Central Europe

Summary

• In Donetsk region, the Mission recorded 143 ceasefire violations, including 42 explosions. In the previous 24 hours, it recorded 65 ceasefire violations in the region.
• In Luhansk region, the SMM recorded 139 ceasefire violations, including 31 explosions. In the previous 24 hours, it recorded ten ceasefire violations in the region.
• The Mission corroborated reports of a civilian causality in non-government-controlled Donetsk city.
• The SMM continued monitoring the disengagement areas near Stanytsia Luhanska, Zolote and Petrivske; it recorded ceasefire violations inside the disengagement area near Petrivske.
• The Mission facilitated and monitored adherence to localized ceasefires to enable the operation, construction and repairs of critical civilian infrastructure.
• The SMM continued following up on the situation of civilians, including at four entry-exit checkpoints and the corresponding checkpoints of the armed formations in Donetsk and Luhansk regions.
• The Mission monitored a gathering in Kyiv.
• The SMM’s freedom of movement continued to be restricted, including at a border crossing point near Voznesenivka and at the Chervona Mohyla railway station in Voznesenivka, Luhansk region.

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 significantly decreased at both BCPs compared to the previous week. 

OPERATIONAL REMARKS

The OM is currently operating with 22 permanent international Mission members, including the Chief Observer (CO) and a First Responder.[1] The Mission is supported administratively by a staff member and the Chief of Fund Administration based in Vienna.

Update on COVID-19 measures

Activities have been impacted by COVID-19 and measures undertaken by the OM to ensure the safety and duty of care of its Mission members and compliance with measures set by the host country authorities. The Mission is continuing to keep the situation under review, in close contact with the OSCE Secretariat and the Chairpersonship. Following the host country’s recommendations, the observers are adhering to social distancing. Due to the preventive measures taken by the central and regional authorities, the OM is faced with certain difficulties, but is still able to continue to fulfil its mandate without any limitations in its observation and reporting activities. The vaccination process provided by the host country medical system continues on a voluntary basis. To date, 80 per cent of OM staff have now been vaccinated. The OM is fully staffed and operational.

OBSERVATIONS AT THE BORDER CROSSING POINTS

Persons crossing the border

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

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

The average number of entries/exits significantly decreased from 13,079 to 9,360 per day at both BCPs compared to last week. During the reporting period, the majority of border crossings were to the Russian Federation, with an average net flow of 34 per day for both BCPs. The Donetsk BCP continued to experience much more traffic than the Gukovo BCP.

Responding to the COVID-19 situation, the host country closed its borders for the majority of foreigners starting from 18 March 2020. Among the exceptions of persons allowed to cross the border (which entered into force on 19 March) are Ukrainian citizens and stateless persons holding passports or identification documents proving permanent residence in certain areas of Luhansk and Donetsk regions of Ukraine. In addition, reportedly, due to the threat of the spread of COVID-19, starting from 10 April 2020, the organized passenger transport commuting between the non-government-controlled areas of Luhansk region of Ukraine and the Russian Federation was temporarily suspended and restored from 25 June 2020. Currently, the crossing of people is going on at a quasi-normal level.

Persons in military-style outfits

During the reporting period, the number of persons in military-style outfits crossing the border was six, compared to 11 last week; four persons crossed into the Russian Federation while two persons crossed into Ukraine. These individuals crossed the border on foot.

Families with a significant amount of luggage

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

Bus connections                                         

Regular local and long-distance bus connections continued to operate between Ukraine (mostly from/to the Luhansk region) and the Russian Federation. During the reporting period, the OTs observed a significant decrease in the overall number of buses crossing the border at both BCPs (404 compared to 576 observed during the previous week). There were 212 buses bound for the Russian Federation and 192 bound for Ukraine.

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

Trucks

During the reporting period, the OTs observed a slight increase in the overall number of trucks crossing the border at both BCPs (804 compared to 785 during the previous reporting week); 404 at the Gukovo BCP and 400 at the Donetsk BCP, 383 of these trucks crossed into the Russian Federation, and 421 crossed into Ukraine. Most of the trucks observed by the OTs had Ukrainian licence plates issued in the Luhansk region; however, on a daily basis, the OTs also noted trucks registered in Belarus, Lithuania, the Russian Federation and trucks with “LPR” plates.

The OTs also continued to observe tanker trucks crossing the border in both directions. During the reporting period, the overall number of tanker trucks crossing the border at both BCPs increased (36 compared to 28 during the previous week). These trucks were observed crossing the border at both BCPs. The trucks had the words “Propane” and “Flammable” written across the tanks in either Russian or Ukrainian. The majority of tanker trucks had hazard signs, indicating that they were transporting propane or a mix of propane and butane. All trucks underwent systematic inspection by Russian Federation officials, which could include an X-ray check. Due to the unfavorable observation position at the Gukovo BCP, the OTs continued to be unable to observe any X-ray checks.

Compared to the previous week, the total number of X-ray checks at the Donetsk BCP increased from 176 to 190. Of the total number of all trucks scanned 190 trucks (100 per cent) were bound for Ukraine.

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 saw minivans registered in the Russian Federation. During the reporting period, the OTs observed an increase in the overall number of minivans crossing the border at both BCPs (145 compared to 131 observed during the previous week); 69 crossed into the Russian Federation and another 76 into Ukraine.

Trains

The OTs continued to pick up the sound of trains on the railway tracks located approximately 150m south-west of the Gukovo BCP. During the reporting week, the OTs heard trains on 26 occasions; the OTs assessed that 16 trains were travelling to the Russian Federation and the remaining ten trains were travelling to Ukraine (more details are provided in the sections “trends and figures at a glance” below).

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

Other observations

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

On 21 September at 14:40, the OT at the Donetsk BCP observed a group of seven brand-new ambulances entering the BCP from the Russian Federation and parking at the customs control area. The group consisted of six ambulances type “UAZ 468” and one “UAZ Patriot”, all white in colour with a red stripe and an inscription "Medical Emergency Services” (in Russian) on the side. After undergoing customs and border control procedures, the vehicles left the BCP for Ukraine at 16:03.

On 22 September at 01:48, the OT at the Donetsk BCP observed two medium-sized trucks and one minivan with “LPR” plates and inscription “LPR Post” (in Russian) entering the BCP from the Russian Federation and queuing at the customs control area. After undergoing customs and border control procedures, the vehicles left for Ukraine at 02:23.

On 27 September at 21:55, the OT at the Donetsk BCP observed an ambulance with an inscription “Urgent Medical Help (in Russian) entering the BCP from Ukraine and parking at the customs control area. After undergoing customs and border control procedures, the vehicle left the BCP to the Russian Federation at 22:30.

On 28 September at 01:14, the OT at the Donetsk BCP observed two medium-sized trucks and one minivan with “LPR” plates and an inscription “LPR Post” (in Russian) entering the BCP from Ukraine and queuing at the customs control area. After undergoing customs and border control procedures, the vehicles left the BCP to the Russian Federation at 01:35.

For trends and figures at a glance covering the period from 24 August 2021 to 28 September 2021, please see the attachment here.

[1]First responders are OSCE staff or Mission members deployed for a short period of time.

[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 that correspond to driving licence C1).

On 25 September 2021, the OSCE Programme Office in Nur-Sultan concluded a six-day training course on traditional felt making for rural women in the Aral Sea region of Kazakhstan, in Aralsk city, Kyzylorda province. 

The event was organized together with the International Fund for Saving the Aral Sea (IFAS) and the Public Association "Aral ayelderi" (“Women of Aral”). 

The training course provided 13 participants with theoretical and practical knowledge in creating products from felt raw materials. They were also familiarized with the properties of wool and technologies for making felt, and ways to ensure sustainability while pursuing craft-making. After the training, participants were able to create their own felt products.

As a follow-up event, the same group will be trained on the basics of starting and running a business and on the foundations of time and finance management.

The event is part of the Programme Office’s longstanding efforts to promote gender mainstreaming and economically related empowerment initiatives for women as a means to promote comprehensive security, stability and sustainable development in the host country.

Summary

• In Donetsk region, from the evenings of 24 to 26 September, the Mission recorded 393 ceasefire violations, including 118 explosions. In the previous reporting period, it recorded 113 ceasefire violations in the region.
• In Luhansk region, from the evenings of 24 to 26 September, the SMM recorded 201 ceasefire violations, including 12 explosions. In the previous reporting period, it recorded 37 ceasefire violations in the region.
• The Mission corroborated reports of two civilian causalities in non-government-controlled Donetsk city.
• The SMM followed up on reports of damage to a residential building in government-controlled Shchastia, Luhansk region.
• The Mission lost spatial control over its mini-unmanned aerial vehicle (UAV) near the southern edge of the disengagement area near Zolote, Luhansk region.
• The SMM continued monitoring the disengagement areas near Stanytsia Luhanska, Zolote and Petrivske.
• The Mission facilitated and monitored adherence to localized ceasefires to enable the operation, construction and repairs of critical civilian infrastructure.
• The SMM continued following up on the situation of civilians, including at four entry-exit checkpoints and three corresponding checkpoints of the armed formations in Donetsk and Luhansk regions.
• The Mission visited three border crossing points outside government control and monitored areas close to the border with the Russian Federation in Donetsk region.
• The SMM monitored the security situation in east and south-east Kherson region.
• The Mission’s freedom of movement continued to be restricted, including at checkpoints of the armed formations near Staromykhailivka and Shevchenko, and in Hryhorivka, Donetsk region. Its UAVs again experienced multiple instances of jamming.*

ERGNETI, 27 September 2021 — The 102nd meeting of the Incident Prevention and Response Mechanism (IPRM) took place today in Ergneti, under the co-facilitation of Ambassador Marek Szczygieł, Head of the EU Monitoring Mission in Georgia (EUMM), and Ambassador Annika Söder, Special Representative of the OSCE Chairperson-in-Office for the South Caucasus.  

Reflecting on developments since the last Ergneti IPRM meeting, the two co-facilitators welcomed the release of Zaza Gakheladze, and called for a humanitarian approach to all detention cases. They also positively noted the effective co-operation that took place over summer, in particular during the irrigation season that resolved concrete issues regarding access to water.  

During the meeting, participants discussed the impact that the protracted closure of crossing points and the on-going COVID-19 pandemic have on conflict-affected communities. In this regard, the co-facilitators, who stressed that the Odzisi crossing point has been closed to regular cross-administrative boundary line (ABL) traffic for over two-years, reiterated their call for the resumption of freedom of movement with adequate COVID-19 mitigating measures in place.  

Participants also discussed recent instances of 'borderization', as well as the most recent security developments at the administrative boundary line. The situation in the Chorchana-Tsnelisi area, flights of UAV and other aerial vehicles in the proximity of the ABL featured as well.  

The co-facilitators encouraged all participants to continue using the EUMM-managed Hotline and the IPRM meetings to exchange information, discuss and solve concrete issues, defuse tensions, build confidence and maintain stability. Continued dialogue, they added, is for the benefit of the conflict-affected population living on both sides of the ABL. 

The meeting, which was held in a constructive atmosphere, also allowed participants to continue their discussion on how they can further advance the Women, Peace and Security agenda in the IPRM format, including through increasing women's meaningful participation and focusing on specific issues and challenges faced by conflict-affected women and girls.

All necessary mitigation measures were in place to allow the participants to meet safely in spite of the COVID-19 pandemic. 

The participants agreed to convene the next regular meeting on 18 November 2021.  

A three-day training course aimed at further strengthening the capacity of North Macedonia to counter terrorist financing concluded on 23 September 2021 in Ohrid. The course was organized by the OSCE’s Transnational Threats Department and the United Nations Office on Drugs and Crime (UNODC), in co-operation with the OSCE Mission to Skopje.

National trainers, trained by OSCE and the UNODC earlier this year, delivered the training course to experts from law enforcement, the General Prosecutor’s Office, the Intelligence Agency, and the Financial Intelligence Office of North Macedonia.

The training course represented the first module of the OSCE/UNODC training programme, which aims to assist North Macedonia in the implementation of international standards on countering terrorist financing, in particular United Nations Security Council Resolutions, the Financial Action Task Force on Money Laundering’s recommendations and OSCE commitments.

Based on country- and region-specific scenarios, the training course included sessions on transnational, regional and national terrorist threats, sources of information available to financial investigators, and types of illicit money flows. More than half of the course was devoted to practical exercises highlighting specific instruments and techniques that play an important role in countering the financing of terrorism. The exercises emphasized the key role of inter-agency co-operation in countering terrorist financing.

The course was organized with the financial support of the United States.

Summary

• In Donetsk region, the Mission recorded 113 ceasefire violations, including 24 explosions. In the previous reporting period, it recorded 285 ceasefire violations in the region.
• In Luhansk region, the SMM recorded 37 ceasefire violations, including six explosions. In the previous reporting period, it recorded 126 ceasefire violations in the region.
• The Mission corroborated a civilian causality in non-government-controlled Donetsk city.
• Small-arms fire was assessed as directed at an SMM mini-unmanned aerial vehicle (UAV) near non-government-controlled Almazna, Luhansk region.*
• The Mission continued monitoring the disengagement areas near Stanytsia Luhanska, Zolote and Petrivske.
• In the past weeks, the SMM spotted extensions to existing trenches on both sides of the contact line in Donetsk region.
• The Mission facilitated and monitored adherence to localized ceasefires to enable the operation, construction and repairs of critical civilian infrastructure.
• The SMM continued following up on the situation of civilians, including at four entry-exit checkpoints and three corresponding checkpoints of the armed formations in Donetsk and Luhansk regions.
• The Mission’s freedom of movement continued to be restricted, including at a checkpoint of the armed formations in Staromykhailivka, Donetsk region. Its UAVs again experienced instances of jamming.*

NEW YORK, 24 September 2021 – The Co-Chairs of the OSCE Minsk Group (Stephane Visconti of France, Andrew Schofer of the United States of America, and Igor Khovaev of the Russian Federation) made the following statement:  

On the sidelines of the General Debate of the 76th session of the UN General Assembly, the Minsk Group Co-Chairs met separately in New York with Azerbaijani Foreign Minister Jeyhun Bayramov and Armenian Foreign Minister Ararat Mirzoyan. The Co-Chairs also hosted both Foreign Ministers at a joint meeting. The Personal Representative of the OSCE Chairperson-in-Office (PRCiO) Andrzej Kasprzyk participated in the meetings.  

The Co-Chairs and Foreign Ministers discussed a wide range of outstanding unresolved issues between Armenia and Azerbaijan. The Co-Chairs proposed specific focused measures to deescalate the situation and possible next steps. The Co-Chairs stressed their continuing strong support for the full range of indispensable activities and operations undertaken by the PRCiO and his team. 

On 24 September the Co-Chairs and PRCiO met with UN Under Secretary General for Political and Peacebuilding Affairs Rosemary DiCarlo and OSCE Chairperson in Office Foreign Minister Ann Linde to brief them on their efforts over the past year, including the most recent developments in the process. 

The Co-Chairs welcome this first meeting of the two ministers of foreign affairs since November 2020 as a sign of the resolve of the two countries to reengage in the peace process through direct dialogue aimed at contributing to security, stability, and prosperity in the region.  The Co-Chairs reaffirm their commitment to continue working with the sides to find comprehensive solutions to all remaining issues related to or resulting from the Nagorno-Karabakh conflict in accordance with their mandate. 

Summary

• In Donetsk region, the Mission recorded 285 ceasefire violations, including 17 explosions. In the previous reporting period, it recorded 745 ceasefire violations in the region.
• In Luhansk region, the SMM recorded 126 ceasefire violations, including 15 explosions. In the previous reporting period, it recorded 144 ceasefire violations in the region.
• The Mission followed up on reports of damage to civilian properties in non-government-controlled Donetsk city and Dokuchaievsk as well as to a working school in Yasynuvata, Donetsk region.
• Small-arms fire was assessed as directed at two SMM mini-unmanned aerial vehicles (UAVs) near government-controlled Shyrokyne, Donetsk region and non-government-controlled Kruta Hora, Luhansk region.*
• The Mission continued monitoring the disengagement areas near Stanytsia Luhanska, Zolote and Petrivske.
• The SMM facilitated and monitored adherence to localized ceasefires to enable the operation and repairs of critical civilian infrastructure.
• The Mission continued following up on the situation of civilians, including at three entry-exit checkpoints and the corresponding checkpoints of the armed formations in Luhansk region.
• The SMM’s freedom of movement continued to be restricted, including at the checkpoints of the armed formations near Oleksandrivske and Novoazovsk in southern Donetsk region. Its mini-UAVs experienced instances of jamming.*

A five-day OSCE regional train-the-trainers course on cybercrime for criminal justice practitioners from the five Central Asian OSCE participating States concluded on 24 September 2021. The course aimed to provide the practitioners with the knowledge and skills necessary for developing and delivering professional training courses in this topic area.

With a strong emphasis on interactive exercises and practical skills, the training course covered topics such as the basics of adult learning theory; student-centered and participatory learning; non-verbal and verbal communication; use of training aids; and an introduction to electronic evidence principles and procedures. It also included an integrated module on human rights compliance in the investigation and prosecution of cybercrime cases.

The training course was delivered as part of the OSCE project, Capacity Building on Combating Cybercrime in Central Asia, in close co-operation with OSCE Field Operations in the region. The aim of the project is to build sustainable national training capacities for police officers and prosecutors on combating cybercrime. The initiative represents the first comprehensive regional effort on cybercrime.

While the project uses train-the-trainer courses as its core approach, it will also deliver thematic training courses on handling digital evidence by first responders, the Dark Web and virtual currencies, Internet investigations and open-source intelligence gathering with a focus on countering terrorism, and open source IT forensics and network investigations.

The 2021 Aarhus Centres Annual Meeting was held in Vienna and online on 23 and 24 September 2021. The meeting focused on good environmental governance, the role of Aarhus Centres in times of disaster, green recovery, women empowerment, and promotion of the 2030 sustainable development agenda.

Organized by the Office of the Co-ordinator of OSCE Economic and Environmental Activities, representatives from Aarhus Centres, National Focal Points to the Aarhus Convention, representatives of non-governmental organizations, international organizations and OSCE field operations participated in the event. They shared experiences and best practices, and discussed the role of Aarhus Centres in fostering good environmental governance.

Vuk Žugić, Co-ordinator of OSCE Economic and Environmental Activities, said that the Aarhus Centres are a bridge between citizens and authorities. “Their work in raising public awareness on environmental issues, disseminating environmental information, organizing public hearings, monitoring local environmental hotspots, and engaging local communities, youth and women in environmental initiatives in of great importance”.

Ambassador Tobias Lorentzson, Deputy Permanent Representative of Sweden to the OSCE said: “The Aarhus Centres can make a great contribution to strengthening women’s participation in environmental matters and ensuring that the needs and the involvement of men and women are equally heard”, highlighting the efforts of the OSCE in advancing women’s participation in environmental co-operation.

Director of Environment Division within the United Nations Economic Commission for Europe (UNECE), Marco Keiner, said: “Good governance, transparency, public participation and the rule of law, promoted by both OSCE and UNECE, are mandatory targets for every country that strives to make a tangible progress in implementing the 2030 Agenda for Sustainable Development.”

Piotr Tondys, Counsellor at the Permanent Mission of the Republic of Poland to the OSCE, strongly encouraged the operation of the OSCE-supported Aarhus Centres and Public Environmental Information Centres. “I particularly appreciate their active presence on the ground and their capacity to link national authorities, local administrations, civil society and private sector.”

An OSCE-supported online seminar on water treatment and sanitation in Kazakhstan took place on 22 September 2021. Some 40 representatives of local administrations, project engineers, non-governmental organizations and the private sector from the Aktobe, Karaganda and Turkestan regions participated in the event.

National experts discussed ways of improving water and wastewater discharge quality through the efficient use of treatment equipment and their modernization. Participants identified key challenges with which local municipalities or operators would be required to comply, in line with the new Environmental Code.

This event is the final in a series of three seminars organized by the OSCE Programme Office in Nur-Sultan in partnership with Kazakhstan’s Association of Environmental Organizations. The earlier seminars took place in August and September and were conducted to enhance the understanding of Kazakhstan stakeholders on new sanitary requirements for sewage facilities during their construction or modernization under the new Environmental Code.

The event was part of the Programme Office’s long-term efforts to strengthen environmental security in Kazakhstan by promoting the green economy and sustainable development principles.

VIENNA/SARAJEVO, 24 September 2021 - OSCE Representative on Freedom of the Media Teresa Ribeiro and Head of the OSCE Mission to Bosnia and Herzegovina (BiH) Kathleen Kavalec condemned today  a targeted online hate campaign against several media professionals in BiH, urging the authorities to take effective measures to investigate and prosecute the perpetrators in accordance with the law.

According to the BH Journalists Association (BHN), there has been an increase in hateful, aggressive and nationalistic commentary against journalists in the country via online platforms over the past few days. Those specifically targeted include Secretary General of BHN Borka Rudić, N1 TV chief editor and journalist, Amir Zukić and Nikola Vučić, and journalism professor of the School of Political Sciences of University of Sarajevo Lejla Turčilo.

“Deliberate manifestations of hateful and aggressive speech against media professionals in retaliation of their work have a chilling effect – not only on their ability to serve the public in democratic society, but also on their physical safety as such online violence can increase the risk of further threats and violence against journalists,” said Ribeiro. “The authorities must apply all available legal avenues to swiftly and effectively investigate and prosecute the perpetrators as well as combat hate speech online, to ensure a safe environment for the media in the country,” she added.

“I am alarmed by the latest example of intimidation and threats towards public figures in BiH. The widespread smear campaign against prof. Lejla Turčilo, Borka Rudić, Nikola Vučić, Amir Zukić and others threatens their safety. I strongly urge the authorities to comply with its OSCE commitments and enable journalists and freedom of expression advocates to work in an environment free from intimidation.” said Kavalec.

The OSCE Representative on Freedom of the Media observes media developments in all 57 OSCE participating States. She 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.

Twenty young women and men from both banks of the Dniester/Nistru River developed negotiation skills and participated in a conflict resolution simulation exercise as part of the 8th edition of the Model OSCE for Youth event organized online by the OSCE Mission to Moldova from 21 to 24 September 2021.

The simulation exercise allowed participants to become diplomats for one day by taking part in a mock session of the OSCE Permanent Council during a crisis situation. They played the roles of different OSCE participating States, institutions and other relevant actors and worked together to solve a hypothetical crisis in the OSCE area.

“The work of a diplomat is intense, dynamic, and highly responsible but also very rewarding. If you choose this path, you will most likely never regret it,” said Claus Neukirch, Head of the OSCE Mission to Moldova, during his opening address. “The Model OSCE for Youth can be a launching pad that helps you climb the diplomatic career ladder to the top ranks, including in the OSCE.”

During the four-day event, participants were trained on negotiation techniques and learned about the history and work of the OSCE, its structures and consensus-based decision-making process. Participants also had the opportunity to meet OSCE diplomats and officials working in the Republic of Moldova, Austria, and Kazakhstan, who had addressed them during the event.

"The Model OSCE teaches our participants how to be effective negotiators, but it also offers a broader worldview as it shows them that young people can make a change on the global stage. It equips them with a skillset needed to navigate in a complex world,” said Ida Manton, an expert in international negotiations who led training exercises during the event. “While learning about the OSCE through simulations and presentations, they explore how to solve problems through constructive dialogue. Every year, since 2013, I am impressed by the eagerness of these young people to learn more about conflict resolution.”

The aim of the Model OSCE is to build confidence and strengthen dialogue between young women and men from both banks of the Dniester/Nistru River. It was first organized by the OSCE Mission to Moldova in 2013 and has been held annually since then, except in 2018.

Summary

• In Donetsk region, the Mission recorded 745 ceasefire violations, including 160 explosions. In the previous reporting period, it recorded 117 ceasefire violations in the region.
• In Luhansk region, the SMM recorded 144 ceasefire violations, including 14 explosions. In the previous reporting period, it recorded 79 ceasefire violations in the region.
• Small-arms fire was assessed as directed at an SMM’s mid-range unmanned aerial vehicle (UAV) near government-controlled Chermalyk, Donetsk region; the SMM lost spatial control over one of its mini-UAVs near non-government controlled Olenivka.*
• The Mission continued monitoring the disengagement areas near Stanytsia Luhanska, Zolote and Petrivske. It recorded ceasefire violations inside the disengagement area near Petrivske.
• The SMM facilitated and monitored adherence to localized ceasefires to enable the operation of critical civilian infrastructure.
• The Mission continued following up on the situation of civilians, including at four entry-exit checkpoints and the corresponding checkpoints of the armed formations in Donetsk and Luhansk regions.
• The Mission’s freedom of movement continued to be restricted, including at checkpoints of the armed formations in Bezimenne and Novoazovsk, Donetsk region. Its mini- and mid-range UAVs experienced multiple instances of jamming.*

On 23 September 2021, the South-East Europe Police Chiefs Association (SEPCA), chaired by Montenegro, opened a two day conference in Budva hosted by the Ministry of Interior’s Police Directorate with the support of the OSCE Mission in Montenegro.

The conference will focus on examining two aspects of cybercrime: countering online radicalization leading to violent extremism and countering online sexual exploitation of children.

Opening the conference, Siv-Katrine Leirtroe, Acting Head of the OSCE Mission, said that, along with the positive advantages that new technologies have provided, society faces a growing threat from illegal uses in the form of cybercrime. “We hope that this conference will not only reinforce the national response to cybercrime, but also support a regional response through sharing of data and building relationships among SEPCA member states,” said Leirtroe.

Zoran Brđanin, Montenegrin Police director, said that though the internet has extended our knowledge and access to information, it has also allowed criminals to move from the physical to the online world. “The purpose of our daily work is to build peace and security at national, regional, and international levels. Being united in our goals, we can achieve concrete results. During these two days, we have the opportunity to strengthen our partnership in protecting the most vulnerable groups, especially our children, whose security is the most sacred aim of all of us,” said Brđanin.

The OSCE Transnational Threats Department (TNTD), EUROPOL, the International Centre for Missing and Exploited Children and the NGO “Parents” from Montenegro will make presentations and lead the discussions. Participants include representatives from Albania, Bosnia and Hercegovina, Moldova, North Macedonia, Romania, Slovenia and Serbia and will exchange experiences and identify good practices in countering online radicalization leading to violent extremism and online sexual exploitation of children.

The Mission and the OSCE/TNTD will remain reliable partners of the host country’s Police Directorate and continue to provide available expertise in countering online radicalization leading to violent extremism and countering sexual exploitation of children via the internet. 

Two OSCE-supported video courses on anti-money laundering and combating human trafficking were launched on 20 September 2021. The curricula, developed in partnership with the U.S. Embassy in Kazakhstan, is aimed at building training capacity of the Law Enforcement Agencies Academy under the Prosecutor’s General Office.

Some 10 national experts took part in the preparation of the video courses with the focus on enhancing the knowledge of law enforcement practitioners toward the investigation and prosecution of financial crimes and human trafficking. The material is expected to become part of the education curricula and be administered through the distance learning system under the Law Enforcement Agencies Academy under the Prosecutor General’s Office.

The anti-money laundering course consists of seven modules, and provides an overview of themes on combating money laundering, using open source information and applying tools for search, seizure and confiscation of criminal proceeds from abroad. The combating human trafficking course consists of five video modules and 36 video lessons. It features investigation, prosecution, and prevention of crimes related to human trafficking.

The developed curricula are part of the Programme Office’s multi-year efforts to promote good governance, combat trafficking in human beings and advance the host country’s anti-money laundering/combating terrorist financing system.

Current transnational threats and challenges for border agencies, such as the COVID-19 pandemic, and innovative responses were the focus of the 15th Annual Meeting of the OSCE Border Security and Management National Focal Points Network held on 21 and 22 September 2021.

”In an increasingly interconnected world, border security and management has become a complex task. While we must protect our borders from the illegal activities and other border violations, we must also facilitate lawful trade and travel, which are essential aspects of human security, economic prosperity and national sovereignty,” said Maria Gratschew, Counselor from the Permanent Delegation of Sweden to the OSCE, on behalf of the 2021 Swedish OSCE Chairpersonship. “We welcome this meeting and the opportunity for focal points to discuss these challenges and explore innovative ways to address them.”

The online and in-person event was organized by the 2021 Swedish OSCE Chairpersonship and the Border Security and Management Unit of the OSCE Transnational Threats Department. It brought together more than 100 border officials from across the OSCE area and the Mediterranean Partners for Co-operation.

During the meeting, presentations by international organizations provided an overview of emerging trends in transnational threats and the latest developments in addressing cross-border crimes triggered by the COVID-19 pandemic.

“The COVID-19 pandemic was a security scenario we were all unprepared for. It has illustrated the complex nature of security, where multiple actors are involved,” said Alena Kupchyna, OSCE Co-ordinator of Activities to Address Transnational Threats.  “Border security and management agencies play a critical role in understanding the security picture, particularly related to widespread threats like the pandemic.”

International experts also discussed with national focal points the updated OSCE Self-Assessment Tool for Nations to Increase Preparedness for Cross Border Implications of Crises and available mechanisms in addressing cross-border crises.

Participants and experts from the United Nations Office of Counter-Terrorism and INTERPOL also explored ways of strengthening identity management through biometric technologies in the context of cross-border co-operation and information sharing to counter terrorism and related transnational organized crimes.

The meeting concluded with a session on current and emerging transnational threats affecting OSCE participating States and Partners for Co-operation in Central Asia.

On 18 September 2021, the OSCE Programme Office in Nur-Sultan handed over a specialized unmanned aerial vehicle (UAV) to Altyn-Emel national park. The handover took place at the park administration’s headquarters in Baschi village, the Almaty region and included the official signing of a donation agreement.

The UAV was procured by the OSCE Programme Office within the framework of its long-term co-operation with the Forestry and Wildlife Committee of the Ministry of Ecology, Geology and Natural Resources (Committee), for implementing reconnaissance flights to prevent poaching. Earlier this year, a similar UAV was donated to the Committee’s East Kazakhstan territorial inspectorate, and has been successfully used in monitoring activities.

The donated equipment is expected to perform a wide range of tasks, from tracking poachers in remote areas and monitoring of wild animals, to controlling forest fires. The Office also provided training to the Altyn-Emel national park’s two employees who will administer the UAV during its flight operations.

The event is part of the Programme Office’s multi-year efforts to promote good governance by focusing on combatting poaching in Kazakhstan.

On 23 September 2021, the OSCE Programme Office in Nur-Sultan concluded a two-day training course on countering the financing of proliferation of weapons of mass destruction (WMD).

The course was held in a blended format, together with the Financial Monitoring Agency and the Royal United Services Institute (RUSI), for some 70 representatives from the government and private sector.

Participants learned about the Financial Action Task Force (FATF) standards and the United Nations Security Council Resolutions requirements related to preventing and disrupting the financial flows for developing WMD. Through a selection of relevant case studies, they were familiarized with the WMD proliferation finance trends and indicators as well as regional and country-specific factors that affect exposure to proliferation finance risks. The RUSI experts shared best practices in public-private co-operation on countering the WMD proliferation financing, and presented proliferation finance risk assessment methodology.

The training course is part of the Programme Office’s multi-year efforts to promote good governance and to combat money laundering and terrorist financing.