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Home Where we are Mission in Kosovo What we do
OSCE Mission in Kosovo

What we do

Among the OSCE’s largest field operations, the Mission in Kosovo runs a wide array of activities, from support to the functioning of democratic institutions and civic participation in decision-making, to the promotion of human rights and the rule of law. It is particularly engaged in the protection of community rights; protection of cultural and religious heritage; monitoring the judiciary; gender mainstreaming; media freedoms and development; promotion of anti-discrimination mechanisms; improving young people’s participation in political and public life; countering terrorism and cyberthreats; advanced police training and support to key policing strategies; and support to the implementation of agreements stemming from the European Union-facilitated dialogue between Prishtinë/Priština and Belgrade. The Mission monitors the work of institutions and helps strengthen legislation and policies covering the protection of human and community rights; anti-discrimination; freedom of expression; gender equality; and the fight against organized crime.
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Countering terrorism
The Mission provides support to Kosovo institutions in implementing and updating the strategies and action plans against terrorism and to prevent violent extremism and radicalization that lead to terrorism.
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Cyber/ICT Security
The Mission works closely with institutions on improving cyber security in Kosovo.
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Elections
The Mission provides the Central Election Commission and the Election Complaints and Appeals Panel, as well as their Secretariats with technical advice and expertise for the revision of election bylaws and managing the electoral process, in order for them to meet international standards and follow the recommendations of international election observation missions.
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Gender equality
Women’s empowerment, gender equality and women’s rights are at the core of all the Mission’s activities. The Mission focuses on supporting enactment and implementation of non-discriminatory legal frameworks and policies. Particular attention is given to women’s participation in public and political life and gender-responsive budgeting to ensure that the interests of women and men are equally taken into account in all public policies.
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Good governance
The Mission supports central and local legislative bodies to improve their oversight role over executives, and provides advice on how to increase transparency, communication and public participation, in line with good governance principles.
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Human rights
The Mission works to advance human and community rights through their monitoring, protection, and promotion. It supports Kosovo institutions in complying with domestic legislation and international legal instruments. Community rights include, among others, language rights, access to education, support for returnees and repatriated persons, communities’ participation in decision-making processes, property and housing rights of vulnerable groups (e.g. displaced persons), access to justice, religious and cultural heritage protection, as well as communities’ security issues.
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Media freedom and development
The Mission works closely with key media institutions, including the Press Council of Kosovo, the Independent Media Commission, and Radio Television of Kosovo, to help them become effective and fully functioning institutions through monitoring, reporting, and advocacy initiatives.
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Policing
The Mission works with the Ministry of Internal Affairs, the Kosovo Police and other public safety agencies to help improve their effectiveness in combating and preventing all forms of transnational threats and fostering a safe and secure environment for all communities living in Kosovo.
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Rule of law
To help ensure the independence, impartiality and accountability of the justice system, the Mission regularly monitors and reports on the work of the judiciary, prosecution and advocates and assesses whether they perform in compliance with international human rights and rule of law standards. It engages in activities to improve performance of the justice sector and to support non-judicial institutions in defending human rights.
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Tolerance and non-discrimination
The Mission works with religious leaders, young people and school officials to promote tolerance, inter-community and inter-faith dialogue and acceptance of diversity in Kosovo.
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Youth
The Mission focuses its support on increasing and improving young people’s participation and contribution to policy design and decision-making in public life.