OSCE

SDGs SDGs:  16 - Peace, justice and strong institutions

Summary

• Compared with the previous reporting period, the SMM recorded fewer ceasefire violations in both Donetsk and Luhansk regions.
• Members of the armed formations continued to deny the SMM passage towards government-controlled areas at a checkpoint south of Stanytsia Luhanska bridge, Luhansk region as well as towards non-government-controlled areas at a checkpoint near Olenivka, Donetsk region.*
• The Mission continued monitoring the disengagement areas near Stanytsia Luhanska, and Zolote. It recorded ceasefire violations inside the Petrivske disengagement area.
• The SMM continued following up on the situation of civilians amid the COVID-19 outbreak, including at entry-exit checkpoints and checkpoints of the armed formations in Donetsk and Luhansk regions.
• The Mission monitored and facilitated adherence to localized ceasefires to enable repairs to critical civilian infrastructure on both sides of the contact line, as well as demining activities, including at cemeteries in government-controlled areas of Donetsk region.
• The SMM’s freedom of movement continued to be restricted in non-government-controlled areas of both Donetsk and Luhansk regions.*

BRUSSELS/GENEVA/TIRANA, 18 April 2020 - We, the Co-Chairs of the Geneva International Discussions (GID), recalling our statement from 31 March, and in the spirit of the call of UN Secretary General Guterres, strongly urge all the GID participants to set aside differences and to refrain from actions that could lead to increased tension.

The focus should be on collaboration, for the good of all people in the region and against the common threat of the COVID-19 pandemic. The reported erection of signs along the South Ossetian dividing line today predictably contributes to a tense atmosphere on the ground and rids the local people of their livelihoods.

In the face of the current global challenge of COVID-19, requiring joint approaches and co-operation amongst all, we hereby repeat our call on all participants to avoid provocative measures and focus on improving the situation of the conflict-affected population.

SDGs SDGs:  16 - Peace, justice and strong institutions

Summary

• Compared with the previous reporting period, the SMM recorded fewer ceasefire violations in Donetsk region and more in Luhansk region.
• Members of the armed formations continued to deny the SMM passage towards non-government-controlled areas at a checkpoint near Oleksandrivka, Donetsk region as well as towards government-controlled areas at a checkpoint south of Stanytsia Luhanska bridge, Luhansk region.*
• The Mission continued monitoring the disengagement areas near Stanytsia Luhanska, Zolote and Petrivske.
• The SMM continued following up on the situation of civilians amid the COVID-19 outbreak, including at entry-exit checkpoints and checkpoints of the armed formations in Donetsk and Luhansk regions.
• The Mission monitored and facilitated adherence to localized ceasefires to enable repairs to critical civilian infrastructure on both sides of the contact line, as well as demining activities, including at cemeteries in government-controlled areas of Donetsk and Luhansk regions.
• The SMM facilitated and monitored the mutual release and exchange of detainees related to the conflict in eastern Ukraine.
• Members of the armed formations continued to restrict the SMM’s freedom of movement, including near Sakhanka and at a checkpoint near Starolaspa, Donetsk region.*

SDGs SDGs:  16 - Peace, justice and strong institutions

On 16 and 17 April, members of the armed formations again denied SMM attempts to cross into non-government-controlled areas along official crossing routes: twice in Donetsk region and once in Luhansk region, while a further attempt to cross into government-controlled areas in Luhansk region was also denied.

On the morning of 16 April and the afternoon of 17 April, at the checkpoint of the armed formations south of Stanytsia Luhanska bridge (15km north-east of Luhansk), members of the armed formations denied SMM patrols passage into government-controlled areas on one occasion and passage into non-government-controlled areas on another occasion, referring to the closure of the checkpoint due to COVID-19.

On the morning of 16 April, at a checkpoint near Oleksandrivka (non-government-controlled, 20km south-west of Donetsk), members of the armed formations denied an SMM patrol passage into non-government-controlled areas, referring to quarantine restrictions due to COVID-19.

On the morning of 17 April, at a checkpoint near Olenivka (non-government-controlled, 23km south-west of Donetsk), members of the armed formations denied an SMM patrol passage into non-government-controlled areas, referring to quarantine restrictions due to COVID-19.

The Mission began facing repeated denials when attempting to cross into non-government-controlled areas at checkpoints of the armed formations in Donetsk region on 21 March, and Luhansk region on 23 March (see SMM Spot Reports 2/2020, 3/2020, 4/2020, 5/2020, 6/2020, 7/2020, 8/2020, 9/2020, 10/2020, 11/2020, 13/2020). They restrict the SMM’s freedom of movement across the contact line, thus impeding the implementation of its Mandate throughout the country.

***

With regard to COVID-19, the SMM has introduced a number of stringent mitigation measures into its operational procedures. These include strict adherence to social distancing rules both internally and with external interlocutors, daily temperature checks, use of PPE, and minimizing the number of personnel in vehicles.

OSCE Centre in Ashgabat

On 17 April 2020, the Foreign Ministry of Turkmenistan organized an international media forum dedicated to the 25th anniversary of Turkmenistan’s permanent neutrality.

The OSCE Centre in Ashgabat supported the forum by inviting OSCE experts from Belarus and the Netherlands to deliver presentations during the event held in the format of a teleconference.

The media forum brought together representatives of Turkmenistan’s print, broadcast and online media, key ministries, universities and public organizations, as well as representatives of fifty news agencies from twenty countries.

The participants stressed the importance of Turkmenistan’s neutrality status and the country’s dedicated efforts aimed at promoting peace and security through constructive dialogue.

Sami Faltas, independent consultant on democratization and security sector reform in the Netherlands, talked about countries with neutral status in Europe and the important role of regional co-operation. He emphasized that Turkmenistan successfully combines positive neutrality with its foreign policy based on the principles of good neighborliness and mutual respect.

Victor Shadursky, Dean of the Department of International Relations of the Belarus State University, focused on the substantive contribution of neutral Turkmenistan in addressing regional issues. He stressed the relevance of Turkmenistan’s international initiatives in various areas, and the efforts aimed at ensuring stability in the Central Asian region. This includes strengthening environmental, energy and transport security, and promoting water diplomacy.

The Foreign Ministry of Turkmenistan showed a video highlighting the achievements of Turkmenistan’s neutrality policy over the last 25 years.

The support was provided within the framework of the Centre’s project “Promoting OSCE early warning instruments within the context of Turkmenistan’s permanent neutrality policy”.

450316

The OSCE Project Co-ordinator in Uzbekistan delivered personal protective equipment (PPE) to the Main Directorate for Execution of Sentence of the Ministry of Internal Affairs on 10 April 2020 in Tashkent.

The PPE is destined for use in penal colonies for women and minors, for the benefit of both inmates and staff of these institutions, to prevent the spread of the coronavirus. The delivery included protective clothing, medical masks, gloves and bandages. It also included a help kit consisting of personal hygiene products, detergents and antibacterial agents. This delivery was made possible due to the cross-dimensional work of the OSCE Project Co-ordinator in Uzbekistan in responding to COVID-19.

With the handover of the PPE, the OSCE Project Co-ordinator in Uzbekistan helped the Government of Uzbekistan in its efforts to deal with the pandemic by preventing the spread of the disease among the penal colony population and providing protection for its staff.

The OSCE Project Co-ordinator in Uzbekistan, John MacGregor, said: “The coronavirus represents a transnational threat extending across the OSCE area and around the world, and is one of the worst threats most of us have seen in our lifetime. The impact of COVID-19 has created a humanitarian crisis and also affects many aspects of the OSCE’s cross-dimensional approach to security. With the donation of personal protective equipment to the women’s and juvenile facilities of the penitentiary service, a very vulnerable group, the OSCE is demonstrating that people come first and that their health, safety and security is a top priority.”

VIENNA, 17 April 2020 – The OSCE Representative on Freedom of the Media, Harlem Désir, expressed his concerns today about the fact that journalists in Turkey will in effect not benefit from a new law releasing inmates from prison, amid public health concerns related to the COVID-19 pandemic.

On 14 April, the Turkish Parliament allowed the release of thousands of prisoners, in a bid to protect them from the coronavirus by reducing overcrowding in prisons. The amendments approving this release excluded, among others, people held in pre-trial detention or convicted on terrorism-related charges. Since most journalists in prison fall within these categories, media workers have been excluded from this release measure and will remain behind bars.

“While I welcome the steps taken by the Turkish authorities to prevent overcrowding in prisons as a means of tackling the spread of the coronavirus, I am disappointed and worried that media professionals will not benefit from this measure. Journalists should not be kept in prison in relation to their work or be associated with terrorism. In the current circumstances, and faced with the health emergency in prisons, I urge the Turkish authorities to include journalists in this new measure and to release them,” Désir said.

The Representative recalled that in a letter sent to the Minister of Foreign Affairs of Turkey, Mevlüt Çavuşoğlu, on 20 March, he stressed that “in the current circumstances, a humanitarian decision should be taken in favour of these detained journalists allowing them to reunite with their families.”

The Representative emphasized that there are many imprisoned journalists with certain health or age-related issues, which would put them at particular risk of contracting the virus.

The OSCE Representative on Freedom of the Media observes media developments in all 57 OSCE participating States. He provides early warning on violations of freedom of expression and media freedom and promotes full compliance with OSCE media freedom commitments. Learn more at www.osce.org/fom, Twitter: @OSCE_RFoM and on www.facebook.com/osce.rfom.

WARSAW, 17 April 2020 – It is only through the strength of our diversity that we will overcome the health crisis we are facing as well as the economic and social challenges likely to follow, the Director of the OSCE Office for Democratic Institutions and Human Rights (ODIHR) said today in response to the spate of racist slogans and attacks that have followed the onset of the COVID-19 pandemic.

“The pandemic and tragic loss of life it has led to remind us of our shared humanity and the need to find a shared response,” said ODIHR Director Ingibjörg Sólrún Gísladóttir. “That makes the hatred we are seeing in some places all the more unacceptable. We have seen in so many places how health workers and carers from a multitude of backgrounds, ethnicities, and religions have saved lives and in doing so have sometimes lost their own. This is a time to celebrate the strength of our diverse societies, not to engage in a racist blame game.”

Since the outbreak of the COVID-19 pandemic, reports have proliferated of hate-motivated attacks across the OSCE region against people of Asian backgrounds, and increasingly on people from other minority communities. Many are in low-paid jobs that can’t be carried out from home, potentially exposing them to racist abuse and making it more difficult to keep themselves safe from infection. Refugees and migrants, often the most vulnerable members of our societies, have also found themselves singled out for abuse and hatred.  

Victims of hate crime often belong to groups facing discrimination and marginalization on a daily basis. In addition to inflicting lasting trauma on the victims, their families and communities, hate crimes damage social cohesion by stoking fear and division. In times of crisis, the threat posed by these crimes only intensifies, heightening the sense of fear and uncertainty. This makes it even more important that all 57 countries of the OSCE uphold their commitments to record and investigate hate crimes swiftly, support victims as they report their experiences, and ensure the availability of all necessary psychological, social and legal support for victims.

ODIHR has been working for many years to counter hate crime and build more tolerant societies. Its latest publication, Hate Crime Victims in the Criminal Justice System: A Practical Guide was written to help governments put victims at the centre of their work to combat hate crime and assist those working directly with victims. A further guide, Understanding anti-Muslim Hate Crimes and Addressing the Security Needs of Muslim Communities, is due to be published later this spring.

450283 Marina Živaljević

The OSCE Mission to Montenegro procured and handed over food and hygiene items for babies to the Red Cross of Montenegro​ to be distributed to families in need.

Joining comprehensive efforts of the international community in Montenegro to assist the most vulnerable groups during COVID-19 pandemic, ​ the Mission delivered the packages, worth 3,000 Euros, on 16 April 2020 in Podgorica.

Following the Government’s call for support and donations, almost the entire international community in Montenegro answered and donated funds, resources, material, equipment and expertise.

Since it first occurred in Asia in December 2019, the coronavirus has spread to almost every country in the world. Montenegro was no exception. The Mission welcomes the Government's initiative to introduce early restrictive measures and thus keep the outbreak under control.

SDGs SDGs:  16 - Peace, justice and strong institutions

Summary

• Compared with the previous reporting period, the SMM recorded more ceasefire violations in Donetsk region and fewer in Luhansk region.
• Members of the armed formations continued to deny the SMM passage towards non-government-controlled areas at checkpoints near Verkhnoshyrokivske, Donetsk region and south of Stanytsia Luhanska bridge, Luhansk region.*
• The Mission continued monitoring the disengagement areas near Stanytsia Luhanska, Zolote and Petrivske.
• The SMM saw weapons in violation of withdrawal lines on both sides of the contact line.
• The Mission monitored and facilitated adherence to localized ceasefires to enable repairs to and maintenance and construction of civilian infrastructure on both sides of the contact line, as well as demining activities, including at cemeteries in government-controlled areas of Donetsk and Luhansk regions.
• The SMM continued following up on the situation of civilians amid the COVID-19 outbreak, including at entry-exit checkpoints and their corresponding checkpoints in Donetsk and Luhansk regions.
• The Mission visited a border crossing point in a non-government-controlled area of Donetsk region.
• The SMM’s freedom of movement continued to be restricted in both Donetsk and Luhansk regions.*

KYIV, 16 April 2020 – Тhe Special Representative of the OSCE Chairperson-in-Office in Ukraine and in the Trilateral Contact Group (TCG), Ambassador Heidi Grau, made today the following statement:

"I welcome today’s mutual release and exchange of detainees related to the conflict in eastern Ukraine, pursuant to the decision of the Trilateral Contract Group taken on 8 April 2020, with the participation of representatives of certain areas of Donetsk and Luhansk regions of Ukraine.

This step, made in advance of the Orthodox Easter, has a special symbolic resonance. I do hope that it will contribute to strengthen trust between the sides while implementing other provisions of the Minsk agreements.

I want to express my appreciation to all the members of the TCG and participants in its meetings, to the TCG Working group on humanitarian issues and its Co-ordinator, as well as to all those whose contributions have made today’s mutual release and exchange possible.

Welcoming the achievement, I call on the sides further to make all necessary efforts for the peaceful settlement of the conflict in eastern Ukraine in line with the Minsk agreements.”

TIRANA / VIENNA, 16 April 2020 – The OSCE Chairperson-in-Office, Prime Minister and Minister for Europe and Foreign Affairs of Albania, Edi Rama, and OSCE Secretary General Thomas Greminger welcomed today’s mutual release and exchange of detainees in eastern Ukraine.

“Today’s mutual release and exchange of detainees is an important step taken before the Orthodox Easter. The sides demonstrated political will and humanitarian action. This day has been long awaited by both the detainees and their relatives and friends,” Rama said.

Rama strongly encouraged the full implementation of the Minsk agreements, supporting the efforts of the Trilateral Contact Group and the Normandy Format. He stressed the importance of continuing to build on the steps taken at the Paris Normandy Summit on 9 December 2019, including the commitment on a full and comprehensive implementation of the ceasefire, as well as all the other conclusions agreed in Paris. “The OSCE, within its mandate, stands ready to support, through the Trilateral Contact Group and the Special Monitoring Mission to Ukraine,” he added.

Contributing to the peaceful resolution of the crisis in and around Ukraine and making a difference on the ground is a top priority of the 2020 Albanian Chairmanship. “We will do everything possible to support the improvement of the security situation and easing of the hardship of civilians living in conflict-affected areas in eastern Ukraine,” the Chairperson-in-Office concluded.

OSCE Secretary General Greminger added: "The mutual release and exchange of detainees today, the second in less than four months, is highly welcome. Families will be reunited and able to spend the upcoming Orthodox Easter festivities together. I urge the sides to build on this exchange and renew the momentum towards achieving a peaceful settlement of the conflict in eastern Ukraine through the full and comprehensive implementation of the Minsk agreements.”

COPENHAGEN / STRASBOURG / BRUSSELS, 16 April 2020 – The Presidents of the Parliamentary Assembly of the Council of Europe (PACE), the North Atlantic Treaty Organization Parliamentary Assembly (NATO PA), and the Parliamentary Assembly of the Organization for Security and Co-operation in Europe (OSCE PA) issued the following joint statement:

“Together, our organizations span 57 countries across North America, Europe, and Central Asia, and a population of over one billion citizens. We are gravely concerned by the global spread of the COVID-19 pandemic, its threat to human health, safety, and well-being, and its devastating effects on the normal functioning of societies, democracies and fundamental rights and freedoms, as well as the world economy. This global crisis requires a global response.

Our thoughts are first and foremost with the families of all those who have lost loved ones, those who are fighting the disease, and the many more persons whose livelihoods have been greatly affected by the pandemic. We extend our heartfelt appreciation to all medical professionals, healthcare workers, scientists and researchers, and security and military personnel, who are working tirelessly on the frontline of the COVID-19 response to keep us safe. We are also grateful to the essential workers ensuring the good functioning of our societies and economies in a challenging environment.

International co-operation is key to addressing this grave multifaceted crisis. We welcome the many forms of assistance and solidarity between our nations which have helped save lives. More efforts are however needed because no state alone can cope with the magnitude of the crisis and its consequences. Everyone is affected, but there are some persons more vulnerable than others, including those affected by conflict or living in refugee camps, who have to be given safe access to medical care.

The rapid and safe development of treatments and a vaccine are essential to bring this pandemic to an end. Here again, our governments and parliaments must do all they can to encourage cooperation between all stakeholders, first among which are the scientific community and pharmaceutical industries.

By working together, including through relevant multilateral organizations, our governments, parliaments, and central banks can help reduce the economic and social fallout of COVID-19 and the long-term impact of the crisis, particularly on vulnerable and marginalized groups.

Close co-ordination with parliaments at national and international level is necessary to promote democratic, effective and coherent public policy responses and to address citizens’ concerns. Parliaments play an essential role as guardians of democratic values, processes and fundamental freedoms, as well as help enhance public confidence. It is therefore important that they have continued to function throughout this crisis, passing unprecedented economic aid packages and emergency public health measures, while attempting to ensure democratic controls and securing effective checks and balances where possible.

As short term measures produce far-reaching consequences for the lives and wellbeing of the people, it is crucial that parliaments continue to provide oversight and contribute to the conceptualization and design of support measures, not least in the social and economic spheres, targeting the most vulnerable segments of our societies.

In the coming months, our parliaments will have a key role to play to ensure that emergency measures are implemented properly and in accordance with democratic standards, that restrictions on freedoms are proportionate and temporary, that economic relief funds are disbursed where they are needed, and that security and stability are upheld.

Our organizations stand ready to support national parliaments in these efforts. Through parliamentary diplomacy, we can encourage further assistance and coordination between our countries. By providing platforms for legislators to share experience and best practices, we can help parliaments learn the lessons from this crisis and enhance preparedness, resilience and response for the future. By ensuring access by parliamentarians and the wider public to accurate and trustworthy information, we can help combat misinformation.

Meanwhile, we will also continue to perform our core tasks of defending the fundamental rights of our citizens, helping protect our populations against the wide range of enduring threats to their security, and supporting economic recovery and cooperation.”

SDGs SDGs:  16 - Peace, justice and strong institutions

Summary

• Compared with the previous reporting period, the SMM recorded more ceasefire violations in both Donetsk and Luhansk regions.
• The Mission observed damage to a railway station and a residential building in Yasynuvata.
• Members of the armed formations continued to deny the SMM passage towards non-government-controlled areas at a checkpoint near Horlivka, Donetsk region and towards government-controlled areas at a checkpoint south of Stanytsia Luhanska bridge, Luhansk region.
• The Mission continued monitoring the disengagement areas near Stanytsia Luhanska, Zolote and Petrivske. At a checkpoint of the armed formations inside the disengagement area near Stanytsia Luhanska, it observed the installation of new booths.
• The SMM monitored and facilitated adherence to localized ceasefires to enable repairs to and maintenance and construction of civilian infrastructure on both sides of the contact line, as well as demining activities at cemeteries in government-controlled areas of Luhansk region.
• The SMM continued following up on the situation of civilians amid the COVID-19 outbreak, including at entry-exit checkpoints and their corresponding checkpoints in Donetsk and Luhansk regions.
• The SMM’s freedom of movement continued to be restricted in both Donetsk and Luhansk regions.

SDGs SDGs:  16 - Peace, justice and strong institutions

On 14 and 15 April, members of the armed formations again denied SMM attempts to cross along official crossing routes: twice in Luhansk region and once in Donetsk region, while a further attempt to cross into non-government-controlled areas in Donetsk region was unsuccessful due to an obstruction.

On the afternoon of 14 April, at a checkpoint near Horlivka (non-government-controlled, 39km north-east of Donetsk), an SMM patrol travelling from government-controlled areas was unable to proceed into non-government-controlled areas due to spikes laid across the entire road, and the presence of a mine sign in the middle of the road. No members of the armed formations were observed by the SMM.

On 14 and 15 April, at the checkpoint of the armed formations south of Stanytsia Luhanska bridge (15km north-east of Luhansk), members of the armed formations denied SMM patrols passage into government-controlled areas on one occasion and passage into non-government-controlled areas on another occasion, referring to quarantine restrictions due to COVID-19.

On the afternoon of 15 April, at a checkpoint about 600m west of Verkhnoshyrokivske (formerly Oktiabr, non-government-controlled, 85km south of Donetsk), members of the armed formations denied an SMM patrol, travelling from government-controlled areas, passage into non-government-controlled areas, referring to quarantine restrictions due to COVID-19.

The Mission began facing repeated denials when attempting to cross into non-government-controlled areas at checkpoints of the armed formations in Donetsk region on 21 March, and Luhansk region on 23 March (see SMM Spot Reports 2/2020, 3/2020, 4/2020, 5/2020, 6/2020, 7/2020, 8/2020, 9/2020, 10/2020, 11/2020). They restrict the SMM’s freedom of movement across the contact line, thus impeding the implementation of its Mandate throughout the country.

***

With regard to COVID-19, the SMM has introduced a number of stringent mitigation measures into its operational procedures. These include strict adherence to social distancing rules both internally and with external interlocutors, daily temperature checks, use of PPE, and minimizing the number of personnel in vehicles.

VIENNA, 15 April 2020 – The OSCE Representative on Freedom of the Media, Harlem Désir, expressed his concerns today about Bulgaria’s draft legislation that would criminalize the spread of "internet misinformation". Punishment includes fines of up to 1,000 euros and even imprisonment of up to three years.

After the President of Bulgaria, Rumen Radev, partially vetoed a state of emergency law in March, a new bill with amendments to the Radio and Television Act and the Criminal Code was presented to the National Assembly. These amendments would, if adopted, vest the country’s broadcasting regulator with the power to suspend websites for distributing “internet misinformation”. Unlike the first law, which would have only targeted “fake news” related to the pandemic, the new bill would criminalize all forms of false information disseminated on the internet. No criteria are defined as to what constitutes misinformation.

“I fully share the need to fight the dissemination of false information related to the pandemic, but it is paramount to ensure that media freedom is respected and that journalists are free to report on the pandemic, without undue restrictions,” said Désir. “Measures aimed at combating disinformation should be necessary, proportionate and in line with international standards. I welcome the fact that the President of Bulgaria vetoed the initially proposed legal restrictions on the work of journalists. Unfortunately, the new draft amendments, as they have been proposed, pose a risk of undue restriction on media freedom, the work of journalists, and the free flow of information, both in the context of the current pandemic and thereafter. The media have an important role to play in providing information on vital health measures to the public and in combating false information on the pandemic. The fight against ‘fake news’ and misinformation should be based on the role of free media, access to information, the promotion of fact-checking initiatives, and media literacy.”

He recalled the joint statement that he published together with David Kaye, UN Special Rapporteur on the promotion and protection of the right to freedom of opinion and expression, and Edison Lanza, the Inter-American Commission for Human Rights’ Special Rapporteur for Freedom of Expression, which emphasized that: “Human health depends not only on readily accessible health care. It also depends on access to accurate information about the nature of the threats and the means to protect oneself, one’s family, and one’s community”. The Representative and the two Special Rapporteurs also stated that: “The right of access to information means that governments must be making exceptional efforts to protect the work of journalists. Journalism serves a crucial function at a moment of public health emergency, particularly when it aims to inform the public of critical information and monitors government actions.”

The OSCE Representative on Freedom of the Media observes media developments in all 57 OSCE participating States. He provides early warning on violations of freedom of expression and media freedom and promotes full compliance with OSCE media freedom commitments. Learn more at www.osce.org/fom, Twitter: @OSCE_RFoM and on www.facebook.com/osce.rfom.

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

Update on COVID-19 measures

Activities have been impacted by COVID-19 and measures undertaken by the OM to ensure the safety and duty of care of its Mission members and compliance with measures set by the host country authorities.  The Mission is continuing to keep the situation under review, in close contact with the OSCE Secretariat and Chairmanship and it is capable of continuing to fulfill its mandate under the current circumstances. Due to the mandatory self-isolation and social distancing in the Mission’s area, the OM’s main office has operated with limited capacity as of 30 March, but without significant consequences in the Mission’s 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 1,111 to 846 per day at both BCPs compared to last week[1].

During the reporting period, the majority of border crossings were to Ukraine, with an average net flow of 220 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 from 18 March to 1 May. 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. This category of people crossing is significant at both BCPs. 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 suspended.

Persons in military-style outfits

During the reporting period, the number of persons in military-style outfits crossing the border in both directions at both BCPs was five, compared to nine last week, no crossings of this category was observed into the Russian Federation, while five were observed crossing  into Ukraine (40 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 had tinted windows, and buses and minivans had drawn curtains.

Families with a significant amount of luggage

The OTs continued to report on families, sometimes with elderly persons and/or children, crossing the border at both BCPs with a significant amount of luggage, or travelling in heavily loaded cars. During this reporting week, no families were observed crossing into the Russian Federation while four families were observed crossing into Ukraine, compared to the previous reporting period when also no families were observed crossing to the Russian Federation and three 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 until 10 April. In addition to regular bus connections, the OTs continued to observe bus connections on irregular routes. Often the buses did not state their route; instead they had a sign on the windshield stating “irregular”.  

During the reporting period, and especially due to the above-mentioned restrictions from 10 April, the OTs observed a decrease in the overall number of buses crossing the border at both BCPs (51 compared to 64 observed during the previous week). There were 26 buses bound for the Russian Federation and the remaining 25 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 and “LPR” plates.

Trucks

During the reporting period, the OTs observed a decrease in the overall number of trucks crossing the border at both BCPs (734 compared to 825 during the previous reporting week); 378 at the Gukovo BCP and 356 at the Donetsk BCP, 392 of these trucks crossed into the Russian Federation and 342 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 and trucks with “LPR” plates.

The OTs also continued to observe tanker trucks crossing the border in both directions. During the reporting week, the number of tanker trucks increased from 45 to 56. These trucks were observed crossing the border at both BCPs. The trucks had the words “Propane” and “Flammable” written across the tanks in either Russian or Ukrainian. The majority of tanker trucks had hazard signs, indicating that they were transporting propane or a mix of propane and butane.

All trucks underwent systematic inspection by Russian Federation officials, which could include an X-ray check. Due to the 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 decreased from 153 to 98. Of the total number of trucks scanned, 84 trucks (86 per cent) were bound for Ukraine: the remaining 14 trucks (14 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 decreased from 37 to 22 vehicles; ten crossed into the Russian Federation and another 12 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 19 occasions; the OTs assessed that nine trains were travelling to the Russian Federation and ten 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.

On 8 April at 12:05, the Donetsk OT observed two ambulances with “LPR” plates arriving at the BCP from Ukraine. While undergoing border control procedures, the OT observed the presence of a driver and one paramedic on board each vehicle. At 12:30, both vehicles left the BCP towards the Russian Federation. The same day at 18:16, both ambulances were observed crossing back to Ukraine. From its position, the OT was unable to observe any other details. 

On 9 April at 11:01, the OT at the Donetsk BCP observed a helicopter type Mi-17 painted in white and blue, flying at an altitude of approximately 500 metres. It arrived from a north-easterly direction and at a distance of approximately 100 metres from the BCP it made a turn in a north-northwesterly direction. The helicopter remained inside the airspace of the Russian Federation the entire time it was visible to the OT.

On 12 April at 17:11, an ambulance arrived at the Donetsk BCP from the Russian Federation side. At 17:22, the vehicle then crossed the border to Ukraine. From its position the OT was unable to observe any other details.

For trends and figures at a glance covering the period from 10 March to 14 April 2020, 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).                           

Following up on the in-principle agreement reached by the Trilateral Contact Group with the participation of representatives of certain areas of Donetsk and Luhansk regions of Ukraine, the TCG Working Group on humanitarian issues concerted today the details of a mutual release and exchange of detainees related to the conflict in eastern Ukraine.

The mutual release and exchange will take place in due time in advance of the Orthodox Easter.

SDGs SDGs:  16 - Peace, justice and strong institutions

Summary

• Compared with the previous 24 hours, the SMM recorded fewer ceasefire violations in Donetsk region and more in Luhansk region.
• The SMM heard impacts close to its position near the Donetsk Filtration Station.
• Members of the armed formations continued to deny the SMM passage towards non-government-controlled areas at a checkpoint near Olenivka, Donetsk region, as well as at a checkpoint south of Stanytsia Luhanska bridge, Luhansk region.
• The Mission continued monitoring the disengagement areas near Stanytsia Luhanska, Zolote and Petrivske. It saw a person inside the disengagement area near Zolote during night hours.
• The SMM saw weapons in violation of withdrawal lines in non-government-controlled areas of both Donetsk and Luhansk regions.
• The SMM monitored and facilitated adherence to localized ceasefires to enable repairs to and maintenance and construction of civilian infrastructure on both sides of the contact line, as well as demining activities in a non-government-controlled area of Luhansk region.
• The SMM continued following up on the situation of civilians amid the COVID-19 outbreak, including at entry-exit checkpoints and their corresponding checkpoints in Donetsk and Luhansk regions.
• The SMM’s freedom of movement continued to be restricted in both Donetsk and Luhansk regions.

VIENNA / SARAJEVO, 14 April 2020 – The OSCE Representative on Freedom of the Media, Harlem Désir, and the Head of the OSCE Mission to Bosnia and Herzegovina, Kathleen Kavalec, pointed to the risk of potential violations of fundamental freedoms after the Republika Srpska, an entity of Bosnia and Herzegovina, issued a decree which could restrict the media and journalists from reporting freely on the COVID-19 pandemic.

On 10 April, the Representative and the Head of Mission sent a letter to the President of the Republika Srpska, Željka Cvijanović, following a decree prohibiting incitement to panic and disorder during the state of emergency. The decree, published in the Official Gazette of the Republika Srpska on 6 April, forbids the media and the general public from spreading false news that incites panic, and prescribes significant fines for those who do so. “We take note of the public statements by President Cvijanović that followed our letter, in which she suggests there may be no need to implement such regulation or similar limitations.”

“We fully understand the aim of tackling the dissemination of ‘fake news’ that could pose a risk to public health, or which could create panic and disorder during this health crisis,” Désir and Kavalec said. “However, it is important to ensure the free flow of information and that the media can work free from any kind of pressure, in order for them to provide essential information to the public, including on vital health measures,” they added.

In their letter, the Representative and the Head of Mission also noted that such a decree could lead to censorship and self-censorship, as well as arbitrary and disproportionate penalties. This, they said, could undermine media freedom and the fundamental human right of freedom of expression. Furthermore, they were particularly concerned that the decree does not provide concrete details on how these offences would be determined, or on which jurisprudence they are based.

“We recall our press statement published on 23 March 2020 (https://www.osce.org/representative-on-freedom-of-media/449041), and we encourage the authorities in the Republika Srpska to take the statement into consideration in the framework of the current state of emergency,” Désir and Kavalec said.

They called on the authorities to withdraw the decree, reiterating their readiness to assist the state and entity authorities and to provide expert analysis on any media freedom issue.  

The OSCE Representative on Freedom of the Media observes media developments in all 57 OSCE participating States. He provides early warning on violations of freedom of expression and media freedom and promotes full compliance with OSCE media freedom commitments. Learn more at www.osce.org/fom, Twitter: @OSCE_RFoM and on www.facebook.com/osce.rfom.