OSCE

Efforts by OSCE participating States to address the risks posed by small arms and light weapons (SALW) and stockpiles of conventional ammunition (SCA), particularly in preventing and combating the illicit trade in SALW, were the focus of a meeting organized by the German Chair of the Forum for Security Co-operation on 13 and 14 October 2020.

The Second Biennial Meeting was held to assess the implementation of the OSCE Documents on SALW and SCA, which stipulate the norms, principles and measures to regulate and manage the life cycle of SALW and ammunition, the production, transfer, storage, collection, and destruction of such weapons, and to control their export. The documents also provide for information exchange between participating States, which contributes to confidence-building.

“The OSCE provides a significant regional multilateral forum for the continued advancement of the regulation of SALW and SCA,” said Albrecht von Wittke, Head of Division Conventional Disarmament, Arms Control and CSBM Worldwide at Germany’s Federal Foreign Office. The partnership between regional and international organizations, like the UN and EU, or regional initiatives like the OSCE, in tackling the illicit trade in SALW is becoming increasingly more important and the OSCE has been at the forefront of this endeavour.”

Also addressing the opening of the meeting, Tuula Yrjölä, OSCE Officer-in-Charge/Secretary General, Director of Conflict Prevention Centre, said: “The OSCE conducts regular assessments of the implementation of the OSCE Documents on SALW and SCA, which also helps participating States to take effective action to address excessive accumulation and spread of SALW and conventional ammunition, built on informed and agreed recommendations.”

Noting the importance of integrating a gender dimension into policies regulating SALW and SCA, she added: “Mainstreaming gender aspects into SALW and SCA-related policies, as well as into standards and practical assistance frameworks, would contribute significantly to common efforts to combat illicit trafficking in SALW and SCA effectively”.

Taking stock of global actions, and new challenges and opportunities in addressing the illicit trade in and trafficking of SALW, panel speakers highlighted the security risks and the importance of international and regional agreements.

Marjolijn van Deelen, Special Envoy for Non-proliferation and Disarmament at the EU’s External Action Service, said: “Especially in the context of today’s deteriorating security environment and erosion of the international arms control architecture, our organisations have a great responsibility and must play their role for the sake of global security.”

John Brandolino, Director of the Department of Treaty Affairs at the UN Office on Drugs and Crime, added: “Illicit arms flow is a complex undertaking that requires multiple and integrated responses that combine preventive and control measures at the global level. Our work on countering firearms trafficking is based on several interconnected pillars: from support for policy and legislative development to capacity-building and assistance in the implementation of preventive and security measures; from effective criminal justice responses to broad and inclusive national co-operation and to evidence-based research and analysis.”

Participants also discussed preparations for the UN’s Seventh Biennial Meeting of States on implementation of the Programme of Action of SALW.

“Moving forward, it is important that we design people-centred small arms control and ammunition management policies and frameworks, which are comprehensive, context-specific, gendered and prevention oriented,” said Izumi Nakamitsu, UN Under-Secretary-General and High Representative for Disarmament Affairs. “With a clear focus on impact, our engagement should be built on national ownership and geared towards multi-stakeholder partnerships, including regional organisations, civil society and youth activists.” 

The meeting’s working sessions reflected on the importance of the OSCE’s Best Practice Guides on SALW and SCA; information exchanges as a way of assessing progress and gaps in implementing the OSCE Documents on SALW and SCA; and the functioning and efficiency of the OSCE’s Assistance Mechanism for providing support to States in addressing challenges related to SALW and SCA.

SEOUL/VIENNA, 15 October 2020 – New technologies need to be backed up with necessary human rights safeguards, furthering the OSCE’s comprehensive approach to security, say participants at the fourth inter-regional conference on the Impact of Emerging Technologies on International Security and Terrorism. Foreign Affairs Ministry of Korea, in co-operation with the OSCE Transnational Threats Department (TNTD) and the OSCE External Co-operation Section, organized the virtual conference on 14 October 2020.

Ambassador for International Security Affairs of the Ministry of Foreign Affairs of the Republic of Korea, Bae Jongin, said that cutting-edge technologies, such as artificial intelligence, biotechnology, big data, robotics and similar have been rapidly emerging.

“The possible abuse, excessive competition for dual-use technologies among states can lead to an arms race and cause geopolitical instability,” said Ambassador Bae.” The development of technologies raises concerns of new ethical and legal standards, as seen in the discussion on Lethal Autonomous Weapons Systems.” The COVID-19 pandemic has dramatically heightened the urgency and importance of discussion on emerging technologies, said Bae. “There are rising concerns on widespread misinformation relevant to the pandemic and cyberattacks on hospitals and laboratories.”

Ambassador Bae said that the spread of propaganda and recruitment through cyberspace, using drones or other weapons manufactured by 3D printing, and the procurement of weapons and financing through the dark web, and virtual currencies is a concern.  He added that recently the COVID-19 pandemic has drawn global attention to risks of bio-terrorism on a large scale.

Participants agreed that in order to effectively address the challenges we face, it is essential to strengthen international co-operation and work together to make a more secure world amid rapid technological advances. Ambassador Bae said that ‘”we need to boost regional co-operation to call attention to new challenges and find concrete ways to deal with them.” He said that the development, use, and management of technologies are mainly driven by the private sector, think tanks and academia. Governments, civil society, and the private sector all have specific roles and responsibilities and must work side by side.

Participants discussed the development and testing of weapons based on emerging technologies, precautions needed to minimize the risk to civilians and compliance with international humanitarian and human rights law. Alena Kupchyna, OSCE Co-ordinator of Activities to Address Transnational Threats, said that the risk of unintended engagements, a loss of system control and the risk of proliferation must be taken into consideration.

“Abuse of technological tools – such as excessive, unjustified or disproportionate surveillance, data collection and profiling – can result in human rights violations,” said Kupchyna. “It can affect due process guarantees, freedom of thought, conscience and religion, freedom of expression and information, freedom of assembly and association, and the right to equality before the law as well as the right to respect for private and family life.”

The OSCE is actively assisting participating States and Partners for Co-operation in increasing travel document security while maintaining the full respect of human rights and fundamental freedoms. The OSCE is focused on implementing the 16 ground-breaking cyber/ICT security confidence-building measures; supporting States to close the law enforcement gap in countering cybercrime through comprehensive capacity-building initiatives and countering the abuse of the Internet by terrorists, by suppressing terrorist financing, and protecting critical infrastructure and soft targets.

SDGs SDGs:  16 - Peace, justice and strong institutions

Summary

• The SMM recorded no ceasefire violations in either Donetsk or Luhansk region. In the previous reporting period, it recorded 14 ceasefire violations in Donetsk region and one in Luhansk region. The Mission had previously recorded no ceasefire violations in either region between the evenings of 24 and 25 September.
• The Mission continued monitoring the disengagement areas near Stanytsia Luhanska, Zolote and Petrivske. During night hours, an SMM long-range unmanned aerial vehicle spotted people inside the latter two disengagement areas.
• The Mission facilitated and monitored adherence to localised ceasefires to enable repairs to and the operation of critical civilian infrastructure.
• The SMM continued following up on the situation of civilians amid the COVID-19 pandemic, including at an entry-exit checkpoint and the corresponding checkpoint of the armed formations in Luhansk region.
• The SMM observed a calm situation in southern Kherson region.
• The Mission’s freedom of movement continued to be restricted.*

Communication and Media Relations Section

On the occasion of the 20th anniversary of the landmark UN Security Council Resolution 1325 on Women, Peace and Security (WPS), the OSCE and UN Women joined forces to host an online event on 12 October 2020. Experts reviewed commitments and charted the way forward on this landmark resolution, the first international agreement recognizing that conflict affects women differently than men and calling for the meaningful participation of women in peace processes. A wide range of WPS practitioners from civil society and women’s organizations, government officials and representatives of international organizations participated in the event.

“Over the past twenty years, the women, peace and security agenda has stood to accelerate the achievement of gender equality, to increase women’s voices and their inclusion in political and peace processes, decision-making and leadership,” said Inid Milo, Head of the OSCE Task Force of the Albanian OSCE Chairpersonship.

Alia El-Yassir, UN Women Regional Director for Europe and Central Asia said: “Creating a peaceful world for future generations requires the empowerment of women in conflict resolution and peacebuilding efforts, and bringing them to the table. Given all that we know and the challenges that the world is facing, advocating for women´s rights and women’s equal participation in peace processes is more important now than ever.”

Participants noted that although scientific studies and practice show that women’s inclusion in peace processes ensures a more sustainable outcome, they are still largely absent from official peace negotiations. They pointed to the need for transformative measures to change the cultural norms that continue to prevent women’s full participation.

Discussions focused on real experiences in implementing the WPS agenda and the presentation of useful tools, such as the OSCE Toolkit on Inclusion of Women and Effective Peace Processes and the first-ever women, peace and security index created by the Georgetown Institute for Women, Peace and Security together with the Peace Research Institute of Oslo. The index shows a direct correlation between the well-being of women and the well-being of nations.

Participants recommended, for a strategic way forward, connecting women’s peace efforts at the local level to official peace processes, involving the private sector and enhancing media representation of women leaders in peace and security efforts.

467154 Colin McCullough, OSCE Programme Office in Nur-Sultan

An OSCE-supported seminar on the protection of freedom of expression and the judicial regulation of defamation took place on 10 October 2020 in Nur-Sultan. The OSCE Programme Office in Nur-Sultan co-organized the event with the Academy of Justice under the Supreme Court (Academy), NGO Legal Media Centre, Internews Kazakhstan and the United States Agency for International Development (USAID). Some 55 Master students of the Academy attended the seminar.

An international expert delivered a presentation on the institute of defamation and protection of reputation in the legal system, the relation of defamation to human rights and the appliance of international standards in the Russian Federation. Participants reviewed some practical cases, the main elements of defamation and protection of reputation trials. The expert also provided a comparison of the legislation between the Russian Federation and Kazakhstan and discussed with participants the ways to improve the judicial practice.

The event is part of the Office’s activities aimed at promoting media freedom and freedom of expression in line with OSCE principles and commitments.

SDGs SDGs:  16 - Peace, justice and strong institutions

Summary

• The SMM recorded 14 ceasefire violations in Donetsk region and one in Luhansk region. In the previous 24 hours, it recorded six ceasefire violations in Donetsk region and none in Luhansk region.
• Two teenage boys were injured by the detonation of an explosive device in Nyzhnia Krynka, Donetsk region.
• The Mission continued monitoring the disengagement areas near Stanytsia Luhanska, Zolote and Petrivske. During evening and night hours, an SMM long-range unmanned aerial vehicle spotted people inside the latter two disengagement areas, and during the daytime, the SMM also observed people inside the Petrivske disengagement area.
• The SMM facilitated and monitored adherence to localised ceasefires to enable repairs to and the operation of critical civilian infrastructure.
• The SMM continued following up on the situation of civilians amid the COVID-19 pandemic, including at an entry-exit checkpoint and corresponding checkpoint of the armed formations in Luhansk region.
• The Mission’s freedom of movement continued to be restricted.

SUMMARY

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

OPERATIONAL REMARKS

The OM is currently operating with 22 permanent international Mission members, including the Chief Observer (CO) and one first responder[1]. The Mission is supported administratively by a staff member and the Chief of Fund Administration based in Vienna.

Update on COVID-19 measures

Activities have been impacted by COVID-19 and measures undertaken by the OM to ensure the safety and duty of care of its Mission members and compliance with measures set by the host country authorities. The Mission is continuing to keep the situation under review, in close contact with the OSCE Secretariat and the Chairmanship. Following the host country recommendations, the observers are adhering to social 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 8,021 to 7,709 per day at both BCPs compared to last week[2].

During the reporting period, the majority of border crossings were to the Russian Federation, with an average net flow of 131 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 has closed its borders for the majority of foreigners starting from 18 March. 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, 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 two, compared to four last week. Two 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, nine families were observed crossing into the Russian Federation while another five families were observed crossing into Ukraine, compared to the previous reporting period when seven families were observed crossing to the Russian Federation, while another two families crossed 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 slight decrease in the overall number of buses crossing the border at both BCPs (302 compared to 332 observed during the previous week). There were 148 buses bound for the Russian Federation and 154 bound for Ukraine.

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

Trucks

During the reporting period, the OTs observed a slight decrease in the overall number of trucks crossing the border at both BCPs (935 compared to 938 during the previous reporting week); 523 at the Gukovo BCP and 412 at the Donetsk BCP, 479 of these trucks crossed into the Russian Federation and 456 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, Belarus, Lithuania 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 an increase in the overall number of tanker trucks crossing the border at both BCPs (60 compared to 46 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 the Russian Federation officials, which could 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.

During the reporting period, the X-ray vehicle at the Donetsk BCP was not operating due to the ongoing construction activities; consequently, no X-ray checks were observed by the OTs.

Minivans

The OM continued to observe passenger and cargo minivans[3] crossing the border in both directions at both BCPs. The OTs observed minivans predominantly with Ukrainian licence plates issued in the Luhansk region; however, the OTs also saw minivans registered in the Russian Federation. During the reporting period, the OTs observed a slight decrease in the overall number of minivans crossing the border at both BCPs (135 compared to 146 observed during the previous week); 68 crossed into the Russian Federation and another 67 into Ukraine.

Trains

The OTs continued to pick up the sound of trains on the railway tracks located approximately 150m south-west of the Gukovo BCP. During the reporting week, the OTs heard trains on 32  occasions; the OTs assessed that 17 trains were travelling to the Russian Federation and the remaining 15 trains were travelling to Ukraine (more details are provided in the sections “trends and figures at a glance” below).

Visual observation was not possible because of the line of trees located between the train tracks and the BCP.

Other observations

The majority of vehicles crossing the border had Ukrainian licence plates issued in the Luhansk region or Russian Federation licence plates. A significant number of vehicles with “LPR” plates were also observed crossing the border in both directions on a daily basis. The OTs also observed vehicles with Georgian and Lithuanian licence plates.

On 8 October at 13:15, the OT at the Donetsk BCP observed a group of seven brand-new public utility vehicles with no licence plates entering the BCP from the Russian Federation and parking in the customs control area. The group consisted of four multi-purpose trucks type “GAZon Next”, two medium-duty trucks type “GAZ Sadko Next” and one asphalt distributor type “MAZ”. All the vehicles underwent customs control procedures and at 17:38 crossed the border into Ukraine.

For trends and figures at a glance covering the period from 8 September to 13 October 2020, please see the attachment here.

[1]                      First responders are OSCE staff or Mission members deployed for a short period of time.

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

[3]              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).

GENEVA/MOSCOW, 13 October, 2020 - The Co-Chairs of the OSCE Minsk Group (Igor Popov of the Russian Federation, Stephane Visconti of France, and Andrew Schofer of the United States of America) released the following statement today:

The Co-Chairs note with alarm the continuing violence in the Nagorno-Karabakh conflict. The Co-Chairs call on Azerbaijani President Ilham Aliyev and Armenian Prime Minister Nikol Pashinyan to take immediate steps to execute in full the obligations of the sides according to the October 10 Moscow statement, in order to prevent catastrophic consequences for the region.   

The Co-Chairs reiterate that civilian casualties are unacceptable under any circumstances. The Co-Chairs call on the sides to implement the humanitarian ceasefire immediately to allow the return of remains, prisoners of war, and detainees, and appeal to the sides to agree urgently upon a ceasefire verification mechanism.

Following conversations with Armenian Foreign Minister Zohrab Mnatsakanyan and Azerbaijani Foreign Minister Jeyhun Bayramov, the Co-Chairs are working with the sides on the substantive issues of the Nagorno-Karabakh political settlement process in order to reach a negotiated solution.

SDGs SDGs:  16 - Peace, justice and strong institutions

Summary

• Between the evenings of 9 and 11 October, the SMM recorded ten ceasefire violations in Donetsk region. In the previous reporting period, it recorded 26 ceasefire violations in the region.
• Between the evenings of 9 and 11 October, the SMM recorded no ceasefire violations in Luhansk region. In the previous reporting period, it recorded eight ceasefire violations in the region.
• The Mission continued monitoring the disengagement areas near Stanytsia Luhanska, Zolote and Petrivske. During evening and night hours, an SMM long-range unmanned aerial vehicle spotted people inside the latter two disengagement areas.
• The SMM facilitated and monitored adherence to localised ceasefires to enable repairs to and the operation of critical civilian infrastructure.
• The Mission monitored a border crossing point outside government control in Luhansk region.
• The SMM continued following up on the situation of civilians amid the COVID-19 pandemic, including at an entry-exit checkpoint and corresponding checkpoint of the armed formations in Luhansk region.
• The Mission followed up on an attack against an Orthodox Church of Ukraine chapel in Kharkiv city.
• The SMM’s freedom of movement continued to be restricted, including at a border crossing point outside government control near Izvaryne, Luhansk region, and at a checkpoint of the armed formations in Kreminets, Donetsk region.*

VIENNA, 12 October 2020 – Multilateral responses to the global security challenges in the time of the COVID-19 pandemic, and the OSCE’s comprehensive engagement are the focus of the two-day 2020 OSCE Asian Conference, virtually hosted by the Republic of Korea, in close co-operation with Slovakia, the 2020 OSCE Asian Partners for Co-operation Group Chair.

“The Asian Conference provides us with an opportunity to pool our wisdom and promote concrete efforts to cope with emerging global security challenges,” said Ambassador Shin Chae-Hyun, Permanent Representative of the Republic of Korea to the OSCE, while opening the conference.

Ambassador Lee Taeho, Vice Foreign Minister of the Republic of Korea, said that we live in a world where a single country cannot manage the entirety of comprehensive security. “The global challenges that the world faces today, such as infectious diseases, environmental risks, and cybersecurity threats, call for global solutions and transnational governance,” he said. “The Republic of Korea remains steadfast in nurturing trust-building dialogues and facilitating multilateral security co-operation in Northeast Asia and beyond, to establish permanent peace and stability on the Korean Peninsula and in the region.”

Ambassador Ingrid Brocková, State Secretary of the Ministry of Foreign and European Affairs of Slovakia, on behalf of the OSCE Asian partners for Co-operation Group’s Chair, said that multilateralism is being challenged now more than ever. “While the international community got comfortable speaking up in favour of multilateralism on many occasions, its actions, in some cases, tell a different story,” she said. “The need to respond collectively to challenges in various areas such as health, education, environment and climate change, digital agenda, technology and innovation has become even more urgent.”

Participants agreed that the COVID-19 pandemic has highlighted security challenges that everybody faces, despite geographical distance.

Tuula Yrjölä, OSCE Officer-in-Charge/Secretary General, Director of Conflict Prevention Centre, said that in these uncertain times, maintaining a co-operative spirit can no longer be taken for granted. “It is all the more important that we reinforce each other in the firm conviction that addressing global security challenges requires teamwork, close co-operation and institutionalized links that we can rely on – in fair weather and in times of trouble,” said Yrjölä.

These messages were reinforced by Agron Tare, Deputy Foreign Minister of Albania, representing the 2020 Albanian OSCE Chairmanship. “Multilateralism is under siege. Our principles and values are being tested. Divergent security perceptions are eroding the common efforts of international organizations. There is too little trust. Too little compromise. Too little solidarity. As a result, our co-operation, our stability, and our security is suffering. We all know we have a problem. And we need to step up,” said Tare.

The event that takes place on the 25th anniversary of the OSCE Asian Partnership and covers all three dimensions of security: regional confidence- and security-building measures, a recurring theme  for the OSCE Asian Partnership; mitigating trans-border environmental risks and challenges, disaster risk reduction and preparedness responses in times of COVID-19; and the nexus between security and access to information, similarities and differences in approaches to the pandemic.

466494 Communication and Media Relations Section

The role of open data and digital tools in enhancing good governance and anti-corruption mechanisms in the context of current economic challenges was the focus of a virtual webinar organized by the Office of the Co-ordinator of OSCE Economic and Environmental Activities (OCEEA) on 9 October 2020.

More than one hundred representatives of civil society organizations, businesses, chambers of commerce and business associations from the OSCE region as well as other international organizations discussed the potential of open data in enhancing good governance measures and economic recovery post-COVID-19.

Ambassador James S. Gilmore, Permanent Representative of the United States to the OSCE said during the opening remarks: ‘Preventing and combating corruption is, and should remain, a key pillar of the OSCE. I welcome the Albanian Chairmanship’s strong commitment to addressing the challenge of corruption, promoting accountability and transparency in governance. Rooting out corruption improves the business environment and reinforces the trust of citizens in their government. We all seek sustained economic growth, prosperity, and security across the region. These are all key ingredients in an economic recovery.”

“Connectivity is the key to create sustainable long-term benefits for consumers, citizens and the environment. Powerful digital networks can generate jobs and give people access to workplaces, schools and health care, thus helping to close the digital divide,“ said the Director for Technology, Trade, Finance, Policies and Investment Promotion at the German Federal Foreign Office, Ambassador Alexander Schoenfelder.

“Without effective prevention of corruption, sustainable investments in projects to strengthen trade, transport and connectivity are doomed to failure,” said the Co-ordinator of OSCE Economic and Environmental Activities Vuk Žugić. Transparency is essential for the foreign direct investments and for societies, he said, to be able to look to the future with confidence. “In today’s interconnected world, this is essential.” 

The sessions provided an overview of the challenges and needs of economies in Central Asia, Eastern and South-Eastern Europe, the policy response measures and the role of open data in these processes and how open data and digital platforms can support good governance and economic recovery. Participants looked into trends and opportunities in the fields of digitalization and open procurement, trade, supply chains, beneficial ownership, etc. The webinar served as a kick-off discussion for a series of capacity building seminars on open data and digital platforms aimed at strengthening good governance measures and improving the business climate.   

The kick-off webinar and the series of subsequent capacity building seminars are organized within the framework of the extra-budgetary project “Promoting Good Governance and Enhancing Anti-Corruption Efforts in the OSCE Area through the Use of Open Data and New Digital Technologies”, funded by Germany and the United States of America.

466803 Kunduz Rysbek Chyngyz Zhanybekov

More than 20 young professionals and university students took part in the online Model OSCE simulation workshop from 6 to 9 October. Participants included young people from Central Asian countries: Afghanistan, Kazakhstan, Kyrgyzstan, Tajikistan, Uzbekistan, as well as students from Austria, Croatia, Russia and Italy.

The event aimed to enhance participants’ knowledge about the OSCE, its comprehensive model of security, and its consensus-based decision-making process. The workshop also aimed to improve participants’ negotiation and conflict resolution skills.

The Model OSCE was organized by the OSCE Programme Office in Bishkek in co-operation with the State Agency for Youth, Physical Culture and Sports of the Kyrgyz Republic and with support from the OSCE Academy in Bishkek.

“The Model OSCE workshop aims to bring young leaders across the region together and let them feel firsthand what the OSCE is like,” noted Alexander Eliseev, Head of the Politico-Military Department of the OSCE Programme Office in Bishkek.

The workshop featured a series of briefings, sessions and practical exercises based on the Helsinki Final Act. The interactive sessions, delivered by Kyrgyzstani and international experts, stimulated critical thinking and developed skills in the area of international negotiations and crisis resolution. Participants engaged in simulation exercises, stepping into the shoes of diplomats, resolving a crisis scenario through dialogue and eventually reaching a consensus. They also gained a deeper understanding of the OSCE’s practical work through meeting with representatives of the OSCE Secretariat and the OSCE Programme Office in Bishkek.

Participants noted that the workshop was a unique experience for them. “Especially in the time of a pandemic, it was very interesting to have a chance to exchange opinions with other young prospective leaders from other countries and to participate in a common workshop together with them,” said Yulia Glotova, a Model OSCE participant from Russia. She added that this experience has given participants “valuable information on the work of the OSCE as a regional platform for dialogue” and an opportunity to network.

The Model OSCE simulation workshop is part of the Organization’s efforts to build capacity and promote participation of young people in efforts to strengthen peace and security in the Central Asian region.

OSCE Centre in Ashgabat

Representatives of law enforcement bodies, the Mejlis (parliament), financial institutions and other relevant agencies of Turkmenistan discussed the role of digital technologies in investigating and reducing the risks of corruption at an OSCE-organized webinar that opened on 12 October 2020 in Ashgabat.

The OSCE Centre in Ashgabat organized the three-day event to share best practices of OSCE participating States in the use of digital technologies in preventing and combating corruption.

International experts briefed participants about the scope and sphere of applying IT in the fight against corruption with a focus on transparency, accountability, preventative detection and ethical behavior.

“As sophisticated methods and modern technologies are increasingly employed in criminal activities, such as corruption, it is important to make active use of digital instruments to optimize efforts aimed at strengthening transparency of the activities of state institutions and ensuring prompt information exchange among relevant institutions, as well as studying and tracking links in criminal chains,” said Natalya Drozd, Head of the OSCE Centre in Ashgabat.

Participants examined the specifics of introducing information technologies in anti-corruption practices and their role in the implementation of anti-corruption strategies.

“It is our hope that the webinar will contribute to the efforts of the host government aimed at introducing digital technologies in national anti-corruption activities as well as the development of relevant institutional and legislative mechanisms,” added Drozd.

The webinar also addressed methods of investigation and digital tracking of corruption cases. Additionally participants explored artificial intelligence as one of the most efficient instruments in the prevention of corruption.

COPENHAGEN, 12 October 2020 – Some 100 election observers from the OSCE Parliamentary Assembly will deploy later this month to the United States for the 3 November general elections. They will work with about 40 long-term observers and experts from the OSCE Office for Democratic Institutions and Human Rights who are already in the country and deliver a joint assessment following election day. The mission will mark the eighth time the PA has observed the vote in the U.S. since 2004.

German parliamentarian Michael Georg Link has been appointed to lead the OSCE short-term observer mission and deliver the statement of preliminary findings and conclusions at a press conference in Washington on 4 November. Norwegian parliamentarian Kari Henriksen will lead the OSCE PA mission, which includes some 80 members of parliament from 30 countries. They will work closely with ODIHR’s Head of Mission, Ambassador Urszula Gacek (Poland), and its core team of 11 experts based in Washington, DC, and 30 long-term observers around the country.

“As international observers, we do not bring any pre-conceived notions to our work,” said Link. “We apply the same standards and methodology that we do in all countries where we observe elections, evaluating them on the basis of their adherence to a set of democratic standards that the United States and all OSCE countries have agreed to. We look forward to returning to the United States this year to observe this historic election and offer our honest assessment.”

Link is a former Director of ODIHR who now serves as Vice-Chair of the PA’s Committee on Democracy, Human Rights and Humanitarian Questions. Henriksen, who serves as Vice-President of the OSCE PA and as Rapporteur of the human rights committee, noted that the COVID-19 pandemic poses great challenges but stressed that the PA is taking every necessary precaution to protect the health of observers, voters, and election officials.

“Safety is our top priority,” Henriksen said. “All of our observers will take COVID tests before deploying to the United States and will follow all relevant guidelines and requirements to ensure our safety as well as the safety of those we come in contact with. Although the pandemic presents some obstacles, I am confident we can conduct a full and robust observation mission.”

Observers will pay particular attention to the campaign environment, the legal framework, election administration, new voting technologies, mail-in voting, election day procedures, and media coverage. Following the 2016 elections, observers concluded that the elections were highly competitive and fundamental freedoms were respected, but that the campaign was characterized by personal attacks and intolerant rhetoric.

The OSCE PA observers will participate in two days of briefings in Washington before deploying to a number of states around the country for election day observation.

For previous OSCE PA assessments of U.S. elections, please click here.

Watch a video on OSCE PA election observation here.

SDGs SDGs:  16 - Peace, justice and strong institutions

Summary

• The SMM recorded 26 ceasefire violations in Donetsk region and eight in Luhansk region. In the previous reporting period, it recorded four ceasefire violations in Donetsk region and none in Luhansk region.
• The Mission continued monitoring the disengagement areas near Stanytsia Luhanska, Zolote and Petrivske. During evening and night hours, an SMM long-range unmanned aerial vehicle spotted a person inside the disengagement area near Zolote.
• The Mission facilitated and monitored adherence to localised ceasefires to enable repairs to and the operation of critical civilian infrastructure and a transfer of funds in Luhansk region.
• The SMM continued following up on the situation of civilians amid the COVID-19 pandemic, including at entry-exit checkpoints and 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.*

Moscow, 10  October 2020 - The Minsk Group Co-Chairs (Igor Popov of the Russian Federation, Stéphane Visconti of France, and Andrew Schofer of the United States of America) welcome the joint announcement by Azerbaijani Foreign Minister Jeyhun Bayramov, Armenian Foreign Minister Zorab Mnatsakanyan, and Russian Foreign Minister Sergey Lavrov on a humanitarian ceasefire and call on the sides to execute their commitments in full.

The Co-Chairs and the Personal Representative of the OSCE Chairperson-in-Office, Andrzej Kasprzyk, are in intensive discussions with the International Committee of the Red Cross on the modalities and logistics of the return of remains and detainees as soon as possible.  We call on the sides to provide all the necessary security and logistical assurances on an urgent basis.

The Co-Chairs remain actively engaged with the parties to facilitate their efforts to reach agreement on concrete parameters of the ceasefire and to conclude intensive substantive negotiations to reach a settlement on the basis of the agreed upon principles and format. 

VIENNA/TIRANA, 10 October 2020 – OSCE Chairperson-in-Office, Albania’s Prime Minister and Minister for Europe and Foreign Affairs, Edi Rama, welcomed news of a humanitarian ceasefire in the Nagorno-Karabakh conflict context. “We need stability, both on the ground and in the process led by the Minsk Group Co-Chairs,” Rama said. “The agreement reached in Moscow overnight by Armenia and Azerbaijan puts us on the path towards the resumption of substantive negotiations in the agreed format,” Rama added. 

The increasing human toll of the fighting had been of particular concern, Rama noted, and in this regard, the humanitarian pause to exchange prisoners of war, other detainees, and the remains of those killed in the hostilities is an important step.

This development came in response to the appeal by Russian President Putin and in accordance with the agreement of Azerbaijani President Aliyev and Armenian Prime Minister Pashinyan. 

Rama welcomed Russia’s role in convening the talks, which were held together with the presence of the Co-Chairs of the OSCE Minsk Group and the Personal Representative of the Chairperson-in-Office, Ambassador Andrzej Kasprzyk. “The Co-Chairs and my Personal Representative remain fully engaged with the sides, and are ready to ensure every effort is focused on achieving a peaceful negotiated solution of the conflict,” Rama said.

SDGs SDGs:  16 - Peace, justice and strong institutions

Summary

• The SMM recorded four ceasefire violations in Donetsk region and none in Luhansk region. In the previous reporting period, it recorded 36 ceasefire violations in Donetsk region and two in Luhansk region.
• A man died due to the detonation of an explosive object in Obozne, Luhansk region.
• The Mission continued monitoring the disengagement areas near Stanytsia Luhanska, Zolote and Petrivske. During evening and night hours, an SMM long-range unmanned aerial vehicle spotted people inside the latter two disengagement areas.
• The Mission facilitated and monitored adherence to localised ceasefires to enable repairs to and the operation of critical civilian infrastructure.
• The SMM continued following up on the situation of civilians amid the COVID-19 pandemic, including at an entry-exit checkpoint and its corresponding checkpoint of the armed formations in Luhansk region. 
• The Mission’s freedom of movement continued to be restricted.*

VIENNA/TIRANA, 9 October 2020 – The Albanian Chairmanship has issued a call for unity in Kyrgyzstan, noting its concern with the worsening situation. “We call on all political leaders and on the citizens of Kyrgyzstan to refrain from violence and act in the interest of maintaining stability in the country.”

Albania’s OSCE Chairmanship encouraged a peaceful solution to be pursued within the framework of the constitution and existing national legislation.

The Chairmanship will continue to follow developments closely.

Communication and Media Relations Section Non-custodial Rehabilitation and Reintegration in Preventing and Countering Violent Extremism and Radicalization That Lead to Terrorism: A Guidebook for Policymakers and Practitioners in South-Eastern Europe

Effective rehabilitation and reintegration of those who participated in violent extremism activity is the focus of a new guidebook launched at a webinar organized by the Action against Terrorism Unit (ATU) of the OSCE Transnational Threats Department for more than 80 participants from civil society, governments, academia and international organizations based in South-Eastern Europe on 6 October 2020.

ATU representatives presented their new guidebook, Non-custodial Rehabilitation and Reintegration in Preventing and Countering Violent Extremism and Radicalization That Lead to Terrorism: A Guidebook for Policymakers and Practitioners in South-Eastern Europe.

“The OSCE has developed this guidebook as a complimentary resource to existing tools and efforts that exist on reintegration of violent extremist offenders in prison settings,” said Georgia Holmer, Head of ATU in her opening remarks.

Expert practitioners from South-Eastern Europe discussed their experiences from working with communities in various capacities from policymaking to psychiatric care. This demonstrated the ‘whole-of-society approach’ to effective rehabilitation and reintegration of persons involved with violent extremism and terrorism.

Lejdi Dervishi, Executive Director of the CVE (Countering Violent Extremism) Centre-Albania added: “The CVE Centre-Albania will continue to encourage all efforts to further extend the network of stakeholders at the central and local levels in order to establish a wide network of front-line professionals consisting of state and non-state actors responsible and engaged on preventing and countering violent extremism in close co-operation with local communities, civil society and the private sector to fight these phenomena. We need partners and we need partnerships and we are committed stronger than ever to make this collaboration fruitful and efficient.”

Borche Petrevski of North Macedonia’s National Co-ordinator for Countering Violent Extremism and Combating Terrorism, said: “The OSCE Guidebook aligns with the policies of the Government of the Republic of North Macedonia envisaged in the National Plan for Reintegration, Resocialization and Rehabilitation of Returning Foreign Terrorist Fighters and members of their families, women and children. Only through co-ordination and meaningful partnership between the government, religious and local communities, civil society at large as well as international partners, will it be possible to address these security challenges and develop meaningful policies to counter and prevent violent extremism and radicalization that lead to terrorism (P/CVERLT).”

Participants expressed great interest and engagement in what they said constitutes a highly relevant and timely topic.

The OSCE is a pioneer in advancing preventative approaches to violent extremism and terrorism. It works to support the development and implementation of impactful and safe P/CVERLT policies and programmes in the OSCE’s participating States and Partners for Co-operation.

In addition to today’s guidebook launch, the guideook series on P/CVERLT includes:

• Understanding the Role of Gender in Preventing and Countering Violent Extremism and Radicalization That Lead to Terrorism - Good Practices for Law Enforcement
• The Role of Civil Society in Preventing and Countering Violent Extremism and Radicalization that Lead to Terrorism. A Guidebook for South-Eastern Europe
• Understanding Referral Mechanisms in Preventing and Countering Violent Extremism and Radicalization That Lead to Terrorism Navigating Challenges and Protecting Human Rights A Guidebook for South-Eastern Europe 
• Preventing Terrorism and Countering Violent Extremism and Radicalization that Lead to Terrorism: A Community-Policing Approach
• A whole-of-society approach to preventing and countering violent extremism and radicalization that lead to terrorism. A guidebook for Central Asia