Documents library

Remarks by Steven Wagenseil, Deputy Director of the OSCE Office for Democratic Institutions and Human Rights

This report, the eighth in a series jointly produced by UNHCR and OSCE, is intended to provide an overview of the problems confronted by minority communities living in Kosovo today.

The purpose of the report is to draw the attention of the politicians, the civil society and broader public to the concerns of the people in Kosovo and to encourage politicians to respond to the demands of their electorate and take responsibilities.

Anti-trafficking unit presentation

Agenda of the meeting

The draft amendments, prepared by the Central Election Commission (CEC), include a number of positive changes, many of which are in line with OSCE/ODIHR recommendations prepared after the 2000 parliamentary and presidential elections in the Kyrgyz Republic. However, a number of problematic aspects of the Code have not been adequately addressed.

Speech by Ambassador Geert-Hinrich Ahrens at the Signing of the protocol on implementing ODIHR recommendations

Agenda of the meeting

This analysis provides comments on the extent to which the legal framework for media coverage of elections in Kazakhstan is in accordance with international law, standards and commitments. It also provides overview comments on the general issue of media independence. These comments are based on English translations of the following laws and regulations: • The Constitution of the Republic of Kazakhstan of 30 August 1995 (including 1998 amendments); • The Law of the Republic of Kazakhstan “On Elections in the Republic Of Kazakhstan”, No. 407-I of 28 June1999 (Election Law); • The Rules of Execution of Election Campaign and Provision of Broadcasting Time in Radio and Television Programmes, and on Publication of Propaganda Preelection Material in Periodical Press Publications of the State Mass Media to the Nominees to the Parliament and Maslikhats of the Republic of Kazakhstan of August 1999 (Election Media Rules); • The Law of the Republic of Kazakhstan “On Mass Media”, No. 451-I of 23 July 1999 (and 2001 amendments) (Mass Media Law); and • The Law of the Republic of Kazakhstan “On Administrative Procedures”, No. 107- II of 27 November 2000.

This assessment reviews and comments on “Decree Number 633 of the President of the Republic of Kazakhstan On Elections of Akims of Aul (Rural) Districts, Auls (Villages), and Villages”. This assessment is based on an unofficial English translation. This review has taken into consideration the “Law on Elections in the Republic of Kazakhstan”, as Articles 10, 55, and 63 of Presidential Decree Number 633 apply certain provisions of the Law on Elections. However, this assessment is not an assessment of the Law on Elections. This assessment considers the Law on Elections only to the extent that Presidential Decree Number 633 incorporates the Law on Elections.