Central Europe

564895 Marina Živaljević

There is nearly unanimous consensus among citizens of Montenegro (92 per cent) that media literacy is of great importance. However, 62 per cent of respondents rate the media literacy of Montenegrin citizens as poor, and understanding the internet and social networks appear to be at an insufficient level. Education is widely recognized as a key measure to improve media literacy.

These are some of the key findings of public opinion research “Media Literacy in Montenegro”, commissioned by the OSCE Mission to Montenegro and conducted by IPSOS Agency, a joint activity with the Ministry of Culture and Media and the Agency for Electronic Media (AEM).1,003 citizens aged between 16 and 75 were interviewed in the research during the months of June and July 2023. 

Vladimir Raičević from IPSOS said that, when specifically asked how they would verify the accuracy of a contradictory information on the internet, only 27 per cent of respondents would analyze the characteristics of the websites where they found the information, 26 per cent would seek the opinion of experts in the relevant field.

“The research also recognized the need to cultivate media literacy among citizens, particularly among both older and younger age groups, each facing distinct challenges in assessing media information. Older adults and elders (aged 30-75) acknowledge that the youngest are most susceptible to accepting false information, primarily due to their limited life experience and unfamiliarity with the political landscape. On the other hand, younger individuals (aged 16-25) see elders (aged 65+) as a vulnerable group due to their deficiency in digital skills and lack of critical reflection on news/greater trust in the media,” said Raičević.

Television is still both the most used “traditional” medium and generally the source of information about national and international events – 74 per cent of respondents say that they use TV as a source of information at least several times a week, while 60 per cent do this every day. Online media, such as news web portals, internet dailies, media agencies’ applications and news blogs, are the second most common source of news – 68 per cent of respondents use them to get informed several times a week or more frequently, and social networks are at a similar level. Responsibility for disseminating unverified content is predominantly attributed to online media.

Head of the OSCE Mission, Dominique Waag, said that this survey provides a baseline for the Mission, the Ministry and the Agency, as well as interested stakeholders, for instance in the sector of education, for the level of media literacy present in Montenegro. “It will help shape media literacy activities and initiatives in the future. Research shows two elements: first, investing in media literacy and education in schools, enabling students to understand how to decipher media messages, is crucial, as the only sustainable, long-term answer to challenges of the digital age. Second element refers to the importance of the role of professional journalists. Media can be an antidote to false and misleading information, providing citizen with fact-checked information, mitigating the impact of hate speech and offering pluralistic points of view. Professional, ethical and investigative journalists, serving a public interest, have to be praised,” said Ambassador Waag.

Minister of Culture and Media Tamara Vujović said that in today’s digital era, we are witnessing that the quantity of information and offered media content, which are more available than ever, are not necessarily followed by the quality. “On the contrary, we often encounter malignant phenomena such as disinformation, various forms of manipulation and sensationalism, fake news... Therefore, it is clear how important media literacy is in suppressing the aforementioned phenomena. Unfortunately, we still cannot boast of great results when it comes to the state of media literacy in Montenegro. According to the research of the NGO ‘Institute for Open Society’ from Sofia, which was used for the purposes of drafting the 2023-2027 Media Strategy in 2021, Montenegro found itself at the very bottom of the scale when it comes to media literacy. The Ministry of Culture and Media has taken a number of steps to improve the state of media literacy among our citizens,” said Minister Vujović and recalled that the first Media Strategy with its 2023-2024 Action Plan has been recently adopted, emphasizing the need for strengthening media literacy among citizens. “The Ministry is determined in its approach to support the development of media literacy among citizens. Media literacy is not only a challenge for our government or institutions. It is a challenge for every individual in our society. I invite all citizens to take an active role in acquiring media literacy through education, research, asking questions and to critically analyze the information we consume. That’s the only way we can become resistant to manipulations, half-information and misinformation,” concluded the minister.

The Director of the Agency for Electronic Media Sunčica Bakić said that AEM has recognized the importance of media literacy for the development of a democratic society quite early in its work. “The support of the OSCE Mission to Montenegro has resulted in a significant improvement of the strategy and activities being implemented. Our co-operation and activities have aimed to develop media literacy among three target groups: media professionals, parents and educators, and children. In addition to these three target groups, starting this year, we are expanding the scope of joint co-operation and launching activities to improve media literacy for adults,” said Bakić, adding that efforts to raise the level of media literacy cannot be observed in the short term, but result remain to be seen in the future.

SKOPJE, 18 March 2024 – The introduction of a new system for the management of deactivated firearms, made possible by donations from the United Nations Development Programme (UNDP) and the OSCE Mission to Skopje, will help prevent weapons misuse and improve safety throughout North Macedonia.

The firearm laser marking machine, installed in the Ministry of Interior, will mark deactivated firearms in a specialized and permanent manner. These weapons will now be systematically recorded, thereby improving their traceability. Additionally, deactivation certificates, equipped with protective features to prevent counterfeiting, will be introduced alongside the marking process.

"We have supported the fight against the misuse of small arms and light weapons through various activities because we believe this is an efficient way to increase the level of safety of Macedonian citizens,” said Armen Grigoryan, UNDP Resident Representative. “With the procurement of this firearm laser marking machine, and the previously installed microscope for analyzing gunshot residues, we have significantly strengthened the technical capacities of the Ministry of Interior to more effectively address and prevent the illegal use of firearms."

The joint interventions by UNDP and the OSCE Mission to Skopje help the country meet its obligations in the implementation of the regulations on marking imported and deactivated firearms, as well as meeting international and European Union standards on managing small arms and light weapons.

“Today’s donation will enable the Ministry of Interior to issue deactivation certificates aligned with international standards and effectively strengthen weapons control,” said Ambassador Kilian Wahl, Head of the OSCE Mission to Skopje. “This has a positive effect not only on the lives of the people in the country but also on the rest of Europe, as weapons originating from this region were often used in crimes and even terrorist attacks elsewhere.”

UNDP's donation is funded by the governments of Germany, Sweden, the Netherlands, France, the United Kingdom and Norway through the Western Balkans SALW Control Roadmap Multi-Partner Trust Fund, which is supported by the European Union. The OSCE Mission to Skopje's donation is funded by Belgium, the European Union, France, Germany, Norway, Slovakia, and the United States of America.

Communication and Media Relations Section Dane Koruga

On 14 March 2024, the OSCE’s Transnational Threats Department and the Office of the Representative on the Freedom of the Media (RFoM) held an expert meeting to discuss challenges and opportunities affiliated with the use of artificial intelligence (AI) and preventing and countering violent extremism and radicalization that lead to terrorism (P/CVERLT). The meeting, which took place in Тhe Hague, the Netherlands, was organized in close co-operation with the International Centre for Counter-Terrorism (ICCT).

The event brought together representatives of international organizations, academia, civil society and the private sector. The participants highlighted issues such as the existing challenges in addressing violent extremist and terrorist use of AI, and emerging technologies, ensuring a human rights-compliant use of such technologies by all stakeholders who work on P/CVERLT, as well as working around the challenges with  bias in AI algorithms.

“While AI tools hold limitless potential for innovation and efficiency, enabling tasks ranging from complex data analysis to the automation of routine processes, the potential for their misuse in activities by terrorists and violent extremists cannot be overstated,“ said Irfan Saeed, Head of the Transnational Threats Department’s Action against Terrorism Unit  in his opening remarks.

Thirteen experts provided insight from their research and work on AI in preventing and countering terrorism, including the way that terrorists and violent extremists constantly adapt to the technological reality, being unhindered by regulatory systems, and already exploit AI to benefit their own narrative. In addition, speakers stressed how AI underpins today’s information ecosystem and challenges free speech, media freedom, and counter-terrorism efforts. The speakers also provided examples of how AI tools can, when used in a human rights-based manner, be a helpful resource for law enforcement, civil society and others working on P/CVERLT to promote inclusive democracy.

Insight and recommendations from the expert community will help shape the OSCE’s work on the role of AI in P/CVERLT. The OSCE prioritizes media and information literacy, including AI-related, as a P/CVERLT strategy. Youth inclusion, human rights compliance and gender awareness are key to this work, which is carried out through technical capacity-building of multi-stakeholder groups, policy guidance and awareness of good practices and new initiatives.

With the advent of AI, this initiative also draws on the comprehensive work by the RFoM, including its Policy Manual “Spotlight on Artificial Intelligence and Freedom of Expression”. In addition, the OSCE is working on the development of an e-learning course on the use of open-source intelligence tools to enhance media and information literacy in the context of P/CVERLT for non-law enforcement stakeholders.

Public Affairs Unit, OSCE Office for Democratic Institutions and Human Rights

On 29 February 2024 and following consultation with Ukraine, 45 OSCE participating States invoked the Moscow Mechanism in order to “address arbitrary deprivation of liberty of Ukrainian civilians by the Russian Federation”. More specifically, the tasks of the mission of experts will include those outlined below.*

Ukraine has now selected three people from the list of experts to be part of the mission.

The Moscow Mechanism provides the opportunity for participating States to send missions of experts to assist in the resolution of a particular question or problem relating to the human dimension, which entails the commitments made by participating States on human rights, democracy, and the rule of law. Further information is available here.

In relation to Ukraine, the Moscow Mechanism was last invoked by 45 participating States following consultations with Ukraine in March 2023 to “address the Deportation of Children amidst Human Rights Violations and Humanitarian Impacts of Russia’s war of aggression against Ukraine”.

Any information relevant to the work of the Moscow Mechanism can be sent to the following email address no later than 31 March 2024: moscowmechanism2024@odihr.pl. This will be forwarded in confidence to the expert mission.

The 45 countries that have invoked the Moscow Mechanism on this occasion are: Albania, Andorra, Austria, Belgium, Bosnia and Herzegovina, Bulgaria, Canada, Croatia, Cyprus, Czech Republic, Denmark, Estonia, Finland, France, Georgia, Germany, Greece, Hungary, Iceland, Ireland, Italy, Latvia, Liechtenstein, Lithuania, Luxembourg, Malta, Moldova, Monaco, Montenegro, Netherlands, North Macedonia, Norway, Poland, Portugal, Romania, San Marino, Serbia, Slovakia, Slovenia, Spain, Sweden, Switzerland, Türkiye, the United Kingdom, and the United States of America.

*“build upon previous findings and establish the facts and circumstances surrounding possible contraventions of relevant OSCE commitments, violations and abuses of human rights, and violations of international humanitarian law and international human rights law, as well as possible cases of war crimes and crimes against humanity, associated with or resulting from the arbitrary deprivation of liberty of Ukrainian civilians by the Russian Federation; and to collect, consolidate, and analyze this information with a view to offer recommendations, as well as provide the information to relevant accountability mechanisms, as well as national, regional, or international courts or tribunals that have, or may in future have, jurisdiction”.

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The OSCE gathered 18 participants from the State Revenue Committee and the Central Bank of the Republic of Armenia to dive into virtual asset taxation during a workshop organized by the Office of the Co-ordinator of OSCE Economic and Environmental Activities (OCEEA) on 14-15 March in Yerevan.

Through interactive case studies and practical examples, participants examined the complexities of taxing various virtual asset transactions, from crypto mining and staking to the taxation of digital art and virtual real estate in the Metaverse. The workshop also covered critical regulatory frameworks, including international standards and upcoming regulations that will shape the future of virtual asset taxation.

Participants engaged in detailed discussions on the unique challenges of taxing virtual assets compared to traditional assets, emphasizing the necessity of understanding the evolving landscape of cryptocurrencies. They also had the opportunity to exchange opinions with representatives from the National Bank of Georgia on virtual assets taxation, which provided additional perspectives and insights into regional practices and challenges in the field.

A key focus of the workshop was compliance and enforcement strategies, highlighting the importance of robust mechanisms for monitoring and regulating virtual asset service providers. Participants discussed best practices in record-keeping, reporting and addressing the jurisdictional challenges inherent in the decentralized nature of digital assets.

"The digital financial landscape is continuously evolving, bringing to the fore the critical need for comprehensive regulations, particularly concerning virtual assets. As these assets become increasingly integral to our financial systems, understanding their implications and establishing robust frameworks for their taxation is paramount," said Vera Strobachova-Budway, Senior Economic Officer at OCEEA.

"The collaborative environment and the exchange of insights and experiences are invaluable in shaping proactive and informed policies in the face of the digital economy's complexities," she added.

The workshop is part of an OSCE-led extra-budgetary project on “Innovative policy solutions to mitigate money-laundering risks of virtual assets”, funded by Germany, Poland, Romania, the United Kingdom and the United States. The project supports OSCE participating States in building national capacities to mitigate criminal risks related to virtual assets and cryptocurrencies.

564827 For Media inquires

On 14-15 March 2024, women judges from Kazakhstan and around the world convened for a two-day hybrid workshop in Astana entitled “Women judges: professional exchange of experience and international co-operation” in Astana. Aligned with the International Day of Women Judges on 10 March, the event was dedicated to fostering collaboration and sharing expertise to promote gender equality within the judicial system and enhance the rule of law.

The workshop, organized in co-operation with the Supreme Court, commenced with an official opening by Aslambek Mergaliyev, Chairperson of the Supreme Court of the Republic of Kazakhstan. Welcoming speeches were delivered by Dr. Volker Frobarth, Head of the OSCE Programme Office in Astana; Elvira Azimova, Chairperson of the Constitutional Court of Kazakhstan; and Yelena Maksyuta, judge of the Supreme Court of Kazakhstan.

The first day of the workshop featured two engaging sessions, providing an opportunity for insightful discussions among esteemed women judges and legal experts. The first session centered on the importance of international collaboration among women judges and the establishment of their national associations. Robyn Tupman, Secretary/Treasury of the Australian Association of Women Judges, shared methods of international support for national associations, while Jacob Bonnevie, OSCE/ODIHR Rule of Law Adviser, offered insights on gender dynamics within the judiciary. Dr. Sabina Garahan, lecturer at Essex School of Law (UK), presented recommendations from a comparative study of women judges’ associations across the OSCE region, while Dr. Khalida Azhigulova, human rights defender and gender expert in the justice sector (Kazakhstan), emphasized the role of women's associations in the justice system.

The subsequent session explored experiences in establishing and managing national associations of women judges. Chinara Aidarbekova, judge of the Constitutional Court of the Kyrgyz Republic, shared insights from the Kyrgyz Association of Women Judges, focusing on strategies for improving access to justice for vulnerable groups. Margaret Glentworth, a retired District Judge and Nominated Judge of the Court of Protection (UK), discussed effective organizational practices of the Association of Women Judges in the United Kingdom. Adisa Zahiragic, judge of the Cantonal Court in Sarajevo (Bosnia and Herzegovina), highlighted the influence of the Association of Women Judges on judicial proceedings in Bosnia and Herzegovina. Finally, Nazgul Rakhmetullina, judge of the Supreme Court of Kazakhstan, led a discussion on media engagement strategies among judges in Kazakhstan.

The second day featured interactive discussions facilitated by experienced judges and legal experts. Discussions explored the advantages and challenges faced by women judges’ associations and delved into the contribution of these associations to equal access to justice for vulnerable groups. Amongst discussions, participants showcased presentations of statutes of national associations of women judges, outlining their missions and objectives.

The workshop was organized under the extrabudgetary project of the OSCE Programme Office in Astana “Improving the effectiveness of the justice system in Kazakhstan” and aimed to promote gender equality, empower women in the judicial system, and enhance the effectiveness of the judicial system through the exchange of knowledge and best practices between associations of women judges.

VALLETTA/WARSAW/ANKARA, 15 March 2024 – Amidst an increase in prejudice and violence against Muslims in a growing number of countries, greater efforts are needed to build dialogue and counter anti-Muslim hatred, the Organization for Security and Co-operation in Europe said in a statement on today’s International Day to Combat Islamophobia.

The Chair-in-Office of the OSCE, Minister of Foreign and European Affairs and Trade of Malta Ian Borg stated that “On this day, we are reminded of our collective duty to counter prejudice and embrace diversity” emphasising that “Our strength lies in our unity and our unwavering resolve to foster societies where dialogue prevails over confrontation, understanding over fear and tolerance over prejudice – a society where fundamental freedoms and human rights are protected and enjoyed by all.” Minister Borg called on all participating States “to intensify commitments and actions towards this crucial endeavour, striving to nurture an environment where every person can live free from hate and discrimination.”

Hatred against people from specific religious or belief communities rarely takes place in isolation, often going hand in hand with other forms of intolerance. Violence and discrimination do not only harm the individuals and communities concerned, but can also undermine security across the OSCE region, with tensions potentially escalating into wider conflicts.

There has been an upsurge in hatred against Muslims especially since the renewed outbreak of hostilities in the Middle East in October last year, with online and offline hate speech, threats and violence having a negative impact on Muslim communities, particularly women and girls. OSCE states have recognized the need for political leaders and parliamentarians to reject and condemn manifestations of racism, xenophobia, and intolerance against Muslims and other religious groups, while continuing to respect freedom of expression.

“Negative stereotypes and acts of intolerance and discrimination against Muslims have increased in recent years, making it all the more important to take urgent action and ensure we avoid stigmatisation or inflammatory rhetoric,” said ODIHR Director Matteo Mecacci. “At the same time, we are encouraged by the growing recognition that more dialogue and understanding are needed. I am convinced this must remain a crucial contribution to successfully counter prejudice and anti-Muslim hatred.”

All OSCE participating States have committed to combating discrimination and hate crime, and it is the primary responsibility of governments to ensure all citizens are safe, whatever their background, and to promote respect and dialogue. Supporting countries across the OSCE region in combating anti-Muslim hate crime is a key area of ODIHR’s work, but while data on Anti-Muslim hatred is available in ODIHR’s hate crime database, many victims across the OSCE area are reluctant to report their experiences to the authorities. Victims of hate often turn to civil society organizations to report a crime, seek support, and access the services they need. Through genuine collaboration with civil society, states can develop efficient and targeted activities to tackle hate crime and meet the differing needs of individual victims.

Freedom of religion or belief is a fundamental human right that states the right of each individual to have, adopt, or leave a religion or belief. At its core is the understanding that respecting our differences is the only way for us to live together peacefully. Against this backdrop,  dialogue and understanding between religions and cultures emerge as a pivotal instrument, offering a platform for open, respectful exchanges that transcend religious boundaries. Through these meaningful interactions, we can discover common ground, appreciate our differences, and forge an inclusive and harmonious path forward.

The Personal Representative of the Chair-in-Office on Combating Intolerance and Discrimination against Muslims, Ambassador Evren Dagdelen Akgun, noted that “Cases of deliberate attempts to tarnish the sanctity of Islam, of Muslims being stereotyped, attacked; instances of their beliefs belittled or culture represented as a threat and justified in the guise of security concerns are widespread, even normalized in some countries.” She underlined that “efforts to address these problems in their entirety will not only contribute to harmonious societies but also to international peace.” Dagdelen Akgun urged all participating states to search for ways to effectively implement their commitments.

Acknowledging the discrimination and hatred many Muslims face worldwide, the United Nations has declared March 15 the International Day to Combat Islamophobia. All OSCE states have committed to fighting prejudice, intolerance and discrimination against Muslims and members of other religions.

564812 Communication and Media Relations Section David Dadge

Identifying forged documents and impostors at border crossing points was the focus of a two-week training course held from 4 to 15 March 2024 by the OSCE Transnational Threats Department. This course, which included both an introductory and an advanced component, took place in Krakow Poland in close co-operation with the State Border Guard Service of Ukraine.

The hands-on training was delivered by experts from the Forensic Center of the State Border Guard Service of Ukraine to a training cohort of 28 border guards, including 19 women and nine men. The two Ukrainian experts had earlier completed an OSCE Training of Trainers course held in July 2023. This was the first time that experts trained through this project were used to share the knowledge they acquired with their peers.  

Participants improved their knowledge of the latest trends in the forgery of documents and the diversity of new travel document security features. They strengthened their technical expertise and practical skills in detecting counterfeit documents by conducting document verification using the Doculus Lumus magnifiers donated by the OSCE. Participants worked on real travel and identification documents in analyzing the techniques for forgery that lead to traveling on a stolen identity.

As the State Border Guard Service continues to confront the challenges caused by Russia’s ongoing war against Ukraine, participants noted the importance of improving their skills through training opportunities such as this course to also enable them to continue to learn and develop in very challenging circumstances.

The surge in border crossing at points on Ukraine’s western and southern borders since 24 February 2022 have resulted in an increased diversity of documents being used with a wider variety of national documents from around the world, a challenge that this training meets directly.

The training cycle will continue with a Training of Trainers course for a smaller cadre of participants selected from this group later this year. This is part of an ongoing project focused on supporting OSCE participating States and Partners for Co-operation in their efforts to reduce the number of people that manage to illegally cross borders using a fake or stolen identity or by posing as an impostor. This project is funded by the United States of America through its Mission to the OSCE.

564809 Communication and Media Relations Section David Dadge

Promoting the responsible use of Information and Communication Technologies (ICTs) by OSCE participating States was the focus of a two-day training event held in Belgrade, Serbia on 13 and 14 March. With the continued digitalization of societies, states are increasingly using ICTs to pursue their objectives. However, in a borderless domain such as cyberspace, this can lead to misperception and a lack of transparency.

The training event, organized by the OSCE Secretariat’s Transnational Threats Department with the support of the OSCE Mission to Serbia, focused on strengthening national cyber resilience and increasing regional co-operation. This ensures that countries are better prepared for threats from cyberspace and work collectively to address them.

Igor Kuželka, Acting Assistant Minister for Security Policy, Ministry of Foreign Affairs of the Republic of Serbia, underlined “the importance that the Republic of Serbia attaches to cyber security as a complex global and current security challenge. We remain open to all types of international co-operation, especially within the OSCE, as one of the most important partners in this area”

Thirty-three participants from Eastern and South-Eastern Europe participated in the event. Led by expert speakers, participants identified regional capacity-building priorities, promoted the inclusion of non-state actors in national approaches to cybersecurity and provided updates on relevant national developments.

“The OSCE Mission has been actively supporting Serbia in developing activities related to OSCE confidence-building measures such as awareness raising, national strategies and programmes, focal points, capacity building, effective communication channels, private-public partnership, and critical infrastructure,” said Ambassador Jan Braathu, Head of the OSCE Mission to Serbia. “Our partnership is aimed at enhancing Serbia's increased ability to address cybersecurity threats by working closely with national counterparts.”

On the second day, participants engaged in a table-top exercise to explore the practical applicability of the OSCE’s 16 cyber/ICT security confidence-building measures (CBMs). CBMs are practical measures which address misperceptions and misunderstandings in cyberspace by fostering transparency, communication and co-operation between States.

The training event was delivered as part of the “Activities and customized support for the implementation of OSCE cyber/ICT security confidence-building measures” project, with the financial support of the United Kingdom.

Baseline assessment on the inspection, investigation and punishment of environmental contraventions and crimes in Albania OSCE Presence in Albania presents preliminary findings of public survey, training need assessment on environmental governance

From 11 to 13 March 2024, the OSCE Presence in Albania trained over 40 police officers, prosecutors, environmental inspectors and experts on the identification, investigation and prosecution of environmental crimes.

The participants – from Vlora, Gjirokastra, Fier, Durrës, Tirana and Dibra regions – learned through case studies, simulation exercises and group work aimed at strengthening the multi-agency character of environmental issues.

By leveraging the expertise of two internationals and one national trainer, the participants were equipped with cutting-edge insights on how to effectively address environmental challenges and investigation using good practices in the region. They stressed the need for inter-institutional co-operation and mutual understanding of roles at local level in tackling environmental challenges. The environmental inspectors said that the unclear legal division between various institutions hinder their work during field inspections.

“The Presence has been promoting inter-institutional co-operation to tackle environmental contraventions and crimes through various efforts involving environmental inspectors, police and prosecution offices in the country. The ultimate aim is for the participants to cultivate a culture of collaboration, joint expertise, and proactive engagement on how to navigate the complexities of inspection, identification, prevention and prosecution of these crimes”, said Elton Qëndro, National Programme Officer and Project Manager at the OSCE Presence.

The training sessions built upon a baseline assessment on inspection, investigation, and punishment of environmental contraventions and crimes, and a training needs assessment on environmental governance, both initiated by the Presence.

These activities are part of the project “Enhancing environmental governance and security in Albania”, which is implemented by the OSCE Presence in Albania and funded by Norway, France and Italy.

VIENNA, 13 March 2024 – Today, the closing session of the Forum for Security Co-operation (FSC) under the Chairpersonship of Cyprus was held in the presence of the Permanent Secretary of the Ministry of Defense of the Republic of Cyprus, Mr Andreas Louka.

In his statement, the Permanent Secretary underlined Cyprus’ firm commitment to international law and the rule of law, which cannot be replaced by the use of force. This also applies to Russia’s war against Ukraine, which not only has a devastating impact on Ukraine and its people, but also affects the security and stability of the whole region.

As FSC Chair, Cyprus οrganised four Security Dialogues on topics relevant to the mandate of the FSC, which were welcomed by the overwhelming majority of the participating States:

• Humanitarian Mine Action with a focus on Victim Assistance;
• Human Security in Armed Conflicts with a focus on gender-based violence;
• Security and Environment; and
• Women, Peace and Security (WPS) and the integration of the gender perspective in the fulfilment OSCE politico-military commitments and activities.

Numerous prominent keynote speakers and expert panellists participated in these dialogues. The US Assistant Secretary of Defence for International Security, Ms Celleste Wallander, the Ministers of Environment of Cyprus and Malta, Ms Maria Panayiotou and Ms Miriam Dalli, as well as the Cyprus Commissioner for Gender Equality, Ms Josie Christodoulou, were among them. These speakers followed the address made by Cyprus’ Minister of Foreign Affairs, Dr Konstantinos Kombos, during Cyprus’ inaugural session as FSC Chair.  

Permanent Secretary Louka also mentioned the close and fruitful co-operation between Cyprus as FSC Chair and Malta as 2024 OSCE Chair-in-Office. This resulted in a joint meeting of the two decision-making bodies of the Organization, the FSC and the Permanent Council, on security and the environment, and a side event for the 2024 International Women’s Day, co-organized by Cyprus, Malta and the OSCE Secretariat on the role of men in achieving gender equality.

In closing remarks, Mr Louka referred to the OSCE as the most important regional platform of dialogue and co-operation, which was created to prevent war and build bridges. He also underscored the importance of preserving multilateralism and the values upon which a rules-based international order is founded.

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An introductory workshop on virtual asset regulation and enforcement took place in Yerevan, Armenia from 11 to 13 March. The event, organized by the Office of the Co-ordinator of OSCE Economic and Environmental Activities (OCEEA), brought together 23 participants representing various state agencies to learn more about crucial aspects of virtual asset management and combatting financial crimes associated with cryptocurrencies.

During the workshop, participants engaged in practical case studies, including on the topics of tracing accounts with blockchain analytics and exploring crypto crime trends. Sessions also covered compliance with international standards like FATF's Risk-Based Approach and Moneyval recommendations, along with discussions on risk assessment for Virtual Asset Service Providers (VASPs). More advanced topics covered in the workshop included blockchain-based funding mechanisms and monitoring VASP activities to combat crypto-related crimes, as well as exploring emerging typologies of blockchain-based crimes.

Throughout the workshop, participants actively engaged in discussions, shared experiences, and exchanged best practices to enhance their capacity in regulating and enforcing virtual asset-related laws and policies.

"This workshop served as a pivotal platform for state agencies to collaborate and enhance their capabilities in addressing the challenges posed by virtual assets," said Gurban Babayev, Economic Adviser at OCEEA. "We are confident that the insights gained and the networks established during this event will contribute significantly to our collective efforts in combatting financial crimes in the digital era."

The workshop is part of an OSCE-led extra-budgetary project on “Innovative policy solutions to mitigate money-laundering risks of virtual assets”, funded by Germany, Poland, Romania, the United Kingdom and the United States. The project supports OSCE participating States in building national capacities to mitigate criminal risks related to virtual assets and cryptocurrencies.

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In a bid to enhance Georgian law enforcement’s capacity to tackle crypto-related crimes, the Office of the Co-ordinator of OSCE Economic and Environmental Activities (OCEEA), in collaboration with the United Nations Office on Drugs and Crime (UNODC), brought together 25 representatives from various law enforcement agencies for a specialized training session on crypto-asset investigations from 11 to 13 March.

Over the course of the three-day training held in Tbilisi, participants were equipped with fundamental techniques and practical tools essential for conducting effective investigations in the realm of cryptocurrency-related crimes. Drawing from real-world scenarios, it included in-depth sessions on basic methods for tracing criminal transactions across diverse blockchain networks. Participants were also exposed to a series of case studies highlighting best practices and providing insights into specialized analytics software and open-source tools pertinent to the field.

This initiative underscores Georgia's commitment to combatting illicit activities facilitated by cryptocurrencies and the importance of international co-operation in addressing the challenges posed by the evolving landscape of financial crime.

"As we navigate the dynamic terrain of financial technology, it is imperative for Georgia to prioritize strengthening its national law enforcement capacities, especially when it comes to investigative and tracing capabilities pertaining to crypto-assets," said Maksym Mishalov Dragunov, Assistant Project Officer at OCEEA.

“This is the third training on investigation of virtual assets for Georgian authorities, and the OSCE will continue to support Georgia’s efforts to combat money laundering, particularly through virtual assets and cryptocurrencies,” he added.

The course is part of an OSCE-led extra-budgetary project on “innovative policy solutions to mitigate money-laundering risks of virtual assets”, funded by Germany, Poland, Romania, the United Kingdom and the United States. The project supports OSCE participating States in building national capacities to mitigate criminal risks related to virtual assets and cryptocurrencies.

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About 70 members of Youth Councils and local authorities from the municipalities of Elbasan, Shkodra and Roskovec actively engaged in a comprehensive training seminar on improving air quality in their communities.

The main objective of the workshops that took place from 5 to 12 March 2024 was to educate young participants about the main sources of air pollution and to encourage them to propose measures and initiatives to improve air quality. The training sessions featured presentations from the OSCE Presence in Albania, municipal focal points and the Environmental and Territorial Management Institute (ETMI). Prof. Besnik Bare, a distinguished member of the Academy of Sciences of Albania, held a special session emphasizing the critical link between air pollution and public health.

The members of the Youth Councils acknowledged their key role as advocates for environmental protection within their territories and committed to share the knowledge gained during the workshops with other youth, especially those from vulnerable groups.

The activities were part of the extra-budgetary project of the Office of the Co-ordinator of OSCE Economic and Environmental Activities “Responses to security risks from climate change in South-Eastern Europe”, which, in Albania, is co-ordinated by the OSCE Presence with ETMI as implementing partner.

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On 11 March 2024, the OSCE Transnational Threats Department co-organized a side event with the OSCE Chairpersonship of Malta on "Empowering Women for Justice: Advancing Gender Equality in Organized Crime Prevention and Exit Strategies," on the margins of the 68th Commission on the Status of Women. The event was hosted by the Permanent Mission of Malta and co-sponsored by the Permanent Missions of Albania, Canada, Italy, Sweden and the Republic of Tajikistan to the United Nations. 

Drawing on the findings and recommendations of the OSCE report on “Understanding the role of women in organized crime”, the side event was an opportunity to discuss the various roles women play in organized crime groups and what is required to develop a more gender-sensitive criminal justice response to transnational organized crime. Reflecting the whole-of-society approach that underpins gender-inclusive approaches to organized crime, the side event brought together over 90 participants including policymakers, criminal justice practitioners and civil society. 

Opening the event, Ambassador Vanessa Frazier, Permanent Representative of Malta to the UN, emphasized that "achieving and promoting gender equality at all stages of the fight against transnational organized crime is a priority for the OSCE Chairpersonship of Malta. Gender mainstreaming is essential to understanding the root causes of transnational organized crime, to enhancing prevention and response efforts, and to empowering witnesses and victims to seek justice."

OSCE Secretary General Helga Maria Schmid underscored that "OSCE research shows that women’s agency in organized crime is often not recognized. This leads to women being underrepresented in and sometimes largely absent from prevention, exit and witness protection initiatives. A cultural shift and strong commitment by national authorities to gender mainstreaming is needed to promote responses to organized crime that fully recognize and address the different roles played by women and men. The OSCE supports its participating States in implementing this commitment.”

This was the first Commission on the Status of Women side event to focus on women’s role in organized crime, marking an important step towards improving the recognition of women’s agency in organized crime and their subsequent representation in prevention and exit initiatives.

564488 Munira Shoinbekova, OSCE Programme Office in Dushanbe

Creating models to establish social enterprises and diversify sources of income to ensure sustainability were among the skills learned by twelve women at a training course for 26 representatives of OSCE-supported Women’s Resource Centres (WRCs). The course, held from 26 February to 1 March 2024, was organized by the OSCE Programme Office in Dushanbe, which provides comprehensive support to victims of domestic violence in the regions through a network of 14 WRCs, established by OSCE in close partnership with local authorities.  

Participants learned the theoretical foundations for creating a social enterprise, practical skills in how to devise organizational, operational and financial plans, and make financial and investment analyses and risk assessments. Other topics focused on setting the goals and mission of a social enterprise, concepts of social entrepreneurship, their purpose and vision, and market understanding. 

Marifat Khidiralieva, Director of the Woman’s Resource Centre in Khuroson said: “The course contributed to the growth of motivation and interest in social business. We plan to further apply the acquired knowledge in practice, develop a project on social business and involve the vulnerable women from our region.”

“This training was a logical continuation of a series of trainings on social entrepreneurship that contribute to ensuring income and improving the well-being of WRCs and beneficiaries. I hope that WRCs will achieve success in helping vulnerable groups of the population,” said Gulsha Jumakhonov, an OSCE local expert.

The Director of the WRC “ASTI” in Khujand, Mukhbira Tyuryaeva explained that: “During the course, we looked at the goals and mission of a social enterprise and forms of business implementation. We analyzed what types of clients there are and what to consider when working with clients and also the importance of teamwork in social business.”

The training course is being implemented as part of the OSCE Programme Office’s project ‘Supporting and Strengthening the Women’s Resource Centres in Tajikistan’, funded by the United States of America, Finland, Norway, Germany, and Andorra.

VIENNA, 8 March 2024 – The OSCE Representative on Freedom of the Media, Teresa Ribeiro, has condemned the imprisonment of Roman Ivanov, a journalist with RusNews, an online media outlet, and expressed concern regarding other setbacks related to freedom of expression and media freedom in the Russian Federation.

Reports indicate that on March 6, a court in the Moscow region sentenced Roman Ivanov to seven years in prison for allegedly disseminating "false" information about the Russian military. Ivanov's prosecution appears to be linked to his online posts sharing information of public interest related to Russia’s war of aggression against Ukraine.

"The ongoing abuses targeting the safety of media workers, media freedom, and overall freedom of expression within the Russian Federation are deeply troubling," stated Ribeiro. "I call for the immediate release of all detained journalists and stress the imperative to cease the suppression of their legitimate work."

Ribeiro also expressed concern over recent legislative measures banning advertising on the platforms of individuals and organizations labelled as "foreign agents," and permitting property confiscation for the dissemination of "false" information about the Russian military or any action deemed to "discredit" it. Additionally, she noted ongoing efforts to brand media outlets and freedom of the press organizations as "undesirable," resulting in the subsequent suppression of their operations. "I once again urge the Russian authorities to uphold all OSCE commitments aimed at respecting, promoting, and safeguarding the freedom to seek, receive, and disseminate information regardless of borders and to cease the pervasive practice of eliminating critical voices," Ribeiro emphasized. "It is crucial that the authorities ensure that their laws, policies, and practices pertaining to media freedom fully comply with international obligations and commitments."

Earlier, amidst a range of adverse developments, Ribeiro condemned the prosecution of another RusNews journalist, Maria Ponomarenko, who received a six-year prison sentence. She also denounced the designation of the ARTICLE 19 international freedom of expression organization as "undesirable" and reiterated the necessity of repealing legislation targeting "foreign agents."

See Representative’s previous statements here, here and here.

564464 OSCE High Commissioner on National Minorities High Commissioner on National Minorities encourages Bosnia and Herzegovina to continue with reforms to secure representation and inclusion of national minorities Courageous high school students from the municipality of Jajce in Bosnia and Herzegovina named winners of 2018 Max van der Stoel Award

OSCE High Commissioner on National Minorities Kairat Abdrakhmanov visited Bosnia and Herzegovina from 4 to 6 March 2024 to attend the Regional Conference on Co-operation on matters related to National Minorities in Sarajevo.

The Conference gathered representatives of national minorities and government authorities responsible for national minority issues from south-eastern Europe. It was an opportunity to discuss good governance and exchange experiences, ideas, challenges and good practices related to the integration of diverse societies.

The event was organized by Bosnia and Herzegovina’s Human Rights and Refugees Ministry, with the co-operation of the OSCE High Commissioner on National Minorities and the OSCE Mission to Bosnia and Herzegovina and with the support of other OSCE field operations in the region.

The High Commissioner called on authorities and representatives to seize the opportunities presented by this event. “Let us embrace future opportunities to forge a new era of regional co-operation and understanding on national minority issues in south-eastern Europe. This is possible because co-operation is our language,” Abdrakhmanov said. The High Commissioner is hopeful that such meetings will become a regular occurrence.

While in Bosnia and Herzegovina, the High Commissioner took the opportunity to meet with government authorities, including Human Rights and Refugees Minister Sevlid Hurtić, as well as national minority representatives and civil society organizations in Mostar.

WARSAW, 8 March 2024 – Targeted campaigns of arrest and prosecution as well as imprisonment of many of those who express dissent continues to intensify, raising fears for the safety of those imprisoned and growing concerns for the democratic future of the Russian Federation, the OSCE Office for Democratic Institutions and Human Rights (ODIHR) said in a statement today.

“We are gravely concerned at the prosecution and conviction of those voicing dissent in Russia, whether individually or as a group. This is affecting numerous dissenters, from human rights defenders and civil society leaders to political opponents and critics of the war in Ukraine,” said ODIHR Director Matteo Mecacci. “The Russian authorities have committed to respect democracy, human rights, and the rule of law, and it is essential that they allow Russian citizens to exercise their fundamental rights.”

Legal restrictions adopted in the name of national security and fighting extremism are arbitrarily limiting the rights to freedom of expression, association and peaceful assembly. Amendments to legislation on freedom of assembly allow the authorities to use increasingly restrictive measures on peaceful protests, in practice leading to mass arbitrary arrests and the use of excessive police force.

We are also seeing the ongoing detention and imprisonment of political opponents and human rights defenders who are doing their utmost to monitor and protect human rights and fundamental freedoms in the country. This has led to the unjust imprisonment or convictions of activists and human rights defenders including Alexei Gorinov, Grigory Melkonyants, Oleg Orlov, Aleksandra Skochilenko and others, as well as opposition leaders, including Vladimir Kara-Murza, Ilya Yashin, and the late Alexei Navalny. Many non-governmental organizations have even been liquidated, a disproportionate restriction on the freedom of association.

ODIHR reiterates its regret at the decision of the authorities not to issue an invitation to observe the forthcoming presidential election, depriving the country’s citizens and institutions of an impartial, transparent, and comprehensive assessment by an international body. The Office emphasizes the importance of independent citizen election observers in this context. ODIHR also condemns the decision of the Russian Federation to hold the presidential election in the territories of Ukraine it occupies, which are being organised contrary to international law and are therefore illegal.

ODIHR reminds the Russian authorities of their international obligations and OSCE commitments to respect human rights and the rule of law, and to ensure accountability for human rights violations.

Досљедна употреба обавјештајних података у кривичном поступку у фокусу дводневне радионице Мисије ОЕБС-а. Željka Šulc

The OSCE Mission to BiH organized a two-day workshop gathering more than 40 representatives from prosecutor’s offices, law enforcement agencies as well as institutions across the country in Trebinje, titled "Instituting and Facilitating Regular Inter-Agency Meetings and Briefings Between Agencies and Prosecution," concluding today.

The workshop addressed structural requirements and improved inter-agency cooperation by making intelligence-led policing (ILP) more relevant, ensuring consistent use of criminal intelligence, information and analyses in criminal proceedings, and facilitating regular meetings and briefings between law enforcement agencies and the prosecution.

"A consistent application of the ILP approach will ensure that Bosnia and Herzegovina is well-equipped to implement robust, holistic, and effective strategies to combat serious crime," said Đorđe Đogović, Project Manager at the OSCE Mission to BiH. "The integration of criminal-intelligence information and analysis in criminal proceedings provides invaluable insights for law enforcement and judicial decision-making, enhancing the understanding of complex criminal activities and aiding in the pursuit of justice," he added.

This workshop is part of the OSCE Mission to BiH project titled "Enhancing Intelligence-led Policing to Combat Serious Security Threats and Crimes, (ILP Project)" implemented with the generous support of Austria, Germany, Liechtenstein, Luxembourg, Norway, and Turkiye.