Estonia: Opinion on the Regulation of Internet Voting
On 17 September 2024, the Second Vice-President of the Riigikogu (Estonian Parliament), Mr. Arvo Aller, submitted a request to the OSCE Office for Democratic Institutions and Human Rights (ODIHR) to review the legislative framework governing internet voting in Estonia's parliamentary, local, and European Parliament elections. The Opinion and the analysis presented herein are a response to this request.
Montenegro: Opinion on the Laws of Montenegro Governing Voter Registration
This Opinion identifies several issues meriting attention in Montenegro’s voter registration legislation - Law on the Voter Register, Law on the Registers for Permanent and Temporary Residence, Law on Montenegrin Citizenship and Law on Identity Card
Montenegro: Opinion on the Law on Election of Councillors and Members of Parliament and the Law on Election of the President
A comprehensive review of Montenegro’s existing legal framework governing elections and political parties to assess compliance with international standards and OSCE commitments, ensure effective implementation and inform future reform efforts.
Bulgaria: Opinion on the Draft Act on the Registration of Foreign Agents
The main purpose of this Opinion is to analyze the Draft Act on the Registration of
Foreign Agents (Draft Act) in Bulgaria, which although rejected by the Parliament on 5
February 2025, may be reintroduced in its existing or similar form. The present analysis
aims to provide an overview of the key human rights concerns stemming from this draft
legislation from the perspective of international human rights standards and OSCE
human dimension commitments, primarily the rights to freedom of association and
freedom of expression, but also other rights, including the right to respect for private
life, the right to participate in public affairs, and the right to non-discrimination.
Bulgaria: Opinion on the Act Amending and Supplementing the Preschool and School Education Act
The Opinion concludes that the new provisions unduly impact the exercise of several fundamental rights, including the rights to freedom of expression and access to information, to education, and to equality and non-discrimination. The bans introduced by the Act fail to meet the three-part test under international human rights law – legality, legitimacy, and necessity in a democratic society – and are inherently discriminatory.
Moldova: Preliminary Opinion on the Draft Code on the Organization and Functioning of the Parliament (Regarding the Legislative Procedure, Chapter III)
Throughout 2024, representatives of the OSCE Office for Democratic Institutions and Human Rights (ODIHR) and the Head of the Committee on Legal Affairs, Appointments and Immunities of the Parliament of Moldova have been discussing ways to support parliamentary reform, more enhanced democratic governance and inclusive political participation in the Republic of Moldova. During a country visit of ODIHR representatives to Moldova in September 2024, the Head of the above-mentioned Committee reiterated interest in requesting ODIHR to review the Draft Code on the Organization and Functioning of the Parliament of Moldova (hereinafter “the Draft Code”).