ANNUAL REPORT 2003 propiska regulations of civil registration have not changed in Democratization Freedom of Movement - Combating discrimination against the a number of countries in Eastern Europe and Central Asia, most-vulnerable groups of migrants; and restricting the freedom of individuals to choose their place of
Protection framework for migrants crossing residence without state permission. The propiska system international borders: poses a significant barrier to finding durable solutions for - Promoting interstate co-operation on migration- problems of Internally Displaced Persons, leads to the denial related information and the human rights of of social services, and impedes access to jobs, as well as cre- migrants; and ating obstacles to migrants' participation in elections.
- Promoting humane border management. Facilitating interstate co-operation on migration- related information: The management of international mi- 1. Protection framework for internal migrants gratory flows in accordance with human rights standards could be facilitated by the timely exchange of information between countries on the nature of these flows. Sharing in- Reforming the propiska system formation is an integral part of cross-border co-operation, and it is also a prerequisite for developing joint policy re- The Soviet-era propiska system - stamping a citizen's internal sponses that take into account the interests of states while passport to indicate his or her permanent address - has left safeguarding the rights of migrants.
a legacy of restrictions on the freedom of internal movement in many countries in Eastern Europe and the former Soviet Public awareness of migration issues: In a number Union. The system requires every individual who wishes to of countries where migration was not a common phenome- change his or her place of residence within a particular non until recently, the population is often unaware of the country to obtain written permission from the state to do so. policy and regulatory frameworks of their own countries, as Those changing their residence without this permission can well as of the countries of destination, which leaves mi- find themselves cut off from state services and may also find grants vulnerable to human rights violations. it impossible to exercise a number of rights, e.g., the right to Humane border management: Since the collapse of accept work, to enroll in a school or an institution of higher the Soviet Union, the countries of Eastern Europe and Cen- learning, or even the right to get married. Such restrictions tral Asia have been facing new challenges with regard to clearly violate a host of domestic - in the countries where the managing mass population movements across the region. propiska system is still used - and international laws. It con- Together with the new obligations that these states have un- travenes the fundamental rights to freedom of movement dertaken by acceding to international human rights conven- and choice of place of residence, which are enshrined as tions, this process has changed the role of border guards, re- OSCE commitments.
quiring an adequate reform of the border service and While, in most countries, the emergence of the market training system. economy and the private sector has rendered obsolete rigorous planning of the labour market - a putative reason for the Programmes propiska system - laws regarding violations of this system remain in effect in numerous countries of the former Soviet In 2003, the Migration Unit's activities focused on the fol- Union. The use of the propiska system has also been perpet- lowing areas: uated by the absence of an alternative system of civil regis-
Protection framework for internal migrants: tration that could be used for public-policy purposes, e.g., social insurance, providing education or other services, or - Reforming the propiska system; compiling voter lists. 39