OSCE

386097 Ioanna Lachana, OSCE Mission to Skopje Mirvete Islam, OSCE Mission to Skopje

The OSCE Mission to Skopje hosted a workshop for the country’s Ministry of Interior representatives on how to improve Small Arms and Light Weapons (SALW) security within the Border Police Service.

Through the workshop, they were able to define their roles in developing a project to upgrade both the physical and IT security for 15 border police stations and a regional centre for border affairs.

“Security and safety of communities depends on the ability of government authorities to ensure appropriate physical security and stockpile management of their small arms and light weapons,” said Gabor Kemeny, OSCE Project Co-ordinator.

The project contributes to the Interior Ministry’s capacities in this field, thus reducing the risk of illicit SALW proliferation on the territory of the country and across its borders.

The extra-budgetary project, implemented in co-operation with the Interior Ministry, and financially supported by the European Union Delegation in Skopje and the German Federal Foreign Office, aims to assist the country in its efforts to implement its international commitments in the politico-military field.

 

Public Affairs Unit, OSCE Office for Democratic Institutions and Human Rights Montenegro, Presidential Election, 15 April 2018: Final Report

The final report by the OSCE Office for Democratic Institutions and Human Rights (ODIHR) on the 15 April 2018 presidential election in Montenegro recommends a comprehensive and inclusive reform of the election legislation. The aim of the reform should be to harmonize provisions in different election-related laws so as to avoid legal collisions.

The report also recommends that the election administration, including the State Election Commission, increase the transparency of its work, in order to earn public trust, and that further measures be introduced to safeguard the integrity, impartiality and professionalism of the election administration. 

The report also recommends limiting the number of supporting signatures required for candidates to stand for office to no more than one per cent of the voters. Developing clear instructions for verifying the signatures is another recommendation.

The report calls on authorities to investigate all allegations of electoral violations and take necessary measures to discourage vote-buying and prevent pressure on citizens to participate in campaign events or vote for a particular candidate.

The report further recommends that authorities strengthen the independence of the public broadcaster and the media oversight body.

For election day observation, the ODIHR Election Observation Mission joined efforts with the delegations of the Parliamentary Assembly of the Council of Europe and the European Parliament.

386271 ODIHR Director Ingibjörg Sólrún Gísladóttir addresses meeting participants, as Alexander Shlyk (l), Head of ODIHR Elections Department, and Richard Lappin (r), Deputy Head of the department, listen. Warsaw, 28 June 2018 Public Affairs Unit, OSCE Office for Democratic Institutions and Human Rights

Good practices related to the secondment and deployment of election observers was the focus of a meeting with national focal points for election observation held by the OSCE Office for Democratic Institutions and Human Rights (ODIHR) in Warsaw on 28 and 29 June 2018.

The meeting – the first of its kind organized by ODIHR – brought together the focal points responsible for seconding observers to ODIHR election observation missions. The main topics of discussion were the selection and training of observers, the conduct and professional behaviour of observers, and options to evaluate long-term observers.

“Our Office has a long history of working with OSCE participating States to facilitate the secondment of observers to our election missions,” said ODIHR Director Ingibjörg Sólrún Gísladóttir. “With this meeting, we hope to build on these effective relationships and ensure that all observers are fully prepared for their work and exercise the highest levels of professional behaviour when carrying out their important duties.”

OSCE participating States have tasked ODIHR to ensure the independence, impartiality and professionalism of its election observation activities, while also emphasizing that participating States play an important role in contributing to the integrity of electoral processes by seconding observers.

COPENHAGEN, 28 June 2018 - The Chair of the OSCE Parliamentary Assembly's human rights committee today expressed her deep concern about a recent deadly attack on a Roma community in western Ukraine. Isabel Santos (MP, Portugal), who also serves as a Vice-President of the OSCE Parliamentary Assembly, offered sincere condolences on behalf of the Assembly to the families of the victims, and called for a thorough investigation into this apparent hate crime.

"This shocking crime should be a wake-up call to all of us that intolerance and discrimination are still far too prevalent in our societies," said Santos. "This brutal crime must be thoroughly investigated and those guilty brought to justice without delay. But perhaps even more importantly, politicians in Ukraine and across the OSCE must redouble their efforts to counteract the intolerance that appears to be behind such acts.”

The attack, on a community on the outskirts of Lviv, reportedly left one dead and four others – including a 10-year old child – injured. Santos noted that there have been several such attacks in Ukraine in recent months and cautioned that the perpetrators must be brought to justice promptly to avoid creating a climate of impunity.

Santos called on political leaders across the OSCE to actively speak out against all forms of violence motivated by racial hatred or xenophobia. She noted that a history of discrimination and persecution has pushed Roma and Sinti to the margins of society in many OSCE countries, and that they face a worrying rise of hate-based violence.

Santos urged all OSCE countries to actively engage with the OSCE Contact Point for Roma and Sinti Issues at the OSCE/ODIHR to promote protection of Roma and Sinti human rights.

Isabel Santos was appointed as Chair of the OSCE PA’s General Committee on Democracy, Human Rights and Humanitarian Questions recently by President George Tsereteli following the departure from the Assembly of previous Chair Ignacio Sanchez Amor.

Members of the OSCE PA will be meeting in Berlin from 7-11 July, where issues related to intolerance and discrimination are expected to feature in debates among the gathered parliamentarians.

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The Bolzano/Bozen Recommendations on National Minorities in Inter-State Relations National Minorities in Inter-State Relations The Ljubljana Guidelines on Integration of Diverse Societies Diversity management in multi-ethnic societies Управление разнообразием в многонациональных обществах Thematic Recommendations and Guidelines

The OSCE High Commissioner on National Minorities, Lamberto Zannier, met with Vasyl Bodnar, Deputy Minister of Foreign Affairs of Ukraine, on 27 September in The Hague. They discussed matters related to interethnic relations in Ukraine and Ukraine’s bilateral relations with its neighbours in the context of the current and planned legislative initiatives pertaining to national minorities.

With regard to the 2017 Law on Education, Zannier encouraged efforts to extend the transition period for its implementation until 2023. “It is crucial to ensure that efforts aimed at strengthening the role of the state language for successful integration are balanced by measures to preserve and promote minority languages,” said Zannier. He also called for the Law on Education to be introduced in a progressive and efficient manner and within a realistic timeframe.

The High Commissioner also confirmed his offer of assistance to the government of Ukraine with the upcoming initiatives that will have implications for national minorities. In this context, Zannier stressed the need to ensure that a thorough consultation framework is in place. “Such a framework would allow all relevant groups, including all national minorities, to have an opportunity to express their views, with the objective of strengthening their ownership of the process striving to promote a balanced and inclusive policy,” said Zannier.

VIENNA, 28 June 2018 - The OSCE Representative on Freedom of the Media Harlem Désir welcomed yesterday’s initiative by the Prime Minister of Poland, Mateusz Morawiecki, to amend the ‘Holocaust law’ and the swift decision by the lower house of Poland’s parliament to remove criminal penalties for ascribing any responsibility to the Polish nation for the Holocaust, including suggestions regarding its complicity. 

“It is very positive that Poland has decided to amend the law and responded to international concerns and criticism of the law expressed by civil society organizations, intellectuals and also my Office,” said Désir. “History must remain a matter of independent academic research and free debate, not to be regulated by law.”

The criminal penalties – which would impose a fine or a three-year prison term on Polish citizens or foreigners for using terms such as “Polish extermination camps” – had been enacted under the Act on the Institute of National Remembrance on 26 January 2018.

While welcoming the decision to remove the criminal law provisions of the ‘Holocaust law’, the Representative also cautioned that some provisions of the law remain problematic from a freedom of expression perspective.

“Through civil defamation, the Holocaust law still targets speech that criticizes and may damage Poland and the Polish state. The protection of the reputation of a state as such is not a legitimate basis for any civil defamation law. Defamation laws are there to protect the reputations of individuals – not states. Accordingly, Poland should also repeal any civil defamation laws protecting Poland or the Polish state,” he concluded.

The earlier statement by the OSCE Representative on Freedom of the Media Désir on Poland’s ‘Holocaust law’ is available here: https://www.osce.org/fom/369221

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.

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ALMATY, 28 June 2018 – A two-day regional seminar on countering the use of the Internet for terrorist purposes for Central Asian judges, prosecutors, investigators and lawmakers began today in Almaty, Kazakhstan.

The event is organized by the Action against Terrorism Unit (ATU) of the OSCE’s Transnational Threats Department in close co-operation with the OSCE Programme Office in Astana.

Over 50 experts from Central Asia, international organizations, academia and the private sector participate in the seminar together with representatives from the OSCE Secretariat and OSCE field operations in Central Asian region. The sessions of the seminar aim to facilitate discussions on areas such as legal frameworks on countering the use of the Internet for terrorist purposes, the use of open source intelligence, and the protection and recovery of forensic data in investigations of crimes related to misuse of the Internet by terrorists and violent extremists groups.

The Head of the OSCE Programme Office in Astana, Gyorgy Szabo said that the threat of terrorism and its activities online is by its nature transnational: “Only a transnational solution will demonstrate any effect in countering this scourge online. The OSCE supports the efforts of all Central Asian countries to develop new effective ways to co-operate on this front in the public and private sector.”

Participants will exchange experiences with each other and international experts from Belarus, Belgium, Portugal, Russia, Spain, Regional Anti-terrorism Center of Shanghai Co-operation Organization, and the UN Counter-Terrorism Committee Executive Directorate (CTED).

Discussions will cover good practices in public-private partnerships, in particular a UN-mandated initiative implemented within a framework of the Tech against Terrorism project that helps tech companies prevent their platforms from being exploited by terrorists while respecting human rights.

The seminar aims to strengthen national capabilities and sustain inter-regional counter-terrorism responses by assisting practitioners to effectively investigate and prosecute the use of the Internet for terrorist purposes in compliance with international human rights standards.

 

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MINSK, 27 June 2018 – 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 27 June 2018:

“Today, the TCG and its Working Groups focused on security issues in the conflict zone.

Based on the extensive discussions in the Working Group on Security Issues, the TСG adopted a Statement in relation with the beginning of the harvesting period:

Statement by the Trilateral Contact Group on a “Harvest Ceasefire”

“The Trilateral Contact Group, with the participation of representatives of certain areas of Donetsk and Luhansk regions, stressing the importance of ensuring peace and calm for the population in the conflict area:

• Re-affirm their full commitment to a comprehensive, sustainable and unlimited ceasefire, starting from 1 July 2018 at 00 h 01 mn, Kyiv time;
• Re-assert their joint and firm commitment to the full implementation of the Minsk agreements”.

The Economic Working Group continued its discussion of further steps to restore and improve the mobile communication network of Vodafone-Ukraine in certain areas of Donetsk and Luhansk regions (CADR and CALR). The issues of water deliveries in the supply systems "Karbonyt" and "Voda Donbasa", as well as pension payments, were also considered.

The Working Group on Humanitarian Issues continued its discussion on the exchange of detainees and search for missing persons.

Another topic for the Working Group was the improvement of conditions for crossing the contact line, including possibilities for proper repairs of the pathway to the bridge in Stanytsia Luhanska.

The Working Group on Political Issues further considered the implementation of the so-called ‘Steinmeier formula’, amnesty and modalities of local elections in CADR and CALR.”

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This report is for the media and the general public.

The SMM recorded more ceasefire violations in both Donetsk and Luhansk regions compared with the previous reporting period. The SMM continued monitoring the disengagement areas near Stanytsia Luhanska, Zolote and Petrivske; it recorded ceasefire violations in the Petrivske and Zolote disengagement areas and also observed military personnel in the latter. The Mission’s access remained restricted in all three disengagement areas as well as in Komar and Zaichenko and at a heavy weapons holding area in a government-controlled area of Donetsk region. The SMM observed weapons in violation of withdrawal lines on both sides of the contact line. The Mission continued to facilitate the operation of the Donetsk Filtration Station, including through monitoring the security situation around the station, as well as repairs and maintenance to a water pumping station near Artema. In Mukacheve and Lviv, the SMM continued following up on an attack on members of the Roma community in Lviv.

In Donetsk region, the SMM recorded more ceasefire violations,[1] including, however, fewer explosions (about 170), compared with the previous reporting period (about 190 explosions).

During the evening and night of 25-26 June, while in Svitlodarsk (government-controlled, 57km north-east of Donetsk), the SMM heard seven undetermined explosions and about 80 bursts and shots of small-arms and heavy-machine-gun fire, all 3-5km south and south-east. The following day, while at the same location, the SMM heard 32 undetermined explosions 2-4km south-east.

During the day on 26 June, positioned on the south-eastern edge of Avdiivka (government-controlled, 17km north of Donetsk) for about six hours, the SMM heard nine undetermined explosions and about 600 bursts and shots of small-arms fire, all 2-3km south-east, as well as three shots of small-arms fire 300-500m south-east.

During the day on 26 June, positioned near Lomakyne (government-controlled, 15km north-east of Mariupol), the SMM heard about 40 undetermined explosions and 24 bursts of heavy-machine-gun fire, all at undetermined distances north-east.

In Luhansk region, the SMM recorded more ceasefire violations, including about 140 explosions, compared with the previous reporting period (about 25 explosions).

During the day on 26 June, positioned in Popasna (government-controlled, 69km west of Luhansk), the SMM heard ten undetermined explosions 4km south-south-east as well as 40 undetermined explosions and 15 bursts and shots of undetermined weapons 7-8km south-south-west.

The SMM continued to monitor the disengagement process and to pursue full access to the disengagement areas near Stanytsia Luhanska (government-controlled, 16km north-east of Luhansk), Zolote (government-controlled, 60km west of Luhansk) and Petrivske (non-government-controlled, 41km south of Donetsk), as foreseen in the Framework Decision of the Trilateral Contact Group relating to disengagement of forces and hardware of 21 September 2016. The SMM’s access remained restricted, but the Mission was able to partially monitor them.*

On the night of 25 June, the SMM camera in Zolote recorded five projectiles in flight (two assessed as inside the disengagement area, the remainder outside), one burst of an undetermined weapon (assessed as outside the disengagement area), five flares (three assessed as inside the disengagement area, the remainder outside) and five tracer rounds in flight (assessed as outside the disengagement area), all 1.5-8km at directions ranging from east to south.

On 26 June, positioned on the north-eastern edge of Katerynivka (government-controlled, 64km west of Luhansk), the SMM observed about twenty soldiers of the Ukrainian Armed Forces as well as three cars with Ukrainian military licence plates in Katerynivka, inside the Zolote disengagement area, entering and exiting the village.

On 2 June, the SMM camera in Petrivske recorded two tracer rounds in flight 1-1.5km north-north-east (assessed as flying from inside the disengagement area).

While present at the Stanytsia Luhanska disengagement area on 26 June, the SMM observed a calm situation.

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

In violation of withdrawal lines, an SMM long-range unmanned aerial vehicle (UAV) spotted three towed howitzers (D-30 Lyagushka, 122mm) about 2.5km south-east of Dokuchaievsk (non-government-controlled, 30km south-west of Donetsk) on 25 June. On 26 June, near Sopyne (government-controlled, 16km east of Mariupol), the SMM saw a surface-to-air missile system (9K35 Strela-10).

Beyond withdrawal lines but outside designated storage sites in a non-government-controlled area, aerial imagery available to the SMM revealed on 21 June 49 tanks (type undetermined) in a training area about 3km west of Manuilivka (65km east of Donetsk). On 26 June, the SMM saw two tanks (type undetermined) in the same area. The same day, in government-controlled areas, the SMM saw two tanks (T-64): one near Donske (57km south of Donetsk) and the other near Hranitne (25km north of Mariupol).

The SMM revisited a permanent storage site whose location was beyond the respective withdrawal lines in a government-controlled area of Donetsk region and noted that 13 anti-tank guns (MT-12) were again missing and that additional weapons were present. At a second such site in a non-government-controlled area of Luhansk region, the SMM noted that six tanks (four T-64 and two T-72) were again missing.

The SMM observed armoured combat vehicles, an anti-aircraft weapon[2] and other indications of military presence in the security zone. In government-controlled areas on 25 June, an SMM long-range UAV spotted three infantry fighting vehicles (IFV) (two BMP-1 and one BMP-2) near Marinka (23km south-west of Donetsk). The same day, an SMM mid-range UAV spotted three armoured personnel carriers (APC) (two BTR variants and one MT-LB), an IFV (BMP-1) and 50m of recently dug trenches near Novotoshkivske (53km west of Luhansk). On 26 June, the SMM saw an APC (BTR-70) near Karlivka (25km north-west of Donetsk) and a self-propelled anti-aircraft system (ZSU-23-4 Shilka, 23mm) near Sopyne.

On 25 June, an SMM long-range UAV spotted four men in camouflage clothing – two of whom were carrying what appeared to be rifles – exit a military-type truck on the eastern edge of Zalizne (formerly Artemove, government-controlled, 42km north-east of Donetsk), walk about 2.3km east and enter a house on Zarichna Street in the Chyhari area of Pivdenne (formerly Leninske, government-controlled, 40km north-east of Donetsk). (The SMM had previously observed damaged houses on the same and nearby streets in the area. See SMM Daily Report 8 June 2018.)

The SMM observed mine hazard signs. The SMM saw ten red-and-white signs with a skull-and-crossbones and the words “Beware mines” in Russian printed on them on a fence near a checkpoint of the armed formations in Betmanove (formerly Krasnyi Partyzan, non-government-controlled, 23km north-east of Donetsk) on 26 June. These signs were not observed when the SMM visited this location the previous day.

The SMM continued to facilitate the operation of the Donetsk Filtration Station (DFS) as well as demining activities around the station, including through monitoring adherence to the ceasefire. Positioned in areas near the DFS, the SMM heard over 1,100 ceasefire violations, despite explicit security guarantees (see above and table below for details). The SMM also continued to facilitate and monitor repairs to the Petrivske pumping station near Artema (government-controlled, 26km north of Luhansk).

The SMM visited a border area not under government control. While at a border crossing point near Marynivka (78km east of Donetsk) for one hour and 40 minutes, the SMM saw 43 cars (18 with Ukrainian, 14 with Russian Federation and one with Georgian licence plates; ten with “DPR” plates), three covered cargo trucks (two with Ukrainian and one with Belarusian licence plates) and three pedestrians exiting Ukraine, as well as 30 cars (11 with Ukrainian, ten with Russian Federation and one with Georgian licence plates; eight with “DPR” plates), eight buses (four with Ukrainian, two with Russian Federation and one with Polish licence plates; one with “DPR” plates) and five pedestrians entering Ukraine.

The SMM continued to follow up on the attack on members of the Roma community on 23 June in Lviv city (see SMM Daily Report 26 June 2018). In Mukacheve in Zakarpattia region (157km west of Ivano-Frankivsk), the SMM spoke with a boy (ten years old) who had stab wounds to his hip and thigh; the SMM saw that he had difficulties walking. The boy told the SMM that on the night of 23 June, a group of people wearing balaclavas had entered the settlement where he was staying with his family and began setting their shelters on fire, stabbing the people in the settlement and shouting that they would “kill all the Roma.” Medical staff at the Lviv Children’s hospital told the SMM that a boy (ten years old) had been admitted to the hospital at 00:30 on 24 June with knife wounds to his hip and released shortly after. A doctor from the hospital told the SMM that the boy and his mother (30 years old), who was also injured in the attack, were then transferred to the Lviv Clinical Municipal Communal Emergency Hospital.  

The SMM continued monitoring in Kherson, Odessa, Kharkiv, Dnipro, Chernivtsi and Kyiv.

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

The SMM’s monitoring and freedom of movement are restricted by security hazards and threats, including risks posed by mines, unexploded ordnance (UXO) and other impediments – which vary from day to day. The SMM’s mandate provides for safe and secure access throughout Ukraine. All signatories of the Package of Measures have agreed on the need for this safe and secure access, that restriction of the SMM’s freedom of movement constitutes a violation, and on the need for rapid response to these violations. They have also agreed that the Joint Centre for Control and Co-ordination (JCCC) should contribute to such response and co-ordinate mine clearance. Nonetheless, the armed formations in parts of Donetsk and Luhansk regions frequently deny the SMM access to areas adjacent to Ukraine’s border outside control of the Government (see SMM Daily Report 19 June 2018). The SMM’s operations in Donetsk and Luhansk regions remain restricted following the fatal incident of 23 April 2017 near Pryshyb; these restrictions continued to limit the Mission’s observations.

Denial of access:

• A Ukrainian Armed Forces officer of the JCCC told the SMM it could not conduct a mini-UAV flight near Komar (government-controlled, 78km west of Donetsk).
• Members of the armed formations stopped the SMM at a checkpoint near Zaichenko (non-government-controlled, 26km north-east of Mariupol) and said that the SMM was not permitted to access Pikuzy (formerly Kominternove, non-government-controlled, 23km north-east of Mariupol) and Sakhanka (non-government-controlled, 24km north-east of Mariupol) due to “specific orders” prohibiting the SMM from visiting these locations. (The SMM has conducted impact sites in Pikuzy on four occasions in the past week (see SMM Daily Report 26 June 2018, SMM Daily Report 25 June 2018, SMM Daily Report 23 June 2018, and SMM Daily Report 19 June 2018).)
• A Ukrainian Armed Forces soldier denied the SMM access to a heavy weapons holding area in a government-controlled area of Donetsk region.

Regular restrictions related to disengagement areas and mines/UXO:

• The SMM was prevented from accessing parts of the Stanytsia Luhanska disengagement area, with the exception of the main road, due to the possible presence of mines and UXO. A Ukrainian Armed Forces officer of the JCCC told the SMM that no demining had taken place during the previous 24 hours. The SMM did not consider it safe to proceed and informed the JCCC.[3]
• The SMM was prevented from accessing secondary roads in the Zolote disengagement area due to the possible presence of mines and UXO. A Ukrainian Armed Forces officer of the JCCC told the SMM by phone that no demining had taken place during the previous 24 hours. The SMM did not consider it safe to proceed and informed the JCCC. [3]
• The SMM was prevented from accessing secondary roads south of the Zolote disengagement area due to the possible presence of mines and UXO. An armed formation member positioned on the southern side of the Zolote disengagement area told the SMM that no demining had taken place during the previous 24 hours. The SMM did not consider it safe to proceed.

[1]     Please see the annexed table for a complete breakdown of the ceasefire violations as well as a map of the Donetsk and Luhansk regions marked with locations featured in this report. The SMM camera at the entry-exit checkpoint in Marinka was not operational during the reporting period.

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

[3]     The SMM informed Ukrainian Armed Forces officers of the JCCC. Russian Federation Armed Forces officers of the JCCC have withdrawn from the JCCC as of 18 December 2017.

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386034 From left to right: Asadullo Zikrikhudoev, Chairman of the National Association of People with Disabilities of Tajikistan; Friederike Behr, Human Rights Officer at the OSCE Programme Office in Dushanbe; and Amu Urhonen, Chair of the Disability branch of the Finnish Green Party. Dushanbe, 27 June 2018. Public Affairs Unit, OSCE Office for Democratic Institutions and Human Rights

Experts from ten countries across the OSCE region joined representatives of disabled people’s organizations (DPOs) at two events in Dushanbe on 26 and 27 June 2018 to exchange information and opinions on recent developments in the field of disability rights and share experiences on the inclusion of persons with disabilities in political and public life.

The events – an expert meeting and a meeting with local DPOs – were organized by the OSCE Office for Democratic Institutions and Human Rights (ODIHR) in co-operation with the OSCE Programme Office in Dushanbe.

Some 50 experts and politicians with disabilities, representatives of DPOs, international organizations, embassies, civil society and the media contributed to the discussions.

“Close consultations with persons with disabilities and their involvement in the development of legislation and policy is an underlining principle of the UN Convention on the Rights of Persons with Disabilities,” said Anete Erdmane, Associate Democratic Governance Officer at ODIHR. “It is a great opportunity to discuss these questions in Tajikistan, which has recently signed the Convention.”

During the expert meeting, participants discussed the ODIHR Guidelines on Political Participation of Persons with Disabilities, which will be published in early 2019. The Guidelines are intended for parliaments, political parties, civil society organizations and other stakeholders.  

“This meeting of international experts with disabilities in Dushanbe is a great motivational platform for activists of the disabled people’s movement in Tajikistan,” said Asadullo Zikrikhudoev, the Chairperson of the National Union of People with Disabilities of Tajikistan.

Ambassador Tuula Yrjölä, the Head of the OSCE Programme Office in Dushanbe, said: “The OSCE Programme Office in Dushanbe is privileged to host this distinguished group of experts as part of our work on advancing the rights of persons with disabilities. We appreciate the contribution of experts to the discussions that we have with local disability rights organizations in Tajikistan. The input of the experts helps us improve our assistance in this area, with the ultimate goal of contributing to a more secure, stable and equal society.”

The events were part of the ODIHR project “Our right to participate – Promoting the participation of persons with disabilities in political and public life.”

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.

OPERATIONAL REMARKS

The OM is currently operating with 20 permanent international staff members, including the Chief Observer (CO). The Mission is supported administratively by a Vienna-based staff member.

OBSERVATIONS AT THE BORDER CROSSING POINTS

Persons crossing the border                                                                                                                                                                                         

The profile of the people crossing the border can be categorized as follows:

1. Adults travelling on foot or by car with little or no luggage;
2. Persons in military-style outfits;
3. Families (often including elderly people and/or children) travelling on foot or by car with a significant amount of luggage.

The average number of entries/exits increased from 11,647 to 11,702 per day for both BCPs compared to last week. The average net flow for both BCPs went from plus 272 to plus 169 (i.e., more entries into the Russian Federation).

The Donetsk BCP continues to experience more traffic than the Gukovo BCP. The cross-border movements registered at both BCPs accounted for 36.2 per cent of all entries/exits in Rostov region[1].

Persons in military-style outfits                                                                                                                                       

During the reporting period, the number of persons in military-style outfits crossing the border in both directions was 21 at both BCPs compared to 38 last week; 11 of them crossed into the Russian Federation, ten into Ukraine. Sixty-seven percent of these crossings occurred at the Donetsk BCP, while the other 33 per cent occurred in Gukovo BCP. They continued to cross the border individually or in groups. Most individuals crossed by foot, however, some made use of private vehicles, buses or minivans, making it more difficult for the observer teams (OTs) to observe their movement across the border, especially since some of the private vehicles have tinted windows, and buses and minivans have drawn curtains.

Families with a significant amount of luggage

The OTs continue to report on families crossing the border, sometimes with elderly people and/or children at both BCPs with a significant amount of luggage, or travelling in heavily loaded cars. During this reporting week, seven families were observed crossing to the Russian Federation and another seven were observed crossing to Ukraine, compared to the previous reporting period when seven families were observed crossing the border into Russian Federation and eleven into Ukraine.

Bus connections                                         

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

During the reporting period the OTs observed 346 buses crossing the border at both BCPs (compared to 450 observed during the previous week), 185 of them were bound for the Russian Federation and 161 for Ukraine.

Among the bus connections observed by the OTs, the following “irregular” routes or destinations were noted: Kyiv and Luhansk - Sevastopol.

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

Trucks

During the reporting period the OM observed an increase in the number of trucks crossing the border in both directions at both BCPs. Compared to the previous week, the total number of trucks went from 835 to 909 (323 at the Gukovo BCP and 586 at the Donetsk BCP); 541 of these trucks crossed into the Russian Federation and 368 crossed into Ukraine. Most of the trucks observed by the OTs had Ukrainian licence plates issued in the Luhansk region.                                                                                          

Among them, the OTs continued also to observe tanker trucks crossing the border in both directions. During the reporting week, the number of tanker trucks decreased from 95 to 84 (compared to the previous reporting period). These trucks were observed crossing the border at both BCPs. The trucks had the words “Propane” and “Flammable” written across the tanks in either Russian or Ukrainian. The majority of tanker trucks have hazard signs, indicating that they are transporting propane or a mix of propane with butane.

All trucks undergo systematic inspection by Russian Federation officials, which may include an X-ray check. Due to the unfavourable position at the Gukovo BCP, the OTs continued to be unable to observe any X-ray checks. At the Donetsk BCP the OTs observed 102 X-ray checks: out of the total number of trucks scanned during the reporting period, 59 trucks (58 per cent) were bound for Ukraine; the remaining 43 trucks (42 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.

As compared to the previous week, the number of cargo minivans decreased from 150 to 127; 71 crossed into the Russian Federation and 56 into Ukraine.

Trains

The OTs continued to pick up the sound of trains running on the railway tracks located approximately 150 metres south-west of the Gukovo BCP. During the reporting week, the OTs heard trains on 35 occasions, compared to 38 last week; the OTs assessed that 19 trains were travelling to the Russian Federation and 16 to Ukraine. The OSCE Special Monitoring Mission (SMM) to Ukraine was regularly informed about the trains bound for Ukraine.

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

Other observations

The majority of vehicles crossing the border had Ukrainian licence plates issued in the Luhansk region or Russian Federation licence plates. A significant number of vehicles with “LPR” plates were also observed crossing the border in both directions, as were vehicles with Belarusian and Georgian licence plates; vehicles with “DPR” and “RSO (Republic of South Ossetia)” plates were also observed crossing the border.

On 19 June at 14:32, the OT in Donetsk BCP observed a helicopter flying over the BCP from the north-west before heading away in a north-easterly direction. The helicopter remained inside the Russian Federation airspace during the whole time it was visible. That same day in Donetsk BCP, at 17:22 an ambulance with Russian Federation licence plates came from the Russian Federation and stopped at the front of the line of vehicles exiting the Russian Federation. The ambulance went back to the Russian Federation at 17:33. The OT could not observe if there were any passengers on board.

On 21 June at 22:00, the OT in Donetsk BCP observed a police vehicle which came to the BCP from the Russian Federation side and after seven minutes, they returned to RF without crossing the border. The OT was not able to observe if they undertook any activities during those few minutes due to the intensive traffic.

On 22 June at 10:55 the OT at Donetsk BCP observed an ambulance with “LPR” plates which entered the BCP from Ukraine side. While undergoing border formalities the OT observed a driver, one female medical personnel and a woman in plain clothes inside the vehicle. At 11:05 the ambulance crossed into the Russian Federation.

For trends and figures at a glance covering the period from 22 May to 26 June 2018, please see the attachment here.

[1] Based on data received from the Rostov-on-Don Regional Administration.

[2] Cargo minivans: light commercial vehicles with a maximum authorized mass of more than 3.5 t and not more than 7.5 t; with or without a trailer with a maximum mass of less than 750 kg (small cargo vehicles which correspond to driving licence C1).                      

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Public Affairs Unit, OSCE Office for Democratic Institutions and Human Rights Hungary, Parliamentary Elections, 8 April 2018: Final Report

Greater efforts to guarantee a level playing field for candidates are needed to improve the electoral process in Hungary, says the final report by the OSCE Office for Democratic Institutions and Human Rights (ODIHR) on the country’s 8 April 2018 parliamentary elections.

The report, published on 27 June 2018, states that the elections were efficiently administered and offered voters a wide range of political choices. It also says, however, that the main governing party enjoyed an undue advantage because of a pervasive overlap between state and ruling party resources, biased media coverage and opaque campaign financing regulations.

The report recommends measures to provide a fully democratic basis for the conduct of elections, including by removing unreasonable hindrances on civil society. A public and inclusive review of current legislation, with an emphasis on freedoms of expression and association and access to information, is among the suggested measures. In this respect, the report recommends revising the rules for lawmaking to ensure opportunities for meaningful public consultation and to reconsider the possibility for individual members of parliament to propose amendments that are not subject to public scrutiny.

Noting the increasing ownership of media outlets by party-affiliated entrepreneurs and the allocation of state advertising only to certain outlets, the report recommends amending legislation to prevent the governing party from having an undue campaign advantage. It further recommends that government information activities avoid any appearance of seeking to influence voting. In addition, concrete steps should be taken to strengthen the financial and editorial independence of the public broadcaster, which include ensuring an open and inclusive appointment of the management and a transparent and sustainable financing system.

The report further recommends introducing limits on individual campaign donations, improving regulations on financing of election-related campaigns by third parties and introducing measures to enhance the transparency of campaign finance.

Other recommendations include permitting observation by non-partisan civil society organizations, decriminalizing defamation, reviewing legislative and practical aspects of national minority participation in elections, and introducing temporary special measures to promote women candidates.

CHISINAU, 26 June 2018 – Concluding his first visit to Moldova, OSCE Parliamentary Assembly President George Tsereteli (MP, Georgia) lauded recent achievements in the Transdniestrian settlement process and encouraged both Chisinau and Tiraspol to sustain the momentum of progress in the coming months to create the necessary conditions for a comprehensive and peaceful resolution of the conflict.

“In a period when European security and stability are threatened, Chisinau and Tiraspol are setting a positive example for the rest of the OSCE area, where conflict resolution has most often been characterized by lack of progress,” said President Tsereteli. “The local ownership and leadership demonstrated by Chisinau and Tiraspol in advancing the settlement process, which I have witnessed in my meetings, goes to show that dialogue and persistence produce concrete results and are the way forward.”

PA President Tsereteli and Secretary General Roberto Montella met in Chisinau on Monday with a range of officials, including President Igor Dodon, Deputy Prime Minister for Reintegration Cristina Lesnic, Secretary General of State for Foreign Affairs and European Integration Mihail Capatina and the Moldovan delegation to the OSCE PA led by Serghei Sirbu. Today, in Tiraspol, they held meetings with Transdniestrian leader Vadim Krasnoselsky and the Speaker of the Transdniestrian legislature, Alexander Shcherba.

To visit the left bank of the Dniester/Nistru River, the PA delegation travelled through the Gura Bicului – Bychok bridge, which reopened last November after being closed to traffic since the 1992 conflict. In Tiraspol, the PA delegation also visited a joint vehicle registration office, which will allow for the participation of vehicles from Transdniestria in international traffic starting on 1 September 2018. Three additional practical issues identified in the so-called “package of eight” – apostilization of Transdniestrian university diplomas, access to the Dubasari farmland, and the functioning of the Moldovan Latin-script schools on the left bank – were agreed to at the end of 2017 and are currently being implemented. Technical discussions continue on laying out the implementation steps and timeline for reconnecting the telecommunication networks between the two banks.

“As a result of these agreements, people on both sides of the Dniester/Nistru River can already notice tangible improvements to their daily lives and gradually realize that their futures are linked. These concrete results also demonstrate that both Chisinau and Tiraspol can mutually benefit from this process,” explained President Tsereteli. “In the coming months, I hope the Sides will continue to display such resolve to overcome remaining differences and ensure a long-term and comprehensive settlement.”

In visits to the premises of the OSCE Mission to Moldova in Chisinau and Tiraspol, the PA President praised the valuable work of its team led by Ambassador Michael Scanlan, as well as the constant engagement of successive OSCE Chairmanships, for moving the process forward. President Tsereteli expressed his desire to accelerate the Parliamentary Assembly’s engagement with Moldova and offered the political weight of the PA to highlight OSCE efforts in peacefully resolving conflicts, which are expected to feature prominently at the OSCE PA’s upcoming Annual Session in Berlin (7-11 July 2018).
 
The OSCE PA President also met the Governor of the Autonomous Territorial Unit of Gagauzia, Irina Vlah, to discuss the importance of promoting an inclusive Moldovan identity and society, as well as good governance and the rule of law, through a fully functioning autonomy in accordance with the 1994 Law on the Special Legal Status of Gagauzia. 

In meetings, President Tsereteli expressed concern over the nullification of the Chisinau mayoral race and its negative effect on the public’s trust in democratic institutions and processes, stressing the need to reinforce the rule of law and the independence of the judiciary. President Tsereteli and Secretary General Montella also addressed these issues with extra-parliamentary opposition leader Maia Sandu, as well as civil society representatives and members of the international community. 

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This report is for the media and the general public.

The SMM recorded fewer ceasefire violations in Donetsk and Luhansk regions, compared with the previous 24 hours. The Mission followed up on reports of a civilian casualty in Trokhizbenka. It observed fresh damage caused by shelling in a residential area of Pikuzy. The SMM continued monitoring the disengagement areas near Stanytsia Luhanska, Zolote and Petrivske; it recorded ceasefire violations inside the Zolote disengagement area. The Mission’s access remained restricted in all three disengagement areas as well as in Zaichenko and at a heavy weapons holding area in a non-government-controlled area of Donetsk region. The SMM observed weapons in violation of withdrawal lines on both sides of the contact line. The Mission continued to facilitate the operation of the Donetsk Filtration Station, including through monitoring the security situation around the station, as well as a water pumping station in Artema and a water pipeline in Stanytsia Luhanska. In Lviv, the SMM continued to follow up on media reports of an attack on and killing of a member of the Roma community in the city.

In Donetsk region, the SMM recorded fewer ceasefire violations,[1] including about 190 explosions, compared with the previous 24 hours (about 280 explosions).

On the evening and night of 24-25 June, the SMM camera at the Donetsk Filtration Station (DFS) (15km north of Donetsk) recorded, in sequence, a projectile in flight from east to west, two projectiles from west to east, a projectile from south-west to north-east and an undetermined explosion, followed by totals of 12 undetermined explosions, 48 projectiles (eight from east to west, seven from west to east, four from south-west to north-east, two from north-east to south-west, seven from east-south-east to west-north-west, ten from east-north-east to west-north-west and ten from west-south-west to east-north-east) and an illumination flare in vertical flight, all 1-4km south.   

During the day on 25 June, positioned on the south-eastern edge of Avdiivka (government-controlled, 17km north of Donetsk), the SMM heard seven undetermined explosions and about 15 shots and bursts of small-arms fire, all 1-3km south-east.

The same day, positioned about 1km north-west of the railway station in Yasynuvata (non-government-controlled, 16km north-east of Donetsk), the SMM heard seven undetermined explosions and five shots of small-arms fire, all 2-5km south-south-west.

On the evening and night of 24-25 June, the SMM camera at the entry-exit checkpoint in Maiorsk (government-controlled, 45km north-east of Donetsk) recorded, in sequence, a projectile in flight from north-west to south-east, two projectiles from north to south, a projectile from south-west to north-east, two projectiles from south to north and an undetermined explosion, followed by totals of five undetermined explosions, 303 projectiles (one from south-east to north-west, 99 from south to north, 78 from south-south-west to north-north-east and 125 from north-west to south-east), 32 bursts, three muzzle flashes and an illumination flare from south-east to north-west, all 1-2km east.

On the evening of 24 June, while in Horlivka (non-government-controlled, 39km north-east of Donetsk), the SMM heard about 14 undetermined explosions and about 50 shots and bursts of heavy-machine-gun and small-arms fire, all 3-8km west. 

On the evening and night of 24-25 June, while in Svitlodarsk (government-controlled, 57km north-east of Donetsk), the SMM heard 12 explosions assessed as outgoing rounds of mortar (120mm) fire, eight explosions assessed as impacts of artillery (122mm) rounds and 50 shots of small-arms fire, all 5-6km south-west, followed by ten explosions assessed as outgoing rounds of infantry fighting vehicle (IFV) (BMP-1) cannon (73mm) fire, 20 explosions assessed as impacts of artillery rounds and 160 shots and bursts of heavy-machine-gun and small-arms fire, all 6-10km south-east and south-south-east.

In Luhansk region, the SMM recorded fewer ceasefire violations, including about 25 explosions, compared with the previous 24 hours (about 100 explosions).

The SMM followed up on reports of a civilian casualty. In Trokhizbenka (government-controlled, 32km north-west of Luhansk), a man (43 years old) told the SMM that his right ankle had been injured in a small explosion on 22 June, about 200m north of his home on Stepan Razin Street, near a creek. He said that he had heard some popping and had seen smoke and fire near his feet, and that then he had noticed his leg was covered in blood. He said that he had gone to a nearby shop also on the same street for help and had then been taken by ambulance for treatment at the central regional hospital in Novoaidar (government-controlled, 49km north-west of Luhansk) and released the same day. The shopkeeper in Trokhizbenka told the SMM that the man had come into the shop with blood on his leg. At the hospital in Novoaidar, a doctor told the SMM that on 22 June the man had been treated for burns to his right ankle and then released. 

The SMM again saw fresh shelling impacts in a residential area of Pikuzy (formerly Kominternove, non-government-controlled, 23km north-east of Mariupol). (See SMM Daily Report 25 June 2018.) At 18 Akhmatova Street, the SMM saw an impact on the west-facing metal wall of a garage as well as grenade shrapnel and scorched grass at the base of the wall. The SMM assessed that the impact and damage was caused by a rocket-propelled grenade fired from a westerly direction. Approximately 5m west of the wall, the SMM observed remnants of a second grenade twisted around a metal rod supporting a vine and noted that the grass was scorched at the base of the metal rod. The resident of the house at 18 Akhmatova Street (woman in her sixties) told the SMM that she had heard two explosions around 19:00 on 24 June from inside her house, and a neighbour (woman in her fifties) said she had heard one explosion around the same time.

The SMM continued to monitor the disengagement process and to pursue full access to the disengagement areas near Stanytsia Luhanska (government-controlled, 16km north-east of Luhansk), Zolote (government-controlled, 60km west of Luhansk) and Petrivske (non-government-controlled, 41km south of Donetsk), as foreseen in the Framework Decision of the Trilateral Contact Group relating to disengagement of forces and hardware of 21 September 2016. The SMM’s access remained restricted, but the Mission was able to partially monitor them.*

On 23 June, an SMM long-range unmanned aerial vehicle (UAV) again spotted an anti-aircraft gun (ZU-23, 23mm) mounted on a truck on the southern edge of the Zolote disengagement area. (See SMM Daily Report 20 June 2018.)

On the night of 24-25 June, the SMM camera in Zolote recorded, in sequence, six projectiles in flight from north to south 2-4km south-south-east (assessed as inside the disengagement area), five undetermined explosions 8-13km east-north-east (assessed as outside the disengagement area), an illumination flare in vertical flight 4-7km south-east (assessed as outside the disengagement area) and eight projectiles from east to west 8-12km south (assessed as outside the disengagement area).

Positioned inside the Zolote disengagement area on the north-eastern edge of Katerynivka (government-controlled, 64km west of Luhansk) on 25 June, the SMM heard three undetermined explosions 4-7km south-south-west (all assessed as outside the disengagement area).

Positioned in Zolote-4 (government-controlled, 59km north-west of Luhansk), the SMM heard five undetermined explosions 4-6km south-south-west (assessed as outside the disengagement area). 

Positioned in Styla (non-government-controlled, 34km south of Donetsk), the SMM heard 25 explosions 2-4km south (assessed as outside the Petrivske disengagement area). Positioned about 4km south of Styla for about 40 minutes, the SMM heard 29 undetermined explosions 1-3km south-east and south (assessed as outside the disengagement area) and 40 explosions 1-3km south-west (unable to assess whether inside the disengagement area), as well as heard and saw one explosion assessed as an impact about 300m south (assessed as outside the disengagement area). Due to security considerations, the SMM then left the area.

While present at the Stanytsia Luhanska disengagement area on 25 June, the SMM observed a calm situation.

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

In violation of withdrawal lines in a government-controlled area, on 23 June, an SMM long-range UAV spotted five self-propelled howitzers (2S1 Gvozdika, 122mm) near Vyskryva (76km west of Luhansk).

In violation of withdrawal lines in a non-government-controlled area, on 23 June, an SMM long-range UAV spotted at least five armed men firing four outgoing mortar (2B11 Sani, 120mm) rounds near Pakhalivka (40km west of Luhansk) in a northerly direction toward a Ukrainian Armed Forces position.  

Beyond withdrawal lines but outside of designated storage sites in government-controlled areas, the SMM saw two tanks (T-64) at a checkpoint outside of Krasne (65km north of Donetsk) and 17 self-propelled howitzers (ten 2S1 and seven undetermined), ten tanks (four T-80B and six undetermined) and seven towed howitzers (D-30 Lyagushka, 122mm) at a railway station in Rubizhne (84km north-west of Luhansk).

The SMM observed weapons that could not be verified as withdrawn, as their storage did not comply with the criteria set out in the 16 October 2015 notification from the SMM to the signatories of the Package of Measures on effective monitoring and verification of the withdrawal of heavy weapons. In government-controlled areas beyond the respective withdrawal lines in Donetsk region, the SMM noted that five such sites continued to be abandoned and that the following weapons continued to be missing: 64 towed howitzers (58 2A65 Msta-B, 152mm and six 2A36 Giatsint-B, 152mm) and 11 multiple launch rocket systems (BM-21 Grad, 122mm).

In non-government-controlled areas beyond the respective withdrawal lines in Donetsk region,* the SMM saw six self-propelled howitzers (2S1) and continued to note as missing five mortars (four PM-38, 120mm and one 2B11).

The SMM revisited three permanent storage sites whose locations were beyond the respective withdrawal lines in non-government-controlled areas of Donetsk region and noted that one such site continued to be abandoned and that the following weapons were again missing: 26 tanks (14 T-72 and 12 T-64), 15 anti-tank guns (MT-12 Rapira, 100mm) and nine mortars (2B14 Podnos, 120mm).

The SMM observed armoured combat vehicles[2] in the security zone. In government-controlled areas, on 23 June, an SMM long-range UAV spotted an armoured personnel carrier (APC) (MT-LB) near Novotoshkivske (53km west of Luhansk) and an armoured reconnaissance vehicle (BRDM-2) near Trokhizbenka. On 24 June, an SMM mini-UAV spotted an APC (BTR-70) and an IFV (BTR variant) in Zolote-4.  On 25 June, the SMM saw an IFV (BMP-1) loaded on a transporter near Kapitanove (49km north-west of Luhansk).

In non-government-controlled areas, on 23 June, an SMM long-range UAV spotted an armoured reconnaissance vehicle (BRDM-2) about 3.5km north-west of Berezivske (53km north-west of Luhansk) and an APC (BTR-80) near Krasnyi Lyman (30km north-west of Luhansk). On 25 June, an SMM mini-UAV spotted an IFV (BMP-1) and an APC (BTR-80) near Zhovte (17km north-west of Luhansk).

The SMM observed mine hazard signs as well as demining. At a government-controlled checkpoint on road H-20 near Berezove (government-controlled, 31km south-west of Donetsk), for the first time, the SMM saw a mine hazard sign with white lettering indicating “Mines” in Ukrainian on a red square board nailed to a tree about 2m east of the side of the road. Near Kozachyi (government-controlled, 41km north-east of Luhansk), the SMM saw a group of eight people wearing clothing bearing the logo of an international demining organization demining along the east and west sides of road P-22.

The SMM continued to facilitate the operation of the DFS as well as demining activities around the station, including through monitoring adherence to the ceasefire. Positioned in areas near the DFS, the SMM heard ceasefire violations, despite explicit security guarantees (see above and table below for ceasefire violations). The SMM also continued to facilitate and monitor repairs to the Petrivske pumping station near Artema (government-controlled, 26km north of Luhansk) and monitored repair works to a water pipe in Stanytsia Luhanska.  

The SMM visited a border area not under government control. At a border crossing point near Novoazovsk (102km south of Donetsk) for thirty minutes, the SMM saw seven cars (two with Ukrainian and four with Russian Federation licence plates, and one with “DPR” plates), a minivan (with Ukrainian licence plates) and a covered cargo truck (with “DPR” plates) entering Ukraine, and four cars (one with Ukrainian and one with Russian Federation licence plates, and two with “DPR” plates) and five covered cargo trucks (three with Ukrainian and one with Russian Federation licence plates, and one with “DPR” plates) exiting Ukraine.

The SMM continued to follow up on the physical attack on members of the Roma community on 23 June in Lviv city (see SMM Daily Report 25 June 2018). At the site of the attack, in a forested area along Truskavetska Street on the southern edge of Lviv, the SMM saw a blood-stained mattress and pillow and burn traces on the ground. At a hospital in Lviv, the SMM spoke with a man (19 years old) who said he was originally from Mukacheve in Zakarpattia region (157km west of Ivano-Frankivsk). According to medical staff, he had sustained seven stab wounds to his chest. The man told the SMM that the group who had assaulted him on the night of 23 June had visited the settlement where he was living twice in the days before the attack. According to him, at around midnight on 23 June, a group of ten young men entered the settlement and began hitting tents and setting a fire and attacking people, which he said had led to the death of his brother-in-law. At the Lviv Regional Forensic Medical Examination Bureau, where the SMM followed up on the reported fatality, it was told information could not be provided on the incident since there was an ongoing investigation.

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

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

The SMM’s monitoring and freedom of movement are restricted by security hazards and threats, including risks posed by mines, unexploded ordnance (UXO) and other impediments – which vary from day to day. The SMM’s mandate provides for safe and secure access throughout Ukraine. All signatories of the Package of Measures have agreed on the need for this safe and secure access, that restriction of the SMM’s freedom of movement constitutes a violation, and on the need for rapid response to these violations. They have also agreed that the Joint Centre for Control and Co-ordination (JCCC) should contribute to such response and co-ordinate mine clearance. Nonetheless, the armed formations in parts of Donetsk and Luhansk regions frequently deny the SMM access to areas adjacent to Ukraine’s border outside control of the Government (see SMM Daily Report 19 June 2018). The SMM’s operations in Donetsk and Luhansk regions remain restricted following the fatal incident of 23 April 2017 near Pryshyb; these restrictions continued to limit the Mission’s observations.

Denial of access:

• At a heavy weapons holding area in a non-government-controlled area of Donetsk region, after waiting for about 35 minutes, two men in military-style clothing, one armed, denied the SMM access to the site and told the SMM that it would need to get “approval” from armed formations in Donetsk city for future visits.
• An armed man prevented the SMM from entering a military-type compound in Zaichenko (non-government-controlled, 26km north-east of Donetsk), where the SMM saw fresh tracks assessed as left by a tank (T-72).

Regular restrictions related to disengagement areas and mines/UXO:

• The SMM was prevented from accessing parts of the Stanytsia Luhanska disengagement area, with the exception of the main road, due to the possible presence of mines and UXO. A Ukrainian Armed Forces officer of the JCCC told the SMM that no demining had taken place during the previous 24 hours. The SMM did not consider it safe to proceed and informed the JCCC.[3]
• The SMM was prevented from accessing secondary roads in the Zolote disengagement area due to the possible presence of mines and UXO. A Ukrainian Armed Forces officer of the JCCC told the SMM by phone that no demining had taken place during the previous 24 hours. The SMM did not consider it safe to proceed and informed the JCCC. [4]
• The SMM was prevented from accessing secondary roads south of the Zolote disengagement area due to the possible presence of mines and UXO. An armed formation member positioned on the southern side of the Zolote disengagement area told the SMM that no demining had taken place during the previous 24 hours. The SMM did not consider it safe to proceed.
• The SMM did not travel north across the bridge in Shchastia (government-controlled, 20km north of Luhansk) due to the presence of mines. An armed man in military-type clothing south of the bridge told the SMM that the area was still mined. The SMM did not consider it safe to proceed.

Other impediments:

• While the SMM was conducting a mini-UAV flight near Bohdanivka (government-controlled, 41km south-west of Donetsk), the signal was immediately interrupted upon launching the UAV on two separate occasions. The SMM recovered the mini-UAV in both instances.[4]

[1] Please see the annexed table for a complete breakdown of the ceasefire violations as well as a map of the Donetsk and Luhansk regions marked with locations featured in this report. The SMM camera at the entry-exit checkpoint in Marinka was not operational during the reporting period.

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

[3] The SMM informed Ukrainian Armed Forces officers of the JCCC. Russian Federation Armed Forces officers of the JCCC have withdrawn from the JCCC as of 18 December 2017.

[4] The interference could have originated from anywhere in a radius of several kilometres of the UAV’s position.

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Edita Buçaj

The OSCE Mission in Kosovo is hosting the third edition of its Junior Basketball Tournament from 25 to 30 June 2018 at the Recreational Centre in Germia Park, Prishtinë/Priština.

This year, 45 young basketball players from the ages of 12 to 16, representing different communities and junior basketball clubs from Gjakovë/Đakovica, Prishtinë/Priština, Prizren and Štrpce/Shtërpcë, are training and exercising together, practising different basketball techniques under the supervision of accredited trainers.

Besides playing basketball, participants will also attend thematic workshops that aim at promoting dialogue, tolerance, confidence and mutual understanding among youth. The workshops cover topics of human rights, inter-cultural dialogue, gender and social inclusion. They will be delivered by experts from the Know Your Rights campaign, Pl4y International, the Peer Educators Network (PEN) and the Ministry of Culture, Youth and Sports.

The OSCE Mission in Kosovo has organized the Junior Basketball Tournament every year since 2016 with the generous support of the Municipality of Prishtinë/Priština. More than 200 players from basketball schools from different Kosovo municipalities have so far been part of the tournament.

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

Understanding hate crimes against Muslims and developing guidelines to address the security needs of Muslim communities was at the centre of regional stakeholder consultations for Western Europe co-organized by the OSCE Office for Democratic Institutions and Human Rights (ODIHR) in Frankfurt, Germany on 25 and 26 June 2018.

During the event, which was held in co-operation with the Goethe University's Academy for Islam in Science and Society, participants provided input and suggestions on a draft practical guide being developed by ODIHR on understanding hate crimes against Muslims and addressing the security needs of Muslim communities.

"This is an opportunity for participants, including representatives of law enforcement agencies, government agencies working on human and minority rights and Muslim communities to share their experiences and needs as we prepare the guide," said Dermana Seta, ODIHR Adviser on Combating Intolerance and Discrimination against Muslims.

The guide will support governments in assessing the specific security needs of Muslim communities and improving responses to hate crime by local authorities and law enforcement agencies. The guide will also include specific recommendations on improving co-operation between local authorities and Muslim communities as a means to strengthen the security of community members.

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

The importance of observing human rights standards to improve the effectiveness of counter-terrorism policing was the focus of a training workshop held by the OSCE Office for Democratic Institutions and Human Rights (ODIHR) with the support of the OSCE Project Co-ordinator in Uzbekistan in Tashkent on 25 and 26 June 2018.

Twenty men and two women from the Uzbek police and security services participated in the training, the first of this kind ODIHR has delivered in Central Asia. The dynamic and interactive training programme focused on a broad range of human rights questions connected to the operational aspects of counter-terrorism and law-enforcement activities. Participants analysed practical setbacks that may affect counter-terrorism policing if it is implemented in violation of human rights, and explored how the observance of international human rights standards can contribute to the overall effectiveness of policing.

Among other topics, the training touched upon the impact of human rights violations on officers, suspects and their families, the use of interviewing techniques that create trust and respect, the negative effects of stereotypes in counter-terrorism policing, as well as the importance of interacting with communities in countering terrorism to increase their support.

“Ongoing reform of the country’s institutional and normative frameworks, including in the security sector, is needed to fully guarantee human rights while countering terrorism. We stand ready to assist Uzbekistan in this endeavor,” said Johannes Heiler, ODIHR Adviser on Anti-Terrorism Issues. “A long-term commitment to human rights training for law-enforcement officers is an important element of any successful reform in this area. We invite the Uzbek authorities to benefit from the assistance we can offer, including technical advice on terrorism-related legislation and policies, to ensure their human rights compliance and support the reform agenda promoted by the authorities in these fields.”

ODIHR delivered the course on the basis of its standard training curriculum for counter-terrorism law-enforcement officers, Complying with Human Rights Standards and Effectively Countering Terrorism, following a pre-training assessment visit to Tashkent to tailor the course to the local context and needs.

ALMATY, Kazakhstan, 26 June 2018 - The twelfth annual OSCE Central Asian Youth Network (CAYN) seminar began today in Almaty, Kazakhstan.

The three-day event, dedicated to the theme of “Innovating Central Asia” is organized by the OSCE Programme Office in Astana for some 40 top university students and CAYN alumni from Central Asia, Afghanistan and Mongolia. Other OSCE regional field missions provided support for the event. Nariman Mukushev, Deputy Minister for Labour and Social Protection of Population of Kazakhstan, representatives of the OSCE as well as experts from Georgia and Kazakhstan, and leading representatives of the private sector and the European Bank for Reconstruction and Development are taking part.

In addition to learning about innovation and new technologies in Central Asia, the participants will discuss key challenges to comprehensive security in Central Asia and beyond and explore ways to address them in their communities and together with neighbouring countries. They will also explore the role of digitalization in promoting transparency and opportunities for business in the region.

Award-winning writer Guzel Yakhina, author of “Zuleikha Opens Her Eyes” and “My Children” will join to discuss the opportunities and challenges of being a published author and ways to motivate young people to create and innovate.

“Your youth and willingness to branch out to young leaders in Central Asia are key advantages in addressing the challenges faced by young people in the region, and indeed the rest of the world. These issues require fresh perspectives and new regional co-operative approaches – that is at the heart of the OSCE’s mission,” said Head of the OSCE Programme Office in Astana, Ambassador György Szabó.

The Deputy Head of the Italian Embassy in Astana, Matteo Petrini, spoke about the priorities of Italy’s 2018 OSCE Chairmanship, including the focus on youth. Riccardo Pozzi, Special Representative of the OSCE Chairperson-in-Office on Youth and Security, discussed the value of new technologies in the modern era. Gustavo Araujo, Chief of Recruitment at the OSCE, discussed professional development and ways for individuals to engage in innovative thinking in the workplace and how international organizations can innovate.

The seminar will be followed by a two-day training workshop focused on finding solutions to challenges and conceptualizing design concepts.  

The event is part of the Office’s efforts to enhance young people’s understanding of contemporary security threats and challenges and to explain the OSCE’s role in addressing them.

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Communication and Media Relations Section

The role of the OSCE in promoting economic diplomacy and connectivity was the focus of an expert workshop organized by the Office of the Co-ordinator of OSCE Economic and Environmental Activities (OCEEA) and the Department of Political Science and International Studies at the University of Birmingham on 25 June 2018 in Vienna.

Experts from academia, the private sector and representatives of OSCE structures discussed the opportunities and modern challenges in promoting economic connectivity, including in the fields of energy co-operation and the digital economy. They explored the potential role of the OSCE in promoting economic diplomacy to enhance relations among the OSCE’s participating States.  

The expert meeting was an integral part of a joint project aimed at identifying the objectives and mechanisms within the OSCE area to promote the existing and available tools of economic diplomacy. The final research report will provide a set of recommendations for concrete steps to enhance economic connectivity and economic diplomacy within the OSCE area.

VIENNA, 26 June 2018 – The OSCE Representative on Freedom of the Media, Harlem Désir, today expressed alarm after a van was driven into the offices of the De Telegraaf newspaper in the Netherlands, and the vehicle then set on fire.  

“I strongly condemn this deliberate attack against the largest daily newspaper in the Netherlands,” Désir said. “I express my full solidarity with the newspaper. This is a heinous crime which strikes at the core of press freedom and democracy in the country.”

On 26 June at around 04.00am local time, security cameras filmed how a suspect deliberately drove a van into the head office of De Telegraaf on the outskirts of Amsterdam. According to reports, the driver then set the van on fire, and fled by car with another suspect. Although employees were present in the building at the time of the attack, nobody was injured. Both suspects remain at large.  

According to the editor-in-chief of De Telegraaf, the motive behind the incident remains unclear. This attack comes only five days after an anti-tank rocket was fired at the offices of the weeklies Panorama and Nieuwe Revu in Amsterdam. 

The Representative welcomed Prime Minister Mark Rutte’s immediate condemnation of the attack who described it as “a slap in the face for the free press and Dutch democracy.”

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.

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