OSCE

BIHAĆ, Bosnia and Herzegovina, 21 June 2018 - The OSCE Mission to Bosnia and Herzegovina (BiH) presented a first assessment of issues negatively impacting the quality and effectiveness of the judicial response to corruption in BiH to representatives of the judiciary and law enforcement agencies today in Bihać. 

The report, titled Trial Monitoring of Corruption Cases in BiH: A First Assessment, is based on the observation of 67 completed corruption cases between January 2010 and September 2017. It was released in February this year.

“Judges, prosecutors and law enforcement agencies from Banja Luka, Bihać, Prijedor, Gradiška, Sanski Most, Cazin, Bosanska Krupa and Velika Kladuša gathered to discuss the processing of corruption cases in the forthcoming period,” said Legal Advisor at the OSCE Mission to BiH, Francesco De-Sanctis. “Combating corruption is a long-term process and it requires action from all of us.”

The main shortcomings identified in the report relate to the insufficient harmonization of criminal legislation, inadequate capacity of prosecutors in drafting indictments and gathering evidence as well inconsistencies in the interpretation of the law by courts.

The President of the Cantonal Court in Bihać, Fata Nadarević, said that the report in essence recognized shortcomings of the substantive laws focusing on the criminal offences of corruption, as well as weaknesses observed in the relevant courts, and shortcomings of the procedural laws, which are often overlooked by legal professionals in BiH.

“The report finds that the BiH judiciary is currently not capable of handling corruption cases. It suggests that a large number of rulings resulted in acquittals. However, had all of the relevant pieces of evidence been collected during the investigation phase to substantiate both the character of the criminal offences and their description, it is unlikely that the rulings would have resulted in that many acquittals,” said Nadarević.

The Prijedor District Court President, Duško Miloica, said that the recommendations were relevant not only for the courts and prosecutors’ offices, but also for the BiH High Judicial and Prosecutorial Council and for the legislative and executive authorities in BiH. “They are realistic and actionable, and their future application would resolve many structural problems,” he said. Miloica added that the report recognised most of the issues burdening the judiciary in BiH in the processing of the most complex cases, and that it will certainly contribute to improving the quality and efficiency of the judiciary’s response.

The report was developed within the framework of the project, Assessing Needs of Judicial Response to Corruption through Monitoring of Criminal Cases. It was supported by the United States Department of State, Bureau of International Narcotics and Law Enforcement Affairs. 

The report is part of the ongoing efforts by the OSCE Mission to BiH to conduct thorough analysis of the key issues affecting the functioning of the judicial system of Bosnia and Herzegovina.

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This report is for the media and the general public.

The SMM recorded fewer ceasefire violations in Donetsk region and more in Luhansk region, compared with the previous reporting period. The Mission followed up on reports of a civilian casualty near Trokhizbenka. The SMM continued monitoring the disengagement areas near Stanytsia Luhanska, Zolote and Petrivske; it observed ceasefire violations near the Zolote disengagement area. The Mission’s access remained restricted in all three disengagement areas and was also restricted at a checkpoint in Kozatske. 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. It also facilitated and monitored repairs to the Petrivske pumping station near Artema, to the water distribution network in Stanytsia Luhanska and to an electric transformer station near Vasylivka. In Kharkiv, the SMM monitored a gathering in front of the City Council building and saw smoke inside the building.

In Donetsk region, the SMM recorded fewer ceasefire violations[1], including about 90 explosions, compared with the previous reporting period (about 185 explosions).

On the evening and night of 19-20 June, the SMM camera at the Donetsk Filtration Station (DFS) (15km north of Donetsk) recorded, in sequence, a projectile in flight from west to east and a projectile from south-west to north-east, followed by totals of four undetermined explosions, two muzzle flashes and 31 projectiles (27 from west to east and four from south-east to north-west), all 1-3km south.

On the evening and night of 19-20 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 south-west to north-east, an undetermined explosion, a projectile from south-west to north-east, five projectiles from north-west to south-east, an undetermined explosion, two projectiles from north-west to south-east and two projectiles from south-east to north-west, followed by totals of 22 undetermined explosions, about 200 projectiles (about 100 from south-east to north-west, about 70 from north-west to south-east and about 30 from south-west to north-east) and 16 bursts, all 4-6km east.

On the evening and night of 19-20 June, the SMM camera at the entry-exit checkpoint in Pyshchevyk (government-controlled, 25km north-east of Mariupol) recorded, in sequence, an undetermined explosion, a projectile in flight from north-west to south-east and two projectiles from north-east to south-west, followed by 12 projectiles (six from east to west, four from west to east, one from north to south and one from north-west to south-east), all 3-6km south.

During the day on 20 June, positioned on the south-eastern edge of Avdiivka (government-controlled, 17km north of Donetsk) for about seven hours, the SMM heard an explosion assessed as an outgoing round 3-5km south-east, followed by an explosion assessed as an impact 2-3km south-east. The SMM also heard six undetermined explosions 2-5km east and south-east.

The same day, positioned on the western edge of Yasynuvata (non-government-controlled, 16km north-east of Donetsk) for about seven hours, the SMM heard about 25 undetermined explosions and about 150 shots and bursts of heavy-machine-gun and small-arms fire, all 2-5km at directions ranging from south to north-north-west.

Positioned on the eastern edge of Kruta Balka (non-government-controlled, 16km north of Donetsk) for about four hours, the SMM heard 20 undetermined explosions and 30 shots and bursts of infantry fighting vehicle (IFV) (BMP-2) cannon (30mm) and small-arms fire, all 2-7km at directions ranging from south-west to north.

In Luhansk region, the SMM recorded more ceasefire violations, including 11 explosions, compared with the previous reporting period (ten explosions).

During the day on 20 June, positioned in Vrubivka (government-controlled, 72km west of Luhansk), the SMM heard two explosions assessed as impacts 1.5-2.5km north-west.

The SMM followed up on reports of a civilian casualty near Trokhizbenka (government-controlled, 32km north-west of Luhansk). On 20 June, representatives of an international organization told the SMM that a resident of Trokhizbenka (man in his forties) had been injured in an explosion of an unidentified device on the morning of 20 June while he had been driving a car with three passengers on an unpaved road from the town towards the Sieverskyi Donets river. Medical staff at a clinic in Trokhizbenka told the SMM that at around 06:30 on 20 June, a man (in his forties) had been brought with multiple injuries to his legs and then transferred to a hospital in Novoaidar (government-controlled, 49km north-west of Luhansk). Medical staff at the hospital in Novoaidar told the Mission that at around 09:15 on 20 June, a man (in his forties) had been admitted with serious injuries to his legs and had immediately undergone surgery. The staff said that the man’s injuries had been caused by an explosive device that had gone off in the area of Trokhizbenka in the early morning of the same day. The SMM was unable to access the explosion site due to security considerations.

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 evening and night of 19-20 June, the SMM camera in Zolote recorded three undetermined explosions 5-10km east-north-east, east and south (assessed as outside the disengagement area). During the day on 20 June, positioned in Zolote, the SMM heard three undetermined explosions 5-10km south-south-west and west (assessed as outside the disengagement area).

The same day, positioned on the north-eastern edge of Katerynivka (government-controlled, 64km west of Luhansk), the SMM saw two armed Ukrainian Armed Forces members leave the Zolote disengagement. The SMM also observed a vehicle with four Ukrainian Armed Forces members drive out of the disengagement area and later saw the same vehicle with five Ukrainian Armed Forces members enter the area (the SMM did not observe weapons in the vehicle).

During the day on 20 June, positioned in the Stanytsia Luhanska disengagement area and near the Petrivske disengagement area, the SMM observed calm situations.

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 government-controlled areas, on 19 June, an SMM mini- unmanned aerial vehicle (UAV) spotted a surface-to-air missile system (9K35 Strela-10) in the yard of a house in Zolote, and an SMM long-range UAV spotted four self-propelled howitzers (2S1 Gvozdika, 122mm) near Bila Hora (54km north of Donetsk). The same day, the SMM saw a tank (T-64) loaded on a stationary truck in Katerynivka (37km west of Donetsk), nine towed howitzers (2A65 Msta-B, 152mm) and four anti-tank guns (MT-12 Rapira, 100mm) near Vodiane (42km south-west of Donetsk) and seven self-propelled howitzers (2S1) on the eastern edge of Bohoiavlenka (46km south-west of Donetsk).

In violation of withdrawal lines in non-government-controlled areas, on 19 June, an SMM long-range UAV spotted three towed howitzers (D-30 Lyagushka, 122mm) near Sofiivka (formerly Karlo-Marksove, 40km north-east of Donetsk). On 20 June, the SMM saw four multiple launch rocket systems (BM-21 Grad, 122mm) near Novoamvrosiivske (56km east of Donetsk).

Beyond withdrawal lines but outside of designated storage sites in non-government-controlled areas, on 19 June, an SMM long-range UAV spotted ten tanks (T-64) positioned on firing ranges and 21 additional tanks (20 T-72 and one T-64) stationary in a training area near Ternove (57km east of Donetsk) as well as ten tanks (T-72), a surface-to-air missile system (9K35), three towed howitzers (D-30) and six self-propelled howitzers (2S1) near Pokrovka (41km east of Donetsk). On 20 June, the SMM saw four self-propelled howitzers (2S1) in a training area near Pokrovka.

In government-controlled areas, on 19 June, the SMM saw two tanks (T-64) each loaded on a stationary truck in Yelyzavetivka (40km south-west of Donetsk). On 20 June, the SMM saw three tanks (types undetermined) and a surface-to-air-missile system (type undetermined) in a compound near Zatyshne (64km south-west of Donetsk), two self-propelled howitzers (2S1) each loaded on a flatbed trailer travelling south-east near Krasna Poliana (73km south-west of Donetsk) and three self-propelled howitzers (2S1) near Zachativka (74km south-west of Donetsk).

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 of Donetsk region, the SMM noted that 15 towed howitzers (nine 2A65 and six D-30), five self-propelled howitzers (2S1), nine anti-tank guns (MT-12) and 28 mortars (12 M120 Molot, 120mm, 15 2B11 and one BM-37, 82mm) were again missing.

In non-government-controlled areas of Donetsk region, the SMM saw five self-propelled howitzers (2S1) and six towed howitzers (2A65), and noted that two self-propelled howitzers (2S1) were again missing. It also noted that one such site continued to be abandoned, with seven towed howitzers (2A65) and two self-propelled howitzers (2S1) missing.

The SMM observed armoured combat vehicles[2] and other indications of military presence in the security zone. In government-controlled areas, on 19 June, an SMM mid-range UAV spotted a probable IFV (BMP-2) in northern Dolomitne (53km north-east of Donetsk), and an SMM mini-UAV spotted an armoured personnel carrier (APC) (MT-LB) near Zolote as well as another APC (BTR-variant) in the yard of a house in Zolote.

The same day, an SMM mid-range UAV spotted two recently dug firing positions (assessed as at least 20 days old) and four recent craters assessed as caused by 120mm mortar rounds on the north-eastern edge of Travneve (51km north-east of Donetsk), as well as four persons in camouflage clothing and two military vehicles in the village (for previous observations of this area, see SMM Daily Report 20 June 2018). The UAV also spotted a recently built roadblock on a road in northern Dolomitne (not visible in imagery from 25 May 2018).

In non-government-controlled areas, on 19 June, an SMM mid-range UAV spotted two recently dug trenches, both assessed as having been dug between 25 and 27 May 2018: one about 700m south-east of Travneve and the other in southern Dolomitne (about 400m south-east of the abovementioned roadblock).

The SMM continued to observe mines. On 19 June, an SMM mid-range UAV again spotted 16 anti-tank mines (TM-62) laid across a road between Travneve and Dolomitne, about 200m east of the eastern edge of Travneve. (See SMM Daily Report 21 December 2017.) The same day, an SMM long-range UAV again spotted 16 anti-tank mines (TM-62) on road M03 between Debaltseve (non-government-controlled, 58km north-east of Donetsk) and Svitlodarsk (government-controlled, 57km north-east of Donetsk). (See SMM Daily Report 13 January 2018.)

The SMM continued to facilitate the operation of the DFS, 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 facilitated and monitored repairs to the Petrivske pumping station near Artema (26km north of Luhansk), the water distribution network in Stanytsia Luhanska and to an electric transformer station near Vasylivka (government-controlled, 20km north of Donetsk).

The SMM visited two border areas not under government control. While at a border crossing point near Marynivka (78km east of Donetsk) for one hour, the SMM saw 24 cars (six with Ukrainian, 14 with Russian Federation and one with Lithuanian licence plates, and three with “DPR” plates) and five covered cargo trucks (with Ukrainian licence plates) exiting Ukraine and 11 cars (eight with Ukrainian and two with Russian Federation licence plates, and one with “DPR” plates) entering Ukraine. While at a border crossing point near Uspenka (73km south-east of Donetsk) for about one hour, the SMM saw ten cars (five with Ukrainian licence plates, and five with “DPR” plates) exiting Ukraine.

In Kharkiv, the SMM monitored a gathering in front of the City Council building at 7 Konstytutsii Square. At around 09:15 on 20 June, the Mission saw 100 people (mostly men, various ages), some of whom were known to the SMM as members of the Samopomich political party, of National Corps, and of anti-corruption organizations. The members of National Corps told the Mission that they were requesting the cessation of construction of a building in the city. There was no police presence. The SMM saw scuffles between some of the people and security guards as the former were refused entry into the building by the latter. At around 10:00, inside the building, the SMM observed smoke and that the city council hall on the third floor was filled with smoke. The Mission saw about 150 people inside the hall coughing and later an empty smoke grenade on the second floor. The SMM also saw that a man (in his fifties) was yelling at the mayor of Kharkiv city and then immediately taken away by city council members. About one hour later, the Mission noted that the smoke had dispersed and saw furniture blocking the corridor leading to the hall (the furniture was subsequently removed). There were about 50 police officers in the corridor. Outside the building, a press officer of the local police told the SMM that the police had launched an investigation under Article 296 (hooliganism). The Mission did not observe further incidents.

The SMM continued monitoring in Kherson, Odessa, Lviv, Ivano-Frankivsk, 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 checkpoint of the armed formations in Kozatske (non-government-controlled, 36km north-east of Mariupol), an armed man in military-style clothing denied the SMM passage, saying that they had orders not to allow the SMM to pass through the checkpoint.

Related to disengagement areas and mines/UXO:

• 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.

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]

 

[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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KYIV, 21 June – Alexander Hug, Principal Deputy Chief Monitor of the OSCE Special Monitoring Mission to Ukraine, will hold his regular news briefing on Friday, 22 June, in Kyiv.

He will talk about the security situation throughout Ukraine and the Mission’s recent activities.

Journalists are invited to attend the news briefing tomorrow, 22 June, at 13:30 (Kyiv time), at the Ukrainian Crisis Media Centre, at the Ukrainian House, 2 Khreshchatyk Street.

Live streaming of the news briefing will be available at http://uacrisis.org/ru/stream/#eng

 

 

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385320 Joana Karapataqi, OSCE Presence in Albania OSCE Presence in Albania

Over 40 young people from all over the Western Balkans gathered on 20 June 2018 in Tirana to participate in Youth Trail 2018. The event is being organized for the second year in a row by the OSCE Presence in Albania, the Italian OSCE Chairmanship, the Regional Youth Cooperation Office (RYCO) and Tirana Municipality. For four days, the young people will connect, explore, discuss for democracy, peace and security in the region.

Speaking at the Youth Trail opening ceremony, the Head of the OSCE Presence in Albania, Ambassador Bernd Borchardt, said that the success of Youth Trail in 2017 was the reason to organize it again. “There are still many scars in this region, but at the end of Youth Trail last years the participants told us that they learned they had many more things that unite them than separate them,” he said.

Talking about his experience, Borchardt said: “I am from the post-war generation in Germany and in the early 70s I went to France. I was about your age and I still remember the very warm welcome I received there despite the fact that relations between both countries were affected by the terrible conflict during the World War II, which caused an enormous number of victims and cruelties. This convinced me why is it so important to get young people from different countries with different experiences together and we want to facilitate that.”

Italian Ambassador Alberto Cutillo said that Italy has supported this initiative, being fully convinced of the key role youth can play, through personal engagement and co-operation, in fostering peace, security, good governance and democracy. “This is even more important in the Western Balkans, where, after the dramatic events of the past, it is fundamental to build a new generation devoted to peace and co-operation. And the first step along this path is mutual knowledge, dialogue and therefore mutual comprehension,” he said.

RYCO Secretary General, Djuro Blanusa, said: “RYCO believes that young people equipped with principles of understanding, co-existence, tolerance and respect for human rights are creating a brighter future for our region. Moreover, we believe that they should be active contributors to democratic development, social and economic prosperity, and European integration in an increasingly open Western Balkans.”

The Deputy Minister for European and Foreign Affairs, Artemis Dralo, spoke about the importance of an open dialogue in the region, not only among governments, but also among societies and generations.

During the next days, the Youth Trail participants will engage in numerous activities and workshops on topics ranging from democratic participation, gender equality, and anti-corruption to topics such as dealing with the past, regional co-operation and cultural heritage.   

385302 Public Affairs Unit, OSCE Office for Democratic Institutions and Human Rights

Efforts to address anti-Semitism, discrimination and intolerance through coalition-building and to create networks and coalitions to better report on hate incidents were the focus of an event organized by the OSCE Office for Democratic Institutions and Human Rights (ODIHR) on 20 and 21 June 2018 in Warsaw.

Through a series of panel discussions and interactive group-work sessions, activists working on preventing and reporting hate crimes explored coalition- and network-building methods and common issues and concerns, which can best be addressed by joining forces at both the national and regional levels. The participants – 19 men and 22 women – also discussed means of widening the reach of their initiatives.

"The goal of this event is two-fold: to bring civil society together to help build strong and diverse coalitions to address intolerance and discrimination; and to gather input on how to improve hate crime data collection and reporting,” said Cristina Finch, Head of ODIHR's Tolerance and Non-Discrimination Department.

The event is the third in a series of workshops organized as part of the ODIHR project, Turning Words into Action to Address Anti-Semitism. The project promotes dialogue between different communities, focusing on specific topics and contexts for coalition-building. Its recommendations are intended to contribute to building more cohesive and inclusive societies for all communities in the OSCE region.

385275 Communication and Media Relations Section

On 20 June 2018, the OSCE Mobile Training Team concluded a three-day interactive training course on identifying foreign terrorist fighters in Lviv, Ukraine The training, organized by the OSCE Transnational Threats Department with the support of the Project Co-ordinator’s Office in Ukraine was attended by 14 border and security officers from Ukraine. 

The programme focused on international, regional and national legal frameworks, the effective use of Interpol databases and the identification of potential foreign terrorist fighters at borders, in compliance with international human rights standards.

“Such courses not only provide important knowledge but =also an opportunity to open new channels of communication in the fight against the threat of foreign terrorist fighters,” said Gorancho Stojkovski, the OSCE Border Security and Management Unit Customs Adviser.

The importance of improved knowledge regarding risk analysis models as applied to foreign terrorist fighters as well as the history, background, trends and current cases were emphasized during the course. Ukrainian border and security officers also engaged in a practical training session on travel document security, including the detection of forged documents and impostors as well as in interactive exercises to deepen their understanding of indicators in the behavior of foreign terrorist fighters.

The course was delivered by members of the OSCE Mobile Training Team from the former Yugoslav Republic of Macedonia, Georgia, and Ukraine. Expert speakers from INTERPOL and the OSCE shared their knowledge and expertise in the identification of foreign terrorist fighters at the borders.

The OSCE Mobile Training Team was established by the Border Security and Management Unit of the OSCE Transnational Threats Department in 2016. It is composed of 17 selected border and counter-terrorism experts from OSCE participating States and Partners for Co-operation.

 

385272 Kunduz Rysbek

A roundtable discussion to mark the completion of the development of recommendations for a large-scale regulatory reform of business practices in Kyrgyzstan, hosted by the Kyrgyz Government’s Council on Regulatory Reform and the OSCE Programme Office in Bishkek, took place at the event to mark the launch of the reform on 18 June 2018 in Bishkek.

The finalization of recommendations for a “Systemic Regulatory Reform”, developed during the past three years, is an important milestone for the country. When implemented, the reform will simplify the legal framework for doing business and reduce excessive red tape that hinders private sector growth.

The Minister of the Economy, Oleg Pankratov, Head of the Secretariat of the Business Council under the Speaker of the National Parliament, Umbriel Temiraliev, relevant state bodies, independent experts, the business community, international organizations and mass media participated in the discussion.  

For instance, the reform document recommends cancelling many of the requirements for the provision of documents by state bodies in the process of obtaining public services (106 documents in all, 16 certificates and 90 licenses and permits). According to preliminary estimates, this recommendation will facilitate and accelerate the provision of 43 services provided by state bodies, with a potential saving for citizens and businesses in the amount of  433 million KGS, or 5.5 million EUR and 2.5 million hours.

The document also recommends simplifying procedures for obtaining architectural and planning conditions/documents. The proposed recommendation will fully implement the so-called single window principle, whereby a set of documents can be obtained from one state body.  The potential saving for businesses is at least 25.2 million soms or 320,000 EUR.

According to experts’ assessment, the expected total saving for businesses and citizens resulting from the proposed recommendations may amount to 2.3 billion soms or 29 million EUR, and 10.8 million hours.

Following the adoption of the Systemic Regulatory Reform, the OSCE Programme Office in Bishkek and the government of Kyrgyzstan, in co-operation with the analytical centre BizExpert, will work together to monitor the implementation of the recommendations. 

The implementation of some 110 normative-legal recommendations has already started. Another 51 normative-legal acts are under consideration in the Office of the Prime Minister, the National Parliament, and the President's Office.

385281 Ioanna Lachana, OSCE Mission to Skopje Mirvete Islam, OSCE Mission to Skopje

A two-day workshop aimed at assisting representatives of law enforcement bodies to combat corruption concluded on 21 June 2018 in Skopje.

The workshop, which was co-organized by the OSCE Mission to Skopje, the Interior Ministry and the Italian Embassy in Skopje, gathered some thirty participants from the Interior Ministry, the Financial Police, Customs, and Public Prosecution. They learned how to better prevent, identify, investigate and prosecute corruption-related cases.

The Acting Head of the OSCE Mission to Skopje, Jeff Goldstein, said: Corruption decreases citizens’ trust in institutions, including the police. The citizens expect the system to fight corruption more efficiently. You have a very important role in this fight.”

During the workshop, participants discussed ways to enhance the authorities’ understanding of relevant jurisdictions, responsibilities, and best practices in the fight against corruption.

This report is for the media and the general public.

The SMM recorded more ceasefire violations in Donetsk region and fewer in Luhansk region, compared with the previous reporting period. The SMM followed up on reports of a civilian casualty in Zholobok. The Mission observed damage caused by shelling in a residential area of Orikhove. The SMM continued monitoring the disengagement areas near Stanytsia Luhanska, Zolote and Petrivske; it continued to observe mines inside the Petrivske disengagement area. The Mission’s access remained restricted in all three disengagement areas and was also restricted near Holmivskyi and Markyne as well as at a heavy weapons holding area in an area of Donetsk region outside of government control. The SMM observed weapons in violation of withdrawal lines on both sides of the contact line. It continued to facilitate the operation of the Donetsk Filtration Station, including through monitoring the security situation around the station. It monitored and facilitated repairs to the Zolote-Popasna water pipeline, the water distribution network in Stanytsia Luhanska, the Voda Donbassa network in Holmivskyi and a fibre optic line south of the Stanytsia Luhanska bridge. In Kyiv, the SMM monitored public gatherings.

In Donetsk region, the SMM recorded more ceasefire violations[1], including 185 explosions, compared with the previous reporting period (about 105 explosions).

On the evening and night of 18-19 June, the SMM camera at the Donetsk Filtration Station (DFS) (15km north of Donetsk) recorded, in sequence, two undetermined explosions, 18 projectiles in flight from west to east and two projectiles from north-west to south-east,  followed by totals of 17 undetermined explosions, two illumination flares in vertical flight, seven muzzle flashes, 46 projectiles (24 from east to west, seven from north-west to south-east, seven from south to north, six from north to south and two from west to east), all 1-3km south.

On the evening and night of 18-19 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 south to north, an undetermined explosion and six projectiles from south to north, followed by totals of 14 undetermined explosions, two illumination flares in vertical flight, five muzzle flashes, eight bursts (five from south-east to north-west, two from north-west to south-east and one from north to south) and 280 projectiles (89 from south-west to north-east, 83 from north-west to south-east, 59 from south-east to north-west, 25 from south to north, 15 from north to south and nine from west to east), all 3-5km east-north-east.

On the evening and night of 18-19 June, the SMM camera at the entry-exit checkpoint in Pyshchevyk (government-controlled, 25km north-east of Mariupol) recorded, in sequence, three muzzle flashes, two projectiles in flight from east to west and seven projectiles from west to east, followed by totals of eight undetermined explosions, two illumination flares in vertical flight, six bursts (three from east to west and three from north-west to south-east) and 235 projectiles (98 from east to west, 80 from west to east, 45 from north-east to south-west, 11 from north to south and one from north-west to south-east), all 3-7km south.

On the evening and night of 18-19 June, while in Svitlodarsk (government-controlled, 57km north-east of Donetsk), the SMM heard 58 undetermined explosions and about 180 bursts and shots of small-arms and heavy-machine-gun fire, all 4-5km south-east. During the day on 19 June, the SMM heard five undetermined explosions 4-5km south-east.

Positioned in Fedorivka (government-controlled, 32km north-east of Mariupol) during the day on 19 June for about 20 minutes, the SMM heard 19 undetermined explosions at unknown distances east-north-east.

Positioned 1.1km north-west of the railway station in Yasynuvata (non-government-controlled, 16km north-east of Donetsk), the SMM heard nine undetermined explosions and about 30 shots and bursts of small-arms fire 1-3km at directions ranging from south to north-north-west.

Positioned 1.6km south-south-east of Kamianka (government-controlled, 20km north of Donetsk) the SMM heard ten undetermined explosions and nine bursts and shots of small-arms fire 1-7km at directions ranging from east to south.

In Luhansk region, the SMM recorded fewer ceasefire violations, including the same number of explosions (ten), compared with the previous reporting period.

Positioned in Myrne (non-government-controlled, 28km south-west of Luhansk), the SMM heard ten undetermined explosions 3-5km west, assessed as live-fire training outside the security zone.

The SMM followed up on reports of a civilian casualty.[2] At a hospital in Holubivka (formerly Kirovsk, non-government-controlled, 51km west of Luhansk), a woman (63 years old), who had bruises on her forearms, told the SMM that while in her home at 36A Sevastopolska Street in Zholobok (non-government-controlled, 47km west of Luhansk) on 17 June around 21:00 she had heard an explosion and the roof of the house had collapsed on her. She added that her house and nearby hutch had burned entirely. Medical staff at the hospital told the SMM that the woman had been admitted to the hospital around midnight on the night 17-18 June and was being treated for a concussion, shock and other complications resulting from high blood pressure due to stress. The SMM could not access the site of the alleged incident due to security considerations.

The SMM observed damage caused by shelling in a residential area of Orikhove (government-controlled, 57km north-west of Luhansk). At 9 Kolkhozna Street, the SMM saw two holes (around 30cm in diameter each) in the south-west-facing side of the roof of a one-storey house and observed that about one-third of the roof tiles had been blown off on the north-east-facing side of the roof. The SMM assessed the damage as caused by an undetermined weapon round fired from a south-westerly direction. The resident (woman, 50-60 years old) told the SMM that the damage had occurred during the night of 31 May-1 June while no one was present in the house.

On 18 June, on the western side of road T-1317 near Sentianivka (formerly Frunze, non-government-controlled, 44km west of Luhansk), the SMM observed a fresh oval-shaped crater with shrapnel inside the crater and in the surrounding area, assessed as caused by an undetermined weapon round fired from a northerly direction.

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 18 June, an SMM mini-unmanned aerial vehicle (UAV) spotted at least six craters (not visible in imagery from 1 June 2018) near a position of the armed formations on the south-eastern edge of the Petrivske disengagement area. The SMM assessed the craters as caused by mortar (82mm) rounds fired from a westerly direction. The UAV again spotted 86 anti-tank mines (TM-62) inside the Petrivske disengagement area (on its south-eastern edge) (see SMM Daily Report 28 March 2018).

On 18 June, an SMM long-range UAV spotted an anti-aircraft gun (ZU-23, 23mm) mounted on a truck on the southern edge of the Zolote disengagement area.

On 19 June, positioned near the Stanytsia Luhanska disengagement area, 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 government-controlled areas, on 18 June, an SMM mid-range UAV spotted four self-propelled howitzers (2S3 Akatsiya, 152mm) in Donske (57km south of Donetsk). On 19 June, the SMM observed a towed howitzer (D-30 Lyagushka, 122mm) near Oknyne (53km north-west of Luhansk).

In violation of withdrawal lines in a non-government-controlled area, on 17 June aerial imagery revealed the presence of 18 howitzers (type undetermined) near Buhaivka (37km south-west of Luhansk).

Beyond withdrawal lines but outside of designated storage sites in non-government-controlled areas, on 17 June aerial imagery revealed the presence of 14 tanks (type undetermined) near Shymshynivka (27km south-west of Luhansk) and 18 tanks (type undetermined) near Buhaivka.

Beyond withdrawal lines but outside of designated storage in government-controlled areas, on 18 June, the SMM saw eight anti-tank guns (MT-12 Rapira, 100mm) towed by armoured personnel carriers (APC) (MT-LB) in Khlibodarivka (65km south-west of Donetsk), three self-propelled howitzers (2S3) near Zachativka (74km south-west of Donetsk) and a tank (T-64) near Mariupol.

The SMM observed armoured combat vehicles[3] and other indications of military presence in the security zone. In non-government-controlled areas, on 18 June, aerial imagery revealed the presence of an armoured combat vehicle (type undetermined) near Novoselivka (37km north-east of Donetsk). On 18 June, an SMM long-range UAV spotted an APC (MT-LB) near Nadarivka (64km west of Luhansk). On the same day, the SMM observed three infantry fighting vehicles (IFV) (a BTR-variant and two BMP-variants) parked near residential buildings in Novolaspa (50km south of Donetsk). On 19 June, the SMM saw five stationary APCs (MT-LB) in Pervomaisk (58km west of Luhansk).

In government-controlled areas, on 18 June, an SMM long-range UAV spotted an IFV (BMP-2) near Myronivskyi (62km north-east of Donetsk), four IFVs (BMP-1) near Novotoshkivske (53km west of Luhansk), an IFV (BMP-1) near Krymske (42km north-west of Luhansk) and two APCs (BTR-variant) near Trokhizbenka (32km north-west of Luhansk).

Aerial imagery revealed the presence on 18 June of recent 15m-long, 50m-long and 110m-long extensions of trenches on the south-eastern edge of Travneve (government-controlled, 51km north-east of Donetsk) as well as another recent 15m-long extension of a trench on the southern side of a road between Travneve and Hladosove (government-controlled, 51km north-east of Donetsk) (all not visible in imagery from 27 May 2018).

The SMM observed the presence of mine hazard signs. In the Proletarskyi district of Donetsk city, at a large walled compound to the east of Lypetska Street, the SMM saw for the first time red-and-white mine hazard signs with “Danger Mine” written in Russian on them.

On 17 June, the SMM saw that an armed formations checkpoint in the north-western outskirts of Horlivka (non-government controlled, 39km north-east of Donetsk) had been moved 900m north-west along road T-0513, approximately 500m south-east of the armed formations’ forward position on this road. The SMM observed no traffic through the checkpoint. On 19 June, about 15 civilians (mixed genders, 30-60 years old) told the SMM that buses were not being allowed beyond the previous location of the checkpoint thus making civilians walk a longer distance to its new location as well as having to wait for long periods of time in the sun.

The SMM continued to facilitate the operation of the Donetsk Filtration 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 facilitated and monitored repairs to the Zolote-Popasna water pipeline, the water distribution network in Stanytsia Luhanska, a fibre optic line south of the Stanytsia Luhanska bridge and the Voda Donbassa network in Holmivskyi (non-government-controlled, 49km north-east of Donetsk) which were completed.

In Kyiv, the SMM monitored public gatherings in front of the Parliament building. At 5 Hrushevskoho Street, the SMM saw 600-800 people (mostly men, aged 50-70) gathered in three groups. The Mission saw participants in three groups holding flags with messages related to Soviet-Afghan war veterans, the Chernobyl disaster and coal-miners, respectively. The SMM observed some of the participants remove fences and scuffle with about 200 National Guard and police officers on the steps outside the Parliament building, including by throwing plastic bottles at them, releasing tear gas as well as removing helmets and batons from them and hitting them. The number of law enforcement officers subsequently increased to about 500. The Mission saw bruises on the face of some of the eight law enforcement officers who were being treated for tear gas irritation. The SMM heard a police officer onsite announcing that a young individual, who was not a participant in the gatherings, had been detained for provoking the scuffles (the Mission saw his detention). Shortly thereafter, two members of Parliament appeared on the steps to address the crowd which then started chanting “Shame, shame”. The SMM noted that the situation calmed down over the next hour and did not observe further incidents during its presence.

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

*Restrictions of SMM’s freedom of movement or other impediments to fulfilment of its mandate[4]

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 checkpoint near Holmivskyi (non-government-controlled, 49km north-east of Donetsk), two armed members of the armed formations requested that an SMM patrol move at least 500m from its position, citing security reasons.
• At a non-government-controlled checkpoint about 1km west of Markyne (non-government-controlled, 94km south of Donetsk), an armed member of the armed formations requested that the SMM turn around and leave the area.
• Two armed members of the armed formations prevented the SMM from entering a heavy weapons holding area in an area of Donetsk region outside of government control.

Related to disengagement areas and mines/UXO:

• 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. [5]
• 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 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. [5]

 

[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] Addendum: In reference to SMM Daily Report published on 14 June 2018, the relevant part should read “medical staff told the SMM that two patients were still being treated for injuries sustained while on a bus due to an explosion near the same bus on 7 June”, not “medical staff told the SMM that two patients were still being treated for injuries sustained during an explosion in a bus on 7 June”.

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

[4] Addendum: In reference to SMM Daily Report published on 15 June 2018, the relevant part should read “On 14 June, a woman in Holubivka stated she could not provide the SMM with additional information regarding the alleged shelling of a school in Donetskyi without permission from an “LPR” member”, not “On 14 June, a woman in Holubivka stated she could not provide the SMM with additional information regarding the alleged shelling of a school in Donetskyi without permission from a “DPR” member”.

[5] 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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GENEVA, Switzerland, 20 June 2018 - The 44th round of the Geneva International Discussions has just concluded.

In Working Group I, the participants reviewed the security situation on the ground, which they assessed as relatively calm and stable. The need to conduct a proper investigation into the tragic death of Archil Tatunashvili in February 2018 was reiterated, with the Co-Chairs emphasizing the need to avoid any perception of impunity. The participants were encouraged to continue exchanging information on this and other cases, such as the killing of Giga Otkhozoria in May 2016, in the framework of the relevant Incident Prevention and Response Mechanisms.

Given the divergent positions expressed by the participants on a draft joint statement on non-use of force, the Co-Chairs proposed to continue working further on that matter.

In Working Group II, the participants discussed issues relating to missing persons, freedom of movement, healthcare, documentation, education, livelihoods and environmental concerns. It was again not possible to complete discussion of all agenda items given long-standing divergent approaches to the issue of IDPs/refugees.

In light of the exchanges among the participants during the session, the Co-Chairs and co-moderators reiterated their call for a constructive and result-oriented approach by all participants on all agenda items. The Co-Chairs informed the participants about their ongoing efforts aimed at making the Geneva format more effective and productive. They appreciated the views expressed by the participants in this regard.

The participants reiterated their commitment to this format as a unique dialogue platform and agreed to hold the next round on 9-10 October 2018.

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VIENNA, 20 June 2018 – The OSCE Representative on Freedom of the Media, Harlem Désir, today called on Moldova to ensure legal certainty and to uphold its commitments on media freedom, following a  legal review his Office shared with the Chairperson of Moldova’s parliament on the country’s draft Code of Audio-visual Media Services.

The analysis aims to help Moldova meet its OSCE commitments on freedom of the media and media pluralism. The legal review was commissioned by the OSCE and conducted by Dr. Joan Barata Mir, an independent media freedom expert.

“It is recommended that the aim of the law be broadened, specifically by establishing a complete and comprehensive regulation applicable to the provision of audio-visual media services in Moldova,” stated Désir in a letter to Andrian Candu, Chairperson of the Parliament of the Republic of Moldova on 11 June 2018.

“It is further recommended that the Code provide greater legal certainty vis-à-vis the services that are actually included or excluded, and that the definitions of the Code be improved in order for them to be fully in line with international standards,” noted the Representative.

The legal review also highlights the issue of so-called hate and extremist speech, noting that the Code needs to fully incorporate the case law of the European Court of Human Rights, allowing limitations only regarding expressions that incite or justify violence, discrimination, xenophobia or any other form of intolerance.

“My Office stands ready to assist Moldova by providing further advice and expert policy recommendations to improve freedom of the media in the country. I welcome and encourage the close working relationship between Moldova and the OSCE media experts, and hope that the proposed recommendations will be thoroughly considered by the authorities,” Désir concluded.

The full text of the review can be accessed here: www.osce.org/representative-on-freedom-of-media/385206.

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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Communication and Media Relations Section

The second in a series of OSCE workshops on the development of guidelines and a training module for better co-ordinated, harmonized and victim-centred identification of human trafficking cases among mixed migration flows concluded in Athens on 20 June 2018. The one-day event was organized jointly by the OSCE Office of the Special Representative and Co-ordinator for Combating Trafficking in Human Beings (OSR/CTHB) and the Office of the National Rapporteur on Combating Trafficking in Human Beings within the Ministry of Foreign Affairs of Greece.

The workshop gathered national practitioners whose professional duties require daily interaction with people on the move in the context of the current migration and refugee crisis. They included representatives of law enforcement bodies, migration agencies, public social services and civil society.   

The participants discussed how recommendations from a recent OSCE report “From Reception to Recognition: Identifying and Protecting Human Trafficking Victims in Mixed Migration Flows - A Focus on First Identification and Reception Facilities for Refugees and Migrants in the OSCE Region” can be translated into practice. The discussion also focused on contextualizing the findings of a similar workshop held in Skopje in March this year. A particular emphasis was placed on the available referral scenarios for victims of human trafficking identified among new arrivals and the pre-requisites for these scenarios to be fully operational and effective.

“The current migrant reception frameworks in the OSCE region require a stronger focus on the identification of victims of trafficking in human beings from every single stakeholder involved,” said the OSCE Special Representative and Co-ordinator for Combating Trafficking in Human Beings, Madina Jarbussynova. “I believe that the uniform guidelines that my Office is developing together with the national governmental and non-governmental partners will be highly instrumental in ensuring that such focus is unreservedly maintained throughout all the migrant reception procedures.”

“Greece acquired a solid, hands-on experience on addressing a variety of issues related to the management of mixed migration flows in reception and identification centres (hotspots).  Victim identification amid large numbers of vulnerable population groups, at risk of being trafficked, remains a challenge and referrals of potential victims are limited and not commensurate with the perceived magnitude of the problem,” said Heracles Moskoff, National Rapporteur on Trafficking in Human Beings in the Foreign Ministry of Greece. “Yet, well-co-ordinated and harmonized procedures of reception, specialized training on human trafficking issues addressing all front-line professionals, and a genuine will for synergy among all actors working in the hotspots will positively contribute to identifying more victims during the reception and asylum procedures,” he added.

The first draft of the guidelines will be presented for fine-tuning and finalization at a concluding workshop in Italy later this year.

Munira Shoinbekova, OSCE Programme Office in Dushanbe

A two-day high-level international conference on the International Decade for Action, “Water for Sustainable Development, 2018-2028” started in Dushanbe on 20 June 2018. The Conference is organized by the government of the Republic of Tajikistan in co-operation with the United Nations Department of Economic and Social Affairs, United Nations Water and in partnership with the OSCE and other international organizations.

The OSCE has been a long-term partner to Tajikistan’s government in promoting   sustainable management of water resources with the aim of enhancing security, prosperity and the protection of the environment.

Ambassador Vuk Žugić, Co-ordinator of OSCE Economic and Environmental Activities, noted that water connects countries sharing water resources and jointly managing water can lead to improved relations among countries, and enhance security, prosperity and the protection of the environment. “Water can also be a source of co-operation. And this requires the OSCE investing its efforts in promoting effective water diplomacy,” Žugić said.  

On the second day of the conference the OSCE together with the United Nations Economic Commission for Europe will be leading discussions relating to the Action Panel on Transboundary Co-operation and Water Diplomacy.

The conference is expected to bring together representatives of United Nations agencies, international and regional organizations, international financial institutions, business community, non-governmental organizations, civil society, as well as scientists and experts.

WARSAW, 20 June 2018 – While the countries in the OSCE region have committed themselves to protecting the human rights of all refugees, they also have the responsibility to ensure the security and dignified treatment of all individuals wanting to cross borders, especially the most vulnerable and those at the greatest risk, Ingibjörg Sólrún Gísladóttir, Director of the OSCE Office for Democratic Institutions and Human Rights (ODIHR), said on today’s World Refugee Day.

“In recent weeks alone we have all seen too many disturbing reports underscoring the desperate situations in which many refugees, asylum seekers and migrants find themselves. These are people out at sea and denied entry to port, or men and women, boys and girls fleeing various forms of violence in their countries of origin, or even children in such situations being forcibly and traumatically separated from their parents,” the ODIHR Director said. “No legal aim – genuine or otherwise – can justify the danger and harm created for refugees in these situations.”

She noted that all OSCE participating States have made the commitment to “promote the dignified treatment of all individuals” in line with national and international laws and, “in particular human rights, refugee, and humanitarian law, and relevant OSCE commitments.”

“I am particularly concerned that decisions on the treatment of refugees – and migrants in general – in some states are being made based on populist pressures, rather than the relevant international and domestic laws and commitments,” Gísladóttir said. “Political leaders must act responsibly to ensure the human rights and safety of all individuals on their territory, regardless of the circumstances of entry.”

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This report is for the media and the general public.

The SMM recorded fewer ceasefire violations in Donetsk region and more in Luhansk region, compared with the previous 24 hours. The Mission observed fresh damage caused by shelling in residential areas of Pikuzy and Novotoshkivske. Small arms were fired in the direction of an SMM unmanned aerial vehicle (UAV) near Petrivske, assessed as targeting the UAV. The SMM continued monitoring the disengagement areas near Stanytsia Luhanska, Zolote and Petrivske; it recorded ceasefire violations near the Zolote and the Petrivske disengagement areas. The Mission’s access remained restricted in all three disengagement areas, and was also restricted near Izvaryne and Sievernyi at the border with the Russian Federation as well as near Holmivskyi and Zachativka. The SMM observed weapons in violation of withdrawal lines near Oleksandropil and Khlibodarivka. It continued to facilitate the operation of the Donetsk Filtration Station, including through monitoring the security situation around the station. The SMM facilitated and monitored repairs of the water distribution network in Stanytsia Luhanska, the Petrivske pumping station near Artema and the Zolote-Popasna water pipeline.In Odessa, the Mission monitored a gathering in front of the Consulate General of the Russian Federation.

In Donetsk region, the SMM recorded fewer ceasefire violations[1],including about 105 explosions, compared with the previous 24 hours (about 120 explosions). 

On the evening and night of 17-18 June, the SMM camera at the Donetsk Filtration Station (DFS) (15km north of Donetsk) recorded three undetermined explosions, an illumination flare in vertical flight, seven muzzle flashes and 15 projectiles (six from south-east to north-west, four from north-west to south-east, four from west to east and a projectile from east to west), all 0.5-5km south.

On 18 June, positioned on the south-eastern edge of Avdiivka (government-controlled, 17km north of Donetsk), the SMM heard 11 undetermined explosions and 35 bursts and shots of heavy-machine-gun and small-arms fire, all 2-3km east and south-east. 

On the evening and night of 17-18 June, while in Svitlodarsk (government-controlled, 57km north-east of Donetsk), the SMM heard about 70 undetermined explosions and about 240 shots and bursts of heavy-machine-gun and small-arms fire, all 3-5km south-east and south.

In Luhansk region, the SMM recorded more ceasefire violations, including ten explosions, compared with the previous 24 hours (one explosion). 

On 18 June, while flying an SMM mid-range UAV north of Petrivske (non-government-controlled, 41km south of Donetsk), the SMM heard six to eight shots of small-arms fire 1km south of its position, which it assessed were directed at the UAV.* The SMM landed the UAV safely and left the area.

The SMM observed fresh damage caused by shelling in residential areas of Pikuzy (formerly Kominternove, non-government-controlled, 23km north-east of Mariupol) and Novotoshkivske (government-controlled, 53km west of Luhansk).

On 17 June, on Akhmatovoi Street in Pikuzy, the SMM saw two holes in the corrugated asbestos boards covering the north-facing side of a shop’s roof and multiple small holes in the metal plates covering the roof’s peak. The SMM saw fragments of the metal plates on the stairs in front of the shop. It assessed that the damage had been caused by 73mm rounds, however, it could not assess the direction of fire. The SMM also saw a hole in the corrugated metal boards on the south-facing side of the shop’s roof as well as fragments of those metal boards on the ground below. It could not assess the weapon used or the direction of fire. A local resident (woman, in her fifties) told the SMM that shelling had occurred on the evening of 16 June.

At 17 Akhmatovoi Street, the SMM saw that parts of the corrugated asbestos boards covering the west-facing side of the roof of a residential one-storey building had been blown away. About 6m west of the building it saw a tree with one larger branch and several smaller branches broken. The SMM assessed the damage to have been caused by a 73mm round coming from a westerly direction. 

At 19 Akhmatovoi Street, the SMM saw a crater on a paved driveway leading to a one-storey residential building, 16m north of the building and 1m north of a passenger car parked in front of the entrance gate. It saw that the car’s boot and boot lid were twisted and pierced with multiple holes. Inside the crater, the SMM saw pieces of shrapnel which it assessed as parts of an 82mm mortar shell. It assessed that the fire had come from a westerly direction. 

At 21 Akhmatovoi Street, the SMM saw a hole in the north-facing gable of a one-storey residential building as well as broken and damaged branches of a tree 6m north-east of the building. The SMM was unable to assess the weapon used or the direction of fire. 

On 17 June, at 2 Oleha Vatazhka Street in Novotoshkivske, the SMM saw three craters: the first one in a paved road, 20m east of the south-eastern corner of afour-storey apartment building; the second one in grass 9m east of the building’s south-eastern corner; and the third one in grass 18m west of the building’s south-western corner. The SMM saw multiple shrapnel marks on the south-east corner of the building and six broken windows on the ground floor and the first floor. It also saw shrapnel marks and broken windows on the east side of a second building situated 26m west of the first one. The SMM assessed the damage to have been caused by 120mm mortar rounds coming from a south-easterly direction.Three residents of the first building (women, in their sixties) told the SMM that shelling had occurred at around 21:30 on 14 June.

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, 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 evening of 16 June, the SMM camera in Zolote recorded an explosion assessed as an impact of a round of an undetermined weapon, followed by 15 bursts of anti-aircraft-gun (ZU-23, 23mm) fire, all 5-10km at directions ranging from east-north-east to south (all assessed as outside the disengagement area).

On the evening and night of 17-18 June, the same camera recorded, in sequence, four projectiles in flight from west to east, nine projectiles in vertical flight and eight projectiles in flight from north-north-west to south-south-east, followed by totals of one undetermined explosion and 74 projectiles (42 in vertical flight, 31 from west to east and one from south to north), all 5-10km east, east-south-east and south (all assessed as outside the disengagement area).

On 18 June, positioned 2km north of Petrivske, the SMM heard four undetermined explosions and about 30 bursts and shots of small-arms fire, all 1-2km south and south-south-west (all assessed as outside the disengagement area).

Positioned in the disengagement area near Stanytsia Luhanska, 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 government-controlled areas, on 16 June, an SMM mid-range UAV spotted three self-propelled howitzers (2S3 Akatsiya, 152mm) and an anti-tank gun (MT-12 Rapira, 100mm) near Oleksandropil (43km north of Donetsk). On 18 June, the SMM saw four multiple launch rocket systems (BM-21 Grad, 122mm) near Khlibodarivka (65km south-west of Donetsk).

Beyond withdrawal lines but outside designated storage sites in government-controlled areas, on 16 June, an SMM mid-range UAV spotted 15 tanks (type undetermined) near Oleksandropil. On 18 June, the SMM saw six self-propelled howitzers (one 2S3 and five 2S1 Gvozdika, 122mm) and two surface-to-air missile systems (9K35 Strela-10) at a railway station in Khlibodarivka and two self-propelled howitzers (2S1) west of Zachativka (74km south-west of Donetsk).

Beyond withdrawal lines but outside designated storage sites in a non-government-controlled area, the SMM saw four tanks (T-64) near Kruhlyk (31km south-west of Luhansk).

The SMM observed armoured combat vehicles [2] in the security zone. In government-controlled areas, on 17 June, an SMM long-range UAV spotted four infantry fighting vehicles (IFV) (BMP-2) north-east of Starohnativka (51km south of Donetsk), an IFV (BMP variant) near Bohdanivka (41km south-west of Donetsk) and an armoured reconnaissance vehicle (type undetermined) near Nevelske (18km north-west of Donetsk). On 18 June, the SMM saw an IFV (BTR-4) near Stepove (30km north-east of Luhansk) and an armoured personnel carrier (APC) (BRDM-2) near Trokhizbenka (32km north-west of Luhansk).

In non-government-controlled areas, on 17 June, an SMM long-range UAV spotted an IFV (BMP-1) and an APC (MT-LB variant) near Bila Kamianka (51km south of Donetsk) and an APC (type undetermined) south-east of Styla (34km south of Donetsk).

The SMM continued to facilitate the operation of the Donetsk Filtration 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 facilitated and monitored repairs of the water distribution network in Stanytsia Luhanska. It also continued to facilitate and monitor repairs to the Petrivske pumping station near Artema (government-controlled, 26km north of Luhansk) and the Zolote-Popasna water pipeline near Popasna (government-controlled, 69km west of Luhansk).

The SMM visited two border areas not under government control. While at a border crossing point near Izvaryne (52km south-east of Luhansk), the SMM saw 28 cars (13 with Ukrainian, 11 with Russian Federation, one with Georgian and one with Lithuanian licence plates, and two with “LPR” plates), a bus with Ukrainian licence plates and 21 pedestrians (mixed gender and ages) waiting to exit Ukraine. After about ten minutes, a member of the armed formations told the SMM to leave the area.*  

While at a border crossing point near Sievernyi (50km south-east of Luhansk), the SMM saw 18 cars (12 with Ukrainian and six with Russian Federation licence plates) waiting to exit Ukraine. After about a minute, an armed member of the armed formations told the SMM to leave the area.*

On 16 June, the SMM monitored a gathering in front of the Consulate General of the Russian Federation at 14 Haharinske Plateau in Odessa. The SMM saw 20 people (men and women of different age groups), including some known to the SMM as members of the Auto-Maidan group. Speeches were held in support of releasing Ukrainians detained in the Russian Federation and boycotting the FIFA World Cup. Some of those gathered poured red liquid on four footballs and threw them over a wall onto the consulate premises. The SMM saw about 30 law enforcement officers present. It observed the gathering dispersing without further incidents.

The SMM continued monitoring in Kherson, Lviv, 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 below). 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: 

• On 17 June, in Zachativka (government-controlled, 74km south-west of Donetsk), a Ukrainian Armed Forces soldier told the SMM to leave the area. 
• On 18 June, near Holmivskyi (non-government-controlled, 49km north-east of Donetsk), a member of the armed formations told the SMM to move at least 500m away from its position.  
• On 18 June, at a border crossing point near Izvaryne, a member of the armed formations told the SMM to leave the area.
• On 18 June, at a border crossing point near Sievernyi, an armed member of the armed formations told the SMM to leave the area.

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.
• The SMM did not travel across the bridge in Shchastia (20km north of Luhansk) due to the presence of mines. At a checkpoint south of the bridge, an armed member of the armed formations told the SMM that he had no information regarding demining activities in the area. The SMM did not consider it safe to proceed.

Other impediments:

• On 17 June, at a checkpoint on road H15 east of Kreminets (non-government-controlled, 16km south-west of Donetsk), a member of the armed formations told the SMM it could not park its vehicles inside the checkpoint area.
• On 18 June, whileconducting a mini-UAV flight near Petrivske, the SMM heard six to eight shots of small-arms fire 1km south of its position, which it assessed as directed at the UAV. The SMM landed the UAV safely.

[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 cameras at the entry-exit checkpoints in Marinka and Pyshchevyk were 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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385101 Public Affairs Unit, OSCE Office for Democratic Institutions and Human Rights

Promoting dialogue to reflect on opportunities and challenges related to democratic representation in the age of rising populism was the focus of a conference co-organized by the OSCE Office for Democratic Institutions and Human Rights (ODIHR) in Brussels from 18 to 20 June 2018.

The conference, entitled “Representation in the Age of Populism? – Ideas for Global Action”, was hosted by the Belgian Senate. It brought together leaders from both traditional and recently established political parties and social movements from across the spectrum, representatives of civil society, democracy assistance organizations, academia and the media from across the world.

The discussion centred around pressing questions about the state of liberal democracy, political party systems and legislatures, and their ability to adequately represent people in democratic societies, at times when appeals for new forms of political action and agendas are growing.

The discussion will shape the Global Agenda for the Renewal of Representation, a guide aimed at reinvigorating the linkages between people and the diverse forms of representation that exist. The Global Agenda, to be prepared with input from ODIHR, will seek to inspire social and political leaders from all regions of the globe and the communities supporting their work.

“The growing dissatisfaction and the emergence of populist narratives is a result of a series of shortcomings in our democracies that have not been properly addressed over the past decades,” said ODIHR Director Ingibjörg Sólrún Gísladóttir. “We need to listen carefully and understand what triggers the distress, but we also need to be clear: human rights are fundamental rights, society free of intolerance is our birthright, and there can be no sustainable security without democratic values.”

Sir John Holmes, Chair of the Electoral Commission of the United Kingdom, highlighted that the conference takes place at a time when voters are increasingly holding their elected representatives to account and demanding transparency in how elections and referendums are conducted.

“We are relatively fortunate in the United Kingdom, as the law provides a high degree of regulation for all those undertaking political activity – whether long-established parties or new parties and campaigners that some might describe as populist,” he said. “However, the challenges are increasing. Much of our electoral law dates back to the 19th century and we, like other countries across the world, need to deal effectively with the rise in digital campaigning. Our overriding concern in all this is to make sure voters have transparency when it comes to who is targeting them for their votes.”

The event was held in partnership with International IDEA, the Netherlands Institute for Multiparty Democracy, the Westminster Foundation for Democracy and the research centre REPRESENT.

MINSK, 19 June 2018 – The OSCE Office for Democratic Institutions and Human Rights (ODIHR) today launched the two-year, European Union-funded project “Promoting Democratization and Human Rights in Belarus”, with two days of seminars in Minsk focusing on fair-trial rights.

The project will assist Belarus in meeting its OSCE commitments in the areas of the rule of law, human rights and the equal participation of women in democratic processes. The seminars today and tomorrow were co-organized by ODIHR with the Institute for Re-training and Continuing Education of Judges and Personnel of Prosecutor’s Offices, Courts and Justice Institutions (IRCE) at Belarus State University, as the first element of the rule of law component of the project.

“The training and assistance this project will provide to judges, prosecutors and lawyers; to educational officials; and to women parliamentarians, young women and gender equality advocates, is aimed at making a real difference,” said Ingibjörg Sólrún Gísladóttir, ODIHR Director.

Jim Couzens, Chargé d'Affaires a.i. of the Delegation of the EU to Belarus, said: "These seminars for judges about the right to a fair trial are an important part of the EU's co-operation with Belarus."

The project’s rule of law activities will include the training of some 200 legal professionals, as well as thematic seminars and exchange visits on rule of law and other justice issues.

“Educational seminars help participants gain a greater legal awareness in line with universally recognized international standards, which contributes to the strengthening of the rule of law and justice in the country,” said Ludmila Zaitseva, Head of the Prosecution Activity Department at IRCE.

Activities related to the other components of the project will include the provision of expert assistance in setting priorities for human rights education, a training-of-trainers session to give the Ministry of Education a pool of trainers on human rights education, and a workshop to build the capacity of local education policy specialists.

The project will also organize training workshops to strengthen the leadership abilities of young women and gender equality advocates, support the establishment of a network of women parliamentarians in Belarus, and help organize international forums for women leaders in the Commonwealth of Independent States.

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COPENHAGEN, 19 June 2018 – Ignacio Sanchez Amor (MP, Spain), Chair of the OSCE Parliamentary Assembly’s human rights committee, today criticized the U.S. government’s violation of human rights and humanitarian standards in its treatment of migrants – and especially migrant children – attempting to cross the U.S.-Mexico border.

“It should go without saying that attempts to enforce border security should not result in children being torn away from their parents, being confined to overcrowded cages, sleeping on the floor – terrified – with no mother or father to comfort them. The trauma being inflicted on these children, some of whom are reportedly as young as two years old, is difficult to comprehend,” Sanchez Amor said.

Sanchez Amor, who also serves as the OSCE PA’s Special Representative on Border Issues, noted that the U.S. Border Patrol is separating families because the current U.S. government has decided to implement a “zero tolerance” policy that seeks to charge every adult who illegally crosses the border with a crime. However, Sanchez Amor noted, this policy potentially contravenes a number of important international norms: the right of all people to seek asylum, the right to due process, the right to family unity, and the requirement under international humanitarian law to prioritize the best interests of the child.

“The United States has legal obligations to consider asylum applications and provide protection to those who qualify as refugees. The 1951 Refugee Convention recognizes that the seeking of asylum might sometimes require refugees to breach immigration rules, which the U.S. government as a party to this treaty should respect,” Sanchez Amor stated.

“In any case, children should not be punished for the actions of their parents and should never be traumatized in order to set an example to other potential asylum seekers or to send a political message. I call on the United States to immediately end the practice of forcibly separating children from their parents, to make every effort to reunite families that have been separated, and to adhere to all of its obligations under international humanitarian law,” he added.

Earlier this month, Chair of the OSCE PA Ad Hoc Committee on Migration Nahima Lanjri raised concerns that young migrant children were being separated from parents trying to cross the U.S.-Mexico border, as well as reports that nearly 1,500 migrant children are unaccounted for in the U.S. due to lax monitoring by the federal government.

The topic of migration and unaccompanied migrant children will feature high on the agenda of the OSCE Parliamentary Assembly’s upcoming Annual Session in Berlin.

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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 slightly decreased 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 slightly decreased from 11,682 to 11,647 per day for both BCPs compared to last week. The average net flow for both BCPs went from minus 382 (i.e., more exits from the Russian Federation) to plus 272 (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 36.7 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 38 at both BCPs compared to 31 last week; 20 of them crossed into the Russian Federation, 18 into Ukraine. All these crossings occurred at the Donetsk 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 eleven were observed crossing to Ukraine, compared to the previous reporting period when eight 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 450 buses crossing the border at both BCPs (compared to 382 observed during the previous week), 223 of them were bound for the Russian Federation and 227 for Ukraine.

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

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 800 to 835 (305 at the Gukovo BCP and 530 at the Donetsk BCP); 519 of these trucks crossed into the Russian Federation and 316 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 significantly increased from 47 to 95 (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 88 X-ray checks: out of the total number of trucks scanned during the reporting period, 58 trucks (66 per cent) were bound for Ukraine; the remaining 30 trucks (34 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 163 to 150; 78 crossed into the Russian Federation and 72 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 38 occasions, compared to 47 last week; the OTs assessed that 18 trains were travelling to the Russian Federation and 20 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.

On 16 June at 12:35, an ambulance car with Russian Federation licence plates entered the Donetsk BCP from the Russian Federation and returned at 12:44. The OT team observed two drivers inside the vehicle.  

For trends and figures at a glance covering the period from 15 May to 19 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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Anna Vorobeva OSCE Mission to Moldova

The OSCE Mission to Moldova organized a workshop in Tiraspol on 15 June 2018 for 35 legal professionals from both banks of the Dniester/Nistru River on international standards regulating the right to the freedom of movement.

During the workshop, the participants reviewed in detail existing international standards, practices and protection mechanisms related to the right to the freedom of movement. They worked jointly in small groups on case studies and deliberated upon better strategies to promote human rights for all. The new, extended format of the workshop also included thematic presentations by legal professionals with an aim to facilitate the exchange of information among lawyers from both banks of the Dniester/Nistru River.

“Today’s event has been effective and relevant. I learned about the international norms that regulate the right to the freedom of movement and its application in the local context. Joint discussions and solutions regarding cases of human rights violations were very insightful,” said Alexei Balan, a lawyer from Tiraspol. 

These workshops build upon Human Rights Club meetings, which have been organized by the OSCE Mission to Moldova since 2013 to serve as a communication platform and a confidence building measure between legal and civil society professionals on both banks of the Dniestr/Nistru River. In 2018, these meetings evolved into professional workshops with a greater focus on international law. At least two more workshops are planned for 2018.