Central Europe

VIENNA, 9 July 2021 - The OSCE launched today a research paper analysing intersections between terrorism and trafficking in human beings.

"Trafficking in Human Beings and Terrorism: Where and how they intersect" examines exploitative activities of terrorist groups through a human trafficking lens, and it analyzes a number of potential examples of trafficking conducted by terrorist groups. It also shows how existing anti-trafficking instruments can be leveraged to address trafficking practices by terrorist groups, and it provides insights into how to prevent trafficking of vulnerable adults and children targeted by terrorist groups.

“The intersection of trafficking and terrorism is a complex topic raising difficult but important questions around security, human rights, and international law,” said the OSCE Special Representative and Co-ordinator for Combating Trafficking in Human Beings Valiant Richey in presenting the research. “The answers are not always black and white and can be uncomfortable at times, but must be addressed by governments if we want to achieve security and protect of human rights.”

The OSCE is committed to tackling human trafficking in all its forms regardless of whether it is committed by an individual perpetrator, an organized criminal network or terrorist groups.

WARSAW, 9 July 2021 – Shortcomings in the process of judicial nominations to Georgia’s Supreme Court put the independence of the judiciary in the country at further risk, despite some recent improvements to the transparency and accountability of the process, the OSCE Office for Democratic Institutions and Human Rights (ODIHR) said today in its third monitoring report.

“A transparent, fair and credible system for selecting judges is fundamental to judicial independence in every country,” said ODIHR Director Matteo Mecacci. “There was a lack of clear standards and guidelines during this selection process, negatively impacting the equal opportunity of all candidates to succeed.”

Today’s interim report identifies a number of weaknesses in the nomination process over the last six months, noting that legislative changes made during three overlapping appointment processes for 11 seats on the Supreme Court have called their fairness and equality into question.

Hearings continued to be held even after parliament failed to provide a formal legal basis for the High Council of Justice (HCJ) to halt its nomination process for pending vacancies in line with a political agreement reached earlier this year. The assessment notes concerns both about the effectiveness of the procedures and equal treatment that arose during the nomination process. Although national legislation provides clear mechanisms to avoid conflicts of interest in the appointment of Supreme Court judges, ODIHR also observed significant breaches of standards that could undermine both judicial independence and public trust.

ODIHR has been monitoring the process of nomination and appointment of Supreme Court judges since 2019 to support the national authorities’ efforts to strengthen judicial independence and the rule of law in Georgia. The ODIHR monitoring assesses the compliance of the judicial nomination procedure with national legislation, as well as with international standards and good practices.

This latest monitoring activity was launched by ODIHR following a request from the Georgian ombudsperson. Monitoring of the most recent judicial nominations began in December 2020, and included the monitoring of all candidate interviews before the HCJ and the related Council sessions.

ODIHR is continuing to follow the appointment process, and will sum up its overall findings and recommendations in a final report.

492121 Marina Živaljević

The OSCE Mission to Montenegro has commenced the implementation of the three-year project “Supporting a More Effective Administration of Justice in Corruption and Organised Crime Cases through Trial Monitoring,” funded by the European Union.

The project aims to support effective administration of justice in organised crime and corruption cases, by enhancing evidence-based knowledge and understanding of judicial responses. The project will collect data through trial monitoring of selected cases of corruption and organised crime in line with the ODIHR methodology, conducting media analysis and identifying systemic gaps to provide recommendations.

The Mission and the Delegation organised an online event on 8 July with the presence of representatives of civil society organisations and journalists, aiming to explain the project’s objective, methodology and planned activities.

Opening the event, Radu Cotici, Mission’s Project Manager, pointed out that the project has its roots in the 2018 Sofia Summit Declaration and the agreement made thereby to introduce trial monitoring in the field of corruption and organised crime. He stressed that the project will act as a mechanism to support the authorities in the implementation of the legislation on combating organised crime and corruption and that civil society has an important role in both shaping and acting upon the recommendations.

Akvile Normantiene, Political Affairs Officer of the EU Delegation, highlighted the importance of the newly launched initiative, noting that Montenegro’s progress in accession negotiations the EU will be determined by progress on rule of law and in particular the ability to demonstrate a solid track record of fighting corruption and organised crime.   

The project is implemented regionally through the OSCE in five South Eastern Europe jurisdictions, in close partnership with the European Commission and European Union Delegations in the region.

SOFIA, 9 July 2021 – International observers will hold a press conference to present their preliminary conclusions following the early parliamentary elections in Bulgaria.

NB Due to social distancing requirements, only a limited number of journalists can attend the press conference in person. All others will have the opportunity to watch and ask questions via Zoom. Broadcast media wishing to film the press conference will be prioritized for personal attendance.

What:

• A press conference of the international election observation mission for the early parliamentary elections in Bulgaria
• The press conference can be attended in person or via Zoom (details below)
• You can also follow the livestream on www.facebook.com/osce.odihr and www.oscepa.org

Who:

• Artur Gerasymov, Special Co-ordinator and leader of the short-term observers from the OSCE Parliamentary Assembly (OSCE PA)
• Alfred Heer, Head of the delegation from the Parliamentary Assembly of the Council of Europe (PACE)
• Elona Gjebrea Hoxha, Head of the delegation from the OSCE Parliamentary Assembly (OSCE PA)
• Tana de Zulueta, Head of the ODIHR limited election observation mission

When:

• 14:30 local time  (GMT +3) on 12 July 2021

Where:

• Hilton Sofia, Moussala Room, 1 Bulgaria Blvd., Sofia

Registration:

• No registration is necessary if you are attending the press conference in person, but only questions from journalists will be taken
• To take part via Zoom, please register with Thomas Rymer, ODIHR limited election observation mission spokesperson, thomas.rymer@odihr.bg, and Egor Tilpunov, media analyst, egor.tilpunov@odihr.bg, by 11:00 local time on 12 July

492094 OSCE Centre in Ashgabat

Best practices in environmental management in oil and gas sector were the topic of an OSCE-Centre in Ashgabat-organized seminar that took place on 8 and 9 July 2021 in videoconference format.

The event brought together the representatives of the state companies “Turkmengas”, “Turkmenoil”, “Turkmengeology”, “Turkmenchemistry”, Ministries of Agriculture and Environmental Protection and other relevant state bodies.

The seminar familiarized participants with how to manage environmental impact of the oil and gas industry in a sustainable way, and highlighted the importance of energy conservation and energy efficiency in the oil industry.

Two international experts from Norway and the Russian Federation elaborated on risk management in the oil and gas sector, including its environmental and financial aspects, with particular emphasis on international requirements and relevant standards in this area.

“Environmental management is an integral part of the OSCE’s comprehensive security concept,” emphasized Head of the OSCE Centre in Ashgabat John MacGregor. “This seminar supports Turkmenistan’s efforts in promoting ecologic sustainability by assisting with the implementation of the country’s ecologic policy and protecting healthy and safe environment”, he added.

The event was organized within the framework of the project “Strengthening cooperation with the host country in the area of environmental good governance and ecological security”.

SDGs SDGs:  16 - Peace, justice and strong institutions

KYIV, 09 July 2021 — “The security situation in eastern Ukraine is not improving and challenges are becoming acute,” said Ambassador Y. Halit Çevik, the Chief Monitor of the OSCE Special Monitoring Mission (SMM) to Ukraine, in his address to the OSCE Permanent Council yesterday. He underlined that ceasefire violations, hardship faced by civilians and restrictions to the Mission’s freedom of movement, especially the intense and continuous jamming of the Mission’s unmanned aerial vehicles, had become more severe.

“The Mission has observed a threefold increase in ceasefire violations since my last report,” said Çevik. Fighting has taken place in more locations along the contact line, and there has been a noticeable rise in the use of more lethal and destructive weapons, and with it greater damage to civilian infrastructure. The Chief Monitor also stressed that the deterioration of the security situation in two disengagement areas was particularly regrettable, as these were symbols of the sides’ commitments to peaceful resolution.

Furthermore, Çevik drew the Council’s attention to the fact that 25 civilian casualties had been recorded by the SMM between 21 March and 6 June 2021. He added that nearly 75% of those casualties were due to mines, UXO and other explosive objects, noting that the sides needed “to make urgent progress on commitments related to mine action”.

The Chief Monitor reminded that the freedom of movement of civilians continued to be severely restricted across the contact line and called for the opening of all corresponding checkpoints, including those at the new crossing points at Zolote and Shchastia.

The Chief Monitor underlined that 80% of the Mission’s long-range UAV flights have been affected by jamming, which had recently led to the crash of another aircraft.

In closing, the SMM’s Chief Monitor called on the sides to return to a constructive approach, both on the ground and in the Working Group on Security Issues of Trilateral Contact Group, emphasizing that progress could be made only if they took ownership and rose to their responsibilities.

SDGs SDGs:  16 - Peace, justice and strong institutions

Summary

• In Donetsk region, the Mission recorded 75 ceasefire violations, including 63 explosions. In the previous reporting period, it recorded 136 ceasefire violations in the region.
• In Luhansk region, the SMM recorded ten ceasefire violations, including nine explosions. In the previous reporting period, it recorded 328 ceasefire violations in the region.
• The SMM lost spatial control of a mini-unmanned aerial vehicle (UAV) near non-government-controlled Pionerske, 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 and maintenance to critical civilian infrastructure.
• The SMM continued following up on the situation of civilians, including at five entry-exit checkpoints and four corresponding checkpoints of the armed formations in Donetsk and Luhansk regions.
• The Mission visited two border crossing points and monitored border areas outside government control in Donetsk region where it observed no change in the security situation.
• The SMM’s freedom of movement continued to be restricted, including in non-government-controlled areas of Donetsk region: at a permanent storage site and a heavy weapons holding area, and near Vilkhivka, where the SMM landed its UAV after a member of the armed formations threatened to shoot it down. Its UAVs also again experienced instances of GPS signal interference.*

SDGs SDGs:  16 - Peace, justice and strong institutions

At 11:25 on 7 July, the SMM arrived at a site about 1.5km south-west of the southern edge of Vilkhivka (non-government-controlled, 40km east of Donetsk) to conduct an announced mini-unmanned aerial vehicle (UAV) flight to monitor the security situation in the area. At 11:30 while conducting the flight, a light utility vehicle, carrying two armed members of the armed formations, approached the SMM from a southerly direction. One of them requested the Mission to land the UAV, delete its imagery and leave the area or the aircraft would be shot down. The same member of the armed formations told the SMM to wait until he called his “superiors”.

At 11:40, the SMM landed the aircraft and left the area, without deleting the UAV imagery.

492031 Munira Shoinbekova, OSCE Programme Office in Dushanbe

The OSCE Programme Office in Dushanbe completed two and a half -week training course on “Rescue on Water” for representatives of Tajikistan’s Committee of Emergency Situations and Civil Defence (Committee) in Dushanbe on 7 July 2021.

The course aimed to improve skills and capacities of rescuers using practical exercises in different situations, which will enhance their conduct during complex rescue operations in difficult field conditions all over Tajikistan.

During the training course, another group of 16 rescuers from Dushanbe (in addition to the 98 rescuers trained previously) practiced skills in diving to a depth of more than four meters and reaching the river bottom, jumping into the water from a height of up to three meters and assisting a drowning person as well as towing a drowning person while swimming. Students also practiced exercises such as providing first aid to victims, assistance to a working diver and disassembly, assembly, repair and troubleshooting of diving equipment.

The entire course was conducted interactively and local rescuers practiced various methods of diving and rescue of victims on water. The training enhanced the rescuers’ knowledge and skills, allowing them to act, respond and immediately rescue drowning people during an emergency. In addition, medical safety requirements for rescuers, occupational diseases and other aspects were also broadly presented to training participants.

Theoretical sessions were held in the conference hall of the Specialized Rescue Services Department of the Committee and practical courses were conducted in water areas along Dushanbe city and nearby Varzob District. 

Classes were delivered by representatives of the Committee and the OSCE.

Lieutenant General Rustam Nazarzoda, Chairperson of Tajikistan’s Committee of Emergency Situations and Civil Defence thanked the EU Delegation to Tajikistan for financing of trainings and ongoing project and the OSCE Programme Office in Dushanbe for coordination, close co-operation and implementation of the project. “Trainings for rescuers are successfully ongoing since last year in Dushanbe and on regional levels and they positively influence the rescuers’ daily activities. Unfortunately, currently we cannot train our divers-rescuers abroad. Therefore, we plan to create a center for retraining of divers-rescuers. I hope we will continue cooperation with the EU Delegation and the OSCE Programme Office in Dushanbe and other international organizations in this area.”

“Rescue on water is an important and difficult area and usually specific technical equipment is needed for conducting such course as this training is about saving of people’s lives,” said Valeriu Chiveri, Head of the OSCE Programme Office in Dushanbe. “The project is ongoing since last year and a similar course is planned for the Sughd region soon.”

Khurshed Latifov, Trainer/Head of Diving Department of Tajikistan’s Committee of Emergency Situations and Civil Defence said: “We refreshed our knowledge and improved our skills on diving, which is part of our daily rescuing activities.”

The event was conducted as part of the OSCE’s project on the “Stabilization of Tajikistan’s southern border region with Afghanistan” funded by the European Union’s Foreign Policy Instrument. The project aims to strengthen the capacity of the Committee’s response to natural disasters in border regions.

PRISTINA, 8 July 2021 — OSCE Chairperson-in-Office, Swedish Minister for Foreign Affairs Ann Linde concluded her visit to Kosovo together with the Assistant Secretary-General of the United Nations and Deputy Executive Director of UN Women, Åsa Regnér, today. The programme included meetings with the OSCE Mission in Kosovo, Kosovo authorities and civil society. Linde encouraged authorities to focus further on gender equality and women’s and girl’s enjoyment of human rights, in particular the implementation of the Women, Peace and Security agenda. The Swedish Chairpersonship aims to integrate the Women, Peace and Security agenda into the daily work of the OSCE structures.

“To establish sustainable peace and security for all individuals, peace- and conflict-related processes must be inclusive so that all women, men, girls and boys have the possibility of making their voices heard in the processes that affect their daily lives and safety,” Chairperson Linde said.

Linde stressed the importance of partnership between Kosovo´s Government and the OSCE, particularly with its Mission in Kosovo, to advance reforms. “The OSCE will continue to work with Kosovo’s authorities to strengthen gender equality and countering domestic violence and ensure the full enjoyment of human rights by women and girls,” Linde said after visiting one of the Mission´s Field Offices and discussing the Women, Peace and Security agenda with regional and municipal representatives as well as civil society. “Civil society participation helps the OSCE take better informed decisions, including on the implementation of the Women, Peace and Security agenda”.

Linde also made remarks about Kosovo’s reform agenda: “The achievements made to this day in the functioning of democratic institutions, human rights and the rule of law are firmly rooted. More constructive engagement is a way forward.” 

In meetings with the President of Kosovo Vjosa Osmani, Deputy Prime Minister and Foreign Minister Donika Gërvalla-Schwarz, and Minister for Communities and Return Goran Rakić, Linde commended the Kosovo institutions’ strong partnerships with the OSCE. “A wide range of community issues, from language compliance and the return of displaced persons, to electoral reform and gender equality – we are all in it together through close co-operation and sustainable development.”  

Commenting on the EU-facilitated Dialogue between Pristina and Belgrade, Linde said that she is encouraged by the resumption of the process. “It is important to engage constructively to advance the process of normalization of relations between Pristina and Belgrade. The OSCE supports the EU-facilitated Dialogue and stands ready to assist in the implementation of agreements in line with its mandate,” she stated.

Regional stability and reconciliation were also discussed, and Linde noted that: “Close regional co-operation is a crucial precondition for integration, prosperity, and the overall development of Kosovo.”

491974 Communication and Media Relations Section Claudio Formisano

The OSCE’s Transnational Threats Department released a Russian-language version of its new e-learning course on OSCE cyber/ICT security Confidence-Building Measures (CBMs) on 8 July 2021. The e-learning course was first launched in March 2021 in English.

The course aims to raise awareness about cyber/ICT security and CBMs among non-experts and to bolster the knowledge of experts toward further strengthening cyber/ICT security in the OSCE area. Cyber/ICT security CBMs offer concrete tools to enhance interstate transparency, communication, and co-operation in cyberspace. Since 2013, OSCE participating States have adopted 16 such measures.

The three-module course introduces the topic of cyber/ICT security and provides a detailed look at the 16 OSCE cyber/ICT security CBMs, including a brief discussion of their international and regional context. The course features interactive elements, such as a learning scenario and knowledge checks, as well as short videos where a number of OSCE participating States share their experiences implementing individual CBMs.

To access the e-learning course, participants are invited to register on the OSCE’s e-learning platform: https://elearning.osce.org.

KYIV, 8 July 2021 — The Special Representative of the OSCE Chairperson-in-Office in Ukraine and in the Trilateral Contact Group (TCG), Ambassador Heidi Grau, made the following statement to the press after the regular meetings of the TCG ‎and its Working Groups held through video conferencing:

“Today I would like to introduce the new Coordinators of the TCG Working Groups: Ambassador Sylvie-Agnès Berman, Coordinator of the Political Working Group and Ms Charlotta Relander,  Coordinator of the Humanitarian Working Group. I want to thank them for joining our team and wish them effective and fruitful work.

Over the past two weeks, there has been an increasing number of ceasefire violations.  The overall quantity of violations is rising, while the security situation in and around the disengagement areas is deteriorating. At the same time, the OSCE Special Monitoring Mission to Ukraine (SMM) has reported restrictions on freedom of movement and deliberate damage to technical and surveillance equipment. I need to underline that the sides have not yet demonstrated their willingness to address the ceasefire violations recorded by the SMM.

Despite the deterioration of the situation, the participants in the Security Working Group focused their attention primarily on wider conceptual issues, while the discussion on the coordination mechanism, demining and the disengagement of forces and hardware remained in the background.  Unfortunately, the repetition of well-known positions does not allow us to reach practical solutions.

The Political Working Group continued informal consultations in order to find compromise solutions to overcome procedural obstacles. I am convinced that these issues can be resolved provided that the sides demonstrate greater flexibility.

The focus of the Humanitarian Working Group was on the exchange of conflict-related detainees, including the pending "procedural clearance". The subsequent steps in the search for missing persons were also duly considered. Regrettably, there was again no progress as regards the full operation of the two new crossing points in the Luhansk region.

The Economic Working Group focused on environmental issues, with special attention paid to the establishment of an expert group on flooded mines. In addition, participants exchanged views on topics related to water supplies, pension payments, mobile communications, real estate property, as well as repayment of arrears to former employees of the Ukrainian Railways.”

492631 Communication and Media Relations Section Alexandra Taylor

Q&A: What is the Generation Equality Forum and what does it mean for the OSCE?

The Generation Equality Forum is the largest global gathering on gender equality since the landmark “Fourth World Conference on Women” in Beijing in 1995. The Forum aims to generate urgent action and accountability for gender equality, and to accelerate the implementation of the commitments made in Beijing. It is convened by UN Women and co-hosted by France and Mexico in partnership with youth and civil society.

How is the OSCE involved?

The OSCE has pledged to take concrete actions on Gender Based Violence, Economic Justice and Rights and Technology and Innovation - three of the six Action Coalitions launched at the Forum. ODIHR has independently joined the Action Coalitions on Gender-Based Violence and on Feminist Movements and Leadership. The Action Coalitions are partnerships that have set specific targets for action in the next five years. In addition, the OSCE executive structures and ODIHR have joined the Women Peace and Security and Humanitarian Action (WPSHA) Compact, also launched at the Forum. The WPSHA Compact aims to mobilize an inter-generational, inclusive movement for action to implement existing commitments on women, peace and security, and gender equality in humanitarian action.

What will the OSCE do under the Action Coalition on Gender-Based Violence?

The OSCE will implement activities in all areas of the Organization’s mandates and provide basic and specialized training to its programmatic staff to prevent and combat violence against women and girls in all areas of its work, including in trafficking in human beings. This will be done in line with international standards including the Convention on the Elimination of all Forms of Discrimination Against Women (CEDAW), the Declaration on the Elimination of Violence Against Women (DEVAW) and the Palermo Protocol.

What will the OSCE do under the Action Coalition on Technology and Innovation for Gender Equality?

The OSCE will contribute to closing the gender digital gap by 2026, by ensuring that 80% of its technology and innovation projects, programmes and activities are fully gender mainstreamed. It will provide capacity-building to participating States to strengthen legal and policy frameworks that combat violence faced by women and girls through digital technologies.

What will the OSCE do under the Action Coalition on Economic Justice and Rights?

The OSCE will recommend policy and legal frameworks that ensure women’s access to the labour market with special attention on State-sponsored maternal, child and elderly care services and promote an enabling business environment for women entrepreneurs, including access to credit and fiscal incentives as well as legal and other support services. It will also support policies and services in the social and economic sphere, which address the specific needs of women in vulnerable situations and from socially marginalized groups.

What is the OSCE’s role in the WPSHA Compact?

The OSCE is a Catalytic Member, meaning that it provides advisory, advocacy and political support to the Compact's Board. Catalytic members have demonstrated strong commitment and support for the goals and objectives of the Compact and work towards increasing efforts to reduce the gaps between the aspirations and concrete actions on women, peace and security and humanitarian action. 

As part of joining the WPSHA Compact the OSCE has presented specific targets for action from 2021 to 2026 focusing on the two priority areas “Women’s full, equal and meaningful participation and inclusion of gender-related provisions in peace processes” and “Women’s leadership and full, equal and meaningful participation across peace, security and humanitarian sectors”. This will include bringing together women mediators and peacebuilders, and partnering with women’s networks to advance their leadership.

For more information on the OSCE and Generation Equality please contact the OSCE Gender Issues Programme at equality@osce.org.

SDGs SDGs:  16 - Peace, justice and strong institutions

Summary

• In Donetsk region, the Mission recorded 136 ceasefire violations, including seven explosions. In the previous reporting period, it recorded 114 ceasefire violations in the region.
• In Luhansk region, the SMM recorded 328 ceasefire violations, including 161 explosions. In the previous reporting period, it recorded 220 ceasefire violations in the 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 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 SMM visited border crossing points and monitored border areas outside government control in Donetsk and Luhansk regions.
• The Mission’s freedom of movement continued to be restricted, including at two heavy weapons holding areas in government-controlled areas of Donetsk region and a railway station near a border crossing point outside government control in Luhansk region. Its unmanned aerial vehicles again experienced instances of GPS signal interference.*

VIENNA, 7 July 2021 - OSCE Representative on Freedom of the Media Teresa Ribeiro expressed her outrage at the shooting of prominent Dutch investigative reporter, Peter R. de Vries.

“This is a horrifying, cruel attack,” said Ribeiro. “My thoughts are with Peter de Vries, his family, friends and colleagues. Journalists should always be able to do their work safely and securely. An attack on a journalist is an attack on freedom of expression and on democracy. There can be no impunity for such heinous crimes.”

Last night, Vries was shot in Amsterdam minutes after leaving a TV studio where he had appeared on a show. He was transferred to the hospital and is in critical condition. Shortly after the shooting, three suspects were arrested, including the possible gunman.

The reporter is known for his lifetime career of investigative crime journalism, exposing mobsters and drug lords, and has helped the police solve a number of high-profile cases. Over the last few years, De Vries has been under threat but has reportedly refused to be heavily guarded.

Freedom of Media Representative Ribeiro welcomed the Dutch police’s rapid arrest of the alleged suspects. “I call on the Dutch authorities to swiftly identify and bring to justice those responsible and to clearly determine the motivation behind this terrible attack. Whoever is guilty of planning and executing this assault has to be held accountable.”

Ribeiro stressed that she is deeply concerned by the increasing trend of serious threats and physical attacks against journalists around the OSCE region, which has forced them to work under police protection. “Freedom for journalists to perform their work safely and securely and for citizens to have access to information of public interest is a fundamental right without which a democratic society cannot thrive,” the Representative said. “I call on all OSCE participating States to support and enable a free, varied and safe media environment.”

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.

491902 OSCE Centre in Ashgabat

Developing small business ideas for women in Turkmenistan, a precondition for sustainable economic growth, foreseen challenges and opportunities, were the focus of an OSCE Center in Ashgabat-hosted seminar on 6 and 7 July 2021 in Ashgabat.

Representatives of the Ministry of Finance and Economy of Turkmenistan, Ministry of Trade and Foreign Economic Relations, and other relevant state agencies, and non-government organizations attended the event.

The purpose of the seminar was to share the best practices on promoting small and medium-sized businesses, as one of the key factors of economic growth. The discussion was also gender-focused, resources for small and medium enterprises (SMEs) development, specific mechanisms for small business stimulation, such as micro-loans and other financial tools.

“The OSCE participating States attach great importance to the women’s economic empowerment, while the support to development of the SMEs is also one of the priorities of the OSCE’s work in the economic area,” said Head of the OSCE Centre in Ashgabat John MacGregor. "Women’s participation in the economic sphere contributes significantly towards economic recovery, sustainable growth and the creation of cohesive societies, and is therefore essential to the security and stability of the OSCE region,” said MacGregor, referring to the OSCE Vilnius 2011 Ministerial Council’s Decision.

Two international experts from Greece and Russian Federation introduced participants to the best practices in strategic planning for sustainable business growth, highlighting challenges and opportunities of the detailed business-planning process. They spoke about selection rules and typical mistakes during further stages of SMEs promotion and networking. In addition, the representative of the Women’s Union in Turkmenistan briefed participants on the country’s experience and priorities in the area of SME development.

The Centre organized the event within the framework of the project “Strengthening regulatory framework governing investment climate and development of the Small and Medium-sized Enterprises (SME`s), emphasizing on a women-owned SME`s, as a precondition of sustainable economic development”.

SDGs SDGs:  16 - Peace, justice and strong institutions

Summary

• In Donetsk region, the SMM recorded 114 ceasefire violations, including 27 explosions. In the previous 24 hours, it recorded 204 ceasefire violations in the region.
• In Luhansk region, the Mission recorded 220 ceasefire violations, including 101 explosions. In the previous 24 hours, it recorded three ceasefire violations in the region.
• Small-arms fire was assessed as directed at an SMM mini-unmanned aerial vehicle (UAV) near non-government-controlled Tavrycheske, Donetsk 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 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 SMM monitored border areas outside government control in Luhansk region and observed no change in the security situation.
• On 4 July, the SMM monitored a crossing point on the border with Belarus and saw it was open with traffic entering and exiting Ukraine.
• The Mission’s freedom of movement continued to be restricted, including at a checkpoint of the armed formations in Khreshchatytske (formerly Krasnoarmiiske) in southern Donetsk region. Its UAVs again experienced instances of GPS signal interference.*

VIENNA, 6 July 2021 — OSCE Representative on Freedom of the Media Teresa Ribeiro denounced today the mass violence against journalists reporting on protests in Georgia.

On 5 July, protesters reportedly assaulted, harassed and obstructed a high number of media workers from various media outlets, including Radio Free Europe/Radio Liberty, Formula, Pirveli, First Channel, Rustavi 2, Tabula, Mtavari and others, who were covering a public gathering in Tbilisi. Many journalists had to seek medical assistance while, reportedly, at least eight of them were hospitalized. Technical equipment of some media professionals was also damaged. According to the Ministry of Internal Affairs of Georgia, the police launched a probe after exposing facts of violence committed against 53 representatives of various media sources.

“I am shocked by yesterday’s mass attacks on journalists in Tbilisi and strongly condemn these criminal acts. Violence against journalists is an unacceptable assault on the freedom of expression and all means must be employed to prevent it from happening again in future,” Ribeiro said. “I call on the Georgian authorities to conduct a swift, effective and transparent investigation to identify the perpetrators and hold them accountable.”

Ribeiro also encouraged the Georgian authorities to complete investigations into all other violent incidents and mistreatment of media workers in the country in recent years.

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.

Joana Karapataqi, OSCE Presence in Albania OSCE Presence in Albania

On 5 July 2021, the OSCE Presence in Albania organized a cross-border meeting of Albanian and North Macedonian officials to discuss co-operation against violent extremism, in Pogradec, Albania.

The event — organized jointly with the National Coordination Centre on Countering Violent Extremism — was attended by countering violent extremism (CVE) co-ordinators from both countries, representatives of local government, police and religious communities, as well as officials of the OSCE Mission in Skopje and the OSCE Presence in Albania, including the Deputy Head of Presence.

Participants discussed the current level of co-operation between the two countries in the field of violent extremism and the benefits of a multi-agency approach with active engagement of youth and women. They also shared their main challenges while working on prevention of violent extremism and their experiences with reintegration approaches for citizens repatriated from conflict zones.

The partnership with the National Coordination Centre on Countering Violent Extremism is part of the OSCE Presence in Albania’s work to improve multi-agency response to effectively address security issues, including violent extremism and radicalization. The Presence and the Centre will continue to synchronize the activities of national and local actors through a series of outreach meetings across Albania with the active participation of professionals from neighbouring countries.

SDGs SDGs:  16 - Peace, justice and strong institutions

Summary

• In Donetsk region, between the evenings of 2 and 4 July, the SMM recorded 261 ceasefire violations, including 58 explosions. In the previous reporting period, it recorded 164 ceasefire violations in the region.
• In Luhansk region, between the evenings of 2 and 4 July, the Mission recorded 78 ceasefire violations, including 37 explosions. In the previous reporting period, it recorded 52 ceasefire violations in the 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 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 observed no change in the security situation in east and south-east Kherson region.
• The Mission’s freedom of movement continued to be restricted. Its unmanned aerial vehicles again experienced instances of GPS signal interference.*