Central Europe

580918

On 18 November 2024, the OSCE Project Co-ordinator in Uzbekistan (PCUz), in collaboration with the Constitutional Court of the Republic of Uzbekistan, held a roundtable to discuss an expert analysis of the legal framework for constitutional review in Uzbekistan. The roundtable, titled “Key Theses and Conclusions of the Constitutional Review Analysis in the Republic of Uzbekistan”, was attended by 25 representatives of the Constitutional Court and members of the court’s scientific advisory council.

During the event, international constitutional law expert Alexandru Tanase presented his analysis of existing legislation and its compliance with international standards. The analysis was commissioned by the PCUz. Particular emphasis was placed on the role of reforms, including the adoption of the new law on the Constitutional Court, which aims to increase the institution’s independence and efficiency in ensuring the supremacy of the Constitution and in protecting citizens' rights.

“Constitutional courts play a key role in ensuring that the constitution is followed and that international legal commitments, especially those related to human rights, are respected,” said PCUz Senior Project Officer Andrew Yurkovsky, who opened the event with Askar Gafurov, the Deputy Chairman of the Constitutional Court of the Republic of Uzbekistan. “ The rule of law means that decisions made by constitutional courts must be followed by all parts of the government, so no one, not even those in power, is above the law.”

The event was jointly organized by the PCUz and the Constitutional Court, within the framework of the project Support to Judicial-Legal Reforms.

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On 14-15 November 2024, the OSCE Project Co-Ordinator in Uzbekistan (PCUz), in co-operation with the National Human Rights Centre (NHRC) of the Republic of Uzbekistan and the Main Directorate for the Execution of Punishments, organized a two-day training on Forensic Medical Documentation of torture and ill-treatment according to Istanbul Protocol for employees of the Republican Scientific and Practical Centre for Forensic Medicine and medical staff of the penitentiary system of Uzbekistan.

The training was aimed at enhancing the skills of forensic experts and medical staff in penitentiary facilities and forensic experts. The course covered key aspects of torture prevention as well as the documentation of torture and ill-treatment cases in line with international standards.

During the training, 30 participants learned about international mechanisms for preventing torture, as well as national legislation in Uzbekistan governing the treatment of those in detention. The main focus was on the Istanbul Protocol, an international document that serves as the standard for the medical documentation of torture. Participants were taught how to correctly identify and document both physical and psychological signs of torture, as well as how to comply with legal and ethical standards when conducting forensic examinations in detention facilities, such as pretrial detention centers and prisons. 

An important part of the training were practical exercises, including interviewing torture victims and learning methods for collecting reliable information. Experts also discussed the trauma and the emotional impact that medical personnel may experience when working with torture victims and strategies for managing such effects.

The event was opened jointly by Akmal Saidov, the First Deputy Speaker of the Legislative Chamber of the Oliy Majlis and Director of the National Human Rights Centre; PCUz Senior Project Officer Andrew Yurkovsky; Bakhodir Yusupov, the Head of the Medical Department, Penitentiary Department under the Ministry of Internal Affairs of the Republic of Uzbekistan; and Amriddin Umarov, Deputy Director of the Republican Scientific and Practical Centre for Forensic Medicine.

580894

On 13 and 14 November, the OSCE PCUz facilitated a series of lectures by representatives of the Estonian School of Diplomacy at the Diplomatic Academy of the University of World Economy and Diplomacy (UWED) in Tashkent.

The training, opened by the First Vice-Rector of the UWED, Akram Umarov, alongside the Head of the PCUz, Ambassador Antti Karttunen, enabled students to get acquainted with Estonian and EU foreign policy. Lectures were carried out by staff of the Estonian School of Diplomacy on topics including “Estonia’s foreign policy priorities and regional co-operation”, “EU foreign policy: challenges and opportunities” and “Foreign policy analysis - practical toolbox for diplomats and analysts.”

Prior to the training, on 12 November, a Memorandum of Understanding was signed between the Director of the Diplomatic Academy of the UWED, Abdusamat Khaydarov, and the Director of the Estonian School of Diplomacy, Ekke Nomm. Ambassador Karttunen was warmly thanked for the PCUz’s role in bringing the respective parties together and supporting the training.

Speaking on the first day of the event, Ambassador Karttunen expressed his support for the collaboration between the diplomatic academies of Estonia and Uzbekistan and enthusiasm for the training of Uzbekistan’s future diplomats. Through such events, the OSCE is firmly committed to promoting international co-operation and engaging with the country’s youth.

VIENNA, 19 November 2024 — Today, the OSCE Troika - Malta, North Macedonia and Finland - made the following statement:

“On this 1000th day since the Russian Federation’s full-scale invasion of Ukraine, we, the OSCE Troika members - Malta, North Macedonia and Finland – reaffirm our steadfast support for the sovereignty, independence and territorial integrity of Ukraine. We applaud the resilience of the Ukrainian people and pledge continued support, including through the CiO’s Special Representative – Project Co-ordinator and the extra-budgetary Support Programme for Ukraine.

We strongly condemn Russia’s ongoing war of aggression. This war is a grave violation of the UN Charter and a flagrant breach of OSCE principles and commitments under the Helsinki Final Act.

We reaffirm the urgent need to protect civilians and ensure the provision of humanitarian assistance to those in need. The relentless, indiscriminate attacks on civilians and residential areas, as well as the targeted destruction of civilian infrastructure, including energy infrastructure, hospitals and schools in Ukraine, violate international humanitarian law, compound human suffering, and undermine prospects for peace.    

We underline that those responsible for violations of international law, especially regarding crimes committed against children and conflict-related sexual violence, should be held accountable, ensuring justice for victims.

We are deeply concerned by the war’s broader consequences on food security, the environment, nuclear security and safety, energy stability and cultural heritage.

We call for the immediate release of all unlawfully detained civilians, including those held for their political views, and the swift return of children illegally deported from Ukraine. We also demand the immediate and unconditional release of OSCE officials Vadym Golda, Maxim Petrov and Dmytro Shabanov, who remain unjustly detained.

This war must end. We call on the Russian Federation to immediately cease all hostilities and withdraw its forces from Ukraine’s internationally recognized borders.

On this tragic milestone, we underscore our commitment to a comprehensive, just and lasting peace in Ukraine. We urge all participating States and international organizations to intensify support for diplomatic efforts to achieve such a peace.”

IPRM participants discussed the situation along the administrative boundary line (ABL), including various security issues, ongoing detentions, and challenges faced by the conflict-affected communities. Both co-facilitators advocated for the release of the currently held detainees and encouraged participants to discontinue the practice of detentions. The EUMM and OSCE also reiterated their calls for the full re-opening of crossing points for regular traffic, which would considerably improve the livelihood of women, men, children and elderly people living adjacent to the ABL.

All participants praised the EUMM-managed Hotline as an essential tool to exchange information, defuse tensions and manage incidents in a timely manner. 

The participants agreed to convene the next regular IPRM meeting on 14 February 2025. 

580858 OSCE Centre in Ashgabat

Findings and recommendations from an assessment of the need for the prevention of and response to gender-based and domestic violence were discussed at an OSCE-organized workshop that took place on 18 and 19 November 2024 in Ashgabat.

The needs assessment is being conducted by Malin Palm, a gender expert from Sweden, as the second part of the extra-budgetary project “Supporting Strengthened Mechanisms for the Prevention of, and Response to, Gender-Based Violence, including Domestic Violence” implemented by the OSCE Centre in Ashgabat with support from the governments of Norway and the USA. The first part of the project was an independent evaluation of the Centre’s long-running project on domestic violence.

The expert presented preliminary findings of the needs assessment and outlined possible recommendations on how the OSCE and other stakeholders can scale up efforts and more effectively prevent and respond to gender-based and domestic violence in a three-five year timeframe.

“Gender-based violence is a global phenomenon that transcends borders, cultures, and socio-economic status,” said John MacGregor, Head of the OSCE Centre in Ashgabat. “It weakens the very fabric of our societies by perpetuating inequality, fear, and discrimination.”

“We organized this workshop to discuss how we can practically implement our commitment to create safe environments where justice is served, and where support systems for survivors are strengthened,” stressed MacGregor.

The seminar reflected on the theory of change in the context of gender-based violence and explored new areas of work, including response to Internet violence and behaviour change programmes for perpetrators of domestic violence.

The seminar brought together representatives of the Mejlis (parliament), Office of the Ombudsperson, Institute of State, Law and Democracy, law-enforcement bodies, competent ministries, public organizations and other relevant institutions.

580828 Marina Živaljević

As part of its support for the work of the Commission for Monitoring Investigations of Attacks on Journalists, the OSCE Mission to Montenegro commissioned the development of a Document Management System (DMS) to store and track all information on cases of threats and attacks on journalists and media property in Montenegro.

The Ministry of Interior, which provides administrative and technical support to the work of the Commission, mediated the transfer of the donation of software and accompanying equipment that the OSCE had assigned to the Commission. The donation agreement was signed by the Acting Head of the OSCE Mission to Montenegro Giovanni Gabassi, Acting Director General of the Directorate for International Co-operation, European Integration and Projects in the Ministry of Interior, Tijana Šuković, and the President of the Commission for Monitoring the Actions of Competent Authorities in Investigations of Cases of Threats and Violence Against Journalists, Murders of Journalists, and Attacks on Media Property, Mihailo Jovović.

In addition to supporting the development of the DMS software, the Mission provided the basic technical equipment, including a computer, server, scanner and printer, to support the software’s installation and running. The software enables the Commission to classify and present data, generate different reports, store documentation in electronic formats, create records, print and download all documentation dating back to 2013, when the Commission was initially formed.

“This is a significant step forward in the digitisation of the vast paper archive related to cases of violence against journalists dating back to 2013. It will strengthen the capacity of the Commission to review, assess and report on the conduct of investigations and enhance the organization of the Commission’s workflow,” said Acting Head of Mission Gabassi. He added that it also served as a reminder of the crucial role investigative journalists play in holding public institutions and officials to account, and of the need to ensure they can work without fear of reprisal.”

“With support of the OSCE Mission to Montenegro, the Document Management System streamlines the work of the Commission, allows for remote access to documents and provides Commission members a better assessment on how institutions handled cases over the last 14 years”, said Mr. Jovović. He also thanked the Mission for organizing a roundtable, where the Dutch press safety mechanism was presented, which is considered one of the best in Europe and could serve as an example for Montenegro.

Acting General Director Šuković pointed out that today’s handover was just another confirmation of the readiness of the Ministry of Interior to put its capacities in the function of providing the highest quality administrative and technical conditions for the Commission to perform its role as efficiently as possible. “The successful functioning of this Commission has a significant impact on state bodies, while special attention is given to its recommendations,” said Šuković.

The Mission encourages the institutions of Montenegro to intensify their efforts to safeguard the rights and safety of journalists, in line with the country’s responsibilities as an OSCE participating State and the joint statement on the Safety of Women Journalists, issued during last year’s OSCE Ministerial Council Meeting in Skopje.

580786

In view of Albania's upcoming 2025 parliamentary elections, the OSCE Presence and the Central Election Commission (CEC) organized a technical workshop titled “Elections 2025: The role of media in the electoral process – Challenges and opportunities”, on 18 November 2024.

The event brought together regulatory bodies, media professionals and civil society representatives to discuss ways to improve the media environment and media’s coverage of elections.

“The media, often referred to as the ‘fourth estate’, plays a critical role as the primary source of information for most voters. It shapes public opinion and can significantly influence electoral outcomes. With this immense responsibility, it is imperative for the media to uphold the highest standards of ethical and professional conduct when covering elections”, Head of Presence Ambassador Michel Tarran said at the opening of the event.

“We recognize the immense pressures the media face in striving for fairness, analytical depth, and accuracy in their reporting. To address this, the Presence remains steadfast in advocating for effective media regulation and self-regulation. These mechanisms are crucial to ensuring that media outlets operate in line with ethical standards”, he added.

State Election Commissioner Ilirjan Celibashi stressed the importance of media professionalism and independence. "There are a number of mechanisms that ensure or should ensure the presence of these characteristics for the media. But if this process is not self-regulated or the media themselves, in general, do not have this approach, then it is important to have a regulatory aspect. It remains important that, in any case, the media is not in a position where it has to say something different from what it sees and verifies, as well as not to promote what should not be promoted," he said.

Participants discussed key challenges that Albanian media actors face in covering elections and electoral campaigns. Discussions focused on the OSCE/ODIHR’s recommendations, highlighting: the effective implementation of the Law on the Right to Information; implementation of legal obligations concerning airing of pre-recorded party-generated content in news; the allocation of airtime to election contestants; and lack of sufficient resources to perform comprehensive media oversight. Representatives of state institutions, media professionals and civil society presented their efforts, perspectives and recommendations to improve fair and ethical coverage of elections and to overcome the recurring challenges.

These efforts aim to ensure that Albanian voters have access to crucial information on electoral procedures, political platforms and candidates, empowering them to make informed choices.

The workshop discussions are part of a broader effort to strengthen the integrity of the electoral process. Earlier this year, the Presence and the CEC organized two technical workshops focused on voter education and vote buying. A fourth workshop, on vote secrecy, will take place in December 2024.

580753 Communication and Media Relations Section

From 11 to 15 November, the OSCE gathered representatives from Moldova's General Police Inspectorate in a series of meetings to strengthen national policing strategies through an intelligence-led policing (ILP) framework.

The discussions helped identify skill and knowledge gaps critical to the effective implementation of intelligence-led policing and in the use of strategic analysis, such as data collection, trend analyses, resource planning and the legal aspects of intelligence work. National stakeholders reviewed the Inspectorate’s organizational structures, procedures, available ICT tools to understand the effectiveness of current training programmes and explore opportunities to integrate international good practices.

Participants included law enforcement staff at all levels—analysts, middle and senior managers, as well as policy-makers. Their feedback was essential to identify the competencies and resources needed to advance ILP practices in Moldova.

This assessment helps establish a roadmap to enhance Moldova’s law enforcement capabilities in the fight against crime, including trafficking of illicit small arms and light weapons, fostering a proactive and intelligence-driven approach. The findings will also guide the development of tailored training programmes and resources for improvement in Moldova’s efforts to end crime.

These activities are funded by the UK Government as part of the extrabudgetary project “Support to the Law Enforcement Agencies in Moldova in Response to the Security Challenges in the Region”. The project is implemented by the OSCE Transnational Threats Department, in collaboration with the Conflict Prevention Centre’s Forum for Security Co-operation Support Unit and the Office of the OSCE Co-ordinator of Economic and Environmental Activities.

557148 The ballet artists from the Kyrgyz National Opera and Ballet Theater during the OSCE-supported ecological performance ADAM Chyngyz Zhanybekov Aida Almazbekova

On 12–13 November 2024, ADAM (“Human” in Kyrgyz), an ecological performance, took the stage at the UN Climate Change Conference (COP29) in Baku, Azerbaijan. Supported by the OSCE, this performance aimed to promote environmental protection through the transformative power of art.

The event attracted over 1,000 attendees, including foreign delegations, representatives of international organizations, as well as residents and visitors of Baku at the Azerbaijan State Academic Musical Theatre.

ADAM addresses global challenges such as climate change, biodiversity loss, and pollution. The performance invited the spectators to reflect on how overconsumption harms the environment and what actions are necessary to save both the planet and humankind.

"For Kyrgyzstan, this was a new approach to tackling climate change and promoting environmental protection, but I firmly believe that this performance will leave a lasting impression on the audience and foster respect and care for the planet," shared Meder Mashiev, Minister of Natural Resources, Ecology, and Technical Supervision of the Kyrgyz Republic.

Since 2022, this initiative has engaged over 5,000 participants across Kyrgyzstan, raising awareness about critical environmental issues. 

ADAM is implemented by the Students of Kyrgyzstan for Green Economy NGO, the initiative group ARTIS, and  A. Maldybaev Kyrgyz Opera and Ballet Theatre with the support of the OSCE Programme Office in Bishkek.

580732 Communication and Media Relations Section

The OSCE-led Mobile Training Team (MTT), a group of 24 border security and counter-terrorism experts from across the OSCE region, met for the second Annual Review Meeting from 11 to 13 November in Tirana, Albania. This was followed by a training workshop for the Albanian Border and Migration Police and Security Training Academy on 14 and 15 November.

Organized by the OSCE Transnational Threats Department, 16 MTT members from 14 OSCE participating States and Mediterranean Partners for Co-operation, as well as experts from Frontex, Interpol and UNOCT participated at the Annual Review Meeting which provided a platform to assess and evaluate the capacity building training courses delivered throughout 2024, as well as to hold strategic discussions and planning for 2025.

Following the Annual Review Meeting, a two-day training-of-trainers and mentoring course was organized for the Albanian Border and Migration Police and faculty members of the Albanian Security Academy in close co-operation with the OSCE Presence in Albania.

The course focused on Behavioural Analysis and Interviewing Techniques, and was a follow up of the MTT pilot course conducted in 2023 in Albania. Based on a request from the Albanian State Police, this training served to conclude the mentoring work aimed at integrating specific interviewing techniques taught by the OSCE-led MTT into the national training curriculum for border police. This initiative enhances local ownership of the OSCE-led MTT training content since the OSCE course will be included as part of the national curricula in the Security Academy and as such contributes to sustainable knowledge transfer within the national services. Moreover, the initiative ensures sustainability of the OSCE and donors’ efforts in further strengthening border security and management.

These activities are implemented as part of the extrabudgetary project “Training and Deployment of OSCE Mobile Training Team to Better Address Challenges in Identifying the Cross-Border Movement of Foreign Terrorist Fighters and Other Cross-Border Crimes in the OSCE Area–Phase II”, funded by the Federal Republic of Germany and the United States of America. More information about the project is available here.

VALLETTA/VIENNA, 15 November 2024 – The 31st Ministerial Council of the Organization for Security and Co-operation in Europe (OSCE) will take place on 5 and 6 December 2024 in Malta.

Media representatives are invited to cover the proceedings, which will be held at the Malta Fairs & Conventions Centre (MFCC) in Ta’ Qali, Malta. Advance accreditation is mandatory for all media representatives.

Registration Details:

Members of the media wishing to cover the OSCE Ministerial Council—whether in-person or virtually - must register online by Wednesday, 27 November 2024, at 17:00 CET via the designated registration system.

Media representatives have two options for attendance:

• In-person participation at the MFCC in Ta’ Qali, Malta.
• Virtual participation through the virtual Media Centre on Zoom, which will provide a one-way transmission for viewing purposes only (no interactive participation).

Important Notes:

• Participants may only choose one option - either in-person or virtual participation - and cannot apply for both.
• Remote participants must log in at least 10 minutes prior to the start of the session to ensure timely access.
• Live streaming on YouTube will be limited to the opening session, the closing session, and the final press conference. Media representatives registering for the virtual Media Centre, however, will be granted wider access to the proceedings via a dedicated Zoom link.
• Only media representatives registered through the official system will be granted access. No alternative arrangements will be made for online coverage.

For further inquiries, please contact: pressoscemcmt.mfet@gov.mt.

Hosted at the invitation of the OSCE Chair-in-Office, Deputy Prime Minister and Minister for Foreign and European Affairs and Trade of Malta, Ian Borg, the Ministerial Council of the OSCE will convene foreign ministers from the 57 OSCE participating States.

580675 OSCE Centre in Ashgabat

Representatives of environmental and energy ministries and institutions from five Central Asian countries shared best practices in green energy transition at an OSCE-organized regional seminar  that took place on 14 and 15 November 2024.

The seminar, hosted by the State Energy Institute of Turkmenistan, was held in a hybrid format, with students and professors of the Energy Institute attending in-person, while other participants and experts joined online.

The OSCE Centre in Ashgabat initiated the seminar to provide a platform for regional expert-level dialogue and to facilitate the exchange of best practices in integrating renewable energy sources into energy projects, promoting green technology development, and reducing carbon footprints.

In his message to the seminar participants, John MacGregor, Head of the OSCE Centre in Ashgabat, referred to the 2013 Kyiv Ministerial Council Decision on “Improving the environmental footprint of energy-related activities in the OSCE region”, which stated that “the responsible and sustainable management of natural and energy resources can improve the environment, curb climate change, boost economic growth and contribute to security and stability.”

International and national experts explored challenges and opportunities related to the use of renewable energy sources (RES) in green energy production. Discussions focused on green hydrogen as a fuel of the future, the link between climate and green energy and the impact of hydrogen on the environment and climate.

“Expanding the use of green technologies, reducing reliance on fossil fuels and diversifying energy sources are essential for ensuring security and stability in Central Asia and across the OSCE region,” underscored MacGregor.

“I am convinced that this seminar will offer new perspectives in tackling emerging opportunities and challenges in the energy sector,” he added.  

The seminar also provided insights into solar thermal system and highlighted the green resource potential of solar energy. Participants exchanged views on autonomous houses as significant consumers of green energy.

580708 Communication and Media Relations Section

To mark the International Day for the Prevention of and Fight against all Forms of Transnational Organized Crime on 15 November, the OSCE’s Transnational Threats Department (TNTD) held a webinar to discuss the role of women in organized criminal groups. The webinar brought together over 50 participants including policymakers, criminal justice practitioners, academia and civil society.   

OSCE research shows that women’s agency in organized crime is rarely recognized by criminal justice practitioners across the OSCE area, resulting in women being able to act with impunity within criminal networks and being underrepresented in – or absent from – prevention, exit and witness protection initiatives.  

Drawing on experience and good practices from the OSCE region, discussions focused on how gender-sensitive approaches are essential to recognize and address the different roles played by women and men in transnational organized crime.

“A cultural shift and a strong commitment to gender mainstreaming is needed to promote more targeted, systematic and impactful criminal justice responses to organized crime”, said Ambassador Alena Kupchyna, Co-ordinator of OSCE Activities to Address Transnational Threats, in her opening remarks. “The OSCE is proud to support its participating States to strengthen institutional and civil society capacities to implement gender-sensitive organized crime prevention, exit and witness protection initiatives,” she added.

Speakers highlighted that when prevention and exit initiatives are not gender-sensitive, they often fail to shield women and girls from becoming involved in criminal activity and reduce their opportunities to leave criminal groups. They also underlined the importance of engaging women as actors in their own right in prevention and exit programmes, and not just as the partners or family members of male organized crime members.

Implementing gender-sensitive approaches to prevent and fight organized crime is a cross-cutting priority of the OSCE’s overall strategy to address organized crime, which prioritizes better understanding the phenomenon through research, addressing illicit financial flows and confiscating criminal assets and strengthening prevention to foster resilience.

580702 Communication and Media Relations Section

The OSCE Troika convened the second Annual Meeting of the Expert Network on the OSCE on 11 and 12 November. The Network was launched in November 2023 in Skopje by the OSCE 2023 Chairpersonship of North Macedonia and former Secretary General Helga Schmid. The Network gathers experts, academics and think tanks from various participating States and aims to serve as a point of consultation and dialogue on the three dimensions of the OSCE.

Former Minister for Foreign Affairs and Member of Parliament of Finland Pekka Haavisto opened the Expert Network Event with a keynote speech on the topic Perspectives on European Security past, present and future, underlining the continued relevance of the OSCE acquis and their relevance for the future.

“The idea of comprehensive security is more important than ever. To address the security challenges of today, a whole of society response is needed,” Haavisto said.

The two-day event provided a platform for experts, officials and policy planners for substantial policy dialogue on trends and scenarios from across the OSCE region, focusing on lessons from the past and preparing for the future.

Discussions focused on a broad range of topics, including the importance of OSCE field operations’ work with local communities and civil society, the role of the Mediterranean region in European security, and the relevance and efficacy of OSCE’s different tools in addressing different stages of the conflict cycle.

During the concluding panel, representatives of the delegations of Finland, Malta and North Macedonia, representing the OSCE Troika, reflected on the challenges faced by the OSCE today and possible paths to address them.

Conclusions and recommendations from the event will be provided to OSCE participating States. They will also inform the work of the Expert Network on the OSCE in the upcoming year.

The OSCE Troika was established at the Helsinki Summit in 1992 to bring continuity to the Organization's leadership. It is a format of co-operation between the present, previous and incoming Chairpersonships.

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From 12 to 14 November, the Office of the Co-ordinator of OSCE Economic and Environmental Activities (OCEEA) organized a study visit to Italy’s Guardia di Finanza (GdF) and the Italian National Anti-Corruption Authority for 21 Moldovan law enforcement and criminal justice practitioners.

This study visit is a continuation of the training course organized on 4 and 5 July in Chisinau, and aims to enhance the investigative capabilities of practitioners and provide an opportunity to learn from Italy’s good practices in this area.

The activity encompassed visits to the General Command of the GdF, as well as its specialized units such as the Central Investigation Service on Organized Crime (SCICO) and the Special Anti-Corruption Directorate, where participants had the opportunity to learn about GdF’s tools, software and practices in corruption investigations. During the visit to the National Anti-Corruption Authority, participants learned about the institution’s competencies, Italy’s Anti-Corruption Plan and the public procurement monitoring system. Throughout the study visit, a strong focus was placed on inter-agency and international co-operation.

“Italy is an ideal setting for learning good practices and effective methods in investigating corruption due to its extensive experience in this area,” said one of the study visit participants from the Moldovan National Anti-Corruption Centre. “One of the main benefits of the visit is that participants had the chance to directly interact with Italian authorities and learn from them,” she added.

The study visit was implemented in partnership with the Guardia di Finanza Liaison Officer in Vienna, within the framework of the OSCE extra-budgetary project “Supporting anti-corruption efforts of the Government of Moldova”, funded by France, Germany, Italy and Romania.

580678 Željka Šulc

Mostar, 15 November 2024 – To address the need for practical experience in processing war crimes cases in Bosnia and Herzegovina (BiH), the OSCE Mission to Bosnia and Herzegovina (Mission) organized a three-day workshop on International Criminal Law and Transitional Justice (ICLTJ) from the 13 to 15 November in Mostar. The workshop concluded with in the organization of a moot court. The event brought together law students from state universities across BiH as well as legal practitioners and transitional justice experts to enhance skills, foster dialogue, and promote a deeper understanding of justice processes.

Ivo Lupis, Head of the Mission’s Human Dimension Department, emphasized that the workshop provided students with opportunities beyond merely enhancing legal skills and deepening knowledge of international criminal and humanitarian law. He stated that “Students are here to engage with complex questions and challenges that will shape the future of this country—questions about accountability, healing, and the pursuit of justice in the aftermath of conflict. You have shown that you are prepared to confront the realities of transitional justice, embracing the criminal justice system’s role in delivering not only punitive but also restorative justice and upholding human rights and the rule of law in Bosnia and Herzegovina.”

While students in Bosnia and Herzegovina study international humanitarian and criminal law theoretically, they often have limited exposure to the practical skills and broader transitional justice objectives necessary for war crimes prosecutions. Guided by experienced judges, prosecutors, and legal practitioners, students gained valuable insights into real-world challenges when it comes to prosecuting war crimes and delivering justice.

“Moot court allow students to apply theoretical knowledge in practice, developing key professional skills such as legal argumentation, interpretation of regulations, rhetoric, and analytical thinking, which give them a distinct advantage in their future legal careers,” noted Ajna Jodanovic, Professor of Public International Law and European Studies at the University of Bihać Law Faculty.

The event focused on reparations for victims, especially survivors of conflict-related sexual violence (CRSV), aimed to bridge this gap by equipping students with practical knowledge about legal mechanisms that support victim compensation and uphold survivors’ rights in the justice process.

“This experience provides young legal practitioners with critical insights into the challenges and ethical dilemmas courts face when adjudicating war crimes, as well as the role of law in reconciliation and lasting peacebuilding efforts. As a law student, I am deeply grateful to the organizers and our professors for enabling us to gain such invaluable experience and practical knowledge that will greatly benefit our future professional paths,” concluded Mirza Muminović, a student at the University of Bihać Law Faculty.

580663 Communication and Media Relations Section

On 13 November, the OSCE Transnational Threats Department and the Office of the Co-ordinator of OSCE Economic and Environmental Activities, in co-ordination with the OSCE Mission to Bosnia and Herzegovina, organized a one-day roundtable discussion on Asset Recovery and Management in Banja Luka, Bosnia and Herzegovina.

This event brought together representatives from Bosnia and Herzegovina’s Ministry of Justice, the Agencies for the Management of Seized and Confiscated Assets of Republika Srpska and the Federation of Bosnia and Herzegovina, prosecutors, judges and law enforcement experts, including representatives from the U.S. Department of Justice, the European Union (EU), and the EU Police Assistance.

Discussions focused on the pressing need to strengthen asset recovery processes to combat transnational organized crime and corruption, examining both current challenges and opportunities for legal improvements at state and entity levels.

Emphasis was placed on enhancing financial investigations, asset seizure, and confiscation practices to break down criminal networks and deter future crimes. Insights were also shared on recent EU and international advancements in asset recovery, including the Financial Action Task Force recommendations and EU Directive 2024/1260 on asset recovery and confiscation.

This roundtable was organized as part of the OSCE extrabudgetary project “Strengthening Asset Recovery Efforts in the OSCE Region,” funded by Austria, Germany, Italy, and the United States.

This initiative highlights OSCE’s dedication to supporting Bosnia and Herzegovina in strengthening cross-border co-operation, building local capacities, and advancing the region’s stability and rule of law through effective asset recovery strategies.

580657 Alumnae-entrepreneurs of the OSCE Women’s Economic Empowerment Programme demonstrate their products, Bishkek, 12 November 2024. Chyngyz Zhanybekov Aida Almazbekova

On 12 November 2024, the Forum on Women's Economic Empowerment brought together women entrepreneurs from across Kyrgyzstan to highlight their achievements in fostering economic growth and social change in the country.

With OSCE support, over 199 women launched business initiatives between 2020 and 2024, receiving equipment, training, and mentorship through the Entrepreneurship Support Centres (ESCs) established by the OSCE Programme Office in Bishkek.

The forum showcased successful business projects and inspiring stories of these women entrepreneurs. Participants also attended masterclasses on marketing, personal branding, and digital platforms, while learning about the ESCs' role in advancing business development in the provinces.

"Supporting women’s entrepreneurship strengthens Kyrgyzstan’s economic foundation and aligns with national priorities. The OSCE is committed to economic inclusivity and gender equality, in line with its mandate and UN conventions”, said Ambassador Alexey Rogov, Head of the OSCE Programme Office in Bishkek.

This initiative is part of the Women's Economic Empowerment Component (WEEC) within the project ‘Business Promotion and Development of Small and Medium-sized Enterprises (SMEs)’, implemented by the OSCE Programme Office in Bishkek. Notably,  this project received the 2022 OSCE Gender Champion Award in the Best Initiative category.

Since 2017, the Office has supported SME development across Kyrgyzstan. To date, it has established and continues to operate five ESCs in the provinces of Batken, Jalal-Abad, Issyk-Kul, Osh, and Talas with a particular focus on women’s initiatives.

TIRANA, 13 November 2024 —OSCE Chair-in-Office, Deputy Prime Minister and Minister for Foreign and European Affairs and Trade of Malta Ian Borg, concluded his visit to Albania today, reaffirming the OSCE’s commitment to strengthening regional security and its continued partnership with Albania.

During his visit, Chair-in-Office Ian Borg held meetings with President Bajram Begaj and Minister of European and Foreign Affairs Igli Hasani.

“Here on the ground, the OSCE Presence in Albania has been a steadfast partner in advancing democratic values, strengthening institutions, and promoting human rights since 1997,” said Chair-in-Office Borg. “Together, we are building stronger democracies and more inclusive societies with initiatives on judicial reform, anti-trafficking and youth engagement.”

Chair-in-Office Borg visited the OSCE Presence in Albania, where he met with the Head of the Presence Michel Tarran and Mission staff.

“I express my strong support to the Presence’s work and convey our gratitude to our dedicated team of professionals. I encourage Albania to continue making best use of its extensive experience in the implementation of our joint commitments,” said Chair-in-Office Borg.

During his visit, the Chair also met with representatives from local civil society organizations (CSOs) working on gender equality and gender-based violence. Emphasizing the importance of CSOs in advocating for and supporting policy implementation, Deputy Prime Minister Borg acknowledged the challenges they face and reiterated the OSCE’s commitment to strengthening their role.