Democracy and Human Rights in the OSCE: The ODIHR Annual Report 2023

Democracy and Human Rights in the OSCE OSCE Office for Democratic Institutions and Human Rights Annual Report

2023 Democracy and Human Rights in the OSCE The OSCE Office for Democratic Institutions and Human Rights Annual Report

2023 Democracy and Human Rights in the OSCE. The OSCE Office for Democratic Institutions and Human Rights Annual Report 2023

Published by the OSCE Office for Democratic Institutions and Human Rights (ODIHR) Ul. Miodowa 10 00-251 Warsaw Poland

www.osce.org/odihr

© OSCE/ODIHR 2024

All rights reserved. The contents of this publication may be freely used and copied for educational and other non-commercial purposes, provided that any such reproduction is accompanied by an acknowledgement of the OSCE/ODIHR as the source.

ISBN 978-92-9271-262-4

Design by Homework Contents

ODIHR Director’s foreword 4 Overview 5 ODIHR Structure and budget 7

PART 1: Making democratic institutions more accessible, inclusive and trusted 9 1.1 Promoting judicial independence and accountability 10 1.2 Accountability for violations of international humanitarian law and international human rights law 13 1.3 Striving for gender equality in election observation and electoral processes 14 1.4 Breaking down barriers to inclusive political participation 16 1.5 Supporting Ukrainian judges in determining accountability for war crimes 18 1.6 Transforming gender equality in political parties 20 1.7 Improving the accessibility of elections and election observation 22 1.8 Strengthening political integrity in Georgia 24 1.9 Supporting migrant and refugee integration in Polish cities 26 1.10 Strengthening institutional mechanisms for gender equality 28 1.11 Election observation work in high gear 30 1.12 Working with media regulators to address electoral integrity in online campaigning 33

Part 2: Supporting civil society and the security sector to strengthen democracy and guarantee human rights 35 2.1 Increasing respect for Roma rights — combating hate crimes and evictions, and improving access to quality health care 36 2.2 Tackling shrinking civic space and democratic backsliding 38 2.3 Helping human rights defenders to conduct trauma-informed monitoring 42 2.4 Strengthening the protection of human rights in counter-terrorism policing in Uzbekistan 44 2.5 Strengthening Ukrainian Roma and pro-Roma human rights defenders 46 2.6 Enabling dialogue on migration in Poland and Greece 48 2.7 Practical responses to combat the trafficking of Ukrainian women and children 50 2.8 Advancing women’s inclusion in law enforcement 52 2.9 Recognizing the inclusion of survivors in all anti-trafficking efforts 54

Part 3: Striving for equal, inclusive societies, free from discrimination 57 3.1 Twenty years of work on Roma and Sinti issues 58 3.2 Strengthening the criminal justice response to hate crime 59 3.3 Bridging the gaps in the national, regional and international responses to intolerance 62 3.4 Training young people to foster equal and inclusive societies 64

Annexes 67 Meetings and events 68 Extrabudgetary programmes and projects 83 ODIHR Publications in 2023 94 Legislative reviews 100 ODIHR Election reports and statements 102 ODIHR Director’s foreword

Democracy and human rights are at the heart of contribute to the integrity of the electoral process and to ODIHR’s work and its people. The war in Ukraine that the quality of democracy overall. began on 24 February 2022 betrayed the principles and common vision of security on which the OSCE was All OSCE states have recognized that only democra- founded, and in 2023, our activities to support Ukraine cies built on trust, equality and respect for human rights therefore remained fundamental to our work. can make their societies more secure and prosperous, and this principle is key to ODIHR’s work. That is why we As we say in the main section of the report you have in continue to work with determination to help strengthen front of you: imagine taking cover from missile attacks at the institutions and processes that ensure respect for the same time as working to ensure that the rights of those human rights and the rule of law. attacking you are protected. Ukrainian judges are confront- ing this and other challenges every single day. In the midst In 2023, ODIHR received an unprecedented 35 requests of this, ODIHR has been supporting them in their work and for assistance in reviewing draft legislation from a in 2023, ODIHR helped train over 100 Ukrainian judges wide geographical spread of OSCE states and OSCE adjudicating cases of alleged war crimes. field operations, on topics ranging from judicial reform to freedom of assembly. A number of the proposed At the same time and in line with ODIHR’s monitor- legal reforms regrettably followed the disturbing trend ing mandate, we are continuing to monitor violations towards narrowing space for civil society and an inde- of international humanitarian and human rights law pendent media. By entering into dialogue with the in Ukraine and their impact on civilians and prison- authorities drafting the legislation early on, ODIHR can ers of war. This includes in-depth interviews with more contribute to public debate and pave the way to a more than 330 survivors and witnesses of violations, both in positive outcome of the legislative process. Ukraine and outside the country. Our impartial analy- sis aims to help ensure accountability for all violations of The need for a free and vibrant civil society for democ- international law. racies to thrive has always been a key focus for ODIHR, and our dialogue with civil society activists and human Two decades after ODIHR began working on Roma and rights defenders is at the centre of our work. As the Sinti issues, we published our new five-yearly report to defence of human rights becomes more dangerous, we assess efforts made by OSCE states to improve the lives continue to support the important work of human rights of Roma and Sinti and ensure they are not just tolerated, defenders across the region and to offer our expertise but respected and included in all areas of public life. and tools to help in these efforts, for the benefit of all citi- While real progress has been made in this area, deep zens and societies. disparities remain and anti-Roma racism and discrimina- tion are still a fundamental challenge. We still have much Through these and all the other stories in this year’s work to do. annual report, we once again illustrate the many ways in which ODIHR’s work has a positive impact on peo- As always, another major area of ODIHR’s work in 2023 ple’s lives and assists OSCE states in strengthening was election observation. And despite the many chal- their democratic institutions and increasing respect for lenges, it was our busiest year on record, with invitations human rights. In this way, ODIHR helps to make the vast to observe 24 elections across the OSCE region. In fact, OSCE region more secure for everyone. we successfully deployed over 2,000 observers over the course of the year, and these efforts were very much welcomed. We are also increasingly being invited to take part in follow-up activities to assist with the implemen- tation of our election recommendations. In this way, we — Matteo Mecacci, ODIHR Director

DEMOCRACY AND HUMAN RIGHTS IN THE OSCE 4 Overview

ODIHR plays a unique role in the OSCE’s overall man- the career advancement of women in border manage- date. It works steadily to build a region in which resilient ment and security agencies. and effective democratic institutions work in the interest of the people, in which strong civil society organizations Another important strand of ODIHR’s work to build and human rights defenders are empowered to engage strong, democratic societies are activities on the par- in meaningful dialogue with governments, and in which ticipation of people with disabilities in political life. In the voices of all are heard. 2023, the Office’s dedicated advisory panel finalized rec- ommendations to OSCE states for increasing political To assist human rights defenders in their import- inclusivity. In addition, to assist states in their efforts to ant work, ODIHR launched an e-learning course that mainstream disability in parliaments and political par- provides both theoretical and practical advice on inter- ties, ODIHR launched an e-learning course designed to viewing people who have experienced trauma, thus address the barriers encountered by people with disabil- protecting the well-being of both interviewee and inter- ities in participating in political and public life. viewer. With over 2,000 users by the end of 2023, the course offers a comprehensive overview of trauma-in- ODIHR is always mindful of the fact that the ultimate formed interviewing. Interest in the course, which is beneficiaries of its assistance are the people, who are available in English, Russian, and Ukrainian, continues to endowed with the rights and freedoms enshrined in the grow across the OSCE region and beyond. Universal Declaration of Human Rights. The aim of the Office in supporting states in the implementation of their For our democracies to flourish, the equal representa- OSCE commitments is therefore always the interest of tion of women and men in all areas of public life is vital. the people living in the OSCE region, in all their diversity. Although the political participation of women in national parliaments in the OSCE region is now at a record high In this context, investing in migrant and refugee integra- of 31.5 per cent, the growth rate has slowed consider- tion is a crucial long-term response to challenges linked ably in recent years, and we see that many procedures to migration and the growing diversity of our societies. and processes within political parties are continuing to Such efforts are needed more than ever as the number hold women back. ODIHR’s tailormade support to parlia- of forcibly displaced people seeking protection in the mentary political parties includes gender audits, and to OSCE region reaches record highs, and at the same time date, more than 40 political parties from 10 OSCE states anti-migration rhetoric is becoming harsher and more have run an ODIHR participatory gender audit. frequent in many places.

Gender equality is a key topic for ODIHR in other areas OSCE states have recognized that successful integration too. Promoting equality within security sector institutions policies must include respect for cultural and religious is a precondition not only to further the human rights of diversity, as well as the protection of human rights and women, but also to increase the effectiveness of those fundamental freedoms. By learning from successful institutions and ensure they can respond to the diverse integration models and initiatives and by assisting in security needs of our societies. strengthening international, national and local coop- eration, ODIHR helps to build inclusive and resilient ODIHR works with security sector staff across the OSCE communities, provide migrants and refugees with a dig- region, particularly with law enforcement authorities, nified life, and promote fair societies. to equip them with the knowledge and skills to become more inclusive, accountable and gender responsive. In In 2023, ODIHR teamed up with a number of other orga- 2023, ODIHR worked specifically with a number of police nizations to offer training on the integration of migrants forces in Central Asia, for example delivering training on and refugees specifically to Polish cities. These practical mainstreaming gender in police reform, and discussing courses aim to help local authorities in Poland support

DEMOCRACY AND HUMAN RIGHTS IN THE OSCE 5 the newcomers, which has become a particular chal- the Office reminds states and their citizens that it is still lenge following the arrival of large numbers of refugees possible, in spite of the challenges, to move forward on from Ukraine. strengthening the human dimension. Only in this way can we achieve security throughout the OSCE region. A final important element of ODIHR’s work is to foster equal and inclusive societies. To respond effectively to The OSCE commitments remain the basis of ODIHR’s intolerance, prejudice and hate crime, ODIHR promotes mandate and its work. 2023 saw the launch of an a comprehensive approach that includes grassroots civil updated and redesigned edition of the OSCE Human society groups, national level institutions and intergov- Dimension Commitments, as well as a mobile app in ernmental bodies. both English and Russian to increase understanding, knowledge and — most importantly — implementation In 2023, ODIHR was involved in more than 60 events of the principles of human rights, democracy, and the aimed at strengthening a collective response to intoler- rule of law that underpin the OSCE. ance in the OSCE region, including support to regional partnerships focused on combating hate crime in the This year’s impact stories are once again divided into Western Balkans, as well as measures to address the three sections that cover ODIHR’s work and illustrate the security needs of Jewish and Muslim communities in the added value of the Office’s initiatives to: OSCE region. In 2024, ODIHR will add another practical guide to its series of practical guides, this time focusing • Make democratic institutions more accessible, on the security needs of Christian communities. inclusive and trusted; • Support civil society and the security sector to By bringing people together throughout the year at con- strengthen democracy and guarantee human rights; ferences, training courses for human rights defenders and and civil society, or for frontline practitioners such as pros- • Strive for equal, inclusive societies, free from ecutors and the police, ODIHR seeks to enable dialogue discrimination. where there has been little or none. Through its outreach,

DEMOCRACY AND HUMAN RIGHTS IN THE OSCE 6 ODIHR Structure and budget

Director Direction and Policy

Tolerance and Contact Point for Elections Democratization Human Rights Non-discrimination Roma and Sinti Issues

Common Services

ODIHR employed 146 people on fixed term 2023 Unified Budget provisional quarter and monthly contracts, including: allotments based on approved 2021 Unified Budget – 51 men and 95 women of 33 nationalities (all figures in euros) – 25 of which were extrabudgetary positions Direction and Policy 1,294,600

Fund Administration Unit 2,970,700

Human Dimension Meetings 603,000

Democratization 1,580,300

Human Rights 1,232,200

Elections 6,505,200

Tolerance and Non-Discrimination 1,418,200

Roma and Sinti 555,700

Total ODIHR Unified Budget 16,159,900

Augmentation 234,100

Total Fund Resources 16,394,000 (unchanged)

€7,110,577 Extrabudgetary actual expenditure

DEMOCRACY AND HUMAN RIGHTS IN THE OSCE 7 PART 1

Making democratic institutions more accessible, inclusive and trusted

Despite the ongoing challenges to democracy and rule of law and the decline of public trust in democratic institutions in many places, ODIHR continued to find innovative ways of supporting participating States in fulfilling their commitments to build and strengthen representative, accessible and ethical democratic institutions. The impact stories below highlight the many ways in which ODIHR provided assistance and expertise to governments, parliaments, judiciaries and institutions to make them more democratic, accountable and trustworthy. 1.1 Promoting judicial independence and accountability

The independence of the judiciary is inherent in the con- cept of separation of powers. Independent judges play a crucial role in safeguarding human rights and protecting fundamental freedoms. OSCE participating States have recognized the importance of judicial independence to the rule of law (Copenhagen 1990) and have commit- ted to ensuring that the independence of the judiciary is guaranteed in law and respected in practice (Moscow 1991). In practice, however, participating States fre- quently face challenges in this area, particularly when Žiga Koritnik conducting justice sector reforms.

Through its tools, resources, monitoring and training, ODIHR is a hub for discussion on the challenges to judicial independence and accountability in the OSCE region. Sharing good practices is also an important part of this work. The Kyiv Recommendations on Judicial Independence in Eastern Europe, South Caucasus I believe that the diverse array of and Central Asia, developed by ODIHR together with experts which ODIHR brought together the Max Planck Institute for Comparative Public Law and International Law, highlight good practices in strengthens the legitimacy of the judicial administration in the identified regions. Since Warsaw Recommendations. As part publication in 2010, they have promoted compliance of the exchange promoting judicial with international standards and good practices independence, I was delighted to for judicial system reforms. They have been used extensively by national authorities, civil society, OSCE contribute to the nuanced dialogue field offices and international organizations. However, surrounding international standards new challenges to judicial independence, and new and best practices, shaping a stronger institutional approaches to safeguarding it, have foundation for these vital principles. emerged. — Nina Betetto, judge of the Supreme Court of Slovenia In 2023, ODIHR completed a multi-year review of the and member of the Council of Europe’s Consultative Kyiv Recommendations, comprising detailed assess- Council of European Judges (CCJE) ments and extensive consultations with justice sector stakeholders and leading experts from OSCE participat- ing States. Judges, members of judges’ associations, judicial training bodies, legislative and executive author- ities, lawyers, members of civil society organizations, academics, staff members of OSCE field offices, and staff members from regional and international organi- zations and scientific bodies all took part in the review process.

DEMOCRACY AND HUMAN RIGHTS IN THE OSCE 10 Shutterstock/Frank Wagner

ODIHR published the resulting Recommendations on Judicial Independence and Accountability (Warsaw Recommendations) in October 2023. They address topics such as the accountability of judicial self-gov- erning bodies, disciplinary accountability of judges, transfers of judges between and within courts, and freedom of expression and association of judges. The Warsaw Recommendations build on the guidance in the Kyiv Recommendations and are a practical tool for national authorities, civil society, OSCE field offices and international organizations to identify international stan- dards and good practices and to deal with emerging challenges in safeguarding and promoting judicial inde- pendence. The Warsaw Recommendations will support OSCE participating States in upholding judicial indepen- dence in the OSCE region.

DEMOCRACY AND HUMAN RIGHTS IN THE OSCE 11  ODIHR IS A CLOSE PARTNER FOR CIVIL SOCIETY ACROSS THE OSCE REGION

DEMOCRACY AND HUMAN RIGHTS IN THE OSCE 12 1.2 Accountability for violations of international humanitarian law and international human rights law

In 2023, ODIHR expanded the work of the Ukraine Information collected through in-person interviews was Monitoring Initiative (UMI), which started immediately complemented by remote monitoring, including veri- following the military attack by the Russian Federation in fication of digital evidence by a team of researchers. Ukraine on 24 February 2022. The Initiative was set up Crucially in the scope of its monitoring, ODIHR worked to monitor reported violations of international humanitar- with Ukrainian human rights defenders to continue pro- ian law and international human rights law in the context ducing tools to assist them with their monitoring. To this of the armed conflict, focusing on the most pressing end, ODIHR experts visited Lviv and Kyiv in June, meet- issues impacting the lives of civilians and prisoners of ing a total of 18 human rights organizations. war. Through collecting, storing and documenting infor- mation on these topics, ODIHR aims to contribute to ODIHR published the UMI’s Third and Fourth Interim accountability for the reported violations. Reports, in July and December respectively, to provide OSCE participating States and the wider public with During the year, ODIHR conducted nine separate moni­ up-to-date and well-documented evidence of reported toring deployments to interview Ukrainian witnesses violations. The reports focused on specific issues that and survivors; four in Ukraine, four in Estonia and one in witnesses and survivors gave detailed information Poland. During these deployments, 17 monitoring teams about, giving prominence to their experiences. They interviewed 210 people (114 women and 96 men) about also contained updated recommendations aimed at pre- the violations they experienced or witnessed. ODIHR venting further civilian suffering. conducts the monitoring in a trauma-informed manner in order to keep both interviewees and interviewers safe and to ensure that the information collected is as accur­ ate and detailed as possible. Shutterstock/Yannick Martinez

DEMOCRACY AND HUMAN RIGHTS IN THE OSCE 13 1.3 Striving for gender equality in election observation and electoral processes

In 2023, ODIHR expanded its focus on women’s repre- sentation in observation and support to participating States to encourage gender equality in election pro- cesses, aiming to increase equality between women and men in electoral processes in the years to come.

For the first time, ODIHR’s election observation activi- ties deployed more women than men in both core team analyst positions and mission management. For exter- nally recruited core team positions, ODIHR deployed 57 women and 52 men, including nine women and eight men as heads of missions or team leaders in smaller observations, and eight women and six men as dep- uty heads of missions. Similarly, over half of long-term observers from the ODIHR Diversification Fund this year were women.

Greater participation of women in elections and elec- ODIHR has always recognized the tion observation significantly enriches the democratic importance of women to its work. Over process. OSCE participating States have committed to making equality between men and women an inte- the many missions I have led, I have gral part of their policies. As half the population in all seen this commitment in action, with societies, women observers must be represented in all growing attention to the participation election observation activities. The diverse perspectives of women, both in the composition of and experiences brought by women observers contrib- ute to a more comprehensive and inclusive assessment missions and in election observation of electoral proceedings, and therefore also to the assis- activities. Therefore, embracing gender tance ODIHR can provide following observation. Their parity in election observation not only insights play a pivotal role in shaping recommendations upholds principles of equity but also for improved electoral practices, promoting fairness and advancing gender-inclusive policies. cultivates a more robust, transparent and representative democratic framework. — Tana de Zulueta, former Italian senator and frequent head of ODIHR observation activities

DEMOCRACY AND HUMAN RIGHTS IN THE OSCE 14 Likewise, most final election reports released by ODIHR As part of ODIHR’s follow-up to election observation in 2023 contained at least one, dedicated gender recom­ recommendations to participating States, the Office mendation on how to improve the participation of women is using two further tools to impact gender equality in in political and public life. In April, the Office also pub- elections. In partnership with ODIHR’s CHANGE pro­ lished the second edition of its Handbook on Observing ject, gender-focused follow-up events were organized in and Promoting Women’s Electoral Participation, which 2023 in Poland, North Macedonia and Georgia, with the elaborates on ODIHR’s methodology for assessing and aim of helping these states make electoral politics more issuing recommendations on women’s participation in accessible to women and increase their representa- elections. Among other new topics, the handbook looks tion. For example, in Skopje in June, a dedicated gender into issues surrounding cyberviolence against women event focused on ODIHR’s detailed recommendation on and its impact on women’s choices to take part in poli- women in politics. The event gathered key stakeholders, tics, and is already supporting more robust observation including political parties, to develop effective measures of this growing challenge to gender equality. to identify and overcome gender barriers for women can- didates and to discuss the impact of the gender quota on the election of women officeholders at all levels.

Finally, as part of its Support to Electoral Reforms in the Western Balkans project, funded by the Euro- pean Union and Austrian Development Agency, ODIHR conducted assessments of the gender dimension of election administration activities — or gender audits — for election management bodies (EMBs) in Albania and Montenegro. The key objective of these gender audits is to identify good practices, gaps and challenges, and Handbook then to develop practical solutions and proposals to on Observing and strengthen: gender knowledge and the capacity of elec- Promoting Women’s Electoral Participation tion administrations; gender aspects in policy and the operations of electoral processes; and gender main- streaming in EMB organization and culture. Based on this work, ODIHR is finalizing a toolkit for all participating States on how to conduct such audits. OSCE/Maria Kökce

Election observers, Warsaw, Poland, 15 October 2023.

DEMOCRACY AND HUMAN RIGHTS IN THE OSCE 15 1.4 Breaking down barriers to inclusive political participation

It is very important to make sure that This is a critical juncture for all of us in the topic of disability is included in all increasing the political participation of elections in 2024; nothing about us persons with disabilities in parliament, without us. in elections, and in making democracy — Amu Urhonen, Finnish disability activist and Chair of accessible. the Advisory Panel — Jerry Buttimer, Deputy Speaker, Irish Parliament (Seanad Éireann)

ODIHR convened its first Advisory Panel on the Political The Recommendations offer participating States com- Participation of Persons with Disabilities in 2021. With prehensive recommendations for enhancing political a growing global emphasis on diversity and inclusion, inclusivity. These include: the call for inclusive legislation the establishment of the panel was timely, with its focus aligned with international norms; the identification and on dismantling barriers for those with disabilities in the removal of barriers hindering the participation of people political sphere directly addressing key challenges. with disabilities; an emphasis on accessible information; Drawing on key OSCE commitments, the panel targets and the acknowledgment of intersectionality, urging participating States, advocating for shifts in legislative participating States to consider multiple marginalized approaches and practices. identities in political representation. Each recom- mendation is a step towards a more inclusive political At the heart of this transformative journey was the Advi- landscape. The comprehensive engagement advocated sory Panel’s 2023 annual meeting, a hybrid event hosted by the panel extends beyond rhetoric and calls on politi- in Dublin, Ireland, and online. The meeting played a cru- cal parties to promote diversity and inclusivity actively. cial role in finalizing the Dublin Recommendations, a set of actionable steps offered by ODIHR to participating States containing insights derived from the collective expertise of the panel members.

DEMOCRACY AND HUMAN RIGHTS IN THE OSCE 16 Shutterstock/AndriiKoval

To enhance the collaborative efforts of participating States in mainstreaming disability in parliaments and political parties, and with the active support of the Advi- sory Panel, ODIHR launched the e-learning course Promoting the Participation of Persons with Disabilities: An Interactive Tool for Parliaments and Political Parties. The course is designed to address the barriers encoun- tered by people with disabilities in accessing political and public life. It offers comprehensive guidance and good practices that aim to mitigate these barriers Houses of the Oireachtas

effectively.

ODIHR Advisory Panel on the Political Participation of Persons with Disabilities at their annual meeting, Dublin, Ireland, 14 November 2023.

DEMOCRACY AND HUMAN RIGHTS IN THE OSCE 17 1.5 Supporting Ukrainian judges in determining accountability for war crimes

Imagine taking cover from missile attacks at the same fair trial principles in cases where defendants stand time as working to ensure that the rights of those attack- accused of committing war crimes in Ukraine. In doing ing you are protected. This is one of the many daunting so, ODIHR’s Rule of Law unit helped enhance the legal and emotionally challenging tasks that Ukrainian judges skills of over 100 Ukrainian judges adjudicating cases of confront each day, complicated by a list of over 100,000 alleged war crimes in 2023. alleged war crimes cases, thousands of judicial vacan- cies and the need to master international criminal and In addition to regular webinars, a seminar in December humanitarian law, a complex body of law for even the focused on how Ukrainian courts can apply international most seasoned professionals. humanitarian and international criminal law norms when adjudicating war crimes cases. The event, hosted by ODIHR has been supporting Ukrainian judges in their ODIHR in Warsaw, brought together 25 judges from the work amidst the ongoing war and the accompanying Ukrainian Supreme Court, courts of appeals and first-­ strain on the judiciary. Through the successful imple- instance courts, and included judges working in courts mentation of rule of law and accountability activities located near the front line. Despite the constant threat under the “Advancing the Human Dimension of Security of attacks on their communities and court infrastructure, in Ukraine” project, ODIHR has become a key plat- the judges were adamant about their duty to guarantee form for interaction between judges from Ukraine and the right to a fair trial, including for Russian prisoners of elsewhere in the OSCE region, advancing justice and war, in line with international law. OSCE/Anna Stakhanova

Supporting Ukrainian judges in delivering justice, Warsaw, Poland, 30 October 2023.

DEMOCRACY AND HUMAN RIGHTS IN THE OSCE 18 OSCE/Marine Constant

Borodyanka, Ukraine, 1 July 2022.

During the seminar, the Ukrainian judges worked on violations of international humanitarian law, and identifying elements of international crimes, apply- support of national and international efforts to bring ing international humanitarian and human rights law in to justice those who have committed crimes against domestic jurisdictions, determining whether evidence women under international criminal law, including may be used in a case, and addressing the treatment of conflict-related sexual violence. prisoners of war in their verdicts. The participants dis- cussed the experience of Croatia and Bosnia, as well The positive feedback of the judges stressed the impor- as the rules of procedure of the International Criminal tance of further training and events on the application Court. Leading scholars and judicial professionals from of international law in Ukraine. While individual judges these countries and institutions were on hand to answer left the seminar with greater knowledge, the event also judges’ questions and to engage in in-depth discussions embodied Ukraine’s collective effort to advance the rule about their experiences. The seminar was structured of law and strengthen legal institutions, in compliance around OSCE participating States’ commitments, such with European and international standards, even during as recognition of the right to effective remedy and judi- a time of war. cial independence, accountability for war crimes and

DEMOCRACY AND HUMAN RIGHTS IN THE OSCE 19 1.6 Transforming gender equality in political parties

Political parties are considered the ‘gatekeepers’ of democracy and therefore also the gatekeepers of the equal participation of women and men in political life. Although the political participation of women in national parliaments in the OSCE region is currently at a record high of 31.5 per cent, the growth rate has slowed consid- erably in the last five years. At the current rate, achieving gender parity will take another 40 years. The rules, pro-

Conservative People’s Party cesses and mechanisms within political parties are among the many barriers that hold women back from political participation.

Recognizing the vital role of political parties, OSCE com- mitments specifically encourage political parties to promote the equal participation of women and men as a means to achieve gender balance in elected office at all levels of decision-making. With a mandate to strengthen and promote the equal and meaningful participation The gender audit has given us very of women and men in political life and to advance gen- useful recommendations to work on in der equality in democratic institutions, ODIHR provides direct and targeted support to parliamentary politi- the coming years, to continuously strive cal parties. This includes running participatory gender for a better gender balance, especially audits. within our party bodies. — Henrik Sølje Weiglin, Deputy Chairperson ODIHR worked with political parties in Denmark and of the Conservative People’s Party Serbia in 2023. In Denmark, ODIHR was invited by six of the eight largest parliamentary political parties to sup- port their multiparty initiative to assess their gender sensitivity. Representatives of these parties were trained on how and why to conduct gender audits and on how the resulting recommendations can be made into party Promoting gender roadmaps or action plans for promoting gender equality. equality in politics and democratic After the training, three political parties — the Con- institutions

servative People’s Party; Radikale Venstre, the Danish ODIHR works on two areas aimed at ensuring equal opportunity for the participation of women in political and

Social-Liberal Party; and Venstre, the Danish Liberal public life in the OSCE region, in line with its mandate from Ministerial Council Decision No. 14/04 — The 2004 OSCE Action Plan for the Promotion of Gender Equality.

1. Women’s equal political participation and leadership in democratic processes and representation at all

Party — invited ODIHR to conduct full audits. They levels of decision-making; and The Parliament of the Kyrgyz Republic, Jogorku Kenesh, discusses the history 2. Strengthening democratic institutions and national of gender equality as part of a participatory gender audit of the Parliament. mechanisms for advancing gender equality, including assisting in the implementation and How does ODIHR promote women’s equal political

included a desk review of central party documents, assessment of national strategies and action plans participation and gender equality in democratic on measures to promote gender equality and gender institutions and governance? mainstreaming. Based on research into the most effective measures to implement ODIHR’s mandate, the Office promotes

workshops, interviews and focus groups. The audit women’s equal political participation and gender equality Key OSCE commitments and Ministerial in democratic institutions and processes in three ways: Council Decisions on gender equality in 1. Actively supporting women’s equal political politics participation as well as representation and leadership in political decision-making;

reports make party-specific recommendations, rec- - Document of the Moscow Meeting of the Conference on the Human Dimension of 2. Promoting gender transformation of democratic the CSCE, 1991 institutions, e.g., political parties and parliaments; and - 2004 OSCE Action Plan for the Promotion of Gender Equality (No. 14/04) 3. Strengthening gender-responsive governance, policy-

ognizing the unique and informal Danish approach to - Women in Conflict Prevention, Crisis and lawmaking. Management and Post-Conflict Rehabilitation (No. 14/05) ODIHR applies diverse methods and tools, including - Preventing and Combating Violence training, networking and mentoring; gender audits, Against Women (No. 15/05; 07/14 and assessments, legislative assistance and action planning;

gender equality advancement. The parties have com- 04/18) developing online and offline resources, such as guides, handbooks and manuals; and implementing activities and - Women’s Participation in Political and projects on national, sub-regional and OSCE-wide levels. Public Life (No. 07/09) ODIHR cooperates with OSCE institutions, governments, democratic institutions, civil society and international

mitted to implement recommendations in a number of partners.

areas, including setting up statutory bodies for gender equality, conducting awareness-raising and training on gender equality, and doing further work on preventing sexism and sexual harassment.

DEMOCRACY AND HUMAN RIGHTS IN THE OSCE 20 Rolf Aagaard-Svendsen

Participants of a gender audit workshop, Copenhagen, Denmark, 14–15 April 2023.

ODIHR also completed a gender audit for the Democratic Party in Serbia, producing a set of recom- ODIHR’s gender audit methodology mendations on how the party can increase the number as an online tool of women in the party and gender mainstream the par- ty’s vision, policies and organizational culture. The ODIHR’s gender audit methodology is available Democratic Party is now setting up a statutory Gender online in English and Russian at genderaudit. Equality Committee, which will take the lead on imple- osce.org. Structured as a survey, the tool guides menting the recommendations. In line with standard the user with clear questions and proposals for practice, ODIHR also extended the invitation to the two further actions. biggest parliamentary parties in Serbia, demonstrating its commitment to multiparty initiatives.

To date, more than 40 political parties from 10 OSCE participating states have run an ODIHR participatory gender audit. Experience shows that a political party must own the audit process and commit to implement the recommendations. If party leadership is closely engaged in the process, a gender audit can lead to sig- nificant institutional change towards gender equality.

DEMOCRACY AND HUMAN RIGHTS IN THE OSCE 21 1.7 Improving the accessibility of elections and election observation

Assessing the accessibility of an election process for persons with disabilities has long been part of ODIHR’s Ireland welcomes ODIHR’s commitment election observation methodology and is included in to facilitating the participation of the Handbook dedicated to the topic. However, in 2023, significant strides in inclusion and accessibility were persons with disabilities in its election made in ODIHR election activities. observation missions. Ireland is grateful for ODIHR’s support to its new The more inclusive an election observation mission International Election Observation is, the more effective it should be in providing a com- prehensive assessment of the entire process. Greater Roster (2024-2028). This Roster is now participation of persons with disabilities should produce established and we look forward to valuable insights into the accessibility of polling stations, supporting members, including those leading to tangible improvements, such as ramps and with disabilities, take their places on accessible voting booths. Greater participation can also lead to recommendations on ensuring diverse repre- ODIHR missions into 2024 and beyond. sentation, fostering inclusivity and democratic values, all — David O’Shea, Deputy Director, Irish Department of of which OSCE participating States have committed to Foreign Affairs, Civil Society Unit strengthening. Observers with disabilities, and experts who focus on these issues, can advocate for inclusive electoral policies, recommending accessible voting technologies and alternative formats, such as braille or audio.

In 2023, ODIHR’s election team implemented three ini- tiatives to enhance the inclusion of observers with disabilities in its work and to provide comprehensive feedback to States on this important aspect of demo- cratic elections.

Having individuals with disabilities as ODIHR observers can raise awareness about inclusivity and accessibility, educating election officials, voters and the public about the rights of those with disabilities. Actively engaging these individuals in election observation helps iden- tify and address barriers, increasing equal participation and encouraging a level playing field. To this end, this year ODIHR worked closely with interested participat- ing States to proactively recruit more observers with disabilities to their rosters for both short- and long-term observation roles. Inclusive language has been added to recruitment posts and States are making concerted efforts to put forward candidates with disabilities, to add further diverse perspectives to ODIHR’s international observation.

DEMOCRACY AND HUMAN RIGHTS IN THE OSCE 22 OSCE/Anna Jaroszewicz

Białystok, Poland, 15 October 2023.

ODIHR also launched a comprehensive audit of the cur- ODIHR observers focused on the ability of people with rent accessibility of election missions. Working closely disabilities to participate in campaigning, whether state with disabled persons organizations, the audit has gath- resources for inclusion initiatives were available to ered data about physical accessibility and other barriers campaigns, and assessing whether electoral events, that may be hindering the full participation of persons materials, venues and debates were accessible to peo- with disabilities in election observation activities. The ple with various forms of disability. outcome of this audit will be a more comprehensive understanding of accommodations and resources that Also, this year, for the first time, ODIHR deployed an should be available (related to spaces, materials, trans- Election Accessibility Analyst on the Election Expert port or other tools) so that more people with disabilities Team for the October elections in Switzerland. Her will have what they need to succeed as election obser- presence and expertise enabled ODIHR to provide con- vers with ODIHR. crete recommendations to make future Swiss elections more accessible to all citizens. ODIHR’s recommenda- Lastly, the ease and accessibility with which individ- tions to better guarantee the political rights of persons uals with disabilities are able to take part in elections, with disabilities range from addressing legal provi- as voters, in campaigns and as candidates, can build sions that impact those with intellectual disabilities, to confidence in the electoral process and support the considering supported decision-making and ensuring legitimacy and fairness of democratic practices. The that candidates with disabilities enjoy equal campaign Office continued to deepen its observation in this opportunities, possibly by providing financial support to regard, beyond simple physical accessibility to poll- reduce disability-related costs. ing stations. Throughout its election activities in 2023,

DEMOCRACY AND HUMAN RIGHTS IN THE OSCE 23 1.8 Strengthening political integrity in Georgia

All OSCE participating States have recognized the fun- damental democratic principles of public accountability. High standards in public integrity can be enforced effec- tively when they become integral to the work of political parties, who then follow these same principles in their parliamentary work. ODIHR engages actively with polit- ical parties across the OSCE region, helping them to develop internal codes of conduct.

In 2023, ODIHR was asked by four Georgian parliamen- tary political parties to help them develop their codes of conduct. The parties — For Georgia, Georgian Dream Democratic Georgia, United National Movement and Lelo for Georgia — come from across the political spectrum.

After analysing their statutes and internal documents and conducting interviews, ODIHR prepared for each After participating in ODIHR’s Young party tailored guidance notes on developing a code of Women’s Political Academy in 2022 conduct. These also included research results and good practices from across the OSCE region, drawn from [where one session covered Democracy ODIHR’s extensive mapping of codes of conduct, cov- and Integrity Mechanisms], I thought ering 90 political parties in 25 OSCE participating States. it would be beneficial for our relatively newly established political party to In November, ODIHR ran in-person workshops for around 125 representatives of the four parties. Each have a code of conduct. I believe that party now intends to draft a party code of conduct and one cannot demand anything from establish bodies to oversee compliance with ethical others if we politicians do not comply principles. This includes addressing violence against with integrity principles. Gladly, our women in politics, a key element of modern codes of conduct. team leaders were open to this idea and, soon after, with the assistance of ODIHR, we drafted the Code which will come into force in spring 2024. I am proud to be part of this process. — Ana Buchukuri, Member of the Parliament of Georgia/Member of the Political Council of the For Georgia political party

DEMOCRACY AND HUMAN RIGHTS IN THE OSCE 24  Why should political parties adopt a code of conduct?

To determine and define the ethics/integrity principles to which the party aspires, to strengthen its political culture and ensure its long-term sustainability.

To help members behave with integrity and avoid potential reputational damage to the party by:

• Managing intra-party conflicts; • Promoting and prioritizing ethical values;

ODIHR Public Ethics and Integrity Toolkit • Mainstreaming inclusion and equal treatment, espe- cially in relation to gender and combating violence against women in politics;

To monitor the observance of integrity principles through clear, simple and impartial monitoring mechanisms that also allow for whistle-blowing; and ODIHR Public Ethics and To develop sanctions for misconduct (proportional and Integrity Toolkit Guidelines for Parliaments

graduated, formal and informal) to mitigate the risk of rep- utational damage and loss of trust in political parties by the public. Shutterstock/EtiAmmos

DEMOCRACY AND HUMAN RIGHTS IN THE OSCE 25 1.9 Supporting migrant and refugee integration in Polish cities

Polish cities have much to share. They It was very important for me to have the potential and experience exchange experiences with colleagues to create open and empathetic from other cities. The session on communities. At this training seminar, media narratives and social campaigns we talked about what worked and what was particularly helpful. I will use didn’t, and how to continue working this knowledge in my work with the towards intercultural dialogue. We Gdansk Council of Immigrants and with inspire each other. journalists who support the city through — Magdalena Furdzik, Municipality of Kraków information campaigns reaching out to migrants. — Yurii Zabiiaka, Gdansk Council of Immigrants

ODIHR teamed up with three international organiza- Nations Refugee Agency (UNHCR) and the Organisation tions and the Union of Polish Metropolises to offer the for Economic Co-operation and Development (OECD). “Academy on the Integration of Migrants and Refu- The courses are practical and complementary and help gees” to Polish cities. The Academy provides a series Polish local authorities support migrants and refugees, of training courses to support cities in responding to which has become a particular challenge following the the challenges of integrating refugees and migrants, to arrival of large numbers of refugees from Ukraine. Five share lessons learned and to get inspired by good prac- Academy courses were delivered in 2023, with more to tices in other cities and OSCE countries. A range of come in 2024. The growing interest in participation from courses are on offer over 18 months. The courses are local authority staff demonstrates the usefulness of this delivered alongside the Council of Europe, the United initiative.

DEMOCRACY AND HUMAN RIGHTS IN THE OSCE 26 OSCE/Maria Kökce OSCE/Maria Kökce

Training on the integration of migrants and refugees, Warsaw, Poland, 6–7 November 2023.

DEMOCRACY AND HUMAN RIGHTS IN THE OSCE 27 1.10 Strengthening institutional mechanisms for gender equality

Governmental institutional mechanisms (IMs) for the by the Czech Government’s Gender Equality Depart- advancement of women and gender equality play an ment, the Ukrainian gender advisers learned about the important role in advancing gender equality. Since 2004, national, legal, institutional and policy framework, as participating States have been encouraged to establish well as the innovative approaches taken by the Prague and strengthen mechanisms for ensuring gender equal- City Administration to mainstream gender in the city’s ity and ODIHR supports States in this endeavour. human resources policies and in their implementation. In light of the war in Ukraine, there was particular focus In 2023, ODIHR worked with IMs in Ukraine, Bosnia and on the “Women, Peace and Security” agenda. Herzegovina and the Czech Republic. ODIHR contin- ued to support the Ukrainian Gender Advisers Network, ODIHR also continued its support to the OSCE Mission established with ODIHR’s support in 2021. This is an to Bosnia and Herzegovina and the country’s Agency informal network of gender advisers appointed across for Gender Equality. Using ODIHR’s methodology, they national ministries, government agencies, and regional conducted a national assessment of the barriers to gen- and local level bodies. It is a unique platform for the der equality in politics. The resulting report contributed exchange of good practice and training between gen- to the newly adopted Gender Action Plan of Bosnia and der advisers. In September, together with the Ukrainian Herzegovina, which places a strategic emphasis on Government Commissioner for Gender Equality Policy, advancing women’s political participation and gender ODIHR organized a week-long study visit to the Czech equality in political life. Republic for 20 Ukrainian gender advisers. Hosted Gender Equality Department, Government of the Czech Republic

Study visit for 20 Ukrainian gender advisers to Prague, Czech Republic, 19–21 September 2023.

DEMOCRACY AND HUMAN RIGHTS IN THE OSCE 28  ODIHR Guide on the role of Institutional Gender Equality Department, Government of the Czech Republic

Mechanisms in promoting gender equality

In 2023 ODIHR published Institutional Mech- anisms as Critical Actors for Gender Equality: A Review from the OSCE Region, a new guide to support OSCE participating States and their governmental institutional mechanisms for the advancement of women and gender equality in enhancing their roles in promoting gender equal- ity and a more just society. The guide presents a study of 42 countries from across the OSCE region, examining gender mainstreaming and tar- geted gender equality efforts through the lens of the personal observations and experiences of people who work for IMs. The guide provides concrete, evidence-based recommendations to During the study visit to the Czech help governments and IMs work towards greater Republic, participants learned that gender equality. challenges to gender equality are similar to those in Ukraine. Among other things, we learned about good practices on achieving a work-life balance, which we will use as a toolbox for further work and implementation. — Natalya Ryabushenko, Coordinator of the Ukrainian Gender Advisers’ Network INSTITUTIONAL MECHANISMS AS CRITICAL ACTORS FOR GENDER EQUALITY:

A REVIEW FROM THE OSCE REGION

ODIHR’s new methodology on national assessments for gender equality in politics

It is often left to political parties to advance wom- en’s political participation and gender equality in politics, and some will prioritize the subject more than others. To address this, ODIHR has Gender Equality Department, Government of the Czech Republic

developed a tailor-made methodology to assess gender equality in politics at the national level. These assessments can feed into national action plans for the advancement of women’s political participation, ultimately improving the access of women to politics and making their voices heard.

DEMOCRACY AND HUMAN RIGHTS IN THE OSCE 29 1.11 Election observation work in high gear

Dedication to promoting democratic values and support- ing democratic rights and freedoms through credible ODIHR election observation was ODIHR’s founding purpose. Despite political and budgetary challenges, 2023 was ELECTION the busiest on record for the ODIHR Election depart- OBSERVATION ment, with invitations to observe 24 elections across the OSCE region. In response, the Office deployed 18 Needs IN 2023 Assessment Missions to identify how and where it can provide the best possible assistance to participating States. This led to the deployment of over 2,000 obser­ vers to 18 elections in 16 countries, contributing to the 19 NEEDS ASSESSMENT MISSIONS 21 needs assessment reports integrity of electoral processes. ELECTION OBSERVATION Communicating transparently the findings and guid- ance that result from observation is critical to ODIHR’s 18 ACTIVITIES ongoing relevance. In 2023, 61 election-related reports In 16 participating States provided insights and offered thorough assessments and valuable recommendations to participating States for enhancing their election processes. 2,154 ELECTION OBSERVERS From 52 participating States ODIHR’s impact in the area of elections extended beyond observation, as the Office actively supported, upon request, nine participating States in implement- ing recommended improvements through follow-up 61 ELECTION RELATED REPORTS visits. This collaborative approach underpins the con- Including 19 final reports tinuous refinement and evolution of electoral practices in the OSCE region. ODIHR’s dedication to promoting PRESS CONFERENCES democratic values and its extensive range of election activities played a pivotal role in supporting democracy 25 To open missions and share across the OSCE region in 2023. preliminary findings

NEW HANDBOOKS 2 On Observing Election Administration, and Women’s Electoral Participation

ELECTION FOLLOW-UP 7 VISITS Presenting recommendations from final reports LEGAL REVIEWS OF 9 ELECTION LAWS OSCE/Tom Rymer

For 7 participating States

www.osce.org/ODIHR/elections

Observation of local elections, Albania, 14 May 2023.

DEMOCRACY AND HUMAN RIGHTS IN THE OSCE 30  OSCE/Kseniya Dashutsyna OSCE/Maria Kökce

Observation of general elections, Turkey, 14 May 2023. Observation of early presidential election, Uzbekistan, 9 July 2023. OSCE/Nedeljka Sindik

Observation of early parliamentary elections, Montenegro, 11 June 2023.

DEMOCRACY AND HUMAN RIGHTS IN THE OSCE 31  Handbook for the Observation of Election Administration

In 2023, the Office published new guidance for the com- prehensive, systematic and consistent assessment of the complexities of election administration.

How an election is adminis- tered has a direct impact on the quality and integrity of elec- toral processes and is one of the keys to protecting the rights Spotlight on election mission operations of both voters and contestants. With this new tool, ODIHR can 2023 was certainly another busy year for all the better observe the administra- tive aspects of elections, which operations experts who support ODIHR during is central to fostering public con- missions. fidence in democracy in OSCE participating States. We oversee the logistical and operational aspects critical to a mission’s success, within tight timeframes and with budgets that haven’t risen in Handbook for the Observation of Election Administration

years. Our small group of ‘Ops’ experts support each other through the intense work each of us manages during many overlapping missions every year. However, we relish the challenge of arriving I

in a country with almost nothing set up, where Handbook for the Observation of Election OSCE/ODIHR is sometimes barely known, and Administration establishing an office, local staff, transportation, IT and communication infrastructure to ensure that, within one week, mission members have i

the necessary work environment and that we can handle hundreds of short-term observers at election time.

There is a real feeling of accomplishment when hearing comments from locals who appreciate our presence, and at the moment when a mission closes. We see on the ground how the mission’s work provides independent information about what happened in a specific election, sometimes building trust in the outcomes and sometimes reinforcing citizens’ calls for reform.

— Kyle Bowers, ODIHR Operations expert in Poland and Albania in 2023

DEMOCRACY AND HUMAN RIGHTS IN THE OSCE 32 1.12 Working with media regulators to address electoral integrity in online campaigning

As digital campaigning becomes an ever more import- ant channel for political contestants and other election stakeholders to attract support or to communicate with

The Agency for Audio and Audiovisual Media Services voters, new challenges are emerging to ensure a fair campaign environment. While offline election campaigns are generally subject to clear regulations, online cam- paigning remains largely unregulated, and measures to counter digital threats to the integrity of elections are relatively new and constantly and rapidly evolving. Against this background, multitrack regulatory efforts — of North Macedonia including adopting codes of conduct — are among the ways countries are addressing the emerging threats that social networks and online media platforms may pose to the democratic process.

Between September 2022 and October 2023, ODIHR supported North Macedonia’s Agency for Audio and Audiovisual Media Services (the Agency) in developing The digital environment has also a Code of Conduct in the Online Sphere during Electoral brought about new trends and Processes and Referenda (the Code). ODIHR’s assis- tance to the Agency was part of the Support to Electoral numerous challenges for elections, Reforms in the Western Balkans project, funded by the as the way campaigns used to be European Union and the Austrian Development Agency. conducted has changed and new tactics for political advertising and its The Code addresses the regulation of online campaigns in line with democratic principles and good practice funding have appeared. Meanwhile, to protect freedom of expression. It covers the online the narrative that incites a climate conduct of political parties and candidates during of intolerance, hatred, violence the electoral process, including on social networks. and discrimination has moved into It also considers the online conduct of the media, fact- checkers and other entities that may influence the the online space, mostly on social public during a campaign. The Code is voluntary and is networks. In such an environment, intended to serve as a guide for ensuring the integrity of adopting a document that would online information during elections and referendums. It serve as a guideline for the good also aims to ensure the transparency of online campaign advertising and its funding, as well as the priv­acy and conduct of all relevant entities safety of the processing of citizens’ personal data, became a necessity. Abidance by the and seeks to prevent the spread of disinformation, principles laid down in the Code will intolerant speech and discrimination. Its main strength ensure the necessary transparency lies in its comprehensive approach, which recognizes the complex nature of election campaigns and related and integrity of elections and online threats to election integrity, while engaging all key referendums and, equally importantly, stakeholders. will strengthen citizens’ trust. — Zoran Trajcevski, Director of the Agency for Audio and Audiovisual Media Services

DEMOCRACY AND HUMAN RIGHTS IN THE OSCE 33 Through the creation of a multi-stakeholder oversight The Code is an innovative tool for tackling the chal- mechanism — the Coordinating Body — the Code lenges of electoral integrity in the online sphere in includes a vital element of regulation responsible for North Macedonia and is the first such initiative in the handling complaints. Its composition and functions are region. The Agency adopted it through an inclusive and based on dialogue, transparency and openness, and are proactive approach together with the Association of set down in a detailed Memorandum of Cooperation. Journalists of Macedonia, the Macedonian Institute for A dedicated webpage for complaints and responses Media, the Council of Media Ethics of Macedonia, the fosters the transparency and accountability of the Coor- Institute of Communication Studies and the “Metamor- dinating Body. Another important innovative element phosis” Foundation. is the consultation process between the Coordinat- ing Body and other state institutions, a mechanism that ODIHR has committed to monitoring further challenges enhances the legitimacy and soundness of the deci- in the implementation of the Code and its effectiveness, sions adopted. in collaboration with media regulators and other election stakeholders.

ODIHR SUPPORT

December 2022 ODIHR prepared a review of comparative examples and best practices for adopting a code of conduct for online campaigns.

February 2023 The Agency organized a kick-off meeting with representatives of media organizations to launch a discussion about the Code. March 2023 ODIHR organized an exchange visit to the Netherlands for the Agency to meet key interlocutors, including the Media Authority, to discuss their experience in regu- lating online election campaigns. April 2023 ODIHR reviewed the draft Code and provided expert advice on how to align the Code with international standards and com- mitments for democratic elections and freedom of expression. October 2023 After further consultation with stakeholders, the Agency, sup- ported by ODIHR, organized a national workshop to present the Code publicly.

34 DEMOCRACY AND HUMAN RIGHTS IN THE OSCE PART 2

Supporting civil society and the security sector to strengthen democracy and guarantee human rights

Effective cooperation between civil society organizations and government is a cornerstone of societies where human rights, fundamental freedoms and democracy are respected. ODIHR brings governments and civil society organizations together to foster inclusive decision-making to improve security for all. The stories below demonstrate how ODIHR is supporting different civil society and security sector actors, from human rights defenders and survivors of human trafficking to law enforcement and prison staff, to advance human rights.

DEMOCRACY AND HUMAN RIGHTS IN THE OSCE 35 2.1 Increasing respect for Roma rights — combating hate crimes and evictions, and improving access to quality health care

The right to feel safe is inextricably linked to adequate housing and good health. Ensuring these rights is crit- ical to breaking the cycle of marginalization of Roma and Sinti communities, and their interconnected nature requires a comprehensive and concerted approach.

In 2023, ODIHR produced three new guides to address these issues directly — Understanding Anti-Roma Hate Crimes and Addressing the Security Needs of Roma and Sinti Communities: A Practical Guide, Guidelines for Activists in Addressing Situations of Evictions of Roma and Sinti, and Guidelines for Activists in Address- ing Access to Health Care and Vaccination for Roma and Sinti.

Each guide is a strategic resource for use by state authorities, civil society and activists. The first examines Roma and Sinti communities the dynamics of anti-Roma hate crimes and suggests continue to experience inequalities practical measures to enhance the security of these communities. The second gives an easily access­ible in accessing healthcare services and overview of the international and regional human rights often face stereotyping by healthcare standards on forced evictions and ways to monitor and workers and even segregation. The prevent them. The third covers how to develop and ODIHR guidelines are a valuable implement activities to increase Roma and Sinti’s access to health care and vaccination. tool for civil society and activists in addressing some of these issues. The information in these practical guides helps national — Daniel Radulescu, Sastipen Roma institutions, civil society organizations and activists to Centre for Health Policies tackle head on the issues faced by Roma and Sinti com- munities in order to work towards societies in which everyone, regardless of their background, can genuinely experience the right to safety, dignity and health.

DEMOCRACY AND HUMAN RIGHTS IN THE OSCE 36 Evictions are a recurring reality for many Roma and Sinti communities; a persistent issue that many have yet to acknowledge. ODIHR’s step-by-step guidance on how to tackle cases of eviction is very important in this regard. — Vivien Brassói, Legal Director of the European Roma Rights Centre

As an ex-police officer working in the United Kingdom, I recognize the importance of the Security Guide in addressing the security needs and equal treatment of Roma and Sinti communities. It isn’t only a legal requirement but also the moral duty of every police office to uphold fundamental human rights and to treat all members of the public with dignity and respect. — Petr Torák, former police officer A quick and effective response to anti-Roma attacks sends a powerful message that Anti-Roma hate crime will not be tolerated. ODIHR’s new publication provides clear and comprehensive guidance for States and civil society on addressing the security concerns of Roma communities across the OSCE region. — Cerasela Banica, State Secretary, National Council for Combating Discrimination, Romania

DEMOCRACY AND HUMAN RIGHTS IN THE OSCE 37 2.2 Tackling shrinking civic space and democratic backsliding

In 2023, ODIHR received an unprecedented number of the civic space, without a proper risk assessment of the requests for legislative assistance from OSCE partici- civil society sector nor concrete justification for such pating States and OSCE field operations, an increase of reforms. National authorities often argued there was a almost 50 per cent from 2022 (see Legislative Reviews need to enhance the transparency of non-governmental and Assessments in the Annexes). Although some organizations, to increase the fight against terrorism and requests came at short notice, ODIHR made every effort so-called ‘extremism’, or to prevent crimes. to mobilize quickly and was able to provide legal advice, sometimes within days. This was the case for judicial At the request of the Public Defender of Georgia, reform in Poland, the reform of the Ombudsperson in in cooperation with the UN Special Rapporteur on the Kyrgyz Republic and the re-criminalization of defa- the rights to freedom of peaceful assembly and of mation in Republika Srpska (Bosnia and Herzegovina), association, and with the support of its Panel of as well as attempts to curtail the freedoms of peaceful Experts, ODIHR developed a comprehensive Note assembly, association and expression in several OSCE on so-called “Foreign Agents Laws” and Similar participating States. Legislation. This provides an overview of the human rights concerns these laws raise. Read together with Through early intervention and dialogue with the author- the other ODIHR Opinions and Notes published or ities drafting the legislation, ODIHR is able to contribute presented this year — on issues such as the right to meaningfully to public debate and may be able to impact freedom of association, freedom of peaceful assembly, the outcome of the legislative process. political party regulation, freedom of expression and freedom of the media — they constitute a powerful Several of the proposed legal reforms on which ODIHR advocacy toolkit for defending these fundamental worked in 2023 confirmed the worrying trend of freedoms, the cornerstones of any vibrant, pluralistic attempts by public authorities in some places to narrow and participatory democracy.

DEMOCRACY AND HUMAN RIGHTS IN THE OSCE 38 DEMOCRACY AND HUMAN RIGHTS IN THE OSCE 39 ODIHR Guidelines on Democratic Lawmaking for Better Laws: a comprehensive toolkit for policy- and lawmakers

Almost twenty years ago, on the understanding that the The guidelines contain an overview of the guiding princi- quality of laws is a direct consequence of the manner in ples of democratic lawmaking, followed by concrete and which they are developed and consulted, ODIHR started practical recommendations on how to adhere to them at assessing lawmaking systems and processes to identify each stage of the legislative cycle, benchmarked against ways to improve legislative processes and, ultimately, to OSCE human dimension commitments and international adopt better legislation. The Guidelines on Democratic human rights and rule of law standards and recom- Lawmaking for Better Laws, finalized in 2023, build upon mendations. The guidelines also reflect the importance ODIHR’s work in this area and seek to provide concrete, of maintaining lawmaking principles and standards in practical recommendations on how to improve the qual- times of crisis, including the experience of the COVID-19 ity of lawmaking processes in order to draft high-quality pandemic. laws.

The guidelines offer a comprehensive toolkit for pol- icy- and lawmakers on how to improve their legislative process to tackle contemporary lawmaking challenges head-on and to promote more openness, transpar- ency, accountability, inclusiveness and participation at all stages of the legislative cycle. The guidelines can be used to ensure that lawmaking processes and legislation are human rights-compliant, accessible, non-discriminatory, gender-responsive and sensitive to the needs of diverse social groups. The guidelines also emphasize the fundamental role of non-governmen- tal organizations throughout the lawmaking process. Civil society can use the Guidelines as an advocacy tool to ensure that the people affected by legislation are informed about, and have a say in shaping its contents.

Setting Is the law policy goals actually implemented? Public Monitoring consultations Choosing policy Does it achieve & evaluation options (solutions) its goals? Is new legislation Impact Impact assessments assessments really needed?

Public Public LAW consultations consultations Interagency Adoption/ cooperation Entry into force Legislative planning Impact Impact assessments assessments Committee oversight; Public Public hearings; consultations Debates; Amendments

Parliamentary Drafting scrutiny a law

40 DEMOCRACY AND HUMAN RIGHTS IN THE OSCE 40 Pulling together

If the international community works together, it could more effectively counter the global trend of shrinking The intention of the framework is also civic space and better address the challenges impact- to serve as a call to action to unite in ing our democracies. With this in mind, in 2023, ODIHR further strengthened its legislative assistance coop- the defense of civic space. We hope the eration and partnerships with other OSCE institutions, Framework for action can inspire others especially the OSCE Representative on Freedom of in the international community to take the Media, as well as the Council of Europe, the UN more forceful action to counter global and Special procedures mandate-holders. One exam- ple was ODIHR’s participation in the development of the trends of closing civic space repression Framework for Joint Action at the initiative of the Spe- and address the challenges impacting cial Rapporteur on the rights to freedom of peaceful our democracies. Together, we can assembly and of association, to strengthen collaboration and must do more to ensure that among regional mechanisms for the protection and pro- motion of civic space. assembly and association rights are respected, protected, and upheld for all. — Clément Nyaletsossi Voule, Special Rapporteur on the rights to freedom of peaceful assembly and of association OSCE/Maria Kökce

Annual meeting of the ODIHR Panel of Experts on Freedom of Assembly and Association, Warsaw, Poland, 6–7 March 2023.

DEMOCRACY AND HUMAN RIGHTS IN THE OSCE 41 2.3 Helping human rights defenders to conduct trauma-informed monitoring

In March, ODIHR launched an e-learning course entitled further research. To create the course, the ODIHR team Trauma-Informed Interviewing: Skills and Techniques drew on guidance from experts on trauma-informed for Monitors. This provides theory and practical advice interviewing, and the course notably highlights on interviewing people who have experienced trauma, Dr Rebecca Dempster’s specialized humanitarian thus helping to reduce the risk of re-traumatization experience as a clinical forensic psychologist. and protecting the well-being of both interviewee and interviewer. The course is available on FreedomLab, ODIHR’s online platform for human rights defenders. Available in Developed to address the growing demand from human English, Russian, and Ukrainian, the course fills a signif- rights monitors for trauma-informed resources, the icant gap for Russian- and Ukrainian-speaking human course takes learners through the theory of the impact rights monitors, as there were previously no substantive, traumatic events can have on memory retention and effective resources in either language. The course has recall, before moving on to provide a practical method- been picked up quickly by many monitoring missions, ology for conducting trauma-informed interviews. Each within ODIHR and beyond, becoming a prerequisite to module contains a video lecture that includes simulated complete before conducting monitoring interviews with interview scenarios alongside additional resources for communities affected by conflict.

I am an investigator as well as a monitor. I specialize in international human Everything in this course is something rights protection. In my work or I can use and apply in my work. voluntary activities, I interface with vulnerable people or victims of trauma and human rights violations. The I believe that this course will be very tips and techniques learnt during helpful in my work. I often work with the course will certainly be useful. vulnerable communities and I plan to apply the methods I have just learned in my everyday practice. I worked as a monitoring officer in Ukraine performing Human Rights Officer duties. I conducted numerous Very practical training with concrete interviews with people affected by tips that I will use. It is particularly the conflict…. The content helped me useful to have a training [course] that to recall my own techniques and the includes both techniques related to methods I used to apply during this increasing the reliability of information work and helped me to see what areas and to preventing re-traumatization. could be improved. […] this training is These two components tend to an excellent opportunity to enhance be often treated separately (…). my human rights monitoring skills. — Feedback from monitors using the e-learning course

DEMOCRACY AND HUMAN RIGHTS IN THE OSCE 42 In addition to being used by Human Rights Defenders in their monitoring work, the course has proved popular with others working in other areas, including academia, Discussing the way memory works law enforcement and private companies. and the way a trauma-informed approach cannot just protect interviewees, but can actually lead While not working in a monitoring to a more successful interview, was setting, I interview traumatized a good reminder that this approach individuals from an academic is not only the ‘right’ thing to do, but perspective and, too often, academics actually achieves better outcomes. do not consider the impact of their — Feedback from e-learning course user technically conceptual questions on traumatized individuals. This course helped me not only with approaching my interviews with more confidence TRAUMA-INFORMED INTERVIEWING but also [with implementing] Skills and Techniques for Monitors strategies to minimize harm. online course — Feedback from e-learning course user Available in English, Russian and Ukrainian For monitors, investigators, researchers With over 2,000 users by the end of 2023, the course and other human rights workers conducting has consolidated knowledge from many angles and pro- interviews on human rights violations vides a comprehensive overview of trauma-informed interviewing. Its impact continues to grow and reach Join now at FreedomLab.io interested learners from across the OSCE region and beyond, demonstrating that human rights defenders want to improve their trauma-informed skillsets and increase the quality of their monitoring.

DEMOCRACY AND HUMAN RIGHTS IN THE OSCE 43 2.4 Strengthening the protection of human rights in counter-terrorism policing in Uzbekistan

The protection of human rights is essential to sustainable course has been delivered to law enforcement officers security, which includes countering terrorism, as recog- in several different countries of the OSCE region and nized in the OSCE’s comprehensive concept of security. emphasizes how respect for human rights can tangibly When human rights are not prioritized this creates less enhance the effectiveness of counter-terrorism policing. security, not more, because it ignores the root causes that can lead to or exacerbate the spread of terrorism. As part of the longstanding training programme for law Within the framework of its mandate to offer technical enforcement in Uzbekistan, implemented by ODIHR assistance and advice on implementing anti-terror- jointly with the OSCE Project Co-ordinator in Uzbekistan ism policies, ODIHR’s dedicated training course for law (PCUz), national experts are increasingly engaged in enforcement — Protecting Human Rights while Counter- educating officers from across the country in how better ing Terrorism Effectively — focuses on the inextricable to protect human rights while countering terrorism and link between human rights and the operational effec- thereby tackle related security threats more effectively. tiveness of policing. It combines individual and group exercises and involves participants in interactive and In 2023, national trainers from the State Law Univer- practice-orientated activities that are closely linked sity and the National Human Rights Centre, together to their operational tasks in countering terrorism. The with ODIHR experts and an international police trainer, Shutterstock/Anton Prado PHOTO

DEMOCRACY AND HUMAN RIGHTS IN THE OSCE 44 Human rights education of law Human rights violations take a heavy enforcement needs to be a priority, to toll on our collective efforts to fight foster effective responses to terrorism terrorism and ensure greater security and ensure greater security for all. for our societies. ODIHR’s training ODIHR’s training on the protection of activities help strengthen the skills of human rights in countering terrorism law enforcement officers in protecting directly contributes to this. human rights while countering — Qodirjon Obidov, National Co-Trainer of ODIHR’s terrorism. course and Leading Specialist at the International — Govkherzhan Yuldasheva, Professor, International Department of the National Human Rights Centre of Law and Human Rights Department, Tashkent State Uzbekistan Law University

delivered two further training courses for local law well as those from the capital, Tashkent. In order to build enforcement officers from the Bukhara and Xorazm up a pool of national trainers for this programme, ODIHR regions of Uzbekistan. With their expertise and local and PCUz also conducted a dedicated ‘training-of-train- knowledge, the national trainers brought significant ers’ course in 2021. This introduced the national trainers added value to the training. At the same time, they to ODIHR’s training curriculum and methodology, giving deepened their own knowledge of the curriculum and them their first opportunity to practise delivering parts of developed their skills as trainers, carrying out differ- the course. Since then, the training courses are increas- ent parts of the programme themselves. By including ingly being conducted together with national trainers national trainers in the training team, ODIHR is gradually and in different regions of Uzbekistan. This has clearly increasing their involvement, skills and commitment, so helped to foster the sustainability and local ownership they can deliver the training by themselves in the future. of the training programme and has opened up opportu- nities for further collaboration with the trainers and their Since 2018, ODIHR and PCUz have run the course institutions in any future training on human rights and seven times, for over 100 officials from different parts of counter-terrorism. Uzbekistan to reach local law enforcement agencies as

DEMOCRACY AND HUMAN RIGHTS IN THE OSCE 45 2.5 Strengthening Ukrainian Roma and pro-Roma human rights defenders

Roma and Sinti groups are particularly vulnerable to The Office also enabled this group to attend the 2023 human rights violations in the ongoing armed conflicts Warsaw Human Dimension Conference, where they in the OSCE area. Roma civil society plays an import- took part in discussions on the situation of human rights ant role, not only in highlighting the challenges faced by and freedoms in the OSCE region. ODIHR also supports these communities during war, but also in advocating them in monitoring the human rights situation of Roma. for, and bringing about positive change in Roma commu- nities and wider society. This initiative has equipped the young defenders with detailed knowledge and practices on human rights The conflict in Ukraine triggered a need for specific fact-finding and investigation. Ukrainian Roma people skills training for Roma and Sinti human rights defend- have reported prejudice, hate crime, violence and dis- ers and advocates. In response, ODIHR launched an crimination during their journeys to find safety. These initiative that includes both training and enhanced moni- experiences remain largely undocumented. The ODIHR- toring. In October, seven Roma and pro-Roma defenders trained defenders can now help address this problem from Ukraine took part in human rights monitoring and and advocate for better policy outcomes. open-source investigation training organized by ODIHR. This was tailored to their specific interests and know­ ledge and included mentoring and coaching. OSCE/Natalia Duminica

Pre-implementation training programme on human rights monitoring for Ukrainian Roma and pro-Roma human rights defenders, Warsaw, Poland, 8–10 October 2023.

DEMOCRACY AND HUMAN RIGHTS IN THE OSCE 46 Displaced Ukrainian Roma often face At such a difficult time for Ukraine, substantial obstacles in gaining asylum, Roma, and women in particular, suffer securing shelter, and obtaining other discriminatory treatment. As Roma forms of aid. Our mission as activists is human rights defenders, we play a to raise awareness of these problems crucial role in monitoring and reporting by speaking up and advocating on the human rights violations experienced behalf of our communities. ODIHR has by our community. ODIHR’s support provided the venue and tools for us to helps us to continue fighting for make this happen. Roma rights and to ensure justice and — Janush Panchenko, Roma rights activist, Ukraine redress. — Elvira Popenko, Roma rights activist, Ukraine

DEMOCRACY AND HUMAN RIGHTS IN THE OSCE 47 2.6 Enabling dialogue on migration in Poland and Greece

After a successful pilot in Poland in 2022, ODIHR ran their experiences and gain deeper understanding of a training programme, in partnership with the Nan- other people’s perspectives. It is particularly useful for sen Centre for Peace and Dialogue, for civil society on exploring politicized and often polarizing issues such as facilitating public dialogues on migration and relations migration and life in diverse communities. in diverse communities. Held in Vravrona and Athens, Greece, between March and December, the course The participants of both courses have committed to equipped Greek civil society and community workers organizing at least one dialogue in their own workplace with the practical skills needed to facilitate public dia- or community settings. So far, 25 dialogues have been logues on migration. Dialogue facilitation is a method organized in Poland and Greece, with more than 250 of community-building that enables people to share participants. OSCE/Lola Girard

Facilitating public dialogues on migration and relations in diverse communities, final workshop, Athens, Greece, 15 December 2023.

DEMOCRACY AND HUMAN RIGHTS IN THE OSCE 48 M. Khoroshun

ODIHR’s training on open dialogues was probably the tool I needed in my wish to foster a better understanding of migration and sometimes even for ‘sewing’ together divided communities — a new way of making people feel heard and listened to, whether they are in government, migrating, hosting migrants or opposed to migration.

In May 2023, I had the opportunity to run a whole cycle of open dialogues on migration as part of Warsaw University’s “UW for Ukraine” programme for highly-skilled Ukrainian war refugees. Held at Warsaw University’s Centre of Migration Research, the dialogues covered migration and personal life, professional life, Poland and Ukraine, and Ukraine’s future, rebuilding and reconstruction. After this, I can personally attest that open public dialogues work and are needed, especially in different languages. I also know that it takes perseverance to persuade people to try them (as with many new things), but the dialogue then creates a whole new community. — Dr Kateryna Krakhmalova, University of Warsaw

DEMOCRACY AND HUMAN RIGHTS IN THE OSCE 49 2.7 Practical responses to combat the trafficking of Ukrainian women and children

In 2023, ODIHR ran a further five training courses for civil society and frontline responders on how to address human trafficking risks in light of the military attack by In my everyday job, I work with the Russian Federation in Ukraine. Thus far, ODIHR vulnerable people and I have has trained 275 responders from 40 OSCE countries. This is one of the initiatives created by ODIHR as part consistently prioritized providing of its “Advancing the Human Dimension of Security in support to those in need. The training Ukraine” project. The training programme focused on has significantly broadened my the proactive identification of victims of trafficking in cri- perspective beyond addressing basic sis situations, as well as on applying a trauma-informed approach when giving assistance. Participants also necessities, enhancing my sensitivity learned about National Referral Mechanisms (NRMs) to human trafficking issues. I am now — national frameworks through which governments ful- more attuned to recognizing indicators fill their obligations to protect and promote the human of trafficking, and the practical skills rights of victims of trafficking — with a focus on NRMs and children, and their vital role in victim support. gained at the training have given me the confidence to approach every potential After the training, participants said they felt better able survivor in a trauma-informed and to detect and report cases of suspected trafficking. survivor-centered manner. Twenty-seven cases have subsequently been reported by participants to law enforcement, including one case — Participant who identified the potentially exploited in which almost 200 potential victims were rescued from displaced family cited above exploitation. One participant identified a displaced fam- ily that had potentially fallen victim to labour exploitation and referred the case to police for further investiga- tion; the accused have been charged with trafficking in human beings. ODIHR SURVEY ON THE SAFETY AND ODIHR also helped to create a confidential platform SECURITY OF WOMEN REFUGEES FROM UKRAINE for frontline responders from Ukraine and from tran- sit and destination countries to coordinate their work LACK OF INFORMATION ABOUT THE THREAT OF BECOMING A TRAFFICKING VICTIM, AS WELL AS RIGHTS AFFORDED TO REFUGEES: for Ukrainian refugees. The platform allows users to support each other in the identification of potential trafficking victims and to refer them between coun- tries, as well as being a forum for discussing the issues and trends in the OSCE region on the vulnerability of ALMOST 3/4 OVER 1/2 4 IN 10 Ukrainian refugees to trafficking. The platform users Received no legal Were not sufficiently Were not made

‘meet’ regularly to discuss topics they have proposed. assistance or offers informed about their aware of the of support for legal rights in a way they risks of human guidance could understand trafficking

ISSUES IN TRANSIT OR DESTINATION COUNTRIES:

More than 3 in 5 – Insufficient knowledge of the local language Nearly 1 in 2 – Lack of financial resources 1 in 3 – Unable to rent accommodation 1 in 6 – Lack of health care More than 1 in 6 – Lack of social networks and community 1 in 50 – Domestic violence 1 in 50 – Discrimination

1 IN 8 1 IN 20 1 IN 33 experienced received experienced fraud threats blackmail or coercion

DEMOCRACY AND HUMAN RIGHTS IN THE OSCE 50 Training for civil society and frontline responders, Warsaw, Poland, 20–24 March 2023.

DEMOCRACY AND HUMAN RIGHTS IN THE OSCE 51 2.8 Advancing women’s inclusion in law enforcement

Promoting gender equality is critical to ensuring that and security and justice institutions on how to integrate government institutions are democratic and able to a gender perspective in their work and advance gender respond to the needs of all. Security sector institutions, equality in security and justice policy, programming and such as law enforcement, are no exception. Gender- reform. diverse security sector institutions create an inclusive institutional culture and are better able to assess and In 2023, ODIHR worked with a number of police forces address the security needs of all citizens, effectively in Central Asia. At the invitation of the OSCE Programme protecting and promoting their human rights and Office in Dushanbe, together with the OSCE Strategic freedoms. Advancing the equal participation and Police Matters Unit (SPMU), ODIHR delivered a training leadership of women at all levels of security institutions course and a training-of-trainers course in May for par- is integral to OSCE commitments and the OSCE’s ticipants from the Ministry of Interior, law enforcement comprehensive approach to security. and civil society. The courses focused on mainstream- ing gender in police reform, addressing issues such as ODIHR works with security sector actors across the effective and gender-sensitive responses to, and han- OSCE region, particularly with law enforcement author- dling of domestic violence cases and countering gender ities, to equip them with the knowledge and skills to stereotyping in the justice sector. become more inclusive, accountable and gender responsive. To promote further the role of women in the security sector in the region, ODIHR also co-organized a two-day Drawing upon ODIHR’s Gender & Security Toolkit, pub- Regional Conference on Promoting Women’s Partic- lished in 2019 together with the Geneva Centre for ipation in Law Enforcement in Central Asia. This was Security Sector Governance (DCAF) and UN Women, organized with the OSCE’s Gender Issues Programme, ODIHR regularly delivers training and organizes events Conflict Prevention Centre, Strategic Police Matters focused on advancing equal participation and women’s Unit and the OSCE Programme Office in Astana. ODIHR leadership in the security sector. The toolkit and training presented its work on policewomen’s associations and provide practical policy and programmatic guidance for moderated a cross-regional exchange on the operation governments, international and regional organizations, of Women Police Associations and networks. OSCE Programme Office in Dushanbe/Feruza Sultonova

One-day policy workshop for the Working Group on Gender Mainstreaming into Police Reform, under the Ministry of the Interior, Dushanbe, Tajikistan, 1 May 2023.

DEMOCRACY AND HUMAN RIGHTS IN THE OSCE 52 ytheagency

Conference on promoting women’s participation in law enforcement in Central Asia, Astana, Kazakhstan, 14–15 September 2023.

ODIHR continued to address the career advancement of women in border management and security agen- cies as part of its training delivered during the annual course of the OSCE Border Management Staff College in Dushanbe for senior border management staff from across the OSCE in March. OSCE BMSC/ Parisa Sheralieva

Working closely with UN Women and DCAF, ODIHR also organized two online discussions about the integration of a gender-perspective in border management in the OSCE region and best practices for guaranteeing the right to family life and support for care work responsibili- ties in security institutions. In addition, ODIHR organized a side event during the 2023 Warsaw Human Dimension Conference to discuss the potential of policewomen’s associations and networks to promote and advance the It is still a very male culture. There are position of women in the police. a lot of things that are said and I have ODIHR’s many activities this year helped to raise heard them too; the old sayings about awareness of the challenges faced by women in law ‘oh she is female, she will get pregnant, enforcement. They also fostered a deeper understand- she is of no use’. Unfortunately, they ing of the need to advance the participation of women still exist, but there are fewer of them in the security sector and of the benefits of creating more gender-balanced institutions. Many participants now and I hope that in the future, step expressed interest in continuing to engage with ODIHR by step, even if they are baby steps, on these issues and appreciated the valuable oppor­ it will get better. A panel like this is a tunity to engage with all interested stakeholders. very good way to promote, support and facilitate that process. — Beate Schmidt, Chief Inspector/Deputy Section Manager, German Federal Police (Bundespolizei)

DEMOCRACY AND HUMAN RIGHTS IN THE OSCE 53 2.9 Recognizing the inclusion of survivors in all anti-trafficking efforts

After more than a decade supporting the implemen- tation of National Referral Mechanisms (NRMs) in the OSCE region and beyond, ODIHR has identified the successes, promising practices and gaps in efforts to prevent and combat trafficking in human beings (THB). The NRM Handbook (2nd edition), published in 2022, has become widely recognized for its effective- ness in promoting a victim- and survivor-centred and trauma-informed approach.

Several participating States have already put this approach at the heart of their anti-trafficking policies, including it, for example, in the design and evalua- tion of their National Action Plans (NAPs) and National Referral Mechanisms. In 2023, ODIHR published two complementary guides dedicated to this anti-trafficking approach. The first, the Code of Practice for Ensuring the Rights of Victims and Survivors of Trafficking (Code The Code of Practice is the most of Practice), was developed together with the members significant achievement of the of the 1st International Survivors of Trafficking Advi- sory Council (ISTAC), drawing on their experiences and 1st ISTAC, giving participating professional expertise as survivor leaders. The Code States guidance on measures to of Practice explains how participating States should ensure the inclusion of victims’ and implement their commitments to protect the rights of survivors’ voices as well as their full trafficked people, covering identification and protection, support and access to services, justice and redress, engagement in all anti-trafficking social inclusion and victim- and survivor-engagement responses. I am proud to be one of strategies. The Code of Practice is currently available in the survivor leaders who contributed English, Romanian, Russian and Ukrainian. to the launch of this publication. The second publication was the Guidance on Trau- — Jerome Elam, 1st ISTAC member and ma-Informed National Referral Mechanisms and 2nd vice-chair of the 2nd ISTAC Responses to Human Trafficking, which advocates for trauma-informed methods of working. General and spe- cialized trauma-informed training enables professionals at all levels within and around NRMs to work safely and appropriately with survivors, supporting improved col- Code of Practice laboration and communication across multi-agency for Ensuring the Rights of Victims and Survivors of Human Trafcking

sectors. This guidance gives examples of promising practices and contains useful resources for profession- als working with victims and potential victims of THB. It also makes recommendations to participating States on adopting a trauma-informed approach and delivering trauma-informed training. It is currently available in Rus- sian, English and Ukrainian.

A

DEMOCRACY AND HUMAN RIGHTS IN THE OSCE 54 OSCE/Maria Kökce

2nd ISTAC meeting, Warsaw, Poland, 30 June 2023.

In parallel, ODIHR launched the 2023 Capacity-build- ing for Survivor Leaders of Trafficking in Human Beings I love the way that this course inspires e-learning course, which provides trafficking survivors and encourages survivors to build skills with leadership skills and practical tools. The eight-mod- ule course, hosted by survivor leaders and professionals and to engage in consistent trauma- with trauma-informed and self-care expertise, trains par- informed care and self-care practices. ticipants about leadership and the legal and institutional Excellent course, and I would like to anti-trafficking frameworks, along with practical train- take it again in order to refresh and ing on resilience, self-care and how to cope with trauma. Over 60 survivor leaders have already taken the course. build my knowledge. — Feedback from an e-learning course participant

DEMOCRACY AND HUMAN RIGHTS IN THE OSCE 55 DEMOCRACY AND HUMAN RIGHTS IN THE OSCE 56 PART 3

Striving for equal, inclusive societies, free from discrimination

Working closely with national governments, authorities, educators, youth, and civil society organizations, ODIHR offers guidelines, tools and practical training to counter discrimination and foster greater inclusivity across societies. This year’s impact stories include ODIHR’s latest report on the situation of Roma and Sinti in the OSCE region, training on responding to hate crimes and work with young people to create a collective vision of peaceful, inclusive and diverse societies.

DEMOCRACY AND HUMAN RIGHTS IN THE OSCE 57 3.1 Twenty years of work on Roma and Sinti issues

On the 20th anniversary of the adoption of the OSCE Action Plan on Improving the Situation of Roma and Sinti in the OSCE Area, ODIHR published its Fourth Status Fourth Status Report

Report. This gives a comprehensive account of activities by OSCE participating States between 2018 and 2023 in meeting the objectives of the Action Plan, and details the persistent challenges that remain. The report also provides recommendations for addressing priority areas of concern.

Over the period covered by the report, national and local authorities made efforts to address Roma and Sinti issues, particularly by developing and implement- ing equality policies, demonstrating good practices Implementation of the Action and making visible progress on local and national initia- Plan on Improving the Situation tives. However, the findings also show that Roma and of Roma and Sinti within the Sinti continue to experience racism and discrimination OSCE Area and still have limited opportunities for equitable partici- ‘For Roma, With Roma’ — The collective pursuit of equal rights, dignity, and opportunities

pation in public and political life. Throughout the OSCE Status Report 2023 ODIH R region, Roma and Sinti also face ongoing problems with Implementation of the Action Plan on Improving the Situation of Roma and Sinti within the OSCE Area 1

accessing quality education, health care, employment and housing.

DEMOCRACY AND HUMAN RIGHTS IN THE OSCE 58 3.2 Strengthening the criminal justice response to hate crime

Too often, hate crimes are not properly addressed by In each country, ODIHR’s work has provided the build- justice systems. This can leave victims and their com- ing blocks for a better hate crime response, helping to munities with the sense that the impact of hate crimes ensure that the impact of identity-based crimes on vic- on their daily lives is unacknowledged and invisible. tims and their communities is fully acknowledged and Building the capacity of criminal justice systems and addressed. actors to recognize, record and prosecute hate crimes and provide effective support to victims is therefore essential. Only then can victims and targeted communi- ties enjoy a sense of safety and belonging in society. Training prosecutors to identify and gather evidence of bias motivation in Montenegro National frameworks to respond to hate crimes are rarely perfect and may be hampered by any number of prob- In May, ODIHR teamed up with Montenegro’s lems such as limited understanding of hate crimes among Centre for Training in Judiciary and State Pros- police, differences in recording definitions and practices, ecution to deliver a three-day workshop for lack of coordination across different institutions, and prosecutors. The workshop prepared participants insufficient specialist support for victims. Identifying and to train other prosecutors to identify bias motives addressing these gaps requires a holistic approach, help- and apply the relevant legal provisions when pros- ing to improve the criminal justice response to hate crime ecuting hate crimes. As a result, participants have and provide victims with access to justice. asked ODIHR to help them develop guidelines for prosecutors working on hate crime cases. This is where ODIHR’s hate crime training programmes come in. Working closely with state agencies, ODIHR develops training curricula customized to the situation and criminal justice system of any given country and offers training workshops, courses and events for all criminal justice and hate crime victim support actors in the OSCE region.

In 2023, ODIHR organized 13 hate crime training ses- sions for 720 direct beneficiaries from across the OSCE region. In addition, more than 30 meetings and other events were held for policymakers, criminal justice agencies, civil society actors and international organiza- tions to address specific hate crime-related issues.

ODIHR’s hate crime training programmes are never one-off events, but are preceded by detailed plans, con- sultations and formal agreements with state agencies to establish a strong commitment among national part- ners. They often lead to other initiatives to strengthen states’ comprehensive responses to hate crime and are Milena Ostojić

supported by a range of ODIHR resources and tools.

While some training programmes are directly for prac- titioners, others train future hate crime trainers on disseminating the curricula throughout their coun- tries. They are also designed for integration into existing Train-the-trainer workshop for prosecutors in Podgorica, training programmes and draw on the expertise and Montenegro, 1 June 2023. resources of national training institutions.

DEMOCRACY AND HUMAN RIGHTS IN THE OSCE 59 Polish police prepare to deliver ODIHR hate crime training nationwide

ODIHR held a three-day ‘train-the-trainer’ course in December to equip 21 police professionals with the practical tools and knowledge to roll out ODIHR’s hate crime training courses across the police force in Poland. After a needs assessment in August, ODIHR delivered an updated curriculum for Poland, including new modules on the sensitive and respectful treatment of hate crime victims developed under ODIHR’s EStAR project.

With the new curriculum and a pool of trainers, the Pol- ish Police Training Centre in Legionowo plans to run at least three, ten-day ‘train-the-trainer’ courses on hate crime in 2024 to share their knowledge with police offi- cers across Poland.

As an experienced police officer and a lecturer, addressing hate crimes is particularly important to me. ODIHR’s training gave me valuable knowledge and insights, including on the topics of criminal law and forensics, that I will use to train police officers at all levels. I am confident that this will have a positive impact on the policing of hate crimes in Poland. — Maria Wysocka, junior lecturer and Deputy Commissioner, Department of Criminal Service of the Police Training Centre in Legionowo Shutterstock/Vanja Stokic

DEMOCRACY AND HUMAN RIGHTS IN THE OSCE 60 Assessing support systems for hate crime victims in Austria

In January, ODIHR organized a one-day diagnostic workshop to assess the support services available to hate crime victims in Austria. The workshop was held following an initial assessment by participants, including Austria’s Interior and Justice Ministries, police and prosecution authorities and civil society representatives. Organized in cooperation with the country’s Federal Ministry of the Interior, the workshop analysed the six essential building blocks for effective hate crime victim support, including the status of hate crime victims in policy and law, the quality and type of support services, and the sensitive and respectful treatment of victims.

The workshop allowed the Austrian authorities to identify steps to improve their hate crime victim support system, and also contributed to findings presented to the ODIHR-led EU Working group on hate crime victim ODIHR’s workshop and assessment have support under the EU’s High Level Group on combating hate speech and hate crime. helped us identify practical measures to strengthen cooperation between Austria’s police and civil society organizations on hate crime victim support. Through this guided analysis, we can better ensure the sensitive and respectful treatment of victims and provide for their complex needs. — Johanna Eteme, head of the department for Fundamental and Human Rights Affairs, Austrian Interior Ministry Federal Ministry of the Interior of Austria

Participants of ODIHR’s Diagnostic Workshop to assess support systems for hate crime victims in Austria, Vienna, 30 January 2023.

DEMOCRACY AND HUMAN RIGHTS IN THE OSCE 61 3.3 Bridging the gaps in the national, regional and international responses to intolerance

Alarming examples of intolerance and identity-based In 2023, ODIHR was involved in more than 60 events hatred can be found in countries across the OSCE aimed at bolstering the collective response to all forms region. Responding effectively to intolerance, prejudice of intolerance across the OSCE region. These included and hate crime requires a comprehensive approach at consultative meetings with civil society to collect com- all levels, from community-based civil society groups to munity-level information and perspectives on hate intergovernmental bodies. crime, high-level working group meetings to review the implementation of international standards and ODIHR works at the intersection of a number of related share good practices, and training opportunities for issues, allowing the Office to bridge gaps and forge national authorities and others, including young people, connections between national, regional and interna- to combat hate crimes and foster mutual respect and tional actors to develop concrete solutions to some understanding. of the most serious challenges to the cohesion of our societies.

Supporting regional partnerships to counter hate crime in the Western Balkans

In October 2023, ODIHR continued its cooper- ation with the European Parliament to advance tolerance and non-discrimination in the West- ern Balkans during a second workshop held for young legislators from the region. Following the first workshop in October 2022, the event brought together young leaders from Albania, Bosnia and Herzegovina, North Macedonia, Serbia and the Kosovo region* to share experiences and good practices in preventing and responding to intoler- ance both online and offline.

Participants noted the interplay between intoler- ant discourse in parliaments and hate speech in society, highlighting the importance of address- ing both. They also discussed the risks and opportunities of artificial intelligence in relation to online hate, as well as the challenges facing civil society working to strengthen tolerance and social cohesion in the region.

Members of the European Parliament (EP) expressed their interest in taking part in future ini- tiatives with ODIHR and their counterparts from OSCE/Sabrina Saoudi

the Western Balkans as part of the EP’s Young Political Leaders Programme.

* There is no consensus among OSCE participating States on the status of Kosovo and, as such, the Organization does not have a position on this issue. All references to Kosovo, whether to the territory, institutions or population, in this text should be understood in full compliance with Participants discuss steps to address the security needs of United Nations Security Council Resolution 1244. Muslim communities in South Eastern Europe at an ODIHR- organized event in Skopje, North Macedonia, 6 June 2023.

DEMOCRACY AND HUMAN RIGHTS IN THE OSCE 62  Addressing the security needs of Jewish and Cooperation to counter anti-Semitism Muslim communities in and through education

ODIHR provides guidance on addressing hate In 2023, ODIHR worked with leading international crime through its practical guides for Jewish and actors in the field of education, Holocaust studies Muslim communities. In 2023, the Office con- and combating intolerance to disseminate educa- tinued work on adapting these guides to the tional materials and develop teaching standards contexts of countries across the OSCE region. on addressing anti-Semitism in and through Events held in Canada, Italy, Ireland, North Mace- education. donia and the United Kingdom brought together community representatives, law enforcement, In March, ODIHR collaborated with UNESCO, national authorities and ombuds institutions the USC Shoah Foundation, the American Jew- to identify measures to strengthen trust and ish Committee and the American Federation of improve the security of affected groups. Teachers to create a series of webinars for edu- cators aimed at strengthening their knowledge In addition to launching local language versions and skills to address anti-Semitism effectively of the guides, these events provided a space for through education. More than 800 educators open discussion about the security gaps facing from across North America followed the web­ at-risk communities, as well as measures to sen- inars to understand and identify key features of sitize and adapt the security framework to the anti-Semitic incidents, as well as practical strat­ needs of specific communities. At the same time, egies to deal with them. they help to ensure that national policies to tackle hate crime and address security needs always In September, ODIHR contributed to a UNESCO- include the perspectives of the communities organized event in partnership with the Croatian concerned. Ministry of Science and Education to train more than 50 school directors and teacher trainers on In 2024, ODIHR will add another practical guide tackling anti-Semitism, stereotypes and prejudice to the series, focusing on the security needs of through education. During the event, ODIHR Christian communities. presented its range of teaching materials to challenge anti-Semitism, including the four-part Training Curricula developed with UNESCO and with the support of University College London’s Centre for Holocaust Education.

Canada is committed to inclusive, Turning a blind eye to the first human rights-focused action on manifestations of religious addressing anti-Muslim hate and radicalization, such as hate-motivated looks forward to including ODIHR’s crimes, may have devastating results. practical guide in its policy toolbox. The ODIHR training emphasizes — Amira Elghawaby, Canada’s Special the importance of addressing such Representative for Combating Islamophobia crimes at an early stage. — Mikheil Lazginiani, Yezidi activist and Executive Director of the “World of Tolerance” NGO, Georgia

DEMOCRACY AND HUMAN RIGHTS IN THE OSCE 63 3.4 Training young people to foster equal and inclusive societies

ODIHR’s work is not only about defending democ- Wrocław: video interviews with civil society racy and human rights today, but also about fostering equal and inclusive societies for the future. In recogni- Y4I participant Liamis-Yelyzaveta wanted to promote the tion of this need, and in response to the military attack perspectives of those who work directly with migrants in Ukraine and the resulting demographic shifts in Pol- and refugees. Using communication skills developed ish cities, ODIHR developed the Youth for Inclusion (Y4I) during the Y4I workshop in Wrocław, she interviewed project to help young people in Poland create lasting civil society actors in her city about the meaning of the social change. words ‘inclusion’, ‘equality’ and ‘belonging’. She then produced a short film to highlight how inclusion is not Over the year, ODIHR brought together 107 young peo- just about being accepted, but about recognizing the ple from diverse backgrounds in a series of training value of every member of society. workshops held in seven cities across Poland. These workshops formed the backbone of the Y4I project, which also included a coaching programme and more than 60 initiatives designed and implemented by young people to foster equality, inclusion and social cohesion Supporting everyone working with at the community level. inclusion is essential for a caring During the workshops, the young participants explored society. Let’s embrace diversity, offer issues of identity and diversity, discussed their role in help and empower individuals on social change and learned effective dialogue skills to their journey to a better life. Together address bias, stereotypes and other forms of intolerance we can create a world where every and to build equal, inclusive and cohesive societies. person feels welcomed and valued. With one-on-one support and guidance from a dedi- — Liamis-Yelyzaveta Al-Badu, Y4I participant, Wrocław cated coaching team, the young people then applied these skills to develop their own initiatives in their local communities. These included an interactive art clinic in Kraków for Polish and Ukrainian women, work- shops for students in Warsaw on recognizing bias, and an art installation in Gdańsk developed by Polish and Ukrainian youth. By the end of the year, 53 of the work- shop participants had completed 33 activities, reaching approximately 650 community members.

The young participants represent different nationali- ties, ethnicities, religions and other identities, but they all share a common goal — to create societies character- ized by mutual respect, understanding and trust.

The project culminated in a three-day conference Snapshot of the video created by Liamis-Yelyzaveta. in December, during which the young participants showcased their community activities, exchanged experiences and developed plans for the future.

The Y4I project was developed as part of ODIHR’s project on Advancing the Human Dimension of Security in Ukraine and delivered in cooperation with municipal authorities across Poland.

DEMOCRACY AND HUMAN RIGHTS IN THE OSCE 64 Kraków: cultural exchange and art therapy Gdańsk: “My new life in Poland” exhibition

One Y4I participant hosted an interactive art workshop Davide, Paula and Yanki were on a mission to challenge for Polish and Ukrainian women in Kraków. The work- perceptions of migrants, overcome prejudices and build shop provided a safe space for the women to share a empathy within their local community in Gdańsk. Work- creative experience while strengthening social cohe- ing with volunteers from the European Solidarity Corps, sion. The group decorated a tablecloth in traditional the three young people used the skills learned at their Polish and Ukrainian styles using a variety of techniques Y4I workshop to create an exhibition to share the stories while engaging in guided discussions on inclusion and of those who migrated to Poland and the positive impact community. they had on the community.

Unfolding the tablecloth made by Polish and Ukrainian women as a part of my art therapy project was profoundly moving. It was gratifying to see how the women — at first sceptical about the project — wove their identities into the tablecloth while Davide Imperato

sharing conversations on tolerance, mutual understanding and respect. Y4I has given me renewed hope in the power of youth to bring about Volunteers in the community activity organized by Davide positive change in our communities.” Imperato, Paula Richardson and Tuğba Yankı Adır aimed at — Rita Ster, Y4I participant from Kraków promoting recognition of migrants’ contribution to society

Warsaw: podcast series

Based in Warsaw, Maja, Jakub and Paulina produced a podcast series featuring guest speakers to discuss top- ics relating to diversity and inclusion. Episode 1, entitled United in Diversity, explored the impact of crises on unit- ing or dividing society. In Episode 2 — A Shared Vision for an Inclusive Society — the hosts discussed attitudes towards tolerance, respect for diversity across different cultures and how individuals can contribute to promot- ing peaceful coexistence. Rita Ster

Rita Ster (left) and participants of the art workshop for Polish and Ukrainian women in Kraków, Poland, 2023. Maja Wesołowska

Jakub Sadowski, Paulina Pac and Maja Wesołowska recording their podcast at the Radio Pałacc Studio in Warsaw, Poland.

DEMOCRACY AND HUMAN RIGHTS IN THE OSCE 65 OSCE/ Piotr Dziubak

Final conference of Youth for Inclusion participants, Warsaw, Poland, 4–6 December 2023.

DEMOCRACY AND HUMAN RIGHTS IN THE OSCE 66 Annexes MEETINGS AND EVENTS Organized in 2023

HUMAN DIMENSION MEETINGS

Meeting or Event Location Date Number of Participants

Supplementary Human Dimension Meeting I on Media Vienna, Austria 13–14 March 2023 179 (105 women, 73 men, Freedom as a Central Pillar of Comprehensive Security 1 undeclared)

Supplementary Human Dimension Meeting II on Vienna, Austria 24–25 April 2023 204 (114 women, 88 men, Torture and Other Grave Breaches of International 2 undeclared) Humanitarian Law and Gross Violations of International Human Rights Law

Human Dimension Induction Course I Warsaw, Poland 16–19 May 2023 25 (15 women, 10 men)

Supplementary Human Dimension Meeting III on The Vienna, Austria 26–27 June 2023 191 (115 women, 74 men, Role of Civil Society in the Promotion and Protection of 2 undeclared) Tolerance and Non–Discrimination

Human Dimension Induction Course II Warsaw, Poland 11–14 July 2023 14 (12 women, 2 men)

Human Dimension Induction Course III Warsaw, Poland 28 November to 15 (11 women, 4 men) 1 December 2023

ELECTIONS DEPARTMENT

Meeting or Event Location Date Number of Participants

Meeting of heads and deputy heads of election Warsaw, Poland 24–25 January 2023 40 (17 women, 23 men) observation missions

Meeting of Focal Points for Election Observation Warsaw, Poland 2–3 February 2023 43 (22 women, 21 men)

Support to Electoral Reforms in the Western Balkans Warsaw, Poland 21–22 February 2023 63 (25 women, 38 men) Project — regional conference: Civil Society Organizations and the Follow–up on Electoral Recommendations

Support to Electoral Reforms in the Western Balkans Skopje, North 26–27 April 2023 55 (23 women, 32 men) Project — regional conference: Regional Exchange Macedonia on Strengthening Election Dispute Resolution Systems and Practices

ODIHR expert discussion on Handbook for the Warsaw, Poland 17 May 2023 16 (5 women, 11 men) Observation of Information and Communication Technologies (ICT) in Elections

Training for Long–Term Observers under the Belgrade, Serbia 3–7 July 2023 22 (13 women, 9 men) Diversification Fund

Support to Electoral Reforms in the Western Balkans Sarajevo, Bosnia and 26–27 September 2023 51 (17 women, 34 men) Project — regional conference: Enhancing the Effective- Herzegovina ness of Election Administration in the Western Balkans

Warsaw Human Dimension Conference side event: Warsaw, Poland 3 October 2023 50 presentation of the ODIHR Handbook for the Observation of Election Administration

Support to Electoral Reforms in the Western Balkans Skopje, North 12 October 2023 37 (18 women, 19 men) Project — national workshop: presentation of Macedonia the Code of Conduct in the Online Sphere during Electoral Processes and Referenda

ODIHR seminar on Election Observation and Vienna, Austria 24 October 2023 111 (65 women, 46 men) Assessment of Election Administration

Support to Electoral Reforms in the Western Balkans Tirana, Albania 21–22 November 2023 39 (25 women, 14 men) Project — national workshop: Resilience to Undue Influence in Elections from a Political and Campaign Finance Perspective

ODIHR 2023 68 DEMOCRATIZATION DEPARTMENT

Meeting or Event Location Date Number of Participants

Democratic Governance and Gender

10th Gender Matters! online briefing: From Gender Online 17 January 2023 31 (26 women, 5 men) Quota Laws to Gender Equality Policy

Institutionalizing Gender Mainstreaming in Parliament: Online 24 January 2023 111 (no sex–aggregated Participatory Gender Audits and Gender Action Plans data available)

Addressing Violence against Women in Politics in Tbilisi, Georgia and 13 February 2023 c. 80 (no sex–aggregated Georgia — the Role of Political Parties online data available)

Participatory Gender Audit Workshop for the National Ljubljana, Slovenia 13 March 2023 27 (22 women, 5 men) Assembly of Slovenia

Seminar for parliamentary committees on gender Jahorina, Bosnia and 13–15 March 2023 17 (12 women, 5 men) equality in Bosnia and Herzegovina Herzegovina

Participation in High Commissioner for National Vienna, Austria 28 March 2023 No data available Minorities event on Intersectionality of Gender and National Minorities

Seminar on promoting the political participation of Warsaw, Poland 30 March 2023 22 (18 women, 4 men) women with disabilities in Poland

1st Spotlight on Disability Online Briefing: Tools and Online 4 April 2023 18 (no sex–aggregated Strategies for EMBs to strengthen the participation data available) of persons with disabilities in elections and political processes

11th Gender Matters! online briefing: Innovative Online 5 April 2023 16 (11 women, 5 men) approaches to citizens’ engagement on gender equality reforms: Lessons learned from Ireland

Workshop for Danish parliamentary political parties Copenhagen, Denmark 14–15 April 2023 19 (13 women, 6 men) on gender audits and gender action plans: Tools for institutional transformation of political parties

Presentation on Public Integrity and Codes of Conduct to Belgrade, Serbia 20–21 April 2023 N/A the National Assembly of Serbia

Workshop on Gender–responsive Local Governance: Prizren, Kosovo* 26–27 April 2023 31 (4 women, 27 men) The Role of Male Leaders

Presentation of a Guidance Note on Developing a Code of Online 2 May 2023 23 (21 women, 2 men) Ethics for the For Georgia parliamentary political party

Participatory Gender Audit workshop for the Democratic Belgrade, Serbia 16 May 2023 10 (5 women, 5 men) Party in Serbia

Presentation of ODIHR’s service lines to national Online 26 May 2023 24 (21 women, 3 men) parliaments at OSCE PA Informal Gender Network

Expert meeting on Advocating for Equality of Women Skopje, North 29 May 2023 30 (27 women, 3 men) and Men: Mainstreaming Gender in the Work of Local Macedonia Self–government Units in North Macedonia

Presentation on Promoting Ethics and Integrity among Sarajevo, Bosnia and 31 May to 2 June 2023 N/A Political Parties Herzegovina

Presentation of ODIHR’s Participatory Gender Audit on Bishkek, Kyrgyzstan 5 June 2023 49 (38 women, 11 men) the parliament of Kyrgyzstan

Participation in 2023 Model OSCE Vienna, Austria 11–14 June 2023 26 (16 women, 10 men)

Human Dimension Committee Meeting: Democratic Vienna, Austria 13 June 2023 55 (no sex–aggregated institutions — political participation of persons with data available) disabilities

Presentation on political party ethics mechanisms Bucharest, Romania 17–20 June 2023 N/A mapping research at the Science of Politics — International Interdisciplinary Conference of Political Research

* There is no consensus among OSCE participating States on the status of Kosovo and, as such, the Organization does not have a position on this issue. All references to Kosovo, whether to the territory, institutions or population, in this text should be understood in full compliance with United Nations Security Council Resolution 1244.

ODIHR 2023 69 Meeting or Event Location Date Number of Participants

Re–engagement with key stakeholders in Kyiv Kyiv, Ukraine 24–30 June 2023 N/A participating in expert roundtable on the future of democracy in Ukraine

Presentation on public integrity at the Transparency Vilnius, Lithuania 25–29 June 2023 N/A International School on Integrity

Intensive course on Gender Equality and Gender Veliko Gradiste, Serbia 25–27 July 2023 19 (11 women, 8 men) Mainstreaming for parliamentary staff of the National Assembly of Serbia

Briefing on the Role of Men in Gender Equality for the UK Online 23 August 2023 12 (8 women, 4 men) NGDP Gender Equality Network

Participation in 2023 Open Government Partnership Tallin, Estonia 5–8 September 2023 1500 Global Summit

EIGE Expert Meeting on Gender Equality Action Plans Vilnius, Lithunia 12 September 2023 32 (28 women, 4 men) for Parliaments

12th Gender Matters online briefing on Observing and Online 14 September 2023 35 (29 women, 6 men) Promoting Women’s Electoral Participation: ODIHR’s Approach and Lessons Learned

Study visit for Gender Advisers from Ukraine to the Prague, 19–21 September 2023 32 (26 women, 6 men) Czech Republic Czech Republic

Policy analysis workshop for WFF Youth Policy Board Online 25 September 2023 16 (9 women, 7 men) Members

2nd Spotlight on Disability Online Briefing on Disability Online 6 October 2023 12 (no sex–aggreagated Inclusion in Finnish Politics data available)

Participatory Gender Audit workshop for the Copenhagen, Denmark 8 October 2023 13 (8 women, 5 men) Conservative People’s Party in Denmark

ODIHR/FES School on Politics, Leadership and Advocacy Warsaw, Poland 16–20 October 2023 23 (13 women, 10 men)

Study visit of Kyrgyz MPs to the UK Parliament London, UK 22–26 October 2023 15 (8 women, 7 men)

Workshop for the Ethics Commission of the National Belgrade, Serbia 23–24 October 2023 10 (6 women, 4 men) Assembly of the Republic of Serbia

Workshop for the Georgian Dream - Democratic Georgia Tbilisi, Georgia 30 October 2023 45 political party leadership and representatives on the development of Political Party Codes of Ethics

Workshop for the United National Movement Tbilisi, Georgia 31 October 2023 25 political party leadership and representatives on the development of Political Party Codes of Ethics

5th ODIHR/TI Political Integrity Bootcamp on Civil Warsaw, Poland and 31 October to 37 (22 women, 15 men) Society Interventions to Enhance Parliamentary online 1 November and Oversight 7–8 November 2023

Annual meeting of the ODIHR Advisory Panel on the Dublin, Ireland 13 November 2023 25 (21 women, 4 men) Political Participation of Persons with Disabilities

Meeting on Disability inclusion in Ireland and launch Dublin, Ireland 14 November 2023 34 (26 women, 8 men) of ODIHR’s eLearning course in the Houses of the Oireachtas

Participation in SSG/R Focal Points Annual Meeting Vienna, Austria 15–18 November 2023 29 (12 women, 17 men)

13th Gender Matters! online briefing: Feminist Foreign Online 16 November 2023 27 (24 women, 2 men) Policy: Lessons Learned from Sweden

ODIHR contribution to 12th Warsaw Dialogue for Warsaw, Poland 17 November 2023 >100 (no sex–aggregated Democracy data available)

Participation in the OSCE Parliamentary Assembly Yerevan, Armenia 18–21 November 2023 300 (N/A) Autumn Session

5th Coordination Workshop with OSCE Field Operations Warsaw, Poland 21–22 November 2023 31 (27 women, 4 men) and Institutions on Gender Equality in Politics and Democratic Institutions

ODIHR 2023 70 Meeting or Event Location Date Number of Participants

Workshop for the For Georgia political party leadership Tbilisi, Georgia 28 November 2023 32 and representatives on the development of Political Party Codes of Ethics

Workshop for the Lelo political party leadership and Tbilisi, Georgia 29 November 2023 25 representatives on the development of Political Party Codes of Ethics

Participation in the Second High–Level Global Forum of Tashkent, Uzbekistan 30 November 2023 N/A interparliamentary cooperation in the implementation Sustainable Development Goals

Social Media launch of Recommendations on the Online 3 December 2023 N/A Rights of Persons with Disabilities to Participate in Political and Public Life in the OSCE Region (Dublin Recommendations)

Visit to the Parliament of Sweden (Riksdag) for research Stockholm, Sweden 7–8 December 2023 N/A on parliamentary oversight practices

Participation in Transparency International Greece’s Athens, Greece 9 December 2023 73 (40 men and 33 conference o Independent authorities as institutional women) counterweights in the consolidation of rule of law and prevention of corruption

Participation in the OSCE Gender Focal Points Meeting Vienna, Austria 12–13 December 2023 N/A

Training for parliamentary staff of the Jogorku Kenesh on Bishkek, Kyrgyzstan 18–20 December 2023 25 (15 women, 10 men) Gender Equality and Lawmaking

Visit to Kyrgyzstan to discuss political party integrity Bishkek, Kyrgyzstan 18–21 December 2023 N/A practices

Rule of Law

Supplementary Human Dimension Meeting II side Vienna, Austria 25 April 2023 50 (not known) event on The Right to a Fair Trial in War Crimes Cases: Standards, Challenges and Good Practices

Webinar on Procedural Guarantees and Evidentiary Online 26 April 2023 90 (45 women, 45 men) Rules in the Adjudication of War Crimes Cases

Expert meeting on judicial independence and the rule of Warsaw, Poland 15 June 2023 40 (18 men, 22 women) law in Poland

Warsaw Human Dimension Conference side event on Warsaw, Poland 9 October 2023 48 (not known) ODIHR Recommendations on Judicial Independence and Accountability

Participation in conference on Raising Public Awareness Lviv, Ukraine 22 October 2023 50 (25 women, 25 men) to Promote Fair Trial Rights in International Crimes Cases

Training on Application of Norms of International Warsaw, Poland 30–31 October 2023 34 (17 women, 17 men) Humanitarian and International Criminal Law in Adjudicating War Crimes Cases for Ukrainian judges

Annual trial monitoring meeting for OSCE field office staff Skopje, North 22–23 November 2023 38 (20 women,18 men) and members of civil society Macedonia

High–level Expert Consultation Meeting on Addressing Warsaw, Poland 12 December 2023 30 (16 women, 14 men) Systemic Challenges in Judiciaries

Webinar on the role of defence lawyers in war crimes Online 14 December 2023 60 (30 women, 30 men) trials in Ukraine

Migration and Freedom of Movement

Closing event of Open Dialogues on Migration for Polish Warsaw, Poland 27 January 2023 17 (16 women, 1 men) trainees in partnership with the Nansen Centre for Peace and Dialogue

Expert workshop on engaging the Ukrainian diaspora in Warsaw, Poland 9–10 February 2023 23 (18 women, 5 men) reconstruction and development

Training on facilitating open dialogues on migration in Vravrona, Greece 6–10 March 2023 16 (12 women, 4 men) Greece in partnership with the Nansen Centre for Peace and Dialogue

ODIHR 2023 71 Meeting or Event Location Date Number of Participants

Training for human rights defenders at international Vravrona, Greece 6–10 March 2023 23 (13 women, 10 men) borders, Northern Mediterranean region

Academy on the Integration of Migrants and Refugees Warsaw, Poland 16 March 2023 30 (17 women, 13 men) in Polish Cities, launch event in collaboration with UNHCR, Council of Europe, OECD and Union of Polish Metropolises

Coordination meeting with human rights defenders on Warsaw, Poland 30 May 2023 15 (13 women, 2 men) missing persons at the EU-Belarus border

Training on good practices in migrant integration for Warsaw, Poland 19–20 June 2023 16 (15 women, 1 men) Polish cities, Part I

Training for human rights defenders at international Warsaw, Poland 26–30 June 2023 17 (7 women, 10 men) borders, Southern Mediterranean region

Expert workshop on engaging the Ukrainian diaspora in Warsaw, Poland 3 July 2023 10 (8 women, 2 men) reconstruction and development, in collaboration with the University of Warwick, UK

Europe Consultation on Strategic Litigation and Warsaw, Poland 7–8 September 2023 34 (23 women, 11 men) Legal Advocacy for Refugee and Migrant Rights in collaboration with the Global Strategic Litigation Council and International Detention Coalition

OSCE–UNHCR conference on access to civil Skopje, North 17 October 2023 106 (60 women, 46 men) documentation and prevention of statelessness in South– Macedonia Eastern Europe in collaboration with the OSCE High Commissioner on National Minorities, the OSCE Mission to Skopje and the United Nations High Commissioner on Refugees (UNHCR)

Training on good practices in migrant integration for Warsaw, Poland 6–7 November 2023 26 (23 women, 3 men) Polish cities, Part II

Expert discussion on Engaging the Ukrainian Diaspora in Online 12 December 2023 41 (29 women, 12 men) Reconstruction and Development

Closing event of Open Dialogues on Migration for Greek Athens, Greece 15 December 2023 15 (12 women, 3 men) trainees in partnership with the Nansen Centre for Peace and Dialogue

Legislative Support

Meeting of the Development Partners Coordination Online 26 January 2023 N/A Council on Reform of NGO Legislation in the Kyrgyz Republic

Presentation of ODIHR’s Urgent Interim Opinion on the Warsaw, Poland 30 January 2023 N/A Bill Amending the Act on the Supreme Court and Certain Other Acts of Poland (as of 16 January 2023) during the joint meeting of the Senate’s Legislative and Human Right Committees

ODIHR–Venice Commission pre–assessment visit for the Online 8 February 2023 24 (7 women, 17 men) preparation of the Joint Opinion on the Law of Azerbaijan on Political Parties

Annual Meeting of the Panel of Experts on Freedom of Warsaw, Poland, and 6–7 March 2023 20 (8 women, 12 men) Assembly and Association online

Participation in the meeting of the Council for Venice, Italy 9–11 March 2023 N/A Democratic Elections and the 134th Venice Commission Plenary Session

Presentation of ODIHR’s Opinion on the Code of Ethics Bishkek, Kyrgyzstan 13 March 2023 14 (8 women, 6 men) to the Working Group on amending the current Code of Ethics of MPs of the Jogorku Kenesh

Presentation of ODIHR’s Urgent Interim Opinion on Brussels, Belgium 23 March 2023 N/A the Bill Amending the Act on the Supreme Court and Certain Other Acts of Poland (as of 16 January 2023) and exchange of views on the rule of law in Poland before the European Parliament’s LIBE Committee

ODIHR 2023 72 Meeting or Event Location Date Number of Participants

Launch of the ODIHR Assessment of the Legislative Sarajevo and Banja 30 May to 2 June 2023 N/A Process in Bosnia and Herzegovina Luka, Bosnia and Herzegovina

Presentation of ODIHR’s Urgent Comments on the Draft Sarajevo and Banja 30 May to 2 June 2023 N/A Criminal Offences against Honour and Reputation in the Luka, Bosnia and Republika Srpska Herzegovina

Participation in the 135th Venice Commission Plenary Venice, Italy 9–10 June 2023 N/A Session

Presentation of ODIHR’s Legal Opinion on the Code of Online 13 June 2023 14 (8 women, 6 men), Ethics to the Working Group on amending the current Code of Ethics of MPs of the Jogorku Kenesh

Presentation of ODIHR–Venice Commission Joint Sarajevo and Banja 11–12 September 2023 30 (17 women, 13 men) Opinion on the Draft Law of Republika Srpska on the Luka, Bosnia and Special Registry and Publicity of the Work of Non–Profit Herzegovina Organizations

Public Discussions of the Draft Constitutional Law on the Online 18 September 2023 N/A Ombudsperson of the Kyrgyz Republic and presentation of ODIHR’s Urgent Interim Opinion

Launch of the ODIHR Brief on the Guiding Principles of Warsaw, Poland 9 October 2023 46 (30 women, 16 men) Democratic Lawmaking and Better Laws

Parliamentary hearing on the Draft Law “On Bishkek, Kyrgyzstan 17 October 2023 N/A Amendments to Certain Legislative Acts of the Kyrgyz Republic (Law of the Kyrgyz Republic “On Non–Profit Organizations”, Criminal Code of the Kyrgyz Republic”)” and presentation of ODIHR’s Urgent Interim Opinion on the Draft Law on Non–Profit Non–Governmental Organizations and Draft Amendments on “Foreign Representatives” of the Kyrgyz Republic (2022)

Presentation of ODIHR’s Opinion on the Act on the Online 18 October 2023 N/A Institute for Human Rights of Sweden at the High–level Webinar on the Paris Principles and the Swedish Institute for Human Rights

Technical consultation on the Draft Law on Mass Media Bishkek, Kyrgyzstan 31 October 2023 N/A of the Kyrgyz Republic and presentation of the ODIHR– and online OSCE Representative on Freedom of the Media Interim Joint Opinion on the Draft Law of the Kyrgyz Republic on Mass Media

5th Coordination Workshop with OSCE Field Operations Warsaw, Poland 21 November 2023 N/A and Institutions on Gender Equality in Politics and Democratic Institutions to present the (draft) Note on Gender Equality Laws across the OSCE Region

ODIHR–Venice Commission pre–assessment visit for the Online 22–24 November 2023 N/A preparation of the Joint Opinion on the amendments to the Electoral Code of Moldova concerning the ineligibility to stand for elections of representatives of political parties declared unconstitutional and the Joint Amicus Curiae Brief on the same matter

International scientific and practical conference on the Astana, Kazakhstan 7 December 2023 N/A Implementation of International Legal Norms Ensuring and online Human Rights into National Legislation

Presentation of ODIHR’s Note on the Proposed Revision Helsinki, Finland 11–12 December 2023 N/A of the Definition of Terrorist Offences in Article 1 of the Council of Europe Convention on the Prevention of Terrorism at the Council of Europe Committee on Counter–Terrorism (11th Plenary Meeting)

Participation in the 137th Venice Commission Plenary Venice, Italy 14–16 December 2023 N/A Session (15–16 December) and meeting of the Council for Democratic Elections (14 December2023)

ODIHR 2023 73 HUMAN RIGHTS DEPARTMENT

Meeting or Event Location Date Number of Participants

Freedom of Religion or Belief

Meeting of ODIHR Panel of Experts on Freedom of Online 19 January 2023 17 (9 women, 8 men) Religion or Belief

Workshop on Freedom of Religion or Belief for All, Tbilsi, Georgia and 24–25 January 2023 31 (23 women, 8 men) International and National Standards, Policy and Practice online

Meetings of the International Contact Group on Freedom Geneva, Switzerland 8–10 March 2023 N/A of Religion or Belief (ICG FoRB) and International and online Religious Freedom or Belief Alliance (IRFBA)

Training course on the Right to Freedom of Religion or Sarajevo, Bosnia and 10–14 May 2023 14 (10 women, 4 men) Belief for All, Non–Violent Communication, Mediation Herzegovina and Dialogue

Consultation on the draft Toolkit on FoRB and Inter– Foggia, Italy 29–30 June 2023 15 (6 women, 9 men) religious and Inter–faith Dialogue and Partnerships (IIDP)

Meeting of ODIHR’s Panel of Experts on Freedom of Warsaw, Poland 13 October 2023 14 (7 women, 7 men) Religion or Belief

Two panel sessions on Freedom of Religion or Belief: Sarajevo, Bosnia and 7 December 2023 72 (49 women, 23 men) Contemporary Challenges and Perspectives Herzegovina

Expert consultation on state practices and the role of Warsaw, Poland 18 December 2023 40 (13 men, 27 women) civil society in relation to incidents of desecration of religious texts, including Quran–burning

Meeting of the panel of experts on Freedom of Religion Warsaw, Poland 18–20 December 2023 21 (11 women, 10 men) or Belief

Freedom of Peaceful Assembly

ODIHR/Civil Society Organizations network meeting on Online 16 February 2023 17 (8 women, 9 men) peaceful assembly monitoring

In–house ODIHR assembly monitoring training Online 23–24 February 2023 22 (17 women, 5 men)

Speaker at OSCE Human Dimension Committee meeting Vienna, Austria 16 May 2023 N/A on freedom of peaceful assembly

Training–of–trainers workshop for Moldovan law Chisinau, Moldova 18–22 September 2023 16 (1 woman, 15 men) enforcement on Complying with Human Rights Standards While Policing Assemblies

Assembly monitoring training for Belarusian human rights Vilnius, Lithuania 28–29 September 2023 12 (9 women, 3 men) defenders in exile from the “Viasna” Human Rights Centre

ODIHR/Civil Society Organizations network meeting on Online 25 October 2023 17 (9 women, 8 men) peaceful assembly monitoring

Torture Prevention

Briefing for OSCE Field Operations on torture–free trade Online 8 February 2023 20 (10 women, 10 men)

Joint in–situ dialogue of ODIHR and the UN Riga, Latvia 21–22 February 2023 34 (23 women, 11 men) Subcommittee to Prevent Torture to strengthen the implementation of OPCAT in Latvia

UN Human Rights Council side event on The Role of Geneva, Switzerland 28 February 2023 55 (44 women, 11 men) Defence Lawyers in Death Penalty Cases and online and 40 online

Training on monitoring weapons and restraints for the Bern, Switzerland 10 March 2023 16 (11 women, 5 men) National Commission for the Prevention of Torture (Swiss NPM)

Conference on justice for torture victims: applying Vienna, Austria 2 June 2023 c. 81 (46 women, 34 men) a victim–centred approach and ensuring rehabilitation in practice, organized by the Permanent Delegations of Switzerland and Denmark with the support of the OSCE 2023 CiO and ODIHR

ODIHR 2023 74 Meeting or Event Location Date Number of Participants

Workshop on monitoring the use of weapons and Almaty, Kazakhstan 21–22 June 2023 51 (24 men, 27 women) methods of restraint by law enforcement personnel in Kazakhstan, Kyrgyzstan and Uzbekistan

Regional training-of-trainers on the Nelson Mandela Rules Belgrade, Serbia 17 to 21 July 2023 21 (12 women, 9 men)

Warsaw Human Dimension Conference side event Warsaw, Poland 10 October 2023 37 (22 women, 15 men) on Making the Nelson Mandela Rules actionable for prison staff: ODIHR/PRI curriculum on the UN Standard Minimum Rules for the Treatment of Prisoners

Regional meeting of National Preventive Mechanisms Copenhagen, Denmark 9–10 November 2023 70 (41 women, 29 men) and civil society organizations from the OSCE region on mental health in detention

Joint dialogue of ODIHR and the UN Subcommittee to Bratislava, Slovakia 22–24 November 2023 29 (17 women, 12 men) Prevent Torture to strengthen the implementation of OPCAT in Slovakia

Anti–trafficking

Consultation group meeting on the development of Online 24 February 2023 13 (11 women, 2 men) guidance on delivery of trauma–informed training for all professionals working with survivors of human trafficking

CSW 67 side event on Technological Challenges and New York, United States 8 March 2023 N/A and 450 online Solutions in Combating Trafficking of Women and Girls in Overlapping Emergencies

CSW 67 side event on The Need for Effective National New York, United States 13 March 2023 N/A and 130 online Referral Mechanisms to Combat Trafficking in Women and Girls

Panel presentation on Addressing the Demand for Stockholm, Sweden 29 March 2023 18 (11 women, 7 men) Trafficking in Human Beings for Sexual Exploitation and Ensuring Assistance to Victims organized by the Swedish Presidency of the Council of the European Union

Event on Recognition of Survivor Leaders’ Inclusion in Vienna, Austria and 18 April 2023 65 (45 women, 20 men) Anti–trafficking Policies at the 23rd Conference of the online Alliance against Trafficking in Persons

Launch of the Code of Practice for Ensuring the Rights Vienna, Austria 18 April 2023 65 (45 women, 20 men) of Victims and Survivors of Human Trafficking in the margins of the 23rd Conference of the Alliance against Trafficking in Persons

Launch of the e–Learning course on Capacity Building Vienna, Austria 18 April 2023 65 (45 women, 20 men) for Survivor Leaders of Trafficking in Human Beings

Launch event for the 2nd International Survivors of Online 21 June 2023 180 Trafficking Advisory Council (ISTAC)

First Annual Meeting of the 2nd International Survivors Warsaw, Poland 30 June to 2 July 2023 30 (26 women, 4 men) of Trafficking Advisory Council (ISTAC)

Webinar for World Day against Trafficking in Persons: Online 28 July 2023 135 Addressing the Risks of Trafficking of Refugees Fleeing Ukraine

Launch of the Ukrainian translation of the National Warsaw, Poland 11–12 October 2023 36 (27 women, 9 men) Referral Mechanisms – Joining Efforts to Protect the Rights of Trafficked Persons: A Practical Handbook – Second Edition and Ukrainian interagency NRM roundtable

Annual Meeting of the International Survivors of Online 14–15 October 2023 25 (23 women, 2 men) Trafficking Advisory Council (ISTAC)

Meeting on establishing Survivors of Trafficking Advisory Online 18 October 2023 12 (12 women) Council in Latin America

ODIHR 2023 75 Meeting or Event Location Date Number of Participants

Human Rights, Gender and Security

Series of informal consultations with law enforcement Online 16 January 2023 5 (2 women, 3 men) officers on human rights, gender and security

Comparative Study of Policewomen Associations in the Vienna, Austria 31 January 2023 28 (18 women, 10 men) OSCE region: Presentation of key findings and next steps for OSCE staff

Webinar on Towards Gender–responsive Border Online 3 February 2023 56 Management

Training on Integrating the Issue of Sexual and Gender– Tashkent, Uzbekistan 1–3 March 2023 33 Based Violence in Detention Monitoring

Modules delivered at the 34th Annual Course of the Dushanbe, Tajikistan 22 March 2023 23 (4 women, 19 men) Border Management Staff College (BMSC)

Policy workshop for the Working Group on Gender Dushanbe, Tajikistan 1 May 2023 18 (8 women, 10 men) Mainstreaming into Police Reform, under the auspices of the Ministry of the Interior of Tajikistan

Presentation at the 4th International Scientific and Online 18 May 2023 78 Practical Conference on Implementation of Gender Policy at the Modern Stage of Development of Security and Defence Sector of Ukraine: State, problems, prospects

Consultation with representatives of the Civic Solidarity Online 26 May 2023 4 (4 women) Platform Working Group on Women and Gender Realities in the OSCE region

Follow–up webinar to the training for staff of the Office Online 30 May 2023 9 (5 women, 4 men) of the Polish Commissioner for Human Rights on Integrating the Issue of Sexual and Gender–Based Violence in Detention Monitoring

Informal consultation with civil society organizations Online 31 May 2023 6 (6 women) from Central Asia and the South Caucasus

Webinar on Women’s Meaningful Participation in Online 19 July 2023 129 Security Institutions: Right to familiy life and care work

Regional conference on Promoting Women’s Astana, Kazakhstan 14–15 September 2023 57 (45 women, 12 men) Participation in Law Enforcement in Central Asia

Launch of Preventing Sexual and Gender-based Tashkent, Uzbekistan 19 September 2023 25 (13 women, 12 men) Violence in Places of Deprivation of Liberty in Uzbek

Training for officers of penitentiary/correctional institutions Tashkent, Uzbekistan 20–21 September 2023 32 (20 women, 12 men) on Preventing and Addressing Sexual and Gender–Based Violence in Places of Deprivation of Liberty

Warsaw Human Dimension Conference Women’s Power Warsaw, Poland 5 October 2023 65 (55 women, 10 men) Breakfast: Challenges for women, peace and security in Central Asia and across the OSCE

Modules delivered at the 35th annual course of the Dushanbe, Tajikistan 16 October to 10 25 (6 women, 19 men) Border Management Staff College (BMSC) November 2023

Training for officers of penitentiary/correctional institutions Dushanbe, Tajikistan 24–25 October 2023 25 (1 woman, 24 men) on Preventing and Addressing Sexual and Gender– Based Violence in Places of Deprivation of Liberty

Training for staff of the Institution of Human Rights, Sarajevo, Bosnia and 13–15 November 2023 24 (16 women, 8 men) Ombudsman of Bosnia and Herzegovina Herzegovina

Annual meeting of heads of Law Enforcement/Security Vienna, Austria 13–15 November 2023 50 (19 women, 31 men) Co–operation Departments on Police–related Activities

Roundtable on The Role of Women in Ensuring Peace Astana, Kazakhstan 28–29 November 2023 25 (25 women, 10 men) and Security

Launch of Preventing Sexual and Gender-based Warsaw, Poland 7 December 2023 18 (12 women, 6 men) Violence in Places of Deprivation of Liberty in Polish

ODIHR 2023 76 Meeting or Event Location Date Number of Participants

Human Rights and Anti–Terrorism

Two workshops for Uzbek law enforcement on Khiva and Bukhara, 11–12 May and 16–17 32 (3 women, 29 men) Protecting Human Rights while Countering Terrorism Uzbekistan May 2023 Effectively

Regional workshop for South East Europe on Detention Sarajevo, Bosnia and 13–14 September 2023 71 (35 women, 36 men) Monitoring and the Protection of Human Rights while Herzegovina Preventing and Countering Violent Extremism and Radicalization to Terrorism (VERLT) in Prisons

Training course for detention monitors from Kazakhstan Bishkek, Kyrgyzstan 14–15 November 2023 31 (15 women, 16 men) and Kyrgyzstan on Detention Monitoring and the Protection of Human Rights while Preventing and Countering Violent Extremism and Radicalization to Terrorism (VERLT) in Prisons

Human Rights Defenders

Meetings and interviews regarding human rights Warsaw and Białystok, January to March 2023 N/A defenders in exile Poland

Assessment visit focusing on human rights defenders Malta 11–25 March 2023 130 (62 women, 68 men)

Game design workshop for Starlight Stadium Episode 3 Warsaw, Poland 26–29 March 2023 7 (3 women, 4 men)

Supplementary Human Dimension Meeting II side event: Vienna, Austria 25 April 2023 65 Presenting Trauma–informed Interviewing: the key to effective human rights monitoring

Meetings and interviews regarding human rights Vilnius, Lithuania 16–19 May 2023 N/A defenders in exile

Starlight Stadium Playtest at College of Europe Natolin Warsaw, Poland 19 May 2023 14 (7 women, 7 men)

Open–source investigation training for human rights Warsaw, Poland 31 May to 2 June 2023 24 (16 women, 8 men) defenders in cooperation with RARE–2 Project

Tech Demo of Starlight Stadium at RightsCon Online 7 June 2023 c. 30–40

Meetings and interviews regarding human rights Tbilisi, Georgia 11–16 June 2023 N/A defenders in exile

Consultation meeting for CHANGE (Capitalizing on the Tbilisi, Georgia 31 August to 1 21 (15 women, 6 men) Human dimension mandate to Advance Gender Equality) September 2023 in Georgia

Game testing of Episode 3 of Starlight Stadium Tbilisi, Georgia 1 September 2023 5 (4 women, 1 man)

Warsaw Human Dimension Conference: Starlight Warsaw, Poland 3–6 October 2023 87 (41 women, 46 men) Stadium booth

Warsaw Human Dimension Conference side event on Warsaw, Poland 6 October 2023 75 (40 women, 35 men) Human Rights Defenders in Exile

Assessment visit on the situation of human rights Estonia 15–28 October 2023 101 (69 women, 32 men) defenders in Estonia

FreedomLab development workshop Warsaw, Poland 19–20 October 2023 5 (4 women, 1 man)

Starlight Stadium Workshop at OSCE Academy Bishkek Bishkek, Kyrgystan 7 December 2023 10 (7 women, 3 men)

Consultation meetings with human rights defenders in Bishkek, Kyrgystan 8–11 December 2023 13 (10 women, 3 men) Kyrgyzstan

Remote Working Accelerator Initiative (RAWI) first kickoff Vilnius, Lithuania 12–14 December 2023 15 (11 women, 5 men) workshop

National Human Rights Institutions

NHRI Academy on the Rule of Law Skopje, Republic of 19–23 June 2023 25 (18 women, 7 men) Macedonia

Introduction workshop for NHRIs resilience focal points Online 23 September 2023 22 (15 women, 7 men)

ODIHR 2023 77 Meeting or Event Location Date Number of Participants

Human Rights and New Technologies

Webinar at DigitALL: Innovation and technology for Online 7 March 2023 75 gender equality

Roundtable on Human Rights and New Technologies Warsaw, Poland 11 December 2023 16 (10 women, 6 men)

Cross–cutting

Introduction to the Human Dimension for delegation Warsaw, Poland 24–26 January 2023 N/A from Turkmenistan

Workshop on FoRB standards and good practices Online 13 February 2023 9 relevant to CVE and PVE measures for human rights defenders from Uzbekistan

Visit by the Finnish National Human Rights Institution Warsaw, Poland 16–17 February 2023 N/A

Re–engagement visit with civil society organizations Lviv and Kyiv, Ukraine 25 August to 1 4 (3 women, 1 man) in Ukraine September 2023

TOLERANCE AND NON–DISCRIMINATION DEPARTMENT

Meeting or Event Location Date Number of Participants

Diagnostic workshop to assess national structures and Vienna, Austria 30–31 January 2023 36 (11 women, 7 men, 18 services for hate crime victim support in Austria other)

Three training sessions for civil society on Addressing Online 1–15 February 2023 22 (8 women, 10 men, 4 Religion–related Hate Crime other)

Webinar, Under the Spotlight — Recognizing Victims’ Online 3 February 2023 N/A Experience: A Condition for Effective Hate Crime Support

Study visit and joint meeting of the working group on Stockholm, Sweden 6–7 February 2023 42 hate crime training for law enforcement and working group on hate crime data collection under the EC High Level Group on combating hate speech and hate crime

Presentation during CiO Conference on Addressing Skopje, North 6–7 February 2023 c. 100 Anti–Semitism in the OSCE Region Macedonia

Roundtable discussion on engaging hate crime victims Online 7 March 2023 27 in policymaking

Participation in meetings of the International Contact Geneva, Switzerland 7–10 March 2023 N/A Group on Freedom of Relgious Belief (ICG FoRB) and and online International Religious Freedom or Belief Alliance (IRFBA)

Presentations during SOAR Project (Strengthening the Brussels, Belgium 13–14 March 2023 53 (24 women, 29 men) Security and Resilience of At–risk Religious Sites and Communities) meetings

Webinar on Responding to Incidents of Anti–Semitism in Online 15 March 2023 89 Schools

Briefings on how to submit data to ODIHR’s annual hate Online 15 March 2023 25 (25 other) crime report for civil society organizations

Presentation for participants of the “One Step Ahead” Online 20 March 2023 40 (25 women, 15 men) youth project

Moderation and keynote speech at the Conference on Brussels, Belgium 20–23 March 2023 N/A the Muslim Voices for Dialogue and the EU anti–racism week event at the European Parliament

Preparation meeting for the 2023 Regional Conference Belgrade, Serbia and 22 March 2023 20 on Hate Crime in South East Europe online

Information sessions for National Points of Contact Online 28 March 2023 14 (14 other) (NPCs) on how to submit data to ODIHR’s annual hate crime report

ODIHR 2023 78 Meeting or Event Location Date Number of Participants

Presentation at an expert meeting ahead of the Fifth Lisbon, Portugal 28–29 March 2023 25 (12 women, 13 men) European Policy Dialogue Forum (EPDF)

Presentation at the Third Meeting of the Council of Strasbourg, France 29 March to 1 April N/A Europe Committee of Experts on Hate Crime 2023

Presentation during CEPOL webinar on hate crime Online 3 April 2023 56 (56 other)

Presentation to OSCE Preparatory Committee of joint Vienna, Austria and 17 April 2023 N/A reports by the OSCE and Council of Europe (CoE) Focal online Points on cooperation in the protection of the rights of people belonging to national minorities and the promotion of tolerance and non–discrimination

Presentation at the International Religious Freedom or Online 19 April 2023 >50 (all other) Belief Alliance (IRFBA) Plenary

Presentation at the European Conference on Vienna, Austria 17–18 April 2023 >50 (all other) Antisemitism

Workshop on hate crime data recording and collection Ljubljana, Slovenia 19–21 April 2023 18 (14 women, 4 men)

Presentation during 36th meeting of the Council of Strasbourg, France 19–21 April 2023 N/A Europe–OSCE Co–ordination Group and other meetings in Strasbourg

Presentation during a hate crime event with the Brussels, Belgium and 27 April 2023 N/A European Parliament’s Committee on Civil Liberties, online Justice and Home Affairs (LIBE)

Briefing for OSCE Field Operations, UNHCR Field Online 11 May 2023 75 (75 other) Offices and Implementing Partners on ODIHR’s hate crime reporting

Webinar, Under the Spotlight — The Specific Needs of Online 15 May 2023 25 (25 other) Anti–LGBTI Hate Crime Victims: The Case of France

Presentation at the International Empathic Cities Forum Kraków, Poland 15–16 May 2023 61 (35 women, 24 men, 2 other)

Presentation on ODIHR’s hate crime mandate during Sofia, Bulgaria 6 June 2023 30 event on criminal law and LGBTI people in Bulgaria

Workshop on hate crime data recording and collection Berlin, Germany 7 June 2023 27 in Germany

Presentation at the International Holocaust Dubrovnik, Croatia 12–15 June 2023 c. 150 Remembrance Alliance (IHRA) Plenary meeting

Webinar, Under the Spotlight — Addressing Anti–Muslim Online 15 June 2023 40 Hate Crime and Supporting Victims

Presention at the Sixth Annual Conference of the St Andrews, Scotland 19–21 June 2023 N/A European Academy of Religion (UK)

Supplementary Human Dimension Meeting III — The Vienna, Austria 26–27 June 2023 N/A Role of Civil Society in the Promotion and Protection of Tolerance and Non–Discrimination

Speaking at 10th anniversary event of the EU Guidelines Brussels, Belgium 29 June 2023 65 (36 women, 29 men) on the promotion and protection freedom of religion or belief (FoRB)

Training for employees of Crime Victim Information Bratislava, Slovakia and 20 September 2023 20 Offices in Slovakia on hate crimes and Sensitive and online Respectful Treatment of Hate Crime Victims

Presentation during a webinar on good practices for Online 20 September 2023 92 reporting racism

Conference on Responding to Anti–Muslim Hate Ottawa, Canada 21 September 2023 70 (40 women, 30 men) Crimes and Addressing the Security Needs of Muslim Communities

Event on educating against anti–Semitism, intolerance Zagreb, Croatia 26–27 September 2023 c. 60 and discrimination

ODIHR 2023 79 Meeting or Event Location Date Number of Participants

Accompanying the visit of CiO Personal Representatives Oslo, Norway 26–29 September 2023 33 (18 women, 15 men) on tolerance and non–discrimination

Presentation on Sensitive and Respectful Treatment of Online 27 September 2023 20 Hate Crime Victims during CEPOL training course

Participation in EU high–level group of experts on Brussels, Belgium 3–4 October 2023 35 (20 men, 15 women) combating anti–Muslim hatred and discrimination

Warsaw Human Dimension Conference side event on Warsaw, Poland 5 October 2023 c. 40 Addressing Anti–Religious Hate Crime in the OSCE Area

Warsaw Human Dimension Conference side event Warsaw, Poland 5 October 2023 c. 40 on Addressing Online Hate in the Age of Artificial Intelligence

Participation in 11th meeting of the EU High Level Group Madrid, Spain 10–11 October 2023 60 On Combating Hate Crime and Hate Speech

Presentation at a training course on Police Operating in Strasbourg, France 23–25 October 2023 70 Diverse Societies organized by the Council of Europe

ODIHR and European Parliament 2nd Workshop for Brussels, Belgium 24–25 October 2023 9 (5 women, 4 men) Young Political Leaders on the prevention of intolerance, discrimination and hate

Presentation at the VI Seminar on Hate Crimes for Madrid, Spain and 6 November 2023 376 Security Forces online

Participation in 5th European Policy Dialogue Forum on Rotterdam, 13–15 November 2023 127 (72 women, 53 men, Young People and Social Inclusion in Cities The Netherlands 2 other)

15th Annual Meeting of the OSCE National Points of Warsaw, Poland and 16–17 November 2023 64 Contact on Hate Crimes (NPCs) online

Co-organization of 11th Annual Regional Conference of Tirana, Albania 20–22 November 2023 32 the SEE Network on Hate Crime

Presentation during the 2023 Zagreb Plenary Meeting Zagreb, Croatia 26–30 November 2023 c. 150 of the International Holocaust Remembrance Alliance (IHRA)

Moderation and side event during Ministerial Prague, Czech Republic 28–30 November 2023 15 (10 women, 5 men) Conference of the International Religious Freedom or Belief Alliance

Awareness–raising seminar on hate crimes for Icelandic Online 5 December 2023 17 (2 women, 15 other) authorities, law enforcement and civil society

Event on Addressing the Security Needs of Jewish Rome, Italy 10–14 December 2023 c. 40 Communities in Italy, followed by a country visit of the CiO Personal Representative on Combating Anti–Semitism

TAHCLE (Training Against Hate Crimes for Law Legionowo, Poland 12–14 December 2023 23 (10 women, 13 men) Enforcement) train–the–trainer event for Polish Police

Expert consultation on state practices and the role of Warsaw, Poland and 18 December 2023 40 (27 women, 13 men) civil society in relation to incidents of desecration of online religious texts, including Quran–burning

Workshop on finalizing guidelines for handling hate crime Pristina, Kosovo and 18 December 2023 10 cases for the Ombudsperson’s Institution in Kosovo* online

Speaking at Muslim Jewish Leadership Council Berlin, Germany 18–20 December 2023 16 (7 women, 9 men) Ambassador Programme event

Presentation on support to hate crime victims during Paris, France 19–20 December 2023 c. 150 a train–the–trainer event for the Gendarmerie Nationale

* All references to Kosovo, whether to the territory, institutions or population, in this text should be understood in full compliance with United Nations Security Council Resolution 1244.

ODIHR 2023 80 CONTACT POINT FOR ROMA AND SINTI ISSUES

Meeting or Event Location Date Number of Participants

Consultation on Roma Inclusion and Empowerment Brussels, Belgium 7–9 February 2023 33 (21 women, 12 men) programme, EEA and Norway Grants future funding

Participation in the Transitional Justice — Paving the Online 3 March 2023 >50 way for Truth and Reconciliation Processes in Romania expert meeting, ERGO Network

Participation in the launch of Finland’s Roma Strategy Helsinki, Finland 23 March 2023 >30 for 2023–2030

Field assessment visit to the Czech Republic Prague, Czech Republic 28–30 March 2023 36 (21 women, 15 men)

Induction Workshop: Monitoring the Human Rights Online 13 April 2023 11 (5 women, 6 men) Situation of Ukrainian Roma Refugees in Nine OSCE Participating States

Human Dimension Committee meeting on the role of Vienna, Austria 18 April 2023 >100 civil society in driving positive change for Roma, Sinti and Travellers in the OSCE Area

Roma Week 2023, European Parliament Brussels, Belgium 24–27 April 2023 >40

Launch of Understanding Anti–Roma Hate Crimes Warsaw, Poland 25 May 2023 52 (29 women, 23 men) and Addressing the Security Needs of Roma and Sinti Communities: A Practical Guide

15th meeting of the Council of Europe Dialogue with Online 6 June 2023 >20 Roma and Traveller civil society — Equality for Roma and Traveller Women and Girls

Participation in the kick–off event of EQUIROM, a Council Brussels, Belgium 8 June 2023 >50 of Europe project addressing equality and freedom from discrimination for Roma in Bulgaria, Greece, Italy and Romania

18th meeting of the Focal Points on Roma from OSCE Skopje, North 12 June 2023 9 (6 women, 3 men) Field Operations Macedonia

Participation in the plenary meeting of the International Dubrovnik, Croatia 12–14 June 2023 >120 Holocaust Remembrance Alliance under the Croatian Presidency

National consultation meeting with Spanish Roma civil Online 22 June 2023 18 (14 women, 4 men) society

Supplementary Human Dimension Meeting III on The Vienna, Austria 27–28 June 2023 >100 Role of Civil Society in the Prevention and Response to Intolerance, Discrimination and Hate Crime

Consultation workshop: Fourth Status Report — Warsaw, Poland 28–29 June 2023 17 (9 women, 8 men) Implementation of the OSCE Action Plan on Improving the Situation of Roma and Sinti within the OSCE Area

Participation in ceremony commemorating the 79th Oświęcim, Poland 2 August 2023 >150 anniversary of the liquidation of the “Zigeunerlager”, Auschwitz–Birkenau Museum

Participation in workshop on Educating against Zagreb, Croatia 26–27 September >100 antisemitism, intolerance and discrimination in Croatia: 2023 essential elements for teacher training, UNESCO and Croatian Ministry of Science and Education

Warsaw Human Dimension Conference side event: Self– Warsaw, Poland 6 October 2023 22 (19 women, 3 men) advocacy by women from under–represented groups for achieving justice and gender equality

Pre–implementation training programme on human Warsaw, Poland 8–10 October 2023 12 (8 women, 4 men) rights monitoring for Ukrainian Roma and pro–Roma human rights defenders

Warsaw Human Dimension Conference side event on Warsaw, Poland 11 October 2023 65 (32 women, 33 men) the Human Rights Situation of Ukrainian Roma affected by the War in Ukraine

ODIHR 2023 81 Meeting or Event Location Date Number of Participants

Warsaw Human Dimension Conference side event on Warsaw, Poland 11 October 2023 36 (18 women, 18 men) Capacity–building Tools for Roma and Sinti Civil Society: Guidelines for activists in addressing situations of evictions of Roma and Sinti and Guidelines for activists in addressing access to healthcare and vaccination of Roma and Sinti

1st Environmental Justice for Roma Communities Online 12 October 2023 >30 conference on Leveraging the EU Roma Strategic Framework

OSCE–UNHCR Regional Conference on Access to Civil Skopje, North 17 October 2023 >100 Documentation and Prevention of Statelessness in Macedonia South–Eastern Europe

Meeting with the Czech authorities about the Effective Online 13 November 2023 9 (4 women, 5 men) and Human Rights–Compliant Policing in Roma and Sinti Communities training programme

Webinar on Good Practices for Training Law Enforcement Online 20 November 2023 >80 Officials on Protecting the Rights of Roma, Sinti and Travellers, with the Council of Europe and the European Union Agency for Law Enforcement Training (CEPOL)

Participation in the Zagreb Plenary of the International Zagreb, Croatia 26–30 November 2023 >100 Holocaust Remembrance Alliance, visit to Jasenovac memorial site and the Roma Memorial Center Uštica

Addressing racially motivated crimes against Roma, Sinti Strasbourg, France 27–30 November 2023 18 (4 women, 14 men) and Travellers: Towards effective and non–discriminatory policing, train–the–trainer course

Participation in the 16th European Platform for Roma Madrid, Spain 30 November 2023 >100 Inclusion, organized by the Spanish Presidency of the Coucil of the European Union and European Commission

Launch of Implementation of the Action Plan on Vienna, Austria 8 December 2023 65 (38 women, 26 men, Improving the Situation of Roma and Sinti within the 1 other) OSCE Area — Fourth Status Report

Joint regional workshop to foster dialogue between Warsaw, Poland 12 December 2023 18 (12 women, 6 men) media professionals on fair and constructive media coverage about people belonging to national minorities, including Roma and Sinti

ODIHR 2023 82 EXTRABUDGETARY PROGRAMMES AND PROJECTS Implemented in 2023

ELECTIONS DEPARTMENT

Fund/Programme/Project Region/country Included work on:

Fund for Enhancing the OSCE Region • Deploying experts from eligible participating States (Albania, Armenia, Diversification of Election Azerbaijan, Belarus, Bosnia and Herzegovina, Georgia, Kazakhstan, Kyrgyzstan, Observation Missions North Macedonia, Moldova, Mongolia, Montenegro, Uzbekistan, Serbia, Tajikistan, Turkmenistan and Ukraine) as long–term and short–term election observers within ODIHR Election Observation Missions.

Election Observation OSCE Region • Publication of the Handbook for the Observation of Election Administration and Development Programme an updated version of the Handbook on Observing and Promoting Women’s Electoral Participation.

Fund for Enhancing OSCE Region • Assisting institutions and civil society in addressing ODIHR electoral the Follow–up of ODIHR assessments and recommendations through technical expertise. Electoral Assessments and Recommendations

Election Observer OSCE Region • Training of long–term election observers from participating States eligible for Training Programme the Fund for Enhancing the Diversification of Election Observation Missions.

Support to the follow–up of South East Europe • Assisting institutions and civil society in addressing ODIHR electoral electoral recommendations assessments and recommendations related to election administration, in the Western Balkans voter registration, the conduct of the media during election campaigns, the ability of parties and candidates to campaign freely, and to the capacity and independence of electoral dispute resolution bodies.

DEMOCRATIZATION DEPARTMENT

Rule of law

Fund/Programme/Project Region/country Included work on:

Strengthening Inclusive OSCE Region • Continuing the review and update of the OSCE Kyiv Recommendations on and Accountable Judicial Independence (2010) by carrying out in–depth analysis in thematic Democratic Institutions areas, such as accountability of judicial councils, disciplinary accountability of in the OSCE Region judges, and transfer of judges, and convening seven online regional workshops to receive feedback for the technical drafting of revisions/amendments.

Eastern Europe • Continued monitoring the evaluation process of the integrity (pre–vetting) of candidates for the Superior Council of Magistracy (SCM) in Moldova and launched a monitoring report, which outlined the main findings and recommendations from the first phase of the evaluation process. In parallel, ODIHR continued monitoring the re–evaluation of the SCM candidates whose appeals before the Supreme Court of Justice (SCJ) were successful and the beginning of the subsequent process of the evaluation (vetting) of the judges/ candidates of the SCJ. The work will continue in 2024.

Trial Monitoring Central Asia • Continued to monitor trials in relation to the January 2022 events in Kazakhstan. The purpose of ODIHR monitoring is to assess the respect of the right to a fair trial and of the rights of victims and witnesses. ODIHR monitoring will result in a public report in 2024, containing assessment and recommendations based on the monitoring of 35 individual cases and more than 400 days of trials against 129 defendants.

ODIHR 2023 83 Legislative Support

Fund/Programme/Project Region/country Included work on:

Legislative Review Fund OSCE Region • Legal analyses of legislation, including on judicial reform (Poland, Georgia), “de–oligarchization” (Georgia), parliamentary rules of procedure (Kyrgyzstan), freedom of association (Georgia, Republika Srpska/Bosnia and Herzegovina), “separatism” (Moldova), freedom of the media (Kyrgyzstan), corporate criminal liability (Uzbekistan), national human rights institution (Kyrgyzstan, Sweden), anti–corruption (Ukraine), political parties (Ukraine, Moldova, Azerbaijan), pan– European definition of “terrorism”. • Annual meeting of the ODIHR Panel of Experts on Freedom of Assembly and Association. • Follow–up events with Polish counterparts on the ODIHR Urgent Opinion on judicial reform (January) and before the European Parliament’s LIBE Committee. • Online assessment with stakeholders in Bosnia and Herzegovina to prepare, together with the Venice Commission, the Joint Opinion on so–called “foreign agents” legislation of the Republika Srpska.

Strengthening Inclusive OSCE Region • Legal analyses of legislation, including on judicial reform (Poland, Georgia, and Accountable Moldova), parliamentary integrity (Moldova) and on the Rules of Procedure of Democratic Institutions the Jogorku Kenesh (Parliament) of the Kyrgyzstan. in the OSCE Region • Launch of the ODIHR Brief: Guiding Principles of Democratic Lawmaking and Better Laws and publication of the ODIHR Guidelines on Democratic Lawmaking for Better Laws. • Publication of the Follow–up Assessment Report of the Lawmaking Process in the Republic of Uzbekistan and of the Preliminary Opinion on the Legal Framework governing the Legislative Process in Montenegro, and finalization of the Follow–up Assessment Report of the lawmaking process of Armenia. • Launch of the Assessment Report on the Legislative Process of Bosnia and Herzegovina. • Technical maintenance, overhaul and updating of www.legislationline.org.

Democratic Governance

Fund/Programme/Project Region/country Included work on:

Strengthening Inclusive OSCE region • Translation of eLearning course on Promoting the participation of persons with and Accountable disabilities: an interactive tool for parliaments and political parties into Serbian. Democratic Institutions • Organizing a Political Integrity bootcamp on Parliamentary Oversight in in the OSCE Region cooperation with the Transparency International Secretariat for 19 local TI chapters and five representatives of the OSCE FOs. • Commissioning a comprehensive mapping study on parliamentary oversight practices in the OSCE region. • Conducting case study research on parliamentary oversight practices in the Swedish Riksdag, as the second stage of research on oversight. • Conducting a study visit for MPs from Kyrgyzstan to the UK Parliament to contribute to the development of the Code of Conduct and looking into comparative good practices. • Delivering a workshop on ethical standards and parliamentary integrity to the Ethics Commission of the National Assembly in Serbia. • Organizing the School of Leadership and Advocacy for 23 young MPs and political party representatives from the Western Balkans and Eastern Partnership countries to enhance the capacity of young politicians and activists. • Continuation of OSCE–wide research on programmes and policy areas dedicated to youth issues in democratic institutions across the OSCE region.

ODIHR 2023 84 Gender Equality

Fund/Programme/Project Region/Country Included work on:

Strengthening Inclusive OSCE region • Finalization of the new tool on Institutional Mechanisms as Critical Actors for and Accountable Gender Equality: A Review from the OSCE Region. Democratic Institutions • Releasing a report on the participatory gender audit of the Jogorku Kenesh of in the OSCE Region Kyrgyzstan and delivering a training course for parliamentary staff on how to conduct gender impact assessments of legislation. • Conducting three gender equality training courses for national parliaments: an orientation seminar for the Parliamentary Assembly of Bosnia and Herzegovina, in cooperation with the OSCE Mission; a training course for parliamentary staff of the National Assembly of Serbia; and for the Jogorku Kenesh, the Parliament of Kyrgyzstan, in cooperation with the OSCE Programme Office in Bishkek. • Kicking off a participatory gender audit of the National Assembly of Slovenia, engaging with parliamentary leadership, MPs and parliamentary staff, to identify good practices and challenges. The audit will result in a report to assist the parliament in becoming more gender sensitive. • Conducting research, in cooperation with the OSCE Parliamentary Assembly, on formal and informal parliamentary bodies for gender equality, to map good practices and lessons learned on how parliaments establish and maintain structures that lead on gender equality policies in national parliaments. • Collaborated with the European Institute for Gender Equality, supporting them in developing an online tool on parliamentary gender action plans. • Providing support and awareness–raising to six parliamentary political parties in Denmark, including the conduct of full gender audits for three parliamentary parties.

Migration

Fund/Programme/Project Region/Country Included work on:

Assistance for OSCE region • Two training courses on human rights at international borders: human rights Implementation of OSCE principles, monitoring, safety and security for human rights defenders working Commitments on Migration in the Northern Mediterranean region (Cyprus, Greece, Italy, Malta, Türkiye, and Freedom of Movement Spain); and for OSCE Mediterranean Partners for Co–operation (Algeria, Egypt, Israel, Jordan, Morocco and Tunisia). • Publication of Enhanced Understanding on Freedom of Movement in all Phases of the Conflict Cycle. • Publication of an animation to demonstrate key human rights risks that may emerge when states use new technologies at borders, with particular focus on the risks faced by people seeking international protection. • Training for civil society actors on facilitating open dialogues on migration in Greece and follow–up support in their implementation of public dialogue in their communities. • Preparatory work for a training course on good practices in migrant integration to be delivered in Sarajevo, Bosnia and Herzegovina in 2024. • Preparatory work for a training course on good practices in migrant and refugee integration for Polish cities to be delivered in 2024. • Participation in a week–long monitoring visit to Germany to contribute on the migration–related aspects of work on developing a National Referral Mechanism for victims of trafficking in human beings in Germany.

ODIHR 2023 85 HUMAN RIGHTS DEPARTMENT

Fund/Programme/Project Region/Country Included work on:

Promoting a Human Rights Central Asia • Two training workshops on Protecting Human Rights while Countering Compliant and Gender Terrorism Effectively for law enforcement officers in Xorazm and Bukhara Responsive Security regions, Uzbekistan. Sector — Human Rights and Anti–Terrorism OSCE region • Participation in OSCE Secretariat Transnational Threat Department policy discussion on Resolving the Detainee Dilemma (repatriation of “foreign terrorist fighters” from conflict zones in Northeast Syria and Iraq).

Protection of persons Central Asia • First training workshop for detention monitors from Kazakhstan and Kyrgyzstan deprived of liberty in the on detention monitoring and the protection of human rights while preventing OSCE region — Human and countering violent extremism and radicalization that lead to terrorism in Rights and Anti–Terrorism prisons.

OSCE region • Three additional translations of the Protecting Human Rights in Prisons while Preventing Radicalization Leading to Terrorism or Violence: A Guide for Detention Monitors in prisons into Albanian, Bosnian and French to support current and future activities.

South East Europe • Regional dialogue promotion conference for South East Europe on Detention monitoring and the protection of human rights while preventing and countering violent extremism and radicalization to terrorism (VERLT) in prisons.

Promoting a Human Rights Moldova • Training on human rights–compliant policing of assemblies for Moldovan law Compliant and Gender enforcement. Responsive Security Sector — Freedom of Peaceful Assembly

Increasing effectiveness, OSCE region • Two biannual online ODIHR CSOs Freedom of Peaceful Assembly Monitoring strengthening enabling network meetings. environment for human • Assembly monitoring training for Belarusian human rights defenders in exile. rights defenders — Freedom of Peaceful • Development of an e–learning course on freedom of peaceful assembly Assembly monitoring.

Protection of persons OSCE region • Online briefing for OSCE colleagues based in Field Operations on law deprived of liberty enforcement equipment that can be used/misused for torture. in the OSCE region • Publication of Introduction to the Nelson Mandela Rules International Training — Anti–Torture Programme, Trainer’s Manual for prison staff. • Translation of the Trainer’s Manual into Russian. • Launch of the Introduction to the Nelson Mandela Rules International Training Programme, Trainer’s Manual at a Warsaw Human Dimension Conference side event. • Presentation of the Introduction to the Nelson Mandela Rules International Training Programme, Trainer’s Manual at the annual conference of the European Penitentiary Training Academies in Tallin, Estonia. • Sixth regional meeting for NPMs and CSOs of the OSCE region (organized in partnership with the Association for the Prevention of Torture, the Council of Europe and the Danish Parliamentary Ombudsman) in Copenhagen, Denmark.

South East Europe • Regional training–of–trainers on the Introduction to the Nelson Mandela Rules International Training Programme, Trainer’s Manual for staff of penitentiary training centres from Croatia, North Macedonia and Serbia in Belgrade, Serbia.

Central Asia • Regional workshop on monitoring the use of weapons and methods of restraint by law enforcement personnel for detention monitors of Kazakhstan, Kyrgyzstan and Uzbekistan in Almaty, Kazakhstan.

Latvia • ODIHR–SPT joint in–situ dialogue to strengthen the implementation of OPCAT in Latvia.

Slovakia • ODIHR–SPT joint in–situ dialogue to strengthen the implementation of OPCAT in Slovakia.

Switzerland • Training on monitoring weapons and restraints for the Swiss national preventive mechanism.

Promoting a Human Rights Bosnia and • Pilot of training curriculum on FoRB, NVC and mediation (block I) conducted in Compliant and Gender Herzegovina Sarajevo with young change agents. Responsive Security Sector — Freedom of OSCE region • Work on finalizing the guide for participating States on FoRB and interreligious Religion or Belief and interfaith dialogue and partnerships.

OSCE region • Work on a publication on Freedom of Thought.

ODIHR 2023 86 Fund/Programme/Project Region/Country Included work on:

Promoting a Human Rights OSCE Region • Continued to promote the National Referral Mechanisms – Joining Efforts to Compliant and Gender Protect the Rights of Trafficked Persons: A Practical Handbook – Second Edition. Responsive Security • Launch event of the e–learning Course on Capacity Building for Survivor Sector — Anti–Trafficking Leaders of Trafficking in Human Beings. • Launch event of the Code of Practice for Ensuring the Rights of Victims and Survivors of Trafficking. • Launch of the 2nd International Survivors of Trafficking Advisory Council (ISTAC). • Launch event of the Guidance on Trauma-Informed National Referral Mechanisms and Responses to Human Trafficking on the World Day Against Trafficking in Persons.

Promoting a Human Rights OSCE region • Webinar on the ODIHR Gender and Security Toolkit, focusing on gender– Compliant and Gender responsive border management (organized with DCAF and UN Women). Responsive Security • Webinar on ODIHR Gender and Security Toolkit, focusing on women’s Sector — Human Rights meaningful participation in security institutions: rights to family life and care Gender and Security support (organized with DCAF and UN Women). • Warsaw Human Dimension Conference side event on women’s participation and leadership in the security sector (organized with the OSCE CPC). • Warsaw Human Dimension Conference: Women’s Power Breakfast. • Development of a training curriculum on the Human Rights and Gender Assessment Methodology in Armed Forces.

Central Asia • OSCE–led regional conference on promoting women’s participation in law enforcement in Central Asia.

Protection of persons Uzbekistan • Training for penitentiary staff on preventing and addressing SGBV in places of deprived of liberty in the deprivation of liberty. OSCE region — Human • Launch of the Uzbek translation of Preventing and Addressing Sexual and Rights Gender and Security Gender–based Violence in Places of Deprivation of Liberty: Standards, Approaches and Examples from the OSCE Region.

Poland • Follow–up to the training on integrating the issue of SGBV in detention monitoring for staff of the Office of the Polish Commissioner for Human Rights. • Launch of the Polish translation of Preventing and Addressing Sexual and Gender–based Violence in Places of Deprivation of Liberty: Standards, Approaches and Examples from the OSCE Region.

Uzbekistan • Training on integrating the issue of SGBV in detention monitoring and follow– up for staff of the Office of the Authorized Person of the Oliy Majlis of the Republic of Uzbekistan for Human Rights and the Expert Group on the National Preventive Mechanism against Torture.

Bosnia and • Training on integrating the issue of SGBV in detention monitoring for staff of the Herzegovina Ombudsperson institution of Bosnia and Herzegovina. • Translation into Bosnian, Croatian and Serbian of Integrating the Issue of Sexual and Gender–Based Violence in Detention Monitoring: A Guidance Note for Oversight Mechanisms.

Central Asia • Informal consultation with civil society organization representatives from Central Asia and the South Caucasus.

Increasing effectiveness, Malta • Assessment visit focusing on the situation of HRDs. strengthening enabling environment for human Estonia • Assessment visit focusing on the situation of HRDs. rights defenders — Human Rights Defenders OSCE Region • Warsaw Human Dimension Conference side event on Human Rights Defenders in Exile.

Poland • Interviews with HRDs in exile and topical meetings with authorities.

Georgia • Meetings with authorities about the situation of HRDs in exile.

Lithuania • Meetings with authorities about the situation of HRDs in exile.

OSCE Region • Continued development of the FreedomLab platform — an online educational platform for Human Rights Defenders — prioritizing digital safety and data security. • Development workshop for FreedomLab with web developer and ODIHR team.

ODIHR 2023 87 Fund/Programme/Project Region/Country Included work on:

OSCE Region • Development and launch of e–learning course on Trauma–informed Interviewing: Skills and Techniques for Monitors, published on FreedomLab in English, Russian, and Ukrainian. • Development of e–learning course on Safety and Security in Human Rights Work, with a focus on Risk Management for FreedomLab.

OSCE Region • Finalization and launch of Episode 4 (Advocacy) of Starlight Stadium, ODIHR’s online educational game for Human Rights Defenders. • Online launch event of Episode 4 of Starlight Stadium during RightsCon, the world’s leading summit on human rights in the digital age. • Conducted numerous Episode 4 testing sessions with HRDs, notably including a workshop–cum–testing session with postgraduate students at the College of Europe, Natolin. • Interactive booth at the Warsaw Human Dimension Conference showcasing Episode 4 of Starlight Stadium to participants.

OSCE Region • Development workshop with game developers, script writers and ODIHR team for Episode 3 of Starlight Stadium. • Development of Episode 3 of Starlight Stadium (Verification, Analysis, Report Writing), including development in consultation with HRDs from across the region.

OSCE Region • Rework and development of Episode 2 of Starlight Stadium (Information Gathering).

Georgia • Starlight Stadium Episode 3 playtest and workshop with HRDs from across the country.

Kyrgyzstan • Workshop with students from the OSCE Academy in Bishkek, reviewing major concepts of human rights monitoring and testing Episode 3 of Starlight Stadium.

Lithuania • Workshop on Remote Working Accelerator Initiative (RAWI) for HRDs in exile.

European Union • Open–source investigation training for human rights defenders in the European Union, as part of the RARE programme in cooperation with Hertie School and The Netherlands Helsinki Committee.

Human Rights Monitoring OSCE Region • 12 briefings on the situation in Ukraine. Fund — Ukraine Monitoring Initiative (UMI) Estonia • Monitoring mission to Tallinn, February.

Ukraine • Monitoring mission to Kyiv, March to April.

Estonia • Monitoring mission to Tallinn, April to May.

Ukraine • Monitoring mission to Kyiv and Lviv, May.

OSCE Region • Publication of the Third Interim Report on Reported Violations of International Humanitarian Law and International Human Rights Law in Ukraine.

Ukraine • Monitoring mission to Kyiv, August.

Ukraine • Re–engagement visit to Kyiv and Lviv, August to September.

Estonia • Monitoring mission to Tallinn, August to September.

Ukraine • Monitoring mission to Lviv, September to October.

Estonia • Monitoring mission to Tallinn, October.

OSCE Region • Publication of the Fourth Interim Report on Reported Violations of International Humanitarian Law and International Human Rights Law in Ukraine.

Increasing effectiveness, OSCE Region • NHRI Academy. strengthening enabling environment for human OSCE Region • Online consultation with NHRI representatives about the Resilience Tool and rights defenders — start of the first stage of the resilience–building process. National Human Rights Institutions OSCE Region • Online publication of the Russian translation of Strengthening the Resilience of National Human Rights Institutions Guidance Tool.

ODIHR 2023 88 TOLERANCE AND NON–DISCRIMINATION

Fund/Programme/Project Region/Country Included work on:

Turning Words into Action OSCE Region • Event for representatives of Muslim communities, law enforcement officials, to Address Intolerance human rights institutions, civil society organizations and international experts from South Eastern Europe on addressing the security needs of Muslim communities based on ODIHR’s practical guide Understanding Anti–Muslim Hate Crimes — Addressing the Security Needs of Muslim Communities. • Event for representatives of Jewish communities, law enforcement officials, civil society organizations and international experts in Ireland on addressing the security needs of Jewish communities based on ODIHR’s practical guide on Understanding Anti-Semitic Hate Crimes and Addressing the Security Needs of Jewish Communities: A Practical Guide. • Meetings for representatives of civil society organizations and Muslim communities in the UK on addressing anti–Muslim intolerance, discrimination and hate crimes and the security needs of Muslim communities. • Delivering a workshop on investigating and prosecuting hate crimes and hate crime data collection, towards the development of prosecutorial guidelines for North Macedonia. • Delivering a training–of–trainers course for police in the Kosovo* region to build capacity to support hate crime victims, including on conducting Individual Needs Assessments. • Delivering a training–of–trainers course for prosecutors in Montenegro as part of ODIHR’s Prosecutors and Hate Crimes Training (PAHCT) programme.

Understanding Anti– OSCE Region • Organizing a series of consultation meetings with representatives of OSCE Christian Hate Crimes participating States and civil society organizations towards the development of and Addressing the a practical guide on Understanding Anti–Christian Hate Crimes and Addressing Security Needs of the Security Needs of Christian Communities. Christian Communities

CONTACT POINT FOR ROMA AND SINTI ISSUES

Fund/Programme/Project Region/Country Included work on:

Advancing the Human Czech Republic, • Monitoring the human rights situation of Ukrainian Roma refugees in nine Dimension of Security in Hungary, Moldova, OSCE participating States, including: Ukraine project Poland, Romania, • Engaging Roma human rights defenders to investigate human rights challenges Slovakia, and Baltic and persisting concerns in relation to Ukrainian Roma refugees, and examining region the measures put in place by authorities to address the discriminatory practices. • Organizing an induction workshop on human rights monitoring. • Organizing a training session on trauma–informed interviewing. • Providing guidance to the monitors and supporting their work on human rights monitoring.

Advancing the Human Ukraine • Monitoring the Human Rights Situation of Roma People Affected by the Armed Dimension of Security in Conflict in Ukraine: Ukraine project • Training seven Roma and pro–Roma monitors from Ukraine to investigate the human rights situation of Roma in light of the armed conflict in Ukraine. • Organizing a training course on human rights monitoring and open–source investigation. • Providing tailored mentoring to the monitors and supporting their work on human rights monitoring.

Advancing the Human OSCE Region • Warsaw Human Dimension Conference side event on The Human Rights Dimension of Security in Situation of Ukrainian Roma affected by the War in Ukraine. Ukraine project

Promoting a Human OSCE Region • Publication and launch of Understanding Anti–Roma Hate Crimes — Addressing Rights Compliant and the Security Needs of Roma and Sinti Communities: A Practical Guide. Gender Responsive Security Sector

Assisting Participating OSCE Region • Provided professional development opportunities for one young Roma and States to Effectively Sinti activist, contracted and working with ODIHR as Junior Expert for a period Implement the Action Plan of six months. on Improving the Situation • Consultation workshop with civil society stakeholders on 4th Status Report of Roma and Sinti within Implementation of the OSCE Action Plan on Improving the Situation of Roma the OSCE Area and Sinti within the OSCE Area.

ODIHR 2023 89 HUMAN DIMENSION MEETINGS

Fund/Programme/Project Region/Country Included work on:

Enhancing the quality of OSCE Region • Enhancing the online Conference and Event System, to support the registration ODIHR–organized events in and management of events in the human dimension. the human dimension • Supporting the organization and management of the Warsaw Human Dimension Conference.

Fund for NGO Participation OSCE Region • Supporting the participation of civil society representatives at events in the in OSCE Human Dimension human dimension. Events

ODIHR 2023 90 UKRAINE 2023

Fund/Programme/Project Region/Country Included work on:

Programme on ODIHR Ukraine • Participating in regular donor coordination meetings in the areas of gender Support for and equality and parliamentary technical assistance to Ukraine. Engagement in Ukraine • Organizing a series of training events for civil society and frontline responders Project: Advancing on the topics of countering trafficking in human beings and national referral the Human Dimension mechanisms. of Security in Ukraine (1300696) • Conducting an assessment of the anti–trafficking response system in Germany for the identification of, and provision of assistance to victims of human trafficking. • Supporting the Ukrainian translation of National Referral Mechanisms — Joining Efforts to Protect the Rights of Trafficked Persons: a Practical Handbook. • Supporting the participation of experts from Ukraine in the launch of the Ukrainian version of the National Referral Mechanisms — Joining Efforts to Protect the Rights of Trafficked Persons: a Practical Handbook. • Organizing an online event to mark the World Day against Trafficking in Persons: Addressing the Risks of Trafficking of Refugees Fleeing Ukraine. • Supporting Expert Workshops on Engaging the Ukrainian Diaspora in reconstruction and development and an online discussion on Engaging the Ukrainian Diaspora in reconstruction and development. • Commissioning the translation of ODIHR’s report on Engaging the Ukrainian Diaspora in Reconstruction and Development. • Organizing two side events during the Warsaw Human Dimension Conference on Engaging the Ukrainian Diaspora in Reconstruction and Development and on the Human Rights Situation of Ukrainian Roma affected by the war in Ukraine. • Printing and launching the Handbook for Gender Advisers in Ukraine in cooperation with the Government Commissioner for Gender Equality Policy. • Organizing a study visit to the Czech Republic for representatives of the Gender Advisers’ Network in Ukraine. • Organizing a visit of representatives of the Ukrainian Women’s Congress to the Icelandic Congress of Women (Kynjaþing). • Supporting the participation of Ukrainian Women’s Congress representatives in the XV Polish Congress of Women in Wroclaw, Poland. • Organizing an ODIHR delegation visit to Kyiv, Ukraine to meet Ukrainian stakeholders in the sphere of democratization and rule of law. • Commissioning an audit on the accessibility of public documents for persons with disabilities in Ukraine. • Organizing six Youth for Inclusion capacity–building workshops in Polish cities to foster dialogue and inclusion for young people from Ukraine, Poland and third countries. • Organizing a Final Conference for the Youth for Inclusion programme participants in Warsaw, Poland. • Commissioning an assessment of draft laws of Ukraine related to political party regulation. • Organizing a webinar for Ukrainian judges on accountability in the context of the military attack in Ukraine. • Supporting the participation of ODIHR experts in a conference on Justice in the Domestic Adjudication of War Crimes Cases in Lviv, Ukraine. • Conducting a webinar for defence lawyers from Ukraine on the Role of Defence Counsel in War Crime Trials in Ukraine. • Supporting an initiative on monitoring the human rights situation of Ukrainian Roma refugees in nine OSCE Participating States. • Organizing a training programme on human rights monitoring for Ukrainian Roma and pro–Roma human rights defenders in Warsaw, and two online progress review meetings. • Supporting the monitoring initiatives of Ukrainian Roma and pro–Roma human rights defenders in Ukraine.

ODIHR 2023 91 CHANGE 2023

Fund/Programme/Project Region/Country Included work on:

Capitalizing on the Human OSCE Region • Introducing the concept of gender–sensitive lawmaking with practical tools for Dimension Mandate to practitioners on how to scrutinize legislation from a gender perspective. Advance Gender Equality (CHANGE)

OSCE Region • Bringing together formal and informal networks working with men for gender equality in the OSCE region for an exchange on good practices and lessons learned on the drivers and bottlenecks in engaging with men for gender equality. • Identifying opportunities for advances in institutional structures, including OSCE internal structures, and policies that reinforce the engagement of male allies. • Preparing recommendations on how to progress work on engaging men across the OSCE’s three dimensions. • Implemented jointly with the OSCE WIN project.

Georgia • Raising awareness of political actors on ways to effectively prevent violence against women in politics and especially within political parties by sharing guidance and promising practices. • Exploring how Georgian political parties address violence against women in politics within their parties. • Seeking ways and gathering ideas to further address violence against women in politics within political parties. • Implemented in partnership with the Permanent Parliamentary Gender Equality Council in Georgia and International Federation for Election Systems.

Georgia • Analysing political party Statutes, policies and practices. • Preparing guidance on designing a Code of Conduct tailored to the needs of different political parties. • Delivering workshops for leadership and representatives of four parliamentary political parties on the development of Political Party Codes of Conduct, increasing gender equality and addressing violence against women in politics. • Supporting the finalization of respective Codes of Conduct.

Georgia • Delivering the third Young Women’s Political Academy (YWPA) for young women in politics representing different political parties and regions in Georgia. • Strengthening participants’ knowledge, capacities and skills about political structures, the status of women’s political participation, gender-responsive leadership, the importance of issue–based coalitions in advancing gender equality, the impact of the electoral system and special measures on women’s representation in elected bodies, and addressing violence against women in politics. • Reinforcing participants’ ability to stay on message in media interviews, to deal with negative questions and to ensure a positive image on camera. • Implemented in partnership with the Permanent Parliamentary Gender Equality Council in Georgia.

Georgia • Creating space for dialogue on the situation of diverse human rights defenders (HRDs) and women’s civil society organizations in Georgia, focusing on fundamental rights and freedoms, including freedom of expression, freedom of peaceful assembly, freedom of association and freedom of movement, and participation in public affairs, as well as cooperation and solidarity. • Discussing the key challenges and protection gaps and opportunities for the increased safety and security of human rights defenders.

Georgia • Organizing a multistakeholder consultation, constructive exchange and ally–building event for engaging male allies from religious and traditional communities in supporting gender equality. • Identifying entry points for concerted efforts by democratic institutions, civil society organizations and religious and traditional communities. • Identifying barriers and ways to overcome and/or mitigate them.

North Macedonia • Supporting national human rights institutions and internal oversight bodies focusing on the security sector to integrate a gender perspective in their work through training.

ODIHR 2023 92 Fund/Programme/Project Region/Country Included work on:

North Macedonia • Organizing a multi–stakeholder consultation on gender equality backsliding. • Supporting efforts in North Macedonia to reverse gender equality backsliding, especially online, by sharing lessons learned in the implementation of successful online campaigns. • Discussing a draft action plan, roles for different stakeholders seeking to implement effective responses to gender equality backsliding, and opportunities for the coordination of individual stakeholder contributions to reversal of gender backsliding. • Implemented in partnership with the Ministry of Labour and Social Policy, Republic of North Macedonia.

North Macedonia • Contributing to the revised Guidelines on Democratic Lawmaking for Better Laws by integrating a gender perspective. • Presenting at the Fifth Meeting of the Group of Experts on Democratic Lawmaking in Warsaw.

Poland • Training Polish civil society organizations in ODIHR’s election observation methodology based on the Handbook on Observing and Promoting Women’s Electoral Participation and the Toolkit on Addressing Violence Against Women in Politics. • Raising participants’ awareness of OSCE commitments and other international obligations and standards and learning to analyze qualitative and quantitative aspects of the participation of women in election administration. • Highlighting gender aspects of voter registration and candidates’ nomination and registration, key issues related to women in campaigns and campaign financing, as well as media coverage of gender–related issues during the electoral campaign, and strengthening skills for monitoring and addressing violence against women in politics.

Poland • Implementing partner agreement with the Congress of Women NGO to strengthen the Congress’ ability to operate independently and strengthen its organizational management, resource diversification and fundraising, digital transformation and communication.

Poland and OSCE • Developing a framework for an online education model for democracy and region gender equality for broad audiences via e–learning. The “Flying Academy” framework draws on ODIHR’s mandate and is designed and tested in Poland. • Implemented in partnership with the Polish Women’s Congress.

OSCE Region • Presenting the CHANGE project’s approach to OSCE participating State delegations ahead of the 2023 OSCE Gender Champions Award ceremony. The CHANGE project received an award in the projects category.

OSCE Region • Organizing a side event as part of the Warsaw Human Dimension Conference on self–advocacy for women from under–represented groups for achieving justice and gender equality.

Poland • Delivering the established I–CHANGE methodology training in self–advocacy for ODIHR staff in non–managerial positions. • Supporting training participants’ micro projects as a contribution to ODIHR’s strategy implementation.

ODIHR 2023 93 ODIHR PUBLICATIONS IN 2023

Title Month of Description/Languages publication

ODIHR survey on the January As part of its ongoing support to Ukraine, ODIHR conducted safety and security of a survey of close to 1,000 Ukrainian refugee women to ensure their women refugees from experiences and vulnerabilities are reflected in policies to address Ukraine human trafficking in the OSCE region.

Languages: English Ukrainian

Promoting gender February This factsheet describes how ODIHR works to promote gender equality in politics equality in politics and in democratic institutions. and democratic institutions Languages: English Russian

Democracy and March This report highlights the impact of activities carried out by the Human Rights in the OSCE Office for Democratic Institutions and Human Rights (ODIHR) OSCE: The ODIHR in 2022. Annual Report 2022 Languages: English Russian

Political Party April These Guidelines were jointly prepared by OSCE/ODIHR and by the Guidelines 2nd Council of Europe’s Venice Commission and adopted by the Venice edition/ Venice Commission at its 125th online Plenary Session (11–12 December Commission 2020). The Guidelines offer advice and expertise to legislators tasked with drafting laws on political parties, to facilitate their establishment, development and functioning in compliance with international human rights standards and OSCE Human Dimension commitments.

Languages: English

ISTAC Code of Practice April The Code of Practice provides guidance for participating States on ways to ensure not only the inclusion of victims’ and survivors’ voices but also their full engagement on all anti-trafficking responses. The lived experience and professional expertise of survivor leaders contributes to the understanding of the importance of ensuring a victim- and survivor-centred, child-friendly, age-appropriate, gender-sensitive, trauma-informed and human rights-based approach throughout the Code of Practice.

Languages: English Romanian Ukrainian Russian

Handbook on April As part of its comprehensive election observation methodology, Observing and the second edition of the Handbook on Observing and Promoting Promoting Women’s Women’s Participation in Elections elaborates further on ODIHR’s Electoral Participation methodology for assessing and issuing recommendations on women’s participation in elections.

Languages: English Russian Albanian Bosnian Croatian Macedonian Montenegrin Serbian Serbian Cyrillic

ODIHR 2023 94  Title Month of Description/Languages publication

OSCE Human April The fourth edition of OSCE Human Dimension Commitments Dimension is a compilation of commitments the OSCE participating States Commitments – 4th have made in the fields of human rights, democracy and the rule Edition, two volumes of law. It comes in two volumes — chronological and thematic — and provides easy access to the catalogue of human rights and democracy commitments undertaken by participating States.

Languages: English Russian French German Italian Spanish

Understanding Anti- May This guide describes and analyses hate incidents and hate Roma Hate Crimes crimes faced by Roma and Sinti, as well as the corresponding and Addressing security challenges. Considering cases from many of the 57 OSCE the Security Needs participating States, it highlights measures that promote safety and of Roma and Sinti security without discrimination, in line with OSCE commitments. Communities: A Practical Guide Languages: English

Third Interim Report July Third Interim Report on reported violations of international on reported violations humanitarian law and international human rights law in Ukraine of international humanitarian law and Languages: English Russian Ukrainian international human rights law in Ukraine

Anti-Indigenous Hate August Intolerance and discrimination, including harmful discourse and Crimes stereotyping, have affected Indigenous communities for centuries. This factsheet highlights the impact of anti-Indigenous hate crime and provides guidance on identifying, reporting, and countering such crimes.

Languages: English Russian

Guidelines for August This guide aims to support civil society, human rights defenders and Activists in Addressing activists, public institutions and other stakeholders to increase Roma Access to Health Care and Sinti access to healthcare and vaccination services as a basic and Vaccination for human right. Roma and Sinti Languages: English

ODIHR 2023 95  Title Month of Description/Languages publication

Guidance on Trauma- August This guidance is part of the ODIHR series deriving from the National Informed National Referral Mechanisms Handbook (2nd Edition). It summarizes why Referral Mechanisms National Referral Mechanisms need to be trauma-informed, makes and Responses to the case for trauma-informed methods of working, and provides Human Trafficking recommendations for participating States, examples of promising practices and useful resources.

Languages: English Russian

Handbook for September This Handbook is intended to serve as primary reference material the Observation for all types of ODIHR observation activities, such as election and of Election referendum observation missions, limited observation missions, Administration assessment missions and expert teams (further jointly referred to as observation missions), to support their efforts in assessing the work of an election administration in a comprehensive, systematic and consistent manner.

Languages: English

OSCE/ODIHR Election September This factsheet explains the purpose of the Limited Election Observation to the Observation Mission to Poland’s 2023 Parliamentary Elections. 2023 Parliamentary Elections in Poland Languages: English Polish

Introduction to the September This manual has been made available as an online resource to Nelson Mandela Rules encourage the development of training programmes on the Nelson International Training Mandela Rules or to supplement existing training agendas. It will Programme, Trainer’s also be provided to all those participating in the ODIHR/PRI Training- Manual of-Trainer sessions. The training course is arranged thematically. It gives guidance on how to implement minimum standards for the treatment of people in prison and should not hinder the implementation and development of higher standards of prison management, treatment of prisoners, or prison conditions.

Languages: English Russian

ODIHR Brief: October Given the ongoing erosion of democratic and constitutional Guiding Principles standards and the rule of law across the world, and the declining of Democratic public trust in democratic institutions, it is essential to strengthen Lawmaking and Better democratic institutions and processes by promoting openness, Laws transparency, inclusiveness and accountability in lawmaking. This Brief highlights some of the key concepts contained in the Guidelines and provides an overview of the Guiding Principles of Democratic Lawmaking and Better Laws.

Languages: English

Recommendations on October The Recommendations on Judicial Independence and Accountability Judicial Independence (Warsaw Recommendations) are intended to deliver a practical tool and Accountability for stakeholders across the OSCE region who engage with justice (Warsaw systems at all contact points. The Warsaw Recommendations aim to Recommendations), supplement the Kyiv Recommendations by elaborating on certain, 2023 previously unaddressed issues and to respond to developments since 2010.

Languages: English

Enhanced November This guidebook seeks to clarify the legal standards that should Understanding on apply in times of conflict, to assist practitioners in developing Freedom of Movement their monitoring tools on freedom of movement, in reporting on in all Phases of the this important right in all phases of the conflict cycle, and in their Conflict Cycle advocacy activities. The right to freedom of movement includes the right to leave, the right to move internally within a territory and the right to return.

Languages: English

ODIHR 2023 96  Title Month of Description/Languages publication

Institutional November The purpose of this guide is to help OSCE participating States and Mechanisms as their governmental IMs for the advancement of women and of Critical Actors for gender equality to enhance their roles as critical actors in promoting Gender Equality: gender equality and a more just society. A Review from the OSCE Region Languages: English Russian

Implementation December Marking the 20th anniversary of the Action Plan, the Fourth Status of the Action Plan Report takes comprehensive stock of the advances made over the on Improving the past five years in realizing the Action Plan’s commitments. Situation of Roma and Sinti within the OSCE Languages: English Area – Fourth Status Report

ODIHR Public Ethics December This tool is designed to support national parliaments in OSCE and Integrity Toolkit: participating States in developing parliamentary integrity systems. Guidelines for It provides a concise roadmap for designing and implementing Parliaments a code of conduct for MPs from scratch, as well as guidance for parliaments that want to improve their existing integrity systems.

Languages: English

Fourth Interim Report December Fourth Interim Report on reported violations of international on reported violations humanitarian law and international human rights law in Ukraine of international humanitarian law and Languages: English Russian Ukrainian international human rights law in Ukraine

Guidelines on December The Guidelines provide an overview of the guiding principles Democratic of democratic lawmaking, followed by concrete and practical Lawmaking for Better recommendations on how these guiding principles can be adhered Laws to at each stage of the legislative cycle to achieve good-quality laws, based on the rule of law and human rights. These principles and standards assist in the process of preparing, discussing, adopting, implementing and evaluating laws.

Languages: English

ODIHR 2023 97 TRANSLATIONS OF PREVIOUS PUBLICATIONS

Title Original Languages publication date

Promoting the Promoting the Political 2022 Russian Polish Political Participation of People with Participation of People Disabilities in the OSCE Region with Disabilities How does ODIHR promote the political ODIHR’s mandate: participation of people with disabilities? OSCE Commitments on Persons with Disabilities are People with disabilities continue to be under- enshrined in the Moscow 1991 Document in which represented in governing structures and decision- participating States commit to: making positions across the OSCE region. ODIHR assists participating States in increasing the (41.1) Ensure protection of the human rights of participation of people with disabilities in political persons with disabilities; and public life by supporting institutional change, (41.2) Take steps to ensure the equal opportunity giving expert advice, capacity-building, conducting of such persons to participate fully in the life of disability-disaggregated research, and creating tools their society; and platforms for dialogue and advocacy. (41.3) Promote the appropriate participation Advisory Panel on the Political of such persons in decision-making in fields Participation of Persons with Disabilities concerning them;

In 2021 ODIHR convened a panel of experts on (41.4) Encourage services and training of social the rights of people with disabilities, in line with its workers for the vocational and social rehabilitation of mandate to help participating States implement persons with disabilities; their OSCE human dimension commitments and, in particular, on the rights of people with disabilities and (41.5) Encourage favourable conditions for the political pluralism. access of persons with disabilities to public buildings and services, housing, transport, and cultural and The Advisory Panel provides advice, guidance and recreational activities. recommendations to ODIHR on the participation of people with disabilities in political and public life. It These commitments fit within the broader framework is made up of independent experts from across the of OSCE commitments on democratic governance, OSCE region, the majority of whom self-identify as and ODIHR’s specific mandate to assist participating disabled. Members serve as private individuals and States in the implementation of their OSCE human do not represent any organization or participating dimension commitments and, in particular, to State. ODIHR shares the Panel’s expertise with “promote principles of democracy” (Paragraph 10, participating States, OSCE field operations and non- Helsinki Document, 1992). Furthermore, in the governmental organizations.

Freedom of Religion or Belief Freedom of Religion 2019 Ukrainian or Belief and Security: and Security Policy Guidance

Policy Guidance

Handbook for the 2021 Albanian Bosnian Croatian Macedonian Montenegrin Observation of Serbian Serbian Cyrillic Election Campaigns and Political Environments Handbook for the Observation of Election Campaigns and Political Environments

Guidelines for 2021 Albanian Bosnian Croatian Macedonian Montenegrin Observation of Serbian Serbian Cyrillic Election Campaigns on Social Networks

Guidelines for Observation of Election Campaigns on Social Networks

1

Protecting Human 2021 Albanian Bosnian Rights in Prisons Protecting Human Rights in Prisons while Preventing Radicalization Leading to Terrorism or Violence A Guide for Detention Monitors while Preventing Radicalization Leading to Terrorism or Violence: A Guide for Detention Monitors

Understanding Anti-Muslim Hate Crimes Understanding Anti- 2020 Albanian Bosnian Macedonian Muslim Hate Crimes Addressing the Security Needs of Muslim Communities

— Addressing the Security Needs of Muslim Communities: A Practical Guide A Practical Guide

Understanding Anti- 2017 Portuguese Semitic Hate Crimes and Addressing the Security Needs of Jewish Communities: A Practical Guide

ODIHR 2023 98  Title Original Languages publication date

National Referral National Referral 2022 Russian Ukrainian Mechanisms JOINING EFFORTS TO PROTECT THE RIGHTS OF TRAFFICKED PERSONS Mechanisms — Joining Efforts to Protect the Rights of Trafficked Persons: A Practical Handbook — Second Edition A Practical Handbook – Second Edition

Addressing Anti- 2019 Hungarian Semitism through Education: Teaching Aids

Preventing and 2019 Polish Tajik Uzbek Addressing SGBV in Places of Deprivation of Liberty

Preventing and Addressing Sexual and Gender-Based Violence in Places of Deprivation of Liberty Standards, Approaches and Examples from the OSCE Region ODIH R 1

Strengthening the 2022 Russian Strengthening the Resilience of NHRIs Resilience of National and Responding to Threats Human Rights Guidance Tool Institutions Guidance Tool

Integrating the Issue 2021 Bosnian Croatian Serbian Cyrillic of Sexual and Gender- Based Violence in Detention Monitoring

Integrating the Issue of Sexual and Gender-Based Violence in Detention Monitoring A Guidance Note for Oversight Mechanisms ODIH R

Sensitive and 2020 French Romanian Respective Treatment of Hate Crime Victims Secondary victimization One of the reasons why hate crimes are under-reported occurs through inappropriate is the victim’s perception they will not be taken treatment of victims by those seriously. Many hate crime victims may also fear that who come into contact with the authorities will have the same biases as the offender. them. In order to prevent It is imperative that criminal justice professionals take secondary victimization positive actions to ensure hate crime victims of hate crime victims, are treated in a respectful and sensitive manner. it is fundamental that anyone coming into contact All criminal justice professionals working with victims with a hate crime victim is of hate crime have a responsibility to ensure victims aware of their own biases are treated with respect and sensitivity. Therefore, and understands the impact building a culture of sensitive and respectful of hate crime on victims and treatment requires the involvement communities as well as a of all agencies and actors. victim’s vulnerability to repeated victimization. Sensitive and respectful treatment can help to increase trust and contribute to a victim’s positive overall experience of the criminal justice process, empowering them to give their best evidence and preventing their re-victimization both within and outside the process.

A police officer’s initial contact with a hate crime When dealing with a potential hate crime case, victim is one of the most law enforcement officers at all times should: important and critical moments in a victim’s Be aware of protected characteristics and how multiple interaction with the criminal characteristics often intersect, to ensure the proper justice system. identification of hate crime victims.

The conclusions a victim Apply a victim-centred approach when responding draws from that first meeting to hate crime incidents. can affect their perception of Respect the victim’s perception of having been the entire justice system and targeted by a bias motivated offender. influence their willingness Presume higher protection needs on the basis to report their case, to of the victim’s perception. co-operate and to share crucial, sometimes intimate factual details.

ODIHR 2023 99 LEGISLATIVE REVIEWS Released in 2023 (available at www.legislationline.org)

In 2023, ODIHR received 37 requests for legislative assistance and finalized 35 legislative reviews and assessments (10 prepared jointly*, 6 urgent**)***, providing assistance to 16 OSCE participating States.

Country Full name of Legal Review Publication date

1 Poland Urgent ODIHR Interim Opinion on the Bill Amending the Act on the Supreme Court and 25 January 2023 Certain Other Acts of Poland (as of 16 January 2023)

2 Poland ODIHR Opinion on the Draft Act of Poland Amending the Election Code and Certain 20 February 2023 Other Acts (Senate Paper no. 911)

3 Azerbaijan Joint ODIHR–Venice Commission Opinion on the Law of Azerbaijan on Political Parties 13 March 2023

4 Georgia ODIHR Opinion on the Draft Amendments to the Legal Framework on the Judiciary of 15 March 2023 Georgia

5 Spain ODIHR Opinion on the Proposed Changes to the Modalities for Nominating Members 24 March 2023 of the Constitutional Court of Spain

6 Georgia ODIHR Opinion on the Draft Law of Georgia on De–Oligarchization 4 April 2023

7 Ukraine ODIHR Note on International and Regional Standards Applicable to Certain Issues 2 May 2023 relating to Political Party Reform in Ukraine

8 Bosnia and Urgent ODIHR Comments on the Draft Criminal Offences Against Honour and 11 May 2023 Herzegovina Reputation in Republika Srpska

9 Kyrgyzstan ODIHR Opinion on the Rules of Procedure of the Jogorku Kenesh (Parliament) of the 24 May 2023 Kyrgyz Republic

10 Mongolia ODIHR Opinion on the Draft Amendments to the Law on Parliamentary Elections of 30 May 2023 Mongolia

11 Germany Joint ODIHR–Venice Commission Opinion on the Draft of an Act amending the Federal 12 June 2023 Elections Act and the Twenty–fifth Act amending the Federal Elections Act

12 Bosnia and Joint ODIHR–Venice Commission Opinion on the Draft Law of the Republika Srpska on 13 June 2023 Herzegovina the Special Registry and Transparency of the Work of the Non–Profit Organizations

13 Georgia ODIHR Note on Several Issues Relating to Judicial Reform in Georgia 16 June 2023

14 Georgia ODIHR Note on Legislative Initiatives on Transparency and Regulation of Associations 25 July 2023 Funded from Abroad or So–called ‘Foreign Agents Laws’ and Similar Legislation and their Compliance with International Human Rights Standards

15 Lithuania ODIHR Opinion on the Criminal Code Provisions of Lithuania on Bias–motivated 25 July 2023 Crimes and Related Criminal Offences

16 Kyrgyzstan Joint ODIHR–OSCE Representative on Freedom of the Media Interim Opinion on the 26 July 2023 Draft Law of the Kyrgyz Republic on Mass Media

17 Kyrgyzstan Urgent ODIHR Interim Opinion on the Draft Constitutional Law of the Kyrgyz Republic 16 August 2023 on the Ombudsperson

18 Sweden ODIHR Opinion on the Act of Sweden on the Institute for Human Rights 15 September 2023

19 Uzbekistan ODIHR Opinion on Draft Amendments relating to Criminal Corporate Liability in 15 September 2023 Uzbekistan

20 All ODIHR Note on the Proposed Revision of the Pan–European Definition of Terrorist 29 September 2023 Offences

21 Montenegro ODIHR Preliminary Opinion on the Legal Framework Regulating Law–making in 2 October 2023 Montenegro

22 Moldova Joint ODIHR–Venice Commission Opinion on Amendments to the Electoral Code, 6 October 2023 Political Parties Act and Related Legislation of Moldova

23 Armenia Joint ODIHR–Venice Commission Opinion on Draft Amendments to the Electoral Code 9 October 2023 and Related Legislation of Armenia

ODIHR 2023 100 24 Ukraine Joint ODIHR–Venice Commission Opinion on the Draft Law “On Amendments to 9 October 2023 Certain Laws of Ukraine on Restriction of Participation in the State Power of Persons Associated with Political Parties whose Activities are Prohibited”

25 Ukraine Urgent ODIHR Interim Opinion on the Draft Law of Ukraine on “Amendments to the 16 October 2023 Law of Ukraine on Prevention and Counteraction to Legalization (Laundering) of Proceeds of Crime, Terrorist Financing and Financing of Proliferation of Weapons of Mass Destruction” in relation to “Politically Exposed Persons”

26 Georgia Urgent ODIHR Opinion on the Draft Laws on Making Amendments to the Law of 6 November 2023 Georgia on Assemblies and Demonstrations and to the Administrative Offences Code of Georgia

27 Moldova Urgent ODIHR Opinion on the Law on Assemblies of the Republic of Moldova 7 November 2023

28 Moldova ODIHR Comments on the Criminalization of “Separatism” and Related Offences in 4 December 2023 Moldova

29 Uzbekistan Follow–up Assessment of the Legislative Process in the Republic of Uzbekistan 8 December 2023

30 Moldova Joint ODIHR–Venice Commission Amicus Curiae Brief on the Ineligibility of Persons 18 December 2023 Connected to Political Parties Declared Unconstitutional for the Constitutional Court of the Republic of Moldova

31 Moldova Joint ODIHR–Venice Commission Follow–up Opinion to the Joint Opinion on 18 December 2023 amendments to the Electoral Code and other Related Laws concerning the Ineligibility of Persons Connected to Political Parties Declared Unconstitutional in the Republic of Moldova

32 Georgia Joint ODIHR–Venice Commission Opinion on Amendments to the Election Code and 18 December 2023 Parliamentary Rules of Procedure

* Nine were prepared jointly with the Council of Europe Venice Commission and one with the OSCE Representative on Freedom of the Media. ** Urgent opinions are prepared in less than a month, at times in a matter of a few days. *** Three non–public legal reviews were prepared to support OSCE field operations.

ODIHR 2023 101 ODIHR ELECTION REPORTS AND STATEMENTS Released in 2023

Early parliamentary elections, Italy, 25 September 2022 Parliamentary elections, Turkmenistan, 26 March 2023 1. ODIHR EAM Final Report 21. ODIHR NAM Report 22. ODIHR EAM Final Report Parliamentary elections, Latvia, 1 October 2022 2. ODIHR EAM Final Report Parliamentary elections, Finland, 2 April 2023 23. ODIHR NAM Report General elections, Bosnia and Herzegovina, 2 October 2022 Parliamentary elections, Andorra, 2 April 2023 3. ODIHR EOM Final Report 24. ODIHR NAM Report

Early parliamentary elections, Bulgaria, 2 October 2022 Early parliamentary elections, Bulgaria, 2 April 2023 4. ODIHR EOM Final Report 25. ODIHR EOM Preliminary Statement 26. ODIHR EOM Final Report Early general elections, Denmark, 1 November 2022 5. ODIHR EET Final Report Constitutional Referendum, Uzbekistan, 30 April 2023 27. ODIHR LROM Preliminary Statement Mid–term congressional elections, 28. ODIHR LROM Final Report United States of America, 8 November 2022 6. ODIHR LEOM Final Report Local elections, Albania, 14 May 2023 29. ODIHR NAM Report Early presidential election, Kazakhstan, 30. ODIHR EOM Interim Report 20 November 2022 31. ODIHR EOM Preliminary Statement 7. ODIHR EOM Final Report 32. ODIHR EOM Final Report

Presidential election, Czech Republic, General election, Türkiye, 14 and 28 May 2023 13–14 and 27–28 January 2023 33. ODIHR NAM Report 8. ODIHR EET Final Report 34. ODIHR EOM Interim Report 35. ODIHR EOM Preliminary Statement Parliamentary elections, Monaco, 5 February 2023 36. ODIHR EOM Preliminary Statement, 2nd round 9. ODIHR NAM Report 37. ODIHR EOM Final Report

Re–runs, Germany, 12 February 2023 Early parliamentary elections, Greece, 21 May 2023 10. ODIHR NAM Report 38. ODIHR NAM Report 39. ODIHR EAM Final Report Parliamentary elections, Estonia, 5 March 2023 Early parliamentary elections, Montenegro, 11 June 2023 11. ODIHR NAM Report 12. ODIHR EET Final Report 40. ODIHR EOM Interim Report 41. ODIHR EOM Preliminary Statement Presidential election, Montenegro, 42. ODIHR EOM Final Report 19 March, 2 April 2023 13. ODIHR NAM Report Early presidential election, Uzbekistan, 9 July 2023 14. ODIHR EOM Interim Report 43. ODIHR NAM Report 15. ODIHR EOM Preliminary Statement 44. ODIHR EOM Interim Report 16. ODIHR EOM Preliminary Statement 2nd Round 45. ODIHR EOM Preliminary Statement 17. ODIHR EOM Final Report 46. ODIHR EOM Final Report

Early parliamentary elections, Kazakhstan, Early parliamentary elections, Spain, 23 July 2023 19 March 2023 47. ODIHR NAM Report 18. ODIHR EOM Interim Report 19. ODIHR EOM Preliminary Statement Early parliamentary elections, Slovakia, 20. ODIHR EOM Final Report 30 September 2023 48. ODIHR NAM Report

ODIHR 2023 102 Parliamentary elections, Luxemburg, 8 October 2023 Early parliamentary elections, The Netherlands, 49. ODIHR NAM Report 22 November 2023 57. ODIHR NAM Report Parliamentary elections, Poland, 15 October 2023 50. ODIHR NAM Report Early parliamentary elections, Serbia, 17 December 2023 51. ODIHR LEOM Interim Report 52. ODIHR LEOM Preliminary Statement 58. ODIHR NAM Report 59. ODIHR EOM Preliminary Statement Federal elections, Switzerland, 22 October 2023 Presidential election, Finland, 28 January 2024 53. ODIHR NAM Report 60. ODIHR NAM Report Local elections, Moldova, 5 November 2023 Early presidential election, Azerbaijan, 7 February 2024 54. ODIHR NAM Report 55. ODIHR EOM Interim Report 61. ODIHR NAM Report 56. ODIHR EOM Preliminary Statement

ODIHR 2023 103 NEEDS ASSESSMENT MISSIONS CONDUCTED IN 2023

Country Election type Election date

1 Germany Berlin re–run 12 February

2 Estonia Parliamentary 5 March 2023

3 Andorra Parliamentary 2 April 2023

4 Finland Parliamentary 2 April 2023

5 Montenegro Presidential 19 March, 2 April 2023

6 Greece Parliamentary 21 May 2023

7 Poland Parliamentary 15 October 2023

8 Luxembourg Parliamentary 8 October 2023

9 Uzbekistan Early Presidential 9 July 2023

10 Spain Early Parliamentary 23 July 2023

11 Slovakia Early Parliamentary 30 September 2023

12 Moldova Local 5 November 2023

13 Switzerland Federal 22 October 2023

14 The Netherlands Early Parliamentary 22 November 2023

15 Serbia Early Parliamentary 17 December 2023

16 EU European Parliament 6–9 June 2024

17 Latvia European Parliament June 2024

18 Finland Presidential 28 January 2024

19 Azerbaijan Early Presidential 7 February 2024

ELECTION FOLLOW–UP VISITS IN 2023

Country Follow–up type Dates

1 Slovenia Presentation of the final report on the 2022 parliamentary elections 18–19 April 2023

2 Bosnia and Presentation of the final report on the 2022 general elections 22–25 May 2023 Herzegovina

3 Italy Presentation of the final report on the 2022 early parliamentary elections 29–31 May 2023

4 France Presentation of the final reports on the 2022 presidential and parliamentary 6–7 June 2023 elections

5 Hungary Presentation of the final report on the 2022 parliamentary elections 17–19 October 2023

6 Kazakhstan Presentation of the final reports on the 2022 early presidential and 2023 early 20–24 November 2023 parliamentary elections

7 Albania Presentation of the final report on the 2023 local elections 4–7 December 2023

ODIHR 2023 104