Central Europe

SDGs SDGs:  16 - Peace, justice and strong institutions

Summary

• In Donetsk region, the Mission recorded 100 ceasefire violations, including one explosion. In the previous reporting period, it recorded 90 ceasefire violations in the region.
• In Luhansk region, the SMM recorded 157 ceasefire violations, including 69 explosions. In the previous reporting period, it recorded five ceasefire violations in the region.
• The SMM followed up on reports of two civilians injured due to shelling in non-government-controlled Donetsk city.
• The Mission followed up on reports of damage to two civilian properties in government-controlled Verkhnotoretske, Donetsk region.
• An SMM mini-unmanned aerial vehicle (UAV) was assessed as targeted by small-arms fire on three occasions during two flights over and near the disengagement area near Petrivske.
• The Mission lost spatial control of its mini-UAV near government-controlled Kodema, Donetsk region, after which the UAV landed in a manoeuvre not initiated by the SMM.
• The SMM continued monitoring the disengagement areas near Stanytsia Luhanska, Zolote and Petrivske, and recorded ceasefire violations inside the disengagement area near Petrivske.
• The Mission facilitated and monitored adherence to localized ceasefires to enable the operation 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 observed a gathering in Kyiv.
• The SMM’s freedom of movement continued to be restricted, including a 90-minute delay at the checkpoint of the armed formations south the Stanytsia Luhanska bridge, Luhansk region.*

STOCKHOLM, 16 September 2021 — The OSCE Chairperson-in-Office, Swedish Minister for Foreign Affairs Ann Linde, expressed regret that no consensus could be reached on the extension of the mandate of the Observer Mission at the Russian checkpoints Gukovo and Donetsk on the Russian-Ukrainian border, an important component of the OSCE’s response to the crisis in and around Ukraine.

The Mission is tasked to monitor and report on the situation as well as on the movement across the border and was deployed on 24 July 2014, following the Joint Declaration by the Foreign Ministers of Ukraine, Russia, France and Germany on 2 July 2014, in which they reconfirmed their commitment to sustainable peace and stability in Ukraine. The Mission’s current mandate expires on 30 September 2021. On 2 September, the Russian Federation informed the OSCE participating States that it would not support the extension of the mandate of the Observer Mission.

“For the OSCE to fulfil its role as a platform for peace and stability, the Organization must make full use of all the tools at its disposal. I deeply regret that we could not reach a consensus on the extension of the Observer Mission mandate following the decision of the Russian Federation. For over seven years, the Mission has contributed to confidence-building and increased transparency on the Russian-Ukrainian border through its impartial monitoring and reporting,” Chairperson-in-Office Linde said, expressing her gratitude to the Chief Observer Gyorgy Varga and all his team for their service.

In this context, the Chairperson-in-Office also stressed the need for the full implementation of the Minsk agreements in their entirety and recalled that the Minsk Protocol of 2014 provides for permanent monitoring on the Ukrainian–Russian state border and verification by the OSCE, together with the creation of a security zone in the border regions of Ukraine and the Russian Federation.

Linde underlined the Swedish Chair’s strong commitment to a sustainable political solution in line with the OSCE’s principles and commitments, with full respect for the sovereignty, territorial integrity and independence of Ukraine within its internationally recognized borders.

498183 OSCE Centre in Ashgabat

From 14 to16 September 2021, the OSCE Centre in Ashgabat supported an online seminar to promote best practices and standards, and discuss perspectives and challenges of ‘smart cities’. The development of a renewable energy sector was also discussed.

The three-day event brought together representatives of the Ministry of Energy, and lecturers and students from the Turkmen State Energy Institute.

Two international experts from Belarus highlighted their programme for the standardization and implementation of a smart city concept. They presented modern energy saving technologies, methods for monitoring and forecasting smart city infrastructure, and maintaining an alternative and sustainable energy supply. Developing smart energy networks in the region, and implementing and promoting green certificates were also discussed at the event.

“Smart cities bring us great environmental benefits. The main drivers behind the development of smart and sustainable cities are the reduction of CO2 footprints, improving energy efficiency and storage, and developing alternative energy sources,” said John MacGregor, Head of the OSCE Centre in Ashgabat.

498156 Kunduz Rysbek

From 14 to 18 September 2021, eleven students from across Kyrgyzstan are taking part in a five-day autumn school on Anti-money Laundering and Financing of Terrorism in Issyk- Kul, Kyrgyzstan.

The training event prepares the students for their participation in the International Olympiad on Financial Security this October in Sochi, Russia, where they will compete against representatives from member states of the Eurasian Group on Combating Money Laundering and Terrorist Financing (EAG) .

The school provides an opportunity for students to enhance their knowledge and skills in how to ensure economic security, combat money laundering and terrorist financing, conduct financial investigations, and more

Participants were selected by the Training Center of the State Financial Intelligence Service under the Cabinet of Ministers of the Kyrgyz Republic.

The school is organized by the Training Centre with the support of the OSCE Programme Office in Bishkek.

498159 Željka Šulc

On 16 September 2021, the OSCE Mission to Bosnia and Herzegovina awarded the winners of a school competition aimed at supporting increased recycling in the Central Bosnia Canton (CBC) thus increasing youth engagement in the field of environment protection.

A competition for a logo for the recycling campaign of a school recycling project was organized in 26 primary and secondary schools in Jajce, Vitez and Travnik municipalities in April this year. Three schools were awarded a tablet each for producing the best logo: Jajce primary school, Travnik mixed secondary school and Bila Vitez primary school. The winners were selected by a commission appointed by each local community. All schools which participated received a number of fabric bags, posters and leaflets and were invited to participate in the final event.

The OSCE Mission’s organizing partners in this competition were the Ministry of Urban Planning, Construction, Environment Protection, Returns and Housing Affairs of the CBC,  Jajce, Vitez and Travnik municipalities, the Mountaineers’ Association Ćusine in Jaice, the Youth Education Centre in Travnik, and the Ecological Association Kremenik in Vitez.

In addition to the competition, a series of activities related to environmental protection were organized in the three municipalities. A part of the project was to engage primary and secondary schools in Travnik, Jajce and Vitez in a recycling initiative to collect polyethylene terephthalate (PET) plastics. The project included the provision of recycling bins for schools and engaging either private companies or public utility companies to collect the plastic materials and pay the schools for the recycled plastic.

Plans for 2021 included involving businesses to match the funds that the schools raised as a means to further engage the business community in the three municipalities, encourage corporate social responsibility and increase the amount of funds for the schools to use as needed. Three-hundred fabric bags printed with the awarded logo and the logos of the cantonal and local partners were distributed to schools as a part of the environmental protection and recycling campaign.

Recognizing that a clean and safe environment is in the interests of all citizens, the OSCE Mission works to raise awareness and promote collective responses to the manifold environmental challenges that BiH faces. 

KYIV, 15 September 2021 – The Special Representative of the OSCE Chairperson-in-Office in Ukraine and in the Trilateral Contact Group (TCG), Ambassador Mikko Kinnunen, made the following statement to the press after the regular meetings of the TCG ‎and its Working Groups held through video conferencing:

The security situation along the contact line remains volatile with an average of 273 cease-fire violations per day reported by OSCE Special Monitoring Mission (SMM) during the first two weeks of September 2021, an increase of about 30% compared to the month of August. I particularly deplore the rising number of civilian casualties, namely 11 in the month of August, the highest number of monthly civilian casualties since the entering into force of the July 2020 agreement on strengthening the ceasefire. The participants in the Security Working Group continued working on the draft Addendum to agreement on strengthening ceasefire, however, disagreements over the nature of the possible new coordination and verification mechanism remained.

The Political Working Group discussed issues related to the elaboration of a draft action plan in full compliance with the Minsk agreements.

Participants in the Economic Working Group engaged in a detailed discussion on different aspects of water supply to certain areas of Donetsk and Luhansk regions of Ukraine (CADLO). They also dealt with ecological issues, discussed pension payments and questions related to telecommunication. I was particularly pleased to hear about the successful first session of the expert group on ecological hazards related to flooded mines near the contact line.

For the second time, the meeting of the Humanitarian Working Group could not take place as the controversy over a recent expert appointment was not yet solved. The issues of vital importance to population on both sides of contact line, such as the opening of new crossing points and the mutual exchange of conflict-related detainees could not be discussed. I emphasize the need to a seek swift way out of this impasse ahead of the next scheduled meeting of the Working Group.”

SDGs SDGs:  16 - Peace, justice and strong institutions

Summary

• In Donetsk region, the Mission recorded 90 ceasefire violations, including 23 explosions. In the previous reporting period, it recorded 88 ceasefire violations in the region.
• In Luhansk region, the SMM recorded five ceasefire violations, including three explosions. In the previous reporting period, it recorded 67 ceasefire violations in the region.
• The SMM followed up on reports of two civilians injured due to shelling in non-government-controlled Dokuchaievsk, Donetsk region.
• The SMM lost spatial control of a mini-unmanned aerial vehicle (UAV) near non-government-controlled Hirske, Luhansk region.
• The SMM continued monitoring the disengagement areas near Stanytsia Luhanska, Zolote and Petrivske, and recorded ceasefire violations close to the disengagement area near Zolote and inside and close to the disengagement area near Petrivske.
• The Mission facilitated and monitored adherence to localized ceasefires to enable the operation of critical civilian infrastructure.
• The SMM 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 Mission’s freedom of movement continued to be restricted, including at two border crossing points in non-government-controlled areas of Luhansk region. Its UAVs again experienced multiple instances of GPS signal interference.*

WARSAW, 15 September 2021 – Thirty years ago, the OSCE Office for Democratic Institutions and Human Rights (ODIHR) was established to support all countries of the OSCE region in strengthening democratic institutions and the rule of law, and increasing respect for human rights. In this anniversary year, how much has been achieved – and what opportunities and challenges lie ahead?

What: 

• A press conference on ODIHR’s contribution to strengthening democracy and human rights over the last 30 years and its role in seeking solutions to current and future challenges

Who: 

• Matteo Mecacci, Director of the OSCE Office for Democratic Institutions and Human Rights
• Ann Linde, Swedish Foreign Minister and head of Sweden’s 2021 OSCE Chairpersonship

When: 

•  10:00 on 14 October 2021

Where:

• Warsaw and online

Registration:

• Journalists are kindly requested to register by sending an email to public.affairs@odihr.pl with their name, media outlet, and passport number
• Registration deadline for journalists: 11 October 2021
• Registered journalists are asked to arrive at the venue a minimum of 30 minutes before the conference opens in order to pass through all necessary security checks

Further information:

• Journalists are also invited to attend the opening session and panel debate with high-level participants from across the OSCE
• Please check the event webpage, which will be regularly updated with information about the programme, participants, and logistics.

498090 OSCE Centre in Ashgabat

Development of the capital market and the stock exchange being discussed at an OSCE-organized online seminar that concludes on 16 September 2021.

The two-day event brought together representatives of the Ministry of Finance and Economy of Turkmenistan, Central Bank, Academy of Civil Servants, Ashgabat Stock Exchange and other relevant  state bodies, non-governmental structures and credit institutions.

Officials of the Stock Exchange of Kazakhstan shared best practices in managing capital market and the Stock Exchange. Their presentations focused on identifying effective capital market instruments, forming a diversified investment portfolio and building an infrastructure of the capital market.

Experts also elaborated on the monitoring of emitters and the Stock Exchange members, as well as presented listing procedures and security trade mechanisms. The national representatives made an overview of the capital market of Turkmenistan and discussed possible steps towards further development of its infrastructure.

John MacGregor, Head of the OSCE Centre in Ashgabat, said: “A well-developed domestic capital market allows governments and companies to access long-term finance in local currency, increases investments directed towards innovation, and promotes sustainable growth with greater employment opportunities for middle-class community.” He added that the OSCE recognizes the importance of creating a good business environment for countries aiming to attract investment and develop their private business sectors.

498066 Marina Živaljević

The OSCE Mission to Montenegro strengthened the technical capacities of the Centre for Investigative Journalism of Montenegro with the delivery on 15 September 2021 of three mobile journalism sets, one drone, three laptop computers and two desktop computers with accompanying monitors.

With these new technical tools, journalists working with the Centre for Investigative Journalism will be able to produce relevant and reliable high quality news content.

Siv-Katrine Leirtroe, Acting Head of the Mission said: “Media are a constant in our lives and play an important role in informing the public daily on challenging topics. The technology expansion had an immense impact on the media, with breaking news, demanding immediate reporting. Investigative reporting plays important role, as reporting rapidly must go hand in hand with diligent verification and accuracy, which is at the heart of good journalism.”

The Mission remains committed to supporting pluralistic, independent and professional media in Montenegro in line with OSCE commitments and principles.

498081 Željka Šulc

On 15 September 2021, the OSCE Mission to Bosnia and Herzegovina and the Law Faculty of the Sarajevo University launched in Sarajevo the Media Law School on online freedom of expression and freedom of assembly on social networks.

The four-day event will enable 24 law students from Sarajevo, Bihac, Tuzla, Zenica, Banja Luka and Mostar to learn about the basic concepts of online freedoms, self-regulation of online and social media and the responsibilities of the state under articles 10 and 11 of the European Convention on Human Rights.

“Freedom of expression and freedom of assembly and association are fully protected and guaranteed under the domestic legal framework. However, BiH lacks a comprehensive framework that would bring the online protection of these rights up to international and contemporary standards,” said Jasna Dobricik, Head of the OSCE Mission to BiH Human Dimension Department.

“Processing of potential violations is still a challenge for the BiH judiciary. With the Media Law School, we are assisting future legal practitioners to address various challenges related to freedoms on social networks that exist today, and that can well multiply in the future,” added Dobricik.

The OSCE Mission to BiH is mandated with strengthening human rights, democratic governance, and security co-operation. The Media Law School represents the continuation of the Mission's work in the field of promotion and protection of media freedoms and freedom to peaceful assembly.

In addition to lectures, students will also work on hypothetical cases and participate in simulated trials.

PRISHTINË/PRIŠTINA, 15 September 2021 – As we mark World Democracy Day, we affirm the principle of the people’s expression of free will, be it at the ballot box, or through media, as a basis of authority for any form of government.

With local elections only a month away, which shall determine local governments for the next four years, the OSCE Mission in Kosovo has continuously worked with the Central Election Commission to improve voters’ lists, in co-operation with the CEC Secretariat, the Civil Registration Agency and the Kosovo Cadastre Agency.

Both the CEC and the Election Complaints and Appeals Panel agreed also to address recommendations of the EU Election Observation Mission and the United Kingdom on improvements of the election process. We should also take particular note that there are 14 women running for mayor and 1,938 women candidates for municipal assemblies hoping to earn the trust of voters on 17 October, following a record-breaking number of women MPs in the Assembly after the 14 February election.

World Democracy Day is also about freedom of journalists to do their job safely, helping youth to identify false news through media literacy campaign and workshops, empowering women against gender-based violence, which surged during the COVID-19 pandemic. The Mission engaged in the last year in numerous media literacy activities and advocated tirelessly for the establishment of municipal mechanisms against domestic violence and sustainable funding for shelters for victims of domestic violence.

All voices need to be heard, whether in a free election, or through public participation in decision-making processes, including in particular those of women and young people, for the betterment of all communities and better transparency of institutions. Over the past 12 months, the Mission has facilitated numerous activities fostering public participation and improving communication and transparency of institutions with the public. Public participation is also an integral part of public safety institutions’ efforts to strengthen community policing, a public-police partnership identifying potential safety threats and prevention at the grassroots level.

WARSAW, 15 September 2021 – Elections are a central element of the democratic process and on this year’s International Day of Democracy, the OSCE Office for Democratic Institutions and Human Rights (ODIHR) marks its 400th election observation, a key area of its work to help strengthen democracies across the 57 countries of the OSCE region.

“Today’s International Day of Democracy is the perfect date to celebrate ODIHR’s 400th election observation mission,” said ODIHR Director Matteo Mecacci. “We are proud of this achievement, particularly as we look back on 30 years of ODIHR. We look forward to continuing our support to countries across the OSCE region in improving their election processes, in the knowledge that genuinely democratic elections are lived participation for all citizens. In this way, we are contributing to building better and more transparent and tolerant societies.”

Today ODIHR opens its election observation mission to the presidential election in Uzbekistan, which will take place on 24 October. Through the engagement of countries throughout the OSCE region and their determination to contribute to stronger democracies, ODIHR has been able to deploy more than 5,000 long-term observers and almost 53,000 short-term observers to election missions across the OSCE region since 1996.

All countries of the OSCE have recognised the important role of democratic elections in ensuring long-term security and stability throughout the region. Democratic elections are celebrations of the fundamental human rights and freedoms of all voters, whether they are men or women, people with disabilities, or have a minority background. ODIHR’s election observation helps to protect those rights.

ODIHR’s election observation is about far more than election day itself, taking into account the pre-election environment and all it entails, as well as post-election events. It is not a one-off activity, but rather emphasises the importance of long-term engagement with countries across the OSCE to assist them in improving their election processes for the benefit of all citizens. All OSCE countries have recognised that “the will of the people, freely and fairly expressed through periodic and genuine elections, is the basis of the authority and legitimacy of all government”.

TASHKENT, 15 September 2021 – The OSCE Office for Democratic Institutions and Human Rights (ODIHR) today opened an election observation mission (EOM) for the 24 October presidential election in Uzbekistan, its 400th mission since ODIHR was established 30 years ago.

The mission is led by Eoghan Murphy and consists of a core team of 11 experts based in Tashkent and 28 long-term observers, who will be deployed throughout the country from 24 September. In addition, ODIHR plans to request OSCE countries to send 250 short-term observers, who would arrive several days before election day. 

The mission will assess whether the election is held in line with OSCE commitments and other international obligations and standards for democratic elections, as well as with national legislation. Observers will closely monitor fundamental aspects of the election such as voter registration, campaign activities, the work of the election administration and relevant government bodies, election-related legislation and its implementation, and the resolution of election-related disputes. The mission will also monitor media coverage of the campaign.

Meetings with representatives of relevant authorities and political parties, civil society, the media and the international community form an integral part of the observation.

An interim report will be published to update the public and media during the course of the observation. The day after the elections, a statement of preliminary findings will be presented at a press conference, and ODIHR will publish a final report summing up the observation and making recommendations for improvements approximately two months after the end of the election process.

For further information on ODIHR’s election observation activities in Uzbekistan, please visit: https://www.osce.org/odihr/elections/uzbekistan

Media contacts:

Egor Tilpunov, Media Analyst: egor.tilpunov@odihr.uz  or +998 90 814 1328

or

Katya Andrusz, ODIHR Spokesperson: +48 609 522 266 (Warsaw mobile), or katya.andrusz@odihr.pl.

CHISINAU, 15 September 2021 — The Special Representative of the Swedish OSCE Chairperson-in-Office for the Transdniestrian Settlement Process, Thomas Mayr-Harting, has concluded a two-day official visit to the Republic of Moldova. During the visit, he reviewed the current state of affairs in the Transdniestrian Settlement Process and prepared the ground for the forthcoming visit of the OSCE Chairperson-in-Office, Swedish Minister for Foreign Affairs Ann Linde to the Republic of Moldova planned for October.

In Chisinau, the Special Representative met with Moldovan President Maia Sandu, Parliamentary Speaker Igor Grosu, Prime Minister Natalia Gavrilita, Deputy Prime Minister for Reintegration Vlad Kulminski and Deputy Prime Minister, Minister of Foreign Affairs and European Integration Nicu Popescu. In Tiraspol, he met with Transdniestrian leader Vadim Krasnoselsky and the Transdniestrian Chief Negotiator Vitaly Ignatiev.

In his discussions with the Sides, Mayr-Harting exchanged views on the state of affairs in the Settlement Process ahead of the forthcoming visit of the OSCE Chairperson-in-Office, and stressed the need to advance this process, as well develop further joint proposals. He also reviewed the potential for achieving progress on key issues improving lives of people on both banks of the Dniester/Nistru River, including freedom of movement, protection of human rights, transportation and healthcare.

These meetings also provided a good opportunity for discussing current and upcoming challenges and the prospects for organizing a result oriented “5+2” meeting this autumn. The Special Representative welcomed the willingness of the Sides to participate in such a “5+2” meeting in Stockholm, which the Swedish OSCE Chairpersonship stands ready to convene.

During his visit, the Special Representative also met the resident Ambassadors of the mediators and observers in the Transdniestrian Settlement Process.

SDGs SDGs:  16 - Peace, justice and strong institutions

Summary

• In Donetsk region, the Mission recorded 88 ceasefire violations, including 30 explosions. In the previous 24 hours, it recorded 128 ceasefire violations in the region.
• In Luhansk region, the SMM recorded 67 ceasefire violations, including 12 explosions. In the previous 24 hours, it recorded 62 ceasefire violations in the region.
• The Mission followed up on reports of damage to a fuel depot in non-government-controlled Donetsk city and to and near residential buildings in government-controlled Kriakivka, 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 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 monitored two gatherings in Kharkiv.
• The SMM’s freedom of movement continued to be restricted, including at a compound near government-controlled Lisne, in southern Donetsk region. Its unmanned aerial vehicles again experienced multiple instances of GPS signal interference.*

A two-day online training seminar on facilitation of independent monitoring respecting the rights of persons with disabilities, concluded on 14 September 2021.

The training seminar was organized by the OSCE Programme Office in Nur-Sultan in partnership with the Association of Women with Disabilities “Shyrak” and the Human Rights Commissioner (Ombudsperson). Some 15 human rights defenders from across Kazakhstan attended.

Participants learned from national experts about basic human rights concepts, including the right to personal dignity and non-discrimination, and national legislation and related mechanisms for on the observance of the rights of people with disabilities under the UN Convention on the Rights of Persons with Disabilities.

The seminar is part of the Programme Office’s efforts in assisting the host country to promote a more inclusive and participatory society.

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 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 decreased from 9,340 to 9,082 per day at both BCPs compared to last week. During the reporting period, the majority of border crossings were to Ukraine, with an average net flow of 160 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 three, compared to two last week; two persons crossed into the Russian Federation while one person 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, no families were observed crossing into the Russian Federation while four families were observed crossing into Ukraine, compared to the previous reporting period when two families were observed crossing into the Russian Federation and another two 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 slight decrease in the overall number of buses crossing the border at both BCPs (369 compared to 386 observed during the previous week). There were 191 buses bound for the Russian Federation and 178 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 significant increase in the overall number of trucks crossing the border at both BCPs (781 compared to 636 during the previous reporting week); 447 at the Gukovo BCP and 334 at the Donetsk BCP, 424 of these trucks crossed into the Russian Federation, and 357 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” and “DPR” 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 significantly increased (34 compared to 19 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 143 to 168. Of the total number of all trucks scanned 168 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 a decrease in the overall number of minivans crossing the border at both BCPs (125 compared to 144 observed during the previous week); 68 crossed into the Russian Federation and another 57 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 35 occasions; the OTs assessed that 19 trains were travelling to the Russian Federation and the remaining 16 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, Lithuanian and Czech Republic licence plates, in addition to “DPR” plates.

On 9 September at 11:05, the OT at the Donetsk BCP observed a helicopter type Mi8/Mi17 flying from the east in a north–easterly direction. The helicopter remained inside Russian Federation airspace the entire time it was visible to the OT.

The same day at 10:45, the OT at the Gukovo BCP observed a helicopter type Mi8/Mi17 flying from the south-east in a north-easterly direction at an altitude of approximately 300m. The helicopter remained inside the airspace of the Russian Federation the entire time it was visible to the OT.

On 10 September at 14:00, the OT at the Donetsk BCP observed four brand-new ambulances with no licence plates and inscription “Urgent Medical Help” (in Russian), entering the BCP from the Russian Federation and parking at the customs control area. After undergoing customs and border control procedures including the X-ray checks, the vehicles left the BCP for Ukraine at 16:45.

On 13 September at 11:00, the OT at the Donetsk BCP observed an ambulance with “LPR” plates and 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 11:15. At 16:01, the OT observed the same ambulance entering the BCP from the Russian Federation and queuing at the customs control area. After undergoing customs and border control procedures, the vehicle left the BCP for Ukraine at 16:15.

On 13 September at 19:27, the OT at the Donetsk BCP observed two ambulances with Russian Federation licence plates and inscription “Urgent Medical Help” (in Russian), and with the logo “Help from the United Russian Party” (in Russian) entering the BCP from Ukraine and parking at the customs control area. After undergoing customs and border control procedures, the vehicles left the BCP to the Russian Federation at 19:47. The OT was unable to notice any other details from its position.

For trends and figures at a glance covering the period from 10 August 2021 to 14 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).

TASHKENT, 14 September 2021 – Observers from the OSCE Office for Democratic Institutions and Human Rights (ODIHR) will hold a press conference on the opening of the observation mission to the forthcoming presidential election in Uzbekistan on Wednesday, 15 September. This will also be an opportunity to mark ODIHR’s 400th election observation since the Office’s establishment 30 years ago.

What: 

• An introduction to the role of the ODIHR election observation mission and its planned activities

Who: 

• Eoghan Murphy, Head of the ODIHR observation mission

When: 

• 15:00 local time (GMT +5) on 15 September 2021

Registration:

• The press conference will take place on Zoom only. Please register by 12:00 local time on 15 September using the following link.

For further information on ODIHR’s election observation activities in Uzbekistan, please visit: https://www.osce.org/odihr/elections/uzbekistan

TASHKENT, 13 September 2021 – The 23rd annual OSCE Central Asia Media conference, organized by the OSCE Representative on Freedom of the Media, ended on 10 September in Uzbekistan, after two days of discussions on public service media, public value of the media and safety of journalists in Central Asia and Mongolia.

The conference was opened by OSCE Representative on Freedom of the Media Teresa Ribeiro, Deputy Minister of Foreign Affairs of the Republic of Uzbekistan Gayrat Fazilov, Deputy Chairperson of the Board of Trustees, Public Fund for Support and Development of National Mass Media of Uzbekistan Saida Mirziyoyeva, and Senior Project Officer, OSCE Project Co-ordinator in Uzbekistan Hans-Ullrich Ihm.

Closing the event, Ribeiro stressed that she is fully aware that states are confronted with ever new and emerging challenges and that keeping their people safe is rightly a top priority for any government. “At the same time, however,” the OSCE Media Freedom Representative continued, “we must make sure that this safety does not come at the expense of our fundamental freedoms such as the freedom of expression. More safety does not mean less freedom. In fact, the one is impossible without the other.”

The hybrid event brought together approximately 120 participants from Kazakhstan, Kyrgyzstan, Tajikistan, Turkmenistan, Uzbekistan and Mongolia, representing government, media, journalists' associations, civil society and academia. Conference materials, including videos of presentations, are available here .

During her visit to Uzbekistan, the Representative held high-level meetings with the Minister of Foreign Affairs Abdulaziz Kamilov; Chairperson of the Committee on Innovative Development, Information Policy and Information Technologies of the Legislative Chamber of the Oliy Majlis of the Republic of Uzbekistan Ilkhom Abdullayev; Director of the Agency on Information and Mass Communications under the Administration of the President Asadjon Khodjaev; Chairperson of the National TV & Radio Company Alisher Khodjaev; and Chairperson and Deputy Chairperson of the Board of Trustees, Public Fund for Support and Development of National Mass Media of Uzbekistan Komil Allamjonov and Saida Mirziyoyeva, respectively.

The Representative was briefed about the progress made in the ongoing reforms in Uzbekistan. She also discussed solutions to persisting challenges regarding media freedom in the country and the further engagement of her Office with various Uzbek counterparts.

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.