Democratization: Migration/Freedom of Movement prerequisite to developing and enforcing effective migration management policies that would help to ensure that migration is beneficial for host societies, as well as for migrants. Lack of dialogue and data exchange between countries of origin and destination may result in biased estimates of migration flows and, consequently, in inadequate migration policies. Many migrant workers have limited knowledge of their rights in countries of destination and are vulnerable to exploitation and mistreatment. There is a need for co-operative mechanisms among OSCE participating States on the issue of labour migration to prevent discrimination, ill-treatment, and other violations of the rights of migrant workers. Activities In 2006, the ODIHR’s activities focused on the following areas: k Internal migration; and k Cross-border migration. I. Internal migration Assistance in reforming population registration systems and related areas A number of countries in Eastern Europe and Central Asia still maintain the Soviet-era population registration system known as propiska, though often under a different name. This system comprises legal and administrative restrictions on the freedom of movement and the choice of place of residence, including the stamping of a citizen’s internal passport to indicate their permanent residence. Moreover, anyone wish- “Participants stressed the global character of international migration. They affirmed that international migration was a growing phenomenon, both in scope and in complexity, affecting virtually all countries in the world. They agreed that international migration could be a positive force for development both in countries of origin and countries of destination, provided that it was supported by the right set of policies.” – Chairperson’s summary of the UN High-level Dialogue on International Migration and Development, 13 October 2006 44 Annual Report  ing to change their place of residence within a particular country is required to obtain written permission from the state authorities to do so; otherwise, they could find themselves denied access to state services, even the right to work or to enrol in a school or institution of higher education. The system also places a number of restrictions on citizens intending to leave their country, as well as on foreigners arriving from abroad. Since these restrictions violate both domestic and international laws and contravene the fundamental rights to freedom of movement and choice of place of residence enshrined in OSCE commitments, some countries have been reforming the propiska system in order to establish alternative registration systems that do not restrict the freedom of movement. In addition, some countries that did not use the propiska system have been modernizing their population registration systems to keep track of demographic data and population movements in order to provide public services and to ensure people’s rights to social benefits, medical services, education, and employment without restricting their freedom of movement and the right to free choice of place of residence. The creation of modern and politically independent population registration systems can have an impact on the transparency of electoral systems by facilitating the compilation of accurate voter registers. The ODIHR provides assistance in developing a conceptual and legal basis for the reform of population registration systems, and offers expertise in drafting concepts, laws, and regulations. In 2006, the ODIHR continued its work in this area in Ukraine and Albania. The ODIHR prepared a practical commentary on the Law on Freedom of Movement and Free Choice of Place of Residence in Ukraine. The commentary will be published and distributed among officials, experts, and NGOs dealing with the enforcement of the law. In Albania, the ODIHR, in co-operation with the OSCE Presence in Albania, is assisting the Albanian Government with the modernization of its population registration and address sys-