Central Europe

The OSCE Programme Office in Dushanbe (Office) organized a roundtable discussion on the implementation of the National Programme for Rehabilitation and Social Reintegration of Juvenile Offenders for 2020–2024 (Programme). The discussion took place in Dushanbe on 29 July. Fifteen representatives of Tajikistan’s Ministry of Health and Social Protection, the NGO “Legal Initiative” and other civil society members took part.

Participants discussed ways partners could work together to effectively implement the Programme. They developed concrete recommendations to ensure that children are treated in a manner appropriate to their well-being. All issued recommendations were in line with the UN Convention on the Rights of the Child and the UN Standard Minimum Rules for the Administration of Juvenile Justice (the Beijing Rules).

In 2019, the Government of Tajikistan requested the Office to facilitate an analysis of the national legislation on compliance with international standards in the field of rehabilitation of children in conflict with the law, including those who have served their sentences. The same year, the OSCE supported the Government in developing the Programme and its Action plan, which was approved in June last year. Tajikistan’s Ministry of Health and Social Protection was appointed as the implementing body of this Programme, and the Office provides expert support on its implementation.

“This Programme provides legal and technical guidelines to help young people returning to society,” said Soima Mukhabbatova, Head of the Department on Social Policy of Tajikistan’s Ministry of Health and Social Protection.

“It is important to implement an approved National Programme and follow the UN Standard Minimum Rules for the Administration of Juvenile Justice (the Beijing Rules), and the OSCE Programme Office in Dushanbe is ready to provide further support in this field,” said Robert Heuer, Head of Human Dimension Department of the OSCE Programme Office in Dushanbe.

SUMMARY

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

OPERATIONAL REMARKS

The OM is currently operating with 22 permanent international 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 increased from 10,337 to 10,581 per day at both BCPs compared to last week. During the reporting period, the majority of border crossings were to the Ukraine, with an average net flow of 57 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 five, compared to one last week; two persons crossed into the Russian Federation while three 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, three families were observed crossing into the Russian Federation while one family was observed crossing into Ukraine, compared to the previous reporting period when five families were observed crossing into the Russian Federation, while three 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 an increase in the overall number of buses crossing the border at both BCPs (431 compared to 415 observed during the previous week). There were 207 buses bound for the Russian Federation and 224 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 an increase in the overall number of trucks crossing the border at both BCPs (852 compared to 832 during the previous reporting week); 452 at the Gukovo BCP and 400 at the Donetsk BCP, 429 of these trucks crossed into the Russian Federation, and 423 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 OTs observed a slight decrease in the overall number of tanker trucks crossing the border at both BCPs (39 compared to 42 during the previous reporting 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 unfavourable observation position at the Gukovo BCP, the OTs continued to be unable to observe any X-ray checks.

Compared to the previous week, the total number of X-ray checks at the Donetsk BCP slightly increased from 183 to 190. Of the total number of trucks scanned, 189 trucks (99 per cent) were bound for Ukraine, and the remaining one (one 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 saw minivans registered in the Russian Federation. During the reporting period, the OTs observed a slight decrease in the overall number of minivans crossing the border at both BCPs (134 compared to 141 observed during the previous week); 60 crossed into the Russian Federation and another 74 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 32 occasions; the OTs assessed that 15 trains were travelling to the Russian Federation and the remaining 17 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 and Lithuanian licence plates, and some vehicles with “DPR” plates.

On 27 July at 10:56, the OT at the Donetsk BCP observed a green helicopter type Mi-8/Mi-17 flying from the north-east in a south-easterly direction at an altitude of approximately 300 m. The helicopter remained inside Russian Federation airspace the entire time it was visible to the OT.

On 27 July at 23:05, the OT at the Donetsk BCP observed a minivan and a medium-sized truck with “LPR” plates and an inscription “LPR Post” (in Russian) entering the BCP from the Russian Federation and queueing at the customs control area. After undergoing border control procedures, the vehicles left the BCP for Ukraine at 00:30.

On 1 August at 06:30, the OT at the Donetsk BCP observed a white minivan with “LPR” plates arriving from Ukraine. The vehicle had a red stripe with the inscription “Med-Taxi/ transportation of bedridden/lying (seated) patients” on the side (in Russian). The driver and one person in the front were observed on board. After undergoing border control procedures, the minivan left the BCP to the Russian Federation at 06:36. The OT could not observe any other details from its position.

On the same day at 13:56, the OT at the Donetsk BCP observed a white minivan with the red stripe with the inscription “Med-Taxi/ transportation of bedridden/lying (seated) patients” on the side (in Russian) entering the BCP from the Russian Federation. The vehicle bore “LPR” plates. After undergoing border control procedures, the minivan left for Ukraine at 14:07. The OT could not observe any other details from its position.

For trends and figures at a glance covering the period from 29 June 2021 to 03 August 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).

Building on the training courses conducted in 2020, the OSCE Mission to Montenegro organized 15 days of advanced training workshops on infographics and data visualization for the staff of the Montenegrin Parliamentary Institute from May to July 2021.

Developing visuals and infographics in an eye-catching and easy to understand way was the focus of the workshops’ practical exercises. Following the workshop, participants have since used the skills they developed to publish research reports and papers on the Parliament’s website, featuring infographics and visuals to they created in order to make the information more accessible to the public.  

Jelena Ulić, Head of the Parliamentary Institute, said that data visualization contributes to presenting information in an efficient way. “Parliamentary services should present data in clear and understandable formats. The staff of the Parliamentary Institute worked hard to apply the acquired knowledge and skills,” said Ulić.

OSCE-engaged local expert on infographics and data visualization, Luka Laković, said that advanced infographics workshops, like the one provided by the Mission, offer parliamentary staff a chance to develop skills and techniques to make complex publications more accessible to the public. “Learning to operate in specialized design software applications allows participants to address complex publications. I am more than satisfied with the results that are visible both internally within the sector and externally among the public,” said Laković.

Summary

• In Donetsk region, between the evenings of 30 July and 1 August, the SMM recorded 66 ceasefire violations, including five explosions. In the previous reporting period, it recorded 408 ceasefire violations in the region.
• In Luhansk region, between the evenings of 30 July and 1 August, the Mission recorded 39 ceasefire violations. In the previous reporting period, it recorded 17 ceasefire violations in the region.
• On 31 July, small-arms fire was assessed as directed at an SMM mini-unmanned aerial vehicle (UAV) during two separate flights near non-government-controlled Lebiazhe, Donetsk region.*
• On 31 July, a member of the armed formations refused the Mission to fly a mini-UAV near Staromykhailivka and threatened to shoot it down if the SMM tried.*
• 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 three entry-exit checkpoints and the corresponding checkpoints of the armed formations in Luhansk region.
• The SMM visited two border crossing points outside government control in Donetsk region and monitored areas near the border with the Russian Federation.
• The Mission observed no change in the security situation in east and south-east Kherson region.
• The SMM’s freedom of movement continued to be restricted, including at a checkpoint of the armed formations near non-government-controlled Staromykhailivka in Donetsk region. Its UAVs again experienced instances of GPS signal interference.*

VIENNA, 2 August 2021 – OSCE Representative on Freedom of the Media Teresa Ribeiro welcomed the report published by the independent Public Inquiry Board into the assassination of renowned investigative journalist Daphne Caruana Galizia in Malta in 2017. The Public Inquiry, launched in December 2019 by the Maltese authorities, was conducted by a board consisting of a retired judge, a former Chief Justice and a serving judge. This board was tasked to determine whether any wrongful action or omission by, or within, any State entity in Malta facilitated or failed to prevent the death of the journalist.

In its report, the Public Inquiry Board mentions several shortcomings by the Maltese authorities, stating that “[…] the State and its constituent entities did not recognize the real and immediate risk, including from the criminal actions of third parties, to the life of Daphne Caruana Galizia; and failed to take measures within its extensive powers which, with reasonable judgment, it was expected to take to prevent such a risk.”  Further, the Board notes that all the evidence in the inquiry leads to the conclusion that the murder of Caruana Galizia was intrinsically, if not exclusively, linked to her investigative journalistic work. The Board also provided recommendations on legal reforms to strengthen rule of law and protect journalists.

“I welcome the publication of this landmark report of the independent Public Inquiry, which is a significant step in achieving justice for Daphne,” Ribeiro said. “I call on the Maltese government to promptly bring all perpetrators and masterminds behind the journalist’s murder to justice. Taking note of the apologies made by the government and its willingness to analyze in-depth the outcome of the report, I call upon the authorities to implement fully the recommendations made by the Board. Such implementation will pave the way for the safety of journalists and could form a step towards healing this profound wound in Maltese society.”

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.

Head of the OSCE Programme Office in Bishkek (POiB) Alexey Rogov visited the Batken province, Kyrgyzstan from 26 to 29 July 2021. He met with local partners to learn firsthand about their development priorities and needs, and discuss key areas of co-operation.

During the visit, Rogov met with Abdikarim Alimbaev, Plenipotentiary Representative of the Government in Batken, Mamyrjan Rahimov, Special Representative of the President for Reconstruction and Development of Border Villages in Batken province, and heads of local authorities of Batken and Leilek districts in the Batken province, among other partners. They discussed the OSCE Programme Office’s programmatic activities in the Batken province, including activities aimed at confidence-building in border communities, support to local entrepreneurs, combating transnational threats and efforts on emergency response and disaster risk reduction.  

During a meeting with Murat Boronov, Head of the Batken Province Police Department, they discussed the work of the local Mobile Police Receptions (MPR), within the framework of community policing efforts in remote areas. The MPRs have been working across Kyrgyzstan since 2011 with the OSCE’s continuous support, and have shown their added-value during the COVID-19 pandemic. During his meeting with Kiyalbek Tolonbaev, Head of the Batken Regional Border Department of the State Border Service under the State Committee for National Security, Rogov discussed the Programme Office’s support in confidence-building activities, including supporting meetings of border delegates and organizing football tournaments between border guards from Kyrgyzstan and neighbouring countries.

During a meeting with Orozbek Pazylov, Head of the Ministry of Emergency Situations (MES) Department in Batken province, they talked about the effects of climate change on security and explored joint priorities for the OSCE Programme Office’s future support in the field of disaster risk reduction.

Rogov also met with representatives of civil society, namely members of Women Initiative Groups supported by the POiB since 2011, and NGO “Ensand Diamond”. 

Rogov also visited the Entrepreneurship Support Centre in Batken city and businesses of four women entrepreneurs in the Batken and Leilek districts. The entrepreneurs received OSCE support in grants, helping launch their businesses, and in developing business plans.

In the Leilek district, Rogov met with Abdirashid Tashbaltaev, the District’s Deputy Head, and discussed the Programme Office’s assistance to one of the country’s most remote districts in promoting sustainable development.

During his meetings Rogov expressed the Programme Office’s readiness to continue supporting activities in the Batken province within the Programme Office’s mandate, and in line with Kyrgyzstan’s priorities and OSCE commitments.

On 30 July, the OSCE Programme Office in Nur-Sultan supported an anti-corruption webinar for Kazakhstan’s judiciary that included representatives from the supreme and district courts.

The webinar aimed to promote best national and international practices in combating corruption, with a special focus on Kazakhstan’s anti-corruption legislation and OSCE participating States’ best practices. It provided an overview of provisions aimed at improving access to justice and establishing prevention mechanisms to safeguard judicial impartiality.

An expert from Latvia shared his experiences of combating judiciary corruption in his country, as well as best practices from the European Union. The local expert focused on the prospects of updating the legislation on the status of judges, and identifying risk factors to reduce corruption.

The event was organized in partnership with the Supreme Court and involved some 30 judges.

The webinar is part of the Programme Office’s multi-year efforts to promote good governance by focussing on anti-corruption activities in Kazakhstan.

At 10:00 on 31 July, an SMM patrol arrived at a checkpoint in the eastern part of Staromykhailivka (non-government-controlled, 15km west of Donetsk) in order to conduct an announced mini-unmanned aerial vehicle (UAV) flight to follow up on allegations of a damaged civilian property in the area. A member of the armed formations asked the patrol about its intentions and then told the patrol that he had no approval to let the Mission conduct the flight. The patrol asked him to check with his superiors. After about five minutes, he approached the patrol again and repeated that he was unaware of any planned flights in the area and added that if the SMM did fly the UAV, it would be shot down. At 10:40, the Mission left the area. At 12:06, the SMM returned to the same checkpoint, where the same member of the armed formations said that he had now received the approval for the Mission to conduct the UAV flight. The SMM conducted the UAV flight from a location near the checkpoint, after which it left the area without further incident.

The SMM’s again notes that technical assets are an inseparable part of the Mission’s operational infrastructure; as such they are included in the specification of OSCE Permanent Council Decision No. 1117 that the SMM shall have safe and secure access throughout Ukraine. Unrestricted and unconditional access to all areas, including by technical means, is essential to ensure effective monitoring and reporting of the security situation, as well as other mandated tasks. The mandate also tasks the Mission to report on any restrictions of its freedom of movement or other impediments to fulfilment of its mandate.

Summary

• In Donetsk region, the SMM recorded 408 ceasefire violations, including 32 explosions. In the previous reporting period, it recorded 173 ceasefire violations in the region.
• In Luhansk region, the Mission recorded 17 ceasefire violations, including seven explosions. In the previous reporting period, it recorded 25 ceasefire violations in the region.
• The SMM continued monitoring the disengagement areas near Stanytsia Luhanska, Zolote and Petrivske. It recorded ceasefire violations inside and near the disengagement area near Petrivske and near the disengagement areas near Stanytsia Luhanska and Zolote.
• The Mission facilitated and monitored adherence to localized ceasefires to enable the operation and maintenance of critical civilian infrastructure.
• The SMM continued following up on the situation of civilians, including at four entry-exit checkpoints and five corresponding checkpoints of the armed formations in Donetsk and Luhansk regions.
• The Mission visited four border crossing points outside government control in Donetsk and Luhansk regions and monitored areas near the border with the Russian Federation.
• The SMM monitored a gathering and a counter-protest in Kyiv.
• The Mission’s freedom of movement continued to be restricted, including near two checkpoints of the armed formations in Donetsk region, and at a border crossing point near Izvaryne, Luhansk region.*

Summary

• In Donetsk region, the SMM recorded 173 ceasefire violations, including 14 explosions. In the previous reporting period, it recorded 28 ceasefire violations in the region.
• In Luhansk region, the Mission recorded 25 ceasefire violations, including seven explosions. In the previous reporting period, it recorded 14 ceasefire violations in the region.
• The SMM confirmed two civilians injured due to the explosion of an object in non-government-controlled Donetsk city.
• 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 and maintenance of critical civilian infrastructure.
• The SMM continued following up on the situation of civilians, including at three entry-exit checkpoints and three corresponding checkpoints of the armed formations in Luhansk region.
• The SMM visited a border crossing point outside government control in Donetsk region.
• The SMM’s freedom of movement continued to be restricted, including in a government-controlled area of Luhansk region and in non-government-controlled areas in southern Donetsk region. Its unmanned aerial vehicles again experienced instances of GPS signal interference.*

An OSCE-organized three-day expert meeting to develop a scenario to use in simulation exercises on countering drug-related money laundering concluded on 30 July 2021 in Almaty, Kazakhstan. It took place at the Central Asian Regional Information and Co-ordination Centre for Combating Illicit Trafficking of Narcotic Drugs, Psychotropic Substances and their Precursors (CARICC).

Some 20 police officers, prosecutors, representatives of the Financial Monitoring Agency, representatives of the Law Enforcement Agencies Academy under the General Prosecutor’s Office, CARICC, Almaty and Karaganda police academies took part in the meeting.

The meeting focused on the latest trends in money laundering derived from illicit trafficking of narcotic drugs. This information was then included in simulation exercises, developed for law enforcement officers involved in investigating, prosecuting and adjudicating cases related to the laundering of proceeds derived from illicit drug trafficking and trade. An international expert from Belarus facilitated discussion sessions, co-ordinated the group’s efforts in preparation of the scenario of simulation exercises, and highlighted the latest tendencies in the field in relation to the ongoing COVID-19 pandemic.   

The meeting was organized in co-operation with the International Narcotics and Law Enforcement Programme of the US Embassy in Nur-Sultan, the United Nations Office on Drugs and Crime, the Law Enforcement Agencies Academy under the General Prosecutor’s Office and CARICC.

The event is part of the Programme Office’s multi-year effort to promote good governance, combat money laundering and terrorism financing, as well as illicit trafficking and trade of drugs, including using online instruments, in the host country. 

PRISHTINË/PRIŠTINA, 30 July 2021 – The development and adoption of cultural heritage management plans is an important tool for enhancing the protection and preservation of cultural heritage sites, concludes a conference supported by the OSCE Mission in Kosovo today.

Cultural heritage management plans are tools that aim to protect the rich cultural heritage in Kosovo while also linking cultural heritage sites to sustainable development. The development of these plans requires an inclusive approach that fully takes into account cultural diversity and the views of all stakeholders and communities. When drafted in a participatory manner, the preparation of a cultural heritage management plan fosters inter-ethnic dialogue and understanding among communities, and contributes to trust-building, tolerance and social cohesion.

The OSCE Mission in Kosovo together with the Ministry of Culture, Youth and Sports organized today’s conference, which brought together a broad range of experts from government institutions, civil society and municipalities. Discussions focused on international standards and best practices in cultural heritage management plans, and helped to identify concrete milestones to be pursued jointly by the Mission and the Ministry for the selected pilot sites in Prishtinë/Pristina and Pejë/Peć municipalities.

The event built on the previous work of the Mission and the Ministry in developing the OSCE Guidebook on Standards for Drafting Cultural Heritage Management Plans, published in September 2020. Local experts will use the methodological approach set out in the guidebook to draft cultural heritage management plans for sites in Prishtinë/Pristina and Pejë/Peć, with the support of the Mission and the Ministry.

“Cultural heritage management plans are a valuable tool for advancing the protection, preservation and promotion of cultural heritage sites. Where these sites are viewed as key locations for economic and touristic development, there is a need to balance such development with the safeguarding of cultural heritage values, and the identity of communities. Management plans are the right tool to achieve this balance and preserve heritage values for future generations,” said Michael Davenport, Head of the OSCE Mission in Kosovo. He was joined in his concluding remarks at the conference by Pejë/Peć Mayor Gazmend Muhaxheri, and representatives of the Ministry of Culture, Youth and Sports and Prishtinë/Pristina municipality.

Davenport highlighted the recently adopted Management Plan for the Historic Centre of Prizren, which the OSCE Mission in Kosovo supported, and stressed that the process of developing the plan reflected the principle of inclusive participation and involved broad consultation with all stakeholders. “A successful management plan depends on an overall inclusive approach: not only institutions and experts, but also communities have to be consulted in order to create an instrument that will be fully implemented,” he said.

The OSCE Representative on Freedom of the Media (RFoM), Teresa Ribeiro, met on 29 July with Armela Krasniqi, the newly elected Chairperson of the Albanian Audiovisual Media Authority (AMA).

Krasniqi informed the Representative about the AMA’s work, some challenges that the media sector in Albania face, and her future vision for future activities and co-operation with local media stakeholders.

Ribeiro stressed that an independent and strong regulator, with a stable model of financing, is vital in order to perform its important work in an effective and accountable manner. The Representative also spoke about the annual OSCE South-East Europe Media Conference that will take place on 11 and 12 October this year in Tirana.

Ribeiro and Krasniqi agreed to continue the constructive co-operation between their institutions. Ribeiro offered the assistance of her office, particularly with legal matters that are important for AMA’s daily work.

Summary

• In Donetsk region, the SMM recorded 28 ceasefire violations, including seven explosions. In the previous reporting period, it recorded 149 ceasefire violations in the region.
• In Luhansk region, the Mission recorded 14 ceasefire violations, including four explosions. In the previous reporting period, it recorded 76 ceasefire violations in the region.
• The Mission observed damage to a civilian property in the Trudivski area of Donetsk city’s Petrovskyi district, Donetsk region.
• Small-arms fire was assessed as directed at an SMM mini-unmanned aerial vehicle near non-government-controlled Syhnalne, Donetsk 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 and maintenance of critical civilian infrastructure.
• The SMM continued following up on the situation of civilians, including at five entry-exit checkpoints and three corresponding checkpoints of the armed formations in Donetsk and Luhansk regions.
• The SMM visited two border crossing points in Donetsk region and monitored areas near the border with the Russian Federation in Donetsk and Luhansk regions.
• The Mission observed a religious procession in Kyiv.
• The SMM’s freedom of movement continued to be restricted, including at three checkpoints of the armed formations in southern Donetsk region.*

The Strategic Police Matters Unit of the OSCE Transnational Threats Department, in co-operation with the six OSCE field operations in South-Eastern Europe and the Shortest Path Training Company, launched a set of online training courses focused on utilizing IBM’s i2 software packages Analyst’s Notebook and iBase in criminal intelligence analysis.

Criminal analysts from law enforcement authorities in South-Eastern Europe who work with or are familiar with those software tools were the target group. The first set of training courses was held on 22 and 23 July 2021, with six participants from North Macedonia and Serbia. Further courses will take place on 29 and 30 July with participants from Albania and Kosovo[i], and from 11 to 13 August 2021 with participants from Bosnia and Herzegovina and Montenegro.

The training courses will refresh and update the knowledge of the analysts in using the software tools in their daily tasks related to criminal intelligence analysis. The same group of participants will also take part in a subsequent three-day advanced course, which is planned to take place in October 2021, where they will further expand their expertise.

These capacity-building training courses are organized in the framework of the OSCE project, “Building Intelligence-Led Policing capacities on regional and national levels in the OSCE area” under its component focused on operational intelligence analysis. The project aims to enhance the application of the mechanisms and tools of intelligence-led policing for the prevention and reduction of crime. It currently involves 20 countries from around the OSCE region, however all OSCE participating States or Partners for Co-operation can request its capacity-building support.

[i] All references to Kosovo, whether to the territory, institutions or population, in this text should be understood in full compliance with UN Security Council Resolution 1244.

Moscow, Paris, Washington DC, 29 July 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:

The Co-Chairs view with concern recent incidents along the Armenia - Azerbaijan border, including reports of casualties and the loss of life. The Co-Chairs call upon Armenia and Azerbaijan to de-escalate the situation immediately, refrain from provocative rhetoric and actions, and implement fully their commitments under the November 9 statement and other jointly agreed ceasefire arrangements.  

The Co-Chairs reiterate the need for a negotiated, comprehensive, and sustainable settlement of all remaining core substantive issues of the conflict and urge the parties to return to negotiations under the auspices of the Co-Chairs as soon as possible. They reiterate their proposal to organize direct bilateral consultations under their auspices, in order for the sides to review and agree jointly upon a structured agenda, reflecting their priorities, without preconditions.  

The Co-Chairs reconfirm their strong support for the ongoing efforts of the Personal Representative of the OSCE Chairperson-in-Office and his team.

Summary

• In Donetsk region, the SMM recorded 149 ceasefire violations, including 21 explosions. In the previous reporting period, it recorded 394 ceasefire violations in the region.
• In Luhansk region, the Mission recorded 76 ceasefire violations, including 12 explosions. In the previous reporting period, it recorded no ceasefire violations in the region.
• The SMM continued monitoring the disengagement areas near Stanytsia Luhanska, Zolote and Petrivske. It recorded ceasefire violations inside and near the disengagement area near Petrivske, as well as near the disengagement area near Zolote.
• 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 observed a religious procession in Kyiv.
• The SMM’s freedom of movement continued to be restricted, including at two checkpoints of the armed formations in southern Donetsk region.*

On 28 July 2021, the OSCE Project Co-ordinator in Uzbekistan (PCUz) co-organized the official ceremony dedicated to the ratification of the United Nations Convention on the Rights of Persons with Disabilities by the Republic of Uzbekistan attended by 150 participants. This high-level event was organized in partnership with the National Human Rights Centre of Uzbekistan and the United Nations Country Team. 

Opening remarks were delivered by Akmal Saidov, First Deputy Speaker of the Legislative Chamber and Director of the National Human Rights Centre; Tanzila Narbaeva, Chairperson of the Senate; Gairat Fazilov, Deputy Foreign Minister; Jorge Araya, Secretary of the UN Committee on the Rights of Persons with Disabilities; Ryszard Komenda, Head of the United Nations Regional Office for OHCHR in Central Asia, and Pierre von Arx, OSCE Project Co-ordinator in Uzbekistan. Speakers stated the importance of ratifying the Convention by noting that this is only the beginning towards its implementation. Civil society representatives from the Association of Disabled People of Uzbekistan, PCUz’s longstanding partner, and leaders of the Uzbek Society of Disabled People and the Society of Blind People of Uzbekistan also spoke.

Von Arx said: “This is a great result of the joint work between the Government, civil society, other organizations and committees, including the National Human Rights Centre, and the UN Country Team and my team of OSCE Project Co-Ordinator in Uzbekistan.” He added that the OSCE is ready to support the next step to develop and implement a National Action Plan and commended the government for putting in place an inclusive process by including NGOs dealing with the rights of people with disabilities.

The OSCE Project Co-ordinator has been advocating for many years for the ratification of the Convention on the Rights of Persons with Disabilities, and through its project on the “Support to the Promotion and Protection of the Rights of Persons with Disabilities in Uzbekistan” is planning to support the efforts of the Government of Uzbekistan towards implementing the Convention.

The OSCE Mission to Montenegro organized two peer-to-peer workshops on communication and presentation skills for 17 parliamentary staff on 10 and 11 July and 26 and 27 July 2021 in Podgorica.

The workshops, which started in 2020, develop a pool of trainers. These workshops provided an opportunity for the trainers to apply skills gained through the Train-the-Trainers mentoring programme. During the workshops, participants were shown effective communication and good presentation techniques.

Experts Jadranka Vojinović and Bego Begu provided mentorship and guidance to the parliamentary pool of trainers.  The experts agreed “the group of trainers demonstrated excellent teamwork, showed an enviable level of knowledge and skills while using modern coaching techniques.”

This activity is in line with the Human Resources Management Bureau Analysis, conducted by the Mission, which emphasized the importance of institutionalizing internal transfer of knowledge, mentorship, and coaching activities.

The final workshop will be in September and will tackle stress and time management.

SKOPJE, 28 July 2021 - The OSCE Mission to Skopje launched an EU-funded project to support a more effective administration of justice by monitoring trials on corruption and organized crime cases in North Macedonia. This three-year project is part of a regional initiative implemented by OSCE field operations in Tirana, Podgorica, Skopje, Sarajevo, and Pristina.

The project’s trial monitors will produce recommendations to help the courts, the prosecution, and law enforcement agencies increase their capacities to fight the corruption and organized crime that threaten long-term stability and prosperity in the region. The aim of the project is not to monitor individual cases but to identify systemic gaps that need to be addressed.

“The project will develop recommendations identifying systemic issues in the processing of organized crime and corruption cases,” said Clemens Koja, Head of the OSCE Mission to Skopje. “The monitoring of trials effectively started last week and will continue until December 2023. Throughout this time, our Mission will monitor approximately 50 high and medium-level organized crime and corruption cases.”

Ambassador David Geer,  Head of the EU Delegation said: “The criminal justice system has a critical role to play in combatting corruption and organised crime. This project aims to support such efforts by establishing a system of trial monitoring designed to identify systemic weaknesses in the management of cases within the criminal justice system. By doing so it will not only strengthen the effectiveness of the courts  but also send out a strong signal that there is no impunity for those involved in corruption and organized crime.”

Minister of Justice Bojan Marichikj said that the project would be a challenge for the Macedonian judicial system, but also a test. “The reforms we have been working so hard on and all amendments made so far are not just on paper, but they truly function in practice — an important step forward in the fight against corruption, which demands strong support and participation of all stakeholders."