DEMOCRATIZATION MAIN ISSUES Rule of Law and Legal Reform Justice systems in all participating States can benefit from assistance in improving their performance related to the respect of relevant international standards and OSCE commitments on rule of law and human rights. ODIHR’s rule of law activities include strengthening judicial independence and the monitoring of trials in criminal and administrative cases, and providing support to the effective functioning of criminal justice systems in line with fair trial rights and the promotion of a fair resolution of electoral disputes. Moreover, ODIHR supports legal reform activities in OSCE participating States, upon request, through the substantive review and analysis of laws and draft laws, and the review of legal procedures, to ensure open and transparent legislative processes. In this way, ODIHR helps to ensure that laws, and the procedures whereby they are drafted, debated and adopted, are in line with international standards and key OSCE human dimension commitments. Democratic Governance ODIHR assists OSCE participating States in building, strengthening and protecting democratic institutions as vehicles for pluralistic democracy in support of their efforts in meeting OSCE commitments on democratic governance. In 2014, ODIHR supported participating States in strengthening political party systems and parliaments, and is increasing political participation, through co-operation and the exchange of good practices among parliamentarians, political parties, civil society and OSCE field operations. ODIHR also supported and provided expertise to OSCE participating States in their efforts to implement policy measures aimed at the broad participation of all citizens, including women, minorities and youth, in political life. Gender Equality and Women’s Participation in Politics OSCE participating States have recognized that the equal and meaningful participation of women and men in political and public life is necessary for the effective functioning of democratic societies. While women’s representation in national parliaments in the OSCE region has increased slightly, to 25.3 per 24 ODIHR Annual Report 2014 cent in 20141, further efforts are needed to translate women’s numerical representation into true power and influence in politics. In turn, ODIHR works to promote gender equality in all aspects of the political process to advance women’s participation in political parties, parliaments, elected office and at the local level. Migration and Freedom of Movement The OSCE region continues to be one of the most attractive immigration destinations for migrants from participating States and from outside countries, hosting more than half of the world’s migrants. OSCE participating States face the challenge of migration management, having to deal with changing volumes of migration flows, a disparity in national migration legislation and policies, and the need to strengthen international co-operation within the OSCE region and beyond. OSCE participating States have concluded multilateral and bilateral agreements to achieve the liberalization of cross-border travel. In those instances where visa requirements for travel between OSCE participating States remain, challenges exist in relation to the facilitation of visas for bona fide travelers. OSCE participating States that face increased migration within their state borders use residency as a pre-requisite and a tool for the planning and delivery of public services. Equally, citizens’ enrolment in a residency registration system determines their ability to exercise their right to freedom of movement, as well as many other civil and fundamental rights. ODIHR provides support to OSCE participating States in promoting cross-border contact and the protection of the right to freedom of movement by reforming population registration systems and by facilitating the development of efficient national migration management mechanisms, while protecting the human rights and fundamental freedoms of migrants. 1 ODIHR assessment based on information about lower houses of parliaments, compiled by the Inter-Parliamentary Union. See http://www.ipu.org/wmn-e/world.htm, as of December 2014.