Identifying Victims in Kosovo OSCE Mission Members Assist in the Grim Task of Putting Names to Remains

Vol. VII No. 6 JUNE 2000

NEWSLETTER Organization for Security and Co-operation in Europe

INSIDE THIS ISSUE

■ CiO visit to Central Asia ...... 3

■ Children in Conflict Seminar ...... 4

■ Training Strategy discussed in Vienna . . . . 5 OSCE/LUBOMIR KOTEK

■ News from the field ...... 6

■ In Brief ...... 8

■ Press profile ...... 9

■ Update from the ODIHR ...... 11

■ News from the HCNM ...... 14

■ Report from the PA ...... 15

■ Report from the RFOM ...... 16

■ Report from the Secretariat ...... 18

■ Victim identification in Kosovo: to spare the family, identification is usually done by Public information material ...... 19 recording personal possessions and clothing found on the victim Identifying victims in Kosovo OSCE mission members assist in the grim task of putting names to remains

By Claire Trevena

t’s not the death, it’s not working in dealing with families whose sons or on to the belief that they were alive, pos- the morgue. It is taking it back to the fathers – and at times mothers or daugh- sibly being held in prison in Serbia. You Ifamilies and listening to their story ters – have gone missing. The 29-year- hated to infringe on that hope. again. Maybe you heard it yesterday old New Yorker spent a year working “But here, as things go along, it from another family in another place but with families in Srebrenica, Bosnia, becomes more difficult to believe that for them it is unique and painful. You where five years ago Bosnian Serb forces they are in prison without confirmation have to step back, or it can get over- took over the town and as many as 11,000 – in a private or military prison to which whelming.” men disappeared. the Red Cross does not have access. Here Margaret Samuels is working as a Now she is continuing the same task also, a lot of people witnessed when their member of an OSCE team which is sup- for the OSCE in Kosovo. family members were killed,” adds Ms. porting the Victim Recovery and Identi- “In Srebrenica people were coming Samuels. fication Commission (VRIC) in Kosovo. to the realization that their men were While the International Criminal Tri- She has had a lot of experience in dead; for a couple of years they had held bunal for the Former Yugoslavia (ICTY)

1 is responsible for opening mass graves Strict standards apply to the identifica- is made up of Kosovars, with interna- which remain in Kosovo, the work of tion process; while some cases are easy, tional organizations, including the identifying those bodies discovered has others need further information. When OSCE, as observers. been handed to the OSCE by the VRIC. this happens, one of the team returns to There is a long-term mandate for the The OSCE has long supported the the families for something more which work which will increase local involve- need for such a commission, which could positively identify the mortal ment. Part of the OSCE’s role is to train received a $750,000 grant from the remains as their father or son. others in the identification systems and United States Government for the iden- At times, the information match is techniques. This will allow local partners tification work. The VRIC is assisted by not exact but there is enough to presume to carry out long-term follow-up on cer- many other agencies on the ground that the remains belong to a certain per- tain cases and enable the identification including United Nations civilian police, son; in these cases “presumptive identi- of remains discovered at a later date. the Nato-led Kosovo Stabilization Force fication” is made. Throughout the whole Once the remains are identified, they (KFOR), the International Committee of process families are kept informed of are returned to the families. The United the Red Cross (ICRC) and the Interna- what is happening. Nations Interim Administration Mission tional Commission on Missing Persons. “In Bosnia when an interviewer came in Kosovo (UNMiK), which issues death The OSCE team, led by the OSCE to listen to a story, it was explained as certificates based on identification, will Co-ordinator on Missing Persons Issues having some written record of the miss- also assist with the burials if asked. If no and a leading British forensic patholo- ing person,” said Ms. Samuels. identification is possible UNMiK is pro- gist, includes five anthropologists, most viding and maintaining a graveyard for with forensic backgrounds, as well as Unknown graves. unknown victims. Ms. Samuels, a pyschosocial worker. “That was something they could latch Some of the investigations go back to They are working together on a sad onto. If they were never found there was sites from 1998 when the conflict started puzzle – trying to link items from a per- a record of them somewhere. Here there to escalate in Kosovo. And the grief does son’s past to the mortal remains recov- is a more immediate resolution. Last year not diminish. ered from a grave. The post-mortem some of the identification could be done “The hardest cases for everybody to information is collected by the ICTY. in one day. It is much more immediate deal with are when there are children to This data includes such items as clothes here – although that may change as we be identified. Even the most seasoned and personal effects as well as biologi- get into it through the summer and find person is really touched by it,” said Ms. cal information. A Dutch NGO, the a larger number of unknown graves.” Samuels. “We try to be supportive of Transcultural Psychosocial Organiza- Last year, the ICTY investigated 195 each other. Really talking about it helps; tion, is responsible for gathering ante- sites in Kosovo, exhuming 2,108 bodies; we talk about what has happened, where mortem data from families. This could this year, a further 300 suspected grave we have been. include details about personal effects as sites are to be investigated. “You never get away from the sad- well as medical or dental records. The victim identification team is ness. Even when you are successful, it is This is where Ms. Samuels and her based at the ICTY’s morgue in Oraho- sad. But if you can bring closure to some colleagues step in. They carry out the vac/Rahovac, which opened in April. It families, that is hopeful.” identification process itself and have to is largely an international team because try to match the post-mortem informa- of the continuing need for impartiality. Claire Trevena is Senior Press Officer tion with the ante-mortem information. The VRIC has an advisory board which in the OSCE Mission in Kosovo

Institut für Friedensforschung and Sicherheitspolitik an der Universität Hamburg/IFSH OSZE Jahrbuch 1999 now available from Nomos Verlagsgesellschaft, Waldseestr. 3-5, D-76530, Baden-Baden (www.nomos.de)

NEWSLETTER 2 Vol. 7 No. 6 Chairperson-in-Office visits each of the OSCE Central Asian participating States Human dimension cases and environmental issues raised at presidential level

n the course of a recent week-long traing on human rights-related questions istan's democratic development. Aspects trip, the OSCE Chairperson-in- and on the UK/OSCE initiative on the of regional co-operation as well as issues IOffice (CiO), Austria’s Foreign management of water resources. related to Tajikistan featured during her Minister Benita Ferrero-Waldner, was The President confirmed Turk- meeting with Foreign Minister Nazarov. able to visit each of the five OSCE par- menistan’s participation in the interna- In Kyrgyzstan, the CiO met with ticipating States in Central Asia, holding tional conference being organized in President Akaev, who expressed his discussions in each country at presiden- October by the United Nations Office for appreciation of the OSCE’s paying more tial and ministerial level. She also took Drug Control and Crime Prevention attention to the security situation in Cen- the opportunity to visit all the OSCE (ODCCP) and the Austrian Chairman- tral Asia. He saw the establishment of the offices in the region. ship on ‘Enhancing security and stabil- Osh Field Office as being of major Her trip, which took in Turk- ity in Central Asia - an integrated importance. menistan, Tajikistan, Kyrgyzstan, Kaza- approach to counter drugs, organized President Akaev placed great empha- khstan and Uzbekistan, followed a tradi- crime and terrorism’ to be held in sis on regional co-operation and fully tion set by other CiOs of focusing on the Tashkent. Foreign Minister Shikmu- supported the idea of the conference in region, reflecting the priority it has for radov focused mainly on political issues Tashkent. Similarly, he favoured a the Organization. She was accompanied with other countries in the region, includ- regional approach concerning water by her Personal Representative for Cen- ing the impact of the situation in management issues. tral Asia, Jan Kubis, the OSCE Secretary Afghanistan on Central Asia. On the conduct of the parliamentary General, as well as by representatives of In Tajikistan, the CiO held discus- elections, the President acknowledged the OSCE Troika, the Office for Demo- sions with President Rakhmonov, during that certain problems had occurred and cratic Institutions and Human Rights, which the fight against drugs was also pointed out gaps in the legislation and the European Commission. described as a major concern. The Pres- which needed to be addressed; all the rec- As well as meeting with some ambas- ident took a positive attitude towards the ommendations of ODIHR should be sadors of OSCE participating States, she envisaged ODCCP/CiO conference implemented so that improved condi- talked to representatives of civil society, related to this issue. tions would allow the OSCE to judge the including those of non-governmental presidential elections favourably. organizations and the media. Meetings Water management The CiO held separate meetings with with representatives of political parties On water management, the President the Speakers of both Chambers of Par- were included in her programme in three suggested that the international commu- liament in Kyrgyzstan, focusing on elec- of the countries visited. nity could provide concrete support to tion issues. A meeting with Foreign Min- As Mrs Ferrero-Waldner attaches build a hydroelectric power station. ister Imanaliev focused mainly on the sit- great importance to the human dimen- Mentioning the particularities of the uation in Afghanistan and its impact on sion of the OSCE’s mandate, she raised post-conflict situation in his country, he the situation in Kyrgyzstan. selected cases in some of her private stressed that Islamic opposition parties Regional co-operation within the meetings with the individual Presidents. were involved in the political process. OSCE framework was the focus of the Arriving in Turkmenistan on 29 May, Tajikistan, he said, was also trying to CiO’s meeting with President Nazarbaev she held her first meeting with President improve the situation of women. of Kazakhstan, during her penultimate Niazov. Among other things, her talks The CiO also met the Chairmen of stop. The President referred to stability focused on activities undertaken to Tajikistan’s Upper and Lower Chambers as a top priority for all Central Asian counter the problems of drugs, organized of Parliament, with talks focused mainly countries. Although he had a positive crime and terrorism, as well as concen- on election-related issues and on Tajik- attitude to regional co-operation, and

NEWSLETTER Vol. 7 No. 6 3 stressed the desirability of establishing a Saying time was needed to develop projects for concrete co-operation. free trade union, he mentioned the dif- democratic institutions and democracy The CiO also asked Foreign Minister ferent levels of democracy and liberal- in his country, he suggested there were Kamilov for a guarantee that the OSCE’s ization among the Central Asian coun- more dimensions to the OSCE than the Central Asian Liaison Office would be tries. He also reiterated his support for human dimension. allowed to monitor trials. the UK/OSCE water management initia- Uzbekistan’s key concern was the He said the OSCE should pay more tive, saying that concrete projects were security issue. The country was faced attention to the threats emanating from necessary; not only conferences. with the problem of a growing popula- outside the OSCE area, adding that eco- In the President’s view, security was tion and at the same time, the economy nomic co-operation was the basis for closely linked to democracy. Evolution was shrinking and, in the assessment of regional co-operation. of a political culture without external the President, these two developments The CiO raised the matter of the tri- pressure was needed. Discussion also favoured the rise of terrorism. als of individuals accused of being touched on the issue of the situation of Referring also to the complexity of involved with the bombings in Tashkent the media in Kazakhstan. the situation in Afghanistan, President in February 1999. According to Foreign Mrs. Ferrero-Waldner’s programme Karimov said that so far it had been very Minister Kamilov, acts of terrorism had also included a working lunch hosted by difficult for the international community to be distinguished from possible short- Foreign Minister Idrisov and a separate to develop approaches leading to the comings in the trials of suspects, though meeting with Prime Minister Tokaev. solution of this problem. On the water he admitted there had been certain short- On the last stage of her trip, the CiO management issue, the President comings related to the performance of met President Karimov of Uzbekistan. stressed that any proposal had to include law enforcement bodies.

OSCE examines ways to tackle issue of children caught up in armed conflict

ollowing the Istanbul Summit decision, in November 1999, to Fput children’s rights, especially in conflict and post-conflict situations, on the agenda of the OSCE, a first step in implementing this decision was taken in May by devoting the annual OSCE Human Dimension Seminar to the theme: ‘Children and Armed Conflict’. Delegations from OSCE participating States, representatives from OSCE missions and institutions, as well as participants from international organizations and NGOs, met together in War- saw, 23-26 May, to discuss the diverse effects of armed conflict on children and to examine possibilities for OSCE action in this field. The seminar was organized by the OSCE Office for Democratic Institu- ODIHR Director, Ambassador Stoudmann (right), and OSCE Chairperson-in-Office, tions and Human Rights (ODIHR) in co- Benita Ferrero-Waldner (centre), with ICRC President Jakob Kellenberger (left), operation with the OSCE Chairmanship. attending the opening of the OSCE Human Dimension Seminar

NEWSLETTER 4 Vol. 7 No. 6 Opening the seminar, the OSCE pants addressed issues such as the abuse and transfers of small arms on children. Chairperson-in-Office, Austrian Foreign of children as soldiers, children being A comprehensive list of concrete rec- Minister Benita Ferrero-Waldner, said: deprived of education and health care, ommendations for OSCE activities in the “Children are the most vulnerable mem- psychological trauma, and the special sit- area of children and armed conflict bers of society. Armed conflicts have uation of refugee children. emerged from the discussions in the devastating consequences for children, working groups, partly because of the consequences which have to be ad- Longer-term needs active participation in the seminar of sev- dressed by all of us, comprehensively Working group two concentrated on eral NGOs dealing with children’s rights. and effectively.” the longer-term needs of war-affected These recommendations now can be Following the opening, keynote children in post-conflict situations and used as a valuable pool of ideas by the speeches came from Jakob Kellenberger, frozen conflicts. Issues identified as OSCE decision-making bodies, which President of the International Committee being of specific relevance to the OSCE are tasked with converting the Istanbul of the Red Cross, and Olara Otunnu, Spe- included education and training, build- decision into concrete action. cial Representative of the UN Secretary- ing tolerance and raising awareness, As well as being distributed to all par- General for Children and Armed Conflict. juvenile justice, gender issues (including ticipants, the final report of the semi- Discussions took place in two work- trafficking), and poverty and illiteracy. nar, including a complete list of recom- ing groups. The first group focused on The second working group also mendations, will also be available at the situation of children during conflict addressed several politico-military the ODIHR website at and immediately post-conflict. Partici- issues, such as the effects of landmines http://www.osce.org/odihr.

Training meeting in Vienna breaks new ground Regular two-way flow of communication to be established

hirteen focal points for training compiled from the findings of a ques- Building will be regularly provided with from OSCE missions, institu- tionnaire sent out to the focal points prior all relevant information on training in the Ttions and field operations gath- to the meeting. It became evident that various missions and field operations, to ered in Vienna on 22 and 23 May, for a training was of crucial importance to the ensure effective co-ordination and the meeting – the first of its kind – to discuss Organization, with the ever-increasing consistent implementation of the the implementation of the ‘Strategy for professional demands made on its inter- OSCE’s Strategy for Capacity Building Capacity Building through Training’ national and local staff, and that contin- through Training programme. This programme, adopted by the Permanent uous training deserved a firm commit- includes the proposed training budget for Council in March 1999. ment by all stakeholders. the mission/field operation. In the light of a comprehensive All participants shared the view that However, the scope for training and approach to training of international and training actively contributed to the capacity building varies greatly within national OSCE staff, the meeting, con- achievement of the Organization’s goals, the OSCE: the three large Balkan mis- vened by the OSCE Co-ordinator for increased its professionalism and con- sions can rely on staff and budgets Training and Capacity Building, Ms siderably improved the skills capacity of specifically available for training activi- Gudrun Steinacker, aimed at reinforcing large numbers of national staff in the host ties whereas the smaller field operations co-ordination, increasing communica- countries. The trend observed by many have to cope with scarce human and tion and exchanging training-related to ‘re-invent the wheel’ in the various financial resources. The OSCE institu- information between the missions, insti- missions and field operations needed to tions, such as the Office for Democratic tutions, field operations and the Training be reversed through better co-ordination Institutions and Human Rights, are faced Co-ordinator at the Secretariat in Vienna. of all training activities within the Org- with training needs that differ consider- An overview of OSCE-wide training anization. ably from those of the others. activities, both current and planned, was Against this background, the Co- In future, the smaller OSCE field presented to the participants. This was ordinator for Training and Capacity operations will benefit especially from an

NEWSLETTER Vol. 7 No. 6 5 elaborated training concept, which will ing opportunities or available expertise. tions and field operations need to address enable them to realize their training This approach of a two-way flow of any training-related questions to the potential. In this context, possible syner- information will allow it to take stock of Training Unit at the Secretariat. gies and economies of scale such as previous experiences with trainers, train- In turn, the unit will keep the mis- regional training workshops and ing institutions and materials and to dis- sions, institutions and field operations exchange of trainers and training mate- tribute the information to other parts of updated on training-related issues rial should be pursued wherever possible. the OSCE. through a quarterly newsletter. The role of the Training Unit at the It is planned to convene meetings Secretariat as a service provider for the Conclusions with the focal points for training on a reg- missions, field operations and institu- Other conclusions adopted by the ular basis in Vienna with the follow-up tions was also highlighted. The Unit will participants were that training in the being scheduled for spring 2001. In the create a data file on training institutions, OSCE needs a sincere, universal and meantime, the flow of information and trainers and training materials, at the dis- well publicized commitment on the part sensitization to the varying challenges in posal of all parts of the OSCE. of senior management throughout the the different locations will be guaranteed Through this reference centre, the Organization; moreover, in order to through regular field trips of Secretariat Unit will be in a position to advise on any streamline communication on training staff to the different OSCE missions and training-related question, be it on train- within the OSCE, the missions, institu- field operations.

News from the field The OSCE currently has Missions or other field activities in Albania, Armenia, Azerbaijan, Belarus, Bosnia and Herzegovina, Croa- tia, Estonia, Georgia, Kazakhstan, Kyrgyzstan, Kosovo (FRY), Latvia, Skopje (fYROM), Moldova, Tajikistan, Turkmenistan, Ukraine and Uzbekistan. The following brief reports reflect some of the recent work which these field operations have undertaken.

KOSOVO building and networking. The Kosovo women’s activities in political parties On 2 May, the OSCE Mission in Serb participants explicitly thanked the before the war, their role in society and Kosovo (OMIK) launched a training pro- OSCE for the security measures taken. particularly on the provision of assis- gramme, ‘Delivering capacity-building On 6 May, a Political Party Service tance for women in education. Partici- skills in Kosovo’, at the NGO Resource Centre was opened in Srbica, Kosovo. pants discussed the importance of orga- Centre in Pristina. The course, organized Following its inauguration the political nizing special psychological treatment in co-operation with a US NGO, was parties were urged to show mutual for rape victims and the promotion of attended by 20 participants and 10 respect and tolerance in an area where registration amongst women. Another observers. Major topics included team- one party has reported political intimi- topic was the role of women in the forth- building and “visioning”, capacity dation. The local leadership reported a coming municipal elections in Kosovo development for NGOs, and basic and better current climate, which it partly and the current level of women’s partic- advanced organizational skills develop- ascribed to the expanded democratiza- ipation in party decision-making bodies ment. Interaction between the Kosovo tion efforts by the OSCE Field Office. in the region. Representatives of the Serb and Kosovo Albanian participants Srbica was the fourth such centre that Democratic League of Kosovo (LDK) was described as relaxed. Participants in OMIK has opened of the ten that are said the party intended women should the core group will subsequently conduct planned. make up 30 per cent of the central pres- training for local NGOs in their respec- On 8 May, OMIK organized a round idency. The OSCE also organized a set tive areas, making use of the NGO table on the role of women in the politi- of panel discussions attended by 97 Resource Centre network to support and cal life of Kosovo, designed to enhance women, including Kosovo Serb, Bosniac boost local NGO capacity. As some of and encourage women’s participation in and Turkish political party members. the centres consist of ethnically mixed politics and in public bodies of the On 29 May, OMIK organized a sym- staff, a great effort was put into team- province. Discussion focused on posium in an ongoing effort to consoli-

NEWSLETTER 6 Vol. 7 No. 6 date input into a draft regulation on self- nance’ programme is designed to pro- implementing to generate understanding government of municipalities in Kosovo. vide training and support for elected offi- and co-operation in addressing local It focused on: the scope of local self-gov- cials and optimize their outreach to citi- business development and environmen- ernment; the distinction between the zens. Networking sessions and the estab- tal issues. Participants included repre- political and the professional; the rela- lishment of a database of elected women sentatives of local industries, small- and tionship between the citizen and the will help to link up women officials from medium-size businesses and NGOs, as municipality; the rights of national com- different regions and political back- well as environmental activists and local munities and minorities; and transitional grounds for joint activities. An informa- government officials. The discussions provisions relating to UN civil adminis- tion campaign will be conducted as a turned out to be useful and informative tration responsibilities after the munici- preparation for the general elections in for developing local businesses and pal elections. The symposium was November, to encourage women voters improving environmental conditions in attended by 16 local experts on munici- to choose or vote for women candidates local settings. They also provided an pal law, including a Muslim Slav lawyer and moderate parties. The Mission also opportunity for the participants to update and the international co-head for the plans a continuation of the media and their legal and practical knowledge and department of local government. political skills training, which con- to develop co-operation between the tributed significantly to the success of government, private businesses, NGOs, BISHKEK women candidates in the April elections. and environmental organizations. From 19 to 21 May, the OSCE Cen- tre in Bishkek organized a joint seminar CALO CROATIA for judges, managers of TV stations and From 24 to 28 April, the OSCE Liai- On 18 May, the OSCE Mission to the Central Electoral Commission in son Office in Central Asia (CALO) con- Croatia hosted a donor information Kashka-Suu, supported by funding from ducted a workshop on ‘Promoting com- meeting on democratization and devel- the Irish Government, Internews and the International foundation for Election Systems. Two foreign experts gave lectures on the systematic pressure on mass media during the pre-election campaign and dual jurisdiction. Several recommendations were made on problems concerning the election code. The seminar was attended by 35 participants, who shared their experience gained from the previous parliamentary elections. From 23 to 25 May, the OSCE Cen- tre in Bishkek conducted the first seminar on ‘Women in social life’ in Osh. It is one of seven seminars being organized jointly with the Konrad Adenauer Foun- dation throughout the country. The aim is to train women in lobbying at different levels of government and in the community. A competitor finishing the OSCE Skopje Marathon (see page eight)

BOSNIA AND HERZEGOVINA munity-level co-operation on small and opment projects with representatives The OSCE Mission to Bosnia and medium-size businesses and environ- from the Zagreb-based international Herzegovina has begun new training mental concerns in Uzbekistan’. It was donor community. The meeting’s main programmes for recently appointed part of the ongoing series of grass-roots objective was to inform other donors of councillors. A ‘Women in local gover- level workshops that the CALO has been the projects funded by the Mission’s

NEWSLETTER Vol. 7 No. 6 7 ‘Funds for institution building’, which won the event in a record 2 hours 20 min- a follow-up round table in Dushanbe. target mainly civil society and NGO utes 35 seconds, with the elite National From 25 to 27 May, the Mission orga- capacity building initiatives. The Mis- Army squad runners up. Apart from nized its second international forum on sion also introduced its new databank bringing together major ethnic commu- the ‘Role of women’s NGOs in social, on projects collected by field officers nities and all levels of society, the event economic and political life’. The event that do not qualify for Mission funding, raised 250,000 denars worth of cash and was organized in Khujand and arranged but that might be of interest to other goods for the Associations for the Blind jointly with the Open Society Institute of donors. in both cities. Central Asia and in co-operation with the Tajik Friendship and Cultural Society SKOPJE TAJIKISTAN and the NGO, Chasmai Hayot. The event On 21 May, the OSCE Mission to On 5 May, the OSCE Mission to was aimed at gathering national NGOs Skopje organized a relay marathon event Tajikistan organized a round table on from the region to discuss their potential between the towns of Tetovo and Skopje, ‘Drug addiction among youth’ in co- contribution to peace and stability in Cen- with the support of the Union of Sports operation with the Tajik Drug Control tral Asia. It was attended by over 250 of the City of Skopje. The event was a Agency (DCA) and an NGO, Youth NGOs from four countries: Tajikistan, revival of a popular charity and cultural Against Narcotics. Discussions focused Uzbekistan, Kazakhstan and Kyrgyzstan. event, which had been running annually on practical ways and means to effec- The participants discussed women’s for four years prior to last year’s crisis tively curb the spreading of drug addic- status in the transition period in Central and which always attracted some 500 tion. The participants came up with sev- Asian countries, the social and economic runners. The event was sponsored by the eral proposals and stressed the need for rights of women, women and education, Embassies of Switzerland, Norway and the development and implementation of family and health and women as a source Canada , and several international orga- action-oriented programmes to prevent of peace and accord. The forum adopted nizations, as well as by the local compa- drug addiction, in particular among a resolution appealing to the Govern- nies, Pivara Skopje and Media Electron- youth. It was agreed to organize similar ments of the four countries to give pri- ics. President Boris Trajkovski read a round tables in co-operation with the ority to the promotion of peace, stability message of support before the marathon OSCE Field Offices in Khujand, Kur- and national accord and to support the started in Tetevo. The Skopje City team gan-Tube, Dusti, Shartuz and Garm, with advancement of women.

Bernard Kouch- tions in October, with Serb participation On 11 May, the OSCE Permanent IN BRIEF ner, Head of the being a particular goal. The registration Council was addressed by the Foreign United Nations process had started, though very few Minister of Bulgaria, Nadezhda Interim Adminis- Serbs had yet registered in Kosovo. Law Mihailova. She described the Istanbul tration Mission in and order and the judicial structure were Summit as a new stage in the develop- Kosovo (UNMIK). not functioning as they should. Security ment of the OSCE, which had Bul- addressed the remained a major concern though the garia’s support as an inclusive and flex- OSCE Permanent Council on 4 May. He murder rate was down from 50 a week at ible forum for consultation, decision- stressed that the success of the Mission the outset to an average of 4-5 per week. making and co-operation. She high- could not be judged over 11 months and The return of Albanians, Serbs and lighted the need for the international that it would take years to change atti- minorities needed to be managed in an community to develop efficient tools tudes. The process to date had been organized and secure way. and mechanisms for conflict prevention imperfect but there were signs of Following his address, Ambassador and to improve its crisis response capa- progress: the return of refugees; the Daan Everts, Head of the OSCE Mis- bilities. She described the OSCE’s field transformation of a military force into the sion in Kosovo, outlined the constraints operations as a key element in strength- Kosovo Protection Corps; the recon- currently faced on filling staff posts, on ening peace and security, in particular struction of houses; and the erection of a effective monitoring of the registration in South-Eastern Europe, but said that broadly unified administrative structure. and election processes and on funding for the Organization should make more The next phase would be holding elec- radio and television stations. effort to support its Missions in Alba-

NEWSLETTER 8 Vol. 7 No. 6 nia, Bosnia and Herzegovina, and Croa- three strategic priorities to be pursued in crackdown of the Yugoslav and Serbian tia, as well as the former Yugoslav the following months. He congratulated authorities on the country’s independent Republic of Macedonia. Furthermore, the Head of the OSCE Mission to Bosnia media. She felt particularly concerned the speedy return of the OSCE Assis- and Herzegovina, Ambassador Robert by the closure of the TV channel Studio tance Group to Chechnya would be Barry, and the OSCE and its interna- B, the radio station B2-92 and the news- important in confirming the role of the tional partners on the smooth running of paper, Blic, by Belgrade police on 17 OSCE in the efforts of the international the municipal elections. He concluded by May. She called on the authorities to community to find a political solution pointing out the importance of imple- immediately release the detained jour- to the conflict in Chechnya (Russian menting peace and stability in Bosnia nalists who wored for independent Federation). and Herzegovina, located at the heart of media and urged the re-opening of the the Balkans, so as to achieve the same TV channel, radio station and newspa- On 11 May, the High Representa- goal soon in other neighbouring coun- per without delay. She underlined the tive for Bosnia and Herzegovina, tries. OSCE’s determination to support Wolfgang Petritsch, addressed the Per- democracy and freedom of expression in manent Council. He summarized of the In a statement issued on 17 May, the the Federal Republic of Yugoslavia and latest developments in the country and OSCE Chairperson-in-Office and expressed her support for the endeav- highlighted economic reform, the Austrian Foreign Minister, Benita ours of the OSCE Representative on strengthening of the State institutions Ferrero-Waldner, expressed her deep Freedom of the Media in defending free and boosting the return of refugees as the concern about the intensification of the media in FRY and Serbia.

separatists. “We finally succeeded in get- CHECHNYA PRESS PROFILE ting an expansion of the border monitor- Excerpts from ing mission after long discussions in the Reuters, 30 May international Permanent Council in Vienna,” Mrs. ‘(Russian President) Putin also said media coverage of Ferrero-Waldner said, after meeting the the Organization for Security and Co- the OSCE and its Georgian President, Eduard Shevard- operation in Europe (OSCE), a human activities over the nadze.’ rights watchdog, would shortly be preceding weeks allowed to reopen a permanent mission Der Standard, 3 May in Chechnya. On Tuesday, Interfax news ‘The monitoring mission of the agency quoted a Foreign Ministry offi- GEORGIA Organization for Security and Co-oper- cial, Alexander Yakovenko, as criticiz- ation in Europe (OSCE) on the Geor- ing the OSCE, saying it could set up shop The Chairperson-in-Office visited gian-Russian border dominated talks in “even tomorrow” but was dragging its Georgia 1-3 May Tbilisi between the Chairperson-in- feet. In the past, OSCE officials have said Office of the OSCE, Foreign Minister they want firm security guarantees Reuters, 3 May Benita Ferrero-Waldner, the President before returning to a region long plagued ‘The head of the Organization for of Georgia, Eduard Shevardnadze, and by kidnappings for ransom and other Security and Co-operation in Europe Foreign Minister Irakli Menargarishvili. crimes.’ (OSCE) said on Tuesday she feared the After the talks, in which the Georgian war in Russia’s rebel region of Chech- Government underlined the importance nya could spill over into neighbouring of the mission for this country, Mrs. Fer- BELARUS Georgia. Benita Ferrero-Waldner, who is rero-Waldner said that the OSCE mon- Austria’s Foreign Minister, announced itoring mission must be “credible”, but Reuters, 5 May the OSCE would boost its small observer that it should not be misused by the ‘The Organization for Security and force on the Georgian-Chechen border Georgian press, which had reported Co-operation in Europe told the Belarus because of the continued fighting exaggerated expectations about the authorities on Friday the West would between Russian troops and Chechen OSCE Mission in Georgia.’ have nothing to do with a forthcoming

NEWSLETTER Vol. 7 No. 6 9 parliamentary election if it were deemed feudal states of bygone days, where the group’s Representative on Media Free- unfair. Walter Siegl, Head of a Mission members of the ruling family could mis- dom, accusing him of being “an accom- of the OSCE “Troika” States of Austria, use the state for their own purposes. With plice in a crime” by urging the Govern- Norway and Romania, told a news con- these sharp words, the OSCE’s Repre- ment to stop cracking down on the inde- ference that “substantial improvements” sentative on Freedom of the Media, pendent media. “Support for indepen- were needed in Belarus’s dealings with Freimut Duve, criticized the latest inci- dent media is defined as ‘terrorism and human rights and in its electoral law. He dents in Milosevic’s State. Bodyguards a crime against a sovereign state,’” Mr. issued a fresh appeal for the authorities of Marko Milosevic, the son of the Pres- Matic said, according to the OSCE state- under President Alexander Lukashenko ident, had beaten up opponents of the ment. The OSCE said it called on to engage in a dialogue with the liberal regime in Pozarevac; the victims were Yugoslav Foreign Minister Zivadin and nationalist opposition and to give its then arrested by the police.’ Jovanovic to clarify whether he person- representatives fair access to State ally supported Matic’s views.’ media.’ Reuters, 17 May ‘The OSCE condemned the Serb Reuters, 22 May Government’s seizure of a key opposi- HCNM ‘The rights and security body, the tion television station on Wednesday and OSCE, said on Monday that a suspended called on Belgrade to stop repression of Financial Times, 19 May prison sentence given to a former Prime free speech. “It is almost incomprehen- ‘Max van der Stoel has a staff of Minister of Belarus, now an opposition sible that a European State at the begin- seven, a tiny budget and a daunting role. leader, was unjustified and aimed at bar- ning of the 21st century can act in such His task is no less than to foresee and ring him from political life. “The Advi- a totalitarian way,” said Freimut Duve, defuse the ethnic confrontations in sory and Monitoring Group deplores the Freedom of the Media Representative of Europe and Central Asia that have verdict, which is unjustified and which, the Vienna-based Organization for Secu- become the biggest source of conflict in if upheld, intentionally neutralizes the rity and Co-operation in Europe.’ the post-Cold War world. Mr. van der political potential of the former Prime Stoel has made a profession of quiet Minister at a crucial moment in the Der Kurier, 18 May diplomacy and of avoiding the limelight. development of the country,” said a ‘Thousands of people marched yes- But, the man who goes by the official statement, released by the OSCE’s terday in the streets of Belgrade in protest title of High Commissioner on National Minsk Office.’ against the seizure, which was con- Minorities for the Organization for Secu- demned by the Chairperson-in-Office of rity and Co-operation in Europe (OSCE) the OSCE, Austria’s Foreign Minister, knows he has occasionally to bang the SERBIA Benita Ferrero-Waldner, as well as the drum. “My job is to issue early warnings European Union.’ to avoid action, and to take action to Die Presse, 17 May avoid early warnings,” he says with a ‘OSCE criticizes: “Today’s Serbia is The New York Times, 23 May wry smile. The OSCE provides just the a feudal state” ‘Meanwhile, the Organization for platform for such a job, straddling as it “This is the first time since the sign- Security and Co-operation in Europe does east and west, embracing Russia ing of the Helsinki Final Act, 25 years accused Yugoslav Information Minister, and all the republics of the former Soviet ago, that the son of a president, in col- Goran Matic, of threatening one of its Union, as well as the whole of NATO. laboration with the authorities, brutally representatives. The OSCE said in a He has little doubt about the greatest attacks critical citizens, putting them into statement that Mr. Matic had sent a let- threat to European peace in the 21st cen- hospital or jail.” Serbia looks like the ter to Freimut Duve, the 54-nation tury: It is the rise of nationalism.’

More information about Austrian Chairmanship is available on-line: www.osze.at

NEWSLETTER 10 Vol. 7 No. 6 from the Office for Democratic UPDATE Institutions and Human Rights The OSCE Office for Democratic Institutions and Human Rights (ODIHR) is located at Aleje Ujazdowskie 19, PL-00 557 Warsaw, Poland, tel.: (+48-22) 520 06 00, fax: (+48-22) 520 06 05, e-mail: [email protected]

ODIHR Director visits Romania United Kingdom were deployed to fol- expressed readiness to continue its tech- to discuss future areas of focus low the pre-election campaign and nical assistance towards the improve- The Director of the ODIHR, Ambas- preparations. Some 40 short-term ment of the electoral framework. sador Gérard Stoudmann, visited observers from participating States were Bucharest, Romania, on 17 May to dis- registered to take part in the mission. DEMOCRATIZATION cuss future focus areas of OSCE human dimension activities with the next OSCE Election observation reports Regional workshop Chairmanship. In a meeting with the In May, the ODIHR released the fol- on internal displace- Romanian Minister of Foreign Affairs, lowing final election observation ment in South Petre Roman, Mr. Stoudmann high- reports: Caucasus lighted the need for consultations by the ■ Presidential election in the Russian An estimated one Chairmanship with national and interna- Federation (March 2000), million persons have been forcibly dis- tional NGOs. ■ Parliamentary elections in the Repub- placed within the countries of the South The Minister Roman named chil- lic of Tajikistan (February 2000), Caucasus as a result of armed conflicts dren’s rights and Roma and Sinti issues ■ Presidential election in the Republic of in the region between 1989 and 1994. as focus areas for the Romanian Chair- Croatia (January/February 2000). Unlike refugees, internally displaced manship in 2001. persons (IDPs) lack an internationally- The Director also met with represen- ODIHR comments on Election Code established protection system, and the tatives of the Ministry of Justice and dis- of Kyrgyzstan... primary responsibility for their security cussions concentrated on issues relating The ODIHR has prepared comments and well-being lies with the national to trafficking in human beings. In this on the Electoral Code of the Kyrgyz authorities. context, it was agreed to organize a joint Republic in preparation for the presi- To promote more effective solutions round table in Bucharest in the autumn, dential election, scheduled for later this to the issue of internal displacement in aimed at raising awareness and co-ordi- year. Armenia, Azerbaijan and Georgia, the nating activities on trafficking. Meetings ODIHR organized a Regional Workshop were also held with representatives of the ...and on draft election laws of Azer- on Internal Displacement in the South Romanian Ombudsman’s Office and the baijan Caucasus in collaboration with the Central Election Office. An ODIHR delegation visited Azer- Brookings Institution Project on Internal baijan from 18 to 22 May and again at Displacement. The workshop took place the end of May to submit the Office’s in Tbilisi, Georgia, on 10-12 May. Its ELECTIONS ODIHR observes views on the draft Law on the Central main purpose was to inform govern- municipal elections Election Commission and to discuss the ments and NGOs in the region of rele- in Montenegro election legislation with the authorities vant international standards and guide- Five election and main political parties, in view of the lines, in particular the Guiding Principles experts arrived in Pod- upcoming parliamentary election. The on Internal Displacement, to promote gorica on 8 May to ODIHR considered that the draft under their application, and to stimulate the reinforce the ODIHR Office Montenegro discussion at the time, despite improve- development of institutional and legal and observe the municipal elections in ments, still required further progress. frameworks for addressing internal dis- Podgorica and Herzeg Novi, scheduled The ODIHR also released comments on placement. for 11 June. Four long-term observers the draft Law on Parliamentary Elections Some 80 participants attended the seconded by Denmark, Italy and the of the Republic of Azerbaijan and workshop, including official delegations

NEWSLETTER Vol. 7 No. 6 11 of the three South Caucasian States, the violence against women. It also facili- 2 June, focused on the right to adequate Representative of the UN Secretary Gen- tated the creation of a coalition between food and shelter, and on the right to eral on IDPs, Dr. Francis Deng, local and different NGOs working in this field, and health care. international NGOs, relevant interna- encouraged further co-operation. Con- tional organizations, as well as sponsor- ference participants developed a com- Kyrgyzstan conference on compliance ing organizations and international prehensive list of recommendations to with UN Torture Convention experts in the field. strengthen the implementation of a A round table conference on ways to The participants reviewed the situa- national plan of action, based on the ensure compliance of the Kyrgyz legal tion and specific needs of IDPs in the “Beijing Platform”. They also decided system with the UN Convention Against region, and discussed the role that gov- to establish a working group consisting Torture was organized by the ODIHR, in ernments, regional organizations, NGOs of government and NGO representatives co-operation with the OSCE Centre in and international organizations could to ensure proper follow-up to these rec- Bishkek, from 18 to 19 May. The Con- play in addressing these issues. It was ommendations. The ODIHR will closely ference was part of a joint ODIHR-Euro- emphasized that the right of IDPs to monitor this process. pean Commission project on legislative return to the place of their previous resi- As a part of its project on the pre- reform in Kyrgyzstan. dence and the opportunity to exercise, at vention of violence against women in Participants included representatives the place of their current place of resi- Azerbaijan, the ODIHR is also support- from all branches of Government, judges dence, the full range of rights to which ing the establishment of crisis centres for from the Supreme and Constitutional they are entitled as citizens of their state women victims of violence in seven Courts, key actors dealing with legal are not mutually exclusive notions. regions of Azerbaijan, including Baku. reform in Kyrgyzstan, the prosecutors’ Follow-up measures suggested by the office and prison officials as well as legal participants include the review of legis- Human rights awareness radio practitioners and NGOs. The partici- lation to ensure compliance with the programmes aired in Azerbaijan pants discussed recent legislative Guiding Principles on Internal Displace- In co-operation with the BBC World changes in the criminal justice system of ment, and an expanded NGO-govern- Service, the ODIHR has started produc- Kyrgyzstan and further ways to ensure ment dialogue on issues related to inter- ing and broadcasting a series of public compliance with the obligations nal displacement. awareness radio programmes, explain- assumed upon accession to international ing basic human rights according to treaties. The participants recognized the ‘Violence against women’ conference national legislation and international recent improvements made, but pointed held in Azerbaijan standards. The project is part of the to deficiencies in implementation. Within the framework of its project Memorandum of Understanding A number of concrete recommenda- on prevention of violence against women between the ODIHR and the Govern- tions emerged from the discussions. in Azerbaijan, the ODIHR organized a ment of Azerbaijan. Most prominent among those were: for conference ‘Say no to violence’ in Baku A total of 16 programmes will be the Government to make the reports to on 17 and 18 May. Some 100 partici- broadcast throughout the next four the UN Committee Against Torture and pants attended the conference, including months, each lasting 20 minutes and the conclusions and recommendations a number of high profile local figures focusing on a specific human rights adopted by the Committee widely known active on this issue. The participants issue. Although it had been initially to the public, and to institutionalize a fol- welcomed the ODIHR initiative to planned to broadcast the programme low-up process to the reporting to treaty address the issue of violence against once a week, it was later decided to monitoring bodies; the need to women publicly at high level, and under- replay it several times on different fre- strengthen judicial control over investi- lined the need to develop common rec- quencies and channels, owing to a very gation and pre-trial detention in accor- ommendations to improve the situation positive audience response. dance with international standards; and in the country. The introductory programme, aired the introduction of long-term judicial The conference was successful in from 15 to 20 May, was devoted to the appointments in order to strengthen the bringing government and NGO repre- general concept of human rights. The independence of the judiciary. The full sentatives together for the first time to second and third programmes, broadcast list of recommendations is available discuss activities aimed at preventing from 22 to 27 May and from 29 May to from the ODIHR Rule of Law Unit.

NEWSLETTER 12 Vol. 7 No. 6 Training assistance to Uzbek Human Rights Ombudsperson for ficking in human beings. With Minister Ombudsman Office Bosnia and Herzegovina, to the office of Konrad serving in this capacity, the On 1-4 May, the ODIHR, together Nina Karpachova, the Human Rights OSCE is taking up the role assigned to it with the OSCE Liaison Office in Central Representative of Ukraine. The ODIHR during the Oslo inaugural meeting of Asia, held a four-day training seminar for expert worked with Ms. Karpachova's Working Table 3 of the Stability Pact for the Uzbek Ombudsman Office. The office from 4 to 16 May. He gave advice South-Eastern Europe. training was provided for the staff of the on how to handle complaints, as well as Initial contacts have been made with institution and the newly appointed on investigation procedures, manage- other relevant international organiza- regional representatives of the Ombuds- ment and finance systems, and interac- tions active on this issue in South-East- man Office. The seminar focused on the tion with other State agencies. ern Europe, in particular, the United various aspects of handling complaints The working visit was co-ordinated Nations, the Council of Europe, the Inter- and on issues relating to the regionaliza- with other donor organizations support- national Organization for Migration and tion of the office. In addition, a general ing the Ukrainian Human Rights Repre- the Southeast European Co-operative introduction to international human sentative, including the Council of Initiative, aim at developing a co-ordi- rights standards and concepts was Europe and the United Nations Devel- nated strategy to combat trafficking in offered to the participants. Many issues opment Programme. the region. Dr. Konrad, who began work of concern in the daily work of the staff on 5 June, is based temporarily in the of the institution were discussed openly Assistance to reform police Hofburg Congress Centre, Vienna. in the sessions. training in FYR of Macedonia Three international police trainers International consultations on ODIHR starts gender law review visited the former Yugoslav Republic of Roma asylum migrants An ODIHR expert on the Convention Macedonia in May in order to support the Within the framework of its efforts to on the Elimination of all Forms of Dis- reform of the police academy’s training promote international consultations crimination Against Women (CEDAW) curriculum. In collaboration with a among government and Roma leaders on visited Kazakhstan and Kyrgyzstan to working group of the police academy, the increasingly contentious issue of meet with Government and NGO repre- the draft of a new basic structure for the Roma refugees and asylum seekers, the sentatives. The visit was conducted in training of police cadets was developed. ODIHR Contact Point for Roma and order to gather initial information for The trainers stressed the need to integrate Sinti Issues organized a series of meet- writing a review of domestic legislation human rights issues in all lectures rather ings in Oslo and Helsinki from 8 to 12 relating to gender equality and women’s than teaching the subject only as one spe- May. The meetings were part of the rights. cialized course. The development of preparations for the side meeting on teaching will be further supported. Roma refugees and asylum seekers at the Training course in Kyrgyzstan The visit was part of a support pro- OSCE Human Dimension Implementa- In May, ODIHR training on the role gramme for the police of the former tion Meeting, to be held in October. of women role in public life, imple- Yugoslav Republic of Macedonia, which Some 20 Roma representatives from mented by the Konrad Adenauer Foun- is implemented jointly by the ODIHR, the international umbrella organization dation, began in Osh, southern Kyrgyzs- the OSCE Spillover and Monitoring International Romani Union met with tan. The project will continue through- Mission in Skopje, the Constitutional officials from the Governments of Nor- out the summer, with two training ses- and Legal Policy Institute, Budapest, and way and Finland. The two countries sions being conducted in each province the Open Society Institute Macedonia. have been facing a rapid increase in of Kyrgyzstan, including one session Roma asylum seekers and refugees from specifically for young women. Anti-trafficking Co-ordinator for SE countries of Central Europe such as Slo- Europe Stability Pact appointed vakia, the Czech Republic and Poland Ukraine Human Rights Represent- The former Austrian Minister for over the past years. ative visited by ODIHR expert Women’s Affairs, Dr. Helga Konrad, The purpose of the meetings was to The ODIHR organized a working has been seconded to the ODIHR to chair bring Roma and relevant Government visit by Frank Orton, a former Swedish the Stability Pact Task Force as Co-ordi- representatives together and to develop Ombudsman and newly appointed nator, Stability Pact Task Force on traf- constructive strategies and approaches to

NEWSLETTER Vol. 7 No. 6 13 address the increased emigration of discussed at a meeting organized by the discussed, including the proposal for Roma from their home countries as well ODIHR in Bucharest on 16 May. The Romania to conclude agreements with as the root causes of this development. International Organization for Migra- interested governments on the employ- The participants exchanged information tion (IOM) office in Romania, the ment of Roma workers. The meeting on the situation of the Roma population Working Group of Roma Associations was also used to present a draft part- in the countries of origin, and on the legal of Romania, and representatives of var- nership protocol between the IOM and institutional frameworks for asylum ious relevant governmental bodies and Romania and Roma NGOs, on the repa- seekers and refugees in the receiving agencies participated in the meeting. A triation and reintegration of Romanian countries. number of ideas on how to address the Roma who had emigrated to Western Alternatives to asylum seeking were root causes of Roma emigration were Europe.

from the High Commissioner NEWS on National Minorities The Office of the OSCE High Commissioner on National Minorities (HCNM) is located at Prinsessegracht 22, NL-2514 AP The Hague, The Netherlands, tel.: (+31-70) 312 55 00, fax: (+31-70) 363 59 10, e-mail: [email protected]

Seminar held in Vienna to discuss of the Government of Sweden, attracted in subsequent sessions, four other inde- Lund Recommendations over 40 participants. In his opening pendent experts introduced specific Officials and experts from 20 coun- address, the High Commissioner parts. Participants then had a construc- tries took part in a seminar on 12 to 13 explained why, in 1999, he had decided tive exchange of views and experiences May in Vienna on The Lund Recom- to request 18 internationally recognized mendations on the Effective Participa- independent experts to elaborate the HCNM meets officials in Moldova tion of National Minorities in Public Lund Recommendations. Professor and Romania Life. The event, organized by the OSCE Steven Ratner of the University of Texas From 16 to 18 May, the High Com- High Commissioner on National Minori- School of Law then provided an missioner visited Chisinau, capital of ties, Max van der Stoel, with the support overview of the recommendations, while Moldova. During the visit, Mr. van der

What are the Lund Recommendations?

The Lund Recommendations start The Recommendations cover a The text also includes a detailed from the premise that: ‘the effective par- number of areas, including: explanatory note which provides refer- ticipation of national minorities in pub- ■ Participation in decision-making ences to relevant international stan- lic life is an essential component of a (arrangements at the level of the cen- dards. peaceful and democratic society.’ They tral government, regional and local Copies of the Lund Recommenda- aim: ‘to facilitate the inclusion of levels, through advisory and consul- tions, published by the Foundation on minorities within the State and enable tative bodies, and through elections); Inter-Ethnic Relations, are available minorities to maintain their own iden- ■ Self-governance (non-territorial and from the HCNM Office in the Hague or tity and characteristics, thereby pro- territorial arrangements); and can be downloaced from the HCNM moting the good governance and ■ Guarantees (constitutional and legal section of the OSCE website: integrity of the State.’ safeguards and remedies). www.osce.org/hcnm

NEWSLETTER 14 Vol. 7 No. 6 Stoel met with senior officials, including current status of the implementation of (mostly Serb), and members of the inter- the Foreign Minister, Nicolae Tabacaru, his recommendations on the further national community based in Croatia. to discuss inter-ethnic relations in the development of multi-cultural education country. He was particularly interested at Babes-Bolyai University, in Cluj- Former Yugoslav Republic of Macedonia in proposed amendments to the law on Napoca. Accompanied by three international advertising and in the application of experts on higher education, the High other legislation which effects the lin- High Commissioner pays return visit Commissioner, met in Vienna on 28 to guistic and educational rights of persons to Croatia 30 May with the Education Minister of belonging to national minorities in From 23 to 26 May, the High Com- the former Yugoslav Republic of Mace- Moldova. He sympathized with efforts missioner paid his first official visit to donia – who was accompanied by edu- by the Government to improve the com- Croatia since the parliamentary and pres- cation specialists – to discuss the draft prehension and use of the state language, idential elections in January. He was Law on Higher Education. Both sides but stressed that this should not come at encouraged by the efforts of the new considered the meeting to have been the expense of minority rights. Government and President to make a extremely useful and constructive, with Ways of finding a balance between break with the past, especially evident in the Minister hoping to present the draft these considerations were discussed in a Croatia’s approach to the question of the law to Parliament in the near future. seminar on ‘Language and education return of Serb refugees. Mr. van der Stoel issues in Moldova’, co-organized by the noted that the Government was making High Commissioner’s office and the a serious effort to solve the problem, OSCE Mission to Moldova, in co-oper- though after visiting Eastern Slavonia he New HCNM Website online ation with the State Department for remained concerned about inter-ethnic With the assistance of the OSCE National Relations and the Functioning tensions there. The process of amending Press and Public Information Sec- of Languages. the constitutional law on human rights tion of the Secretariat, the Office The seminar was attended by repre- and freedoms and the rights of ethnic and of the OSCE High Commissioner sentatives of the Government, minority national communities or minorities were on National Minorities has now re- groups, Moldovan NGOs and inter- the main topics of discussion during launched its website. Visit and national experts. meetings with President Stipe Mesic, bookmark the site at: On his way back from Moldova, the senior ministers, local officials (includ- www.osce.org/hcnm. High Commissioner stopped in ing the Mayor of Vukovar in Eastern Bucharest to familiarize himself with the Slavonia), minority representatives

from the OSCE REPORT Parliamentary Assembly The Secretariat of the OSCE Parliamentary Assembly is located at Rådhusstræde 1, DK-1466 Copenhagen K, Denmark, tel.: (+45-33) 37 80 40, fax: (+45-33) 37 80 30, e-mail: [email protected]

Parliamentary Team on Moldova Affairs. The visit was part of a series of Moldova and, in particular, to the ques- visits Moscow consultations the team is conducting in tion concerning the status of the Trans- From 23 to 24 May, the Chair of the order to prepare a Supplementary Item dniestrian region. Parliamentary Team on Moldova, on Moldova to be presented at the Ninth Kimmo Kiljunen and team member, Annual Session in Bucharest. On 1 June, PA President visits Russia Tone Tingsgard, visited Moscow to dis- Mr. Kiljunen reported to the Permanent and Azerbaijan cuss the situation in Moldova with rep- Council in Vienna on the team’s efforts From 29 to 31 May, the OSCE PA resentatives of the Russian State Duma to foster adequate political will in order President, Helle Degn, paid an official and the Russian Ministry of Foreign to reach a solution to the conflict in visit to Russia, in order to follow up on

NEWSLETTER Vol. 7 No. 6 15 representative of the International Foun- dation for Election Systems (IFES) in Baku.

PA Official visits Moscow On 1 June, the Chairman of the Ad Hoc Working Group on Belarus, Adrian Severin, visited Moscow at the invitation of OSCE PA Vice-President and Speaker of the Russian State Duma, Gennady Seleznev. On the agenda were the ongoing discussions between the Government of Belarus and the Oppo- sition on the organization of parliamentary elections next autumn. During his visit, Mr. Severin also met with For- eign Minister Ivanov and with members PA President Helle Degn visits a refugee camp in Azerbaijan of the Russian Delegation to the OSCE the presidential elections of 26 March. casus. During her visit she met with Pres- PA. During the visit, Mrs. Degn held meet- ident Aliyev of Azerbaijan, the Minister ings with a number of high-level offi- of Foreign Affairs, the Speaker of Par- PA President addresses cials, including the Minister of Foreign liament, the Chairman of the Commis- Conference of Speakers Affairs, the Speaker of the State Duma, sion on Foreign Affairs and Inter-Parlia- President Helle Degn addressed the the Chairman of the Duma Committee on mentary Relations, the Chairman of the Conference of Speakers and Presidents International Affairs, the Deputy Chair- Commission on Legal Policy and State- of National Parliaments and European man of the Central Election Commis- building, the Chairman of the Constitu- Parliamentary Assemblies in Strasbourg sion, the Chairman of State Duma Com- tional Court, as well as Sheikh-ul-Islam from 5 to 6 May. The Conference’s sub- mission on Legislation and the Head of Allahshukur Pashazadeh, Head of the theme was ‘What could be the role of the Independent Public Commission on Spiritual Board of Muslims of the Cau- Parliaments in the combat against orga- Chechnya, as well as with the Head of casus. nized crime and corruption’. In her the OSCE Assistance Group to Chech- President Degn also visited a refugee speech, Mrs. Degn emphasized the cen- nya, Ambassador Alfred Missong. camp inside Baku and held meetings tral role that parliamentarians, as mem- On 31 May, she travelled to Baku to with representatives of the opposition bers of democratic institutions, should continue her round trip in the South Cau- parties in Azerbaijan, as well as with a play in fighting corruption.

from the OSCE Representative REPORT on Freedom of the Media The Office of the OSCE Representative on Freedom of the Media is located at Kärtner Ring 5- 7, A-1010 Vienna, Austria. Tel.: (+43-1) 512 21 45-0, fax: (+43-1) 512 21 45-9, e-mail: [email protected]

Representative in Geneva to mark World Press Freedom Day, on 3 and 4 and Cultural Organization. He also met World Press Freedom Day May. He moderated a panel in the con- Mary Robinson, the UN High Commis- The OSCE Representative on Free- text of a round table, ‘Media and post- sioner for Human Rights with whom he dom of the Media, Freimut Duve, took conflict rehabilitation’ organized by the discussed furthering co-operation on the part in celebrations in Geneva marking United Nations Educational, Scientific protection of freedom of expression,

NEWSLETTER 16 Vol. 7 No. 6 especially in the OSCE region. After a in his letter that although attacking jour- tative forwarded a list of these cases to meeting with Abid Hussain, the UN Spe- nalists might be part of a new strategy the Russian Foreign Minister, asking him cial Rapporteur on Freedom of Expres- for ETA, he hoped this would not mate- to intervene with the Yugoslav Govern- sion, and Santiago Canton, the Organi- rialize into more reporters being “cen- ment on behalf of the Serbian indepen- zation of American States Special Rap- sored by killing.” dent media. On 18 May, Mr. Duve porteur on Freedom of Expression, the briefed the OSCE Permanent Council on three officials issued a joint statement on Intervention over raid by authorities these matters. World Press Freedom Day. on media offices in Moscow On 22 May, he wrote again to Mr. On 11 May, the Offices of Media- Jovanovic, informing him about a letter Media law discussed during official Most, a Russian media conglomerate, from the Yugoslav Federal Minister, visit by Duve to Romania were raided by officers from the Office Goran Matic, which contained a series of At the invitation of Romania’s For- of the State Prosecutor. Although gov- threats against both Mr. Duve and Aidan eign Minister, Petre Roman, the Repre- ernment officials insisted that the raid White, the Secretary-General of the sentative on Freedom of the Media paid was related to the financial and business International Federation of Journalists. his first official visit to that country on activities of the company, senior man- He asked the Foreign Minister to inform 8-9 May. Romania is currently a mem- agers and editors of Media-Most him if he disagreed with these threats. ber of the OSCE Troika and will hold the believed the raid was in response to the Chairmanship of the OSCE next year. In independent editorial policies of its affil- Duve salutes the International Bucharest, he held talks with the Deputy iates, among them the leading Russian PEN World Congress Prime Minister, and the Justice and For- television station NTV. The OSCE Rep- On 23 May, Freimut Duve sent con- eign Ministers, as well as with the Chair- resentative on Freedom of the Media gratulations to the participants of the men of the Culture, Art and Media Com- intervened with the Russian Foreign 67th World Congress of International missions of both Chambers of the Roma- Minister, asking for clarification, and PEN, which opened in Moscow on 22 nian Parliament, the National Audio- also reported on this to the OSCE Per- May. In his letter, the Representative on Visual Council. He also met with jour- manent Council on 18 May. Freedom of the Media, wrote: ‘I fully nalists, a local media NGO and an NGO agree with the statement made by Andrei representing the Roma minority media in RFOM threatened for protesting Bitov, President of the Russian PEN Romania. His talks focused on media harassment of media in Serbia Centre, who said that, “It is here [in legislation and libel cases filed against After Serb police last month took Moscow] that a defence of freedom of journalists, as well as on the protection over Studio B, a leading opposition tele- expression should be – just where such of media workers and issues related to vision station in Belgrade, the Repre- freedoms are being violated.” journalism training. sentative on Freedom of the Media inter- ‘We all remember the courageous vened with the Yugoslav Government efforts of many Russian writers who RFOM condemns ETA’s resort to over this new attack on media. In a let- helped bring freedom to their country. “censorship by killing” in Spain ter to Foreign Minister Zivadin There is an open and public debate on The OSCE Representative has writ- Jovanovic, Mr. Duve stated that, “this act issues of importance to the citizens of ten to Spanish Foreign Minister Josep is basically aimed at destroying all inde- Russia. However, recent events have Pique regarding the 7 May murder of the pendent media in Serbia,” and was part given the impression that freedom of El Mundo reporter, Jose Luis Lopez de of a campaign against freedom of expres- expressio, in a still fragile democracy Lacalle. Aware of reports that the mur- sion waged by the regime. such as Russia, needs such an important der was committed in response to the He informed Mr. Jovanovic of other event like the World Congress. That is journalist’s opposition to the Basque ter- cases of harassment monitored by his why it is encouraging that your Congress rorist movement, ETA, Mr. Duve noted Office. In addition, the OSCE Represen- is taking part in Russia.’

Visit the website of the OSCE Representative on Freedom of the Media at: www.osce.org/fom

NEWSLETTER Vol. 7 No. 6 17 from the OSCE Secretary General REPORT and the Secretariat The OSCE Secretariat is located at Kärntner Ring 5-7, A-1010 Vienna, Austria. Telephone: (+43-1) 514 36-0, Fax: (+43-1) 514 36-96, e-mail: [email protected]

Secretary General’s working visits leagues at the Secretariat. As organizers, acceptance of the work of the OSCE in On 2 May, the OSCE Secretary Gen- the PPIS emphasized the importance of the field. eral, Jan Kubis, attended a conference in furthering the public image of the OSCE The three-day meeting emphasized New York on ‘Moving towards an inte- through active press and information the effectiveness of using the Internet grated Europe: Investment opportunities outreach by OSCE Institutions, Missions to inform the public, and set the goal of in South-Eastern Europe’, organized by and field activities. having all OSCE missions online by the the East-West Institute, and attended by Active press and public information end of this year. The OSCE website Heads of State or Government from the work could also serve to ensure public receives some 60,000 “hits” per day, region. and the section on OSCE field activi- On 10 May, Mr. Kubis participated OSCE website improved to provide ties is one of the most popular. Sessions in a round table in Bratislava, organized easier access to current news also focused on improving press by the Slovak Institute for International releases, training in presentation skills Studies. Journalists, researchers and other and organizing a high-profile media Mr. Kubis also addressed the Coun- interested Internet surfers now have eas- campaign. cil of Europe Committee of Ministers ier access to source material on OSCE Deputies in Strasbourg on 18 May. In activities, statements by its iInstitutions New area on external co-operation his address Mr. Kubis described the lat- and missions and events of interest. A available on the OSCE website est developments in the co-operation user-friendly, on-line listing and archive Looking for more information on between the two Organizations, includ- of all current and past OSCE press how the OSCE co-operates with other ing the signing of a Common Catalogue releases, advisories and statements, has international organizations and institu- of Co-operation Modalities. He also been introduced by the Press and Public tions? Then it is well worth visiting the focused on ongoing projects in the field, Information Section of the Secretariat. It newly-established section of the OSCE particularly in the Chechen Republic of can be found at the following address: website dedicated to providing informa- the Russian Federation and in Kosovo. www.osce.org/news. tion on relations between the OSCE, the From 28 May to 2 June, the Secretary The listing of current releases, which United Nations and other international General accompanied the OSCE Chair- is updated daily, is seamlessly combined partners, including the Organization’s person-in-Office on her tour of the Cen- with a fully searchable archive contain- Partner States for Co-operation. tral Asian OSCE participating States, in ing all media releases issued by the Besides a complete listing of current his capacity as her Special Representa- Organization since 1 January 1995, the and upcoming events, the website pro- tive (see report on page three). day it ceased to be the Conference on vides background information on how Co-operation and Security in Europe. relations between the OSCE and its part- OSCE’s Press and Information Searching for particular items is possi- ners have developed over time. Officers meet in Vienna ble by source, keyword or chronological The website also describes recent The Press and Public Information segment. A section on media advisories developments in these relations, includ- Section (PPIS) of the Secretariat hosted lists all current events open to the media. ing the decisions made at the November the third semi-annual ‘Public Affairs For further information on this or 1999 Istanbul Summit of OSCE Heads Round Table’ on 17-19 May in Vienna. other aspects of the website, contact the of State or Government, which included The event is a forum that allows Press and Public Information Section of a new Platform for Co-operation. All Spokespersons and media focal points the OSCE Secretariat, tel.: (+ 43-1) 514 researchers and interested persons are from OSCE institutions and missions to 36 180 or e-mail: [email protected]. invited to visit and bookmark the site: exchange experiences with their col- www.osce.org/external_co-operation

NEWSLETTER 18 Vol. 7 No. 6 SOME PUBLIC INFORMATION MATERIALS available upon request at the Vienna or Prague Offices of the OSCE Secretariat* and via the OSCE website (www.osce.org/publications) * Rytirska 31, CZ-110 00 Prague 1, Czech Republic

Publications Publisher/ Language(s) Editor

OSCE Newsletter (monthly) OSCE Secretariat Since January 1998 in all six Volume VII (2000), Volume VI (1999), Volume V (1998), OSCE official languages Volume IV (1997), Volume III (1996), Volume II (1995), (English, French, German, Volume I (1994) Italian, Russian and Spanish) 1994-97 in English and Russian

Fact Sheet (revised October 1999) OSCE Secretariat 1 ÔWhat is OSCE?Õ is available in ■ What is the OSCE? 1 all six OSCE official languages. ■ The OSCE Secretary General and the Secretariat ■ Office for Democratic Institutions and Human Rights2 2 Also available in Russian. ■ Representative on Freedom of the Media ■ High Commissioner on National Minorities 3 Also available in local languages. ■ OSCE Parliamentary Assembly2 ■ Mission to Bosnia and Herzegovina3 ■ Mission to Croatia3 ■ Mission in Kosovo3

OSCE Handbook OSCE Secretariat English general information on OSCE, Third Edition (March 1999) Also available on-line at: - updated June 2000 www.osce.org/publications

Survey of OSCE Long-Term Missions OSCE Secretariat/ English and other OSCE Field Activities (January 2000) Conflict Prevention Centre

The Secretary GeneralÕs Annual Report OSCE Secretariat In all six OSCE on OSCE Activities official languages (1993, 1994, 1995, 1996, 1997, 1998 and 1999)

OSCE Office for Democratic Institutions and Human ODIHR English and Russian Rights Semi-annual Reports

NEWSLETTER Vol. 7 No. 6 19 Publications Publisher/ Language(s) Editor

Other publications on democratization and human rights ODIHR English are available at the ODIHR website: (www.osce.org/odihr/publications.htm)

Bibliography on the OSCE High Commissioner on National The Foundation on English Minorities: Documents, Speeches, Related Publications. Inter-Ethnic Relations, Third Edition The Hague, March 1997

The Role of the OSCE High Commissioner on National ibid. English Minorities in OSCE Conflict Prevention Ð An Introduction June 1997 Russian

Chronological Review from 1973 to 1998 Prague Office English of CSCE/OSCE official publications List of bound versions of documents issued at the conclusion of a review, follow-up and other major CSCE/OSCE events including the Negotiations on Confidence- and Security-Building Measures

Reference Manual Ð Decisions Compilation Prague Office English 1993-94, 1995, 1996, 1997, 1998, and 1999

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