OSCE Office in Yerevan Newsletter NEW PUBLICATIONS/STUDIES OSCE Office in Yerevan OSCE Supported Publication Highlights Violence Other Publications

4 OSCE Office in Yerevan Newsletter NEW PUBLICATIONS/STUDIES OSCE Office in Yerevan OSCE supported publication highlights violence Other publications

and legal cases against journalists in Armenia Study on religious tolerance in Armenia compilation of articles discussing The study was conducted in 2009 by the Collaboration for violence, intimidation and legal Democracy Centre NGO, with the support of the OSCE Office. Newsletter Acases against journalists in 2008- The report includes interviews, review and analysis of press, 2009, published with support of the Office in reports and studies, analysis of legislation and No. 1 July 2010 Yerevan, was presented on 3 March. recommendations to the authorities. The publication was supported by the OSCE and produced by the non-governmental Manuals on how to register a business in Armenia and small organization Investigative Journalists. It and medium enterprise (SME) support programmes looks at seven cases of violence and OSCE Office supports efforts to reduce intimidation against journalists and analyzes The updated version of a guide on how to register businesses in seven libel and slander cases involving Armenia and the reference book on support programmes for journalists, noting that the perpetrators in small and medium enterprises are a part of the Office’s attempts environmental threat posed by chemical waste site several of the violent attacks remain to support business owners, policy makers and business The OSCE Office in Yerevan has mobilized the international donor unknown. The articles have also been compilation, added: "It is important to raise associations in expanding the SME sector. published on the website of Investigative awareness about the significance of media community to assist Armenia in addressing an acute environmental threat posed by a chemical waste site near Yerevan. Journalists, www.hetq.am. freedom. There is no complete data A guide and a brochure on the rights of detained, arrested and “Promoting freedom of expression and available on violence against journalists convicted persons eliminating harassment of journalists and slander, personal insult and defamation he Nubarashen chemical waste dump, said. "It is vital that the government and the remains a challenge in Armenia. Violence cases involving journalists in Armenia, but These two publications have been elaborated and updated by which stems from the 1980s, originally international community act in a coordinated against journalists is inadmissible, and if it this compilation should be useful to judges the Civil Society Institute NGO. The publications aim to serve Tcontained more than 500 tonnes of way and that civil society be involved, for goes unpunished it will contribute to a reviewing such cases, to journalists and to as a source of reference and guidance for the staff of obsolete pesticides, mainly DDT. The site, example by raising awareness of local climate of fear and self-censorship," said those filing lawsuits." penitentiary and detention facilities and to provide the persons which covers an area of more than 3,000 square residents." Carel Hofstra, Acting Head of the OSCE The publication is part of the OSCE Office deprived of their liberty with detailed information on their metres, also has contaminated the soil near the Col. Hovhannes Yemishyan of the Armenian Office in Yerevan. work to promote freedom of the media in rights. site and threatens several nearby villages. Rescue Service added that there was an urgent Liana Sayadyan, the editor of the Armenia. Recently, the site's cover was illicitly removed, need to analyse the composition of the waste Manual on combating human trafficking creating an acute threat by exposing the dump's site's contents, to assess the threats posed by it, Commentaries to Armenian Constitution published contents to rains. In addition, there is a risk of and to remove and dispose of the pesticides. The manual examines international and national legal landslides at the site. The OSCE Office support is part of the A collection of scientific and practical commentaries to the Armenian Constitution was frameworks, methods of prevention and victim protection, The Head of the OSCE Office in Yerevan, Environment and Security (ENVSEC) initiative presented at the National Arts Gallery of Armenia on 16 June as this year marks the 15th challenges in investigating and prosecuting trafficking cases Ambassador Sergey Kapinos, discussed joint for the South Caucasus region, which aims to anniversary of the Armenian Constitution and the Constitutional Court. and is designed to train prosecutors, police, judges, border actions at his meeting with Armenia's Minister provide a framework for co-operation on The publication, made possible with the support of the OSCE Office in Yerevan and guards and labour inspectors. The book was developed jointly of Nature Protection Aram Harutyunyan on 20 environmental issues across borders and Germany's Gesellschaft für Technische Zusammenarbeit (GTZ Armenia), was elaborated by the OSCE, the International Labour Organization and the April. promote peace and stability through by 68 Armenian legal experts, lawyers and scholars. It provides interpretations of the UN Development Programme (UNDP). On April 30, an OSCE-supported plan to handle environmental co-operation and sustainable fundamental values of the Armenian Constitution, as well as the constitutional and legal the problem was presented at a joint news development. nature of its goals and principles. A survey on the awareness of labour rights and the role of conference held by the OSCE Office in Yerevan ENVSEC provided the expert who developed an The book offers guidance and practical examples of the Constitutional Court rulings that trade unions among youth and the Ministry of Emergency Situations. emergency action plan to contain the immediate should be applied by the country's state institutions, courts, lawyers and other relevant "This situation poses both an emergency and an threat. Once the acute threat has been dealt with, parties in their daily work; it could be also useful for the public in general. The aim of the research is to form a framework for discussion opportunity to not only address this particular a long-term plan to dispose of the waste will be Armenian President Serzh Sargsyan and Prime Minister Tigran Sargsyan were among on labour rights and employment issues. It also aims to promote site but comprehensively address all chemical drafted with further OSCE assistance in co- those attending the event that brought together representatives from state bodies, scientific awareness of labour rights among Armenian youth and to waste sites in Armenia," Carel Hofstra, the ordination with authorities and other institutions, the civil society organizations, foreign diplomatic missions and international increase the role of trade unions in promoting these rights for Deputy Head of the OSCE Office in Yerevan, international actors. Experts in protective clothing visit the site of the Nubarashen organizations. better working conditions for the Armenian youth. chemical waste dump near Yerevan, Armenia. (OSCE) EXHIBITIONS/CONTESTS OSCE Media Freedom Representative visits Armenia Photo exhibition in Yerevan marks World Press Freedom Day The OSCE Representative on information and high quality 'Freedom of Press: the Right to Know' photo exhibition to mark the World Press Freedom Day opened in Freedom of the Media (RFOM), programmes”, Mijatovic said in her Yerevan on 3 May. Dunja Mijatovic, paid a visit to address to the conference The one-week event was organized by the Freedom of Information Centre of Armenia, a non-governmental Armenia on 17-19 May. During her participants. “New technologies, organization, in co-operation with the OSCE Office in Yerevan and the UN Department of Public Information, visit Mijatovic discussed media including digital broadcasting, and was funded by the US Agency for International Development (USAID). The exhibition on free speech and reforms with the country’s leader- should be used by governments to information featured more than 30 photos selected from among 300 submitted. ship, including the transformation strengthen media pluralism. These Free access to information is a key to the respect of human dignity and it enables citizens to take an active part in from an analogue to a digital technologies can improve access to public life as well as exercise their other human rights. This exhibition is a good opportunity to highlight these broadcasting system. She also met information and enable the public to issues and stimulate discussion. representatives of the civil society seek, access and impart infor- Journalists, representatives of state institutions and the civil society attended the opening ceremony. Shushan Doydoyan of the Freedom of Information Centre said that the exhibition was special since everyone - and the international community. On mation." journalists and professional photographers in particular - were invited to present their work illustrating freedom 18 May, Mijatovic took part in a Mijatovic emphasized that her office of information and freedom of expression. “These basic rights are intrinsically linked to freedom of press, which public discussion on Armenia's is ready to continue its support to the in turn contributes to strengthening democratization, good governance and human development," she added. digital switchover, organized by the authorities in any and all legislative OSCE Office in Yerevan. The event reforms related to media freedom. brought together government officials, parliamentarians, as well Following the visit, the Office of the About the OSCE RFOM provided a legal review on as broadcasters, media NGOs and RFOM was presented at the confe- digital broadcasting in the country. the amendments to Armenia's The Organization for Security and Co-operation in Europe (OSCE) works for stability , prosperity and democracy in its 56 participating States through international organizations. An rence. The expert review provides a political dialogue on shared values and through practical work that makes a lasting difference. “The digital strategy of Armenia will broadcasting legislation. The full expert review on Armenia's Concept set of recommendations to assist the define the broadcasting landscape text of the legal review in Armenian The OSCE Office in Yerevan was established in 2000 to assist Armenia in the implementation of its OSCE commitments in all three aspects of security: Paper on Migrating to Digital Radio Armenian government develop for many years to come. It is and English is available at: politico-military, economic and environmental and the human dimension. and TV Broadcasting System, policies that would promote a commissioned by the Office of the essential that the legislation to be www.osce.org/fom. For more information, please contact the OSCE Office in Yerevan at Sundukyan 64/1, tel. (00374 10) 229610/11/12, email: [email protected], smooth transition from analogue to adopted grants access to diverse Web-site: http://www.osce.org/yerevan 2 OSCE Office in Yerevan Newsletter SUPPORTING REFORMS OSCE IN REGIONS CO-OPERATION 3

Police reform initiatives in Armenia discussed IN BRIEF Environmental challenges discussed at Diplomatic school established at OSCE Office meeting Model OSCE Conference in Kapan with OSCE support OSCE Office helps Armenia Armenia's new diplomatic school opened its co-ordination meeting hosted by the educational reform, traffic police, visa and fight corruption OSCE Office in Yerevan on 14 May passport procedures, combating organized doors to its first students in February. The brought together the Deputy Head of crime and internal oversight and anti- school, set up by the Armenian Foreign A YEREVAN, 23 April - An OSCE-supported project Ministry with the support of the OSCE and the the Armenian Police, Artur Osikyan, corruption. The proposals incorporate the that aims to address corruption risks related to traffic European Union, is the first initiative in representatives of state and international community based policing approach, which regulation by monitoring traffic registrations and Armenia to provide comprehensive bodies and experts to discuss police reform has been put into practice in the Arabkir Police drivers' license examinations concluded with a professional training for future diplomats. proposals and possible areas for co-operation. District since 2008. presentation in Yerevan. Targeted at postgraduate students, the 9-month The participants of the event discussed The OSCE-supported police education reform course is taught by prominent local and improving police services, co-operation with package was presented at the event for international trainers. It is expected that the top civil society on draft legislative initiatives and inclusion in the country's reform strategy. The students will be offered employment by the ways to make international assistance for Office also presented its publications on Armenian Foreign Ministry. democratic policing practices in Armenia. police reforms more effective. In addition to helping identify trainers for the Ambassador Sergey Kapinos, Head of the Mr. Osikyan and Ambassador Kapinos went on to present Armenia’s police reform to the school and assisting in developing the OSCE Office in Yerevan, said that the Office curriculum, the OSCE Office provided OSCE participating States at the OSCE aims to contribute to the process of police equipment for the computer lab. It also provided Secretariat in Vienna in the beginning of June. reform in the country to further develop support in the process of selecting applicants. Students take part in a Model OSCE conference in Kapan, 7 May 2010. (OSCE/Gohar Hovsepyan) modern democratic policing practices. The idea to establish a diplomatic academy in “We look forward to assisting in addressing In 2003, the OSCE Office in Yerevan initiated a comprehensive police assistance Applying OSCE mechanisms to solve environ- Satenik Baghdasaryan, Political Science student Armenia goes back to 2006 when the OSCE structural challenges as well as continuing to Office organized a targeted training for the staff help build public trust," he said. programme aimed at building trust and mental security problems in the hypothetical from Yerevan State University who participated confidence between the police and the of the Ministry of Foreign Affairs within the Mr. Osikyan presented a comprehensive countries of Valouchistan, Dakastan and Abrala in the event said: "The event gave us an society through introduction of community- opportunity to use our negotiation, problem framework of a training programme for package of police reform initiatives in such oriented policing model and improved was the purpose of a student Model OSCE parliamentary staff. The project initially moved areas as public order management, police training standards. conference held in Kapan, in Syunik region on solving and argumentation skills in situations forward as periodic short-term training courses 7-8 May. close to real life. We realized that only by joining for the Ministry's staff. To address the needs of efforts and enhanced cross-border co-operation The project, implemented by non-governmental The two-day event brought together 24 students is it possible to counter global environmental organization Achilles with support from the OSCE from various cities of the region. The topics on challenges in today's interconnected world." Office in Yerevan, included monitoring of the testing the agenda of the simulated OSCE Permanent procedures for obtaining drivers licenses at the Council session included environmental and The conference was preceded by lectures on the Police Registration and Examination Departments. It economic challenges relevant to the situation in OSCE structure, a training session on also included activities to inform drivers about their Syunik. environmental matters, public speaking and rights through television and radio programmes and negotiation skills, as well as presentations on the "Enabling young people to learn about the OSCE the distribution of information materials as well as OSCE work in the economic-environmental legal consultations. Another outcome of the project structures and decision-making processes is vital dimension. is a set of recommendations on traffic regulation in promoting their awareness on international improvements. mechanisms to address security-related The event was the third regional conference of problems. Hopefully, this experience will also the kind held by the OSCE Office in Yerevan to motivate them to get involved in civic activity in promote OSCE principles and values among OSCE Office assists in experience their localities," said Grzegorz Michalski, young people in Armenia. Students look at documents before a lecture at the newly exchange by the Ombudsman institution Politico-Military Officer at the OSCE Office in established diplomatic school in Armenia, Yerevan, Yerevan. 29 March 2010. (OSCE/Ruzanna Baghdasaryan) Ambassador Kapinos (L) and Armenian Deputy Head of Police Osikyan (R) at the OSCE YEREVAN, 27 May - Representatives of Armenia's Office-hosted meeting on police reforms, 14 May 2010 (OSCE/Gayane Ter-Stepanyan) Human Rights Defender's Office concluded a three- the Armenian Foreign Ministry, the Office day study visit to Slovenia organized by the OSCE proposed to institutionalize the training by Office in Yerevan to strengthen the institution's OSCE supports education for disadvantaged creating a formal school that would prepare a Head of Office discusses judicial reforms capacity to prevent torture and ill-treatment. children in Syunik region pool of qualified potential diplomats. The Armenian experts met Slovenia's Deputy As a next step, in 2008 the Office in Yerevan with Justice Minister, Prosecutor-General Ombudsman and colleagues, as well as n extracurricular education centre for children commissioned a needs assessment which was representatives of non-governmental organizations from socially and economically disadvan- conducted by a team of scholars from the At his meeting with Prosecutor General Agvan appreciates the support from the OSCE to and visited a police station and a prison in Ljubljana. Ataged families, supported by the OSCE Hamburg-based research institute CORE Hovsepyan on 4 May, the Head of the OSCE reveal shortcomings and find compre-hensive They discussed the experiences of the Slovenian Programme Implementation Presence in Syunik was (Centre for OSCE Research). Office discussed the implementation of recom- solutions to help advance the rule of law and Human Rights Ombudsman as the country's founded in the town of Kapan. The team came up with a number of mendations contained in the OSCE Office for efficiency of the justice system in Armenia. designated National Preventive Mechanism (NPM). Representatives of local authorities, civil society Democratic Institutions and Human Rights ODIHR’s trial monitoring report was also recommendations and suggestions, including organizations and educational institutions, as well as on the status and functions of the school, (ODIHR) report on the trials that took place in brought up at the meeting with Justice Minister the children and their parents attended the opening identification of the training and professional the aftermath of the March 2008 post-election Gevorg Danielyan on 1 June. OSCE Office supports Armenia's ceremony held on 19 March. capacity-building needs, potential courses and violence in Yerevan. Ambassador Kapinos commended the Justice efforts in fostering competitive "We hope that the centre will help support better management schemes. Ambassador Kapinos noted the Prosecutor Ministry for the co-operation in implementing business environment integration of the children and develop their skills and General's constructive approach to the the recommendations included in the report. talents to safeguard children's rights,” Christoph The curriculum covers Armenian foreign policy, the theory and history of diplomacy, recommendations. He also expressed willingness to contribute YEREVAN, 2 June - The OSCE Office in Yerevan Opfermann, the OSCE Office Economic and "We were glad to learn that some of the ODIHR further to the ongoing judicial reforms and Environmental Officer, said at the ceremony. international law and trade regulations, and and the State Commission on Protection of concepts of international relations. The course recommendations were immediately accepted, offered international legal expertise for Economic Competition signed a co-operation The school was refurbished and equipped by the and we understand that certain recom- Armenia's draft Criminal Procedure Code. Syunik Diocese of Armenian Apostolic Church and the also includes European integration, Armenia's agreement to strengthen the legal framework and relations with its neighbours, as well as the mendations will need time to be implemented,” The Ambassador and the Minister also local authorities and is run by the OSCE-supported practice in this area and to support sustainable socio- workings of international organizations. Global he said. discussed the penitentiary reforms, an Women Resource Centre in Kapan. economic development. (Aarhus) Centre supports the school with courses challenges, like poverty, ecological threats and He also welcomed the Prosecutor General's important topic for both the Ministry and the The school is open four days a week to provide support Under the agreement, the OSCE Office in Yerevan and lectures on environment, biodiversity and terrorism will also be in the focus of discussions pledge to investigate cases of alleged violence Office. to 65 to 70 disadvantaged children from Kapan and will support competition strategies in line with environmental protection and organizes local tours in the school. against journalists and to boost the Prosecutor's Lastly, Ambassador Kapinos noted the international good practice. It will also help develop surrounding villages, including child beggars. to nature reserves and places of cultural and role in police accountability mechanisms, a importance of ensuring the right to freedom of and introduce a comprehensive system of indicators The specially designed arts and crafts programme historical interest. The second part of the course develops practical skills, and includes simulation exercises on challenge addressed in a recent report by the assembly as that right represents one of the to foster efficient competition policies, and it will provides children with an opportunity to develop their The project was financed by contributions from the international negotiations, political analysis, OSCE Office. most important human dimension support Armenian partnership with the International talents in this area, with the school premises serving as OSCE participating States at the annual OSCE diplomatic protocol, public speaking and Hovsepyan, in turn, said that his office highly commitments of the OSCE. Competition Network. a showroom for the children's artworks. Charity Ball. The Kapan Public Environmental Information presentation skills as well as study visits to state institutions and foreign embassies. 2 OSCE Office in Yerevan Newsletter SUPPORTING REFORMS OSCE IN REGIONS CO-OPERATION 3

Police reform initiatives in Armenia discussed IN BRIEF Environmental challenges discussed at Diplomatic school established at OSCE Office meeting Model OSCE Conference in Kapan with OSCE support OSCE Office helps Armenia Armenia's new diplomatic school opened its co-ordination meeting hosted by the educational reform, traffic police, visa and fight corruption OSCE Office in Yerevan on 14 May passport procedures, combating organized doors to its first students in February. The brought together the Deputy Head of crime and internal oversight and anti- school, set up by the Armenian Foreign A YEREVAN, 23 April - An OSCE-supported project Ministry with the support of the OSCE and the the Armenian Police, Artur Osikyan, corruption. The proposals incorporate the that aims to address corruption risks related to traffic European Union, is the first initiative in representatives of state and international community based policing approach, which regulation by monitoring traffic registrations and Armenia to provide comprehensive bodies and experts to discuss police reform has been put into practice in the Arabkir Police drivers' license examinations concluded with a professional training for future diplomats. proposals and possible areas for co-operation. District since 2008. presentation in Yerevan. Targeted at postgraduate students, the 9-month The participants of the event discussed The OSCE-supported police education reform course is taught by prominent local and improving police services, co-operation with package was presented at the event for international trainers. It is expected that the top civil society on draft legislative initiatives and inclusion in the country's reform strategy. The students will be offered employment by the ways to make international assistance for Office also presented its publications on Armenian Foreign Ministry. democratic policing practices in Armenia. police reforms more effective. In addition to helping identify trainers for the Ambassador Sergey Kapinos, Head of the Mr. Osikyan and Ambassador Kapinos went on to present Armenia’s police reform to the school and assisting in developing the OSCE Office in Yerevan, said that the Office curriculum, the OSCE Office provided OSCE participating States at the OSCE aims to contribute to the process of police equipment for the computer lab. It also provided Secretariat in Vienna in the beginning of June. reform in the country to further develop support in the process of selecting applicants. Students take part in a Model OSCE conference in Kapan, 7 May 2010. (OSCE/Gohar Hovsepyan) modern democratic policing practices. The idea to establish a diplomatic academy in “We look forward to assisting in addressing In 2003, the OSCE Office in Yerevan initiated a comprehensive police assistance Applying OSCE mechanisms to solve environ- Satenik Baghdasaryan, Political Science student Armenia goes back to 2006 when the OSCE structural challenges as well as continuing to Office organized a targeted training for the staff help build public trust," he said. programme aimed at building trust and mental security problems in the hypothetical from Yerevan State University who participated confidence between the police and the of the Ministry of Foreign Affairs within the Mr. Osikyan presented a comprehensive countries of Valouchistan, Dakastan and Abrala in the event said: "The event gave us an society through introduction of community- opportunity to use our negotiation, problem framework of a training programme for package of police reform initiatives in such oriented policing model and improved was the purpose of a student Model OSCE parliamentary staff. The project initially moved areas as public order management, police training standards. conference held in Kapan, in Syunik region on solving and argumentation skills in situations forward as periodic short-term training courses 7-8 May. close to real life. We realized that only by joining for the Ministry's staff. To address the needs of efforts and enhanced cross-border co-operation The project, implemented by non-governmental The two-day event brought together 24 students is it possible to counter global environmental organization Achilles with support from the OSCE from various cities of the region. The topics on challenges in today's interconnected world." Office in Yerevan, included monitoring of the testing the agenda of the simulated OSCE Permanent procedures for obtaining drivers licenses at the Council session included environmental and The conference was preceded by lectures on the Police Registration and Examination Departments. It economic challenges relevant to the situation in OSCE structure, a training session on also included activities to inform drivers about their Syunik. environmental matters, public speaking and rights through television and radio programmes and negotiation skills, as well as presentations on the "Enabling young people to learn about the OSCE the distribution of information materials as well as OSCE work in the economic-environmental legal consultations. Another outcome of the project structures and decision-making processes is vital dimension. is a set of recommendations on traffic regulation in promoting their awareness on international improvements. mechanisms to address security-related The event was the third regional conference of problems. Hopefully, this experience will also the kind held by the OSCE Office in Yerevan to motivate them to get involved in civic activity in promote OSCE principles and values among OSCE Office assists in experience their localities," said Grzegorz Michalski, young people in Armenia. Students look at documents before a lecture at the newly exchange by the Ombudsman institution Politico-Military Officer at the OSCE Office in established diplomatic school in Armenia, Yerevan, Yerevan. 29 March 2010. (OSCE/Ruzanna Baghdasaryan) Ambassador Kapinos (L) and Armenian Deputy Head of Police Osikyan (R) at the OSCE YEREVAN, 27 May - Representatives of Armenia's Office-hosted meeting on police reforms, 14 May 2010 (OSCE/Gayane Ter-Stepanyan) Human Rights Defender's Office concluded a three- the Armenian Foreign Ministry, the Office day study visit to Slovenia organized by the OSCE proposed to institutionalize the training by Office in Yerevan to strengthen the institution's OSCE supports education for disadvantaged creating a formal school that would prepare a Head of Office discusses judicial reforms capacity to prevent torture and ill-treatment. children in Syunik region pool of qualified potential diplomats. The Armenian experts met Slovenia's Deputy As a next step, in 2008 the Office in Yerevan with Justice Minister, Prosecutor-General Ombudsman and colleagues, as well as n extracurricular education centre for children commissioned a needs assessment which was representatives of non-governmental organizations from socially and economically disadvan- conducted by a team of scholars from the At his meeting with Prosecutor General Agvan appreciates the support from the OSCE to and visited a police station and a prison in Ljubljana. Ataged families, supported by the OSCE Hamburg-based research institute CORE Hovsepyan on 4 May, the Head of the OSCE reveal shortcomings and find compre-hensive They discussed the experiences of the Slovenian Programme Implementation Presence in Syunik was (Centre for OSCE Research). Office discussed the implementation of recom- solutions to help advance the rule of law and Human Rights Ombudsman as the country's founded in the town of Kapan. The team came up with a number of mendations contained in the OSCE Office for efficiency of the justice system in Armenia. designated National Preventive Mechanism (NPM). Representatives of local authorities, civil society Democratic Institutions and Human Rights ODIHR’s trial monitoring report was also recommendations and suggestions, including organizations and educational institutions, as well as on the status and functions of the school, (ODIHR) report on the trials that took place in brought up at the meeting with Justice Minister the children and their parents attended the opening identification of the training and professional the aftermath of the March 2008 post-election Gevorg Danielyan on 1 June. OSCE Office supports Armenia's ceremony held on 19 March. capacity-building needs, potential courses and violence in Yerevan. Ambassador Kapinos commended the Justice efforts in fostering competitive "We hope that the centre will help support better management schemes. Ambassador Kapinos noted the Prosecutor Ministry for the co-operation in implementing business environment integration of the children and develop their skills and General's constructive approach to the the recommendations included in the report. talents to safeguard children's rights,” Christoph The curriculum covers Armenian foreign policy, the theory and history of diplomacy, recommendations. He also expressed willingness to contribute YEREVAN, 2 June - The OSCE Office in Yerevan Opfermann, the OSCE Office Economic and "We were glad to learn that some of the ODIHR further to the ongoing judicial reforms and Environmental Officer, said at the ceremony. international law and trade regulations, and and the State Commission on Protection of concepts of international relations. The course recommendations were immediately accepted, offered international legal expertise for Economic Competition signed a co-operation The school was refurbished and equipped by the and we understand that certain recom- Armenia's draft Criminal Procedure Code. Syunik Diocese of Armenian Apostolic Church and the also includes European integration, Armenia's agreement to strengthen the legal framework and relations with its neighbours, as well as the mendations will need time to be implemented,” The Ambassador and the Minister also local authorities and is run by the OSCE-supported practice in this area and to support sustainable socio- workings of international organizations. Global he said. discussed the penitentiary reforms, an Women Resource Centre in Kapan. economic development. (Aarhus) Centre supports the school with courses challenges, like poverty, ecological threats and He also welcomed the Prosecutor General's important topic for both the Ministry and the The school is open four days a week to provide support Under the agreement, the OSCE Office in Yerevan and lectures on environment, biodiversity and terrorism will also be in the focus of discussions pledge to investigate cases of alleged violence Office. to 65 to 70 disadvantaged children from Kapan and will support competition strategies in line with environmental protection and organizes local tours in the school. against journalists and to boost the Prosecutor's Lastly, Ambassador Kapinos noted the international good practice. It will also help develop surrounding villages, including child beggars. to nature reserves and places of cultural and role in police accountability mechanisms, a importance of ensuring the right to freedom of and introduce a comprehensive system of indicators The specially designed arts and crafts programme historical interest. The second part of the course develops practical skills, and includes simulation exercises on challenge addressed in a recent report by the assembly as that right represents one of the to foster efficient competition policies, and it will provides children with an opportunity to develop their The project was financed by contributions from the international negotiations, political analysis, OSCE Office. most important human dimension support Armenian partnership with the International talents in this area, with the school premises serving as OSCE participating States at the annual OSCE diplomatic protocol, public speaking and Hovsepyan, in turn, said that his office highly commitments of the OSCE. Competition Network. a showroom for the children's artworks. Charity Ball. The Kapan Public Environmental Information presentation skills as well as study visits to state institutions and foreign embassies. 4 OSCE Office in Yerevan Newsletter NEW PUBLICATIONS/STUDIES OSCE Office in Yerevan OSCE supported publication highlights violence Other publications