Central Europe

VIENNA, 2 June 2021 – The OSCE Representative on Freedom of the Media, Teresa Ribeiro, today expressed her concern about the ongoing suspension of public funding for the Slovenian Press Agency (STA).

According to reports, the STA has had its financing suspended by the Slovenian Government Communication Office (UKOM) for more than four months over a contractual dispute. This is reportedly the second time that the STA has been subjected to funding cuts for its public services by UKOM since the end of last year.

“The repeated suspension places the STA in a precarious state of limbo, threatening the very existence and operational stability of it as an essential public good in delivering reliable, pluralistic and quality information in a democratic society,” Ribeiro said. “I urge the authorities of Slovenia to reach a sustainable solution and reinstate funding, as prescribed by law, without further delay, to enable the STA to continue its important work.”

Ribeiro said that she will continue to follow closely related developments in the country and reiterated the great importance of the independence of, and adequate funding for, public service media, ensuring implementation of OSCE commitments regarding media freedom.

SDGs SDGs:  16 - Peace, justice and strong institutions

Summary

• In Donetsk region, the SMM recorded 59 ceasefire violations, including two explosions. In the previous reporting period, it recorded 49 ceasefire violations in the region.
• In Luhansk region, the Mission recorded 167 ceasefire violations, including 21 explosions. In the previous reporting period, it recorded 42 ceasefire violations in the region.
• A man and a woman were injured due to detonations of explosive objects near Horlivka, Donetsk region.
• The SMM lost spatial control of its mini-unmanned aerial vehicle (UAV) near government-controlled Trokhizbenka, Luhansk region.
• The Mission continued monitoring the disengagement areas near Stanytsia Luhanska, Zolote and Petrivske. Its UAVs spotted people inside the disengagement area near Zolote during the daytime.
• The SMM facilitated and monitored adherence to localized ceasefires to enable the operation of critical civilian infrastructure.
• The Mission observed a fresh impact crater near Pivnichne, Donetsk region.
• The SMM continued following up on the situation of civilians, including at three entry-exit checkpoints and the corresponding checkpoints of the armed formations in Luhansk region.
• The Mission’s freedom of movement continued to be restricted, including at a border crossing point outside government control near Voznesenivka (formerly Chervonopartyzansk), Luhansk region.*

VIENNA, 2 June 2021 — The OSCE Representative on Freedom of the Media, Teresa Ribeiro, urged today the public authorities in Belarus to free all journalists and other media workers who have been sentenced, arrested or detained in the country. Most of these journalists were apprehended for their reporting on public events and other political developments in the country.

“This systematic clampdown on journalists and media workers is a gross violation of the OSCE commitments related to freedom of expression and media freedom, voluntary undertaken by Belarus as an OSCE participating State,” Ribeiro wrote in a letter to Minister of Foreign Affairs Vladimir Makey, requesting the immediate and unconditional release of all journalists and media workers, who have been recently imprisoned, arrested or detained in Belarus.

Ribeiro referred to the recently arrested editor of Telegram channel “Belarus golovnogo mozga,” Raman Pratasevich, and to dozens of other journalists and media professionals, including the ones on a list compiled by the Belarusian Association of Journalists: https://baj.by/en/analytics/repressions-against-journalists-belarus-2021-chart

The OSCE Representative on Media Freedom further stated that these repressive measures have a chilling effect, by deterring others from continuing their work without fear of reprisal, lead to self-censorship, and affect the ability of independent media to provide information to the public. “Freedom to receive and impart information and ideas without interference by public authority regardless of frontiers, including through foreign media, is paramount for a democratic society and is one of the basic conditions for its progress and development,” Ribeiro said.

The Representative noted the reports that some of those journalists behind bars had their human rights infringed, including through arbitrary surveillance techniques, beatings, denial of timely legal or consular aid, by forced testimonials of guilt, targeted “leaks” and smear campaigns undermining integrity of their work. “All recent cases of violence by the police against independent media workers in the country have to be fully investigated,” she said. “It is urgently needed that the Belarusian authorities put an end to the current climate of impunity regarding violence against journalists.”

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.

488323 OSCE Centre in Ashgabat

The OSCE Centre in Ashgabat organized a two-day seminar on modernizing journalism education and presented recommendations for a new Master’s programme in digital journalism and one in political communication. They were developed as part of the Centre’s projects in Ashgabat “Support in strengthening journalism education and capacity-building of journalists”.

The event took place on 1 and 2 June 2021.Participants were representatives from journalism faculties of the Institute of International Relations of Ministry of Foreign Affairs of Turkmenistan, the Institute of State, Law and Democracy, Magtymguly State University, the International University for Humanities and Development, Turkmen State Institute of Physical Education and Sport, as well as specialists and members from the Ministry of Education, Mejlis (Parliament) of Turkmenistan and national media.

International experts from the United Kingdom and the Russian Federation developed and presented recommendations for the Master’s programmes based on the best international practices of OSCE participating States.

“The two subjects are important aspects of the modern media environment. As we know, the practice of journalism is in transition. Ever evolving digital and networked communication technologies combined with the stagnation and decline of many traditional mass media has had a profound impact on the way the journalism works,” stated John MacGregor, Head of the OSCE Centre in Ashgabat.

He also added: “Political communication is also vital, as they help politicians run for office develop policies and legislation for the social good, educate the general public on socio-political issues, and promote greater participation in democracy.”

“It is my firm belief that these Master programmes will contribute to the emergence of new generation of professionals in Turkmenistan equipped with the state-of-the-art knowledge and skills, which will enable them to efficiently work in the modern professional environment,” said MacGregor.

Recommendations outlined the structure of the courses covering the benefits to the economy and the future of journalism and communication, length of the course as per international standards, objectives, learning outcomes, topics to cover, credit allocations, tests and exams and student exchange programmes as well as the best methods of teaching based on international best practice.

488299 Public Affairs Unit, OSCE Office for Democratic Institutions and Human Rights Katya Andrusz

The crucial role played by the police and other law enforcement officials in serving their communities and preventing torture and other ill-treatment of people in the criminal justice system is the focus of a dedicated conference today.

Despite the timely reaffirmation by OSCE countries last year to prevent and eradicate torture and other ill-treatment, the use of torture and other cruel, inhuman or degrading treatment or punishment continues to be practiced in criminal justice systems across the region. The prohibition of torture and other cruel, inhuman or degrading treatment or punishment forms part of customary international law. Violating this prohibition is a grave breach of human rights - and a crime under - international law  and counterproductive to national security interests.

“There is now consistent evidence that coercive interviewing techniques are ineffective,” said Matteo Mecacci, Director of the OSCE Office for Democratic Institutions and Human Rights (ODIHR). “They often lead to false confessions rather than holding the real perpetrators to account.”

At the same time, a recent joint publication by ODIHR and Fair Trials highlighted that there may be incentives for law enforcement officials to use torture or other ill-treatment in order to obtain confessions as evidence to lead to convictions. Confession-based justice systems, along with other factors like performance quotas based on arrests and impunity, can become incentives to police and other law enforcement officials to resort to the use of torture.

Today’s conference, which brings together representatives of countries from around the OSCE region, international and regional institutions, and civil society organizations specialized in torture prevention,  gives participants the opportunity to share promising practices that can reduce incentives to use torture.

"The turn-around operation — from confession-orientated interrogations to investigative interviewing — requires a change of mindset,” said Asbjørn Rachlew, Police Superintendent in Oslo. “We need to teach our detectives to think differently. We need to provide them with knowledge and methodology that stimulates them to generate alternative hypotheses AND actively test them, rather than pursuing information, confirming their belief of guilt.” 

Participants will discuss the importance of an institutional culture in the police based on human rights and gender sensitivity, both to prevent torture and to ensure that any perpetrators are swiftly held accountable. All professionals in the criminal justice system therefore need to receive appropriate training on the identification, reporting and prevention of torture and other ill-treatment, including training on the Istanbul Protocol.

Conclusions and recommendations on the best means of eliminating incentives for torture in criminal justice systems and increasing the positive role of law enforcement officials can play in combating torture and ill-treatment will feed into the OSCE’s ongoing work to prevent torture.

The conference was organized by the Permanent Representation of Denmark and the Permanent Representation of Switzerland to the OSCE, with the support of the OSCE 2021 Swedish Chairpersonship and ODIHR.

The OSCE Programme Office in Dushanbe launched a four-week course in Khorog to enhance the professional capacities of Tajikistan’s Border Troops to effectively react to emerging threats that occur in border areas. The opening ceremony took place on 1 June 2021 with participation of high-level representatives from Tajikistan’s Ministry of Foreign Affairs, Tajikistan’s Border Troops and the OSCE Programme Office in Dushanbe.

Thirty-one border officers of the Special Border Unit will refresh their skills in topography, first-aid related to battlefield injuries, tactical patrolling, radio communications, national border regulations, gender awareness, risk assessment, patrol report writing and survival techniques specific to summer and winter. Mountaineering or alpine training will also be included in the course. Tactical patrolling modules will include lessons on national legislation and international human rights commitments pertaining to the rights and treatment of detainees and refugees.

Valeriu Chiveri, Head of the OSCE Programme Office in Dushanbe opened the event and highlighted that the project is implemented in line with Tajikistan’s National Strategy for Border Management for 2010–2025. “Course modules focus both on theory of conducting border operations and practical exercises. I hope that this approach will help refresh the knowledge the Tajik Border Troop officers already have, and that it will allow them to successfully apply it to their day-to-day work,” Chiveri said.

Colonel Pahlavi Vosiev, Deputy Head of the Border Troops Department of the State National Security Committee of the Republic of Tajikistan for GBAO said: “The Tajik Border Troops highly appreciate the contribution of the OSCE Programme Office in Dushanbe in the field of border stabilization and security. We have heard positive feedback about the Stabilization of Tajikistan's southern border region within the Afghanistan Project. For the Badakhshan region, such courses are relevant, since the military and political situation in Afghanistan changes daily and it is felt on our border.”     

This training course is part of a project funded through the European Union’s Foreign Policy Instrument. The project aims to increase the professional capacity of both Tajikistan’s Border Troops and Afghan Border Services to better tackle illicit activities in border areas.

The OSCE Programme Office in Dushanbe is organizing the training in co-operation with Tajikistan’s Border Troops.

SDGs SDGs:  16 - Peace, justice and strong institutions

Summary

• In Donetsk region, the SMM recorded 49 ceasefire violations, including 21 explosions. In the previous 24 hours, it recorded 56 ceasefire violations in the region.
• In Luhansk region, the Mission recorded 42 ceasefire violations, including two explosions. In the previous 24 hours, it recorded nine ceasefire violations in the region.
• The Mission continued monitoring the disengagement areas near Stanytsia Luhanska, Zolote and Petrivske. Its unmanned aerial vehicles (UAV) spotted people inside the disengagement areas near Zolote and Petrivske during daytime.
• 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 monitored a gathering in Kyiv in front of the Office of the President of Ukraine.
• The SMM’s freedom of movement continued to be restricted, including at two checkpoints of the armed formations in southern Donetsk region. Its UAVs again experienced multiple instances of GPS signal interference.*

488119

On 29 May 2021, the OSCE Programme Office in Dushanbe in co-operation with the Academy of Public Administration under the President of the Republic of Tajikistan conducted an awareness-raising session on the role of youth against corruption. The session was delivered for students of the Faculty of Diplomacy and Politics of the Academy who specialize in international relations.

Some 20 students participated in the event which aimed to increase their awareness of the negative consequences of corruption and their role in combating it. The session focused on the definition and types of corruption, how to combat corruption and role of youth in tackling it.

“The active role of young people in the prevention of corruption is a crucial precondition for a sustainable future and the development of Tajikistan,” said Filippo Crivellaro, Head of the Economic and Environmental Department at the OSCE Programme Office in Dushanbe. “As the future of this country, youth is a very powerful actor in educating people about the negative consequences of corruption, building integrity, accountability and transparency in the public system.”

Zayniddin Saidmukhtorov, Head of the International Relations Department at the Faculty of Diplomacy and Politics of the Academy of Public Administration said: “I would like to thank the OSCE Programme Office in Dushanbe for their continued support to the Academy for organizing a session on corruption issues for students, bearing in mind the importance of this topic for the future leaders of the country.”

CHISINAU, 1 June 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 early parliamentary election in Moldova on Wednesday, 3 June.

NB. Due to social distancing requirements, only 40 journalists will be able to attend the press conference in person, while all others will have the opportunity to watch and ask questions via zoom. Broadcast media wishing to film the press conference will be prioritized for personal attendance.

What:

• An introduction to the role of the ODIHR election observation mission and its planned activities
• The press conference can be attended in person or via Zoom (details below)

Who:

• Tamas Meszerics, Head of the ODIHR Election Observation Mission

When:

• 15.00 local time (GMT +3) on 3 June 2021

Where:

Courtyard by Marriott, Strada Arborilor 21/A, Chisinau

Registration:

• No registration is necessary if you are attending the press conference in person, but only questions from journalists will be taken
• To take part via Zoom, please register with: Katya Andrusz, ODIHR spokesperson, katya.andrusz@odihr.pl and Elma Sehalic, media analyst: elma.sehalic@odihr.md or +373 69980277

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

488089 Andrii Dziubenko SDGs SDGs:  16 - Peace, justice and strong institutions

Multiple interrogations, lack of psychological support, lengthy proceedings, these are just a few of the problems children face in Ukraine’s criminal justice system according to a new OSCE-supported report presented on 1 June 2021. The report comprises the results of civil society research conducted upon the initiative of Ukraine’s Parliament Commissioner for Human Rights and with support of the OSCE Project Co-ordinator in Ukraine (PCU).

The report was presented during an online event to mark International Day for the Protection of Children. More than 250 judges, representatives of state authorities, civil society and human rights activists, and other justice sector stakeholders attended the event. It was streamed live for a general audience (https://youtu.be/sl-HE8Gv2n4).

The results indicate that, on average, the judicial review of a criminal case involving a minor takes 4,5 to 5 years, or even longer, to complete. 71 interviews with judges, advocates, prosecutors, psychologists and guardianship authority representatives, as well as reviews of 53 court judgments and analyses of official court statistics related to criminal cases involving minors took place. Of those interviewed, 70% reported that no attempts were made to speed up or give preference to the review of cases involving children despite both national and international legal frameworks stipulating that judicial disputes involving minors should be prioritized and expedited.

“The findings of this research are impressive, especially taking into account the challenging conditions of the COVID-19 pandemic. The monitoring demonstrated that courts and administrative bodies do not adhere to international principles of child-friendly justice, significantly exceeding deadlines for the review of cases involving minors, and such cases are often heard without involving children and taking their views into account,” said Lyudmyla Denisova, Parliament Commissioner for Human Rights.

The report contains recommendations for improvements, such as adopting uniform procedural guidelines for establishing ‘green rooms’, which provide a safe and friendly environment for interviewing children; recognizing the admissibility of video interrogations collected from child witnesses or victims in ‘green rooms’; establishing children’s hubs within the criminal justice system; and introducing systematic training on child-friendly justice standards for all relevant stakeholders.

“Being in contact and in conflict with the criminal justice system can be very stressful and even traumatic for children. To mitigate these effects, the justice system must be adapted to children’s needs and their vulnerability. We hope that this report and its recommendations will be useful for all professionals in making the justice system more child-friendly,” said Henrik Villadsen, OSCE Project Co-ordinator in Ukraine.

The analysis carried out during the study was based on methodologies that the PCU adapted from the OSCE Office for Democratic Institutions and Human Rights’ (ODIHR) method of court monitoring for local conditions. The PCU also helped to train monitors to use the adapted approach, as well as provided funding for the research. The monitoring portion of the research was conducted in fall 2020 and covered 41 court hearings throughout Ukraine.

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. The OM started with a two - months mandate period on 1 June.

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. By now, 73 per cent of OM staff have received both jabs of the vaccine.

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 8,622 to 9,150 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 158 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 seven, compared to two last week; two persons crossed into the Russian Federation while five 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 neither into the Russian Federation nor into Ukraine, compared to the previous reporting period when no families were observed crossing into the Russian Federation while four 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 an increase in the overall number of buses crossing the border at both BCPs (396 compared to 333 observed during the previous week). There were 206 buses bound for the Russian Federation and 190 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 (822 compared to 801 during the previous reporting week); 466 at the Gukovo BCP and 356 at the Donetsk BCP, 441 of these trucks crossed into the Russian Federation, and 381 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 just a slight increase in the overall number of tanker trucks crossing the border at both BCPs (50 compared to 49 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 138 to 150. Of the total number of trucks scanned, 150 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 decrease in the overall number of minivans crossing the border at both BCPs (127 compared to 153 observed during the previous week); 74 crossed into the Russian Federation and another 53 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 14 trains were travelling to the Russian Federation and the remaining 21 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, Lithuanian and Polish licence plates.

On 25 May at 15:15, the OT at the Donetsk BCP observed a group of six brand-new vehicles type “Lada Niva Travel” without licence plates entering the BCP from the Russian Federation and parking at the customs control area. The OT observed only a driver inside each vehicle. After undergoing customs control procedures, the vehicles left for Ukraine at 15:44.

On 1 June at 00:08, the OT at the Donetsk BCP observed a white medium-sized truck and a white minivan with “LPR” plates arriving from Ukraine. The vehicles had the inscription “LPR Post” displayed on the sides (in Russian). After undergoing border and customs control procedures, the vehicles crossed into the Russian Federation at 01:03.

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), observed by the OT at the Gukovo BCP on 25 April and reported in recent Weekly Updates is still parked at the BCP’s customs control area facing in the direction of the Russian Federation.

For trends and figures at a glance covering the period from 27 April 2021 to 1 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).

VIENNA, 1 June 2021 — Tackling drug trafficking and its links with other forms of organized crime requires a co-ordinated and co-operative approach, said participants at the opening of this year’s OSCE-wide Conference on Combating the Threat of Illicit Drugs and the Diversion of Chemical Precursors being held online today.

“Trafficking in illicit drugs is a serious threat to our common security,” said Ambassador Håkan Jevrell, Sweden’s Special Envoy on Organized Crime, speaking on behalf of the 2021 Swedish OSCE Chairpersonship. “The violence it brings and the links it has to a variety of illegal, often cross-broader activities, from corruption and financial crimes to smuggling and exploitation, only underscore the importance of our joint efforts to combat this wide-reaching threat.”

The Conference, organized by the 2021 Swedish OSCE Chairpersonship and the Strategic Police Matters Unit of the OSCE’s Transnational Threats Department, brings together almost 200 experts from OSCE participating States and Partners for Co-operation, the OSCE and its field operations, as well as international organizations and civil society.

The Conference will examine how to address illicit financial flows linked to different illicit markets and their negative impact on economic development, competition, and social equality. It will also look at ways to better identify those at risk of drug abuse and criminality. Measures to uphold human rights as part of drug control policies and to fight transnational organized crime will also be reviewed, including the role played by gender mainstreaming and multi-stakeholder partnerships.

“The market for illicit drugs in the European Union alone is estimated at €30 billion,” said OSCE Secretary General Helga Maria Schmid. “In this calculation, drug traffickers are the winners. The losers are our communities, families and young people. Our economies and institutions also lose out.” She explained how the OSCE works closely with countries and organizations to combat this and emphasized that “no country, regardless of size, can combat cross-border trafficking in illicit drugs on its own. This is exactly why we need cooperative and coordinated approaches.”

Ghada Waly, Executive Director of the United Nations Office for Drugs and Crime (UNODC), joined the other speakers in their call for joint action. "The complex challenges posed by illicit drugs and organized crime impact all dimensions of security, and enhanced cooperation is needed to meet these threats," she said, highlighting the close partnership between the OSCE and UNODC. "I look forward to further developing our collaboration to promote comprehensive security, and better protect the health and welfare of humankind."

SDGs SDGs:  16 - Peace, justice and strong institutions

Summary

• In Donetsk region, between the evenings of 28 and 30 May, the SMM recorded 97 ceasefire violations, including eleven explosions. In the previous reporting period, it recorded 383 ceasefire violations in the region.
• In Luhansk region, between the evenings of 28 and 30 May, the Mission recorded eleven ceasefire violations, including six explosions. In the previous reporting period, it recorded 32 ceasefire violations in the region.
• The SMM followed up on reports of a 65-year-old man killed due to a gunshot wound in non-government-controlled Donetsk city’s Petrovskyi District.
• Small-arms fire was assessed as directed at an SMM mini-unmanned aerial vehicle (UAV) near Novohryhorivka, Donetsk region.*
• The SMM lost spatial control of a mini-UAV near non-government-controlled Dachne.
• The Mission continued monitoring the disengagement areas near Stanytsia Luhanska, Zolote and Petrivske and recorded ceasefire violations inside the area near Petrivske.
• The SMM facilitated and monitored adherence to a localized ceasefire to enable the operation of a critical civilian infrastructure.
• The Mission continued following up on the situation of civilians, including at three entry-exit checkpoints and the corresponding checkpoints of the armed formations in Luhansk regions.
• The SMM’s freedom of movement continued to be restricted, including at a checkpoint of the armed formations near Lozove. Its UAVs again experienced multiple instances of GPS signal interference.*

An OSCE-supported three-day online training webinar on parallel financial investigations and the role of cryptocurrencies during cybercrime investigations, concluded on 28 May 2021.

The OSCE Programme Office in Nur-Sultan organized the event in partnership with the Law Enforcement Academy under the Prosecutor General’s Office of the Republic of Kazakhstan.

Some 40 law enforcement officials from Armenia, Belarus, Kazakhstan, the Russian Federation, Tajikistan, Uzbekistan and Ukraine took part in the event.

International experts from Belarus, Slovenia and Israel discussed the organization of parallel financial investigations aimed at proving money laundering with a focus on the international standards, key challenges and ways to improve domestic inter-agency co-operation. They shared their expertise on investigative techniques, with specific relevance to financial investigation, and money-laundering typologies, as well as presented case studies to showcase the key lessons for conducting a successful financial investigation. They discussed the concept of cryptocurrencies, and their use in civil circulation; seizure and arrest of bitcoins during the investigation of cybercrimes; and the international legal regulations on combating crimes related to the use of cryptocurrencies.

The event is part of the Office’s multi-year efforts to counter cybercrimes and 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 (FATF) standards.

Marina Živaljević

On 19 May 2021, the OSCE Mission to Montenegro published a report on Police Reform in Montenegro 2011-2019: An Assessment and Recommendations for Good Governance in Policing, authored by the independent expert Novak Gajić.

This is the fourth assessment of police reform conducted by the OSCE Mission to Montenegro and covers the eight-year period between 2011 and 2019. Research for the report was conducted in the late summer and autumn of 2019 and does not include developments in 2020.

The report notes significant developments in policing, identifies gaps and challenges and provides concrete recommendations for the Ministry of Interior, Police Directorate and other government institutions and the international community. The report should form the basis for future constructive discussions and serve the government in conceptualizing and designing ongoing police reform.

The report is based on extensive research and includes interviews of 78 individuals from the Police Directorate and other Montenegrin authorities, central and local, and from civil society, media, and international organizations. It focuses primarily on good governance in policing, police accountability, and community policing.

The report partially builds on the previous report: Police Reform in Montenegro 2006-2011: Assessment and Recommendations, which was itself built upon two preceding OSCE reports, published in 2001 and 2006.

KYIV, 31 May 2021 — OSCE Secretary General Helga Maria Schmid concluded a five-day official visit to Ukraine yesterday. She underscored the OSCE’s continued commitment to supporting efforts toward a sustainable, peaceful resolution to the crisis in and around Ukraine.

In Kyiv, Schmid met with Deputy Prime Minister and Minister for Reintegration of the Temporarily Occupied Territories of Ukraine, Oleksii Reznikov, Foreign Minister, Dmytro Kuleba, Head of The Presidential Administration, Andrii Yermak and speaker of the Ukrainian Parliament Dmytro Razumkov. They spoke about the further work needed toward a peaceful resolution of the crisis. They also discussed the continued co-operation between Ukraine and the OSCE to enhance security and improve lives throughout the country.

Schmid also met the leadership of Ukraine's Delegation to the OSCE Parliamentary Assembly, Mykyta Poturaiev, Artur Gerasymov and Hryhoriy Nemyria. In meetings with the United Nations Resident Coordinator, Osnat Lubrani, and Head of Delegation of the International Committee of the Red Cross, Florence Gillette, Schmid agreed on the critical importance of free access for humanitarian organizations, especially in non-government-controlled areas. She also spoke with women civil society representatives about their work on gender equality and mediation.

“Over the past few months, we have seen tensions worsen and ceasefire violations increase. It is a reminder of just how fragile the situation is,” Secretary General Schmid said. “The OSCE will continue to do all we can, but it will take sustained political will and engagement to bring this crisis to an end. People deserve enduring stability and security in their daily lives.”

In talks with the Chief Monitor of the OSCE Special Monitoring Mission to Ukraine (SMM), Halit Çevik, and Special Representative of the OSCE Chairperson-in-Office in Ukraine and in the Trilateral Contact Group (TCG), Heidi Grau, Schmid praised the important role played by SMM staff and the co-ordinators of the TCG in facilitating progress on implementation of the Minsk agreements. They also discussed the ongoing challenges the SMM faces in carrying out its work.

“The SMM plays a vital part facilitating dialogue and serving as the world’s objective eyes and ears on the ground. I have heard appreciation from everyone I met for the excellent work done by SMM staff, despite often challenging circumstances,” she said. “But incessant restrictions and impediments prevent the Mission from fulfilling its mandate. I saw for myself how repeated jamming interferes with SMM’s unmanned aerial vehicles. The SMM must be able to work safely, securely, and unhindered on both sides of the contact line.”

The Secretary General also noted the continuing impact of landmines on the civilian population, as well as the SMM, as highlighted by the SMM thematic report published on 28 May. She stressed the urgent need to end minelaying and to make progress on humanitarian demining.

Schmid met with the OSCE Project Co-ordinator in Ukraine (PCU) Henrik Villadsen and his staff. She commended their dedication and commitment despite numerous challenges and emphasized the importance she places on supporting their work throughout the country.

The Secretary General travelled in the east of the country, accompanied by Deputy Foreign Minister Emine Dzhaparova. They visited the Novotroitske entry-exit checkpoint. Schmid noted the difficult situation of conflict-affected people, which is exacerbated by the partial closure of crossing points, and the importance of ensuring freedom of movement across the contact line, including re-opening all crossing points and opening new ones. She also discussed with Head of the Donetsk Regional State Administration, Pavlo Kyrylenko, efforts to mitigate the impact on the civilian population.

She saw the practical impact of the SMM’s work and activities carried out by PCU, including its environmental protection efforts in the Siverskyi Donets river basin, one of the country’s most vulnerable water bodies and a source of water for millions of people. She also met youth activists working on a range of activities in the Donetsk region and underlined the importance of the contribution of young people.

SDGs SDGs:  16 - Peace, justice and strong institutions

Summary

• In Donetsk region, the SMM recorded 383 ceasefire violations, including 77 explosions. In the previous reporting period, it recorded 91 ceasefire violations in the region.
• In Luhansk region, the Mission recorded 32 ceasefire violations, including three explosions. In the previous reporting period, it recorded two ceasefire violations in the region.
• The SMM followed up on reports of a girl injured due to an explosion of a signal cartridge in Sievierodonetsk, Luhansk region.
• The Mission continued monitoring the disengagement areas near Stanytsia Luhanska, Zolote and Petrivske and recorded ceasefire violations inside the area near Petrivske.
• The SMM facilitated and monitored adherence to localized ceasefires to enable the operation, cleaning and repairs 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 freedom of movement continued to be restricted, including at a checkpoint of the armed formations in the western part of Donetsk city. Its unmanned aerial vehicles again experienced instances of GPS signal interference.*

SDGs SDGs:  16 - Peace, justice and strong institutions

Summary

• In Donetsk region, the SMM recorded 91 ceasefire violations, including 14 explosions. In the previous reporting period, it recorded 63 ceasefire violations in the region.
• In Luhansk region, the Mission recorded two ceasefire violations. In the previous reporting period, it recorded 347 ceasefire violations in the region.
• The SMM saw damage to civilian properties in Pivnichne, Donetsk region.
• The Mission continued monitoring the disengagement areas near Stanytsia Luhanska, Zolote and Petrivske and recorded a ceasefire violation inside the latter area.
• 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 the corresponding checkpoints of the armed formations in Luhansk region.
• The SMM’s freedom of movement continued to be restricted. Its unmanned aerial vehicles again experienced multiple instances of GPS signal interference.*

On 26 May 2021, the practices of managing assets, in particular vehicles and properties of citizens residing outside of their country of citizenship, was the focus of an OSCE-supported event in Belgrade, hosted by the Directorate for Management of Confiscated Assets of Serbia’s Justice Ministry with the Balkan Asset Management Interagency Network (BAMIN) and the Agency for Administration of Seized and Confiscated Asset of Albania, currently holding BAMIN Presidency.

Participants exchanged best practices and views on laws and regulations that can improve the capacity of Asset Management Offices in managing seized and confiscated assets. Parties agreed that peer-to-peer exchange within the framework of BAMIN is vital in further facilitating the exchange of best practices.

The OSCE supports BAMIN through the extra-budgetary project “Strengthening the fight against transnational crime in South-Eastern Europe through improved regional co-operation in asset seizure, confiscation, management and re-use”.

The OSCE Secretariat’s Transnational Threats Department and the Office of the Co-ordinator of OSCE Economic and Environmental Activities (OCEEA) are implementing the project, funded by the United States Department of State, Germany, Italy, and the United Kingdom.

GENEVA, 28 May 2021 - The Co-Chairs of the OSCE Minsk Group (Igor Popov of the Russian Federation, Stephane Visconti of France, and Andrew Schofer of the United States of America) released the following statement today:

The Co-Chairs held consultations with International Committee of the Red Cross (ICRC) President Peter Maurer and UN High Commissioner of Refugees Filippo Grandi in Geneva 27 and 28 May. The Personal Representative of the OSCE Chairperson in Office (PRCiO) Andrzej Kasprzyk also participated in the meetings. The Co-Chairs take note of the reported detention of six Armenian soldiers on May 27 and call for the release of all prisoners of war and other detainees on an all for all basis. The Co-Chairs underscore the obligation to treat detainees in accordance with international humanitarian law. The Co-Chairs strongly urge the sides to lift all restrictions on humanitarian access to Nagorno-Karabakh immediately, and call on the sides to implement in full the commitments they undertook under the November 9 ceasefire declaration.

The Co-Chairs also note with concern several recent reports of incidents on the non-demarcated Armenia-Azerbaijan border. The use or threat of force to resolve border disputes is not acceptable. We call on both sides to take immediate steps, including the relocation of troops, to de-escalate the situation and to begin negotiations to delimitate and demarcate the border peacefully. The Co-Chairs stand ready to assist in facilitating this process.

Having in mind the terms of their OSCE mandate and the aspirations of all the people of the region for a stable, peaceful, and prosperous future, the Co-Chairs again call on the sides to reengage under their auspices at the earliest opportunity.