Central Europe

TBILISI, 16 June 2021 — OSCE Secretary General Helga Maria Schmid concluded her visit to Georgia yesterday, following two days of intensive discussions and field visits.

“This trip has afforded me the opportunity to discuss ways to strengthen co-operation and how the OSCE can continue providing meaningful assistance to meet the needs of conflict-affected people, and supporting efforts towards building trust and fostering dialogue,” said Schmid.

During her visit, Schmid met with Georgian President Salome Zourabichvili; Prime Minister Irakli Garibashvili; Vice Prime Minister and Minister for Foreign Affairs David Zalkaliani; and Minister for Reconciliation and Civic Equality Tea Akhvlediani.

The focus of the talks were on concrete areas of co-operation, such as tackling transnational threats and anti-trafficking, and the OSCE’s continued support to Georgia as part of a comprehensive approach to security. The Organization’s role as a vital instrument for resolving conflicts, domestic affairs as well recent regional developments were among the topics discussed.

During her trip, Schmid attended the opening of a rehabilitated potable water supply system that provides clean drinking water to conflict-affected households in the village of Tsitsagiaantkari, implemented together with Georgian authorities as well as local and international partners.

Secretary General Schmid also met with Chairman of Parliament Kakhaber Khuchava and a wide spectrum of members of parliament, including from the Parliamentary Assembly Delegation of Georgia. Schmid noted that, “parliamentarians, from all political forces, have a vital role to play in strengthening democratic institutions and the country’s resilience in the face of internal and external challenges”.

As part of her visit, Schmid addressed participants of the Incident Prevention and Response Mechanism (IPRM) who met for the 100th time in Ergneti.

The OSCE jointly with the European Union Monitoring Mission in Georgia (EUMM) continues its efforts in this crucial platform, which forms a key element in the architecture of the Geneva International Discussions, co-chaired by the OSCE with the EU and UN.

Secretary General Schmid recalled the need to continue engagement with all stakeholders and stressed: “It is a special moment for me to be here today, having been closely involved in setting up this mechanism 12 years ago. It remains crucial for defusing tensions and solving concrete security and humanitarian issues, and also to alleviate the burden of the conflict-affected people.”

While in Tbilisi, Schmid met civil society representatives and local partners. She also saw the very committed OSCE staff at the office of the Personal Representative of the OSCE Chairperson-in-Office Andrzej Kasprzyk.

The OSCE Mission to Montenegro and the Office for Democratic Institutions and Human Rights (ODIHR) supported Parliament’s Gender Equality Committee in organizing an online regional conference on 14 June 2021 on the role of parliaments in advancing gender equality and women in politics.

The conference brought together more than 80 women parliamentarians from South Eastern Europe and members from OSCE missions in the region, as well as experts. Discussions focussed on gender-sensitive legislation, parliaments’ role in fighting violence against women in politics, and benefits of inter-institutional co-operation and networking.

Opening the conference, Speaker of the Montenegrin Parliament, Aleksa Bečić, emphasized that Montenegro needs to highlight good examples of women in decision-making positions. He noted that in “recognizing the importance of parliament in creating a society of equals, it amended its Rules of Procedure to provide that at least one deputy speaker be a woman,” adding his commitment for establishing, improving and implementing policies that will lead to gender equality in society.

Siv-Katrine Leirtroe, Acting Head of Mission, said that the Mission values its partnership with Parliament, the Gender Equality Committee and the newly formed Women’s MP Club. “We share the same goal: to promote gender equality standards and principles in our lives, in our institutions, and ultimately in Montenegro. The Mission is committed to supporting women’s political participation in all aspects of society.”

Božena Jelušić, Chair of the Gender Equality Committee said that women parliamentarians develop a unique strength and power for political influence, when they join hands. “Regional networking and co-operation serves to inspire us, for the benefit of all women and men in our societies,” said Jelušić.

The Mission will continue to support Parliament in aligning national legislation in accordance with the international requirements for gender equality and to assist the country towards a more just and prosperous society.

VIENNA, 15 June 2021 – As a result of a multi-year research effort, involving the analysis of legal and statistical data from over 50 national governments, as well as international and civil society organizations, the OSCE released today the paper on “Discouraging the Demand that Fosters Trafficking for the Purpose of Sexual Exploitation”.

The research details the importance of demand to the problem of trafficking for sexual exploitation, outlines current criminal justice responses and prevention measures, and offers recommendations for national action.

“Trafficking for the purpose of sexual exploitation is the most prevalent form of human trafficking identified globally and within the OSCE region,” said Valiant Richey, OSCE Special Representative and Co-ordinator for Combating Trafficking in Human Beings. “It is the most lucrative form of trafficking, generating annual profits of nearly 100 billion USD globally. Addressing demand is the missing link to ending trafficking globally.”

Demand is a core driver in all forms of human trafficking, but nowhere is it more pronounced and direct than in the case of trafficking for the purpose of sexual exploitation, given the lack of separation between the exploited victim and end user.

At the virtual launch event of the paper, Sandra Norak, survivor of sex trafficking and member of ODIHR’s International Survivors of Trafficking Advisory Council, commended the OSCE’s research and approach on the topic, and stressed the need to tackle demand to meaningfully combat trafficking. “To fight trafficking and exploitation we need to reduce demand because demand is a breeding ground for trafficking,” said Novak.

United Kingdom member of the Parliament Dame Diana Johnson, Romanian National Anti-Trafficking Coordinator Maximilian Nicolae and other speakers highlighted the urgent need to comprehensively address demand as the missing link to ending sex trafficking.

Richey opened the meeting and presented the paper’s findings and conclusions. “Tackling demand is an international obligation and an effective anti-trafficking strategy, but it is first and foremost an answer to what victims tell us - demand is a direct source of profound harm. Buyers not only incentivize trafficking by paying billions in revenues to traffickers, they directly exploit and abuse victims. Effectively combating sexual exploitation must include confronting buyers and tackling demand.”

The paper is available here. 

Summary

• In Donetsk region, the SMM recorded 33 ceasefire violations, including one explosion. In the previous 24 hours, it recorded 19 ceasefire violations in the region.
• In Luhansk region, the Mission recorded 11 ceasefire violations and no explosions. In the previous 24 hours, it recorded 14 ceasefire violations in the region.
• Small-arms fire was assessed as directed at an SMM mini-unmanned aerial vehicle (UAV) in non-government-controlled Vasylivka, Donetsk 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 of critical civilian infrastructure.
• The SMM 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 visited two border crossing points outside government control in Donetsk region.
• The SMM monitored a gathering in Kyiv.
• The Mission’s freedom of movement continued to be restricted, including at a checkpoint of the armed formations in Bessarabka, southern Donetsk region. Its UAVs again experienced multiple instances of GPS signal interference and its long-range UAV flight was cancelled due to dual GPS signal interference, assessed as caused by jamming.*

ERGNETI, 15 June 2021 - The 100th Incident Prevention and Response Mechanism (IPRM) was held today in Ergneti. Since its first meeting in 2009, the Ergneti IPRM has contributed to confidence-building, addressed various threats to the security situation at the Administrative Boundary Line (ABL), and resolved several challenges faced by the conflict-affected population. The EUMM-managed Hotline, which has been functioning alongside the IPRM, has been instrumental in facilitating quick exchanges of information and de-escalation of tensions. 

The OSCE Secretary General, Helga Maria Schmid, and the Director of Security and Defence Policy at the European External Action Service, Joanneke Balfoort, delivered introductory remarks during the opening session. They praised the commitment of the participants and noted the need to resolve issues of common interest in a constructive and pragmatic manner. They highlighted that the importance of dialogue in a conflict setting must not be taken for granted but should be nurtured and used to stabilize the security of the conflict-affected population.

Secretary General Schmid stressed the need to continue engaging with all stakeholders: “It is a special moment for me to be here today, having been closely involved in setting up this mechanism. It remains crucial for defusing tensions and solving concrete security and humanitarian issues, and also to alleviate the burden of the conflict-affected people.”

Director Balfoort further emphasized: “Thanks to our Mission on the ground - EUMM, the EU contributes to peace and stability and promotes confidence-building. Concrete tools such as the IPRM meetings and the EUMM-managed Hotline are critical to help build confidence and maintain stability, in the interest of the local population.”

The meeting was co-facilitated by Ambassador Marek Szczygieł, Head of the EU Monitoring Mission in Georgia (EUMM) and Ambassador Annika Söder, Special Representative of the OSCE Chairperson-in-Office for the South Caucasus.

Ambassador Szczygieł underlined the importance of collaborative approaches to prevent future incidents and resolve farming challenges along the ABL. He encouraged participants to build upon discussions held during the last technical meeting relating to agriculture.

Ambassador Söder appealed for a humanitarian approach to resolve the existing detention cases and work for de-escalation at ABL sections. The co-facilitators called for the re-opening of the crossing points along the ABL. They reiterated their previous call for participants to work jointly on adopting concrete measures to counter the negative effects of the COVID-19 pandemic on the conflict-affected population. The situation of conflict affected women was also discussed.

Discussions were held in a constructive atmosphere and covered all the main issues participants regarded as essential for maintaining stability and promoting security on the ground. The participants agreed to plan for a subsequent meeting on 13.07.2021.

On June 15 2021, the OSCE Mission to Bosnia and Herzegovina (BiH) and the U.S. Department of State’s Bureau of International Narcotics and Law Enforcement Affairs (INL) have announced a new three-year project to empower authorities and citizens in Bosnia and Herzegovina to tackle corruption.

The OSCE Mission to BiH and INL presented the details of the project to an online gathering of representatives from the BiH Agency for the Prevention of Corruption and Coordination of the Fight against Corruption, along with anti-corruption teams across the country.  The U.S.-funded project, which will be implemented by the OSCE Mission, features a comprehensive public awareness-raising campaign on the consequences of corruption and what citizens can do to prevent it.  It also provides funding for strengthening the capacity of BiH anti-corruption bodies to prevent corruption.

This project supports broader international community efforts in assisting BiH authorities and citizens to combat corruption in order to improve economic conditions and create a more stable, prosperous country for the benefit of all citizens. The public awareness campaign will be designed to help and encourage BiH citizens to recognize and reject all forms of corrupt practices, and to report any abuses they may encounter to the appropriate authorities.

The OSCE Head of Mission to BiH Kathleen Kavalec said: "This project takes our corruption prevention work to the next level by giving the citizens and taxpayers of BiH the information and the tools they need to insist on accountability from public institutions and officials."  

U.S. Ambassador Eric Nelson added: "We know that corruption saps economic growth, hinders development, destabilizes governments, undermines democracy, and provides openings for dangerous groups such as criminals, traffickers, and terrorists.  This is why we support efforts like this one to prevent graft, strengthen investigation and prosecution of corruption, promote accountability and transparency, and empower reformers in BiH."    

Sharing advanced experiences in the development of new systems and mechanisms to promote a corruption-free society facilitated by broadly accessible digital technologies is the subject of an OSCE-organized online seminar that opened in Ashgabat on 15 June 2021. The two-day event will provide an overview on a range of digital technologies in preventing and combatting corruption, and best practices in Digital Government transformation.

The seminar is part of the Centre’s project on Strengthening National Capacities in Preventing and Fighting Corruption. Representatives of  the Ministry of Internal Affairs of Turkmenistan, the Ministry of Finance and Economics, the Ministry of Justice, the Central Bank, the Prosecutor-General’s Office, the State Customs Service and the Union of Industrialists and Entrepreneurs and other state agencies and non-governmental structures participated in the event.

Two experts from Mongolia and Ukraine presented international standards and best practices in developing anti-corruption legislation and introducing information communication technology to enhance inter-agency co-operation efficiency. The experts facilitated discussion on digital dividends in the form of faster economic growth, more jobs and innovations.

In his opening speech, William Leaf, Politico-Military Dimension Officer of the OSCE Centre in Ashgabat, stressed the importance of anti-corruption measures for economic and social development: “Corruption is a key threat to good governance, democratic processes and fair business practices. Moreover, corruption is a major impediment to progress in trade and networking”. He emphasized the transparency, accountability and digitalization as preconditions for effective prevention and tackling corruption and expressed the willingness of the Centre to further promote and facilitate national, regional and international initiatives in the area.

“The OSCE attaches great importance to the fight against corruption and promotion of the principles of good governance,” added Leaf. “Among the OSCE’s planned activities is the advanced support to further develop a legislative anti-corruption framework and provide government officials, representatives of law enforcement, the private sector and civil society with all necessary information on best practices, policy trends and pertinent measures of OSCE participating States to prevent and suppress corruption.”

On 16 June 2021, the OSCE Presence in Albania donated IT equipment, worth €22.000, to the Albanian Border and Migration Police. The donation includes a dozen laptops, 11 multimedia projectors, eight multi-functional printers and 11 projection screens. The equipment will be distributed among seven Regional Directorates of the Border and Migration Police and three Border Police Commissariats to enhance the training capacities of this police force.

The donation was part of a project launched last year by the Presence designed to support the Albanian State Police (ASP), whose part the Border and Migration Police is, to embrace advanced learning methods by utilizing modern IT infrastructure and online tools. The project’s goal was to respond to the ASP’s evolving needs to ensure continuous learning and capacity-building for its personnel, regardless of the extraordinary situation caused by the COVID-19 pandemic.

The Presence will continue to support the ASP by putting into operation a Learning Management System in 2021. A Zoom licence will be procured, which will facilitate online communication for the Albanian State Police and the Security Academy.

The Presence has a long-standing co-operation with Albania’s Border and Migration Police, and works together to establish joint protocols, and police co-operation centres. The Presence also offers capacity-building for better control of Albania’s borders against criminal activities such as drug trafficking, human trafficking, irregular migration, and foreign terrorists fighters.

The important role of women in water management was discussed on 10 June 2021 in an online side-event in the margins of the Second Preparatory Meeting of the 29th OSCE Economic and Environmental Forum. The Office of the Co-ordinator of OSCE Economic and Environmental Activities (OCEEA) organized the event in collaboration with the Governments of Finland, Ireland and Japan.

International experts, representatives from OSCE participating States, academia and civil society organizations discussed the importance and benefits of women’s participation in decision-making in the water sector and gender mainstreaming in water governance.

During the event, the representative of the Stockholm International Water Institute (SIWI) emphasized the relevance of women’s leadership in transboundary water management, highlighting the long-term targeted and mainstreamed support needed for a sustainable change. The representative of the Regional Environmental Centre for Central Asia (CAREC) shared information on the status of gender mainstreaming in the water sector and river basins in Central Asia, emphasizing the role of the Central Asian Leadership Programme (CALP) in shaping the next generation of environmental leaders in the region. The OCEEA presented the outcomes of their related work, including the guidance document and e-learning course on “Gender Mainstreaming in Water Governance”.

Representatives from the OCEEA, CAREC and SIWI shared updates on their collaboration and the launch of the Mentoring and Career Development Programme for women water professionals in Central Asia and Afghanistan. This activity is part of the OSCE Extra-Budgetary project on Women, Water Management and Conflict Prevention – Phase II.

The Swedish OSCE Chairpersonship Task Force delivered the closing remarks, highlighting the overarching theme of this year’s Economic and Environmental Forum - promoting women economic empowerment and the value of career development activities for women in the water sector.

The Concluding Meeting of the Economic and Environmental Forum is foreseen to take place in Prague on 9-10 September 2021.

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 increased 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 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. During this reporting period, 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.

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 increased from 8,689 to 9,306 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 105 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.

Persons in military-style outfits

During the reporting period, the number of persons in military-style outfits crossing the border was three, compared to 15 last week; one person crossed into the Russian Federation while two 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, no families were observed crossing into the Russian Federation while one family was observed crossing into Ukraine, compared to the previous reporting period when four families were observed crossing into the Russian Federation and one family 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 an increase in the overall number of buses crossing the border at both BCPs (432 compared to 350 observed during the previous week). There were 214 buses bound for the Russian Federation and 218 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 increase in the overall number of trucks crossing the border at both BCPs (788 compared to 779 during the previous reporting week); 425 at the Gukovo BCP and 363 at the Donetsk BCP, 409 of these trucks crossed into the Russian Federation, and 379 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, Georgia, 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 OTs observed a slight increase in the overall number of tanker trucks crossing the border at both BCPs (47 compared to 43 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 increased from 148 to 162. Of the total number of trucks scanned, 156 trucks (96 per cent) were bound for Ukraine, and the remaining six trucks (four per cent) were bound for the Russian Federation.

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 (127 compared to 134 observed during the previous week); 66 crossed into the Russian Federation and another 61 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 38 occasions; the OTs assessed that 22 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 and vehicles with “DPR” plates.

On 9 June at 04:54, the OT at the Donetsk BCP observed a minivan with Russian Federation licence plates entering the BCP from the Russian Federation. The van had the sign “200” on its windshield and the inscription “Ritual” (in Russian) on the side. Only the driver was observed on board. After undergoing border control procedures the vehicle left for Ukraine.

On 11 June at 01:11, the OT at the Donetsk BCP observed an ambulance with “LPR” plates and the inscription “Emergency medical help” written in Russian on the sides, crossing the border from Ukraine into the Russian Federation. The OT was unable to notice any other details from its position.

On 12 June at 13:52, the OT at the Donetsk BCP observed the arrival of an ambulance at the BCP from the direction of Ukraine. The ambulance had “LPR” plates and two paramedics, one male and one female in medical staff uniform, were observed on board. After undergoing border and customs control procedures, the vehicle crossed into the Russian Federation at 14:11. The same day at 19:32, the ambulance was observed crossing the border from the Russian Federation into Ukraine. The OT was unable to observe any other details from its position. 

On 12 June at 15:18, the truck with “LPR” plates carrying four jet engines (the main part of the engine, similar to the Klimov VK-1 and the Rolls-Royce Nene jet engines), which was under observation by the OTs at the Gukovo BCP since 25 April and reported in recent Weekly Updates, has left the BCP in the direction of the Russian Federation. Before departing, the Russian Federation customs officer performed a brief check of the rear part of the trailer without opening the cargo space. 

For trends and figures at a glance covering the period from 11 May 2021 to 15 June 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).

The OSCE Programme Office in Dushanbe concluded two rounds of three-day train-the-trainers courses on ‘Interactive methods of teaching adults on gender and domestic violence-related issues’ which were conducted from 7 to 12 June 2021 in Dushanbe. Some 40 representatives from Women’s Resource Centres and Tajikistan’s Committee on Women and Family Affairs from the Sughd, Khatlon, Rasht Valley regions, and Gorno-Badakhshan Autonomous Region participated in the courses.

Participants learned about best practices for teaching adults on types of domestic violence and its prevention, the use of referral mechanisms within the community, gender roles and gender inequality as a factor in the emergence of domestic violence. National and international legislative frameworks and policies related to domestic violence were also part of the training courses. Participants also acquired public speaking and presentation skills and practiced applying these skills in hands-on exercises and role-plays.

“I learnt new facilitation methods of role plays in teaching from the course. We also reviewed 17 Sustainable Development Goals and analysis of problem using “problem tree” method. I will use my gained knowledge and skills during outreach campaigns with community members,” said Aynidin Rahmonov, Facilitator of the Women’s Resource Centre “Markazi Dastgirii Garm”.

“The training is very relevant to my work on the Committee. We will use the knowledge and skills obtained in this training while working with vulnerable families. I believe  it will help empower women so that they could defend themselves and feel that they are not alone, that there are services that can help them,” noted Hamzira Zamonova, Head of the Committee on Women and Family Affairs in the Panjakent district.

The OSCE Programme Office in Dushanbe continues to support the Government of Tajikistan in implementing the Law on Prevention of Domestic Violence. The Office provides comprehensive support to victims of domestic violence in the regions through a network of 14 OSCE-established Women’s Resource Centers in Tajikistan.

The training course is being implemented within the Women’s Resource Centers’ project of the OSCE Programme Office in Dushanbe funded by Norway, the United States, Finland, the European Union and Andorra.

VIENNA, 14 June 2021 — Experts will take a closer look at the arms control framework and the role of emerging technologies at the OSCE Security Chat event being held online on Wednesday, 16 June.

The Security Chat, organized by the OSCE and the Institute for Peace Research and Security Policy at the University of Hamburg (IFSH), will reflect on the relevance of the 1996 OSCE Framework for Arms Control and its guiding principles. It will also explore the Framework’s relationship to emerging technologies in already deployed modern weapon systems and those used in the near future.

The Chat will feature four prominent experts who will share their views on the framework for arms control, its relevance and its relation to technological change, and emerging technologies in current and future weapon systems. The virtual panel will be introduced by OSCE Secretary General, Helga Maria Schmid, followed by a statement by Ambassador Luis Cuesta Civís, Permanent Representative of Spain to the OSCE. The Security Chat will be moderated by Alexander Graef of the IFSH.

The event is open to representatives of international organizations, think tanks and academic institutions, civil society, youth, the private sector and the media.

Register here to attend:

https://osce-org.zoom.us/webinar/register/WN_c83AqGTzR8OzNw3bdaQQRg

For more information about the event, please visit: https://www.osce.org/secretary-general/488914.

VIENNA, 14 June 2021 – Confronting the demand that fuels and incentivizes human trafficking is the focus of the three-day 21st OSCE Alliance Conference against Trafficking in Persons, which opened today in Vienna.

One of the largest international anti-trafficking conferences, the 2021 Alliance highlights how the demand for goods and services extracted from victims fuels trafficking and motivates exploitation.

Trafficking in human beings generates $150BLN a year in profits, according to the International Labour Organization. Those proceeds create the incentive for traffickers to commit their heinous crimes and to exploit millions of women, men and children worldwide.

“Addressing demand means recognizing that trafficking involves more than just a trafficker and a victim,” said OSCE Special Representative Valiant Richey in opening the discussion. “As uncomfortable as it may be, it means acknowledging that $150BLN come from all of us – individuals, businesses and governments paying, knowingly or unknowingly, for goods and services extracted from trafficking victims.”

The conference will outline how demand manifests, the value of tackling it, and international obligations in this regard.

Sweden’s Ambassador at Large for Combating Trafficking in Persons, Anna Ekstedt, representing the Swedish 2021 OSCE Chairpersonship said that we all have an obligation to address the root cause of trafficking in human beings, namely the demand, and we have to find efficient methods to do so. “We can never accept the serious abuse that victims of trafficking are facing, and that people are indifferent to their situation.”  

“We need to start following the money that pays for trafficking. We all have a role to play,” said OSCE Secretary General Helga Maria Schmid. “Defeating trafficking is not the task of law enforcement alone, but society at large. I hope today’s conversation will bring us closer to realizing this important truth and to take the necessary action together.”

Over 850 participants from 55 countries, 30 international organizations and 300 NGOs, all across the OSCE region, are participating in the conference. The EU Commissioner for Home Affairs Ylva Johansson, Uzbekistan’s Deputy Minister of Employment and Labour Relations Erkin Mukhitdinov and Spain’s Deputy Minister of Foreign Affairs Cristina Gallach addressed at the opening. A number of grassroots anti-trafficking practitioners such as Yvan Sagnet from NoCap, Eleni Michael of the Cyprus Police, and Maximilian Nicolae from the Romanian National Agency Against Trafficking in Human Beings will speak during the conference.

“Human trafficking has infected virtually every corner of our global supply chains: it is in the technology we use, the clothes we wear, the food we eat,” said Richey. “This is not to say that the fight against trafficking is unwinnable - it absolutely is. But, to defeat trafficking, we need to confront its root causes and the demand is fuelling it. We need to stop paying for trafficking - it is that simple.”

From 14 to 18 June 2021, the OSCE’s Transnational Threats Department’s Strategic Police Matters Unit and the Permanent Mission of Turkey to the OSCE organized an online training course for some 30 criminal justice practitioners from three OSCE participating States – Kazakhstan, Tajikistan and Uzbekistan – focusing on countering transnational organized crime.

The training course, titled “Organized Crime Investigations and Investigation Techniques”, was provided by the Turkish International Academy against Drugs and Organized Crime (TADOC). It addressed a wide variety of important issues, including the detection of crime revenues, special investigation measures in organized crime investigations, and the fight against smuggling, money laundering and terrorist financing.

TADOC, in close co-operation with the OSCE and the Permanent Mission of Turkey to the OSCE, has previously delivered a number of similar training courses to criminal justice practitioners from OSCE participating States and Partners for Co-operation.

The OSCE has a mandate to work with participating States and Partners for Co-operation to counter and prevent transnational organized crime confirmed by the 2020 Tirana Declaration adopted at the December 2020 Ministerial Council.

Summary

• In Donetsk region, between the evenings of 11 and 13 June, the SMM recorded 84 ceasefire violations, including 25 explosions. In the previous reporting period, it recorded 51 ceasefire violations in the region.
• In Luhansk region, between the evenings of 11 and 13 June, the Mission recorded 107 ceasefire violations, including five explosions. In the previous reporting period, it recorded seven ceasefire violations in the region.
• The SMM continued monitoring the disengagement areas near Stanytsia Luhanska, Zolote and Petrivske. It recorded ceasefire violations close to the disengagement areas near Zolote and Petrivske.
• The Mission facilitated and monitored adherence to localized ceasefires to enable the operation 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 observed no change in the security situation in east and south-east Kherson region.
• The SMM’s freedom of movement continued to be restricted.*

VIENNA, 14 June 2021 - Today marks the 25th anniversary of the signing of Article IV of the Dayton Peace Agreement, a sub-regional arms control arrangement, established to reduce the number of weapons to the level agreed to between Bosnia and Herzegovina, Croatia, Montenegro and Serbia.

Four State Parties to the Agreement met today, hosted by the Government of Serbia, the current Chair of the Sub-Regional Consultative Commission.

“The Article IV Agreement and the OSCE share an exemplary history, setting the objective of establishing new forms of co-operation in the field of security,” said Tuula Yrjölä, Director of the OSCE Conflict Prevention Centre. “We aimed at building transparency and confidence, balanced and stable defense force levels, avoiding an arms race in the region. We succeeded.”

Since 2014, Bosnia and Herzegovina, Montenegro, Croatia and Serbia have full responsibility for regional stability and arms control, essential for building peace and stability in the region.

“The States Parties continued their successful co-operation at the highest level of professionalism and commitment,” said Yrjölä. “While the compulsory weapons reduction was completed in the first years, the process of reduction on a voluntary basis below the agreed thresholds has continued to the present day. The inspection regime remains the core instrument supporting the implementation process.”

During the Agreement’s implementation, 10,292 weapons have been destroyed and 476 missions, 776 inspections and 129 reduction inspections have been conducted. The number of inspection facilities and the number of inspection quotas have been reduced. Almost 1,300 assistants and 140 guest observers from 29 OSCE participating States have participated in the inspections.

Due to the COVID-19 pandemic, 2020 was the first year in which there were no inspections by the States Parties to the Agreement. However, video meetings were held to reach an agreement on further action and maintain the achieved level of transparency.

OSCE’s Conflict Prevention Centre, in a supportive role to the States Parties, continues to raise awareness about the implementation of the Agreement within the international community.

“The Article IV agreement reflects many of the core values of the OSCE and our work in the politico-military dimension,” said Yrjölä. “The recognition that stability and peace can only be ensured in the long-term through building confidence and security is both the bottom line of Article IV, as well as the red thread that runs through our work in OSCE’s first dimension.”

A virtual photo-exhibition dedicated to the process implementation opened today. Distinguished individuals and partner organizations were awarded for their contribution to the Agreement’s implementation. 

VIENNA/STOCKHOLM, 13 June 2021 — The OSCE Chairperson-in-Office, Sweden’s Minister for Foreign Affairs Ann Linde, will visit Ukraine this week on her second official visit to the country for meetings with senior-level officials.

Chairperson Linde will meet with Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy and Foreign Minister Dmytro Kuleba. The talks will focus on steps toward a sustainable resolution of the crisis in and around Ukraine in line with international law and OSCE commitments and principles, as well as the continued co-operation between the OSCE and Ukraine.

Chairperson Linde will also meet with the Special Representative of the Chairperson-in­Office in Ukraine and in the Trilateral Contact Group (TCG) and the head of the OSCE Special Monitoring Mission to Ukraine (SMM). She will also meet with representatives of civil society.

Linde will travel to eastern Ukraine to see, first-hand, the steps taken to alleviate the humanitarian situation in conflict-affected areas. She will observe the work being carried out by the SMM on the ground. She will also visit Mariupol and the Azov Sea to see the security situation. 

The Chairperson will hold a press briefing on the 15 June. Please contact the Ukrainian MFA for more information.

For more information about Sweden's 2021 OSCE Chairpersonship, please visit the OSCE website: https://www.osce.org/chairmanship.

VIENNA/STOCKHOLM, 13 June 2021 – The return of 15 Armenian detainees to Armenia and Armenia’s handover to Azerbaijan of information that will facilitate important demining work, are welcome confidence building measures, said OSCE Chairperson-in-Office, Swedish Minister for Foreign Affairs Ann Linde.  “These important steps bring the sides closer to dialogue, closer to stability, and closer to a comprehensive settlement.”

“I appreciate the valuable role played by the Georgian and US governments, as well as the excellent co-operation between the President of the European Council and the Swedish OSCE Chairpersonship, ahead of the agreement. The developments are a vital step also for regional co-operation in the South Caucasus,” Minister Linde noted.  

Noting that core issues remain, Linde urged Armenia and Azerbaijan to build upon these positive steps by releasing all remaining detainees, and resuming high-level negotiations under the auspices of the OSCE Minsk Group Co-Chairs and with the assistance of the Personal Representative of the OSCE Chairperson-in-Office, Ambassador Andrzej Kasprzyk, in order to find a comprehensive political settlement to all outstanding issues.

Summary

• In Donetsk region, the SMM recorded 51 ceasefire violations, including four explosions. In the previous reporting period, it recorded ten ceasefire violations in the region.
• In Luhansk region, the Mission recorded seven ceasefire violations. In the previous reporting period, it recorded two ceasefire violations in the region.
• Small-arms fire was assessed as directed at an SMM mini-unmanned aerial vehicle (UAV) near government-controlled Chermalyk, 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 and maintenance of critical civilian infrastructure. It recorded three bursts of heavy-machine-gun fire during the times when a bus with Donetsk Filtration Station workers was driving from the station to Yasynuvata.
• The Mission continued following up on the situation of civilians, including at six entry-exit checkpoints and three corresponding checkpoints of the armed formations in Donetsk and Luhansk regions.
• The SMM’s freedom of movement continued to be restricted. Its UAVs again experienced instances of GPS signal interference.*

Summary

• In Donetsk region, the SMM recorded ten ceasefire violations, including seven explosions. In the previous reporting period, it recorded 30 ceasefire violations in the region.
• In Luhansk region, the Mission recorded two ceasefire violations, both explosions. In the previous reporting period, it recorded ten ceasefire violations in the region.
• The Mission continued monitoring the disengagement areas near Stanytsia Luhanska, Zolote and Petrivske. It spotted a person inside the disengagement area near Zolote.
• The SMM facilitated and monitored adherence to localized ceasefires to enable the operation and maintenance 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’s freedom of movement continued to be restricted.*