OSCE Centre in Bishkek

The OSCE Centre in Bishkek, with the help of its Field Office in Osh, carries out politico-military activities prioritizing the following three areas:

• development of political institutions;
• conflict prevention; and
• anti-terrorism.

Development of political institutions

Developments on the political scene in Kyrgyzstan have shown that there is a continuing need to assist the country in consolidating its democratic institutions. The Centre therefore focuses on:

• parliamentary support and capacity building of political parties;
• enhancement of interactions between the state and civil society; and
• promotion of good governance principles among local governments and assemblies.

In the longer term, establishing a stable and sustainable multi-party political system is an important goal. Democratization, further steps in improving constitutional and legislative reforms, and the establishing of a genuine political dialogue between various political forces, regional groups and civil society are also high on the agenda. The Centre will also continue its efforts in supporting initiatives related to implementation of country development programs in close cooperation with public and civil society institutions.

Conflict prevention

The Centre follows the situation in areas of potential conflict by addressing issues of concern, establishing dialogue between civil society, the public and executive authorities, and supporting regional and local initiatives addressing conflicts and the potential for co-operation. It also follows inter-ethnic relations and the representation of national minorities, providing support to the activities of the OSCE High Commissioner on National Minorities in the country.

The Centre's main objectives are to mitigate the level of tension and prevent conflicts in border areas, to promote tolerance between and increase the capacity of civil society groups and the authorities, and to support dialogue on conflict prevention and management. Special attention is paid to the situation in the border areas in the south of the country by promoting cross-border dialogue at the local level addressing contentious issues such as land and water use disputes, migration and citizenship.

Anti-terrorism

In the framework of OSCE efforts to combating terrorism, the Centre in Bishkek supports activities aimed at capacity building of the respective state authorities, including enhancement of interagency co-ordination, as well as close co-operation with public and private institutions. Promotion of ratification and implementation of the 13 UN universal conventions on combating terrorism is also a priority. The Centre co-operates closely with the OSCE Secretariat's Action against Terrorism Unit (ATU) and the Warsaw-based OSCE Office for Democratic Institutions and Human Rights (ODIHR).

In addition, the Centre supports other OSCE institutions such as the Parliamentary Assembly and the Representative on Freedom of the Media in implementing their programmes in Kyrgyzstan.

Areas of focus for 2008

The Centre's politico-military activities in 2008 focus on the following:

• parliamentary capacity building;
• support for institutional capacity of political parties and their regional branches;
• participation by Kyrgyz representatives in OSCE and other events related to the country's international obligations;
• capacity strengthening of local legislative and executive authorities;
• enhancement of co-operation between the government and civil society in implementation of development programmes;
• support for conflict prevention initiatives;
• promotion of dialogue among state, religious and public institutions on religious issues;
• capacity building of state structures, civil society and private sector in addressing anti-terrorism issues; and
• promotion of international standards and mechanisms on combating terrorism.

Projects in 2008

The Centre's projects in the politico-military sphere in 2008 include the following:

• promoting peaceful development of multi-ethnic communities;
• training of conflict management leaders and development of training materials;
• promoting inter-ethnic tolerance and preventing ethnic tension in the south of Kyrgyzstan;
• promoting effective instruments to regulate religious activities and guarantee the freedom of religion;
• institutional capacity building of political parties and their regional branches;
• addressing constraints in near-border areas; and
• promotion of public policy mechanisms in development and implementation of country development programmes.