OSCE

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.
• Small-arms fire was assessed as aimed at an SMM mini-unmanned aerial vehicle near Stepanivka, Luhansk region.
• A man died due to shrapnel injuries in Syhnalne, Donetsk region.
• The Mission continued monitoring the disengagement areas near Stanytsia Luhanska, Zolote and Petrivske. It recorded ceasefire violations inside the disengagement area near Petrivske.
• The SMM saw weapons in violation of withdrawal lines on both sides of the contact line in Luhansk region.
• The Mission continued to observe measures related to the COVID-19 outbreak at checkpoints in both Donetsk and Luhansk regions.
• The SMM facilitated and monitored adherence to localized ceasefires to enable demining activities near Krasnyi Yar and repairs to power lines near Shchastia.
• Restrictions of the SMM’s freedom of movement continued, including at a checkpoint of the armed formations in Novoazovsk and at the border crossing point in non-government-controlled Izvaryne.

Communication and Media Relations Section

The OSCE today has recorded its first case of COVID-19 involving a staff member at the Secretariat. All necessary protocols have been followed as set out by the Austrian authorities, and the staff member’s condition is already improving.

Key areas within the Secretariat have been disinfected. Further measures for accessing the building have been implemented and communicated internally to all staff.  

The OSCE Secretariat in Vienna, in consultation with the Austrian host authorities and the OSCE Troika of current, previous and incoming Chairmanships (Albania, Slovakia and Sweden respectively), has had staff work from home effective 16 March, cancelled non-essential duty travel, postponed events and temporarily suspended its visiting group programme for the coming weeks.

The Albanian OSCE Chairmanship has also cancelled meetings of the Permanent Council and Turkey, Chair of the Forum for Security Co-operation has cancelled the meetings of the Forum for Security Co-operation in line with guidance from the Austrian host authorities, until further notice.

In the meantime, the OSCE’s essential work continues in accordance to its business continuity plans. The OSCE Secretary General is in contact with the OSCE Troika officials and heads of Executive Structures on a regular basis with the aim of minimizing disruption to the Organization’s operations during this challenging time.

SDGs SDGs:  16 - Peace, justice and strong institutions KYIV, 20 March 2020 – The Chief Monitor of the OSCE Special Monitoring Mission (SMM) to Ukraine, Y. Halit Çevik, welcomed today the extension of the SMM’s mandate for another year. “I thank our host country, Ukraine, and the OSCE participating States for taking this consensus decision,” the Chief Monitor said. “It is a mark of the continued support for the Mission’s work in contributing to reducing tensions and fostering peace, stability and security in Ukraine.”

TIRANA, 20 March 2020 – The OSCE Chairperson-in-Office, Prime Minister and Minister for Europe and Foreign Affairs of Albania, Edi Rama, welcomed yesterday’s OSCE Permanent Council decision to renew the mandate of the Special Monitoring Mission to Ukraine (SMM) for another year until 31 March 2021.

The mandate extension is also accompanied by an increase in the budget for the SMM. “The mandate renewal will ensure the SMM continues to make a huge difference on the ground. The additional finance that participating States have committed will support the Mission’s monitoring capacity and improve the safety and security of SMM staff, including through deploying and sustaining more monitoring officers, increasing its technical capabilities, and replacing its assets in accordance with the required standards,” Rama said.Expressing gratitude to the Mission, the Chairperson-in-Office recalled that the SMM continues to work in a volatile and unpredictable environment, and encouraged support for its personnel to be able to fully implement its mandate.“The women and men of the SMM work tirelessly to fulfil their mandate with the aim of contributing to reducing tensions and fostering peace, stability and security, and to monitoring and supporting the implementation of all OSCE principles and commitments, throughout Ukraine” Rama added. “I had the privilege to see their work first hand on my recent trip to Ukraine. They are our eyes and ears on the ground, helping also to prevent further escalation. I am delighted that the OSCE participating States have supported this package to reinforce the Mission’s work. This is a demonstration of their confidence in the valuable and indispensable work of the SMM, as the primary international monitoring presence on the ground,” Rama concluded.

WARSAW/VIENNA/STRASBOURG, 20 March 2020 – While ever more countries introduce measures to counter the current health risks, it is important to remember that societies based on solidarity and inclusion are more resilient to fast-changing circumstances, said the heads of three European human rights institutions on the eve of the International Day for the Elimination of Racial Discrimination.

The rapid spread of the novel Coronavirus between continents and countries must not be used as an excuse for racial discrimination or hate crime, while victims must be speedily assisted, said the heads of the OSCE Office for Democratic Institutions and Human Rights (ODIHR), the EU Agency for Fundamental Rights (FRA), and the Council of Europe’s European Commission against Racism and Intolerance (ECRI).

“In the current situation, intolerance and discrimination are not only unacceptable but also counterproductive,” said ODIHR Director Ingibjörg Sólrún Gísladóttir. “Migrants, minorities and their families are suffering as much as the rest of us from the chaos and distress caused by the new illness that is stalking our countries. We will overcome this difficult time as we have overcome many others, but only if we work with and for each other.”

Civil society and community organizations have an important role to play in combating prejudice. Nevertheless, it is governments who are primarily responsible for ensuring that victims of hatred are protected and can receive the support they need, particularly in this difficult period.

“Without question, we need strong well informed public health responses right now. But equally, we have to ensure these responses respect everyone’s human rights and do not disproprotionately affect certain groups in society,” said Michael O’Flaherty, FRA Director. “We are currently looking at the human rights impact of the public health measures countries are taking and will publish our findings soon. I remain confident we can deliver on both the human right to health of our people while also respecting everyone’s human rights.”

Victims of hate crime often belong to groups that already face discrimination on a daily basis, both off- and online. At the same time, victims often feel misunderstood and marginalised by the criminal justice system. Police and prosecutors therefore need to ensure appropriate and sensitive treatment to ensure that victims neither feel ignored nor forced to re-live the experience of the crime itself.

“In some respects, racism is like the coronavirus. It is a contageous disease which lurks unseen until it suddenly spreads and causes severe damage to individuals, families, communities, and the whole of society.  In these difficult times, we need to join forces to build robust defences against racism and to curb its spread through strong legislation, effective equality bodies, ambitious action plans and inclusive education”, said ECRI’s Chair Maria Marouda. “Politicians and citizens need to speak out against hate speech that is triggered by today’s pandemic. The authorities and equality bodies should reach out to help all the communities concerned.”

Recognising the importance of assistance to national authorities and civil society in order to deal with hatred and its consequences for victims, ODIHR has developed a number of practical guides for use by law enforcement agencies as well as also teachers and NGOs. At the same time, ECRI’s country monitoring help countries to understand gaps in their laws and policies to combat hate crime and suggests ways forward. FRA’s compendium of practices for combating hate crime collected from across the EU offers further guidance to governments as they seek more effective means of countering hatred. These solutions do not only offer hope to victims for a safer future, but also for more resilient societies based on inclusion, tolerance, and mutual understanding.

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

SDGs SDGs:  16 - Peace, justice and strong institutions

Summary

• Compared with the previous reporting period, the SMM recorded fewer ceasefire violations in both Donetsk and Luhansk regions.
• Small-arms fire was assessed as aimed at two SMM mini-unmanned aerial vehicles near Starohnativka and Yasynuvata, Donetsk region.
• The Mission continued monitoring the disengagement areas near Stanytsia Luhanska, Zolote and Petrivske. It also continued to record ceasefire violations inside the disengagement area near Petrivske.
• The SMM saw weapons in violation of withdrawal lines on both sides of the contact line.
• The Mission continued to observe measures related to the COVID-19 outbreak at checkpoints in both Donetsk and Luhansk regions, as well as at the checkpoint near Kalanchak, Kherson region.
• The SMM facilitated and monitored adherence to localized ceasefires to enable demining near Krasnyi Yar and repairs to power lines near Sopyne, Shchastia and Slovianoserbsk.
• Restrictions of the SMM’s freedom of movement continued, including at checkpoints of the armed formations in southern Donetsk region.

GENEVA / WASHINGTON / VIENNA, 19 March 2020 – In light of the growing disruptions caused by the COVID-19 pandemic, the monitors for freedom of expression and freedom of the media for the United Nations, the Inter-American Commission for Human Rights, and the Representative on Freedom of the Media of the Organization for Security and Co-operation in Europe issued the following joint statement:

“We share the grave concern of people everywhere in the face of the COVID-19 pandemic. At a moment of such gravity, we fully understand and support the efforts of public health professionals and governments to develop and implement strategies to protect human health and human life. The fundamental and non-derogable right to life is at stake, and governments are obligated to ensure its protection.

“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 right to freedom of expression, which includes the right to seek, receive and impart information and ideas of all kinds, regardless of frontiers, through any media, applies to everyone, everywhere, and may only be subject to narrow restrictions. In this connection, we urge the following:

“First, it is essential that governments provide truthful information about the nature of the threat posed by the coronavirus. Governments everywhere are obligated under human rights law to provide reliable information in accessible formats to all, with particular focus on ensuring access to information by those with limited internet access or where disability makes access challenging.

“Second, internet access is critical at a time of crisis. It is essential that governments refrain from blocking internet access; in those situations where internet has been blocked, governments should, as a matter of priority, ensure immediate access to the fastest and broadest possible internet service. Especially at a time of emergency, when access to information is of critical importance, broad restrictions on access to the internet cannot be justified on public order or national security grounds.

“Third, 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. We urge all governments to robustly implement their freedom of information laws to ensure that all individuals, especially journalists, have access to information.

“Fourth, we share the concern that false information about the pandemic could lead to health concerns, panic and disorder. In this connection, it is essential that governments and internet companies address disinformation in the first instance by themselves providing reliable information. That may come in the form of robust public messaging, support for public service announcements, and emergency support for public broadcasting and local journalism (for instance, through government health advertisements).

Resorting to other measures, such as content take-downs and censorship, may result in limiting access to important information for public health and should only be undertaken where they meet the standards of necessity and proportionality. Any attempts to criminalise information relating to the pandemic may create distrust in institutional information, delay access to reliable information and have a chilling effect on freedom of expression.

“Fifth, we are aware of growing use of tools of surveillance technology to track the spread of the coronavirus. While we understand and support the need for active efforts to confront the pandemic, it is also crucial that such tools be limited in use, both in terms of purpose and time, and that individual rights to privacy, non-discrimination, the protection of journalistic sources and other freedoms be rigorously protected. States must also protect the personal information of patients. We strongly urge that any use of such technology abide by the strictest protections and only be available according to domestic law that is consistent with international human rights standards.

“We close by thanking all the medical and health care professionals putting themselves at the frontline of treating the unwell.”

* The experts: David Kaye, Special Rapporteur on the promotion and protection of the right to freedom of opinion and expression; Harlem Désir, OSCE Representative on Freedom of the Media and Edison Lanza, IACHR Special Rapporteur for Freedom of Expression

MOSCOW / PARIS / WASHINGTON, D.C., 19 March 2020 - Noting the current suspension of monitoring exercises by the Personal Representative of the OSCE Chairperson-in-Office due to the exceptional situation created by the spread of COVID-19, the OSCE Minsk Group Co-Chairs (Igor Popov of the Russian Federation, Stéphane Visconti of France, and Andrew Schofer of the United States of America) appeal to the sides to reaffirm their commitment to observe the ceasefire strictly and refrain from any provocative action that could further raise tensions during this period.

Recognizing that the region’s medical resources should be dedicated exclusively to combating the spread of the virus and treating those affected, we urge the sides to exercise the greatest possible restraint to lessen the risk of escalation including by making maximum use of the existing direct communication links.

Despite the heavy restrictions on international travel, the Co-Chairs will continue their mediation efforts without interruption, remaining in close contact with each other and with the sides.

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 displayed aggressive behaviour towards the SMM in Sofiivka, Donetsk region.
• The Mission continued monitoring the disengagement areas near Stanytsia Luhanska, Zolote and Petrivske; it recorded ceasefire violations inside the disengagement area near Petrivske. While present near the latter area, it saw unmanned aerial vehicles drop objects by parachutes nearby.
• The Mission continued to observe measures related to the COVID-19 outbreak at checkpoints in both Donetsk and Luhansk regions.
• It facilitated and monitored adherence to localized ceasefires to enable demining near Krasnyi Yar and maintenance to power lines near Shchastia and Slovianoserbsk.
• Restrictions of the SMM’s freedom of movement continued, including due to the presence of mines and unexploded ordnance, and at checkpoints of the armed formations in southern Donetsk region as well as at a border crossing point outside government control in Luhansk region.

TBILISI, 18 March 2020 - The Personal Representative of the OSCE Chairperson-in-Office on the conflict dealt with by the OSCE Minsk Conference, Ambassador Andrzej Kasprzyk, has issued the following statement:

“The ongoing situation following the spread of COVID-19 has led to the closure of international borders throughout the region, travel restrictions for international and local staff, as well as restrictions put in place to avoid face-to-face contact to reduce the risk of infection. In view of the above, and following consultations with the sides, monitoring exercises will be suspended until these restrictions are lifted. In the meantime, I continue to be in contact with the relevant military authorities.”

VIENNA, 18 March 2020 – The OSCE Representative on Freedom of the Media, Harlem Désir, condemned today the brutal attack on Bulgarian journalist Slavi Angelov, editor of the weekly newspaper and related website “168 chasa”, in Sofia.

“I strongly condemn the violent attack today against Slavi Angelov in Sofia," said Désir. “This is an unacceptable act of intimidation against the journalist, which could have ended in his death. Angelov is known for his investigative reporting on political and environmental corruption issues. Such an attack against the press cannot be tolerated. I will closely follow the investigation opened by the authorities. I urge them to swiftly identify and bring those responsible to justice.”

Three masked individuals attacked Angelov last night near his home in the centre of Sofia. They beat him with iron rods until he lost consciousness. He was immediately hospitalized and is now conscious. His condition remains serious but stable with a broken leg from the attack. No valuables were stolen. One of the three individuals filmed the attack.  

According to the authorities, the attack is probably linked to his work. The police took swift action to investigate the crime.

The Representative noted that such brutal and bold attacks, if left unpunished, may create an atmosphere of fear within the media community. This incident comes amid the backdrop of Bulgaria sliding down in media freedom indices. 

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.

VIENNA, 17 March 2020 – The OSCE Representative on Freedom of the Media, Harlem Désir, welcomed today the decision by the authorities in Azerbaijan to free independent journalist Afgan Mukhtarli, who was previously sentenced to six years imprisonment.

“I welcome the long awaited release of Azerbaijani journalist Afgan Mukhtarli today. I intervened many times on his behalf to the authorities, expressed my serious concerns about his situation and called to drop the criminal charges and release him,” states Désir. “I am relieved that he can now reunite with his wife Leyla Mustafayeva and daughter in Germany, where he will join them.”

Mukhtarli, an independent investigative journalist, was abducted in Tbilisi in May 2017 and brought to Baku. He was convicted of "smuggling", "illegal crossing of the border" and "resisting an official representative".

Previous interventions by the OSCE Representative on Freedom of the Media regarding Afgan Mukhtarli can be found here: https://www.osce.org/fom/366346;  www.osce.org/fom/363206 and www.osce.org/fom/347741

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

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, including over 900 explosions in areas east and north-east of Zolote.
• Small-arms fire was assessed as directed at an SMM mini-unmanned aerial vehicle which was flying over areas near Krychnychne, Luhansk region.
• The Mission continued monitoring the disengagement areas near Stanytsia Luhanska, Zolote and Petrivske; it recorded ceasefire violations, including explosions, assessed as inside the disengagement area near Petrivske.
• The Mission observed measures related to the COVID-19 outbreak at entry-exit checkpoints in both Donetsk and Luhansk regions.
• It facilitated and monitored adherence to localized ceasefires to enable demining activities near Krasnyi Yar and repairs to water pipelines in Zaitseve.
• Members of the armed formations continued to restrict the Mission’s freedom of movement in Donetsk city and at checkpoints in southern Donetsk region, including near Verkhnoshyrokivske, Nova Marivka, and Staromarivka.

448717 Communication and Media Relations Section Impact of the COVID-19 outbreak on OSCE public activities

The OSCE, together with other international organizations, continues to undertake preventative measures against the COVID-19 outbreak, in line with guidance from the authorities of host countries.

The OSCE welcomes the efforts of the World Health Organization to raise awareness and provide guidance to national authorities and individuals.

The OSCE’s Executive Structures, including its Field Operations, have contingency plans in place, and are implementing preventative measures as appropriate. They continue to monitor the situation regarding the virus outbreak and remain in close contact with host government authorities.

The OSCE Secretariat in Vienna, in consultation with the Austrian host authorities and the OSCE Troika of current, previous and incoming Chairmanships (Albania, Slovakia and Sweden respectively), has asked staff to work from home, cancelled non-essential duty travel, postponed events and temporarily suspended its visiting group programme for the coming weeks.

The Albanian OSCE Chairmanship has also cancelled meetings of the Permanent Council and Forum for Security Co-operation, in line with guidance from the Austrian host authorities, until 3 April.

In the meantime, the OSCE’s essential work continues in accordance to its business continuity plans. The OSCE Secretary General is in contact with the OSCE Troika officials and heads of Executive Structures on a regular basis with the aim of minimising disruption to the Organization’s operations during this challenging time.

SUMMARY

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

OPERATIONAL REMARKS

The OM is currently operating with 22 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

During the reporting period, the OM has been subject to developing restrictions on both air travel and international and local measures, which limit the travel by the OM’s international observers. At the moment, the Mission’s area is not affected by any COVID-19 cases, and the CO has maintained constant working contacts with the Ministry of Foreign Affairs on the topic. On 13 March the CO decided to apply extraordinary measures: official and private travels were stopped and internal measures were strengthened. The Mission will keep the situation under close review, in contact with the Secretariat and Chairmanship but is capable of continuing to fulfil its mandate under the current circumstances.

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 increased from 9,583 to 10,523 per day at both BCPs compared to last week[1].

During the reporting period, the majority of border crossings were to the Russian Federation, with an average net flow of 252 per day for both BCPs.

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

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 14, compared to 17 last week, eight of them crossed into the Russian Federation, and six into Ukraine (57 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, five families were observed crossing into the Russian Federation and 10 families were observed crossing into Ukraine, compared to the previous reporting period when four families were observed crossing to the Russian Federation and five families into Ukraine.

Bus connections                                        

Regular local and long-distance bus connections continued to operate between Ukraine (mostly from/to the Luhansk region) and the Russian Federation. In addition to regular bus connections, the OTs continued to observe bus connections on irregular routes. Often the buses did not state their route; instead they had a sign on the windshield stating “irregular”.

During the reporting period, the OTs observed an increase in the overall number of buses crossing the border at both BCPs (447 compared to 409 observed during the previous week). There were 230 buses bound for the Russian Federation and 217 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 an increase in the overall number of trucks crossing the border at both BCPs (793 compared to 688 during the previous reporting week); 382 at the Gukovo BCP and 411 at the Donetsk BCP, 408 of these trucks crossed into the Russian Federation and 385 crossed into Ukraine. Most of the trucks observed by the OTs had Ukrainian licence plates issued in the Luhansk region; however, on a daily basis, the OTs also noted trucks registered in Belarus, Georgia, 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 36 to 49. 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 increased from 130 to 140. Of the total number of trucks scanned, 115 trucks (82 per cent) were bound for Ukraine: the remaining 25 trucks (18 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 significantly increased from 118 to 195 vehicles; 90 crossed into the Russian Federation and another 105 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 23 occasions; the OTs assessed that 13 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. The OTs also observed vehicles with “DPR” plates and vehicles with Georgian and Lithuanian licence plates.

On 11 March at 18:49, an ambulance with Russian Federation licence plates entered the Donetsk BCP from Ukraine. The vehicle underwent border control procedures and left to the Russian Federation.

On 12 March at 09:32, the OT observed a police minivan arriving at Donetsk BCP from the Russian Federation and parking behind the main building. At 09:46, the vehicle left the BCP towards the Russian Federation.  

On 16 March at 04:31, a group of six vehicles entered the Donetsk BCP area from the Russian Federation. The group consisted of three vehicles with Russian Federation licence plates (one police car, one white minivan and one black car with flashing light – turned off) and three black SUVs with "Republic of South Ossetia" plates. The police car and the white minivan stopped on the side of the main building, the group of SUVs underwent border control procedures and crossed into Ukraine at 04:45. The black car with flashing light (off) escorted the SUVs to the Ukrainian side of the BCP and returned at 04:54. At 05:01, the police car, the white minivan and the black car with flashing light (off) returned to the Russian Federation.

On the same day at 23:36, a group of three black SUVs arrived from Ukraine. All three vehicles had "Republic of South Ossetia" plates and quickly underwent border control procedures.  These black SUVs crossed into the Russian Federation escorted by a black car with flashing lights and a white minivan which had arrived at 23:28 at the BCP from the Russian Federation.

On 16 March, a Russian police car visited the Gukovo BCP on two separate occasions, at 14:34 and at 20:36. In both cases two policemen had short conversations with the border guards and then left to the Russian Federation.

For trends and figures at a glance covering the period from 11 February to 17 March 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).

VIENNA, 17 March 2020 – The OSCE Representative on Freedom of the Media, Harlem Désir, expressed his serious concerns today at the ongoing prosecution of Svetlana Prokopyeva in Russia, after the regional prosecutor in Pskov signed, on 13 March, her indictment with grave charges of “publicly justifying terrorism” and submitted it to the Regional Military Court in Moscow. Prokopyeva, a journalist with Radio Ekho Moskvy (Echo of Moscow) in Pskov, is a contributor to various other media, including Radio Free Europe/Radio Liberty’s Russian Service. 

The charges, punishable by a prison sentence of up to seven years, stem from Prokopyeva’s comments on the radio following a terrorist attack in the Russian city of Arkhangelsk in October 2018. The transcript of the programme was later published on the Pskovskaya Lenta Novostei online news portal.

“I reiterate my call to the authorities to drop the charges brought against Prokopyeva, who had no involvement in any terrorist activity or an intention to condone terrorism,” Désir said. "Her comments, however critical, had nothing to do with the promotion or support of terrorism."

The Representative recalled the statement, in October 2019, by Russia’s Presidential Council for the Development of Civil Society and Human Rights on this matter. According to the statement, the Council’s Standing Committee on Freedom of Information and the Rights of Journalists did not find any signs of condoning terrorism in this case.

The OSCE Representative has intervened on different occasions in the case of Svetlana Prokopyeva, whom he met last autumn in Moscow during the conference on Freedom of the Media and Safety of Journalists in the Russian Federation and in the OSCE region, organized by his Office with the support of the Ministry of Foreign Affairs of the Russian Federation.

See: https://www.osce.org/representative-on-freedom-of-media/411116; https://www.osce.org/representative-on-freedom-of-media/434678; https://www.osce.org/representative-on-freedom-of-media/411116. 

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 March 2020 – Election observation activities of the OSCE Office for Democratic Institutions and Human Rights (ODIHR) are being temporarily limited in some places, as countries around the OSCE region restrict cross-border travel in response to increased health risks.

The present suspensions are confined to the election observation missions planned for the early parliamentary elections due to take place in North Macedonia on 12 April as well as the 26 April parliamentary elections in Serbia. Other election observation activities planned in the coming period are still under consideration, pending further decisions by national authorities and the public health dangers presented by the COVID-19 pandemic.

ODIHR regrets the necessity of restricting its election observation activities at the present time, but as always the safety of the Office’s staff is of primary importance. ODIHR remains in close contact with the national authorities of countries in which elections are scheduled this year as their election planning evolves.

SDGs SDGs:  16 - Peace, justice and strong institutions

Summary

• Compared with the previous reporting period, between the evenings of 13 and 14 March, the SMM recorded fewer ceasefire violations in Donetsk region and more in Luhansk region.
• Between the evenings of 14 and 15 March, the SMM recorded fewer ceasefire violations in both Donetsk and Luhansk regions, compared with the previous 24 hours.
• The SMM saw damage from heavy-machine-gun fire at a checkpoint in Horlivka.
• The Mission continued monitoring the disengagement areas near Stanytsia Luhanska, Zolote and Petrivske; it recorded ceasefire violations, including explosions, assessed as inside the disengagement area near Petrivske.
• The Mission continued to monitor the situation of civilians at checkpoints. It continued observing measures at entry-exit checkpoints related to COVID-19 outbreak.
• The Mission’s freedom of movement continued to be restricted in non-government-controlled areas, including in Donetsk city, at checkpoints in southern Donetsk region and in areas close to border crossing points in Luhansk region.*
• The SMM monitored three gatherings in Kyiv related to recent developments related to certain areas of Donetsk and Luhansk regions.

TIRANA / BRUSSELS / GENEVA, 16 March 2020 - After carefully reviewing circumstances related to the rapid spread of the COVID-19 virus, the Co-Chairs of the Geneva International Discussions (GID), UN Representative Cihan Sultanoglu, Special Representative of the OSCE Chairperson-in-Office for the South Caucasus Rudolf Michalka, and EU Special Representative for the South Caucasus and the Crisis in Georgia Toivo Klaar have today decided to postpone the 51st GID round, which was due to take place on 31 March -1 April 2020.

The Co-Chairs will take every effort to closely keep contact and engage with all participants using available tools to adequately address pertinent security and humanitarian related issues, among others, on the GID agenda.

The Co-Chairs will closely follow developments related to COVID-19 and consider next steps in organizing the 51st round in due course. 

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 SMM saw a civilian car in government-controlled Marinka that was damaged from gunfire.
• The Mission continued monitoring the disengagement areas near Stanytsia Luhanska, Zolote and Petrivske. It saw the State Emergency Service of Ukraine conducting demining activities near the disengagement area near Petrivske.
• Small-arms fire was assessed as aimed at two SMM mini-unmanned aerial vehicles.
• The Mission saw weapons in violation of withdrawal lines on both sides of the contact line, including at a former airport near non-government-controlled Peremozhne.
• The SMM saw mines, including on and near roads used by civilians, near non-government-controlled Oleksandrivka, Olenivka and Pikuzy, and near government-controlled Vodiane.
• The Mission continued observing measures at entry-exit checkpoints related to COVID-19 outbreak.
• The Mission’s freedom of movement continued to be restricted, including in non-government-controlled Donetsk city, at checkpoints of the armed formations in southern Donetsk region and at a border crossing point near Dovzhanske, Luhansk region.