Central Europe

SDGs SDGs:  16 - Peace, justice and strong institutions

Summary

• In Donetsk region, the Mission recorded 114 ceasefire violations, including three explosions. In the previous 24 hours, it recorded 96 ceasefire violations in the region.
• In Luhansk region, the SMM recorded one ceasefire violation, an explosion. In the previous 24 hours, it recorded 31 ceasefire violations in the region.
• The Mission continued monitoring the disengagement areas near Stanytsia Luhanska, Zolote and Petrivske.
• The SMM facilitated and monitored adherence to localized ceasefires to enable the operation and repair of critical civilian infrastructure.
• The Mission continued following up on the situation of civilians, including at four entry-exit checkpoints and three corresponding checkpoints of the armed formations in Donetsk and Luhansk regions.
• The SMM visited two border crossing points outside government control and monitored areas near the border with the Russian Federation in Donetsk region.
• The Mission monitored a gathering in Kyiv.
• The SMM’s freedom of movement continued to be restricted, including at two checkpoints of the armed formations in southern Donetsk region. Its unmanned aerial vehicles again experienced multiple instances of GPS signal interference. *

SKOPJE, 7 September 2020 – The OSCE Office for Democratic Institutions and Human Rights (ODIHR) today opened an election observation mission (EOM) for the 17 October local elections in North Macedonia, following an invitation from the national authorities.

The mission is led by Tana de Zulueta and consists of a core team of 13 experts based in Skopje and 20 long-term observers, who will be deployed throughout the country from 15 September. ODIHR also plans to request OSCE participating states to send 250 short-term observers, who would arrive several days before election day. 

The mission will assess whether the elections are held in line with OSCE commitments and other international obligations and standards for democratic elections, as well as with national legislation. Observers will closely examine key aspects of the elections such as voter registration, candidate registration, campaign activities and their financing, the work of the election administration and relevant government bodies, election-related legislation and its implementation, and the resolution of election-related disputes. The mission will also monitor media coverage of the campaign.

Meetings with representatives of state authorities, political parties, civil society, the media and the international community are also planned. The ODIHR mission will co-operate closely with the health authorities of North Macedonia and follow all rules they have established.

An interim report will be published to update the public and media during the course of the observation. ODIHR will present its preliminary findings and conclusions at a press conference the day after the election, and will publish its final report on the observation including potential recommendations approximately two months after the end of the election process.

The ODIHR election observation mission and the OSCE Mission to Skopje operate separately and independently under their respective mandates.

For further information on ODIHR’s election observation activities in North Macedonia, please visit https://www.osce.org/odihr/elections/northmacedonia

Media contacts:

Kira Kalinina, Media Analyst:kira.kalinina@odihr.mk or +389 72 443 698

or

Katya Andrusz, ODIHR Spokesperson: katya.andrusz@odihr.pl or +48 609 522 266

VIENNA/PRAGUE, 7 September 2021 — Promoting comprehensive security, stability and sustainable development in the OSCE area through women’s economic empowerment will be the focus of the Concluding Meeting of the 29th OSCE Economic and Environmental Forum (EEF) on 9 and 10 September 2021 in Prague.

Senior government officials and experts from international organizations, academia and NGOs from the 57 OSCE participating States will discuss how to promote women’s economic empowerment in the post-pandemic period for sustainable development and economic recovery. Particular attention will be given to the efforts to support women’s economic empowerment through policy formulation and implementation.

The Concluding Meeting of the 29th EEF is organized by the 2021 Swedish OSCE Chairpersonship and the Office of the Co-ordinator of OSCE Economic and Environmental Activities.

Ann Linde, Chairperson-in-Office, Minister for Foreign Affairs, Sweden, Jakub Kulhánek, Minister of Foreign Affairs, the Czech Republic, and Helga Maria Schmid, OSCE Secretary General will open the Forum.

Journalists are invited to cover the opening remarks of keynote speakers on Thursday, 9 September starting at 09:30, which can be followed on https://www.osce.org/live (no registration required).

Following the opening session, the Foreign Ministry of the Czech Republic will hold a press conference in person at 11:30 with the participation of Chairperson-in-Office Linde and Foreign Minister Kulhánek. For more information please contact: jakub_augusta@mzv.cz

Follow the Forum via @OSCE Twitter, #EEFOSCE.

VIENNA, 7 September 2021 – The 23rd annual OSCE Central Asia Media conference, organized by the Office of the OSCE Representative on Freedom of the Media, will take place on 9 and 10 September in Uzbekistan, focusing on “Promoting Public Value of the Media in Central Asia”.

The conference will be opened by OSCE Representative on Freedom of the Media Teresa Ribeiro, Deputy Minister of Foreign Affairs of the Republic of Uzbekistan Gayrat Fazilov, Deputy Chairperson of the Board of Trustees, Public Fund for Support and Development of National Mass Media of Uzbekistan Saida Mirziyoyeva, and Senior Project Officer, OSCE Project Co-ordinator in Uzbekistan Hans-Ullrich Ihm.

The Conference’s first session focuses on the values, content and strategic dilemmas public service broadcasting faces. The session will also gauge the attitude to public service broadcasting in the Central Asian participating States and Mongolia. During the second session, national experts from the region will present the main media freedom developments in their respective countries since the last regional conference held last year.

Journalists will be able to meet keynote speakers between 10:30 and 10:45 on 9 September. Registration for the press pool is required.

Due to the COVID-19 pandemic, this year’s event will be held in hybrid format, bringing  together approximately 70 participants from Kazakhstan, Kyrgyzstan, Tajikistan, Turkmenistan, Uzbekistan, and Mongolia, representing government, media, journalists' associations, civil society and academia.

The working languages of the conference will be English and Russian with simultaneous interpretation.

On 10 September at 9:15 am, during a side event,  a panel of speakers consisting of Joanna Lillis, a Kazakhstan-based journalist affiliated with the Guardian, the Economist and EurasiaNet; Nadira Masiumova, a human rights activist and co-ordinator of the Coalition for Equality in Kyrgyzstan; Gulnara Babadjanova, Director of the Training Centre for Journalists in Uzbekistan and moderator, Kristin Olson, Principal Advisor to the RFoM, will present the Russian language version of the #SOFJO Resource Guide.

This #SOFJO Resource Guide provides a series of proposed actions for ten key stakeholder groups to address gender-based online abuse of female journalists, as online harassment and abuse against women journalists has become a major hazard to the journalistic profession, with a variety of negative effects for societies. The Guide identifies a concrete way forward, and provides a list of useful resources and examples of existing measures and good practices.

The event will take place online: https://www.osce.org/representative-on-freedom-of-media/496426. A detailed agenda in English and Russian, biographies of speakers and other documents related to the conference can be accessed on the same website. (The link to the Zoom webinar https://us02web.zoom.us/webinar/register/WN_F2fOdfz2TZGf7ll4LUmkGw.)

For media registration, please, contact Elena Cherniavska: elena.cherniavska@osce.org, +43 676 4241 502.

For information on the side event, please contact Julia Haas: Julia.haas@osce.org.

497278 Marina Živaljević

Starting from 6 September 2021 for two-months, Amela Odobašić, Head of Public Affairs at the Communications Regulatory Agency of Bosnia and Herzegovina, will work on further improving of PR crisis skills and public speaking with the Agency for Electronic Media. The activity is part of the OSCE Mission to Montenegro’s support to the Agency, the independent regulatory body for audio-visual media services in Montenegro.  

The OSCE Mission to Montenegro, responding to the Agency’s request to support its communications team, selected Ms. Odobašić, following a competitive process, to assist in developing a communications crisis action plan and provide training courses on public speaking. Development of crisis communication skills will include analysis of several crisis scenarios and role plays. Social media outreach, comments on social media accounts and how to deal with gender stereotypes and interact with public, will also be part of the training courses.

Siv-Katrine Leirtroe, Acting Head of the Mission, said that Agency’s constructive and informative communication with media outlets is key for proper implementation of its oversight function. “This activity will strengthen the trust of the media and the public in this institution. This activity is just one in a series that the Mission is carrying out with the Agency, our long-term partner,” said Leirtroe.

Elvira Ceković, Head of Public Relations and General Affairs at the Agency, emphasized that this activity aimed at improving capacities of the Agency to handle negative publicity and build stronger links with the media and the public.

The Mission will continue to support the Agency in its efforts to strengthen the capacities, enhance the trust and the communication with the media and the public.

SDGs SDGs:  16 - Peace, justice and strong institutions

Summary

• In Donetsk region, from the evenings of 3 to 5 September, the Mission recorded 172 ceasefire violations, including 11 explosions. In the previous reporting period, it recorded 48 ceasefire violations in the region.
• In Luhansk region, from the evenings of 3 to 5 September, the SMM recorded 38 ceasefire violations, including seven explosions. In the previous reporting period, it recorded 34 ceasefire violations in the region.
• The Mission corroborated a civilian casualty in non-government-controlled Staromykhailivka, Donetsk region.
• The SMM followed up on damage to a civilian property in government-controlled Avdiivka, Donetsk region.
• Small-arms fire was assessed as directed at SMM’s mini-unmanned aerial vehicles on three occasions near non-government-controlled Vasylivka, Nyzhnie Lozove and Yakovlivka, Donetsk region.*
• The Mission continued monitoring the disengagement areas near Stanytsia Luhanska, Zolote and Petrivske. It recorded ceasefire violations inside the disengagement area near Petrivske.
• The SMM facilitated and monitored adherence to localized ceasefires to enable the operation and repair of critical civilian infrastructure.
• The Mission continued following up on the situation of civilians, including at five entry-exit checkpoints and two corresponding checkpoints of the armed formations in Donetsk and Luhansk regions.
• The SMM visited a border crossing point outside government control and monitored areas near the border with the Russian Federation in Donetsk region.
• The Mission’s freedom of movement continued to be restricted. Its unmanned aerial vehicles again experienced multiple instances of GPS signal interference. *

497173

An OSCE-organized week-long live simulation exercise on how to identify and rescue victims of human trafficking started in Issyk-Kul province, Kyrgyzstan on 6 September 2021. More than 70 professionals from law enforcement agencies including the representatives of the Ministry of Interior, the Prosecutor General's Office, civil society organizations, independent experts and representatives of social services are taking part in the event.

Delivered for the first time in Kyrgyzstan, this pioneering training exercise offers front-line responders the opportunity to simulate real-life anti-trafficking responses using actors to recreate trafficking scenarios. Infrastructure has been re-created to simulate cases of labour and sexual exploitation of men, women and children.

Kyrgyzstan is a country of origin, transit and destination for persons who fall victim to human trafficking. Some challenges facing Kyrgyzstan are a widespread impunity for traffickers and lack of effective prosecution. Additionally, the country has a high level of internal trafficking in human beings and exploitation in labor on construction sites and farms, and sexual exploitation. Trafficking in persons remains largely a hidden phenomenon, with only a few cases per year resulting in identification of victims and prosecution of traffickers. Preventing and combating trafficking remains complicated by the lack of a single co-ordinating body.

Jyldyz Bakashova, Deputy Chairperson of the Cabinet of Ministers of the Kyrgyz Republic, said in her welcome speech:  “This new format of exercises developed by the OSCE allows to test the national referral mechanism, the system of protection and assistance to victims of trafficking in human beings and to develop recommendations based on identified shortcomings.” She highlighted the notable contribution by the OSCE Programme Office in Bishkek and other international partners in the fight against human trafficking in Kyrgyzstan.

The simulation-based exercise is based on the methodology developed by the Office of the OSCE Special Representative and Co-ordinator for Combatting Trafficking in Human Beings, and is part of its roll-out programme at the national level.

In his opening remarks, Alexey Rogov,  Head of the OSCE Programme Office in Bishkek highlighted an innovative nature of the training programme developed for law enforcement officials, prosecutors, social service workers and non-governmental organizations, which enables the simulation exercise in real time format.

The live simulation exercise is carried out as part of the Programme Office’s ongoing efforts in assisting the host country to combat human trafficking and better identify and assist victims of human trafficking through a new co-ordinated approach.

497209 Marina Živaljević

To support the Police Directorate and the police Forensic Centre in fighting against organized and transnational crime, the OSCE Mission to Montenegro donated specialized equipment and software to the country’s police on 6 September 2021 in Podgorica.

The Mission procured mobile equipment for the detection of weapons and explosives that will be used directly for crime scenes, a high-capacity digital evidence analysis workstation and a device for testing mobile phones, tablets and other small electronic devices. The equipment also includes software licenses to recover digital evidence from multiple sources, and audio-video recording equipment which will ensure that an accurate record of witness and suspect statements is obtained for use by investigators of the Special Police Department.

Siv-Katrine Leirtroe, Acting Head of the Mission, said that the donation is another proof of the Mission’s commitment to support the Police Directorate in its efforts to fight serious and organized crime, as well as cyber and cyber-enabled crimes. “Equipment to detect weapons and explosives, along with specialized training on its use, should increase the capacities of the police to combat misuse and trafficking in weapons and explosives and enhance public safety in Montenegro. This equipment is part of the Mission’s efforts to support implementing the Strategy for Control of Small Arms and Light Weapons,” said Leirtroe.

Zoran Brđanin, Director of the Police Directorate said that because of the close co-operation with the Mission, the Police Directorate has enhanced their capacities to fight organized crime. He remarked that the donation will strengthen the police capacities for more efficient work. “The OSCE Mission to Montenegro is a strong partner to the Police Directorate in the reform process. Your support in priority areas and our joint projects confirm the strategic partnership,” said Brđanin.

Leirtroe and Brđanin agreed to continue close co-operation and implementation of joint activities to help support the Police Directorate and the Forensic Centre reach its strategic objectives. Moreover, the Mission and Dragica Vučinić, the Mission’s National Security and Co-operation Officer, received plaques in recognition for their longstanding and successful co-operation and support to the police.

The donation is a continuation of the Mission’s efforts to enhance both technical and strategic capacities of the Police Directorate, aimed at preventing and combatting serious and organized crime, while ensuring the full respect of human rights.

SKOPJE, 6 September 2021 – Observers from the OSCE Office for Democratic Institutions and Human Rights (ODIHR) will hold a press conference on the opening of the observation mission to the forthcoming local elections in North Macedonia on Tuesday, 7 September.

What: 

• An introduction to the role of the ODIHR election observation mission and its planned activities

Who: 

• Tana de Zulueta, Head of the ODIHR observation mission
• Stefan Krause, Deputy Head of the ODIHR observation mission

When: 

• 15.00 local time (GMT +2) on 7 September 2021

Registration:

• The press conference will take place on Zoom only. Please register by 12:00 local time on 7 September using the following link.

For further information on ODIHR’s election observation activities in North Macedonia, please visit: https://www.osce.org/odihr/elections/north-macedonia

SDGs SDGs:  16 - Peace, justice and strong institutions

Summary

• In Donetsk region, the SMM recorded 48 ceasefire violations, including 12 explosions. In the previous reporting period, it recorded 66 ceasefire violations in the region.
• In Luhansk region, the Mission recorded 34 ceasefire violations, including 19 explosions. In the previous reporting period, it recorded 28 ceasefire violations in the region.
• The SMM followed up on damage to a civilian property in non-government-controlled Oleksandrivka, Donetsk region.
• The Mission continued monitoring the disengagement areas near Stanytsia Luhanska, Zolote and Petrivske. It recorded ceasefire violations inside the disengagement area near Petrivske and close to the disengagement area near Zolote.
• The SMM facilitated and monitored adherence to localized ceasefires to enable the operation of and repairs to critical civilian infrastructure.
• The Mission continued following up on the situation of civilians, including at four entry-exit checkpoints and three corresponding checkpoints of the armed formations in Donetsk and Luhansk regions.
• The Mission’s freedom of movement continued to be restricted, including at two checkpoints of the armed formations in southern Donetsk region. Its unmanned aerial vehicles again experienced multiple instances of GPS signal interference. *

SDGs SDGs:  16 - Peace, justice and strong institutions

Summary

• In Donetsk region, the SMM recorded 66 ceasefire violations, including 22 explosions. In the previous reporting period, it recorded 21 ceasefire violations in the region.
• In Luhansk region, the Mission recorded 28 ceasefire violations, including one explosion. In the previous reporting period, it recorded 41 ceasefire violations in the region.
• The Mission continued monitoring the disengagement areas near Stanytsia Luhanska, Zolote and Petrivske. It recorded ceasefire violations inside the disengagement area near Petrivske and close to the disengagement area near Zolote.
• The SMM facilitated and monitored adherence to localized ceasefires to enable the operation of and repairs to critical civilian infrastructure.
• The Mission continued following up on the situation of civilians, including at three entry-exit checkpoints and two corresponding checkpoints of the armed formations in Luhansk region.
• The Mission’s freedom of movement continued to be restricted. *

497113 Mirvete Islam, OSCE Mission to Skopje Ilona Kazaryan

The OSCE Mission to Skopje supported the Ministry of Internal Affairs (MoIA) in developing a strategy to modernize the Ministry’s training and education system. This strategy represents a significant investment in the Ministry’s most important resource – its people. 

“Effective implementation of the new strategy will provide all MoIA employees with access to a future-oriented, Internet-based professional development process. This will benefit them and the institution, and ultimately result in better services to the people of North Macedonia,” said Jeffrey Goldstein, Deputy Head of the OSCE Mission to Skopje at an event on 3 September 2021 to promote the strategy to senior MoIA personnel.

The Strategy is the latest step in the Mission’s long-term support for professionalization of the MoIA, and is part of a broader effort that includes support for modernizing its human resources and discipline systems, and improving its engagement with the community. 

497071

Over 30 participants from ten countries took part in an in-person training course from 30 August to 3 September 2021 to build their knowledge and skills in addressing and enhancing the protection of cultural property. The course, organized jointly by the OSCE in co-operation with the Hellenic Multinational Peace Support Operations Training Centre (MPSOTC), was held in Kilkis, Greece.

Participants included military, law enforcement, political officers as well as university students, customs agencies personnel and border police officers from Albania, Bosnia and Herzegovina, Cyprus, Egypt, Greece, North Macedonia, Saudi Arabia, Serbia, the United Arab Emirates and the United Kingdom.

They explored the issue of cultural property protection and the phenomenon of the illicit trafficking in cultural property. Session topics included contemporary security environment; the legal framework of cultural property protection; links between transnational organized crime and terrorism, money laundering and terrorism financing; artefacts’ smuggling and international co-operation.

“The training course is an example of efficient co-operation between the OSCE and the MPSOTC for tackling this important transnational threat. Bringing national agencies and services representatives together with reputable experts and building inter-agency and international co-operation is a core strength of the OSCE. This kind of cross-cutting co-operation provides a solid basis for awareness raising and capacity-building aimed at cultural property protection,” said Gorancho Stojkovski, Customs Adviser in the OSCE Border Security and Management Unit.

The training course was part of an OSCE project established in 2016 that aims to raise awareness of the illicit trafficking of cultural property and its impact on security and stability in the OSCE area. The course was incorporated into MPSOTC’s annual training programme and is also an integral part of a thematic OSCE Programme from 2021–2026 developed to further support OSCE participating States and Partners for Co-operation.   

Communication and Media Relations Section Alexandra Taylor

Law enforcement representatives from the State Investigation and Protection Agency of Bosnia and Herzegovina attended a five-day OSCE-supported online workshop on the use of Open Source Intelligence (OSINT) for criminal and financial investigations, held from August 30 to September 3. Through practical and interactive sessions, participants gained knowledge on how to identify, gather and analyze quantitative and qualitative data that is publicly available on the internet.

Using open source intelligence in combating organized crime is key in identifying and preventing criminal groups from conducting operations online. This workshop provided participants with the necessary tools, resources and techniques on how to efficiently and effectively navigate public sources on the internet for intelligence on organized crime groups and their assets. Sessions on: planning an internet investigation; conducting basic and advanced web searching; capturing evidence; investigating digital images, websites and social media; and understanding the overall internet architecture were held. Each session was accompanied by exercises and a debrief where participants had the chance to put in practice their acquired knowledge.

The workshop was organized within the framework of OSCE’s Asset Recovery in South-Eastern Europe.  Participating States include Albania, Bosnia and Herzegovina, Montenegro, North Macedonia, and Serbia. The project is financially supported by the United States, Italy, Germany and the United Kingdom.

497035 OSCE High Commissioner on National Minorities OSCE High Commissioner on National Minorities welcomes efforts to promote integration on first visit to Serbia

OSCE High Commissioner on National Minorities Kairat Abdrakhmanov welcomed Hungary’s legislative framework for national minorities and efforts to accommodate the interests of the different ethnic groups living in the country during his visit to Budapest from 26 to 27 August 2021.

The High Commissioner met with Péter Szijjártó, Foreign Affairs and Trade Minister of Hungary, to discuss matters of mutual interest. Abdrakhmanov commended Hungary’s solid legislative framework for national minorities, and the authorities’ ongoing efforts to support the interests of various ethnic groups and their cultures in the country, including through dedicated funding. The High Commissioner also welcomed Hungary’s approach to supporting the representation of national minorities in parliamentary and self-government structures at all levels.

Abdrakhmanov and Szijjártó also discussed the situation of ethnic Hungarians abroad, including in Ukraine. The High Commissioner described his dialogue with the Ukrainian authorities as regular and constructive and said he is encouraged by the efforts of Hungary and Ukraine to find mutually acceptable solutions. “There appears to be a recent pattern of generally positive bilateral engagement between Hungary and Ukraine,” Abdrakhmanov reported.

He said that Vojvodina, which he visited in June during his visit to Serbia, was a good example of how bilateral co-operation — in this case between Serbia and Hungary — on national minority issues can positively contribute to inter‑ethnic and inter‑State relations. During his visits to OSCE participating States, Abdrakhmanov seeks positive examples of effective ways of managing diverse society that he can disseminate in the OSCE area.

He also welcomed Hungary’s priorities related to national minorities during its Presidency of the Council of Europe’s Committee of Ministers.

During his visit, Abdrakhmanov addressed the Annual Conference of Hungarian Ambassadors and had the opportunity to exchange views with high-level officials in the Government and Parliament, as well as representatives of national minorities.

SDGs SDGs:  16 - Peace, justice and strong institutions

Summary

• In Donetsk region, the SMM recorded 21 ceasefire violations, including three explosions. In the previous reporting period, it recorded 96 ceasefire violations in the region.
• In Luhansk region, the Mission recorded 41 explosions ceasefire violations, including 34 explosions. In the previous reporting period, it recorded 48 ceasefire violations in the region.
• The SMM corroborated reports of two civilian casualties in non-government-controlled Pikuzy, Donetsk region.
• The Mission saw damage to four inhabited civilian properties in non-government-controlled Kashtanove, Donetsk region.
• The Mission continued monitoring the disengagement areas near Stanytsia Luhanska, Zolote and Petrivske.
• The SMM facilitated and monitored adherence to localized ceasefires to enable the operation of and repairs to critical civilian infrastructure.
• The Mission continued following up on the situation of civilians, including at four entry-exit checkpoints and three corresponding checkpoints of the armed formations in Donetsk and Luhansk regions.
• The Mission’s freedom of movement continued to be restricted, including at a checkpoint of the Ukrainian Armed Forces near Berdianske and in non-government-controlled Novoazovsk, both in southern Donetsk region.*

SDGs SDGs:  16 - Peace, justice and strong institutions

Summary

• In Donetsk region, the SMM recorded 96 ceasefire violations, including 63 explosions. In the previous reporting period, it recorded 112 ceasefire violations in the region.
• In Luhansk region, the Mission recorded 48 explosions. In the previous reporting period, it recorded 676 ceasefire violations in the region.
• The SMM heard projectiles passing overhead and impact explosions near its position in non-government-controlled Oleksandrivka, Donetsk region
• The Mission continued monitoring the disengagement areas near Stanytsia Luhanska, Zolote and Petrivske. It recorded ceasefire violations inside the disengagement area near Petrivske.
• The SMM facilitated and monitored adherence to localized ceasefires to enable the operation of and repairs to critical civilian infrastructure.
• The Mission continued following up on the situation of civilians, including at five entry-exit checkpoints (EECP) and four corresponding checkpoints of the armed formations in Donetsk and Luhansk regions.
• The SMM monitored a gathering in Lviv.
• The Mission’s freedom of movement continued to be restricted at two border crossing points and two checkpoints in non-government-controlled areas of Donetsk and Luhansk regions, as well as at the EECP near Hnutove.*

SDGs SDGs:  16 - Peace, justice and strong institutions

KYIV, 1 September 2021 — The Chief Monitor, Halit Çevik, reiterated that the SMM has been monitoring the security situation throughout Ukraine on a 24/7 basis since its deployment in the country upon the request of the Ukrainian government and by the decision of the OSCE Permanent Council.

He emphasized that the Mission is fulfilling its round the clock monitoring operations by means of patrols and forward patrol bases, as well as through remote observation using technological means such as cameras and UAVs.

The Chief Monitor underlined that the SMM is a civilian mission, and its freedom of movement is often limited. He reiterated that the SMM is strictly committed to the principles of impartiality and transparency, therefore it can only report what it monitors and observes directly. The SMM is not tasked or designed to cover the entire conflict area and nor has resources to do so. He further clarified that, during the month of August, approximately 65 per cent of all ceasefire violations recorded by the Mission occurred at night, and were reflected in the SMM’s daily reports. In addition, on the morning of 28 August, the Mission recorded more than 190 ceasefire violations in Avdiivka, including mortar and artillery fire.

The Chief Monitor underlined that the SMM will continue its hard work, but it relies on the political support and goodwill of all actors on the ground. The unwarranted public criticism is detrimental to its work.

SDGs SDGs:  16 - Peace, justice and strong institutions

Summary

• In Donetsk region, the SMM recorded 112 ceasefire violations, including 16 explosions. In the previous 24 hours, it recorded 11 ceasefire violations in the region.
• In Luhansk region, the Mission recorded 676 ceasefire violations, including 298 explosions. In the previous 24 hours, it recorded no ceasefire violations in the region.
• The Mission followed up on reports of two children injured on 28 August in non-government-controlled Horlivka, Donetsk region.
• The Mission continued monitoring the disengagement areas near Stanytsia Luhanska, Zolote and Petrivske.
• The SMM facilitated and monitored adherence to localized ceasefires to enable the operation of and repairs to critical civilian infrastructure.
• The Mission continued following up on the situation of civilians, including at five entry-exit checkpoints and three corresponding checkpoints of the armed formations in Donetsk and Luhansk regions.
• The SMM monitored two gatherings in Odessa.
• The SMM’s freedom of movement continued to be restricted. Its unmanned aerial vehicles again experienced multiple instances of GPS signal interference.*

SUMMARY

Kamensk-Shakhtinskiy, Russian Federation. The Observer Mission (OM) continues to operate 24/7 at both Border Crossing Points (BCPs). The overall number of border crossings by persons decreased at both BCPs compared to the previous week. 

OPERATIONAL REMARKS

The OM is currently operating with 22 permanent international Mission members, including the Chief Observer (CO). The Mission is supported administratively by a staff member and the Chief of Fund Administration based in Vienna.

Update on COVID-19 measures

Activities have been impacted by COVID-19 and measures undertaken by the OM to ensure the safety and duty of care of its Mission members and compliance with measures set by the host country authorities. The Mission is continuing to keep the situation under review, in close contact with the OSCE Secretariat and the Chairpersonship. Following the host country’s recommendations, the observers are adhering to social distancing. Due to the preventive measures taken by the central and regional authorities, the OM is faced with certain difficulties, but is still able to continue to fulfil its mandate without any limitations in its observation and reporting activities. The vaccination process provided by the host country medical system continues on a voluntary basis. To date, 80 per cent of OM staff have now been vaccinated. The OM is fully staffed and operational.

OBSERVATIONS AT THE BORDER CROSSING POINTS

Persons crossing the border                                                                                                                                                  

The profile of persons 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 persons and/or children) travelling on foot or by car with a significant amount of luggage.

The average number of entries/exits decreased from 11,594 to 10,967 per day at both BCPs compared to last week. During the reporting period, the majority of border crossings were to Ukraine, with an average net flow of 303 per day for both BCPs. The Donetsk BCP continued to experience much more traffic than the Gukovo BCP.

Responding to the COVID-19 situation, the host country closed its borders for the majority of foreigners starting from 18 March 2020. Among the exceptions of persons allowed to cross the border (which entered into force on 19 March) are Ukrainian citizens and stateless persons holding passports or identification documents proving permanent residence in certain areas of Luhansk and Donetsk regions of Ukraine. In addition, reportedly, due to the threat of the spread of COVID-19, starting from 10 April 2020, the organized passenger transport commuting between the non-government-controlled areas of Luhansk region of Ukraine and the Russian Federation was temporarily suspended and restored from 25 June 2020. Currently, the crossing of people is going on at a quasi-normal level.

Persons in military-style outfits

During the reporting period, the number of persons in military-style outfits crossing the border was four, compared to five last week; four persons crossed into the Russian Federation while no persons crossed into Ukraine. These individuals crossed the border on foot.

Families with a significant amount of luggage

The OTs continued to report on families, sometimes with elderly persons and/or children, crossing the border at both BCPs with a significant amount of luggage, or travelling in heavily loaded cars. During this reporting week, four families were observed crossing into the Russian Federation while three families were observed crossing into Ukraine, compared to the previous reporting period when two families were observed crossing into the Russian Federation and another one into Ukraine.

Bus connections                                         

Regular local and long-distance bus connections continued to operate between Ukraine (mostly from/to the Luhansk region) and the Russian Federation. During the reporting period, the OTs observed a decrease in the overall number of buses crossing the border at both BCPs (381 compared to 445 observed during the previous week). There were 193 buses bound for the Russian Federation and 188 bound for Ukraine.

On some occasions, the OTs noticed the bus drivers removing the itinerary signs from the windshields of their buses, while some buses did not display their route at all. The majority of long-distance buses commuting between the Luhansk region and cities in the Russian Federation had Ukrainian licence plates issued in the Luhansk region.

Trucks

During the reporting period, the OTs observed a slight decrease in the overall number of trucks crossing the border at both BCPs (797 compared to 803 during the previous reporting week); 432 at the Gukovo BCP and 365 at the Donetsk BCP, 415 of these trucks crossed into the Russian Federation, and 382 crossed into Ukraine. Most of the trucks observed by the OTs had Ukrainian licence plates issued in the Luhansk region; however, on a daily basis, the OTs also noted trucks registered in Belarus, Lithuania, the Russian Federation and trucks with “LPR” and “DPR” plates.

The OTs also continued to observe tanker trucks crossing the border in both directions. During the reporting period, the overall number of tanker trucks crossing the border at both BCPs decreased (37 compared to 41 during the previous week). These trucks were observed crossing the border at both BCPs. The trucks had the words “Propane” and “Flammable” written across the tanks in either Russian or Ukrainian. The majority of tanker trucks had hazard signs, indicating that they were transporting propane or a mix of propane and butane. All trucks underwent systematic inspection by Russian Federation officials, which could include an X-ray check. Due to the unfavorable observation position at the Gukovo BCP, the OTs continued to be unable to observe any X-ray checks.

Compared to the previous week, the total number of X-ray checks at the Donetsk BCP increased from 183 to 193. Of the total number of all trucks scanned 193 trucks (100 per cent) were bound for Ukraine.

Minivans

The OM continued to observe passenger and cargo minivans[1] crossing the border in both directions at both BCPs. The OTs observed minivans predominantly with Ukrainian licence plates issued in the Luhansk region; however, the OTs also saw minivans registered in the Russian Federation. During the reporting period, the OTs observed a decrease in the overall number of minivans crossing the border at both BCPs (147 compared to 181 observed during the previous week); 74 crossed into the Russian Federation and another 73 into Ukraine.

Trains

The OTs continued to pick up the sound of trains on the railway tracks located approximately 150m south-west of the Gukovo BCP. During the reporting week, the OTs heard trains on 41 occasions; the OTs assessed that 25 trains were travelling to the Russian Federation and the remaining 16 trains were travelling to Ukraine (more details are provided in the sections “trends and figures at a glance” below).

Visual observation was not possible because of the line of trees located between the train tracks and the BCP.

Other observations

The majority of vehicles crossing the border had Ukrainian licence plates issued in the Luhansk region or Russian Federation licence plates. A significant number of vehicles with “LPR” plates were also observed crossing the border in both directions on a daily basis. The OTs also observed vehicles with Georgian and Lithuanian licence plates, in addition to “DPR” plates.

On 25 August at 00:18, the OT at the Donetsk BCP observed two medium-sized trucks with “LPR” plates and the board inscription “LPR Post” (in Russian) entering the BCP from the Russian Federation and parking at the customs control area. After undergoing border control procedures, the trucks left the BCP for Ukraine at 01:00.

On 25 August at 14:55, the OT at the Gukovo BCP observed a black funeral cargo minivan with “LPR” plates and the board inscription “Funeral Services” (in Russian) arriving at the BCP from Ukraine and crossing into the Russian Federation. At 15:32, the same minivan entered the BCP from the Russian Federation and parked at the customs control area. After undergoing border control procedures, the vehicle left for Ukraine at 15:52.

On 27 August at 14:09, the OT at the Donetsk BCP observed two yellow brand-new tractors model “JBC 3cx” with no licence plates entering the BCP from the Russian Federation and parking at the customs control area, waiting for X-Ray checks. The OT noticed only the driver inside each vehicle. After undergoing customs and border control procedures the vehicles left the BCP for Ukraine at 14:33.

On 27 August at 14:50, the OT at the Donetsk BCP observed three brand-new minivans type “UAZ-452” with no licence plates accompanied by a car type “Toyota” with Russian Federation licence plates, entering the BCP from the Russian Federation and parking at the customs control area. On 30 August, after undergoing customs and border control procedures, the minivans left the BCP for Ukraine at 15:05.

On 31 August at 00:15, the OT at the Donetsk BCP observed two medium sized trucks with “LPR” plates and the board inscription “LPR Post” (in Russian) entering the BCP from Ukraine. After undergoing border and customs control procedures, the vehicles left the BCP towards the Russian Federation at 01:24.

For trends and figures at a glance covering the period from 27 July 2021 to 31 August 2021, please see the attachment here.

[1]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 that correspond to driving licence C1).