* OSCE media representative saddened by Azerbaijani writer’s death

VIENNA, 23 November 2011 – The OSCE Representative on Freedom of the Media, Dunja Mijatović, said today she was deeply saddened by the death of Azerbaijani writer and newspaper columnist Rafiq Tagi and hopes that all those responsible will be brought to justice.

“Attacks on journalists and writers are attacks on freedom of the media and freedom of expression. These crimes must be prosecuted with utmost resolution for the sake of democracy,” said the Representative, commending the fact that the Azerbaijani authorities have started a criminal investigation into the assault on Tagi.

On 19 November a single attacker stabbed Tagi repeatedly. The journalist died today in the Baku hospital, where he was being treated.

“I hope the Azerbaijani authorities will swiftly bring the investigation to a conclusive end. Regardless of their motives, the perpetrators of this hideous crime and all those behind it must be prosecuted,” Mijatović said, reminding that "the murder of Monitor newspaper editor Elmar Huseynov in 2005 still remains unsolved".

Mijatović extended her condolences to Tagi’s relatives and colleagues.

For PDF attachments or links to sources of further information, please visit: http://www.osce.org/fom/85306

* 17th IPRM meeting takes place in Dvani

DVANI, 22 November 2011 - On 22 November, the 17th IPRM meeting under the Incident Prevention and Response Mechanism took place in Dvani. The meeting was co-facilitated by the EUMM and the OSCE.

Participants reviewed recent incidents, detentions and the situation concerning those who are in prison. The regime at the crossing points on the Administrative Boundary Line was raised, as was the security of local farmers going about their daily agricultural work. There was also a discussion about possible safety measures in connection with some alleged minefields in the vicinity of the ABL.

The meeting took place in a constructive and businesslike manner.

It was agreed that the next meeting will take place on 21 December 2011.

For PDF attachments or links to sources of further information, please visit: http://www.osce.org/cio/85259

* OSCE/ODIHR begins assessment of early parliamentary elections in Slovenia

LJUBLJANA, 23 November 2011 – The OSCE Office for Democratic Institutions and Human Rights (ODIHR) today opened an election assessment mission for the early parliamentary elections to be held in Slovenia on 4 December.

ODIHR was invited by the Slovenian authorities to observe the elections, in line with the country’s commitments as a participating State of the OSCE.

The mission is led by Ambassador Audrey Glover and consists of six international election experts from six OSCE participating States. The mission will be based in Ljubljana but its members will visit areas outside the capital to assess the campaign and electoral preparations at the local level.

The experts will assess and report on the overall framework for the conduct of the elections. The mission will, in particular, assess the implementation of regulations on party funding and campaign finance, the effectiveness of the complaints and appeals process, as well as access to the media by parliamentary and non-parliamentary political parties.

As part of the assessment process, the mission will meet relevant authorities, candidates, political parties, the judiciary, civil society and the media.

In accordance with ODIHR’s methodology for assessment missions, the experts will not carry out systematic or comprehensive observation of the voting, counting, or tabulation on election day, but plan to visit a limited number of polling stations to follow election day procedures.

A final report will be issued about two months after the completion of the election process.

For PDF attachments or links to sources of further information, please visit: http://www.osce.org/odihr/85277

* OSCE Chairperson-in-Office welcomes meeting and joint declaration between Moldovan and Transdniestrian leaders

VILNIUS, 22 November 2011 – The OSCE Chairperson-in-Office, Lithuanian Minister of Foreign Affairs Audronius Ažubalis, today welcomed the 21 November meeting and joint declaration between Moldovan Prime Minister Vlad Filat and Transdniestrian Leader Igor Smirnov. The meeting took place at the OSCE Mission to Moldova’s office in Bender.

“The constructive meeting and the declaration that the leaders signed are important steps on the path towards a settlement,” said Ažubalis. “We appreciate the Sides’ commitment to negotiations in the 5+2 format. That commitment is making it possible to hold the first official meeting of the 5+2 in nearly six years. The joint declaration lays a good foundation 5+for that meeting, which I as OSCE Chairperson-in-Office will host in Vilnius at the end of November.”

The 5+2 format - officially, “The Permanent Conference on Political Issues in the Transdniestrian Settlement Process” - consists of the sides, mediators and observers in the negotiations – Moldova, Transdniestria, the OSCE, the Russian Federation, Ukraine, the US and the EU.

For PDF attachments or links to sources of further information, please visit: http://www.osce.org/cio/85253