Central Europe

VIENNA, 13 December 2018 – The OSCE Representative on Freedom of the Media, Harlem Désir, today met with Olivera Zekić, a member of Serbia’s Council of the Regulatory Authority of Electronic Media (REM), to discuss issues related to REM’s operation, including external influence and the need for independence. The meeting in Vienna took place following a request from the REM Council’s Deputy President.

Désir stressed the important role that a regulator plays in implementing relevant laws and creating a pluralistic and balanced media landscape.

Désir expressed concern that, for a long time, the REM Council has been functioning with only six out of nine members, as the National Assembly of the Republic of Serbia has failed to appoint members who were proposed by civil society organizations.

“It is essential that the Regulatory Authority works at full capacity with the representation of civil society, in accordance with the Law on Electronic Media. I urge the relevant authorities to appoint the missing members without further delay,” stated Désir.

The OSCE Representative noted a large number of complaints by the media organizations regarding the work of the Regulator and that the Regulatory Authority did not continue its good practice of publishing media monitoring results for important events such as the 2016 parliamentary and the 2017 presidential elections, and of acting on all complaints.

“The OSCE is very closely involved in the process of drafting a new media strategy in Serbia as requested by the highest Serbian authorities, and I am glad that the issue of Regulatory Authority of Electronic Media played a role in this process. An independent and strong regulator is vital to creating the framework for further reform of the media sector,” said Désir.

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406598 Colin McCullough, OSCE Programme Office in Astana

An OSCE-supported three-day train-the-trainer course for law enforcement personnel on risk profiling techniques, for use when developing a security system to prevent criminal acts during large-scale events, concluded in Karaganda, Kazakhstan, on 13 December 2018.

Some 30 mid-level officers from the Karaganda Police Academy under the Interior Ministry of Kazakhstan learned about observational psychology during public gatherings. Experts focused on topics including identifying the elements of risk profiles, crowd mentality and psychological and communicational methods of influencing an aggressive crowd. The participants also engaged in exercises designed to improve information exchange within police units, thus increasing team efficiency.

The officers also familiarized themselves with different tactics to conduct negotiations with leaders of public gatherings. A number of practical exercises provided the participants with the opportunity to apply their newly-acquired skills. A handbook for police instructors was disseminated at the event.

The training, co-organized by the OSCE Programme Office in Astana and the Karaganda Police Academy under the Interior Ministry, was led by experts from the private sector in Kazakhstan. The course was specifically developed for the Police Academy instructors so that they can go on to organize similar training sessions for their peers.

The event is part of the OSCE Programme Office in Astana’s activities to enhance security, increase accountability, and promote best practices in security at large-scale events.

GENEVA, Switzerland, 13 December 2018 - The 46th round of the Geneva International Discussions (GID) took place yesterday in a business-like and respectful atmosphere.

In Working Group I, the Co-Chairs and the participants assessed the overall security situation on the ground as relatively calm and stable. All participants highlighted the importance of the Incident Prevention and Response Mechanisms (IPRMs) over the past years in addressing security-related issues. In this context, the Co-Chairs urged participants to resume the regular meetings of IPRMs, in Ergneti and Gali, without delay. Threat perceptions were addressed in detail from different angles and increased transparency was encouraged by the Co-Chairs. The participants reaffirmed their commitment to the principle of non-use of force, agreed to continue discussions on this issue in a comprehensive manner and new proposals were welcomed in this regard.

In Working Group II, the participants reviewed the overall humanitarian situation on the ground. In this context, they discussed in particular issues relating to missing persons, freedom of movement, healthcare, documentation, education, livelihoods and environmental concerns. Unfortunately, some participants walked out before the issue of IDPs/refugees could be addressed. In this regard, the Co-Chairs renew their call for participants to engage constructively on all agenda items.

An information session on the topic of “Women, peace and security” took place on the eve of this round, which was welcomed by the participants.

The Co-Chairs reiterated their commitment to working with the participants to revitalise the GID process, to make it more effective and result-oriented.

The participants agreed to hold the next round on 2-3 April 2019.

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This report is for the media and the general public.

Summary

• Compared with the previous 24 hours, the SMM recorded fewer ceasefire violations in Donetsk region and more in Luhansk region.
• Small-arms fire was directed at SMM mini-unmanned aerial vehicles near Maiorsk and in Khoroshe.*
• The Mission facilitated and monitored adherence to the ceasefire to enable repairs to water and electric infrastructure on both sides of the contact line and to damaged houses in Marinka. It continued to facilitate the operation of the Donetsk Filtration Station.
• Restrictions of the Mission’s access continued in all three disengagement areas. The SMM was also restricted at a checkpoint near Zaichenko.*

Ceasefire violations[1]

In Donetsk region, the SMM recorded fewer ceasefire violations, including about 320 explosions, compared with the previous reporting period (about 400 explosions). The majority of ceasefire violations, including about half of the explosions, were recorded in areas north and south of Yasynuvata (non-government-controlled, 16km north-east of Donetsk) and in areas south-west of Svitlodarsk (government-controlled, 57km north-east of Donetsk).

While conducting a mini-unmanned aerial vehicle (UAV) flight about 1.6km north-west of the entry-exit checkpoint in Maiorsk (government-controlled, 45km north-east of Donetsk), the SMM heard about 30 shots of small-arms fire at an assessed range of 400-500m south-west, assessed as aimed at its UAV which at the time was about 1km south of the patrol’s position. The SMM recalled the UAV, which landed safely.*

In Luhansk region, the SMM recorded more ceasefire violations, including 40 explosions, compared with the previous reporting period (one explosion). About two-thirds of the ceasefire violations, including about 20 explosions, were recorded in areas north-north-east of Donetskyi (non-government-controlled, 49km west of Luhansk) as well as south and south-east of Bobrove (government-controlled, 56km north-west of Luhansk).

While conducting a mini-UAV flight in the eastern outskirts of Khoroshe (non-government-controlled, 36km west of Luhansk), the SMM heard 11 shots of small-arms fire at an assessed range of 200-300m south, assessed as aimed at its UAV, which at the time was about 350m south of the patrol’s position. The SMM recalled the UAV, which landed safely.*

Disengagement areas[2]

Positioned about 2km north of Petrivske (non-government-controlled, 41km south of Donetsk), the SMM heard an undetermined explosion at an assessed range of 5-7km south (assessed as outside the Petrivske disengagement area).[3]

Positioned inside the disengagement areas near Stanytsia Luhanska (government-controlled, 16km north-east of Luhansk) and near Zolote (government-controlled, 60km west of Luhansk), the SMM observed a calm situation.

Withdrawal of weapons

The SMM continued to monitor the withdrawal of weapons in implementation of the Memorandum and the Package of Measures and its Addendum.

In violation of the withdrawal lines

Non-government-controlled areas

10 December

An SMM mini-UAV spotted:

• a tank (T-64), assessed as non-operational, near Khoroshe

Indications of military and military-type presence in the security zone[4]

Government-controlled areas

9 December

An SMM mid-range UAV spotted:

• an armoured reconnaissance vehicle (BRDM-2) and an anti-aircraft gun (ZU-23, 23mm) mounted atop a truck near Taramchuk (29km south-west of Donetsk).

10 December

An SMM mini-UAV spotted:

• two armoured personnel carriers (APC) (BTR-70 and MT-LB Blade) near Fedorivka (71km south of Donetsk);and
• an APC (BTR-70) and an armoured reconnaissance vehicle (BRDM-2) near Novoselivka Druha (36km north-east of Mariupol).

11 December

• An armoured reconnaissance vehicle (BRDM-2) in Zolote;
• An armoured reconnaissance vehicle (BRDM-2) near Muratove (51km north-west of Luhansk);
• An APC (BTR-60) and one APC (BTR variant) near Volnovakha (53km south of Donetsk);
• An APC (BTR-70) near Berezove (31km south-west of Donetsk);
• An APC (MT-LB) near Novoselivka (37km north-east of Mariupol);
• An APC (BTR-70) in Novoselivka Druha

Non-government-controlled areas

10 December

An SMM mini-UAV spotted:

• an APC (BTR-80) and a trench digger (TMK-2) near Khoroshe;
• two military trucks with multiple masts, each with several antenna arrays, and a generator unit as well as a trailer assessed as electronic warfare equipment near Lozivskyi (32km west of Luhansk).

Demining activities and mine hazard signs

The SMM saw 12 people wearing clothing with the logo of an international demining organization conducting demining activities in a field east of road P22, 3km north of Shyrokyi (government-controlled, 38km north-east of Luhansk).

The Mission saw at least ten mine hazard signs (red background with a skull and crossbones and “Stop, Mines” written in Cyrillic) on the northern side of road P22 in the northern outskirts of Krasna Talivka (government-controlled, 51km north-east of Luhansk). It also saw an 80m-long safe lane leading from the road into a field as well as an ambulance and one other vehicle of the abovementioned international demining organization parked nearby. About 1km north-east, the SMM saw four people wearing clothing with the logo of the same international demining organization conducting demining activities in a field on the southern side of road P22. About 500m south-east of the previous location, next to a local road, the SMM observed an area about 150m by 80m marked with wooden sticks, and further 500m south-east it saw at least ten mine hazard signs (red background with a skull and crossbones and “Stop, Mines” written in Cyrillic) as well as a vehicle with the logo of the same international demining organization. (For previous observations from this area, see SMM Daily Report 5 November 2018.)

SMM facilitation of repairs to civilian infrastructure

The SMM facilitated and monitored adherence to the ceasefire to enable repair works to the Petrivske water pumping station near Artema (government-controlled, 26km north of Luhansk), to power lines in Zolote-4/Rodina (government-controlled, 59km north-west of Luhansk) and near Semyhiria (government-controlled, 58km north-east of Donetsk), to water pipes in Zolote and to damaged houses in Marinka (government-controlled, 23km south-west of Donetsk). The Mission continued to facilitate the operation of the Donetsk Filtration Station (15km north of Donetsk).

Other observations

The SMM observed a calm situation at the crossing point in Chonhar (163km south-east of Kherson) and at a Ukrainian Border Guard Service security position in Valok (188km south-east of Kherson).

The SMM continued monitoring in Odessa, Lviv, Kharkiv, Ivano-Frankivsk, Dnipro, Chernivtsi and Kyiv.

*Restrictions of SMM’s freedom of movement or other impediments to fulfilment of its mandate

The SMM’s monitoring and freedom of movement are restricted by security hazards and threats, including risks posed by mines, unexploded ordnance (UXO) and other impediments – which vary from day to day. The SMM’s mandate provides for safe and secure access throughout Ukraine. All signatories of the Package of Measures have agreed on the need for this safe and secure access, that restriction of the SMM’s freedom of movement constitutes a violation, and on the need for rapid response to these violations. They have also agreed that the Joint Centre for Control and Co-ordination (JCCC) should contribute to such response and co-ordinate mine clearance. Nonetheless, the armed formations in parts of Donetsk and Luhansk regions frequently deny the SMM access to areas adjacent to Ukraine’s border outside control of the Government (for example, SMM Daily Report 11 December). The SMM’s operations in Donetsk and Luhansk regions remain restricted following the fatal incident of 23 April 2017 near Pryshyb; these restrictions continued to limit the Mission’s observations.

Denial of access:

• Two armed members of the armed formations again denied the SMM passage through a checkpoint north of Zaichenko (non-government-controlled, 26km north-east of Mariupol), preventing the SMM from travelling west towards Pikuzy (formerly Kominternove, non-government-controlled, 23km north-east of Mariupol) and south towards Sakhanka (non-government-controlled, 24km north-east of Mariupol), citing recent mortar shelling and small-arms fire in the area. 

Other impediments:

• While conducting a mini-UAV flight about 1.6km north-west of the entry-exit checkpoint in Maiorsk, the SMM heard about 30 shots of small-arms fire at an assessed range of 400-500m south-west, assessed as aimed at its UAV.
• While conducting a mini-UAV flight in the eastern outskirts of Khoroshe, the SMM heard 11 shots of small-arms fire at an assessed range of 200-300m south, assessed as aimed at its UAV.

Regular restrictions related to disengagement areas and mines/UXO:

• The sides continued to deny the SMM full access to the three disengagement areas, as well as the ability to travel certain roads previously identified as important for effective monitoring by the Mission and for civilians’ movement, through failure to conduct comprehensive clearance of mines and UXO.

At a checkpoint of the armed formations south of the bridge in Shchastia (government-controlled, 20km north of Luhansk), a member of the armed formations told the SMM that mines on the road leading north had not been cleared.

[1] Please see the annexed table for a complete breakdown of the ceasefire violations as well as a map of the Donetsk and Luhansk regions marked with locations featured in this report. During the reporting period, the SMM cameras in Hranitne and Krasnohorivka were not operational.

[2] Disengagement is foreseen in the Framework Decision of the Trilateral Contact Group relating to disengagement of forces and hardware of 21 September 2016.

[3] Due to the presence of mines, including a road between Bohdanivka and Petrivske, the SMM’s access to its camera in Petrivske remains limited, and thus the SMM has not been able to access observations from the camera since 22 June 2018.

[4] This hardware is not proscribed by the provisions of the Minsk agreements on the withdrawal of weapons.

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406439 Public Affairs Unit, OSCE Office for Democratic Institutions and Human Rights

Twenty-three leaders and representatives of religious communities in Cyprus came together for a training event on freedom of religion or belief in Nicosia, on 11 and 12 December 2018. The event was organized by the OSCE Office for Democratic Institutions and Human Rights (ODIHR) in co-operation with the Office of the Religious Track of the Cyprus Peace Process under the Auspices of the Embassy of Sweden (RTCYPP).

The training event, held in the Home for Cooperation in the United Nations Buffer Zone, focused on the nature and scope of the right to freedom of religion or belief as set out in international standards and OSCE commitments. The participants (13 men and 10 women) explored the interrelationship between the freedom of religion or belief and the freedom of expression, and the role of religious leaders and actors in creating and sustaining a culture of respect for everyone's freedom of religion or belief and other human rights.  

"It is very encouraging to see the commitment of these religious leaders in Cyprus to standing up for the rights of all religious and belief communities on the island," said Kishan Manocha, ODIHR Senior Adviser on Freedom of Religion or Belief.  

"Freedom of religion or belief is one of the victims of the Cyprus conflict," said Salpy Eskidjian, Executive Director of the Office of the RTCYPP.  "We cannot build lasting peace without ensuring the right of everyone to freely practice their religion or belief. We therefore warmly welcome the opportunity to work with ODIHR to provide training on this very important human right to the leaders and members of the religious communities in Cyprus."

The RTCYPP is a peace-building initiative, formally launched in 2011, involving leaders of the religious communities in Cyprus in efforts to advance freedom of religion or belief for all and foster dialogue and reconciliation throughout the island. In recent years, participants in this collaborative endeavour have gone forward with a number of practical actions which have served to develop trust and understanding between religious leaders and communities, ensure the protection of religious monuments and advocate for the right to access and worship.

VIENNA, 12 December 2018 – The OSCE Representative on Freedom of the Media, Harlem Désir, today condemned an attack on a journalist’s house in Vrčin, Serbia.

Last night, the house of Milan Jovanović, a correspondent of the news portal Žig info, was completely burned down together with all his furniture and his car. Jovanović, who sustained minor injuries, was immediately hospitalized.

“I strongly condemn this terrible act, and urge the law enforcement agencies to swiftly investigate it,” said Désir, “It is important that Jovanović and his family are protected and that the investigation will swiftly and thoroughly uncover the real motives behind this attack.”

The Representative recalled that this is not an isolated incident involving journalists from Žig info. In October, Željko Matorčević, the editor-in-chief of the news portal, was the victim of a physical attack.

Désir stressed the important role of the Permanent Working Group for Safety of Journalists in Serbia, in following up on these cases.

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KYIV, 12 December 2018 – The Special Representative of the OSCE Chairperson-in-Office in Ukraine and to the Trilateral Contact Group Аmbassador Martin Sajdik made the following statement regarding the transfer of detainees not related to the conflict from CALR to the territory controlled by the government of Ukraine:

“I sincerely welcome today’s transfer of detainees not related to the conflict from certain areas of Luhansk region (CALR) to the territory controlled by the government of Ukraine.

It is the first transfer from CALR of persons convicted before the beginning of the conflict in 2014. They will serve their sentence in penitentiary institutions on the territory controlled by the government of Ukraine.

I express my deep appreciation and gratitude to the parties for their constructive efforts that had allowed this long-awaited step.”

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406514 Marina Živaljević

Guidelines on general principles regarding non-punishment provisions for victims of trafficking in human beings (THB) were presented to Montenegrin police officers, state prosecutors and judges on 12 December 2018 in Podgorica.

The guidelines, developed by the National Co-ordinator’s Office within the Interior Ministry in co-operation with the OSCE Mission to Montenegro, are designed to assist the authorities to ensure that the human rights of trafficked victims are fully respected.

The Head of the OSCE Mission to Montenegro, Maryse Daviet, said that trafficking in human beings continues to be a major concern for the OSCE participating States and national and international organizations.

“Today’s challenges are global in nature and can only be managed together,” said Daviet.  “This issue is currently treated as both a human rights issue and as a major security threat impacting organized crime across borders.”

Daviet assessed that Montenegro has taken constructive and important steps forward in establishing strategic measures in the fight against THB.

Zoran Ulama, National Co-ordinator and Head of the THB National Co-ordinator's Office within the Interior Ministry, said: “We have proven, not only through our strategic documents, but also through our activities that we are ready to lend a hand to all positive forces aimed at preventing trafficking in human beings,” said Ulama.

Ulama said that Montenegro has the capacity to truly fight THB challenges: “We must ensure the dignity of victims is respected and give them all the necessary help and protection; we must also ensure that perpetrators are brought to justice and severely punished,”  he said.

The OSCE Mission to Montenegro has been assisting the National Co-ordinator’s Office to implement the 2012 - 2018 National Strategy and current Action Plan to fight trafficking in human beings. The Mission has also assisted with the development of the new 2019-2024 strategy regarding Trafficking in Human Beings strategy, which the government plans to adopt soon.

406271 Communication and Media Relations Section

The contribution of young women and men to all three dimensions of the OSCE’s peace and security agenda – politico-military, economic and environmental and human– was the topic of an interactive side event on 7 December 2018 during the 25th OSCE Ministerial Council in Milan, organized by the OSCE Chairperson-in-Office (CiO)’s Special Representatives on Youth and Security together with Spain. Later that day the Ministerial Council adopted Declaration MC.DD/17/18 on the Role of Youth in Contributing to Peace and Security Efforts.

Opening the side event, Italian Deputy Minister of Foreign Affairs Guglielmo Picchi emphasized that the Italian OSCE Chairmanship had worked consciously to mainstream youth in all of its activities in the course of the year, an approach which had proven to be more effective than holding a few single youth-focused events. Two Chairmanship-supported initiatives highlighted by Picchi were the OSCE GEMS Award for innovative green and social enterprises in the OSCE’s Mediterranean partner countries, and the YDEAS scholarship for young entrepreneurs from the Western Balkans.

Winners of the two awards engaged in the side event’s interactive debates. Together with young participants of OSCE youth networks and activities, Youth Focal Points from across the OSCE’s executive structures, experts, delegates and high-level governmental representatives, they discussed and formulated recommendations for further action to make the voice of young people heard in the OSCE.

The CiO’s Special Representatives on Youth and Security, Anna-Katharina Deininger, Matteo Pugliese, Riccardo Pozzi and Samuel Goda, agreed that young women and men can play a decisive role in contributing to a culture of peace, dialogue, justice and peaceful coexistence, trust and reconciliation. This potential must be tapped in order to reach comprehensive security, they said.

Josep Borrell Fontelles, Minister of Foreign Affairs of Spain, recalled the recommendations stemming from the 2017 OSCE Youth Forum in Malaga: “Young women and men should take a leading role in politics and in the public debate to shape society.”

OSCE Secretary General Thomas Greminger said: “Further integrating youth perspectives in all three dimensions of security is one of the priorities to make the OSCE fit for purpose. Although many steps have been taken in the right direction this year, increased political support is essential to ensure progress in engaging youth in our work.”

Closing the event, Lukáš Parízek, State Secretary of the Ministry of Foreign Affairs of Slovakia, outlined the approach which the incoming Slovak Chairmanship intends to follow in 2019: “We see youth as an important partner, not only for the future, but also in the present. Together with the OSCE executive structures, we will support activities to promote the participation of young people in security debates.”

The Declaration on the Role of Youth in Contributing to Peace and Security Efforts adopted by the 57 participating States in Milan sets out steps to guide the OSCE’s efforts to integrate youth into its agenda. It acknowledges that youth are an important part of society and the role that they can play in supporting participating States in the implementation of commitments in all three dimensions. It also takes note of the two United Nations Security Council Resolutions on youth, peace and security, Resolution 2250 (2015) and Resolution 2419 (2018). The Declaration follows 50 ministerial-level decisions and declarations referring to youth and education adopted since the contribution of youth was first recognized in the Helsinki Final Act of 1975.

More information;

www.osce.org/youth

Re-watch the side event: www.facebook.com/OSCEyouthSR

406484 Public Affairs Unit, OSCE Office for Democratic Institutions and Human Rights

Customized teaching materials to address anti-Semitism were presented at a train-the-trainer workshop organized by the OSCE Office for Democratic Institutions and Human Rights (ODIHR) and the Serbian Ministry of Education, Science and Technological Development in Belgrade on 11 and 12 December 2018.

The customized materials were developed by a working group of Serbian education experts led by the Ministry of Education, based on materials prepared by ODIHR and the Anne Frank House. The workshop marks the first step in the full rollout of the teaching materials across Serbia.

“We hope that more participating States will use ODIHR's tools to systematically address anti-Semitism through education,” said Anna Zielinska, ODIHR’s Adviser on Combating Anti-Semitism. “Through our partnership with the Anne Frank House and the Ministry of Education, we are hopeful that the product launched today will eventually reach every school in Serbia.”   

Marija Kuzmanović, Assistant Minister, said: “This publication will provide our teachers with guidance on the best methods to integrate important messages of tolerance into the teaching plans of schools throughout Serbia.”

The teaching materials cover different aspects of anti-Semitism, including the national context, a broader European history of anti-Semitism and its contemporary manifestations. The materials address anti-Semitism in the context of issues such as prejudice, racism, xenophobia and other forms of intolerance.

The teaching materials are already in use in Austria, Croatia, Denmark, Finland, Germany, Hungary, Latvia, Lithuania, the Netherlands, Poland, Slovakia, Sweden and Ukraine.

406412 Colin McCullough, OSCE Programme Office in Astana

A seminar on working with convicted violent extremists, including returning foreign terrorist fighters and their families, organized by the OSCE Programme Office in Astana, was held on 4 and 5 December 2018 in Astana.

The two-day workshop was organized for 20 officials from the National Security Committee, the Ministry of Internal Affairs, the Law Enforcement Academy under the Prosecutor General’s Office, the Ministry of Social Development and civil society representatives.

Experts from the United Kingdom presented case studies and examples of methods that have been successful in rehabilitation programmes for foreign terrorist fighters and their families. Special attention was paid to ways of working with civil society and programmes to engage the wives and children of returning terrorist fighters.

The event is part of the OSCE Programme Office’s long-term support of projects to counter violent extremism and radicalization that leads to terrorism.

406460 Colin McCullough, OSCE Programme Office in Astana

Human rights and contemporary challenges to national security were the focus of the OSCE-supported Youth Legal Forum dedicated to the 70th Anniversary of Universal Declaration of Human Rights that concluded on 12 December 2018 in Astana.

The Forum was organized by the OSCE Programme Office in Astana in co-operation with the M. Narikbayev KAZGUU University, with support from the Soros Foundation-Kazakhstan.

Some 50 students of law faculties from Azerbaijan, Belarus, Georgia, Kazakhstan, Kyrgyzstan, Moldova and Ukraine, as well as international and national legal experts, took part in the three-day event. They discussed a wide range of issues related to the protection of civil, political, social and economic rights, including the right of political participation, ensuring freedom of religion and/or belief, prevention of radicalization and intolerance, crimes of aggression in the context of international human rights law as well as human rights approaches in countering corruption.

The event also included a competition among the law students, in which they presented their own arguments regarding the measures that need to be taken in order to adequately protect human rights in the context of global threats and challenges.

This is the 12th year that the Programme Office has supported the Youth Legal Forum as part of its long-standing efforts to promote human rights education and awareness-raising among youth.

406403 Kunduz Rysbek

The OSCE Programme Office in Bishkek organized a series of lectures aimed at raising awareness about the consequences and criminal liability of bride kidnapping within the worldwide campaign 16 Days of Activism Against Gender-based Violence. 

The lectures started on 25 November, the International Day for the Elimination of Violence against Women, and concluded on 10 December, the International Human Rights Day.

Over a thousand young boys and girls from universities across the country participated in these lectures, which helped them deepen their understanding of the impact bride kidnapping has on the lives of victims and raised their awareness about punishment for this crime. The lectures were conducted by gender experts in five cities of Karakol, Naryn, Osh, Djalal-Abad and Talas.

“After listening to your lecture on ala kachuu [bride kidnapping] I think that it is the men that should get together and decide not to kidnap women for marriage anymore,” said Bakyt, a 19-year-old male student from the northern city of Karakol adding.

The Programme Office in Bishkek’s participation in the 16 Days of Activism also included distribution of information on gender-based violence in schools, health centres, post offices, markets, shops, beauty salons, throughout Kyrgyzstan, particularly in rural areas.

406361 Czech and ODIHR officials participate in the seminar (left to right): Jakub Machačka, Head of Secretariat of the Government Council for Human Rights, Martina Štěpánková, Government Agent for Human Rights, Christie Edwards, Deputy Head of the ODIHR Tolerance and Non-Discrimination Department, Igor Stříž, Deputy Prosecutor General, and Anna Šabatová, Public Defender of Rights. Prague, 11 December 2018. Public Affairs Unit, OSCE Office for Democratic Institutions and Human Rights

Raising awareness about the specific nature of hate crime in the Czech Republic was the purpose of a seminar organized by the OSCE Office for Democratic Institutions and Human Rights (ODIHR) and the Czech Republic’s Government Agent for Human Rights in Prague on 11 December 2018.

The participants – over 40 experts from various state authorities and civil society organizations (22 men and 21 women) – discussed methods for countering hate crime in a comprehensive way.

Experts from the Office of the Prosecutor General, the Police, the General Inspection of Security Forces, the Ministry of Interior and the Ministry of Justice participated.

“States recognize that hate crimes pose a significant problem for our societies and have committed to addressing them by improving data collection, investigation and prosecution of these crimes and by supporting victims,” said Christie Edwards, Deputy Head of ODIHR’s Tolerance and Non-Discrimination Department. “Today is an opportunity for ODIHR to engage in constructive dialogue with the Czech Republic and identify areas in which we can provide assistance and develop further co-operation.”

Igor Stříž, the Czech Republic's First Deputy Prosecutor General, said: “We are fully aware of both the impact of hate crimes and the importance of building the capacities of prosecutors in this field. Such criminal offences motivated by bias interfere with the very substance of the victim’s dignity. They must be prosecuted effectively and in line with the international obligations of the Czech Republic. Full knowledge of the issue is the first step to meet this goal.”

ODIHR's Prosecutors and Hate Crime Training (PAHCT) and Training Against Hate Crimes for Law Enforcement (TAHCLE) programmes, as well as good practices for inter-agency co-operation and hate crime recording were discussed. Participants also identified ways to strengthen support to victims of hate crimes and co-operation between state authorities and civil society.

This report is for the media and the general public.

Summary

• Compared with the previous 24 hours, the SMM recorded more ceasefire violations in Donetsk region and fewer in Luhansk region.
• The Mission recorded ceasefire violations inside the Zolote disengagement area.
• SMM unmanned aerial vehicles spotted destroyed houses in the south-eastern part of Pivdenne in Donetsk region and fresh craters in residential areas of Zolote-4/Rodina and Zolote-5/Mykhailivka, in Luhansk region
• The SMM saw a weapon in violation of withdrawal lines in Oleksandro-Kalynove.
• The Mission facilitated and monitored adherence to the ceasefire to enable repairs to water and electric infrastructure on both sides of the contact line and to damaged houses in Marinka. It continued to facilitate the operation of the Donetsk Filtration Station.
• Restrictions of the Mission’s access continued in all three disengagement areas. The SMM was also restricted near Siedove and Dovzhanske – close to the border with the Russian Federation – and near Popasne.*

Ceasefire violations[1]

In Donetsk region, the SMM recorded more ceasefire violations, including about 400 explosions, compared with the previous 24 hours (about 250 explosions). The majority of ceasefire violations were recorded in areas south-east and south-west of Svitlodarsk (government-controlled, 57km north-east of Donetsk), including about 300 explosions, in the Avdiivka-Yasynuvata-Donetsk airport area and in areas east and south-east of Pyshchevyk (government-controlled, 25km north-east of Mariupol).

In Luhansk region, the SMM recorded fewer ceasefire violations, including one explosion, compared with the previous 24 hours (about 470 explosions).

Disengagement areas[2]

On the afternoon of 10 December, the SMM camera in Zolote (government-controlled, 60km west of Luhansk) recorded two projectiles in flight at an assessed range of 2-4km south-east, assessed as inside the disengagement area.

Positioned inside the disengagement area near Stanytsia Luhanska (government-controlled, 16km north-east of Luhansk) and close to the disengagement area near Petrivske (non-government-controlled, 41km south of Donetsk), the SMM observed a calm situation.[3]

Destroyed houses in Pivdenne

On 9 December, an SMM long-range unmanned aerial vehicle (UAV) spotted at least eight destroyed houses (no roofs, only outer walls remaining) located on a 150m stretch of a street in the Chyhari area of Pivdenne (formerly Leninske, government-controlled, 40km north-east of Donetsk). The UAV also spotted 12 houses on the southern end of the above-mentioned street and two houses about 250m east destroyed in a similar fashion. The SMM assessed the damage as caused by artillery rounds, however it could not assess the direction of fire. All of the above-mentioned damage was not seen in imagery from 28 April 2018. (For previous observations, see SMM Daily Report 16 August 2018.)

Fresh impact craters

On 9 December, an SMM mid-range UAV spotted seven new craters in the ground and two holes in the roofs of two houses, all assessed as caused by 82mm mortar rounds (the SMM could not assess the direction of fire), on the eastern edge of Zolote-4/Rodina (government-controlled, 59km west of Luhansk). In a field on the north-western edge of Zolote-5/Mykhailivka (non-government-controlled, 58km west of Luhansk), the UAV spotted six new craters assessed as caused by 120mm mortar rounds (the Mission could not assess the direction of fire) and a crater assessed as caused by a 122mm artillery round fired from a northerly direction. In a field south of the Vilnyi neighbourhood of Zolote-4/Rodina, the same UAV spotted 14 new craters assessed as caused by 82mm and 120mm mortar rounds (the SMM could not assess the direction of fire). All of the above-mentioned damage was not seen in imagery from 23 November 2018.

Withdrawal of weapons

The SMM continued to monitor the withdrawal of weapons in implementation of the Memorandum and the Package of Measures and its Addendum.

In violation of the withdrawal lines

Government-controlled areas

9 December

An SMM long-range UAV spotted:

• an anti-tank gun (MT-12 Rapira, 100mm) in Oleksandro-Kalynove (47km north of Donetsk).

Beyond the withdrawal lines but outside designated storage sites

Government-controlled areas

10 December

• Three surface-to-air-missile systems (9K33 Osa) in the yard of a non-functional school in Pobieda (55km north of Luhansk)

Permanent storages sites beyond the respective withdrawal lines in non-government-controlled areas of Donetsk region

10 December

• 23 tanks (nine T-64 and 14 T-72), nine mortars (2B14 Podnos, 82mm) and 15 anti-tank guns (MT-12) remained missing. Two tanks (T-72) were missing for the first time.

Weapons that the SMM was unable to verify as withdrawn[4]

Weapons storage sites beyond the respective withdrawal lines in non-government-controlled areas of Donetsk region

10 December

• Seven towed howitzers (2A65 Msta-B, 152mm) and nine self-propelled howitzers (2S1 Gvozdika, 122mm) were missing, including five self-propelled howitzers (2S1) missing for the first time.

Indications of military and military-type presence in the security zone[5]

Government-controlled areas

9 December

An SMM mid-range UAV spotted:

• an armoured reconnaissance vehicle (BRDM-2) near Orikhove (57km north-west of Luhansk).

10 December

• An armoured personnel carrier (APC) (BTR variant) and two armoured combat vehicles in Malynove (19km north-east of Luhansk)
• An armoured reconnaissance vehicle (BRDM-2) in Zolote
• An infantry fighting vehicle (IFV) (BMP-1) near Zolote
• An IFV (BMP-1) near Heorhiievka (27km south-west of Donetsk)
• Three IFVs (BMP-2) in Svitlodarsk
• Four APCs (MT-LB) in Klynove (68km north-east of Donetsk)

Non-government-controlled areas

9 December

An SMM mini-UAV spotted:

• 17 IFVs (BMP-1) near Kruhlyk (65km south-west of Luhansk)

10 December

• An APC (BTR-80) in Starolaspa (51km south of Donetsk)

SMM facilitation of repairs to civilian infrastructure

The SMM facilitated and monitored adherence to the ceasefire to enable repair works to the Petrivske water pumping station near Artema (government-controlled, 26km north of Luhansk), to water pipelines near Popasna (government-controlled, 69km west of Luhansk), to power lines in Zolote-4/Rodina, as well as to damaged houses in Marinka (government-controlled, 23km south-west of Donetsk). The Mission continued to facilitate the operation of the Donetsk Filtration Station (15km north of Donetsk).

In Luhansk region, the Mission facilitated and monitored a transfer of funds from non-government to government-controlled areas across the bridge in Shchastia (government-controlled, 20km north of Luhansk), reportedly in relation to a water payment.

Mine hazard signs

The SMM saw for the first time at least eight mine hazard signs (red background with a skull and crossbones and “Stop Mine” written in Russian and “Danger Mine” written in English) along the western side of a road in the southern outskirts of Hirske (government-controlled, 63km west of Luhansk). The Mission also saw a white-and-red vehicle parked on the side of the road and eight representatives of the State Emergency Services areas next to it.

The SMM saw for the first time at least ten mine hazard signs (red background with a skull and crossbones and “Stop Mines” written in Cyrillic) on the southern edge of Malynove.

Border areas not under government control

At a border crossing point near Dovzhanske (84km south-east of Luhansk), the SMM saw seven cars (four with Ukrainian and two with Russian Federation licence plates and one with “DPR” plates), three buses and four covered cargo trucks (all with Ukrainian licence plates) exiting Ukraine. After about 50 minutes, a member of the armed formations told the SMM to leave the area.*

While at a border crossing point near Uspenka (73km south-east of Donetsk) for about 30 minutes, the SMM saw nine cars (five with Ukrainian and two with Russian Federation license plates, and two with “DPR” plates), a bus with Russian Federation licence plates and ten passengers on board and a covered cargo truck with Ukrainian licence plates exiting Ukraine.

While at a border crossing point near Novoazovsk (40km east of Mariupol) for about ten minutes, the SMM saw two cars and a covered cargo truck entering Ukraine and three cars exiting Ukraine.

The SMM continued monitoring in Kherson, Odessa, Lviv, Kharkiv, Ivano-Frankivsk, Dnipro, Chernivtsi and Kyiv.

*Restrictions of SMM’s freedom of movement or other impediments to fulfilment of its mandate

The SMM’s monitoring and freedom of movement are restricted by security hazards and threats, including risks posed by mines, unexploded ordnance (UXO) and other impediments – which vary from day to day. The SMM’s mandate provides for safe and secure access throughout Ukraine. All signatories of the Package of Measures have agreed on the need for this safe and secure access, that restriction of the SMM’s freedom of movement constitutes a violation, and on the need for rapid response to these violations. They have also agreed that the Joint Centre for Control and Co-ordination (JCCC) should contribute to such response and co-ordinate mine clearance. Nonetheless, the armed formations in parts of Donetsk and Luhansk regions frequently deny the SMM access to areas adjacent to Ukraine’s border outside control of the Government (for example, see below). The SMM’s operations in Donetsk and Luhansk regions remain restricted following the fatal incident of 23 April 2017 near Pryshyb; these restrictions continued to limit the Mission’s observations.

Denial of access:

• At a checkpoint near Popasne (government-controlled, 60km north-west of Luhansk), Ukrainian Armed Forces personnel denied the SMM access to the settlement.
• At a border crossing point near Dovzhanske, a member of the armed formations told the SMM to leave the area.
• At a checkpoint near Siedove (non-government-controlled, 33km north-east of Mariupol), near the border with the Russian Federation, two armed members of the armed formations again denied the SMM passage, citing “a special operation in the area.”

Regular restrictions related to disengagement areas and mines/UXO:

The sides continued to deny the SMM full access to the three disengagement areas, as well as the ability to travel certain roads previously identified as important for effective monitoring by the Mission and for civilians’ movement, through failure to conduct comprehensive clearance of mines and UXO.

[1] Please see the annexed table for a complete breakdown of the ceasefire violations as well as a map of the Donetsk and Luhansk regions marked with locations featured in this report. During the reporting period, the SMM cameras in Hranitne and Krasnohorivka were not operational.

[2] Disengagement is foreseen in the Framework Decision of the Trilateral Contact Group relating to disengagement of forces and hardware of 21 September 2016.

[3] Due to the presence of mines, including a road between Bohdanivka and Petrivske, the SMM’s access to its camera in Petrivske remains limited, and thus the SMM has not been able to access observations from the camera since 22 June 2018.

[4] The SMM visited areas previously holding weapons that could not be verified as withdrawn, as their storage did not comply with the criteria set out in the 16 October 2015 notification from the SMM to the signatories of the Package of Measures on effective monitoring and verification of the withdrawal of heavy weapons. The SMM noted that one such site continued to be abandoned.

[5] This hardware is not proscribed by the provisions of the Minsk agreements on the withdrawal of weapons.

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This report is for the media and the general public.

SUMMARY

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

OPERATIONAL REMARKS

The OM is currently operating with 21 permanent international staff members, including the Chief Observer (CO). The Mission is supported administratively by a Vienna-based staff member.

OBSERVATIONS AT THE BORDER CROSSING POINTS

Persons crossing the border                                                                                                                                                                                        

The profile of the people 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 people and/or children) travelling on foot or by car with a significant amount of luggage.

The average number of entries/exits increased from 8,264 to 8,583 per day at both BCPs compared to last week[1].

During the reporting period, the majority of border crossings were to the Russian Federation, with an average net flow of 47 for both BCPs.

The Donetsk BCP continued to experience more traffic than the Gukovo BCP.

Persons in military-style outfits

During the reporting period, the number of persons in military-style outfits noted crossing the border in both directions at both BCPs was 26 this week (compared to 29 last week); 14 of them crossed into the Russian Federation, and 12 into Ukraine (54 per cent of this category’s crossings occurred at the Donetsk BCP). They continued to cross the border individually or in groups. Most individuals crossed on foot, however, some made use of private vehicles, buses or minivans, making it more difficult for the observer teams (OTs) to observe their movement across the border, especially since some of the private vehicles have tinted windows, and buses and minivans have drawn curtains.

Families with a significant amount of luggage

The OTs continued to report on families crossing the border, sometimes with elderly people and/or children, 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 and four were observed crossing into Ukraine, compared to the previous reporting period when one family was observed crossing into Russian Federation and eleven 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. In addition to regular bus connections, the OTs continued to observe bus connections on irregular routes. Often the buses do not state their route; instead they have a sign on the windshield stating “irregular”.

During the reporting period, the OTs observed an increase in the overall number of buses crossing the border at both BCPs (365 compared to 332 observed during the previous week). There were 186 buses bound for the Russian Federation and 179 bound for Ukraine.

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

On some occasions, the OTs noticed the bus drivers removing the itinerary signs from the windshields of their buses, while some buses do not display their route at all. The majority of long-distance buses commuting between the Luhansk region and cities in the Russian Federation have Ukrainian licence plates issued in the Luhansk region.

Trucks

During the reporting period, the OM observed a decrease in the overall number of trucks crossing the border in both directions and at both BCPs. Compared to the previous week, the total number of trucks went from 748 to 713 (246 at the Gukovo BCP and 467 at the Donetsk BCP); 393 of these trucks crossed into the Russian Federation and 320 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 the Russian Federation, Lithuania and in Belarus.

Among them, the OTs also continued to observe tanker trucks crossing the border in both directions. During the reporting week, the number of tanker trucks increased to 62 (compared to 46 during the previous reporting period). 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 undergo systematic inspection by Russian Federation officials, which may include an X-ray check. Due to the unfavourable observation position at the Gukovo BCP, the OTs continued to be unable to observe any X-ray checks.

Compared to the previous week, the total number of X-ray checks at the Donetsk BCP increased from 157 to 189: of the total number of trucks scanned, 108 trucks (57 per cent) were bound for Ukraine; the remaining 81 trucks (43 per cent) crossed into the Russian Federation.

Minivans

The OM continued to observe passenger and cargo minivans[2] crossing the border in both directions at both BCPs. The OTs observed minivans predominantly with Ukrainian licence plates issued in the Luhansk region; however, the OTs also frequently saw minivans registered in the Russian Federation. Compared to the previous week, the number of cargo minivans increased from 131 to 173 vehicles; 96 crossed into the Russian Federation and another 77 into Ukraine.

Trains

The OTs continued to pick up the sound of trains running on the railway tracks located approximately 150 metres south-west of the Gukovo BCP. During the reporting week, the OTs heard trains on 19 occasions, compared to 17 last week; the OTs assessed that ten trains were travelling to the Russian Federation and nine to Ukraine. The OSCE Special Monitoring Mission (SMM) to Ukraine was regularly informed about the trains bound for Ukraine.

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, as were vehicles with “DPR” plates. The OM also noticed vehicles with Belarusian and Lithuanian licence plates.

During the reporting period, the OT noted one ambulance with a licence plate issued in the Russian Federation that arrived at the Donetsk BCP on 8 December at 13:55. The vehicle drove behind the main building and was not visible from the OT’s position. At 14:16 the same day, the vehicle returned to the Russian Federation.

For trends and figures at a glance covering the period from 6 November to 11 December 2018, please see the attachment here.

[1] Based on data received from the Regional Representation of the Ministry of Foreign Affairs of the Russian Federation

[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 which correspond to driving licence C1).

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406295 Public Affairs Unit, OSCE Office for Democratic Institutions and Human Rights Third Status Report: Implementation of the Action Plan on Improving the Situation of Roma and Sinti within the OSCE Area For Roma, with Roma: Enhancing Participation in Public and Political Life

OSCE participating States should act more decisively to enhance the participation of Roma and Sinti in public and political life, participants said at an event in Vienna on 11 December 2018. The event was organized to present a report by the OSCE Office for Democratic Institutions and Human Rights (ODIHR) assessing the status of implementation of the Action Plan on Improving the Situation of Roma and Sinti within the OSCE Area.

ODIHR presented its 2018 Status Report For Roma, with Roma, the third since the Action Plan’s adoption in 2003, to representatives of OSCE participating States and Roma civil society. The discussion that followed focused on the progress made by participating States in implementing commitments in the area of public and political participation of Roma and Sinti, and on the remaining challenges.

The meeting was organized by ODIHR in co-operation with the OSCE’s Italian Chairmanship.

Introducing the report’s main findings and recommendations, Dan Pavel Doghi, Chief of ODIHR Contact Point for Roma and Sinti Issues, noted with concern that “Roma and Sinti continue to be significantly under-represented in public and political life in the OSCE area”. He strongly urged participating States to “scale up efforts and pro-actively promote effective participation of Roma and Sinti as voters and candidates in elections, as well as in all policy and decision-making processes affecting them.”

Speaking on behalf of the Chairmanship, Ambassador Luca Fratini highlighted the essential role of public and political participation as a prerequisite for improving the situation of Roma and Sinti.

“Today’s event gives us all, participating States and civil society, the opportunity to reflect on progress so far, remaining challenges and most importantly, areas for follow-up to enhance the public and political participation of Roma and Sinti,” Fratini said. “Despite some progress reported, 15 years after the adoption of the OSCE Action Plan, we need to intensify efforts to ensure equal access and opportunities for the participation of Roma and Sinti and work towards their full social inclusion.”    

Describing ways to achieve meaningful participation, Carmen Gheorghe, President of the E-Romnja association promoting Roma women’s rights, said: “Broad-based inclusive politics has to be promoted in all societies to address under-representation and exclusion. Politicians must publicly condemn all manifestations of racism, discrimination and violence against Roma and Sinti, and they should also include more Roma and Sinti, both men and women, as party members and candidates.”

406163 Marina Živaljević

Strong democracy and good governance are necessary prerequisites to ensure adequate protection of human rights, affirmed participants in an OSCE-supported conference held on the occasion of International Human Rights Day on 10 December in Podgorica.

Courts along with other national institutions play a crucial role in protecting human rights together with civil society organizations and other national and international stakeholders, they concluded.

Head of the OSCE Mission to Montenegro Maryse Daviet said that human rights and democracy are inseparable, as human rights are an essential element of every democracy.

“The OSCE Mission remains committed to strengthening the Montenegrin democratic institutions and giving support to create better conditions for human rights,” said Daviet, adding that 10 December also marked the end of the “16 Days of Activism Against Gender-Based Violence” campaign in which the OSCE was actively engaged.

Deputy Prime Minister and Minister of Justice Zoran Pažin, Protector of Human Rights and Freedoms Šućko Baković, Head of the EU Delegation to Montenegro Aivo Orav, and Acting Co-ordinator of the UN System in Montenegro and Permanent Representative of UNHCR Roberta Montevecchi, also participated in the opening panel.

The OSCE Mission also took a part in a charity basketball tournament, competing with 13 teams. The tournament winner donated EUR 637 in prize money to the Sports Equestrian Club Budućnost for hypo-rehabilitation treatment for children with disabilities.

406100 Colin McCullough, OSCE Programme Office in Astana

An OSCE-supported seminar on assessing and managing the risks of violent extremist prisoners, including the rehabilitation of returning Foreign Terrorist Fighters, concluded on 7 December 2018 in Astana.

The two-day workshop was organized by the OSCE Programme Office in Astana together with the joint United Nations System and European Union programme on the prevention of violent extremism in prisons.

Some 70 participants gathered to discuss methods and practices applied in penitentiary systems in the treatment of prisoners convicted of violent extremist crimes. Officials from the Ministry of Internal Affairs Prison Committee and National Security Committee as well as representatives of academia and civil society exchanged ideas with experts from Austria, Kazakhstan, Kyrgyzstan, the United States and United Kingdom.  

Presentations included case studies and examples of methods that had been successful in rehabilitation programmes for those convicted of violent extremist crimes. Special attention was paid to ways of working with civil society, management of prison staff, risk assessment and management of violent extremist prisoners, managing prison-based disengagement interventions and prison-based disengagement interventions.

The event was part of the OSCE Programme Office in Astana’s long-term support of projects to counter violent extremism and radicalization that lead to terrorism.

The joint UN and EU programme which co-organized the event is implemented by the United Nations Office on Drugs and Crime, the United Nations Office of Counter-Terrorism (UNCCT) and the United Nations Security Council Counter-Terrorism Committee Executive Directorate (CTED). It is co-funded by the European Union, the Ministry of Foreign Affairs of the Kingdom of the Netherlands and the UNCCT.

406088 Andrii Dziubenko

Ukraine’s Mine Action Law was adopted by the parliament on 6 December 2018, after consultations with the Project Co-ordinator, who provided advice on the content. It establishes a framework for humanitarian demining, divides responsibilities among state institutions, and envisages the creation of a mine action centre.

Since 2015, the Project Co-ordinator has focused its efforts on providing access to international best practices and experiences in regulating response to mines and unexploded ordnances (UXO) contamination to officials and Members of Parliament. 

“The legislation  is an impetus for strengthening co-ordinated efforts from all actors, governmental and non-governmental, to minimize the risks for people living in mine-affected communities in the eastern part of the country,” said Jeffrey Erlich, Senior Project Officer of the OSCE Project Co-ordinator in Ukraine. “The law should also make Ukraine more eligible for international assistance by creating a civilian-led mine action system that will enable transparency, accountability and better priority settings.”

The law also refers to National Mine Action Standards, finalized this year and to be published by standardization authorities. The Standards document is an outcome of a multi-year dialogue facilitated by the Project Co-ordinator, including interagency discussions and meetings with communities affected by explosive contamination in eastern Ukraine.  The document is based on the UN International Mine Action Standards (IMAS), but provides adaptations with regard to country specifics, and establishes requirements for all aspects of mine action, including information management, equipment, personnel, area examination and clearing, quality control and risk education.