Democratization oversight roles can be balanced with the work of independent institutions that report to them. In addition to regional and cross-OSCE initiatives, in 2010 ODIHR began to develop and design a parliamentary strengthening and development programme of its own, based on a request from the Parliament of Georgia. Implementation of the programme is foreseen in 2011. Ensuring Pluralistic Political Party Systems Political parties are essential building blocks of democracy. A political-party system that offers real choice and works with fair rules can help to ensure that citizens are represented, policy debates are vibrant, and democratic renewal takes place. The key to ensuring this level of political pluralism is developing “rules of the game”, i.e., a legal and regulatory framework that can guarantee the basic conditions in which such a political party system can thrive, in accordance with OSCE commitments. In 2010, ODIHR began to deliver its assistance to strengthen political party systems based on the development and adoption of the ODIHR– Venice Commission Guidelines on Political Party Regulation, which constitute a comprehensive guide to how such rules of the game can be designed and improved, according to OSCE and international principles and best practices from the participating States. In 2011, ODIHR will be working with participating States and OSCE field operations, as well as with leading actors in the field of democratic governance assistance, to raise awareness of the Guidelines. ODIHR has developed a methodology that aims to support local think tanks in conducting comprehensive analytical assessments of the legal framework governing political parties in their country in order to advocate its improvement, with the ultimate goal of buttressing a level playing field for all political parties. In 2010, ODIHR applied this approach in three OSCE participating states: Moldova, Tajikistan and Ukraine. The Office partnered with prominent research centres and think tanks, sharing ODIHR know-how and tools, such as the Guidelines mentioned above, and assisted them in developing a process of consultation, discussion and analysis that culminated in the publication of analytical reports. Subsequently, ODIHR and the local think tanks co-hosted expert workshops, seminars and focus groups involving key stakeholders: members of parliaments, government officials, political-party staffers, civil society and international assistance foundations, during which participants considered key aspects of local political-party legislation in detail. The published analytical reports - Regulation of Political Parties in Ukraine; The Current State and Direction of Reforms and Political Parties Legislation in Moldova; and Review and Recommendations for Reform - are unique resources for all those working on the reform of political-party legislation. The ensuing debates on the reports raised issues that had not before been considered in depth, such as how to foster the increased participation of women in politics and the importance of securing transparent funding through political-party regulation. Building on the success of these projects, which connect local expertise with tools and methods developed by ODIHR, the Office plans to adapt the methodology to other participating States in 2011. Based on its work on political parties, ODIHR also contributed to international consultations in 2010, organized by the OECD Development Assistance Committee (DAC) and the International Institute of Democracy and Electoral Assistance (IDEA), designed to develop a greater understanding among donors of effective assistance to the development of political parties. Migration and Freedom of Movement OSCE participating States have committed themselves to the protection of the human rights of all persons legally residing on their territories, including international migrants. International migrants include persons living outside their country of birth or citizenship for at least one year, temporary or seasonal migrants, and refugees. In the absence of adequate access to human rights-protection measures, migrants can become victims of negative stereotyping, intolerance and discrimination. ODIHR assists OSCE participating States in developing migrant-integration policies. In addition, it raises the importance of including gender-sensitive measures in migration policies. In search of better living opportunities, people also increasingly move within state borders, particularly from underdeveloped rural areas into urban ones. The residency registration systems of some OSCE participating States still, however, retain remnants of the Soviet era propiska system, often posing a significant barrier to ODIHR Annual Report 2010 31