Central Europe

493882 Marina Živaljević

The OSCE Mission to Montenegro organized two peer-to-peer workshops on communication and presentation skills for 17 parliamentary staff on 10 and 11 July and 26 and 27 July 2021 in Podgorica.

The workshops, which started in 2020, develop a pool of trainers. These workshops provided an opportunity for the trainers to apply skills gained through the Train-the-Trainers mentoring programme. During the workshops, participants were shown effective communication and good presentation techniques.

Experts Jadranka Vojinović and Bego Begu provided mentorship and guidance to the parliamentary pool of trainers.  The experts agreed “the group of trainers demonstrated excellent teamwork, showed an enviable level of knowledge and skills while using modern coaching techniques.”

This activity is in line with the Human Resources Management Bureau Analysis, conducted by the Mission, which emphasized the importance of institutionalizing internal transfer of knowledge, mentorship, and coaching activities.

The final workshop will be in September and will tackle stress and time management.

SKOPJE, 28 July 2021 - The OSCE Mission to Skopje launched an EU-funded project to support a more effective administration of justice by monitoring trials on corruption and organized crime cases in North Macedonia. This three-year project is part of a regional initiative implemented by OSCE field operations in Tirana, Podgorica, Skopje, Sarajevo, and Pristina.

The project’s trial monitors will produce recommendations to help the courts, the prosecution, and law enforcement agencies increase their capacities to fight the corruption and organized crime that threaten long-term stability and prosperity in the region. The aim of the project is not to monitor individual cases but to identify systemic gaps that need to be addressed.

“The project will develop recommendations identifying systemic issues in the processing of organized crime and corruption cases,” said Clemens Koja, Head of the OSCE Mission to Skopje. “The monitoring of trials effectively started last week and will continue until December 2023. Throughout this time, our Mission will monitor approximately 50 high and medium-level organized crime and corruption cases.”

Ambassador David Geer,  Head of the EU Delegation said: “The criminal justice system has a critical role to play in combatting corruption and organised crime. This project aims to support such efforts by establishing a system of trial monitoring designed to identify systemic weaknesses in the management of cases within the criminal justice system. By doing so it will not only strengthen the effectiveness of the courts  but also send out a strong signal that there is no impunity for those involved in corruption and organized crime.”

Minister of Justice Bojan Marichikj said that the project would be a challenge for the Macedonian judicial system, but also a test. “The reforms we have been working so hard on and all amendments made so far are not just on paper, but they truly function in practice — an important step forward in the fight against corruption, which demands strong support and participation of all stakeholders."

493858 OSCE Centre in Ashgabat

Management approaches and know-how tools aimed at protecting oil and gas infrastructure from natural or human-made hazards was the topic of an OSCE-organized online seminar that took place on 27 and 28 July 2021.

The two-day seminar brought together representatives of the Main Department of Civil Defense and Rescue Operations of Turkmenistan’s Ministry of Defense, the Ministry of Healthcare and Medical Industry, the State Energy Institute, as well as other relevant ministries, law-enforcement bodies, oil and gas agencies and research institutions.

Participants learned about effective practices in assessing and managing possible risks and developing adequate preventive and response measures to emergencies in the oil and gas sector. The seminar provided an overview of advanced approaches in promoting ecological security in the extractive industry, and presented international experiences in ensuring cybersecurity.

Two international experts from the Russian Federation explained the technology of creating a unified information space for a decision support system as a guarantee of comprehensive security of oil and gas infrastructure. They also shared best practices in ensuring security in the oil and gas sector through using ‘smart’ technologies.

“Risks of hazards and their destructive effect represent a threat to uninterrupted and safe operations of strategically important infrastructure, including oil and gas infrastructure,” said William Leaf, Officer-in-Charge of the OSCE Centre in Ashgabat. “As part of its comprehensive approach to security, the OSCE provides the basis for concerted and consistent action to efficiently manage risks of hazards for the sake of sustainable development and security of society.”

“It is our belief that this seminar will support the efforts of the Government of Turkmenistan to reduce the risks of hazards and ensure ecological security in the oil and gas sector,” added Leaf.

The Centre organized the event within the framework of the project “Improving capacities of the host country to strengthen environmental protection system and energy security, phase II”.

493633

On 23 July 2021, the OSCE Project Co-ordinator in Uzbekistan (PCUz) Pierre von Arx, met with Erkin Mukhitdinov, First Deputy Minister of Employment and Labour Relations of the Republic of Uzbekistan. They discussed ongoing projects and the potential for future co-operation with the Ministry and the Agency for External Labour Migration under the Ministry as the key project partner of the PCUz.

Mukhitdinov expressed his gratitude for a number of significant accomplishments made in the framework of joint projects such as the Comprehensive Research on Labour Migration Policies and Practices in Uzbekistan and Countries of Destination; Equipping the Newly Established Pre-departure Training Centre for Labour Migrants; Conducted capacity-building training course to help re-integrate returning labour migrants; Supporting the Development of an Online Consultation Platform to name but a few.

Von Arx expressed his appreciation for the support of Mukhitdinov as a valuable contributor for the successful implementation of PCUz projects. Von Arx informed Mukhitdinov on the viability of a new extrabudgetary project in support of labour migration of women and economic reintegration of women labour migrants.

The PCUz has been developing a large number of projects to support the improvement of labour migration policies in Uzbekistan after the new leadership recognized labour migration as an economic phenomenon.

SDGs SDGs:  16 - Peace, justice and strong institutions

Summary

• In Donetsk region, the SMM recorded 394 ceasefire violations, including 119 explosions. In the previous 24 hours, it recorded 10 ceasefire violations in the region.
• In Luhansk region, the Mission recorded no ceasefire violations. In the previous 24 hours, it recorded 138 ceasefire violations in the region.
• The Mission continued monitoring the disengagement areas near Stanytsia Luhanska, Zolote and Petrivske. It recorded multiple ceasefire violations, including several explosions, inside and near the disengagement area near Petrivske.
• The SMM facilitated and monitored adherence to localized ceasefires to enable the operation of critical civilian infrastructure.
• The Mission continued following up on the situation of civilians, including at four entry-exit checkpoints and the corresponding checkpoints of the armed formations in Donetsk and Luhansk regions.
• The SMM’s freedom of movement continued to be restricted, including at four checkpoints of the armed formations in southern Donetsk region. Its unmanned aerial vehicles again experienced instances of GPS signal interference.*

493798 Communication and Media Relations Section Alexandra Taylor

Members of the OSCE Gender Equality Platform in Border Security and Management and representatives of border agencies from the OSCE region and beyond discussed the importance of an inclusive approach to gender equality at an OSCE webinar. The event was organized by the Border Security and Management Unit of the OSCE Transnational Threats Department on 27 July 2021.

The webinar brought together 100 representatives from border and customs agencies of 16 OSCE participating States and Mediterranean Partners for Co-operation. They discussed the crucial role men play as partners in promoting gender equality. Speakers highlighted the importance of leadership’s engagement and the need to create appropriate gender-inclusive conditions for men and women to work in law enforcement.

Recognizing the crucial need for engaging men in gender mainstreaming efforts in border services and the security sector overall, the Border Security and Management Unit provided participants with tools on how to do so more effectively.

“Gender equality means equal opportunities for men and women, without any limitations. It is not a women’s issue only,” said Dennis Cosgrove, Head of OSCE’s Border Security and Management Unit, in his opening remarks.

“Integrating a gender perspective into my work means having more competent colleagues on board to deliver better results.  Border agencies must mirror the entire society,” said Ghenadie Astrahan, Head of International Co-operation Division, the Border Police of Republic of Moldova. 

International expert and retired Belgian Major Stefan Steyaert explained what men and women will gain when working jointly towards gender equality. He also emphasized the importance of men acknowledge the privileges they have been born into as a result of patriarchy, as the first step in standing up for gender equality.    

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 remained the same 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) and a First Responder.[1] 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 remained the same at 10,337 per day at both BCPs compared to last week. During the reporting period, the majority of border crossings were to the Russian Federation, with an average net flow of 187 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 quasi-normal level.

Persons in military-style outfits

During the reporting period, the number of persons in military-style outfits crossing the border was one, compared to seven last week; one person crossed into Ukraine while no persons crossed into the Russian Federation. 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, five families were observed crossing into the Russian Federation while three families were observed crossing into Ukraine, compared to the previous reporting period when three families were observed crossing into the Russian Federation, while two families were observed crossing 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 (415 compared to 449 observed during the previous week). There were 208 buses bound for the Russian Federation and 207 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.

Among the bus connections observed by the OTs, the following “irregular” route or destination was noted: Luhansk - Sevastopol.

Trucks

During the reporting period, the OTs observed an increase in the overall number of trucks crossing the border at both BCPs (832 compared to 804 during the previous reporting week); 445 at the Gukovo BCP and 387 at the Donetsk BCP, 416 of these trucks crossed into the Russian Federation, and 416 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” plates.

The OTs also continued to observe tanker trucks crossing the border in both directions. During the reporting period, the OTs observed a slight decrease in the overall number of tanker trucks crossing the border at both BCPs (42 compared to 45 during the previous reporting 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 slightly decreased from 184 to 183. Of the total number of trucks scanned, 183 trucks (100 per cent) were bound for Ukraine.  

Minivans

The OM continued to observe passenger and cargo minivans[2] 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 slight decrease in the overall number of minivans crossing the border at both BCPs (141 compared to 146 observed during the previous week); 79 crossed into the Russian Federation and another 62 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 35 occasions; the OTs assessed that 21 trains were travelling to the Russian Federation and the remaining 14 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, and some vehicles with “DPR” plates.

On 20 July at 22:54, the OT at the Donetsk BCP observed a minivan and a medium-size truck with “LPR” plates and an inscription “LPR Post” (in Russian) entering the BCP from the Russian Federation and queueing at the customs control area. After undergoing border control procedures, the vehicles left the BCP for Ukraine at 00:17.

On 21 July at 07:24, the OT at the Gukovo BCP observed a helicopter type Mi-8/Mi-17 flying from the north in a south-easterly direction at a distance of approximately 1,000m from the BCP. The helicopter remained inside of the Russian Federation airspace the entire time it was visible to the OT.

On 26 July at 12:02, the OT the Gukovo BCP observed a white minivan with a red cross on the side and an inscription “Medical Service” (in Russian) entering the BCP from the Russian Federation and parking at the customs control area. Two women in military uniforms were observed moving from the vehicle to the main building. At 12:36, the observed individuals returned and the minivan drove back to the Russian Federation. The OT could not observe any other details from its position.

On 27 July at 01:01, the OT at the Donetsk BCP observed a minivan and a medium-size truck with “LPR” plates and an inscription “LPR Post”(in Russian) entering the BCP from Ukraine. After undergoing border control procedures, the vehicles left for the Russian Federation at 01:31.

For trends and figures at a glance covering the period from 22 June 2021 to 27 July 2021, please see the attachment here.

[1] First responders are OSCE staff or Mission members deployed for a short period of time.

[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 that correspond to driving licence C1).

PRISHTINË/PRIŠTINA, 27 July 2021 – Kosovo institutions need to ensure continued progress and increase their focus on advancing the rights of non-majority communities, a cornerstone in building a truly inclusive, peaceful and stable society, concludes an OSCE Mission in Kosovo report presented today.  

The fifth edition of the Community Rights Assessment Report assesses the progress made by Kosovo institutions in respect to the Council of Europe’s Framework Convention for the Protection of National Minorities (FCNM), in the areas of inter-community dialogue, security and justice, language, education, returns, socio-economic rights, culture and media.

The report notes that institutions have achieved progress in promoting and protecting the rights of non-majority communities and their members in line with the FCNM obligations. However, despite the progress in some areas, the recommendations from the Council of Europe Committee of Ministers Resolution on Kosovo from July 2019 still remain valid for other areas.

The report also notes positive developments during the four years assessed, including the integration of the judiciary, the adoption of a legally binding Regulation on the Return of Displaced Persons, and the adoption of several key policy documents in the area of cultural heritage. Furthermore, positive steps are noted in the effectiveness of the Ombudsperson’s Institution and the Government’s efforts to create a comprehensive institutional framework to facilitate the full inclusion of the Kosovo Roma and Kosovo Ashkali communities in society.

“The OSCE Mission in Kosovo has been directly involved in supporting the institutions that have achieved these concrete results. We will continue to partner with relevant institutions in following up on the recommendations outlined in this report to address the issues identified,” said the Head of the OSCE Mission in Kosovo, Ambassador Michael Davenport.

“Advancing the rights of non-majority communities is a cornerstone in building a truly inclusive, peaceful and stable society,” he added.

The OSCE Mission in Kosovo is mandated with the protection and promotion of human rights and communities rights, as well as democratization and public safety sector development.

The full report is available at: https://www.osce.org/mission-in-kosovo/493675

SDGs SDGs:  16 - Peace, justice and strong institutions

Summary

• In Donetsk region, between the evenings of 23 and 25 July, the SMM recorded 48 ceasefire violations. In the previous reporting period, it recorded 26 ceasefire violations in the region.
• In Luhansk region, between the evenings of 23 and 25 July, the Mission recorded 140 ceasefire violations, including 14 explosions. In the previous reporting period, it recorded 58 ceasefire violations in the region.
• The SMM followed up on reports of a man who sustained injuries due to shrapnel in Marinka, Donetsk region.
• The Mission observed damage to a civilian property in Opytne, Donetsk region.
• Small-arms fire was assessed as directed at an SMM mini-unmanned aerial vehicle (UAV) near non-government-controlled Manuilivka, Donetsk region and the SMM lost spatial control of two mini-UAVs in Luhansk region, after they experienced signal interference, assessed as probable jamming.
• 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 critical civilian infrastructure.
• The Mission continued following up on the situation of civilians, including at three entry-exit checkpoints and three corresponding checkpoints of the armed formations in Luhansk region.
• The SMM visited two border crossing points in Donetsk and Luhansk regions and monitored areas near the border with the Russian Federation in Donetsk region.
• The Mission observed no change in the security situation in east and south-east Kherson region.
• The SMM’s freedom of movement continued to be restricted, including at six checkpoints of the armed formations in southern Donetsk region and a border crossing point outside government control in Luhansk region. An SMM camera experienced visual interference, assessed as caused by beams of laser light. Its UAVs again experienced instances of GPS signal interference.*

Marina Živaljević

The OSCE Mission to Montenegro welcomes the Parliament’s decision to start the process of appointing a new Chair of the State Election Commission and encourages the Parliament to complete the process before the summer recess.

The Mission recognizes the importance of the Chair of the Commission in building public trust in the electoral process and opening the Commission’s work to the media, as recommended by ODIHR.

“Appointing a Chair with a wealth of experience in electoral administration is important in building a transparent election management body that can reassure citizens that elections are run freely and fairly,” said Siv-Katrine Leirtroe, acting OSCE Head of Mission.

The Mission will continue to support the State Election Commission in building its capacity to administer elections in line with OSCE and international standards.

493717 Public Affairs Unit, OSCE Office for Democratic Institutions and Human Rights Katya Andrusz

The 2021 parliamentary elections in Albania offered voters a choice of candidates, who were able to campaign freely, and fundamental freedoms were generally respected. However, the ruling party had a significant advantage, both from its control of local administrations and the misuse of administrative resources. Allegations of vote buying by political parties were widespread during the campaign, leading to a number of investigations being opened. At the same time, a reformed Central Election Commission oversaw the election in an organized and transparent way, and the process on election day was largely transparent and smooth. These are some of the main conclusions from the final report on Albania’s 25 April elections, published today by the OSCE Office for Democratic Institutions and Human Rights (ODIHR).  

The report offers 23 recommendations to bring elections in Albania closer in line with OSCE commitments and other international standards for democratic elections.   

Key recommendations include: 

• Reviewing the legal framework to address outstanding ODIHR and Venice Commission recommendations in an open and inclusive consultation process, and introducing changes well before the next elections; 

• Guaranteeing the right to a free and secret choice and preventing any form of pressure to disclose whether and how people voted; 

• Intensifying efforts to identify, investigate and prosecute cases of vote-buying and encouraging citizens to report and provide evidence of any vote-buying or pressure; 

• Ensuring the security of citizens’ personal data and thoroughly investigating and prosecuting any breach impacting public confidence in the electoral process; 

• Amending legislation to ensure that the media are able to independently cover activities of electoral contestants and limit the use of party produced content in the news. 

ODIHR deployed a Limited Election Observation Mission on 19 March 2021 to observe the parliamentary elections. All 57 participating States across the OSCE region have formally committed to following up promptly on ODIHR’s election assessments and recommendations. 

SARAJEVO, 26 July 2021 - The OSCE Mission to BiH, the Office of the High Representative, the EU Delegation to BiH, the Embassy of the United States of America, and the Embassy of Sweden strongly support the relocation of a destroyed armoured personnel carrier in the Maglaj municipality, which has recently been made into a monument to fallen soldiers and civilians of the Ulišnjak local community.

Representatives of the Government of Zenica-Doboj Canton, Maglaj Municipality, MZ Ulišnjak, and war veterans associations in the Maglaj municipality jointly reached this important decision.

This decisive step represents another example of the Maglaj municipality playing a positive role in advancing post-war reconciliation in Maglaj and beyond. Most notably, authorities have agreed to honour the fallen while carefully avoiding polarizing elements, thereby ensuring that mutual respect and trust are maintained in the community.

Such leadership is exactly what is needed for a stable and prosperous future of BiH. The international community will continue supporting those who take meaningful steps to advance reconciliation and promote mutual understanding.

493723 Marina Živaljević

The OSCE Mission to Montenegro organized a training course on drafting European Union project proposals for 13 staff members of the Parliament of Montenegro from 6 to 8 July and 20 to 22 July 2021 in Podgorica.

As the Parliament has not applied for any EU twinning projects so far, which aims to strengthen a specific field of research through institutional networking, the Parliament’s office of the Secretary General identified the need to improve the drafting skills of parliamentary staff members in developing EU twinning project proposals. The Mission provided expertise and tools to staff on how to prepare project proposals that effectively address the needs of the Parliament.

Through practical exercises, guided by experts Goran Đurović and Ana Novaković, participants learned about the EU project cycle management, discussed problem analysis, and developed a logical framework matrix based on goals and strategies. This training course provided the basis to create proposals to engage expertise and knowledge transfer from parliaments of EU member states to improve the efficiency and quality of the work of the Parliament of Montenegro.

PRISHTINË/PRIŠTINA, 26 July 2021 – The OSCE Mission in Kosovo will present tomorrow the fifth edition of its Community Rights Assessment Report in Prishtinë/Priština.

The report assesses the progress made by Kosovo institutions in relation to the Council of Europe’s Framework Convention for the Protection of National Minorities in the areas of inter-community dialogue, security and justice, language, education, returns, socio-economic rights, culture and media.

Significant developments since June 2015, when the fourth reporting period ended, are included in the current edition, along with a set of conclusions on the progress made in promoting and protecting the rights of members of communities in Kosovo, in line with the obligations of the Framework Convention.

Ambassador Michael Davenport, Head of the OSCE Mission in Kosovo, and Deputy Prime Minister Emilija Redžepi will deliver opening remarks, followed by a presentation of the report and a Q&A session.

Media representatives are cordially invited to attend the event on Tuesday, 27 July 2021, at Emerald Hotel in Prishtinë/Priština, starting at 11:00. 

SDGs SDGs:  16 - Peace, justice and strong institutions

Summary

• In Donetsk region, the SMM recorded 26 ceasefire violations, including one explosion. In the previous reporting period, it recorded 102 ceasefire violations in the region.
• In Luhansk region, the Mission recorded 58 ceasefire violations, including one explosion. In the previous reporting period, it recorded one ceasefire violation in the region.
• The SMM continued monitoring the disengagement areas near Stanytsia Luhanska, Zolote and Petrivske.
• The Mission facilitated and monitored adherence to localized ceasefires to enable the operation and maintenance of critical civilian infrastructure.

• The SMM continued following up on the situation of civilians, including at four entry-exit checkpoints and the corresponding checkpoints of the armed formations in Donetsk and Luhansk regions.
• The Mission monitored areas near the border with the Russian Federation in Luhansk region.
• The SMM’s freedom of movement continued to be restricted, including at four checkpoints of the armed formations in southern Donetsk region. Its unmanned aerial vehicles again experienced instances of GPS signal interference.*

Richard Wheeler

A three-week training course on underwater security for divers of the Committee for National Security’s Border Service concluded on 23 July 2021 in Aktau, Kazakhstan.

The three-week training course aimed to enhance the professional capacity of the Border Service’s Coast Guard in countering transnational threats in an underwater environment. A certified national diver-instructor familiarized the group of twenty two Coast Guard divers with general regulations and international and national standards of diving, specifics of underwater activities in different water environments, and personal safety features during diving operations at different depths.

Participants performed a variety of practical exercises in closed (pool) and open water (sea). Participants were also instructed on the proper use of different types of diving gear and equipment: autonomous diving gear with an open breathing system (aqualung) and an air control system with a special diving helmet.  

“The result of the training was the acquisition of new professional skills of divers of the Border Service of the National Security Committee of the Republic of Kazakhstan, which will undoubtedly strengthen border security in the underwater environment and increase the general level of countering transnational threats in the sea,” said the diver-instructor, Anton Cherepanov.

Mukhtar Yeleuov, Head of Division for Support of Ships and other vessels of the Department of the Border Guard Service in Mangistau Region said: “Diving is a new and promising area in the activities of the Border Guard Service of the Committee for National Security of the Republic of Kazakhstan, which solves a wide range of tasks, such as the protection of the state border in the underwater environment.”

The event is part of the Programme Office’s multi-year efforts to enhance the capacity of Kazakhstan’s Border Service to increase border security and management, and to counter transnational threats.

SDGs SDGs:  16 - Peace, justice and strong institutions

Summary

• In Donetsk region, the SMM recorded 102 ceasefire violations, including 12 explosions. In the previous reporting period, it recorded 98 ceasefire violations in the region.
• In Luhansk region, the Mission recorded one ceasefire violation – an explosion. In the previous reporting period, it recorded 20 ceasefire violations in the region.
• The SMM saw damage due to small-arms fire to inhabited apartment in Zolote-5/Mykhailivka, Luhansk region.
• Small-arms fire was assessed as directed at Mission’s mini-unmanned aerial vehicles (UAV) on two occasions near government-controlled Starohnativka, Donetsk region.
• The SMM continued monitoring the disengagement areas near Stanytsia Luhanska, Zolote and Petrivske.
• The Mission facilitated and monitored adherence to a localized ceasefire to enable the operation of critical civilian infrastructure.

• The SMM continued following up on the situation of civilians, including at three entry-exit checkpoints and three corresponding checkpoints of the armed formations in Donetsk and Luhansk regions.
• The Mission visited two border crossing points outside government control in Donetsk region, and monitored areas near the border with the Russian Federation.
• The SMM’s freedom of movement continued to be restricted, including at six checkpoints of the armed formations in southern Donetsk region. Its UAVs again experienced instances of GPS signal interference.*

An OSCE-supported half-day online training webinar on elimination of corruption-related norms from draft laws concluded on 23 July 2021. The OSCE Programme Office in Nur-Sultan organized the event in partnership with Kazakhstan’s Anti-corruption Agency (ACA).

Some 15 representatives, including seven men and eight women, from the ACA, academic institutions and civil organizations attended the event. Anti-corruption expertise, one of many mechanisms to curb corruption in public and private sectors, covers the identification of corruption risks that may occur when implementing customs/tax policies, establishing procedures for procurement tenders and granting exclusive benefits to certain business entities.

Participants discussed aspects of drafting regulatory acts, risk categories in reference to linguistic formulations, legislative coherence, and access to information.

The training webinar is part of the Programme Office’s multi-year efforts to promote good governance by focusing on anti-corruption activities in Kazakhstan.

493606

An OSCE-supported four-day Egmont Group course on strategic analysis concluded on 23 July 2021 in Nur-Sultan.

Some 20 representatives from the Financial Monitoring Agency (FMA) attended the event conducted by two international experts from Slovenia and Moldova in a blended format. During the six-module course, the FMA employees learned about key concepts of strategic analysis, structural analytical approaches and the stages of its development. Experts shared practical examples on applying methodological approaches towards analysis, and processing information provided by competent public authorities and reporting entities.

The Egmont Group is a united body of 166 Financial Intelligence Units (FIUs) that provides a platform for exchange of expertise and financial intelligence to combat money laundering/terrorism financing in line with the resolutions and statements of the United Nations Security Council, the G20 Finance Ministers, and the Financial Action Task Force. International standards provide the framework for FIUs around the world.

The OSCE Programme Office in Nur-Sultan organized the event in co-operation with the FMA as part of the Office’s multi-year efforts to promote good governance and advance the host country’s Anti-Money Laundering/Combating the Financing of Terrorism system in compliance with Financial Action Task Force standards.

VIENNA, 22 July 2021 – OSCE Representative on Freedom of the Media Teresa Ribeiro denounced today the continued massive violations of the right to freedom of expression and media freedom in Belarus, after recent cases of harassment and intimidation of media and journalists in the country.

According to the Belarusian Association of Journalists (BAJ), over the past two weeks, over 60 searches were carried out by Belarusian law enforcement representatives in the editorial offices and apartments of media workers in Minsk, Brest, Gomel, Vitebsk and other regions of the country. The searches were conducted on various alleged grounds, including terrorism, mass riots, and gross violation of public order. Equipment was seized and many journalists detained.  

Reportedly, there are at least 30 people currently in custody, who contribute to and work for media outlets and media NGOs, including Tut.by, Nasha Niva, Tribuna.com, Radio Free Europe/Radio Liberty, Press-Club, and Belsat.

On 14 July, law enforcement representatives also broke-in and searched the office of the BAJ. This is the second time the premises of the journalists’ association were searched since the beginning of the year (see earlier statement: https://www.osce.org/representative-on-freedom-of-media/478693). Since then, the Ministry of Justice has reportedly asked the Supreme Court to close the BAJ for repeated violations of the law, while the authorities have frozen the organization’s bank accounts. 

“The continued harassment of media and journalists in retaliation for their work shows yet again the deliberate intention to stomp out open debate and any views on issues of concern to citizens that are critical of the authorities,” Ribeiro said. “I reiterate my call to immediately and unconditionally release all media workers and to fully implement all OSCE commitments and the country’s international obligations related to freedom of expression and media freedom.”

During the past several months, the Representative has addressed the deteriorating media freedom situation in Belarus on several occasions: on 16 February 2021, 18 February 2021, 17 May 2021, 18 May 2021,  2 June 2021 and 24 June 2021.

Last week, during her official visit to Ukraine, Ribeiro also met with a group of Belarusian journalists, who had to relocate to Ukraine due to fear of persecution in their own country.

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.