News and press releases

The OSCE Transnational Threats Department, in co-operation with the OSCE Presence in Albania, wrapped up an interactive training programme focusing on media and information literacy in the context of preventing and countering violent extremism and radicalization that lead to terrorism (P/CVERLT) in Tirana, Albania, on 5 and 6 June 2024.

Environmental crime is a growing challenge that requires joint action, improved co-ordination amongst state institutions and NGOs, and full awareness among private sector, the media and citizens. The OSCE Mission to Montenegro will support national stakeholders to jointly address this issue, as formation of joint working groups for environmental crime investigations has been agreed. These were conclusions from a roundtable organized by the Mission on 5 June to coincide with World Environment Day.

PRISHTINË/PRIŠTINA, 5 June 2024 – The OSCE Mission launched the report “From Paper to Practice- Evaluating the Effectiveness of Judicial Response to serious Organized Crime and Corruption in the Western Balkans”- an analysis of the justice system in Kosovo, as part of a wider regional OSCE project carried out with EU financial support.

The presentation aimed to create a platform for discussion, identify and exchange good practices developed in specific regional contexts, and develop targeted bilateral approaches for more strategic engagement of all stakeholders, including civil society organizations and international bodies.

The Western Balkans Trial Monitoring report “From Paper to Practice”, developed within the regional project implemented in Albania, Bosnia and Herzegovina, Kosovo, Montenegro and North Macedonia, was published today with recommendations on how judicial response to organized crime and corruption cases in these five jurisdictions can be improved.

In a significant step towards gender equality and the elimination of violence against women, Presidents of Women’s Forums and representatives from 10 political parties in Bosnia and Herzegovina (BiH) have reached a consensus on the Principles for Political Engagement. The OSCE Mission to BiH facilitated this crucial meeting in Sarajevo, where the finalized text of these principles was agreed upon.

As part of the continuous efforts to strengthen the media self-regulatory bodies in Montenegro, the OSCE Mission organized a study visit to Netherlands for the representatives of the Technical Working Group on Self-Regulation on 30 and 31 May.

The OSCE Asian Partners for Co-Operation Group and OSCE participating States met in Vienna on 3 June to discuss the pressing issue of Afghan women’s rights, emphasizing the broader implications for regional and global stability. This event focused on exploring actionable strategies for empowering Afghan women and mitigating the challenges they face. The meeting brought together high-level representatives and experts to address the significant challenges faced by Afghan women and the global implications of their plight. This special meeting was organized by North Macedonia as Chair of the OSCE Asian Partners for Co-operation Group.

BELGRADE, 3 June 2024 – Serbia’s local elections were well run and freedom of expression and assembly were respected, but the dominance of the ruling party as well as the fragmentation of the opposition reduced their competitiveness, while allegations of widespread pressure on public sector employees and misuse of public resources favoured the ruling coalition, international observers from the OSCE Office for Democratic Institutions and Human Rights (ODIHR) said in a statement today.

The OSCE Mission supported a delegation of six senior officials of the Kosovo Academy for Public Safety (KAPS) and its public safety agencies to conduct a visit to North Carolina Justice Academy (NCJA) in the United States (US) from 27 May to 1 June 2024. The visit was part of Mission’s continued

On 29-30 May, 2024, the OSCE Programme Office in Astana, in collaboration with the Agency for Regulation and Development of the Financial Market (ARDFM), conducted a training seminar in Almaty. The seminar focused on combating money laundering arising from tax crimes, entrepreneurial activities, and public procurement offenses. This initiative is part of a broader, multi-year co-operation aimed at strengthening Kazakhstan’s capacity to counter money laundering and terrorist financing.

Investigating online terrorist-related crimes in line with human rights and gender-sensitive approaches was the focus of a training-of-trainer course held in Tashkent, Uzbekistan from 28 to 31 May 2024 by the OSCE Secretariat Transnational Threats Department and the OSCE Project Co-ordinator in Uzbekistan. 

The OSCE Secretariat Transnational Threats Department and the Law Enforcement Academy under the Prosecutor General’s Office of the Republic of Kazakhstan held a regional workshop dedicated to protecting soft targets from terrorist attacks in Astana on 27 and 28 May 2024 with the support of the OSCE Programme Office in Astana.

From 27-31 May, the 40th Plenary Meeting of the Eurasian Group (EAG) on Combating Money Laundering and Financing of Terrorism (AML/CFT) took place in Bishkek. Supported by the OSCE Programme Office in Bishkek, this event underscored the OSCE’s role in regional efforts to combat financial crimes and enhance financial security.

Georgia’s newly approved law “on transparency of foreign influence” contains serious deficiencies that make it incompatible with international human rights standards and the country’s commitments as an OSCE state, and it should be rescinded, the OSCE Office for Democratic Institutions and Human

Switzerland's 2023 federal assembly elections were competitive and well organized, and new campaign finance regulation increased transparency, but donation and campaign spending limits are lacking and reporting on spending is regrettably not required. The redesigned internet voting system

On 21 and 22 May 2024, two military advisors from the Permanent Mission of the Federal Republic of Germany to the OSCE in Vienna, the United Kingdom Delegation to the OSCE in Vienna, and one representative from the OSCE Conflict Prevention Center’s Forum for Security Co-operation Support Unit (CPC/FSC SU) visited the OSCE Programme Office in Dushanbe (POiD) and OSCE-supported Regional Explosive Hazards Training Center (REHTC).

More than 50 public officials, business and civil society representatives gathered in Sofia to discuss collaborative efforts in addressing human trafficking for the purpose of labour exploitation. Hosted by the Office of the OSCE Special Representative and Co-ordinator for Combating Trafficking in Human Beings and the Council of Europe's Anti-Trafficking Division, and supported by the Bulgarian National Commission for Combating Trafficking in Human Beings, the event encouraged dialogue and intensified action towards implementing ethical supply chains in Bulgaria.

The OSCE Mission to Bosnia and Herzegovina (Mission), in co-operation with the AIRE Centre and the Federation of Bosnia and Herzegovina (FBiH) and Republika Srpska (RS) Judicial and Prosecutorial Training Centres, organized a tailored training course on ethical standards and disciplinary practices for 40 judges and prosecutors on 29 May in Sarajevo.

The OSCE Project Co-ordinator in Uzbekistan (PCUz) continued its bicycle tour of Uzbekistan by organizing the V Cycling Marathon for preschool children on 28 May 2024, this year in Namangan. Previous editions took place in Tashkent, Samarkand, Khiva and Nukus. This playful yet meaningful initiative

Recognizing the critical importance of addressing violence against women and girls in ensuring comprehensive security and stability, the OSCE hosted the third Regional Networking and Capacity Building Conference in Almaty, Kazakhstan, from 21 to 23 May 2024. The Conference that followed networking events in 2022 and 2023, further reinforced vital connections among women’s resource centers, civil society organizations, and other stakeholders in the region and marked a significant milestone in the Organization’s efforts to support domestic violence survivors in the region.

On 27-29 May, the OSCE Project Co-ordinator in Uzbekistan (PCUz) organized a three-day training for employees of the Constitutional Court of the Republic of Uzbekistan on “Access to the constitutional court: Features of judicial argumentation in constitutional proceedings”. Twenty-five participants

Eighteen judges from the High and Basic courts, prosecutors, police officers and special services support staff from NGO shelters are participating in a three-day training course on court simulation of gender-based violence cases, with the stalking of women and girls in focus, which started on 28 May in Budva. The event is organized by the OSCE Mission to Montenegro and the Supreme Court of Montenegro, through the Judicial Training Centre.

The EU Delegation to Tajikistan and the OSCE Programme Office in Dushanbe extend their warmest congratulations to the Border Troops of the Republic of Tajikistan on their 30th Anniversary, a major milestone in safeguarding the country's security.

The OSCE Mission to Bosnia and Herzegovina (Mission) supports the Bosnia and Herzegovina (BiH) High Judicial and Prosecutorial Council (HJPC) conferences of chief prosecutors and of court presidents, organized in Teslić on 28 and 29 May.

On 28 May, the Head of the OSCE Programme Office in Bishkek, Head of the Politico-Military Department and the SALW Borders ExB team of the OSCE Programme Office in Bishkek participated in the official celebration of the National Day of State Border Service in Kyrgyzstan that took place in Batken. The event, conducted with the participation of high officials, including Vice Cabinet Minister-Chairperson of the State Committee for National Security Lieutenant-General Kamchybek Tashiev, and the Director of the Border Service of the State Committee for National Security of the Kyrgyz Republic General-Major Ularbek Sharsheev, served as a platform for the presentation of the results achieved under the ExB Project on “Reducing the risk of illicit small arms and light weapons, ammunition and explosives proliferation across border of Kyrgyz Republic, implemented together with the Border Service.

As part of its ongoing efforts to empower women in the energy transition, the OSCE organized a Training of Trainers (ToT) on how to become effective mentors. The event took place on 14 May in Tashkent, Uzbekistan and was organized in partnership with the Global Women’s Network for the Energy Transition (GWNET).

VIENNA, 27 May 2024 – Media literacy plays a pivotal role in ensuring informed political participation and strengthening the resilience of our democracies, OSCE leaders said at the opening of a two-day conference today.

VIENNA/PODGORICA, 27 May 2024- On the 20th anniversary of the murder of Duško Jovanović, the co-founder, publisher, and editor-in-chief of the daily newspaper Dan, OSCE Representative on Freedom of the Media, Teresa Ribeiro, and Head of the OSCE Mission to Montenegro, Ambassador Dominique Waag, urged the relevant authorities in Montenegro to proactively investigate and resolve this longstanding case. They also called for addressing the recommendations issued by the national Commission for Monitoring Investigations of Attacks on Journalists, which, among others, call the authorities to re-examine all evidence using modern technology.

A delegation from the U.S. Department of State’s Bureau of Political-Military Affairs/Office of Weapons Removal and Abatement (PM/WRA) concluded a successful week-long program review visit to Tajikistan on May 26, 2024.

The OSCE Mission in Kosovo supported today the signing of a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) formalizing the Municipal Coordination Mechanism against Domestic Violence (MCMDV) in Rahovec/Orahovac municipality. The MCMDV in Racovec/Orahovac is the last mechanism to be founded – most with OSCE

From 21 to 24 May, the OSCE Secretariat, in co-operation with the OSCE Presence in Albania, held the South-Eastern Europe Youth Dialogue Forum on Youth Crime Prevention in Durrës, Albania. The Forum gathered around 20 young people from Albania, Bosnia and Herzegovina, Montenegro, North Macedonia and Serbia to build confidence and trust among youth in the region.

A three-day training course organized by the OSCE Programme Office in Dushanbe (Office) for canine handlers concluded in Bokhtar on 24 May 2024.

From 21 to 24 May, the OSCE Transnational Threats Department (TNTD) delivered jointly with the Law Enforcement Academy under the Prosecutor General’s Office of the Republic of Kazakhstan an introductory training course on cybercrime and digital evidence to law enforcement representatives from the country’s Anti-Corruption Agency, Financial Monitoring Agency, Ministry of Internal Affairs, and the Prosecutor General's Office.

TBILISI, 23 May 2024 – During a visit to Georgia today, Matteo Mecacci, Director of the OSCE Office for Democratic Institutions and Human Rights (ODIHR), highlighted his deep concern about the draft law “On Transparency of Foreign Influence” and stressed ODIHR’s readiness to support Georgia in providing legislative assistance and expertise.

The OSCE Transnational Threats Department, United Nations Office of Counter-Terrorism (UNOCT), International Organization for Migration, OSCE Presence in Albania and Ministry of Interior of Albania organized the fourth meeting of the Eastern European Informal Working Group on Passenger Data (EEIWG) on 22 and 23 May 2024 in Tirana, Albania.

From 15 to 17 May 2024, the OSCE Programme Office in Bishkek facilitated consultations on the safety and security of critical infrastructure and public places with relevant authorities of the Kyrgyz Republic. Led by the Counter-Terrorism Committee Executive Directorate (CTED) and the United Nations Office of Counter Terrorism (UNOCT), the discussions were held in partnership with the OSCE and the Government of the Kyrgyz Republic.

On 23-24 May, the PCUz convened an expert roundtable on National Referral Mechanisms (NRMs) to protect the rights of trafficked persons. Forty participants representing Central Asian state structures and civil society organizations gathered to share their experiences, promising practices and

BISHKEK, 22 May 2024- A two-day training session aimed at educating and empowering 60 girls concluded with the support of the OSCE Programme Office in Bishkek, in partnership with the Civic Education Centre and UNICEF.

A consistent application of intelligence-led policing (ILP) will ensure that Bosnia and Herzegovina (BiH) is well-equipped to effectively combat serious crime. To achieve this, the OSCE Mission to BiH organized a workshop in Mostar, gathering over 40 representatives from prosecutor’s offices, law enforcement agencies, and institutions across the country. The workshop, titled “Instituting and Facilitating Regular Inter-Agency Meetings and Briefings Between Agencies and Prosecution,” concluded today.

ULAANBAATAR, 21 May 2024- The OSCE Office for Democratic Institutions and Human Rights (ODIHR) today opened an observation mission for the 28 June parliamentary elections in Mongolia, following an invitation from the national authorities.

Sarajevo, 20 May 2024- The OSCE Mission to Bosnia and Herzegovina (Mission) calls upon the relevant authorities in Republika Srpska (RS) not to proceed with the adoption of the Law on Special Registry and Publicity of the Work of Non-Profit Organizations, commonly referred to as the “Foreign Agents’ Law”. If enacted, this law would gravely violate fundamental freedoms in a manner that directly contravenes the international obligations undertaken by Bosnia and Herzegovina, including as an OSCE participating State, and thus of the RS.

Eight journalists representing media in different languages in Kosovo, part of the OSCE’s sixth edition of its Media Fellowship Programme on professional journalism standards and ethical reporting, concluded five-day study visit to media institutions and media outlets in Prishtinë/Priština and

Over 250 young comic artists competed for a spot in the Comic Center catalogue and exhibition taking place this summer, aiming to create comics that promote inter-ethnic understanding in North Macedonia. Through partnerships with local civil society organizations (CSOs), such as the Comic Center,

On 13 May 2024, aspiring legal professionals gathered in Astana to inaugurate an intensive legal training programme aimed at retraining potential personnel for Kazakhstan’s judicial system. The training spanned from 13 to 18 May, encompassing a comprehensive week-long educational endeavour. Prior to this, participants engaged in a two-week-long online training programme delivered by the Academy of Justice, supplemented by mock essay writing sessions, to fortify their foundational skills and knowledge.

A week-long Regional Instructor Development Training program concluded on May 17, 2024, at the Regional Explosive Hazards Training Center (REHTC) of Tajikistan’s Ministry of Defense in Chimteppa, near Dushanbe.

The OSCE Mission concluded today in Prishtinë/Priština the sixth edition of its Youth Academy, marking the culmination of a transformative journey for 49 passionate young people of different backgrounds from throughout Kosovo. Over the course of five days, these motivated participants were part of

From 13 to 16 May 2024 the OSCE Transnational Threats Department (TNTD), the OSCE Mission to Bosnia and Herzegovina and the Police Academy organized four one-day introductory training courses on gender-responsive policing of violence against women and girls for police cadets and young police inspectors in Sarajevo, Bosnia and Herzegovina (BiH).

How to conduct online investigations as well as effectively identify and collect data and information from online open sources was the focus of a training course organized by the OSCE Transnational Threats Department in Kosshy, Kazakhstan from 13 to 17 May 2024.

On 16-17 May, the second meeting of the Interagency Steering Committee to Counter Cybercrimes (hereinafter, the Steering Committee) took place at the Law Enforcement Academy under the Prosecutor General’s Office of the Republic of Kazakhstan in the city of Kosshy. The initiative is a part of the extrabudgetary project “Supporting the Republic of Kazakhstan in the Development of Effective Policies to Counter Cybercrimes (Phase I)” implemented by the OSCE Programme Office in Astana (hereinafter, the Office), in co-operation with the Ministry of Interior of the Republic of Kazakhstan, and with the support of the Administration of the President of the Republic of Kazakhstan.