OSCE Office in Minsk – making a difference for eight years

The OSCE Office in Minsk began its work to support the society and government of Belarus in 2003. At the end of 2010, the Belarusian authorities chose not to join consensus on the extension of the mandate of the OSCE Office in Minsk. The Office closed on 31 March 2011, following a three-month closure process.

The Office helped Belarus strengthen its institutions and promote the rule of law, and encouraged the development of a vibrant civil society. Like all OSCE field operations, the Office worked to help Belarus meet its commitments as an OSCE participating State, working within the Organization’s comprehensive security concept.

Over the last eight years, the Office made a significant contribution to Belarusian society, working on a variety of topics, including:  

• A programme to support the rehabilitation of territories affected by the 1986 Chernobyl disaster. This included support to grassroots organizations seeking to help local people start businesses. The programme used microfinance, training and exchanges of experience in business planning and entrepreneurship skills to develop local economies.
• Work to promote a sustainable energy mix, including organizing conferences focused on developing a suitable regulatory framework to allow alternative energy businesses to grow, and help Belarus lessen its dependence on fossil fuels.
• Assistance to the National Centre for Legislation and Legal Research with the introduction of alternatives to mandatory military service.
• Facilitating the delivery of OSCE training and assistance to the State Border Guard Committee of Belarus to develop border security and management, and combat transnational threats such as organized crime.
• Support to measures to combat money-laundering, and to promote economic development, private business and the rule of law.
• Fighting against trafficking in human beings by supporting the non-governmental organization La Strada in assessing the country's methods to identify and refer trafficking victims. The Office also aimed to assist the country in establishing a national referral mechanism for victims.

The OSCE Office in Minsk was mandated to help the Belarusian government meet its international commitments by working to promote effective democratic institutions, consolidate the rule of law, develop relations with and among civil society and fostereconomic and environmental co-operation. Though the Office has closed, the OSCE will continue its engagement with Belarus in line with existing OSCE commitments across all three security dimensions.