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OSCE Parliamentary Assembly Special Representative holds high-level meetings in Kyrgyzstan, delivers speech at OSCE Academy on conflict prevention

OSCE - Fri, 03/06/2016 - 17:23

BISHKEK, 3 June 2016 – Wrapping up a two-day visit to Kyrgyzstan, which has included meetings with the Speaker of the Parliament, the Minister of Foreign Affairs, and officials at the OSCE Centre in Bishkek, Special Representative for Central and Eastern Asia and Vice-President of the OSCE Parliamentary Assembly Christine Muttonen spoke to students today at the OSCE Academy in Bishkek on conflict prevention and peace-building, noting the strengths of the OSCE’s approach, as well as areas for improvement.

Muttonen’s visit this week – her first to Kyrgyzstan since her appointment as Special Representative in January – has served as an opportunity to discuss confidence-building in the region and developing co-operative approaches to common challenges such as energy security, water management and border co-operation. In her meetings with Speaker of Parliament Chynybay Tursunbekov and Minister of Foreign Affairs Erlan Abdyldaev, Muttonen noted the importance of continuing to build trust and dialogue through the OSCE.

“There is a need to develop ways of countering the lack of trust and promoting co-operation between countries in the region,” she said. “The OSCE is our common organization, an inclusive organization in which all of its members have an equal voice, and we need to work effectively together within this forum.”

Discussions in Bishkek also focused on promoting follow-up on OSCE/ODIHR election-related recommendations and on the importance that Kyrgyzstan attaches to the OSCE and its Parliamentary Assembly. Muttonen expressed appreciation for the fact that Kyrgyzstan intends to send a full delegation to the OSCE PA’s 25th Annual Session in Tbilisi, Georgia, next month.

In meetings with staff of the OSCE Centre in Bishkek, Muttonen was briefed on the situation in the country and heard about the Centre’s ongoing projects, notably in the spheres of early warning and conflict prevention, as well as youth-oriented and parliamentary development projects. There was also discussion on the possibility of holding future OSCE PA events in the country.

In her lecture at the OSCE Academy, she highlighted the early warning capabilities of the OSCE – including through its field operations such as the Centre in Bishkek – but regretted that sometimes political considerations hamper effective implementation of early warning mechanisms. Discussing the OSCE’s consensus-based decision-making procedure and the non-binding character of its decisions, Muttonen pointed out the OSCE is only as strong as its participating States allow it to be.

Nevertheless, she said, the OSCE’s response to the crisis in and around Ukraine has served as an example of its ability to engage in conflict prevention and peace-building. “The Ukraine conflict has shown that the OSCE is well-placed and equipped to engage in conflict prevention and support mediation and peace-building,” said the PA Vice-President. “Through its unanimous vote principle, the OSCE and its participating States can formulate strong political agreements, even if the process may be slow.”

She noted that OSCE parliamentarians have been active in supporting the Central Asian countries’ peace-building efforts, notably through fact-finding missions.

Muttonen’s speech at the OSCE Academy concluded a week-long visit to Central Asia, which included meetings with government officials, parliamentary leaders and representatives of civil society in Astana, Almaty, and Bishkek.

In her mandate as Special Representative, she is tasked, inter alia, with encouraging active participation in the PA by parliamentarians from Central Asia, as well as liaising with and supporting the work of the OSCE field operations in the region.

To watch a recent interview with the Special Representative, in which she discusses her priorities, please click here. Photos of her visit this week to Central Asia are on Flickr. Her full remarks to the OSCE Academy are available here.

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At OSCE Code of Conduct conference, PA Members stress importance of parliamentary oversight

OSCE - Fri, 03/06/2016 - 16:41

BERLIN, 3 June 2016 – Some 20 OSCE parliamentarians were in Berlin this week for an OSCE Code of Conduct conference focused on strengthening parliamentary control of the security sector. The event, which took place 2-3 June, highlighted the important role that parliaments play in both the oversight of armed forces and in increasing the level of political support for the OSCE Code of Conduct on Politico-Military Aspects, particularly in the context of emerging security challenges.

Speaking at the opening session Thursday, OSCE PA Vice-President Alain Neri noted that at the core of the Code of Conduct is a recognition of the importance of democratic civilian control of the armed and security forces, which means that elected parliaments must have ultimate authority over the activities of the security sector. “It is up to parliamentarians,” he said, “to ensure that fundamental human rights are respected by all security and intelligence services, both public and private.”

He regretted however that “the norms and principles outlined by the Code of Conduct are being breached with a discouraging frequency” and that “there is hardly any participating State across the OSCE region with a comprehensive and fully effective oversight over the private and public security sectors.”

Neri said that members of parliament have a special role to play not only by providing needed oversight, but by increasing the Code of Conduct’s legitimacy and relevance through active political support. For the Code to fulfill its purpose, he pointed out, both experts and parliamentarians are needed to commit to fostering its implementation.

OSCE PA Treasurer and Head of the German Delegation Doris Barnett also spoke Thursday, focusing her remarks on the changing character of conflicts, including the growing number of internal and external actors that are involved in armed conflicts and the role of non-state actors. The term “hybrid warfare” has come to define discussions around security, she pointed out, with civil, economic, informational and technological means being used for aims of war instead of peace.

“To identify who is fighting against whom, with whose support, with which aims and interests – to keep a clear overview, not to mention predicting these relationships, is anything but easy, and therefore an intense inter-disciplinary, trans-sectoral, and international co-operative approach among parliamentarians is required,” said Barnett.

The OSCE PA’s Special Representative in Vienna, Amb. Andreas Nothelle, moderated a session today entitled “Parliamentary Control of Armed and Security Forces and the Role of the Code of Conduct: Perspectives on Furthering Implementation,” and delivered concluding remarks at the closing session.

“If implemented faithfully the Code of Conduct is all-encompassing and sufficiently flexible to address all new challenges of our times,” Nothelle said. “The OSCE PA, in its 2014 resolution on parliamentary oversight over the private and public security sectors, has set guidelines for meeting these challenges.”

Organized jointly by Germany’s 2016 OSCE Chairmanship and the OSCE Conflict Prevention Centre, in partnership with the OSCE Parliamentary Assembly and the Geneva Centre for the Democratic Control of Armed Forces, the event brought together over 100 participants, including parliamentarians from OSCE participating States and Partners for Co-operation, senior government officials, representatives of OSCE institutions, OSCE field presences and civil society.

OSCE parliamentarians from 13 countries participated, including several Bureau Members and Special Representatives.

For Vice-President Neri’s full remarks, please click here. Treasurer Barnett’s remarks are available (in German) here.

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ODIHR Director Link expresses concern over sentencing of officials of political party banned in Tajikistan

OSCE - Fri, 03/06/2016 - 16:26

WARSAW, 3 June 2016 – Michael Georg Link, Director of the OSCE Office for Democratic Institutions and Human Rights (ODIHR), expressed concern today over yesterday’s sentencing by a court in Dushanbe of two leaders of the banned Islamic Renaissance Party (IRPT) to life imprisonment, and 11 other high-ranking party officials to jail terms ranging from two to 28 years.

“The harsh sentences handed down yesterday, following the earlier ban of the IRPT and the arrest and harassment of its members and their families and lawyers, raise concerns in relation to the commitments Tajikistan has made as an OSCE participating State to uphold key values of democracy, including political pluralism and political participation,” the ODIHR Director said. “ODIHR has raised this issue with the authorities in the past, and asked for more information on the rationale behind these actions.”

The IRPT party officials were convicted and sentenced by the court on charges that they had conspired in and taken part in the organization of an army coup in the country in September 2015. At that time, the Supreme Court banned the party as an “extremist and terrorist organization”.

The trials leading up to yesterday’s sentences were held behind closed doors, with the proceedings off-limits to the media as well.

“Fair-trial rights are a central element of the rule of law, and measures limiting public scrutiny of and access to criminal proceedings can only undermine confidence that these rights are being upheld,” Director Link said. “ODIHR continues to stand ready to support the Tajik authorities in fulfilling the country’s OSCE commitments in the areas of political pluralism and the rule of law.”

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Latest from OSCE Special Monitoring Mission (SMM) to Ukraine, based on information received as of 19:30, 2 June 2016

OSCE - Fri, 03/06/2016 - 16:22

This report is for media and the general public.

The SMM observed more ceasefire violations in Donetsk region and fewer ceasefire violations in Luhansk region compared with the previous day. The Mission continued to monitor the withdrawal of weapons and noted heavy weapons in violation of withdrawal lines. The SMM also noted armoured combat vehicles in the security zone. The Mission’s freedom of movement was restricted several times, mostly in areas not controlled by the Government, including once at the border. An SMM mini UAV crashed south of Stanytsia Luhanska bridge, and the SMM lost all communication with its long-range UAV while it was flying over “DPR” controlled  areas.* The Mission observed several peaceful protests in Kyiv.

The SMM recorded more ceasefire violations[1] in Donetsk region than during the previous day. Positioned at the “DPR”-controlled Donetsk central railway station (6km north-west of Donetsk city centre), the SMM observed two undetermined explosions (impacts), and heard 94 undetermined explosions, ten bursts (outgoing) and eight explosions (impacts) assessed as caused by automatic grenade launcher, as well as multiple bursts of heavy machine-gun and bursts and single shots of small arms fire 2-8km north, north-east, north-north-east and north-north-west of its position.

Whilst in “DPR”-controlled Yasynuvata (16km north-east of Donetsk), the SMM heard 53 undetermined explosions and more than 200 bursts and single shots of small-arms fire 1-8km west, west-north-west, north-west, north-north-west, north, south-east and east-south-east of its position.

Positioned in and near government-controlled Marinka, the SMM heard four explosions (impacts) assessed as caused by anti-tank rocket-propelled grenade-launcher rounds, four explosions (impacts) of automatic-grenade-launcher rounds, four explosions (impacts) of 30mm automatic cannon, nine undetermined explosions, as well as 194 bursts and single shots of small arms fire 1-3km north-east of its locations.

Whilst in government-controlled Avdiivka (17km north of Donetsk), the SMM heard six undetermined explosions, 34 explosions assessed as caused by 82mm mortar rounds, and eight of mortar of unknown calibre, three explosions assessed as caused by automatic grenade launchers, four bursts and four penetrating rounds (impacts) from 23mm anti-aircraft automatic cannon, as well as ten bursts of heavy-machine-gun and 31 bursts and single shots of small-arms fire 2-8km south-east, south-south-east, south and south-south-west of its position.

The SMM observed fewer ceasefire violations in Luhansk region compared with the previous day. Whilst in Shchastia (government-controlled, 20km north of Luhansk), the SMM heard, during the late evening hours, three bursts of small arms fire 2-3km south-east of its position.

In relation to the implementation of the Addendum to the Package of Measures, the SMM revisited a Ukrainian Armed Forces permanent storage site whose location corresponded with the withdrawal lines, and noted as missing nine tanks (T-64) and three mortars (2B9M, 82mm), as has been reported for the first time on 11 February.

The SMM continued to monitor the withdrawal of heavy weapons foreseen in the Minsk Package of Measures. The SMM has yet to receive the full information requested in the 16 October 2015 notification.

In violation of respective withdrawal lines, the SMM observed in government-controlled areas: three anti-tank guns (MT-12 Rapira, 100mm) in Vodiane (42km south-west of Donetsk); five self-propelled howitzers (2S1 Gvozdika, 122mm) in Tarasivka (41km north-west of Donetsk); 18 towed howitzers (D-20, 152mm) in Zelene Pole (42km north-west of Donetsk).

The SMM revisited locations known to the SMM as heavy weapons holding areas, even though they do not comply with the specific criteria set out for permanent storage sites in the notification.      

In government-controlled areas beyond the respective withdrawal lines, the SMM revisited such locations and observed 12 towed howitzers (six D-20, 152mm and six D-30, 122mm), 12 self-propelled howitzers (2S1 Gvozdika, 122mm), and six mortars (2B11, 120mm). The SMM noted as missing five self-propelled howitzers (2S1 Gvozdika, 122mm; first observed missing on 3 March 2016), seven mortars (two 2B9 Vasilek, 82mm; first observed missing on 8 March, and five PM-38, 120mm; three first observed missing on 8 March, two on 30 April 2016).

The SMM observed the presence of armoured combat vehicles and other hardware in the security zone. In government-controlled areas, the SMM observed one armoured personnel  carrier (APC; BRP-2) in Krymske (43km west of Luhansk); one armoured reconnaissance vehicle (BRDM-2) and one multi-purpose tracked vehicle (MT-LB) in Novotoshkivske (53km north-west of Luhansk); one APC (BTR-80) at Stanytsia Luhanska bridge (16km north-east of Luhansk); and two armoured reconnaissance vehicles (BRDM) mounted with recoilless runs (SPG-9, 73mm) in vicinity of Popasna (69km west of Luhansk). In “LPR”-controlled areas, the SMM observed one APC (BTR-80) in Kalynove (58km west of Luhansk).

The SMM continued to monitor the presence of mines and unexploded ordnance (UXO) along the contact line and observed a tripwire on the west side of the road, 1.5km north of “LPR”-controlled Novooleksandrivka (54km south-west of Luhansk).

The SMM met with the family of a civilian allegedly killed by a mine. The interlocutors said the victim (man, early forties) had been killed on 1 June between 16-17:00 by an UXO or a mine, when looking for a cow in an area close to an abandoned brick factory in “DPR”-controlled Petrovskyi district of Donetsk (15km south-west of Donetsk city centre).

The SMM continued to facilitate and monitor adherence to the ceasefire to enable repairs to essential infrastructure. The SMM monitored the inspection by a private company of a phenol factory slurry pipeline near Horlivka (“DPR”-controlled, 39km north-east of Donetsk), water pipeline repair works near Maiorsk, (government-controlled, 45km north-east of Donetsk), and continued to monitor and facilitate the repair of gas pipelines in government-controlled Marinka (23km south-west of Donetsk).

The SMM continued to monitor the queues at entry-exit checkpoints at the contact line. At the border guard checkpoint at the Stanytsia Luhanska bridge, the SMM observed at 15:00hrs no queue to exit government-controlled areas, and 30-50 civilians queuing in the opposite direction. At 19:00hrs at the “LPR” checkpoint, the SMM observed 100 civilians waiting to cross the bridge and enter government-controlled areas, and none in the opposite direction.

At two Ukrainian Armed Forces checkpoints on the H15 highway near Marinka (23km south-west of Donetsk), the SMM observed in the morning a total of: 279 cars, 11 buses and 250 pedestrians queuing to travel west; and 73 cars and 60 pedestrians queuing to travel east. In the afternoon, at the same checkpoints, 149 cars, seven buses and 120 pedestrians were queuing to travel west, and 77 cars, one bus and 100 pedestrians were queuing to travel east.

At the government-controlled checkpoint in Maiorsk (45km north-east of Donetsk), the SMM observed around 70 civilian cars queuing to enter government-controlled areas in the morning. In the afternoon, the SMM observed approximately 150 vehicles queuing to enter government-controlled areas and 60 vehicles in the opposite direction.

The SMM monitored two border areas not controlled by the Government and was initially obstructed at one. At the Dovzhanski border crossing point (85km south-east of Luhansk)*, the SMM observed 27 cars (eight with Russian Federation, and 19 with Ukrainian licence plates, including three with “LPR” stickers), two passenger buses (with Ukrainian licence plates: Luhansk city-Rostov) exiting Ukraine. The SMM observed a combine harvester with no visible licence plates, and three semi-trucks (all with Ukrainian licence plates; two with pointed wooden logs (for fortifying a coal mine shaft, according to the drivers), and one covered commercial truck), and two passenger buses (with Russian Federation licence plates: Moscow-Horlivka) entering Ukraine. At the Novoborovytsi pedestrian border crossing point (80km south of Luhansk), the SMM observed one parked civilian car (with Ukrainian licence plates) and no pedestrians.

The SMM monitored several protests in Kyiv: in front of the Kyiv City Hall - demanding elections in the district councils within Kyiv city (200 participants); in front of the National Bank - against corruption (30 participants); and in front of the Parliament building - against renaming Kirovohrad to Yelyzavethrad (50 participants); warning of taking credit in USD (50 participants); for increased representation of Ukrainian musicians in media (50 participants). Police was present at all the events, which passed off peacefully.

*Restrictions to SMM’s freedom of movement or other impediments to the fulfilment of its mandate

The SMM’s monitoring is restrained by security hazards and threats, including risks posed by mines and unexploded ordnance, and by restrictions of its freedom of movement and other impediments – which vary from day to day. The SMM’s mandate provides for safe and secure access throughout Ukraine. All signatories of the Package of Measures have agreed on the need for this safe and secure access, that restriction of the SMM’s freedom of movement constitutes a violation, and on the need for rapid response to these violations.

Denial of access:

  • “DPR” members did not allow the SMM to pass their checkpoint on the eastern edge of Kozatske (“DPR”-controlled, 36km north-east of Mariupol), citing that the SMM vehicles were not on the OSCE vehicle list provided to them by their command in Novoazovsk (“DPR”-controlled, 40km east of Mariupol). The SMM informed the JCCC.
  • “LPR” members at Dovzhanskyi border crossing point (85km south-east of Luhansk) told the SMM to leave the area immediately, when the SMM declined to hand over the SMM patrol plan. The SMM left the area, but returned three hours later, and was then not obstructed. The SMM informed the JCCC.
  • Armed “DPR” members continue to keep the power supply to SMM’s repeater in Donetsk city disconnected as they have been since 20 May. As a result, SMM remote monitoring equipment at “DPR”-controlled Oktiabr mine and in government-controlled Avdiivka are disabled (see SMM Daily Report 21 May 2016).

Delay:

  • Ukrainian Armed Forces soldiers at a heavy weapons holding area delayed the SMM for 30 minutes, before allowing them access to the weapons. The soldiers checked the SMM vehicle licence plates and monitors’ ID cards, and stated that they had received instructions to thoroughly check all SMM patrols due to “pseudo-SMM groups”. No further details were provided. The SMM informed the JCCC.

Other impediments:

  • An SMM mini unmanned aerial vehicle (UAV) suffered signal errors, lost control and crashed 600m south of Stanytsia Luhanska bridge (11 km north-east of Luhansk). The reason for the malfunction remains unknown. The SMM did not recover the UAV due to security reasons (the area is potentially UXO contaminated).
  • The SMM lost all communication with its long-range UAV while it was flying in the area between “DPR”-controlled Korsun (31km north-east of Donetsk) and “DPR”-controlled Shevchenko (28km north-east of Donetsk (see SMM Spot Report 3 June 2016).

[1] Please see the annexed table for a complete breakdown of the ceasefire violations as well as map of the Donetsk and Luhansk regions marked with locations featured in this report. 

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OSCE Secretary General Zannier presents OSCE Handbook on Combating Corruption

OSCE - Fri, 03/06/2016 - 16:07

VIENNA, 3 June 2016 – OSCE Secretary General Lamberto Zannier presented today the OSCE Handbook on Combating Corruption, which outlines an array of measures for preventing and combating corruption related to economic, legal and human rights issues.

“Corruption threatens security and stability by undermining the rule of law, eroding democratic institutions and blocking social and economic development,” said Zannier. “This new handbook will help national policy-makers and anti-corruption practitioners to be better equipped to prevent and combat this crime against the public good.”

The OSCE Handbook provides an overview of standards and instruments promoted by major international players in the anti-corruption field. Key topics covered include: the role of the judiciary, political party funding, regulating lobbying, protecting human rights in anti-corruption investigations, and building integrity in the public sector and anti-corruption initiatives in the private sector.

Zannier stressed the importance of instituting fair and transparent processes for public procurement, a sector particularly vulnerable to corruption. “Corruption in public procurement often results in shoddy public works and erodes trust in government among citizens and businesses alike. The most effective way to prevent abuse of public procurement is to introduce fair and transparent procedures with strong oversight and corruption prevention mechanisms,” said Zannier.   

Candice Welsch from the UNODC Corruption and Economic Crime Branch said: “The Handbook addresses a number of important areas in the prevention of corruption that will be a useful tool for States parties as they prepare for the second cycle of the Implementation Review Mechanism to the United Nations Convention against Corruption.”

The handbook is designed to raise awareness of the range of international instruments available to fight corruption, and to serve as a resource for developing and implementing effective anti-corruption policies and measures that can help reduce instability and transnational crime.

The handbook was produced by the Office of the Co-ordinator of OSCE Economic and Environmental Activities in co-operation with the OSCE Office for Democratic Institutions and Human Rights, the UN Office on Drugs and Crime, the UN Commission on International Trade Law, the Organisation for Economic Co-operation and Development, the Council of Europe/Group of States against Corruption and other partners.

 

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OSCE Mission to Montenegro and Montenegrin parliament hosted meeting of Secretaries General of Western Balkans parliaments

OSCE - Fri, 03/06/2016 - 16:07
244471 Mia Lausevic

Secretaries General and Deputy Secretaries General of Western Balkans parliaments, heads of human resources and information and communications technology departments, legal advisors and representatives of OSCE Missions in the region took part in a meeting on strategic and annual planning in parliaments in Podgorica, Montenegro on 1 and 2 June 2016.

The aim of the event, hosted by the OSCE Mission to Montenegro and the Montenegrin Parliament, was to discuss current developments and exchange best practices and lessons learned in regard to planning in parliaments.  

Dan Redford, Deputy Head of the OSCE Mission to Montenegro, stressed the importance of developing the institutional capacity of parliaments to make them strong and self-reliant.

Suljo Mustafic, Secretary General of the Parliament of Montenegro, thanked the OSCE Mission to Montenegro for its support and co-operation in publishing the Parliamentary Lexicon - a collection of terms used in parliamentary life - which was presented at the meeting. Mustafic underlined the importance of transparency in the decision-making process and the benefits of planned development of parliamentary institutions regardless of the constant changes that parliaments underlie. 

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Weekly Update from the OSCE Observer Mission at Russian Checkpoints Gukovo and Donetsk based on information as of 24 May 2016

OSCE - Wed, 01/06/2016 - 10:21

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 Border Crossing Points (BCPs). The overall cross-border traffic increased at both BCPs.

OPERATIONAL REMARKS

The OM is currently operating with 20 permanent international staff members, including the Chief Observer (CO). The Mission is supported administratively by a Vienna-based staff member.

OBSERVATIONS AT THE BORDER CROSSING POINTS

Persons crossing the border

The profile of the people crossing the border can be categorized as follows:

  1. Adults travelling on foot or by car with little or no luggage;
  2. Persons in military-style outfits;
  3. Families (often including elderly people and/or children) on foot or by car with a significant amount of luggage.

The average number of entries/exits increased overall from 10, 690 to 10, 736[1] per day for both BCPs compared to last week; the average net flow for both BCPs went from plus 975 to plus 219 (i.e. more entries into 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 almost 37% of all entries/exits in Rostov region.

Persons in military-style outfits

During the reporting period, the number of men and women in military-style outfits, crossing the border in both directions at both BCPs, decreased from 186 last week to 141 this week; 78 of them crossed into the Russian Federation while 63 of them crossed into Ukraine. Approximately 76% of this category’s crossings occurred at the Donetsk BCP. Men and women continued to cross the border individually or in groups. Most individuals crossed by foot, however some made use of private vehicles, busses or minivans, making it more difficult for the Observation Teams (OTs) to observe their movement across the border.

Families with a significant amount of luggage

During the reporting period, the OTs observed families, often with elderly people and/or children, crossing at both BCPs with a significant amount of luggage or travelling in heavily-loaded cars; two families were observed crossing into the Russian Federation while seven were observed crossing into Ukraine.

Bus connections

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

Among the bus connections observed by the OTs, the following “irregular” routes or destinations were noted: Alchevsk-Kharkiv-Kyiv, Rovenki-Kyiv, Kirovsk-Moscow, Kharkiv, Kyiv and Odessa.

On some occasions, the OTs noticed the bus drivers removing the itinerary signs from the windshields of their busses. The majority of long-distance coaches commuting between Luhansk region and cities in the Russian Federation have license plates issued in Luhansk region.

Trucks

During the reporting period, the OM continued to observe trucks crossing the border in both directions and at both BCPs. Compared to the previous week, the number of trucks increased from 519 to 788; 413 of these trucks crossed to the Russian Federation and 375 crossed to Ukraine.

Most of the trucks observed by the OTs were registered in Luhansk region.

Separately, the OTs also observed tanker trucks crossing the border in both directions. The number of tanker trucks increased from 43 last week to 51 this week. These trucks were observed crossing the border at both BCPs. These trucks, for the most part, had the words “Propane” and “Flammable” written across the tanks in Russian or Ukrainian. The majority of tanker trucks have hazard signs, indicating that they are transporting propane or a mix of propane with butane.

All trucks undergo systematic inspection by Russian officials, which may include an X-ray check. During the reporting period no X-ray checks could be observed at the Gukovo BCP since the OT has no view of the mobile X-Ray, but it could be heard operating several times during the reporting period. 145 X-ray checks were observed at Donetsk BCP. Out of these 145 trucks scanned during the reporting period, 95 trucks (66%) were bound for Ukraine; the remaining 50 trucks (34%) crossed into the Russian Federation.

Minivans

During the reporting period, the OM continued to observe passenger and cargo minivans[2], crossing the border in both directions and at both BCPs. The OTs observed minivans predominantly registered in Luhansk region; however, the OTs frequently saw minivans registered in the Russian Federation.

Compared to the previous week, the number of cargo minivans increased from 333 to 360; 170 crossed to the Russian Federation and 190 to Ukraine.

Trains

The OTs continued to pick up on the sound of trains running on the train tracks located approximately 150 meters south-west of the Gukovo BCP. During the reporting week, the OTs heard trains on 10 occasions; the OTs estimated that seven trains were going to the Russian Federation and three trains were bound for Ukraine. The OSCE Special Monitoring Mission to Ukraine was informed about the trains bound for Ukraine. Visual observation was not possible because of the line of trees in between the train tracks and the BCP and unfavorable light conditions.

Other observations

The majority of vehicles crossing the border have license plates issued in Luhansk region or in the Russian Federation.

The OTs continued to observe vehicles with Ukrainian license plates, including articulated trucks with “LPR” or “Novorossiya” stickers, or in rare cases “DPR” stickers on their license plates masking the Ukrainian flag.

During the reporting week the OTs at the Donetsk BCP observed two ambulances with no (visible) wounded persons observed on board crossing the border in both directions.

 

[1] Data received from Rostov region Border Guard Service

[2] Cargo minivans: light commercial vehicles with a maximum authorized mass of more than 3.5 t and not more than 7.5 t; with or without a trailer with a maximum mass of less than 750 kg (small cargo vehicles which correspond to driving license C1).                              

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Shutdown of public broadcaster in Bosnia and Herzegovina neither a solution nor an option, says OSCE Representative

OSCE - Tue, 31/05/2016 - 18:36

VIENNA, 31 May 2016 – OSCE Representative on Freedom of the Media Dunja Mijatović today repeated her urgent call on authorities in Bosnia and Herzegovina (BiH) regarding the country’s public broadcasting system, following a decision by the Steering Board of the BiH Radio and Television (BHRT) to suspend all programmes as of 30 June 2016.

“Even a temporary shutdown impedes citizens’ right to receive crucial public information and should not be seen as the solution to financial difficulties,” Mijatović  said. “This situation can only be resolved by fully implementing the law.”

According to the Steering Board, the decision to temporarily shut down its production and broadcasting was necessary because of the lack of political will on the part of BiH institutions regarding the implementation of public service broadcasting.                                                                                      

“I call on the authorities and the steering boards of the public broadcasters to act immediately to ensure the full implementation of relevant laws, and prevent a total shut down of BHRT,” Mijatović  said.

During her official visit to BiH in July last year, the Representative discussed the issue of editorial independence and financial sustainability of public service broadcasters (the public statement is available at www.osce.org/fom/170026).

Furthermore, in 2013, the Representative commissioned a legal analysis of the laws relating to the public service broadcasting system. The recommendations remain relevant and are yet to be implemented (the full legal review is available at www.osce.org/fom/94107).

In addition, the Representative has made several public statements on this issue. They are available at http://www.osce.org/fom/212271, www.osce.org/fom/150191, www.osce.org/fom/98719 and www.osce.org/fom/94212.

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 at www.osce.org/fom, Twitter: @OSCE_RFoM and on www.facebook.com/osce.rfom

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Weekly Update from the OSCE Observer Mission at Russian Checkpoints Gukovo and Donetsk based on information as of 31 May 2016

OSCE - Tue, 31/05/2016 - 18:19

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 Border Crossing Points (BCPs). The overall cross-border traffic increased at both BCPs.

OPERATIONAL REMARKS

The OM is currently operating with 20 permanent international staff members, including the Chief Observer (CO). The Mission is supported administratively by a Vienna-based staff member.

OBSERVATIONS AT THE BORDER CROSSING POINTS

Persons crossing the border

The profile of the people crossing the border can be categorized as follows:

  1. Adults travelling on foot or by car with no or little luggage;
  2. Persons in military-style outfits;
  3. Families (often including elderly people and/or children) on foot or by car with a significant amount of luggage.

The average number of entries/exits increased overall from 10,736 to 10,917[1] per day for both BCPs compared to last week; the average net flow for both BCPs went from plus 219 (i.e. more entries into the Russian Federation) to minus 60 (i.e. more exits from 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 almost 38 per cent of all entries/exits in Rostov region1.

Persons in military-style outfits

During the reporting period, the number of men and women in military-style outfits, crossing the border in both directions, decreased from 141 last week to 111 this week at both BCPs; 52 of them crossed into the Russian Federation while 59 of them crossed into Ukraine. Approximately 86 per cent of this category’s crossings occurred at the Donetsk BCP. Men and women continued to cross the border individually or in groups. Most individuals crossed by foot, however, some made use of private vehicles, busses or minivans, making it more difficult for the observer teams (OTs) to observe their movement across the border.

Families with a significant amount of luggage

During the reporting period, the OTs observed families, often with elderly people and/or children, crossing at both BCPs with a significant amount of luggage or travelling in heavily-loaded cars; four families were observed crossing into the Russian Federation while eight were observed crossing into Ukraine.

Bus connections

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

Among the bus connections observed by the OTs, the following “irregular” routes or destinations were noted: Alchevsk-Kharkiv-Kyiv, Rovenki-Kyiv, Luhansk-Kyiv, Stakhanov-Luhansk-Kyiv, Luhansk-Anapa, Sevastopol and Kharkiv.

During the reporting week, on some occasions the OTs at the Donetsk BCP observed busses with children on board crossing the border in both directions.

On some occasions, the OTs noticed the bus drivers removing the itinerary signs from the windshields of their busses. The majority of long-distance coaches commuting between Luhansk region and cities in the Russian Federation have license plates issued in Luhansk region.

Trucks

During the reporting period, the OM continued to observe trucks crossing the border in both directions and at both BCPs. Compared to the previous week, the number of trucks decreased from 788 to 727; 396 of these trucks crossed to the Russian Federation and 331 crossed to Ukraine.

Most of the trucks observed by the OTs were registered in Luhansk region.

Separately, the OTs also observed tanker trucks crossing the border in both directions. The number of tanker trucks decreased from 51 last week to 48 this week. These trucks were observed crossing the border at both BCPs. These trucks, for the most part, had the words “Propane” and “Flammable” written across the tanks in Russian or Ukrainian. The majority of tanker trucks have hazard signs, indicating that they are transporting propane or a mix of propane with butane.

All trucks undergo systematic inspection by Russian officials, which may include an X-ray check. During the reporting period no X-ray checks could be observed at the Gukovo BCP since the Observation Team has no view of the mobile X-Ray, but it could be heard operating several times during the reporting period. 152 X-ray checks were observed at the Donetsk BCP. Out of these 152 trucks scanned during the reporting period, 102 trucks (67 per cent) were bound for Ukraine; the remaining 50 trucks (33 per cent) crossed into the Russian Federation.

Minivans

During the reporting period, the OM continued to observe passenger and cargo minivans[2], crossing the border in both directions and at both BCPs. The OTs observed minivans predominantly registered in Luhansk region; however, the OTs frequently saw minivans registered in the Russian Federation.

Compared to the previous week, the number of cargo minivans decreased from 360 to 342; 161 crossed to the Russian Federation and 181 to Ukraine.

Trains

The OTs continued to pick up on the sound of trains running on the train tracks located approximately 150 meters south-west of the Gukovo BCP. During the reporting week, the OTs heard trains on ten occasions; the OTs estimated that five trains were going to the Russian Federation and five trains were bound for Ukraine. The OSCE Special Monitoring Mission to Ukraine was informed about the trains bound for Ukraine. Visual observation was not possible because of the line of trees in between the train tracks and the BCP and unfavorable light conditions.

Other observations

The majority of vehicles crossing the border have license plates issued in Luhansk region or in the Russian Federation.

The OTs continued to observe vehicles with Ukrainian license plates, including articulated trucks with “LPR” or “Novorossiya” stickers, or in rare cases “DPR” stickers on their license plates masking the Ukrainian flag.

During the reporting week the OTs at the Donetsk BCP observed ambulances on seven occasions. These ambulances were registered in both Ukraine and in the Russian Federation and were crossing the border in both directions. No wounded or injured persons were observed on board these ambulances.

During the reporting period, on two occasions the OTs at the Donetsk BCP observed several bikers bearing the insignia of the “Night Wolves” motorcycle club crossing the border in both directions.

Convoy  

On 26 May 2016 at 06:33hrs (Moscow time), a Russian convoy arrived at the Donetsk Border Crossing Point (see the OM Spot Report of 26 May). A total of 47 vehicles – 40 cargo trucks and seven support vehicles – were checked by the Russian border guards and customs services; two service dogs were present and were used to check some of the cargo trucks from the outside. Ukrainian officials were present on site, both when the convoy crossed into Ukraine and when it returned to the Russian Federation. All of the 47 vehicles had crossed back into the Russian Federation by 14:45hrs on 26 May.

 

[1] Data received from Rostov region Border Guard Service

[2] Cargo minivans: light commercial vehicles with a maximum authorized mass of more than 3.5 t and not more than 7.5 t; with or without a trailer with a maximum mass of less than 750 kg (small cargo vehicles which correspond to driving license C1).                              

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Latest from OSCE Special Monitoring Mission (SMM) to Ukraine, based on information received as of 19:30, 30 May 2016

OSCE - Tue, 31/05/2016 - 18:08

This report is for media and the general public.

The SMM observed a high number of ceasefire violations in Donetsk region, similar to the level observed on the previous day. With the exception of Stanytsia Luhanska, Luhansk region remained largely calm. The Mission continued to monitor the withdrawal of weapons, and noted armoured combat vehicles in the security zone. The Mission’s freedom of movement was restricted several times, mostly in areas not controlled by the Government, and once at a Ukrainian Armed Forces permanent storage site.*

The SMM recorded a high number of ceasefire violations[1] in Donetsk region similar to the level observed the previous day. Most violations occurred in the evening and at night. Whilst in “DPR”-controlled Donetsk city centre, the SMM heard between 20:50 on 29 May and 05:05 on 30 May, among others, 235 undetermined explosions 5-10km north and north-north-west of its position. Positioned in “DPR”-controlled Debaltseve (58km north-east of Donetsk), the SMM between 00:59 and 01:22 heard 70 undetermined explosions 8-10km north-west of its position. Whilst in government-controlled Svitlodarsk (57km north-east of Donetsk), the SMM heard between 17:55 on 29 May and 03:00 on 30 May, among others, 71 explosions 3-4km south-east of its position. Positioned in government-controlled Volnovakha (53km south of Donetsk) the SMM heard at 21:20 on 29 May 18 undetermined explosions 5km south-south-east of its position. On the night of 29 May, an SMM long-range unmanned aerial vehicle (UAV) spotted in “DPR”-controlled Mineralne (10km north-east of Donetsk) two self-propelled howitzers (2S3 Akatsiya, 152mm) firing four rounds in a north-western direction – in the general area of government-controlled Avdiivka (17km north of Donetsk) – after two explosions had just occurred within 200 metres of their position.

The following day, positioned 6km north-west of Donetsk city centre, the SMM heard and saw two explosions assessed as impacts of mortar rounds, plus one explosion assessed as an impact and one undetermined explosion, and heard 18 undetermined explosions and nine bursts of small-arms fire, 2-6km north, north-north-east and north-west of its position. Positioned in “DPR”-controlled Yasynuvata (16km north-east of Donetsk), the SMM heard 26 undetermined explosions, 24 bursts of heavy-machine-gun fire and 16 bursts and 132 single shots of small-arms fire, 1-5km south-west, north-west, and west of its position. Positioned in Avdiivka, the SMM heard, inter alia, 67 explosions 1.5-8km east, south-east and south-south-east of its position.

Similar to the previous reporting day, Luhansk region was relatively calm, with the exception of the area south of Stanytsia Luhanska (16km north-east of Luhansk). Positioned there, the SMM heard between 20:20 on 29 May and 00:38 on 30 May 156 explosions (74 assessed as caused by mortars and 82 as automatic grenade launchers (AGS, 30mm) or recoilless guns (SPG-9, 73mm), plus 12 bursts of machine-gun, one burst of heavy-machine-gun and multiple shots of small-arms fire, all 3-6km south and south-west of its position. Whilst in the government-controlled part of Zolote (60km west of Luhansk), the SMM heard one explosion assessed as caused by an anti-tank mine, and observed a plume of black smoke, 4km south of its position.

On 29 May, the SMM followed up on reports of alleged shelling of two kindergartens in “DPR”-controlled Kuibyshevskyi district in Donetsk city (5km north-west of Donetsk city centre). At one of the kindergartens, the SMM noted shrapnel spray marks inside the dormitory, and on a south-eastern-facing exterior wall, outdoor fire escape stairs and an adjacent fence, all caused by what the SMM assessed as an artillery shell, fired from the north-north-west, that had exploded 15 metres away in the backyard of a nearby residential building. A security guard present told the SMM that the alleged incident had occurred in the early morning hours of 29 May. At the second kindergarten, 500 metres away, the SMM observed no indication of shelling. The SMM noted shattered windows in a number of residential houses approximately ten metres from the second kindergarten.

In relation to the implementation of the Addendum to the Package of Measures, the SMM revisited Ukrainian Armed Forces permanent storage sites* whose locations corresponded with the withdrawal lines and observed that 42 tanks (T-72) and ten mortars (2B9M Vasilek, 82mm) were missing.

Beyond the respective withdrawal lines, but outside permanent storage sites, the SMM observed one tank (T-64) near government-controlled Iskra (90km west of Donetsk), and 20 tanks near “LPR”-controlled Kruhlyk (31km south of Luhansk).

The SMM continued to monitor the withdrawal of heavy weapons foreseen in the Minsk Package of Measures. The SMM has yet to receive the full information requested in the 16 October 2015 notification.

In violation of the withdrawal lines, the SMM continued to observe a surface-to-air missile system (9K35 Strela-10, 120mm) near government-controlled Nyzhnie (56km north-west of Luhansk) (see SMM Daily Report 27 May 2016), and three anti-tank guided missile systems (9K111 Fagot, 120mm) near government-controlled Orikhove (57km north-west of Luhansk). In addition, on the night of 29 May an SMM long-rage UAV spotted two self-propelled howitzers (2S3 Akatsiya, 152mm) in Mineralne and three towed howitzers (2A65 Msta-B, 152mm) in “DPR”-controlled Yakovlivka (10km north of Donetsk).

The SMM observed the presence of armoured combat vehicles and an anti-aircraft weapon in the security zone. In government-controlled areas, the SMM observed one armoured personnel carrier (APC) near Berezove (30km south-west of Donetsk), one armoured reconnaissance vehicle (BRDM-2) near Svitlychne (54km north-west of Luhansk), two armoured reconnaissance vehicles (BRDM-2) near Novotoshkivske (53km north-west of Luhansk), three infantry fighting vehicles (IFV; BMP-2) near Stanytsia Luhanska, two IFVs (BMP-2) near Orikhove, one IFV (BMP-2) near Teple (31km north of Luhansk), and one anti-aircraft gun (ZU-23)  near Zolote. In addition, on the night of 29 May, a long-range SMM UAV spotted one APC near Krasnohorivka (23km north-west of Donetsk) and one APC near Avdiivka. In “DPR”-controlled areas, the SMM observed one IFV (BMP-2) in the Petrovskyi district of Donetsk city. In addition, on the night of 29 May, a long-range SMM UAV spotted seven APCs near Mineralne.

The SMM continued to monitor the presence of mines along the contact line, namely 12 anti-tank mines at an “LPR” checkpoint in Zolote. Previously, six anti-tank mines had been observed at the location (see SMM Daily Report 30 May 2016).

The SMM continued to facilitate and monitor adherence to the ceasefire to enable repairs to essential infrastructure. The SMM continued to monitor the repair of gas pipelines between government-controlled Marinka (23km south-west of Donetsk) and “DPR”-controlled Oleksandrivka (20km south-west of Donetsk). The SMM was forced to withdraw from the area and work was suspended on the pipeline because of sporadic small-arms fire in the vicinity.

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

*Restrictions to SMM’s freedom of movement or other impediments to the fulfilment of its mandate

The SMM’s monitoring is restrained by security hazards and threats, including risks posed by mines and unexploded ordnance, and by restrictions of its freedom of movement and other impediments – which vary from day to day. The SMM’s mandate provides for safe and secure access throughout Ukraine. All signatories of the Package of Measures have agreed on the need for this safe and secure access, that restriction of the SMM’s freedom of movement constitutes a violation, and on the need for rapid response to these violations.

Denial of access:

  • Having had to wait 50 minutes before gaining access, the SMM was forced to cut short its weapons withdrawal monitoring at a Ukrainian Armed Forces permanent storage site. Three aggressive and visibly intoxicated Ukrainian Armed Forces soldiers present verbally abused the SMM monitors. The SMM informed the Joint Centre for Control and Co-ordination (JCCC).
  • Armed “DPR” members prevented the SMM from proceeding to a location west of “DPR”-controlled Ozerianivka (35km north-east of Donetsk). The SMM had intended to launch a mid-range UAV in an effort to locate an SMM long-range UAV that had been downed in the area (see SMM Spot Report: SMM unmanned aerial vehicle downed near Horlivka, 27 May 2016). The JCCC was informed.
  • An armed “LPR” member, acting aggressively, insisted on the SMM leaving “LPR”-controlled areas south of Stanytsia Luhanska bridge, explaining that SMM monitors stationed in government-controlled areas had no right to be in the area. The SMM had just crossed the bridge from government-controlled areas, and was forced to return.
  • Armed “DPR” members continue to keep the power supply to SMM’s repeater in Donetsk city disconnected as they have been since 20 May. As a result, SMM remote monitoring equipment at “DPR”-controlled Oktiabr mine and in government-controlled Avdiivka are disabled (see SMM Daily Report 21 May 2016).

Delay:

  • Armed “DPR” members at a checkpoint west of “DPR”-controlled Kominternove (23km north-east of Mariupol) delayed the SMM for 20 minutes, asking the patrol members if they had weapons and for details of their patrol plan, before allowing them to enter the village. The SMM informed the JCCC.

Conditional access:

  • In Yasynuvata, “DPR” “traffic police” insisted on providing an “escort” to the SMM.

Other impediments:

  • The Global Positioning System of an SMM UAV was jammed while flying over “DPR”-controlled areas in and around Yasynuvata and Mineralne.

[1] Please see the annexed table for a complete breakdown of the ceasefire violations as well as map of the Donetsk and Luhansk regions marked with locations featured in this report. 

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At start of Central Asia visit, Special Representative Muttonen calls for unity in struggle against violent extremism

OSCE - Tue, 31/05/2016 - 16:34

ASTANA, 31 May 2016 – Expressing a strong belief in the role of inter-parliamentary diplomacy and dialogue, the OSCE Parliamentary Assembly’s Special Representative for Central and Eastern Asia, Austrian parliamentarian Christine Muttonen, today called for greater unity and co-operation across the OSCE area in countering violent extremism.

Speaking at the “Religions against Terrorism” conference taking place in Astana, Muttonen noted that the OSCE PA has become an important platform for supporting inter-religious dialogue, and stressed that promoting understanding and tolerance between religions is an essential component of the overall work of the OSCE.

“Today our co-operation is more important than ever,” she said. “In a time when groups of violent extremists try to misuse religious beliefs to justify their terrorist attacks, when they try to divide our countries and societies along religious lines, when young people hope to find solutions to their social and economic problems within extremism and violence, when competing agendas and hostile rhetoric often threaten to replace productive dialogue and co-operation among our participating States, in such a time it becomes quite obvious: The level of peace, freedom and stability that we have achieved within the OSCE area cannot be taken for granted.”

“We constantly need to stand up for it and maintain it,” she added, “if we don’t want to lose it again.” In this regard, she stressed the importance of unity in countering violent extremism, as well as respect for diversity, noting that the OSCE has appointed three personal representatives dedicated to inter-faith issues such as discrimination, intolerance and anti-Semitism. The OSCE PA also has a Special Representative on Anti-Semitism, Racism and Intolerance, Senator Benjamin Cardin of the United States.

Muttonen’s participation in the conference today was part of a week-long visit to Kazakhstan and Kyrgyzstan she is undertaking along with OSCE PA Secretary General Roberto Montella, which kicked off Monday with a series of high-level talks. Meetings were held with Chairman of the Senate of Kazakhstan Kassym-Jomart Tokayev, Chairman of the Majilis of Kazakhstan Baktykozha Izmukhambetov, Foreign Minister Erlan Idrissov, and with officials at the OSCE Programme Office in Astana.

Discussions largely focused on the upcoming Annual Session in Tbilisi, Georgia, the constructive role of Kazakhstan’s delegation within the Assembly, and the important work being done by the OSCE Programme Office. Other topics included Kazakhstan’s vision of possible ways to strengthen co-operation between the OSCE PA and Shanghai Co-operation Organization, as well as avenues for promoting further engagement in Eastern Asia.  

The visit to Kazakhstan will end on Wednesday in Almaty, where the Special Representative is expected to meet several prominent representatives of the country’s civil society to discuss developments related to freedom of expression and assembly. Muttonen continues her Central Asia trip with a visit to Kyrgyzstan beginning Thursday.

Muttonen, who serves as Vice-President of the OSCE PA and as Deputy Head of the Austrian delegation, was appointed the Assembly’s Special Representative for Central and Eastern Asia in January 2016. In her mandate, she is tasked, inter alia, with encouraging active participation in the PA by parliamentarians from Central Asia, as well as liaising with and supporting the work of the OSCE field missions in the region.

To watch a recent interview with the Special Representative, in which she discusses her priorities, please click here. Photos of her visit this week to Central Asia are on Flickr. Her full remarks to the “Religions against Terrorism” conference are available here.

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Combating child trafficking in focus of OSCE-supported roundtable discussion in Kyrgyzstan

OSCE - Tue, 31/05/2016 - 16:07

BISHKEK, 31 May 2016 – To mark International Children’s Day on 1 June, the Kyrgyz Interior Ministry in co-ordination with the OSCE Centre in Bishkek organized a roundtable discussion on child trafficking, bringing together 25 representatives of state agencies, parliament, international organizations, civil society and the media.    

The event aimed at improving co-ordination and co-operation among all organizations dealing with child trafficking issues and working out recommendations for preventing trafficking in children.

“Without a comprehensive approach covering the legal, education and law enforcement systems, as well as guardianship authorities - government actions to prevent trafficking in children will have a limited impact,” said Silvia Pogolsa, Human Dimension Officer at the OSCE Centre in Bishkek.

The participants also discussed the current situation on crimes against children, existing state policies, necessary improvements in the legal framework, and the level of implementation of existing laws. Two human rights non-governmental organizations shared their experience and challenges in preventing child trafficking in Kyrgyzstan.

“A society with happy children and elderly can be considered as a healthy one”, said Jyldyz Akhmedgalieva, representative of the Kyrgyz Interior Ministry. “Crimes against those who are defenceless are always painful, even if these are isolated cases. We stand for the strengthening of accountability for crimes against children.”

The participants decided to have a follow-up meeting based on the results of this event, which was part of the OSCE Centre’s project on supporting a comprehensive model of prevention in addressing human trafficking in Kyrgyzstan through grassroots initiatives and multi-agency co-operation.

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OSCE Mission assesses implementation of new Criminal Procedure Code of Kosovo

OSCE - Tue, 31/05/2016 - 15:59

PRISHTINË/PRIŠTINA, 31 May 2016 – The OSCE Mission in Kosovo will present tomorrow a report which assesses the implementation of the new Criminal Procedure Code.

The report highlights issues related to the application of the Procedure Code in Kosovo since its entry into force on January 1, 2013 and gives recommendations on ways to improve justice sector practice thereby better guaranteeing fair trial rights. 

Head of the OSCE Mission in Kosovo, Jean-Claude Schlumberger, Justice Minister, Hajredin Kuci, Acting President of the Appeals Court Tonka Berisha, Kosovo Prosecutorial Council Chair, Blerim Isufaj, and Bar Association Head, Osman Havolli will speak at event

Media are cordially invited to attend the opening part at Sirius Hotel in Prishtinë/Priština tomorrow, Wednesday, 1 June 2016, starting at 10:00 hrs.

 

 

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Corruption issues in private sector discussed with support of the OSCE Office in Yerevan

OSCE - Tue, 31/05/2016 - 15:58
Gohar Avagyan, OSCE Office in Yerevan

Corruption risks, challenges in accountability and transparency as well as the legislative and regulatory frameworks in public procurement, customs and taxation, free competition and monopolies, were the focus of a workshop supported by the OSCE Office in Yerevan held on 28 and 29 May 2016 in Aghveran, in Armenia’s Kotayk region.

The event was attended by more than 60 people including officials from the Government Anti-corruption Programmes Monitoring Unit, the Ministry of Justice, the State Revenue Committee, the State Commission for the Protection of Economic Competition, and the Internal Public Financial Oversight and Public Procurement Methodology at the Ministry of Finance. Representatives from business unions and associations, other non-governmental organizations, economists and journalists also participated.

“The Government of Armenia has underlined the importance of addressing corruption risks,” said Suren Krmoyan, Armenian Deputy Minister of Justice. “The private sector can play a crucial role in that and we are eager to make changes and take the initiative to address concrete issues.”

Naira Gyulnazaryan of the OSCE Office, said: “We hope that this event will promote close co-operation between the Government, business organizations and civil society towards fighting corruption in the business sector.”

The event was organized in partnership with the Armenia's Ministry of Justice, the European Union, the Armenian Lawyers' Association, the Anti-Corruption Coalition of Civil Society Organizations of Armenia and Freedom of Information Centre. It is part of the OSCE Office’s efforts to strengthen the engagement of civil society, business companies and associations in addressing corruption risks and to establish a solid platform among the government, civil society and private sector to contribute to state reform.

Challenges in customs regulatory frameworks were discussed at an event on May 25 in Gyumri and another discussion on state revenue issues in the regions will be held in Vanadzor. 

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OSCE contest challenges violent extremist narratives through art

OSCE - Tue, 31/05/2016 - 14:42

BERLIN, 31 May 2016 – To develop a powerful message against violent extremism, the OSCE in partnership with eYeka, a global community of talented creators, has launched a design contest today, the OSCE Secretary General Lamberto Zannier announced.  Under the #LetsDoodle hashtag, the contest invites artists and designers to develop a cartoon character that will challenge the binary, us versus them, black-and-white thinking that often underpins violent extremist narratives.

“We should involve young people as partners in our efforts – tap into their creativity and encourage them to use their energy in support of safeguarding their peers, families and communities against violent extremism,” said Ambassador Zannier, announcing the contest at the opening of the 2016 OSCE Counter-Terrorism Conference in Berlin.

Participants will be able to upload their entries online until 19 June via www.osce.org/letsdoodle. The four best entries, selected by a jury of OSCE staff, will be awarded prizes totalling EUR 3,000.

The contest is open to everyone from the 57 OSCE participating States, as well as 11 Asian and Mediterranean Partners for Co-operation.  Detailed contest guidelines and requirements can be found here.  

The contest is being held as part of the OSCE United in Countering Violent Extremism (#UnitedCVE) communications campaign. Launched in June 2015, the campaign highlights the OSCE’s comprehensive approach to countering violent extremism and radicalization leading to terrorism and reinforcing a global consensus against this threat. Follow the campaign on Twitter for more updates on the contest.

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Civil society representatives tackle key NGO management issues at OSCE Mission to Moldova-supported event

OSCE - Tue, 31/05/2016 - 13:44
243966 Rachel Bending

The OSCE Mission to Moldova held the second in a year-long series of Civil Society Club meetings for NGOs from the left bank of the Dniester/Nistru River, which took place on 26 May 2016 in Chisinau and brought together 18 NGO representatives.

During the event, participants discussed the process of registering NGOs in accordance with the relevant legislation, as well as other administrative procedures. Participants exchanged good practices and experiences on how to improve their skills and better manage the administrative requirements. The NGO representatives developed ways to more effectively manage their daily work. They also received guidance on planned amendments to legislation regulating public associations from an expert in this field. 

Civil Society Club meetings serve as an informal platform for dialogue among NGOs from the left bank of the Dniester/Nistru River. These meetings are part of a year-long project implemented jointly by the OSCE Mission to Moldova and the Tiraspol-based Apriori Legal Information Centre, which provides capacity-building assistance to local civil society organizations. Three more meetings of the Civil Society Club are planned this year.

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OSCE Chairperson and German Foreign Minister Steinmeier and German Interior Minister de Maizière open high-level OSCE Counter-Terrorism Conference

OSCE - Tue, 31/05/2016 - 12:04

BERLIN, 31 May 2016 – Violent extremism and radicalization that lead to terrorism can only be effectively addressed through a broad range of measures, co-ordinated in a joint international effort, the OSCE Chairperson-in-Office and German Foreign Minister Frank-Walter Steinmeier, and Germany’s Interior Minister Thomas de Maizière said today as they opened a high-level OSCE-wide Counter-Terrorism Conference in Berlin.

The two-day event, organized by Germany’s 2016 Chairmanship, brings together more than 300 participants, including Deputy Foreign Ministers, Secretaries of State and Counter-Terrorism Co-ordinators from OSCE participating States as well as Asian and Mediterranean Partners for Co-operation. Also attending are members of 17 international and regional organizations, including various UN agencies, together with more than 60 civil society, academia and youth representatives.

 “Terrorism targets everyone regardless of origin, age, sex or believes. Fighting terrorism can thus only succeed as a joint international effort,” said Steinmeier in his opening speech in the Federal Foreign Office in Berlin. He added that in addition to the resolute use of policing and prosecution powers in line with the rule of law, a sustainable response requires preventive measures with the aim to counter radicalisation and extremism at an early stage. “This includes improving societal participation and education opportunities, in particular for young people. We must live up to our own values of living together in fairness and peace and hold these values high against extremist or terrorist propaganda,” Steinmeier said.

Germany’s Interior Minister Thomas de Maizière also addressed the conference in the opening session and said: “Extremism and terrorism must be addressed with a broad range of measures: by prevention and by law enforcement, nationally and internationally. We all know that extremists and terrorist organizations take advantage of the benefits of globalization and international networking. Extremism cannot be stopped by borders. I feel it is important that we make a stand against hateful ideologies, we need to empower our young people to resist the myths of extremists and to encourage them to be part of our society and our liberal democratic values.”

The role of youth, and in particular young women, will be highlighted in the conference discussions.  Participants will focus on co-operation with youth-led and youth-focused initiatives, especially when designing strategies to counter violent extremism and radicalization that lead to terrorism, and better integration of these measures with the efforts to promote good governance and human rights.

The OSCE stands for shared security, prosperity, human rights and democracy for all,” said OSCE Secretary General Lamberto Zannier. “This vision provides a powerful antidote to violent extremism. But we need to work harder to turn it into reality so that everyone benefits from it and believes in it – first and foremost young people.”

The Secretary General also announced the launch of a drawing competition for young creators: the #LetsDoodle design contest, aimed at challenging the black and white thinking of violent extremism, will be conducted under the umbrella of the OSCE United in Countering Violent Extremism (#UnitedCVE) campaign launched in the summer 2015. The campaign continues under the German Chairmanship to reinforce a global consensus against violent extremism.

This year’s conference builds upon the two OSCE declarations in the field of counter-terrorism adopted at the Belgrade Ministerial Council, which underscore the shared perception among participating States that terrorism remains one of the most acute threats faced today. The conference is also an important contribution to the discussions on the implementation of the United Nations Plan of Action to Prevent Violent Extremism, especially in the OSCE region. 

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Latest from OSCE Special Monitoring Mission (SMM) to Ukraine, based on information received as of 19:30, 27 May 2016

OSCE - Sat, 28/05/2016 - 22:55

This report is for media and the general public.

The SMM observed fewer ceasefire violations in Donetsk region and a similar number of ceasefire violations in Luhansk region compared with the previous day. An SMM foot patrol came under small-arms fire near Yasynuvata. The Mission followed up on allegations of shelling between 24 and 26 May near Stanytsia Luhanska and of casualties. It continued to monitor the withdrawal of weapons, and noted armoured combat vehicles and anti-aircraft weapons in the security zone. The Mission’s freedom of movement was restricted on six occasions, including when it lost all communication with its long-range unmanned aerial vehicle near Horlivka.*

In Donetsk region the SMM recorded fewer ceasefire violations[1] compared with the previous reporting period. The SMM recorded 405 ceasefire violations, the majority of which occurred north and north-east of Donetsk city.

An SMM foot patrol came under small-arms fire north-east of “DPR”-controlled Yasynuvata (16km north-east of Donetsk). Nobody was hurt (see SMM Spot Report 27 May 2016).

Whilst in Yasynuvata, the SMM heard 73 undetermined explosions, 16 bursts and more than 81 single shots of heavy-machine-gun and small-arms fire, mainly 1-4km west of its position, and ten explosions assessed as outgoing mortar rounds (82mm and 120mm) from 1-2km west of its position.

Whilst in “DPR”-controlled Horlivka (39km north-east of Donetsk), the SMM heard 13 undetermined explosions, 28 bursts and single shots of heavy-machine-gun and small-arms fire, and four explosions assessed as caused by outgoing rocket-propelled grenade rounds and two shots assessed as caused by outgoing recoilless gun (73mm) rounds, 5-7km south-west of its position.

Positioned in government-controlled Avdiivka (17km north of Donetsk), the SMM heard five shots from 23mm gun, four shots from an infantry fighting vehicle (BMP-2) gun (30mm), 4km south of its position, as well as small-arms fire, mainly 5-6km south-east of its position.

Whilst in Svitlodarsk (government-controlled, 57km NE of Donetsk), the SMM heard at least 50 undetermined explosions 10km south-west of its position.

The SMM camera in Shyrokyne (20km east of Mariupol) recorded 16 bursts of heavy-machine-gun fire north-east of its location and four rounds of undetermined indirect fire from north-west to south-east, south-west to north-east and west to east, and north-west to south-east, at an unknown distance north of its location.  

The SMM observed a similar level of ceasefire violations in Luhansk region as on the previous day, all during night hours of 26-27 May. Whilst in Stanytsia Luhanska (government-controlled, 16km north-east of Luhansk) the SMM observed an exchange of fire over 3h35min, consisting of 139 explosions (128 automatic grenade launcher (AGS) or other weapon of 30mm calibre and 11 82mm mortar or 73mm gun), nine shots and bursts of heavy-machine-gun and small-arms fire, 2-4km south-south-west of its position.

The SMM followed up on shelling between 24 and 26 May near Stanytsia Luhanska (16km north-east of Luhansk). The SMM observed a large hole (15cm in diameter) in a pipe of the heating system located outside of the district administration building. The SMM assessed the damage as caused by the impact of a projectile fired from a southerly direction. Some 100m from the regional administration building, the SMM observed that one small hole to a gas pipe had been recently repaired. According to a Joint Centre for Control and Co-ordination (JCCC) Ukrainian Armed Forces representative, the supply of gas had been interrupted just briefly during the repair works. The SMM observed holes on the southern side of the roof and the ceiling of a private house near the railway bridge: two projectiles had pierced the roof and one had pierced the gable of the attic, and one of the projectiles had also pierced the ceiling of the kitchen. The SMM assessed the damage as caused by impacts of projectiles of 12.7mm calibre weapons fired from a southerly direction.

The SMM followed up on allegations by the Russian Federation Armed Forces Major General at the JCCC of “DPR” members killed and wounded on 26 May south-west of Yasynuvata and of a “DPR” member being injured during a recovery operation on 27 May. At the scene of the alleged incident, the SMM observed from a distance the recovery of three bodies. The head doctor of the Donetsk Traumatology Centre told the SMM that a “DPR” member had been admitted to the centre on 27 May with bullet wounds to his hip and hand. In addition, the head doctor of the reanimation department of Donetsk traumatology centre informed the SMM that the patient had been admitted to the hospital on the 27 May at 00:30. The SMM visited Kalinina hospital in Donetsk city in order to follow up the allegations that one “DPR” member had been injured by a gunshot during the morning trying to recover the bodies and was brought to the hospital. At the hospital, the SMM observed one “DPR” member with wounds to the right arm and chest. The SMM was not able to confirm if this injured “DPR” member was the one that allegedly sustained injuries during the morning while trying to recover the dead bodies.* At the Kalinina morgue the SMM observed the delivered bodies of three men in combat clothes.

The SMM followed up on allegations of wounded Ukrainian Armed Forces soldiers at the military hospital in Pokrovsk (formerly Krasnoarmiisk, government-controlled, 55km north-west of Donetsk). The head of the hospital said that nine injured Ukrainian Armed Forces soldiers had been brought to the hospital between 00:00 and 02:00 on 23 May 2016 from Avdiivka with shelling‑induced shrapnel injuries. Two had shrapnel injuries to the chest; the others had minor shrapnel injuries to their limbs, the interlocutor said.

In relation to the implementation of the Addendum to the Package of Measures, the SMM revisited Ukrainian Armed Forces permanent storage sites whose locations corresponded with the withdrawal lines, and noted that all previously verified weapons were present. The SMM also observed additional weapons for the first time.

The SMM continued to monitor the withdrawal of heavy weapons as foreseen in the Minsk Package of Measures.

In violation of the withdrawal lines, shortly before the SMM lost all contact with it, an SMM long-range unmanned aerial vehicle (UAV) spotted a surface-to-air missile system (9K35 Strela-10, 120mm) mounted on top of a multi-purpose tracked vehicle (MTLB) near “DPR”-controlled Horlivka.

Beyond the withdrawal lines and outside storage sites, the SMM observed the following weapons: one towed howitzer (D-20, 152mm) in government-controlled Kreminna (97km north-west of Luhansk, and four towed howitzers (D-20, 152mm) in government-controlled Rubizhne (84km north-west of Luhansk).

The SMM has yet to receive the full information requested in the 16 October 2015 notification. The SMM revisited locations known to the SMM as heavy weapons holding areas, even though they do not comply with the specific criteria set out for permanent storage sites in the notification.

In government-controlled areas beyond the respective withdrawal lines, the SMM revisited such locations and observed ten multi launch rocket systems (MLRS; BM-27 Uragan, 220mm), 18 towed anti-tank guns (2A29/MT-12 Rapira, 100mm), and three anti-tank guns (D-48, 85mm). The SMM further observed four towed mortars (three PM-38, 120mm; and one 2B9 Vasilek, 82mm) for the first time. The SMM also observed that 30 tanks had been moved to a different location. The SMM observed as missing: 31 anti-tank guns (2A29/MT-12 Rapira, 100mm), and twelve self-propelled howitzers (2S1 Gvozdika, 122mm).

The SMM observed the presence of armoured combat vehicles, an anti-aircraft weapon, and other hardware in the security zone. In government-controlled areas, the SMM observed one armoured personnel carrier (APC; BTR-70) in Raihorodka (33km north-west of Luhansk); two APCs (one unknown type, one BTR-70) in Trokhizbenka (33km north-west of Luhansk); one APC (BTR-80) in Stanytsia Luhanska (16km north of Luhansk); one 73mm recoilless gun (SPG-9), two APCs (BTR-60 and BTR-4), and one anti-aircraft gun (ZU-23) in Popasna (69km west of Luhansk); one APC (BTR-80) in Marinka (23km south-west of Donetsk).

The SMM facilitated adherence to the ceasefire and monitored repairs to essential infrastructure in Novooleksandrivka (60km west of Luhansk), where electricity repair works were planned, and “LPR”-controlled Kalynove-Borshchuvate (61km west of Luhansk), where demining was planned to ensure safety for the repairs. The electricity infrastructure was damaged in shelling in 2014. The SMM observed that both the repair team and the demining team left the area due to security reasons, as the Ukrainian Armed Forces said that they were not aware about the adherence to the ceasefire for repair works.

The SMM continued to monitor long queues at crossing routes near the contact line. At the Ukrainian Armed Forces checkpoint on H15 there were in total 177 vehicles and five buses queuing to travel west while 174 vehicles were queuing to travel east. In the afternoon, at the same Ukrainian Armed Forces checkpoint the SMM observed in total 125 vehicles (including one bus) waiting to travel east, with 35 vehicles (including three buses) in the opposite direction. At the “DPR” checkpoint 16 vehicles were queuing to travel east and only two west. At the Olenivka (23km south-west of Donetsk) “DPR” checkpoint, the SMM observed around 90 civilian cars waiting to travel towards government-controlled areas. At the government checkpoint in Novotroitske (government-controlled, 36km south-west of Donetsk), the SMM observed a queue of 78 civilian vehicles waiting to exit and 52 civilian vehicles waiting to enter government-controlled areas. The SMM observed 20 pedestrians waiting to exit government-controlled areas and 50 waiting to enter.

The SMM also monitored the extent of follow-up in response to violations previously reports by the Mission. The SMM received no reports of such follow-up from the JCCC or any other interlocutor.

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

*Restrictions to SMM’s freedom of movement or other impediments to the fulfilment of its mandate

The SMM’s monitoring is restrained by security hazards and threats, including risks posed by mines and unexploded ordnance, and by restrictions of its freedom of movement and other impediments – which vary from day to day. The SMM’s mandate provides for safe and secure access throughout Ukraine. All signatories of the Package of Measures have agreed on the need for this safe and secure access, that restriction of the SMM’s freedom of movement constitutes a violation, and on the need for rapid response to these violations.

Denial of access:

  • Armed “DPR” members stopped the SMM 4km north-east of Zaichenko (26km north-east of Mariupol) and did not allow it to proceed towards “DPR”-controlled Khreshchatytske (formerly Krasnoarmiiske, 33km north-east of Mariupol), citing demining activities. The SMM informed the JCCC.
  • Armed “LPR” members did not allow the SMM to pass their checkpoint between Zolote-4 and Zolote-5 (60km north-west of Luhansk). The SMM informed the JCCC.
  • Armed “DPR” members continue to keep the power supply to SMM’s repeater in Donetsk city disconnected as they have been since 20 May. As a result, SMM remote monitoring equipment at “DPR”-controlled Oktiabr mine and in government-controlled Avdiivka are disabled (see SMM Daily Report 21 May 2016).

Conditional access:

  • “DPR” members in an unmarked vehicle stopped the SMM on highway H20 in Olenivka and aggressively questioned the SMM why it had not stopped at the checkpoint it had just passed on H20 (the SMM had been waved through at said checkpoint). The “DPR” members told the SMM to return to the checkpoint, where they searched the SMM vehicles (including personal bags), and took the names and ID numbers of the SMM members, before letting the SMM pass after 15 minutes delay.

Other impediments:

  • The SMM lost all communication with its long-range UAV flying over “DPR”-controlled Ozerianivka (35km north-east of Donetsk), on the south-western outskirts of “DPR”-controlled Horlivka (see SMM Spot Report 27 May 2016).
  • Medical staff at the Kalinina hospital in Donetsk city told the SMM that for all necessary information required the SMM should address the “administration” representative. The latter asked the SMM to submit a request to the hospital in order to obtain information on cases related to “DPR” members.

[1] Please see the annexed table for a complete breakdown of the ceasefire violations as well as map of the Donetsk and Luhansk regions marked with locations featured in this report.

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In Azerbaijan, OSCE PA Special Representative encourages increased parliamentary exchanges for Nagorno-Karabakh peace resolution

OSCE - Sat, 28/05/2016 - 11:26

BAKU, 28 May 2016 – Concluding a two-day visit to Azerbaijan today, the OSCE Parliamentary Assembly’s Special Representative on the South Caucasus Kristian Vigenin (MP, Bulgaria) reiterated the need for increased parliamentary communication in favour of efforts for a peaceful solution to the Nagorno-Karabakh conflict.

In Baku, the Special Representative met with the President of Azerbaijan Ilham Aliyev, Speaker of the Parliament of Azerbaijan Ogtay Asadov, Minister for Foreign Affairs Elmar Mammadyarov, and members of the Azerbaijani delegation to the OSCE PA.

“It is time to replace the status quo, which continues to have unacceptable human consequences, with efforts that can finally bring peace to this troubled region,” said the Special Representative.

“The recent agreements on finalizing an OSCE investigative mechanism and expanding the OSCE presence in the Nagorno-Karabakh conflict zone are important positive steps. In both Azerbaijan and Armenia, I have urged authorities to build on these developments in the near future. On the parliamentary level, I plan to continue working with parliamentarians from the region and beyond to increase broad-based political will in favour of a comprehensive settlement,” continued Vigenin.

The Special Representative reiterated that there is no military solution to the conflict, calling on all sides to stop aggressive rhetoric and to make space for more constructive efforts for peace. He also expressed support for the Minsk Process.

“The Minsk Group and its Co-Chairs have my full support in their efforts to facilitate a peaceful solution. To support the official efforts, in the coming weeks I will propose some concrete ideas to my colleagues for further communication and exchanges at the parliamentary level,” said Vigenin, noting that the OSCE PA Annual Session in Tbilisi, 1-5 July would serve as an opportunity for initial discussions.

While in Baku, Vigenin participated in an official celebration on the occasion of Azerbaijan's Republic Day.

“I was pleased to personally convey my appreciation for the recent releases of a number of human rights defenders and opposition politicians from prison in Azerbaijan. The momentum of these positive developments should be capitalized on, and I hope to see more efforts by the authorities to improve the space for NGOs to work and contribute to all aspects of society in Azerbaijan,” said Vigenin.

The visit to Azerbaijan follows meetings earlier this week in Armenia and in Georgia, where Vigenin held a range of high-level meetings.

Vigenin was appointed Special Representative on the South Caucasus by OSCE PA President Ilkka Kanerva in February 2016. In his mandate, he is tasked with promoting dialogue in all segments of society, in particular at the parliamentary level, in order to encourage reconciliation and rehabilitation with regard to the protracted conflicts in the region.

This week’s visit is his first to the region as Special Representative. Vigenin is a former Foreign Minister of Bulgaria and currently serves as Deputy Head of the OSCE PA's Bulgarian delegation.

To watch a recent interview in which he discusses his priorities as Special Representative, please click here. For photos of Vigenin's visit to the region, click here.

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Categories: Central Europe

Spot Report by OSCE Special Monitoring Mission to Ukraine (SMM): SMM patrol comes under small-arms fire near Yasynuvata

OSCE - Fri, 27/05/2016 - 21:45

On 27 May an SMM foot patrol comprised of ten members (including a paramedic) was near “DPR”-controlled Yasynuvata (16km north-east of Donetsk) to follow up on a reported incident involving a “DPR” member injured by sniper fire. The SMM was accompanied by the Russian Federation Armed Forces Major General at the Joint Centre for Control and Co-ordination (JCCC) and seven armed “DPR” members. The incident had allegedly occurred during a period for which the SMM jointly with the Ukrainian and Russian Generals at the JCCC had facilitated adherence to the ceasefire, in order to enable “DPR” members to recover the bodies of three armed “DPR” members reportedly killed in action the previous day.    

At 12:14, whilst at the edge of a bridge overlooking the incident site, the SMM patrol heard a whistling sound of a bullet flying at a distance of 5-10 metres above their heads and shortly after - the sound of a gunshot. The SMM could not determine the direction of fire or the weapon used. The SMM members and all others present lay immediately on the ground to take cover. The SMM contacted the Ukrainian Armed Forces General at the JCCC to facilitate adherence to the ceasefire. At 12:33, while SMM members were about to leave the site, they heard another shot from an undetermined location. No one was hurt. The SMM waited for another 10-15 minutes, then left the site and returned safely to Yasynuvata.

Before coming under fire, the SMM had observed what it assessed as a frontline position 500m to the west, from where a group of several men shouted insults. After the SMM’s arrival on the scene, the men had put up a red and black flag on a nearby electricity pylon at the southern end of their position.

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Categories: Central Europe

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