Publications

With the support of the OSCE Mission to Montenegro, the Damar Agency conducted a public opinion survey aimed at examining public confidence in election administration bodies in Montenegro, with a focus on the State Election Commission (SEC). Additionally, this research covers topics related to citizens’ perceptions of electoral processes including electoral reform. Not available in English.

The report gives an overview of institutional matters and the activities undertaken throughout the year, with a glimpse on financial and administrative matters.

The OSCE Mission in Kosovo works to improve the protection of human and community rights, good governance and public safety standards in Kosovo. The Mission, established in 1999, is the largest field operation in the OSCE.

In an effort to understand the citizens’ attitude towards the work of the Police in Montenegro, an extensive survey was conducted focusing on various aspects of this topic. The subject of this research is the perception of Montenegrin citizens regarding security, the work and efficiency of the police, as well as their awareness of different aspects of the police department’s operations. This research represents a continuation of the OSCE Mission to Montenegro activities on the support program for the further improvement and efficiency of the overall capacities of the Ministry of Interior and the Police Directorate. Similar public opinion surveys on the perception of the police, integrity and professionalism of police officers were conducted in 2019, 2020, 2021 and 2022.

The OSCE report “Empowering Women to Drive Sustainable Energy Access in Rural Tajikistan- A Catalyst for Community Development and Wellbeing” analyses the impact of a pilot initiative that provided women from the Yaghnob Valley of Tajikistan with access to clean energy technologies, as solar parabolic cookers and mini-solar power stations, and trained them on how to make the best use of these devices for their wellbeing and that of their communities. This activity was implemented within the framework of the OSCE project “Promoting Women's Economic Empowerment in the Energy Sector in Central Asia", funded by Austria, Germany, Italy, France, Norway, and Poland.

First-line responders are the first point of contact and information for people requiring assistance in migration and humanitarian crises. While driven by good intentions, some, particularly new civil society organizations, volunteers, and other supporters, might lack knowledge and experience in the context, including as it relates to the risks of trafficking in human beings. To address this gap, the Office of the OSCE Special Representative and Co-ordinator for Combating Trafficking in Human Beings developed a Code of Conduct that suggests some key steps to be undertaken by first-line responders to ensure that their staff is sensitized to the risks of human trafficking and does not unintendedly contribute to endangering the beneficiaries or colleagues.

The OSCE Risk Assessment, "The Effects of the Crisis in Afghanistan on Central Asia’s Energy Sector," presents a comprehensive analysis of the implications of Afghanistan’s regime change for energy stakeholders in Central Asia and regional energy co-operation. It highlights key developments in Afghanistan's energy landscape since 2021, identifies ongoing and emergent risks for energy trade with Central Asia, and analyzes the prospects of key regional infrastructure projects such as TUTAP, TAP, CASA-1000, and TAPI. Hence, the study offers recommendations to practitioners from OSCE participating States on enhancing regional energy security and the well-being of the people in Central Asia and Afghanistan in the foreseeable future. The study was carried out within the framework of the OSCE project “Strengthening Energy Sector Co-operation and Analysis in Central Asia in the Context of Afghanistan’s Energy Crisis", funded by Germany and Sweden, and was created in close collaboration with Central Asian officials and experts to reflect their needs, priorities, and responses to the situation.

Quantitative public opinion research was conducted on a representative sample of 1003 citizens of Montenegro, aged between 16 and 75 years. Data collection took place during June and July 2023, using a structured questionnaire that lasted approximately 20 minutes.

The publication “The Stockholm Convention in a Europe in Crisis” presents a selection of the proceedings of the seminar held on 24 November 2022 in Stockholm to mark the 30th anniversary of the adoption of the Convention on Conciliation and Arbitration within the OSCE. The first part of the conference covered topics related to the origins of the 1992 Stockholm Convention, its assets and challenges as well as the obstacles faced, while looking at different methods of peaceful settlement of disputes in today’s world: arbitration, conciliation, mediation. The second part featured a forward-looking approach and scrutinized the role of the Court within the different mechanisms provided by the OSCE, keeping in mind the spirit of Helsinki. The seminar’s conclusions allowed to draw a new roadmap for the 1992 Stockholm Convention and to adapt its discourse to conflicts and challenges that Europe is facing today. The anniversary event was jointly organized by the Court of Conciliation and Arbitration within the OSCE, the Ministry for Foreign Affairs of Sweden and the Stockholm Centre for International Law and Justice, University of Stockholm.

This report highlights the impact of activities carried out by the OSCE Office for Democratic Institutions and Human Rights (ODIHR) in 2023.