Annual report 2015
NORDEM
This is NORDEM
NORDEM, the Norwegian Resource Bank for Democracy and Human Rights, is a civilian- capacity provider specialising in human rights and democrati- sation support.
NORDEM’s main objective is to enhance the capacity of inter- national organisations and national authorities to promote democracy and human rights.
NORDEM’s expertise includes good governance, democratic institutions, independence of the judiciary, judicial and legal reform, human rights, election observation and election assistance.
NORDEM recruits, trains and deploys qualified personnel to roughly 15 international organisations and operations that work in the field of human rights and democratisation.
NORDEM aims towards gender balance in recruitment and deployment. The Organisation for Security and Cooperation in Europe (OSCE), the UN and the EU are some of NORDEM’s main partners.
NORDEM manages a standby roster of approximately 250 experts who have completed more than 2,000 assignments since 1993.
NORDEM publishes special reports and manuals.
NORDEM’s annual courses on human rights, democratisation and election observation inte- grate both practical and acade- mic perspectives. NORDEM also develops and conducts specialised courses.
NORDEM supports several international mechanisms and collaborates with a number of organisations that provide civilian capacity. In addition, NORDEM offers advice, supports the transfer of knowledge and experience and contributes to research.
NORDEM is fully financed by the Norwegian Ministry of Foreign Affairs and is a pro- gramme at the Norwegian Centre for Human Rights at the University of Oslo.
Contact NORDEM:
NORDEM email: nordem-programme@nchr.uio.no Follow us:
NORDEM Twitter: @NORDEMCivCap
NORDEM LinkedIn: www.linkedin.com/company/nordem_civcap NORDEM web: www.jus.uio.no/smr/english/about/programmes/nordem
© NORDEM 2016
Photo front page: Nicolay Paus, Nigeria 2015.
Photo back: Stabilization strategy workshop for the communities in Kitshanga, North Kivu.
(photo: Randi Solhjell), Street art in Dnipropetrovsk (photo: NORDEM), Election observation in Kyrgyzstan. (Photo: Erlend Hvoslef)
Project Manager: Tone Magni F. Vestheim, NCHR Design and production: Julie Gjerdi, 07 Media Oslo AS
Contents
Foreword ...2
NORDEM Assignments in 2015...4
NORDEM Long Term Assignments ...8
NORDEM Secondments to the Organization for Security and Co-operation in Europe (OSCE) ... 10
Supporting the UN ... 22
MONUSCO: Keeping the Peace ... 22
UNDP: Strengthening Local Governance and Rule of Law ... 28
UN Women: Empowering Syrian Refugee Women ... 29
Community of Democracies Establishes Sub-office in Geneva ... 30
Providing Democracy and Electoral Assistance with International IDEA ... 31
Assisting the European Union: National Experts to the EU ... 32
Strengthening Institutional Capacity in Kosovo and the Western Balkans ... 38
NORDEM Election Observation ...44
Capacity Development and Training ...56
How do Norwegian Elections Appear to International Observers? ...58
Recruitment and Roster Development ...61
Reporting and Outreach ...62
Networking and Partnerships ...67
Foreword
In 2015 the world became a more dangerous place.Simmering suspicions between east and west, the refugee crisis, sluggish economic growth combined with growing income dis- parities tore at the social fabric and institu- tional framework that secured international peace and development since that Second World War. This was the conventional wisdom - and the headlines - as 2015 came to a close.
And yet 2015 was probably the best year ever for most people. Never before has the average person been healthier, better educated, had a better chance of living in a democracy or run a lower risk of dying a violent death. Moreover the much maligned international community proved its mettle not once, not twice, but three times: Iran and the P5+1 concluded the landmark nuclear deal, world leaders adopted the most far-reaching international agreement ever on global development, the Sustainable Development Goals, and then took a historic step in addressing the increasing threat of climate change when they adopted the Paris Agreement.
Europe may be entering a less predictable and more fragile period, and the human suffering in parts of the Middle East and North Africa in particular, is unimaginable yet undeniable. But in an age when fear may well pose a greater threat to democratic institutions than does terrorism, now more than ever factual knowledge, not headline grabbing rhetoric, must guide leaders to make calm, considered and correct deci- sions. NORDEM and other institutions that work to defend, protect and promote agreed international standards on liberty and justice have a key role to play in this landscape.
To this end NORDEM provided 17 personnel to the OSCE Special Monitoring Mission in Ukraine, the only international presence in the east to objectively observe and report the facts in a hotbed of propaganda.
Since the SMM’s mandate was adopted in March 2014 a total of 23 Norwegians have contributed to the vital work that the OSCE does by observing and reporting about the situation on the ground, monitoring the implementation of the Minsk-agreements and facilitating dialogue between the parties with the aim of reaching a peaceful solution to the conflict in Eastern Ukraine.
The national security rhetoric is the great- est threat to the freedom of expression today, claims Dunja Mijatovic, the OSCE Representative on the Freedom of the Media.NORDEM was proud to support her work to document and respond to infringe- ments of OSCE commitments and promote freedom of expression in the Nordic and Baltic countries and Poland in particular.
We continued to support the UN peace- keeping mission in the Democratic Republic of Congo in its effort to stabilize the eastern part of the country, to end impunity for war crimes and crimes against humanity and to counter conflict related sexual violence.
NORDEM deployed more than 100 election observers to a total of 18 election observation missions carried out by the Organization for Security and Co-operation in Europe (OSCE), the EU and the Carter Center. Through these missions we played our part in docu- menting whether elections were carried out in accordance with international standards and providing recommendations to improve democratic institutions and processes.
Four NORDEM observers were part of the EUs first ever election observation to Myanmar, observing the country’s historic elections in November 2015.
NORDEM contributed a total of 45 experts to help foster good governance, democratic institutions and rule of law in 2015, with the OSCE (50 %), the UN (25 %) and the EU (11 %) as our major partners. Indeed, we were proud for the first time to provide two experts, on elections and human rights respectively, to the EU External Action Service. You can read more about our experts’ work in the following pages.
It is part of NORDEM’s mandate to strengthen the expertise of our personnel as well as that of our partners. In addition to our training in applied human rights work, in 2015 we carried out our first course for long term election observers. Inspired by the success of the OSCE forum format, we held our first NORDEM Election Forum, focusing on election related violence.
A number of OSCE forums, most notably on developments in Central Asia and on the freedom of the media in the OSCE region in view of the conflict in Ukraine, as well as our regular briefings, took place. We will continue to provide relevant and up-to-date training to our roster members on assign- ment, in order to deploy motivated, ambi- tious and skilled personnel as well as provide factual and objective information to our partners. Because better information makes for better decisions - for the good of us all.
In the knowledge that there will still be a need for NORDEM in the years to come, we strive to continue to earn the trust of the Ministry for Foreign Affairs and all our part- ners at home and abroad. We thank the MFA, our partners and roster members for their support in 2015 and look forward to continue our cooperation.
Marianne Kvan, NORDEM Director
The NORDEM team in 2015 (photo: Tone Magni F. Vestheim, NCHR)
Geneva the Hague
Vienna Warsaw
New York
Brussels
Addis Ababa Cairo
NORDEM Assignments in 2015
Geneva the Hague
Vienna Warsaw
New York
Brussels
Addis Ababa Cairo
Shows NORDEM assignments in 2015 Shows completed NORDEM assignments.
Needle shows headquarter (HQ) positions, Completed HQ assignments, and HQ Assignments in 2015 Long Term
Assignments DR Congo Addis Ababa – HQ Vienna - HQ Brussels - HQ
Geneva - HQ Warsaw - HQ New York - HQ Cairo - HQ Tajikistan Kosovo Ukraine
Election Observation Missions Asia:
Kazakhstan Kyrgyzstan Myanmar Sri Lanka Tajikistan Uzbekistan
MENA:
Tunisia Europe:
Albania Belarus Moldova Turkey Ukraine
Africa:
Burkina Faso Guinea Nigeria Tanzania Zimbabwe America:
Haiti
OSCE Monitors returning from a patrol in Eastern Ukraine (photo: Hilde Haug)
NORDEM Long
Term Assignments
8
ONCE UN EU Other
Women Men
ONCE/ODIHR EU
The Carther Center Other
Women Men
ONCE UN EU Other
Women Men
ONCE/ODIHR EU
The Carther Center Other
!
Women Men
NORDEM Long Term Assignments
Long term assignments by receiving organisation
OSCE 51 % UN 24,5 % EU 11,1 % Other 13,3 %
NORDEM secondees 2015 Men 51,1 %
Women 48,9 %
In 2015, NORDEM had a total of 45 experts on long term missions in the following receiving organizations:
• European Commission
• International Institute for Democracy and Electoral Assistance (IDEA)
• UN Women
• The Norwegian Delegation to the OSCE
• EU External Action Service (EEAS)
• Community of Democracies (CoD)
• European Union Rule of Law Mission in Kosovo (EULEX)
• Kosovo Property Agency (KPA)
• International Management Group (IMG) Kosovo
• United Nations Development Programme (UNDP)
• Organization for Security and Co-operation in Europe (OSCE)
• United Nations Stabilization Mission in DR Congo (MONUSCO)
Long term secondees work primarily in the fields of human rights and democratization and contribute to the realisation of the aims of the receiving organisations in these fields.
They are also a tool for realising Norwegian foreign policy objectives, for example as expressed in Opportunities for All: Human Rights in Norway’s Foreign Policy and Development Cooperation, the white paper on human rights presented at the end of 2014. Secondees provide valuable information, lessons learned and policy input to the Ministry of Foreign Affairs, other policy makers and researchers.
Most of the NORDEM secondments are provided to international organisations that mainly recruit their international personnel through secondments, for example the OSCE.
Some organisations, such as the UN, benefit from secondments to fill needs that are not met through ordinary recruitment for various reasons, for example in areas of work that require expertise not readily available in the organization.
NORDEM had 45 secondees in long term positions in 2015. The receiving organisations were the OSCE (23 secondees), the UN (11), the EU (five), the Kosovo Property Agency (two), the Community of Democracies (one), International IDEA (one), the International Management Group (one) and the Norwegian Permanent Delegation to the OSCE (one). The secondees were seconded for periods of six to 12 months and several of them continued in their positions from the previous year.
Secondees are a tool for realising
Norwegian foreign policy objectives.
NORDEM Secondments to the Organization for Security and Co-operation in Europe (OSCE)
With 57 States from Europe, Central Asia and North America, the OSCE is the world’s largest security-oriented regional organi- sation. With its comprehensive and cross- cutting approach to security encompassing the politico-military, economic and environ- mental and human dimensions, the organi- zation aims to promote democracy and human rights, prevent conflict and manage crises in Europe, the Caucasus and Central Asia. NORDEM has a longstanding co-operation with the OSCE and seconds personnel to the Secretariat in Vienna, to the OSCE institutions, to the Field Missions and to the Special Monitoring Mission to Ukraine (SMM). In 2015, NORDEM had a total of 23 experts on long term missions with the OSCE working on a range of issues such as human rights in the security sector, freedom of the media, political and security analysis and technical support and cooperation in Central Asia, gender mainstreaming, monitoring, reporting and conflict prevention in Ukraine, and implementation of the organization’s Human Dimension commitments.
The OSCE Special Monitoring Mission to Ukraine (SMMU)
Following the dramatic events in Ukraine in early 2014 and a subsequent request to the OSCE by the Ukrainian Government, the OSCE Special Monitoring Mission to Ukraine (SMM) was established by consensus in Vienna on 21 March 2014. Since then, NORDEM has contributed a total of 23 Monitoring Officers and one Political Analyst to the mission, 17 in 2015 alone.
The SMM, now counting more than 1000 mission members, is an unarmed, civilian mission present on the ground 24/7 in the volatile conflict areas in Eastern Ukraine as well as other parts of the country.
Monitoring Officers perform a key role in observing and reporting in an impartial and objective way on the situation in the disputed territories and are tasked with monitoring the implementation of the cease fire agree- ments, the “Minsk package of measures”, and the withdrawal of weapons from the line of contact. The mission also facilitates
Therese Abrahamsen, Policy Support Officer at the Central Asia Desk in the OSCE Conflict Prevention Centre in Vienna. (photo: NORDEM).
SMM observing locals repairing water pipes at the waterworks in the “People’s Republic of Luhansk.”
(Photo: Radouvan Bouska, SMM)
dialogue and coordinates local ceasefires among all parties to the crisis, monitors the human rights situation, as well as identifies and facilitates response to humanitarian needs of the local populations.
Since the deployment of the first Monitoring Officers nearly two years ago, the SMM has proved an invaluable asset to the interna- tional community, which has come to view the mission as the only trustworthy “eyes and ears” on the ground. In the second half of 2015 the situation in Eastern Ukraine
became remarkably calmer, but the conflict, which has claimed 9000 lives so far, is far from solved and we should be prepared for the fighting to intensify yet again. In this context, NORDEM will continue to deploy dedicated and skilled personnel to the mission with the aim of strengthening the OSCE’s efforts to reduce tensions and foster peace, stability and security.
Hilde Haug, OSCE SMM Officer, with Alexander Hug, Principal Deputy Chief Monitor, and other OSCE SMM monitors talking to a civilian in eastern Ukraine. (photo: OSCE).
IN THE FIELD
Monitoring the Ceasefire:
Sylvia Rognvik,
Monitoring Officer in Luhansk City, Luhansk Monitoring Team
What is the main focus of your work? What is your typical day at work like?
As a Monitoring Officer for the OSCE SMM, I monitor the ceasefire agreement and the withdrawal of weapons from the contact line.
I also report on human rights violations and humanitarian need, and facilitate dialogue between the opposing sides of the conflict. A typical day starts with a joint morning meeting, which includes a security brief.
On patrol we talk to civilians, local administration, military commanders and soldiers on checkpoints about the general situation. If there has been shelling, we report on the incident and conduct crater analysis. We always try to verify and triangulate the information provided. Other days we monitor the withdrawal of tanks and heavy weapons, inspect storage sites or patrol military positions. Back in base we write a report and make preparations for tomorrows’ patrol. If we have been informed about any human rights violations or humanitarian needs, we follow up accordingly. Finally, there is a joint debrief for the senior management. However, every day is unique and completely unpredictable. You might think you have a regular day ahead, but you are usually wrong.
Patrolling the Area of Operations, Sylvia Rognvik
(photo: private)
IN THE FIELD
What do you find most challenging in your assignment?
It is a job that requires you to think on your feet, make decisions under pressure and adapt to a continuously changing environment. For me, one of the most challenging aspects of the job is to manage the expec- tations of the people you meet on the ground and to ensure that they understand what the SMM can and cannot do. Sometimes you also have to manage your own expectations, when you would like to do more for people you meet while having to accept the mandate you are operating within.
Which achievements are you most satisfied with?
The ability of the SMM, and my team in particular, to gain access to most areas, to establish good working relationships with key actors on the ground and to respond quickly to ceasefire violations. We do our utmost to report impartially and accurately from an area, and on a situation, that no one else has access to. In addition, most days include some minor achievement – be it that our report has led to humanitarian aid being delivered, or that we have facilitated infrastructure repair work so thousands of people are able to receive water, gas and electricity, or that we have facilitated dialogue between military commanders so an area becomes more peaceful.
What has made the strongest impression on you during your work?
The “every day heroes” who live along the contact line and are enduring the conflict: the miners that continue to work in the coal mines to keep them running even though they have not been paid for a year;
the neighbours helping each other with building material and window glass when someone’s house has been shelled; the generosity of people who have lost everything and the ability of humans to remain hopeful and positive during the darkest of times.
Most days include some minor achievement – be it that our report has led to humanitarian aid being delivered, or that we have facilitated infrastructure repair work so thousands of people are able to receive water, gas and electricity (…)
Sylvia Rognvik, Monitoring Officer for OSCE in Luhansk City, Luhansk Monitoring Team
IN THE FIELD
“When You Leave, They Shell Us”:
Kurt Karlsen, Monitoring Officer in Mariupol Hub, Donetsk
Monitoring Team
What is the main focus of your work? What is your typical day at work like?
Monitoring the implementation of the Minsk Agreement in Eastern Ukraine is the principal task. SMM monitors are mandated to help reduce tension and foster peace while supporting the implementation of all OSCE principles and commitments. Fieldwork requires us to interact with a range of interlocutors, to observe the battle space, to react to rapidly developing events and to attempt to analyse the evolving security situation. We daily assess our own methods and progress across our operational area. We monitor incidents reported by those involved while assessing respect for human rights, fundamental freedoms and our own freedom of movement. We are the “eyes and the ears” of 57 member states and we report the findings of our monitoring impartially and transparently.
What do you find most challenging in your assignment?
Driving along the Line of Contact is challenging. Bad roads, shell cra- ters, mines and UXOs, Unexploded Ordnances, are persistent hazards.
Despite our diplomatic status and our freedom of movement as recog- nized in the Minsk Agreements, passing through frontline checkpoints (CP) is often problematic. Being unable to pursue operational aims due to denial of access or restrictions due to hazards is frustrating. Not everybody respects the SMM’s mandate all the time and cooperation with SMM is not necessarily instilled at all levels.
Working close to the contact line puts us frequently in touch with vulnerable people who are attempting to cope in a catastrophe. We are approached by and interact with people in great distress. We listen, we talk, we try to grasp the essence; more often than not we can promise only to “report.” We attempt to put them in contact with humanitarian organisations that will be able to help. Often they ask us to remain on site. They always say: “When you leave, they shell us.”
Kurt Karlsen (to the left) and colleagues Dagfinn Ådnanes and Vladimir Bobyrev discussing findings during a patrol (photo: private)
IN THE FIELD
Which achievements are you most satisfied with?
In recent weeks we have seen an escalation in fighting in our area.
However it is not comparable to the situation we had before the cease- fire. It is too early to say if the halt in the fighting we experienced from end of August to the end of the year was in any way due to our work.
Nevertheless, it does seem that our presence has reduced tension.
The truce we experienced for more than four months is a strong indicator of the ongoing need for SMM’s presence. SMM is a force for good and is incrementally evolving into a credible field level agency. While we face no easy task, we will continue to play our part in promoting peace and stability in Ukraine.
What has made the strongest impression on you during your work?
Meeting those who are suffering the most, especially elderly people, mostly old women, prevented from leaving due to economic or practi- cal reasons. They are hostages to the conflict. Even if SMM is not a human itarian mission we are still tasked to monitor and inform on the human itarian situation. Our inability to help fuels a struggle with our conscience and sense of worth. It is the sum of all these experiences that makes this work undeniably rewarding.
Continued Support to the OSCE Office in Tajikistan
The OSCE Office in Tajikistan is one of the largest OSCE field operations and the office is involved in activities ranging from arms control, counter- terrorism and border management projects to supporting cross-border markets and free economic zones, human rights, media development, and legal reform initiatives.
NORDEM has seconded one Political Officer to the OSCE mission in Tajikistan since 2013.The Political Officer was the focal point for political reporting and analysis in the mission and provided expert inputs, briefings and advice to the senior management and ambassador in the mission as well as to the OSCE headquarter in Vienna.
A checkpoint in Donetsk oblast (photo: Eirik Lund)
IN THE FIELD
Improving Security in Tajikistan:
Neving Rudskjær, Political Officer OSCE Dushanbe, Tajikistan
What is the main focus of your work? What is your typical day at work like?
My main focus is to provide support to the Head and the Deputy Head of Mission (HoM/DHoM) and report regularly on developments to the Secretariat in Vienna. A typical day in the office begins with a morning meeting with HoM/DHoM discussing the agenda of the day and upcoming events. Later I scan local and social media for reports on issues relevant to the OSCE mandate in the host country. The mission provides regular reports to various decision-making bodies of the OSCE. Usually I report on our activities and on important political and security developments.
I also regularly meet with representatives from local media or political parties, as well as other foreign missions. The purpose is to have a clear picture of the political situation so that I can provide relevant advice to our management.
Neving Rudskjær, in the middle, political officer at the OSCE office in Dushanbe.
(photo: NORDEM)
IN THE FIELD
What do you find most challenging in your assignment?
Over the past two years a number of organisations have been banned by the government and declared extremist or terrorist. Some of these organisations were part of the legitimate opposition in the country and participants in OSCE events. In the current climate it is challenging to maintain contact with local organisations, since many of them express concern that they may be closed down. The OSCE is doing its best to provide guidance on how to respect increasingly complicated laws and regulations.
Which achievements are you most satisfied with?
During visits to our field offices I have met with representatives of local NGOs that have been able to achieve results with very limited resources.
At the OSCE supported Women’s Resource Centres (WRCs), victims of domestic violence receive free psycho-social and legal assistance.
You come across many strong personalities in the WRCs that put all of their energy into providing assistance to vulnerable people. Very often it does not take much to help a person feel better, but it takes some- one special to mobilize those resources.
What has made the strongest impression on you during your work?
The Office in Tajikistan has a broad mandate and engages on many issues. We want to improve the security of the population. One specific example of how we achieve that is through demining along the Tajik- Afghan border. The Office supported operations resulted in the release of 209 064 square meters of cleared land from mines to local admin- istrations in 2015. That is equivalent to 32 football fields. Now the local population can finally use the land.
The Office supported operations resulting in the release of 209 064 square meters of
cleared land from mines to local administrations in 2015. That is equivalent to 32 football fields.
Neving Rudskjær, Political Officer OSCE Dushanbe, Tajikistan
Implementing the OSCE Human Dimension Commitments The OSCE Office for Democratic Institutions and Human Rights (ODIHR) supports participating States in meeting their OSCE commitments in the human dimension. NORDEM had two secondments to ODIHR in 2015; one human rights officer and one special adviser to the Director.
The Special Adviser has since the end of 2014 been assigned to the OSCE Headquarter in Vienna with a mandate to establish a new post as the ODIHR liaison and Director`s rep- resentative. The Special Adviser assisted the Director with political analysis and advice, prepared statements, reports, and speeches, accom panied the Director on field missions, and represented the Office in internal and external forums and networks.
The Human Rights Officer has worked in the ODIHR Office in Warsaw since September 2015, in the Human Rights, Gender and Security (HRGS) Programme.
The ODIHR Human Rights Department (HRD) assists OSCE participating States in fulfilling their obligations to protect and promote human rights and fundamental freedoms. The Human Rights Officer works to advise on, identify, develop, implement and evaluate programmatic activities and projects on human rights and gender mainstreaming in the security sector for and with government authorities, OSCE bodies, executive structures and field operations, as well as non-governmental organizations. Since September 2015 the NORDEM secondee has assisted in the expansion of the HRGS programme into a larger unit, now also including three other
programmes: Human Rights and the Fight against Terrorism, Torture Prevention and, Protection of the right to Peaceful Assembly.
Implementing the OSCE Action Plan for the Promotion of Gender Equality
Between November 2014 and November 2015, NORDEM seconded an Adviser on Gender Issues to the Gender Section in the Office of the Secretary General in Vienna.
By supporting implementation of the OSCE Action Plan for the promotion of Gender Equality, the Gender Section makes system- atic efforts to mainstream gender equality across the Organisation and across its poli- cies, programmes, projects and activities by providing technical assistance, tools and monitoring to all OSCE structures. The Gender Adviser supported the section’s work, in particular by being the gender focal point for the OSCE`s Asian Partners for cooperation Implementing the OSCE Action Plan for the Promotion of Gender Equality. Secondee Hedda Öhlberger-Femundsenden with the OSCE Senior Adviser on Gender Issues, Ambassador Miroslava Beham. (photo: NORDEM)
and the Mediterranean Partners for coop- eration, as well as working with the OSCE`s Men Engage Initiative.
Supporting the Central Asia desk at the OSCE Conflict Prevention Centre
NORDEM has seconded one Policy Support Officer to the Central Asia desk in the OSCE Conflict Prevention Centre (CPC) in Vienna since March 2014. The Policy Support Officer serves as a primary point of co-ordination between the OSCE field operation in Kyrgyzstan, the Secretariat and the OSCE Chairmanship and is responsible for providing advice on programmatic, policy and man- agement issues to the mission. Crucial political, security, economic and social changes characterised the year of 2015 and implied strategic and operational challenges for the OSCE in Central Asia.
The Policy Support Officer followed the situation in Kyrgyzstan particularly closely as the situation in the country is marked by economic crisis.
Representative on Freedom of the Media Since 2014 NORDEM has seconded one expert/ Senior Adviser to the Office of the Representative on Freedom of the Media (RoFM), which main mandate is to observe media developments, provide early warning on serious non-compliance with OSCE prin- ciples and commitments, and help partici- pating States abide by their commitments to freedom of expression and free media.
Supporting the Norwegian Chair of the OSCE’s Human Dimension Committee NORDEM has over the last two years sec- onded one human rights adviser to the Permanent Delegation of Norway to the
OSCE, tasked with supporting the Ambassador and the delegation in Norway’s capacity as chair of the Human Dimension Committee (HDC) in 2014-2015. The adviser has given expert inputs and been responsible for organising HDC-events and meetings and contributed to issue-specific reports and statements by the Ambassador.
The Human Dimension Committee is one of the most important forums of the OSCE for the promotion, advancement and imple- mentation of the OSCE’s human dimension commitments related to democratic devel- opment, human rights, and fundamental freedoms in the OSCE region.
As chair of the HDC, Norway, guided by the Swiss and the Serbian Chairmanships of the OSCE, paid special attention to the involve- ment of civil society in OSCE matters as well as reinforcing national institutions for protection of human rights. Furthermore, the Norwegian Chair promoted consensus building and dialogue on a range of human dimension issues such as fundamental freedoms, tolerance and non-discrimination, independent judiciary, administration of justice, the situation of national minorities, gender issues, economic, social and cultural rights and protecting human rights while countering terrorism.
IN THE FIELD
A Shrinking Space for Free Expression:
Ingvil Conradi Andersen, Senior Adviser OSCE
Representative on Freedom of the Media
What is the main focus of your work? What is your typical day at work like?
The overall focus of my job is to assess how international standards on freedom of expression and freedom of media are being implemented in OSCE states. The Representative is mandated to hold governments accountable to their commitments and to provide early warning in cases of serious non-compliance. My job is to identify and analyse issues of concern, for example related to draft legislation and to offer advice on whether to intervene, including the drafting of public state- ments or letters. My country responsibilities are Poland, the Baltics and the Nordic countries. I also work on thematic issues and projects as part of the mandate to assist the governments, such as issues related to counter-terrorism laws and policies that increasingly are having a negative impact on media freedom. We are working in a minefield between law and politics so in this job you should expect the unexpected. No day is the same. The Representative is constantly attending conferences, engaging in bilateral meetings, and pursuing other outreach activities. This means that a lot of my work consists Ingvil Conradi Andersen, Senior Advisor to the OSCE Representative on Freedom of the Media (photo: NORDEM)
IN THE FIELD
of drafting speeches, talking points and articles, and assisting her on her travels. I frequently also represent the Office on panels at international conferences and workshops.
What do you find most challenging in your assignment?
Fact-checking is crucial and can be challenging when you do not know the language in the country concerned, and when transparency and public access to information are miles away from what I am used to from Norway. Twitter is an excellent first-hand source of information and Google translate is undoubtedly a useful tool. We are of course dependent on a network of local sources, also to understand the context and political dynamics.
Which achievements are you most satisfied with?
I am particularly satisfied with our efforts to bring awareness to the issue of online abuse of female journalists. Female journalists and bloggers all over the OSCE-region are increasingly being subject to systematic and gendered threats and harassment on the Internet. We cannot accept a development where female journalists in particular, already underrep- resented in media, start engaging in self-censorship as a result of online harassment. The issue is high on the Representative’s agenda and I have been responsible for a project where we have engaged in a number of activities to discuss responses with a variety of stakeholders.
What has made the strongest impression on you during your work?
Without doubt all courageous journalists who dare to do their job and to speak up in suppressive regimes, exposing mismanagement, corruption and crime, risking so much for others’ right to know. In general, there is an increasing intolerance of dissenting opinions in our societies that also largely affects journalists’ work. Safety of journalists and the urgent need to fight impunity is one of the Representative’s main concerns. If journalists cannot work without fear of being threatened, harassed, jailed, even murdered, there is no such thing as free speech and free media.
We cannot accept a development where female journalists in particular, already underrepresented in media, start engaging in self-censorship as a result of online harassment.
Ingvil Conradi Andersen, Senior Advisor to the OSCE Representative on Freedom of the Media
NORDEM filled five seconded positions in the UN Peace Operation in DR Congo (MONUSCO) in 2015. MONUSCO has repeatedly stressed the vital contribution of the secondments, which are in thematic areas that go beyond traditional peace- keeping and that therefore have proved to be difficult both to fund and recruit to within the regular UN system. The areas of work received considerable positive atten- tion, support and interest from other parts of the UN, such as the Office of the Special Representative of the Secretary General for Sexual Violence in Conflict, the Division of Policy, Evaluation and Training (DPET) in DPKO/DFS and other peacekeeping missions.
Increased Political Tension
The president of DR Congo, Joseph Kabila, attempted to delay the elections that would mark the end of his last legal term in office.
This created significant political tension at the national level. There was an increase in violence and threats against journalists, opposition party members and students and others critical of the government.
Relations between the government and international actors such as the UN were difficult and hampered progress in many areas. In the Eastern DRC, conflict continued and armed groups targeted civilians in many areas. Congolese security forces were also involved in violations of basic human rights, supported by networks of powerful elites.
Supporting Programmes for Stabilisation Three secondments were provided to the Stabilisation Support Unit. The secondees contributed to the operationalization of the revised International Security and Stabilization Support Strategy (ISSSS).
The strategy aims at enabling the authorities and populations in prioritised areas to address the causes of conflict in their socie- ties. The secondees have been instrumental in starting the implementation of two pilot programmes, which increased the partici- pation of women in workshops on conflict resolution and provided income generation support to groups at risk. Lessons learned from these pilots were built in to further programme activities. Joint strategizing and planning between the international community and the Government led to the validation of three provincial stabilization strategies and action plans for Eastern DRC.
The secondees have been key resources in the completion of gender sensitive program- ming for two stabilization priority zones in North Kivu and South Kivu. These programmes are now ready for calls for proposals in early 2016. A Stabilization Coherence Fund (SCF) has been opened with current contributions totalling 25 million USD, including a contri- bution of 1 million USD from Norway.
Supporting the UN
MONUSCO: Keeping the Peace
MONUSCO Joint Human Rights Office marks the beginning of the campaign 16 days of activism against gender-based violence. (photo: NORDEM)
Providing Judicial Protection
An expert in judicial protection has been responsible for MONUSCO’s work on judicial protection, an area that is not traditionally part of a peacekeeping operation. The sec- ondee has ensured protection measures for victims and witnesses in key court cases involving high ranking military officers through cooperation with local NGOs and other partners. She has also provided training in judicial protection for judicial actors and members of civil society and advocated for a legal basis for protection measures at the national level. This has resulted in improved security for an unprecedented number of victims in several important court cases and an increased willingness of the courts to apply protection measures. She also contributed to ensure that the national army’s action plan against sexual violence contains specific provisions on protection.
Judicial protection is now seen by both national and international actors as a crucial precondition for success in the fight against impunity in Eastern DRC, which is in large part due to the work of the two NORDEM secondees who have worked on this project since 2011.
Preventing and responding to sexual violence
A Woman Protection Advisor was seconded to a team led by a Senior Woman Protection Advisor (previously the Sexual Violence in Conflict Unit) coordinating the work against sexual violence. The secondee worked closely with government actors, NGOs and different sections in MONUSCO in order to respond to and prevent primarily conflict related sexual violence in North Kivu. By following up cases with the different actors involved, she was able to contribute to more efficient responses to incidents of sexual violence.
As a result of her work, the Civil Affairs section’s Community Liaison Assistants who work in the UN military bases have been provided with training and information kits on sexual violence, and UN police are now more closely following up cases of sexual violence with the national police. The UN peacekeepers have also relaunched market day patrols in an area where women have been at risk.
Youth education against sexual violence in Goma, DR Congo, where a NORDEM secondee coordinates MONUSCO’s work against sexual violence. (photo: Dominique Vidale-Plaza)
Stabilization strategy workshop for the communities in Kitshanga, North Kivu, where NORDEM secondees contribute to stabilization. (photo: Randi Solhjell)
IN THE FIELD
Addressing Root Causes of Conflict:
Madel Rosland, Stabilisation Officer, MONUSCO Stabilisation Support Unit
What is your typical day at work like?
- I am not sure I have a ‘typical day’ as every day is different, and this is one of the aspects of the job that I really enjoy. One day I might spend at the office doing paper work and attend meetings, while the next I travel together with the government counterpart in a helicopter to an isolated village without road access to follow up a road construction project. A third day I might speak to a community about local conflict resolution mechanisms. It is a job that combines field visits and office work, which is great!
What do you find most challenging in your assignment?
- The most challenging part of the work is to try to influence a big organization like MONUSCO to work in new ways. The first peacekeeping Mission in DRC was established in 1999 and naturally they have their set ways of working. After 16 years with a UN presence we still do not see stability in the region. In fact, the conflict is getting increasingly more complex. For example, we see a fragmentation of rebel groups in the last few years – there are now 69 different armed groups, Madel Rosland, stabilisation officer in the MONUSCO Stabilisation Support Unit meets with the NGO Life and Peace Institute in Bukavu. (photo: NORDEM)
IN THE FIELD
compared to approximately 20 in 2008. This is why it is important to try something different. We are a unit within MONUSCO trying to assist the mission in using more bottom-up initiatives and working with the local communities to transform their own conflicts. MONUSCO has mainly used traditional top-down approaches.
Which achievements are you most satisfied with?
- Tricky - in a complex setting such as the East of DRC I am careful about listing achievements as they are not so clear cut. I have found it rewarding to have contributed to the programme development for one of the areas in South Kivu torn with conflict, based on participatory consultations with the local community and a thorough conflict analysis.
The programme aims to target key conflict drivers and addresses issues that the population has identified as important. How the implementation of the programme will work in reality is still left to see.
What has made the strongest impression on you during your work?
- One of the moments I have found rewarding was during the validation workshop of the South Kivu provincial level strategy, which took place in one of the conflict affected areas. We had invited representatives of the area to provide feedback and inputs to the strategy. Among the invited were civil society, including representatives of youth and women, traditional leaders such as the mwami or local kings and politically elected leaders. There were representatives from all the communities present and local media was also there and made sure the information was shared with the wider population. It was incredibly encouraging to see people who had never been in the same room together, sit down and talk about issues important to them and the communities they represent. It was certainly tense at times but the overall impression was that people are tired of conflict and want change.
NORDEM has since 2012 seconded two experts to the headquarters of the United Nations Development Fund (UNDP) in New York. The secondees were both assigned to the Bureau for Policy and Programme Support (BPPS). The Bureau ensures that risk awareness and crisis prevention and recov- ery are fully integrated into UNDP’s develop- ment work. The two secondees primarily worked with francophone countries in Africa that are affected by crisis and conflict; Mali, Central African Republic, Burundi, Chad, Côte d’Ivoire and DR Congo.
Strengthening Local Governance in Conflict A Local Governance Specialist was seconded to the Responsible and Accountable Inst- itutions team. She has been a key resource for UNDP in developing three integrated pro- grammes within local governance in DR Congo, the Central African Republic (CAR) and Mali in cooperation with the UN operations in the respective countries and funds/organisations within and outside of the UN. The programmes aim to strengthen effective local governance as a precondition for development that is inclusive, sustainable and addresses root causes and drivers of conflict. The programme activities will support inclusive and account- able governance processes, which are essen- tial to improve people’s quality of life, reduce contestation before conflicts escalate, reduce inequality, and enhance relations between people and public institutions.
Promoting Rule of Law as One UN A Programme Specialist in Justice, Rule of Law and Security was seconded to the Law, Justice, Security and Human Rights team of BPPS. The secondee provided programme support to the UNDP offices in conflict
affected countries, primarily Mali, Chad, DRC and Côte d’Ivoire, and policy support within her thematic responsibilities. She supported the establishment and functions of the Global Focal Point for Police, Justice and Corrections (GFP), a mechanism implemented by UNDP and the Department of Peace Keeping Oper- ations (DPKO) in cooperation with other UN entities. The GFP ensures joint UN support within the rule of law to countries in conflict and crisis. The secondee contributed to GFP projects that funded the Anti-narcotics brigade in Mali, which considerably improved the conditions for detainees and increased the efficiency of the department.
Hanne Kristoffersen, NORDEM secondee to UNDP, meets citizens in Rutshuru i Nord Kivu, Eastern Congo. (photo: Abel Kavanagh, UNDP)
UNDP: Strengthening Local Governance and Rule of Law
UN Women: Empowering Syrian Refugee Women
in the informal sector. Refugees do not have access to the formal job market in the coun - tries in the region. The refugee women’s in - creased job activity is expected to increase their economic independence and reduce their vulnerability to gender based violence.
Supporting Women Civil Society Leaders in Syria
Similar joint projects with other UN organi- sations have been implemented in Syria, but so far with delays and limited results because of a difficult cooperation with the government.
In cooperation with the Department of Pol- itical Affairs (DPA), the secondee has contin- ued to provide technical support to a network of women civil society leaders in Syria that was established during the Geneva II nego- tiations. The network continues to engage with national and international actors seek- ing a political settlement of the Syrian crisis and advocates for a gender sensitive transi- tional process.
NORDEM secondee Onyango Makogango is watching art made by Syrian refugee women’s during a UN Women workshop in the refugee camp Zaatari in Jordan.
(photo: private)
A Gender and Human Rights Expert was seconded to UN Women’s regional office for the Middle East and the Arab States, in Cairo. He ensured gender and human rights mainstreaming of programmes in Lebanon, Jordan, Iraq and Egypt aimed at Syrian female refugees and supported the imple- mentation of activities. The programmes strengthened the Syrian refugees’ voca- tional skills and awareness of their rights.
Syrian female refugees and women in the areas hosting most of the refugees received vocational training as well as information about their rights.
Increasing Job Activity - Reducing Vulnerability to Violence
Law enforcement and health personnel in some of the project areas have been trained in prevention of and response to gender based violence. The projects have not yet been evaluated, but the experiences show that many of the women who have attended the trainings use the skills they have gained
Community of Democracies Establishes Sub-office in Geneva
states, without duplicating the ongoing work and processes at the United Nations.
The secondee has been responsible for establishing the presence in Geneva, managing the daily work of the sub-office and to liaise with relevant actors. A special focus has been on activities related to the work of the Human Rights Council and democracy-related Special Rapporteurs. Furthermore, the secondee has provided updates and analysis to the PSCD Headquarters on democracy- related events and topics, prepared relevant meetings of the CoD in Geneva and followed up on the thematic priorities of the organi- zation during 2015-2017; democracy and development, democracy and security as well as protection of civil society. An important task has been to increase the knowledge and visibility of the organization in Geneva.
Secretary General of the Community of Democracies, Maria Leissner, and Head of Geneva Office, Ylva Bie. (photo: Community of Democracies)
The Community of Democracies (CoD) is a global intergovernmental organization, founded in Warsaw in 2000 to bring to gether governments, civil society and other relevant actors in the pursuit of a common goal: sup- porting democratic rules and stren g t hening democratic norms and institutions around the world. Norway became a member of the Governing Council in autumn 2015.
The Permanent Secretariat of the Community of Democracies (PSCD) expanded its activities in 2015 by establishing a sub-office in Geneva. The office is headed by a Norwegian diplomat, seconded by NORDEM.
The sub-office is responsible for managing relations with the United Nations, including the Human Rights Council, international organizations and civil society. As one of the few inter-governmental organiza- tions solely working on “democracy,” CoD hopes to facilitate a broader discussion on this topic and to drive a democracy agenda, through common action by participating
Providing Democracy and Electoral Assistance with International IDEA
The International Institute for Democracy and Electoral Assistance (IDEA) is an inter- governmental organisation with a mission to support the development of more sus- tainable, effective and legitimate demo- cracies worldwide.
NORDEM established its first secondment to the organisation in 2013. The cooperation with International IDEA falls in line with the very core of NORDEM’s mandate to support democratization processes and our ambition to strengthen our election engagement and expertise further.
IDEA works across a range of areas to promote credible, transparent and peaceful electoral processes in countries around the world. Throughout 2015, a NORDEM election expert has been seconded to the organiza- tion’s Africa Programme (from October onwards the Africa and West-Asia (AWA) Programme), based in Addis Ababa and in vicinity of the AU headquarters.
The expert has coordinated the training of approximately 120 electoral commission staff in Burkina Faso, Guinea, Malawi and Lesotho. One month prior to the snap elec- tions in Seychelles, she coordinated a training given to citizen observers that strengthened their ability to identify hands-on recom- mendations to feed into continued reform processes. She has engaged on policy-related issues linked to electoral reform and provided strategic advice to the electoral commissions in Lesotho and Namibia, both of which are developing institutional gender policies, as well as to the electoral commission in Zambia on ensuring a gender-sensitive electoral management body strategy.
Finally, she published an IDEA policy brief focusing on how electoral management bodies can promote youth participation more effectively. The NORDEM expert works closely with a range of partners. The AU Department of Political Affairs’ Democracy and Electoral Assistance Unit (AU DPA/DEAU) constitutes an important collaborative actor.
Mette Bakken, election expert at International IDEA, and Zefanias Matsimbe, lead facilitator for New Commissioners Orientation training to IDEA during the opening of the New Commissioners Orientation Training in Maputo.
(photo: private)
Assisting the European Union:
National Experts to the EU
Elise Thoen started as a human rights policy officer in the European External Action Service (EEAS) in September. (photo: private)
European External Action Service (EEAS) In 2015, a new opportunity for closer coop- eration with the European External Action Service (EEAS) in Brussels arose. The EAS is the European Union’s diplomatic service.
It helps the EU’s foreign affairs chief – the High Representative for Foreign Affairs and Security Policy – carry out the Union’s Common Foreign and Security Policy. Starting from 2015, two Norwegian Seconded National Experts (SNEs) have strengthened the work of the EEAS within elections, democracy and human right support.
A policy officer to the Democracy and Electoral Observation Division has contrib- uted to the planning and implementation of EU’s election related activities, with the overall aim of integrating election observa- tion activities into the broader context of the EU’s democracy assistance efforts. He
has had a special responsibility for the EU’s Election Observation Mission to Uganda and for several follow up missions with the aim of assisting the countries’
ability to implement the recommendations of EU election observers.
The EEAS Human Rights Strategy and Policy Implementation Division’s overall objective is to mainstream and integrate human rights into all external actions of the EU. A human rights policy officer has been tasked with the responsibility to pro- mote, assess and update EU policies within the areas of human rights in conflict pre- vention and crisis management, children affected by armed conflict and the human rights situation in Moldova, and to follow up on these policies.
Seconded National Experts (SNEs) have a dual role: They bring their expertise to the EU institutions, and take back to their home administration the knowledge of EU.
European Commission
In 2015, a Programme Manager in the position as Head of Secretariat to the Directorate-General (DG) Neighbourhood and Enlargement Negotiations (DG NEAR) of the European Commission, ended his four-year term as a NORDEM seconded National Expert.
The Head of Secretariat coordinates the work of the Western Balkans Investment Framework (WBIF) with the overall aim to support and coordinate sound investments in the Western Balkans. In addition to pro- viding an efficient mechanism to blend
grants and loans to prepare investments, the WBIF has over time become an impor- tant policy and strategy coordination plat- form among all WBIF stakeholders. A new NORDEM seconded National Expert will pick up the mantle of leading of the WBIF Secretariat in 2016.
Seconded National Experts (SNEs) have a dual role: They bring their expertise to the EU institutions, and take back to their home administration the knowledge of EU issues which they acquire during their period of secondment.
IN THE FIELD
Strengthening the Election Observation Capacity of the EU
Nicolay Paus, Policy Officer
with the European External Action Services (EEAS)
What is the main focus of your work? How is your typical day at work?
The main focus of my work at the European External Action Services (EEAS) in the EU is to analyse, advice, coordinate and follow-up on election related issues and EU initiatives in this field of work. Much of the work is focusing on preparing, briefing, developing, monitoring and advising Election Observation Missions (EOMs) and Election Expert Mission (EEMs) in the course of their missions. This is always done in cooperation with the Foreign Policy Instrument services (European Commission), which are responsible for the security and logistics of each mission, and in consultation with the Geographical Services in the EEAS who are direct link to the EU Delegations on the ground. To an increasing degree, the work will also concentrate on strengthening the implementation and follow-up of the recommendations developed by the EOM and EEMs, as a new set of best practices for follow-up are being developed.
Nicolay Paus is preparing election observation missions for the EU.
(photo: private)
IN THE FIELD
My typical working day starts with checking my e-mails and responding to specific issues, usually related to one of the EU missions I am following.
During EOMs, there is frequent communication with the Deputy Chief Observer (DCO) on for instance the latest political developments – in particular if the EEAS are in need of specific information for our work in Brussels. Or, it could be discussions on the next interim report/
preliminary statement or requests for updates and feedback from specific meetings. Much of the work relates to providing feedback on concept notes and reports, electoral support projects or developing briefs on specific election related topics or countries.
What do you find most challenging in your assignment?
Initially, when I started my work, understanding the bureaucratic and complex structure of the EU was quite challenging, as numerous divisions and entities are involved the electoral work in their various capacities.
Regarding the direct work on the EOMs or EEMs, to get a full and com- prehensive understanding of the political dynamics and electoral frameworks in each of the countries you are working on, demands a lot of work. And during EOMs, you often have to manage the interactions between the EOM, the EU Delegation and Brussels within a complex political setting, in a sometimes quite stressful working environment.
Another challenging issue is the follow-up on EOM/EEM recommenda- tions by the countries we work with. This is often insufficiently addressed, sometimes due to a lack of capacity and knowledge by the country in question – and sometimes due to a lack of will. However, I am happy to see the development of the ‘best-practices’ for follow-up, which I believe will be an essential tool for electoral support.
Which achievements are you most satisfied with?
As I still am rather new in my job, there are still new things to learn.
However, it is satisfying to see that I now am managing the different elements of my job and that I am collaborating well with my colleagues in the other divisions and services in the EU. Handling the EOM portfolio on Uganda has been satisfying, and I am looking forward to following the further work on the recommendations after the finalisation of the EOM.
IN THE FIELD
Managing the Western Balkans Investment Framework
Olav Reinertsen, Head of the Western Balkan Investment Framework, EU Commission
What is the main focus of your work? How is your typical day at work?
The main objective for the Head of Secretariat is to facilitate the daily coordination with and between the WBIF partners; the beneficiaries, banks/IFIs, bilateral donors and the European Commission.
Obviously, the partners do not necessarily have completely corresponding views and positions. Thanks to the WBIF partners’ commitment, professional input and spirit of cooperation, we have always landed on commonly agreed positions.
A normal day in the office is hectic – and often it lasts too long. But with highly professional colleagues from all over Europe, a flexible management and an excellent and positive team spirit, I fully enjoyed every day at the DG. And it is interesting, but not that surprising, to note that employee-surveys in DG NEAR always confirmed a stunningly high job satisfaction. After four years I know part of this institution inside out, have an extensive network of contacts and have learned a lot from working with experts in many different fields.
Olav Reinertsen. (photo: Camilla Langsholt)
IN THE FIELD
What do you find most challenging in your assignment?
The amount of work, and receiving more and more responsibilities without extra resources, is challenging. It was also difficult to prioritize projects. Even at WBIF, resources are limited. At the same time the need for investments in basic infrastructure in these countries are so pressing. The solution is to carry out the prioritization in a completely transparent manner.
Which achievements are you most satisfied with?
Since its launch back in 2009, the WBIF has become the main platform and a key driver for reforms and strategic investments in the Western Balkans. Looking at the figures, partners and stakeholders involved in this unique framework have all reason to be proud, as it has – by far – exceeded original expectations.I believe that very much of the success of the WBIF is a result of this unique spirit of good will and cooperation.
The partners are always willing to go the extra mile in order to find acceptable solutions. In this respect, the Secretariat is playing a crucial role in facilitating the decision making process.
What has made the strongest impression on you during your work?
The fact that WBIF actually assists the Western Balkan countries in addressing the pressing challenges they face in the areas of economic growth, competitiveness and employment, all at a time of fiscal con- straint, gives of course reason for satisfaction. But we have to continue. And we should be impatient. Sustained and considerable investment in areas such as energy and transport networks will eventually secure the conditions for economic growth and job creation as well as increasing competitiveness. Financing such investments requires ever more coor- dinated efforts from national budgets, EU grant funding, IFI loans and, increasingly, private sector participation.
Strengthening Institutional Capacity in Kosovo and the Western Balkans
NORDEM has a long history of contribution to the Balkans and seconded the first per- sonnel to the region in 1995. NORDEM maintained a presence in the region in 2015; however, the number of secondments has declined and is mainly centred in Kosovo.
In Kosovo NORDEM provided a total of five secondments in the European Union Rule of Law Mission in Kosovo (EULEX), the Kosovo Property Agency (KPA) and the International Management Group (IMG). NORDEM also continued the secondment of a Programme Manager to the Directorate-General (DG) for Enlargement of the European Commission based in Brussels who manages the EU’s involvement in the implementation of the Programme in the Western Balkans.
Supporting Justice Sector Reform for European Integration
The European Union Rule of Law Mission in Kosovo (EULEX) supports Kosovo on its path to a greater European integration in the rule of law area and aims to assist the authorities in reforming the justice sector in line with internationally recognized stand- ards. NORDEM has supported EULEX with qualified judges, prosecutors and legal officers since the mission was established in the aftermath of Kosovo’s independence in 2008.
In 2015 NORDEM seconded one judge in Mitrovica in Northern Kosovo who presided in a number of complex and high-profiled cases concerning war crimes.
NORDEM also seconded a Legal Officer to the Supreme Court and Appellate Court who, in addition to preparing a number of cases, participated in the development of a EULEX Case Records Database which will help develop a more consistent jurisprudence in cases adjudicated by EULEX and be a source of information for local authorities in the process towards local ownership.
Resolving Conflict-related Claims on Private Property
The Kosovo Property Agency (KPA) is man- dated to receive, register, and resolve claims for private immovable property resulting from the armed conflict that occurred between February 1998 and June 1999.
In addition, KPA’s main functions are enforce- ment of legally final decisions and adminis- tration of abandoned properties. The adju- dication of over 42 000 property claims was completed in 2014 and the focus in 2015 therefore shifted towards the enforcement of claims.
NORDEM provided two secondments to KPA in 2015. One secondee acted as the Head of the Claims Processing Department, super- vising the work of both national and interna- tional legal staff and supporting the acting Deputy Director of the agency. The other secondee had a dual function as a Legal Officer and Enforcement Officer, providing legal expertise in the enforcement process as well as participating in the evictions.
Providing Support and Capacity Building to Key Democratic Institutions in Kosovo Since 2012 one of NORDEM’s most experi- enced experts on Kosovo and the Western Balkans has been seconded to the Inter- national Management Group (IMG), an ad hoc technical group addressing specific needs and infrastructure problems in post-conflict countries.
The secondee had a special responsibility for a project providing oversight and adminis- trative support to international appointed staff (appointees) to key institutions, such as the Office of the Auditor General and his Chef de Cabinet, the Constitutional Court of Kosovo and the KPA Executive Director.
Through continued international presence, the aim of the program was to secure institu- tional memory and stability and assist a
smooth transfer towards local ownership.
The secondee was central in running the project efficiently, keeping close contact with the international appointees and their national counterparts and having the over- all responsibility of preparing donor reports.
The project ended in 2015. International staff is still present in national institutions in Kosovo, but the tendency is a slow devel- opment towards complete national owner- ship and independence.
The building to the right houses the National Library of Kosovo and consists of 99 domes. The flags of Kosovo and Albania in the foreground. The construction of the Serbian church, to the left, was scheduled to be finalized in 1999 but was interrupted by the conflict. It is still unfinished and the future of the building remains uncertain. (Photo: NORDEM)
