PART III 10 OSCE INTERVENTIONS The level at which to approach the government depends on the seriousness and urgency of the individual complaint. In some instances, a junior-level mission officer may address a counterpart at an equivalent level in a ministry. In more serious cases, more-senior mission officers should be involved and should make the approach at a more-senior level. Contacts at the most-senior levels of government should be reserved for the Head of Mission. Depending on the circumstances of the complaint, the mission may wish to begin at a low level and move the complaint to progressively higher levels until it is resolved, or it may wish to jump to a higher level immediately. It is also possible to follow up with a different office if a complaint is not resolved by the responsible ministry, for example, by raising the complaint with an official in the president’s office. State officials are more likely to be responsive to OSCE officials with whom they already have good relations. It is important, therefore, to prepare for possible interventions by developing contacts with key officials of the civil administration, military, police, prosecutor’s office, and other offices to which the mission may wish to appeal for assistance on an individual case. It should be part of the routine work of field missions to discuss implementation of the OSCE human dimension commitments with relevant government officials. It is important to establish a friendly and co-operative atmosphere that will facilitate the taking up of individual cases of particular concern. If good relations are established with the most relevant officials, it is much easier to address problems when they do arise. 10.1.2 HOW TO MAKE THE INTERVENTION Interventions with government officials can be made either in written form or directly in person. If a written communication is selected, the text should be addressed to an official at an appropriate level. The letter should be approved and signed by the Head of Mission or other authorized officer in the mission. It should be as brief and precise as possible. It should note that the inquiry is either in accordance with the mission’s mandate or that it relates to the government’s compliance with its OSCE commitments. The communication should set out the facts of the case as the mission understands them and indicate exactly what the mission requests the government to do, e.g., review an individual case, investigate an incident, release a prisoner, allow a religious group or an NGO to function, etc. It should also refer to the OSCE commitment involved. It should be extremely accurate and use polite terminology. If the letter is in English, it is helpful to provide a copy in the local language. 90