OSCE Annual Report 2002

Annual Report on Activities 2002 early warning conflict prevention crisis management human rights democratization

confidence-building measures arms control preventive diplomacy security-building measures election monitoring police training freedom of the media

anti-trafficking protecting national minorities economic and environmental security post-conflict rehabilitation

anti-terrorism institution building border monitoring building civil society

‘The OSCE …. is agile and far less expensive than comparable international organizations. Its unique advantage is that it is highly operational.With more than 3,000 people in 19 field missions in 17 countries,the OSCE has a stronger operational capability than any other international organization in Europe.’US Ambassador Robert Barry (International Herald Tribune, November 2002)

‘I am pleased to report that in this difficult and ever-changing (global) environment, the OSCE againdemonstrated that its co-operative and comprehensiveapproach to security makes it a vital and recognised tool in the armoury of participating States as they confront not only traditional but also new challenges.’OSCE Secretary General, Jan Kubis

The Organization for Security and Co-operation in Europe (OSCE) is a pan-Europeansecurity body whose 55 participating States span the geographical area from Vancouver toVladivostok.

Recognized as a regional arrangement under Chapter VIII of the United Nations Charter,the OSCE is a primary instrument for early warning, conflict prevention, crisis manage-ment and post-conflict rehabilitation in its area. Its approach to security is unique in beingboth comprehensive and co-operative: comprehensive in that it deals with three dimensi-ons of security — the human, the politico-military and the economic/environmental.

It therefore addresses a wide range of security-related concerns, including human rights,arms control, confidence- and security-building measures, national minorities, democrati-zation, policing strategies, counter-terrorism and economic and environmental activities.It is co-operative in that all the States participating in OSCE bodies and activities are equalin status. Decisions are taken by consensus on a politically, but not legally binding basis

PARTICIPATING STATESAlbaniaAndorraArmeniaAustriaAzerbaijanBelarusBelgiumBosnia and HerzegovinaBulgariaCanadaCroatiaCyprusCzech RepublicDenmarkEstoniaFinlandFranceGeorgiaGermanyGreeceHoly SeeHungaryIcelandIrelandItalyKazakhstanKyrgyzstanLatviaLiechtensteinLithuaniaLuxembourgthe former Yugoslav Republic of MacedoniaMaltaMoldovaMonacoNetherlandsNorwayPolandPortugalRomaniaRussian FederationSan MarinoSerbia and MontenegroSlovakiaSloveniaSpainSwedenSwitzerlandTajikistanTurkeyTurkmenistanUkraineUnited KingdomUnited States of AmericaUzbekistan

PARTNERS FOR CO-OPERATIONJapanRepublic of KoreaThailand

MEDITERRANEAN PARTNERS FOR CO-OPERATIONAlgeriaEgyptIsraelJordanMoroccoTunisia

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Report of the Secretary General 2002 including the Report on Interaction between Organizations and Institutions in the OSCE Area

Foreword by the 2002 Chairman-in-Officethe Portuguese Minister of Foreign Affairs

António Martins da CruzThe year can justifiably be regarded as a successful one for theOSCE. From the outset, the Portuguese Chairmanship identifiedthe adaptation of the OSCE to the evolving security environmentas the driving force of its work programme.This general orienta-tion led to the approval by the Porto Ministerial Council Meeting,on 6 and 7 December 2002, of the Political Declaration entitled‘Responding to Change’.This Declaration reinforces, in my view,the continued commitment of the participating States to the relevance of the OSCE within the framework of the Euro-AtlanticSecurity Architecture, in the spirit of the Platform for Co-operative Security.

Participating States have laid down, at the Ministerial, clear guide-lines for the formulation of an OSCE Strategy to Address Threatsto Security and Stability in the 21st Century. In a moment inwhich international attention has been focused on the enlargementof NATO and the European Union, it has been possible for theOSCE to prove it retains a special role as a political regional forumthat is simultaneously Euro-Atlantic, pan-European and Eurasian.This inclusiveness, coupled with the consensus rule and sense ofownership which prevail in the OSCE, are all the more importantin the current context where security is more than ever indivisible,thus requiring enhanced dialogue and co-operation.

The prevention of and fight against terrorism topped the prioritiesof the Portuguese Chairmanship.The 12 June Meeting of highlevel officials from governments and major international organiza-tions, held in Lisbon, contributed to stimulating co-operation efforts in this field. I believe that the adoption of the OSCECharter on the Prevention and Fight against Terrorism in Portowill keep alive and enhance the contribution of our Organizationand its participating States to the endeavour of the internationalcommunity to eradicate such a scourge.We need to remain enga-ged and ensure an adequate follow up to these efforts.

Another high priority area of the Portuguese Chairmanship hasbeen to improve the balance between the three dimensions of theOSCE.The Decision adopted in Porto on enhancing the role ofthe OSCE economic and environmental dimension resulted fromthe impulse given by the Portuguese Chairmanship in this regard.The 10th OSCE Economic Forum, dedicated to the theme ofwater, highlighted the importance of taking into account crucialeconomic and environmental issues in our comprehensive approach to security.The human dimension was also revitalizedthrough the adoption of new follow-up and implementationmechanisms.We have also been aiming at strengthening the politico-military dimension namely through the decision taken in Porto to establish an Annual Security Review Conference.

As Chairman-in-Office, I would like to recall, among my bestmemories, my visits to the missions in all parts of the OSCEregion, to see the work of the dedicated and professional staff fromdifferent participating States.These visits allowed me also to witness directly, in the field, the broad scope of activities in whichthe OSCE is involved, covering early warning, conflict prevention,crisis management and post-conflict rehabilitation.

The ambitious outcome of the Porto Ministerial, described in thisreport, will, I firmly believe, guide the OSCE for years to come.The package of decisions adopted there amounts to a comprehen-sive programme of action for the OSCE. I hope its systematicimplementation by the Netherlands in 2003 and successive chair-manships will foster the conditions for consolidating the OSCE’sinternational position and adapting its agenda to the new chal-lenges in Europe and throughout the world in the 21st century.

Meanwhile, I can assure my colleagues that Portugal will uphold the honour and responsibility it bears in continuing toserve the OSCE over the course of 2003 as a bold, experiencedand supportive member of the Ministerial Troika.

Alfredo C

unha/OS

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Porto Ministerial Council: anew direction for 21st century Foreign Ministers from the 55 OSCE participating States met in Porto on 6 and 7 December 2002 for the Tenth MinisterialCouncil of the OSCE. Key decisions included:

OSCE Charter on Preventing and Combating TerrorismThe Charter condemns ‘in the strongest terms, terrorism in all its forms and manifestations’ and calls on States to ‘work together to prevent, suppress, investigate and prosecute terrorist acts, including through increased co-operation and full implementation of the relevant international conventions and protocols relating to terrorism.’The Charter also notes ‘thelinks between terrorism and transnational organized crime,money laundering, trafficking in human beings, drugs and arms’.

A Porto Ministerial Declaration: Responding to ChangeParticipating States adopted the declaration which contains a commitment to work together ‘to protect our peoples from existing and emerging threats to security’. Ministers instructed thePermanent Council to continue work to develop a comprehensiveOSCE Strategy to address threats to security and stability in the21st century.

The Declaration on Trafficking in Human Beings This called for intensified co-operation in the fight against trafficking among OSCE structures as well as between the OSCE and other international organizations.

Annual Security Review ConferenceMinisters decided to hold an Annual Security Review Conference,starting in 2003 and to continue reinforcing the economic andenvironmental dimension.They agreed that Bulgaria will take onthe OSCE Chairmanship in 2004 and Slovenia in 2005.

Further details can be found at:www.osce.org/events/mc/portugal2002/documents.

The Bishkek InternationalConference on Security andStability in Central Asia December 2001, Kyrgyzstan

Formally known as the Bishkek International Conference on EnhancingSecurity and Stability in Central Asia: Strengthening ComprehensiveEfforts to Counter Terrorism, the international gathering was held todiscuss comprehensive and concrete steps to prevent and counterterrorism, especially with regard to providing practical support tothe five Central Asian OSCE participating States.The event wasattended by 300 representatives of more than 60 states and international organizations.

This conference was co-sponsored by the OSCE and the UnitedNations Office for Drug Control and Crime Prevention (UNODCCP). The main documents adopted in Bishkek were theConference Declaration and the Programme of Action.

The Tenth OSCE EconomicForum May 2002, Prague

The Forum focused on how to ensure that disputes over secure water supplies do not undermine security in parts of the OSCE area.

The meeting – of the 55 Participating States, representatives of international organizations, experts and non-governmental organizations – demonstrated the importance of economic andenvironmental activities as part of the OSCE's comprehensiveapproach to security. It included sessions on the Aral Sea Basin,the water situation in the Kura Araks Basin in the Caucasus andthe Sava River in south-eastern Europe.

Alfredo C

unha/OS

CE

1 FOREWORD BY THE CIO

3 MESSAGE FROM THESECRETARY GENERAL

5 ACTIVITIES IN THE FIELD

7 SOUTH-EASTERN EUROPE27 EASTERN EUROPE33 CAUCASUS49 CENTRAL ASIA61 OSCE ASSISTANCE WITH BILATERAL

AND MULTILATERAL AGREEMENTS

66 OSCE INSTITUTIONS

67 Office for Democratic Institutionsand Human Rights

74 High Commissioner on NationalMinorities

79 Representative on Freedomof the Media

85 PARLIAMENTARY ASSEMBLY

88 THE SECRETARIAT

89 Integrated Resource Management91 Strategic Police Matters Unit92 Action Against Terrorism Unit92 Gender Issues 93 Office of the Co-ordinator of OSCE

Economic and Environmental Activities94 Conflict Prevention Centre

96 PARTNERSHIPS FOR SECURITYAND CO-OPERATION

97 Interaction between Organizations andInstitutions in the OSCE Area

102 Interaction with Mediterranean andAsian Partners for Co-operation andOrganizations and Institutions Outsidethe OSCE Area

104 ANNEX

I am pleased to present to you the 2002 Annual Report on OSCEActivities, including the report on interaction between organizationsand institutions in the OSCE area. For the first time, the reportcovers the full calendar year of 2002, the year of the OSCEChairmanship of Portugal.

The Annual Report appears in a new and more user-friendly format this year in an effort to make the work of the OSCE moreaccessible. I hope it will succeed in giving you a better insight intothe immensely varied activities of this unique and fascinatingOrganization.

The report again demonstrates that the co-operative and comprehen-sive approach of the OSCE to security makes it a recognised andrelevant instrument in the toolbox of the international communityas it confronts traditional and new challenges to security.

While continuing to serve as a vital forum for dialogue, consulta-tions and negotiations on political, politico-military and securitymatters, the Organization in 2002 remained highly focused on fieldwork, with nearly 4,000 international and local staff working in 19missions, offices and centres co-operating with their host countriesin south-eastern Europe, the Caucasus and Central Asia – an unrivalled presence on the ground.

I pay tribute to all of our dedicated staff, but notably to those infield operations and activities, whose work in often difficult andsometimes dangerous circumstances makes a tangible difference inassisting host countries and in the lives of ordinary people.

With preventing and combating terrorism high on the agenda in2002, participating States agreed to focus the OSCE’s efforts in fourkey areas where the Organization has, or is rapidly developing, a real

MESSAGE FROMOSCE SECRETARYGENERAL, Ján Kubis

CONTENTS

The OSCE is exemplary for the patience that is required for successful international policy-making.Moreover, it represents the strength and forcefulness of democratic ideals and inalienable human rights.German Foreign Minister, Joschka Fischer

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comparative advantage - policing, border security, anti-traffickingand cutting off terrorist financing.

In fact, a range of activities in which the OSCE is engaged – fromregulating trade in small arms and light weapons to training policeand border guards, from promoting small and medium enterprisesto fostering implementation of the Aarhus Convention in theenvironmental area, from organizing and monitoring free and fairelections to promoting ethnic and religious tolerance – are wellsuited to helping tackle the scourge of terrorism in the long term.

Of particular importance is the determination of the OSCE toensure that the fight against terrorism, difficult and painful thoughit will be, must not be allowed to encroach upon the respect forhuman rights and fundamental freedoms which the OSCE hasdone so much to uphold.

In other fields, too, the Organization continued to demonstrate itstraditional action-oriented drive, flexibility and adaptability.

We positioned ourselves as a strong and determined partner in theinternational fight against trafficking in human beings, drugs andsmall arms and light weapons. Following a series of preparatorymeetings and work in 2002, the 11th OSCE Economic Forum in May 2003 is dedicated to these highly topical issues.

A Senior Police Adviser was appointed to head the Strategic PoliceMatters Unit in the Secretariat, quickly building up a specialisedcentre of expertise to meet the growing demands from participat-ing States for expert assistance in this area.The OSCE’s provenexpertise in policing, gained in south-eastern Europe, is now being put to use in Central Asia, starting with a pilot project launched in Kyrgyzstan in 2002. Better policing will not onlyreduce crime and improve the lives of ordinary people. It will also help to curb the spread of transnational organized criminalnetworks, which threaten the fabric of society throughout theOSCE area.

In 2002, the OSCE Border Monitoring Operation in Georgia ex-panded to cover not only the segment of borders with the ChechenRepublic of the Russian Federation, but also the Ingush segment.This year the expansion will cover also the Dagestani segment.

In 2002, the Organization moved to strengthen its work in theeconomic and environmental dimension of security, which along-side the politico-military and human dimensions has been one ofthe three pillars of our activities since the Helsinki Final Act of1975. Starting from the premise that economic liberty, social justice and environmental responsibility must be at the heart of any sustainable concept of security, the OSCE has worked withparticipating States to promote the market economy, strengthengood governance and the rule of law, fight corruption and tackleenvironmental problems. Successful anti-corruption projects in co-operation with Armenia can serve as an example of our workin this area. Other initiatives in 2002 included identifying

environmental threats in south-eastern Europe and Central Asiaand conducting workshops on combating money laundering andthe financing of terrorism.

When reading the Annual Report, you will not fail to note a multitude of activities of the OSCE in its traditional area of thehuman dimension, in which the OSCE Institutions in particularare active. Here, too, the OSCE broke new ground in 2002. Forexample, our Mission to Bosnia and Herzegovina, in an effort co-ordinated with the host country and other international partners, moved into the new field of education, developing a strategy for educational reform.

In many of its activities, the OSCE co-operates with other international partners – intergovernmental and NGOs.In particular it engages in joint activities with the UN system,the EU, NATO, the Council of Europe, and increasingly withorganizations in the CIS area and its subregions, as well as with our Mediterranean and Asian Partners for Co-operation.A specialsection of the Annual Report is devoted to this co-operation.

One of my key duties as Secretary General is to ensure that theOSCE has the operational and managerial capacity to meet thedemands and expectations of participating States. For the OSCE,2002 was a year of real change and reform.

Administrative problems identified in recent years, which were largely a consequence of the rapid growth in our field activities,have been addressed in earnest by the participating States, whichthus provide strong guidance and support for the efforts of theSecretariat in this area.

Based on their discussions and decisions, a comprehensive OSCEmanagement agenda was developed in 2002, intended to clarifyresponsibility, authority and accountability and to introduce improved transparency and best management practices in translat-ing the political decisions of participating States into action. Itsimplementation will determine the OSCE management reform in the years to come.A highlight will be the introduction of anIntegrated Resource Management system (IRMA) which willimprove our ability to manage human and material resources.

As the Annual Report shows, the OSCE is a dynamic and vibrantorganization, working in a wide variety of concrete ways, throughthe partnership and co-operation of its participating States, torespond to the global developments and security challenges oftoday and tomorrow.

MESSAGE FROMOSCE SECRETARYGENERAL, Ján Kubis

Ján Kubis

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In many ways, the OSCE, with its unique mandate and membership, is much better placed than individual states or other international organizations to take advantage of these changes and respond rapidly to events.The International Crisis group’s report The OSCE

in Central Asia: A New Strategy, 11 September 2002

The missions are an important engine of change and, fortunately, that role is increasingly recognized by local populations.Jaap de Hoop Scheffer, Dutch Foreign Minister,

OSCE Chairman-in-Office, 2003

The Council of Europe and the OSCE have a common goal: making Europe a better, safer and fairer home for its hundreds of millions of inhabitants.Walter Schwimmer, Secretary General of the

Council of Europe

ACTIVITIES IN THE FIELD

Alexander N

itzsche/OS

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Refugee Return

During the reporting period the OSCE further focused

on tackling the challenges of refugee return in south-eastern

Europe. In 2002, programmes to facilitate sustainable return

were developed and implemented by the ODIHR and the

OSCE Missions, in close co-operation with the countries of

the region, the UN (UNHCR and UNMIK) and the Stability

Pact for south-eastern Europe. There are good prospects

for the rates of repossession and return over the region

to continue to improve.

This Serbian woman returned to the

Osejane Valley in Kosovo

The Kosovo Assembly – the highest representative and legislative Provisional Institution of Self-Government of Kosovo – in session 2002

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SOUTH-EASTERN EUROPE

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The flexibility and the expertise of theOSCE is, and will remain, essential allover the Western Balkans if we are to succeed in our joint efforts to help thisregion to become just another region of a united Europe.Javier Solana, the High Representative

for the Common Foreign and Security

Policy of the European Union.

BELGRADE

SARAJEVO

ZAGREB

SKOPJE

TIRANA

OSCEMission in Kosovo

OSCE Spillover MonitorMission to Skopje

OSCE Missionto Croatia

OSCE Mission to Bosnia and Herzegovina

OSCE Presencein Albania

OSCE Mission to the FederalRepublic of Yugoslavia

Pristina


OSCE Presence in Albania


OSCE Mission to Croatia

Mission to the Federal Republic of Yugoslavia

OSCE Mission in Kosovo

OSCE Spillover Monitor Mission to Skopje

The OSCE and The Stability Pact for South Eastern Europe

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19

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Mountain H

igh Maps®

Copyright©

1993 Digital w

isdom, Inc.

The boundaries and names on this map do not imply official endorsement or acceptance by the OSCE

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Lubomir K

otek/OS

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Lubomir K

otek/OS

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Lubomir K

otek/OS

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CONTEXT

The OSCE Presence has been playing avital role in restoring Albania’s stability sincethe civil unrest of 1997. It has been workingtowards strengthening state institutions andcivil society to overcome a sometimes diffi-cult political environment. Most of thePresence’s activities are concentrated in thehuman dimension.The areas in focus during2002 were:• strengthening the rule of law• fighting trafficking in human beings• electoral reform• parliamentary support• media development• civil society development.

In addition, the Presence has also been thelocal chair of the Friends of Albania Group(FOA), which held its Sixth InternationalConference in April 2002 under the auspi-ces of the Chairman-in-Office and theSpanish European Union Presidency.TheFOA has functioned as an informal forumof countries and international organizationsreviewing Albania’s progress and co-ordi-nating assistance.

Human Dimension Activities

ELECTORAL REFORM & DEMOCRATIZATION

Setting up a bipartisan parliamentary committee

The Presence worked closely with institu-tional and political actors throughout 2002to build dialogue on electoral reform.As away of addressing problems which occurredduring Albania’s Kuvendi (parliamentary orassembly) elections in 2001, the ODIHRsuggested the establishment of a bipartisanparliamentary committee to identify reme-dies and commence discussion on a reviewof the electoral framework.The Presencehelped to set up and contributes to thisbipartisan committee to discuss and draftimprovements to the electoral framework.

Three roundtables have been organized bythe OSCE and the Council of Europe insupport of the bipartisan committee on theelectoral administration system, complaintsand appeals procedures as well as practicesin voter and civil registration.

The State budget Given the importance of the State budgetas a useful tool in maintaining the govern-ment’s accountability to parliament, thePresence is working with Parliament'sCommittee on Economics and Finance to strengthen its role.The Committee hasdecided to:• reform the budget law to allow it a longer

time to review the draft budget• have a mandated role earlier in the year

when the expenditure ceilings are defined• establish a unit to provide deputies with

independent analysis on economic, finan-cial and budgetary matters.

Supporting parliamentThe Presence launched a three-year projectaimed at helping build the capacity of theAlbanian Parliament. It will train membersand administrative staff, enhance the researchand advisory capacity of the committees andpromote outreach activities with constituents.The OSCE has begun staff training on teambuilding and communication, managementand parliamentary theory and has initiatedassistance in the annual budget process.

Developing civil society This has been the second year of a three-year plan for a national network of CivilSociety Development Centres.They werecreated to provide capacity-building train-ing for non-governmental organizationsand other civil society groups.They alsoprovide free access to office equipment andmeeting spaces, which are in short supplyoutside Tirana. In 2002, the centre manag-ers completed a lengthy training process onmarketing and business skills to help makethe network self-sustainable.

Giving anti-corruption agencies a voiceThe Presence has supported the Govern-ment’s anti-corruption strategy and has helped civil society develop an informedand constructive voice on anti-corruptionby publishing a translation of theTransparency International Sourcebook,Confronting Corruption: the Elements of aNational Integrity System, the first of its kind in the Albanian language.

JUDICIAL REFORM

Identifying areas to be reformedStrengthening the judicial system in Albaniahas also been a priority for the Presence in2002. During the year, the Presence beganwork on a Legal Sector Report to add tothe development of a comprehensive nation-al strategy for judicial reform.The report,drafted in consultation with the Albanianauthorities, describes the legislative frame-work, organizational structure, activities anda range of challenges in the legal sector.This report will be used as a tool to identi-fy areas that need more work. Early obser-vations have led the Presence to draft twoprojects for 2003 which will focus on sup-port to the General Prosecutor’s Office andon fair trial development within the courts.

Establishing witness protectionA Witness Protection Task Force, composed ofAlbanian authorities and a group of inter-national actors in which the OSCE tookthe lead, was set up in 2002.This followed complaints from Albanian prosecutors that the majority of witnesseswithdraw their testimony after threats andbribes.The Task Force, for which theOSCE provides a secretariat function, willserve until the legislative framework is inplace. Lessons learned in witness protectionare being taken on board during the draf-ting of the new legislation.

In one of the cases handled by the Witness

Protection Task Force, a trafficking victim

had offered testimony against a number of

traffickers from a serious criminal gang.

Because of this testimony, the victim’s life was

in serious danger. The shelter she was staying

in was receiving credible threats against them.

Through the efforts of the task force, the

victim was able to be relocated outside

Albania with full refugee status, allowing her to

integrate into a new society free from the fear

of retaliation for participating in the fight

against trafficking. In late 2002, the majority of

these traffickers were convicted and received

above-the-minimum sentences.




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HUMAN RIGHTS

Cracking down on human traffickingThe Victims Assistance Project was set up bythe Presence to provide legal advice andappropriate counselling to victims of traf-ficking who are repatriated to Albania.Theproject is the result of nurturing a closerelationship with the anti-trafficking teamsof the Albanian police and the prosecutor’soffices.The Presence has continued to pro-vide advice and assistance to the Ministerof State’s Office on implementing a newNational Strategy against Trafficking in Human Beings.

Supporting the People’s Advocate (Ombudsman)

The Presence has continued to refer casesinvolving human rights and minority issuesto the Office of the People’s Advocate.Several highly controversial cases con-cerning property and blood feuds havebeen resolved as a result.

Resolving property issuesResolving the property situation – especiallycomplex legal ownership issues – is essentialfor economic development and the establish-ment of the rule of law.The Presence hastherefore provided technical assistance tothe ad hoc parliamentary committee whichwas set up in April. It has helped review anddraft legislation on property restitution andcompensation through a project funded byUSAID and The World Bank.

Gathering momentum for women’s rights Due to the increasing demand for advice,the Presence extended last year’s grass-rootsinitiative to raise awareness of the relation-ship between human rights, women’s rightsand anti-trafficking issues.The Women’sRights and Anti-Trafficking Education(WRATE) project deals with this relation-ship in the context of Albanian legislationand international conventions. By the endof 2002, the network of WRATE trainershad educated approximately 1,500 individ-uals through regional workshops aimedmostly at rural women, students, teachers,social workers, women’s non-governmentalorganizations, journalists, police and judges.The project also enhanced its course mate-rial to include additional information onthe challenges of gender inequality andgender-based violence.

DEVELOPMENT OF THE MEDIA

Helping to regulate the media landscapeThe main focus in this area was the crea-tion of a map based on the first completeset of data on:• the number of radio and TV

stations in Albania• the location and power of

each of their transmitters• the area of coverage for each signal

and the areas of interference.

This Frequency Map Project has been used to help Albania’s national regulatory bodyto produce a plan for the future orderlyallocation of the broadcast spectrum, whichwill enable its proper administration inaccordance with the law and internationalstandards. Other Presence activities in-cluded legal assistance to amend the Law onElectronic Media. It has also supported mediainstitutions such as the National Council ofRadio and Television, the ParliamentaryCommittee on the Media and the nationalbroadcaster and Albanian Public Radio andTelevision.

Economic and EnvironmentalDimension Activities

Understanding the economic environmentThe Presence aims to stimulate new assistance programmes throughout north-eastern Albania.

This year it has set up the North East Initiative to increase awareness of the difficult economic and social conditions in the region.

The initiative is being promoted as a themewithin the donor community’s discussionson the National Strategy for Socio-EconomicDevelopment.The Presence and the Nether-lands Embassy organized an extensive fieldvisit to the region in May 2002.

Boosting the business climateThe presence has supported the develop-ment of dialogue between the Govern-ment, foreign and local business associa-tions, the Bankers Association and theChambers of Commerce. It continues tolisten to the concerns of the business com-

munity and this has led to initiatives forimproving the economic climate.On the basis of these efforts, the Ministerof Economy initiated a project on PromotingGovernment-Business Dialogue on Free Tradewith the Presence, which will involve con-ducting country-wide roundtables on theissues of free trade.

Politico-Military DimensionActivities

Monitoring the Small Arms and Light Weapons programme

Since spring 2000, the Presence’s field sta-tions have been monitoring the Govern-ment’s programme on small arms and lightweapons. It has worked in co-operationwith the UN Development Programme’sWeapons for Development project.This year,the Presence continued its interest in thisarea after the expiry of the general amnestyas the Albanian police continued to collectweapons from individuals.

Boosting cross-border co-operationThe focus of the Presence’s work tostrengthen Albania’s border managementhas been to facilitate co-operative ex-changes of information on cross-bordercrime.The Presence has continued itsthree-year effort to support Joint BorderCommission meetings in Kosovo, theFederal Republic of Yugoslavia. In collabor-ation with the Albanian police, thePresence has begun to carry out similaractivities with the border authorities of theFederal Republic of Yugoslavia and the former Yugoslav Republic of Macedonia.

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CONTEXT

The OSCE has played a central role infostering a stable, peaceful and democraticBosnia and Herzegovina (BiH) since 19951.The key focus areas in 2002 were:• transferring electoral competencies to

BiH authorities and providing supportto the BiH Election Commission

• promoting the development of demo-cratic, participatory and self-sustaininginstitutions at all levels of government

• monitoring human rights and funda-mental freedoms and supporting thedevelopment of sustainable human rightsinstitutions

• fostering democratic control over thearmed forces in BiH, affordability ofdefence and security reform and assistingBiH in complying with its OSCE politi-co-military commitments

• co-ordinating the compilation of aneducation reform strategy, in co-opera-tion with BiH authorities and otherstakeholders.

The International Community envisagesthe country as a State that is no longer reliant on the international and donor assistance, which meets its internationalobligations and is integrated fully intoEuro-Atlantic structures.

The commitment and engagement of BiHauthorities to carry out the necessaryreforms remain a key factor for success.There is general consensus that these goalscan be achieved only through the affirma-tion of the rule of law, democratic controlof affordable armed forces, fundamentaleconomic reform, return of refugees anddisplaced persons, as well as effective, inde-pendent and self-sustaining institutions.


ELECTIONS

Transferring electoral capabilities to BiH authorities

Following the adoption of an Election Lawand the establishment of a BiH ElectionCommission in 2001, the Mission transfer-red its capabilities in electoral matters toBiH authorities in the early months of2002.Thereafter, the Mission’s role focussedon providing expert advice and politicalsupport to the BiH Election Commission.

HUMAN RIGHTS / RULE OF LAW

Property Law Implementation (PLI)The full implementation of property lawsand the return of refugees and displacedpersons (DPs) to their pre-war homes wereamong the Mission’s priorities in 2002.

The Property Law Implementation rate reached 69 per cent at the end of 2002.This represents an increase of 28 per centin comparison with 2001. Special emphasishas been placed on the chronological pro-cessing of property cases and on proceedingwith evictions of persons not in compli-ance with the property laws.The objectiveis to complete PLI by the end of 2003.The OSCE’s partner organizations inimplementing property laws are the Officeof the High Representative, the UN HighCommissioner for Refugees (UNHCR),the UN Mission to BiH and theCommission for Real Property Claims.

Sustainable return relies on human rights protection

As the rates of repossession and return continue to improve, the Mission has beenincreasingly engaged in addressing viola-tions of the rights and fundamental free-doms of those who find themselves asminorities, many of whom are returnees.

The issue of refugee return can only be

comprehensively tackled and resolved

through regional co-operation.

A regional Joint Action Plan has been designed

by the OSCE Missions to Bosnia and Herze-

govina, Croatia and the Federal Republic of

Yugoslavia in co-operation with the UNHCR.

It was presented to the respective govern-

ments. Its aim is to facilitate the cross-border

return of thousands of families and will have a

positive spin-off effect on the return process in

the entire region.

Sustainable return is hampered by discriminatory

practices in employment, education and other

social services. To address this issue, the

Mission has set up a Fair Employment Project.

Under the project, the Mission has been working

in partnership with selected public and private

sector employers to promote fair employment

principles and anti-discriminatory legislation by

providing technical advice and assistance.

The return and repossession issue was the top

priority of the human rights programme of the

Mission to BiH in 2002. As a result, property

repossession figures have increased steadily to

reach 69 per cent at the end of the year.

The ODIHR monitored the 5 October elections

and found them to be “largely in line with inter-

national standards for democratic elections,

considering the country’s unique constitutional

framework. They also mark important progress

toward the consolidation of democracy and

the rule of law under domestic control.”

While the vision has evolved, its essence

remains the same: an entry strategy for Bosnia

and Herzegovina into Europe.

1 Following a decision by the Budapest Ministerial Council, under the General Framework Agreement for Peace mandate (more commonly known as the Dayton Accords) on 18 December 1995, Paris

This year has seen positive developments thatmany would have thought impossible only afew years back.An ever-increasing number ofmunicipalities have completed the process ofreturning property to their rightful owners.We have also seen thousands of soldiersvoluntarily leave the military – men who cannow help develop their country’s political andeconomic life as civilians, and thus reinforcethe image of Bosnia and Herzegovina as acountry at peace.And together with ourBosnian partners we compiled a comprehensiveeducation strategy in less than four months.Robert M. Beecroft, Head of OSCE Mission to

Bosnia and Herzegovina (December 2002)



11

Supporting human rights institutions The Mission has continued to supporthuman rights institutions, such as theHuman Rights Chamber and the Office ofthe BiH Ombudsman, with a view to en-suring their independence, effectiveness andfinancial sustainability.The OSCE has alsoprovided political support and facilitatedthe raising of voluntary contributions forthe Republika Srpska and FederationOmbudsman Institutions. In 2002, the rateof compliance with the recommendationsand decisions of these human rights institutions continued to improve.

Trial monitoringThe Mission continued to monitor trialsdealing with trafficking in human beings,war crimes and returnee violence.

Roma issuesRoma are the largest minority in BiH andare socially, economically and politicallymarginalized.The OSCE has implementeda successful programme of capacity-build-ing for Roma communities and organiza-tions by facilitating the development of anational action plan and the establishmentof the Council of Roma and the NationalAdvisory Council of Roma.The OSCE hasalso worked closely with local Roma medi-ators to facilitate their dialogue with localauthorities and non-governmental organi-zations.

EDUCATION

The role of the OSCE has been to co-ordinate international efforts in the area ofeducation reform and to ensure that theyare consistent with those of BiH educationministries and that they target clear strate-gic goals.

The substantive issues embrace:• legislative reform• non-discriminatory access to education• primary and secondary education• higher education • vocational education • education management and financing.

Successful strategic planning The OSCE has been working with all stakeholders to achieve maximum efficiencythrough effective strategic planning, clearcommunication and targeted monitoring.The approach has been inclusive and decisive.

Consultation and co-ordination structureshave been developed to ensure that all stake-holders have a voice and are well-informed,that appropriate advice is formulated andthat political interventions are undertakenwhen necessary.

These efforts have culminated in the BiHauthorities’ presentation of an EducationReform Agenda to the Peace Implementa-tion Council in Brussels on 21 November.The agenda, Reforming education to give BiHa better future, is a comprehensive strategylisting goals for education reform andfocussing on action needed to realize these goals.

DEMOCRATIZATION

Promoting good governance Economic and political development isdependent upon the capacity and commit-ment of government institutions to reformtheir structures and procedures and to com-ply with the norms set out for integrationinto European structures.

The OSCE democratization programme’sapproach is facilitative and process-ori-ented. It secures the direct commitment of the relevant authorities to the realization of far-reaching and sustainable democraticdevelopment goals.

Overall, the Mission’s governance pro-gramme aims to improve the accountabilityof local institutions and to encourage citizens’ participation in civic life.

The Municipal Infrastructure andImplementation Project (MIFI) promotes:• proficient municipal management of

budgetary and material resources • consensus- and community-building • training seminars with on-site technical

assistance tailored to the needs ofparticipating municipalities

• an OSCE-sponsored quarterly newslet-ter which is facilitating the sharing ofbest practices throughout the country.

The Cantonal Administration Project (CAP)promotes the application of public manage-ment tools and encourages effective can-tonal leadership responsive to local needs.The project was expanded in 2002 toinclude Tuzla and Sarajevo Cantons.

Building state institutions: ParliamentarySupport Project (PSP)

In the context of streamlining, the OSCEtook the lead in co-ordinating assistance tolegislative bodies at the state and entitylevels in BiH.

The project continues to focus on the stateparliament and the provision of intensifiedsupport for links to other important institu-tions. Emphasis has been placed on devel-oping the parliamentary committee systemwithin the BiH Parliamentary Assembly.This is carried out with the active partici-pation and support of parliamentary bodiesthroughout Europe.

The training of new parliamentarians following

the elections in the autumn of 2002 has formed

a major part of the work of State institution-

building.

The OSCE democratization programme works

to support the bridging of the gap between

Bosnia and Herzegovina, its immediate neigh-

bours and other European countries in the

region by promoting best practices at the

practitioners’ level.

The OSCE has the necessary expertise,political clout and respect among governmentauthorities and parliaments at all levels inBosnia and Herzegovina to be able to lead[on education] and work with all partnerorganizations to provide the field dimensionand political support necessary.Paddy Ashdown, High Representative on OSCE

Mission to Bosnia and Herzegovina (July 2002)

12

Political development and youth participation

The OSCE’s political development activi-ties aim to develop a more pluralistic, inclu-sive and tolerant political landscape andmore democratic and accountable politicalinstitutions and organizations across alllevels of government.

The OSCE also seeks to modernize thepractices, structures and standards of politi-cal parties and to promote youth participa-tion and a more equitable gender balanceamong the representatives in political life.


Establishment of international normsStrategic objectives in the field of militarystability in Bosnia and Herzegovina haveconsistently been to establish ‘normality,’both within the country and in the politi-co-military relationships with all the otherparties involved in the recent conflicts.Immediately after the armed conflicts, theseobjectives were designed, first and foremost,to ensure and secure the peace.

Strengthening military stabilitySignificant changes in the overall securitysituation have resulted in an increasingfocus on capacity-building of democratical-ly accountable and affordable defence struc-tures and will assist BiH in improvingimplementation of its OSCE commitmentsin the politico-military dimension.

In late 2002, the Presidency of BiH adopt-ed a decision on the Organization andFunctioning of Defence Institutions ofBosnia and Herzegovina.At the core of thisDecision is the restructuring and strength-ening of the Standing Committee onMilitary Matters. Other OSCE initiativesfocussed on the provision of advice andtechnical assistance connected with theDocument on Conventional Arms Transfer(Weapons Export Control Commission)and the OSCE Document on Small Armsand Light Weapons.

Overcoming the legacies of armed conflict:restructuring to affordable armed forces

The Mission, in co-operation with interna-tional institutions, is also supporting severalefforts to overcome the legacies of thearmed conflict. including reductions in thesize of the armed forces, alleviating thesocial consequences of demobilization andachieving greater budget transparency.

Democratic control of armed forces The Mission has been working towardsimproving effective parliamentary oversightof the armed forces. In fostering the de-velopment of parliamentary defence com-mittees, it has been conducting roundtablesto develop the mechanisms and proceduresfor improved parliamentary control. It hasalso been organizing visits to other parlia-ments in neighbouring countries.

Supporting the Dayton Peace AccordsThe Mission has also continued to providelogistical and administrative support to thePersonal Representative of the Chairman-in-Office for Articles II and IV of Annex1B of the General Framework Agreement for Peace.

During 2002, the Mission worked on the issue

of defence affordability and spearheaded the

downsizing of the armed forces in BiH by some

13,000 soldiers, a reduction of about one third.


Samsudin Herak is one of those helped by the Mission:

Before the war began, Samsudin planned to finish his education at technical col-

lege. Instead, he ended up serving in the Federation Army as a front-line soldier.

When Samsudin left the army, he registered for transitional assistance for

discharged soldiers. “At this point, my friends and I had a ‘hopeless’ mentality.

Although I didn’t believe that the programme could truly help me at the time,

I also had nothing to lose.”

Samsudin spent a year and a half working as a barber while in the army – work

he enjoyed. The OSCE/IOM programme helped him set up a hair salon, and it

was also agreed the he would complete his high school vocational training.

In September 2002, the Coloseum hair salon opened for business. He is now

enthusiastically marketing his business and is building up his client base.

The urgent need to cut military expenditure was a message the OSCE Mission to Bosniaand Herzegovina conveyed to the BiH authorities at the beginning of the year 2002. As aresult, some 13,000 soldiers were demobilized before the end of the year. The Missionworking with the Organisation for Migration (IOM), offered demobilized soldiers transitionalassistance, which helped former soldiers successfully re-enter civilian life.

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In the course of 2002, the co-operation between the Government of Croatia and theMission strengthened in many areas, leadingup to a joint appearance in December of theHead of Mission (HoM) and the CroatianForeign Minister before the OSCEPermanent Council. On the operational side,the Mission presented an Activity Plan onthe implementation of the Mission mandate,which is intended as a common basis forfuture co-operation with the Government.

CONTEXT

The Mission to Croatia was established in1996 to provide advice on human rights,minority rights and the full implementationof legislation to Croatian authorities andrelevant groups.The mandate was enhancedin 1997 and 1998 to include assistance tothe Government with its commitments tothe two-way return of all refugees anddisplaced persons.

Mission activities are undertaken in support of:• judicial reform• the rule of law• refugee and property return• freedom of the media• police assistance• civil society development.

At the end of 2001, the Government signeda Stabilization and Association Agreement(SAA) with the EU and in May 2002 itjoined the Membership Action Plan (MAP)with NATO.These developments contribut-ed to enhanced co-operation with govern-ment officials and authorities at all levelsworking on mandate-related issues.

Most of the political commitments under-taken by Croatia in the SAA harmonizewith the Mission’s mandate.These includeefforts to realize the sustainable return ofrefugees and displaced persons, reform ofthe judiciary, minority rights as well asmedia-related reform measures.This is alsoreflected in the Government’s Implementa-tion Plan for the SAA as well as the NationalProgramme for Admission to the EU.

HUMAN RIGHTS

All of the Mission’s core activities are aimedat the improvement of the overall humanrights situation in Croatia.This work prima-rily involves supporting the reform ofCroatia’s legislation and the legal system aswell as the promotion of democratic valuesand civil society.The Mission has also de-signed projects to support Croatia’s humanrights watchdog institutions, the Ombuds-man and the Constitutional Court.


Since most human dimension issues showsimilarities to those in other countries inthe region, co-operation was developedfurther with neighbouring countries.TheMission has intensified its co-operationwith partners inside and outside the OSCE:ODIHR,The Stability Pact, other OSCEMissions and the UNHCR. In this frame-work, activities centred on regional returnand property restitution issues and supportfor cross-border co-operation and confi-dence-building initiatives.

In November, the Mission participated in aregional conference by ODIHR on trialmonitoring.The Mission also provided trialmonitoring assistance to the Mission in theFederal Republic of Yugoslavia, which inten-ded to begin such activities in the near future.

Progress on minority rightsIn December, Parliament adopted a Constitutional Law on the Rights of NationalMinorities (CLNM), fulfilling a commitmentthat had been outstanding since the country’s admission to the Council ofEurope in 1996.

During the period leading up to the adop-tion of the CLNM, the Mission provided

advice to representatives of national mino-rities and civil society. Several seminars,briefings and consultations were held invol-ving the OSCE High Commissioner onNational Minorities and Mission staff, aswell as the Council of Europe’s VeniceCommission. In November, the Head ofMission chaired a roundtable betweengovernment representatives and leadingminority figures on the CLNM and wasinvited to address the parliamentary com-mittee tasked to prepare the law.TheMission has now begun monitoring theimplementation of the CLNM.

The Mission also advised on minorityrights as they relate to education, both theright to education in minority languagesand the right of minorities to be free ofdiscrimination in education.The teachingof history is also an area in which theMission became active and advised relevantCroatian authorities.

Within the framework of The Stability Pact,the Head of Mission participated in Sep-tember in a roundtable in Cakovec in north-ern Croatia on the education of Roma andthe Government’s National Strategy forRoma in Croatia. In October, the Missionalso attended a follow-up regional con-ference on Roma issues, which was held toassess ongoing activities under The StabilityPact and to identify new priorities foraction in south-eastern Europe.

Action on gender issuesIn November, a Mission representative par-ticipated in a three-week training courseon gender equality and women’s rights atthe Raoul Wallenberg Institute in Lund,Sweden.This course will boost theMission’s efforts to develop further gendermainstreaming and to implement theOSCE Action Plan for Gender Issues.

REFUGEES AND DISPLACED PERSONS

While the return of ethnic Croats displacedas a result of the conflict has almost beencompleted, the return of Croatian Serbrefugees and displaced persons remains amajor challenge. Over 100,000 CroatianSerbs have returned since the war.TheMission is working with Croatian authori-ties to create such conditions that anybodywho wants to return among the remaining

Field presences – backbone of the Mission

The strength of the Mission is its presence in

the former war-affected areas. Three field cen-

tres in Knin, Vukovar and Sisak as well as

seven field offices enabled the Mission to

assess the progress that Croatia has made

with regard to refugee and property return, rule

of law, judicial reform, human rights and mi-

nority rights and democratization as well as

other international commitments. Moreover,

field offices provide advice for local and

regional authorities as well as NGOs and

individuals on mandate-related issues.


14

250,000 refugees can do so.The Missionand its international partners are continuingto provide legislative and other advice tothe Government on remaining issues related to return and reintegration.

Speeding up the repossession of propertyChanges to the Law on Areas of Special State Concern (LASSC) to speed up prop-erty repossession came in response to long-standing advice from the Mission.TheMission organized a one-day seminar totrain more than 80 OSCE and UNHCRstaff members working in Croatia, Bosniaand Herzegovina and the Federal Republicof Yugoslavia on monitoring the newly-adopted legislation on property reposses-sion. It also provided advice to relevantauthorities.

Strengthening the right to unconditionalreturn in Croatia

The Joint Working Group on Legislation,created in 2001 between the Government,the Mission and its international partners,elaborates legislative and other solutions forreturn-related problems. In August and December 2002, the Working Group issuedits first ‘Joint Recommendations’ to theGovernment on the full implementation ofthe Law on Reconstruction and on theright to unconditional return.

Redress for lost housing and terminatedoccupancy/tenancy rights

Mission advice was offered to Croatianauthorities on providing redress or com-pensation to Croatian Serbs for terminatedoccupancy/tenancy rights to formerly socially-owned housing. Further, theMission held meetings in Zagreb withCouncil of Europe experts on terminatedoccupancy/tenancy rights.

Developing a Trilateral Plan for theImplementation of the “CommonPrinciples on Return”

In October 2001, three OSCE Heads ofMission (Croatia, Bosnia and Herzegovinaand the Federal Republic of Yugoslavia)presented a set of seven common principlesto the OSCE Chairman-in-Office.Theseprinciples were designed to ensure the con-sistency of the legal, administrative andpolitical framework on return throughoutthe region. In June 2002, these principleswere incorporated into The Stability Pact’sAREA II document.As an instrument to

the common principles, a Joint Action Plan was presented in October 2002 to the Governments of Croatia, Bosnia andHerzegovina and the Federal Republic of Yugoslavia.This plan was the result of meetings between the Heads of OSCE andUNHCR Missions in the three countries.The plan should be finalized by early 2003.

MEDIA DEVELOPMENT

Transforming Croatian Radio andTelevision into a public service broadcaster

In 2002, the Mission’s support for mediadevelopment focused on providing expertadvice to ministries on the reform of medialegislation in line with European standards.

In November, the OSCE Representative onFreedom of the Media and the Missionsupported the Vice-Chairman of the Stand-ing Committee on Mass Media of theCouncil of Europe in reviewing draft medialegislation.Advice was provided to theGovernment on aligning legislation relatedto European broadcast media standards, in-cluding reviews of several drafts of the Law onCroatian Radio and Television (HRT).

A final report by the Vice-Chairman of theStanding Committee was delivered in De-cember by the Mission to the Government.It offered a number of recommendationsrelated to the transformation of HRT intoa public service broadcaster and suggestionsthat would allow for stronger safeguards forHRT against possible political interference.

Media LegislationThe Government intensified its efforts toamend relevant media-related legislation.Changes to the 2001 Law on HRT and anew Media Law were still being drafted atthe end of 2002.A government workinggroup has been established to propose chang-es to the 1999 Law on Telecommunications.

Mission staff played an important role atseveral conferences and roundtables on thedevelopment of a new draft Law, primarilythose organized by the Croatian Journalists’Association. In May, the Mission discussedamendments to the Law on Media at aseminar of the Croatian Association ofRadio and Newspapers.

A new Law on Media, a draft of which isexpected in early 2003, would addressissues related to print media and provide a

legal framework to prevent any monopoliesin the media field.

Creating an independent regulatorThe Mission has also continued to advocatechanges to the 1999 Law on Telecommuni-cations, as recommended by both the OSCERepresentative on Freedom of the Mediaand the Council of Europe. Particularemphasis was placed on the transformationof the Council for Radio and Televisioninto a genuine independent regulator.

Strengthening local media developmentStrengthening local media development hasbeen an important focus for the Mission.The Mission analyzed, for example, the localmedia environment in the Zadar area ofsouthern Croatia at the request of the OSCERepresentative on Freedom of the Media.

The Mission in Croatia has:• co-funded the Summer School on the

Right to Access Information, held in Augustby the Croatian Helsinki Committee forHuman Rights (HHO)

• met regularly with local and privatemedia outlets throughout Croatia tooffer assistance and advice

• co-funded selected activities of theSplit-based press agency Stina, one ofthe main media outlets in the region onrefugee return, minority rights andmedia freedom issues

• covered the distribution costs for aminority newspaper in 2002

• financed a project by the HHO tomonitor political programmes onCroatian Television (HTV).

RULE OF LAW

Much of the Mission’s work focuses on therule of law and the administration of justice.The Mission offered recommendations forlegislative reform, in particular on access tocourt, length of proceedings and executionof court decisions.The Mission’s fieldmonitoring of the functioning of the judi-ciary, for example, facilitated an assessmentof Croatia’s implementation of its judicialreform plan adopted in November 2002.Of particular interest was the implementa-tion of judgements of the European Courtof Human Rights (ECHR) and the Con-stitutional Court, many of which focusedon the functioning of the judiciary.The increasing co-operation between theMission and the EC Delegation was




15

illustrated by the Mission’s support of thework of the EC Justice and Home AffairsTeam to Croatia.

War crimesThe Mission continued its trial monitoringprogramme of approximately 70 domesticwar crime prosecutions, predominantlyinvolving Serb defendants. It also continuedto monitor the Chief State Prosecutor’sreview of war crimes cases.

In 2002, the Mission suspended its partici-pation in monitoring exhumations due tothe improved work of the Government’sOffice for Missing and Detained Personsand its improved co-operation with itscounterparts in Bosnia and Herzegovinaand the Federal Republic of Yugoslavia.TheMission continues to maintain close con-tacts with the Office.

POLICE DEVELOPMENT

Developing the Croatian police serviceThe Mission’s Police Affairs Officers are con-tinuing to advise their Croatian colleagues on:• community policing• hate crime management• security maintenance• administrative and structural reform.

The Mission has channelled its advice andassistance through regular contacts withsenior Croatian officials of the PoliceDirectorate, the Minister of the Interior’sCabinet and a developmental workinggroup that was jointly established at theend of 2001 by the Mission and theMinistry of the Interior.

In Zagreb, the Mission and the AmericanEmbassy continued to co-chair a donors’

co-ordination body on international policeassistance.The Mission’s Police Adviser alsoparticipated in the first Regional PoliceInternal Affairs Conference in south-easternEurope on enhancing cross-border and re-gional investigative capacities in the region.He made a joint presentation with the Cro-atian Director General of Police on the posi-tive impact of international police assistanceprogrammes and agreements in Croatia.

Community policing The objective of community policing is toincrease the level of co-operation betweenpolice and other actors in the community,while improving security and reducing thenumber of criminal offences. Examplesfrom the United States and Great Britainhave shown the importance of introducingcommunity policing techniques into regu-lar policing programmes and that it takesabout a decade to fully develop a func-tioning community policing system.

At the request of the Ministry of the In-terior, the Mission began a series of com-munity policing presentations to approxi-mately 1,500 police officers in the DanubeRegion of eastern Croatia.The presenta-tions offered insight into police-media rela-tions, sharing information with other com-munity actors and enhanced police account-ability. Consultations with the Ministry werealso initiated in order to offer similar presen-tations in central and southern Croatia.

PROGRAMME FOR DEMOCRACY

The development of a healthy civil societyremains a precondition for the protectionof human rights and sustainable return.TheMission has focused its democratization pro-gramme on these goals within its Peace-build-ing Programme for Conflict Prevention.

In total, 47 national and grass-roots projectswere implemented in 2002 on:• bringing different ethnic communities

together• broadening the multicultural experiences

of women in local communities• promoting the role of young people in

war-affected communities• enhancing capacity-building and skills

training for NGOs and local officials.

Children from war-affected areasIn 2002, 80 pupils from five war-affectedmunicipalities in central Croatia attendedthe Mission’s two summer projects. Focusingon activities that aim to eliminate stereo-types and images created during the armedconflict, these projects supported the nor-malization of life and the integration ofchildren in a post-conflict environment.The Mission also sponsored the establish-ment of 10 youth clubs in targeted war-affected areas, including training for youthleaders, as well as five seminars for localauthorities aimed at encouraging civic par-ticipation.

Capacity-building for non-governmental organizations

The Mission supported a project of theGovernment Office for Associations aimedat increasing capacity-building in the NGOsector. It also finalized a capacity-buildingprogramme for 12 selected NGOs togetherwith the International Training andResearch Centre (INTRAC).

Landmark cross-border meetingsThe Mission and sister OSCE Missions inBosnia and Herzegovina and the FederalRepublic of Yugoslavia helped facilitate, forexample, a landmark cross-border meetingfor authorities along the Sava River be-tween Croatia and Bosnia and Herze-govina, involving various regional and localgovernmental representatives and mayors.

In order to intensify cross-border co-opera-tion in the micro-region shared by Croatia,Bosnia and Herzegovina and the FederalRepublic of Yugoslavia, the Mission alsosupported a conference by the East-WestInstitute in Dubrovnik, entitled theSouthern Adriatic Trans-frontier Co-operationForum. This event was co-sponsored by theCouncil of Europe and the OSCE.

With the support of the British Embassy in

Zagreb, the Mission arranged for two senior

Croatian police officers to observe community

policing techniques as guests of the Sussex

Police in the United Kingdom, including the

work of ‘beat’ managers.

At the end of its mandate in early 1998, the UN

Police Support Group (UNPSG) withdrew from

the Danube Region of eastern Croatia. Soon

afterwards the OSCE Permanent Council

established the OSCE Police Monitoring Group

(PMG) to assume the responsibilities of the

UNPSG in the Region. Reflecting the improved

political and security environment the OSCE

Permanent Council ended the PMG mandate

on 31 October 2000, but the Mission retained a

limited number of OSCE Police Affairs Officers

who continue to work closely with the Croatian

Police at the central and local levels.

British 'Bobbies' and

Croatian Police

exchanged information

on Community Policing

concepts,

November 2002.

16

NOTE ON THE NAME OF MISSIONThe Mission was renamed the OSCEMission to Serbia and Montenegro in Feb-ruary 2003, following the country's decisionon a new constitutional arrangement betweenSerbia and Montenegro. During the reportingperiod, the former name was in use.

CONTEXT

The process of reforms in the Federal Re-public of Yugoslavia (FRY) has created alandscape in which the OSCE Mission tothe FRY (OMiFRY) Mission operated in2002.

Stabilization of the security and politicalsituation in southern Serbia is anothernotable development.


A strong environmental mandateThe former FRY did not have an Environ-mental Ministry or legislation. Moreover,the level of environmental consciousness inthe country has traditionally been low.

One of the main achievements of theMission’s Economy and EnvironmentDepartment has been to assemble an inter-national donor and advisory constituencyto support the Serbian authorities.Theyhave drafted new environmental legislationin line with European and internationalstandards.An Environment Ministry and anindependent Environmental Agency arealso being established.


ELECTIONS

Southern Serbia: supporting the peace pro-cess after the Spring of Violence

After the signing of the NATO brokered“Covic” peace agreement, on 21 May 2001,which brought an end to violence in thisregion, the Mission appointed a southernSerbia Co-ordinator in order to further con-centrate its activities.The creation of favour-able socio-political conditions has accountedfor much of the Mission's activities in sou-thern Serbia during the reporting period.

Groundbreaking elections in Bujanovac,Presevo and Medvedja

In July 2002, three multi-ethnic communi-ties of southern Serbia went to the polls toelect members of their municipal assemblies.The OSCE played a fundamental internatio-nal role in this important process. Multi-eth-nic municipal assemblies and local govern-ments were introduced in Bujanovac,Presevo and Medvedja for the first time.

OMiFRY has witnessed a great step forward in

the process of normalization in southern Serbia

after a period of violence in the region. The

Mission's presence has acted as an important

confidence-building measure and finally, after a

long process, southern Serbia has a represent-

ative multi-ethnic local government structure.

Southern Serbia

Tension in Southern Serbia escalated in 2001

due to an insurgency of Albanian militants. The

tension stems from the Milosevic period during

which Albanians were excluded from local

government. After the fall of Milosevic in

October 2000, the new Government in Belgrade

prepared a plan to reintegrate ethnic Albanians

into state structures, along with guarantees to

demilitarize the region, create a multi-ethnic

police force and fully respect minority rights.

Development of the economic climate in

the post-Milosevic period

Economic performance has improved since the

change of government and the initiation of

reforms in late 2000. Inflation has declined by

up to 40 per cent and the foreign exchange

reserves of the Central Bank have doubled.

While the Mission was not directly involved in

economic reform, these positive achievements

create an environment within which other

reforms, where the Mission is playing an active

part, can be pursued more vigorously.

Mission to the Federal Republic of Yugoslavia

A Letter of Intent on the protection of the waters of

the River Sava was signed by the authorities of the

FRY, Croatia and Bosnia and Herzegovina after a

meeeting set up by the Mission.

OS

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1 Formal complaints were filed to the Municipal Election Commission and the Municipal Court,as stipulated by the Serbian Election Law.2 Second and third round repeat elections in certain electoral units in line with the democratic and legal criteria.

However, the elections were not withoutflaws.There were incidents of group votingand lack of transparency. Nevertheless, theMission was satisfied that complaints weredealt with in an appropriate manner1.Repeat elections2 were held and assessed bythe Mission.

The next phase of the peace processIn the past, security and the stabilization ofthe peace process were our highest priorityin southern Serbia.The introduction of aproportional representation electoral systemmeans the Mission can move on to de-velop, support and implement projectsbased on the socio-political needs of allthree ethnic communities of the newmunicipal assemblies.

Strengthening DemocracyThe Mission’s Democratization Depart-ment has driven several human dimensionprojects, ranging from support for Roma togender work.

It has also been concentrating on the de-velopment and professionalism of commit-tee structures in parliament.Additionally,the department continues to focus on trafficking issues. It is in the process of assisting the establishment of a regionalNGO network to enable displaced persons and refugees to return.

RULE OF LAW

Stepping up anti-corruption actionOMiFRY focused increasingly on anti-cor-ruption activities, culminating in an importantanti-corruption conference in October 2002.

As a result of this expert conference theMission has decided to tackle corruptionon four fronts:• adoption of a ‘prevention of conflict of

interest’ law • financing of political parties, which must

be transparent• setting out of concrete rules to ensure

that all qualified persons have an equaland fair chance of obtaining governmentcontracts

• building of the most suitable frameworkthat would ensure that anti-corruptionlegislation and rules are not onlyadopted in law, but also implementedin practice.

Launching strategies for law enforcementThe Mission stepped up its activity in border policing, combating organizedcrime and police training in all aspects from human rights to management. It isworking intensely on the implementationof organized crime legislation.

The Mission also focused on developinga more holistic, humane and effective anti-trafficking strategy.

Media Development

Transparent and fair licensing procedureshave been an important aim for broad-casting and telecommunications in theFRY. Regulatory agencies are being set up with the support of the Mission.

The Mission continued to share its legalexpertise by advising government authori-ties and journalists’ associations on newbroadcasting and public information legislation.

Serbian State Radio and Television (RTS) has a new management team which is turning it into a public broadcasting service.The Mission is instrumental in this process and is supporting the re-working of its news service.

>> A woman casting a ballot in elections for the first

multi-ethnic municipal assemblies in Bujanovac,

Presevo and Medvedja. The Mission will remain a

vigilant guarantor of multi-ethnic governance in

southern Serbia and will offer political expertise.

As part of a special

campaign co-organized

by the OSCE, first

graders will receive

new alphabet primers.

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Danka N

inkovic/OS

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Democratic control over the army: a priority

In August 2002, the FRY took up thechairmanship of an important OSCE body,the Forum for Security Co-operation.

Benefiting from this, the Mission madedemocratic control of the armed forces apriority and a pivotal area of activity in2002. In a number of conferences organ-ized by OMiFRY throughout the year, therole of parliaments was advocated as crucialin making democratic control effective andmeaningful.

The Mission’s efforts in this field continuedto focus on implementation of two OSCEdocuments – the Code of Conduct onPolitico-Military Aspects of Security and theOSCE Document on Small Arms and LightWeapons (SALW).

Disposing of surplus small arms and light weapons (SALW)

Stability and security in the FRY, and theregion as a whole, would benefit fromstricter controls and a reduction of the sur-pluses of SALW, which have been used inpast conflicts and remain in the possessionof individuals, criminal groups and organized crime.

The Mission has supported the early imple-mentation of the OSCE SALW Documentand was involved in a programme, fundedthrough The Stability Pact, for the destruc-tion by the Yugoslav Army of stockpiles ofsurplus SALW.

The establishment of a Regional SALWClearing House in Belgrade also providesan additional opportunity for the Mission’sactive participation in this field, togetherwith other relevant international actors,such as UNDP and The Stability Pact.

Confidence- and Security-BuildingMeasures

The Mission has been mandated to assist and promote implementation of confidence-and security- building measures (CSBMs),among other defence-related issues.

OMiFRY has noted the need to establish

standards of democracy in the military and

security sectors.

The mission has made the effective

functioning of parliamentary oversight a

priority, as part of its mandate to assist and

promote implementation closely linked to

defence and security-related issues.

OMiFRY participated in the public destruction of

surplus small arms and light weapons at the facility

in Cacak, Serbia.

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Mission to the Federal Republic of Yugoslavia (OMiFRY)


19

CONTEXT

More than three years have passed since theconflict and the OSCE Mission in Kosovo(OMiK) has continued its work in fulfillingits institution-building mandate, concentrat-ing on the fields of:• human rights• media development • police training • democratization and elections.

The Mission in Kosovo represents a newstep in fostering co-operation betweeninternational organizations. For the firsttime, the OSCE is an integral part, albeitdistinct, of an operation led by the UnitedNations, the UN Interim Administration inKosovo (UNMIK).

Handing over to local responsibilityOMiK has streamlined and restructureditself, to ensure its achievements are sus-tainable as the international presence inKosovo decreases. It has handed over great-er responsibility to its local professional staffand other agents in Kosovo’s provisionalinstitutions and organizations.


ELECTIONS

In the reporting period OMiK organizedtwo elections:• Kosovo Assembly Elections,

November 2001 • second Municipal Elections,

October 2002.

The Kosovo Assembly ElectionA transparent, accepted count and the elec-tion of a representative Assembly laid goodfoundations for the transfer of responsibilityto provisional self-governing institutions.

Successful Municipal Elections that bodewell for the future

As regards creating the necessary conditionsfor the participation of all of Kosovo’s com-munities, the elections were an operationaland technical success.There was a 54 percent turnout.

However, the low level of participation byKosovo Serb voters was a cause for concern.

The province witnessed a peaceful campaign and election day, with political entities and candidates held to higher standards of transparency.

DEMOCRATIZATION

Responding to the new Assembly’s calls for assistance

Soon after the Kosovo Assembly was formed, OMiK initiated the AssemblySupport Initiative (ASI).The ASI co-ordina-tes assistance from international organiza-tions and has arranged study trips abroadand training seminars on parliamentary and policy work.

When the sole Kosovo Serb entity in theAssembly withdrew, alleging discriminationby the Albanian majority, OMiK appointeda full-time officer to monitor the Assembly’scompliance with the ConstitutionalFramework.

Democracy forums and ‘starter kits’for new members

In the run-up to the Municipal Elections,OMiK held regular Political Party Con-sultative Forums to provide parties withinformation on electoral rules, securitymeasures and how to conduct a democraticelection campaign.

OMiK delivered an assistance programmefor the 30 municipal assemblies.An initialMunicipal Assembly Starter Kit was designed as a training programme for members,many of whom are holding elected officefor the first time.

Preparing the ground for a new KosovoInstitute for Public Administration

OMiK has trained over 5,000 civil servantsin more than 80 training programmes. InOctober 2002, it brought together a num-ber of representatives from public admin-istrations throughout the region and fromvarious international agencies.

Listening to ‘Minority Voices’OMiK’s continuing work with the ethniccommunities of Kosovo includes voter edu-cation programmes, electoral process train-ing sessions and the ‘Minority Voices’ project,a survey that focused on the access ofminorities to municipal public services. Inresponse to the special needs of the Roma,Ashkali and Egyptian communities, OMiKhas offered training for community advo-cates, who will link these communitiesmore closely with society at large.

>>

OMiK has been focusing on democratization

through good governance, citizen participation,

parliamentary support and inter-ethnic dialogue.

The OSCE Mission in Kosovo is handing over

electoral responsibilities.

It has significantly increased the responsibili-

ties of local election officials, who performed

their duties professionally and accurately

during the Municipal Elections.

OMiK is unique among current OSCE missions

in that it is still directly responsible for the

organization and conduct of elections.


Lubomir K

otek/OS

CE

Laying good foundations: Kosovo Assembly Elections

There was a high turnout of 64 per cent and all

communities of Kosovo participated in person or

by mail. Thirty-four women were elected and all

communities achieved representation.


20

GOOD GOVERNANCE

Working with the Prime MinisterThe Mission’s Advisory Offices to thePrime Minister advises on good governance,human rights, equal opportunity and gen-der and community affairs.They also over-see the Ministries’ practices, review draftlegislation and develop policy in line withEuropean and international standards.

Developing an anti-corruption planThe Advisory Office on Good Governance,with OMiK advisers, the World Bank andthe Council of Europe, developed a com-prehensive Anti-Corruption Plan after thePrime Minister prioritized the issue.Aworking group, headed by the AdvisoryOffice and including representatives fromlaw enforcement authorities, is responsiblefor overall policy and implementation ofgovernment initiatives on awareness andprevention.

Transferring power to the Kosovo leadership

OMiK’s two Advisory Offices have contin-ued mentoring and training programmes tosupport the transfer of powers from theinternational community to Kosovo civilservice staff. OMiK advisors continue toadvocate a ‘proportional representationrange’ policy for the inclusion of ethniccommunities and gender balance withinthe central and municipal levels of theKosovo Civil Service.

A system has been designed to track theGovernment’s implementation of this programme, as well as to gauge the effectiveness of the gradual transfer ofpower to Kosovo leadership.

Guiding commitment to gender equalityA new three-year Gender Action Plan wasendorsed by the Prime Minister and theOMiK Head of Mission in November 2002.

The Mission participated in the establish-ment of a high level oversight committeeand its working group1, which aim to ensure that all laws and other actions byUNMIK are in compliance with inter-national human rights standards. In thisregard, the two bodies have a mandate toreview all draft UNMIK legislation andother legal instruments.

OmiK has initiated and led the drafting ofan anti-discrimination law.The bill servesto consolidate and strengthen existing lawon discrimination, bringing it into confor-mity with international and European anti-discrimination law and standards. It aims topromote uniformity in the treatment ofdiscrimination – including in employment,public and social services, education andhousing – against vulnerable groups insociety and seeks to provide remedies orsanctions, as appropriate.

Producing reports on human rights issues The Mission launched a comprehensivereport on property rights and produced theNinth Minority Assessment with theUNHCR.This considers carefully the situ-ation of ethnic communities in Kosovofrom various aspects – such as security, free-dom of movement, non-discrimination andequal access to services – and suggestsachievable solutions to the problem.

JUDICIAL REFORM

Promoting a healthy Judicial System OMiK promotes and monitors the devel-opment of the legal and judicial system inKosovo through:• three institutions: the Kosovo Judicial

Institute (KJI), the Criminal ResourceDefence Centre (CDRC) and theKosovo Law Centre (KLC).

• providing continuous legal educationand a Professional Skills Training Programmefor judges and prosecutors

• assisting defence lawyers by providinghuman rights and advocacy skillstraining

• being a resource for technical andlogistical assistance

• cultivating the professional skills of thelocal legal community.

• Publishing the third edition of the lawjournal, Kosovo Legal Studies.

In addition, a number of reports on thejudiciary have been published on:• the administration of justice • the criminal justice system • domestic war crime trials in Kosovo.

The Human Rights Division has been increas-

ing the focus on capacity-building and training

in Kosovo, running a range of programmes in

areas such as human rights education, NGO

human rights programming, women’s participa-

tion in society and victim advocacy awareness

and training.

OMiK is charged with monitoring and

promoting the development of institutions

which ensure that human rights and the rule of

law are respected and that effective remedies

are available when human rights are violated.

The Mission’s continuing commitment of

resources and expertise has been crucial in

establishing a unique, vigorous and effective

structure, which has yielded important results.

1 Human Rights Oversight Committee (HROC) and an associated Inter-Pillar Working Group on Human Rights (IPWGHR).

Lubomir K

otek/OS

CE

The launch of the

OSCE Mission in

Kosovo's victim

advocacy manual,

February 2002.

OSCE Mission in Kosovo (OMiK)



21

MEDIA DEVELOPMENT

Another key responsibility of OMiK is topromote professional and independentmedia, with three key areas of activities:development, training and regional co-operation. Highlights include:• supporting Radio Television Kosovo

(RTK), which is developing into astrong multi-ethnic public servicebroadcaster

• establishing a network of 27 Serbian-language radio stations through whichSerb-speaking communities can receiveaccurate and timely information in theirown language

• providing special training courses onmedia management and technical aspectsof media

• bridging the information gap betweendifferent parts of south-eastern Europethough a number of organized activitiesinvolving media professionals from theregion.

Until the Independent Media Commissionhas been formally established, OMiK’sTemporary Media Commissioner continuesto apply ‘temporary’ codes of conduct andissuing licences.

POLICE DEVELOPMENT

Police development and education The Kosovo Police Service School (KPSS)has been undergoing change: Kosovo staffare gradually replacing international staff.OMiK has been operating the KPSS at fullcapacity throughout this transition.After aperiod of operational duties, fully-trainedKosovo Police Service (KPS) officers havereturned to the school to become trainers.

Other successes of the KPSS include:• the graduation of 5,500 multi-ethnic

officers • 16 per cent minority and 16 per cent

female cadets graduated into the service• KPS officers on patrol outnumbered

their counterparts from UNMIK• around 11,600 participants attended

various weekly attendance courses in theschool

• the school offers basic training for dailyoperational needs and, for officers readyfor promotion, courses in supervision,management and specialized in-servicetraining

• specialist instruction was offered on sub-jects including drugs detection, forensicsand advanced criminal investigations tocombat organized crime.

>>

The KPSS was established in 1999 and has

now matured into a strong institution. This

year, OMiK has assisted other OSCE missions

where policing expertise needs have been

identified. It has provided resources and per-

sonnel to the OSCE’s Mission to the Federal

Republic of Yugoslavia, the Spillover Monitor

Mission to Skopje, and the Office in Baku,

Azerbaijan.

OMiK believes continuous breaches of existing

media laws may cause deep mistrust among

society, media and government in years to

come.

The OSCE-founded

Kosovo Police Service

School in Vushtrri/Vucitrn

provides democratically

oriented police training

for locally recruited

cadets. Officer Agim

Melenica, a KPS officer,

teaches a class.

Lubomir K

otek/OS

CE

22

CONTEXT

The year saw the completion of police re-deployment to all former crisis areas, thegraduation of 500 new police officers fromnon-majority communities and significantprogress in the development of communitypolicing.

Concrete progress in the implementation ofthe Ohrid Framework Agreement has fosteredimprovements in both the human and economic dimensions.

Laws on local self-government were passedby Parliament in August, parliamentary elec-tions were held in September and a censuswas conducted in November.

Consolidating and re-focusing The OSCE Spillover Monitor Mission toSkopje changed noticeably in 2002, keepingpace with developments on the ground.

Following successful police redeployment inJune, the Mission consolidated its policingactivities to focus on community-based policing and training, and placed a greaterfocus on its mandate in the fields of:• police development• confidence-building • rule of law• media development.

The Mission has established units in each ofthese areas, creating a clear division of labourin implementation of its mandate.

The improvement in the security situation,fostered by the redeployment of police,allowed the Mission to reduce its staff from309 international Mission Members to lessthan 200. It closed four of its six field stations.


POLICE DEVELOPMENT

Peacefully redeploying police to former crisis regions

The first six months of the year focused onthe phased and peaceful redeployment ofpolice to 138 villages in the former crisisregions.The process contained several steps,managed on a ‘Matrix’, which steadilyincreased police presence from a few hoursa day to a 24-hour police presence.

The redeployment process was overseen bythe Crisis Management Centre (CMC),which is a co-ordination body within theGovernment. It included representatives ofall four signatory parties to the FrameworkAgreement and relevant international organ-izations. Daily reviews of progress and recom-mendations were made for advancement ofspecific villages through the phases of return.

Throughout the entire process, OSCEConfidence-Building Monitors (CBMs)and Police Advisers, supported by the EUMonitoring Mission (EUMM) andNATO’s Task Force Fox (TFF), workedwith local communities and police to build confidence in these regions.

Transition from police redeployment tocommunity-based policing

By the end of June the last village in theformer crisis areas had completed the police redeployment plan.

It became clear, however, that further stepswere needed to consolidate community-basedpolicing and rule of law in these regions, andthe pace of OSCE phase-down in the fieldwas slowed.

This allowed more monitors and police ad-visers to assist consolidation of police deploy-ment and rule of law in the former crisisregions, especially during the months leadingup to the elections.

Accomplishing a primary task of theFramework Agreement: training 500 cadetsfrom non-majority communities

By the end of July 2002, 526 cadets hadgraduated from the OSCE’s nine-monthBasic Training Programme, which comprises a three-month academy course followed bysix months of structured field training.Cadets from all ethnic groups represented inthe country graduated from the programme,some 17 per cent of whom were female.


A policeman on patrol greets villagers in Gorno

Mojanci, former Yugoslav Republic of Macedonia,

February 2002.

Marko G

eorgiev/OS

CE

Marko G

eorgiev/OS

CE

Additional police trained in 2002

Field Training Officers Course: 506

In-Service Training Course: 630

Instructor Development Course: 86

Command Officers Course: 439

Elections Security Training Course:

3,500 uniformed officers

Human Rights Reform Course:

920 uniformed officers

Drug Identification Course:


Arrest and Detention Seminars:


Computer Training Courses: 48 officers

New cadets graduate from the OSCE's multi-eth-

nic police training course in the former Yugoslav

Republic of Macedonia, February 2002.



23

Developing a New Approach to PolicingThe Ministry of Interior, assisted by theMission, created a plan outlining how com-munity policing could be defined and inte-grated into the fabric of the police servicein all communities.

The underlying concept is to balance robustpolice action with confidence-building andco-operation.

For sustainable progress, the relationship be-tween police and the community must evolveinto one of partnership, rather than confron-tation. Citizens must take greater responsibili-ty for security in their communities by work-ing with the police, building citizens’ confi-dence in the police and providing a moreconstructive and co-operative environmentfor effective police work.

In implementing the plan, the Missionhelped the Ministry to focus on three areas:• increasing robust police activity, substan-

tiated by measurable benchmarks• efforts to build confidence between

police and citizens, including the crea-tion of structured self-sustainable forumsfor interaction between the police, citi-zens and local governmental structures

• continuation of efforts to embed the ethos of community-based policing in the former crisis areas.

Building confidence between police and citizens

The Mission assisted the Ministry bydeploying Community Policing Trainers andPolice Advisers in the former crisis areas towork directly with local police.The Missionalso supported the formation of CitizenAdvisory Groups (CAGs), which provideregular forums where volunteers from manysegments of society can informally consultwith police about issues of mutual concern.

CONFIDENCE-BUILDING

Maintaining stabilityDuring the first half of the year, Confidence-Building Monitors (CBMs) were deployedthroughout the former crisis area to supportthe maintenance of stability and security,especially in regard to assisting police duringthe redeployment process.

Creation of separate Confidence Building Unit

As part of the Mission’s restructuring, thisUnit (CBU) was developed to focus themonitors’ co-operative relationships intomore productive avenues, including assistingthe development of Citizen Advisory Groups.

CBU support was especially critical duringthe pre-election period, when its presenceand activities played a role in diffusing highly charged situations.

While the unit continues efforts to assist instability and security, its role after the com-pletion of police redeployment includes de-veloping and assisting in projects promot-ing ethnic integration and understanding.

Situation CentreThe unit also includes a Situation Centre asan important arm of its operations.The cen-tre provides 24-hour emergency contactcoverage and acts as a conduit for much ofthe information from the former crisis areas,as well as for outgoing information to therest of the international community. It is theMission's movement, control and securityinformation centre.


RULE OF LAW

From monitoring to longer-term programme development

Early in the year rule-of-law activities weregenerally focused on supporting the policeredeployment plan.This was offered in theform of monitoring and reporting on thehumanitarian situation, including the returnof refugees, internally displaced persons andtrafficking in human beings.The unit alsoplayed a key role in supporting the AmnestyLaw and monitoring its implementation.After initially channelling its work througha Human Dimension Section under the lar-ger Operations Unit, the Rule of Law Unitwas officially separated and renamed in June.

Highlights included:• the facilitation of a trip for the

Ombudsman to meet colleagues in Bosnia-Herzegovina

• the development of a project to organizean anti-trafficking hotline

• support to NGOs prioritizing legal aid and trial monitoring

• ongoing support to the Government over co-operation with the ICTY and monitoring allegations of police abuse.

>>

The Rule of Law Unit concentrated on a more

programmatic approach, moving away from

general monitoring and reporting to developing

projects in fields such as supporting

Ombudsmen and anti-trafficking, with a view

towards capacity building, awareness raising

and advocacy.

Confidence-Building Monitors developed work-

ing relationships between community leaders,

local police, military and members of the for-

mer armed groups.

They supported the creation of an environment

in which communities develop increasing trust

in law enforcement.

They also reported on security issues, includ-

ing illicit arms trafficking and the humanitarian

situation.

The idea behind Citizen Advisory Groups is to

build confidence, a spirit of mutual assistance

and joint responsibility for law and order in

communities.

The OSCE’s Annual Blossom Run, a charitable

fund-raising relay race from Tetovo to Skopje,

promoted the theme of reconciliation and helps

raise money for local charities.

OS

CE

24

MEDIA DEVELOPMENT

Nurturing multi-ethnic media through thenew Media Development Unit

The Mission’s small but focused mediadevelopment programme concentrates ondeveloping independent media outlets, pro-viding training in journalistic skills in allcommunities and assisting in the develop-ment of a journalism curriculum in univer-sities. It also supports government reform.

The Mission has also worked with theOSCE’s Representative on the Freedom ofthe Media on projects such as: Freedom andResponsibility: Media in Multi-Lingual Societies.

Since its creation in August, the MediaDevelopment Unit (MDU) has supportedprojects producing multi-ethnic media.Thisincludes bi-lingual radio shows and multi-ethnic newspapers.The largest of these is theCity Desk, a multi ethnic press agency basedin Tetovo, producing radio and TV news sto-ries for local media outlets.The MDU alsosupported the Gostivar Voice, a multi-ethnicnewspaper in the Gostivar region and is nowfunding a similar project in the Tetovo region.

EDUCATION

The Mission supported Skopje Universityin its first steps towards reform of its jour-nalism curriculum, bringing it in line withEuropean standards. Similar support hasbeen offered to the SEE University, a university created with the support of theformer OSCE HCNM, Mr.Van Der Stoel.

ELECTION SUPPORT

While the ODIHR was the lead organiza-tion observing the 15 September 2002Parliamentary Elections, the Mission toSkopje strongly supported the election pro-cess wherever possible.Assistance included:• support in drafting the Election Law• training 3,500 police officers and reserv-

ists on election security• briefing ODIHR election monitors on

the security/political situation.The Mission also supported a successful pro-ject organized by the National DemocraticInstitute (NDI) and a local NGO to create aCode of Conduct for the election campaign,eventually signed by all relevant political parties.

In addition, the Mission and internationalpartners were active in assisting the countryin maintaining a stable security situation.


The Ohrid Framework Agreement taskedthe Mission with assisting in areas relevantto the economic and environmental dimen-sion.

The Local Governance Section monitorsthe overall decentralization process in thecountry and is the most prominent sectionthrough which economic and environmentalissues are addressed.This can be seen througha pilot project introducing concepts of co-operation between the six municipalities inthe ethnically-mixed Kicevo valley.

Training for grant applicationsAs part of the Municipal Co-operation programme, a training project was held in thefield of grant applications, with a specificfocus on EU funding. Financially supportedby Norway, this project was the first of itskind and is expected to have a large impacton future implementation of the law onlocal self-government.

Inter-municipal cooperationA Co-operation Board between the same sixmunicipalities was also established.Throughit, they have undertaken to research the problem of solid waste collection and areworking towards developing a single servicewhich will address the problem in all sixmunicipalities.

During a politically charged pre-election period,

the Mission’s work included mitigating the

effects of hostage situations and roadblocks,

as well as discouraging retaliatory activity.

Newly trained

police officers

brought along their

family on graduation

day in Idrizovo,

July 2002.

OS

CE


Training courses in media development were

organized to develop specific skills on:

• basic and intermediate journalism for Roma

• TV camera skills for intermediate professionals

• media business management and marketing.



25

CONTEXT

Due to the comprehensive concepts of secu-rity that the OSCE and the Pact are builtupon, the two are natural partners.Therefore,since its formation in 1999,The Stability Pacthas been placed under the auspices of theOSCE.

Many Stability Pact initiatives work veryclosely with OSCE institutions, most of allwith the field missions in south-easternEurope.

ACHIEVEMENTS OF THE STABILITYPACT FOR SOUTH EASTERN EUROPE, 2002

After consultation with all the partnersinvolved in The Stability Pact, the SpecialCo-ordinator has focused on six concreteobjectives in south-eastern Europe (SEE) inthe areas of:• trade and investment• infrastructure, including energy• refugee issues• small arms and light weapons• combating organized crime• sub-regional co-operation.

Trade and investment: completing the net-work of bilateral and free trade agreements

A network of bilateral free trade agreementsbetween the countries of south-easternEurope is being established, which would ineffect create a free trade area of 55 millionconsumers.This will make the region moreglobally competitive, encourage more foreigndirect investment and create employment.With 12 out of 21 agreements signed and 9under active negotiation, much has beenachieved in this area since the beginning ofthe year.

Infrastructure: timely implementation ofagreed infrastructure projects and removalof obstacles to implementation

Out of 46 infrastructure projects, 23 projectswith a total value of 3.46 billion Euros havecommenced physically on the ground.TheInfrastructure Steering Group is activelyworking to identify and overcome barriersto implementation.

Infrastructure: Strengthening regionalenergy co-operation, particularly in thefield of electricity

The South East European Electricity Forum has been launched in co-operation with theEuropean Commission to improve the sta-bility of electricity supply for the countriesin the region, which is fundamental foreconomic development and political stability.A memorandum of understanding has beensigned.This is a breakthrough and will formthe basis for further work in this field.

Refugee issues: providing sustainable solu-tions for at least 100,000 refugees anddisplaced persons by increasing the level ofreturn and integration assistance and cre-dits for self-assistance, creating employ-ment opportunities and accelerating therepossession of properties

Record numbers of refugees have returnedto their countries in 2001 and 2002.TheStability Pact Refugee Return Initiative (RRI)has successfully found sustainable solutionsfor over 125,000 persons in 2002.Theinitiative has worked itself out of a job andwill be phased out in the course of 2003.Some of its refugee-related activities will be

integrated into the mainstream of otherStability Pact initiatives.

The OSCE is a full partner of, and majorcontributor to,The Stability Pact's RRIAgenda for Regional Action and has endorsedthe guiding principles on returns in Bosniaand Herzegovina, Croatia and Serbia andMontenegro.

Small arms and light weapons:establishing a ‘Regional Clearinghouse’in Belgrade under UNDP auspices

A Small Arms and Light WeaponsClearinghouse for the region has been set upin Belgrade.The response in the region hasbeen very supportive and the Clearinghousehas already developed substantive programmes.Useful partnerships in this endeavour havebeen developed with some of the OSCEMissions in the region.

Organized crime: establishing a StabilityPact Organized Crime Initiative executivesecretariat at the Centre for CombatingTransborder Crime and Corruption inBucharest to be operational in the region

In an attempt to streamline ongoing initia-tives to fight organized crime, the Secretariatof The Stability Pact Organized Crime Initiativeis being established at the Regional CrimeFighting Centre in Bucharest.The StabilityPact will concentrate its law enforcementactivities at the Centre, which is a model forregional ownership.

Sub-regional co-operation: starting aninformal sub-regional dialogue and co-operation process between key actors onfunctional cross-border issues

International links have been strengthenedwith a view to promoting sub-regional co-operation in areas such as the fight againstorganized crime and trade.A next step willrequire including the respective governments.

>>

OSCE Partners in The Stability Pact for

South Eastern Europe

Countries of south-eastern Europe and their

neighbours: Albania, Bosnia-Herzegovina,

Bulgaria, Croatia, Czech Republic, former

Yugoslav Republic of Macedonia, Hungary,

Poland, Romania, Slovakia, Slovenia, Federal

Republic of Yugoslavia (now Serbia and

Montenegro), Turkey and Moldova

With over 40 partner countries and institu-

tions in all, other members include: European

Union, non-EU European countries, non-EU

members of the G-8, international organiza-

tions, international financial institutions and

regional initiatives.

The OSCE and The Stability Pactfor South Eastern Europe

26

THE STABILITY PACT AND THE OSCE MISSIONS

Many Stability Pact initiatives work closelywith OSCE institutions, especially with thefield missions in south-eastern Europe.

Here is a partnership truly based on com-parative advantages:The Stability Pact canoffer its regional approach and issue-specificexpertise, whereas the OSCE Missions canprovide country-specific knowledge andexperience and an invaluable presence onthe ground.

HIGHLIGHTS OF SUCCESSFUL CO-OPERATION BETWEEN THE OSCE ANDTHE STABILITY PACT:

Trafficking in human beings is an issue ofgreat concern for the region – and Europeas a whole. Several OSCE Missions areworking actively in this field and co-op-erating closely with The Stability Pact TaskForce based in Vienna.

OSCE Missions play an important role inpreparing parliaments to create a forum forsharing information and experience to facilitate harmonization of legislation ahead of EU association and/or accession.

Several OSCE Missions, such as the Presencein Albania, have used The Stability Pact’s em-phasis on empowering local government as astarting point for their own efforts to pro-mote legislation and train local governmentofficials.The aim has been to deepen andspeed up the decentralization process and toobtain the commitment and support ofexternal partners.A Stability Pact conferenceon local democracy and cross-border co-operation in Osijek reaffirmed commitmentto this important aspect of democratizationand confidence-building.

All the OSCE Missions in south-easternEurope have supported Gender Task Forceprojects.With the ongoing institutionaliza-tion of the Task Force, the role of mainadministrator is shifting from the OSCE tothe Regional Centre of the Task Force inZagreb, which co-operates closely with theOSCE Secretariat in Vienna.The Task Forcecontributes to the sustainability of regionalgender equality developments in south-eastern Europe.

The Stability Pact Initiative on OrganizedCrime was elaborated with OSCE Missions,laying out standards according to the EUacquis communitaire.A possible future role ofthe Missions would be to help develop andimplement National Action Plans with theInitiative and to improve regional co-opera-tion by facilitating the exchange of infor-mation and harmonization of legislation.

On Small Arms and Light Weapons,TheStability Pact Small Arms Clearinghouse inBelgrade is co-operating closely with OSCEMissions on the ground.

In the field of Media,The Stability PactMedia Task Force has helped establishWorking Groups in the countries of south-eastern Europe comprised of representativesfrom media outlets, NGOs and govern-ment. Closer co-operation with OSCEMissions is planned, especially in determin-ing priorities for legal reform as well asensuring implementation.

CO-OPERATION AT HEADQUARTERS LEVEL

The Special Co-ordinator of The StabilityPact for South Eastern Europe, ErhardBusek, addressed the OSCE in March, soonafter taking up office, when he outlined theproposed reforms and goals that the Pact setforth for the year 2002. Later in the year hereported to the Permanent Council on TheStability Pact’s achievements and the wayahead.

The Special Co-ordinator participated in theHeads of Mission meeting organized by theConflict Prevention Centre in July. Expertsfrom The Stability Pact Secretariat were in-vited to attend a regional Heads of Missionmeeting in Skopje, where they gave briefingson concrete areas identified for enhancedco-operation.

This pattern of co-operation is continuingamong the participants and is being en-couraged at the Headquarters level.

The OSCE and The Stability Pact for South Eastern Europe


27

Since its deployment, the Mission has evolved to support Moldova’s needs and regional stability.Mission Members and local staff work on suchwide-ranging issues as minority education rightsand support for free elections, to facilitating thewithdrawal of Russian Federation troops, armsand equipment. In the past year, the Mission has devoted increasing efforts against human trafficking. If progress continues toward settlementof the Transdniestrian problem, the Mission mayassume even more important tasks in support of national reunification.William Hill, Head of OSCE Mission

to Moldova

We recognize the need to address root causes of trafficking and to reduce the economic and social inequalities and disadvantages, which also provoke illegal migrations, and which may be exploited by organized criminal networksfor their profit.Declaration on trafficking in human beings,

OSCE 10th Ministerial Council, Porto,

December 2002

EASTERN EUROPE

OSCE Missionto Moldova

OSCE ProjectCo-ordinator in Ukraine

OSCE Advisory and Monitoring Groupin Belarus

MINSK

KIEV

MOSCOW

CHISINAUTiraspol

EASTERN EUROPE

OSCE Advisory and Monitoring Group in Belarus

OSCE Mission to Moldova

OSCE Project Co-ordinator in Ukraine

28

29

32


Mountain H

igh Maps®

Copyright©

1993 Digital w

isdom, Inc.

Neil B

rennan/OS

CE

IOM

28

CONTEXT

In the course of 2002, it became apparentthat the Belarusian Government was strivingfor a new basis for OSCE activities with andin Belarus.

The four remaining international staff mem-bers had to leave Belarus between April andOctober, and the functions of the OSCEAdvisory and Monitoring Group in Belarus(AMG) had to be gradually reduced.

In view of the above, in 2002 the AMG con-ducted a limited number of activities.TheGroup, for example, helped co-ordinate thevisit to Minsk of the Belarus ad hoc WorkingGroup of the OSCE Parliamentary Assembly.The Working Group intended to assess theprogress achieved in the democratization pro-cess and to address the issue of the future ofthe AMG.

Assessing the level of co-operation with the AMG

A series of high level meetings was organizedto assess the level of co-operation with theAMG on legal matters and to identify futureareas of co-operation.The meetings were heldin March by the Acting Head of Group, withthe Minister of Justice of the Republic ofBelarus, the Chairman of the ConstitutionalCourt and the Chairman of the SupremeCourt.

Similar contacts took place with the Speakerand the Vice-Speaker of the Upper Chamberof the National Assembly along with theexperts of the Lower Chamber.The specificaim was to address the drafting process of theBill on the National Assembly and the Bill onLocal Powers.

EC/ODIHR JOINT PROGRAMME ONADVANCING HUMAN RIGHTS ANDDEMOCRATIZATION

The first European Commission/ODIHRJoint Programme on advancing human rightsand democratization in Belarus was complet-ed in February.The programme consisted ofseven projects targeting various aspects ofbuilding civil society in the country.

During the first two months of 2002, theprogramme centred around:

• a lecture series on public institutions:Two major conferences were held inMinsk: one on the concept of localself-government in Belarus with thebroad participation of local and foreignexperts, and the other on publicopinion polls and public policy

• a prison management and pilot tubercu-losis control project: Aimed at improvingthe Belarusian penitentiary system, the project was successfully implemented

• a programme on dispute resolution: This concluded with a roundtable on the concept of a training centre for conflict prevention and peace-building

• training for political parties: The con-cluding session of the project addressed computer literacy and the use of modern information tools in the pres-ence of members of political partiesrepresenting a broad spectrum of thepolitical life in Belarus.

MONITORING ACTIVITIES

Judicial systemThe AMG continued to closely monitorand report on human rights compliance byBelarus and to assist citizens.Attendance ofcourt trials and monitoring of public eventsand demonstrations were at the core ofmonitoring activities.

Media developmentThe AMG also monitored the media situa-tion with an emphasis on the difficultiesfaced by the non-state media sector. Specialattention was devoted to the draft law onmedia, after the Minister of Informationconfirmed his readiness to send the text forreview by international experts and to holda public hearing on it.

NEGOTIATIONS FOR A NEW MANDATE

Efforts of the Portuguese OSCEChairmanship- in-Office supported by the Secretary General resulted, at the end of November, in the opening of the negotiations on a new mandate.

On 30 December 2002, the PermanentCouncil decided to close the OSCE Advisoryand Monitoring Group on 31 December2002 and to open the OSCE Office in Minskon 1 January 2003. Its tasks will be to:• assist the Belarusian Government in

further promoting institution-building,consolidating the rule of law, and devel-oping relations with civil society, in accordance with OSCE principles and commitments

• assist the Belarusian Government in its efforts in developing economic and environmental activities

• monitor and report accurately on this process.

A new Memorandum of Understanding wassigned between Belarus and the OSCE.

OSCE Advisory and Monitoring Group in Belarus


EASTERN EUROPE

29

CONTEXT

Political negotiationsThe OSCE Mission to Moldova has played avery active and critical role this year in nego-tiations toward a political settlement betweenthe Government of the Republic of Moldovaand the authorities in the Transdniestrianregion.

Negotiations in the ‘five-sided’ format (the threemediators:Russian Federation,Ukraine and theOSCE,plus the two sides:Moldova and theTransdniestrian region) resumed in Kyiv in July,following a ten-month break.A document pro-posing a solution to the Transdniestrian questionon the basis of a federal state model was tabledin Kyiv by the mediators.

The mediators’ proposal formed the basis offurther meetings throughout the rest of theyear. On this basis, the parties have discussedissues and articles of a draft final documenton a comprehensive settlement. In parallelwith meetings in the five-sided format,meetings of technical experts in the economic sphere also took place.

The negotiation process was affected bytense relations between the MoldovanGovernment and authorities in theTransdniestrian region, following changesto customs and fiscal arrangements in theautumn, when both sides imposed new taxand duties schedules on one another. Bythe end of the year, however, negotiationshad resumed with limited progress on someprovisions of the Kyiv mediators’ proposal.


THE JOINT CONTROL COMMISSION

Members of the Mission have been presentat all weekly meetings of the Joint ControlCommission (JCC), the body responsiblefor implementing the July 1992 cease-fireagreement and supervising the joint peace-keeping forces in the Security Zone.Theyhave participated actively in seeking solu-tions for problems occurring in theSecurity Zone.

Concerns remain on several issues, including:• the presence of Moldovan institutions

and police units in the city of Bendery,also under the control of authorities in the Transdniestrian region

• the continued closure of the repaired bridge over the river Dniestr, near the village of Gura-Bicului, by authorities inthe Transdniestrian region

• the harvesting by Moldovan farmersof land under the control of the Transdniestrian region.

Efforts to resolve tensionsOf particular note were efforts to pacify thesituation which arose when the authoritiesin the Transdniestrian region tried to forcethe evacuation of a Moldovan-controlledtuberculosis prison hospital in this territory.The Mission made several efforts, includingdirect contact with the leadership in theTransdniestrian region, but without resolu-tion by year’s end.

Assisting departments of the JMCThe Mission supported the work of theGroup for the Search of Missing People bysupplying computer hardware and software.Mission members met regularly with theJoint Military Command (JMC) and maderegular visits to peacekeeping units.TheMission provided an additional office computer to assist the JMC in its work.

MONITORING WEAPON REDUCTION

In accordance with its expanded mandate asa result of the 1999 Istanbul Summit, theMission has facilitated the withdrawal andreduction of Russian arms and equipmentfrom the Transdniestrian region of Moldova.

In March, a Programme Management Cellwas established in the Mission with con-tracted ammunition experts and additionalmilitary staff from donor States supportingthe Voluntary Fund.

These are participating States that are finan-cially assisting the Mission’s efforts to helpthe Russian Federation in its withdrawalfrom the Transdniestrian region and in itsarms-destruction activities.

Ammunition destruction technologies fromthe United States and Germany werebrought into the country to assist the

Russian Federation in meeting its IstanbulCommitment.

Unfortunately, the authorities in theTransdniestrian region did not permit theequipment to be brought to the Kolbasnamilitary base of the Operational Group ofRussian Forces (OGRF), where some 40,000tons of ammunition remain.

Regular verbal and written reports were madeto the Voluntary Fund donor states.

Verifying destruction of weaponsFrequent contacts were maintained with theOGRF, despite the obstructive position ofthe authorities of the Transdniestrian regiontowards the withdrawal and destructionactivities.The Mission observed and verifiedthe destruction of 51 pieces of equipmentnot limited under the Conventional ArmedForces in Europe Treaty.

In addition, the Mission monitored thewithdrawal of four trains from the region:two loaded with ammunition and two con-taining military equipment. In November,an inspection was performed for the plan-ned destruction of 24 anti-tank systems.

Delays in the removal of SALW Initial plans by the Russian Federationwould have involved the removal by air of over 40,000 assorted small arms and lightweapons. However, although repair works to the OGRF military airfield in Tiraspolwere completed, the removal of the SALWarmoury held by the OGRF had not begunby December 2002.


The OSCE Mission to Moldova verifies the removal

of Russian military equipment from the Trans-

dniestrian region of Moldova. A train – with 47

open platforms loaded with 77 military trucks - left

Tiraspol on 16 December, followed by 29 rail cars

carrying bridge-building equipment and other

material on 24 December.

Neil B

rennen/OS

CE

30


LANGUAGE RIGHTS

Supporting ethnic languages in schoolsActivities focused on issues involvingschools in Transdniestria which follow aMoldovan-language (Romanian) curricu-lum.At the start of the year authorities inthe Transdniestrian region threatened toclose down these schools. MissionMembers tried to facilitate a solution bymeeting directly with the Transdniestrian‘Minister of Education’ and the head of theTiraspol city administration educationdepartment.At the end of the year, effortsby the Mission were still going on.

The Mission provided assistance to theOSCE HCNM and his projects designedto improve the knowledge of the statelanguage among non-native speakers, inorder to promote social and inter-ethnicharmony.The project provided training formost teachers of the Moldovan languagefor grades 5 to 9. In addition, a textbookwas published.

Establishing dialogue on reform of history teaching

The Mission supported the Council ofEurope’s seminars, History Teaching inMoldova.This follows the Council’s recommendations for teaching History in 21st Century Europe.

In December, the Mission facilitated ameeting between representatives of theDeputy Prime Minister’s officer and theTransdniestrian ‘Minister of Education’,with a view to organizing a seminar inTransdniestria in January 2003.

ELECTIONS

Following election proceduresThe Mission carried out a political assessment of the election of the Bashkan(Governor) in the Autonomous Region ofGagauz Yeri (Gagauzia) in October and arepeat vote held later that month.

Mission members closely followed prepara-tions and on both polling days visited nearlyall polling stations.The counting procedureswere also followed in selected locations afterthe polls closed.

HUMAN RIGHTS

Monitoring minority rights and freedom of religion and expression

The Mission continued its direct engage-ment in developments in the case of theIlascu group and assisted the EuropeanCourt of Human Rights in its plans toconduct an ‘on-the-spot investigation’ in2003. In addition, the Mission responded toa large number of petitions and complaintsfrom citizens on both sides of the DniestrRiver.

ANTI-TRAFFICKING IN HUMAN BEINGS

Stepping up the fightThe Mission appointed a dedicated Anti-Trafficking Mission member in August.TheMission was then able to commence moni-toring, co-ordination, advocacy, capacityand institution-building and project devel-opment in line with the OSCE’s commit-ments in gender issues and in combatingtrafficking in human beings.

Close co-ordination was developed withthe Gender Task Force and the Anti-Trafficking Task Force of the Stability Pact for South Eastern Europe.

Empowering womenTo promote women’s participation in political and public life ahead of the localelections in spring 2003, the Missionimplemented the Women Can Do Itproject.Through a pool of 28 women from NGOs, unions, political parties andlocal administrations, the project reachedabout 370 women.

This activity also supported the introduc-tion of a provision for a minimum quota of 30 per cent women in the two parties’decision-making bodies and electoral lists.Local and mayoral projects were also launched.

Supporting the national Anti-TraffickingPlan of Action

Throughout the year, the Mission main-tained efforts to develop the Plan of Action onAnti-trafficking.This could serve as a basis fora national referral system.

In co-operation with the Ministry of Interior, the Mission facilitated Moldovanparticipation in the regional Development of Anti-trafficking Training Module for Policeprogramme.

Reforming anti-trafficking legislationThe OSCE and its partners provided technical assistance in the drafting of theCriminal Procedure Code, which remains to be finalized.

Supporting women and child victims of trafficking

The Mission has maintained a database onongoing projects to enhance anti-traffickingco-ordination among NGOs and nationaland international agencies.

In December, the Mission allocated financialand technical resources to provide directsupport to victims of trafficking, especiallywomen and children.Victims and theirchildren will receive humanitarian aid andwill be provided with educational oppor-tunities through scholarships.

The Mission has con-

tracted the NGO ‘La

Strada’ to offer direct

assistance to victims of

human trafficking. The

first in a series of small,

fast-impact actions was

launched. During the first

phase of the project, which is run in co-operation

with the International Organization for Migration,

particularly vulnerable women and children were

identified and provided with humanitarian aid kits.

IOM



EASTERN EUROPE

31

FREEDOM OF THE MEDIA

Throughout the year, the Mission activelymonitored the state of the media on bothsides of the Dniestr River, especially efforts to place restrictions on this sphere.

Public service radio and television In spring 2002, the Mission monitored anumber of public protests in Chisinau aboutmedia censorship, especially in the state com-pany Tele-Radio Moldova. Several journalistsand part of the top management of the com-pany were replaced.

The Mission and other InternationalOrganizations provided advice for a Medialaw which was passed by Parliament inAugust.The opposition and internationalexperts alike strongly criticized the law,arguing that the Government still retainedcontrol over state media.

Monitoring the state of the mediaThe Mission observed the blocking oftransmissions by the Romanian channel,First Romanian TV, despite official reassu-rances to the contrary. Similarly, in April,the Co-ordinating Council of the Audio-visual Services refused to grant a licence toMoldovan Television to broadcast the pro-grammes of TV Romania 2. Other foreigntelevision channels have not encounteredsimilar obstacles.

The Mission noted in December that apopular Romanian language radio channel,Vocea Basarabiei, was denied its licence tocontinue. This issue was subsequentlyresolved.

Some media policy experts and politicalopposition representatives claimed that themeasure was a means to give governmentmedia more space and influence during theperiod before the local elections scheduledfor May 2003.

Similar problems within the print media werenoted by the Mission. It closely observed andreported on the arrest of the director andone journalist of the weekly Accente in Oc-tober, allegedly for bribe-taking.This was themost notable example of the media beingunder strict observation.

Media in the Transdniestrian regionThe Transdniestrian media situation contin-ued to cause concern to the Mission. In2002 a left-wing opposition paper, GlasNaroda, was denied access to its printinghouse and thus practically forced to closedown.Another independent paper, NovaiaGazeta, was sued for libel. Both cases wereclosely monitored by the Mission.

More positively, the Head of the OSCEMission to Moldova was given the possibil-ity to address the Transdniestrian popula-tion in a live interview and phone-indiscussion for one-and-a-half hours inDecember.This followed expressed con-cerns over the lack of direct access to theTransdniestrian population through themass media.

Classtime for some of the 650 pupils of a

school in the Transdniestrian region of

Moldova. It is one of several which deli-

vers a Moldovan language (Romanian)

curriculum in the Latin alphabet rather

than cyrillic. The directors claim the

school is under threat of closure because

of this, by the separatist authorities in the

region. The Mission to Moldova is

following this issue.

Lilia Cojocaru

32

CONTEXT

The mandate of the OSCE Project Co-ordinator in Ukraine, established in 1999after the closure of an earlier Mission toUkraine, consists in planning and imple-menting projects in co-operation with therelevant authorities in Ukraine.

Freedom of the media, trafficking in humanbeings, establishing legal norms in the mili-tary and addressing environmental issueshave been the subjects of specific projects.

LEGAL REFORM

Adaptation of legislationAs the main activity in this area, the ProjectCo-ordinator continued to provide assis-tance to Ukraine in bringing its legislationin line with European and internationalstandards.

After a review of existing legislation duringthe initial stage of this project, emphasiswas gradually shifted to the provision ofassistance in drafting new legislation.

Activities aiming at the elaboration of newlegislation focused on current legislation onlocal self-government and subjects relevantto projects of the Office, namely the draftlaw on the register of physical persons andthe draft Administrative Procedural Code.

Assisting the implementation of new legislation

The Project Co-ordinator supported theauthorities in publicizing the new legisla-tion and guided judges and other law prac-titioners in its application. Similar activitieswere also carried out regarding the provi-sions of relevant international conventionsto which Ukraine is a party.

STRENGTHENING INSTITUTIONS

The Project Co-ordinator has continued toprovide technical assistance to institutionsthat are crucial to the rule of law, such as theSupreme Court and the General Prosecutor’sOffice of Ukraine.

Making legal references material more accessible

Special emphasis has been placed on facili-tating the exchange and dissemination ofinformation, particularly on rulings of thehighest courts and their jurisprudence, bymaking use of an Internet-based database.A substantial project was also launched toassist the Supreme Court in establishing anadministrative court system.

MEDIA DEVELOPMENT

Promoting media standardsEfforts to promote international standardsrelating to freedom of the media have tar-geted journalists, judges and law practi-tioners, and the public by means of:• publications • seminars in the regions • television broadcasts.


Fighting trafficking in human beingsThe Project Co-ordinator, in co-operationwith the OSCE/ODIHR, has continued tosupport and develop the counselling andinformation hotlines of six regional non-governmental organizations.A toll-freeNational Hotline in Kyiv has also been established.

Witness protectionSupport to relevant Ukrainian authoritiesconcerning the criminalization of traf-ficking and the development of a relevantwitness/victim protection programme hascontinued. In this area, the OSCE ProjectCo-ordinator in Ukraine has worked close-ly with other international organizations.

WORKING WITH THE MILITARY

Establishing standardsTechnical and expert support towards theestablishment of a military police in theUkrainian Armed Forces was continuedand completed. To highlight internationalhumanitarian law and the OSCE Code of Conduct on Politico-Military Aspects ofSecurity, a series of lectures and seminarswere held at the National Academy ofDefence and in garrisons throughout the country.

GOOD GOVERNANCE

To improve good governance and transpar-ency, several projects were carried out.Achievements include providing assistanceto the Public Prosecutor’s Office and otherrelevant governmental institutions throughinternational seminars on strategies for pre-venting and combating organized crime.

Support was also given to the establishmentof the websites of regional and localauthorities.

ENVIRONMENTAL ACTIVITIES

A project on the Introduction and Imple-mentation of the EU Water FrameworkDirective in Ukraine was carried out throughthe organization of two roundtables, thepublication of a guidebook on the WaterFramework Directive and the elaborationof a comparative analysis of existingUkrainian legislation.

Assistance was also provided to govern-mental and regional authorities in theapplication of the principles of the AarhusConvention to address local environmentalproblems.

In the reporting period, this mandate has been

fulfilled by providing assistance in the adaptation

of legislation, institutions and policies to interna-

tional standards.

OSCE Project Co-ordinator in Ukraine


CAUCASUS

33

Though operating on a more confiden-tial, low-key basis, the Assistance Groupin Chechnya did important proactivemonitoring and reporting.Human Rights Watch

World Report, 2003

The UN and the OSCE have much to contribute to each other’s work, andhave made significant progress in areas of common concern. Georgia is oneexample.The resolution of the conflict in and around the Nagorny-Karabakhregion of Azerbaijan is another.Kofi Annan, UN Secretary-General

OSCE Mission to Georgia

OSCE Office in Yerevan

OSCE Office in Baku

OSCE AssistanceGroup to Chechnya

OSCE Seconded staff to the UN HROAG

Sukhumi

Tskhinvali

Grozny

Stepanakert/Khankendi

OSCE Offices

InternationalBorders

OSCE Field Offices/Seconded Staff

OSCE Patrol Bases of Border Monitoring Operation

Znamenskoye

Sno

Shatili

GireviOmalo

YEREVAN

BAKU

TBILISI

Office of the Personal Representative of the CiO on the conflict dealt with by the OSCE Minsk Conference

CAUCASUS

OSCE Office in Baku

OSCE Assistance Group to Chechnya

Mission to Georgia


The Personal Representative of theChairman-in-Office on the Conflict Dealt

with by the Minsk Conference

High-Level Planning Group

34

36

39

43

46

47


Mountain H

igh Maps®

Copyright©

1993 Digital w

isdom, Inc.

Alexander N

itzsche/OS

CE

Alexander N

itzsche/OS

CE

OS

CE

OD

IHR

/OS

CE

34

CONTEXT

A key focus in 2002 was to consolidate theestablishment of the Office, whose activitiesofficially began a year before this reportingperiod.

Under its new Head, the Office has strivento develop the implementation of OSCEprinciples, in all dimensions and commit-ments, with special emphasis placed on therule of law and good governance.


The President of Azerbaijan, OSCE repre-sentatives, officials from NGOs and religiouscommunities were among those whogathered for the conference – The Role ofReligion and Convictions in Democratic Society– to discuss the wide-reaching implicationsof this issue and strategies for the future.The conference followed on from a work-shop earlier in the year, Ensuring Freedom ofReligion and Belief while Combating Extremism:Challenges and Practices in Azerbaijan.

Defining the role of security forces A Baku roundtable of OSCE experts andover 30 government representatives focusedon the role of security forces in democraticsocieties. Following this, the Head ofOffice, as guest on a live television talkshow, answered questions from the publicabout the Code of Conduct on Politico-Military Aspects of Security and the way itrelates to the fight against terrorism.

The Office was instrumental in arrangingand funding a one-year training course forAzerbaijani border guards, at the Polish border guards' academy in Ketrzyn.


ELECTIONS

The Referendum: promoting electoral reform

The televised discussions on the referen-dum on amendments to the constitutionwere a highlight of the Office’s work inelectoral reform.The series of five round-tables between members of the Govern-ment, opposition parties and local NGOs –chaired by the Head of Office – were broadcast nationwide on state television.

Reforming election legislationWith a similar aim of promoting the coun-try's compliance with relevant internationalelection standards, the Office involved itselfin the process of reforming legislation.Thedraft Electoral Code was discussed with the

authorities and reviewed jointly by theOSCE/ODIHR and the Council ofEurope’s Venice Commission.A workingvisit by the experts in November strength-ened this process.

The public consultation process on this newelection law began with a first roundtable inDecember. Unfortunately, the OppositionCoalition Parties decided not to participatein a roundtable.The aim of this series ofroundtables is to provide an opportunity forrepresentatives of relevant national and inter-national authorities to discuss the new legis-lation prior to its adoption by Parliament.

LAW ENFORCEMENT

Strengthening policing

Following a seminar on civic education forpolice and NGOs, which was supported bythree OSCE Police Instructors from theKosovo Police Service School, a series ofsimilar seminars in a dozen regional centresof Azerbaijan was organized for 2003.Several other training seminars were or-ganized for police, prosecutors and thejudiciary, on the issue of domestic violence.

To assess future co-operation between theOSCE and Azerbaijan in the field of poli-cing, the OSCE Police Advisory Teamvisited Baku in September.The relationshipbetween the police and the public shouldbenefit from the resulting recommendationsand directives.

Throughout the reporting period, special atten-

tion was devoted to law enforcement issues.

The television programmes – chaired by

the Head of Office in Baku – provided a

platform for a public exchange of views on

proposed amendments to the Azerbaijani

Constitution to a wide audience.

OSCE Office in Baku

Programmes as a

framework for

exchange: General

Elchin Guliyev (right),

Commandant-in-Chief of the Azerbaijani Border

Service, visits the Training Centre for Border

Guards in Ketrzyn, Poland.

OS

CE

The OSCE’s fight against terrorism was

strengthened by the conclusions of the

international conference ‘The Role of

Religion and Convictions in Democratic

Society: Search for Ways to Prevent

Terrorism and Extremism’, held in Baku

in October.

Alexander N

itzsche/OS

CE


CAUCASUS

35

HUMAN RIGHTS

Empowering the fight for human rights The First EC-ODIHR Joint Programme for Conflict Prevention and Human RightsCapacity Building in the Caucasus has spawned several important programmes in Azerbaijan.

Within this framework, the Office has beenengaged in:• a series of human rights monitoring

training activities for NGOs • reform of the prison system of

Azerbaijan, including a workshop on international standards of prisoner treat-ment, for officials from the government and human rights NGOs, as well as staff and inmates of a Baku women’s prison.

Supporting the Azerbaijani human rights watchdog

The Office has closely followed the estab-lishment of an Ombudsman Institution.It organized a support conference on theprospects for this institution in Azerbaijanfor OSCE institutions and external partners.


Important steps in water protectionThe OSCE’s Co-ordinator of Economicand Environmental Activities, the Officeand the government took part in the thirdpreparatory seminar on Co-operation for the Sustainable Use and the Protection of theQuality of Water.

As a concrete follow-up measure, the three-year South Caucasus River Monitoring projecthas begun. Standardized water quality andquantity measurements will be assessedindependently in each of the three SouthCaucasus countries. It will fund state-of-the-art hydrology equipment and also pro-vide training and salaries for local scientists.The initiative, which is sponsored by theOSCE and the NATO Science for PeaceProject, is considered to be an importantfirst step for assessing water quality in theKura and Araks river basins and will formthe basis for future water purification programmes.

Targeting economic developmentTwo key developments within the reportingperiod, which the Office is using as a start-ing-point for future activities in the econo-mic field, are:• a presidential decree: Removing

Impediments to the Development of Entrepreneurial Activity in September.

• the adoption of a state programme on poverty reduction and economic growthfor 2003-2005, which was presented at anational conference in October.

In co-operation with relevant state bodiesand in co-ordination with other interna-tional actors, the Office has started designingprojects to provide appropriate assistance inreaching these targets.

Oil and gas are the main exports of Azerbaijan.

Alexander N

itzsche/OS

CE

36

CONTEXT

The Mandate of the Assistance Group toChechnya (AG), originally adopted in 1995ad interim, was changed in 2001 to be re-newed yearly.As in previous years, during2002 the AG remained the only independ-ent field presence of international organiza-tions in Chechnya, Russian Federation.Themandate was not extended, however, for2003 and the AG ceased to exist at theend of 2002.

The AG used much of its resources for moni-toring and reporting activities. In addition,rule of law and human rights activities were a high priority.

During the reporting period, the AssistanceGroup’s main partners were the ChechenAdministration in Grozny as well as theFederal Authorities of the Russian Federation.

In order to keep informed on latest deve-lopments in the political, economic andhumanitarian fields, the Head of the AGmet the federal authorities in Moscow aswell as federal and local authorities inChechnya. He was also in contact with the

Chechen Consultative Council and theConstitutional Commission.

The AG also visited the local ChechenAdministration in various parts of theRepublic: Grozny,Tolstoy-Yurt, Gudermes,Urus-Martan,Achkoy-Martan,Argun,Nozhay-Yurt and Shelkovskaya. Close tieswere also created with the Upper TerekRayon in Znamenskoye.As well as usefulfact-finding and monitoring, other concreteresults of these meetings included helpingthe AG to develop its follow-up of thesecurity situation in Chechnya.

HUMAN RIGHTS: MISSING PERSONS

Registering over 300 cases of alleged killings and disappearances

The Assistance Group was in close contactwith the Chechen Prosecutor’s Office andexchanged data, including statistics, withregard to the local population’s complaintson alleged disappearances and killings ofindividuals. Since the OSCE AG opened itsoffice in June 2001, it received individualcomplaints on cases of 51 alleged extra-judicial killings and 288 forced disappear-ances.The complaints collected by the AGcomprise only a minor fraction of the casesreferred to the Russian FederationPresident’s Special Representative on theProtection of Human Rights in Chechnya,the Prosecutor of Chechnya, HumanRights NGOs and other internationalorganizations.

Reflecting the rule of law situation inChechnya, the vast majority of the disap-peared were never found by the authorities.

The AG drew attention to these problemsboth nationally and internationally. Discus-sions took place with the Procurator’s of-fices in Chechnya, as well as with the RFPresident’s Special Representative on theProtection of Human Rights in Chechnya,the Council of Europe Experts working inhis Office, the Human Rights CentreMemorial, as well as other human rightsorganizations.

HUMAN RIGHTS: INTERNALLY DISPLACED PERSONS

Monitoring the Plight of IDPs inTemporary Accommodation Centres

The OSCE closely monitored the humani-tarian situation of the population and espe-cially that of the Internally DisplacedPersons (IDPs).

From the beginning of 2002, boarding-house-type Temporary AccommodationCentres (TACs) were created in Groznyand elsewhere to replace the tent camps inChechnya and Ingushetia. For instance, twoof the tent camps were dismantled in July2002 in Znamenskoye and the IDPs weremoved to the TACs, mainly in Grozny.TheAG maintained in its meetings with localand federal authorities that the principle ofvoluntary return must be observed con-sistently when moving IDPs to Grozny orother places in central Chechnya, and thatappropriate lodging should be prepared inadvance for the returning IDPs.A numberof deficiencies in this respect were pointedout to the authorities by the AG.

The OSCE Assistance Group to Chechnyavisited all the Temporary AccommodationCentres on various occasions. Most shelter-ed several hundred people and lackedrunning water and sewage facilities.Inhabitants have had problems getting proper identification documents.


The Head of the Assistance Group to Chechnya,

Jorma Inki, visiting Nozhay-Yurt in August 2002.

Here he talks with Ms. Izita Gairibekova, Head of

Administration in Nozhay-Yurt and Ms. Muslimat

Akhmatkhanova, her first deputy.

OS

CE

Tent camps provided temporary housing to the

internally displaced persons affected by the

ongoing crisis in Chechnya.

OS

CE


CAUCASUS

37

The OSCE Group also learned that not all of those who left the tent camps inZnamenskoye arrived in the TACs. Manyseem to have remained behind or moved totheir relatives or friends in the Upper TerekRayon or other regions such as Ingushetia,where tens of thousands of IDPs still live incamps and improvised lodgings.

The AG obtained a list made by theAuthorities of dwellings of the IDPs deemed to be habitable. It traced back arandom sample of these addresses after the owners had lost their tent-places inZnamenskoye in July. It appeared that lessthan one-third had arrived in the dwellings.The rest could not return for various reasons, including situations where otherfamilies were occupying the houses.

The AG regularly shared its findings on thehumanitarian situation with the local autho-rities and humanitarian actors in the region,as well as with representatives of the OSCEparticipating States.

REHABILITATION PROJECTS FOR IDPs

Considering the Assistance Group’s limitedresources, its humanitarian activities weremostly directed at rehabilitation projects.In general, projects were not easy to imple-ment in Chechnya because of the securitysituation.

Many of the Group’s rehabilitation activitieswere directed at helping IDPs. Most pro-jects were developed in the two camps inZnamenskoye, and, after the IDPs’ reloca-tion, in the TACs in Grozny.These projectspromoted confidence from the local author-ities and the IDP community towards theAG’s activities.

The OSCE Assistance Group’s projectsincluded:

Nursery Schools for children This was started in Znamenskoye andfinanced by a voluntary contribution of theTurkish Government.The Group continuedthe programme in Grozny with about 100children in two tent camps.The programmewas later financed from the Group’s corebudget.The AG also began implementing a project to provide playgrounds andrestrooms for IDP children in TACs inGrozny.

Psychological rehabilitation of children This was started in Znamenskoye withfinancial support offered by the GermanCompany,Wintershall AG. It was taken over in Grozny by new implementing andfinancing partners.

Extended day classes for children This small-scale project was started to offereducation to pupils and financial support toteachers in the Znamenskoye camps. It wascontinued in Grozny.

Qualification courses for IDPs Accountancy and computer courses wereinitiated in Znamenskoye. Originally fi-nanced through a voluntary contribution of the Estonian Government, the projectwas then funded by the AG.

Winter clothing for pre-school children The Group purchased these vital items ofclothing for the children of the Zna-menskoye camps. It launched a project ofthe Swiss Agency for Development andCo-operation to distribute children’s shoes.

Equipment for Grozny’s PaediatricHospital

The Group handed over two oxygen genera-tors and four sets of monitors to the Repub-lican Paediatric Hospital.

HUMAN RIGHTS AND LEGAL ASSISTANCE PROJECTS

The AG instigated a number of assistanceprogrammes tackling one of the main prob-lems for IDPs and residents: the precarioushuman rights situation, accompanied by alow level of legal awareness and defence.

Rights for IDPsLegal assistance to IDPs was offeredthrough an awareness project in IDP campsfollowing a ‘training of the trainers’ modelof the Human Rights Centre Memorial. Itwas sponsored by the Government of theUnited Kingdom.The project also aimed atcapacity-building among the IDPs toenhance their participation in civic society.

The opening of a legal and social adviceoffice in Grozny in co-operation with theUNHCR and a local NGO in Grozny wasscheduled for the beginning of 2003.

Human Rights at Chechen schoolsThe Group initiated a project in co-opera-tion with the Chechen Ministry of Edu-cation and the Norwegian Refugee Coun-cil (NRC) to introduce human rights issuesinto the curricula of Chechen schools.

HR training for the Chechen militia The AG welcomed the gradual transfer ofpublic order tasks from federal authoritiesto the newly established Chechen InteriorMinistry. In co-operation with theMinistry's police school and human rightsNGOs, the AG developed a human rightstraining programme for newly recruitedChechen militia. Implementation of theprogramme was hampered by securityconstraints.

Chechen Lawyers Association The Group established working contactswith the Chechen Lawyers Association.Sponsored by the ODIHR, the AG sup-ported the purchase of communicationequipment for the Grozny Office of theAssociation. Further training and supportprogrammes were developed.

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38

BUILDING CIVIL SOCIETY

Supporting young peopleIn support of its humanitarian activities, theGroup paid attention to enhancing civicsociety in Chechnya. It co-sponsored andorganized the Civilian Youth Forum – TheYoung Generation for Peace and Reconstructionof the Chechen Republic, the first officialyouth meeting for many years.

Enhancing education and cultureAs part of the Civic Society programme,the Head of the AG established workingrelationships with the three universities inGrozny – the State Petroleum Institute, theChechen State University and the Peda-gogical Institute in Grozny.These educatenearly 17,500 students.They lacked, how-ever, elementary communication, Internetand telephone systems.

The AG initiated support programmes,including provision of computer tech-nology hardware and software. It also created links to museums and archives inChechnya.The US Government providedfunds for purchasing 24 sets of new genera-tion computer stations for the IT Facultyof the State Petroleum Institute. Finnish-donated conference equipment wasbrought to Grozny Pedagogical Institute.The State University in Grozny receivedbooks from Austria and Canada.There wasa plan to provide the three universities withbasic funding in order to create a jointprinting house for them.

The Group pledged to co-fund the rehabili-tation of two schools: one is in Grozny, to beimplemented by the NGO People in NeedFoundation (PINF); the other is in the vil-lage of Goragorsk, implemented by theCentre for Peacemaking and CommunityDevelopment (CPCD).

BUILDING DIALOGUE WITH THE ISLAMIC COMMUNITY

The AG established working relations withthe highest representatives of the IslamicCommunity of Chechnya, including theMufti of Chechnya, who play a mitigatingrole in the crisis in the Republic.The AGco-sponsored the participation of the Muftiof Chechnya in a conference on The Role of Religion and Belief in a Democratic Society:Searching for Ways to Combat Terrorism andExtremism, organized jointly by theAzerbaijan Government and ODIHR inOctober in Baku.The Head of the AG also participated in this conference.

Students of the Grozny State University in the

Philological Faculty (studying English,

French and German)

These children are in

class on 25 December,

preparing for New Year

festivities.

The AG’s Znamenskoye

tentcamp project

‘Extended day-classes for

IDP Children’ was moved to

the temporary accommoda-

tion centres in Grozny, after

the dismantling of the camps

in the summer of 2002.

Jorma Inki /O

SC

E

Jorma Inki /O

SC

E



CAUCASUS

39

CONTEXT

The Mission has been in operation sinceDecember 1992. It has been involved inthe following areas:• promoting a peaceful settlement of con-

flicts in South Ossetia and Abkhazia• monitoring and promoting respect for

human rights and fundamental freedomsin Georgia, including South Ossetia and Abkhazia

• promoting the development of civil society and democratic institutions

• monitoring economic and environmen-tal developments related to security,since mid-2002, when the Mission appointed an officer for this purpose

• since 2000, the Mission has observed and reported on movements across the border between Georgia and the Chechen Republic of the Russian Federation, and since the start of 2002,across the Ingush segment of the border.

PROMOTING THE SETTLEMENT OF THE GEORGIAN–SOUTHOSSETIAN CONFLICT

Despite increased tension in the zone of con-flict in September and October, the Georgian-South Ossetian conflict settlement process hascontinued. It is supported by two mechanismsin which the Mission participates:The JointControl Commission (JCC) and the Experts’Groups meetings on political issues. In 2002,the meetings assumed a more regular schedule.

An EU grant, enabling the JCC to establishpermanent Secretariats, is administered bythe Mission and has been instrumental tothe success of the negotiation mechanisms.

Gaining momentum in negotiations Agreements have been reached on importantissues related to urgent security matters, eco-nomic rehabilitation and IDPs and refugees.

Further elaboration of the Russian-Geor-gian intergovernmental programmes oneconomic rehabilitation in the zone ofconflict and on return, integration and re-integration of refugees and IDPs has beenconducive to further deepening of confi-dence and reconciliation between the sides.

Advancing the agenda on political issuesThe Eighth Experts’ Group meeting onpolitical issues was held in Castelo Brancoin October 2002, hosted by the PortugueseOSCE Chairman-in-Office.

The meeting and its results were positiveand constructive, despite heightened tension on the ground.The sides agreedthat the previous expert meetings anddiscussions of various aspects of politicalsettlement, in particular the discussion of aDraft Intermediary Document, had strength-ened understanding between them andbroadened the basis for mutually acceptableways of resolving the conflict.This ensurescontinuity in the peace settlement process.

The draft, first discussed at the FourthExperts’ Meeting in July 2000, outlines thebasic principles of political and legal relationsbetween the sides.

Effects on economic reformThe sides shared the view that rehabilitationin the zone of conflict played a growing rolein the overall conflict settlement process.

Since the meeting, the sides have confirmedtheir interest in participating in a joint taxa-tion scheme on transit cargo traffic throughSouth Ossetia.The proceeds would benefitthe population in the zone of conflict.

THE HANDOVER OF SMALL ARMS

From its start in 2000, the Mission has supported the Joint Peacekeeping Forces’(JPKF) programme of voluntary hand-overof small arms and ammunition.

Projects for the benefit of communitiesvoluntarily handing over weapons

The Mission is considering further plans to implement projects for the benefit ofcommunities from the zone of conflictwhich voluntarily hand over weapons to be destroyed.

In this reporting period, the Mission hassupervised several projects including • the delivery of computers to a school in

Tskhinvali • the repair of sections of two irrigation

canals providing water for both Georgian and Ossetian villages

• rehabilitation of a section of a road in the south-eastern part of the zone of conflict.This road will ease Ossetian villagers’ access to the Georgian admin-istrative centre in Gori.There are also plans for a bus route for this purpose.

Transparency and monitoringThe Mission continued its monitoring ofthe JPKF in the Georgian-Ossetian zone ofconflict, with an emphasis on transparencyof their activities and co-operation amongthe sides.

On other security issues, the Mission hasadministered an EU donation of commu-nication and transport equipment to theSpecial Co-ordination Centre, which is ajoint Georgian-Ossetian body staffed withpolice officers from both sides.

>>

Crime is a matter of growing concern in the

zone of conflict and isolated incidents could

ignite ethnic tension and violence.

The Mission therefore impresses on both sides

the need for more efforts to be made to work

within the framework of the Special

Co-ordination Centre.

Mission to Georgia

Small Arms and Light Weapons (SALW)

Alexander N

itzsche/OS

CE

40

ASSISTING THE SETTLEMENT OF THEGEORGIAN–ABKHAZ CONFLICT

Delay in opening Human Rights Office in Gali

The political and security impasse hasnegatively impacted on the possible open-ing of a Human Rights Office in the GaliDistrict of Abkhazia, with OSCE participa-tion, as recommended by the UN/OSCEassessment mission to Gali in late 2000.

Visit to the Gudauta baseOn 15 June 2002, at the invitation ofRussian military authorities, a team of fourOSCE military experts visited the Gudautabase in Abkhazia at very short notice.Thevisit was regarded as a preparation for possible later inspections.

BORDER MONITORING OPERATION OF THE MISSION

As a result of the geographical expansion of the Mission’s mandate to observe andreport on movement across the border between Georgia and the Ingush Republicof the RF in addition to the Chechen segment of the border, a new patrol basewas established on this part of the border.

Responding to an increase in border activityFrom the end of July to the end of August2002, there was a significant increase inactivity in the border area west of theGirevi patrol base, close to the Chechensegment of the border.

On several occasions OSCE patrols ob-served and reported on trespassers crossingthe border and on over-flights of unidenti-fied aircraft.

While movements in the Girevi area calmed,activity along the western part of theIngush segment of the border increased inSeptember and October 2002.

As is the norm with the onset of winter,activity along the border area at the end of the reporting period had decreased considerably.

In December 2002 it was decided toextend the OSCE monitoring of theGeorgian-Russian Federation border toalso cover its Dagestan segment.


DEMOCRATIZATION

ElectionsThe new Unified Election Code, adopted in2001, was broadly put to the test duringlocal elections in June 2002.The Missionparticipated with the ODIHR in informalobservations of the polling process.

Monitoring irregularities The Mission noted that, in general, thelocal elections were characterized by pro-cedural violations and isolated, but serious,external incidents of violence. Polling waspostponed in some cities and protractedrecounts took place.At the parliamentaryby-elections in November 2002, electionadministration was poor and violations ofelectoral procedures were noted.

Working towards the forthcoming electionsThe Mission was instrumental in the creationof several working groups to prepare for theparliamentary elections planned for 2003:• a technical working group for interna-

tional election experts co-ordinates technical assistance

• an Ambassadorial Working Group is engaged in intensive dialogue with the Government of Georgia

• in co-ordination with these two pre-dominantly international groups, inlate 2002 a group of Georgian NGOsformed a Democratic Coalition toconsolidate public support for fairelections and engage with theGovernment of Georgia.

The Mission, together with other organiza-tions in the Technical Working Group, helpsto provide technical expertise to Georgianelection partners.

RULE OF LAW

Monitoring legal reformsThe Mission continued monitoringdevelopments in reforming legislation andinstitutions in Georgia. In particular, theMission noted the development of theConcept of the Reform of Security and LawEnforcement Services of Georgia and theConcept Paper on Penitentiary System Reform.These concepts contain plans for majorchanges in these spheres. Securing finan-cing for reforms remains an issue thatdirectly influences the outcome of the process.

Situation in the prison systemThe Mission’s monitoring and reportingrole also covers conditions in penitentiaryinstitutions. Due to a lack of finances, theyare far below recognized standards forbuildings, accommodation, equipment,sanitation, nutrition and medical care.At thesame time, the Ministry of Justice displaystransparency by having established aCouncil of Public Control, consisting mainly of NGO representatives, to monitorthe penitentiary institutions and developrelevant reports and recommendations.

OS

CE OSCE monitors

patrolling the

border between

Georgia and

the Chechen

Republic of

the Russian

Federation.

Mission to Georgia


CAUCASUS

41

HUMAN RIGHTS

Supporting the Public Defender’s OfficeThe Mission has maintained close co-op-eration with the Public Defender’s Office(PDO) and remains supportive of its work.The PDO is becoming more active andvisible and, although still lacking sufficientfunding, it is being increasingly recognizedby official structures.

Effective monitoring by the RapidReaction Group

A pilot project establishing the RapidReaction Group of the PDO was launchedin 2002 through the support of the ODIHRand facilitation by the Mission.This grouphas conducted unannounced visits to pre-detention facilities and the MilitaryCommandant’s Office in Tblisi, and thepreventive nature of the group has beenclearly demonstrated.

Monitoring the situation of minority groups

The Mission is following closely the situation for religious minority groups, inthe field as well as in the courtrooms.The situation for religious minorities hasdeteriorated despite official policy allowingreligious diversity. Instigators, Orthodoxextremists, appear to act with impunity.TheMission follows related court cases carefully.

The Mission provided logistical and administrative support to the activities inGeorgia of the OSCE HCNM, aimed atsupporting a stronger integration of theSamtskhe-Javakheti region into Georgiansociety. Since June 2002, a Project LiaisonOfficer of the HCNM has been accommodated in the Mission.


In 2000, Georgia signed the UNConvention On Transnational Organized Crime(the Palermo Convention) and its protocols ontrafficking and smuggling of people.However, these documents have not beenratified.Trafficking in human beings is neither defined nor prosecutable as a criminal offence in Georgia.

Facilitating the fight against human trafficking

The Mission regularly participates in aSteering Committee to support an IOMproject alerting the public about the dangers of irregular migration and trafficking in human beings, alongside keyMinistries and NGOs. In addition, theMission initiated a co-ordination group toinvolve a wider group of NGOs, interna-tional organizations and diplomatic mis-sions in focussing directly on trafficking.

Anti-Trafficking legislationIn support of the ratification of the PalermoConvention, the Mission facilitated its trans-lation into Georgian.As a second initiativeto encourage the ratification process, theMission assisted the Ministry of Justice indeveloping amendments to the CriminalCode to define trafficking in Georgian legislation and to make it a criminal offence.

OTHER HUMAN DIMENSION ACTIVITIES

The Mission successfully supported sixmultifaceted project activities transcendingethnic boundaries and incorporating media,gender, IDPs, civic diplomacy, human rightsand youth aspects.The Mission is also supporting a cross-border networking ofwomen’s newspapers in the Caucasus andworkshops on media, conflict resolutionand women’s role in post-conflict reportingand confidence-building.

>>

Running four human rights

projects in Abkhazia.

In 2002, the Mission and its partners ran

several human rights projects, which included:

• media projects, such as exchange of

Georgian and Abkhaz newspapers and

electronic news-agency bulletins

• training of Abkhaz women journalists

• a human rights training programme for

young people

• a local television programme on

human rights.

Monitoring of pre-detention facilities acts as a

deterrent against poor practice and conditions.

Improvements for detainees in monitored

facilities have been noticed.

42


Mission activities within the Economic andEnvironmental Dimension began in latesummer 2002.There was an increased focuson monitoring of economic and environ-mental issues from a security perspective.

This included the gas and electricity sectors, the economic and environmentalimpact of petroleum transport throughGeorgia, and economic security dynamicsin South Ossetia and the Samtskhe-Javakheti region.

ECONOMIC ACTIVITIES

Public awareness of prospects for economicrecovery of Georgia need to be raised. Herethe Mission intends to play an importantrole in the dialogue between national andinternational institutions that are supportingstabilization processes.

The Mission’s grass-roots Good GovernanceEmpowerment Initiatives have complementedother efforts by the international communityand the Government’s anti-corruptioncampaign.

The Mission began to focus on the econo-mic and social implications of the ongoingprocess of withdrawal of the Russian milita-ry bases from Georgia.This process began as a follow-up to the Joint Declaration by theRussian Federation and Georgia, adoptedduring the OSCE Istanbul Summit on 17 November 1999.


Promoting better water managementThe Mission assisted in reaching an agree-ment between NATO’s Science for PeaceProgramme and the OSCE to fund 30 rivermonitoring stations that will be placedalong the Kura and Araks Rivers basin.

The formation of a monitoring body to planand organize water projects in the region isbeing considered.This follows a three-dayfollow-up seminar on Transboundary WaterIssues in the South Caucasus.

Initiatives for safely ridding the environ-ment of surplus military stockpiles

The Mission administered and supervised amajor project for converting 400 tons of‘Melange’ rocket fuel into fertilizer.Thefuel was considered a major hazard to thelocal population and the environment.

By the end of the reporting period, theMission had almost completed preparationsfor a new project in which the dismantlingand recycling of tons of different types ofartillery ammunition and aerial bombs areenvisaged.

As well as a major threat to the environment,

the presence of this ammunition might possibly

be a source of materials for terrorist groups,

especially as anti-aircraft, anti-tank and anti-

personnel artillery is inadequately secured.

The Mission sees its involvement in the dis-

mantling and recycling of ammunition not only

as activity within the framework of the OSCE

policy of environmental protection, but also as

a concrete contribution to the OSCE policy

of combating terrorism.

The OSCE Mission to Georgia supervises a project

to recycle rocket fuel into environment-friendly

products, March 2002.O

SC

E

Destruction of weapons

in the framework of of the

Joint Peacekeeping Forces

programme, which is

supported by the OSCE.

Mission to Georgia

Alexander N

itzsche/OS

CE


CAUCASUS

43

CONTEXT

The OSCE Office in Yerevan was estab-lished in March 2000 to promote theimplementation of OSCE principles andcommitments in all dimensions. From 2002the Office began working in the field ofmilitary and security co-operation.

With a Council of Europe (CoE)representative, who moved into the OSCEpremises in Yerevan in 2002, the Office hasbeen working closely with the Armenianauthorities to assist in the implementationof a number of commitments.This includesa wide spectrum of legislative reformconcerning the Electoral Code, Law on MassMedia,Alternative Military Service and theOmbudsman.

The Office has been successful in co-or-dinating the activities of the internationalcommunity on a number of issues, forexample anti-corruption, elections, traf-ficking and human rights. It is also well-regarded as a facilitator between Govern-ment, Parliament, civil society and the media.

One good example of the Office’s success wasthe ratification and first step in the implemen-tation of the Aarhus Convention.

Another achievement of the Office in 2002was a Human Rights Roadshow. Initiated byOSCE/ODIHR in 1999, this project aimsat raising public awareness on human rightsthroughout the country.The project teamtravels to the furthest regions of Armenia tomake presentations on selected humanrights topics.This includes showing a filmand further discussion and explanation bythe expert.The target groups include teachers, prisoners, border guards, lawenforcement bodies, students and NGOs.


GOOD GOVERNANCE

A new anti-corruption strategy The Office continued to co-ordinate theactivities of the international community indeveloping an Anti-corruption Strategy forArmenia. International and national experts,employed under a World Bank grant to pro-duce details of the Strategy, submitted theirfinal report to the Prime Minister at the endof July 2002.

This report was discussed in Cabinet.Meanwhile, the Government has undertakento adopt a shorter, targeted Action Plan, whichhas been commented on by the internationalcommunity.

A wealth of international expertiseThroughout the period, the Office workedclosely with the expert group and, withinternational partners, put together a seriesof workshops to examine specific themesand issues. International experts presentedcase studies of laws and institutions used inother countries to tackle corruption andlooked at ways of adjusting these experiencesto Armenian conditions.

In addition, the Office assisted in the creation of a coalition of some 30 NGOsconcerned with levels of corruption in thecountry.This coalition will have a criticalrole to play in both assisting and monitor-ing the implementation of the Strategyonce it has been adopted.With USAID, theOffice commissioned and published amajor public opinion poll on corruption,the findings of which were widely publicized.

LEGISLATIVE REFORM

The Office continued to provide support,assistance and expertise for legislative changein areas such as the Armenian Ombudsman,Elections, Criminal Code, Constitutionalamendments, Police, Media and NGOs.Theattachment of a CoE representative to theOffice at the beginning of the year eased andenhanced the work of the Office.

ELECTIONS

Extensive preparation for the 2003 electionsThe Office has been co-ordinating local andinternational partners on electoral issues.Joint expertise from within the OSCE andinternational partners was provided to boththe Government and National Assembly,relating to the amendment of electoral legislation in anticipation of the local,Presidential and Parliamentary elections.

Close working contacts were maintained withthe Central Election Commission. In May2002, a major workshop was held to discussdraft amendments to the electoral code.The Office also expanded and deepened itscontacts with political parties in the country.

Assessing local electionsWith assistance from ODIHR and mem-bers of the international and national com-munities, the Office carried out a politicalassessment of the October 2002 local elec-tions in Armenia.As a result, a number ofrecommendations for improvement weremade to the Central Election Commission.One of them – improvement and verifica-tion of voters’ lists – is already being tackledby the Office, in co-operation with theWorking Group on elections.

INTERNALLY DISPLACED PERSONS

The Office continued to participate in a working group on displacement and refugee issues.The group also works closelywith the Department for Migration andRefugees.The main interest of the Officelies in the area of filling legislative gaps and in supporting a project by the NRC to conduct a mapping exercise of conflict-induced IDPs.

>>


This movie – part of the Human Rights

Roadshow in Armenia – was produced in

co-operation with the American Bar Association

Central and East European Law Initiative

(ABA/CEELI - USAID) and the International

Organization for Migration.

44

MILITARY AND SECURITY ISSUES

During 2002, the Office extended its coverage of military and security issues andengaged in discussions with Ministries toidentify areas of potential cooperation.The initial task is to address military-civil-ian aspects of security at a local level, witha long-term view to advancing broadersecurity concerns.At the same time, theOffice has looked at additional ways of assisting in the field of anti-terrorism.

Stepping up involvement in security issuesApart from providing support to a Code ofConduct seminar and a Canadian-ArmenianWorkshop on anti-personnel landmines, theOffice initiated a workshop on fraudulentdocument identification, which was ad-dressed by international experts.

The Office was planning to have a majorworkshop on money-laundering in spring2003.The possibility of a specialist workshopon cyber-crime was also under discussion.

At the request of the Armenian YoungLawyers’Association, the Office, throughODIHR, provided a speaker on anti-terrorism and human rights for their conference in September 2002.

Promoting an alternative to military serviceThe Office continues to maintain its interestin the progress of proposed new legislationon alternative military service – a subject alsorelevant to monitoring of religious freedomsand conscientious objection. Expert com-ments from an ODIHR panel were passed tothe National Assembly Committee dealingwith this issue at the end of the year andfurther joint activities are planned for 2003.

MEDIA DEVELOPMENT

Working towards new freedom of information legislation

An Office-run workshop on freedom of infor-mation led to the formation of a joint media-government-parliamentary working group todraft legislation.The new Law on Freedom ofInformation was given its first reading in theNational Assembly in October and the newversion will receive its second reading in spring2003.Throughout this period, the Office washeavily involved in co-ordinating internationalexpertise and facilitating meetings.

Facilitating new media legislationIn 2002 the Office, together with theMinistry of Justice and international partners,facilitated public discussions on the draft Lawon Mass Media. Later, through the OSCERepresentative on Freedom of the Media, anexpert opinion on the draft was arranged.Thedraft was submitted to the National Assemblyat the end of the reporting period.The Officewill continue its efforts to ensure adoption ofthe law in line with OSCE commitments.

Meanwhile, both CoE experts and the Officehave been engaged in promoting amendmentsto the existing Law on Television and RadioBroadcasting.

MEDIA MONITORING

In co-operation with the OSCE Represent-ative on Freedom of the Media and theCoE, the Office closely monitored the stateof media freedom in Armenia.The scopecomprised cases of attacks on journalists,monitoring and reporting on litigationagainst media and following investigations.

In particular, distribution of broadcastingfrequencies was the focus of the Office’sattention in view of the fact that two TVstations – A1+ and Noyan Tapan – lost theirfrequencies during the tender in April.TheOffice was heavily involved in monitoringand reporting all court proceedings relatedto the case, which has now been submittedfor consideration to the European Court ofHuman Rights in Strasbourg.

A further tender was announced in October2002 and the Office was again followingevents.

Supporting journalistsWith funding provided by the GermanGovernment, the Office was able to support the formal launch of the Inter-national Association of Journalists of SouthCaucasus, which held its founding con-ference in Georgia in November 2002.

Within this project, two working meetingswere held in preparation of the publicationMedia in South Caucasus in Post-Soviet Times.

The Office presented an annual prize to ajournalist during the Yerevan Press Club’sannual award ceremony.


The Office was responsible for the imple-mentation of six major ODIHR projects.On human rights public awareness, 22 tele-vision documentaries, including five talkshows dealing with human rights themes,were produced and disseminated. Usingthese materials, the Office put on a publicawareness ‘road show’ which showed thevideos and held discussions on their con-tents in rural communities, universities,schools, prisons and law enforcement establishments.

PRISON REFORM

Retraining prison staffIn the sphere of prison reform, work isunderway in retraining prison staff – follow-ing the transfer of the prison system fromthe former Ministry of Interior to theMinistry of Justice – introducing social andpsychological services into criminal execu-tive institutions and establishing a civil societymonitoring group for places of detention.

Reform of the women and children’s prisonsystem is underway. In addition, a project ondemocratization of law enforcement bodieswas successfully launched.

HUMAN RIGHTS

Improving the Citizen Registration SystemWithin the framework of the project tointroduce a new registration system for citi-zens, a package of three new laws was draftedand submitted to the National Assembly forconsideration.

Addressing gender issuesThe Women’s Rights Education Programme foryoung women was continued, comprisinggender education at universities and schools.A training course for trainers on women’srights was developed for young women fromthe regions.



CAUCASUS

45

Monitoring human rightsThe Office continued to monitor the humanrights situation in Armenia. In the past fewmonths, attention remained focused on:• religious freedom • conscientious objectors • retention of the death penalty • allegations of torture and ill-treatment in

the army and prison system.

Many of the cases the Office pursued werebrought to its attention by individual com-plainants.Where the Office approached therelevant Government institutions, it alwaysreceived an open and helpful response.

Number of individual cases continues to rise The Office took on a part-time legal specialist to help carry the increasing load ofhuman rights abuse cases. It also carried outa regional training workshop for otherOSCE field presences in the South Caucasusto exchange experiences and best practicesin this work.

National MinoritiesAs a result of co-operation and funding from the U.K. Government, the first everworkshop on national minorities was held.This resulted in a series of proposals forfuture work.Two publications on minorityissues were published with Office assistance.

NGO monitoring of human rightsAn NGO training project resulted in theproduction of four human rights monitoringreports examining performance in the courts,army, higher educational institutions and thepenal system.

Combating trafficking in human beingsThe Office actively participated in thework of the Inter-Agency State Com-mission on Anti-Trafficking, concentratingon and heading the legislation sub-group.It also co-organized a joint action to addresspublic awareness of the issue, including amobile poster exhibition entitled UnitedEurope Against Slavery.


Ensuring water qualityThe Office worked with and accompaniedArmenian delegations to the Baku Pre-paratory Seminar and the Prague EconomicForum. During these meetings, projects inthe areas of water quality and control wereagreed.The Office subsequently workedwith the Armenian partner organizationson implementation.

Aarhus Centre Following the Office’s work in securing ratification of the Aarhus Convention byArmenia in 2001, a Public EnvironmentalInformation Centre was opened in the premises of the Ministry of Nature Pro-tection in March 2002.The Office has beeninstrumental in encouraging its use bygovernmental and non-governmental bodiesand individual citizens.A directory of en-vironmental organizations was publishedwith support from the Office.

This is a unique example of successful co-operation between the Government, NGOsand the donor community.The Centre is runby a Board of Experts comprising representa-tives of the Ministry and NGOs, assisted byan Advisory Board of Donors.

Promoting economic reformA major Workshop on Competition Policywas held in September.This was an Officeinitiative. Recommendations from thisevent were distributed to participants and a website was recently launched.

The Office actively participates in theUNDP-led work on a Poverty ReductionStrategy for Armenia.Within this project,it has concentrated on promoting socialreforms for credible poverty reduction.Among areas under scrutiny are the oldLabour Code, economic legislation andworkforce rehabilitation and retrainingpolicies.

Alexander N

itzsche/OS

CE

Landscape around the Armenian town of Gorni.

46

Implementation of the mandate of the Officeof the Personal Representative (PR) of theChairman-in-Office is closely connectedwith the tasks dealt with by the OSCEMinsk Group (MG) and its Co-Chairmen.

During 2002 the Office increased its activi-ties aimed at promoting confidence buildingmeasures. It assisted in a project to establishwater sharing in the northern part of theborder between Armenia and Azerbaijan byfacilitating visits and cross border consulta-tions involving de-mining and other special-ists.The Office also continued to be active inpromoting the release of Prisoners of Warand worked closely in this with the Inter-national Committee of the Red Cross.

During this period, the Office of thePersonal Representative was an importantfactor in the promotion of the peace process on the ground.

The Office of the Personal Representativehas remained active among the parties andhas maintained contact on all sides and at alllevels of political and military circles.Information obtained through these contactswas forwarded to the Chairman-in-Office tokeep him up to date on all developmentsrelated to the conflict. The Office also func-tioned as a messenger between the parties.

The Office assisted in the arrangements forthe visit of the Chairman-in-Office inMarch. In June the Office also played animportant part in the familiarization visit tothe region by the Head of the NetherlandsDelegation to the OSCE in preparation forthe Netherlands Chairmanship in 2003.TheOffice continues to play an important role inproviding support to the Co-chairs of theMinsk Group.The assistance of the Office isespecially important in Nagorno-Karabakhwhere there is no diplomatic representation.

Monitoring of the Cease-Fire UsuallyTakes Place Twice a Month

This contributes to stability along the Line-of-Contact and the border betweenArmenia and Azerbaijan. In this period atotal of 21 monitoring activities were conducted, five on the Azeri-Armenianborder and 16 on the Line-of-Contact.

The Importance of Monitoring These activities provide the Chairman-in-Office and members of the MG with valuable information relating to the situa-tion on the ground.They also providedopportunities for the Co-Chairs to observe the situation for themselves.

Monitoring also serves as an important con-fidence-building measure. Local commandersof the opposing sides are given the opportu-nity to communicate, using OSCE radioequipment, and consequently have an oppor-tunity to clear up any misunderstandings.

When monitoring is carried out on theborder, an additional benefit is that repre-sentatives of the local authorities can bebrought together. During the meetings theyengage in efforts to solve some of the acuteproblems faced by the local population.

Other OSCE contacts in the area regard-ing humanitarian issues in general

The Office maintained its contacts andclose co-operation with the InternationalCommittee of the Red Cross (ICRC), theUnited Nations High Commissioner forRefugees (UNHCR) and other inter-national organizations and NGOs.

Clarifying Prisoners of War CasesThe Office has devoted special attention tothe fate of civilians and military personnelwho had been detained during the conflict.

In 2001, the parties agreed to release newPOWs and civilians as soon as possible afterthey had been detained. In 2002, a total ofnine such persons were handed over.

All the releases were carried out under theaegis of the ICRC, in accordance with therules governing such matters and, each time,the Office co-operated closely with theICRC.

The Office is the only permanent body on the ground dealing with the resolution of the conflict

This Office is a major source of informationin this area for the CiO and OSCE structures.Many high level delegations and organiza-tions request briefings on developments inthe peace process. During this reportingperiod briefings were given to the Councilof Europe and the EU Commission.

Preparation for further Peace-Building Solutions

The Office is fully involved in implementingthe policies of the Co-Chairs, even whenthis is not necessarily obvious to the localpopulation. Feedback on these developmentsis given and the Office prepares the groundfor future initiatives.This contact is achievedby a combination of meetings with all par-ties, at all levels of government and authority,and through the monitoring activities them-selves.This constantly reinforces the aim ofthe Co-Chairs to find a peaceful solution tothe Nagorno-Karabakh conflict.

During the reporting period, all parties

requested, at various times, that monitoring

be carried out at specific points in order to

reduce local tensions.

This demonstrates trust and respect for the

role of the Office.

The Mandated activities facilitate the progress

in negotiations on the cessation of the armed

conflict.

The Personal Representative of theChairman-in-Office on the Conflict Dealt with by the Minsk Conference


CAUCASUS

47

The High-Level Planning Group (HLPG)was established in accordance with thedecisions of the Budapest Summit of theOSCE (then the CSCE) in 1994, with theaim of intensifying action in relation to theConflict dealt with by the OSCE MinskConference.

Under its open-ended mandate, adopted bythe Chairman-in-Office on 23 March 1995,the HLPG makes recommendations to theChairman-in-Office on developing a planfor the establishment, force structure require-ments and operations of a multinationalOSCE peacekeeping force. In addition, itmakes recommendations on, inter alia, thesize and characteristics of the force, com-mand and control, logistics, allocation ofunits and resources, rules of engagementand arrangements with contributing States.

The Head of the HLPG is appointed bythe CiO, to whom he reports directly andfrom whom he receives directives. He isresponsible for the implementation of theHLPG’s mandate and for organization andmanagement of the HLPG’s work and itsstaff. He liaises, as appropriate, with the Co-Chairmen of the Minsk Group, withthe Personal Representative of theChairman-in-Office on the Conflict dealtwith by the OSCE Minsk Conference andcontributing States.

The HLPG is composed of military staffseconded by OSCE participating States andnon-military staff employed by the OSCESecretariat.The initial strength of the HLPGwas 35 and the current strength is nine.

As a result of its planning activities, theHLPG has developed a concept for an OSCEmultinational peacekeeping force, to bedeployed in the area of conflict.This concept comprises four options, ofwhich three are a mixture of armed peace-keeping troops and unarmed militaryobservers and the fourth is an unarmedmilitary observer mission.

In the spirit of its mandate, during thereporting period the HLPG continued tomaintain and expand contacts with inter-national bodies and institutions in order toimprove its current information; in ad-dition, it continued to adapt the concept,updated the four options and prepared acomparative study of them.

Following the recommendations of the Co-Chairmen of the Minsk Group, and inview of the continued delicate situation inthe area of conflict, the HLPG was not ableto carry out much-needed operations/logis-tics reconnaissance missions to the conflictarea. Instead, the HLPG continued to partic-ipate in the monitoring tasks on the Line-of-Contact carried out by the PersonalRepresentative of the CiO and thus hasbeen able to participate in eleven monitor-ing missions since November 2001.

During the reporting period, the HLPGhas provided briefings on its activities tothe incoming Chairmanship, the Co-Chair-men, ambassadors and military advisers ofOSCE Delegations and senior staff at themanagement level in substantive and ad-ministrative areas of the OSCE Secretariat.

HLPG officers visited military training centres and participated in seminars andcourses related to peace support operations,gaining information which is utilized in theplanning work of the Group.

The HLPG is confident about its ability toadapt the current plans and thus respond tothe needs of any future mission and othersupport activities related to this undertaking.

High-Level Planning Group

48

As the political and economic landscape of

south-eastern Europe evolves towards European

structures, the OCEEA is following the trend

within the OSCE and has, at the invitation of the

participating States, started to place greater

attention on the economic and environmental

needs of Central Asia among other regions.

The Environment and Security initiative launched

by the OSCE, UNDP and UNEP is a process

under which the three leading political, develop-

ment and environment organizations identify

environmental threats to security and mobilize

resources and action to address them as a

means of fostering co-operation and strength-

ening sound environmental governance.

The Aarhus Convention

The Aarhus Convention is a unique agreement

that focuses on public participation in the field of

environmental protection.

The Convention lays down basic rules to

promote citizens’ involvement in environmental

matters and enforcement of environmental law.

It consists of three pillars, each of which grants

different rights:

• the first pillar gives the public the right of

access to environmental information

• the second pillar gives the public the right to

participate in decision-making processes

• the third pillar ensures access to justice for

the public.

The convention came into effect on

30 October 2001.

Economic and Environmental Activities in Central Asia

OSCE Senior Police Adviser Richard

Monk (centre) and (behind him, centre)

Police Adviser Hans Jarvestam visited the

Police Academy in Bishkek in May 2002

to lay the groundwork for the OSCE-

Kyrgyzstan police co-operation

programme. They were received by

the head of the Police Academy,

Lieutenant-General Bek-sultan Ishimov

and his staff. The Head of the OSCE

Centre in Bishkek, Ambassador Aydin Idil

(behind Mr. Monk, to his right), was part

of the OSCE team.

The decision to place tangible policing

resources in the OSCE Secretariat – in

order to increase or promote co-operation

among participating States – has coincid-

ed with the OSCE’s fresh focus on the

security situations confronting the coun-

tries of Central Asia among others. At the

invitation of Kazakhstan, Kyrgyzstan,

Tajikistan and Uzbekistan, the Senior

Police Adviser and his colleagues have

undertaken preliminary assessment visits

with ministers, senior law enforcement

officials and other national and international

figures, contributing information as a

basis for enabling specific police

partnerships in each country.

Police development in Central Asia

In 2002, the OCEEA provided increasing support to the OSCE

Centres in the design and implementation of projects that will

act as catalysts. The aim is to assist the transition process by

promoting human capital development and retention, new oppor-

tunities for business and entrepreneurs, increased environmental

awareness, good governance and institutional capacity building.

Officials from Central Asia

focused on the challenges

and practicalities of managing

an industrial enterprise in

a border region, during their

visit to Germany, France

and Switzerland.

Rainer H

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Lubomir K

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CENTRAL ASIA

49

The OSCE has made remarkable efforts in buildingup the foundation of rule of law and democracy in allCentral Asian States. In the longer run this is a keycontribution to the overall stability in the region andthe OSCE is well equipped to carry on the work.Javier Solana, High Representative for the

Common Foreign and Security Policy of The

European Union

The OSCE focuses on addressing factors that provide fertile ground for terrorism.The consequencesof money laundering have to be seen as a threat to national and international security. Each international organization has something to contribute in combating against it.Office of the Co-ordinator of OSCE Economic

and Environmental Activities, at the National

Workshop on Combating Money Laundering

and Suppressing Financing of Terrorism in

Bishkek, September 2002.

OSCE Centre in Almaty

OSCE Centre in BishkekOSCE Centre

in Tashkent

K A Z A K H S TA N

U Z B E K I S TA N

TA J I K I S TA N

K Y R G Y Z S TA NT U R K M E N I S TA N

OSCE Centre in Ashgabad OSCE Centre

in Dushanbe

CENTRAL ASIA


OSCE Centre in Ashgabad

OSCE Centre in Bishkek

OSCE Centre in Dushanbe

OSCE Centre in Tashkent

The Special Adviser to the Portuguese OSCE Chairmanship on Central Asia

50

52

54

56

58

60


Mountain H

igh Maps®

Copyright©

1993 Digital w

isdom, Inc.

Lubomir K

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Lubomir K

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50

CONTEXT

In the international arena, Kazakhstan hasbeen very active.That culminated in thesuccessful first Conference on Interaction andConfidence Building in Asia (CICA) Summitof Asian leaders in the capital,Almaty inJuly.A high-level OSCE delegation contributed to the event.

Politico-Military Dimension Activities

Tackling traffic in weaponsThe Centre has worked in close co-opera-tion with the OSCE Conflict PreventionCentre (CPC) and the host country onseveral issues related to politico-militarysecurity.A national workshop and seminarwas held on small arms and light weaponstrafficking, with national and OSCE part-ners. Special attention has been paid to theimplementation of the OSCE Code ofConduct on Politico-Military Aspects of Securitywithin the country.

Training Border GuardsTo address the problem of border security,the Centre took part in the implementationof an extensive training course for Tajik andKyrgyz border guards.The training offeredan excellent opportunity to equip themwith modern border security techniques as well as contributed to strengthening co-operation between Kazakh, Kyrgyz andTajik border security structures.

The training was organized by the OSCE’sODIHR, the Kazakh Border Service, IOM,the Regional Centre for Migration andRefugee Issues with the technical assistanceof the American Embassy in Kazakhstan.

Counteracting religious extremismA regional conference on Islam and natio-nal security in Central Asia was held todiscuss national security and issues relatedto religious extremism. It was organized bythe Centre, the Kazakh Institute forStrategic Studies under the President of theRepublic of Kazakhstan (KISI) and thedelegation of the European Commission in Kazakhstan in co-operation with theFriedrich Ebert Foundation.

Monitoring and reportingThe Centre has been closely following thelatest developments in the Kazakh politicalscene. In June and August, its representativesattended trials of two opposition members.

Developing electoral lawA roundtable on the reform of the ElectoralCode has been completed under the aus-pices of the OSCE and Kazakh Government.A package including a set of comprehensiverecommendations has been submitted.

The Centre has continued to offer adviceon new laws to bring them into line withinternational standards.There has also beena review of the law on political parties.


MEDIA DEVELOPMENT

Strengthening the media law The Centre has provided advice to thegovernment and local media on legal issues,and reviewed the media framework and adraft law on advertising.

Forums for discussion have been providedincluding a regional media conference NewChallenges for the Kazakh Mass Media.Thishas brought together governmental officials,opposition journalists and international expertsfor meaningful dialogue.

The Centre closely followed the case and, uponinvitation of the Kazakh authorities, the ensu-ing trial of Kazakh journalist Sergei Duvanov.

Reaching all Kazakhstan’s journalistsActivities have also been focused on raisingawareness among journalists by issuingimportant documentation in both Russianand Kazakh languages. Material distributedincludes OSCE commitments in the fieldof freedom of expression, internationalstandards for journalists and the KazakhMedia Report.

HUMAN RIGHTS AND DEMOCRATIZATION

The Centre’s project work is guided by two priorities: to intensify the work in theregions of Kazakhstan and to build capacityin governmental and non-governmentalinstitutions. In accordance with these basicguidelines, the Centre has designed andimplemented several important projects:

• Women’s Rights Awareness Project – Phase 2: Women’s Political Awareness

• assistance to the Training Centre for the judiciary

• training for staff of pre-trial detention facilities

• the Civic Dialogue Project• the Human Rights Monitoring Training

Programme• the Legislation Alert and Technical

Assistance Programme• prison service training • assistance for national human rights

institutions and ombudsman• the Anti-Trafficking Project Fund• grassroots democracy projects.

The Centre continues to promote the imple-

mentation of OSCE principles and commit-

ments also in the sphere of human rights and

democratization, and strives to address issues

through its targeted project work. Much of this

work is complementary to, or guided by, the

OSCE Institutions, the HCNM and ODIHR.

During the reporting period the OSCE Centre in

Almaty has significantly increased its activities

in all three dimensions.



CENTRAL ASIA

51


The Centre has continued to increase itsactivities in the economic and environ-mental dimension in 2002 as recommendedby the OSCE Chairman-in-Office and theGovernment of Kazakhstan.The Centre hasalso tried to strike a balance between eco-nomic and ecological activities.

Fifteen substantive projects were imple-mented in this field during 2002. Specialattention has been paid to the regions ofKazakhstan.As well as projects, several fact-finding visits have been made in theregions of Aktobe,Aktau, Oskemen,Shymkent,Aral and Balkhash.

ECONOMIC ACTIVITIES

The OSCE emphasizes the growingimportance of economic and social stabilityin relation to the fight against terrorism

The OSCE in close cooperation with theMinistry of Foreign Affairs and UNODCorganized a workshop, Combating MoneyLaundering and Suppressing the Financing ofTerrorism.Training of judges and other legalexperts on economic matters will be one ofthe follow-up activities to the workshop in2003.

The OSCE Centre conducted the round-table with the U.S. Department of Com-merce.The main objective was to create a dialogue between the public and privatesectors on issues of corruption and buildinga better business environment through theadoption and implementation of an ethicalcode of conduct.

Several other projects on poverty alleviation,development of small- and medium-sizebusinesses and economic legislation havebeen successfully seen through to fruition.


Three regional workshops, on the participa-tion of civil society in ecological decision-making processes, have been conducted.This work has followed concepts set out in the Aarhus Convention.

Promoting the link between good ecologicalpractice and the development of Kazakhstan

Since the main environmental theme forthe OSCE for 2002 has been watermanagement, the Centre conducted theconference Drinking Water Quality asGuarantee for Social and EnvironmentalSecurity, where state officials, companies and NGOs took part.

The Centre, together with the RegionalEnvironmental Centre, the United NationsOffice in Almaty and the Ministry ofNatural Resources and EnvironmentalProtection, conducted a regional preparato-ry seminar RIO+10: Central Asia. It was apart of the overall preparation process forthe World Summit on Sustainable Developmentin Johannesburg, South Africa.

The Centre has drawn the attention of theauthorities to national parks and tourismdevelopment by organizing clean-upactions.

Industrial district in Almaty, Republic of Kazakhstan.

OS

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Lubomir K

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As a participating

State, Kazakhstan

has agreed to

respect OSCE

commitments

related to freedom

of media and

expression.

52

CONTEXT

The Centre in Ashgabad has developedactivities in Turkmenistan in all threedimensions: the politico-military, thehuman and the economic and environmental.

The Centre has continued to maintain co-operation with State institutions, interna-tional organizations and local NGOs.TheCentre has provided regular information ondevelopments in the country. During thisreporting period, it facilitated the organiza-tion of several high-level visits to Turk-menistan.

The 25 November assassination attempt onthe President was strongly condemned bythe OSCE.The subsequent activities of theGovernment created concerns with regardto the due process of justice and the pro-tection of human rights and fundamentalfreedoms.

In mid-December, ten participating Statesinvoked the Moscow Mechanism to look intoconcerns arising from investigations follo-wing the attempt.


Controlling the circulation of Small Armsand Light Weapons (SALW)

A Training Workshop on SALW was held inAshgabad where three specialists, fromRussia, Germany and Croatia, gave talks oncontrolling the availability and circulationof small arms among the population.Officials of the State Border Service,Ministry of Defence, National SecurityService, Ministry of Internal Affairs andpolice and the State Customs Service tookpart in the workshop and subsequentdiscussions with the lecturers.

Fighting the issue of drug addictionThe Centre held a joint interactive seminarwith the Ashgabad office of theUNODCCP on stimulating public opinionon the struggle against drug addictionamong young people. Participants includedseveral law enforcement officials and NGOmembers, and a large number of teachers.

Defining the OSCE’s role in the regionThe Centre organized a seminar on theOSCE and its work in the city ofTurkmenabat, in the east of Turkmenistan,close to the border with Uzbekistan andAfghanistan.

Within the scope of the seminar, the thenSpecial Adviser of the OSCE Chairman-in-Office on Central Asia,Ambassador HerbertSalber, discussed the OSCE and CentralAsia. Particular attention was given to OSCEactivities and projects in Turkmenistan.

Participants included representatives fromthe Welayat Administration, the state borderand customs services, the Prosecutor’sOffice, the women’s and the youth unions,the Deputy Governor of the Lebap regionand the Deputy Mayor of Turkmenabat.

Training in border controlThe Centre has conducted a series of train-ing seminars to acquaint border and customsofficials with international experience andpractice in border and customs control.The seminars were arranged in co-opera-tion with the Ministry of Foreign Affairsand the OSCE’s international partners.Activities consisted of four two-day seminars in the provinces of Turkmenistanand a final one-day seminar in Ashgabad.

Turkmenistan’s role as a neutral stateA roundtable was organized on The Role ofNeutral Turkmenistan in Central Asia, focusingon the country’s possible contribution toregional security as a neutral state. Speakerscame from international organizations andfrom other OSCE participating States.

In the area of media development, theCentre assisted four Turkmen journalists toattend the Central Asia Media Conference, inTashkent.


HUMAN RIGHTS

A key seminar on rights of foreignersThe Centre participated in a seminar aboutnational and international standards on therights of foreign citizens. It also looked atthe role of local authorities in this issue.Atthis meeting, the Centre delivered presenta-tions to partner organizations on the role ofthe OSCE in this area and on cross-borderco-operation on a regional level in Europe.

Training on international legislation in thesphere of human rights

This is the third year of the Centre’s five-day training course, which is delivered tosome 35 participants from different governmental and social institutions.

Monitoring alleged human rights abuse cases

During the reporting period, the Centrehas followed a number of individual casesin which alleged violations of human rightshave been brought to the Centre’s atten-tion: notably with regard to relatives of persons convicted in relation to the assassination attempt.



CENTRAL ASIA

53

Complaints mostly concerned property andlabour rights.The Centre has provided legaladvice and submitted cases to the Turkmenauthorities with a request to investigate.

Capacity building within NGOsThe Centre is broadening its scope of co-operation with grassroots organizations byassisting them in their activities focused onthe development of civil society.

The Centre is assisting in setting up anNGO-database, and attended differentevents related to or organized by NGOs.The OSCE has also assisted the participa-tion of members of NGOs in trainingcourses and other events, such as electionobservation. In most cases, it has unfortu-nately not been possible to involve repre-sentatives from the Government ofTurkmenistan in these events.

The Centre has enabled citizens and mem-bers of NGOs to attend various relevantseminars and programmes held abroad.These covered the issues of election obser-vation, judicial systems, human rights,gender concerns and religious affairs.

RULE OF LAW

Delivering a seminar on the role of attor-neys in contemporary society

Members of the legal profession attended aseminar where special attention was devotedto the question of whether professionalorganizations of advocates/solicitors shouldbe treated as public or state establishments.The participants stressed the need for furth-er improvements in the legislation ofTurkmenistan on NGOs and easing theregistration procedure for NGOs.


Completion of Aarhus Convention project This project, consisting of a series ofroundtables that were held from Ashgabadto the Caspian coast was dedicated todiscuss and formulate proposals for theimplementation of the Aarhus Convention inTurkmenistan. It finished in Septemberafter running for two years. During the 27September meeting, a set of recommenda-tions was presented to an audience com-posed of selected participants from eachroundtable, representatives of embassies andinternational organizations, as well asgovernment officials and NGOs.The OSCECo-ordinator of Economic and Environ-mental Activities addressed the overall struc-ture, objectives and latest developments.

As a follow-up to this project, the Centrepublished and distributed informationmaterials on issues related to theConvention. It also started a capacity-building project for the National FocalPoint for the Aarhus Convention, withinthe Ministry of Nature Protection.

Putting information on the Web As a further follow-up, the websitewww.aarhus-tm.org was launched by theCentre and the NGO Catena EcologicalClub.This site focuses on the implementa-tion of the Aarhus Convention in Turk-menistan and contains a database whichincludes Turkmen legal materials and otherdocuments related to the Convention andthe environment in general.

The Centre also facilitated the attendanceof delegations of Turkmen officials andseveral members of NGOs to various seminars covering economic and environmental issues.

54

CONTEXT

Kyrgyzstan is an active member of the anti-terrorism Coalition.

After a series of events, including a fatalclash in March, in Asky, tensions reachedtheir peak.The Centre helped to diffusethem.

At the end of summer 2002, the Presidententered into dialogue with opposition leaders and a Constitutional Council wasformed to study changes in the existingConstitution

Highlights of the Centre’s regular workinclude activity on

• the freedom of belief and expression • combating money-laundering • suppressing the financing of terrorism• implementation of the Code of Conduct

on Politico-military aspects of Security andsecurity-building measures

• facilitating the OSCE police assistanceprogram

• establishing the OSCE Academy inKyrgyzstan

• drafting legislation in light of the OSCEprinciples for improving the judiciarysystem of Kyrgyzstan in relation tointernational standards

• bringing together local governors of theFerghana Valley to discuss regional eco-nomic problems.

These efforts have resulted in a very goodlevel of co-operation that was confirmedbetween Kyrgyzstan and the OSCE duringthe reporting period.

Playing a vital role in co-operation anddemocratization

Throughout this challenging period, theOSCE took an active role in supportingfurther democratization.The Centre wasinstrumental in facilitating dialogue be-tween the Government and opposition circles. It participated in meetings organizedby the Government and others held by theopposition and has called for a dialogue.It has also facilitated two gatherings: oneinitiated by the civil society leaders and theother initiated by the President, the ThirdNational Roundtable, in which oppositionleaders, parties, NGOs and mass mediarepresentatives participated.


Improving the Electoral System The Centre is focusing increasingly on thenext Parliamentary and PresidentialElections in 2004/2005. In 2002, it hasencouraged co-operation among leadingacademics for the creation of an NGO towork for the improvement of electionlegislation, while offering training formembers of the election commissions and electorate education.

Two seminars on elections have been heldby the Centre and the Kyrgyz State Natio-nal University and the NGO, DemocraticProcesses Research Centre.They included aworkshop on the problems and prospects ofdevelopment of democratic elections andanother on the analysis of amendments tothe Election Code.

Prison ReformThe Centre and OSCE’s ODIHR haveworked with the Ministry of Justice on prison reform by arranging study visits,international co-operation and the trainingof prison staff on human rights standards in prisons and their implementation.

Reviewing laws on demonstrationsThe Centre has initiated an ODIHRreview of the draft laws on meetings anddemonstrations, as well as on theOmbudsman.

Meanwhile, the Centre has been workingwith the Ministry of Justice in the field of

judicial reform and introduced a mecha-nism for permanent consultations on draftlegislation.

Supporting NGOsThe Centre has supported the first everexhibition on the role of NGOs in thedevelopment of Kyrgyzstan. Its work fo-cused on the co-operation of public andgovernmental sectors, in developing theeconomy, fighting poverty and buildingdemocratic institutions.A number of semi-nar activities in the south, Osh, also dis-cussed the role of NGOs in civil societypost-11 September.

Action on gender issuesThe Centre has followed the gender activi-ties of OSCE/ODIHR in Kyrgyzstan andoffered the assistance of OSCE institutionsto implement the National Plan of Action.

Anti-trafficking activityThe Kyrgyz authorities are strengtheningtheir efforts in combating trafficking inhuman beings. In April, the President issueda decree concerning the fight against illegaltrafficking in human beings and establisheda National Council on the matter.The CiBhas been focusing its activity on co-opera-tion with this National Council.

Public service announcements onTrafficking of human beings have beenproduced. Members of the nation-widewomen’s network have been trained tomonitor the broadcasts.

Promoting human rights and toleranceSeveral human rights activities took placein schools in southern Kyrgyzstan.At atwo-day event on teaching human rights inschools in southern Kyrgyzstan, teachersand students discussed the need to increaseeducation in this field. Meanwhile, activitiesat an international children’s camp focusedon building trust and breaking down stere-otypes and other barriers between pupils.

Training human rights monitorsThree sessions of training on human rightsmonitoring and reporting organized by theCentre and partners were carried outduring the year for representatives ofNGOs and government structures.Theystudied human rights standards, their

The Centre played the role of facilitator for dia-

logue between the state structures, opposition

and civil society.



CENTRAL ASIA

55

philosophy and history, as well as relevanttechniques of planning, preparing and conducting proper, fact based and objectivemonitoring of human rights and reportingon their implementation.


The OSCE strengthens its environmentaland economic programmes

The Centre in Bishkek has continued tostrengthen the OSCE’s role in theEconomic and Environmental Dimensionin Kyrgyzstan. It has maintained its closeworking relationships with the local civilsociety at large, receiving proposals andrequests for co-operation and assistance,mainly from national NGOs, but also fromgovernment sources, parliamentarians,donor partners and the academic and business communities.

The Centre has started to deal with:• small- and medium-size enterprise

development • good governance and best business practices • money-laundering issues• trans-boundary trade issues • regional water resources management.

ECONOMIC ACTIVITIES

Solving issues in collaboration with othercountries in the region

The Centre has been active in promotingregional co-operation, between the OSCECentres in Central Asia, in matters of cross-border trade and economic development.

Developing strategies for tackling money laundering

Kyrgyzstan joined workshops arranged bythe OSCE and the UNODC on this issue.The participants adopted a set of tenrecommendations for the Government toprevent money-laundering and suppressingthe financing of terrorism.

Fostering Cross-Border Co-operationThe Centre has initiated provincial meetingsaimed at removing inter-regional cross-bor-der barriers on free exchange of trade, servi-ces and capital. It was attended by Officialsfrom the banking and law enforcement sectors, customs, border guards services and

local administrations. Specific issues for theirrespective trade and economic domains willbe addressed at further sessions.

Establishing private enterpriseThe Centre held a roundtable in Bishkekon the role of the state institutions in establishing private entrepreneurship, incollaboration with the Kyrgyz Chamber ofCommerce and the Kyrgyz-Turkish StateUniversity of Manas.The Government andprivate business sectors, academicians, NGOsand mass media participated in the event.


In the environmental field, the Centrefocuses on:• regional water management issues• highlighting environmental issues among

the general public, especially the youth• dealing with the pollution effects caused

by toxic and radioactive waste.

An Ecological resource Centre for the South

An Ecological Forum has been convenedto discuss environmental problems. It runsits own resource centre open to the public.The OSCE plans to replicate these initia-tives elsewhere in the country.

The Centre has also supported NGO activ-ities promoting awareness of the AarhusConvention.Texts of the Convention andother publications have been published inKyrgyz and Uzbek – the most widely-spo-ken languages in the Ferghana Valley part of Kyrgyzstan.

Dealing with radioactive dumpsThe Centre has been engaged in dealingwith the problem of nuclear waste dumps insouthern Kyrgyzstan. It began the prepara-tion of a scientific assessment process byscientists and experts of donor countries.

Regional water managementRegional training in water management washeld at the Field Office in Osh within theframework of the Interstate Commission forWater Co-ordination.The Training centre’sfirst seminar was attended by officials fromthe three neighbouring countries.Participants were involved in policy-makingand provincial water economy.

OSCE Academy in Bishkek

A new study and research institute on regional

security issues was inaugurated in Kyrgyzstan

on 17 December 2002. The OSCE Academy’s

curriculum will include training programmes for

experts and scientific research on regional

security issues. The institution is designed to

become a centre of competence that will

support the understanding and investigation of

foreign policy questions with which Kyrgyzstan

is confronted. In addition, it will help the OSCE

to obtain information on this country and the

whole region of Central Asia.

Opening the Academy, President Askar Akaev

said: ‘This is a unique institution of a new type

that will facilitate the development of

democratic processes in Kyrgyzstan.’

To support this initiative, the OSCE has secured

funding for a six-month initial phase, with

donations by the Swiss and German govern-

ments. The first cycle of lectures on regional

security involved Kyrgyz, Uzbek, Kazakh and

American scholars.

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OSCE Centre in Dushanbe CONTEXT

The OSCE set up its Mission to Tajikistanin 1994. In October 2002, the mandate ofthe OSCE presence was renegotiated andsignificantly changed.The previous Missionbecame an OSCE Centre with a compre-hensive mandate reflecting the current realities in the country and requirements of OSCE co-operation with Tajikistan.

Tajikistan continued to support the inter-national anti-terrorism coalition. During theyear 2002 there was a significant increase ofinternational presences in the country.

The Centre has focused on:• Support of the executive in improving

the legislation, in particular, penal proce-dure and administrative codes, as well aspreparing reports to national and in-ternational bodies

• Support of the judiciary by creating alegal training centre, through monitoringand organizing public discussions ondeath penalty, torture, economic crimi-nality and corruption.

• Assistance in legislative issues by moni-toring by-elections, providing legalexpertise and addressing the authoritieson issues linked with the political parties.

The Centre organized an internationalconference Combating Extremism andStrengthening Democratic Institutions: Problemsand Prospects, in April 2002.The conferencewas attended by specialists and state officials.

The Centre in Dushanbe has begun toconsider ways of how to support the hostcountry with various de-mining efforts andto foster the implementation of Tajikistan’sinternational commitments in this field.


PRISON REFORM

Steps to make prisons more humaneThe Centre has welcomed the decision ofTajik authorities to transfer the penitentiarysystem from the Ministry of Interior to theMinistry of Justice.An international con-ference was held in October 2002 inDushanbe to help identify the major issuesinvolved.

The goals identified during the conferenceinclude demilitarization of the penitentiarysystem, increasing the professionalism of theprison personnel, opening the prisonsystem to outside supervision and the de-velopment of alternatives to imprisonment.

Training for prison governorsHigh-ranking prison officials have beenintroduced to international detention standards and a study trip to Kazakhstanwas organized for Tajik officials to work on solutions to this issue.

Co-operation on the prison reform processThe Centre has continued to advise and toco-operate with the Tajik authorities on theprison reform process. It also plans to develop new curricula for training prisonstaff.A significant pool of instructors willbe trained to implement the curricula.

The Centre is developing forums for organizations of civil society to be involvedin monitoring prison conditions.Strengthening alternatives to imprisonmentthrough legislative reform is also an impor-tant element of the Centre’s activity.

Training law enforcement personnelOn the Centre’s agenda was to increase theknowledge of law enforcement agencies ofthe international human rights norms andstandards and to train them in the practicalskills for their implementation.Among theobjectives is to increase protection of persons under investigation.

The Centre has concentrated primarily ontraining of the police, judges, prosecutorsand advocates. It is developing training forlawyers and judges on international standards for fair trial procedure.

CIVIL SOCIETY

During the reporting period the Centre hasactively promoted the development of civilsociety, including free media. It supportedthe allocation of the free frequencies toindependent radio stations.

Strengthening of non governmental organi-zations is another central issue.The Centrehas started the implementation of a Cross-Border Tolerance-Building Among Youth project,where young people from both sides of theTajik-Kyrgyz border participated.

Strengthening human rights NGOsHuman rights NGO representatives aretaking part in training in human rightsmonitoring and reporting; as well as theissues of right to fair trial, prison conditionsand advocacy skills.

Bringing the structure of the penitentiary

system in line with international standards is a

complex undertaking. It requires legislative

reform in the areas of criminal justice and

restructuring of the penitentiary system.

A broad mandate

As a result of progress made since the end of

the civil war, the Centre’s mandate has been

broadened to encompass, inter alia, economic

and environmental activities. This will offer

wider opportunities to tackle existing

challenges of development of Tajikistan.


CENTRAL ASIA

57

Civic education for the next generationThe Centre has organized three civic edu-cation summer camps for school and uni-versity students to trigger interest in theissues of democracy and the role of civilsociety.

GENDER ISSUES

Aiding Tajikistan in meeting its commitments

As a signatory to the UN Convention on theElimination of all Forms of DiscriminationAgainst Women (CEDAW),Tajikistan hascommitted itself to actively promote theprinciples of the Convention. In thisregard, the country created a governmentalcommission for the implementation of theinternational commitments in the field ofhuman rights.

The Centre and its partners have conduct-ed a round table on the compliance of theTajik legislation with the Convention.

Promoting gender balanceIn addition to its support to the authoritiesthrough conducting round tables in remoteareas of the country, the Centre has beensupporting more than 300 women, whohave organized self-help Women SupportGroups.These groups are a direct and effi-cient way to help women from the coun-tryside to defend their rights.


Empowerment of environmental NGOsThe OSCE Centre held the first Eco-Forum, a three-day national workshop ofEnvironmental NGOs. Fifty-eight environ-mental NGOs from all regions of Tajikistanproposed a new form of co-operationbased on partnership.They aim to partici-pate in the environmental decision-makingprocess and ensure information flow be-tween the NGOs and the Government.

The Tajik Ministry of Nature Protectionand Tajik environmental NGO Team forNature Protection, with the support of theOSCE, have conducted round tables andworkshops on the Aarhus Convention.

The Aarhus Convention and the

Centre in Dushanbe

The OSCE Centre assists local governments

and environmental NGOs in raising awareness

about the Convention. The Centre has been

very active in organizing training sessions for

the youth. It is increasing access to environ-

mental information and building a network of

young Tajik ecologists.

OS

CE

Promoting girls’ access to higher

education

Girls from rural and mountainous areas benefit

from a Government quota system that facilitates

their access to universities.

The OSCE Garm field office conducted a round-

table to discuss equal access to education and

representatives of the Education and Economic

Ministries, local authorities, teachers and civic

groups resolved to establish an independent

monitoring task force.

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CONTEXT

Active participation of Uzbekistan in theanti-terrorism coalition has strengthened itsrelations with the coalition partners and theinternational community.


Launching a legal clinic for journalistsThe CiT, with Internews Uzbekistan,launched a project to create a Legal Clinicfor Journalists.The clinic has employed alocal lawyer who is supporting the work oflocal journalists through legal consultationsand representation.

Improving capacity of border guardsAn OSCE expert team conducted a two-week pilot project at the Uzbek-Afghan border crossing point.This Termez-Hayraton training initiative aimed toenhance the capacity of the local borderguards and customs officials to interdictillegal arms shipments.This was undertakenas part of a larger training scheme, organ-ized by the UN Office for Drugs Controland Crime Prevention (now the UNOffice for Drugs and Crime, ODC).

The training was well received and the participants gave positive and substantivefeedback to the OSCE expert team, whichcould be useful for envisaged follow-uptraining.


HUMAN RIGHTS

Positive steps in the fight against humanrights abuses

For the first time, four police officers andthree officers from the security servicewere sentenced to long terms in prison for torturing suspects to death.

The removal of censorship and the decreasein the number of arrests on terrorism charges are also important signs.

At the end of the year, also for the firsttime, a roundtable was held on the problemof torture in places of detention.

Monitoring trials and complaintsDuring the year, the Centre monitoredmore than ten trials, where most of thedefendants were accused of religious extremism.

The Centre also received complaints,mainly concerning alleged violations by the law enforcement agencies, includingallegations of torture and violation of theright to a fair trial. In connection with this,a major activity has been work with severaldifferent law enforcement agencies.

The Centre has also focused on abuses inrelation to gender and religious rights.

Freedom of the MediaThe Fourth Central Asian Media Conferencewas organized by the Office of the OSCERepresentative of Freedom of Media in co-operation with the CiT and the OpenSociety Institute. It took place in Tashkent

in September.The Conference tackledvarious aspects of media freedom, rangingfrom the influence of the events of 11September on media development to reli-gious freedom, freedom of expression andcorruption.

CAPACITY BUILDING AND TRAININGACTIVITIES

The CiT has carried out Prison ServiceTraining in collaboration with ODIHR.This was part of a series of more than 50training projects, seminars, roundtables andother events that the Centre and partnerorganizations have provided.

Other human dimension activities this yearincluded:• Training on international standards of

human rights for advocates• Training in human rights monitoring

and reporting for NGOs and partici-pants from the Ombudsman’s Office andNational Human Rights Centre

• Review of Uzbek criminal proceduresand other legislation in the light ofinternational standards

• Training for the office of theOmbudsman on case handling

• Organizing conferences on Genderand Youth and Gender and Media

• Roundtable on the conclusion andRecommendations of the UNCommittee Against Torture.



CENTRAL ASIA

59


ECONOMIC ACTIVITIES

The Centre’s potential role in waterresources management issues

The CiT took steps to foster a discussion ofintegrated water resources management inCentral Asia, as trans-boundary co-opera-tion on this issue is vital to help resolve theregion’s ongoing water problems.The CiTarranged for two local partners to attendthe 10th Economic Forum in Prague.At theForum, held in May, one of the expertspresented a report about the potential roleof the OSCE in helping to tackle the AralSea Basin crisis.

Promoting small- and medium-sized busi-ness development

The CiT has continued to focus on thepromotion of development in this economic area through the continuation of its series of workshops in the provinces.The CiT has conducted phase two of itstraining in Karshi, Nukus and Termez.

Training includes a review of new Uzbeklegislation concerning small- and medium-sized businesses, as well as issues related torenting, leasing and franchising.

Developing good governanceThe Centre has been focusing on devel-oping a project concerning good govern-ance and fair business practice.

A business roundtable is being planned, atwhich entrepreneurs from successful transi-tion economies could share their expe-riences with local business people.

Increasing access to informationAn OSCE Resource Centre has been set upat the National University of Uzbekistan’sFaculty of Social and Political Sciences.Facilities include a computer/Internetroom and an adjoining conference roomthat serves as a library and a meeting space.


Possible accession to the AarhusConvention

In the environmental area, the CiT hasbeen involved in activities related toUzbekistan’s possible accession to the Aarhus Convention.

The Centre conducted training workshopsin the provinces for governmental officialsand NGO representatives, and held anAarhus Convention Roundtable in Tashkent.During the roundtable, government representatives from countries that haveratified and are implementing the Con-vention shared their experiences withUzbek governmental officials.

Focusing on the use of waterThe CiT has financed the production of anational television public service announce-ment on environmental issues.This televi-sion spot focuses on the efficient use ofwater.The Centre has also supported alocal environmental NGO to conduct clean drinking water workshops.

The CiT has increased the role of Mahallas(local community organizations) in envi-ronmental protection activities.With theMahalla Republican Charitable Fund, CiThas conducted roundtables for Mahalla leaders on reviewing of Uzbekistan's environmental laws and environmental protection issues.

With local partners, the CiT is co-financ-ing the publication of the Red Book ofUzbekistan for Indigenous Fauna, which willpresent information about Uzbekistan’sendangered indigenous animals.

Lubomir K

otek/OS

CE

Journalists at the Central Asia

Media Conference in Tashkent

inspect new publications of

the OSCE Representative on

Freedom of the Media,

September 2002.

60

The work of the Chairman-in-Office withregard to Central Asia in 2002 took intoconsideration several specific factors:• The post-11 September period has

significantly increased the internationalcommunity’s attention to the OSCEregion neighbouring Afghanistan

• The launch of a major military opera-tion within the close proximity of theCentral Asian participating States

• The presence of foreign military insome Central Asian participating States.

The Portuguese Chairmanship has beenable to build on the considerable engage-ment of the OSCE within the area sincethe Polish Chairmanship in 1998.

To achieve its objectives, the OSCE hasengaged in a permanent political dialogueand co-operation with its Central Asianparticipating States and also workedthrough OSCE institutions and operationsas well as in the field through projects.

The Portuguese Chairmanship has supple-mented the mandates of the OSCE Centresin Central Asia several times in 2002 withguidelines in order to make sure that priorities and objectives set by theChairmanship were implemented.

During its OSCE Chairmanship Portugalsought to modify the character of co-ope-ration with Central Asia, moving away frompatterns of the past which had frequentlybeen perceived as patronizing.

The call for balancing the activities in allthree dimensions of the OSCE’s approachto security was also translated into action.In the course of 2002 a siginficant changehas been achieved: while maintaining thelevel of activity in the human dimension,efforts in the economic/environmentaldimension have been increased. In addition,the scope of activites in the politico-milita-ry dimension has been broadened.

An OSCE Academy was established inBishkek in December 2002.This new insti-tution represents a completely new type ofOSCE involvement in the region. It is aconcrete contribution to implementingparagraph II.12 of the Bishkek Programme ofAction, which calls for offering ‘young peo-ple opportunities ... to familiarize themwith peaceful conflict resolution methods.’

The Portuguese Chairmanship’s

priorities have been:

• Achievement of a better balance among all

three dimensions of the OSCE approach to

security, notably addressing the request of

participating States in Central Asia for

enhanced activities in the politico-security,

the economic and environmental dimension

• Continuation of the fight against terrorism and

implementation of the Bucharest and Bishkek

Plans of Action

• Focusing on institution and capacity-building

• Regional co-operation

• Co-operation and co-ordination with the

donor community.

The Special Adviser to the Portuguese OSCE Chairmanship on Central Asia

61


OSCE ASSISTANCE with BILATERAL & MULTILATERAL AGREEMENTS

OSCE ASSISTANCE with BILATERAL & MULTILATERAL

AGREEMENTS

The Agreement on Confidence-and Security-Building Measures in Bosnia and Herzegovina and The Agreement on Sub-Regional Arms Control

(ARTICLES II & IV OF THE DAYTON PEACE ACCORDS)

OSCE Representative to the Estonian Expert Commission on Military Pensioners

OSCE Representative to the Latvian-Russian Joint Commission on Military Pensioners

62

63

64

62

The Agreement on Confidence-and Security-BuildingMeasures in Bosnia andHerzegovina (Article II)

INSPECTIONS AND VISITS TO WEAP-ONS MANUFACTURING FACILITIES

Nine inspections have been conducted thisyear; four were led by the OSCE. EighteenOSCE countries contributed by either lead-ing inspection teams or providing experts.Four visits to weapons manufacturing facilities have taken place.

ANNUAL EXCHANGE OF INFORMATION

Annual Information Exchanges has continuedto show marked improvement.

VOLUNTARY MEASURES

The Parties have been actively engaged involuntary programmes. Some of the moreimportant activities this year include:

Code of ConductFinland and Sweden provided experts who have conducted four Code of Conductseminars for junior and mid-level officersfrom the two Entities. One can note a sub-stantial increase in the active participationof the attendees and the level of interest.Similar seminars are programmed for next year.

Aerial Observation Exercises One exercise has been undertaken this year,supported by the Czech Republic. It isanticipated that the Parties will try to conduct these exercises, using their owninternal resources, in the future.

Working Group on Common Manuals This Working Group has made tremendousprogress, and preparations are well underway for the long-planned Command Postand Field Training Exercise along the Inter-Entity Boundary Line.The goal is to deve-lop procedures allowing the respectiveEntity armed forces to assist one another incases of man-made or natural disaster.

Seminar on the Economic Aspects of Security

This Seminar was held in Portoroz, Sloveniaand was well attended by a number of keyindividuals within the Government ofBosnia and Herzegovina, as well as themembers of the Joint Consultative Com-mission, and a number of military/civilianexperts from the region.

The Agreement on Sub-Regional Arms Control(Article IV)

INSPECTIONS

Most inspections are conducted as sched-uled. It is important to note that the Partiesconducted an ‘undeclared’ site inspectionthis year.This Office has seen this as anexample of the level of confidence andsecurity currently in existence between theParties.They are encouraged to continue toconduct these inspections next year.

ANNUAL EXCHANGE OF INFORMATION

The quality of the Annual InformationExchange continues to improve each year.

FUTURE ACTIVITIES AND DIRECTIONS: The Agreement On Confidence-and Security-BuildingMeasures in Bosnia andHerzegovina

Consideration is being given to the stream-lining process of the international organiza-tions in Bosnia and Herzegovina. Closework will continue with the other interna-tional organizations in Sarajevo to mini-mize overlap and to ensure harmony.

Regarding implementation of the Agree-ment, the Office’s main focus continues tobe overseeing the inspection regime although more attention is devoted tovoluntary measures.

It is through these voluntary measures thattrue confidence and security is developed.Greater transparency of the military budg-ets is encouraged.To this end Code ofConduct seminars are organized.

Ways to give more responsibility to theParties are being considered.The Parties areincreasingly becoming self-sufficient withregard to implementation of this agreementand the role of the Personal Representativeis becoming increasingly advisory.

On the whole, the Article IV Agreement is

implemented fully, with one exception:

inspections by Bosnia and Herzegovina.

Implementation of the Protocol on Verification

and the Exchange of Information and

Notifications have continued smoothly.

Meanwhile Implementation of Measure XI,

Voluntary Activities, continues at a very driven

pace – the level of activity for next year

remains the same.

The Agreement on Confidence- and Security-Building Measures in Bosnia and Herzegovina and The Agreement on Sub-Regional Arms Control (ARTICLES II & IV OF THE DAYTON PEACE ACCORDS)

63

This is taken as an indication of the highdegree of confidence and transparency thatexists.

FUTURE ACTIVITIES AND DIRECTIONS: The Agreement on Sub-Regional Arms Control

The Parties to the Agreement have con-vened on three occasions this year and heldthe third conference to review the imple-mentation of the Agreement.

During this conference, key decisions weretaken that finally resolved a number ofissues concerning exempted equipment.The Parties have closed the ‘loop-holes’that allowed them to have, in effect, largenumbers of equipment that were not sub-ject to inspection.

The members of the Sub-Regional Con-sultative Commission have been able toresolve issues within the Agreement on Sub-Regional Arms Control that remain unresolved in a similar conventional armscontrol regime.

Two areas of exempted equipment remainunresolved: armaments in internal securityforces and armament held for research anddevelopment. It is anticipated that theseissues will be resolved next year.

On 1 January 1999, the Parties assumedchairmanship of the Commission, the bodywith oversight responsibility for the Agree-ment on Sub-Regional Arms Control.There-after, the OSCE, through the PersonalRepresentative, took on a more advisoryrole, to include ‘secretariat’ responsibilities.

Subsequently, at the 21st meeting of theCommission, the Parties decided to holdmeetings on their respective territories, thusending the long-standing tradition of holding meetings in Vienna.

This is commended when taking intoaccount the considerable restructuring ofthe armed forces taking place, the numberof military installations that have subse-quently been closed and the large numberof military personnel who have been re-tired or demobilized.

The Parties continue to request ‘OSCEAssistants’ on their inspection teams.Nevertheless, it is evident that their respective verification agencies have reached a high-level of competence.

No ambiguities have been declared and theinspection process can be described as acomplete success, with inspections beingconducted in a professional and thoroughmanner.

Consultation has begun with OSCEDelegations to develop a long-term strategyconsistent with the overall strategy withinthe region, namely, giving the Partiesownership of this process and ‘streamlining’the role, presence and responsibility of theinternational community.

Ownership, within the confines of theArticle IV Agreement, has been achieved.The role of the OSCE within this regimeis purely advisory although the PersonalRepresentative retains responsibility for co-ordinating inspections and the participationof OSCE Assistants.

It is envisaged that, after streamlining, therole of this Office, with respect to theArticle IV Agreement, will be to providetechnical support to the inspection processand provide analysis of the annual informa-tion exchange.

The Parties have shown continued improve-

ment with regard to implementation of the

Agreement. Each year the Information

Exchanges have improved with respect to

presentation and content.



64

CONTEXT

The main task of the OSCE Representativeis to participate in the work of the EstonianExpert Commission on Military Pensionerswhich makes recommendations to theGovernment on the issuance of residencepermits to former military personnel inEstonia.

The Government has been successful ingranting a large number of residence per-mits and in reducing short-term permitswhile augmenting the number of longer-term permits. Meanwhile, a solution ofremaining problem cases is being sought.

The performance of the Commission thisyear has been encouraging and the OSCERepresentative commends its rational wayof deliberation.The co-operation of theCommission with the OSCE Representative,Uwe Mahrenholtz, continues to be good.

ACTIVITIES & DEVELOPMENTS, 2002

Swift review of applications for residenceIn 2002, the change of status of theCommission (from a GovernmentCommission to an Expert Commission)brought about improvements in themethods and continuity of its work.As a result, the review of applications forresidence in Estonia by foreign formermilitary personnel and their dependantsmoved rapidly ahead.

Reducing short-term residency permitsThe Commission has been successful infurther downsizing the number of short-term residence permits (six months to threeyears) from about 1,030 to 600.Thenumber of longer-term (four to five years)residency permits has reached 10,348.There are now more than 10,900 holdersof valid temporary residence permits.

In 2002, 37 requests of residence permitswere refused.The majority of these refusalsaffected beneficiaries of the Russian OfficersResettlement Programme of the US Agencyfor International Development (USAID).Since the Commission took up its work in1994, a total of 267 requests have beenrejected. However, many more applicantshave been granted permits on the basis of humanitarian exception than have been refused.

An important ruling by the State CourtThe Estonian State Court (supreme court)recently held that foreign military retireesand families listed under the ‘1994 bilateralaccord on social guarantees’ were eligiblefor permanent resident permits.The courtdecision of 24 October 2002 may very wellturn out to be a precedent-setting one.

While the state had, up to then, alwaysrefused requests of retired military person-nel for permanent residency permits on theground that the Estonian Law on Aliens didnot provide for this possibility, the StateCourt’s Administrative College demonstrat-ed that the same law did indeed containprovisions permitting the issuance of permanent residency permits to foreignmilitary pensioners when such personswere covered by an international contract(in this case the 1994 bilateral accord), sucha contract having priority over national law.

The issue of privileged status is still under question

No progress has been made on the questionof according a number of ex-servicemenand their families, presented to the EstonianGovernment on an additional list in 1994,the privileged status as military pensionerunder the terms of the 1994 bilateralaccord.While the Russian authorities havecertified these former officers as militarypensioners, Estonia has refused to grantthem this status.These diverging views arethe result of individual interpretation of therelevant articles of the accord and of thecorresponding Estonian act of ratification.

The unexplained presence of beneficiariesof US Finance Housing

The continuing presence in Estonia of anumber of beneficiaries of the USAIDRussian Officers Resettlement Program whohad pledged to leave the country can onlybe resolved gradually.

OSCE Representative to the Estonian ExpertCommission on Military Pensioners

65

OSCE Representative to the Latvian-RussianJoint Commission on Military PensionersCONTEXT

Following the closure of the OSCE Mission to Latvia,Helmut Napiontek wasappointed by the Chairmanship as theOSCE Representative to the MilitaryPensioner’s Commission in July 2002.Until then, the OSCE Representative’sposition had been held by the Head of theOSCE Mission to Latvia.

The OSCE Representative is supported by an expert, who is intimately aware ofthe details and of the respective Latvian and international legislation relevant tocurrent cases. It has been agreed that thisrepresentation should be established as a secondary function on the basis of part-time secondment.The OSCERepresentative is based in Vienna.

Numbers in questionA recent annual update of October 2002,provided by the Russian side, counted18,722 persons falling under the agree-ment; that is 640 persons less than in 2001(against an initial figure of 22,320 in 1994).

The role of the Joint CommissionMost issues concerning these pensionerswere and still are the subject of close andproductive collaboration between theRussian and Latvian parties.The JointCommission can handle only a limitednumber of files.

However, one cannot exclude that severalquestions might be of long-term characterand therefore will require continued discus-sion.

Resolving concluding casesAll long-term individual cases have beenresolved to the fullest possible extent.Only two new individual cases have beenbrought forward recently, with good chances of being resolved in the first half of 2003.Another collective petition requires further legal clarification and iscurrently under consideration.

In 2002, the OSCE Representative continued to

provide assistance in the implementation of the

Agreement between the Latvian and Russian

governments on social guarantees to military

pensioners of the Russian Federation and

members of their families residing on the terri-

tory of the Republic of Latvia.



66

OSCE INSTITUTION ACTIVITIES 2002

The Office for Democratic Institutions and Human Rights

The OSCE High Commissioner on National Minorities

The OSCE Representative on Freedom of the Media

67

74

79

ODIHRI would like to acknowledge the OSCE’s pioneering role in placing human rights – allhuman rights – very much at the core of the concept of security years ago.Sergio Vieira de Mello, United Nations High Commissioner for Human Rights

HCNM In the High Commissioner on National Minorities, the OSCE has found a valuable mechanism for the identification of situations of ethnic tension, allowing them to be managed without recourse to violent conflict.Kofi Annan, UN Secretary-General

RFMThe media should be free to play its fundamental role as society’s watchdog against corruption, which is aserious obstacle for all countries both East and West.From the final declaration of the OSCE’s Fourth Central Asian Media Conference, September 2002

HCNM

OSCE INSTITUTIONS

67

In its 2002 activities, the ODIHR has proved again that it is able to respond flexibly and quickly to emerging needs or opportuni-ties.This allowed the ODIHR to accommodate requests to observeor assess a total of 20 elections in 2002, many more than initiallyplanned.

In its project work, the ODIHR made efforts to ensure that last-minute developments and new opportunities were always takeninto account.This applied to both its short-term, high-impact activities, as well as its longer-term capacity-building programmes.

During 2002, the ODIHR continued to consolidate and fine-tuneits election, democratization and human rights programmes with a focus on supporting the development of in-country capacities,eventually leading to self-sustainability in these essential fields ofthe human dimension.

The Office also ventured into new areas such as the fight againstterrorism, the assessment of elections in long-standing democracies,and the organization of OSCE-internal regional co-ordinationmeetings.

ELECTIONS

Election Observation With 20 elections, the Office’s observation schedule this yearincluded an unprecedented number of electoral eventsobserved or assessed by ODIHR missions and expert teams.Nearly half of the missions deployed in 2002 were sent to monitor

a long series of elections that took place in south-eastern Europeduring the second half of the year, including the 900-observer-strong monitoring mission for the parliamentary elections in theformer Yugoslav Republic of Macedonia (15 September).With thismission, the largest ever deployed by the OSCE, the ODIHR play-ed an important role in making the elections a significant step inthe confidence-building process after last year’s crisis in the coun-try.

For the first time, the ODIHR has assessed elections in some ofthe OSCE’s long-standing democracies. Invited by the govern-ments, the Office assessed the presidential elections in France, theparliamentary elections in Turkey and the congressional elections in the United States.

Other elections observed in 2002 include the parliamentary elec-tions in Ukraine, Hungary, the Czech Republic, Slovakia, Latviaand Montenegro/Federal Republic of Yugoslavia (FRY), as well asthe presidential elections in Serbia/FRY and Montenegro/FRY.The Office has also observed the general elections in Bosnia andHerzegovina, and sent experts to support the resident OSCEMissions to assess the referendum in Uzbekistan, elections to local


The ODIHR, Europe’s lead agency in the field of election observation, co-

ordinates and organizes the deployment of thousands of observers every

year to assess whether elections in the OSCE area are in line with national

legislation and international standards. Its unique methodology provides an

in-depth insight into all elements of an electoral process.

The OSCE Counting and Results Centre in Pristina.

Lubomir K

otek/OS

CE

ODIHR

68

self-government bodies in Georgia, the election of the Governorof the Gagauz autonomous region of Moldova, and the local elec-tions in Armenia.

Technical Assistance The follow-up to recommendations in ODIHR electionreports have remained a top priority for the Office, in linewith the relevant 1999 Istanbul Summit decision. It hasreviewed the election laws of all countries in which anobservation mission was deployed or planned.

In January, the fourth and last of a series of election roundtablestook place in Astana.The meeting focused on the role of themedia during election campaigns and developed a comprehensivepackage of proposals for amendments to Kazakhstan’s election laws.Later in the year, after the establishment of a bipartisan parliamen-tary committee to investigate ODIHR’s concerns surrounding the2001 elections in Albania, this Office provided support and techni-cal assistance.This included the organization of four roundtablemeetings.The work of the bipartisan parliamentary committee hassignalled the start of a new era of dialogue and consensus on theAlbanian political scene.

Following a roundtable on electoral reform in Armenia in May, theODIHR and the Venice Commission issued assessments of draftamendments to the Electoral Code, which contained a number ofpositive reforms, partially addressing ODIHR’s concerns.Meanwhile, the ODIHR continued its assistance to the reform ofthe election framework in Azerbaijan. It was agreed to begin thepublic consultation process on reforming the country’s electionlegislation with a roundtable in December.

With a view to clarifying international election commit-ments and standards reflecting developments in this fieldover the past decade, the ODIHR has begun work on amajor compilation of existing election-related standards,commitments and case law. The draft compilation was presented

at the Human Dimension Implementation Meeting in September, whichurged the Office to continue its work in this field.

DEMOCRATIZATION

In the field of democratization in 2002, the ODIHR hascarried out more than 100 assistance projects in over 20countries.These projects have been aimed at buildingdemocratic institutions and strengthening the rule of law,civil society and respect for human rights. This Office’sdemocratization activities have been primarily conducted across six thematic fields of work:• rule of law • civil society • equality between men and women • combating trafficking in human beings • freedom of movement and migration • anti-terrorism (since October).

The ODIHR in 2002 has placed a strong emphasis on continuing and

increasing efforts to promote and assist in building democratic institutions by

helping to strengthen administrative capacities, the judiciary, as well as

Ombudsman and civil society institutions. Activities have striven to facilitate

exchanges of best practices and experience between participating States

and to solidify gains made in democratic institution-building, civil society and

good governance as stressed in the Bucharest Ministerial Council Statement.

This Office has continued to stress implementation and follow-up to projects

as prioritized in the Chairmanship-in-Office statement at the 2000 Vienna

Ministerial Meeting and as welcomed in the 1999 Istanbul Summit Declaration.

More priorities for 2002 have been to further enhance the ODIHR’s capacities

to implement a large number of targeted programme activities and respond

to the increasing demands of co-ordinating and working with OSCE missions

and other structures.

Country Type of Election DateUkraine Parliamentary 31 March Hungary Parliamentary 7 April France Presidential 21 April / 5 May Republic of Montenegro/FRY Municipal 15 May Czech Republic Parliamentary 14-15 June Republic of Serbia/FRY Partial municipal 28 July Former Yugoslav Republic of Macedonia Parliamentary 15 September Slovakia Parliamentary 20-21 September Republic of Serbia/ FRY Presidential 29 September / 13 OctoberLatvia Parliamentary 5 October Bosnia and Herzegovina General 5 October Republic of Montenegro/FRY Early Parliamentary,

Municipal (Podgorica) 20 October Turkey Early Parliamentary 3 November USA General 5 November Republic of Serbia/FRY Repeat Presidential 8 December Republic of Montenegro/FRY Presidential 22 December

ODIHR Election Observation Schedule 2002


OSCE INSTITUTIONS

69

The new Anti-Terrorism Co-ordinator has begun building awareness of human dimension issues in combating terrorism and developing projects which fundamentally address factorsengendering terrorism.

Projects have been conducted in co-ordination with OSCE fieldoperations, with local partners and NGOs, as well as with a num-ber of other international actors.The European Commission hasremained one of ODIHR’s most important partners, with fivemajor programmes aimed at advancing democracy and humanrights in Central Asia, the Caucasus, Belarus, and south-easternEurope jointly implemented in 2002.

Democratization programmes have continued to be sub-dividedinto longer-term, multi-year, institutional and capacity-buildingprogrammes and shorter-term, high-impact projects, such as thoseoriginating from the Grassroots Project Fund. The hallmark ofODIHR democratization activities has become the effortto maintain maximum flexibility and timeliness in all pro-ject work, to be able to respond rapidly to priority oppor-tunities and issues.

In addition to its heavy programme load, this Office has been facedwith a steady demand for human dimension expertise comingfrom both within the OSCE and from outside (international organizations, NGOs).

RULE OF LAW

The ODIHR has engaged in a variety of technical assistanceprojects designed to foster respect for human rights withinthe context of the promotion of the rule of law.

In the area of legal reform, the ODIHR, under its successful legis-lative alert programme, has analysed a large number of draft laws inlight of their compliance with international standards. In each case,the ODIHR was involved in public discussions following thepublication of the assessment reports.

The ODIHR’s Human Dimension Seminar in 2002 year focused onhuman rights and judicial reform.The Seminar, which took placein April, highlighted the substantial progress that has been made,but also stressed that a number of issues of concern remained orhad emerged recently, both in established democracies and in transition states.The Seminar also discussed ways to ensure effectiveaccess to justice for all parts of society.A special side-meeting wasdevoted to access to justice by Roma and Sinti.Another focus wasthe role of judicial systems in post-conflict situations.

As part of its efforts to promote non-custodial measures, theODIHR co-organized a seminar on alternatives to pre-trial deten-tion and prison sentences in Uzbekistan.The seminar resulted in aset of recommendations on how existing legal provisions on alterna-tive sentencing could be put into practice, as well as an action planfor the training of prosecutors, judges, lawyers and probation officers.

In April, the ODIHR ran a workshop on criminal justice reform inTajikistan.The workshop focused on how Tajikistan’s internationalhuman rights obligations could be translated into national normsand practice. It resulted in the adoption of recommendations settingout steps for the reform of the Criminal Procedure Code.

In the area of legal education, the ODIHR has continued to aidthe legal clinic at the Russian Tajik Slavic University in Dushanbe,Tajikistan and the Criminal Legal Clinic in Osh, southernKyrgyzstan. In both cases the ODIHR provided training andexpert advice.

As regards assistance to national human rights institutions, theODIHR has continued its support of the office of the GeorgianPublic Defender.This included its effort to combat police abuse of persons in custody by establishing a ‘rapid reaction programme’that will enable the office to monitor police stations on a permanent basis.

An ODIHR expert team went to Uzbekistan in November toassist the office of the Uzbek Human Rights Ombudsman in itscontinuing efforts to extend its mandate and independence. It alsoprovided advice for the drafting of the Kyrgyz Ombudsman Law.

In the context of its programme to provide training to legal profes-sionals, the ODIHR co-organized a workshop in May on the re-establishment of the rule of law in Chechnya. In October, the firstof a series of six follow-up training seminars on human rightsinstruments for members of the Chechen Lawyers Association washeld in Moscow. Meanwhile, in Kazakhstan, a training seminar forpotential future trainers at the Kazakh Judicial Training Centre washeld.A similar training was conducted for trainers of various pro-fessional education centres in Uzbekistan.

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The concept of rule of law forms a cornerstone in the OSCE human rights

framework. The notion of rule of law, as enshrined in major OSCE documents

such as the 1990 Copenhagen Document, does not merely describe a formal

legality, but also aims at justice based on the full acceptance of the supreme

value of the human personality and human rights. Rule of law seeks to estab-

lish and entrench an institutional framework for democracy in participating

States and other structures.

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In the field of prison reform, projects aimed at the demili-tarization and democratization of penitentiary systemshave been supported by the ODIHR.

A Supplementary Human Dimension Meeting, held in Vienna in July,was devoted to the reform of prison systems in line with humanrights standards.The meeting discussed measures to improve prisonconditions in compliance with international standards and the roleNGOs can play in monitoring detention facilities. It has succeededin producing concrete recommendations for national programmesto implement the provisions included in international law andOSCE commitments.This Office also ran a regional conference inDushanbe, in October, on the transfer of the prison systems fromthe Ministry of Interior to the Ministry of Justice.This is promotedby the ODIHR as a major step towards demilitarization of prisons.The conference resulted in a set of recommendations, in particularwith regard to the transfer processes in Kyrgyzstan and Tajikistan.

Large-scale training programmes on international human rightsstandards relevant to detention facilities have continued this yearfor prison personnel. Such training courses were put together inAzerbaijan, Kazakhstan, Kyrgyzstan,Tajikistan and Uzbekistan.Assistance to the Azerbaijani penitentiary service has also beengiven. It was aimed at improving the curriculum and methodologyof the prison personnel training academy. In Armenia, this Officehas provided advice on the new draft concept for the reform ofsocial and psychological rehabilitation services within prisons andpre-trial facilities.

While the ODIHR’s rule of law work generally includes ananti-torture perspective, a number of activities carried outin 2002 addressed this issue specifically. These include trainingseminars for law enforcement personnel in Tajikistan, and supportfor anti-terrorism projects carried out by local NGOs in Armeniaand Georgia. In Kazakhstan, the ODIHR organized a roundtableon torture during police investigation and in Tajikistan a publicawareness campaign against torture was supported.

COMBATING TRAFFICKING IN HUMAN BEINGS

Anti-trafficking remained a continuing focus for theODIHR. Projects, hotlines, conferences and workshops area few of the wide variety of this Office’s activities in 2002.

The ODIHR has implemented anti-trafficking projects such asroundtables to establish effective and inclusive national referralmechanisms. Its Anti-Trafficking Project Fund was used to supportOSCE field missions in their activities to prevent trafficking andto assist victims.

On addressing the issue of destination countries, the ODIHR hasinitiated an advocacy project aimed at transforming internationaland regional anti-trafficking standards into national legislation.

Within the framework of a regional human dimension co-ordina-tion meeting in Sarajevo in June, one of the working group ses-sions focused on anti-trafficking issues and developed a set of concrete recommendations to be presented to high-level OSCEmeetings.

A comprehensive report on trafficking in human beings in south-eastern Europe, published jointly by the ODIHR, UNICEF andthe UN High Commissioner for Human Rights, was presented tothe public on 22 July in Geneva.The report identifies the obstaclesto adequate protection and support for victims, and includes a setof recommendations for improving current responses to traffickingin human beings.

A day-long special session on trafficking in human beings at theSeptember Human Dimension Implementation Meeting focused onnational referral mechanisms and victims’ advocacy.Another issuediscussed was the involvement of some international field missionpersonnel in trafficking.

The ODIHR continued its support of anti-trafficking hotlinesin Belarus and Ukraine by providing training for the hotline

The ODIHR carries out a wide variety of anti-trafficking activities in co-op-

eration with OSCE participating States, NGOs and other international organi-

zations. This year it has continued to design and implement anti-trafficking

projects such as roundtable events and joint training initiatives including both

NGO and governmental partners. With such projects the ODIHR seeks to

establish effective and inclusive national referral mechanisms, including

identification, referral and assistance.

‘Rights of Refugees’ –

a film within the ODIHR

project on Public

Awareness on

Human Rights

GRASSROOTS, DEMOCRACY PROJECTS FUND

In 2002, the ODIHR has continued to offer support to small-scale activities implemented by

OSCE presences. A special emphasis was placed on projects related to the promotion and

protection of human rights outside the capitals of the respective countries. The grassroots

programme was supported by contributions from Norway, Denmark and Canada.

The majority of project proposals came from small OSCE presences in Central Asia, the

Caucasus and from the Mission to Moldova. For the first time, the ODIHR supported grassroots

projects in south-eastern Europe.


(There are) probably more slaves today in many Europeancapitals than. . . since the end of the 18th century whenslavery was still customary.ODIHR Director Stoudmann,

Financial Times, 23 July 2002

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consultants. In Moldova, the Office provided expertise during the drafting process that led to the adoption in April of a newCriminal Code that includes a wide range of anti-trafficking pro-visions. In Poland, the ODIHR supported the NGO La Stradain providing direct assistance services to Polish and foreign victimsof trafficking.

STRENGTHENING CIVIL SOCIETY

The goal of strengthening civil society in countries in transi-tion is at the heart of ODIHR’s Democratization activities.

As part of its efforts to establish constructive dialogue betweenNGOs and governments on legislation affecting civil society andon important human rights issues, the ODIHR has organized aseries of roundtables in Kazakhstan, including on confessional security and on the abolition of the death penalty.

In the context of its programme to support reconciliation in post-conflict areas, the ODIHR supported the activities of 30Local Youth and Children Councils from different communities in Moldova, including from the separatist Transdniestr region.In Azerbaijan and Georgia, the ODIHR launched a programme of public awareness radio talk shows on human rights issues, in co-operation with resident OSCE offices and the BBC World Service.

The ODIHR’s highly successful human rights monitoring andreporting training programme for NGOs was this year expanded toinclude Georgia and Tajikistan, bringing the total of countries in-volved to seven participating States in Central Asia and the Caucasus.

GENDER EQUALITY

In 2002, the ODIHR broadened its project portfolio in thefield of promoting equality of women and men as an integral

part of sustainable democracy. At the same time, thisOffice has increased its efforts to integrate a gender per-spective in all areas of its work.

The ODIHR’s large-scale programme on promoting participationof women in public life in 2002 has focused on Azerbaijan,Armenia,Georgia and Kyrgyzstan. Initial gender training for small groups ofpredominantly younger women from rural areas created pools oftrained women.They then went back to their home regions to disseminate their freshly acquired skills and train other women inturn.Through this knock-on effect, the programme has reachedthousands of women and contributed to the development of civilsociety and the ability of women to mobilize themselves for positi-ve change.The programme has reached out beyond the urban cen-tres, and in several cases sparked the development of a strongwomen’s movement.

In the context of its programmes to promote women’s equal rightsand opportunities, the ODIHR has worked to integrate and main-stream gender education into the Armenian educational system bytraining high school and university teachers on gender issues.Aspart of the ODIHR’s human rights monitoring and reporting pro-gramme, 25 representatives of NGOs and government bodies fromUzbekistan were trained on women’s rights, monitoring and docu-mentation of cases of discrimination. Meanwhile in Georgia, theOffice has continued its support for a women’s NGO coalitionwhich currently unites more than 45 women’s NGOs workingtogether to lobby and advocate gender issues.

Violence against women seriously inhibits women’s ability to fullyparticipate in society and ultimately undermines the democraticprocess.The prevention and combat of such violence was the focusof a Supplementary Human Dimension Implementation Meeting inMarch in Vienna.The meeting discussed domestic violence, violenceagainst women in the community and violence in conflict situations.

With a series of training workshops for law enforcement personnelin Azerbaijan, this Office succeeded in raising awareness of the factthat domestic violence is not a private matter and should be treated as a punishable crime.

The strengthening of civil society in countries in transition has always been

a main focus of the ODIHR’s democratization activities. Support for civil

society actors has not just been to bring about democracy as such but, more

importantly, to ensure its viability. The ODIHR has continued to establish a

constructive dialogue, where needed, between non-governmental organza-

tions (NGOs) and government or state representatives on legislation affecting

civil society and on important human right issues. In post-conflict areas, the

ODIHR brings together actors from the different parties involved in order to

boost and support reconciliation efforts.

Participants in a workshop for women leaders from the Caucasus and the Baltic

states organized by the OSCE Office for Democratic Institutions and Human

Rights (ODIHR) in Tallinn, February 2002.

The equality of women and men is an integral part of sustainable democracy.

Maintaining peaceful, prosperous and democratic societies in the OSCE

region is central to the vision of the OSCE. This year the ODIHR has pursued

its goal of equal rights and opportunities for women and men to participate

in and contribute to the democratic processes in OSCE participating States.

The ODIHR implements this by a two-pronged approach: integrating gender

in all areas of its work, while simultaneously giving gender equality extra

impetus by developing a portfolio of gender specific projects.

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MIGRATION AND FREEDOM OF MOVEMENT

The OSCE has increased its focus on the fight againstterrorism in 2002. In this light, the ODIHR has continuedto assist the former Soviet Republics with tackling the new challenges they face in ensuring border security and managing migration flows while complying with international human rights standards.

In this context, the ODIHR has supported the reform of theAzerbaijani border service by drawing on the experiences made byPoland.The ODIHR has facilitated co-operation between the twoborder services and the participation of young border guards fromAzerbaijan in a one-year training programme in Poland.A regionaltraining seminar for border guards from Central Asia was held inAlmaty, Kazakhstan.

In order to improve cross-border co-operation between OSCEcountries, the ODIHR co-organized an international workshop inPrague in June.The workshop served to exchange experience be-tween the countries of Eastern Europe and Central Asia on modelsof organizational structures in migration management and on collecting and sharing migration-related information.

As part of its efforts to assist with the reform of restrictive registra-tion systems inherited from the Soviet Union, the ODIHR thisyear has focused on Armenia, Kyrgyzstan and Ukraine by providingexpertise during the drafting of legislation aimed at ensuring free-dom of movement. In addition, a regional roundtable was held inKyrgyzstan on registration of foreigners. It was agreed to develop amodel registration system and a strategy to harmonize registrationrequirements in the region.

In Georgia and Azerbaijan, the ODIHR has successfully concludeda project aimed at reviewing compliance of domestic legislation inthe region with relevant international principles and developingrecommendations on how to improve the normative frameworksfor the protection of internally displaced persons (IDPs).

FOCUS ON SOUTH–EASTERN EUROPE

The ODIHR has supported confidence-building, reconcilia-tion and stabilization processes throughout south-easternEurope, in particular with regard to enhancing democrati-zation processes, institution-building, human rights

and the rule of law.

To improve efficiency and create synergies and co-ordination between the OSCE missions and institutions in the region, theODIHR has adopted a co-ordinating role within the OSCE onhuman dimension issues in the region. During 2002, four regionalco-ordination meetings as well as a number of expert meetingstook place.

This year has seen the launch of Legislationline.org, a free-of-chargelegislative online database designed to provide easy access to inter-national and national legislation related to OSCE human dimen-sion commitments.The database targets in particular lawmakers insouth-eastern Europe.

Prison services in south-eastern Europe have continued to benefitfrom the ODIHR’s support this year.There has been an emphasis on the training of prison staff and the exchange of expertise and information. In 2002, these activitiesfocused on Montenegro/FRY and the former Yugoslav Republicof Macedonia.

The ODIHR ran a series of workshops on effective crisis management to remedy the lack of communication between local administrations and security forces in the former YugoslavRepublic of Macedonia.This issue had been exposed by the crisisin 2001. In addition, the ODIHR supported the reform of theMacedonian police by assisting the local authorities in developingspecialized police training courses.

In Kosovo, this Office has supported the establishment of a CivilSociety Academy to develop competencies of potential NGO leaders. Similarly the ODIHR provided assistance for an initiativeto re-establish civil dialogue between NGOs from Kosovo andSerbia; training courses for future Roma community advocates;and the Ombudsperson’s office.

Following the transfer of the ODIHR’s Office in Montenegro toOMiFRY at the end of 2001, the ODIHR has continued the successful co-operation with the local authorities and other actorsto strengthen the democratization processes in the Republic.

CONTACT POINT FOR ROMA AND SINTI ISSUESThe ODIHR Contact Point has worked through a wide

As part of its regional focus on south-eastern Europe, the ODIHR supports

confidence-building, reconciliation and stabilization processes throughout

this region. This Office particularly concentrates on enhancing democratiza-

tion processes, institution-building, human rights and the rule of law.

The Programme load, scope of work and demand from host countries and

partners for co-ordination and implementation have rapidly developed and

increased in both sophistication and amount, resulting in some 35 projects

being implemented throughout the region in the years 2001 and 2002.

Headed since 1999 by Mr. Nikolae Gheorghe, a renowned Roma activist

from Romania, the Contact Point works to promote ‘full integration of Roma

and Sinti communities into the societies they live in, while preserving their

identity’. To realize this goal, a work programme is being implemented

focusing on the advancement of the political rights of Roma and Sinti in

the OSCE area, on acute crisis prevention and crisis management in post-

conflict areas of south-eastern Europe, and on fostering and supporting

civil society development among Roma communities.


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range of projects this year. Meanwhile it remains animportant channel of information on Roma and Sintiissues, and continues ongoing activities such as advisinggovernments on Roma-related policies.

In the context of its work to advance political rights of Roma, theContact Point has organized training workshops for Romani votersand candidates. It has also assessed the participation of Roma inelections in Central and south-eastern Europe.

In order to prevent or diffuse tension over housing-related issues inmunicipalities with Roma inhabitants several roundtables inBulgaria, Romania and Slovakia were held.

The Contact Point also addressed the controversial issue of legaland illegal migration of Roma to Western European countries andthe involvement of some of these migrants, both as victims andperpetrators, in trafficking in human beings.

The establishment of a network of local Roma community advocates throughout the countries of south-eastern Europe hasalso been supported.This facilitates contacts between Roma communities and state authorities.

Other projects have focused on capacity-building for RomaNGOs, training of Roma women on NGO building, and equalaccess to health services for Roma. In Montenegro a roundtablewas organized to address the situation of Internally DisplacedRoma and explore possible durable solutions.

The Contact Point has also supported initiatives to establish a pan-European Roma assembly and played an important role in broker-ing a preliminary agreement on some of the assembly’s modalities.

MONITORING AND SUPPORT FOR IMPLEMENTATIONIn 2002, the ODIHR and the OSCE chairmanship held the an-

nual OSCE Human Dimension Meeting in September. It was heldunder an improved set of rules and attracted a record number ofover 700 participants.The ODIHR also organized the HumanDimension Seminar in April and three Supplementary HumanDimension Meetings in March, June and October.

The ODIHR’s 2002 death penalty report, which was presented atthe OSCE Human Dimension Implementation Meeting inSeptember, has confirmed the ongoing trend towards the abolitionof capital punishment in the OSCE region.

In line with the OSCE’s focus on preventing terrorism, theODIHR this year increased its project activities aimed at pro-moting freedom of religion and belief. Several legislative reviewshave been conducted and a number of meetings organized aimedat promoting religious freedom and tolerance.These included aregional conference in Jalal-Abad, Kyrgyzstan, roundtables inAlmaty, Kazakhstan and Tajikistan, as well as a major OSCE con-ference on religious freedom and combating terrorism in Baku,Azerbaijan, in October. In Bosnia and Herzegovina, a new draftlaw on religious associations was prepared with ODIHR support.

The Monitoring Unit within the ODIHR follows and analyses human rights

developments and compliance with OSCE human dimension commitments

by participating States. It also organizes OSCE meetings on the implementa-

tion of human dimension commitments by participating States. As an early

warning function, it alerts the OSCE Chairman-in-Office to serious deteriora-

tions in human rights.

TOLERANCE AND FREEDOM OF RELIGION OR BELIEF

Following the terrorist attacks of 11 September 2001, the threat posed by

terrorism inspired by fundamentalism and extremism of any kind is as

obvious as is the need to counter that threat. At the same time, it is

recognized that any measures combating terrorism need to be carried out

strictly within the boundaries of international human rights commitments,

including rights to the freedom of religion and belief.

Against this background and in response to many requests, the ODIHR in

2002 increased its project activities aimed at promoting freedom of religion

and belief.

Participants discuss freedom of religion in Central Asia at a regional

conference organized by the ODIHR and the OSCE Centre in Bishkek,

Jalal-Abad, Kyrgyzstan.

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CONTEXT

Ethnic conflict is one of the main sources of large-scale violence inEurope today.This issue has been addressed by an OSCE HighCommissioner on National Minorities since 1993. Rolf Ekéus hasbeen the High Commissioner since July 2001.

Instrument of conflict preventionThe High Commissioner’s function is to identify – and seek earlyresolution of – ethnic tensions that might endanger peace, stabilityor friendly relations between the participating States of the OSCE.His mandate describes him as an instrument of conflict preventionat the earliest possible stage.

Although the title of his post sometimes creates the impression thatthe High Commissioner is intended to function as a nationalminorities ombudsman or as an investigator of individual humanrights violations, this is not the case. In other words, he is theOSCE’s High Commissioner on National Minorities and not forNational Minorities.

Aims of the High CommissionerHe has a two-fold mission: first, to try to contain and de-escalatetensions and, second, to act as a ‘tripwire’, meaning that he isresponsible for alerting the OSCE whenever such tensions threatento develop to a level at which he cannot contain them with themeans at his disposal.

During the reporting period, the High Commissioner has contin-ued pursuing the goal of starting, maintaining and enhancing aprocess of exchanges of views and co-operation between the parties, leading to concrete steps calculated to de-escalate tensionsand, where possible, resolve underlying issues.

This year the OSCE High Commissioner on National Minoritiesvisited Turkmenistan for the first time.

CENTRAL EUROPE

HUNGARY

The Act on Hungarians Living in Neighboring States was one of theareas of greatest concern to the High Commissioner during thereporting period. He issued a statement on National Minorities,Sovereignty and Responsibility which stressed that ‘responsibility for the protection of minorities lies with the State where minorities live’.This is a message which he emphasized to theHungarian Government, even after the Act on Hungarians Living in Neighboring States took effect on 1 January 2001.

The High Commissioner sustained efforts to ensure that imple-mentation of the Act would not violate international standards,harm bilateral relations between Hungary and its neighbours orexacerbate inter-ethnic relations in countries with sizeableHungarian minority populations. He made a series of recommen-dations to amend the Act in order to limit any discriminatory orextra-territorial effects. He also made several visits to Budapest,Bucharest and Bratislava to meet with Governments and minorityrepresentatives.

In Hungary, the High Commissioner raised the need for anti-dis-crimination legislation and resolution of the issue of minorityrepresentation in Parliament. In addition, he familiarized himselfwith the reform of minority self-governments.

SLOVAKIA

The High Commissioner has kept in regular contact with theSlovak Government and representatives of the Hungarian minorityconcerning their views on the Act on Hungarians Living inNeighbouring Countries. He also provided advice on anti-discrimination and kept abreast of developments concerning minority-language tertiary education.


HCNM

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CROATIA

The HCNM visited Zagreb and the Danube Region at the end ofFebruary 2002.The visit coincided with the decision of theGovernment to withdraw a draft Constitutional Law on NationalMinorities from further procedures and to prepare a completely newdraft.The draft Law which was withdrawn incorporated most of therecommendations put forward by the Council of Europe’s VeniceCommission and the HCNM and would have been an importantstep in creating a legislative framework for enjoyment of minorityrights in Croatia. During this visit the HCNM also focused on issuesconnected with refugee return, such as repossession of property.

After his visit in February the High Commissioner closely followedthe process of the preparation of the new Constitutional Law. Hisexperts visited Croatia in May 2002 and, when the new draft hadbeen finally prepared, on 26 July 2002 the HCNM sent his com-ments to the Minister of Foreign Affairs of Croatia.The HighCommissioner returned to Croatia in September 2002, noting littleprogress on the adoption of the law.

During this visit he noted that the Croatian authorities had nottaken any action to address the issue of by-elections in those municipalities, towns and counties in which the May 2001 localelections did not result in the election of a number of minorityrepresentatives proportional to the population.

The HCNM funds and monitors the Knin Legal Aid Project and, inco-operation with the Joint Council of Municipalities, a similarproject in the Danube region.The objective of the projects is to pro-vide legal aid and representation in courts and during administrati-ve procedures for minority members (mostly Serbs and returnees)in order to help them return to their apartments and houses and to recover their property.

FEDERAL REPUBLIC OF YUGOSLAVIA

The High Commissioner visited Novi Sad (capital of Vojvodina)and Belgrade in November 2001, with the issue of Vojvodina autonomy and its inter-ethnic dimension at the top of his agenda.

The HCNM Office assisted the Federal Ministry of National andEthnic Communities in the preparation of the draft ConstitutionalLaw on the Rights of National Minorities.The Law was finally adop-ted on 26 February 2002. In his letter to the Minister of ForeignAffairs of FRY, Goran Svilanovic, the HCNM congratulated theGovernment and the Parliament of the FRY on the adoption of thelaw and offered his assistance in the process of its implementation.

The HCNM has continued to work closely with Yugoslav authori-ties on implementation of this Law. In this respect, a full-time pro-fessional staff member was deployed to Belgrade as the HCNMLiaison Officer with a view to improving the assistance theHCNM could render to the Government and generally to support the improvement of inter-ethnic relations.

The HCNM visited Montenegro in November 2001 for the firsttime.The political agenda there was dominated by the issue of the‘state status’ of Montenegro.A productive environment exists forOSCE involvement there, due partly to its permanent presence onthe ground.The HCNM intends to continue his involvement andto monitor the situation closely, in particular the inter-ethnicaspects of discussion on Montenegrin independence, especially the issue of Sandzak.

The High Commissioner followed closely the discussion on the Constitutional Charter of the Union of Serbia and Montenegro.On 28 August, in a letter to the Minister of Foreign Affairs of theFederal Republic of Yugoslavia, the HCNM expressed the hopethat minority rights would find an appropriate place in theConstitutional Charter and that the standards of minority pro-tection achieved in the new Federal Law would not be jeopardized.One of the HCNM’s concerns was the effective implementation of the Law on the Protection of National Minorities with a view toensuring continuity in the protection of minority rights in Serbiaand Montenegro. In the reply received on 30 September 2002, theHCNM was assured that minority rights in the redefined Union ofSerbia and Montenegro would not be less than those already existing in the FRY.

During his visits to FRY the HCNM also discussed the situationin the Presevo region.The entire peace process there can be con-sidered a significant achievement and step forward. In co-operationwith the Ministry for National and Ethnic Communities, theHCNM has been implementing a number of minority-orientedprojects in this region in order to build confidence between different ethnic groups.

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FORMER YUGOSLAV REPUBLIC OF MACEDONIA

The HCNM visited the former Yugoslav Republic of Macedoniatwice in November 2001 to be updated on the latest developmentsin the country and to establish personal contact with the mainactors.The HCNM’s contribution since the adoption of theFramework Agreement has focused on decentralization, education and the census.There was a follow-up visit almost a year later.

The HCNM continues his involvement with regard to the censusthrough participation in the Steering Committee to oversee and togive political guidance to the process.The census was finally con-ducted between 1-15 November 2002. It was taken under goodconditions, without any serious incidents or problems.Accordingto international monitors, significant progress was made in com-parison with the 1994 census.

The adoption of the law on local self-government at the beginningof 2002 has only begun the process of decentralization. It has to beaccompanied by a broader legislative package including the Law onSelf-Financing and the Law on Territorial Division. During his visits tothe former Yugoslav Republic of Macedonia, the HCNM offeredhis assistance in the preparation of these laws in order to reach acompromise on this issue, in particular regarding revision of boundaries of municipalities.

The HCNM attended the official opening of the South-EasternEurope (SEE) University and joined its Board.The SEE Universityis a multicultural and multilingual institution open to all studentsregardless of their ethnic backgrounds.At the beginning of2002/2003 academic year it was educating approximately 2,400students, about 10 percent of whom were non-Albanian.

The High Commissioner also promotes and supports the TransitionYear Programme, which seeks to increase the number of Albaniansbeing admitted to university by providing intensive examinationpreparation courses in the Macedonian language for Albanian students in the fourth year of secondary school.At present the programme reaches all seven Albanian-language gymnasia.Given that the SEE University became fully operational in 2002,the programme was adapted accordingly.

THE BALTIC COUNTRIES

ESTONIA

In Estonia the High Commissioner has continued to follow anumber of issues such as election laws, language certificates andminority education reform.The High Commissioner paid a visit inspring 2002 to meet the new Estonian government and to acquainthimself with its priorities regarding national minority issues andsocial integration.The High Commissioner welcomed the legis-lative initiatives of the government extending the validity of language certificates as a good step in the right direction. He alsocommended the decision taken to make the implementation ofminority education reform more flexible.

The High Commissioner continues to follow the implementationof the integration and the naturalization processes in the county.

LATVIA

The High Commissioner has concentrated his efforts on stressingthe need to amend the Election Laws to remove linguistic require-ments for persons standing for a seat in parliament.

He remains engaged in a dialogue with all parties in Latvia onissues such as the slow pace of naturalization, the social integrationprocess and the ratification of the Council of Europe’s FrameworkConvention for the Protection of National Minorities.

EASTERN EUROPE

GEORGIA

In 2002, the High Commissioner visited Georgia twice (in Feb-ruary and November) in order to learn more about the situation in all parts of Georgia including South Ossetia,Abkhazia, PankisiValley, and Samtskhe-Javakheti.The HCNM paid particular atten-tion to the latter region, a part of Georgia mainly populated by ethnic Armenians and relatively isolated from the rest of the country.

Economic, communication and political links of this region withthe Georgian capital Tblisi are particularly weak. Primarily due topoor knowledge of the State language, the local population relieson the Russian military base in Akhalkalaki and the Armenianpress as their main sources of information regarding Georgianaffairs.The economy is directed towards Russia and Armenia andthe Russian Rouble is the main currency. Complicating the situa-tion is the prospective return of the Meskhetians, who were deported from the region in 1944.


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In order to support the integration of the region, raise public awareness about minority issues, and promote respect for minorityrights, the HCNM has implemented three ongoing projects inSamtskhe-Javakheti. One supported teaching of the State Languageto civil servants.Another project collected information on intereth-nic relations. Finally, a Development Support project served as avehicle for developing a package of project proposals to furthersupport the integration of Samtskhe-Javakheti into Georgia.

The HCNM also provided advice and technical assistance toGeorgia in the elaboration and implementation of legislativereforms. In particular, the HCNM Office provided severalcomments on the Draft Law on the State Language.

MOLDOVA

The High Commissioner visited Moldova for the second time inApril 2002 to address some of the language and education issueswhich have been a source of disagreement between the country’sMoldovan- (Romanian-) and Russian-speaking communities.

Throughout the year he continued to support a project, initiatedby the HCNM in 2000, to improve the teaching of the State language to children from minority communities. He also providedrecommendations to the Moldovan Government on languageissues and closely followed the debate about the status of theRussian language. In 2002 he commissioned a team of experts toreport on the contentious issue of history teaching and curriculumand made recommendations for possible steps to reduce tensionson this subject.With the UNHCR and the OSCE Mission, hemonitored the situation of schools in Transdniestria that are tryingto teach Romanian in the Latin script in the face of heavy resistance from the local authorities.

In April 2002 his office co-hosted a seminar on language and integration. He subsequently advised the Moldovan Governmentto consider implementing a social integration strategy.

ROMANIA

As with Slovakia, the High Commissioner’s involvement inRomania has centered on the views of the Romanian Governmentand Hungarian minority concerning the Act on Hungarians Livingin Neighbouring Countries. He also paid attention to issues ofRomanian-speakers and ethnic Romanians living in neighbouringcountries, for example by providing advice on a bilateral treaty onnational minorities, which has been adopted by Romania and theFederal Republic of Yugoslavia.

RUSSIAN FEDERATION

In October 2001, the High Commissioner visited Moscow formeetings with officials, parliamentarians and representatives ofnational minority groups and academics. In June 2002, he returnedto Moscow for discussions on a variety of topics, in particular theMeskhetian issue.

UKRAINE

The High Commissioner visited Kyiv in February for discussionswith the President and other high officials concerning a variety ofissues affecting relations with national minorities. In June, the HighCommissioner travelled to the country again to learn more aboutthe situation of different ethnic communities in the Republic ofCrimea, and in particular how the return of formerly deportedpeoples was affecting the area. Following meetings in Kyiv, he travelled to Simferopol for discussions with representatives of thelocal government and parliament and with representatives of national minority communities.

The High Commissioner initiated a project designed to providesupport for the Ombudsman to help to protect the rights of national minorities at a regional level in Ukraine.A series of training seminars on international standards in the area of the protection of the rights of persons belonging to national minoritieswas held, with the assistance of the Council of Europe, for the network of regional experts engaged in the project.The HighCommissioner also provided support for the publication of a commentary for government officials on the new Law onCitizenship and a brochure in Ukrainian and Russian languages to inform those seeking citizenship in Ukraine about proceduresand their rights.

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CENTRAL ASIA

KAZAKHSTAN

The High Commissioner undertook a visit to Kazakhstan in May.During the visit, he met a number of officials to discuss issues ofeducation, the media and legislation affecting national minoritiesand also the media.The High Commissioner has continued to support a project to monitor inter-ethnic relations in Kazakhstan.

KYRGYZSTAN

In December 2001, the High Commissioner met the President andother high officials following the Bishkek International Conference onEnhancing Security and Stability in Central Asia to learn more about arange of issues concerning the situation of national minorities. InOctober 2002, the High Commissioner visited Kyrgyzstan todiscuss inter-ethnic matters in light of political developments in thecountry. During this visit, he also travelled to Osh, in the south ofthe country, for discussions with local officials and minority re-presentatives. Meetings focused on educational and linguistic issues.

The High Commissioner continued to work with the Assembly ofthe People of Kyrgyzstan during the year. In September, the Officeof the High Commissioner, together with the Assembly, conducteda seminar entitled Legislation and the Protection of National Minorities:International Norms and Practice.The seminar was attended by a widevariety of officials, parliamentarians, minority representatives andrepresentatives of NGOs.

The High Commissioner also supported a project designed tomonitor inter-ethnic relations in the southern regions ofKyrgyzstan.The monitoring provided the Kyrgyz Government andthe OSCE with regular and detailed information and analysis ofinter-ethnic relations in the South.

The High Commissioner also continued his support for a projectto help to train government officials in the management of inter-ethnic relations and minority issues.This project is conducted withthe Academy of Management under the President of Kyrgyzstan.

TURKMENISTAN

In November, the High Commissioner made his first visit toTurkmenistan. During the visit, he had the opportunity to discuss avariety of issues affecting national minorities in the country. Healso met members of the international community working inAshgabad.

UZBEKISTAN

In October, as part of his intention to improve his engagementwith the Central Asian states, the High Commissioner travelled toUzbekistan for meetings with high officials about a range of minority issues. He also met representatives of minority communities in the Ferghana Valley.


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RFM

CONTEXT

Freedom of expression, encompassing freedom of the media, is one of the most basic of human rights.To ensure a high level ofcommitment with the norms and standards agreed by the OSCEparticipating States, the position of the OSCE Representative onFreedom of the Media (RFM) was established in December 1997.

Freimut Duve has been the Representative since the role began.

The aims of the RFMThe main function of the OSCE Representative on Freedom ofthe Media is to monitor relevant media developments in theOSCE participating States with a view to providing early warningon violations of freedom of expression.

The Representative’s second task is to assist participating States byadvocating and promoting full compliance with OSCE principlesand commitments regarding freedom of expression and free media.

Rapid responseThe Representative concentrates on rapid response to serious non-compliance with OSCE principles and commitments by participat-ing States. In case of serious problems caused – for instance, byobstruction of media activities and unfavourable working con-ditions for journalists – the Representative seeks direct contactswith the participating State and other parties involved, assesses thefacts and contributes towards the resolution of the issue.

Collecting information on media situationThe Representative collects and receives information on the situation of the media from all bona fide sources. Participating States and other interested parties (for example, organizations orinstitutions, media and their representatives, relevant NGOs) mayforward their requests, suggestions and comments related to strengthening and further developing compliance with OSCEprinciples and commitments, including alleged instances of intolerance by participating States (hate speech).

RestrictionsThe mandate underlines that the Representative will neither communicate with nor acknowledge communications from anyperson or organization that practises or publicly condones terrorism or violence.

Yearbook 2001/2002: Freedom and Responsibility

In June, the OSCE Representative on Freedom of the Media presented his fourth yearbook.The publication not only outlinedin detail the activities of the Representative and his Office but alsoprovided a forum for authors on such topics as the impact of theevents of 11 September on the media, young people in the Balkansand media in Central Asia and Belarus. The Yearbook also featuredan overview of country-related activities.

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Selected Country-Related Activities

BELARUS

In Belarus, in 2002, the authorities have continued to pressureindependent media, violating numerous commitments they hadsigned up to as an OSCE participating State.Among the cases raised by the OSCE Representative were the following:

The Editor-in-Chief of Pahonya newspaper, Nikolai Markevich,and journalist Pavel Mozheiko faced criminal charges of libelingthe president. In his comments at the OSCE Permanent Council,the Representative underlined that journalists, who practise in linewith international standards and conventions, should neither beprosecuted for what they write nor face prison. He also noted thatheads of state should not receive undue protection from mediareporting on their activities.

On 29 March, the Belarusian Ministry of Justice also issued a written warning to the Minsk daily Narodnaya Volya threatening itwith closure.

On 6 April, police arrested a dozen journalists who had demon-strated in Grodno against the closure of Pahonya and against thecriminal prosecution of their colleagues. Six of these journalistswere given sentences ranging from three to ten days in prison.

A Minsk-based independent newspaper, Myestnoye Vremya (The Local Times), was founded in October and was closed by theBelarusian Information Ministry on 27 November after publishingonly three issues.The reasons given for its closure concerned itsrental space – reasons which the Belarusian Association ofJournalists has said are legally groundless.

ITALY

Special attention should be paid to media freedom and theindependence of the media in the discussion on a EuropeanConstitution.This was stressed by the OSCE Representative in an appeal sent on 11 March 2002 to Valéry Giscard d’Estaing,Chairman of the Convention on the future of the European Union (EU).

The Representative has pointed out that in Italy, a founding memberof the EU, the present political leadership has not been following theconstitutional tradition of Europe. In particular, the Representativehas suggested that the pluralism of the broadcasting media is in jeopardy because of an ownership situation that has allowed the executive to control both public and private broadcasting media.

The Representative has appealed to members of the Conventionto ensure the binding force of the EU Charter of FundamentalRights. He is convinced that a strong Charter would be seen as acode of conduct by EU Member States and as an important signalto OSCE participating States, some of which have the executivestill controlling the media.

KAZAKHSTAN

In Kazakhstan, in early 2002, the newspapers Vremya Po,Respublika – Delovoye Obozreniye and Sol Dat could not find publishers willing to print them.A political talk show on Channel31 was taken off the air; another channel, Tan, had its licencesuspended in March.

In a letter to Foreign Minister Kasymzhomart Tokayev on 2 August2002, the Representative requested more information about thecase of the death of Leyla Bayseitova, daughter of Lira Bayseitova,who is editor of the newspaper Respublika-2000.

Procedural mistakes and contradictions had been alleged in thecase; the verdict had been suicide by hanging. Lira Bayseitova hadbeen investigating corruption allegations in Kazakhstan and hadbeen threatened in connection with her professional work.Reporters sans frontières has issued a substantive report on the case in August 2002.

MOLDOVA

In September 2002, the Office of the OSCE Representative onFreedom of the Media undertook an assessment visit to Moldova.Although this OSCE participating State still enjoyed relative freedom of expression, certain recent tendencies are cause for concern. One of the major issues was the newly adopted law ontransforming the state company Teleradio Moldova into a public broadcaster.

Both the Council of Europe and the Representative have beenconcerned that its provisions have left room for political influenceon the editorial policy of Teleradio Moldova. However, several parliamentarians have said they would look into changing the provisions regulating the appointment of the broadcaster’sAdministrative Council, a major concern of the OSCERepresentative on Freedom of the Media.

The Representative stresses the importance of the EU Charter of

Fundamental Rights. In Article 11, the Charter confirms each person’s right to

freedom of expression.

‘These cases present alarming signals about the state of the media inKazakhstan…(it puts) into question the chances for free media inKazakhstan.’Excerpt from a letter from the Representative on Freedom of the

Media to the Foreign Minister of Kazakhstan


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RUSSIAN FEDERATION

In January 2002, the Representative raised two cases in Russia.Grigory Pasko, a military journalist, was convicted in lateDecember 2001 of treason by a military court in Vladivostok and sentenced to four years in prison. He had been accused of providing a Japanese television company with footage of theRussian navy dumping nuclear waste into the Pacific Ocean.Pasko appealed his sentence.

In Belgorod in late December 2001, a local court sentenced Olga Kitova, a reporter for Belgorodskaya Pravda, to a suspendedsentence of 2.5 years for libel and for using force against govern-ment representatives. Kitova had been active in investigating corruption in her region. She also appealed and her sentence wasreduced by the Russian Supreme Court to two years.The OSCERepresentative underlined that her case could be described as awatershed; the results of this appeal might influence other journal-ists in Russia who have also been actively investigating corruption.

On 29 April 2002,Valeriy Ivanov, a leading journalist and editor ofTolyatinskoye Obozreniye, was killed in Togliatti.An unidentifiedassailant shot him in the head at point-blank range. On 3 May, theOSCE Representative on Freedom of the Media addressed theRussian Minister of Press,TV and Radio Broadcasting, MikhailLesin, noting that he was informed that this murder was allegedlyconnected to Mr. Ivanov’s professional activities, since his newspa-per had been known for its coverage of local organized crime, drugtrafficking and corruption.

In May 2002, in a letter to Carla Del Ponte, Chief Prosecutor ofthe International Criminal Tribunal for the former Yugoslavia (ICTY) inThe Hague, the Representative raised the cases of the murder ofRussian journalists Victor Nogin and Gennadii Kurennoi, who hadbeen killed in Croatia in September 1991. Both were reportingfrom an area where there was ongoing fighting between Croatianforces and Serb militia.The OSCE Representative noted:‘The circumstances of their deaths are still sketchy, but a number ofRussian journalists investigated the case and have come up with aplausible scenario of what had actually happened to Nogin andKurennoi. One of the individuals who can shed light on theirmurder is Milan Martic, currently in the custody of the ICTY.’

Martic had been indicted in 1995 for the Zagreb bombing.However, there have also been public allegations connecting Marticto the killings of Nogin and Kurennoi. ‘Without prejudicing thejudicial process, I would encourage Your Excellency to take a closerlook at these allegations,’ wrote the Representative. ‘I would suggest interviewing Russian journalist Vladimir Mukusev who has conducted his own investigation, and if you find the evidence convincing enough, indicting Martic for these murders.An indict-ment of an official by an international tribunal for the murder of ajournalist would be an important precedent especially with theestablishment of the International Criminal Court.’

UKRAINE

A Ukrainian journalist was found dead in November 2002; the circumstances surrounding this tragedy are still unclear.The OSCERepresentative has asked the authorities to provide his Office withadditional information regarding the recent discovery in Belarus ofthe body of Mikhailo Kolomiets, head of the Ukrainian news agency Ukrainski Novyny. Kolomiets had disappeared on 21October and his news agency had reported him missing on 28October. Ukrainian Interior Minister Yuri Smirnov announced thediscovery of Kolomiets’ body on 18 November in Belarus, hangingfrom a tree in a forest near the town of Molodeshno.The Representative has also continued to monitor the case ofGeorgiy Gongadze, who was murdered in 2000 and whose killersare still at large.

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‘A very well respected NGO, the Canadian Journalists for FreeExpression, had recently stated that Russia has become one of the world’smost dangerous countries for journalists.Although I may not necessarilyshare this sentiment, I do believe it is now up to the Russian authoritiesto prove otherwise.’Freimut Duve

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Special Projects of the OSCERepresentative on Freedom of the Media

PROTECTION OF JOURNALISTS IN CONFLICT ZONES

In the Russian Federation, in February 2002, a two-day workshopon Security of journalists working in war zones, was organized bythe Office of the Representative and the Centre for Journalism inExtreme Situations (CJES) of the Russian Union of Journalists atthe Moscow House of Journalists.The workshop’s focus was survival techniques in conflict areas.The activity was funded byvoluntary contributions from the United Kingdom and the United States.

A manual was produced for the seminar. Seventeen journalists from regional Russian media, including newspapers and TV stations working in southern Russia, the Volga region and the Urals took part in the workshop.All the participants had had experience working in Chechnya or Afghanistan, or had jobassignments as war reporters.

CENTRAL ASIA MEDIA CONFERENCES

On 10 and 11 December 2001, the Third Central Asian MediaConference was held in Almaty, Kazakhstan. It was organized bythe OSCE Representative on Freedom of the Media, and theOSCE Centre in Almaty in co-operation with the InternationalFoundation for Protection of Freedom of Expression, Adil Sot,and the Friedrich Ebert Foundation.

Two previous conferences had taken place earlier – in 1999 inBishkek, and in 2000 in Dushanbe.This time, more than 75 journalists, government officials, parliamentarians and NGO representatives from all five Central Asian States participated in the debate on media developments in the region, especially in light of the events of 11 September.

The OSCE Representative on Freedom of the Media also issueda written statement to the Bishkek International Conference onEnhancing Security and Stability in Central Asia, held on 13 and 14December 2001.

The sessions focused on problems journalists faced when trying touncover instances of corruption and what measures could be takento improve investigative reporting.The journalists adopted theTashkent Declaration on Freedom of the Media and Corruption.

The Office had issued media reports on the five Central AsianStates in September 2002. Many of the participants at the con-ference reiterated concerns raised in the reports.The reports havebeen published as a book in both Russian and English.All reportsprovide country-specific recommendations to the governments onwhat can be done to improve the situation.

The state of affairs in Turkmenistan is still the most alarming:one of practically total control has deteriorated even further.Subscriptions to foreign newspapers have not been delivered sincemid-July, cable transmissions have been shut down and a Russian-American journalist was arrested in November.

Overall, some positive developments have been noted recently in Central Asia.These include the dropping of criminal chargesagainst Tajik journalist Dododjon Atovulloev, the issuing of licensesto three independent radio stations in Dushanbe,Tajikistan, and thebanning of official censorship in Uzbekistan.

The Fourth Central Asian Media Conference was held on 26 and 27

September 2002 in Tashkent. The theme was corruption.

It brought together about a hundred journalists from the region. There was

frank discussion of grave problems in the media situation in Central Asia.

Journalists, officials and parliamentarians have adopted the Almaty

Declaration on Freedom of the Media in Times of Anti-Terrorist Conflict:

‘The governments of the Central Asian States should not take the newconflict situation as a justification for repressive steps against oppositionmedia. On the contrary, they should use it as a catalyst for further stepstoward creating a free media landscape in their societies.’

Russian journalists have agreed that the workshop, Security of journalists

working in war zones, was a success since its agenda embraced the full

scope of information and skills that journalists may need in conflict areas.

Outstanding war reporters and legal, medical and military experts took part

in the workshop.

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LEGAL SUPPORT TO PARTICIPATING STATES

Croatia An analysis of media legislation was commissioned to assist theCroatian authorities and media professionals in the process oftransforming broadcasting legislation.

The analysis recommended that a number of key amendments tothe laws be adopted in order to provide Croatian Television andRadio (HRT) with the legal basis to move successfully towards anindependent public broadcasting service.The Law Croatia adoptedin February 2001 was a step forward, but it crucially failed todetach HRT from the influence of the Government and the parliament of the day.

The development of a separate broadcasting law has beenencouraged.This would establish a fully-fledged, independent broadcasting regulatory body responsible for overseeing all broadcasting stations, including HRT.

UkraineThree legal reviews of media legislation have been carried out andforwarded to the authorities.As a follow-up to the analysis of thebroadcasting laws, the Office of the Representative conducted aseminar in Kiev in December 2001 with the Council of Europe.The seminar brought together international experts and relevantUkrainian partners from government and parliament to discuss theamendments recommended in the analysis, as well as ways to moveforward with changes in media legislation.

In September 2002, the Office of the Representative, with theCouncil of Europe, the Verhovna Rada (Ukrainian Parliament) and the Ministry of Foreign Affairs, conducted a seminar dealingwith the review of two media-related laws. However, the recommendations have still not been implemented.

Media legislation has also been reviewed in Armenia (draft law onmedia), Russia (amendments to the media law) and Tajikistan (allmedia legislation).The reviews of the draft media law inTransdniestrian region and the Moldovan draft law on broad-casting were finalized in December 2002.

TRAINING JOURNALISTS

In response to a request from the OSCE Office in Baku, theRepresentative organized a two-day seminar on Developing Freedomand Responsibility of Media in Azerbaijan. More than 30 young,working journalists took part.Two international journalists, fromFinland and the United Kingdom, led the seminar.

The seminar focused on the critical importance of free media ina democratic society and the need for a higher level of profes-sionalism and a sense of responsibility in Azerbaijani media.Seminar topics included developing standards of conduct, access to information and the upcoming generation of journalists.

On 13 February 2002, in St. Petersburg, Russia, a two-day seminaron Freedom and Responsibility in Russian Journalism was held underthe auspices of the Office of the Representative. It was funded bythe United Kingdom and organized by the St. Petersburg Union ofJournalists.Thirty-four journalists from several cities in the Russiannorthwest and from St. Petersburg, as well as eight, separately-financed young journalists from Baltic countries participated.Discussions were held on the new relationship between journalistsand media proprietors, the differences between journalism andpublic relations and the need for objectivity in Russian journalism.

MEDIA IN MULTI-LINGUAL SOCIETIES

The ongoing project on Freedom and Responsibility: Media in Multi-lingual Society, aims to overcome prejudices and intolerance in themedia against citizens who are members of minorities.The projectpoints out the constructive role media could and should play incombating discrimination, promoting tolerance and building stablepeace in multi-lingual societies.The project will investigate thepractical working environments of the media in some OSCE participating States: Luxembourg, Federal Republic of Yugoslavia(Southern Serbia), former Yugoslav Republic of Macedonia,Moldova and Switzerland.

At the end of the project, country reports will be produced.A concluding conference, to take place in Switzerland in March2003, will summarize the results and identify the need and desirefor more projects.

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The seminar concluded that only economic independence would guarantee

freedom of information and that the survival of journalism in small Russian

cities was especially problematic.

Asia-Plus, the first independent

radio in the Tajik capital,

Dushanbe, went on the air on 9

September 2002, with

support from the OSCE

Representative on Freedom

of the Media

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FREEDOM OF THE MEDIA AND THE INTERNET

On 30 November 2002, a workshop on Freedom of the Media andthe Internet was held in Vienna.The workshop featured six expertsfrom Europe and the United States.They discussed the possibilitiesand challenges posed by the new information and communicationtechnologies to freedom of expression and the media in the OSCEregion.The participants of the workshop included experts fromUNESCO, Council of Europe, online media, Internet service providers and specialized NGOs. Scholars and advisers from theOffice of the Representative also took part.

This workshop was a preparatory event for a conference onFreedom of the Media and the Internet that is intended to provide abroader context for a public debate on the challenges to freedomof expression and freedom of the media posed by the new infor-mation and communication technologies.The conference will beorganized by the Representative in Amsterdam, the Netherlands, insummer 2003.

MOBILE.CULTURE.CONTAINER

The mobile.culture.container is in its second year and has concentrated on developing youth newspapers. Initiated by theRepresentative in 2001, it also held discussions, workshops andevents about the future. It visited Mostar, Banja Luka (Bosnia andHerzegovina), Skopje and Bitola (former Yugoslav Republic ofMacedonia), Mitrovica (Kosovo, Serbia and Montenegro) and NoviPazar (Serbia).

In 2001, school newspapers were founded in Cacak, Gorazde andVisegrad. Newspapers were established in 2002 in Mostar, Stolac,Blagaj, Banja Luka, Jajce, Skopje and in Mitrovica. Participants in thevideo and radio workshops were also able to present their achieve-ments through public broadcasts on local radio and TV stations.

The experiences of the past two years have helped develop thecontinuation of this project for 2003. In the future, the mobile.culture.container will operate as a media container.The youthnewspaper network will be at the centre of its activities.

BROCHURE ON OSCE COMMITMENTS

In January 2002, the OSCE Representative on Freedom of theMedia published a brochure entitled Freedom of Expression, FreeFlow of Information, Freedom of Media. CSCE/OSCE Main provisions 1975-2001.The booklet outlines all the organization’scommitments in the mentioned fields, from the Helsinki Final Actto the OSCE Istanbul Summit. It is published in both Russian andEnglish and is being distributed to OSCE field missions.Additionalcopies can be requested from the Representative’s Office.

The mobile.culture.container visit to Mitrovica in Kosovo was of special

importance. During its five weeks, the project brought together young

Albanians and Serbs from both parts of the city.

The 20 participants in the workshop broadcast in Kosovo their own bilingual

programme (in Albanian and Serbian) for four hours daily, six days a week.

Youth in Mostar, Bosnia and

Herzegovina, participate to a

video workshop in the framework

of the mobile.culture.container

2002 tour.

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In its ten years of existence, the OSCE Parliamentary Assembly has been an impressive example of how impetus and support can be given to the work of the Organization.

German Foreign Minister, Joschka Fischer, at the 11th Annual

Session of the OSCE’s Parliamentary Assembly, July 2002

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CONTEXT

The Parliamentary Assembly of the Organization for Security andCo-operation in Europe – created as part of the ‘institutionalization’of the Conference for Security and Co-operation in Europe at the1990 Paris Summit – occupies a unique place in the structure ofthe Organization.

As specified in the Rules of Procedure of the Assembly, its primary task is to support the strengthening and consolidation of demo-cratic institutions in the OSCE’s participating States, to developand promote mechanisms for the prevention and resolution ofconflicts, and to contribute to the development of the institutionalstructures of the OSCE and of relations and co-operation betweenexisting OSCE Institutions.

A dialogue aimed at further strengthening ties and co-operationbetween the inter-governmental and parliamentary OSCE branch-es has been positive and productive.The President of the OSCEParliamentary Assembly has continued to participate regularly atthe political level in the OSCE, including Ministerial Troika meeti-ngs and the Ministerial Council.The Secretary General of theOSCE Parliamentary Assembly and the staff of the Assembly’sInternational Secretariat, located in Copenhagen, work closely with the OSCE Secretariat and with the other OSCE Institutions.

The OSCE Parliamentary Assembly has a unique structure.ThePresident of the Assembly is elected each year, by majority vote ofthe Assembly, to provide political leadership, chair meetings and actas the high representative of the Assembly. The President is assistedby nine elected Vice-Presidents and an elected Treasurer.

Ministerial Council Meeting, Porto, December 2002

The President calls for reform of mechanismsIn his address to the Tenth Ministerial Council, the President of theOSCE Parliamentary Assembly, Bruce George, emphasized the read-iness of the PA to be supportive of OSCE activities. PA PresidentGeorge regretted that very few citizens and political officials knewabout the OSCE. He emphasized the need to enhance the OSCE’svisibility, calling for the establishment of OSCE information officesin all OSCE participating States similar to those the EU has established in its member and applicant countries.These wouldhave the dual objective of increasing the visibility of the OSCEand reducing the apparent ‘stigma’ of some participating States thathost OSCE offices or missions.

Speaking on the role of the OSCE in the new European securityarchitecture, Bruce George stressed that the OSCE must continueto reform and adapt its mechanisms and procedures with a view toupholding its efficiency and credibility. In connection with thereform process, he stressed that while the requirement for con-sensus had its strengths in reinforcing the sense of an OSCE com-munity, it also had costly side effects. PA President, George said:‘Consensus has its price. If that price is the absence of taking theright and necessary decisions or to postpone or dilute the rightdecisions, one may wonder if the price to be paid is too high.’

Annual Session, Berlin, July 2002

Addressing terrorism: a global challenge At its Eleventh Annual Session, the Assembly focused onConfronting Terrorism: a Global Challenge in the 21st Century. Morethan 300 parliamentarians adopted the Berlin Declaration, covering a wide range of political, economic and human rights issues, as well as resolutions on specific topics such as Combating Trafficking inHuman Beings,Anti-Semitic Violence in the OSCE Region and theProhibition of Anti-Personnel Mines.

In keeping with established practice, the OSCE Chairman-in-Office, along with the OSCE Secretary General and the Heads of OSCE Institutions, addressed the Annual Session in Berlin andanswered questions from the floor. Bruce George, MP (UnitedKingdom) was elected President of the OSCE ParliamentaryAssembly.The Assembly also elected three Vice-Presidents:Barbara Haering (Switzerland); Ihor Ostash, MP (Ukraine) andGert Weisskirchen, MP (Germany).The three General Committees– on Political and Security Affairs, Economic and EnvironmentalAffairs and Human Rights – also elected their officers for thecoming year.

Winter Meeting, Vienna, February 2002

Closer interaction between governmental and parliamentary dimensions

The objectives of the OSCE Parliamentary Assembly WinterMeeting are to follow up on the previous year’s Declaration,prepare for the upcoming Annual Session and hear reports fromleading OSCE officials, providing a unique opportunity to debateOSCE issues and priorities.

Discussions at the first Winter Meeting in February 2002 focusedon the global fight against terrorism and closer interaction betweenthe governmental and parliamentary dimensions of the OSCE.The three General Committees were briefed on current OSCEdevelopments.

Parliamentary Assembly

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Election Observation

The Parliamentary Assembly has continued to make important contributions to the OSCE election observation efforts by provid-ing the expertise parliamentarians have acquired as elected officials.

Effective collaboration between institutionsThe Agreement between the Parliamentary Assembly and the OSCEOffice for Democratic Institutions and Human Rights (ODIHR) hasbeen designed to enhance the working relationship between thesetwo important OSCE Institutions. Under this agreement, seniormembers of parliament are appointed to lead election monitoringoperations and to present the conclusions of the OSCE observers.

Monitoring activitiesSince November 2001, the Assembly has carried out electionmonitoring missions in Kosovo (over 50 parliamentarian ob-servers), Ukraine (over 50 parliamentary observers), former YugoslavRepublic of Macedonia (over 40 parliamentary observers), andBosnia and Herzegovina (over 25 parliamentary observers).

Parliamentary Field Visits

The OSCE Parliamentary Assembly has organized regular par-liamentary visits to OSCE field offices and missions to enable par-liamentarians to observe the activities of the OSCE in the field andto support the important work of the Missions. So far visits havebeen organized to the OSCE field presences in Latvia, Estonia,Ukraine, Uzbekistan,Armenia, Georgia,Azerbaijan and Kyrgyzstan.

Ad Hoc Committees

During the past year, five OSCE PA Ad Hoc Committees contin-ued to make a positive contribution to the work of the OSCE.

Initiatives for Transparency and Accountability The Ad Hoc Committee on Transparency and Accountability in the OSCE organized a retreat in Salzburg for members of the leadership of the OSCE Parliamentary Assembly and members ofthe OSCE Permanent Council. During the retreat, future co-ordi-nation and co-operation between the two OSCE dimensions wasdiscussed.As a direct result of the Ad Hoc Committee’s initiatives,the OSCE Secretary General briefed parliamentarians for the firsttime on the proposed OSCE budget for the following year, at theStanding Committee meeting in October.The President formed aninformal consultative group that presented its comments on theOSCE draft budget to the governmental side of the OSCE.

Facilitating dialogue in BelarusDuring the past year, the Ad Hoc Working Group on Belaruscontinued to pursue its aim of facilitating dialogue between theGovernment and the opposition in Belarus through three visits to Minsk.

Resolving the status of TransdniestriaIn pursuit of its particular priority, a Parliamentary Team visitedMoldova twice to continue contacts and dialogue with parliamen-tarians, political leaders and authorities in Chisinau and Tiraspol.

Assessing democratization in KosovoThe Ad Hoc Committee on Kosovo visited the area in May andDecember 2002 to assess progress made in the fields of democrati-zation and institution-building and to consider the possibility offurther OSCE PA involvement in parliamentary capacity-building.

Meetings, Conferences & Seminars

Seminar with the OSCE Conflict Prevention CentreThe topic of a seminar held in Belgrade was Democratic Control of Armed Forces and the Code of Conduct on Politico-Military Aspects of Security. It aimed to promote awareness of the parliamentary responsibilities outlined in the Code of Conduct on Politico-Military Aspects of Security and to foster dialogue between parliamentarians involved in oversight of the armed forces and senior military personnel.

Standing Committee Meeting and Conference on the Mediterranean

More than 200 parliamentarians from 45 OSCE participatingStates participated in the Conference in Madrid in October.It focused on ensuring peace, democracy and prosperity in theMediterranean region. Current challenges to Mediterranean security and international initiatives on the Mediterranean werediscussed, including managing migration flows and democraticdevelopment.

Other Activities

Parliamentary Assembly meetingsSince 1 November 2001, regular meetings of the leadership of the Parliamentary Assembly have taken place in Vienna (StandingCommittee), Copenhagen (Expanded Bureau), Berlin (Bureau,Standing Committee,Annual Session), Madrid (StandingCommittee) and Porto (Bureau).

Journalism AwardsAt its Annual Session, held in Berlin, the Parliamentary Assemblyawarded the Seventh OSCE Prize for Journalism and Democracy to Journalists Friedrich Orter (Austria) and Pavel Sheremet(Belarus). Mr. Orter was commended for promoting OSCEPrinciples on human rights and democracy through his compre-hensive and impartial reporting in the Balkans and more recentlyin Afghanistan. Mr. Sheremet was praised for demonstrating ad-mirable courage in his independent and reliable reporting on thelack of free expression in Belarus and on violations of humanrights, including disappearances of opposition politicians and journalists.

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THE WORK OF THE SECRETARIAT

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This has been a year of real change andreform for the OSCE.

A key focus has been the process of en-hancing the effectiveness and efficiency ofthe political and administrative manage-ment of the Organization, involving theparticipating States, the Chairmanship, aswell as the Secretariat, OSCE Institutionsand field operations and activities.The guiding principle is to consolidate theOrganization and enable it to respondmore quickly and efficiently to modernand changing security threats and challeng-es and to any tasks entrusted to the OSCEby its political decision-making bodies.

Improving the OSCE’s managementThe OSCE has taken major strides instrengthening its operational and man-agerial capacity.After the administrative andmanagement difficulties encountered a fewyears ago – primarily as a result of theexponential increase of the OSCE’s fieldoperations in a short period without theunderpinning strengthening of OSCEmanagerial structures and procedures – theOrganization has now engaged in addres-sing most of these problems in earnest.Thefact that the Swedish external auditors havegiven the organization a clean bill of healthfor a second year can serve as proof of thisimprovement.

But it doesn’t stop there.With the partici-pating States, the Secretariat is now in theprocess of developing a new managementconcept for the Organization.Through thisOSCE Management Agenda, responsibilities,authorities and accountabilities within theOSCE are clarified – a prerequisite for streamlining work and business processes.

As part of this, an Integrated ResourceManagement system, known as IRMA,will be implemented. It will increase theOrganization’s capability to manage humanand material resources in order to applythem rapidly where and when needed, asdecided by the participating States, whilemaintaining the highest international administrative and managerial standards.In-house communications and documentmanagement are being streamlined in orderto make accumulated knowledge and experience available to participating States,as well as to safeguard coherence and con-tinuity of the OSCE’s activities and action.

>>

The Secretariat: A Year of Change & Reform

IRMA: Changing the way the OSCE does business IRMA – Integrated Resource Management – is being developed as an

organization-wide system for the efficient, effective and transparent manage-

ment of the OSCE’s resources. It will ensure that operational objectives are

explicitly linked to the budget process and will administer the human,

financial and material resources that are assigned to these programmes.

The OSCE is often called upon to react swiftly to new political develop-

ments and to accomplish tasks at short notice. During 2001-02 it responded

to tasks such as organizing municipal elections in Kosovo (the Federal

Republic of Yugoslavia), implementing border controls in the Caucasus

and establishing multi-ethnic policing in the former Yugoslav Republic

of Macedonia. Much of the success of these operations was dependent on

the ability and capacity of the OSCE to launch them within days of being

approved by the Permanent Council.

To ensure that the OSCE can respond quickly requires

two key inputs:

• a clearly defined operational task and its associated outcomes

• the often overlooked, but no less essential, structure of common

operational, managerial and administrative systems and standards.

It is this structure that will underpin the delivery of the political objectives

and provide the embodiment of the organization’s strength and experience

in a single model of best practice.

Bold steps have been taken and progress has

been achieved – under the responsibility of the

Secretary General – in the following areas:

• The improvement of the Organization’s

management

• The building-up substantive capacities

• The strengthening of co-operation and

co-ordination with our partners.

Revised OSCE Unified Budget for the year 2002

Revised Budget in EE

Large Missions and Projects 96.688.100 55,3% (BiH, Kosovo & Skopje)

Other Missions and Field Operations 44.631.000 25,5%

General Fund (Secretariat) 20.318.800 11,6%

ODIHR 8.533.900 4,9%

HCNM 2.118.900 1,2%

Minsk Conference 1.614.800 0,9%

RFM 706.400 0,4%

Action against Terrorism Fund 337.200 0,2%

TOTAL EE 174.949.100

90

Decisions and steps taken by the participat-ing States and by the Secretary General arestrengthening the OSCE as an organizationin dealing with the complex and compre-hensive security challenges of the worldtoday and tomorrow. In this spirit, theimportant decisions the Permanent Councilhas taken in approving IRMA and provid-ing a new vision for the improved budget-ary management – a key tool for thisOrganization – have been well received.The 2003 Programme Overview discussion has provided a sharper, realistic and forward-looking assessment of how the OSCE,including its Institutions and Missions,intend to implement their mandates.

Proposals have also been made for furtherstrengthening of Internal Oversight inthe areas of investigations and evaluations.During 2002 an external validation con-firmed that good progress had been madein establishing a sound base for this im-portant function.This external review alsoconfirmed that the medium term plan forthe period 2003-2005 was well conceived.

The Management Agenda and the continuedmigration towards improved programmebudgeting and greater delegation dictatethe need to improve evaluation and monitoring at all levels of managementthroughout the OSCE.

The REACT/Mission StaffingInformation System, initiated in April2001, is operational and continues to pro-vide the Organization with the means torapidly deploy civilian and police expertisefor any new activities that might be estab-lished in the future. In addition, it serves asthe mechanism to fill regularly occurringvacancies in existing field missions. Forexample, the Strategic Police Matters Unit,in collaboration with the Department ofHuman Resources, has formulated the skillsprofiles of policing experts required forshort-term critical evaluation, which havebeen circulated to participating States viathe REACT system. By the end of thisreporting period, forty-one participatingStates had developed systems and proceduresto support the REACT programme.

Eight developed national web sites fordirect contact with candidates, thirty-oneare receiving applications via the OSCEweb site and two provided contact detailsfor display on the web site. Of the fourteenremaining participating States, ten arecountries that do not traditionally proposecandidates for secondment.

Within the context of reform of the OSCE and the ongoing efforts to improvethe quality of mandate and programme delivery, it is essential that the performanceof all staff, whether seconded or contracted,in Missions or in the Secretariat andInstitutions, be evaluated so that the neces-sary performance feedback can be providedto the staff, management and participatingStates.The Secretariat has developed a performance evaluation system that willapply to all staff and mission members, andit is envisaged that this will be introducedOSCE-wide in January 2003.

IRMA will provide the common managerial and administrative component

of the OSCE structure. It is a management tool that will enable the

Organization’s managers, whether in the Secretariat, the Institutions or

field operations, to do their job better and faster. It will support them as

they start up a new programme or field operation, conduct the day-to-day

business of managing and provide the means of relevant information. To

open up this management tool, all that will be needed is a dedicated laptop

computer – that is, the Yellow Laptop – and a telephone line.

Once a new programme is decided upon, the programme manager simply

needs to have access to a Yellow Laptop. With this tool, work can begin

right away in any location, such as in a field office or in a hotel room.

Programme managers, the Secretariat and participating States will have,

at their finger tips, information on all aspects of resource usage.

Through the centrally managed approval of programme budgets and the

issuance of expenditure authorizations, IRMA will grant programme

managers the flexibility to implement their budgets while ensuring strict

budgetary discipline.

IRMA is imbedded into a larger management reform – the OSCE Management

Agenda. For IRMA to work successfully, three aspects of the Management

Agenda are of utmost importance:

• IRMA is based on a system of clearly assigned individual

responsibilities, authorities and accountabilities

• Key work processes will be made shorter and easier

• The OSCE will streamline the managerial and administrative

support that programme managers need.

With the help of IRMA and the Yellow Laptop, the OSCE will be able to

conduct its business much more effectively, efficiently and transparently.

The costs for managerial and administrative support will decrease while the

management of OSCE’s human, financial and material resources will increase

in quality and speed. This will give programme managers the managerial

flexibility they need to have to support their operational objectives.

IRMA will give programme managers the time needed to concentrate on what

really matters: accomplishing the task entrusted to them by the Permanent

Council.

The Yellow Laptop: doing the job better and faster

THE SECRETARIAT

91

It is a firm conviction of the SecretaryGeneral that the efficient functioning ofthe entire Organization relies much uponits ability to master properly and in a timelymanner the resources and potential of all itsintegral parts and transform their activitiesinto focused and coherent action. In thisregard, the achievement of better inter-action and synergy between the Chairman-ship-in-Office, the Secretariat and otherOSCE bodies, including the ParliamentaryAssembly, is paramount.The 2002 start ofwork of the Special Representative of theOSCE Parliamentary Assembly in Viennawas an important step.The Secretariat isready to increase its contribution to the efforts of the Chairmanship-in-Office toimprove management of the Organization’scurrent business, including improvement ofthe co-ordination between different partsof the Organization.

Numerous proposals to this end have beenmade by several delegations throughout theperiod under review.

Building up substantive capacitiesThe evolving international environmentrequires not only an improvement in themanagement of the OSCE, but also thestrengthening of some of the Organization’sexisting capacities and capabilities and thebuilding up of new ones.

The OSCE’s capacity in policing and police reform and training comes first inthis regard. Following the respectiveBucharest Ministerial Council decision, thiswas significantly strengthened in 2002.

The Strategic Police Matters Unit(SMPU) led by the Senior Police Adviserand created in the Secretariat earlier thisyear, has for the first time in the life of theOSCE provided a specialized centre ofexpertise and a focal point for the co-or-dination and organization of the OSCE’spolicing activities. It has from the verybeginning been engaged in practical dailywork and the first concrete results are already visible.

One example is the assessment missions toa number of countries in Central Asia andthe Caucasus at their request, resulting,inter alia, in the launching of a pilot projectin Kyrgyzstan; another is the internal meet-ing of OSCE police and law enforcementexperts which took place in Vienna inOctober, as well as efforts to strengthen tiesand co-operation with other national andinternational structures.

>>

The OSCE has strengthened its police-related activities to improve the pro-

tection of participating States against the emerging new risks and chal-

lenges posed by trans-national and organized crime, drug and other forms

of trafficking, failure to uphold the rule of law and human rights violations.

The Organization now has police advisers and police assistance programme

in several of its Missions and frequently responds to requests from partici-

pating States for specific expert advice on policing and police-related activi-

ties. Outlines of police-related activities within Missions can be found in the

Activities in the Field section of this report.

The enlargement of the OSCE’s police-related tasks in the Balkans, the

development of comprehensive programmes of police-related assistance in

the States of Central Asia and the Caucasus and the Unit’s proposed mode

of operation now offer potential for systematic improvement in policing

methods both within and between participating States, with substantial

benefits for collaboration with other international organizations concerned

with police-related matters.

Highlights of the SPMU’s ActivitiesThe SPMU has a self-imposed obligation to formulate generalized policies

and procedures that will progressively build confidence in the OSCE’s

competence to strengthen security amongst its participating States.

The decision to place tangible policing resources in the OSCE Secretariat, in

order to increase or promote co-operation among participating States, has

coincided with its fresh focus on the security situations confronting the

countries of Central Asia and the Caucasus. At the invitation of the govern-

ments of Azerbaijan, Kazakhstan, Kyrgyzstan, Tajikistan and Uzbekistan, the

Unit has undertaken preliminary assessment visits with ministers, senior law

enforcement officials and other national and international figures. The

resulting information has provided a basis for enabling specific police

partnerships in each country.

The SPMU formulated its first concept of operations for a Programme of

Police Assistance to Kyrgyzstan, the assessment phase of which began in

October. The programme will modernize the major elements of territorial

policing in specific locations and will lay the basis for wider implementation

of improvements throughout the Kyrgyz police service. Similar concepts for

Azerbaijan, Kazakhstan, Tajikistan and Uzbekistan are being developed.

An assessment of critical expert needs for Tajikistan’s border policing issues

began in October 2002. This concept is also capable of being developed

into a comprehensive model for implementation in collaboration with

experts from countries and organizations already active in the country.

It has become clear in the short time since the SPMU has been in existence

that there is a widespread wish among the OSCE participating States to

modernize their police services and that the SPMU can play a key role in

providing advice and support.

Strategic Police Matters Unit (SPMU)

92

A comprehensive report on the StrategicPolice Matters Unit documents this and provides a good overview of the work andachievements of the OSCE in this area.TheOSCE’s expertise and authority in the areaof policing are widely recognized. In 2003,the OSCE is to hold its first annual meet-ing of police experts from the participatingStates and representatives of other relevantspecialized international and regional organizations and initiatives.

The ability to efficiently deal with prevent-ing and combating terrorism is anothercritical capacity that has been built upduring the reporting period.

The Action against Terrorism Unit(ATU), established within the Secretariat in line with the Bucharest decisions, hasbecome a functional and active structure.As a focal point for co-ordination and liaison, the ATU is facilitating OSCEaction against terrorism. It liaises onrelevant issues with international partners,first and foremost with the UN CounterTerrorism Committee and theUN/ODCCP in Vienna.

The goal is to develop a comprehensivechecklist and an overview of measurestaken by international, regional and sub-regional organizations within the OSCEarea to implement UN and OSCE commitments.

In close consultation with the UN-CTC,this would facilitate co-ordinating a responseto requests from our participating States fortechnical assistance.

A comprehensive and detailed Report onActions of OSCE Bodies and Institutions to Prevent and Combat Terrorism, includingImplementation of the Bucharest Plan of Actionfor Combating Terrorism and the BishkekProgramme of Action has been compiled anddistributed to the participating states andpartner organizations.

Both in the areas of policing and preven-ting and combating terrorism, the OSCEstrives to be pragmatic and implement con-crete programs and projects at the requestof, and in co-ordination with, the partici-pating States and aims to bring concreteresults. For that, funding is needed.A list ofrelevant OSCE projects, many of whichhave been initiated by participating States,is in the OSCE Project Database on theOSCE’s public website.

The fight against trafficking in humanbeings is another area of increased atten-tion.The OSCE takes a multidisciplinaryapproach to this complex problem anddevelops anti-trafficking activities in variousareas, with the Secretariat playing its part.It has also strengthened contacts with otherinternational organizations on activities in the area of trafficking in humanbeings to streamline the internationalresponse to this repulsive crime, for example with the Anti-Trafficking TaskForce of The Stability Pact for SouthEastern Europe.

The Action against Terrorism UnitEstablished this year, the Action against Terrorism Unit (ATU) serves

a permanent co-ordinating role in the overall efforts of the

OSCE in preventing and combating terrorism.

Highlights of activities include:

• Supporting the Participating States, Chairmanship, Representative

of the Chairman-in-Office and Secretary General in activities geared

towards preventing and combating terrorism

• The compilation of a comprehensive overview of OSCE activities

in this area: Report on Actions of OSCE Bodies and Institutions to

Prevent and Combat Terrorism, including Implementation of the

Bucharest Plan of Action for Combating Terrorism and the Bishkek

Programme of Action

• Effectively presenting all anti-terrorism project proposals to

OSCE delegations to enable participating States to offer assistance

more easily

• Assisting the initiation of a joint framework, with ODIHR and UNODC,

for the creation of national anti-terrorism legislation in

participating states

• Development and drafting of relevant guidance for the OSCE

field operations

• Regular overviews of the ratification status of the 12

UN Conventions and Protocols by the OSCE participating States.

This is important in reflecting the commitment pledged at the Ninth

Meeting of the Ministerial Council in Bucharest 2001

• Establishment and maintenance of working-level ties with the

UNCTC and other relevant International Organizations.

The Senior Adviser on Gender IssuesProviding equal opportunities for women and men in the Organization and

integrating gender equality into policies and practices are core tasks of the

Secretariat. The Senior Adviser on Gender Issues has continued to monitor

the situation of women within the Organization.

Women’s representation in professional contracted posts increased by 0.9%

to 29.9% in 2002, but the percentage of female mission members fell by

three percent to 25%. The relatively low number of women seems to be a

direct result of the low number of female applicants and nominations.

The Gender Adviser briefs newly recruited mission members in induction

courses about the importance of the highest standards of personal and pro-

fessional conduct. Their conduct, both on and off duty, must be in line with

the goals of the OSCE and its democratic values, including equality and rule

of law. Mission members learn about the problem of trafficking in human

beings and the link between trafficking and the presence of large

international missions in the field.

The Adviser participated regularly in meetings of the Informal Group on

Gender Equality and Anti-Trafficking and informed delegations about the

latest developments regarding equality issues and the implementation of PC

Decision No. 426 on Trafficking in Human Beings, which calls for the devel-

opment of common standards among international organizations. Training

on gender issues and trafficking in human beings was further developed.

THE SECRETARIAT

93

In 2002, the OSCE’s work on the economic and environmental dimension of security received more attention fromthe participating States. In his turn, the new Co-ordinator of OSCE Economic and Environmental Activities has been supporting the participating States and the Chairmanship in a number of ways.

These include preparing the EconomicForum and working for its follow-up activities, providing input to the work ofthe Economic Subcommittee of thePermanent Council.

The Co-orinator has also helped launch newinitiatives, such as a workshop on combatingmoney laundering and financing terrorism oridentifying environmental threats in south-eastern Europe and Central Asia.

>>

The work of the OCEEA became increasingly operational in 2002 and was

characterized by a number of important developments. The creation of the

Economic and Environmental Subcommittee of the Permanent Council at

the Ninth Ministerial Council in Bucharest in December 2001 was a milestone

for the economic and environmental dimension and provided a new and

important tool. The fact that participating States also agreed to a substantive

staffing increase within OCEEA clearly illustrates the political will to rebalance

the three dimensions and will allow the economic and environmental aspects

to fully support the organization’s comprehensive approach to security.

Environmental Activities

In 2002, two seminars in Zamora, Spain, and Baku, Azerbaijan, focused on

the preparatory process of the 10th Economic Forum entitled Co-operation

for the Sustainable Use and the Protection of Quality of Water in the Context

of the OSCE, held in Prague, Czech Republic, in May 2002. Several follow-up

activities as well as a number of other environmental projects, partially in

co-operation with field offices, were launched. These include:

• In co-operation with the UN Economic Commission for Europe in

Kyrgyzstan and Kazakhstan: providing assistance in setting up an

interstate water commission on the Chu and Talas rivers

• In co-operation with NATO in the South Caucasus: managing the South

Caucasus River Monitoring project with Armenia, Azerbaijan and Georgia

• In Eastern Europe: facilitating the discussion on the current legal status of

relationships between Moldova and Ukraine on transboundary water issues.

The OCEEA supported the final elaboration, signing and ratification of the

Dniestr Convention

• In south-eastern Europe, in support of The Stability Pact: initiating a process

that culminated in establishing an interstate water commission on the Sava

River between Slovenia, Croatia, Bosnia and Herzegovina and the Federal

Republic of Yugoslavia (now Serbia and Montenegro)

• With the UN Environment Programme and the UN Development Programme:

launching a joint partnership initiative on Environment and Security in

Southeast Europe and Central Asia. The implementation of the first phase

will be presented at the Environment for Europe Ministerial Meeting in Kiev,

Ukraine, in May 2003.

Economic Activities

A seminar on The Socio-Economic Impact of Disarmament was held in Paris,

France, in March, and a follow-up Seminar to the Ninth OSCE Economic

Forum on Co-ordinating Regional Efforts to Increase Transparency and

Facilitate Business was organized in Bucharest, Romania, in July.

Following a special session at the Economic Forum, two National Workshops

on Combating Money Laundering and Suppressing Financing of Terrorism

were held in Bishkek, Kyrgystan, and Astana, Kazakhstan. Further workshops

in other countries will be held in 2003.

A study visit was organized for senior officials and experts from border

regions of Central Asia to various bodies and joint projects in the three-

country region of Germany-France-Switzerland.

The OCEEA organized a working-party meeting to support the GUUAM

countries in implementing the Free Trade Agreement signed in July 2002 by

the Heads of States of Georgia, Ukraine, Moldova and Azerbaijan.

The first seminar preparatory to the 11th Economic Forum, Trafficking in

Human Beings, Drugs, Small Arms and Light Weapons: National and

International Economic Impact, took place in Sofia, Bulgaria in

November 2002.

The OCEEA has identified the YES (Youth Entrepreneurship Seminars)

Programme, developed and implemented by the OSCE Mission to Bosnia

and Herzegovina, as a successful and valuable programme of best practices

worthy of replicating in other mission areas. The one-day training on market

principles and the fundamentals of starting one’s own business is seen as a

means to develop human resources and to keep the younger generation

(15 – 25 years of age) in countries with economies in transition from leaving.

The programme is being adapted for the Central Asian republics and the

Caucasus, to be implemented by the OSCE Centres in co-operation with

local partners.

Further details of the activities of the OCEEA within the Missions can be

found in the Activities in the Field section.

Office of the Co-ordinator of OSCE Economic and Environmental Activities (OCEEA)

94

Conflict Prevention Centre (CPC): supporting overall

implementation of OSCE tasks in the fields of early warning, conflict

prevention, crisis management and post-conflict rehabilitation.

This year the CPC focused on providing direct substantive support to the

Secretary General, the OSCE Chairmanship and on its mission-related tasks.

This included the building-up and winding-down of existing field activities, spe-

cifically in the former Yugoslav Republic of Macedonia, Georgia and Chechnya.

The department also continued to provide active staff support to OSCE nego-

tiating and decision-making bodies. OSCE project activities, largely funded

by extra-budgetary contributions, became a growing issue for CPC in 2002.

Its Mission Programme Section (MPS) played an active role in setting up and

launching the Organization-wide OSCE Projects Database.

A new Director, Ambassador Lamberto Zannier of Italy, was appointed to head

CPC and the Centre took on additional staff to meet its increasing workload.

Mission Programme Section (MPS): the primary point of

co-ordination in the OSCE Secretariat of all OSCE mission activities

A greater coherence between the budget process and implementation of

mission priorities was achieved this year. The MPS contributed frequently

with expert advice and technical assistance in support of the process of

political consultations. It also lent its expertise to enhance the newly-estab-

lished budget procedures, guiding missions during the preparation of the

Programme Outlines and through subsequent phases of the budget process.

The Mission Programme Officers (MPOs) frequently visited their respective

mission areas. They provide guidance on Ministerial or Permanent Council

decisions, convey key messages from the Chair and Secretary General and

assist on specific issues and mission priorities.

The MPOs lead Secretariat Task Forces including on south-eastern Europe

(SEE), Central Asia and the Caucasus. These have actively sought effective

resolutions to ongoing issues within mission areas. Task Force meetings have

been vital in harmonizing various inputs from the OSCE bodies, translating

them into unified policies and, ultimately, ensuring coherent application.

MPS also organized, participated in or provided key input for various high-level

meetings and consultations within the OSCE and with international partners.

During 2002 the MPS became even more actively involved in project manage-

ment issues, not only with the establishment of the OSCE Projects Database

but also regarding the transfer of more OSCE resources for projects in

Central Asia and the Caucasus.

Field Security of Mission Staff: a continuing management priority

As a new initiative, Field Security became a sub-programme within CPC

under the direction of the Senior Security Co-ordinator. In addition to the

expert work already underway in south-eastern Europe, full-time Mission

Security Officer posts were filled in Tajikistan and Georgia. This now ensures

that there is at least one full-time Security Officer in each of the main

geographic regions where the OSCE has field activities.

Operation Centre: pursuing key tasks and continuing overall

support to the Conflict Prevention Centre and the Secretariat

The Operation Centre continued to fulfil its role, as envisioned by the Charter

for European Security. It gave both the Secretariat and the Conflict

Prevention Centre the additional capacity they need to tackle more efficiently

the profusion of tasks.

Highlights this year included visits by the Head of the Operation Centre

leading OSCE delegations and experts to:

• Georgia: to assess the possibilities of geographical expansion of the current

border monitoring operation to the Dagestan segment of the

Georgian/Russian Federation border

• The border between Moldova and Ukraine: to assess the level of

co-operation of border and customs controls

• The OSCE Missions in the Former Yugoslav Republic of Macedonia and

Kosovo: to gain first hand information for a study on lessons learnt and

best practices following several enhancements to the Spillover Mission to

Skopje during 2001. Subsequent material has resulted in significant

initiatives being put in place which further streamline mission procedures.

As part of the Centre’s role of supporting Missions, the Head of the Operation

Centre stood in as Deputy Head of the Spillover Mission to Skopje, during a

six-week gap between outgoing and incoming incumbents for the post.

Important developments in liaison were driven forward during the reporting

period. The Operation Centre Liaison Officer visited UNDPKO in March in

order to establish first operational contacts with respective Heads of Sections

and Units. In May the Head of the Centre and the Liaison Officer participated

as observers in the first EU exercise, CME 02. More generally a number of

visits were made during the year to NATO and European Union interlocutors.

Regular staff-level meetings organized and co-ordinated by the Operation

Centre took place in both Vienna and Brussels. In addition, there was

participation in a number of other conferences and symposia dealing with

operational liaison issues.

For 2003 it is foreseen that the role of the Operation Centre will continue to

diversify, with significant additional responsibilities being assumed in the

fields of analytical capacity and border related issues in general.

>>

Conflict Prevention Centre (CPC)

THE SECRETARIAT

95

>>

Situation/Communications Room: essential support for the

Organization through round-the-clock screening of incoming information

The Situation/Communications Room continued to serve as a central point

of contact, including in emergencies, between all OSCE Field Operations,

the Chairmanship-in-Office, delegations and partner organizations,

particularly outside working hours. Most importantly, the department

provided support to Missions in both the co-ordination of medical evacua-

tions and with daily security checks and reports to and from Missions in the

field as and when necessary.

Forum for Security Co-operation Support Unit (FSC):increasing its output

The FSC stepped up its activity and productivity, partly as a result of the

Organization’s focus on combating terrorism and partly because of the

changes in the Forum’s way of functioning. The FSC Support Unit provides

additional technical and analytical support as well as undertaking

project-related activities designed to assist participating States in meeting

their politico-military commitments.

Both the Bucharest Plan of Action and the Bishkek Programme of Action

have given a central role to the FSC within the Organization’s anti-terrorism

effort. The Unit’s work on two key OSCE Documents – The Document on

Small Arms and Light Weapons (SALW) and The Code of Conduct on

Politico-Military Aspects of Security – constituted its primary contribution to

combating terrorism.

The Unit was, inter alia, heavily involved with:

• preparation of the Forum’s workshop to review implementation of the OSCE

Document on SALW held on 6 – 7 February and expert meeting on combat-

ing terrorism within the politico-military dimension held on 14 – 15 May

• preparation of a comprehensive overview of the information exchanged

on SALW

• development of special guidance for participating States information

exchange and a set of best practice guides on SALW control measures

• conducting a number of project-related activities, including hosting a

Central Asian regional meeting in Almaty in May, to improve the capacity

of participating States to implement the Document on SALW

• providing a cross-border training programme on combating SALW trafficking

for Uzbek officials at the Termez-Hayraton checkpoint with Afghanistan;

• facilitating discussion during the Third Follow-Up Conference on the Code

of Conduct through the preparation of an overview of relevant annual

information exchanged by participating States.

The FSC Support Unit responded to calls made during the Conference for

increased awareness of the Code and proceeded with the practice of

providing assistance in implementation of CSBMs through various seminars

and roundtables for parliamentarians, military personnel and government

officials. The Unit has also:

• organized national workshops on the Code in Kazakhstan and Kyrgyzstan

and all Caucasus participating States

• held jointly with the OSCE Parliamentary Assembly a regional seminar on

democratic control of armed forces and the Code of Conduct in Belgrade

• facilitated information exchanges prescribed in the Vienna Document 1999

and other OSCE documents dealing with politico-military aspects of security.

The Unit also successfully advised the FSC in taking an unprecedented

number of decisions regarding political oversight of the Communications

Network. As the representative of the Secretary General for the Chairman-

ship-in-Office, the Unit chaired the OSCE Communications Group, which

addressed all related issues and re-organized its sub-working groups,

thereby increasing their effectiveness.

The FSC Support Unit encouraged and facilitated the delegations’ efforts to

modernise the network and made significant efforts to expand the number of

OSCE States connected to it.

The OSCE Conflict Prevention Centre(CPC) has, under its new Director,continued to provide advice to theChairmanship and active support to allOSCE missions and field activities.

The CPC has continued its support to field activities, as well as providing the operational planning function for theOrganization as a whole. Furthermore, theCPC has begun to look more closely atborder security, monitoring and bordermanagement matters. It is sensed that theOSCE will have to become even moreactively involved in these issues.

All these recurrent and new tasks, includingan increased demand to provide back-ground, analytical and operational supportto the Chairmanship-in-Office, make itnecessary to strengthen this department inthe Secretariat.

The CPC also fulfils a key function in thepolitical-military dimension of security, anarea that in many aspects has seen some-thing of a renaissance during the past year.CPC staff will continue to support activelythe specialised work of the Forum forSecurity Co-operation, while also continu-ing important field projects on the OSCE

Code of Conduct, on Small Arms andLight Weapons, and other related issues.

Strengthening co-operation and co-ordinationwith partner countries and organizations

This element of OSCE development in2002 will be covered in the next part ofthis report.

96

OSCE meeting with regional and subregional organizations and initiatives on preventing and combating terrorism, Vienna, September 2002.

OSCE PARTNERSHIPS FOR SECURITY AND CO-OPERATION

Annual Report on Interaction betweenOrganizations and Institutions in the OSCE Area

Annual Report on Interaction with Mediterraneanand Asian Partners for Co-operation

and Organizations and Institutions Outside the OSCE Area

97

102

Multilateral institutions and regional security organizations have never been more important than today.Kofi Annan, UN Secretary-General

Ayhan E

vrensel/OS

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Co-operation between the OSCE and itsinternational partners in 2002 developedagainst the background of the internationalfight against terrorism and an ensuing needfor increased co-ordination of internationalefforts.The terrorist attacks of 11 September2001 were a strong additional catalyst forreviewing the existing co-operative instru-ments and looking into ways of improvinginteraction among international, regionaland subregional organizations and initiatives.As OSCE Chairman-in-Office in 2002,Portuguese Foreign Minister AntonioMartins da Cruz, put it, preventing and combating terrorism is a ‘fight that cannot bewon by any single State or Organization’.

The OSCE’s co-operation with partnerStates, organizations and institutions in thisarea was driven in particular by decisions ofthe 2001 Ministerial Council meeting inBucharest and the 2002 Ministerial Councilmeeting in Porto.

The Bucharest Plan of Action for CombatingTerrorism of late 2001 gave new impetus tothe OSCE’s external interaction and co-operation. In Bucharest, the OSCE partici-pating States pledged to ‘reinforce anddevelop bilateral and multilateral co-opera-tion within the OSCE, with the UnitedNations and with other international andregional organizations, in order to combatterrorism in all its forms and manifesta-tions’. In line with the 1999 Platform forCo-operative Security, the OSCE was offeredas the Organization that ‘can take on a co-ordinating role for inter- and intra-regionalinitiatives’.The OSCE stressed its intentionto ‘promote dialogue within the OSCEarea’ as well as ‘broaden dialogue with partners outside the OSCE area’.

Within days of the Bucharest MinisterialCouncil, the OSCE and the thenUNODCCP (now UNODC) jointly organ-ized the Bishkek International Conference onEnhancing Security and Stability in CentralAsia: Strengthening Comprehensive Efforts toCounter terrorism. In a final declaration, par-ticipants underlined their determination tocombat terrorism while fully respectinghuman rights and the rule of law.

The Bishkek Programme of Action identifiedspecific measures to combat and preventterrorism while paying particular attentionto the challenges faced by the countries ofCentral Asia.

OSCE co-operation with other inter-national organizations in the fight againstterrorism culminated in a landmark high-level meeting on preventing and combatingterrorism, which was organized and hostedby the Portuguese OSCE Chairmanship inJune in Lisbon.The participants – amongthem representatives of the Council ofEurope, NATO, the UN, the EuropeanUnion, the Commonwealth of IndependentStates (CIS), the Financial Action Task Force(FATF), Interpol and many others – agreedon the need to reinforce the sharing ofinformation and expertise.They confirmedtheir focus on strengthening co-operationin order to tackle effectively the problemswhich terrorism feeds upon, in particular:trafficking in arms, drugs and humanbeings; organized crime; money-laundering;and persistent regional conflicts and sourcesof instability.

To drive forward the implementation of thevarious documents, a Personal Representativeon Matters related to Preventing and Com-bating Terrorism was appointed for 2002.A new unit – the Action against TerrorismUnit (ATU) – was established within theSecretariat to co-ordinate with internationalorganizations on this issue.

With terrorism firmly on the agenda, thePorto Ministerial adopted the OSCECharter on Preventing and Combating Terrorism,which, recalled the OSCE’s role as a region-al arrangement under Chapter VIII of the

United Nations Charter and reiterated theOSCE’s commitment undertaken in the framework of the Charter for EuropeanSecurity ‘to co-operate more actively andclosely…with other international organiza-tions to meet threats and challenges to secu-rity’. For the first time, regional and sub-regional organizations and initiatives withinthe OSCE area, as well as partners outsidethe OSCE, were invited to participate in anOSCE Ministerial Council meeting.

In fighting trafficking in human beings, theOSCE continued to co-operate with otherorganizations within the framework of The Stability Pact Trafficking Task Force.TheOSCE Gender Adviser participated regular-ly in meetings of the Task Force and inSeptember she participated as a trainer in aseminar which launched the ComprehensiveProgramme for Training, Co-operation andExchange to counter trafficking in humanbeings. Other areas of successful co-opera-tion with The Stability Pact were parlia-mentary co-operation, gender issues, combat-ing organized crime, media-related activitiesand Small Arms and Light Weapons.

Traditional meetings between the OSCEand its partner organizations continued.The annual target-oriented TripartiteMeeting and the High-level TripartiteMeeting have become symbols of the valuethe OSCE attaches to the inter-institutionalconsultation process.The aim is to improveco-ordination and co-operation in areas ofcommon concern and to exchange infor-mation on major developments in the part-ner organizations.The Tripartite Meetings –organized and chaired on a rotating basis bythe OSCE, the UN and the Council ofEurope – were convened and hosted in

Annual Report on Interaction between Organizations and Institutions in the OSCE Area

Europe is on the move, its institutions and organizations have an established practice of discussions and coordination, by using their respective comparative advantages for joint actionWalter Schwimmer, Secretary General

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February 2002 by the Council of Europe inStrasbourg.The European Commission, theInternational Organization for Migration andthe International Committee of the Red Crossalso participated.The General Secretariat ofthe Council of the EU will join this forumin 2003. Discussion focused on the fightagainst terrorism, intercultural and inter-religious dialogue and on practicalities ofco-operation on the ground, includingresearch and training.

Closer links at all levels with the OSCE’straditional partner organizationsremained at the core of the OSCE’s externalco-operation.

This is directly reflected in the work of theSection for External Co-operation which bearsprimary responsibility for implementingco-operation in conjunction with othersubstantive units of the Secretariat. Its taskshave expanded considerably.To furtherincrease efficiency, a system of desk officerswas introduced over the past year and theSection was also tasked with more co-ordinating and analytical functions.

The OSCE’s long-standingco-operation with theUnited Nations and its spe-

cialized agencies continued to advance andwas strengthened by a variety of meansoutlined in the Platform for Co-operativeSecurity, as well as the Framework for Co-operation in Peace-building that was presented at the Fourth High-level Meetingbetween the UN and Regional Organizationsin December 2001, in New York.

Apart from participation in the high-levelTripartite Meeting, the OSCE SecretaryGeneral held regular consultations withprincipals of various parts of the UNSystem. In particular, in the aftermath of 11September, a discussion was initiated withthe UN Secretary-General on the OSCE’srole in the context of events in Afghanistanand the process of development and stabilisation in Central Asia. Reciprocalhigh-level contacts were extended to therespective governmental bodies, the UNGeneral Assembly and the OSCEPermanent Council.

The OSCE Chairman-in-Office andSecretary General addressed the UNGeneral Assembly (the latter in December2001), while both the outgoing and in-coming High Commissioners for HumanRights and the Director-General of theUN Office at Geneva were invited toaddress the OSCE participating States inthe course of the year.

As a regional arrangement under the termsof the Charter of the UN, the OSCE wasfrequently invited to contribute to thework of various UN bodies, such as theUN Commission on Human Rights.Reciprocally, relevant UN agencies tookactive part in a number of regular events inthe OSCE calendar, such as the HumanDimension Implementation Meeting and theEconomic Forum, as well as regular meetingsof heads of OSCE missions. Similar regularconsultations and co-ordination processeswere enacted on the ground betweenOSCE field missions and UN regional missions and offices.

However it was primarily working levelcontacts with the UN that took on a newdimension in 2002, in the spirit of theFramework for Co-operation in Peace-building.Firstly, a delegation of senior officials fromthe OSCE Secretariat visited the UN andUNDP Headquarters in December 2001,leading to a number of agreements onissues such as sharing relevant internalreports, as well as exchanging staff, lessonslearned and training. It was the first timesuch structured bilateral consultations wereheld between the two organizations and itwas agreed that they should become part ofa regular, annual process. In the same vein,the OSCE participated in a working-levelfollow-up meeting between the UN andRegional Organizations in New York from 30April to 2 May 2002, focusing on thepracticalities of implementing the Frame-work. Finally, a catalogue of concretemethods of co-operation was establishedbetween the OSCE and the UN EconomicCommission for Europe.

Such contacts between the respectiveHeadquarters were complemented by a number of concrete projects aimed ataddressing security-related issues under therespective organizations’ mandates. Many ofthe several hundred projects at various stages of development in OSCE field mis-sions were elaborated in partnership withother organizations and institutions.

A major study on Trafficking in HumanBeings in Europe, for example, was publishedby ODIHR, in conjunction with theUNHCHR and UNICEF.The OSCEHigh Commissioner on NationalMinorities conducted a joint conference,Promoting Integration and Development in theSamtskhe-Javakheti Region of Georgia, withthe UNDP, in November 2002.The mainaim of the conference was to draw theattention of the international communityto the problems facing that region.

Arguably the key event in 2002 was theBishkek Conference, organized jointly bythe OSCE and the UNODCCP (nowUNODC), leading to the adoption of theBishkek Plan of Action.

It was in south-eastern Europe (SEE) inparticular that the OSCE – through its fieldoperations in Albania, Bosnia andHerzegovina, Croatia, the former YugoslavRepublic of Macedonia, Kosovo and Serbiaand Montenegro – and the UN workedtogether more closely.The OSCE Missionin Kosovo (OMIK) is the institution-build-ing pillar of UNMIK, the UN Mission inKosovo.Throughout the region, co-opera-tion and co-ordination among the variousplayers from the international community ispart of a closely knit framework.This takesthe form of inter-institutional workinggroups, task forces and principals’ boardsthat meet regularly to co-ordinate policy,elaborate road maps and provide division oflabour on the many issues facing the inter-national community’s efforts to consolidatethe peace and stabilisation processes inSEE. In addition, a large number of jointprojects are implemented throughout SEEin each of the three dimensions of security.


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The agenda for the future of OSCE-UNco-operation in SEE will be determined bythe rapidly evolving situation, in view ofthe momentous improvements in stabilityacross the region, the considerable progressachieved through the signing by Croatiaand Albania of Stabilization and AssociationAgreements with the EU and the need toreallocate tasks as some organizations begintheir disengagement process.

In South Caucasus, the OSCE is activelysupporting the UN-led peace process inAbkhazia, Georgia aimed at a peacefulresolution of the conflict. In addition, theOSCE Mission to Georgia is secondingstaff to the UN Human Rights Office inAbkhazia, Georgia (HROAG) and is readyto make a secondment to a prospectiveHROAG to be opened in the Gali districtof Abkhazia, in accordance with the recom-mendation of the Joint Assessment Missionthat visited the region in November 2000.

In their important efforts to assist the fiveCentral Asian participating States in com-plying with OSCE commitments in allthree dimensions of security, the OSCEfield presences in Central Asia have established close partnerships with UNagencies active in the region.

As part of its increasing efforts to assist theCentral Asian States in implementing com-mitments enshrined in the OSCE Documenton Small Arms and Light Weapons, the OSCEorganized the first regional seminar onsmall arms, aimed at establishing inter-governmental institutionalized dialogue andco-ordination on small arms trafficking in

the region.As part of the follow-up to theseminar, the OSCE contributed a special-ized training course to a UNODC-ledinter-agency cross-border training initiativeat the Termez checkpoint on the borderbetween Uzbekistan and Afghanistan.

In a further effort to promote inter-stateco-operation in the economic and environ-mental dimension, the OSCE and theUNECE jointly assisted the governmentsof Kazakhstan and Kyrgyzstan in setting upan inter-state water commission on theChu and Talas rivers, in order to secureeffective implementation of the trans-boundary water agreement signed betweenthe two countries.

Co-operation with theCouncil of Europe con-tinued over the reporting

period on the firm foundations that havebeen in place for several years, both atheadquarters and in the field.At the head-quarters level, the OSCE attaches greatimportance to the continued organizationof frequent high- and senior-level co-ordi-nation meetings.The OSCE ‘3+3’ senior

level meeting in July proved its great valueas it drew attention to the organizations’individual and joint actions in the fightagainst terrorism. It also touched upon thetopics of trafficking in human beings,policing, election observation and multi-cultural and inter-religious dialogue in aregional context.

The organizations’ Secretaries Generaladdressed respective meetings of the OSCEPermanent Council in Vienna and theCommittee of Ministers at the level ofdeputies in Strasbourg.They briefed onrelevant political developments, such as theoutcome of Ministerials and reported ontopical issues of co-operation between thetwo organizations. Both underlined theircommitment to building upon the bedrockof interaction that has been developed overthe years.

The two organizations are in close directcontact and both regularly participate inseminars and meetings. One result of ajoint working effort in the area of trainingwill be the publication of a European HumanRights Field Mission Manual by mid-2003.

The OSCE Secretary General, Ján Kubis, and the

UN Secretary-General, Kofi Annan.

The OSCE Mission in Kosovo is the institution-building pillar of UNMIK,

the UN Mission in Kosovo.

The OSCE field presences in Central Asia have been very active in promoting human rights and democratic reform as crucial elements in the promotion of a holistic concept of human security, and our co-operation with them has been very fruitful.This has been particularly true in Tajikistan, where the OSCE field presence and the UN Tajikistan Office for Peace-Building support each other in implementing common human rights programs and collaborate in dealing with individual cases.Mary Robinson, The United Nations

High Commissioner for Human Rights

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Both organizations have continued to engage in concerted efforts and build oneach other’s specific experiences andstrengths in the field.The support from,inter alia, the CoE for the continuation ofthe activities of the OSCE and its presencein Belarus was strong and visible and willremain of critical importance in the future.

With South Caucasus increasingly a priori-ty also for the CoE, it is interesting to notethat the OSCE Representatives in Armeniaand Azerbaijan shared premises with CoEstaff in Yerevan and Baku respectively,throughout 2002.This ‘co-habitation’ led togreater co-operation and consultation overthe whole range of joint activities in thelegislative, elections, anti-corruption, mediaand monitoring spheres. It has enabled bothorganizations to present a common positionon issues of relevance to their mandates and thus constituted a further example ofsuccessful co-operation.

In the Chechen Republic of the RussianFederation, the OSCE and the CoE werethe only international organizations withpermanently deployed staff over the courseof 2002.The OSCE field presence and theCoE experts deployed in the office of theRussian Federation President’s SpecialRepresentative on the Protection ofHuman Rights in Chechnya, were bothbased in the village of Znamenskoye in thenorth of the Chechen Republic of theRussian Federation, which guaranteed aconstant exchange of information betweenthem.

The Office for Democratic Institutions andHuman Rights (ODIHR) closely co-operatedwith a range of organizations during elec-tion observation missions in the field and atheadquarters level to ensure that interna-tional observers gave a coherent message.In this area, it has worked closely with,inter alia, the Parliamentary Assemblies ofboth the OSCE and the CoE, the CoECongress of Local and Regional Authorities inEurope (CLRAE), and with the EuropeanCommission (EC) and Parliament.

In order to increase the co-ordination andstrength of international parliamentary pro-jects, all Parliamentary Assemblies arerepresented in Parliamentary Troikas.AParliamentary Troika worked with theOSCE Presence in Albania to help theAlbanian Parliament develop democraticparliamentary practices and to help enact anew Constitution.At the same time, aParliamentary Troika including the OSCEPA Ad Hoc Committee on Belarus wasengaged in an effort to promote dialogueand democratic development in Belarusand in south-eastern Europe.TheParliamentary bodies made joint efforts toestablish a parliamentary dimension withinThe Stability Pact for South Eastern Europe.After the OSCE and the CoE, it will bethe turn of the European Parliament toassume the Chair of the ParliamentaryTroika from the start of 2003.

Given the evolving security situation in theOSCE area and with an increasing numberof OSCE participating States becomingmembers of the EU and NATO, co-opera-tion and co-ordination with these twoorganizations at all levels will become evenmore important in the future.

When the HighRepresentative for theCommon Foreign and

Security Policy (CFSP) of the EuropeanUnion (EU), Javier Solana, addressed theOSCE Permanent Council (PC), he con-firmed that the OSCE and the EC arenatural partners. He also stated that co-operation between the EU and OSCE,especially in view of EU enlargement, willstrengthen and deepen throughout thecoming years.

In the area of civil conflict management,the OSCE was able to share its experiencesand discuss future co-operation when EUrepresentatives visited the Secretariat ontwo occasions during the reporting period.An important step forward in relationsbetween the OSCE and the EU was takenwhen the EU Political and SecurityCommittee (PSC) Troika visited Vienna, as itwas the first such ambassadorial level visit.

As the OSCE’s field presence expandedover the past years, co-operation betweenEU and OSCE missions developed signifi-cantly. 2002 marked the first time that theHead of the EC Delegation to a countrywas invited to address an informal meetingof the participating States, together withthe OSCE Head of Mission. In this case itwas the Head of the EC Delegation toCroatia who spoke alongside the OSCEHead of Mission in Croatia.The EC Headof Delegation described the co-operationbetween EU and OSCE as a ‘win-win’situation, with the host country being thethird winner.

In Central Asia, co-operation between theEU and the OSCE also reached a signifi-cant level during 2002.Almost half of theprojects of ODIHR in Central Asia during2002 were EU-funded. ODIHR and theEC continued their second joint programmefor advancing human rights and democrati-zation in Central Asia.The new projectscovered two main themes: strengtheningthe rule of law by providing assistance tothe reform of the region’s penitentiarysystem, human rights bodies and relevantlegislation; and building capacity withincivil society through human rights monitor-ing training and other assistance projects.

OSCE representatives were invited to visitBrussels on a number of occasions.TheOSCE Chairman-in-Office and SecretaryGeneral met the EU Ministerial Troika inBrussels and OSCE officials were repeated-ly invited to address the Council WorkingGroup on the OSCE (COSCE). It is anti-cipated that co-operation at the workinglevel will be enhanced during 2003 by theintroduction of regular meetings at a seniorofficial level.These will complement day-to-day co-operation by means of regularinformal contacts at expert level betweenthe Commission and Council Secretariatand OSCE Secretariat.

Policing issues were one of the priorities in 2002.The OSCE Senior Police Adviserheld consultations with police representa-tives from the EC on planned co-operationin the former Yugoslav Republic ofMacedonia.These discussions resulted in a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) between the OSCE and the EC on police-related issues in that country.


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The EU also supported the OSCE as relations between the OSCE Assistance and Monitoring Group and the Belarusianauthorities came under pressure in thecourse of 2002, culminating when the lastremaining international mission memberleft Belarus after having been denied ex-tensions of its accreditation at the end ofOctober.The EU issued a number of state-ments expressing support for a continuedOSCE field presence in Belarus.

Co-operation with the NorthAtlantic Treaty Organization(NATO) was especially active

in the field.Throughout south-easternEurope, the OSCE liaised with NATO andothers to organize elections, promote cross-border co-operation and border manage-ment issues. NATO was instrumental inproviding a secure environment for OSCEactivities in former crisis areas. One of thepriorities was the working relationship be-tween the OSCE and NATO in the formerYugoslav Republic of Macedonia, includingNATO Civilian, NATO Amber Fox andNATO Task Force Fox. Co-operation hasbeen close and boosted the Mission’s abilityto implement tasks as outlined in the OhridFramework Agreement.This strong link, alongwith those to the European UnionMonitoring Mission (EUMM) and theEuropean Union Special Representative(EUSR), proved vital to the return of 24-hour policing in the former crisis regionsand to continued efforts in confidencebuilding and implementing the policy ofcommunity based policing.

With Tajikistan joining NATO’s Partnershipfor Peace Programme on 20 February 2002,all five Central Asian participating Stateshave now a close link with NATO.TheOSCE will look into possibilities for pos-sible further co-operation.The importancewhich the Central Asian participating Statesattach to NATO was reflected by theirhigh-level representation at the Euro-Atlantic Partnership Council Summit meetingin November 2002.

The OSCE’s Office of the Co-ordinator ofEconomic and Environmental Activitiesand NATO’s Science for Peace joined forces in support of the South CaucasusRiver Monitoring Project.The operationalphase of the project started in December.

The purpose is to overcome gaps in unifiedwater standards and bring about a con-sistent application of international standardsthroughout the region and to re-establishregional water-monitoring systems anddatabases.

At the headquarters level, regular OSCE/NATO staff-level meetings tookplace in both Vienna and Brussels, whichsubstantially improved information sharingon the organizations’ respective activities inthe field and on general issues of commoninterest.

In accordance with established practice,partner organizations were invited to theOSCE’s regular Heads of Mission Meetings.

In 2002, the OSCE reinvigorated co-op-eration with regional and subregionalorganizations and initiatives within itsarea.The OSCE moved decisively towardsestablishing itself as a ‘forum for subregionalco-operation’ – a mandate that was ap-proved by the participating States in the1999 Charter for European Security, whichrecognized subregional co-operation as ‘animportant element in enhancing securityacross the OSCE area.’

In line with this mandate and in imple-mentation of the Bucharest Plan of Action,the OSCE Secretary General convened ameeting of Heads of regional and sub-regional organizations and initiatives toexchange information on their activities inpreventing and combating terrorism and toidentify areas for future co-operation.Themeeting, which took place in Vienna inSeptember, was attended by representativesof some 25 organizations and initiatives.Among them were the OSCE traditionalpartner organizations (UN, CoE, EU, andNATO) and practically all regional andsubregional groupings operating in theOSCE area, such as the Council of the BalticSea States (CBSS), Central European Initiative(CEI), the Organization of the Black Sea

Economic Co-operation (BSEC), SoutheastEuropean Cooperative Initiative (SECI),Organization of Central Asian Co-operation(CAC), GUUAM (Georgia, Ukraine,Azerbaijan and Moldova), and many others.

This marked the first such gathering in thisformat. Participants discussed a number ofconcrete steps to improve co-operationamong themselves and the OSCE. In particular, it was agreed to appoint liaisonofficers/contact points to maintain regularworking-level functional links betweenrelevant permanent structures and workingbodies, to improve exchange of informationand co-ordination of activities and events.Having recognized the meeting as a verysuccessful and useful event, participantsagreed to convene a follow-up meeting at the level of heads of organizations andinitiatives in the second half of 2003 todiscuss progress achieved and identify nextsteps to be taken.

‘Bilateral’ links with regional and sub-regional organizations and initiatives werealso strengthened.A representative of theChairman-in-Office attended the summitof the Central European Initiative inNovember 2002 in Skopje, while theOSCE Secretary General represented theOSCE at the First Summit of the Conferenceon Interaction and Confidence BuildingMeasures in Asia (CICA) in Almaty in June,and at the GUUAM Summit in Yalta inJuly. In June, a representative of the OSCESecretariat attended the meeting ofMinisters of Foreign Affairs of participatingstates of the South East European CooperationProcess (CEECP).After being asked to pro-vide support to the GUUAM countries onimplementation of the Free Trade Agreementsigned last July by the Heads of State ofGeorgia, Ukraine, Moldova and Azerbaijan,the OSCE Secretariat’s Office of theCoordinator on Economic and Environ-mental Activities (OCEEA) organized a working party in Kyiv, Ukraine inNovember.

NATO and the OSCE do indeed reinforce each other, towards our common goal: the creation of a Euro-Atlantic area whole, free,at peace and respecting the fundamental human rights of all.Günther Altenburg, NATO Assistant

Secretary General for Political Affairs

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Annual Report on Interaction with Mediterranean andAsian Partners for Co-operation and Organizations andInstitutions Outside the OSCE Area

Co-operation with theMediterranean and AsianPartners for Co-operation

Within the framework of the OSCE’sMediterranean dialogue, the Organizationcontinued to foster relations with itsMediterranean Partners for Co-operation(Algeria, Egypt, Israel, Jordan, Morocco andTunisia).The OSCE Secretariat’s ExternalCo-operation Section supported theNetherlands Chairmanship of the ContactGroup with the Mediterranean Partners for Co-operation in enhancing dialogue withthem. During the period under review,meetings of the Contact Group – whichbring together participating States andMediterranean Partners – focused on addres-sing: new challenges and their effect uponthe security, economy and social structures;the Code of Conduct on Politico-MilitaryAspects of Security; small arms and lightweapons; and economic and environmentalissues. Representatives from the EUPresidency, NATO and the CoESecretariats were invited to elaborate on their organizations’ framework of co-operation with their respectiveMediterranean Partners.

The annual OSCE Mediterranean Seminar,Media and New Technologies: Implications forGovernments, International Organizations andCivil Society was hosted by the Governmentof Greece on the island of Rhodes.A clearmessage emerging from the Seminar wasthat new media and technologies could bean important vehicle for closer cooperationand interaction between peoples, as well asbroader dissemination and understanding ofOSCE ideas, values and principles.TheMediterranean Partners participated in otherOSCE activities throughout the year, suchas the Economic Forum.

As one of the innovations set for 2002, theOSCE will initiate a number of outreachactivities to the Mediterranean PartnerStates.

The Mediterranean Partners and the OSCEPartners for Co-operation in Asia (Japan,Korea and Thailand), meeting on the eve ofthe Ministerial Council in Porto with theOSCE Troika, headed by the PortugueseChairman-in-Office, assessed current re-lations with a view to their enhancement.Rethinking relations with the Partners forCo-operation also led to practical suggestionson setting up a Contact Group with theAsian Partners for Co-operation.

Partners provided international pollingsupervisors for the municipal elections held in Kosovo in October 2002.

The Thai Government hosted an OSCEThailand Conference in Bangkok on thehuman dimension of security, with a focuson networking, security-related issues,human trafficking and terrorism.Variousrecommendations were made including: theestablishment of intellectual and academicnetworks between the OSCE and Asia;increasing co-operation in confidence-building measures, sharing of experience onsecurity-related issues between the ARFand the OSCE; the reconciliation of termsof human security and the human dimen-sion of security; the establishment of ahuman trafficking information network, thesharing of expertise on legislation related totrafficking and terrorism; as well as trainingprogrammes for law enforcement agencies.One of the main issues for further discus-sion is preventive diplomacy.This will beexplored ahead of the next OSCE PartnerConference scheduled to take place in Tokyo,Japan early in 2004.

All Partners were invited to participate atOSCE Permanent Council meetings, suchas special PC meetings on combating terrorism and on OSCE – EU relations.

Co-operation with Organizationsand Institutions outside theOSCE Area

In the aftermath of 11 September 2001,the Bucharest Plan of Action on CombatingTerrorism adopted at the 2001 BucharestMinisterial Council Meeting called for a broadening of the dialogue with partnersoutside the OSCE area ‘to exchange bestpractices and lessons learned in counter-terrorism efforts for application within theOSCE area.’The Organization also focusedon inter-cultural and inter-religious dialogue in its contacts with partners.

Headway was made in relations betweenthe OSCE and regional organizations out-side the OSCE area.Although a number ofthem had formerly expressed interest inbecoming better acquainted with OSCEstructures and negotiating bodies, contactsin the past had been sporadic and ad hoc.In 2002, a number of significant steps weretaken towards laying the foundations toincrease interaction and intensify co-opera-tion. Even greater potential exists to extendthe level of co-operation in 2003, with anumber of initiatives already under con-sideration.

In the period under review, the OSCESecretariat intensified relations with theOrganisation of African Unity/African Union(OAU/AU), the Organization of the IslamicConference (OIC) and the League of ArabStates.An OSCE workshop on the HelsinkiProcess took place at OAU/AUHeadquarters in Addis Ababa in February2002, during which representatives of theAU Secretariat expressed interest in main-taining contacts and regular exchange ofinformation. Moreover, following a visitpaid by the OAU/AU to the OSCESecretariat in June 2002, further interestwas expressed in experience gained by theOSCE in crisis management, combatingterrorism, small arms and light weapons,confidence building measures, as well asfield activities and election observation.Both the visit and the workshop weresponsored by the Austrian Government.


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The OSCE Secretariat (External Co-opera-tion Section) hosted a delegation from theSecretariat of the Organization of the IslamicConference (OIC) in July 2002.The OICidentified a number of areas of particularinterest where further co-operation wouldbe desirable, including the struggle againstterrorism, dialogue of civilizations, culturesand religions, economic and environmentalissues, small arms and light weapons andmission readiness techniques.

Furthermore, the OSCE Secretary Generalmet the Secretary General of the League ofArab States, in May 2002.They agreed toexchange focal points between the twoorganizations with a view to facilitating theexchange of information.

Further contacts with organizations outsidethe OSCE area included a meeting be-tween the OSCE Secretary General andForeign Minister Namhong of theKingdom of Cambodia, in his capacity asPresident of the Association of South EastAsian Nations’ Regional ForumASEAN/ARF, who in Porto emphasizedthat the ARF had moved a step forward inenhancing the role of its Chair in inter-acting with external partners, regionalgroupings and international organizationsalike.

With regard to the Organization of AmericanStates (OAS), regular annual discussions onfreedom of the media issues take place between the OSCE Representative onFreedom of the Media, the OAS SpecialRapporteur on Freedom of Expression andthe UN Special Rapporteur on Freedom ofOpinion. In 2002, participants discussedregional developments in Africa and theASEAN region. Final Declarations adoptedby the three representatives included statements on: countering terror and pro-tecting human rights; broadcasting and theinternet; the administration of justice;commercialization and freedom of expression and criminal defamation.

Overall, during the reporting period, the OSCE’sco-operation with partner organizations becamemore operational, reflecting the importance theOrganization attaches to the close link betweenthe development of policies at headquarters andtheir subsequent implementation in the field.

Closer co-ordination of programmes andprojects in regions of common interest has increasingly become a distinctive feature of partner relations. The OSCE has established new contacts, such as those with partners outside the OSCE area, in addition to intensifying and making more operational the existing relationships.

Under the guidance of the NetherlandsChairmanship in 2003, the OSCE will continue to strengthen co-operation and harmonize co-ordination with other international, regional and subregional organizations and initiatives as well as Partners for Co-operation in accordance with the decisions of the OSCE Ministerial Council in Porto.

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Press and Public InformationOSCE SecretariatKärntner Ring 5-7A-1010, ViennaTel.: 00431 514 36 [email protected]

www.osce.org



Head of Presence:Ambassador Osmo Lipponen,Finland (appointed in September 2002)Former Head of Presence:Ambassador Geert-HinrichAhrens, Germany Address: Rruga, Donika Kastrioti Villa 6,Tirana,AlbaniaTel.: +355-42 35993, Fax: +355-42 35994E-mail: [email protected]


Head of Mission:Ambassador Robert Mason Beecroft,United States of AmericaAddress: Obala Kulina Bana 19, Sarajevo, Bosnia andHerzegovinaTel.: +387-33 292 100, Fax: +387-33 442 479 E-mail: [email protected]


Head of Mission:Ambassador Peter Semneby, SwedenAddress: Florijana Andraseca 14, 1000 Zagreb, CroatiaTel.: +385-1-309 66 20, Fax: +385-1-309 66 21 E-mail: [email protected]

OSCE Mission to Serbia and Montenegro (since February 2003, formerly the OSCE Missionto the Federal Republic of Yugoslavia)

Head of Mission:Ambassador Maurizio Massari, Italy (since January 2003) Former Head of Mission:Ambassador Stefano Sannino, ItalyAddress: Cakorska 1, 1100 Belgrade, Serbia andMontenegroTel.: +381-11-367 24 25, Fax: +381-11-367 24 29 E-mail: [email protected]


Head of Mission:Ambassador Pascal Fieschi, FranceAddress: Beogradska 29, 38000 Pristina, KosovoTel.: +381-38 500 162, Fax: +381-38 500 188 E-mail: [email protected]


Head of Mission:Ambassador Craig Jenness, CanadaAddress: Makosped Building, Marshal Tito 9-2, 91000Skopje, former Yugoslav Republic of MacedoniaTel.: +389-2 111 143, Fax: +389-2 111 267 E-mail: [email protected]

EASTERN EUROPE

OSCE Office in Minsk (came into existence 1 January 2003)

Head of Office:Ambassador Eberhard Heyken, Germany(since January 2003)

OSCE Advisory and Monitoring Group in Belarus(closed on 31 December 2002)

Head of Group:Ambassador Hans-Georg Wieck, Germany(until January 2002)Address: Prospekt Gasety Pravda 11, Minsk, 220116,Belarus Tel.: +375-172 72 34 97, Fax: +375-172 72 34 98


Head of Mission:Ambassador William Hill, United Statesof America (since January 2003)Former Head of Mission:Ambassador David H. Swartz,United States of AmericaAddress: Str Metropolit Dosoftei 180, 2012 Chisinau,MoldovaTel.: +3731-222 34 95, Fax: +3731-222 34 96E-mail: [email protected]

Project Co-ordinator in Ukraine

Project Co-ordinator:Ambassador Peter Burkhard,Switzerland (until February 2002 and the position wasvacant at the end of the year) Address: Dmitrievska St. 24/18, 10th floor, 01054 Kyiv,UkraineTel.: +380-44 244 70 75, Fax: +380-44 246 88 26 E-mail: [email protected]

OSCE Representative to the Russian-LatvianJoint Commission on Military Pensioners

OSCE Representative: Mr. Helmut Napiontek, Germany(appointed in July 2002)Address: OSCE Secretariat, 5-7/2nd Floor, Kärntnerring,1010 Vienna,Austria.Tel: +43 1 514 36 560, Fax: +43 1 514 36 96 E-mail: [email protected]

OSCE Representative to the EstonianCommission on Military Pensioners

OSCE Representative: Mr. Uwe Mahrenholtz, GermanyAddress: Pärnu mnt. 15, 7th floor, Kawe Plaza, 1041 Tallinn,EstoniaTel: +372 6651 762, Fax: +372 6651 763E-mail: [email protected]

CAUCASUS

OSCE Office in Baku

Head of Office:Ambassador Peter Burkhard, SwitzerlandAddress: 4, Magomayev St, 2nd floor, Baku 370004,Azerbaijan Tel.: +994-12 97 2373, Fax: +994-12 97 23 77E-mail: [email protected]

OSCE Assistance Group to Chechnya (closed 31 December 2002)

Head of Group:Ambassador Jorma Inki, Finland

OSCE Mission to Georgia

Head of Mission:Ambassador Jean-Michel Lacombe,FranceAddress: Krtsanisi Datcha No. 5,Tbilisi, GeorgiaTel.: +995-329 88 205, Fax: +995-329 42 330 E-mail: [email protected]

The Personal Representative of the Chairman-in-Office on the Conflict Dealt with by the OSCE Minsk Conference

Personal Representative:Ambassador Andrzej Kasprzyk,Poland Address: 23 Shatberashvili Str.,Tbilisi, GeorgiaTel.: +995-322 92 424, Fax: +995-329 88 566E-mail: [email protected]

Office in Yerevan

Head of Office:Ambassador Roy Reeve, United KingdomAddress: 60 Zarobyan St.,Yerevan, 37501,Armenia Tel.: +374-1-54 10 65, Fax: +374-1 56 11 38E-mail: [email protected]

CENTRAL ASIA


Head of Centre:Ambassador Istvan Venczel, Hungary(appointed 23 September 2002).Former Head of Centre:Ambassador Heinrich Haupt,GermanyAddress: 67 Tole Bi Street, 2nd Floor,Almaty, 480091,Kazakhstan Tel.: +7-3272-62-17-62, Fax: +7-3272-62 43 85E-mail: [email protected]


Head of Centre:Ambassador Paraschiva Badescu, RomaniaAddress:Turkmenbashy, Shayoly 15,Ashgabad, 744000,Turkmenistan Tel.: +993-12 35 30 92, Fax: +993-12 35 30 41E-mail: [email protected]


Head of Centre:Ambassador Aydin Idil,TurkeyAddress: 139 St.Toktogula, Bishkek, 720001, Kyrgyzstan Tel.: +996-312 66 41 80, Fax: +996-312 66 31 69E-mail: [email protected]

OSCE Centre in Dushanbe since 1 November2002 (formerly the OSCE Mission to Tajikistan)

Head of Centre:Ambassador Marc Gilbert, FranceAddress: 12, Zikrullo Khojaev Street, 73 4003, Dushanbe,TajikistanTel.: +992-372 51 00 34, Fax: +992-372 24 91 59E-mail: [email protected]


Head of Centre:Ambassador Ahmet Kamil Erozan,Turkey(appointed November 2002)Head of Centre:Ambassador Gantcho Gantchev, BulgariaAddress:Western Side, 2nd Floor, Khamid Alimdjain Sq.,700 000 Tashkent, UzbekistanTel.: +998-71-132 01 52, Fax: +998-71-120 61 25E-mail: [email protected]

For more information, please visit the OSCE website: www.osce.org/field_activities/

OSCE MISSIONS

ABA American Bar AssociationAG OSCE Assistance Group to Chechnya*AMG OSCE Advisory and Monitoring Group in Belarus*BiH Bosnia and HerzegovinaBSEC Black Sea Economic Co-operationCBMs Confidence-Building Measures* see CSBMsCBSS Council of the Baltic Sea States CFE Conventional Armed Forces in Europe (Treaty)CEDAW UN Convention on the Elimination of All Forms

of Discrimination against WomenCEELI Central and East European Law Initiative CiO Chairman-in-Office (of the OSCE)CIS Commonwealth of Independent StatesCoE Council of EuropeCPC Conflict Prevention Centre (of the OSCE)CSCE Conference on Security and Co-operation in Europe*CSBMs Confidence- and Security-Building MeasuresCSO Committee of Senior Officials*

Dayton (Peace Accords) see GFAPEAPC Euro-Atlantic Partnership CouncilEAR European Agency for ReconstructionEBRD European Bank for Reconstruction and DevelopmentEC European CommissionEUMM European Community Monitoring MissionEU European UnionFoA Friends of AlbaniaFRY Federal Republic of Yugoslavia*FSC OSCE Forum for Security Co-operationfYROM former Yugoslav Republic of MacedoniaGFAP General Framework Agreement for Peace in Bosnia and

Herzegovina (also known as Dayton/Paris Peace Accords)HCNM OSCE High Commissioner on National MinoritiesHLPG High-Level Planning GroupHoM Head of Mission (of the OSCE)HROAG UN Human Rights Office in Abkhazia, GeorgiaICRC International Committee of the Red CrossICTY International Criminal Tribunal for the

Former YugoslaviaIDP Internally Displaced PersonICMP International Commission on Missing PersonsIFES International Foundation for Electoral SystemsIOM International Organization for MigrationJCG Joint Consultative GroupJCC Joint Control Commission (Georgia)KFOR Kosovo Force (NATO-led protection mission)KVM Kosovo Verification Mission*MPCs Mediterranean Partners for Co-operationMG Minsk Group (of the OSCE)

NATO North Atlantic Treaty OrganizationNGO Non-governmental organizationNPMS Non-Participating Mediterranean State*NRC Norwegian Refugee CouncilOAS Organization of American StatesOCEEA Office of the Co-ordinator of OSCE Economic

and Environmental ActivitiesODCCP Office for Drug Control and Crime Prevention*

see UNODCODIHR OSCE Office for Democratic Institutions

and Human RightsOECD Organization for Economic Co-operation

and DevelopmentOFE Office for Free Elections*OGRF Operational Group of Russian Forces (in Moldova)OHR Office of the High Representative (in BiH)OMiFRY OSCE Mission to the Federal Republic

of Yugoslavia*OMIK OSCE Mission in KosovoOSCE Organization for Security and Co-operation in EuropeOSCC Open Skies Consultative CommissionPA Parliamentary Assembly (of the OSCE)PC Permanent Council (of the OSCE)PR Personal Representative

(of the OSCE Chairman-in-Office)REACT Rapid Expert Assistance Co-operation Teams

(of the OSCE)RFOM OSCE Representative on Freedom of the MediaSAM Sanctions Assistance Mission*SC Senior Council* (of the OSCE)SECI South-eastern European Co-operative InitiativeSFOR Stabilization Force (in BiH)TACIS Technical Assistance to the Commonwealth

of Independent StatesUNDP United Nations Development ProgrammeUN-ECE United Nations Economic Commission for EuropeUNHCR United Nations High Commissioner for RefugeesUNHCHR United Nations High Commissioner for

Human RightsUNODC United Nations Office on Drugs and CrimeUNOMIG United Nations Observer Mission in Georgia UNTAES UN Transitional Administration for Eastern Slavonia,

Baranja and Western Sirmium (Croatia)*USAID United States Agency for International Development WEU Western European UnionWTO Warsaw Treaty Organization*

* Abbreviations of bodies no longer in existenceor whose names have changed

Abbreviations

About the front cover main picture:The OSCE Mission in Kosovo has conducted three consecutive electoral operations in the province since 2000.This includes Municipal Elections in 2000 and 2002, as well as the Kosovo-wide Assembly Election in 2001.To ensure that all polling station committee members adhere to the procedural rules governing polling activities, OSCE international polling station supervisors ran through a series of simulations in preparation for election day.

EDITOR:Martha Freeman

PRODUCTION EDITOR:Keith Jinks

PICTURE RESEARCH:Meta Anley,Ayhan Evrensel,Alex Nitzsche

DESIGN AND TYPESETTING:Damir Krizmanic, Red Hot n'Cool,Vienna

PRINT:DAL Druck,Vienna

About the back cover main picture:The OSCE Mission to Moldova verifies the removal of Russian military equipment from theTransdniestrian region of Moldova.A train – with 47 open platforms loaded with 77 militarytrucks - left Tiraspol on 16 December, followed by 29 rail cars carrying bridge-building equip-ment and other material on 24 December.These activities were undertaken as part of the Russian Federation’s Istanbul Summit commitments.

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106Organization for Security and Co-operation in Europe