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OSCE Mission in Kosovo - The First Six Months: July to December 1999
Introduction
The United Nations Mission in Kosovo (UNMIK) is the first mission of its kind. It is unique in its complexity and comprehensiveness incorporating various international organisations. The Organization for Security and Co-operation in Europe, Mission in Kosovo, is the lead organization for the institution-building tasks of UNMIK. Six months into the mission, the OSCE Mission in Kosovo has established itself as an important pillar of UNMIK. It has set up 15 field offices and five regional centres around Kosovo. The OSCE receives contributions and expertise from other international organizations, such as the Council of Europe and other OSCE missions in the region. The mission has built up to more than 450 international and more than 1,000 local staff members by the end of the year.
The United Nations Mission in Kosovo (UNMIK) is the first mission of its kind. It is unique in its complexity and comprehensiveness incorporating various international organisations. The Organization for Security and Co-operation in Europe, Mission in Kosovo, is the lead organization for the institution-building tasks of UNMIK. Six months into the mission, the OSCE Mission in Kosovo has established itself as an important pillar of UNMIK. It has set up 15 field offices and five regional centres around Kosovo. The OSCE receives contributions and expertise from other international organizations, such as the Council of Europe and other OSCE missions in the region. The mission has built up to more than 450 international and more than 1,000 local staff members by the end of the year.
Democratization
- Political Party Service Centre opened in Pristina.
- First Regional Political Round Table discussions in Pristina and Pec.
- NGO Council of local NGOs established.
- Joint introduction courses with UN Civil Administration for UN local administrators.
- Guidelines for NGO Registration published and training for NGOs of Registration Procedures carried out.
- First NGO Resource Center opened in Pec.
- First multi-ethnic Women's Conference held.
- Roma Conference held.
Human Rights
- Two major human rights reports (As Seen, As Told, Part I and Part II) were published.
- International human rights conference, 10 - 11 December.
- Launched human rights awareness campaign.
- Five Roundtables on the Convention on the Rights of the Child.
- Extensive documentation compiled of alleged crimes committed against the local communities. These documents will assist in subsequent investigations.
- Intensive co-ordination with UNHCR, ICRC and UNHCHR.
- Human rights officers reporting on the human rights situation in all municipalities.
Rule of Law
- Monitoring the courts of Kosovo.
- Providing active input in selection of judges and prosecutors and training the appointees.
- Preparing a Kosovo Rule of Law and Human Rights Center.
- Providing assistance and support to the Pristina Law School.
- Preparations for an Ombudsman's Office together with other international partners.
- Material support to courts
Police Education and Development
- Setting up a curriculum for the Kosovo Police Service School.
- Graduation of the first class of 176 Kosovo Police Officers, comprising 17 minorities and 20 per cent women.
- With the start of the second class of 178 cadets a further step in increasing confidence in a new local police service has been taken.
- Training of 35 correctional officers.
Elections
- Preparing for registration and legislation
- Organizing institutional framework
Media Affairs
- Media Advisory Board established
- Temporary Media Commissioner appointed
- Preparing for Code of Practice for broadcast media
- Establishment of the public broadcasting Radio Television Kosovo (RTK)
- Encourage professional journalists to voluntarily establish an ethical code
- Regular roundtable with Kosovo journalists and international donors on media development policies.
OSCE Secretariat
Kärntner Ring 5-7
1010 Vienna, Austria
tel.: (+43-1) 514 36 180
fax: (+43-1) 514 36 105
e-mail: info@osce.org