Central Europe

VIENNA, 13 May 2021 – When looking at media freedom in the OSCE region, I see a bleak picture, said OSCE Representative on Freedom of the Media, Teresa Ribeiro. She presented her first biannual report to the OSCE Permanent Council in Vienna today.

Ribeiro expressed her worries about the gross violations of free speech and journalists’ rights for the past period and commemorated the two recently killed journalists in the OSCE region. “These murders are a terrible blow to all media, to society, and all of us, as they show that we still live in a region where journalists literally risk their lives when doing their work,” said Ribeiro. “But mostly, these attacks are a terrible blow to the family, relatives and friends of these journalists, who now have to live on without their beloved ones. My deepest sympathies go out to them.”

Ribeiro referred to the blatant infringements on media freedom in a number of countries, most notably in Belarus, where a large number of journalists were detained and physically attacked and where new regulations were introduced that violate freedom of expression. She also mentioned the many less visible issues that negatively affect media freedom and journalists’ rights. “These violations creep in slowly, and taken together form a new systemic approach that silences critical voices and dismantles media pluralism.”

The report mentions some of the developments that Ribeiro witnessed, including the growing distrust towards journalists and anti-media sentiment, increasing abuse of journalists offline and online (especially women media workers), the use of legal means and arbitrary detention to hinder and harass journalists and a gradual restricting of the free flow of information. Ribeiro also mentioned the challenges that the growing importance of the online sphere poses, including disinformation and the increasing use of artificial intelligence. “When seen in their overall context, such developments can and will lead to a gradual, but certain decay of a freedom we all hold, and should hold, dear.”

Ribeiro used the opportunity to acknowledge the work of her predecessors and particularly paid tribute to Freimut Duve, who served as the first OSCE Representative on Freedom of the Media from 1998 to 2003 and who sadly passed away last year. Ribeiro said: “Today more than ever, we should remember his words: ‘There is no freedom without media freedom!’”

The Representative’s full report is available here: https://www.osce.org/files/f/documents/b/9/486283.pdf

Media are invited to contact the Office of the OSCE Representative on Freedom of the Media for questions and interview requests.

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.

VIENNA, 12 May 2021 — How technological advances contribute to a new generation of warfare and the challenges this presents was discussed at an OSCE Forum for Security Co-operation (FSC) meeting held online today under the Armenian FSC Chairmanship.

The meeting was the third Security Dialogue organized by the Armenian FSC Chairmanship and focused on new generation warfare, which is characterized as a non-nuclear, contactless warfare with the use of high-precision weapons. The three invited speakers examined advances in weapons and technologies and their effect on the strategic and tactical dimensions of warfare. They also looked at the challenges these advances pose and how participating States and the OSCE can address them.

“Technology has always driven conventional weapons and their evolution,” said Sarah Marie Grand Clement, Researcher in the Security, Technology and Conventional Arms Programmes at the United Nations Institute for Disarmament Research. “However, what is new is the pace and scale of technological development which has increased and led to a step-change in conventional weapons.”  

She explained how globalization and the addition of new actors working through the private sector are pushing innovation and rapidly expanding the reach of a range of new technologies that can be applied to conventional weapons. These include artificial intelligence (AI) and autonomous systems, information and communication technologies, as well as technologies related to space, electromagnetism, materials, and advanced missiles.

Colonel Zhirayr Amirkhanyan from Armenia’s Ministry of Defense, explored the role advanced technologies have played in new generation warfare, amplifying threats and creating new ones. Describing these technologies as “disruptive”, Amirkhanyan said: “The challenges of the new generation warfare can be properly assessed only via discussing the disruptive technology against the backdrop of the prevailing international setting, as well as its repercussions on technological, operational, societal realms, as well as technology management and arms control issues.” The existing and future arms control mechanisms should be aimed at managing the disruptive impact of those weapons on international security, he added.

Some of the challenges are threat perceptions and ensuring internationally controlled management of new weapons and technologies, said Tobias Vestner, Head of the Security and Law Programme at the Geneva Centre for Security Policy. Using AI as an example, he highlighted legal, political, and ethical concerns this and other technologies raise and how the OSCE can support participating States in addressing those.

“Compared to other international and regional organizations, the OSCE has the best tools to alleviate problems of uncertainty for its participating states,” Vestner said. He underlined how the Organization provides a forum for exchanging information and building trust that can help to enhance co-operation for regulating new technologies in the field of conventional weapons.

SDGs SDGs:  16 - Peace, justice and strong institutions

Summary

• In Donetsk region, the SMM recorded 112 ceasefire violations, including 66 explosions. In the previous reporting period, it recorded 200 ceasefire violations in the region.
• In Luhansk region, the Mission recorded no ceasefire violations. In the previous reporting period, it recorded 17 ceasefire violations in the region.
• The SMM followed up on reports of injuries to a man due to the detonation of an explosive device in Orikhove-Donetske, Luhansk region.
• The Mission saw fresh damage assessed as caused by shelling to residential houses in the Trudivski area of Donetsk city’s Petrovskyi District.
• Small-arms fire was assessed as directed at an SMM mini-unmanned aerial vehicle (UAV) near government-controlled Bohdanivka, 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 operation of critical civilian infrastructure.
• The SMM continued following up on the situation of civilians, including at three entry-exit checkpoints and two corresponding checkpoints of the armed formations in Donetsk and Luhansk regions.
• The Mission’s freedom of movement continued to be restricted, including at a checkpoint of the armed formations near Staromykhailivka, Donetsk region. Its UAVs again experienced multiple instances of GPS signal interference.*

Ton van den Brandt

The OSCE Representative on Freedom of the Media, Teresa Ribeiro, met with representatives of the Belarusian Union of Journalists (BUJ) online yesterday, 11 May 2021, to discuss the current state of freedom of expression and media freedom in Belarus.

In particular, Ribeiro met with BUJ members Andrey Krivosheev (Chairperson), Vadim Gigin, Lyudmila Gladkaya, Grigory Azaryonok and Veronica Bouta.

Ribeiro expressed her serious concerns about the negative implications of the ongoing political developments in the country on the work of media outlets and about the continued harassment and persecution of media workers and professionals. She noted extremely worrisome legal developments, with a large potential to negatively affect the freedom of expression and free flow of information, both offline and online, in the country. She also shared the alarming conclusions of the legal review her Office had commissioned of the Belarusian Resolution that governs accreditation rules and procedures for foreign journalists.

Ribeiro thanked the participants for presenting their overview of the media freedom situation and for their testimonies. She underlined that all media workers should be able to freely report, collect and disseminate information and that it is important to always refrain from promoting unduly restrictive regulations and stigmatizing practices.

Ribeiro previously expressed her concern at the deterioration of media freedom in Belarus, see https://www.osce.org/representative-on-freedom-of-media/478885 and https://www.osce.org/representative-on-freedom-of-media/478693.  

SDGs SDGs:  16 - Peace, justice and strong institutions

Summary

• In Donetsk region, the SMM recorded 200 ceasefire violations, including 128 explosions. In the previous 24 hours, it recorded 108 ceasefire violations in the region.
• In Luhansk region, the Mission recorded 17 ceasefire violations, including four explosions. In the previous 24 hours, it recorded one ceasefire violation in the region.
• The SMM continued monitoring the disengagement areas near Stanytsia Luhanska, Zolote and Petrivske. It recorded ceasefire violations inside the disengagement area near Petrivske and spotted people inside the disengagement areas near Zolote and Petrivske.
• The Mission facilitated and monitored adherence to localized ceasefires to enable 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 monitored events commemorating Victory Day in Kyiv.
• The Mission’s freedom of movement continued to be restricted, including at a checkpoint of the armed formations near the Petrovskyi district of Donetsk city. Its unmanned aerial vehicles again experienced multiple instances of GPS signal interference.*

STOCKHOLM/VIENNA/WARSAW, 11 May 2020 - Marking the 10th anniversary of the Council of Europe Convention on Preventing and Combating Violence against Women and Domestic Violence, OSCE leaders today underlined the importance of this landmark treaty that provides legal standards so that women and girls can live their lives free from violence and abuse.

Also known as the Istanbul Convention, named after the city in which it opened for signature on 11 May 2011, the treaty is the most comprehensive international legal instrument setting out binding obligations to States to prevent and combat violence against women and girls.

The OSCE leaders call upon participating States that have not yet done so to give consideration to signing and ratifying the Istanbul Convention. The Covid-19 pandemic has brought in its wake a shadow pandemic of deteriorating gender inequality and domestic and other gender-based violence. The time for action is now, to take concrete steps to implement the Istanbul Convention and the commitments on gender equality by the OSCE participating States. Ultimately, this will save the lives of women and girls, the leaders stressed.

The Istanbul Convention, which is open to ratification by countries both inside and outside the Council of Europe region, has been ratified by 33 OSCE participating States and signed by 11. The European Union has also signed the Convention.

OSCE Chairperson-in-Office, Swedish Minister for Foreign Affairs Ann Linde, said that the Istanbul Convention provides a gold standard for combating violence against women and girls. “The 10th anniversary of the Istanbul Convention gives us a valuable opportunity to highlight the importance of the convention. We have seen that men’s violence against women and girls has increased during the pandemic, making the Istanbul Convention more relevant than ever. Gender equality is a main priority for the Swedish Chairpersonship and the participating States have committed to preventing and combating violence against women, as rooted in several OSCE commitments".

OSCE Secretary General Helga Maria Schmid said: “The OSCE participating States have committed to preventing and combating all forms of violence against women and girls. The Istanbul Convention provides powerful standards and tools to improve legal frameworks and policies.”

"The adoption of the Istanbul Convention marked an important step in building a society free from violence against women and domestic violence", said ODIHR Director Matteo Mecacci. “Research shows that during the Covid-19 pandemic, violence against women has spiked in many OSCE countries. Let’s mark this 10th anniversary by redoubling our efforts for women and girls to live their lives to the full, free of violence.”

OSCE participating States have committed to preventing and combating all forms of violence against women and girls. Three Ministerial Council (MC) Decisions have been adopted on this topic, in 2005, 2014 and 2018. The 2014 Ministerial Council Decision on Preventing and Combating Violence Against Women calls on participating States to give consideration to the signature and ratification of the Istanbul Convention.

SUMMARY

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

OPERATIONAL REMARKS

The OM is currently operating with 22 permanent international Mission members, including the Chief Observer (CO) 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. 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 decreased from 8,551 to 8,034 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 407 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 nine, compared to seven last week; three persons crossed into the Russian Federation while six persons crossed into Ukraine. These individuals crossed the border on foot.

Families with a significant amount of luggage

The OTs continued to report on families, sometimes with elderly persons and/or children, crossing the border at both BCPs with a significant amount of luggage, or travelling in heavily loaded cars. During this reporting week, four families were observed crossing into the Russian Federation while one family was observed crossing into Ukraine, compared to the previous reporting period when 12 families were observed crossing into the Russian Federation and 14 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 just a slight decrease in the overall number of buses crossing the border at both BCPs (349 compared to 350 observed during the previous week). There were 175 buses bound for the Russian Federation and 174 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 decrease in the overall number of trucks crossing the border at both BCPs (527 compared to 707 during the previous reporting week); 310 at the Gukovo BCP and 217 at the Donetsk BCP, 290 of these trucks crossed into the Russian Federation, and 237 crossed into Ukraine. Most of the trucks observed by the OTs had Ukrainian licence plates issued in the Luhansk region; however, on a daily basis, the OTs also noted trucks registered in Belarus, Lithuania, the Russian Federation, and trucks with “LPR” plates.

The OTs also continued to observe tanker trucks crossing the border in both directions. During the reporting period, the OTs observed a slight decrease in the overall number of tanker trucks crossing the border at both BCPs (45 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 decreased from 123 to 94. Of the total number of trucks scanned, all 94 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 overall number of minivans crossing the border at both BCPs remained the same, 133 compared to the same number observed during the previous week; 71 crossed into the Russian Federation and another 62 into Ukraine.

Trains

The OTs continued to pick up the sound of trains on the railway tracks located approximately 150m south-west of the Gukovo BCP. During the reporting week, the OTs heard trains on 32 occasions; the OTs assessed that 17 trains were travelling to the Russian Federation and the remaining 15 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 transit German licence plates.

On 5 May at 15:18, the OT at the Donetsk BCP observed an ambulance with “LPR” plates and an inscription “Urgent Medical Help” (in Russian) on the side, crossing the border from Ukraine into the Russian Federation. The same day at 19:04, the ambulance returned from the Russian Federation. The OT could observe the driver and one medical personnel on board. After undergoing border and customs control procedures, the ambulance left for Ukraine at 19:20.

On 6 May at 08:07, the OT at the Donetsk BCP observed an ambulance with “LPR” plates and an inscription “Sanitary” (in Russian) on the side. The ambulance arrived from Ukraine and left for the Russian Federation. The OT was unable to notice any other details from its position.

On 6 May at 15:55, the OT at the Donetsk BCP observed two ambulances with “LPR” plates, entering the BCP from the Russian Federation and queuing at the customs control area. The first vehicle had an inscription “Urgent Medical Help” and the second one “Sanitary” (in Russian). Both vehicles underwent border and customs control procedures and left for Ukraine at 16:15.

On 7 May at 00:55, the OT at the Donetsk BCP observed a group of three minivans arriving at the BCP from Ukraine. All vehicles bore an inscription “LPR Post” (in Russian). After undergoing border and customs control procedures, the minivans left the BCP towards the Russian Federation.

On 7 May at 05:15, the OT at the Donetsk BCP observed an individual in civilian clothes, carrying a big green backpack and entering the BCP’s hangar building, located at the customs control area, accompanied by a customs officer. At 05:30, both left the hangar, heading into the BCP’s main building. The OT noticed that the customs officer was carrying a bulletproof vest and two bulletproof plates. The OT was unable to notice any other details from its position.

On 7 May at 21:42, the OT at the Donetsk observed a white truck and two white minivans with “LPR” plates entering the BCP from the Russian Federation and parking at the customs control area. All the vehicles had the sign “LPR Post” displayed on the sides (in Russian). After undergoing border and customs control procedures, the vehicles left for Ukraine at 23:00.

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 the last Weekly Update 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 6 April 2021 to 11 May 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).

OSCE Regional Conference on Countering Terrorist Financing and Transnational Organized Crime

Fostering regional co-operation in addressing terrorist financing and organized crime was the focus of the OSCE Regional Conference on Countering Terrorist Financing and Transnational Organized Crime held online on 11 May 2021.

“The work of the OSCE is rooted in a strong mandate to address transnational threats, in particular preventing and combatting terrorism, by promoting a multi-dimensional and multi-stakeholder approach in the implementation of the international legal framework against terrorism,” said Alena Kupchyna, OSCE Co-ordinator of Activities to address Transnational Threats. “This conference is timely as it took stock of efforts undertaken at the regional level and lessons learned since 2019 to address the challenges posed by terrorist financing and transnational organized crime.”

The conference was organized by the OSCE Transnational Threats Department, in co-operation with the Ministry of Foreign Affairs and the Financial Monitoring Department of the Ministry of Finance and Economics of Turkmenistan. Over 200 senior experts, government officials and representatives of regional and international organizations, including the United Nations and the OSCE, took part in the conference.

Participants exchanged good practices, lessons learned, and recommendations for policy options for developing effective ways of detecting and suppressing terrorist financing channels and combating organized crime. They also explored how to strengthen human rights-compliant approaches, co-operation and information sharing in countering terrorist financing.

“Upon the initiative of Turkmenistan, the United Nations General Assembly adopted the Resolution A/RES/73/338, declaring 2021 as the International Year of Peace and Trust, to promote peace and trust among nations through political dialogue, mutual understanding and co-operation. I believe that synergy and information sharing among OSCE participating States in countering terrorist financing and organized crime can facilitate confidence-building measures and, in turn, cultivate peace and trust,” said Silapberdi Nurberdiev, Ambassador of Turkmenistan to the OSCE.

The Conference discussions also built on the recommendations made during the OSCE High-Level Regional Conference on Countering Terrorist Financing and Addressing Potential Links with Organized Crime, organized in Ashgabat on 17 to 18 April 2019.

“It is imperative to tackle the root causes of violent extremism and radicalization that lead to terrorism. Tools used in radicalization and financing of terrorism need to be addressed as well as ensuring prosecution, reintegration and rehabilitation of those affiliated with terrorism and transnational organized crime. In this regard, I commend the participating States of the region of Central Asia for maintaining close co-operation and addressing these matters jointly,” said Tobias Lorentzson, Deputy Permanent Representative of the Permanent Delegation of Sweden to the OSCE.

Emphasis was also placed on the role of the OSCE, as the largest regional arrangement operating under Chapter VIII of the United Nations Charter, and its comprehensive approach to security.

Turning to the OSCE’s co-operation in the region, John MacGregor, Head of the OSCE Centre in Ashgabat, said: “Over the last several years, the OSCE Centre in Ashgabat has had a constructive and fruitful co-operation and partnership with the Ministry of Finance and Economy of Turkmenistan in support of legislative reforms to align the country’s anti-money laundering and countering of financing of terrorism legal framework with relevant recommendations by the Financial Action Task Force. It is my firm belief that today’s event has encouraged an inclusive dialogue on a cross-dimensional discussion, in line with the OSCE comprehensive concept of security, and the exchange of good practices in addressing current challenges posed by terrorist financing and transnational organized crime.”

486071 Marina Živaljević

Representative from the OSCE Mission to Montenegro, the Association of Youth with Disabilities and the Union of the Blind of Montenegro worked together to produce guidelines for municipal electoral commissions on improving accessibility of polling stations.

In advance of the 9 May  elections in Herceg Novi, the representatives met with the municipal electoral commission, presented the guidelines and discussed ways to improve accessibility.

“Over 90 per cent of polling stations are accessible for people with disabilities, they have a tactile voting device that attaches to a ballot that enables visually impaired voters to vote in secret,” said Mirjana Ivanović, Chair of the Herceg Novi municipal electoral commission.

“Accessibility is more than getting in and out of the polling station. We hope that this guidance will help municipal electoral commissions to ensure that polling stations are accessible to everyone,’’ said Marina Vujačić, executive director of Association of Youth with Disabilities.

“'Ensuring independent voting and secrecy of the ballot for voters with disabilities makes for their full and effective participation in public life on an equal basis,'' said Katarina Bigović, independent advisor in the Union of the Blind.

The Mission also donated personal protective equipment for the polling station staff.

The Mission will continue to work alongside election management bodies and NGOs to ensure that polling stations are accessible and election management bodies are aware of options available to people with disabilities on how to cast their vote independently and in secret.

SDGs SDGs:  16 - Peace, justice and strong institutions

Summary

• In Donetsk region, between the evenings of 7 and 9 May the SMM recorded 163 ceasefire violations, including 105 explosions. In the previous reporting period, it recorded 663 ceasefire violations in the region.
• In Luhansk region, between the evenings of 7 and 9 May the Mission recorded 23 ceasefire violations, including 15 explosions. In the previous reporting period, it recorded 144 ceasefire violations in the region.
• The SMM followed up on reports of injuries to one man on 16 April at the Azovstal steel plant in Mariupol and the death of another man on 4 May at a cemetery in Verkhnotoretske, both due to explosions of unknown objects.
• The Mission saw fresh damage to a pumping station in Donetsk city’s Kyivskyi district and a functioning school in Donetsk city’s Trudivski area, and to a residential building in Zolote-5 Mykhailivka, Luhansk region.
• The SMM continued monitoring the disengagement areas near Stanytsia Luhanska, Zolote and Petrivske. It recorded ceasefire violations inside the disengagement area near Petrivske.
• The Mission facilitated and monitored adherence to localized ceasefires to enable operation of critical civilian infrastructure.
• The Mission observed a military-style parade in non-government-controlled Donetsk city at which it saw weapons in violation of the withdrawal lines.
• 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 monitored events commemorating Victory Day and Remembrance and Reconciliation Day throughout Ukraine.
• The SMM monitored the security situation in south-east Kherson region.
• The Mission’s freedom of movement continued to be restricted, including at a border crossing point outside government control near Izvaryne, Luhansk region. Its unmanned aerial vehicles again experienced multiple instances of GPS signal interference.

VIENNA, 10 May 2021 – To maximize impact in the fight against transnational organized crime (TOC), it is essential to double-down prevention efforts and to leverage multilateral platforms and regional partnerships, participants said at today’s OSCE Mediterranean Partnership of Co-operation Group meeting.

The meeting gathered over 150 representatives from OSCE and Partner countries, Algeria, Egypt, Israel, Jordan, Morocco and Tunisia.

“We can only be successful in fight against transnational organized crime when we co-ordinate our actions and take advantage of experiences and good practices, “we” meaning the participating States with the Mediterranean Partners, “we” the OSCE with other international organizations and bodies,” said Ambassador Adam Hałaciński, Permanent Representative of Poland to the OSCE, who chaired today’s meeting.

Ghada Waly, Executive Director of the United Nations Office on Drugs and Crime (UNODC), said: “I strongly believe that we are now at a defining moment for our post-pandemic future. Weakened by the health emergency and the economic downturn, our world needs to mobilize against organized crime threats, if we are to build fairer societies, and emerge stronger from the crisis. To advance shared responses, we need to leverage our common framework: the UN Convention against Transnational Organized Crime (UNTOC) and its protocols addressing human trafficking, migrant smuggling, and illicit firearms.”

One of the key issues explored was how the OSCE and its Mediterranean Partners could more concretely reflect implementing international provisions and conventions that facilitate transnational co-operation in their national strategies, such as the UNTOC and the Doha Declaration.

Alena Kupchyna, OSCE Co-ordinator of Activities to Address Transnational Threats, noted that during the pandemic, organized crime groups had taken advantage of the economic recession to create new avenues of profit. “The fight against TOC can be effective only if we have a common and shared agenda and if we include a strong prevention component in all our endeavours.” said Kupchyna.

The OSCE is working on expanding support to participating States through, among other initiatives, a new OSCE-wide project on youth crime prevention and a new project on asset recovery with the Mediterranean Partners for Co-operation.

SDGs SDGs:  16 - Peace, justice and strong institutions

Summary

• In Donetsk region, the SMM recorded 663 ceasefire violations, including 104 explosions. In the previous reporting period, it recorded 160 ceasefire violations in the region.
• In Luhansk region, the Mission recorded 144 ceasefire violations, including seven explosions. The majority of ceasefire violations were assessed as live-fire exercises inside the security zone. In the previous reporting period, it recorded 27 ceasefire violations in the region.
• The Mission continued monitoring the disengagement areas near Stanytsia Luhanska, Zolote and Petrivske. It recorded ceasefire violations inside the disengagement area near Petrivske.
• The Mission facilitated and monitored adherence to localized ceasefires to enable maintenance and operation of critical civilian infrastructure.
• The SMM continued following up on the situation of civilians, including at four entry-exit checkpoints and five corresponding checkpoints of the armed formations in Donetsk and Luhansk regions.
• The Mission’s freedom of movement continued to be restricted. Its unmanned aerial vehicles again experienced multiple instances of GPS signal interference.

SDGs SDGs:  16 - Peace, justice and strong institutions

Summary

• In Donetsk region, the SMM recorded 160 ceasefire violations, including 55 explosions. In the previous reporting period, it recorded 618 ceasefire violations in the region.
• In Luhansk region, the Mission recorded 27 ceasefire violations, including 17 explosions. In the previous reporting period, it recorded 18 ceasefire violations in the region.
• The Mission saw damage to residential houses in non-government-controlled Mineralne and Donetsk city’s Kyivskyi district, Donetsk region.
• The SMM conducted a forced emergency landing of a long-range unmanned aerial vehicle (UAV) near its base in government-controlled Stepanivka, due to dual GPS signal interference.*
• Small-arms fire was assessed as directed at an SMM mini-UAV near government-controlled Lebedynske, Donetsk region.
• The SMM continued monitoring the disengagement areas near Stanytsia Luhanska, Zolote and Petrivske. It spotted people inside the disengagement area near Zolote.
• The Mission facilitated and monitored adherence to localized ceasefires to enable maintenance and operation of critical civilian infrastructure.
• 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 checkpoints of the armed formations near Zaichenko, in Khreshchatytske and Naberezhne, all in southern Donetsk region. SMM UAVs again experienced multiple instances of GPS signal interference.*

485963 Office of the OSCE Representative on Freedom of the Media Ton van den Brandt

On 5 May, Teresa Ribeiro, OSCE Representative on Freedom of the Media (RFoM), met with Ambassador Elena Molaroni Berguido to discuss the importance of media freedom in San Marino and in the broader OSCE region.

Ribeiro and Molaroni Berguido discussed issues such as tackling disinformation and “fake news”, a topic on which San Marino had hosted a high-level conference in 2019. They agreed to continue co-operation in this area, and talked about the RFoM’s upcoming webinar series on the subject matter.

Ribeiro and Molaroni Berguido also discussed legislation pertaining to media freedom and freedom of expression in San Marino. Ribeiro noted that decriminalization of defamation in the country would be an important step in further upholding the right to free expression.

Ribeiro and Molaroni Berguido agreed to continue dialogue and co-operation, with the latter extending an invitation for the Representative to visit San Marino in the near future.

Office of the OSCE Representative on Freedom of the Media Ton van den Brandt

On 7 May 2021, Teresa Ribeiro, OSCE Representative on Freedom of the Media (RFoM) met with Dangira West, Chargé d’affaires a.i. of the Lithuanian Delegation, to discuss media freedom in Lithuania and the broader OSCE region. 

They discussed issues such as safety of media workers, in particular harassment of female journalists online, media regulation, and current challenges to the full implementation of OSCE media freedom commitments.

Ribeiro expressed her gratitude to Lithuania for its support in publishing the third edition of the Safety of Journalists Guidebook and underlined the importance of joint efforts of all participating States in the implementation of recommendations contained therein. West expressed support of the Lithuanian authorities to the RFOM activities on safety of female journalists online, as well as to the work being done to address hate speech and disinformation.

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On 5 May, Teresa Ribeiro, OSCE Representative on Freedom of the Media (RFoM), met with Chargé d'Affaires Georgios Daskalopoulos, to discuss media freedom developments and challenges in Greece.

During the meeting, Ribeiro and Daskalopoulos discussed the issue of safety of journalists, in particular the murder of journalist Giorgos Karaivaz, which shocked the nation and people across Europe. Daskalopoulos informed Ribeiro that Greek authorities are treating the investigation with the highest priority, and are fully committed to bringing the perpetrators to justice.

They also discussed challenges surrounding the ability of journalists to report freely during public assemblies, following a new Greek National Plan on the Management of Public Outdoor Assemblies, and a number of recent incidents of excessive use of force by law enforcement during such gatherings. Daskalopoulos affirmed that independent bodies are investigating cases of possible excessive force. He also explained that the intention of the National Plan is to improve the modus operandi of law enforcement in safeguarding the right of freedom of assembly, as well as to protect journalists reporting on such public assemblies.

Ribeiro and Daskalopoulos agreed that the current pandemic has brought many new challenges to media freedom, and that a free, independent and pluralistic media can help the full realization of our human rights and build societies that are more inclusive.

Daskalopoulos highlighted the importance Greece places on media freedom in international bodies, including through its membership in the Group of Friends on Safety of Journalists at the UN and the OSCE.

Ribeiro concluded by reaffirming her readiness to support the Greek authorities, welcoming a continued close co-operation between the RFoM Office and the Greek Permanent Mission to the OSCE.

SDGs SDGs:  16 - Peace, justice and strong institutions

On 6 May, the SMM was conducting an announced SMM long-range unmanned aerial vehicle (UAV) flight. The UAV had taken off from its base in government-controlled Stepanivka (54km north of Donetsk) at 12:30 and had immediately experienced dual GPS signal interference, assessed as caused by jamming, which then had occurred at intervals during the flight. At 16:01, while flying over areas near Kolosky (non-government-controlled, 46km south-east of Donetsk), the UAV had again experienced dual GPS signal interference, assessed as caused by jamming, which continued uninterrupted for the remainder of the flight.

Between 18:35 and 19:05, due to the risk of a loss of spatial control, the SMM had attempted three landings of the UAV at its base in its Emergency Control Mode, the first two of which had failed due to continuing dual GPS signal interference. On its third attempt, while dual GPS signal interference persisted, the aircraft completed an emergency landing in a field about 600m north of its designated landing spot. The SMM retrieved the UAV and an initial assessment did not reveal visible damage.

The Mission again highlights that since 21 March 2021 the SMM’s long-range UAVs have been experiencing increased levels of GPS signal interference on take-off and landing, affecting both of their GPS receivers, in areas near their base in Stepanivka (See SMM Spot Reports of 7 April 2021, 9 April 2021 and 24 April 2021). The Mission notes that, in each case, the source of GPS signal interference could have originated from anywhere within the radius of tens of kilometres from the UAVs’ positions.

The SMM yet again notes that OSCE Permanent Council Decision No. 1117 specifies that the SMM shall have safe and secure access throughout Ukraine. Unrestricted and unconditional access to all areas is essential to ensure effective monitoring and reporting of the security situation, the ceasefire, the withdrawal of weapons, demining, as well as disengagement. The mandate also tasks the Mission to report on any restrictions of its freedom of movement or other impediments to fulfilment of its mandate.

These incidents hinder the Mission’s ability to conduct effective monitoring and reporting of the security situation in line with its mandate. Long-range UAVs are an essential part of SMM operations, especially at night and in areas where the Mission’s monitoring and freedom of movement are restricted. While the SMM cannot identify the precise source of jamming, it has observed the presence of jamming equipment on both sides of the contact line.

SDGs SDGs:  16 - Peace, justice and strong institutions

Summary

• In Donetsk region, the SMM recorded 618 ceasefire violations, including 266 explosions. In the previous reporting period, it recorded 217 ceasefire violations in the region.
• In Luhansk region, the Mission recorded 18 ceasefire violations, including nine explosions. In the previous reporting period, it recorded no ceasefire violations in the region.
• The Mission corroborated reports of a 16-year-old boy injured due to a mine explosion on 6 April near non-government-controlled Slovianoserbsk, Luhansk region.
• The SMM observed damage to a hospital in government-controlled Krasnohorivka, Donetsk region.
• Small-arms fire was assessed as directed at SMM mini-unmanned aerial vehicles (UAV) near non-government-controlled Oleksandrivka, Donetsk region and near non-government-controlled Smile, Luhansk region.
• The Mission continued monitoring the disengagement areas near Stanytsia Luhanska, Zolote and Petrivske. It spotted people inside the latter two areas.
• The Mission facilitated and monitored adherence to localized ceasefires to enable maintenance and operation of critical civilian infrastructure.
• 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 checkpoint of the armed formations near Staromykhailivka and near Kruta Balka in Donetsk region. The SMM UAVs again experienced multiple instances of GPS signal interference.*

Economic connectivity perspectives and the operationalization of Euro-Asian inland transport links (EATL) were the focus of two rounds of virtual consultations held by the OSCE and the UN Economic Commission for Europe (UNECE) on 25 March 2021 and 6 May 2021.

Around 30 representatives of Ministries of transport, national railway companies, port authorities and representatives of trade, customs and border management agencies, of Azerbaijan, Georgia, Kazakhstan, Turkey and Ukraine, countries on the Trans-Caspian corridor providing a land bridge between Europe and China, participated in the events. 

Recognizing the need for strengthened inter-governmental stakeholder co-ordination efforts and a harmonization of transport policies, participants explored ways for making their transport routes operational and commercially attractive. Discussions focused on the institutional set-up options for designing a corridor management mechanism aimed at strengthening the transport routes that connect these countries with global markets.

Eni Gjergji, Economic Advisor of OSCE Economic and Environmental Activities, emphasized the significant role of the OSCE in providing participating States a platform to discuss policy choices and foster inter-governmental dialogue. “The Operationalization of Euro-Asian Transport Links can play an instrumental role in improving the conditions for trade, leading ultimately to socioeconomic development and strengthening peace, security and stability in the region. The OSCE remains committed to facilitating meaningful and inclusive dialogue for a more effective Euro-Asian inland transport connectivity”, said Gjergji.

Roel Janssens, Economic Affairs Officer at the United Nations Economic Commission for Europe, said: “The consultations held upon the request of these five Governments aim at identifying concrete steps in overcoming the remaining interoperability challenges faced by the region, making these routes truly competitive for the inter-continental transportation of high-value and time sensitive cargo.”

These events are part of a series co-organized by the UNECE Sustainable Transport Division, in the framework of EATL, and the Office of the Co-ordinator of OSCE Economic and Environmental Activities.  The OSCE has been providing support to the UNECE’s Euro-Asian Transport Links project since 2006.

485582 Communication and Media Relations Section Alexandra Taylor

On 5 May 2021, the Serbian Directorate for the Administration of Seized Assets, eight local civil society organizations (CSOs) and OSCE experts discussed opportunities and modalities to socially re-use assets confiscated from organized crime.

The current legislative framework in Serbia allows confiscated and seized assets to be re-used for social purposes, however, only a few CSOs  have put this practice into use. To further raise awareness on the positive impact of social re-use among CSOs, practices from Serbia as well as international ones were presented during the workshop.

“This project contributes to addressing transnational organized crime while enhancing regional co-operation in asset seizure, confiscation, management and re-use of assets, and reaffirms the Mission’s support in its implementation,” said Sarah Groen, Deputy Head of the OSCE Mission to Serbia.

Participants had the chance to directly communicate with Directorate representatives and explore  the procedure of submitting requests to re-use assets for social purposes.

Illicit activities of organized crime groups affect our societies and economies while presenting a serious threat to security and stability in the region. The practice through which confiscated assets are made available to communities not only allows the involvement of civil society in the fight against organized crime but  also increases  trust in  institutions and the rule of law.

The social re-use of confiscated assets in Serbia is supported by the Transnational Threats Department and the Office of the Co-ordinator of OSCE Economic and Environmental Activities regional project on asset recovery in South-Eastern Europe.

The United States of America, Italy, Germany and the United Kingdom financially support this cross-dimensional project.