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OSCE and Press Council announce contest for reporting on domestic violence

OSCE - Fri, 15/05/2015 - 10:33
102982 Rashad Huseynov, OSCE Project Co-ordinator in Baku

The OSCE Project Co-ordinator in Baku and the Azerbaijani Press Council are pleased to announce two contests for media reports highlighting the problems of domestic violence in Azerbaijan.

The first contest is for the articles published in newspapers and online media, the second one for TV reports. An evaluation committee comprising the representatives of the OSCE, Press Council and the State Committee for Family, Women and Children Affairs will award prizes for the best reports produced from 1 May 2015 to 30 November 2015.

The deadline for entries is 30 November 2015. The results will be announced in December 2015.

The competition is open to media representatives only. The authors of the winning articles and reports will receive certificates and cash prizes: first place - 1500, second – 1200 and third – 1000 AZN. Each contest also includes an award for the best report from young journalists – 1000 AZN. These contests are part of the PCiB’s project on supporting the implementation of the law on the prevention of domestic violence.

Questions about the contest may be directed to Zhala Azizova, National Project Officer, at zazizova@osce.org and Avaz Rustamov, representative of the Press Council, at evez.rustemov@gmail.com.

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Security Days 2015 – Building Bridges: Promoting Dialogue to Prevent Radicalization and Violent Extremism, Vienna 21-22 May 2014

OSCE - Fri, 15/05/2015 - 09:55

VIENNA, 15 May 2015 – Possible measures and actions to prevent and counter extremism and radicalization that lead to violence will be the focus of an OSCE Security Days event in Vienna on Thursday, 21 May and Friday, 22 May 2015. Participants will look at how the media, education, inter-religious and inter-cultural dialogue, and the empowerment of women and youth can effectively contribute to reducing tensions and turning vulnerable individuals away from radicalization.

The event, Building Bridges: Promoting Dialogue to Prevent Radicalization and Violent Extremism, will provide a forum for open discussion with the aim of enhancing collaboration between the OSCE and other international and regional organizations in preventing violent extremism and radicalization through promoting tolerance, non-discrimination and respect for diversity.

Organizations taking part include the UN Alliance of Civilizations, the Union for the Mediterranean, the Network of Religious and Traditional Peacemakers, the King Abdullah International Center for Interreligious and Intercultural Dialogue, and the Anna Lindh Foundation, among others.

The entire event is open to media and will be streamed live at www.osce.org/live.  

Each session will feature a dynamic, moderated panel discussion among high-level participants, with an opportunity for questions and answers from the audience.  Active participation is welcome and encouraged: comments and questions can be sent prior to and during the event via Twitter @osce, using the hashtag #secdays and on Facebook.  

The Night Owl session will focus on the role of media in helping to prevent radicalization that leads to terrorism. It will provide an opportunity for media members to contribute to and engage directly as active stakeholders in a security dialogue involving governments and international organizations.

The Night Owl session will take place on Thursday, 21 May 2015, from 18:00 to 19:30 in the Segmentgalerie I at the Hofburg Conference Centre (first floor). 

The Security Days conference will be held on Friday, 22 May 2015 from 9:00 to 18:30, in the NeuerSaal at the Hofburg Conference Centre (second floor).

Media interested in attending either or both events should register by e-mail to press@osce.org, by 12:00 noon, Thursday 21 May 2015.

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OSCE Office in Tajikistan conducts workshop on simplifying and harmonising customs procedures

OSCE - Fri, 15/05/2015 - 09:25

DUSHANBE, 15 May 2015 – A five-day training on implementing a single window system in customs concluded in Dushanbe today at the OSCE Office in Tajikistan.

The training familiarized government officials from the Customs Service under the Government of the Republic of Tajikistan and related ministries, as well as representatives of the private sector with using the recently-established electronic customs system to facilitate the export, import and transit of goods.

Twenty-five representatives from the Ministries of Health, Agriculture and Culture, Customs Service, the Agency for Standardization, Metrology, Certification and Trade control, the Chamber of Commerce and Industry and the Communication Service took part. They learnt about the legal framework and data harmonization and examined case studies on single window implementation. The training course was delivered by an expert from Lithuania and a national expert from the Customs Service under the Government of the Republic of Tajikistan.

“This training course represents another step towards developing constructive Public-Private Partnerships in Tajikistan. The Office’s training course will increase the skills of Tajik border-related agencies in implementing the single window system. It offers tangible benefits to facilitating Tajikistan’s imports, exports and transit trade whilst also enhancing border management and security,” said Sean McGreevy, the Senior Executive Officer at the OSCE Office in Tajikistan.

The event was held as part of a series of training courses organized by the Border Management Unit this year with the aim of developing the capacities of Tajik border and security agencies.

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Latest from OSCE Special Monitoring Mission (SMM) to Ukraine based on information received as of 19:30 (Kyiv time), 13 May 2015

OSCE - Thu, 14/05/2015 - 18:52

This report is for the media and the general public.

The SMM monitored the implementation of the “Package of measures for the Implementation of the Minsk agreements”.  Its monitoring was restricted by third parties and security considerations.* The SMM observed continued fighting around Shyrokyne and Donetsk airport. At a “DPR” heavy weapons holding area the SMM observed that six self-propelled howitzers 122mm (Gvozdika) were missing.

The SMM continued to observe ceasefire violations in the hotspots of Shyrokyne (20km east of Mariupol) and surrounding areas, and in and around Donetsk airport. The SMM observed artillery, including mortars, tanks, heavy-machine gun fire, rifle and anti-aircraft guns, including the use of shrapnel-causing ammunition at the airport. Shyrokyne remained tense with sporadic small-arms and mortar fire heard by the SMM from its position at government-controlled Sopyne (3.5km west of Shyrokyne).

According to the representative of the Armed Forces of the Russian Federation to the Joint Centre for Control and Co-ordination (JCCC) observation point at Donetsk railway station (“Donetsk People’s Republic” - “DPR”-controlled, 8km north-west of Donetsk city) intensive fighting had taken place between “DPR” in Spartak (12km north-west of Donetsk) and the Ukrainian Armed Forces near Butivska mine (government-controlled, 14km north-west of Donetsk) on 12 May between 21:00hrs and 23:00hrs. According to the JCCC there was also intensive fighting between Ukrainian Armed Forces in Pisky (15km north-west of Donetsk) and “DPR” in Zhabunki (13km north-west of Donetsk).

In Horlivka (“DPR”-controlled, 39km north-east of Donetsk) the SMM observed six craters in six different locations. After performing a crater analysis and observing shrapnel and fuses, the SMM assessed that all six craters were the result of 122mm artillery fire. The SMM assessed that the majority of the shelling originated from a north-westerly direction. According to local residents in Horlivka, the shelling occurred on 12 May between 23:00 and 03:00hrs. 

At the Uspenka (“DPR”-controlled, 72km south-east of Donetsk) international border crossing point the SMM observed approximately 20 civilian vehicles with Ukrainian registration plates, waiting to cross into the Russian Federation. About 15 civilian trucks with Ukrainian registration plates were also lined up. According to passengers and drivers waiting in the queue the waiting time for cars was about 2hrs, whereas trucks had to wait 3 to 4 hours.

While stationary on the M03 road at the Luhansk/Donetsk administrative boundary close to “DPR”-controlled Debaltseve (71km north-west of Luhansk), the SMM heard at 14:30hrs three explosions from incoming shelling. The SMM spoke with three “DPR” armed members who said that live fire exercises are taking place in the area involving 80mm mortars. The SMM could observe the impact site approximately 500 meters south of the M03 road. The SMM has previously observed the use of the area as a “DPR” training site.

From 09:30 to 10:13hrs, at the last government-controlled checkpoint before the partially repaired Stanytsia Luhanska bridge (16km north-east of Luhansk), the SMM observed a continuous flow of civilians (both women and men of different age) crossing in both directions. According to the “Chernihiv” volunteer battalion checkpoint personnel, every day about 300-400 civilians (both women and men of different age) travel across the bridge of which about 50 are not let through. Only in case of obvious attempts to deceive the checkpoint staff would people be refused to pass. Further, the majority of people were allowed through, showing their Ukrainian internal passports to the checkpoint personnel. The SMM observed damaged houses near the bridge on “LPR”-controlled territory with holes in roofs and windows blown out. The checkpoint personnel said that on 12 May between 21:00 and 02:00hrs armed members of the “Lugansk People’s Republic” (“LPR”) attacked the town of Stanytsia Luhanska and the bridge with wire-guided anti-tank rockets (TUR) and rocket propelled grenades (RPG). According to the interlocutor, exchanges of fire between government forces and “LPR” members had taken place over the last days and several small groups of armed persons tried to access government- controlled territory. Local female residents told the SMM that several houses and the gas pipeline were damaged by the attacks of 12 May.

The SMM re-visited two “DPR” holding areas of heavy weapons. At one of the sites, the SMM was informed by the “DPR” commander that four of the self-propelled howitzers were taken out to a firing range close to the site. He then accompanied the SMM to the firing range where the SMM found four self-propelled howitzers 122mm (Gvozdika) that were the same as the ones previously recorded at the holding area nearby. The howitzers were in firing position pointing south-south-east. The SMM then went to the site where the team found two remaining self-propelled howitzers 122mm (Gvozdika) with removed engines. The engines were stored beside the howitzers.

At the second “DPR” heavy weapons holding area the SMM found only two 100mm anti-tank guns and observed that six self-propelled howitzers 122mm (Gvozdika) were missing. According to the “DPR” members at the site, the howitzers were taken away on the evening of 9 May to an unknown location.

The SMM re-visited one Ukrainian Armed Forces holding area of heavy weapons on 12 May to verify the inventory of 34 Uragan MLRS, BM-27 launchers and BM-27 transporter-loaders confirmed all weapons were in situ in compliance with Minsk withdrawal lines.

Despite claims that heavy weapons have been withdrawn, the SMM Unmanned Aerial Vehicle (UAV) operated in the area in and around Shyrokyne and further east and observed a number of main battle tanks (MBTs) on both sides of the contact line. In particular, in government-controlled areas of Pionerske, Sopyne and Novolaspa, (13km and 16 east of Mariupol and 90km north-east of Mariupol) it observed 6 MBTs; in “DPR”-controlled areas of Oktyabr (26km east of Mariupol) Michurine (70km north-east of Mariupol) and Sontseve (18km east of Mariupol) the UAV observed 7 MBTs.

In Kharkiv the SMM observed on 12 May a peaceful pro-unity rally held on the 34th birthday of the female Ukrainian pilot Nadia Savchenko (currently in detention in Moscow). Around 50 euro-Maidan activists of mixed gender and age, holding Ukrainian flags and escorted by five policemen, marched from the Liberty Square to the Russian Federation Consulate General . The Russian Federation Consulate was guarded by a cordon of 15 police officers. They called for the “liberation” of Savchenko and other Ukrainians citizen detained in Moscow. After approximately one hour, participants dispersed calmly.

In Odessa city the SMM visited on 13 May the site of an explosion between two railway stations. According to workers at the site, the explosion happened on 12 May at 23:55hrs. According to the railway workers they had fixed the damage and the SMM observed a train passing through the site at 10:30hrs. A representative of the Odessa regional transport police confirmed to the SMM the date and time of the explosion. According to him, the preliminary investigations revealed that a non-fragmentation explosive device with the equivalent of approximately 2.5 kg of Trinitrotoluene (TNT) was placed on the tracks near the railway bridge. The blast had resulted in the destruction of 500 metres of metal rail and a damaged sleeper. No casualties were reported. The incident has been classified as “sabotage” according to paragraph 113 of the Ukrainian Criminal Code. In addition, a representative of the Odessa regional police confirmed to the SMM that on 12 May at 14:25hrs at Solontsevatyi lane in Odessa, a handmade explosive device was discovered by gas company workers. The explosive material was in a plastic bottle with wires connected to a clockwork mechanism. An explosive ordnance disposal (EOD) unit of the Odessa regional police deactivated the device and sent it to a forensic laboratory for examination. The police assessed its action as ’Prevention of terrorist attack’.

In Kyiv the SMM attended a press conference which was held by the Parliamentary Commission on Human Rights and various civil society organizations, on the evacuation and public safety of state institutions in the area of Mariupol not controlled by the government. The institutions addressed by the speakers range from orphanages and hospitals to nursing homes and prisons. According to the speakers, in “DPR”/”LPR”-controlled areas there are 77 such institutions which accommodate approximately 60,000 persons. The speakers estimated that up to 35,000 persons should be urgently evacuated from areas not controlled by the Government east of Mariupol. In one of the hospitals in Mariupol there are approximately 100 bedridden patients. In case of emergency, measures in Mariupol need to be prepared for a possible evacuation of approximately 1086 persons, of whom 56 are orphans.

The SMM continued to monitor the situation in Kherson, Chernivtsi, Ivano-Frankivsk and Lviv.

 

* Restrictions on SMM access and freedom of movement:

The SMM is restrained in fulfilling its monitoring functions by restrictions imposed by third parties and security considerations including the lack of information on whereabouts of landmines. The security situation in Donbas is fluid and unpredictable and the ceasefire does not hold everywhere.

- On 12 May, at a Ukrainian Armed Forces checkpoint in government-controlled Makarove (19km north-east of Luhansk) the trunks of the SMM vehicles were inspected by the checkpoint personnel. The SMM was let through after five minutes.

- While returning to government-controlled Sievierodonetsk (74km north-west of Luhansk) a Ukrainian Armed Forces checkpoint guard was inspecting the OSCE red books of SMM members on patrol. The SMM was let through after eight minutes.

For a complete breakdown of the ceasefire violations, please see the annexed table.

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Spot Report by OSCE Observer Mission: A twenty fifth Russian convoy of 50 vehicles crossed into Ukraine and returned back through the Donetsk Border Crossing Point

OSCE - Thu, 14/05/2015 - 18:31

This report is for media and the general public.

SUMMARY

On 14 May 2015 at 06:52hrs (Moscow time), a Russian convoy arrived at the Donetsk Border Crossing Point (BCP). A total of 50 vehicles were checked by the Russian border guard and customs services. All the vehicles had crossed back into the Russian Federation by 14:45hrs on 14 May.

DETAIL

Leaving the Russian Federation

On 14 May 2015 at 06:52hrs, the Observer Mission observed the arrival of a Russian convoy at the gate of the Donetsk BCP. The Russian Ministry of Emergency Situations team led the process of the convoy’s movement. The convoy consisted of 44 cargo trucks and 6 support vehicles. All cargo trucks bore the inscription “Humanitarian help from the Russian Federation”.

The vehicles stopped at the customs control area, backdoors of all of the cargo trucks were opened and visually checked from outside by Russian border guards and customs officers. One service dog was used to check some of the cargo trucks. Ukrainian officers – 6 border guards and 1 customs officer – were present on site during the check. They performed visual observation of the opened trucks from the outside. By 08:02hrs all vehicles had left the BCP towards Ukraine. At 09:25hrs, the last two cargo trucks arrived at the BCP. After being visually checked from the outside, both trucks crossed into Ukraine by 09:37hrs.

Returning to the Russian Federation

At 14:15hrs on 14 May, the convoy arrived and lined up at the customs area in four lines. The backdoors of the trucks were open and both Russian and Ukrainian border guards and customs officers visually checked the returning convoy. One service dog was used to check some of the cargo trucks. By 14:45hrs on 14 May all 50 vehicles had returned and crossed back into the Russian Federation.

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OSCE Programme Office co-organizes Sixth Central Asian Internet Forum in Almaty

OSCE - Thu, 14/05/2015 - 14:55

ALMATY, 14 May 2015 – The OSCE-supported sixth annual Central Asian Forum on Internet Development began today in Almaty with a focus on the role of the Internet and the security of those who use it.

The two-day event was co-organized by the OSCE Programme Office in co-operation with the International Centre for Journalism MediaNet and the Konrad Adenauer Foundation. It brought together some 120 government officials, representatives from civil society, media-related non-governmental organizations, professional associations, experts and journalists from all Central Asian countries, Bulgaria, Germany, Russia and Ukraine. Michael Unland, Senior Adviser from the OSCE Office of the Representative on Freedom of the Media, spoke on freedom of the media and national security issues.

Participants will discuss information security and cybersecurity, the Internet as a platform for information wars, children’s safety in the virtual space and the ways to prevent the use of Internet for terrorist purposes. They will also focus on the trends and challenges in developing the Internet and exchange views about potential threats to the free flow of online information and the legal basis for Internet development in Central Asia.

“With enhancing the Internet’s role as a major media and communication platform, the state should take every step to ensure the protection of the virtual space against this new emerging threat,” said Natalia Zarudna, the Head of the OSCE Programme Office in Astana. She added that since 2005, the OSCE has consistently promoted and facilitated implementation of targeted measures to thwart the use of the Internet for terrorist purposes and countering cybercrimes with a focus on respecting human rights and fundamental freedoms.

Meiram Begentaev, Deputy of Parliament noted: “The World Wide Web offers huge opportunities for every country’s economic, cultural and social development in line with information society goals.  In this context, cybersecurity becomes one of the state’s priorities. Other priorities include telecommunications infrastructure development, the wide use of social networks for promoting society’s cohesion.”

As a result of the discussions, participants will develop a set of recommendations related to the Forums topics that will be disseminated among government agencies, other stakeholders in Central Asia and the Internet community at large.

The forum is part of the Office’s work in promoting freedom of expression and freedom of the media in Kazakhstan and the Central Asia region.

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OSCE Office in Yerevan helps to develop a guide on social services to promote child rights’ protection in Armenia

OSCE - Thu, 14/05/2015 - 13:58

YEREVAN, 14 May 2015 – Co-ordination between different players to prevent crime among youth and children is the main focus of a roundtable discussion organized today by the Children’s Support Centre, the police and the OSCE Office in Yerevan.

It aims to introduce the newly developed Guide on organizations which provide social services to children and their families and launch a new project to work on the development of juvenile crime prevention strategy. The guide is based on mapping of all social services in the country and includes information on 236 public organizations, 23 foundations, 3 associations and 10 services provided by 8 church units.

“We very much hope that this initiative will be useful and instrumental for child protection and welfare specialists in joining and doubling their efforts in strengthening the protection of the rights and best interests of a child, which forms an essential part of the OSCE Human Dimension Commitments acknowledged by the OSCE participating States,” said Lilian Salaru, Acting Head of the OSCE Office in Yerevan. He said that close partnerships including families, schools and communities will be vital in developing juvenile crime prevention strategy in Armenia consistent with child-friendly justice standards.

The event brought together representatives from various state and non-state institutions including police forces, the Ministry of Labor and Social Affairs, National Assembly Standing Committee on Protection of Human Rights and Public Affairs, Child Protection Units of the municipalities, regional administrations and civil society, which deal with juvenile crimes.

Mira Antonyan, the Executive Director of the Children’s Support Center, said: “We would like to call on our partners and all stakeholders to co-operate in the framework of the new project which strives to assist the efforts of the state bodies aimed at development of juvenile crime prevention”.

The roundtable follows a series of forums held last year in different regions of Armenia by the Children’s Support Center Foundation with the support of the OSCE Office in Yerevan to ensure better co-ordination and closer cooperation among different state and non-state agencies dealing with juvenile offenders.

The guide available only in Armenian can be found here: https://www.osce.org/yerevan/157266

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OSCE supports international dialogue on the role of parliament in achieving gender equality

OSCE - Thu, 14/05/2015 - 13:48

BISHKEK, 15 May 2015 – In co-operation with the OSCE Centre in Bishkek, the Kyrgyz Parliament hosts a two-day international conference on the role of Parliaments in achieving gender equality. The event is organized in the context of the Beijing +20 process marking the 20th anniversary of the Beijing Declaration and Platform for Action for the advancement of women and girls. The high-level meeting is held on 15-16 May.

International and national parliamentarians, including members of the OSCE Parliamentary Assembly, representatives of the Kyrgyz government, the international community, civil society and media from a large number of the OSCE participating States and beyond will review and discuss new challenges and opportunities in achieving gender equality in all areas of public life. Prominent political figures including Speaker of the Kyrgyz Parliament, Asylbek Jeenbekov, and the former Kyrgyz President, Roza Otunbayeva, will provide opening remarks. Daniyar Narymbaev, first deputy head of the Presidential office will deliver a speech on behalf of the President of the Kyrgyz Republic, Almazbek Atambaev.

“Parliaments play a key role in promoting and strengthening gender equality in our societies,” says Ambassador Sergey Kapinos, the Head of the OSCE Centre in Bishkek. He added that the OSCE counts on the Kyrgyz Parliament achieving at least 30 per cent of women MPs in the next legislature, setting an example for many other OSCE participating States in the region.

Three OSCE-supported international experts will share OSCE experience on women’s leadership in parliament, on implementing United Nations Resolution 1325 on women’s participation in conflict prevention and post-conflict reconstruction, as well as enhancing the opportunities of women in political participation.

The conference is supported by the British Embassy in Kyrgyzstan, UN (UNDP, UNICEF, UN Women), NDI, USAID and others.

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OSCE/ODIHR observers to hold press conference in Tirana on Friday

OSCE - Thu, 14/05/2015 - 12:12

TIRANA, 13 May 2015 – The OSCE Office for Democratic Institutions and Human Rights (ODIHR) will hold a press conference in Tirana on Friday, 15 May for the formal opening of the election observation mission for the 21 June 2015 local elections in Albania.

Ambassador Audrey Glover, Head of the OSCE/ODIHR election observation mission, will introduce the role of the mission and its upcoming activities. The press conference will also provide an opportunity for questions from journalists.

The OSCE/ODIHR election observation mission will partner with a delegation from the Council of Europe’s Congress of Local and Regional Authorities for observation and the release of a preliminary statement of findings and conclusions on the day after the elections.

The mission's deployment follows an invitation from the Albanian government.

The OSCE/ODIHR election observation mission and the OSCE Presence in Albania operate separately and independently under their own mandates.

Journalists are invited to attend the press conference at 13:00, Friday, 15 May, in the Teuta Room of the Tirana International Hotel, Scanderbeg Square, Tirana, Albania.

For further information, please contact Elma Sehalic, Media Analyst with the election observation mission, at +355 69 257 5055 or at elma.sehalic@odihr.al

or

Thomas Rymer, ODIHR Spokesperson, at + 48 609 522 266 or thomas.rymer@odihr.pl.

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OSCE/ODIHR opens limited observation mission for local elections in Moldova

OSCE - Thu, 14/05/2015 - 12:03

CHISINAU, 14 May 2015 – The OSCE Office for Democratic Institutions and Human Rights (ODIHR) today formally opened a limited election observation mission for the 14 June local elections in Moldova. The mission’s deployment follows an official invitation from the authorities of Moldova.

The mission is led by Kimmo Kiljunen and consists of a core team of 12 experts based in Chisinau and 14 long-term observers to be deployed in teams of two across the country.

The mission will observe the elections for their compliance with OSCE commitments, with other international obligations and standards for democratic elections and with national legislation. Observers will closely monitor the candidate and voter registration, campaign activities, the work of the election administration and relevant governmental bodies, election-related legislation and its implementation, campaign finance, the media environment and the resolution of election-related disputes. As part of the observation, the mission will also monitor the media coverage of the campaign.

In the course of its observation, the mission will meet with representatives from state authorities, political parties and candidates, and with representatives from civil society, the media and the international community.

While the mission will visit a limited number of polling stations on election day, systematic observation of voting, counting or tabulation of results on election day is not envisaged.

The OSCE/ODIHR limited election observation mission will join with a delegation from the Congress of Local and Regional Authorities of Council of Europe in issuing a statement of preliminary findings and conclusions on the day after the elections. A final report on the observation of the entire electoral process will be published by ODIHR approximately two months after the completion of the electoral process.

The OSCE/ODIHR Limited Election Observation Mission and the OSCE Mission to Moldova operate separately under their respective mandates.

For further information, please contact Giuseppe Milazzo, Media Analyst with the limited election observation mission, at +373 68 671 251 or at giuseppe.milazzo@odihr.md.

or

Thomas Rymer, ODIHR Spokesperson, at + 48 609 522 266 or at thomas.rymer@odihr.pl.

 

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Libya’s ungoverned spaces and escalating civil war in focus of OSCE-supported workshop in London

OSCE - Thu, 14/05/2015 - 11:55
Communication and Media Relations Section The New-Med Track II Network

A workshop on a multilateral approach to Libya and ungoverned territories in the Mediterranean region, hosted  by the European Council on Foreign Relations and the Istituto Affari Internazionali (International Affairs Institute), as part of the New Med network, supported by the Compagnia di San Paolo Foundation, in co-operation with the OSCE, took place on 13 May 2015, in London.

Leading Libyan and regional experts, high-level officials and representatives of the international community, discussed dynamics and policy options, as UN-mediated talks to solve the internal crisis enter their final and critical stage.

The workshop also provided a forum for discussing strategies to counter the many negative regional spillovers of the Libyan conflict, including the resulting humanitarian crisis, as well as rising energy insecurity and the spread of terrorist organizations including the self-proclaimed “Islamic State”.

The New Med network of experts, established in 2014, is analysing the situation in Libya and evolving regional influences in order to assess how multilateral support for the country’s security could look when Libya restores internal security. The network provides forward-looking and complementary input to the discussions about Libya taking place within the OSCE, thus supporting and expanding the political dialogue.  

Libya has applied to become an OSCE Partner for Co-operation in 2013. 

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OSCE Special Monitoring Mission to Ukraine to hold news briefing in Kyiv tomorrow

OSCE - Thu, 14/05/2015 - 10:46

KYIV, 14 May 2015 – The OSCE Special Monitoring Mission to Ukraine (SMM) will hold its regular news briefing tomorrow in Kyiv.

Alexander Hug, the SMM’s Deputy Chief Monitor, will talk about the recent Mission’s activities and the general security situation throughout Ukraine.

Journalists are invited to attend the news briefing tomorrow, 15 May, at 13:15 (Kyiv time), at the Ukrainian Crisis Media Centre, at 2 Khreshchatyk street, Ukrainian house.

Live online streaming of the news briefing will be available at http://uacrisis.org/ru/stream/#eng 

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Latest from OSCE Special Monitoring Mission (SMM) to Ukraine based on information received as of 19:30 (Kyiv time), 12 May 2015

OSCE - Wed, 13/05/2015 - 16:48

This report is for the media and the general public.

The SMM monitored the implementation of the “Package of measures for the Implementation of the Minsk agreements”. Its monitoring was restricted by third parties and security considerations*. The SMM observed fighting continued around Shyrokyne and Donetsk airport. The SMM continued to visit heavy weapons holding areas, and noted that some weapons had been removed.

The SMM continued to observe ceasefire violations in the hotspots of Shyrokyne (20km east of Mariupol) and surrounding areas, and in and around Donetsk airport.[1] Shyrokyne remained tense with sporadic small-arms and mortar fire heard by the SMM from their position at government-controlled Berdianske (2.5km west of Shyrokyne). In government-controlled Luhanske (57km north-east of Donetsk), the SMM heard 50 explosions from incoming heavy artillery (152mm calibre). In the Luhansk region the SMM heard four explosions emanating from government-controlled Toshkivka (57km north-west of Luhansk).

The Ukrainian Armed Forces Major-General, Head of the Ukrainian side at the Joint Centre for Control and Co-ordination (JCCC) headquarters in government-controlled Soledar (77km north of Donetsk), expressed concern to the SMM over the deaths of four Ukrainian Armed Forces soldiers in the last 24 hours. According to him, three died in the area of Donetsk airport, with one fatality in the area of Shyrokyne (20km east of Mariupol). This information was corroborated by the Russian Colonel-General, Representative of the Russian Federation Armed Forces to the JCCC.

The SMM went to “DPR”-controlled Horlivka (37km north-northeast of Donetsk) to observe damage caused by shelling on 7 May. The SMM saw damage to a kindergarten (broken windows and a destroyed entrance). JCCC representatives from the Horlivka office - both Russian Federation Armed Forces and Ukrainian Armed Forces officers - and local residents said one projectile exploded in the yard of the kindergarten on 7 May and caused no injuries. The impact area was repaired, making crater analysis impossible. The SMM was however, able to determine that artillery was used. At a second impact area, 300 metres from the kindergarten, damage was observed by the SMM in a residential area. Crater analysis was not possible as the impact area was repaired. No causalities were reported.

In government-controlled Kramatorsk (80km north of Donetsk) the SMM met a representative of the non-governmental organization (NGO) SOS (affiliated to the Ukrainian Greek Catholic Church) that assists internally displaced persons (IDPs) with food and financial support. According to the representative, at the end of April, approximately 1,500 non-registered IDPs arrived from “DPR”-controlled Horlivka.

At the village council building in government-controlled Trokhizbenka (33km north-west of Luhansk) the SMM observed a protest against the ban (according to the Aidar volunteer battalion commander at the bridge, the result of a directive from the Governor) on crossing the bridge between government-controlled and “Lugansk People’s Republic” (“LPR”)-controlled areas (see SMM Daily Report 5 May 2015, http://www.osce.org/ukraine-smm/155346). A crowd of approximately 200 people (70% of whom were women, mostly middle-aged) took part. Protesters told the SMM that around half of local residents work in “LPR”-controlled areas, most at the psychiatric hospital near Slovianoserbsk (28km north-west of Luhansk), just three kilometres from the bridge, and find it difficult to reach their place of work due to the ban. Employees are forced to make a long detour to reach their place of work.

The SMM spoke with residents of two villages near the contact line in “LPR”-controlled areas. Two middle-aged residents (one man, one woman) in Obozne (18km north of Luhansk) told the SMM that they have had no electricity since shelling damaged the local power station in April. The same power station also supplied energy to nearby Khrystove (18km north of Luhansk). A woman in this village confirmed that residents are also without electricity.

The SMM continued to visit heavy weapons holding areas. In “DPR”-controlled areas the SMM saw three heavy weapons holding areas. At one location six Grad systems were missing. The “DPR” “commander” told the SMM that the weapons were removed for training purposes. At a second site, four of six self-propelled Howitzers (2S1, 152mm calibre) were removed - according to persons at the site - for training. On the other hand, the SMM located seven mortar systems (120mm) at this site that had not been noted previously. At a third location, all weapons previously recorded were in situ. The SMM made return visits to two Ukrainian Armed Forces heavy weapons holding areas. At one location the SMM was denied access by Ukrainian Armed Forces soldiers, because the commander was not present. The SMM had previously attempted to access this site on 7 May (see SMM Daily Report, 8 May, http://www.osce.org/ukraine-smm/156046) but was denied, with the same reason given.

Despite claims that the withdrawal of heavy weapons was complete, the SMM observed the following weapons’ movements in areas that are in violation of Minsk withdrawal lines. In “DPR”-controlled areas the SMM saw four tanks (T-72). In areas under the control of the “LPR”, the SMM saw four tanks. In government-controlled areas the SMM saw six tanks (five T-64s, one T-72) and one 122mm towed howitzer gun.

The SMM Unmanned Aerial Vehicle (UAV) observed three Ukrainian Armed Forces artillery pieces (likely towed 152mm cannon) near the government-controlled village of Pionerske (13km east of Mariupol) (previously reported in SMM Daily Report, 11 May, http://www.osce.org/ukraine-smm/156416). More than 20 boxes of ammunition were at the site.

The SMM monitored a demonstration in Kherson held in front of city hall and a subsequent meeting inside the building by protestors calling for the ouster of some officials. About eighty protestors (mainly middle-aged, both men and women) including inter alia representatives of Pravyy Sektor (Right Sector), the Radical Party and the Ukrainian Republican Party, called for the dismissal of the city’s deputy mayors for their alleged inability to prevent the display of Communist Party and Opposition Bloc symbols during a 9 May commemorative event. An agreement had been reached between the governor, political parties and activists to abstain from displaying political symbols (see SMM Daily Report, 11 May 2015, http://www.osce.org/ukraine-smm/156416).

The SMM observed a protest outside the building of the Presidential Administration of Ukraine in Kyiv of mothers, wives and daughters of soldiers from the Kyiv Rus 11th Ukrainian Armed Forces battalion. The protestors demanded rotation of the aforementioned battalion. According to them, there is no sign that the planned 15 May rotation of the battalion will take place. Twenty women (between the ages of 20 and 50) took part. Four members of the battalion itself were present. Five male police officers observed.

The SMM observed a discussion at the Ukrainian Parliament (Verkhovna Rada) on a proposal to allow foreigners to sign contracts with the Ukrainian Ministry of Defence in order to join the Ukrainian Armed Forces. After discussion, and despite some dissenting voices, the Parliament passed the measure.

The SMM continued to monitor the situation in Kharkiv, Dnepropetrovsk, Odessa, Chernivtsi, Ivano-Frankivsk and Lviv.

* Restrictions on SMM access and freedom of movement:

The SMM is restrained in fulfilling its monitoring functions by restrictions imposed by third parties and security considerations including the lack of information on whereabouts of landmines. The security situation in Donbas is fluid and unpredictable and the cease-fire does not hold everywhere.

  • The SMM was stopped at a Ukrainian Armed Forces-controlled checkpoint in Vilkhove (22km north-east of Luhansk) and asked for a password. The SMM was unable to provide a password and was not allowed to proceed.
  • At a Ukrainian Armed Forces checkpoint near Novohnativka (41km south-south-east of Donetsk) the SMM was told to take a military vehicle escort because of security concerns. The SMM was escorted by a military truck up to the junction with Buhas (41km south-east of Donetsk).
  • The SMM were stopped for 30 minutes at a Ukrainian Armed Forces checkpoint in Vynohradne (10km east of Mariupol) as personnel present said the vehicles displayed the “wrong plate numbers”.   
 

[1] For a complete breakdown of the ceasefire violations, please see the annexed table.

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Turkey must urgently demonstrate commitment to free media and speech, says OSCE PA’s Santos

OSCE - Wed, 13/05/2015 - 15:16

COPENHAGEN, 13 May 2015 – The Chair of the OSCE Parliamentary Assembly’s Committee on Democracy, Human Rights and Humanitarian Questions, Isabel Santos (MP, Portugal), today expressed deep concern over continuing restrictions placed on freedom of media and freedom of speech in Turkey and urged the country’s leaders to immediately abide by their commitment to upholding these liberties.

“Turkey’s stated goal is to be a modern, European state, but its record on freedom of expression remains incompatible with that goal,” Santos said.

The OSCE PA’s democracy and human rights Chair noted that Turkey continues to have one of the highest numbers of imprisoned journalists among OSCE participating States, despite notable releases last year, and makes more requests to Twitter to remove content than any other country. She also referenced other forms of pressure on and intimidation of journalists, which often result in self-censorship, as causes for concern.

“To cite alleged insults to the president or state as justification for punishing reporters or restricting social media is to openly admit political motivation. Citing problematic anti-terrorism and telecommunications legislation to clamp down on journalism and free speech does not make these actions any more acceptable.

“During the current election campaign period and beyond, the Turkish government and courts must demonstrate respect for dissenting views, whether spoken, printed or posted online. Doing so is essential if Turkey wants to take democracy seriously,” Santos said.

Santos indicated her openness to engaging with Turkish colleagues in the OSCE PA and with Turkish authorities on the topic of freedom of expression and other civil liberties- and democracy-related issues in the country.

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OSCE/ODIHR workshop in Armenia stresses the need to conduct proper impact assessment in policy and law making processes

OSCE - Wed, 13/05/2015 - 14:33
156991

Impact assessment as an effective tool in producing better legislation was the focus of a workshop organized by the OSCE Office for Democratic Institutions and Human Rights (ODIHR), in co-operation with the Ministry of Justice of the Republic of Armenia and the OSCE Office in Yerevan. It was held in Tsaghkadzor, Armenia, on 12 and 13 May 2015.

The workshop gathered some 35 representatives from the Ministries of Justice, Finance and Economics, as well as from the National Assembly and civil society. Workshop participants discussed ways to ensure the proper conduct of impact assessment for drafting policy decisions and legislation. It also focused on ways to involve key stakeholders in impact assessments.

“It is only through proper assessment of the potential impact of a law at an early stage that lawmakers can ensure that what looks good on paper will also work well in practice,” said Alice Thomas, Chief of the ODIHR Legislative Support Unit. “This is one of the key elements of good, effective lawmaking.”

Arsen Mkrtchyan, First Deputy Minister of Justice, said: “Impact assessment is an important tool to obtain high quality legislation throughout the entire cycle of policy-making, beginning from the problem analysis stage, when different solutions are assessed, to the adoption of a legal act, and the ensuing monitoring and evaluation of its implementation.”

This was the second of four thematic workshops on different aspects of the lawmaking process in Armenia to be conducted throughout 2015, as envisaged by an agreement signed between ODIHR and the Ministry of Justice in 2014. The recommendations made in each workshop will later form part of a regulatory-reform roadmap for Armenia, offering concrete and specific action points.

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OSCE/ODIHR observers to hold press conference in Chisinau on Thursday

OSCE - Wed, 13/05/2015 - 14:12

CHISINAU, 13 May 2015 – The OSCE Office for Democratic Institutions and Human Rights (ODIHR) will hold a press conference in Chisinau on Thursday, 14 May for the formal opening of the limited election observation mission for the 14 June 2015 local elections in Moldova.

Mr Kimmo Kiljunen, the Head of the OSCE/ODIHR limited election observation mission, will introduce the role of the mission and its upcoming activities. The press conference will also provide an opportunity for questions from journalists.

The OSCE/ODIHR limited election observation mission will partner with a delegation from the Council of Europe’s Congress of Local and Regional Authorities for observation and the release of a preliminary statement of findings and conclusions on the day after the elections.

The mission's deployment follows an invitation from the authorities of Moldova.

The OSCE/ODIHR limited election observation mission and the OSCE Mission to Moldova operate separately and independently under their own mandates.

Journalists are invited to attend the press conference at 13:00, Thursday, 14 May, in the Summit Events & Conference Center, Tighina Str. 49/3, Chisinau.

For further information, please contact Giuseppe Milazzo, Media Analyst with the limited election observation mission, at +373 68 671 251 or at giuseppe.milazzo@odihr.md (e-mail).

or

Thomas Rymer, ODIHR Spokesperson, at + 48 609 522 266 or thomas.rymer@odihr.pl

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Proposed anti-terrorism legislation in Canada could limit free expression, says OSCE media freedom representative

OSCE - Wed, 13/05/2015 - 13:23

VIENNA, 13 May 2015 – Legislation designed to fight terrorism now being considered by the Parliament of Canada may limit free expression rights, OSCE Representative on Freedom of the Media Dunja Mijatović told Foreign Minister Rob Nicholson in a letter last week.

The legal review of Bill C-51, the Anti-terrorism Act 2015, was commissioned by the Representative’s Office and carried out by attorney Toby Mendel, executive director of the Centre for Law and Democracy in Nova Scotia.

Among other things, the legal review notes that it is well established under international law that there is an important difference between mere advocacy or promotion of something, regardless of its harmfulness, and incitement to a harmful result.

“The proposed legislation criminalizes the unclear concepts of advocating or promoting acts or being reckless in recognizing they may be committed,” Mijatović wrote. “Limits on the right to free expression should not be introduced into law when based on such vague notions.”

The legal review suggests changes to the proposed law that would bring it in compliance with international standards and OSCE commitments.

The legal review is available at www.osce.org/fom/156261.

The OSCE Representative on Freedom of the Media observes media developments in all 57 OSCE participating States. She provides early warning on violations of freedom of expression and media freedom and promotes full compliance with OSCE media freedom commitments. Learn more atwww.osce.org/fom, Twitter: @OSCE_RFoM and on facebook.com/osce.rfom.

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ODIHR Director Link renews call for international investigation on 10th anniversary of Andijan killings

OSCE - Wed, 13/05/2015 - 09:56

WARSAW, 13 May 2015 – On the 10th anniversary of deaths of hundreds of largely unarmed civilians, shot by security forces in Andijan, Uzbekistan, Michael Georg Link, Director of the OSCE Office for Democratic Institutions and Human Rights (ODIHR), repeated the Office’s call for an international investigation of the killings.

“We must, on this day, not only remember those who lost their lives in the massacre, or their families, still waiting for justice,” Director Link said. “Most importantly, we must renew our call for the establishment of an independent, credible, international investigation into the events in Andijan on 13 May, 2005.”

Although ODIHR officials were not allowed to visit Andijan after the shootings, a report of preliminary findings released by the Office, based on interviews in Kyrgyzstan with refugees from Uzbekistan, put the number killed at from 300 to 500. It also found that Uzbekistan’s security forces fired indiscriminately at unarmed protesters in the town’s Babur Square and that extrajudicial executions may have occurred during and in the wake of the protests at the square.

“Our report established strong grounds from which to conclude that the security forces committed gross human rights violations, including to the most basic right to life, through the unnecessary use of lethal force against the protesters,” the ODIHR Director said. “Until these violations are addressed and the full truth of what happened is established, the shadow of events a decade ago still hangs over the human rights and, as a result, the security situation today.”

The events in Andijan began with protests at the trials of 23 local businessmen. These were followed by the storming of the prison where the businessmen were being held by armed gunmen in the early hours of 13 May. This drew much larger crowds into the square, with the focus of the protest broadening to include issues such as economic policy and poverty. The deaths occurred as security forces reportedly fired indiscriminately on the crowds either in the square or trying to leave it, without warning, on numerous occasions through the day.

Uzbekistan officials put the death toll at 187, with 60 of these listed as protesters killed by the gunmen who stormed the prison and the rest as gunmen killed by government forces. These figures have been contradicted by most other reports of the events, including those by ODIHR and international human rights organizations, which put the number of deaths much higher.

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OSCE supports seminar on water-metering technologies in Kazakhstan

OSCE - Wed, 13/05/2015 - 09:49

KYZYLORDA, 13 May 2015An OSCE-supported training seminar on the use of advanced devices and technologies for water metering began today in Kyzylorda, southern Kazakhstan.

The OSCE Programme Office in Astana co-organized the two-day event in partnership with the International Fund for Saving the Aral Sea for some 30 representatives of the Aral-Syrdaya Water Basin Council, local authorities, the business community and civil society who will discuss best practices and methodologies applied in water resources governance.

The seminar aims to enhance participants'  knowledge and improve their skills of  effective water management practices, in particular in water metering in irrigation systems, water control automation process and water accounting methods. On the second day, participants will take part in a site visit to the Kyzylorda and Baikadam water facilities where they will see the water-metering equipment and systems in use.

“In view of the priorities placed by Kazakhstan and the OSCE on water governance, one of the main tasks is to promote efficient use of available water resources because the situation with the water supply in Central Asia will hardly improve in the foreseeable future,” noted Ambassador Natalia Zarudna, Head of the OSCE Programme Office in Astana. “Integrated water resources management, most notably the accounting and control of water use and equal access to water resources builds up trust and is of paramount importance for preventing water-related conflicts including at the local community level.”

Erdos Kulzhanbekov, Head of the Programme of Reclamation and Development at the State Programme of Water Resources Management in Kazakhstan at the Committee for Water Resources Ministry of Agriculture said: “Within the framework of the State Programme of Water Resources Management in Kazakhstan there are plans to supply up to 80% of water management systems with modern facilities and equipment to monitor the intake and use of water resources. Doing so is a basic condition for achieving the target goals of the State Programme until 2020.”

The event is part of the Office’s long-term activities to promote integrated water resources management and to support the host country’s efforts to introduce green growth and sustainable development principles and to rehabilitate the Kazakhstan’s part of the Aral Sea by modernizing water infrastructure in the region.

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Weekly update from the OSCE Observer Mission at Russian Checkpoints Gukovo and Donetsk based on information as of 10:00 (Moscow time), 12 May 2015

OSCE - Tue, 12/05/2015 - 21:11

This report is for media and the general public.

SUMMARY

Kamensk-Shakhtinskiy, Russian Federation. The Observer Mission (OM) continues to operate 24/7 at both BCPs. The overall cross-border traffic decreased at both Border Crossing Points (BCPs).

DETAIL

OM’s staff composition

The OM is currently operating with 20 staff members, consisting of 19 permanent international observers (incl. the Chief Observer) and one first-responder who is performing duties of an administrative assistant. Five staff members are currently on leave.

Cross-border movements common to both BCPs

The profile of the people crossing the border remains unchanged and can be categorised as follows:

  1. Families on foot or travelling by car, with a lot of luggage, often accompanied by elderly people;
  2. Adults (usually of younger age) with no luggage or empty cars;
  3. People wearing military-style clothes with or without backpacks, crossing on foot or in vehicles.

As compared to last week, the average number of entries/exits decreased overall from 7,542 to 7,126 per day for both BCPs; the average net flow went from minus 305 (i.e. more exits from the Russian Federation) to plus 386 (i.e. more entries to the Russian Federation). The Donetsk BCP continued to experience more traffic than the Gukovo BCP. The cross-border movements registered at both BCPs accounted for over 32 percent of all entries/exits in the Rostov region. The majority of the vehicles crossing the border have number plates issued in the Luhansk region, including an increasing number of articulated trucks and the long-distance coaches commuting between Luhansk and cities in the Russian Federation, predominantly in the Rostov region.

Common observations at the BCPs

The situation at both BCPs remained calm. The OM continued to observe that the Russian Federation border guard and customs service conducted checks and controls.

Regular local and long-distance bus connections continued to operate between the Luhansk region and cities in the Russian Federation. In addition to regular bus connections, the Observer Teams (OTs) also continued to observe bus connections on irregular routes. Often the buses do not state their route; instead they just have a sign in the window saying “Irregular”.

During the reporting period, the number of men and women in military-style dress crossing the border in both directions increased from 319 to 381 at both BCPs. These people have been crossing individually or in groups and on foot or in vehicles. Approximately ninety percent of border crossings occurred at the Donetsk BCP. The OTs have observed that recently persons in military-style dress have been travelling by bus across the border which makes it more difficult for the OTs to observe their movement across the border. The OTs also have observed an increasing number of physically fit young men in civilian clothing with short haircuts who often have camo-colored bags.

Furthermore, the OTs continued to observe Ukrainian vehicles including articulated trucks with “DPR/LPR” stickers on their license plates replacing the Ukrainian flag.

During the reporting week the OM continued to observe an increased number of trucks crossing the border in both directions. The OTs continued to observe dumper trucks transporting coal from the Luhansk region to the Russian Federation through the BCP Gukovo. The OTs observed intense trailer truck traffic at BCP Donetsk crossing the border in both directions. While majority of the trucks are registered in Luhansk oblast, during the reporting period the OTs have also observed trucks registered in Belarus and Lithuania cross the border. The OTs also observed tanker trucks crossing the border both ways. These crossings occurred at both BCPs. These trucks for the most part had the word “Propane” and “Flammable” written across the tanks in Russian.

Military movement

At the two BCPs the OM did not observe military movement, apart from the usual vehicles of the Russian Federation Border Guard Service.

Observation at the Gukovo BCP

The traffic flow at the Gukovo BCP decreased compared to last week. A daily average of 2,178 entries and exits was recorded, which accounted for exactly ten percent of all entries/exits in the Rostov region. The net flow went from plus 14 to plus 162 (i.e. more entries to the Russian Federation) on average per day.

During the week, the OM observed a total of 38 persons in military-style clothing crossing the border at the Gukovo BCP, 18 of whom left for Ukraine while 20 entered the Russian Federation.

As in previous weeks, the OM observed dumper trucks transporting coal from the Luhansk region to the Russian Federation though the intensity of the transportation has significantly decreased during the reporting week. As reported previously, the observers saw Russian Federation customs officers verifying that the trucks were empty while leaving the Russian Federation.

In addition to the above-mentioned tanker trucks with the word “Propane” and “Flammable”, the OT observed an unusual number of orange articulated fuel trucks crossing at the Gukovo BCP. On one morning eleven of these trucks were lined up at the entrance of the BCP waiting to cross into Ukraine. Such movement of fuel trucks has not been seen before.  

The OTs picked up on the sound of trains running down the train tracks located approximately 150 meters south west of the BCP on twelve occasions during the reporting week; the OTs estimated that seven trains were going to Ukraine; five were bound for the Russian Federation. Visual observation was not possible because of the line of trees in between the train tracks and the BCP.

On May 9 at 16:17 the OT heard approximately 20 assault rifle shots fired in short bursts; the sound came from the west. At 22:36 on the same day the OT heard small arms shots, single and in series, for about 25 seconds coming from direction north-west; the shots were chaotic in their nature. About an hour later the OT once again heard small arms shots, single and in series, for about 10 seconds coming from the same direction.

Observation at the Donetsk BCP

During the reporting period the activity at the Donetsk BCP decreased compared to last week. The daily average of 4,947 entries and exits accounted for just under twenty three percent of all entries/exits in the Rostov region. The net flow changed from minus 319 (i.e. more exiting from Russian Federation) to plus 224 (i.e. more entries to the Russian Federation) on average per day. The OT observed 343 persons in military-style clothing crossing the border at the Donetsk BCP individually and in groups; 162 persons entered the Russian Federation while 181 left for Ukraine.

Two ambulances were observed at the BCP Donetsk during the reporting period. On one occasion an ambulance arrived from the Russian Federation side to pick up middle aged lady who felt unwell at the BCP. No injured or wounded persons were observed in the other ambulance.

During the reporting period the OT observed a minivan with a white A4 format paper that had Gruz 200 (“Cargo 200” which is a well-known Russian military code used for “military personnel killed in action”) written on it. No coffin was observed inside. On another occasion during the reporting week, the OT observed a van with a sign “Funeral Service” in Russian.

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