el OSCE/ODIHR final report on early parliamentary elections in Serbia recommends comprehensive review of legislation and ensuring the level playing field for contestants By feeds.osce.org Published On :: Fri, 29 Jul 2016 11:17:38 +0000 Serbia, Early Parliamentary Elections, 24 April 2016: Final Report The final report by the OSCE Office for Democratic Institutions and Human Rights (ODIHR) on Serbia’s 24 April 2016 early parliamentary elections recommends a comprehensive review of legislation to further improve election process. The report, while finding the elections were efficiently administered and held in a competitive environment, spells out key areas that would benefit from such a review, including unclear rules on candidate registration, inadequate regulation of campaign finance, deficiencies and loopholes in dispute resolution mechanisms, an absence of sanctions for some violations and the lack of provisions on election observation. The report, published on 29 July 2016, notes that, while fundamental freedoms were respected and candidates were able to campaign freely, biased media coverage, undue advantage of incumbency and a blurring of the distinction between state and party activities hindered a level playing field for contestants. To this end, the report recommends specific campaign regulations, including the introduction of ceilings on campaign expenditures and preventing the misuse of administrative resources and the abuse of office. In noting the absence of an effective mechanism for monitoring media conduct during the campaign, the report recommends clarifying the competences of the media regulatory body in investigating and sanctioning breaches of legislation in a timely manner. A review of the election appeals system to guarantee an effective and timely remedy for all complaints, and particularly in cases related to electionday irregularities and election results, is also among the report’s recommendations. Additional recommendations relate to providing unrestricted access of citizen and international observers to the entire electoral process, including voting, counting and tabulation, and enhancing the transparency of the tabulation of results. Related StoriesOSCE/ODIHR final report on Serbia’s parliamentary elections notes respect for fundamental freedoms, recommends steps to further improve election processParliamentary ElectionsInternational election observers in Serbia to hold press conference on Monday Full Article Office for Democratic Institutions and Human Rights Elections Serbia News
el OSCE/ODIHR and OHCHR train prosecutors and lawyers in Kyrgyzstan on international standards regarding freedom of religion or belief By feeds.osce.org Published On :: Mon, 01 Aug 2016 14:09:24 +0000 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. Related StoriesOSCE/ODIHR final report on early parliamentary elections in Serbia recommends comprehensive review of legislation and ensuring the level playing field for contestantsOSCE workshop in Kosovo focuses on improving the recording of hate crimesOSCE/ODIHR Director Link welcomes Kyrgyzstan’s review of Askarov’s case, calls on Kyrgyz authorities to implement UN Human Rights Committee decision Full Article Office for Democratic Institutions and Human Rights Human rights Human dimension Central Asia Kyrgyzstan News
el OSCE/ODIHR opens observation mission for parliamentary elections in Belarus By feeds.osce.org Published On :: Tue, 02 Aug 2016 11:39:43 +0000 MINSK, 2 August 2016 – The OSCE Office for Democratic Institutions and Human Rights (ODIHR) today formally opened an election observation mission for the 11 September parliamentary elections in Belarus. The mission’s deployment follows an official invitation from the Belarus authorities. The mission is led by Tana de Zulueta and consists of a core team of 10 experts based in Minsk and 38 long-term observers to be deployed in teams of two across the country. In addition, ODIHR will request 400 short-term observers to monitor proceedings on election day. The experts and observers are drawn from 24 countries. The mission will assess the parliamentary elections for compliance with OSCE commitments and other international standards and obligations for democratic elections, as well as with domestic legislation. Observers will follow the candidate registration process, campaign activities, the work of the election administration and relevant state bodies, implementation of the legal framework and the resolution of election disputes. As part of the observation, the mission will also monitor the media coverage of the campaign. In the course of its observation, the mission will meet with representatives of relevant authorities and of political parties, as well as with representatives of civil society, the media and the international community. On election day, observers will monitor the opening of polling stations, voting, the counting of ballots and the tabulation of results. For election day, the mission plans to join efforts with delegations from the OSCE Parliamentary Assembly and the Parliamentary Assembly of the Council of Europe. A statement of preliminary findings and conclusions will be issued on the day after the election. A final report on the observation of the entire election process and including recommendations will be published approximately two months after the completion of the election process. For further information please visit http://www.osce.org/odihr/elections/belarus or contact Ulvi Akhundlu, OSCE/ODIHR Election Adviser, at +375 29 876 3772 (mobile) Related StoriesReforms needed to address substantial shortcomings in Belarus election, international observers say, after peaceful presidential campaignOSCE/ODIHR opens observation mission for presidential election in BelarusWhile noting welcoming attitude by the authorities, OSCE/ODIHR final report on Presidential election in Belarus recommends comprehensive and inclusive review of national legislation Full Article Office for Democratic Institutions and Human Rights Elections Eastern Europe Belarus Press release
el Russia’s labeling of journalists as terrorists a threat to media freedom, OSCE Representative says By feeds.osce.org Published On :: Tue, 12 Jul 2016 17:33:20 +0000 VIENNA, 12 July 2016 – OSCE Representative on Freedom of the Media Dunja Mijatović today expressed concern about the decision of Federal Financial Monitoring Service in Russia to publish an updated “list of terrorists and extremists” which includes members of the media. “Publishing this list could put the journalists at risk and jeopardize their safety,” Mijatović said. “It’s the government’s responsibility to ensure journalists’ safety; it should not put them in harm’s way based on state prosecutors’ suspicions under an anti-extremism law.” On 12 July, the Federal Financial Monitoring Service, tasked with monitoring legal entities’ and individuals’ compliance with Russia's terrorist and extremist financing legislation, published a searchable list of some six thousand individuals on its website. Previously held confidential, the list includes Crimean journalists Nikolay Semena from the Krym-realii online media, and Anna Andrievskaya from the Centre for Journalistic Investigations. Mijatović noted that she and other intergovernmental bodies have repeatedly pointed to the shortcomings of anti-extremism legislation in Russia and voiced their concerns regarding its application, including past verdicts in relation to journalists and warnings to media entities. “I call on the relevant authorities to take down the list with the names of the journalists and review the policy which puts those exercising their freedom of expression in danger,” Mijatović said. “Labeling journalists as terrorists because of their critical voices and critical reporting cannot be justified.” Mijatović also pointed to a previous public statement in which she criticized amendments to the Criminal Code of the Russian Federation that increased criminal liability for online calls for extremist activity to up to five years in prison (available atwww.osce.org/fom/120175). In 2014, The Representative issued a communiqué on the impact of laws countering extremism on freedom of expression and freedom of the media (available at http://www.osce.org/fom/125186). The OSCE Representative on Freedom of the Media observes media developments in all 57 OSCE participating States. She provides early warning on violations of freedom of expression and media freedom and promotes full compliance with OSCE media freedom commitments. Learn more at www.osce.org/fom, Twitter: @OSCE_RFoM and on www.facebook.com/osce.rfom. Related StoriesOSCE Representative welcomes revision of Law of War manual in USA improving protection for journalistsDemocratic governments must ensure media freedom and journalists’ safety, OSCE Representative urges TurkeyOSCE Representative condemns murder of journalist Pavel Sheremet in Ukraine Full Article Representative on Freedom of the Media Media laws Safety of journalists Media freedom and development Russia Press release
el OSCE Representative condemns murder of journalist Pavel Sheremet in Ukraine By feeds.osce.org Published On :: Wed, 20 Jul 2016 09:12:22 +0000 VIENNA, 20 July 2016 – OSCE media freedom representative Dunja Mijatović today condemned the murder of journalist Pavel Sheremet in Kyiv, Ukraine. This morning, Sheremet, a journalist with Radio Vesti and the Ukrainskaya Pravda online media outlet, was killed in a car explosion. “This killing and its circumstances must be swiftly and thoroughly investigated, and the perpetrators brought to justice,” Mijatović said, noting President Petro Poroshenko’s strong condemnation of the act and immediate action to investigate. “We have lost a prominent and dedicated journalist and my sincere condolences go out to Sheremet’s family, friends and colleagues.” Sheremet, originally of Belarus and recipient of the 2002 OSCE Parliamentary Assembly’s Prize for Journalism and Democracy (www.osce.org/pa/54293), worked as a journalist in Ukraine, Belarus and Russia during his career. “This morning’s gruesome incident reminds us all that the safety situation for journalists in Ukraine must be addressed effectively and timely,” Mijatović said. The Representative recalled the murder of the prominent Ukrainian journalist Georgyi Gongadze in 2001, the founder of Ukrainskaya Pravda, and reiterated her call on the authorities to fully investigate that crime. The OSCE Representative on Freedom of the Media observes media developments in all 57 OSCE participating States. She provides early warning on violations of freedom of expression and media freedom and promotes full compliance with OSCE media freedom commitments. Learn more atwww.osce.org/fom, Twitter: @OSCE_RFoM and on www.facebook.com/osce.rfom. Related StoriesOSCE Representative condemns incidents directed at journalists and independent voices in Bosnia and HerzegovinaOSCE Representative welcomes revision of Law of War manual in USA improving protection for journalistsDemocratic governments must ensure media freedom and journalists’ safety, OSCE Representative urges Turkey Full Article Representative on Freedom of the Media Safety of journalists Media freedom and development Eastern Europe Ukraine Press release
el OSCE Representative welcomes revision of Law of War manual in USA improving protection for journalists By feeds.osce.org Published On :: Mon, 25 Jul 2016 11:07:09 +0000 VIENNA, 25 July 2016 – OSCE Representative on Freedom of the Media Dunja Mijatović today welcomed the revision of United States Department of Defense’s Law of War Manual, which better recognizes the status and role of journalists under the law of war. “Updating the manual and deleting problematic provisions which could endanger members of the media covering armed conflicts was a much-needed and welcome step,” Mijatović said. “Journalists are civilians and should be treated and protected as just that.” The first version of the Law of War Manual, released in June 2015, provides guidelines for members of the US military. The manual said that journalists in general are to be considered civilians, but that they also may be “members of the armed forces, persons authorized to accompany the armed forces, or unprivileged belligerents”. The term “unprivileged belligerents” could have allowed military commanders to detain journalists indefinitely outside the rules of war without charge or trial. The original version of the manual also included provisions which likened war reporting to spying, and censorship. In the updated version of the manual, these provisions have been abolished. “Working as a journalist in a conflict zone is a very dangerous job. This revised manual is one of many efforts needed to improve journalists’ safety,” Mijatović said. The OSCE Representative on Freedom of the Media observes media developments in all 57 OSCE participating States. She provides early warning on violations of freedom of expression and media freedom and promotes full compliance with OSCE media freedom commitments. Learn more at www.osce.org/fom, Twitter: @OSCE_RFoM and on www.facebook.com/osce.rfom. Related StoriesDemocratic governments must ensure media freedom and journalists’ safety, OSCE Representative urges TurkeyOSCE Representative condemns murder of journalist Pavel Sheremet in UkraineOSCE Representative mourns photojournalist killed in Turkey, expresses concern for media freedom Full Article Representative on Freedom of the Media Safety of journalists Media freedom and development Western Europe and North America United States of America Press release
el OSCE Presence helps Albanian police better respond to irregular migration By feeds.osce.org Published On :: Thu, 24 Mar 2016 15:17:46 +0000 Joana Karapataqi, OSCE Presence in Albania The OSCE Presence in Albania on 24 March 2016 launched a series of workshops for the Albanian border and migration police with the aim of raising their capacity to respond to the challenges of irregular migration, particularly in light of the increased migrant flows through the Western Balkans. The first of the workshops, which are being organized in close partnership with the Directorate of the Albanian State Police and the General Directorate of Border and Migration, took place in Korça, where 20 border and migration police were trained on measures to be taken to cope with the situation. The subjects were based on trends as identified by Frontex and EUROPOL, and included migrant routes, the pre-screening of migrants, profiling of possible terrorist fighters, and the detection of criminal offences. The workshop was conducted by experts from the Albanian Europol National Unit and the Albanian Border and Migration Police. The OSCE Presence, together with its Albanian partners, will organize similar workshops in the coming days with the border and migration police in Gjirokastra and in Shkodra. Related StoriesYoung people in Albania say NO to corruptionOSCE Chairperson-in-Office Steinmeier visits Albania, reiterates support for Albanian institutions and its citizensStudents launch exhibition against domestic violence as part of OSCE Presence in Albania campaign Full Article OSCE Presence in Albania Policing South-Eastern Europe News
el OSCE field operations in Tajikistan and Albania work together to support women’s participation in political life By feeds.osce.org Published On :: Fri, 08 Apr 2016 13:53:41 +0000 Joana Karapataqi, OSCE Presence in Albania A group of eight women politicians from all registered political parties in Tajikistan, including a member of parliament, paid a visit to Albania from 2 to 8 April 2016 to strengthen inter-regional co-operation and share experiences on empowering women in political life. The visit was jointly organized by the OSCE Office in Tajikistan and the OSCE Presence in Albania. "One of the main goals of the OSCE Office in Tajikistan is to promote gender equality and to further support Tajik women leaders, as well as to create new opportunities for learning, exchange of experience and networking for women at all levels of political and public life,” said Markus Mueller, Head of the OSCE Office in Tajikistan “This jointly organized high-level working visit will help women politicians and parliamentarians from both countries to learn from each other’s experiences, to grow stronger and reach their full potential." The delegation met with the Speaker of Albania’s Assembly, representatives of the Alliance of Women Members of Parliament, three women members of the Albanian government, the Chair of the Central Election Commission, women mayors of Roskovec and Patos, and members of the National Platform of Women – an informal voluntary network of around 500 women from political parties and civil society established by the OSCE Presence. On 6 April, they participated in the launch of the second edition of the “Empowering women in politics” brochure – a collection of interviews with successful women politicians in Albania published by the Presence. Head of the OSCE Presence in Albania, Florian Raunig, said: "In the OSCE we believe passionately in the importance of women's participation in political and public life, and we will continue to work at all levels - from national legislation to grass root activism - to promote it. I would encourage women politicians to co-operate and compromise across party lines." This is the second time the OSCE field operations in Tajikistan and Albania co-operate on supporting women’s advancement in the political life in Tajikistan. In December 2015, the Office in co-ordination with the Presence organized a roundtable in Dushanbe aimed at empowering Tajik women politicians. Related StoriesStudents launch exhibition against domestic violence as part of OSCE Presence in Albania campaignYoung people in Albania say NO to corruptionOSCE Chairperson-in-Office Steinmeier visits Albania, reiterates support for Albanian institutions and its citizens Full Article OSCE Presence in Albania OSCE Office in Tajikistan Gender equality South-Eastern Europe Central Asia News
el OSCE Presence in Albania launches sports-based youth development programme By feeds.osce.org Published On :: Mon, 09 May 2016 12:24:43 +0000 TIRANA, 9 May 2016 - The OSCE Presence in Albania today launched a sports-based youth development programme in co-operation with Tirana Rugby Club, with the aim of promoting teamwork, sport ethics, camaraderie, and a sense of belonging among youth, helping them understand that there are always positive alternatives to anti-social behaviour and criminality. The Presence’s youth development programme will build on the Tirana Rugby Club’s success, helping to increase participation of youth in rugby and promoting both the cross-community and cross-border aspects of sport, bringing together young people from across Albania and the region for training events and tournaments. Currently there are very few opportunities for youth to take part in interactive activities such as sports outside schools. Tirana Rugby Club, on the other hand, has engaged with youth, including the most vulnerable such as unemployed and/or school dropouts in its activities. Despite funding challenges, the Club has supported events where teams from Albania and the region compete regularly. “While the development of rugby as a sport in Albania is relatively new, the interest and commitment of so many in such a short period of time, is not,” said Head of the OSCE Presence Florian Raunig. “As a result, building one team has led to creating a second one. Therefore today we present both Tirana Rugby Club and the Ilirians Rugby Club, wearing their new club colours.” The sports kits were provided by the OSCE Presence and will be on show over the next few months, as these two teams meet in Korça, Elbasan and Durrës to play a series of exhibition games, which will increase the visibility of and interest in the sport. The Presence will support local authorities, including police, social services and the regional education directorate, to directly involve youth in the activities. The activities will be planned and co-ordinated to allow young women and girls to be equally involved. Albanian Rugby Development Officer Adam Vernon said: “We thank the OSCE Presence for its support and are excited about the opportunity this initiative has afforded us. We have many positive examples of youth engagement outcomes in Albania and hope that we can further encourage the development of the sport in many local communities over the next few months. The future of the sport in Albania is bright. We will wear our new kit with pride, in support of the game we all love.”Related StoriesAlbania justice reform adoption welcome, says OSCE Presence in AlbaniaOSCE Presence launches nationwide ‘Justice without delays’ initiative in AlbaniaOSCE Presence supports dialogue on Albania’s totalitarian past Full Article OSCE Presence in Albania Education South-Eastern Europe Press release
el OSCE Presence launches nationwide ‘Justice without delays’ initiative in Albania By feeds.osce.org Published On :: Wed, 25 May 2016 09:18:08 +0000 SHKODRA, Albania, 25 May 2016 – The OSCE Presence in Albania, USAID and the Austrian Development Co-operation launched a new phase of the ‘Justice without delays’ initiative today in Shkodra, Albania, with the aim of increasing the efficiency of court proceedings by reducing unnecessary hold ups. Judges and support staff, with guidance from the Presence, USAID and local partners, will analyse the root causes for delays in their court and commit to improved planning and administration of cases by strengthening co-operation with trial participants, including state institutions. This will give the courts the benefit of active case management techniques and provide citizens with better access to justice. “The courts have made remarkable progress in reducing the number of hearings and the overall length of trial proceedings, with no changes to legislation and no additional budgetary resources,” emphasized Florian Raunig, Head of the OSCE Presence in Albania. “This achievement not only benefited court users in those districts, but has become an important step toward improving the quality of justice throughout Albania. It shows the clear potential for all Albanians to have efficient justice in all first instance courts throughout the country.” Ambassador Johann Sattler of Austria stated that, “the nationwide roll-out of the ‘Justice without delays’ project ultimately aims to increase citizen’s trust in the judiciary.” The initiative is implemented by the OSCE Presence and USAID’s Project Justice for All, with funding from the Austrian Development Co-operation. It was developed by the Presence and USAID after a study conducted by the Presence showed that almost half of the sessions in Albanian courts were non-productive – no argument was put forward, no documents circulated, no evidence taken and no requests made. ‘Justice without delays’ first started as a pilot project in Kruja court in February 2014, and was quickly embraced by courts in Korça, Puka and Tropoja. Building on the programme’s success in these four initial courts, and with the strong support of the High Council of Justice and the Ministry of Justice, over the next three years the ‘Justice without delays’ initiative will be extended successively to all 18 district courts in Albania. Related StoriesAlbania justice reform adoption welcome, says OSCE Presence in AlbaniaOSCE Presence supports dialogue on Albania’s totalitarian pastOSCE Presence and Albanian National Anti-Trafficking Co-ordinator organize regional meeting Full Article OSCE Presence in Albania Rule of law South-Eastern Europe Press release
el Albania justice reform adoption welcome, says OSCE Presence in Albania By feeds.osce.org Published On :: Fri, 22 Jul 2016 12:22:34 +0000 TIRANA, 22 July 2016 – The OSCE Presence in Albania welcomes the Assembly’s adoption today of the set of constitutional amendments aimed at reforming the justice sector. We commend the Assembly for this fundamental achievement, which was supported tangibly by many international experts and diplomats. It is an important milestone, paving the way for the implementation of a meaningful justice reform. The amendments adopted today must now be cascaded down through the primary and secondary legislation, the procedures and policies of the entire judicial system. Reform is not genuine until it is felt by Albanian citizens in their daily lives, across the country. The manner in which the reform package is implemented is essential for the sustainability and the success of the reform process. Sustainability and success also depend on a change in attitudes: establishing a culture of responsibility and accountability, countering impunity and consolidating respect for the rule of law at all levels of society. The OSCE Presence has been a committed contributor and partner of the reform process so far and stands ready to continue its active support at all levels.Related StoriesOSCE Presence launches nationwide ‘Justice without delays’ initiative in AlbaniaOSCE Presence supports dialogue on Albania’s totalitarian pastOSCE Presence and Albanian National Anti-Trafficking Co-ordinator organize regional meeting Full Article OSCE Presence in Albania Rule of law South-Eastern Europe Press release
el High-level conference marks 20 years of OSCE High Commissioner’s Hague Recommendations on education rights By feeds.osce.org Published On :: Wed, 20 Apr 2016 13:41:16 +0000 THE HAGUE, 20 April 2016 - Education is in many ways the space where issues of equality, national identity and the concept of nationhood are being negotiated, said OSCE High Commissioner on National Minorities Astrid Thors today as she opened a high-level conference to mark 20 years of The Hague Recommendations Regarding the Education Rights of National Minorities. Underlining how education can contribute to preventing conflicts and to peace-building efforts, Thors said it is crucial that governments and education ministries analyse and anticipate tensions that may arise from competing demands placed on the education system such as questions on the language of instruction. These tensions often reflect the widespread societal debates about the place of national minorities as a whole, she added. Thors was addressing the start of a two-day conference, which brings together 180 government representatives, experts, teachers, education professionals, non-governmental actors and other local and international stakeholders active in the field of education, conflict prevention and peace-making to discuss the challenges in adapting education systems to ethnically diverse societies. Gernot Erler, Special Representative of the Federal Government of Germany for the 2016 OSCE Chairmanship, highlighted how challenges in this area have evolved in the two decades since The Hague Recommendations were launched. “Today, we should realize more and more how crucial the right treatment of minorities by ensuring equal rights, tolerance and cross-border dialogue, is for preventing conflicts,” he said. In his keynote speech, Fernand de Varennes, Dean of the Law Faculty of the University of Moncton in Canada underlined that the first HCNM recommendations - The Hague Recommendations - are the building block, the foundation upon which latest, The Ljubljana Guidelines on integration, must be understood. When it comes to education in minority language, he pointed out that to an increasing degree it is already perceived as an internationally recognised human right. During a panel discussion, Srđan Verbić, Minister of Education, of Serbia, Ketevan Tsikhelashvili, First Deputy State Minister for Reconciliation and Civic Equality of Georgia as well as leading human rights academics, Sia Spiliopoulou Åkermark and Jan de Groof discussed what role education should have when building stable multi-ethnic societies. . At the margins of the conference, HCNM premiered its film charting the story of the founding of the Bujanovac Department of Economics as the first multilingual and multi-ethnic higher education institution in southern Serbia. The Department has been supported by the HCNM since its inception. To learn more about the project, watch the film here: www.youtube.com/watch?v=RsiKoZKtZhU HCNM also screened the winning entries from its first-ever video contest, “Our school, our diversity” during the conference. School pupils across the OSCE region were invited to shoot and script a video of no longer than 60 seconds illustrating why diversity matters in the classroom. Having received 101 submissions from 15 OSCE participating States, HCNM carefully reviewed each entry to select the winning films. Watch the movies at: www.osce.org/hcnm/234801Related StoriesOSCE High Commissioner on National Minorities holds fifth regional summer school on multilingual and multicultural education in Central AsiaLanguage rights, participation, security and access to justice fundamental to welfare of communities in Kosovo, says High Commissioner ThorsHigh Commissioner Thors, in her OSCE Permanent Council address, discusses country engagement and highlights the increase in hate speech targeting national minorities Full Article High Commissioner on National Minorities Conflict prevention and resolution Education Minority rights Press release
el OSCE High Commissioner encourages inclusive approach to integration and education issues in Moldova and welcomes joint working group on Gagauzia By feeds.osce.org Published On :: Mon, 30 May 2016 12:08:24 +0000 243541 While in Chisinau, High Commissioner Thors handed the second price in the video contest Our school, our diversity to Alisa Feghiu and Liviu Rotaru from Elena Alistar Theatrical Lyceum in Chisinau, Moldova. OSCE High Commissioner on National Minorities (HCNM) Astrid Thors visited Moldova from 23 to 25 May 2016 to discuss issues including the draft integration strategy developed with HCNM’s assistance to the Bureau for Interethnic Relations, relations between Chisinau and the autonomous territorial unit of Gagauzia, and the education of national minorities. The High Commissioner also visited Tiraspol. In Chisinau, the High Commissioner discussed the draft integration strategy with Prime Minister Pavel Filip and other interlocutors and encouraged the Government to fulfil without delay its commitment to adopt the strategy. “Adoption of the integration strategy will underscore the Government’s commitment to promoting an inclusive, diverse society,” said Thors. “Even more important will be the strategy’s implementation. I am ready to assist the Bureau for Interethnic Relations in this process.” The High Commissioner praised the parliamentary decision in November 2015 to establish a permanent joint working group between the Moldovan Parliament and the People’s Assembly of Gagauzia. She discussed the functioning of the working group with its co-chairs, Member of Parliament Elena Bacalu and People’s Assembly Member Gheorghii Leichu, Speaker of Parliament Adrian Candu, and the Bashkan of Gagauzia Irina Vlah. Thors encouraged the working group to be fully utilized as the primary platform for discussing issues related to the functioning of the autonomy so that questions that may contribute to tensions can be successfully addressed. With Minister of Education Corina Fusu, the High Commissioner discussed implementation of the Education Code and the effect of education reforms on schools teaching in minority languages, including optimization of the school network and new procedures for the selection of school directors. “Having heard from national minority representatives that education is a primary concern, I encouraged the Minister to ensure that national minorities are consulted when implementing reforms,” she said. The High Commissioner noted with interest the adoption of a new programme to improve teaching of the State language in minority-language schools, remarking that it provides an opportunity to expand multilingual education as a tool for integration. The High Commissioner met members of the Council of Ethno-Cultural Organizations in Chisinau and with the Transdniestrian de-facto authorities and civil society representatives in Tiraspol. She visited the Theoretical Lyceum Alexandru cel Bun in Bender and learned about the practical difficulties the school faces in maintaining its operations as a Moldovan-administered school teaching in the Latin script. Thors welcomed the active efforts of the OSCE Mission to Moldova and the German Chairmanship of the OSCE to find sustainable solutions for the Latin-script schools among other issues as part of the Transdniestrian Settlement Process, and noted the anticipated resumption of talks in the 5+2 format, which she discussed with Deputy Prime Minister on Reintegration Gheorghe Balan and Transdniestrian Chief Negotiator Vitaly Ignatiev. The High Commissioner also met with Deputy Prime Minister on Social Issues Gheorghe Brega, Director General of the Bureau for Interethnic Relations Oleg Babenco, Deputy Minister of Foreign Affairs Lilian Darii, and representatives of civil society and the international community.Related StoriesOSCE High Commissioner on National Minorities holds fifth regional summer school on multilingual and multicultural education in Central AsiaLanguage rights, participation, security and access to justice fundamental to welfare of communities in Kosovo, says High Commissioner ThorsHigh Commissioner Thors, in her OSCE Permanent Council address, discusses country engagement and highlights the increase in hate speech targeting national minorities Full Article High Commissioner on National Minorities Conflict prevention and resolution Minority rights News
el Language rights, participation, security and access to justice fundamental to welfare of communities in Kosovo, says High Commissioner Thors By feeds.osce.org Published On :: Tue, 14 Jun 2016 12:47:19 +0000 246546 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.”Related StoriesOSCE High Commissioner on National Minorities calls for renewed dialogue between all political and social actors in CroatiaOSCE High Commissioner on National Minorities holds fifth regional summer school on multilingual and multicultural education in Central AsiaHigh Commissioner Thors, in her OSCE Permanent Council address, discusses country engagement and highlights the increase in hate speech targeting national minorities Full Article High Commissioner on National Minorities Conflict prevention and resolution Minority rights South-Eastern Europe News
el Cyprus-based NGO Association for Historical Dialogue and Research (AHDR) named winner of 2016 Max van der Stoel Award By feeds.osce.org Published On :: Fri, 22 Jul 2016 13:10:30 +0000 THE HAGUE, 22 July 2016 – The Association for Historical Dialogue and Research (AHDR), a Cyprus-based non-governmental organization, has been named the winner of the 2016 Max van der Stoel Award. The international jury, led by OSCE High Commissioner on National Minorities Astrid Thors, said: “There are many instances in the experience of HCNM where educational systems are divided according to the way in which different groups in society view history and decisive, historical events within their own country. This can often lead to a self-perpetuating separation of majority and minority communities as well as different ethnicities. We also see how historical narratives continue to be used to divide societies and occasionally to pit one group against another.” “The Association for Historical Dialogue and Research (AHDR) from Cyprus is a non-governmental organization that is bi-communal both in terms of its focus area and its staff. Throughout the last 13 years, AHDR demonstrated sustained commitment to building a multilingual and multi-faith society which celebrates diversity and promotes mutual respect and understanding.” “AHDR was established in 2003 by a group of history educators and researchers dedicated to the advancement of historical understanding and critical thinking amongst the public and, more specifically, amongst pupils, educators and civil society.” “This initiative took place at a time of historic change: on 23 April 2003, travel restrictions between the two sides of the Green Line in Cyprus were relaxed and several thousand Greek Cypriots and Turkish Cypriots had their first chance since 1974 to cross the divide. Such a context provided а renewed impetus for AHDR to further develop new ways to understand the past with an emphasis on multi-perspectivity.” “For AHDR, controversial issues should not be avoided but rather approached in a critical and empathetic way. In order to do so, AHDR provides access to learning opportunities for individuals from different ethnic, religious, cultural and social backgrounds including teacher training sessions, cultural excursions, seminars and conferences. It developed a range of supplementary teaching materials in order to help, among other things, to address the legacies of a violent past.” Since its foundation in 2003, the aim of AHDR is to contribute to the advancement of historical understanding in Cyprus amongst the public and educators, regardless of ethnic, religious, cultural or social background, by providing access to learning opportunities based on respect for diversity and the dialogue of ideas. The Max van der Stoel Award will be presented to the winner on 24 October 2016 during a ceremony in The Hague. Related StoriesOSCE High Commissioner on National Minorities holds fifth regional summer school on multilingual and multicultural education in Central AsiaLanguage rights, participation, security and access to justice fundamental to welfare of communities in Kosovo, says High Commissioner ThorsHigh Commissioner Thors, in her OSCE Permanent Council address, discusses country engagement and highlights the increase in hate speech targeting national minorities Full Article High Commissioner on National Minorities Press release
el OSCE trains Tajikistan’s relevant agencies on combating the illicit cultural property trade and smuggling of historical artefacts By feeds.osce.org Published On :: Fri, 15 Jul 2016 12:58:11 +0000 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.Related StoriesOSCE Office in Tajikistan organizes workshop on verifying the authenticity of security documentsOSCE Office in Tajikistan donates audio-visual material to enhance interactive teaching at Police AcademyOSCE Office in Tajikistan support Garm’s local authorities in strengthening referral mechanisms for protecting domestic violence victims Full Article OSCE Office in Tajikistan Border management Central Asia Press release
el OSCE Chairperson-in-Office Steinmeier and Secretary General Zannier offer condolences on passing of Nobel Peace Prize laureate Elie Wiesel By feeds.osce.org Published On :: Sun, 03 Jul 2016 13:22:51 +0000 Berlin/Vienna, 3 July 2016 – OSCE Chairperson-in-Office Frank-Walter Steinmeier and Secretary General Lamberto Zannier today expressed deep sadness upon the passing of Holocaust survivor, peace activist and Nobel Laureate Elie Wiesel. “We have lost one of the strongest advocates of peace, who raised his voice tirelessly against all forms of hatred. He fought intolerance and in all its manifestations and denounced oppression wherever it occurred”, said Steinmeier. Zannier stressed: “In a time when racism, xenophobia and intolerance threaten increasingly divided societies across the OSCE region, Elie Wiesel’s legacy will remain an inspiration and forever remind us of our commitment never to relent in our fight against all forms of discrimination, racism and violent extremism.” Steinmeier and Zannier extended their condolences to Mr. Wiesel's family and to the governments and people of the United States and Israel.Related StoriesOSCE Secretary General promotes inter-faith dialogue to prevent radicalization at Congress of Leaders of World and Traditional Religions in KazakhstanOSCE Secretary General visits Vienna’s West Station to meet refugees and representatives of Austria’s Interior Ministry, Police and humanitarian organizationsPartnership and co-operation takes Bosnia and Herzegovina forward on its reform path, says OSCE Secretary General Zannier Full Article Chairmanship Secretary General Tolerance and non-discrimination Western Europe and North America Austria Press release
el OSCE seminar in Turkmenistan promotes freedom of religion and belief By feeds.osce.org Published On :: Fri, 17 Jun 2016 07:39:37 +0000 ASHGABAT, 17 June 2016 – Religious literacy, society and security were discussed at an OSCE-organized seminar for some 20 legislators, law-enforcement officials and researchers that concluded today in Ashgabat. The OSCE Centre in Ashgabat organized the three-day event to facilitate the exchange of best practices in implementing international standards on freedom of religion and belief, and raising public awareness in the area of religious freedom. International experts presented experiences of other OSCE participating States in promoting religious freedom and discussed with participants the social and political benefits of religious literacy in relation to the freedom of religion and belief. “In the age of globalization, which enhances interaction between different cultures and faiths, it is essential to educate the public about other religions and promote understanding of the important role of religious freedom,” said Adam Walendzik, Project Co-ordinator at the OSCE Centre in Ashgabat. The seminar also featured an overview of the Centre’s previous activities addressing religious freedom and highlighted links between international standards, education, religious literacy, society, and security. “Today’s seminar was organized to summarize the results of the Centre’s activities in this area, and it is our belief that it will contribute to the strengthened co-operation between the OSCE Centre and the Government of Turkmenistan in enhancing implementation of international standards on the freedom of religion and belief,” added Walendzik.Related StoriesRepresentatives from Turkmenistan discuss media reforms during OSCE-organized study visit to LatviaOSCE seminar promotes traffic safety awareness campaigns in TurkmenistanOSCE trains Turkmenistan journalists on reporting skills Full Article OSCE Centre in Ashgabat Tolerance and non-discrimination Central Asia Press release
el OSCE Mission, police to discuss how to help prevent violent extremism and radicalization in Kosovo By feeds.osce.org Published On :: Mon, 27 Jun 2016 12:34:40 +0000 PRISHTINË/PRIŠTINA, 27 June 2016 – The OSCE Mission together with the Kosovo Police will hold a two-day conference on preventing violent extremism and radicalization, starting tomorrow in Prishtinë/Priština. The conference will gather representatives of law enforcement agencies, religious communities, civil society, academia and media, and will explore a multi-disciplinary approach to addressing the threats of violent extremism and radicalization in Kosovo. Participants will also elaborate on measures taken so far to prevent violent extremism and radicalization, as well as the challenges they face. Major Fatos Makolli, Director of the Directorate against Terrorism of the Kosovo Police, and Naim Hoxha, Organized Crime Advisor at the OSCE Mission, will deliver opening remarks. Media representatives are invited to attend the opening of the conference on Tuesday, 28 June 2016, at the Hotel Sirius in Prishtinë/Priština, starting at 09:30 hrs. Related StoriesOSCE Mission assesses implementation of new Criminal Procedure Code of KosovoMini-Olympic Games 2016OSCE Mission-organized Junior Basketball Tournament Full Article OSCE Mission in Kosovo Policing South-Eastern Europe Media advisory
el OSCE Mission to Serbia and ODIHR launch joint Report on peer elections for High Judicial Council and State Prosecutors’ Council By feeds.osce.org Published On :: Wed, 25 May 2016 11:01:43 +0000 Ivana Milatovic, OSCE Mission to Serbia Report on Monitoring of Peer Elections for the High Judicial Council and State Prosecutors’ Council of the Republic of Serbia 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.Related StoriesMore than 1,000 local inspectors in Serbia successfully complete OSCE-supported online training courseOSCE Mission to Serbia supports public consultations on implementation of UN SCR 1325 – Women, Peace and Security (2016-2020) National Action PlanRegional Conference on Legal Remedies in Criminal Proceedings: Laws in the Region and Their Application Full Article Office for Democratic Institutions and Human Rights OSCE Mission to Serbia Elections South-Eastern Europe News
el In Georgia, OSCE PA Special Representative calls for calm in advance of elections, deplores shooting at administrative boundary line By feeds.osce.org Published On :: Fri, 27 May 2016 08:05:49 +0000 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.Related StoriesOSCE PA human rights committee Chair Ignacio Sanchez Amor follows up on developments in TurkeyAssembly’s work on migration presented to OSCE ambassadors by Ad Hoc Committee Chair Lombardi at special Permanent CouncilOSCE PA human rights committee Chair Ignacio Sanchez Amor deplores the killing of journalist Pavel Sheremet, calls for exhaustive investigation Full Article Parliamentary Assembly Elections Central Asia Press release
el OSCE Parliamentary Assembly Special Representative holds high-level meetings in Kyrgyzstan, delivers speech at OSCE Academy on conflict prevention By feeds.osce.org Published On :: Fri, 03 Jun 2016 15:23:42 +0000 BISHKEK, 3 June 2016 – Wrapping up a two-day visit to Kyrgyzstan, which has included meetings with the Speaker of the Parliament, the Minister of Foreign Affairs, and officials at the OSCE Centre in Bishkek, Special Representative for Central and Eastern Asia and Vice-President of the OSCE Parliamentary Assembly Christine Muttonen spoke to students today at the OSCE Academy in Bishkek on conflict prevention and peace-building, noting the strengths of the OSCE’s approach, as well as areas for improvement. Muttonen’s visit this week – her first to Kyrgyzstan since her appointment as Special Representative in January – has served as an opportunity to discuss confidence-building in the region and developing co-operative approaches to common challenges such as energy security, water management and border co-operation. In her meetings with Speaker of Parliament Chynybay Tursunbekov and Minister of Foreign Affairs Erlan Abdyldaev, Muttonen noted the importance of continuing to build trust and dialogue through the OSCE. “There is a need to develop ways of countering the lack of trust and promoting co-operation between countries in the region,” she said. “The OSCE is our common organization, an inclusive organization in which all of its members have an equal voice, and we need to work effectively together within this forum.” Discussions in Bishkek also focused on promoting follow-up on OSCE/ODIHR election-related recommendations and on the importance that Kyrgyzstan attaches to the OSCE and its Parliamentary Assembly. Muttonen expressed appreciation for the fact that Kyrgyzstan intends to send a full delegation to the OSCE PA’s 25th Annual Session in Tbilisi, Georgia, next month. In meetings with staff of the OSCE Centre in Bishkek, Muttonen was briefed on the situation in the country and heard about the Centre’s ongoing projects, notably in the spheres of early warning and conflict prevention, as well as youth-oriented and parliamentary development projects. There was also discussion on the possibility of holding future OSCE PA events in the country. In her lecture at the OSCE Academy, she highlighted the early warning capabilities of the OSCE – including through its field operations such as the Centre in Bishkek – but regretted that sometimes political considerations hamper effective implementation of early warning mechanisms. Discussing the OSCE’s consensus-based decision-making procedure and the non-binding character of its decisions, Muttonen pointed out the OSCE is only as strong as its participating States allow it to be. Nevertheless, she said, the OSCE’s response to the crisis in and around Ukraine has served as an example of its ability to engage in conflict prevention and peace-building. “The Ukraine conflict has shown that the OSCE is well-placed and equipped to engage in conflict prevention and support mediation and peace-building,” said the PA Vice-President. “Through its unanimous vote principle, the OSCE and its participating States can formulate strong political agreements, even if the process may be slow.” She noted that OSCE parliamentarians have been active in supporting the Central Asian countries’ peace-building efforts, notably through fact-finding missions. Muttonen’s speech at the OSCE Academy concluded a week-long visit to Central Asia, which included meetings with government officials, parliamentary leaders and representatives of civil society in Astana, Almaty, and Bishkek. In her mandate as Special Representative, she is tasked, inter alia, with encouraging active participation in the PA by parliamentarians from Central Asia, as well as liaising with and supporting the work of the OSCE field operations in the region. To watch a recent interview with the Special Representative, in which she discusses her priorities, please click here. Photos of her visit this week to Central Asia are on Flickr. Her full remarks to the OSCE Academy are available here.Related StoriesChristine Muttonen of Austria elected OSCE PA President, Vice-Presidents and Committee Officers also electedOSCE parliamentarians in Tbilisi adopt wide-ranging Declaration on human rights, security and the environmentOSCE parliamentarians consider resolutions on security, economic and environmental concerns and human rights Full Article OSCE Centre in Bishkek Parliamentary Assembly Conflict prevention and resolution Elections Central Asia Press release
el OSCE/ODIHR publishes handbook on follow-up to election observation recommendations By feeds.osce.org Published On :: Mon, 06 Jun 2016 09:46:27 +0000 244966 Handbook on the Follow-up of Electoral Recommendations The OSCE Office for Democratic Institutions and Human Rights (ODIHR) on 6 June 2016 released a publication to assist OSCE participating States in better following up on recommendations from final reports by election observation missions. The Handbook on the Follow-up of Electoral Recommendations – the first tool of its kind for the OSCE region – outlines the key issues when developing and implementing electoral legislation and practice, based on ODIHR’s election observation missions, in line with OSCE commitments and international standards. "With this handbook, we hope to establish a more systematic approach to follow-up to election observation activities, that is clearer and more consistent and, at the same time, puts emphasis on the implementation of recommendations," said Michael Georg Link, Director of ODIHR. "This handbook can serve as a practical guide for ODIHR in supporting interested participating States in their efforts to follow up on electoral recommendations." The handbook combines explanations of technical aspects related to follow-up activities with examples of ways ODIHR can help participating States in improving their electoral legislation and processes. ODIHR developed the handbook as part of its continued efforts to improve its methodology and to increase professionalism in its election observation activities. All OSCE participating States have committed themselves to promptly follow up on ODIHR election assessments and recommendations.Related StoriesOSCE/ODIHR final report on early parliamentary elections in Serbia recommends comprehensive review of legislation and ensuring the level playing field for contestantsOSCE/ODIHR final report on the former Yugoslav Republic of Macedonia’s postponed early parliamentary elections recommends continuing electoral reform processOSCE/ODIHR and Venice Commission meet on electoral reform in Armenia Full Article Office for Democratic Institutions and Human Rights Elections News
el OSCE/ODIHR and Venice Commission meet on electoral reform in Armenia By feeds.osce.org Published On :: Mon, 27 Jun 2016 07:51:34 +0000 On 24 June 2016, the working group of the Venice Commission and the OSCE/ODIHR held discussions with some representatives of the opposition on the on-going electoral reform in Armenia. It subsequently held a working meeting with Arpine Hohvanissyan, Minister of Justice and Davit Harutyunyan, Chief of Staff of the Government. Both meetings included discussions on the recent mutual agreement reached in Yerevan between the government and the opposition on the "organisational and technical mechanisms for oversight over the lawfulness of the electoral process." The Venice Commission and the OSCE/ODIHR welcomed the meaningful engagement of all stakeholders which led to this agreement. The meeting acknowledged that voter registration and identification issues are being addressed, while the proper implementation of new technologies has to be ensured, including through careful timing and the use of pilots. In the course of the working meeting, some additional areas for further improvement were identified, including access to the list of voters who voted, the timing of measures to increase gender equality, accreditation of citizens observers and extension of complaint periods. These reforms could increase trust in the electoral process in Armenia.Related StoriesOSCE/ODIHR presents recommendations from final report on 2015 constitutional referendum in ArmeniaConstitutional referendum Full Article Office for Democratic Institutions and Human Rights Elections Armenia News
el Orderly election day, competitive campaign did not offset impact of late election law changes on Mongolia’s democratic development, international observers say By feeds.osce.org Published On :: Thu, 30 Jun 2016 06:02:50 +0000 ULAANBAATAR, 30 June 2016 – Election day was orderly and followed a competitive campaign. This, however, did not offset the impact of late fundamental changes to election laws on Mongolia’s democratic development, the international observers concluded in a preliminary statement released today. While the June 29 parliamentary elections were highly contested and freedoms of assembly and association were respected, restrictive campaign provisions, coupled with the media’s subservience to political interests, limited impartial and comprehensive information available to voters, the statement says. “We were pleased to see that voting took place in a calm and peaceful manner. This was a genuinely competitive contest, with high turnout and no certainty as to which party would win. We applaud the fact Mongolia is a functioning democracy,” said Laima Liucija Andrikienė, Head of the European Parliament delegation. “There were, however, some elements which cause concern, including significant last-minute changes to the election laws, which, among other things, prevented 150,000 Mongolian citizens living outside the country, including diplomats, from voting.” The observers said the consolidation of election legislation into a new law adopted on 25 December 2015, following an inclusive process, was a positive development toward establishing a cohesive electoral framework. However, changes in May 2016 – from a mixed electoral system to a solely majoritarian one, establishing 76 single-mandate constituencies and approving their boundaries – were introduced by parliament in a process that lacked transparency, public consultation and adherence to established criteria, the observers said. This resulted in profound population discrepancies among constituencies. A total of 498 candidates, including 69 independents, was registered in a process that was largely inclusive and provided voters with a range of political choices. Contrary to OSCE commitments and other international obligations, however, there are disproportionate restrictions on candidacy rights the statement says. While there was general confidence in the accuracy and inclusiveness of the voting register, the May changes to the election laws also effectively disenfranchised 150,000 citizens living abroad for the parliamentary elections. “For an election to be meaningful, voters first have to be offered a genuine choice, and voters were given that choice here. That choice also has to be between candidates competing on a level playing field and who have equal access to independent media to explain their platforms. In this, there is still work to do,” said Ambassador Audrey Glover, Head of the OSCE/ODIHR long-term election observation mission. “Elections are about voters, and the main problem for voters was understanding the significant last-minute changes to election laws, which affected the rules of the game profoundly and raised questions about political motivation.” Despite undue campaign restrictions, the freedoms of assembly and association were respected and candidates were generally able to convey their messages to the electorate. At times the lines were blurred between parties and the administration at both the national and local levels, the observers said. There were multiple instances of alleged vote-buying, which resulted in a number of formal complaints and the deregistration of two candidates. The GEC received some 50 pre-election complaints. Courts reviewed 21 cases regarding candidate registration, and the police handled more than 1,000 campaign-related complaints. Although legislation clarifies the complaints and appeals process to some extent, a general lack of formalization and transparency in the process within the election administration and the protracted handling of disputes in courts undermined the right to effective remedy. The media offered extensive election coverage, but abandoned their journalistic role, for the most part simply granting direct access to the politicians. Paid political advertisements and free airtime overshadowed editorial content, and campaign material prepared by political parties was also included in news programming, undercutting the credibility of the media. Consequently, voters were deprived of independent and analytical reporting, the observers said. In preparation for election day, the General Election Commission met key operational deadlines and fulfilled its mandate. At the same time, the observers said, it lacked transparency and accountability to stakeholders, diminishing trust in the credibility of the process. The testing of vote-counting machines was conducted professionally by the Commission in the presence of stakeholders and, to address concerns over the machines’ accuracy and integrity, the law was amended stipulate that up to 50 per cent of polling stations would be subject to manual recounts. The procedures stipulating the manual re-count, however, were only finalized two days prior to the elections. All parties and coalitions complied with the 20 per cent gender quota provided for by law, and 26 per cent of contestants were women. There were, however, no women candidates in more than one-third of the constituencies. While there is only one woman member of the General Election Commission, women were better represented in lower-level election commissions. Overall, women remain underrepresented in political life. Election day proceeded in an orderly manner in most of the country and, while the right to vote was respected, the secrecy of the vote was not consistently ensured. The observers’ assessment of the counting and tabulation of votes was a notable exception to the overall positive assessment of voting, mostly as a result of significant procedural errors or omissions. A number of civil society organizations monitored the pre-election environment, including campaign finance and the media, and issued timely statements highlighting key shortcomings. For further information, contact: Thomas Rymer, OSCE/ODIHR, +976 95 14 1635 or +48 609 522 266, thomas.rymer@odihr.pl Tim Boden, European Parliament, +976 99 976294 or +32 473 844431, timothy.boden@europarl.europa.euRelated StoriesOSCE/ODIHR opens election observation mission for parliamentary elections in MongoliaInternational election observers in Mongolia to hold press conference on ThursdayOSCE/ODIHR observers to hold press conference in Ulaanbaatar on Friday Full Article Office for Democratic Institutions and Human Rights Elections Mongolia Press release
el OSCE/ODIHR final report on the former Yugoslav Republic of Macedonia’s postponed early parliamentary elections recommends continuing electoral reform process By feeds.osce.org Published On :: Thu, 07 Jul 2016 12:29:42 +0000 The former Yugoslav Republic of Macedonia, Early Parliamentary Elections, 5 June 2016: Final Report The OSCE Office for Democratic Institutions and Human Rights (ODIHR) issued a final report on 8 July 2016 on the postponed early parliamentary elections in the former Yugoslav Republic of Macedonia, which were scheduled for 5 June 2016. The final report assesses whether the electoral process and activities conducted before the postponement of elections were in line with OSCE commitments, other international obligations and standards for democratic elections, and with national legislation. While recognizing that 2015 amendments to the Electoral Code attempted to address most of the prior OSCE/ODIHR recommendations, the report notes that late changes negatively affected electoral stakeholders’ understanding of new provisions and impacted their ability to fulfil their functions. In addition, a number of previous recommendations remain to be addressed and legal inconsistencies eliminated. The report recommends conducting a complete review of the Code after consultations between all political stakeholders and relevant civil society organizations. As one of the priority recommendations, the report recommends the State Election Commission and the Ministry of Internal Affairs continue the process of updating the voter register through a co-ordinated effort ahead of the next elections. In order to increase the citizens’ confidence in the accuracy of voter registration, it also recommends that the process is transparent and ensures political parties and civil society access for verification. Noting that some measures to prevent intimidation and pressure on citizens were taken by authorities, it however mentions that a climate of intimidation persisted, attributed to a fear of retribution existing in state companies and institutions. The report recommends that authorities actively encourage citizens to report any cases of pressure and intimidation and thoroughly investigate such instances. While a number of aspects for the media coverage of election campaigns have been detailed in the Electoral Code, a need for continued substantial reform was highlighted. The report suggests amending the legal framework to further clarify the requirements for balanced reporting during the pre-campaign period. Additional recommendations in the report include deciding on election-related cases within timely deadlines and harmonizing the Electoral Code with the Constitution, which provides for public hearings. It also recommends periodic review of district boundaries by an independent body to ensure the equality of the vote.Related StoriesOSCE/ODIHR opens observation mission for early parliamentary elections in the former Yugoslav Republic of MacedoniaOSCE/ODIHR observers to hold press conference in Skopje on ThursdayEarly Parliamentary Elections Full Article Office for Democratic Institutions and Human Rights Elections South-Eastern Europe the former Yugoslav Republic of Macedonia News
el OSCE/ODIHR final report on early parliamentary elections in Serbia recommends comprehensive review of legislation and ensuring the level playing field for contestants By feeds.osce.org Published On :: Fri, 29 Jul 2016 11:17:38 +0000 Serbia, Early Parliamentary Elections, 24 April 2016: Final Report The final report by the OSCE Office for Democratic Institutions and Human Rights (ODIHR) on Serbia’s 24 April 2016 early parliamentary elections recommends a comprehensive review of legislation to further improve election process. The report, while finding the elections were efficiently administered and held in a competitive environment, spells out key areas that would benefit from such a review, including unclear rules on candidate registration, inadequate regulation of campaign finance, deficiencies and loopholes in dispute resolution mechanisms, an absence of sanctions for some violations and the lack of provisions on election observation. The report, published on 29 July 2016, notes that, while fundamental freedoms were respected and candidates were able to campaign freely, biased media coverage, undue advantage of incumbency and a blurring of the distinction between state and party activities hindered a level playing field for contestants. To this end, the report recommends specific campaign regulations, including the introduction of ceilings on campaign expenditures and preventing the misuse of administrative resources and the abuse of office. In noting the absence of an effective mechanism for monitoring media conduct during the campaign, the report recommends clarifying the competences of the media regulatory body in investigating and sanctioning breaches of legislation in a timely manner. A review of the election appeals system to guarantee an effective and timely remedy for all complaints, and particularly in cases related to electionday irregularities and election results, is also among the report’s recommendations. Additional recommendations relate to providing unrestricted access of citizen and international observers to the entire electoral process, including voting, counting and tabulation, and enhancing the transparency of the tabulation of results. Related StoriesOSCE/ODIHR final report on Serbia’s parliamentary elections notes respect for fundamental freedoms, recommends steps to further improve election processParliamentary ElectionsInternational election observers in Serbia to hold press conference on Monday Full Article Office for Democratic Institutions and Human Rights Elections Serbia News
el OSCE/ODIHR opens observation mission for parliamentary elections in Belarus By feeds.osce.org Published On :: Tue, 02 Aug 2016 11:39:43 +0000 MINSK, 2 August 2016 – The OSCE Office for Democratic Institutions and Human Rights (ODIHR) today formally opened an election observation mission for the 11 September parliamentary elections in Belarus. The mission’s deployment follows an official invitation from the Belarus authorities. The mission is led by Tana de Zulueta and consists of a core team of 10 experts based in Minsk and 38 long-term observers to be deployed in teams of two across the country. In addition, ODIHR will request 400 short-term observers to monitor proceedings on election day. The experts and observers are drawn from 24 countries. The mission will assess the parliamentary elections for compliance with OSCE commitments and other international standards and obligations for democratic elections, as well as with domestic legislation. Observers will follow the candidate registration process, campaign activities, the work of the election administration and relevant state bodies, implementation of the legal framework and the resolution of election disputes. As part of the observation, the mission will also monitor the media coverage of the campaign. In the course of its observation, the mission will meet with representatives of relevant authorities and of political parties, as well as with representatives of civil society, the media and the international community. On election day, observers will monitor the opening of polling stations, voting, the counting of ballots and the tabulation of results. For election day, the mission plans to join efforts with delegations from the OSCE Parliamentary Assembly and the Parliamentary Assembly of the Council of Europe. A statement of preliminary findings and conclusions will be issued on the day after the election. A final report on the observation of the entire election process and including recommendations will be published approximately two months after the completion of the election process. For further information please visit http://www.osce.org/odihr/elections/belarus or contact Ulvi Akhundlu, OSCE/ODIHR Election Adviser, at +375 29 876 3772 (mobile) Related StoriesReforms needed to address substantial shortcomings in Belarus election, international observers say, after peaceful presidential campaignOSCE/ODIHR opens observation mission for presidential election in BelarusWhile noting welcoming attitude by the authorities, OSCE/ODIHR final report on Presidential election in Belarus recommends comprehensive and inclusive review of national legislation Full Article Office for Democratic Institutions and Human Rights Elections Eastern Europe Belarus Press release
el High-level conference marks 20 years of OSCE High Commissioner’s Hague Recommendations on education rights By feeds.osce.org Published On :: Wed, 20 Apr 2016 13:41:16 +0000 THE HAGUE, 20 April 2016 - Education is in many ways the space where issues of equality, national identity and the concept of nationhood are being negotiated, said OSCE High Commissioner on National Minorities Astrid Thors today as she opened a high-level conference to mark 20 years of The Hague Recommendations Regarding the Education Rights of National Minorities. Underlining how education can contribute to preventing conflicts and to peace-building efforts, Thors said it is crucial that governments and education ministries analyse and anticipate tensions that may arise from competing demands placed on the education system such as questions on the language of instruction. These tensions often reflect the widespread societal debates about the place of national minorities as a whole, she added. Thors was addressing the start of a two-day conference, which brings together 180 government representatives, experts, teachers, education professionals, non-governmental actors and other local and international stakeholders active in the field of education, conflict prevention and peace-making to discuss the challenges in adapting education systems to ethnically diverse societies. Gernot Erler, Special Representative of the Federal Government of Germany for the 2016 OSCE Chairmanship, highlighted how challenges in this area have evolved in the two decades since The Hague Recommendations were launched. “Today, we should realize more and more how crucial the right treatment of minorities by ensuring equal rights, tolerance and cross-border dialogue, is for preventing conflicts,” he said. In his keynote speech, Fernand de Varennes, Dean of the Law Faculty of the University of Moncton in Canada underlined that the first HCNM recommendations - The Hague Recommendations - are the building block, the foundation upon which latest, The Ljubljana Guidelines on integration, must be understood. When it comes to education in minority language, he pointed out that to an increasing degree it is already perceived as an internationally recognised human right. During a panel discussion, Srđan Verbić, Minister of Education, of Serbia, Ketevan Tsikhelashvili, First Deputy State Minister for Reconciliation and Civic Equality of Georgia as well as leading human rights academics, Sia Spiliopoulou Åkermark and Jan de Groof discussed what role education should have when building stable multi-ethnic societies. . At the margins of the conference, HCNM premiered its film charting the story of the founding of the Bujanovac Department of Economics as the first multilingual and multi-ethnic higher education institution in southern Serbia. The Department has been supported by the HCNM since its inception. To learn more about the project, watch the film here: www.youtube.com/watch?v=RsiKoZKtZhU HCNM also screened the winning entries from its first-ever video contest, “Our school, our diversity” during the conference. School pupils across the OSCE region were invited to shoot and script a video of no longer than 60 seconds illustrating why diversity matters in the classroom. Having received 101 submissions from 15 OSCE participating States, HCNM carefully reviewed each entry to select the winning films. Watch the movies at: www.osce.org/hcnm/234801Related StoriesOSCE High Commissioner on National Minorities holds fifth regional summer school on multilingual and multicultural education in Central AsiaPreservation, inspiration and dialogue: Twenty years of The Hague Recommendations Regarding the Education Rights of National MinoritiesOur school, our diversity Full Article High Commissioner on National Minorities Conflict prevention and resolution Education Minority rights Press release
el OSCE High Commissioner encourages inclusive approach to integration and education issues in Moldova and welcomes joint working group on Gagauzia By feeds.osce.org Published On :: Mon, 30 May 2016 12:08:24 +0000 243541 While in Chisinau, High Commissioner Thors handed the second price in the video contest Our school, our diversity to Alisa Feghiu and Liviu Rotaru from Elena Alistar Theatrical Lyceum in Chisinau, Moldova. OSCE High Commissioner on National Minorities (HCNM) Astrid Thors visited Moldova from 23 to 25 May 2016 to discuss issues including the draft integration strategy developed with HCNM’s assistance to the Bureau for Interethnic Relations, relations between Chisinau and the autonomous territorial unit of Gagauzia, and the education of national minorities. The High Commissioner also visited Tiraspol. In Chisinau, the High Commissioner discussed the draft integration strategy with Prime Minister Pavel Filip and other interlocutors and encouraged the Government to fulfil without delay its commitment to adopt the strategy. “Adoption of the integration strategy will underscore the Government’s commitment to promoting an inclusive, diverse society,” said Thors. “Even more important will be the strategy’s implementation. I am ready to assist the Bureau for Interethnic Relations in this process.” The High Commissioner praised the parliamentary decision in November 2015 to establish a permanent joint working group between the Moldovan Parliament and the People’s Assembly of Gagauzia. She discussed the functioning of the working group with its co-chairs, Member of Parliament Elena Bacalu and People’s Assembly Member Gheorghii Leichu, Speaker of Parliament Adrian Candu, and the Bashkan of Gagauzia Irina Vlah. Thors encouraged the working group to be fully utilized as the primary platform for discussing issues related to the functioning of the autonomy so that questions that may contribute to tensions can be successfully addressed. With Minister of Education Corina Fusu, the High Commissioner discussed implementation of the Education Code and the effect of education reforms on schools teaching in minority languages, including optimization of the school network and new procedures for the selection of school directors. “Having heard from national minority representatives that education is a primary concern, I encouraged the Minister to ensure that national minorities are consulted when implementing reforms,” she said. The High Commissioner noted with interest the adoption of a new programme to improve teaching of the State language in minority-language schools, remarking that it provides an opportunity to expand multilingual education as a tool for integration. The High Commissioner met members of the Council of Ethno-Cultural Organizations in Chisinau and with the Transdniestrian de-facto authorities and civil society representatives in Tiraspol. She visited the Theoretical Lyceum Alexandru cel Bun in Bender and learned about the practical difficulties the school faces in maintaining its operations as a Moldovan-administered school teaching in the Latin script. Thors welcomed the active efforts of the OSCE Mission to Moldova and the German Chairmanship of the OSCE to find sustainable solutions for the Latin-script schools among other issues as part of the Transdniestrian Settlement Process, and noted the anticipated resumption of talks in the 5+2 format, which she discussed with Deputy Prime Minister on Reintegration Gheorghe Balan and Transdniestrian Chief Negotiator Vitaly Ignatiev. The High Commissioner also met with Deputy Prime Minister on Social Issues Gheorghe Brega, Director General of the Bureau for Interethnic Relations Oleg Babenco, Deputy Minister of Foreign Affairs Lilian Darii, and representatives of civil society and the international community.Related StoriesOSCE High Commissioner on National Minorities holds fifth regional summer school on multilingual and multicultural education in Central AsiaLanguage rights, participation, security and access to justice fundamental to welfare of communities in Kosovo, says High Commissioner ThorsHigh Commissioner Thors, in her OSCE Permanent Council address, discusses country engagement and highlights the increase in hate speech targeting national minorities Full Article High Commissioner on National Minorities Conflict prevention and resolution Minority rights News
el Language rights, participation, security and access to justice fundamental to welfare of communities in Kosovo, says High Commissioner Thors By feeds.osce.org Published On :: Tue, 14 Jun 2016 12:47:19 +0000 246546 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.”Related StoriesOSCE High Commissioner on National Minorities calls for renewed dialogue between all political and social actors in CroatiaOSCE High Commissioner on National Minorities holds fifth regional summer school on multilingual and multicultural education in Central AsiaHigh Commissioner Thors, in her OSCE Permanent Council address, discusses country engagement and highlights the increase in hate speech targeting national minorities Full Article High Commissioner on National Minorities Conflict prevention and resolution Minority rights South-Eastern Europe News
el Christine Muttonen of Austria elected OSCE PA President, Vice-Presidents and Committee Officers also elected By feeds.osce.org Published On :: Tue, 05 Jul 2016 09:40:15 +0000 TBILISI, 5 July 2016 – At the close of the OSCE Parliamentary Assembly’s 25th Annual Session in Tbilisi today, members of the Assembly elected Austrian parliamentarian Christine Muttonen as President. Muttonen has previously served as OSCE PA Vice-President and Special Representative for Central and Eastern Asia, and is Deputy Head of the Austrian Delegation to the PA. Upon being elected, Muttonen said that she would pursue direct talks with governments and other OSCE institutions on advancing avenues for closer co-operation. “Parliamentarians can play a very important role in securing peace and stability,” she said. “It will be my duty to make sure they have the possibility to do so.” OSCE PA Vice-Presidents were also elected today: Vilija Aleknaite Abramikiene (Lithuania), Azay Guliyev (Azerbaijan), and Isabel Santos (Portugal) were elected to three-year terms, and Victor Dobre (Romania) was elected to a one-year term. On Monday, the OSCE PA’s General Committee on Political Affairs and Security elected its leadership. Members of the committee re-elected Roger Wicker (United States) and Margareta Cederfelt (Sweden) Chair and Rapporteur, respectively, and Guglielmo Picchi (Italy) was elected Vice-Chair. In the General Committee on Economic Affairs, Science, Technology and Environment on Sunday, members elected Nilza Sena (Portugal) Chair and Artur Gerasymov (Ukraine) Vice-Chair. Italian parliamentarian Marietta Tidei was re-elected Rapporteur. Members of the General Committee on Democracy, Human Rights and Humanitarian Questions on Monday elected Ignacio Sanchez Amor (Spain) Chair and Kyriakos Kyriakou-Hadjiyanni (Cyprus) Rapporteur. Vice-Chair Ivana Dobesova (Czech Republic) was re-elected by acclamation. In his final address as Assembly President, Finnish parliamentarian and former Chairperson-in-Office of the OSCE Ilkka Kanerva noted that he has led the PA during challenging times. “In these times, it is important to recall the validity of all ten Helsinki Final Act principles. As President, I have worked to reaffirm these principles, even as they have been put to the test lately. I believe that reviving the spirit of Helsinki requires ensuring that the OSCE Parliamentary Assembly remains an Assembly that is inclusive, open and transparent,” he said. He also highlighted his special paper distributed at the Tbilisi Annual Session entitled “Our common vision for the OSCE Parliamentary Assembly.” Kanerva was elected President of the Assembly at the Baku Annual Session in July 2014, and will now serve as President Emeritus of the Assembly. For the full text of the OSCE PA’s Declaration and resolutions adopted today in Tbilisi, as well as speeches, photos, videos and more, please visit http://www.oscepa.org/meetings/annual-sessions/2016-tbilisi-annual-session. Additional photos are available on the Georgian Parliament’s Flickr pages at https://www.flickr.com/photos/geoparliament and https://www.flickr.com/photos/oscepatbilisi/. The OSCE Parliamentary Assembly is comprised of 323 parliamentarians from 57 countries spanning Europe, Central Asia and North America. The Assembly provides a forum for parliamentary diplomacy, monitors elections, and strengthens international co-operation to uphold commitments on political, security, economic, environmental and human rights issues.Related StoriesOSCE parliamentarians in Tbilisi adopt wide-ranging Declaration on human rights, security and the environmentOSCE parliamentarians consider resolutions on security, economic and environmental concerns and human rightsOSCE PA human rights committee Chair Ignacio Sanchez Amor follows up on developments in Turkey Full Article Parliamentary Assembly Conflict prevention and resolution Democratization Economic activities Environmental activities Human rights Press release
el OSCE PA human rights committee Chair Ignacio Sanchez Amor follows up on developments in Turkey By feeds.osce.org Published On :: Mon, 25 Jul 2016 10:29:28 +0000 COPENHAGEN, 25 July 2016 – In response to the measures taken by the Turkish authorities following the attempted coup, Ignacio Sanchez Amor (MP, Spain), Chairperson of the OSCE PA Committee on Democracy, Human Rights and Humanitarian Questions, issued the following statement today: “I remain concerned by the developments which have been taking place in Turkey since the attempted coup, as expressed in an earlier statement. As I joined the rest of the international community in offering strong support to the restoration of constitutional order, I also warned against reprisals and hasty purges and underscored the need to safeguard democratic institutions. “Unfortunately, the sudden dismissal of thousands of judges, prosecutors, academics, and journalists across the country has challenged human rights standards, due process, the right to a fair trial, and freedom of expression. As underlined by the OSCE Office for Democratic Institutions and Human Rights (ODIHR), and the OSCE Representative on Freedom of the Media, Turkey’s response to these unconstitutional events should seek to reinforce, not undermine, the rule of law, the independence of the judiciary, and media freedom. “I once again call on the Turkish authorities to follow a responsible approach to ensure that the constitutional order is reinforced through the respect of human rights and the independence of democratic institutions in line with OSCE commitments.”Related StoriesChristine Muttonen of Austria elected OSCE PA President, Vice-Presidents and Committee Officers also electedAssembly’s work on migration presented to OSCE ambassadors by Ad Hoc Committee Chair Lombardi at special Permanent CouncilOSCE PA human rights committee Chair Ignacio Sanchez Amor issues statement on developments in Turkey Full Article Parliamentary Assembly Democratization Human rights Press release
el Representatives of Belarus, Kyrgyzstan and Tajikistan discuss implementing UNSCR 1540 at OSCE-supported meeting in Minsk By feeds.osce.org Published On :: Fri, 05 Aug 2016 10:08:00 +0000 257951 Communication and Media Relations Section 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.Related StoriesOSCE supports training of 16 National Points of Contact on implementing UN Security Council Resolution 1540#LetsDoodle: challenging violent extremism with cartoonsOSCE Conflict Prevention Centre’s Mediation Support Team hosts brainstorming session on Dialogue in Ukraine Full Article Secretariat Conflict prevention and resolution News
el Representatives of Belarus, Kyrgyzstan and Tajikistan discuss implementing UNSCR 1540 at OSCE-supported meeting in Minsk By feeds.osce.org Published On :: Fri, 05 Aug 2016 10:08:00 +0000 257951 Communication and Media Relations Section 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.Related StoriesOSCE supports training of 16 National Points of Contact on implementing UN Security Council Resolution 1540#LetsDoodle: challenging violent extremism with cartoonsOSCE Conflict Prevention Centre’s Mediation Support Team hosts brainstorming session on Dialogue in Ukraine Full Article Secretariat Conflict prevention and resolution News
el Nanoleaf Shapes Mini Triangle Starter Kit $85 in-Store @ Select Officeworks Stores By www.ozbargain.com.au Published On :: Thu, 14 Nov 2024 17:26:38 +1100 Just saw this in-store near the checkouts when picking up something else. Seems like good price, may be available in other stores as well. Bought one, not sure where I will be using it yet but can figure that out later! Stock checker report Full Article Electrical & Electronics Nanoleaf Nanoleaf Shapes Mini Triangles
el Reolink CX410 ColorX 2k 4MP PoE IP Camera with True Full-Color Night Vision $98.55 Delivered @ Reolink By www.ozbargain.com.au Published On :: Thu, 14 Nov 2024 17:30:47 +1100 Original price: $139.99 Now: $98.55 Savings: 29.6% Note: This exclusive code (decx410au) saves 12% off and you can save total 29.6% Key Features True Color Night Vision in the Dimmest Light F1.0 Super Aperture 3000K Adjustable Warm Light Person/Vehicle/Pet Detection Full Article Electrical & Electronics IP Camera Reolink Reolink CX410 Security Camera
el Swisse Ultiboost Vitamin D 1000IU - 400 Tablets $12.83 (Sub & Save) + Delivery ($0 with Prime / $59 Spend) @ Amazon AU By www.ozbargain.com.au Published On :: Thu, 14 Nov 2024 17:37:38 +1100 Click the $4.07 coupon + 10% off with sub & save to get the final price. $1.20 cheaper than prime day $14.04 and the $17.54 deal in September. Cheaper than the usual 1/2 price specials by some margin, eg Woolworths 1/2 price $19.75. Full Article Health & Beauty Supplement Swisse Swisse Ultiboost Vitamin Vitamin D Vitamins & Supplements
el 1kg Whole Bean Coffee $28, 40% off Chocolate & Chai, 30% off Syrups + Shipping ($0 with $60 Order) @ Di Bella Coffee By www.ozbargain.com.au Published On :: Thu, 14 Nov 2024 17:43:26 +1100 We are part of Click Frenzy and have the below products on sale: 1kg Beans $28 - Code CLICKFRENZY28 1kg Hot Chocolate $10.20 - Code CLICKFRENZY40 1kg Chai Powder $16.80 - Code CLICKFRENZY40 750ml Vanilia, Hazelnut and Caramel Syrups $13.96 - Code CLICKFRENZY30 Free shipping for orders over $60 Full Article Groceries Chai Click Frenzy Coffee Coffee Beans Drinking Chocolate Syrup Tea
el Power Train P60 M-ATX Computer Case (Black Type-C) US$34.29 (~A$53.29) Delivered @ FEARLESS PC Accessories Store AliExpress By www.ozbargain.com.au Published On :: Thu, 14 Nov 2024 18:09:50 +1100 Just bought one of these and thought I'd share I paid A$53.29 including GST shipped Power Train P60 M-ATX Portable Computer Case ITX Motherboard ATX/SFX Power Supply Support U3 Type-C Desktop MINI Small Chassis Original Coupon Deal Full Article Computing Computer Case Computer Component Micro ATX
el 15% off Selected Ubiquiti Products: e.g. U7-Pro $271.15, U6+ $147.90 + Free Delivery @ Wireless 1 By www.ozbargain.com.au Published On :: Thu, 14 Nov 2024 18:13:36 +1100 15% off selected (looks like most) Ubiquiti products as part of early Black Friday deals. Highlighted in the promo email: Ubiquiti UniFi Dream Router - All-in-one WiFi 6 router USG 2x PoE Output - $390.15 Ubiquiti UniFi G5 Turret Ultra Tamper-resistant IK04 IP66 Weatherproof 2K HD PoE Camera - $168.30 Ubiquiti UniFi U6+ WiFi 6 Dual-Band 2x2 Access Point (No PoE Injector) - $147.9 Ubiquiti UDM SE Dream Machine Special Edition 8x Gbe PoE RJ45 Ports 3.5inch HDD Bay - $798.15 Ubiquiti UniFi Protect G4 Doorbell Pro PoE Kit with Chime - $632.40 Ubiquiti UniFi WiFi 7 U7-Pro Access Point 9.3 Gbps Over-the-air Speed PoE+ Powered - $271.15 Full Article Computing Black Friday Doorbell Free Shipping IP Camera Network Equipment Network Switch NVR Power over Ethernet Security Camera Ubiquiti Ubiquiti Unifi Dream Machine Special Edition Ubiquiti Unifi Dream Router Ubiquiti Unifi Protect G4 Doorbell Pro Ubiquiti Unifi U6-PLUS Ubiquiti Unifi U7 Pro Video Doorbell Wireless Access Point Wireless Router
el BlueAnt X4 Portable 50-Watt Bluetooth Party Speaker $129 Delivered (RRP $299) @ Pop Phones By www.ozbargain.com.au Published On :: Thu, 14 Nov 2024 18:21:28 +1100 2nd Deal: BlueAnt X1i Portable 14-Watt Bluetooth Speaker – Crimson Red for $59 Code POP10 to claim $10 off. https://www.popphones.com.au/shop/blueant-x1i-portable-14-wa… BlueAnt X4 Portable 50-Watt Bluetooth Party Speaker – White LIGHT UP YOUR PARTY With a range of vivid colors to brighten any room, the X4 takes the party to another level with lights that groove in time to the music. PAIR 100 SPEAKERS TOGETHER Join in the fun and the party keeps getting bigger as you add your music to the mix. Connect up to 100 speakers in party mode. 5 LED MODES Dance the night away to up to 5 light shows. UNLEASH YOUR INNER ROCKSTAR The X4 comes with a bonus microphone so you can unleash your inner rockstar or channel the diva inside you. MAKE A SPLASH The X4 is splashproof and the range of colors helps make your X4 a personal statement. BOOST THE BASS To increase the intensity, simply press the Bass Boost button for out-of-this-world sound. POWER UP The X4 includes a built-in power bank so you can keep your phone topped up as you rock out. What’s In The Box I x X4 Party Speaker I x Rapid Charger I x Bonus Microphone I x Product Manual Full Article Electrical & Electronics BlueAnt BlueAnt X4 Bluetooth Speaker
el G.Skill Trident Z5 RGB 64GB (2x32GB) 6400MHz CL32 DDR5 RAM (Hynix) $299 Delivered ($0 MEL/BNE C&C) + Surcharge @ Scorptec By www.ozbargain.com.au Published On :: Thu, 14 Nov 2024 18:23:10 +1100 Nice pricing for a premium Hynix kit Dual rank, RGB and XMP 3.0 - most AMD boards support XMP but double check your specs and BIOS $1 cheaper at unnamed retailer with insufficient stock, higher surcharge and noted price jacker F5-6400J3239G32GX2-TZ5RK PC5-51200 (6400MHz), CL32-39-39-102 @ 1.4V, XMP 3.0, Dual Channel Kit, Matte Black Limited Lifetime Warranty 1% surcharge for Card, AmEx, & PayPal payments Full Article Computing 64GB Computer Component DDR5 G.Skill G.Skill Trident Z5 RAM
el Click 360° Rotation Smartphone Car Holder $3 + Delivery ($0 C&C/ in-Store/ OnePass) @ Bunnings By www.ozbargain.com.au Published On :: Thu, 14 Nov 2024 18:28:33 +1100 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. Full Article Automotive Click (brand) Mobile Phone Accessory Phone Holder
el Quilton 3 Ply Extra Thick Facial Tissues Hypo-Allergenic (12 Boxes) $18 ($16.20 S&S) + Delivery ($0 Prime/$59 Spend) @ Amazon AU By www.ozbargain.com.au Published On :: Thu, 14 Nov 2024 18:47:00 +1100 Very nice price drop for these tissues. Works out to be $1.35 per box. Enjoy! Made with 3 ply tissue for extra thickness. Kind to noses and perfect for make-up removal, mopping up small spills and wiping away tears Quilton Hypo-allergenic tissues are dermatologically tested to be extra gentle on sensitive skin Created with a unique combination of strength and softness Country of Origin: Australia Come in a variety of designs ( actual box design may vary from the ones shown here) Manufactured using FSC certified forest resources – your guarantee you are supporting forest sustainability for future generations Full Article Health & Beauty Quilton Quilton 3-Ply Extra Thick Facial Tissues Tissues
el HP 255 G9 15.6inch Ryzen 5 16GB RAM 512GB $699 + Delivery ($0 to Metro/ MEL/BNE/SYD C&C / in-Store) + Surcharge @ Scorptec By www.ozbargain.com.au Published On :: Thu, 14 Nov 2024 18:48:49 +1100 Good deal for < $700: AMD Ryzen 5 5625U scores 14,918 on PassMark 1% surcharge for card & PayPal payments. HP 255 G9 Silver Laptop, AMD Ryzen 5 5625U, 16GB RAM, 512GB SSD, 15.6inch FHD IPS, Radeon Graphics, GbE, WiFi 6, BT 5.3, HD Cam, 41Wh Batt, 1.74 kg, Win11 Home, HP 1 Year Onsite Warranty Says free shipping to Available to Metro areas only Please follow title guidelines — Mod. Full Article Computing 15.6inch Computer HP HP 255 G9 Laptop
el Lenovo IdeaPad Slim 5 R7-8845HS, 32GB DDR5, 512GB SSD, R780M, 16" 2K OLED 400nits HDR 120Hz, 76Wh Batt $1309 Delivered @ Lenovo By www.ozbargain.com.au Published On :: Thu, 14 Nov 2024 18:56:55 +1100 Blockbuster Education deal now available on the standard store plus cash back eligible Quality OLED display, Radeon 780M for light gaming and large battery Lenovo specs do not confirm whether chassis is full aluminium or if this particular variant has the PC-ABS bottom To get the deal specs/price, tick the following options in the builder: 4 Cell Li-Polymer 76Wh +$10 83DDCTO1WWAU2 AMD Ryzen 7 8845HS (8C / 16T, 3.8 / 5.1GHz, 8MB L2 / 16MB L3), 45W TDP 32GB LPDDR5x-6400MHz (Soldered), dual-channel, not upgradable Integrated AMD Radeon 780M Graphics 512GB SSD M.2 2242 PCIe 4.0x4 NVMe TLC 16" 2K (2048x1280), OLED, 400nits, Glossy, 100% DCI-P3, 120Hz, TÜV Low Blue Light (Hardware), DisplayHDR True Black 500 Supports up to 4 independent displays (native display and 3 external monitors via HDMI and USB-C) HDMI supports up to 1920x1080@60Hz USB-C supports up to 3840x2160@60Hz 2x USB-C (USB 5Gbps / USB 3.2 Gen 1), with USB PD 3.0 and DisplayPort 1.4, 1x USB-A (USB 5Gbps / USB 3.2 Gen 1), Always On, 1x USB-A (USB 5Gbps / USB 3.2 Gen 1), 1x HDMI 1.4b, 1x Headphone / microphone combo jack (3.5mm), 1x microSD card reader Wi-Fi 6E 11ax 2x2 + BT5.1 1080P FHD IR Hybrid with Dual Microphone 4 Cell Li-Polymer 76Wh battery 65W USB-C Slim (3-pin) AC adapter Grey, English keyboard Buttonless Mylar surface multi-touch touchpad Aluminium (Top), Aluminium or PC-ABS (Bottom) case 356 x 251 x 16.9-17.9 mm 1.79-1.82 kg Windows 11 Home 64 1 Year Onsite warranty Full Article Computing 16inch Black Friday Computer Laptop Lenovo Lenovo IdeaPad Slim 5
el 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 By www.ozbargain.com.au Published On :: Thu, 14 Nov 2024 19:08:30 +1100 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. Full Article Electrical & Electronics 3D Printer Filament SUNLU
el Frantelle Spring Water 24x 600ml $11 ($9.90 S&S) + Delivery ($0 with Prime/ $59 Spend) @ Amazon AU By www.ozbargain.com.au Published On :: Thu, 14 Nov 2024 19:14:10 +1100 This popular deal is back. Ripper of a deal with S&S! Limit of 2 per customer. Full Article Groceries Asahi Beverages Bottled Water Frantelle Spring Water Water
el 20x Lorrex Diarrhoea Relief Liquid Caps, 2mg Loperamide $3.99 Delivered @ PharmacySavings By www.ozbargain.com.au Published On :: Thu, 14 Nov 2024 19:27:23 +1100 Hi Ozbargainers, I was watching in amazement as the TravelKon sim card deal clocked over 300+ votes, great deal and also indicative of the number of Ozbargainers thinking about taking off overseas in the next 3 months, so on this note being the ambulance chaser entrepreneur that I am, I thought - what a great time for a deal on Diarrhoea relief. I reached out to a new supplier and asked for a deal so I could offer an ATL on diarrhoea relief. Nova Pharma came good and after scouring the web I think I can say, this is by FAR the best price for this item delivered anywhere in Oz - At this price, why risk taking off without a box in your hand luggage. The box says: "Lorrex acts to restore normal bowel function", and we all want that! Item: 20x Lorrex Liquicaps, Loperamide Hydrochloride 2mg Link: https://pharmacysavings.com.au/products/travel-essentials-tr… Price: $3.99 Code: Not required Exp: End July 2025 Delivery: FREE I'm going to give a special shout out to a very Shorted dated product, but I know many of you don't mind buying short dated at the right price: Item: 70x Fexit 180mg, Fexofenadine Hydrochloride Price: $4.99 Delivery: FREE Exp: End November 2024 Link: https://pharmacysavings.com.au/products/trust-fexit-180-fexo… Ozbargains Favourites have again been restocked: 100x Hayfexo @ $19.99: https://www.ozbargain.com.au/node/776153 200x Cetirizne 200x Cetirizine @ $19.99: https://www.ozbargain.com.au/node/834351 200x Lorazol, Loratadine 10mg @ $19.99 https://www.ozbargain.com.au/node/837337 (RESTOCKED) 70x Cetirizine 10mg + 70x Loratadine 10mg + 48x Ibuprofen @ $17.99 https://www.ozbargain.com.au/node/873236 70x Trust Fexit 180mg + 70x Cetrine or 70x Lorazol @ $19.99: https://www.ozbargain.com.au/node/858658 192x Trust Ibuprofen 200mg, Coated Tablets @ $10.99 now $9.99 https://www.ozbargain.com.au/node/844425 These bulk deals are still powering along as well: 140x Cetirizine + 140x Loratadine + 140x Fexofenadine https://www.ozbargain.com.au/node/866620 Full Article Health & Beauty Diarrhoea Relief Loperamide