OSCE

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.
• The SMM observed further withdrawal of forces and hardware from the Zolote disengagement area.
• Inside the Stanytsia Luhanska disengagement area, the Mission continued to observe construction works at the broken section of the bridge.
• The Mission recorded ceasefire violations inside the Petrivske disengagement area.
• The SMM observed two weapons in violation of withdrawal lines in government-controlled areas of Donetsk region.
• The Mission saw for the first time unexploded ordnance in non-government-controlled Sakhanka and Roza.
• The SMM monitored adherence to the ceasefire to facilitate the operation of and repairs to critical civilian infrastructure on both sides of the contact line.
• Restrictions of the SMM’s freedom of movement continued.

VIENNA, 31 October 2019 – OSCE Parliamentary Assembly President George Tsereteli appealed today to strengthen co-operation between all OSCE institutions in an effort to close the gap between what governments have committed to and what they do in practice.

In his fourth address to the Permanent Council in Vienna, the principal decision-making body of the OSCE which brings together the ambassadors of the 57 participating States every week, he underlined the importance of conflict resolution in order to ensure security and peaceful development for the people in all OSCE countries.

Recalling the fundamental changes that took place in Europe 30 years ago – with free elections in Poland, the dismantling of the Iron Curtain in Hungary, and the fall of the Berlin Wall – Tsereteli noted that the OSCE has made a substantial contribution to positive developments over the past three decades. He noted, however, that the initial spirit of optimism has soured.

“We all know what today’s reality is: growing tensions between former partners and even allies, war on our continent, unfulfilled promises in many regions of the OSCE, and renewed illiberal and anti-democratic tendencies sponsored by governments that cling to power – but also opposition forces that resort to violence and other undemocratic means or preach the end of liberal democracy,” Tsereteli said.

“Too many leaders have replaced their readiness for co-operation with selfish unilateral action that shows contempt for their partners and the vision outlined in the [1990 Charter of Paris for a New Europe],” said the President. He called for a greater role for the OSCE in providing a remedy to the heightened geopolitical tensions, protracted conflicts and democratic backsliding.

“Will we, as the bodies and institutions of the OSCE, be able to provide the international community with an impetus for a corrective course of action?” Tsereteli asked. He highlighted the Slovak OSCE Chairmanship’s theme of “effective multilateralism” as a worthwhile goal and stressed the need to co-ordinate efforts in this regard. He underlined the role of parliamentarians in holding governments to account and to ensure that they live up to their international commitments.

“Our success is measured in terms of how we manage to improve the everyday situation of the peoples in our countries,” he said.

He highlighted the Assembly’s efforts in Ukraine, where OSCE parliamentarians have offered assistance to those who are ready to engage in conflict settlement and worked to raise awareness about human suffering in the conflict-affected areas. He welcomed recent positive steps toward progress in Ukraine. 

“I appeal to everybody to support progress through constructive and co-operative rhetoric and not belittle first necessary steps,” Tsereteli said. “We must use every window of opportunity and build on any positive momentum that develops.”

He also drew attention to the suffering of Georgians as a consequence of the continued illegal occupation of territories of their country, and the urgent need for progress regarding the Nagorno-Karabakh Conflict.

President Tsereteli highlighted the work of the Parliamentary Assembly, including its ad hoc committees and special representatives, and recent visits he has undertaken. He pointed out that the Assembly sees it as its task to raise awareness about the good work being done by the OSCE, and toward this end has conducted numerous visits to OSCE institutions and field presences this year, including in The Hague, Warsaw, Bishkek, Kyiv, Nur Sultan and Belgrade.

Following his speech, President Tsereteli fielded replies by delegations from the Russian Federation, European Union, Switzerland, Azerbaijan, Georgia, United States, Kazakhstan, Ukraine, Turkey, Armenia and Uzbekistan.

For the full speech in PDF format, please click here.

Watch the speech on YouTube here.

Experts from the OSCE Office for Democratic Institutions and Human Rights (ODIHR) presented the final report and recommendations of the assessment mission to the 6 October 2018 parliamentary elections in Latvia.

ODIHR experts reiterated their earlier assessment that the elections were well-administered, with a high level of public confidence in the process, but proposed ways in which the legislative framework could be further refined. The authorities highlighted developments that are in line with ODIHR recommendations, including updates to some complaints procedures, additional voter education related to secrecy of the vote and efforts to increase the naturalization rate of non-citizens. In particular, the ODIHR team was informed about ongoing work to introduce a permanent voter register for parliamentary elections, in line with a prior recommendation, as well as proposed changes to rules on party and campaign finance.

“ODIHR welcomes constructive steps by the authorities to further improve the electoral process,” said Lusine Badalyan, Acting Deputy Head of the ODIHR Elections Department. “We look forward to hearing about progress in establishing the permanent voter register, and stand ready to provide legal and technical expertise, if requested.”

The experts visited Riga from 28 to 30 October 2019, where they met officials from the Central Election Commission, the Ministry of Foreign Affairs, other government ministries and agencies, and representatives of civil society organizations.

All OSCE participating States have committed to promptly following up on ODIHR electoral assessments and recommendations.

437612 Communication and Media Relations Section SDGs SDGs:  5 - Gender equality 8 - Decent work and economic growth

As part of the celebrations to mark the 100th anniversary of the establishment of the International Labour Organization and of the OSCE project “Economic Empowerment of Women in Syunik region and other regions of Armenia”, the Office of the Co-ordinator of OSCE Economic and Environmental Activities and the Republican Union of Employers of Armenia (RUEA) co-organized the event “Leaving no one behind: Promoting social economy for an inclusive and prosperous Armenia” on 30 October 2019 in Yerevan.

Discussions at the event focused on promoting financial stability and social cohesion through more effective eco-systems for social enterprises.

Some 80 national and international experts, high-level public officials from relevant ministries, economic and social partners, civil society representatives and social entrepreneurs attended the event. They considered ways to unlock the potential of social economy in Armenia as a relevant approach in supporting the socioeconomic inclusion of groups at risk of marginalization, especially women. 

Karine Sujayan, Head of the Human Rights and Humanitarian Issues Department, at the Ministry of Foreign Affairs, said: “The Armenian government is strongly engaged in promoting social economy as an integral part of its agenda on sustainable economic development, with a special emphasis on the financial inclusion of women and youth. The OSCE has been a key player in supporting women’s economic empowerment in Armenia.” 

The Deputy Co-ordinator of the OSCE Economic and Environmental Activities, Ermelinda Meksi, emphasized the relevance of inclusive development for security. “There is growing recognition that there is a more sustainable way of doing business. In addressing social challenges with an entrepreneurial approach, social enterprises contribute to more prosperous, cohesive and secure societies. The OSCE stands ready to support the Government of Armenia in promoting equal opportunities for women in the economic sphere and supporting enhanced dialogue on social economy in Armenia”.   

Gagik Makaryan, President of the Republican Union of Employers in Armenia (RUEA), put forward concrete suggestions to enhance the development of the social economy sector, including promoting specific services for social entrepreneurs at local level, particularly women, supporting measures to facilitate access to credit for social entrepreneurs, offering ad hoc training and capacity-building opportunities. “Our organization is ready to collaborate with the OSCE and the Armenian government in a number of areas to allow social entrepreneurs to unlock their economic potential.”

The project on “Economic Empowerment of Women in Syunik region and other regions of Armenia” is part of the OCEEA’s long-term engagement to reduce socio-economic disparities in the OSCE and implemented with the financial support of Finland, Italy, Norway, Slovakia and the United States of America.

437447 Marina Živaljević

Members of the Montenegrin Parliament and staff participated in a study mission to the Slovak National Council on 28 and 29 October 2019.  The event was organized by the OSCE Mission to Montenegro in co-ordination with the Slovak Chair of the OSCE.

Jovanka Laličić, Chair of the Legislative Committee, Predrag Sekulić, Chair of the Committee on Economy, Finance and Budget, Radule Novović, Chair of the Committee on Education, Science, Culture and Sports, together with Aleksandar Jovićević, Secretary General of the Parliament and three staff members took part in the visit. They had the opportunity to learn about the organization of the Slovak National Assembly, focusing on the control role of the Parliament and its bodies, as well as on the legislative procedure.

The delegation met with the chairs and the members of the relevant committees to exchange good practices and discuss about the challenges they are facing in their work.

Jovanka Laličić, commenting on the outcomes of the visit said: “We have heard many interesting solutions some of which we can adapt, especially with regard to the work of the research centre, which provides important support the work of MPs, working bodies and the service. It was also very beneficial to establish contacts with the MPs and employees for the purpose of exchanging in-depth information on the work of the committees and the research centre.”

The visit was an opportunity to further promote the Chairmanship’s focus on strengthening strategic and effective partnerships through sharing experiences in parliamentary work with special focus on the oversight role and legislative practice.

The OSCE Mission to Montenegro continuously supports the Montenegrin Parliament in its effort to strengthen the bilateral co-operation, especially focusing on sharing best practices with other parliaments on areas of common interest.

VIENNA, 31 October 2019 – The OSCE Representative on Freedom of the Media, Harlem Désir, stressed today the need to protect journalists and prosecute those responsible for crimes committed against them, on the occasion of the upcoming International Day to End Impunity for Crimes against Journalists.

“In too many cases, we have seen the perpetrators of crimes against journalists remain free. Around 400 journalists have been killed in the OSCE region in the past 25 years, and less than 15 per cent of murders of journalists have been solved. Statistics like this prove that journalists’ safety must become a higher priority for governments,” said Désir. “This year alone has seen two more journalists killed while carrying out their work, Lyra McKee in Northern Ireland (United Kingdom), and Vadim Komarov in Cherkasy (Ukraine).” 

The Representative also paid tribute to those journalists killed in recent years. “Too many journalists have been killed across the OSCE region in recent years. These include Daphne Caruana Galizia, whose family I met during a recent visit to Malta. I hope that the investigation there will identify those responsible for this murder and bring them to justice,” said Désir. “I also think of Ján Kuciak, who was killed in Slovakia last year, and where charges have been brought against four individuals in relation to his murder. I hope that justice can finally be served in this case. The failure to prosecute can create an environment of impunity for those who might attack journalists, and breed further violence.”

“Progress is possible,” added the Representative. “Just last year, in December, the OSCE participating States adopted the important Decision on Safety of Journalists at the Ministerial Council, which highlights the necessity of ending impunity for crimes committed against journalists.”

In particular, the Decision urges participating States to “take effective measures to end impunity for crimes committed against journalists, by ensuring accountability as a key element in preventing future attacks, including by ensuring that law enforcement agencies carry out swift, effective and impartial investigations into acts of violence and threats against journalists, in order to bring all those responsible to justice, and ensure that victims have access to appropriate remedies”. 

Désir recalled progress on a case in Serbia, where, he said, “we saw this year the conviction of former state officials responsible for the 1999 killing of the journalist Slavko Ćuruvija. This shows that there can be no impunity even for crimes committed 20 years ago. It is paramount that such progress is reflected in many other cases of violence against journalists.”

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.

STOCKHOLM, 31 October 2019 – Nordic approaches to issues on the OSCE agenda, including human rights and environmental concerns, have been underlined by a high-level Parliamentary Assembly delegation at the 2019 Meeting of the Nordic Council.

OSCE PA Vice-President Margareta Cederfelt (MP, Sweden) and Special Representative on Arctic Issues Torill Eidsheim (MP, Norway) are representing the OSCE PA at the meeting taking place at the Riksdag, the Swedish Parliament, in Stockholm on 29-31 October.

In her address to the plenary session, Vice-President Cederfelt highlighted the many areas of common interest between the OSCE PA and the Nordic Council and praised the efforts of Nordic countries on important international issues. “We highly welcome the Nordic leadership on key topics such as the promotion of human rights, of gender equality and the protection of the environment; their best practices serve as an example for us to take and bring on our wider international forum comprising 57 countries from Vancouver to Vladivostok,” Cederfelt said.

Attention also focused on the increased engagement of the OSCE PA on the Arctic, especially with the appointment in May 2019 of a Special Representative on Arctic Issues, which followed a visit of the President and the economic and environmental committee’s leadership to the Svalbard Islands. Special Representative Eidsheim reiterated that addressing the environmental dimension and the climate crisis of the Arctic is the main priority for the region.

“As the ‘refrigerator of the world,’ what happens in the Arctic does not stay in the Arctic. We need international focus on climate change and need to turn awareness into action, including by legislative means in our own countries,” Eidsheim said.

She added however that hopelessness is not the answer. “While it is true that we need more action, and that we need it quickly, we also have to re-build trust in institutions and individuate an all-of-society approach to promote effective policies to mitigate the effects of climate change on society,” she said. To this end, she held a productive bilateral meeting with representatives of the Nordic Sustainable Development Committee, exchanging views on the needed action in the international arena and discussing the role of parliamentarians.

All Nordic Council Members are also part of the OSCE and the presence of the PA Delegation was aimed at underlining the importance that the Assembly attaches to its Northern region and to its challenges and building synergy between the two organizations.

On the margins of the Council, the OSCE PA delegation held productive exchange of views with the Swedish Nordic Council President in office Hans Wallmark (Sweden) and with the incoming President Silja Dögg Gunnarsdóttir (Iceland), agreeing on enhancing the exchange of information between the two organizations and on providing inputs to each other’s work.

For more on the work of Special Representative on Arctic Issues Torill Eidsheim, please click here. Vice-President Margareta Cederfelt's portfolio is available here.

SDGs SDGs:  16 - Peace, justice and strong institutions

Summary

• Compared with the previous reporting period, the SMM recorded more ceasefire violations in Donetsk and fewer in Luhansk regions.
• The Mission observed the beginning of the disengagement process at the Zolote disengagement area.
• Small-arms fire was assessed as directed at an SMM mini-unmanned aerial vehicle near government-controlled Arkhanhelske.
• Inside the Stanytsia Luhanska disengagement area, the Mission continued to observe construction works at the broken section of the bridge.
• The SMM recorded ceasefire violations and observed military and military-type presence inside the Petrivske disengagement area.
• The Mission observed weapons in violation of withdrawal lines on both sides of the contact line.
• The SMM saw for the first time anti-tank mines near non-government-controlled Dokuchaievsk and unexploded ordnance in non-government-controlled Yasynuvata.
• The SMM monitored adherence to the ceasefire to facilitate repairs to critical civilian infrastructure on both sides of the contact line.
• Restrictions of the SMM’s freedom of movement continued, including at checkpoints near non-government-controlled Oleksandrivske, Novoazovsk and Bezimenne.*

TURKMENBASHI, Turkmenistan, 30 October 2019 - Two OSCE-supported events launched activities in Turkmenistan aimed at promoting green ports and connectivity in the Caspian Sea region. A roundtable discussion for experts on 29 October took place in Ashgabat and a technical workshop was held on 30 October at the Turkmenbashi International Seaport.

They concluded a series of launch events that started in Azerbaijan and Kazakhstan earlier this year within the framework of the OSCE project “Promoting Green Ports and Connectivity in the Caspian Region”. The project aims to boost sustainable connectivity and trade among Caspian Sea ports of those countries.

Gathering over 60 participants, the events in Ashgabat and Turkmenbashi received considerable attention by government officials and the international donor community in Turkmenistan. Representatives from the relevant ministries, including the Ministry of Industry and Communication, the Ministry of Trade and Foreign Economic Relations, the Ministry of Energy, port and customs authorities, and logistics companies, together with OSCE experts, discussed key phases of the project. They also discussed national technical assistance needs and major benefits that such a co-operative approach to digitalizing and greening the selected ports in the Caspian Sea will bring.

Through comprehensive stakeholder engagement, technical assistance and realistic solutions for its implementation, the project will offer an effective mechanism for enhancing economic co-operation between Azerbaijan, Kazakhstan and Turkmenistan. It will contribute to efforts of further developing the Caspian Sea into a regional logistics and trade hub, which would bring sustainability and security in the OSCE area and economic well-being to people living in the region.

"We are very happy to support this important project which will further improve the economic co-operation between Azerbaijan, Kazakhstan and Turkmenistan, help reduce the carbon footprint of transport and promote sustainable connectivity," said Diego Ungaro, Ambassador of Italy to Turkmenistan.

Neithart Höfer-Wissing, Ambassador of Germany to Turkmenistan, noted: "Connectivity is very important in a globalized world and should be further promoted between Central Asian countries. Germany is a proud supporter of this OSCE project".

“Turkmenistan plays an increasingly active role in the existing international and regional political dialogues and in initiatives aimed at boosting economic co-operation in the wider region,” said Ivana Markovic Boskovic, Officer-in-Charge of the OSCE Centre in Ashgabat. “This flagship project will provide an additional impetus to the Centre`s ongoing activities in the area of promoting instruments of trade and transport facilitation and digitalization along with developing transit potential of the beneficiary countries.”                   

Daniel Kroos, OSCE Senior Programme Officer, explained that a growing interdependence between the economies in the region calls for a comprehensive approach to energy, digital data exchange and transport infrastructure.  He noted that such an approach is needed to accommodate the fast-growing trade between Asia and Europe to ensure sustainable connectivity.

The events in Turkmenistan followed the start of project activities in Azerbaijan in June 2019 and in Kazakhstan in October. The project is implemented with financial support from Germany, Italy, Iceland and Azerbaijan.

437390 Colin McCullough, OSCE Programme Office in Nur-Sultan SDGs SDGs:  16 - Peace, justice and strong institutions

The II Central Asian Dialogue on reduction of prison population and development of probation is taking place from 28 to 31 October 2019 in Almaty, Kazakhstan. The event was co-organized by the OSCE Programme Office in Nur-Sultan, the Penal Reform International Office in Central Asia, the Commissioner for Human Rights (Ombudsman Office), the United Nations Office on Drugs and Crime (UNODC), the Asia Group, the British Embassy in Kazakhstan, the Prison Committees of the Republic of Kazakhstan, the Kyrgyz Republic, the Republic of Tajikistan and the Republic of Uzbekistan.

The aim of the four-day conference was the focus on the status and prospects of the probation service in the context of Central Asian countries. Discussions covered the advantages of probation, its effectiveness and influence on the penitentiary system, the post-penal rehabilitation of prisoners, and international practice on alternative measures to the deprivation of liberty.

Some 150 participants from relevant state bodies, legal experts, practicing lawyers, and representatives of international organizations and civil society associations will attend. Experts from the UK, Georgia, Poland and Germany shared provide information on their countries’ probation systems and offer some recommendations.

Workshops for prison service representatives of Central Asia and representatives of the Public Monitoring Council (PMC) and the National Preventive Mechanism (NPM) concluded the event. Issues of law enforcement practice of the criminal executive legislation and the practical implementation of the UN Rules for the Treatment of Prisoners were discussed.

The conference is a part of the Programme Office’s long-term activities in supporting Kazakhstan’s reform of the criminal justice and penal systems.

437360 Kunduz Rysbek

Twenty-five female members from across the local councils in the Chuy province, local activists and potential candidates for the 2020 local council elections are taking part in a train-the-trainer capacity building course from 29 to 31 October 2019 in Bishkek. The event is organized by the OSCE Programme Office in Bishkek, with the support of the OSCE Office for Democratic Institutions and Human Rights (ODIHR).

Participants discuss gender stereotypes, the role that women’s equal participation in decision-making plays in the overall development of the country, and existing national legislation that promotes women's political rights.

The course aims at equipping women activists with the necessary knowledge about political leadership and electoral processes.

According to the Central Commission for Elections and Referenda of Kyrgyzstan, between 2004 and 2016 the percentage of women members of local councils had decreased by more than one third: from 19% in 2004 to only 10% in 2016. The August 2019 amendment to the Law of the Kyrgyz Republic “On the Election of Deputies to Local Councils” reserves a minimum 30% of seats for women in local councils..

The course is part of a series of training seminars conducted for over 200 women leaders and activists, as well as consultative meetings for over 2000 residents in the municipalities across Kyrgyzstan. Through these activities, the OSCE supports Kyrgyzstan’s efforts to implement the new law.

Following the train-the-trainer courses, the participants are expected to conduct consultative meetings with men and women in their respective municipalities to share their knowledge about the new legislation and the importance of its implementation.

SDGs SDGs:  16 - Peace, justice and strong institutions

KYIV, 30 October 2019 – The Chief Monitor of the OSCE Special Monitoring Mission (SMM) to Ukraine, Yaşar Halit Çevik, welcomed the beginning, yesterday, of the disengagement of forces and hardware from the Zolote disengagement area. 

Additional SMM patrols in the Zolote area, assisted by static cameras and unmanned aerial vehicles, on 29 October observed the launch of flares by the Ukrainian Armed Forces and the armed formations, signaling both sides’ readiness to disengage, and subsequently Ukrainian Armed Forces personnel and members of the armed formations exiting the disengagement area, together with their weapons.

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.
• Small-arms fire was assessed as aimed at an SMM mini-unmanned aerial vehicle near non-government-controlled Sentianivka.
• The SMM saw for the first time anti-tank mines near Dokuchaievsk and unexploded ordnance near Molodizhne.
• Inside the Stanytsia Luhanska disengagement area, the Mission continued to observe construction works to the bridge.
• The Mission observed weapons in violation of their respective withdrawal lines in a government-controlled area of Donetsk region and in non-government-controlled areas of Luhansk region
• The SMM continued to observe long queues of civilians travelling across the contact line in Donetsk region.
• Restrictions of the Mission’s freedom of movement continued, including at checkpoints near non-government-controlled Novoazovsk and Zaichenko.*

MINSK, 29 October 2019 – The Special Representative of the OSCE Chairperson-in-Office in Ukraine and in the Trilateral Contact Group (TCG), Ambassador Martin Sajdik, made the following statement to the press after the meeting of the TCG ‎and its working groups in Minsk on 29 October 2019:

“Today, the Trilateral Contact Group and its Security Working Group focused on the general security situation in the conflict area, as well as on issues of disengagement of forces and hardware.

As I communicated earlier, today the sides renewed the disengagement of forces and hardware in Zolote and continued negotiations on the renewal of disengagement in Petrivske.

Thus, the sides, literally by stepping backwards, have today made a big step forward.

I would like to note with satisfaction the significant progress of the repair works on the bridge in Stanytsia Luhanska. This is by all means another important step forward.

As last time, I regret to say that I cannot give a positive assessment of adherence to the ceasefire. Although the number of violations remains lower than before the ceasefire, it remains fluctuating.

For this reason, I strongly appeal to the sides and call on them, realising their political and humanitarian responsibilities to the civilian population, to do everything necessary to ensure a sustainable ceasefire.

Today, the meeting of the Economic Working Group, in which participated a considerable group of experts, including from the International Committee of the Red Cross (ICRC), was devoted exclusively to water supply issues. The sides reached agreement on the possibility to launch an international audit of the Voda Donbasa company. The respective tender shall be launched by ICRC.

The Humanitarian Working Group continued its discussions on an exchange of detainees.

Participants of the Political Working Group debated questions related to the implementation of the ‘Steinmeier formula’.”

SDGs SDGs:  16 - Peace, justice and strong institutions

This report is for the media and the general public.

Shortly after 12:00 (Eastern European Time) on 29 October, the SMM observed the beginning of the disengagement process at the Zolote disengagement area. SMM patrols positioned both on the northern and southern edge of the area saw the launch of flares by the Ukrainian Armed Forces and the armed formations, signaling both sides’ readiness to disengage.

Subsequently, the SMM saw Ukrainian Armed Forces personnel and members of the armed formations exiting the disengagement area, together with their weapons.

The Mission will continue to monitor and verify the disengagement process.

Additional information can be found in the SMM Daily Reports.

437342 Željka Šulc

Serge Brammertz, Chief Prosecutor of the International Residual Mechanism for Criminal Tribunals (IRMCT), met with Kathleen Kavalec, the newly appointed Head of the OSCE Mission to Bosnia and Herzegovina on 29 October 2019.

Brammertz and Kavalec discussed the current challenges that the BiH judiciary faces in processing war crimes cases. Kavalec reiterated the Mission’s commitment to supporting the domestic judiciary and achieving justice for the victims. In addition, she emphasized the need for the BiH Council of Ministers to adopt the 2018 Proposal for the Revised National War Crimes Processing Strategy.

This report is for the media and the general public.

SUMMARY

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

OPERATIONAL REMARKS

The OM is currently operating with 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.

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 11,290 to 11,562 per day at both BCPs compared to last week[1].

During the reporting period, the majority of border crossings were to Russia, with an average net flow of 23 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 13 this week compared to 17 last week: six of them crossed into the Russian Federation, and seven into Ukraine (92 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, six families were observed crossing into the Russian Federation and seven were observed crossing into Ukraine, compared to the previous reporting period when 11 families were observed crossing to the Russian Federation and 12 to 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 (508 compared to 505 observed during the previous week). There were 271 buses bound for the Russian Federation and 237 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 784 trucks (compared to 878 during the previous reporting week) crossing the border in both directions at both BCPs (317 at the Gukovo BCP and 467 at the Donetsk BCP); 408 of these trucks crossed to the Russian Federation and 376 crossed to 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 and the Russian Federation and also 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 slightly increased from 56 to 72. 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 151 to 110; 79 trucks (72 per cent) were bound for Ukraine, the remaining 31 trucks (28 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 slightly decreased from 128 to 126 vehicles; 56 crossed into the Russian Federation and another 70 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 ten trains were travelling to the Russian Federation and nine to Ukraine (more details are provided in the sections “trends and figures at a glance” below).

The OSCE Special Monitoring Mission (SMM) to Ukraine was regularly informed about the trains bound for Ukraine.

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

Other observations

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

During the reporting week, the OTs at both BCPs noticed helicopters flying along the border within the Russian Federation airspace on two separate occasions: 

On 22 October at 10:42, the OT at the Donetsk BCP observed a helicopter type Mi-17/Mi-8 painted white with a blue stripe, flying from the east at a distance of approximately 2-3 km of the BCP before it turned in a northerly direction. The helicopter remained inside the airspace of the Russian Federation the entire time it was visible to the OT.

On 24 October at 10:40, the OT at the Gukovo BCP observed a helicopter type Mi-17/Mi-8 painted white with a blue stripe, to the north of the BCP flying in a north-easterly direction. The helicopter remained inside the airspace of the Russian Federation the entire time it was visible to the OT.

During the reporting week, the OTs at both BCPs observed ambulances on three separate occasions:

On 23 October at 05:07, the OT at Donetsk BCP observed an ambulance crossing the border from Ukraine into the Russian Federation. The ambulance bore "LPR" plates and the inscription "Children intensive care" - in Russian.

On the same day at 12:47, the OT at Donetsk BCP observed an ambulance with “LPR” plates and the inscription "Children intensive care" - in Russian - entering the BCP from the Russian Federation. Three persons (1 male driver and 2 female paramedics) were observed inside. The ambulance underwent border control procedures and left towards Ukraine.

On 26 October at 17:37, two ambulances arrived at the Gukovo BCP from the Russian Federation side and parked behind the main building. At 18:02, both ambulances drove back into the Russian Federation. The OT was unable to observe any other details from its position.

During the reporting week, the OTs at Donetsk BCP observed funeral vehicles on two separate occasions:

On 25 October at 11:28, the OT observed a Volkswagen minivan with Ukrainian licence plates and the inscription "Funeral Services" (in Russian) on the side, crossing the border from the Russian Federation into Ukraine. Two persons were observed inside the minivan. The OT could not observe if there was a coffin inside or not.

At 14:12 on the same day, the OT observed a Mercedes Sprinter minivan with Russian Federation licence plates and the inscription "Funeral Services" (in Russian) on the side crossing the border from Russian Federation into Ukraine. Two persons were observed inside the minivan. The OT could not observe if there was a coffin inside or not.

Among other observations, on 28 October at 13:23, the OT at Donetsk BCP noticed a police minivan with Russian Federation licence plates with two policemen inside entering the Donetsk BCP from the Russian Federation side. The minivan drove behind the main building. At 13:32, the minivan returned to the Russian Federation with an additional person on board.

Convoy

On 24 October at 06:47 (Moscow time), the eighty-sixth[3] Russian convoy arrived at the Donetsk BCP. A total of 16 vehicles were checked by Russian Federation border guards and customs officers prior to their crossing into Ukraine. All 16 vehicles had crossed back into the Russian Federation by 14:00 on 24 October. Ukrainian border guards and custom officers were present during the checking processes.

On 25 October at 10:45 (Moscow time), a convoy of 27 vehicles arrived at the Donetsk BCP. All 27 vehicles were checked by Russian Federation border guards and customs officers prior to their crossing into Ukraine. All vehicles, except for the escort minibus, were new, and without licence plates. By 12:12, all vehicles had left the BCP towards Ukraine.

For trends and figures at a glance covering the period from 24 September to 29 October 2019, 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).                            

[3]Based on the Observer Mission’s counting, this convoy is considered the eighty-sixth convoy that has crossed into Ukraine through the “Donetsk” or “Gukovo” BCPs. However, so far all these convoys crossed through the “Donetsk” BCP.

MINSK, 29 October 2019 – In the course of the meeting of the Trilateral Contact Group (TCG) ‎and its working groups in Minsk on 29 October 2019, the Special Representative of the OSCE Chairperson-in-Office in Ukraine and in the TCG, Ambassador Martin Sajdik, made the following statement to the press:

“Today, the sides have just renewed the disengagement of forces and hardware in Zolote. They launched the white and green signal flares confirming their readiness to proceed.

The sides today will continue their negotiations on the renewal of disengagement of forces and hardware in Petrivske.”

437330 Marina Živaljević

Maryse Daviet, Head of the OSCE Mission to Montenegro participated in the opening of the fourth regional conference of equality bodies in South-Eastern Europe on 28 and 29 October 2019 in Podgorica. The conference was hosted by the Institution of the Protector of Human Rights and Freedoms of Montenegro.

Participants included eleven representatives of Ombudspersons and related institutions advocating the principles of equality, tolerance and non-discrimination in their respective countries. The event was also attended by all the OSCE Field Operations from the Western Balkans region.

Various issues relating to discrimination were discussed. These included: discrimination in the context of the rights of the child, ethnic and religious stereotypes and prejudices, the independence of equality bodies and their relationship with the media, as well as current challenges and examples of good practices.

Ivan Brajović, President of the Parliament, said that Montenegrin parliamentarians regularly initiate, organize and take part in regional and other international gatherings of the parliamentarians: “because we think that exchanging views, experiences and ideas is priceless”. I firmly believe that a similar need has resulted in the formation of the Southeast Europe Network of Equality Bodies and that the past three years have shown that such initiative was reasonable.”

In opening the session, Maryse Daviet, Head of the OSCE Mission to Montenegro said that the participating States of the OSCE have committed to supporting and defending equality and human rights — and to that end have established mechanisms, agencies and institutions contributing to the achievement of equality. “Your equality bodies are a realization of those OSCE commitments. This conference is important and today is an excellent opportunity to share best practices, to further build networks amongst your organizations and to strengthen your institutional capacity to advocate for and defend equality rights,” said Daviet.

Zdenka Perović, Deputy Protector of Human Rights and Freedoms and Acting Ombudsperson of Montenegro, said that the Ombudsperson supports all the regional and broader initiatives that bring people and institutions together in order to promote equality and tolerance and contribute to strengthening the system, protecting against discrimination and promoting tolerance in all social circumstances.

Also present were Michaela Bauer, UNICEF Representative in Montenegro, Halil Duković, chairman of the Parliamentary Committee for Human Rights, Tena Šimonović Einwalter, EQUINET Executive Board Chair, and Blanka Radošević Marović, Director General in the Ministry for Human and Minority Rights.

SDGs SDGs:  16 - Peace, justice and strong institutions

Summary

• Compared with the previous reporting period, between the evenings of 25 and 26 October, the SMM recorded more ceasefire violations in Donetsk region and fewer in Luhansk region.
• Between the evenings of 26 and 27 October, the Mission recorded more ceasefire violations in both Donetsk and Luhansk regions, compared with the previous 24 hours.
• The SMM followed up on reports of a man from non-government-controlled Mineralne injured by shrapnel.
• A member of the armed formations fired from an assault rifle, about 15m from the SMM, slightly above a civilian vehicle at a checkpoint in Staromykhailivka.
• Small-arms fire was assessed as aimed at an SMM mini-unmanned aerial vehicle near non-government-controlled Petrivske.
• Inside the Stanytsia Luhanska disengagement area, the Mission noted that the blue container of the armed formations located in the south of the broken section of the bridge had been removed; it continued to observe reconstruction works of the broken section of the bridge.
• The SMM observed Ukrainian officials, including the President, in the disengagement area near Zolote. The SMM also recorded ceasefire violations inside the disengagement area near Petrivske.
• The SMM observed anti-tank mines near non-government-controlled Styla.
• The Mission monitored a peaceful gathering in Mykolaiv.
• The SMM continued to observe long queues of civilians travelling across the contact line in Donetsk region.
• Restrictions of the Mission’s freedom of movement continued, including at checkpoints near non-government-controlled Verkhnoshyrokivske, Novoazovsk and Zaichenko.*