzean is spending elections money on college scholarships for students who pre-register to vote and job training for temporary election workers.




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Spirit Airlines stock would be canceled under debt restructuring deal, company says

Stockholders in financially troubled Spirit Airlines, the South Florida-based discount carrier, would see their shares canceled under a potential debt restructuring agreement that has been under negotiation between the airline and its bondholders, the company says.




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Biden funded new factories and infrastructure projects, but Trump might get to cut the ribbons

Trump won in large part because of voters’ frustration with high prices and a sense that the country needs major changes. But when he enters office in January, Trump will inherit an economy primed for growth.




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Blue Origin mates New Glenn stages ahead of 1st launch

Blue Origin now has a rocket nearly in one piece as it mated the first and second stages this week of what will be the first ever New Glenn launch from Cape Canaveral.




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Amazon launches an online discount storefront to better compete with Shein and Temu

Electronics, apparel and other products are priced at under $20.





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Bull doge! Dogecoin soars as Trump announces a government efficiency group nicknamed DOGE

Dogecoin, the cryptocurrency whose mascot is a super-cute dog that muses things like “much wow,” has been surging in value since Donald Trump won the presidential election last week.





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Osceola County things to do, starting Nov. 15

Osceola County things to do include an introduction to beekeeping class Nov. 16 at UF/IFAS Osceola County Extension Services in Kissimmee.




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PRC Targeting of Commercial Telecommunications Infrastructure

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Debian Junior Desktop live image

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Abusing Ubuntu 24.04 features for root privilege escalation

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