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Impact of corruption prevention measures at national and sectoral levels in focus at OSCE-supported expert meeting in Kyrgyzstan

By feeds.osce.org
Published On :: Thu, 26 May 2016 14:41:16 +0000

ISSYK-KUL, Kyrgyzstan, 26 May 2016 – A two-day regional expert seminar which started today gathers some 60 anti-corruption practitioners, experts and policy-makers from 12 countries in Eastern Europe, the South Caucasus and Central Asia to discuss effective preventive measures to combat corruption in the extractive industries and education sectors and to exchange best practices.

Participants discussed how to improve government accountability and transparency in managing natural resources and assessed how to mitigate negative effects of the so-called “resource curse”. They also focused on corruption in the education sector, and how to enhance the quantity, quality, efficiency of, and access to education systems.

“The OSCE Centre in Bishkek is strongly committed to supporting the Kyrgyz Government in countering corruption and developing projects and initiatives aimed at strengthening good governance, economic growth and public integrity for the benefit of the Kyrgyz people,” said Yulia Minaeva, Senior Economic and Environmental Officer at the OSCE Centre in Bishkek.

Ermelinda Meksi, Deputy Head of the Office of the Co-ordinator of OSCE Economic and Environmental Activities, said: “Corruption, weak governance, and lack of transparency and rule of law undermine economic growth and impede trust in public persons and government institutions. Bribery and embezzlement of state resources deter domestic and foreign investments and deprive citizens of important public services. If unchecked, corruption can provoke social strife, fuel insecurity and even lead to conflicts.”

The practice-oriented and interactive seminar combined expert presentations, roundtable discussions and group work. It benefited from the participation of representatives of the UN Development Programme, the Extractive Industries Transparency Initiative, and the Open Society Initiative.

Olga Savran, manager of the Organisation for Economic Co-operation and Development (OECD) Anti-Corruption Network for Eastern Europe and Central Asia (ACN), said: “This seminar helps public officials responsible for preventing corruption at national and sectoral levels learn about effective practical measures that do work, that improve the lives of citizens, and prevent the waste of public money.”

The seminar is co-organized by the OSCE Centre in Bishkek, the Office of the Co-ordinator of OSCE Economic and Environmental Activities (OCEEA) and the OECD ACN. It is hosted by the Kyrgyz Government and held as part of the OSCE Centre in Bishkek’s Economic and Environmental Dimension activities.

OSCE supports training seminar on local self-governance in Kazakhstan’s Tselinograd District

By feeds.osce.org
Published On :: Fri, 27 May 2016 06:50:18 +0000

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Some 70 representatives of akimats (municipalities) in villages of Kazakhstan’s Tselinograd District’s met on 27 May 2016 in Akmol, Akmola region, to discuss the ongoing local self-governance reform and brainstormed on how to further develop the legal and institutional framework.

The event participants reviewed economic and financial aspects of local self-governance, administrative offences proceedings, public procurement, state property management as well as community involvement in the decision-making process at the local level.

The training seminar was supported by the OSCE Programme Office in Astana in co-operation with the National Economy Ministry. The event is part of the Programme Office’s long-standing efforts to promote good governance and democratization in Kazakhstan.

Corruption issues in private sector discussed with support of the OSCE Office in Yerevan

By feeds.osce.org
Published On :: Tue, 31 May 2016 13:58:54 +0000

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Corruption risks, challenges in accountability and transparency as well as the legislative and regulatory frameworks in public procurement, customs and taxation, free competition and monopolies, were the focus of a workshop supported by the OSCE Office in Yerevan held on 28 and 29 May 2016 in Aghveran, in Armenia’s Kotayk region.

The event was attended by more than 60 people including officials from the Government Anti-corruption Programmes Monitoring Unit, the Ministry of Justice, the State Revenue Committee, the State Commission for the Protection of Economic Competition, and the Internal Public Financial Oversight and Public Procurement Methodology at the Ministry of Finance. Representatives from business unions and associations, other non-governmental organizations, economists and journalists also participated.

“The Government of Armenia has underlined the importance of addressing corruption risks,” said Suren Krmoyan, Armenian Deputy Minister of Justice. “The private sector can play a crucial role in that and we are eager to make changes and take the initiative to address concrete issues.”

Naira Gyulnazaryan of the OSCE Office, said: “We hope that this event will promote close co-operation between the Government, business organizations and civil society towards fighting corruption in the business sector.”

The event was organized in partnership with the Armenia's Ministry of Justice, the European Union, the Armenian Lawyers' Association, the Anti-Corruption Coalition of Civil Society Organizations of Armenia and Freedom of Information Centre. It is part of the OSCE Office’s efforts to strengthen the engagement of civil society, business companies and associations in addressing corruption risks and to establish a solid platform among the government, civil society and private sector to contribute to state reform.

Challenges in customs regulatory frameworks were discussed at an event on May 25 in Gyumri and another discussion on state revenue issues in the regions will be held in Vanadzor.

OSCE Centre in Bishkek supports first Internet Governance Forum in Central Asia

By feeds.osce.org
Published On :: Wed, 22 Jun 2016 12:02:09 +0000

BISHKEK, 22 June 2016 – The OSCE Centre in Bishkek supported a two-day Internet Governance Forum in Central Asia, the first of its kind, which concluded today in the Kyrgyz capital.

Some 100 specialists in the field of internet governance and development, including representatives of the Central Asian state authorities, telecommunication experts, internet service providers, research institutions, and non-governmental organizations from Europe and Central Asia, discussed issues related to cyber security and regulations, the development of the Domain Name System (DNS) industry, as well as global and national approaches to accessing the internet.

“Kyrgyzstan ceased to be a ‘dead-end’ country in terms of the Internet in 2015 and has opened connections to countries in South-East and South Asia,” said Ernis Mamyrkanov, Kyrgyz Deputy Minister of Transport and Communication. “This enhances the role of Kyrgyzstan in the issue of regional transit. Now we need a platform where all participants can discuss relevant issues and this Forum is intended to take that place.”

Daniele Rumolo, acting Deputy Head of the OSCE Centre in Bishkek, said that governments have a role to play when it comes to regulating the Internet. “This responsibility extends to the protection from harmful content, and fighting cybercrime. However, governments must ensure that all stakeholders, including civil society, business actors, and internet-users, are consulted and continuously involved in these efforts.”

The Forum was co-organized by the Ministry of Transportation and Communication and the Civil Initiative on Internet Policy Public Foundation, supported by the SecDev Foundation (Canada), Internet Corporation for Assigned Names and Numbers (ICANN), the Internet Society, the United Nations Development Programme in Kyrgyzstan and the OSCE Centre in Bishkek.

The Forum is part of the OSCE Centre’s project on promoting national dialogue and capacity building on the information security needs of the Kyrgyz Republic.

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

By feeds.osce.org
Published On :: Mon, 27 Jun 2016 08:06:23 +0000

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

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

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

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

Participants of OSCE-supported ‘Follow Us’ Initiative agree on 2016 action plan

By feeds.osce.org
Published On :: Mon, 15 Feb 2016 12:03:17 +0000

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The first meeting of the ‘Follow Us’ Initiative for 2016, facilitated by the OSCE Mission in Kosovo and the OSCE Mission to Serbia, took place in Skopje from 12 to 14 February 2016. The meeting brought together 18 prominent women working in politics, media, academia and civil society from Prishtinë/Priština and Belgrade, to take stock of achievements and plan future activities.

The participants reviewed the initiative’s successes such as the Dialogue Academy for young women from Belgrade and Prishtinë/Priština, and the promotion of the dialogue through the ‘Follow Us’ documentary. They recognized the importance of furthering the inclusion of more women in this process in order to expand the dialogue across different sectors and agreed on an action plan of concrete activities for 2016. Additionally they developed longer-term frameworks for action in key areas affecting women’s lives and equality.

In a joint statement, the members of ‘Follow Us’ Initiative said: “We agreed to implement joint activities in the following areas: economic empowerment of women, gender in education, prevention of gender-based violence, political participation and representation of women at all levels, engendering media and the portrayal of women in media and public life, and promotion of dialogue among youth.

We also reconfirm the importance of dialogue and co-operation and highlight the contribution of women to it by taking concrete steps to bring the two societies closer together.”

We Are Here Together - European Support to Roma Inclusion

By feeds.osce.org
Published On :: Thu, 31 Mar 2016 10:17:56 +0000

Article

Fri, 2016-04-08 12:01

OSCE Mission to Serbia

South-Eastern Europe

Roma and Sinti issues

Legally invisible persons do not have citizenship, social and health protection, education or jobs. “It’s as if we don’t exist in this world,” says Rahman Rahmani a beneficiary of the “European Support to Roma Inclusion” project. Improving access to basic rights is among six areas in which the project provides support to the Roma community in Serbia. In two years, mobile legal teams identified 1,100 legally invisible persons in 97 municipalities and initiated 969 legal cases for Roma before courts. As a result of the free legal aid provided to the beneficiaries, they now have more opportunities in the field of education, health protection and employment.

After six years of efforts, Valjbona Saciri, one of the beneficiaries, who for the first time obtained personal documents thanks to the project, said: “This means the world to me - as if I was born again.” Support provided to members of Roma community through free legal aid is illustrated in the following video (Serbian-language only):

Another important area of the project’s activities is support for employment. The results of a mapping process, which identified best practices in Roma employment, showed that there are many successful Roma entrepreneurs, as well as companies employing Roma, contrary to a common belief.

“I have received strong support – not only material, but human, too. Someone has actually thought of us, Roma,” says Milos Simic, the owner of a photo store, who received equipment to improve his work through the project. In order to create new employment opportunities for Roma, 18 selected companies that have the potential for employing Roma were granted support with equipment, as well as through mentoring and training.

Pava Cabrilovski, who employed six Roma women in her company, emphasises how important it is for women to achieve economic independence and to find their place in society. Melita Ibinci was unemployed for four years, and now is one of 62 Roma who were provided jobs through the project.

“I hope that these 18 companies will represent a beacon showing that integration is possible,” said Marta Garcia Fidalgo, European Commission Coordinator for Roma Policy. To learn about the impressions of the employed Roma, as well as supported entrepreneurs of the Program of Support for Roma Employment check out the video that follows:

Education represents a priority for the Roma community, as it is considered a prerequisite for prosperity. Within the dropout prevention programme, 1,000 scholarships were granted to Roma secondary school students. In addition to this, the students are assisted and motivated by 208 mentors trained within the project, and supported by their peers. Nenad Ismailovic says that the scholarship means a lot to him, as he can buy a transport pass, books and clothes. Teaching assistants, as part of the mobile teams for Roma inclusion established with the help of the project, provide support to primary school pupils to complete their education. They also assist teachers in improving their work with children. The training and certification of 191 teaching assistants whose job also includes working with Roma and non-Roma children and performing field visits, was organised through the project.

“Scholarships are only an incentive for further education. We need to try and make it, although we are Roma and there is plenty of prejudice,” says former scholarship recipient Djordjina Halilkovic, now a freshman at the Faculty of Sciences and Mathematics in Nis. Why is education important to the Roma community? What is the effect of scholarships and how are the pedagogical assistants and mentors supporting students? See in the next video.

The 4.8 million EUR project “We Are Here Together - European Support to Roma Inclusion” is financed by the European Union and implemented by the OSCE Mission to Serbia.

Roma remain one of most vulnerable groups, continue to face difficult living conditions and discrimination in access to social protection, health, employment and adequate housing, as stated in reports by independent bodies

By feeds.osce.org
Published On :: Fri, 08 Apr 2016 10:23:07 +0000

BELGRADE, 8 April 2016 - On the occasion of International Roma Day, the Delegation of the European Union to Serbia, the United Nations Country Team in Serbia, the OSCE Mission to Serbia and the Council of Europe Office in Belgrade reaffirm our strong commitment to equality and non-discrimination.

Today, the Romani community, Europe's largest ethnic minority, still experiences multiple discrimination and marginalisation in countries throughout Europe, including Serbia. Roma remain one of the most vulnerable groups; they continue to face difficult living conditions and discrimination in access to social protection, health, employment and adequate housing, as stated in reports by both relevant international mechanisms and independent bodies of the Republic of Serbia.

Thousands of Roma represent the most vulnerable and marginalised among the population of internally displaced, still facing obstacles in accessing rights and durable solutions.

International and European human rights standards clearly provide for equality before the law and prohibit discrimination on all grounds, including ethnicity. The realisation of Roma inclusion will reinforce everyday democracy and the rule of law. It is the only way to reach a society based on the principle of equality of opportunity where everyone has the right to participate and to be heard.

On this day, we therefore call on all relevant stakeholders to pursue with determination
Roma inclusion policies in Serbia, pursuant to the recent adoption of a new Strategy of Social Inclusion of Roma for the Period from 2015-2025 and the Action Plan for Realization of Rights of National Minorities by the Government of Serbia.

The Delegation of the European Union, the Council of Europe Office in Belgrade, the OSCE Mission to Serbia and the United Nations Country Team in Serbia remain committed to improving the lives of Roma in Serbia and ensuring that their fundamental rights are respected, and to supporting our Serbian partners in this endeavour.

International Roma Day is celebrated annually on April 8, in commemoration of the 1971 founding of the International Romani Union, the first major international Romani civic initiative.

Statistical information on Roma in Serbia

90% of children in Roma settlements are growing up in poverty. The infant and under-5 mortality rate is two times higher than that of the general population, 15% of Roma children are born with low birth weights, one fifth is malnourished and only 13% are fully immunized.
Romani children continue to face discrimination in the education system. Only 6% of children from Roma settlements attend early learning programs, only 64% finish primary school on time, and only 22% attend secondary school (of whom only 15% are girls).
Romani women and girls face multi-sectoral discrimination, as well as heightened barriers of access to services, including services for victims of violence. Early, arranged marriage remains an issue in some segments of Serbia’s Romani communities, with very destructive consequences for – in particular – the child bride.

For more information & media inquiries please contact:

Aleksandra Stamenkovic, United Nations Country Team Communications Expert, email: aleksandra.stamenkovic@one.un.org, Phone +381 11 415 5314

Nadezda Dramicanin, Delegation of the EU to Serbia Communications Officer, e-mail: Nadezda.DRAMICANIN@eeas.europa.eu, Phone: +381 11 3083 200

Ivana Milatovic, OSCE National Political and Press Affairs Officer, e-mail: ppiu-serbia@osce.org, Phone +381 11 3606 151

Mona Alghaith, Council of Europe Office, Assistant to the Head of Office, e-mail: mona.alghaith@coe.int, Phone. +381 11 71 555 00

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

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.

OSCE Mission to Serbia supports public consultations on implementation of UN SCR 1325 – Women, Peace and Security (2016-2020) National Action Plan

By feeds.osce.org
Published On :: Fri, 10 Jun 2016 11:29:44 +0000

The final public consultations on the content of the new National Action Plan (NAP) for the implementation of the UN SCR 1325 – Women, Peace and Security (2016-2020) was held on 10 June 2016 in Belgrade at the premises of the National Assembly of the Republic of Serbia.

The OSCE Mission to Serbia, jointly with the Serbian Government's Office for Co-operation with Civil Society, and the Standing Conference of Towns and Municipalities, supported the Working Group in the drafting process of the NAP by organizing public consultations across Serbia.

The consultations were held in the towns of Nis, Vranje, Novi Pazar, Krusevac, Novi Sad and Belgrade. During the meetings, participants welcomed that the new NAP raises the profile of local activities and that it places an emphasis on improved co-ordinated action, both at the local and national levels.

The main objective of the new NAP is to improve the safety and security of women through the implementation of UN SCR 1325 in the areas of prevention, participation, relief and recovery, and to increase involvement of women at the local level.

Participants included some 250 high-ranking officials of the Serbian Government and representatives of civil society organizations, and the media.

More than 1,000 local inspectors in Serbia successfully complete OSCE-supported online training course

By feeds.osce.org
Published On :: Thu, 07 Jul 2016 10:55:58 +0000

A record number of 1,150 local inspectors in Serbia have successfully completed a three-month OSCE-supported online course on implementing the new Law on Inspection Surveillance. Of this number, 280 inspectors from the capital and its municipalities were publically recognized on 7 July 2016 at the premises of the Assembly of the City of Belgrade.

Local-level inspectors work in the areas of construction, environment, traffic, communal issues. This course, supported by the OSCE Mission to Serbia, was developed at the request of the Standing Conference of Towns and Municipalities (SCTM) and the Ministry of Public Administration and Local Self-Government.

“The capacity building of staff working in local self-governments is particularly important as they are the closest to the citizens.” said Acting Head of the Democratization Department at the OSCE Mission, Olivera Zurovac-Kuzman. “The strong interest in the training course speaks about the relevance of the inspectorate and their roles in local communities. Proper surveillance is key in responding to the need for better governance at all levels of government,” she added.

The online course on the Law on Inspection Surveillance was developed after the successful implementation of online training courses for local self-government employees and councillors in 2014 and 2015, which proved to be an effective new approach for the professional development of local self-governments.

The OSCE Mission to Serbia will remain committed to supporting local self-governments across Serbia in the process of public administration reform.

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

By feeds.osce.org
Published On :: Mon, 27 Jun 2016 08:06:23 +0000

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Psychologists and professionals working with domestic violence victims trained at OSCE-supported events in Moldova on both banks

By feeds.osce.org
Published On :: Thu, 30 Jun 2016 11:42:38 +0000

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

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

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

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

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

OSCE Mission to Skopje-supported fund continues building bridges between communities

By feeds.osce.org
Published On :: Thu, 18 Feb 2016 14:53:40 +0000

SKOPJE, 18 February 2016 – The OSCE-supported Building Bridges Fund, launched in 2014, will continue for a third year, the Head of the OSCE Mission to Skopje Nina Suomalainen announced today.

The Fund offers grants to municipalities, students, teachers, parents and schools to organize activities that bring together members of different communities.

"Some 75 schools and more than 2,000 children were involved since 2014 in various activities aimed at bringing together students from different ethnic communities," said Suomalainen. "These activities are an excellent tool for young people to better understand the importance and the benefits of diversity in a multicultural society."

The Building Bridges Fund is a joint effort by the Education and Science Ministry, the Embassy of the Kingdom of the Netherlands, the governments of Ireland and Switzerland and the OSCE Mission to Skopje.

“The Building Bridges project aims to make connections between children of different ethnic and religious backgrounds so that they can understand each other and learn from each other,” said Ambassador Wouter Plomp of the Netherlands. “This is in line with the ‘Making Connections’ motto of the European Union presidency, held by the Netherlands for the first six months of this year.”

Education and Science Minister Abdilaqim Ademi said: “Multiculturalism is one of the main pillars of our society. To live in a country where many communities function, work and create together is an individual success for us all and the country as a whole.”

Well-known music artists Toni Zen, Venera Lumani and Rebeka are among the Fund’s Advisory Board Members.

More information on the “Building Bridges Fund” and on how to apply for grants is available at Building Bridges.

OSCE Mission to Skopje co-organizes training course on how to spot falsified documents

By feeds.osce.org
Published On :: Mon, 14 Mar 2016 10:27:41 +0000

A one-week advanced training course, organised by the OSCE Mission to Skopje in co-operation with the German Federal Police and the Police Training Centre in Idrizovo, has started today for ten Border police officers on how to detect forged travel documents and certificates.

The training course aims to increase the participants’ operational awareness on security features of regional passports and Schengen visas as well as to enhance their skills regarding the use of modern forensic equipment.

Upon completion of this training course, participants will be ready to deliver the training modules to their colleagues working in the field of documents security.

The training course is part of the Mission’s support to national institutions in the fight against trans-national threats and organized crime with a special focus on irregular migration and human trafficking.

OSCE Mission to Skopje supports roundtable discussion on the role of women in creating safer communities

By feeds.osce.org
Published On :: Fri, 03 Jun 2016 13:45:34 +0000

The role of women in creating safer communities was the topic of a roundtable discussion organized by the OSCE Mission to Skopje in co-operation with the Sector for Internal Affairs Kumanovo that took place in Lipkovo on 3 June 2016. Fourteen women from different ethnic backgrounds who engage with the community on a regular basis discussed how they can contribute to policing, safety and security in the communities.

The event is part of the Mission’s programme to support the Ministry of Internal Affairs in developing a professional police service in line with democratic policing principles and international human rights standards.

A second roundtable discussion will be held in Kumanovo on 15 June.

OSCE Mission to Skopje organises workshop on hate crime for police managers

By feeds.osce.org
Published On :: Thu, 23 Jun 2016 10:57:52 +0000

The OSCE Mission to Skopje organized a workshop on 23 June 2016 for 35 police managers from the Sector of Internal Affairs on identification, prevention and investigation of hate crimes.

The aim of the workshop was to strengthen the capacity of police officers to identify hate crimes and provide responses in line with democratic policing principles and international human rights standards.

This workshop complemented other previous and ongoing activities of the Mission in this area which are implemented in co-operation with national authorities.

The event was the first in a series of eight workshops which will be held in each sector for internal affairs in the country.

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

By feeds.osce.org
Published On :: Wed, 29 Jun 2016 09:58:08 +0000

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

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

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

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

OSCE Mission to Skopje organizes two-day workshop on multi-ethnic policing

By feeds.osce.org
Published On :: Tue, 12 Jul 2016 12:37:09 +0000

The OSCE Mission to Skopje, in co-operation with the Ministry of Internal Affairs, organized a two-day workshop in Ohrid on policing in a multi-ethnic society on 11 and 12 July 2016. Some forty police officers of different ethnicities working in Ohrid and Bitola police stations attended the event and exchanged information and experiences related to multi-ethnic policing.

The workshop also served as a platform for generating ideas on future measures to foster effective functioning of ethnically mixed police units and ensure the acceptance and equal treatment of police officers coming from smaller communities.

The workshop is one of the ways the Mission is supporting efforts to strengthen police capacities and build trust across multi-ethnic communities.

OSCE supports roundtable discussion on introduction of Pollutant Release and Transfer Register in Kazakhstan

By feeds.osce.org
Published On :: Thu, 14 Jul 2016 10:25:06 +0000

ASTANA, 14 July 2016 – The introduction of the Pollutant Release and Transfer Register (PRTR) in Kazakhstan was the focus of a roundtable discussion organized in Astana today by the OSCE Programme Office in Astana in partnership with the Energy Ministry’s Information and Analytical Centre of Environment Protection and the UN Development Programme in Kazakhstan.

Some 80 representatives of the Aarhus Centres, regional and central government entities, environmental NGOs and private sector focused on recent changes in national environmental legislation, guiding rules in implementing PRTR, international best practices and the role of the Aarhus Centres in promoting PRTR in the regions.

Joldasov Zulfuhar, Deputy Chairperson of the Committee of Environmental Regulation, Control and State Inspection in the oil and gas sector of Kazakhstan’s Energy Ministry, said: “Taking into account that environmental damage impacts all spheres of life, a state register of pollutant release and transfer is particularly relevant. We are convinced of the need to co-operate with all interested parties and consolidate our efforts in addressing the emerging issues in the field of environmental protection and sustainable development.”

Mirco Guenther, Deputy Head of the OSCE Programme Office in Astana, said: "PRTR management can lead to a significant reduction in environmental and social risks to promote a constructive dialogue between interested parties, as well as to achieve a balance of interests and protection of environmental rights of citizens. The OSCE Programme Office in Astana stands ready to support Kazakhstan’s initiative to comply fully with all their obligations under the Aarhus Convention."

The PRTR Protocol was adopted in 2003, in Kyiv, Ukraine and is a legally binding instrument that requires parties to establish publicly accessible registers containing information on the release and transfer of pollutants.

The event is part of the Programme Office’s longstanding efforts in promoting the international standards of the Aarhus Convention in Kazakhstan.

OSCE supports roundtable discussion implementing Aarhus Convention in Kazakhstan

By feeds.osce.org
Published On :: Fri, 15 Jul 2016 12:17:27 +0000

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A roundtable discussion on the implementation of the Aarhus Convention in Kazakhstan took place in Astana on 15 July 2016.

Some 60 representatives of the Aarhus Centres, regional and central government entities, environmental non-governmental organizations and private sector discussed the ways to improve Kazakhstan’s compliance with its obligations under the Aarhus Convention.

They reviewed the ongoing activities in promoting its principles in the regions as well as new amendments to the national environmental legislation. They also examined the draft Aarhus Convention implementation report for 2014-2016 and exchanged opinions on its further enhancement.

The event was organized by the OSCE Programme Office in Astana in partnership with the Energy Ministry’s Information and Analytical Centre of Environment Protection.

The 1998 Aarhus Convention consists of three pillars: access to information, public participation in environmental decision-making, and access to justice in environmental matters. Aarhus Centres provide platforms to engage citizens, governments and the private sector in a dialogue on environmental challenges.

OSCE Programme Office supports public hearings on libel and slander legislation in Kazakhstan

By feeds.osce.org
Published On :: Thu, 21 Jul 2016 11:17:23 +0000

ASTANA, 21 July 2016 – Some 25 Supreme and Regional Court judges, lawyers, journalists, media experts as well as representatives of the diplomatic corps and civil society today in Astana participated in OSCE-supported public hearings on the Supreme Court of Kazakhstan’s Decree on the “Application of legislation on protecting the honour, dignity and business reputation in judicial practice”.

Participants reviewed current legal precedents on defamation-related cases, discussed national legislation and its compliance with international standards as well as recommendations to the Supreme Court’s draft decree.

“The OSCE advocates for the full decriminalization of defamation and the fair consideration of such cases in dispute-resolution bodies or civil courts,” said Colin McCullough, Political Officer at the OSCE Programme Office in Astana. “This is crucial to promoting freedom of the media, to effectively expose and fight corruption, and to eliminate the excessive protection of senior officials from legitimate public criticism.”

Bolat Kalyanbekov, Head of the Information Support Division of the Supreme Court of Kazakhstan, said: "Today's public hearings create a precedent for additional expert understanding of regulatory decrees. This is a relatively new format for meetings and it allows us all to hear expert opinions and conclusions on the issue, as well as to receive comprehensive recommendations on it.”

The event was supported by the OSCE Programme Office in Astana in co-operation with the Supreme Court of the Republic of Kazakhstan, the US Agency for International Development, the Eurasia Foundation for Central Asia and the International Fund for the Protection of the Freedom of Speech Adil Soz. It is part of the Office’s activities aimed at promoting media freedom and freedom of expression in line with OSCE principles and commitments.

OSCE Programme Office supports training for defence lawyers in Kazakhstan on the new criminal procedure legislation

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Published On :: Fri, 22 Jul 2016 11:32:32 +0000

ASTANA, 22 July 2016 – An OSCE-supported two-day training seminar for some 30 defence lawyers from the northern part of Kazakhstan began today in Astana, with the aim of enhancing their understanding, common interpretation and implementation of the new criminal procedure legislation.

The event is organized by the OSCE Programme Office in Astana in co-operation with the National Bar Association and the Almaty Bar Association for lawyers from the Akmola region, Pavlodar, Kostanay, Karaganda and Petropavlovsk.

Presentations will focus on new approaches and methods of legal protection, the legal institute of investigative judges in criminal proceedings, international guarantees for lawyers’ legal security, collection of evidence, and the questioning of witnesses. The interaction of lawyers with citizens, officials conducting criminal proceedings, the media and social networks will also be discussed.

“It is of utmost importance to ensure adequate conditions for the training of judges, prosecutors and lawyers as the equal actors of the lawsuit,” said Ambassador György Szabó, Head of the OSCE Programme Office in Astana. “The Bar, as an independent institution, is responsible for ensuring the professional development of defence lawyers. As demonstrated by the current training, the OSCE stands ready to support efforts in this direction”

Kadirzhan Baimukhanova, Deputy Head of the Republican Bar Association, said: "In the current conditions of rapidly developing legislation, such training seminars on the legislative novelties are crucial in ensuring the high professionalism of defence lawyers."

Other topics covered by the training course are new information technologies, e-government, relevant ethical and professional requirements as well as national and international standards and best practices.

The seminar is the first in a series of four planned for this autumn. Future events will take place in Almaty, Aktobe and Ust-Kamenogorsk. The series is part of the Programme Office’s long-standing efforts to strengthen the rule of law and support judicial reform in the host country.

OSCE supports water co-operation in southern Kazakhstan

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Published On :: Thu, 28 Jul 2016 07:46:16 +0000

The OSCE-supported eleventh meeting of the Chu-Talas Water Basin Council took place on 28 July in Taraz, southern Kazakhstan.

The event was co-organized by the Office in close co-operation with the Water Resource Committee of the Agriculture Ministry, the Chu-Talas Water Basin Council, the Zhambyl local administration and the Regional Environmental Centre for Central Asia (CAREC). Some 15 representatives of regional water authorities, business organizations and civil society discussed the gaps and needs in water quality improvement, distribution and saving in the Zhambyl region.

National experts from CAREC informed participants about the latest technologies and reforms in applying best practices in Integrated Water Resources Management (IWRM) and presented a plan for efficient basin planning in line with international standards. The meeting also helped to raise public awareness and increase access to information related to the activities of the Chu-Talas Water Basin Council.

The event is part of the Office’s long-standing efforts to raise awareness and build capacity of state institutions in the area of water governance.

OSCE Mission to Montenegro-supported campaign on benefits of composting kicks-off in Pljevlja

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Published On :: Mon, 04 Jul 2016 13:34:03 +0000

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

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

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

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

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

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

OSCE supports roundtable discussion on public participation in environmental decision-making in Kazakhstan

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Published On :: Tue, 12 Jul 2016 14:33:53 +0000

PAVLODAR, Kazakhstan, 12 July 2016 – An OSCE-supported roundtable discussion on public participation mechanisms in environmental decision-making took place today in Pavlodar for some 25 representatives of the national and local government offices, the private sector, civil society and academia.

The event concludes the project on the environmental decision-making process and raising awareness of the Aarhus Convention’s provisions supported by the OSCE Programme Office in Astana and implemented in partnership with the Pavlodar Aarhus Centre.

The participants discussed challenges in accessing environmental information and finding ways to promote more effective implementation of the Aarhus Convention. They also reviewed project results and research findings and developed follow-up recommendations to be considered by the relevant authorities.

“Considering the importance of the role of state agencies in the development of public participation in decision-making and seeking to improve this process, I consider the work of the roundtable discussion to be highly important,” stated Aigerim Kabyltayeva, Deputy Head of the Division on Subsoil Use Management, Environment and Water Resources of the Pavlodar region.

Colin McCullough, Political Officer of the OSCE Programme Office in Astana, noted that public participation contributes to a transparent and open process and improves the quality of decisions. “We hope that today's event will strengthen co-operation between all parties in addressing environmental issues in the region and will help to better understand the need to develop joint approaches to solve them,” he said.

The event is part of the OSCE Programme Office’s efforts at promoting good governance and environmental protection. It complements the host government’s plans to improve compliance with the provisions of the Aarhus Convention and to implement the related Maastricht Recommendations on Public Participation in Decision-making in Environmental Matters.

OSCE supports roundtable discussion on introduction of Pollutant Release and Transfer Register in Kazakhstan

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Published On :: Thu, 14 Jul 2016 10:25:06 +0000

OSCE supports roundtable discussion implementing Aarhus Convention in Kazakhstan

By feeds.osce.org
Published On :: Fri, 15 Jul 2016 12:17:27 +0000

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A roundtable discussion on the implementation of the Aarhus Convention in Kazakhstan took place in Astana on 15 July 2016.

The event was organized by the OSCE Programme Office in Astana in partnership with the Energy Ministry’s Information and Analytical Centre of Environment Protection.

OSCE supports public discussions on natural resources management in southern Kyrgyzstan

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Published On :: Fri, 22 Jul 2016 11:04:23 +0000

BISHKEK, 22 July 2016 – Three public discussions on the regulatory legal acts regarding the use of natural resources and environmental protection are being organized from 19 July to 27 July 2016 by the OSCE Centre in Bishkek and the local Aarhus Centre in the districts of Toktogul, Aksy and Kadamjay in southern Kyrgyzstan.

The discussions are gathering representatives of environmental services, the local authorities, village- and district-level state administrations, local council deputies and public organizations, to exchange ideas on environmental problems and discuss how to address them through active public scrutiny.

“Local stakeholders should be aware of the environmental legislation upfront. This will help them to prevent conflict arising from the use of natural resources,” said Dmitry Prudtskikh, Environmental Officer at the OSCE Centre. “I am glad to see that the Aarhus Centre in Osh has established a platform for communication between governmental, public and private structures, with the support of the OSCE.”

Kanybek Isabaev, Director of the Aarhus Centre in Osh, said: “For several years, we have been disseminating information to the public and our partners on the legislation regarding environmental protection, the rational use of natural resources, and subsoil and environmental safety in our country. It is very significant that citizens can participate in decision-making in the area of ecology, a sphere that is becoming increasingly important in Kyrgyzstan.”

During the discussions, participants will gain knowledge on issues of environmental protection, public access to environmental information, the normative legal acts of the Kyrgyz Republic on ecology and the basic principles of the Aarhus Convention.

The event was organized as part of the OSCE Centre's project on promoting environmental security through dialogue and enhanced disaster risk reduction.

OSCE supports water co-operation in southern Kazakhstan

By feeds.osce.org
Published On :: Thu, 28 Jul 2016 07:46:16 +0000

The OSCE-supported eleventh meeting of the Chu-Talas Water Basin Council took place on 28 July in Taraz, southern Kazakhstan.

The event is part of the Office’s long-standing efforts to raise awareness and build capacity of state institutions in the area of water governance.

OSCE Project Co-ordinator lights up central Tashkent with 20 solar-powered street lamps

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Published On :: Fri, 29 Jul 2016 13:49:50 +0000

TASHKENT, 29 July 2016 - A central area of Tashkent is to be lit by 20 autonomous street light systems fully powered by solar energy as part of a pilot project officially launched today by the OSCE Project Co-ordinator in Uzbekistan.

The Co-ordinator is supporting the host country in the area of green economy policies, including the analysis of costs and benefits in using environmentally-friendly and sustainable systems in street lighting and urban planning.

Senior Project Officer at the OSCE Project Co-ordinator Hans-Ullrich Ihm said that urban street lighting powered by solar energy is one of many possibilities that contribute to preserving our environment by reducing the consumption of fossil fuel and emissions. He added that the Project Co-ordinator strives to support the government in implementing policies advocating for such technologies.

ODIHR Director Link expresses concern over sentencing of officials of political party banned in Tajikistan

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Published On :: Fri, 03 Jun 2016 14:26:25 +0000

WARSAW, 3 June 2016 – Michael Georg Link, Director of the OSCE Office for Democratic Institutions and Human Rights (ODIHR), expressed concern today over yesterday’s sentencing by a court in Dushanbe of two leaders of the banned Islamic Renaissance Party (IRPT) to life imprisonment, and 11 other high-ranking party officials to jail terms ranging from two to 28 years.

“The harsh sentences handed down yesterday, following the earlier ban of the IRPT and the arrest and harassment of its members and their families and lawyers, raise concerns in relation to the commitments Tajikistan has made as an OSCE participating State to uphold key values of democracy, including political pluralism and political participation,” the ODIHR Director said. “ODIHR has raised this issue with the authorities in the past, and asked for more information on the rationale behind these actions.”

The IRPT party officials were convicted and sentenced by the court on charges that they had conspired in and taken part in the organization of an army coup in the country in September 2015. At that time, the Supreme Court banned the party as an “extremist and terrorist organization”.

The trials leading up to yesterday’s sentences were held behind closed doors, with the proceedings off-limits to the media as well.

“Fair-trial rights are a central element of the rule of law, and measures limiting public scrutiny of and access to criminal proceedings can only undermine confidence that these rights are being upheld,” Director Link said. “ODIHR continues to stand ready to support the Tajik authorities in fulfilling the country’s OSCE commitments in the areas of political pluralism and the rule of law.”

OSCE Mission releases report on war crimes processing at state level in Bosnia and Herzegovina

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Published On :: Fri, 17 Jun 2016 14:28:36 +0000

SARAJEVO, 16 June 2016 – The OSCE Mission to Bosnia and Herzegovina today published the report of Judge Joanna Korner CMG QC on war crimes processing at the state level in Bosnia and Herzegovina.

At a press conference held on this occasion, Ambassador Jonathan Moore, Head of the OSCE Mission to BiH, noted that the OSCE Mission to Bosnia and Herzegovina has been monitoring the prosecution of war crimes before the domestic courts of BiH since 1996, as part of its mandate under the Dayton Peace Accords.

“In 2003, the Mission developed an increasingly structured trial monitoring capacity. In November 2006, the BiH High Judicial and Prosecutorial Council issued an Opinion recognizing the role of the Mission in observing criminal proceedings, stating that the OSCE Mission’s trial monitors should be given ‘full and unrestricted access to all documents they request within their mandate which includes monitoring the activities of courts and prosecutors’ offices,’” said Moore.

The Mission has carried out training courses and other capacity-building activities for judicial and prosecutorial staff, and provided expert advice to the judiciary based on its findings.

“The Mission is routinely asked to provide information and analysis regarding the quality of war crimes processing at the state and entity levels. These inquiries come from a variety of sources, including private persons, victims’ and survivors’ associations, ICTY, and employees of BiH judicial institutions,” said Moore. “The purpose of such inquiries is generally to understand the capacity of domestic judicial institutions for processing war crimes cases in a manner that is fair to the interests of both victims and defendants and in line with international standards, and to identify gaps in the processing of such cases.”

Moore emphasized that it is normal in democratic societies to have a vigorous public debate about judicial processes. “No one is universally happy with every verdict, sentence, conviction, and acquittal. Nevertheless, justice has yet to be done in many cases, more than 20 years after the end of the war in Bosnia and Herzegovina.”

In accordance with the mandate, role, and authorities of the Mission, with the support of the HJPC and in coordination with ICTY Chief Prosecutor Serge Brammertz and the British Embassy, Judge Korner was engaged by the OSCE Mission to BiH on the basis of her professional background and knowledge.

Judge Korner visited BiH twice in order to review available materials, speak with prosecutors, judges, and others, and prepare an analytical report that would offer suggestions as to how to improve the processing of war crimes at the state level, at which the most complex and serious war crimes, crimes against humanity, and genocide cases, are processed.

“The work of Judge Korner, her analysis and concrete advice are very valuable. It is of course up to the institutions themselves, including the HJPC, the Prosecutor’s Office of BiH, and the Court of BiH to react to the report and to act upon its recommendations. We respect the role of those institutions in guaranteeing the rule of law in Bosnia and Herzegovina.”

The Mission’s work in this regard is supported financially as part of its core budget and by additional contributions from the European Union, the United States, the United Kingdom, Switzerland, Norway, Germany, Italy, and Austria, and is closely co-ordinated with the International Criminal Tribunal for the former Yugoslavia.

OSCE supports plea bargain training in Kazakhstan

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Published On :: Mon, 20 Jun 2016 12:53:22 +0000

ASTANA, 20 June 2016 – An OSCE-supported training seminar for some 30 prosecutors and defence lawyers from different regions of Kazakhstan on plea bargaining and the role of procedural prosecutors in criminal procedure began today in Astana.

During the three-day seminar the participants will learn about issues related to the interpretation and application of the Criminal Procedure Code’s relevant provisions by legal professionals. International experts from the United States and Ukraine will familiarize participants with best practices in using plea bargaining in criminal proceedings and the role of prosecutors in preliminary investigation. Intensive discussions and mock exercises are planned to enhance comprehension and practical skills.

The recent introduction of the concepts of plea bargaining and procedural prosecutors into the new Code aims to simplify criminal procedure and contribute to the development of a more effective and cost-efficient criminal justice system in Kazakhstan. These concepts have been in place since the Code entered into force in January 2015.

“It is important to ensure sufficient balance between simplified criminal procedure, cost-efficiency and the procedural rights of participants,” said Colin McCullough, Political Officer at the OSCE Programme Office in Astana. “This is predicated upon a high level of professionalism of the investigative bodies, adequate legal literacy of the general population and the absence of corruption.”

Nail Akhmetzakirov, the Vice-Rector of the Law Enforcement Academy under the Prosecutor General’s Office, said: “The purpose of a plea agreement is the simplification of criminal proceedings, with omitting a number of investigative actions and the entire trial process. This requires a high professional level of the defender and the prosecutor.”

The event was jointly organized by the OSCE Programme Office in Astana and the Law Enforcement Academy, as part of the Programme Office’s long-term activities to support criminal justice sector reform in Kazakhstan.

OSCE supports training seminar on torture prevention in Kazakhstan

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Published On :: Mon, 04 Jul 2016 13:45:05 +0000

ASTANA, 4 July 2016 – A two-day OSCE-supported training seminar on the practical aspects of implementing the National Preventive Mechanism (NPM) for preventing torture began today in Astana, Kazakhstan.

Some 20 NPM members participated in the third in a series of four events aimed at building the capacities of the NPM in the context of monitoring, reporting and preventive visits to places of detention.

“You represent a reliable ‘pulse’ of the interaction between citizens and law-enforcement authorities and your reaching out to various places of detention provides us with some ‘measurement’ in that sense,” said Ambassador Gyorgy Szabo, Head of the Programme Office in Astana. “Such training events are productive for developing a common methodology and approach and for increasing the potential to prevent abuses of power and cruel and degrading treatment.”

The training addressed working procedures and methodology, key challenges in fulfilling human rights monitoring obligations at detention facilities and ethical matters. Both national and international anti-torture standards were taken into consideration.

Particular attention was paid to the co-operation between NPM and law-enforcement departments, prosecutors, prison administrations, healthcare institutions and media representatives.

The seminar was organized by the OSCE Programme Office in Astana in partnership with the Commissioner for Human Rights (Ombudsman) of Kazakhstan and the Regional Office of the UN High Commissioner for Human Rights.

The series of training events is part of the Office’s long-term assistance to the NPM and work in promoting the Optional Protocol to the UN Convention against Torture in the host country.

OSCE Programme Office supports training for defence lawyers in Kazakhstan on the new criminal procedure legislation

By feeds.osce.org
Published On :: Fri, 22 Jul 2016 11:32:32 +0000

At OSCE Code of Conduct conference, PA Members stress importance of parliamentary oversight

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Published On :: Fri, 03 Jun 2016 14:41:46 +0000

BERLIN, 3 June 2016 – Some 20 OSCE parliamentarians were in Berlin this week for an OSCE Code of Conduct conference focused on strengthening parliamentary control of the security sector. The event, which took place 2-3 June, highlighted the important role that parliaments play in both the oversight of armed forces and in increasing the level of political support for the OSCE Code of Conduct on Politico-Military Aspects, particularly in the context of emerging security challenges.

Speaking at the opening session Thursday, OSCE PA Vice-President Alain Neri noted that at the core of the Code of Conduct is a recognition of the importance of democratic civilian control of the armed and security forces, which means that elected parliaments must have ultimate authority over the activities of the security sector. “It is up to parliamentarians,” he said, “to ensure that fundamental human rights are respected by all security and intelligence services, both public and private.”

He regretted however that “the norms and principles outlined by the Code of Conduct are being breached with a discouraging frequency” and that “there is hardly any participating State across the OSCE region with a comprehensive and fully effective oversight over the private and public security sectors.”

Neri said that members of parliament have a special role to play not only by providing needed oversight, but by increasing the Code of Conduct’s legitimacy and relevance through active political support. For the Code to fulfill its purpose, he pointed out, both experts and parliamentarians are needed to commit to fostering its implementation.

OSCE PA Treasurer and Head of the German Delegation Doris Barnett also spoke Thursday, focusing her remarks on the changing character of conflicts, including the growing number of internal and external actors that are involved in armed conflicts and the role of non-state actors. The term “hybrid warfare” has come to define discussions around security, she pointed out, with civil, economic, informational and technological means being used for aims of war instead of peace.

“To identify who is fighting against whom, with whose support, with which aims and interests – to keep a clear overview, not to mention predicting these relationships, is anything but easy, and therefore an intense inter-disciplinary, trans-sectoral, and international co-operative approach among parliamentarians is required,” said Barnett.

The OSCE PA’s Special Representative in Vienna, Amb. Andreas Nothelle, moderated a session today entitled “Parliamentary Control of Armed and Security Forces and the Role of the Code of Conduct: Perspectives on Furthering Implementation,” and delivered concluding remarks at the closing session.

“If implemented faithfully the Code of Conduct is all-encompassing and sufficiently flexible to address all new challenges of our times,” Nothelle said. “The OSCE PA, in its 2014 resolution on parliamentary oversight over the private and public security sectors, has set guidelines for meeting these challenges.”

Organized jointly by Germany’s 2016 OSCE Chairmanship and the OSCE Conflict Prevention Centre, in partnership with the OSCE Parliamentary Assembly and the Geneva Centre for the Democratic Control of Armed Forces, the event brought together over 100 participants, including parliamentarians from OSCE participating States and Partners for Co-operation, senior government officials, representatives of OSCE institutions, OSCE field presences and civil society.

OSCE parliamentarians from 13 countries participated, including several Bureau Members and Special Representatives.

For Vice-President Neri’s full remarks, please click here. Treasurer Barnett’s remarks are available (in German) here.

OSCE-supports training course for newly recruited personnel of a rehabilitation centre in Kyrgyzstan

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Published On :: Fri, 10 Jun 2016 11:56:28 +0000

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Some 20 newly-recruited personnel of the Atlantis rehabilitation centre took part in a two-week capacity building training course, conducted in the premises of the penal colony in the village of Novopokrovka, which concluded on 10 June. The event was organized by the Kyrgyz State Service for Execution of Punishment (SSEP) and the OSCE Centre in Bishkek.

OSCE-supported international trainers and specialists on therapeutic work with drug- and alcohol-addicted prisoners presented the Minnesotan treatment model, which is recognized as a global best practice among psychotherapeutic programmes for treatment of people with such problems, and organized practical sessions on the development of therapeutic skills.

“Specific professional training is critical to enable the staff of the penitentiary service to carry out their work in full safety,” said Daniele Rumolo, Senior Human Dimension Officer at the OSCE Centre in Bishkek. “Providing them with the necessary skills to effectively deal with specific categories of prisoners is also crucial to prevent criminal activities inside the prisons and enhance the respect of the rule of law.”

The course is part of an OSCE project on supporting the implementation of the National Strategy on the Development of Penitentiary System “Umut-2”. The project addresses the human rights situation and safety in penitentiary establishments through capacity building activities for prison staff.

Inter-institutional co-operation in focus of OSCE-supported security policy course in Bosnia and Herzegovina

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Published On :: Thu, 16 Jun 2016 13:31:54 +0000

SARAJEVO, 16 June 2016 – An-OSCE supported course on security policy in Bosnia and Herzegovina (BiH) for some 30 participants from government institutions, parliament, police, armed forces, civil society, academia, media and industry concluded today in Sarajevo.

The two-week course, organized by the OSCE Mission to BiH and Council of Ministers’ Inter-ministerial Working Group on Monitoring the Implementation of BiH Security Policy, focused on the necessity of a multi-disciplinary approach and co-ordination and co-operation among various security actors. The course also aimed at increasing their knowledge of the BiH security policy and security system.

“The responsibility for security is not the exclusive domain of any one particular ministry or institution. No single institution has sufficient resources or mandate to address what have become global security concerns and problems,” said Michael Delacruz, Head of Security Co-operation Unit at the OSCE Mission to BiH.

Momir Brajic, member of the Council of Minister’s Inter-ministerial Working Group, said: “Implementation of the security policy requires a particular accent to be placed on the establishment and improvement of inter-section co-operation, principally on co-operation between the government and civil sector. Therefore, this course is an excellent forum for exchange of opinions and experiences between different actors in the area of security.”

Dario Busic, Head of the Department at the BiH Ministry of Communication and Transport, said: “The course covered very interesting topics, some of which were new for me. It, therefore, enabled me to see the field of transportation, as my field of expertise, from a new perspective.”

The OSCE Mission to BiH and Inter-Ministerial Working Group have been organizing security policy courses since 2007 to raise understanding of BiH’s security policy and to exchange information in this area. The course is accredited by the BiH Civil Service Agency with ten credits and serves for the professional development and career advancement of civil servants.

OSCE supports training of 16 National Points of Contact on implementing UN Security Council Resolution 1540

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Published On :: Fri, 01 Jul 2016 13:10:53 +0000

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National Points of Contact from 16 OSCE participating States on implementing UN Security Council Resolution 1540 (2004) on the non-proliferation of weapons of mass destruction and their components were familiarized with countries’ commitments stemming from this Resolution, at a training session co-organized by the OSCE from 28 June to 1 July 2016 in Kaliningrad, in the Russian Federation. A National Point of Contact from Chile – an observer State – also took part.

The session was hosted by the Government of the Russian Federation, and conducted in partnership with the UN Regional Centre for Peace and Disarmament in Asia and the Pacific (UNRCPD) and the UN Office for Disarmament Affairs (UNODA).

Welcoming the participants on behalf of Russia’s Foreign Minister Sergey Lavrov, an official of the Russian Ministry of Foreign Affairs stressed that “the efficiency of the UN Security Council Resolution 1540 can be guaranteed only through its full implementation by all countries”, and by encouraging close and constructive co-operation between all parties.

Robin Mossinkoff, the Head of the Forum for Security Cooperation Support Unit, said: “The OSCE has been supporting the network of OSCE National Points of Contact on implementing Resolution 1540 with annual meetings since 2014, and appreciates the Russian Federation’s initiative to hold this year’s annual meeting in format of a training session.”

Participants were provided with an overview of the international non-proliferation regimes and instruments. They discussed the national legislative and regulatory framework, enforcement of legislation with regard to export and border controls, transshipment, illicit trafficking and brokering control as well as the role of the Points of Contact in supporting the development and implementation of these measures.

Anton Martyniuk, the UNRCPD Coordinator of the project, noted that establishing Points of Contact and fostering their operation is a solid contribution to implementing Resolution 1540 at the national, regional and international levels.

Participants also visited a border crossing point to learn more about the work of a commodity identification centre.

The training course was organized as part of the joint UNODA-OSCE project on facilitating the regional implementation of UN Security Council Resolution 1540. UNRCPD and the OSCE organized the course in co-operation with the 1540 Committee and its Group of Experts.

Corruption issues in private sector discussed with support of the OSCE Office in Yerevan

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Published On :: Tue, 31 May 2016 13:58:54 +0000

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Challenges in customs regulatory frameworks were discussed at an event on May 25 in Gyumri and another discussion on state revenue issues in the regions will be held in Vanadzor.

OSCE Chairperson-in-Office Steinmeier, in Armenia, expresses support for work of OSCE Office

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Published On :: Thu, 30 Jun 2016 07:42:08 +0000

YEREVAN, 30 June 2016 – OSCE Chairperson-in-Office and German Foreign Minister Frank-Walter Steinmeier visited the premises of the OSCE Office in Yerevan on 30 June to discuss its work and activities and to meet with civil society representatives, while in Armenia as part of his official visit to the three countries of the South Caucasus.

Steinmeier was welcomed by Ambassador Argo Avakov, Head of the OSCE Office in Yerevan. “The Office in Yerevan is closely co-operating with state structures and civil society in Armenia and welcomes this visit by the Chairperson-in-Office,” said Avakov. “Civil society plays an important role in enhancing public confidence in the electoral process, improving police-public partnership as well as promoting women and youth engagement and the freedom of the media in Armenia.”

The Chairperson-in-Office underlined his appreciation for the Office’s activities in all three dimensions and commended its good co-operation with Armenian institutions.

The OSCE Office in Yerevan works closely with government partners, civil society and other actors in Armenia to support activities in a variety of areas including legislative and criminal justice reform, anti-corruption, migration policy, economic integration, environmental activities, raising awareness on human rights, media freedom, access to information, gender equality, assistance to police and security sector reform.

OSCE Mission, police to discuss how to help prevent violent extremism and radicalization in Kosovo

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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.

Objective reporting from the conflict zone

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Published On :: Mon, 04 Jul 2016 10:35:51 +0000

Article

Journalists in the battlefield have a responsibility to report objectively in a way which does not inflame tensions. A new manual by the OSCE Project Co-ordinator in Ukraine is helping media workers get the message.

Mon, 2016-07-18 11:47

OSCE Project Co-ordinator in Ukraine

Eastern Europe

Media freedom and development

Reporting objectively from a conflict is never easy. Concerns for your own personal safety and daily scenes of death and destruction mean that journalists can be overcome by personal emotion, while feelings of patriotism and “us against them” can be difficult to extinguish.

The professional ethical dilemmas presented by reporting from a conflict zone are very familiar to Anya, a journalist from the city of Donetsk, who has been covering the conflict in and around Ukraine from the beginning.

“It is difficult to remain objective in such situations,” says Anya, fully aware that journalists across all sides of the conflict face similar professional dilemmas. She was among 200 journalists and media experts from both sides of the line of contact who gathered in Mariupol, a city in the south of the Donetsk region, for the Donbas Media Forum from 9 to 12 June 2016 to discuss her personal and professional experiences of reporting on the conflict.

It was clear during the Forum, which was organized by local NGOs such as the Donetsk Institute of Information and the Donetsk Press Club that tensions among journalists deeply persist. These are partly down to the diametrically opposed political reporting on the conflict by the journalists. Indeed most of the journalists from the Donetsk region, including Anya, preferred to remain anonymous at the Forum.

[node id="250356" preset="medium" align="left" description="Oleksiy Matsuka, journalist, founder of the web-based project ‘News of Donbas’ and organiser of the Donbas Media Forum 2016, talks about difficulties media professionals face in the field, Mariupol, 10 June 2016. (Evgeny Sosnovsky)"]

Best practices on objective reporting

The discussions at the Forum explored ways of enhancing the professionalism of the reporting in ways which can help rekindle trust between communities and counter deliberate misreporting.

One of the tools presented was 'Conflict Sensitive Journalism - Best Practices and Recommendations’, a new manual published by the Officer of the OSCE Project Co-ordinator in Ukraine. Among many other things, the guide offers tips on how to work with vulnerable populations or how to verify facts and illustrates in plain language and through real-life case studies what media professionals need to do in the field in order to enhance their reporting.

“The guidelines aim to both advance the safety of journalists covering the conflict in Ukraine and support the development of conflict-sensitive media coverage”, says OSCE PCU National Project Officer Maryna Bezkorovaina.

Reporting from a conflict zone: Some tips

No story is worth your life! Journalists need to ensure their personal protection in combat operations zones – preparatory planning in advance of the trip and attending hostile environment and first aid courses are crucial.

Truth is the first victim in a conflict. Tensions are high and people pick sides. But it is crucial for journalists to stay impartial and to seek the truth – or at least be transparent in a story about the fact that information is hard to verify due to the reporting circumstances.

Do not stigmatise or discriminate when writing about displaced persons and other vulnerable groups and do not facilitate political manipulations on the subject.

Make a person the centre of your story and think about consequences of your reporting.

Do not distort reality for the sake of a nice picture and sensational text. Journalists have no justification for twisting facts, inventing non-existent things or using footage that does not reflect reality.

Source: ‘Conflict Sensitive Journalism - Best Practices and Recommendations’, published by the Office of the OSCE Project Co-ordinator in Ukraine (2016)

A threat to peace

Objective reporting from the conflict zone is important, because misreporting and propaganda can inflame tensions. The manual is therefore a product aiming to contribute to efforts to bring peace in Ukraine.

The lack of interest in and the dehumanization of the “other side” can threaten the potential for sustainable peace, says journalist Dejan Anastasijević with the Serbian weekly Vreme. At the Donbas Media Forum, he recalled his experiences as a correspondent on the Yugoslav wars of secession. “Do not make the situation worse by using harsh language against each other.”

The handbook features the results of a study implemented by the OSCE Project Co-ordinator in partnership with the Ukrainian NGOs Telekritika and the Institute of Mass Media, which revealed serious misconceptions among leading editors and prominent Ukrainian journalists regarding the role of the media in times of conflict.

[node id="250361" preset="medium" align="left" description="Dejan Anastasijevic, Serbian journalist from Vreme newspaper states: “Do not make the situation worse by using harsh language against each other,” in a panel discussion at the Forum in Mariupol, 10 June 2016. (Evgeny Sosnovsky)"]

The study highlighted over-generalized reporting, narratives characterised by an 'us' versus 'them' perspective, inflammatory language and dehumanization of the conflict sides. Half of the analysed national online publications reported incomplete information about the conflict, while about a quarter of the material primarily relied on data from social networks. Moreover, the problems and needs of the people living in the areas not controlled by the Ukrainian government received little or no coverage.

“Journalists need to understand that they are not soldiers fighting for a particular side,” says Oleksiy Matsuka, a journalist and founder of the web-based project ‘News of Donbas’. “The manual helps journalists return to the origins and basic rules of their profession.”

The manual was a crucial element of the OSCE Project Co-ordinator’s “Supporting Conflict Sensitive Journalism in Ukraine” project, which is partially funded by the Government of the United Kingdom and the International Media Support (IMS) NGO. The manual draws on the most up-to-date practices based on the highest quality academic research.

The book was also earlier presented in Lviv Media Forum, in western Ukraine, and English, Ukrainian and Russian versions of the book are available on the OSCE website and as an app for iOS and Android devices.

“It is extremely useful for journalists to have a handbook they can easily access whenever and wherever they need it,” says Mariana Seminishin, organizer of the Lviv Media Forum. “The manual provides both life-saving information and guidance that could pave the way for peace in Ukraine.”

OSCE Programme Office supports public hearings on libel and slander legislation in Kazakhstan

By feeds.osce.org
Published On :: Thu, 21 Jul 2016 11:17:23 +0000

UN Special Rapporteur and OSCE Representative on Freedom of the Media deplore crackdown on journalists and media outlets in Turkey

By feeds.osce.org
Published On :: Thu, 28 Jul 2016 14:38:29 +0000

GENEVA / VIENNA, 28 July 2016 – Two top holders of media freedom mandates of the United Nations and the Organization for Security and Cooperation in Europe (OSCE) today condemned the ongoing crackdown on journalists and the media launched by Turkish Government in the wake of the attempted coup.

The UN Special Rapporteur on the right to freedom of opinion and expression, David Kaye, and the OSCE Representative on Freedom of the Media, Dunja Mijatović, expressed alarm at recent measures adopted by the Turkish authorities. Dozens of journalists have been reportedly arrested and a large number of media outlets closed in the past twenty-four hours.

“The simultaneous arrests of independent journalists and shutdowns of print and broadcast media strike a major blow against public debate and government accountability,” the experts warned. “We strongly urge the Turkish authorities to reconsider these decisions and confirm their obligations to media freedom.”

Reports indicate that the Government ordered the closure of three news agencies, 16 TV channels, 23 radio channels, 45 papers and 15 magazines. Since the attempted coup, authorities have issued arrest warrants against 89 journalists and have already arrested several of them, blocked access to more than 20 news websites, revoked the licenses of 29 publishing houses, and cancelled a number of press accreditations.

Numerous academic institutions, schools, civil society organizations were also ordered to close down by decrees issued after the adoption of the “Statutory Decree Regarding Measures to be Taken Within Scope of State of Emergency and Regulation of Certain Institutes and Institutions” on 23 July.

“It is quite clear that this wave of restrictions against media groups does not meet the basic international standards concerning restrictive measures even in times of emergency,” Mijatović said. “The disregard for any assurance of due process is flagrant and only contributes to the extreme levels of insecurity affecting all those working to inform people of the ongoing crisis in the country.”

“The attempted coup cannot justify such a broad attack against almost all voices, not just critical ones but analytic and journalistic,” Kaye said. “The widespread and abrupt nature of the measures, lacking even the basic elements of due process, is shocking and unprecedented in recent times in Turkey.”

“The Government’s purging of personnel and institutions of what it perceives as being dissenting and critical voices, solely on the basis of allegations of membership in the Gülen movement, clearly violates standards of international human rights law,” he noted.

Both experts expressed their continued willingness to discuss their concerns with Turkish authorities. UN Special Rapporteur Kaye will be visiting Turkey on an official visit in November, at the invitation of the Government. OSCE Representative Mijatović reiterated her Office’s assistance in improving media freedom, including a visit to the country.

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.

OSCE media freedom representative urges protection for journalists reporting on civil unrest in Armenia

By feeds.osce.org
Published On :: Mon, 01 Aug 2016 14:20:05 +0000

VIENNA, 1 August 2016 – At the end of the siege of police headquarters in Yerevan, OSCE Representative on Freedom of the Media Dunja Mijatović today sought reassurance from the foreign minister of Armenia that journalists’ rights and safety during times of civil unrest would be protected.

Mijatović wrote to Foreign Minister Edward Nalbandian indicating that the Government “should implement practical steps to ensure restraint on the part of law enforcement representatives toward members of the media and suggested steps should be taken by the authorities to guarantee that the press is not targeted by the police or thugs. The police should be protecting journalists and members of the media.”

According to reports, on 29 July media reporting on the forced dispersal of demonstrators in the Sari Tagh district and other events were attacked, beaten and had their equipment destroyed. In some cases the attackers were uniformed police; in others, civilians armed with metal rods.

Those attacked include:

reporter Aghvan Asoyan and camera operator Albert Galstyan from Armenia TV;
journalist Mariam Grigoryan and camera operator Davit Harutyunyan from Arajin Lratvakan;
reporters Karlen Aslanyan and Hovhannes Movsisyan and camera operator Garik Harutyunyan of Azatutyun;
reporter Robert Ananyan and camera operator Tigran Badalyan from A1+ TV;
camera operator Marut Vanyan from the Lragir.am news website;
journalists Sargis Kharazyan and Mkrtich Karapetyan from CivilNet;
reporter Hovik Grigoryan of Panorama.am; and
camera operator Tigran Gasparyan who works for Life.ru.

Mijatović also noted in the letter the statement published by the Armenian media NGOs of 21 July about the police attacks on journalists that took place in Yerevan days and weeks earlier. The victims included:

Gevorg Tosunyan, a journalist from iravaban.net;
Artak Hambardzumyan, a reporter from Azatutyun;
Arthur Hayrapetyan, a reporter from 4news.am; and
Tehmine Yenoqyan , a reporter from lragir.am.

Sebastien Pourrat: The Basque Country Takes Malibu

By pepperdine-graphic.com
Published On :: Wed, 13 Nov 2024 06:08:17 +0000

Sebastien Pourrat has brought to Malibu a culinary concept that fuses Basque flavors with SoCal traditions. Casita Basqueria is the continuation of his life's work with food.

The post Sebastien Pourrat: The Basque Country Takes Malibu appeared first on Pepperdine Graphic.

Full Article

Empowerment of youth crucial in preventing violent extremism, conclude participants at OSCE meeting in Vienna

By feeds.osce.org
Published On :: Tue, 14 Jun 2016 14:59:45 +0000

VIENNA, 14 June 2016 – Preventing and responding to the terrorist radicalization of youth north and south of the Mediterranean was in focus of the OSCE Mediterranean Contact Group meeting held today in Vienna.

“We need to step up efforts to prevent radicalization amongst youth”, said the Chairperson of the Contact Group, Permanent Representative of Austria to the OSCE Christian Strohal. “Ensuring the participation of youth, socially, economically and politically, is very important in this regard.”

Fadwa Al Ahmadi, a youth activist from Tunisia, stressed the need to create spaces for youth to express themselves: “Youth empowerment is crucial in preventing violent extremism in North Africa. We must help them to be heard.”

Véronique Roger-Lacan, the Permanent Representative of France to the OSCE, said: “We support wholeheartedly the efficient work carried out by the UnitedCVE team, in their relationship with the youth of the OSCE’s 57 participating States. We call on civil society to maintain its engagement against the radicalization of youth. We continue to co-operate in the fight against recruiters and terrorists.”

French filmmaker Fabienne Servan Schreiber, who works on creating counter-narratives to radicalization in film, stressed the importance of working with parents affected by violent extremism and sharing their stories: “Parents are on the frontlines and must be at the centre of the fight against violent extremism and radicalization leading to terrorism.”

“We must help parents to help their children,” said Valérie de Boisrolin, President of the French Association Syrie-Prevention-Famille, whose daughter left to Syria in 2013. “There is such ignorance about religion among young people who leave to fight in Syria. We also need to make youth aware of the reality of terrorism on the ground, violence and abuse. We must unite and do all we can to work with young people who come back from the hands of ‘Daesh’.”

OSCE Secretary General Lamberto Zannier launched in 2015 the organization-wide campaign ‘OSCE United in Countering Violent Extremism’ (#UnitedCVE) to underscore that the OSCE stands together as one in countering violent extremism and radicalization leading to terrorism.

Combating violent extremism through modern communication technologies discussed at OSCE–supported international conference in Kyrgyzstan

By feeds.osce.org
Published On :: Sat, 18 Jun 2016 05:53:41 +0000

ISSYK-KUL, Kyrgyzstan, 18 June 2016 – An-OSCE supported conference attended by some 100 participants from 20 countries on international co-operation in countering terrorist and extremist organizations through the use of modern communication technologies concluded today in Issyk-Kul, Kyrgyzstan.

The three-day event was organized by Kyrgyz government and the Anti-Terrorist Centre of the Commonwealth of Independent States (CIS) with support of the OSCE Centre in Bishkek and a local NGO, the Civil Initiative on Internet Policy Public Fund.

Welcoming the participants, Kyrgyzstan’s President Almazbek Atambayev stated that there was a clear awareness in the country that extremism and terrorism cannot be resolved by force only. “It is extremely important for us that our country is an example of the search for new methods of work with the population and positive co-operation with religious leaders, in order to achieve the objective of sustainable secular development.”

Manuel Marion Mainer, Senior Programme Officer at the Action against Terrorism Unit of the OSCE Transnational Threats Department, said: “We have to go beyond traditional approaches involving only the law enforcement and judiciary in the fight against crime. To prevent and counter terrorism effectively, we need collaboration among all state institutions and public authorities, as well as partnerships with civil society organizations and the businesses. Engaging youth and youth organizations is of paramount importance.

The meeting was part of the OSCE Centre’s project on combatting terrorism and preventing violent extremism and radicalization that lead to terrorism.

Impact of corruption prevention measures at national and sectoral levels in focus at OSCE-supported expert meeting in Kyrgyzstan

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