Central Europe

TIRANA, 19 March 2021 – The OSCE Office for Democratic Institutions and Human Rights (ODIHR) today opened an observation mission for the 25 April parliamentary elections in Albania, following an invitation from the country’s authorities.

The mission is led by Ambassador Urszula Gacek and consists of a core team of 12 election experts, based in Tirana, and 24 long-term observers who will be deployed throughout the country from 26 March.

The mission will assess the elections for their compliance with OSCE commitments and other international obligations and standards for democratic elections, as well as with national legislation. Observers will closely monitor the voter registration process, campaign activities, the work of the election administration and relevant governmental bodies, election-related legislation and its implementation, and the resolution of election-related disputes. As part of the observation, the mission will also monitor the media coverage of the campaign.

Meetings with numerous representatives of state authorities, political parties, civil society, the media and the international community form an integral part of the observation.

Due to the continued health emergency caused by the COVID-19 pandemic across the OSCE region and the related travel restrictions, ODIHR is not able to deploy short-term observers ahead of the 25 April elections as originally planned. The format of the observation activity has therefore been adjusted to a Limited Election Observation Mission (LEOM), which will include long-term observers based around the country. While mission members will visit a limited number of polling stations on election day, there will not be any systematic observation of voting, counting or tabulation of results.

On election day itself, the ODIHR observation mission will join efforts with delegations from the OSCE Parliamentary Assembly and the Parliamentary Assembly of the Council of Europe.

An interim report will be published to update the public and media during the course of the observation. The day after the elections, a statement of preliminary findings will be presented at a press conference. A final report summing up the observation and making recommendations for improvements will be published approximately two months after the end of the election process.

The ODIHR Observation Mission and the OSCE Presence in Albania operate separately under their respective mandates. For further information, please visit: https://www.osce.org/odihr/elections/albania.

Media contacts:

Kira Kalinina, media analyst, at Kira.Kalinina@odihr.al or +355 68 394 2987

or

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

Geneva/Strasbourg/Vienna/Warsaw, 19 March 2021 – The pandemic poses unprecedented challenges for governments, health systems and societies at large, with many people in despair. We also witnessed solidarity with generosity, care and commitment towards the most vulnerable. This crisis offers us a unique opportunity to create more inclusive and equal societies, said the heads of four human rights institutions ahead of the International Day for the Elimination of Racial Discrimination.

Maria Marouda, Chair of the Council of Europe’s European Commission against Racism and Intolerance (ECRI), Yanduan Li, Chairperson of the United Nations Committee on the Elimination of Racial Discrimination (CERD), Michael O’Flaherty, Director of the EU Agency for Fundamental Rights (FRA), and Matteo Mecacci, Director of the OSCE Office for Democratic Institutions and Human Rights (ODIHR), underline the pandemic’s great toll on racial justice and call for equitable, concerted and determined action across society to reverse this trend.

The Covid-19 pandemic not only cast a spotlight on the structural inequalities and discrimination in our societies, but has made them even worse, in Europe and beyond, as we see from this week’s spate of shootings in the United States. We see new forms of inequality and discrimination, particularly in access to healthcare and vaccinations. There have been attacks against ethnic and religious minority groups, terrifying entire communities. Online hate speech spread widely and scapegoated specific groups such as migrants. The economic fallout of the pandemic has led to a rise in inequality, stigmatisation and hatred. To turn the tide on the vicious circle of racism, discrimination and poverty, greater efforts and closer cooperation are vital.

“Like the coronavirus, racism also mutated and new variants have developped during the pandemic. All political and other actors need a deep dive into current challenges in order to build a racism-free Europe and a racism-free world; they must address novel risks urgently,” said ECRI’s Chair Maria Marouda. “Many believe that the current global health crisis provided them with a carte blanche for manifesting hostile attitudes towards specific groups and individuals on several grounds, which profoundly mirror the intersectional dimension of discrimination. This leads to greater social polarisation. We have to fight the battle by reaching out to victims of racism and racial discrimination and protecting those who are assisting them and by establishing solid legal and policy frameworks to make non-discrimination and inclusion a reality”, she continued.  

More than a year after its appearance, COVID-19 remains a serious global health and human rights challenge. It has touched all countries and, unfortunately, exacerbated the inequalities already faced by many minority and vulnerable groups, such as people of African descent, indigenous peoples, migrants, refugees and asylum-seekers. Indeed, its consequences have impacted the most vulnerable we should pay more attention to,” said Yanduan Li, Chairperson of the United Nations Committee on the Elimination of Racial Discrimination (CERD). “States should pursue their efforts to address the disparate effects of the COVID-19 pandemic on minority and vulnerable groups with regard to access to education, health care services including to vaccines, employment, housing”.  

“Even before the pandemic, persistent racism and intolerance blighted the lives of many people across Europe. Covid-19 further exposed the divisions in our societies. Not one person is defined by a single trait; gender, age, economic and social standing all combine to multiply the impact of discrimination and exclusion,” said Michael O’Flaherty, Director of the EU Agency for Fundamental Rights (FRA). “We must work together with impacted people in building societies that strive to respect everyone’s human rights in all their diversity. With targeted measures we can tackle racism in all its complexity.”

“The pandemic has had a particularly devastating impact on racial and ethnic minority communities, who have often met with prejudice and exclusion where they needed equal treatment and care,” said ODIHR Director Matteo Mecacci. “States have a responsibility to protect vulnerable minorities by adopting policies that favour inclusion and counter discrimination at all levels, starting with public institutions and the education system. By both preventing and countering acts of racial discrimination and hate crimes societies become more inclusive and resilient in times of crisis.”

Since the beginning of the pandemic, FRA has regularly published bulletins on the fundamental rights implications of Covid-19 and the groups most at risk in the European Union. Its wide range of surveys regularly underscore widespread racial discrimination and intolerance that many people continue to face. ODIHR has also published guidance on human rights challenges caused by the Covid-19 pandemic throughout the OSCE region. CERD has adopted a statement laying down States obligations under the ICERD Convention in the context of COVID-19.  At the same time, in its country monitoring reports and statements as well as in its recently published annual report, ECRI has helped countries to detect and address pandemic-related problems being experienced by groups of concern to ECRI.

The United Nations designated 21 March the International Day for the Elimination of Racial Discrimination in 1966, in memory of the 69 people killed six years earlier in Sharpeville, South Africa, during a peaceful demonstration to protest the apartheid system.

SDGs SDGs:  16 - Peace, justice and strong institutions

Summary

• In Donetsk region, the Mission recorded 44 ceasefire violations. In the previous reporting period, it recorded 30 ceasefire violations in the region.
• In Luhansk region, the SMM recorded no ceasefire violations. In the previous reporting period, it also recorded no ceasefire violations in the region.
• The Mission followed up on reports of a man who died due to small-arms fire near government-controlled Bohdanivka, Donetsk region.
• The SMM continued monitoring the disengagement areas near Stanytsia Luhanska, Zolote and Petrivske. An SMM unmanned aerial vehicle spotted a person inside the disengagement area near Zolote.
• The Mission observed weapons in violation of withdrawal lines in a government-controlled area of Donetsk region and in a non-government-controlled area of Luhansk region.
• In the past weeks, the SMM spotted extensions to existing trenches on both sides of the contact line, near and on the territory of the destroyed Donetsk international airport.
• 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 two corresponding checkpoints of the armed formations in Luhansk region.
• The Mission’s freedom of movement continued to be restricted.*

Law enforcement agencies’ responses to the COVID-19 pandemic and international best practices were the focus of an online OSCE workshop for Ministry of Internal Affairs officials, law enforcement officers and health authorities in Kazakhstan held on 18 March 2021.

The workshop was organized by the Strategic Police Matters Unit of the OSCE’s Transnational Threats Department, in co‑operation with the OSCE Office for Democratic Institutions and Human Rights and the OSCE Programme Office in Nur-Sultan, in recognition of how temporary restrictions related to the COVID-19 pandemic in many countries can affect human rights. These restrictions can, for example, limit fundamental human rights, such as freedom of movement and the right to freedom of peaceful assembly.

The workshop aimed to raise awareness among Kazakhstan’s law enforcement agencies about human rights standards and the applicability of community policing techniques within the context of COVID-19 restrictions.

Through lectures, discussions, practical exercises and scenarios, the workshop covered regulations and recommendations related to the COVID-19 pandemic and how the police encourage and enforce compliance, as well as an introduction to community policing and fundamental human rights and freedom of peaceful assembly, and law enforcement during the pandemic.

Some twenty participants learned about the importance of providing police with clear instructions on how to bolster public confidence and strictly avoid human rights violations while maintaining COVID-19 restrictions. They also learned that co-operation between the police and other sections of the community plays an important role in fostering understanding about the restrictions among residents, such as how long they will last, and possible penalties for non-compliance.

Communication and Media Relations Section

How vaccine “passports” could impact border security agencies’ operations in the OSCE area was the focus of an online roundtable discussion organized by the OSCE on 18 March 2021.

The roundtable discussion brought together more than 100 participants from OSCE’s Border Security and Management National Focal Point Network, along with relevant experts and representatives from OSCE participating States, and several international organizations, including the International Civil Aviation Organization, International Air Transport Authority, and the United Nations World Tourism Organization.

The discussion explored a number of vaccine passport initiatives in development across the OSCE region and allowed participants to exchange ideas, good practices and address challenges related to the passports, including in connection with re-opening international borders.

In her opening remarks, Alena Kupchyna, OSCE Co-ordinator of Activities to Address Transnational Threats, recognized countries’ efforts to re-open their borders and noted that the issue of vaccine “passports” is critically important to the resumption of international travel and trade. She underscored how the OSCE provides a unique and open forum to discuss such issues.

KYIV, 17 March 2021 – The Special Representative of the OSCE Chairperson-in-Office in Ukraine and in the Trilateral Contact Group (TCG), Ambassador Heidi Grau, made the following statement to the press after the regular meetings of the TCG ‎and its Working Groups held through video conferencing:

“According to the OSCE Special Monitoring Mission's assessments, the commitment to the ceasefire in the conflict zone and the additional measures to strengthen it are overall respected. The number of ceasefire violations continue to remain well below the average level in 2020, before the additional measures came into force.

However, since November 2020, there has been a gradual increase in the number of ceasefire violations that, regrettably, negatively affects the civilians in the conflict zone.

Also in the information space, there has been a recent increase in publications containing mutual accusations regarding the readiness of the sides to resolve the conflict by force. Undoubtedly, all of this has a negative impact on the activities of the TCG and its Working Groups.

I would like to stress that all participants in the conflict need to refrain from any actions or statements that could be perceived as provocative or leading to increased tensions.

All of these were subjects of discussion in the Security Working Group.

Participants of the Working Group also considered issues related to the proper functioning of the coordination mechanism for responding to ceasefire violations and the development of an updated demining plan, the adoption and implementation of which is crucial, especially in the run-up to the spring planting season.

Procedural issues prevailed in the discussions of the Political Working Group, tasked by the TCG to develop an action plan in full compliance with the Minsk agreements, which this time obstructed  substantive discussion in both the Working Group and the TCG.

The Humanitarian Working Group focused on removing obstacles to the opening and full operation of the new entry-exit crossing points (EECPs) near Zolote and Shchastia of the Luhansk region.

I would like to note that not only these two, but also all other EECPs should be opened as soon as possible in order to facilitate the crossing of the contact line by civilians.

The Working Group also considered aspects of mutual release and exchange of conflict-related detainees.

Participants in the Economic Working Group discussed water supply issues across the contact line in certain areas of Donetsk and Luhansk regions of Ukraine (CADLR).

Also, a substantial discussion on environmental issues and the provision of mobile communications by “Vodafone-Ukraine” in CADLR took place.”

YEREVAN, 16 March 2021 — OSCE Chairperson-in-Office, Swedish Minister for Foreign Affairs Ann Linde, concluded a working visit to Armenia today.

During the trip, Linde stressed the importance of making progress regarding outstanding issues in the conflict context, with respect for OSCE principles, underlining in particular the need to respect international law, including international humanitarian law and human rights. In this context, Linde underscored the need for full implementation of the trilateral 10 November ceasefire statement, including regarding detainees. She also stressed the need for confidence-building efforts and unhindered access for international actors on the ground.

“As Chairperson-in-Office, I fully support the work of the Co-Chairs of the Minsk Group and my Personal Representative in their efforts to advance peace and contribute to a comprehensive, sustainable settlement. The OSCE and the international community as a whole have an important role to play in dealing with outstanding issues and in finding ways forward,” said Linde.

During her visit, Linde met with Prime Minister Nikol Pashinyan, President Armen Sarkissian, Foreign Minister Ara Aivazian, as well as other interlocutors, including representatives from civil society. She expressed the Swedish OSCE Chairpersonship’s interest in exploring further areas for increased OSCE engagement in and with Armenia.

Talks focused on areas of existing co-operation and the OSCE’s support to Armenia in the implementation of its commitments within all three dimensions of security.

“Our Swedish OSCE Chairpersonship is emphasizing the fundamental tasks of the OSCE to defend the European Security Order, to uphold the unique OSCE concept of comprehensive security, and to focus on the resolution of conflicts – priorities which I was fortunate to be able to discuss here in Yerevan. In our work, it will be crucial that we also advance the agenda for Women, Peace and Security,” said Linde.

BAKU, 15 March 2021 — OSCE Chairperson-in-Office, Swedish Minister for Foreign Affairs Ann Linde, paid a working visit to Azerbaijan today.

Talks focused on OSCE co-operation, regional perspectives and OSCE’s support to Azerbaijan in the implementation of its commitments within all three dimensions of security, as well as issues related to the peace process and ongoing settlement discussions.

“The visit has provided me with an opportunity to discuss the priorities of the Swedish Chairpersonship of the OSCE. Our emphasis is on the fundamental tasks of the OSCE to defend the European Security Order, to uphold the unique OSCE concept of comprehensive security, and to focus on the resolution of conflicts. The OSCE has a strong mandate to contribute to conflict resolution, and I fully support the continued engagement in the Minsk process,” said Linde.

During the trip, Linde also stressed the importance of furthering progress on the Women, Peace, and Security agenda, and underlined the need to respect OSCE principles and international law, including international humanitarian law and human rights. In this context, Linde underscored the need for full implementation of the 10 November ceasefire statement, including regarding detainees. She also stressed the need for confidence-building efforts and the importance of unhindered access for international actors on the ground.

“The OSCE has spearheaded international efforts to advance peace and contribute to a comprehensive, sustainable settlement over the past years. As Chairperson-in-Office, I fully support the continued work of the Co-Chairs of the Minsk Group and my Personal Representative. The OSCE and the international community as a whole have an important role to play in dealing with outstanding issues and in finding ways forward,” said Linde.

During her visit, Linde met with President Ilham Aliyev, Deputy Prime Minister Shahin Mustafayev, Foreign Minister Jeyhun Bayramov, and other interlocutors, including representatives from civil society, and expressed the OSCE’s interest in exploring further areas for increased OSCE engagement in and with Azerbaijan.

SDGs SDGs:  16 - Peace, justice and strong institutions

Summary

• In Donetsk region, the SMM recorded 30 ceasefire violations. In the previous reporting period, it recorded 93 ceasefire violations in the region.
• In Luhansk region, the Mission recorded no ceasefire violations. In the previous reporting period, it recorded one ceasefire violation in the region.
• The Mission continued monitoring the disengagement areas near Stanytsia Luhanska, Zolote and Petrivske. An SMM mini-unmanned aerial vehicle 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. It heard one undetermined explosion, close to the Donetsk Filtration Station, near the time of the transfer of workers between Yasynuvata and the station.
• The Mission continued following up on the situation of civilians, including at three entry-exit checkpoints and three corresponding checkpoints of the armed formations in Luhansk region.
• The Mission’s freedom of movement continued to be restricted, including near non-government-controlled Spartak, Donetsk region.*

SDGs SDGs:  16 - Peace, justice and strong institutions

Summary

• In Donetsk region, the SMM recorded 93 ceasefire violations. In the previous 24 hours, it also recorded 93 ceasefire violations in the region.
• In Luhansk region, the Mission recorded one ceasefire violation. In the previous 24 hours, it recorded 30 ceasefire violations in the region.
• The SMM followed up on reports of a man who died due to blood loss and shrapnel injuries in Zolote-4/Rodina, Luhansk region and a man who was injured due to small-arms fire in Oleksandrivka, Donetsk region.
• The Mission continued monitoring the disengagement areas near Stanytsia Luhanska, Zolote and Petrivske. An SMM long-range UAV spotted people inside the latter two areas during daytime.
• The Mission facilitated and monitored adherence to localized ceasefires to enable maintenance and operation of critical civilian infrastructure.
• The Mission continued following up on the situation of civilians, including at four entry-exit checkpoints and three corresponding checkpoints of the armed formations in Donetsk and Luhansk regions.
• The Mission’s freedom of movement continued to be restricted, including at a checkpoint of the armed formations near Olenivka, Donetsk region, and at a border crossing point outside government control near Voznesenivka (formerly Chervonopartyzansk), Luhansk region.*

ASHGABAT, 16 March 2021 - Encouraging an inclusive dialogue on the role of women in maintaining peace and promoting trust was the aim of an OSCE-supported regional forum that took place today virtually.

The OSCE Centre in Ashgabat organized the event in co-operation with the Government of Turkmenistan and with the support of the OSCE Secretariat’s Gender Issues Programme and Office for Democratic Institutions and Human Rights (ODIHR).

The Forum brought together representatives of Kazakhstan, Kyrgyzstan, Tajikistan, Turkmenistan, Uzbekistan and Afghanistan and experts from academia, civil society and the private sector.

High-level speakers at the plenary session included OSCE Chairperson-in-Office and Minister for Foreign Affairs of Sweden Ann Linde; Chairperson of the Mejlis [Parliament] of Turkmenistan Gulshat Mammedova; Chairperson of the Senate of the Oliy Majlis of the Republic of Uzbekistan and Chairperson of the Women Leaders’ Dialogue of Central Asia Tanzilya Narbayeva; OSCE Secretary General Helga Schmid; Special Representative of the UN Secretary-General, Head of the UN Regional Centre for Preventive Diplomacy for Central Asia Natalia Gherman; Head of the Delegation of the Islamic Republic of Afghanistan to the OSCE Manizha Bakhtari; OSCE High Commissioner on National Minorities Kairat Abdrakhmanov; Director of the OSCE Office for Democratic Institutions and Human Rights Matteo Mecacci and OSCE Representative on Freedom of the Media Teresa Ribeiro.

In her opening speech, Ann Linde, OSCE Chairperson-in-Office stated that the Women, Peace and Security agenda and gender equality are an integral part of the OSCE’s comprehensive concept of security. She expressed hope that the event would contribute with new ideas and insights on “how we can take concrete steps towards a more equal, diverse and inclusive security sector and more inclusive peace-building in the OSCE region”.

Gulshat Mammedova, Chairperson of the Mejlis of Turkmenistan, emphasized the importance of organizing the Forum in the International Year of Peace and Trust declared by the UN at the initiative of neutral Turkmenistan. “The Forum offers an excellent platform for discussions, which will facilitate the development of unified approaches to addressing gender-related issues and will contribute to the strengthening of peace and security by ensuring gender equality,” she stated.

OSCE Secretary General, Helga Schmid stressed: “Women’s participation in peace-building and conflict prevention brings about more sustainable results. There is no shortage of examples of how the OSCE and participating States can join forces and act together to foster women’s role in peace and security. This conference today will help us identify new avenues for co-operation.”

Natalya Drozd, Head of the OSCE Centre in Ashgabat, moderator of the opening session said: “We initiated the Forum recognizing the important role of women’s involvement in achieving sustainable peace and security. It is our great hope that the Forum will promote increased and systematic implementation of the OSCE gender equality commitments across its three dimensions of comprehensive security.”

The plenary session was followed by four thematic sessions, which encouraged discussions on good practices, challenges and opportunities for women’s participation in political and public life and the security sector, as well as their involvement in the fostering of economic prosperity and protection of human rights.

The Forum resulted in an outcome document that included recommendations for national and regional levels. Some include, increasing women’s political participation at all levels, their active participation in the security sector, and engagement in conflict prevention and peacebuilding. The document also outlines mechanisms to strengthen gender equality and develop targeted programmes for fostering women’s economic empowerment as well as to implement programmes focused on the promotion of respect for human rights and tolerance.

On 2 March 2021, the government of Lithuania appointed its conciliators, the arbitrator and his alternate for a new mandate of six years, in accordance with articles 3 and 4 of the Convention on Conciliation and Arbitration within the OSCE.

Toma Birmontienė, Professor at the Institute of Public Law, the Law School of Mykolas Romeris University, and Vygantė Milašiūtė, Professor at the Faculty of Law at the University of Vilnius, were appointed as conciliators.

Ambassador Andrius Namaviċius, Director of the Law and International Treaties Department at the Ministry of Foreign Affairs of the Republic of Lithuania was designated as arbitrator and Lyra Jakuleviċienė, Professor and Dean of the Law School of Mykolas Romeris University as alternate arbitrator.

Currently, thirty-four States are party to the Convention on Conciliation and Arbitration within the OSCE that provides mechanisms for the peaceful settlement of disputes between States parties to the Convention and/or OSCE participating States.

SUMMARY

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

OPERATIONAL REMARKS

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

Update on COVID-19 measures

Activities have been impacted by COVID-19 and measures undertaken by the OM to ensure the safety and duty of care of its Mission members and compliance with measures set by the host country authorities. The Mission is continuing to keep the situation under review, in close contact with the OSCE Secretariat and the Chairpersonship. Following the host country’s recommendations, the observers are adhering to 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.

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 7,319 to 7,112 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 411 per day for both BCPs. The Donetsk BCP continued to experience much more traffic than the Gukovo BCP.

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

Persons in military-style outfits

During the reporting period, the number of persons in military-style outfits crossing the border was three, compared to 15 last week; all three persons crossed into the Russian Federation while no persons crossed into Ukraine. These individuals crossed the border on foot.

Families with a significant amount of luggage

The OTs continued to report on families, sometimes with elderly persons and/or children, crossing the border at both BCPs with a significant amount of luggage, or travelling in heavily loaded cars. During this reporting week, five families were observed crossing into the Russian Federation while four families were observed crossing into Ukraine, compared to the previous reporting period when seven families were observed crossing into the Russian Federation and 17 families were observed crossing into Ukraine.

Bus connections                                         

Regular local and long-distance bus connections continued to operate between Ukraine (mostly from/to the Luhansk region) and the Russian Federation. During the reporting period, the OTs observed a decrease in the overall number of buses crossing the border at both BCPs (294 compared to 322 observed during the previous week). There were 153 buses bound for the Russian Federation and 141 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 an increase in the overall number of trucks crossing the border at both BCPs (772 compared to 724 during the previous reporting week); 444 at the Gukovo BCP and 328 at the Donetsk BCP, 426 of these trucks crossed into the Russian Federation, and 346 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 increase in the overall number of tanker trucks crossing the border at both BCPs (39 compared to 36 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 significantly decreased from 160 to 48. Of the total number of trucks scanned, 48 trucks (100 per cent) were bound for Ukraine.

Minivans

The OM continued to observe passenger and cargo minivans[1] crossing the border in both directions at both BCPs. The OTs observed minivans predominantly with Ukrainian licence plates issued in the Luhansk region; however, the OTs also saw minivans registered in the Russian Federation. During the reporting period, the OTs observed an increase in the overall number of minivans crossing the border at both BCPs (170 compared to 130 observed during the previous week); 97 crossed into the Russian Federation and another 73 into Ukraine.

Trains

The OTs continued to pick up the sound of trains on the railway tracks located approximately 150m south-west of the Gukovo BCP. During the reporting week, the OTs heard trains on 28 occasions; the OTs assessed that 11 trains were travelling to the Russian Federation and the remaining 17 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 observed vehicles with Belarusian, Georgian, Armenian, and Lithuanian licence plates.

On 9 March at 08:40, the OT at the Donetsk BCP observed an ambulance with “LPR” plates arriving at the BCP from Ukraine. Three persons, including the driver, were observed on board. After undergoing customs control procedures, the ambulance left the BCP towards the Russian Federation.

On 9 March at 12:42, the OT at the Donetsk BCP observed an ambulance with “LPR” plates entering the BCP from the Russian Federation, with only the driver observed on board. After undergoing customs control procedures, the ambulance left the BCP for Ukraine.

On 9 March at 23:38, the OT at the Donetsk BCP observed two vehicles, one minivan and one medium sized truck, both with “LPR” plates arriving at the BCP from Ukraine. The vehicles had the sign “LPR Post” displayed on the sides (in Russian). After undergoing customs control procedures, the vehicles left the BCP into the Russian Federation at 23:59.

On 14 March at 12:41, the OT at the Donetsk BCP observed an ambulance with Russian Federation plates entering the BCP from the Russian Federation and parking behind the main building. At 13.08, the ambulance drove back to the Russian Federation. The OT was unable to notice any other details from its position.

On 16 March at 00:07, the OT at the Donetsk BCP observed two vehicles, one minivan and one medium sized truck, both with “LPR” plates arriving at the BCP from Ukraine. The vehicles had the sign “LPR Post” displayed on the sides (in Russian). After undergoing customs control procedures, the vehicles left the BCP into the Russian Federation.

For trends and figures at a glance covering the period from 9 February 2021 to 16 March 2021, please see the attachment here.

[1] Cargo minivans: light commercial vehicles with a maximum authorized mass of more than 3.5 t and not more than 7.5 t; with or without a trailer with a maximum mass of less than 750 kg (small cargo vehicles that correspond to driving licence C1).

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On 12 March, the OSCE Representative on Freedom of the Media (RFoM), Teresa Ribeiro, met with Janusz Urbańczyk, Permanent Observer of the Holy See to the OSCE, to discuss current challenges and threats to media freedom in the OSCE region.

Ribeiro and Urbańczyk exchanged views on the impact of the current pandemic on free speech and media sustainability. They also explored how the organization can be more effective when it comes to advancing key priorities of the Representative on Freedom of the Media. Ribeiro and Urbańczyk underlined that more dialogue and effective multilateralism are needed in order to uphold OSCE commitments, in particular on freedom of expression and freedom of the media.

VIENNA/STOCKHOLM, 15 March 2021 — The OSCE Chairperson-in-Office, Sweden’s Minister for Foreign Affairs Ann Linde, will visit Armenia on 16 March for meetings with high-level officials.

Linde will meet with Armenian Prime Minister Nikol Pashinyan and Foreign Minister Ara Aivazian and President Sarkissian for talks focused on the Nagorno-Karabakh conflict and the OSCE´s continued role in the conflict resolution process. Discussions will also include how to strengthen the co-operation between the OSCE and Armenia. 

Chairperson-in-Office Linde will also meet with civil society.

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

SDGs SDGs:  16 - Peace, justice and strong institutions

On the morning of 15 March, an SMM patrol consisting of two vehicles and four mission members arrived at the checkpoint of the armed formations near Olenivka (non-government-controlled, 23km south-west of Donetsk) to cross to government-controlled areas. At 11:23, while at the checkpoint, a member of the armed formations approached the patrol and asked the SMM to open the doors and trunks of both its vehicles, as well as its trailer, for a visual inspection. The patrol refused the request. At 12:22, another member of the armed formations approached the patrol and requested the same, which the Mission again refused.

During the next hours, the SMM undertook efforts to facilitate the patrol’s crossing but the vehicles were not allowed to pass. During that time, the checkpoint was open for civilian crossings.

At 14:36 the patrol left the checkpoint and returned to non-government-controlled Donetsk city.

VIENNA, 16 March 2021 – Post-COVID-19 recovery, opportunities and challenges for security and regional co-operation, was the focus of today’s OSCE Mediterranean Partnership of Co-operation Group meeting, the first under the Polish Chairmanship, chaired by Ambassador Adam Hałaciński, Permanent Representative of Poland to the OSCE.

Marcin Przydacz, Deputy Minister of Foreign Affairs of Poland, declared in his opening statement that Poland would work closely with the Mediterranean Partners, participating States and OSCE institutions, and it stood ready to build on the achievements of previous Chairs to enhance further the co-operation between the OSCE and the Mediterranean region.

“We are interested in tangible results: in projects that help to resolve problems on the ground, discussions that impact our future actions, encounters that build trust and improve our everyday co-operation,” said Przydacz.  

The OSCE Mediterranean Partnership is built on the indivisibility of security between the OSCE and Mediterranean regions – a notion that the pandemic-related challenges has made even more important and meaningful.

OSCE Secretary General Helga Maria Schmid called for full appreciation of the OSCE’s unique position as the only regional arrangement offering North American, European, and Asian countries a common platform to address strategic and security developments in the Mediterranean. “The post-COVID recovery should be synonymous with solidarity. Each of our countries will chart their individual strategies. But if we do not co-ordinate our responses, we will not defeat the virus, and we will not prevent similar crises in the future,” said Schmid.

Participants focused on solidarity, building bridges between countries on all shores, the importance of economic exchange, knowledge sharing, and human connections to mitigate the pandemic’s detrimental impact on employment and economic opportunity.

Ulrika Funered, Ambassador and Head of the Permanent Delegation of Sweden to the OSCE, Chair of the Permanent Council, said that inclusive policy approaches and suitable legislative measures are critical to safeguarding women’s economic opportunities, both during and after the COVID-19 pandemic. “In the coming years, we need to rebuild our societies and our economies for the better. If we want to grow and thrive in the post-COVID-19 world, we need a more inclusive approach that unlocks all talents, including those of women.”

Ambassador Igli Hasani, Permanent Representative of Albania to the OSCE, said: “Albania is optimistic about the future of the OSCE Mediterranean Partnership, not only based on past achievements – even during the difficulties of 2020, the Partnership proved to be resilient. The Partnership has greatly benefited in recent years from continuity in the topics of political dialogue across the three dimensions and from a steady political investment by successive Chairs.”

The OSCE Secretariat continues to support the Partnership proactively. In 2021, among other areas, the Partnership will focus on combating human trafficking, addressing transnational organized crime and environmental threats.

SDGs SDGs:  16 - Peace, justice and strong institutions

Summary

• In Donetsk region, between the evenings of 12 and 14 March, the SMM recorded 143 ceasefire violations. In the previous reporting period, it recorded 79 ceasefire violations in the region.
• In Luhansk region, between the evenings of 12 and 14 March, the Mission recorded 31 ceasefire violations. In the previous reporting period, it recorded 202 ceasefire violations in the region.
• The SMM lost spatial control of its mid-range unmanned aerial vehicle near Petrivka, Donetsk region. The SMM recovered the UAV, which suffered minor damage.
• The Mission continued monitoring the disengagement areas near Stanytsia Luhanska, Zolote and Petrivske.
• The SMM facilitated and monitored adherence to localized ceasefires to enable maintenance and operation of critical civilian infrastructure. It heard two undetermined explosions, close to the Donetsk Filtration Station (DFS), near the time of the transfer of DFS workers between Yasynuvata and the station.
• The Mission continued following up on the situation of civilians, including at four entry-exit checkpoints and three corresponding checkpoints of the armed formations in Donetsk and Luhansk regions.
• The SMM monitored the security situation in south-east Kherson region.
• The Mission’s freedom of movement continued to be restricted, including at a checkpoint of the armed formations near Diakove, Luhansk region.*

481201 Munira Shoinbekova, OSCE Programme Office in Dushanbe

The OSCE Programme Office in Dushanbe (the Office) organized a two-day roundtable discussion on the role of women in law enforcement agencies with a focus on empowering women in the police sector. The event, co-organized with Tajikistan’s Interior Ministry and the Japan International Co-operation Agency, took place on the outskirts of Dushanbe on 12 and 13 March.

Twenty women police officers and female representatives of other agencies participated in the meeting. Key speakers included Umarjoni Emomali, Deputy Head of Office of Tajikistan’s Interior Ministry and Florian Razesberger, Head of the Politico-Military Department of the OSCE Programme Office in Dushanbe.

Participants discussed the importance of setting up a group that will help women play a more prominent role in the police sector. They also considered the idea of establishing an association and its mandate.  The Office provided information and recommendations based on the experiences of women police associations already existing in other OSCE participating States.

“This roundtable discussion offered our women police officers an opportunity to exchange their views on how attracting more women in the police could improve the work of the law enforcement agency by bringing a broad range of experiences and knowledge. We hope that such meetings can be held more regularly to improve the status of women in our police force,” said Colonel Khushvakhtzoda Bibihol Gafur, Associate Professor of the Department of Defense in the 5th Faculty of the Police Academy of Tajikistan’s Ministry of Internal Affairs.

“There are numerous experiences and studies across the OSCE region demonstrating that increasing the number of women in the police sector, and their representation in senior roles, benefits the entire society,” said Florian Razesberger. Head of the Politico-Military Department of the OSCE Programme Office in Dushanbe. He added that the Office is ready to further support the Tajikistan Interior Ministry in this area.

481192 Office of the OSCE Representative on Freedom of the Media Ton van den Brandt

On 12 March, the OSCE Representative on Freedom of the Media (RFoM), Teresa Ribeiro, met with Ambassador Frédéric Labarrère to discuss media freedom in the Principality of Monaco and in the broader OSCE region.

Ribeiro and Labarrère exchanged views on the media landscape in Monaco, including on the legislation regarding freedom of the media and freedom of expression and the implementation thereof. They touched upon the challenges for media created by the pandemic and the increasing need to counter disinformation.

Ribeiro and Labarrère also spoke about threats against media freedom in the OSCE region, including authoritarian trends and the shrinking space for quality journalism. They emphasized the role of multilateral co-operation in promoting a pluralistic media landscape.