Central Europe

483974 Željka Šulc

The OSCE Mission to Bosnia and Herzegovina launched, on 19 April 2021, an e-learning course on Strengthening Teacher Competencies for Inclusive and Quality Education for teachers, teacher faculty students, as future teachers, and other interested education professionals. The course is accessible free of charge at https://nastavnickekompetencije.ba/.

University professors developed this course based on the Modules for the training in the field of inclusive education (UNICEF, 2015). Aimed at contributing to improving inclusivity and quality of the teaching process, the course focuses on strengthening competencies of teachers in primary and secondary schools, teaching faculties’ students, and other education professionals by providing them with an insight into an array of inclusive and non-discriminatory policies and practices.

The online course provides an overview of the basic settings of inclusive quality education and advice for its implementation in the classroom. After successful completion of the online course, participants will receive a certificate.

This course is part of the OSCE Mission to BiH activities and initiatives aimed at improving the inclusivity and quality of education in BiH through strengthening co-operation between teaching faculties and education authorities and institutions, in order to create systemic preconditions to continued professional development of teachers for inclusive and non-discriminatory education.

SDGs SDGs:  16 - Peace, justice and strong institutions

The SMM’s daylight camera at the Oktiabr mine (non-government-controlled, 9km north-west of Donetsk city) is emplaced on a mast located on the roof of a 50m concrete tower.

On 14 April, a senior member of the armed formations asked the Mission whether armed formations could install a camera on the SMM’s mast at the Oktiabr mine. The SMM rejected the request.

On 17 April, between 21:08 and 22:09, the Oktiabr camera recorded two men in military-type clothing in the immediate vicinity of the Oktiabr camera: one on the mast and the other at its base. During that period, one man was seen on the mast fixing an L-shaped metal frame to its side with bolts and nuts, while the other was standing next to the mast and appeared to be helping hoist up the frame with a rope. The SMM saw that an object, which appeared to be a camera dome with an attached wire, was fixed on this frame. At 22:09, the camera recorded both men disappearing from view.

The SMM camera was operational throughout this event; however, its field of visibility was obstructed by the man engaged in attaching the metal frame to the mast.

On 19 April, an SMM patrol was dispatched to assess the situation at the camera site. The patrol saw that a ladder from the top floor to the roof had been recently cut, preventing access to the roof to conduct any further assessment. The Mission saw an L-shaped metal frame attached to the camera’s mast, with an object that appeared to be a camera dome fixed on the other end of the frame. The SMM also saw another unidentified object, which appeared to be another camera, attached to the western-facing wall of the tower. The Mission observed wires leading from both objects towards a position of the armed formations, located about 50m from the tower.

The SMM subsequently disabled its camera system later on 19 April to avoid possible interference with its monitoring. The Mission will follow up in order to make a full site assessment.

The SMM’s 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.

SDGs SDGs:  16 - Peace, justice and strong institutions

Summary

• In Donetsk region, between the evenings of 16 and 18 April, the SMM recorded 267 ceasefire violations. In the previous reporting period, it recorded 199 ceasefire violations in the region.
• In Luhansk region, between the evenings of 16 and 18 April, the Mission recorded 65 ceasefire violations. In the previous reporting period, it recorded no ceasefire violations in the region.
• The SMM saw fresh damage due to small-arms fire to two windows of a house in non-government-controlled Staromykhailivka, Donetsk region.
• The Mission continued monitoring the disengagement areas near Stanytsia Luhanska, Zolote and Petrivske.
• The Mission facilitated and monitored adherence to localized ceasefires to enable maintenance and operation of critical civilian infrastructure.
• The SMM visited two border crossing points outside government control and monitored areas close to the border with the Russian Federation in Donetsk region.
• The Mission 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 SMM monitored various checkpoints along the administrative boundary line and the Sea of Azov in south-east Kherson region.
• The Mission’s freedom of movement continued to be restricted, including at checkpoints of the armed formations in southern Donetsk region. Its UAVs again experienced multiple instances of GPS signal interference.*

483938

Twenty future facilitators from four countries in Central Asia, including 13 women and 7 men, were selected to participate in a regional train-the-trainers seminar. The Action against Terrorism Unit of the OSCE Transnational Threats Department organized the seminar in co-operation with OSCE field operations in Central Asia.

The event is part of the OSCE’s Leaders against Intolerance and Violent Extremism (LIVE) Initiative, designed to build the capacity of civil society in fostering community resilience to violent extremism and radicalization that lead to terrorism (VERLT). The LIVE Initiative consists of three training courses tailored to youth, women and community leaders across the OSCE area.

Selected participants will attend the nine-week LIVE train-the-trainer seminar for community leaders in Central Asia, launched on 19 April 2021. Held online due to the COVID-19 pandemic, the course features two sessions per week that focus on strengthening participants’ facilitation skills, awareness of concepts covered by the LIVE curriculum and context-specific efforts against violent extremism developed and led by civil society. Topics of the seminar include: the role of community leaders in P/CVERLT; policy development; media literacy; increasing the share of positive narratives online; community-led prevention efforts; security awareness; and a do-no-harm approach in prevention work.  

“The engagement of communities is instrumental in the prevention of violent extremism and terrorist radicalization as an integral parts of the ‘whole-of-society approach’ to tackle these issues,” said Abdumannop Saitov, National Programme Officer in the OSCE Programme Office in Dushanbe. “The empowerment of community leaders needs to be supported at all levels and in parallel with state efforts. I am certain the LIVE initiative will equip local trainers from the Central Asian region with skills and knowledge to further strengthen the role of community leaders to contest those who seek to radicalize others with violent views.”

In the LIVE training programme, community leaders are understood as leaders within a community who exercise, by virtue of their position in the society, inherent authority and influence over a clearly defined group of people. This may include, but is not limited to; leaders of religious and traditional communities, mayors and village heads, leaders of cultural centres and sports clubs, school principals and teachers, local celebrities/cultural personalities, and in some cases business leaders or owners of local businesses.

“The LIVE train-the-trainers seminar is an excellent opportunity for civil society and international actors in Central Asian countries to get a team of OSCE-certified facilitators to lead preventive campaigns against intolerance and violent extremism and meaningfully contribute to national rehabilitation and reintegration programmes,” said Guncha Nepesova, Senior Programme Assistant in the OSCE Centre in Ashgabat.

The seminar is the third in a series of train-the-trainer seminars tailored to Central Asia. The earlier seminars prepared 39 participants (19 women, 10 men) from Kazakhstan, Kyrgyzstan, Tajikistan, Turkmenistan and Uzbekistan to provide local training for youth and women leaders respectively. From 2018 to 2021, the Action against Terrorism Unit in co-operation with OSCE field operations, is delivering a series of LIVE train-the-trainer seminars tailored for South-Eastern Europe and Central Asia, as well as supported OSCE field operations in their implementation of national LIVE training courses.

STOCKHOLM/VIENNA, 18 April 2021 – OSCE Chairperson-in-Office and Swedish Minister for Foreign Affairs Ann Linde, and OSCE Secretary General Helga Schmid have discussed the security situation in and around Ukraine and call for de-escalation.

Chairperson-in-Office Linde has discussed the situation also with the Foreign Ministers of both Ukraine and the Russian Federation in the last weeks.

On 10 April, the Swedish OSCE Chairpersonship convened a meeting following Ukraine’s request under Vienna Document Chapter III on risk reduction measures. On 14 April, following Ukraine’s request to invoke paragraph 16.3 of Vienna Document Chapter III, the Chair, together with the Armenian Chair of the OSCE Forum for Security Co-operation (FSC), held a special joint FSC and OSCE Permanent Council (PC) meeting.

Linde reiterated during the conversation with Schmid that Sweden will continue to fulfil its mandate as Chair to contribute to de-escalation and conflict prevention, in accordance with OSCE principles and commitments.

“The Secretary General and I have had a fruitful discussion on the concern we share regarding heightened tensions in and around Ukraine. We underlined that participating States should act in accordance with the Vienna Document, which is a key element of our common security and an important confidence building tool to reduce military risks adopted by all participating States”, Chairperson-in-Office Linde said after the call.

Secretary General Schmid said, “I join the Chair’s call to refrain from further escalation and to engage in good faith with the mechanisms in the OSCE’s comprehensive toolbox, which can be effectively used to de-escalate the situation and to move back to the path of co-operation and dialogue.”

Linde and Schmid also noted with concern the increased level of ceasefire violations recently observed along the contact line by the OSCE Special Monitoring Mission to Ukraine (SMM). They agreed on the necessity of an immediate full adherence to the ceasefire in eastern Ukraine. 

“I am deeply concerned by recent incidents affecting the SMM, notably heavy interference with its technical assets and persistent freedom of movement restrictions. The SMM’s safe and secure access throughout Ukraine is more important than ever in the current circumstances of heightened tensions in the region,” the Secretary General noted.

“In the light of recent developments, it is all the more important that the SMM is allowed to monitor the security situation without restrictions in order to implement its mandate to contribute to reducing tensions and fostering peace, security and stability in Ukraine”, Linde said after the conversation.

Minister Linde and Secretary General Schmid also discussed recent concerning reports of restrictions on access to parts of the Black Sea and expressed their readiness to support contacts to help resolve the concerns raised in accordance with international law.

SDGs SDGs:  16 - Peace, justice and strong institutions

Summary

• In Donetsk region, the SMM recorded 199 ceasefire violations. In the previous reporting period, it recorded 1,591 ceasefire violations in the region, 1,528 of which were assessed as a probable live-fire exercise in a non-government-controlled area of Donetsk region.
• In Luhansk region, the Mission recorded no ceasefire violations. In the previous reporting period, it recorded 51 ceasefire violations in the region.
• Small-arms fire was assessed as directed at SMM mini-unmanned aerial vehicles on three occasions near government-controlled Verkhnotoretske, and near non-government-controlled Yasne and Syhnalne, Donetsk region.
• The Mission continued monitoring the disengagement areas near Stanytsia Luhanska, Zolote and Petrivske.
• The SMM spotted anti-tank mines near Dolomitne, Holmivskyi, Uzhivka, Marinka and Donetsk city, some for the first time.
• The SMM facilitated and monitored adherence to localized ceasefires to enable maintenance and operation of critical civilian infrastructure.
• The Mission continued following up on the situation of civilians, including at six entry-exit checkpoints and four corresponding checkpoints of the armed formations in Donetsk and Luhansk regions.
• The Mission saw trucks and cars bearing the logos of an international humanitarian organisation cross the contact line and travel towards non-government-controlled areas near Olenivka, Donetsk region.
• The SMM’s freedom of movement continued to be restricted. Its UAVs again experienced multiple instances of GPS signal interference, assessed as caused by probable jamming and its long-range UAV flight was again cancelled due to dual GPS signal interference, assessed as caused by jamming.*

SDGs SDGs:  16 - Peace, justice and strong institutions

On the morning of 17 April, an SMM patrol traveling from non-government-controlled Donetsk city, consisting of three vehicles with three trailers and six mission members, arrived at the checkpoint of the armed formations near Olenivka (non-government-controlled, 23km south-west of Donetsk) to conduct an exchange of trailers with a second SMM patrol arriving from government-controlled areas. At 12:19, two members of the armed formations approached the first patrol and asked the SMM to open the doors and trunks of the SMM vehicles for a visual inspection. At the same time, the SMM saw two women nearby, one of whom said to be a journalist. They appeared to be filming the patrol with their mobile phone. The patrol refused the armed formations members’ request and remained stationary at the checkpoint.

During the next hours, the SMM undertook efforts to facilitate the patrol’s crossing that would enable the exchange of trailers, but the vehicles were not allowed to pass.

At 14:00, the patrol left the checkpoint and returned to Donetsk city.

Since 1 March, the Mission has faced similar denials in Donetsk region five times: two times at the same checkpoint of the armed formations near Olenivka, on 1 March and on 15 March, and on 31 March, 2 April and 8 April at the checkpoint near Oleksandrivka (see SMM Spot Reports 1/2021, 3/2021, 4/2021, 5/2021 and 7/2021).

The Mission again notes that such denials at checkpoints of the armed formations not only restrict the SMM’s freedom of movement across the contact line, but also prevents the SMM’s logistical operations, which are essential for implementation of its tasks.

The SMM furthermore notes that OSCE Permanent Council Decision No. 1117 specifies that the SMM shall have safe and secure access throughout Ukraine. Unrestricted and unconditional access to all areas 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.

SDGs SDGs:  16 - Peace, justice and strong institutions

Summary

• In Donetsk region, the SMM recorded 1,591 ceasefire violations, 1,528 of which were assessed as a probable live-fire exercise in a non-government-controlled area near the Donetsk Filtration Station. In the previous reporting period, it recorded 118 ceasefire violations in the region.
• In Luhansk region, the Mission recorded 51 ceasefire violations. In the previous reporting period, it recorded 13 ceasefire violations in the region.
• Small-arms fire was assessed as directed at SMM mini-unmanned aerial vehicles (UAV) near government-controlled Pobeda and Marinka, Donetsk region. The SMM lost spatial control of its mini-UAV in government-controlled Krasnohorivka, 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 maintenance and operation of critical civilian infrastructure.
• The Mission continued following up on the situation of civilians, including at four entry-exit checkpoints and four corresponding checkpoints of the armed formations in Donetsk and Luhansk regions.
• The Mission saw trucks and cars bearing logos of international humanitarian organisations cross the contact line and travel towards non-government-controlled areas near Novotroitske and Olenivka, Donetsk region, and near Shchastia, Luhansk region.
• The SMM’s freedom of movement continued to be restricted. Its UAVs again experienced multiple instances of GPS signal interference, assessed as caused by probable jamming and its long-range UAV flight was again cancelled due to dual GPS signal interference, assessed as caused by jamming.*

483770 Office of the OSCE Representative on Freedom of the Media Ton van den Brandt

In a meeting on 16 April between the OSCE Representative on Freedom of the Media (RFoM), Teresa Ribeiro, and Lasha Darsalia, Deputy Minister of Foreign Affairs of Georgia, the situation of media freedom in Georgia and the importance of maintaining the progress achieved in this area by the country in recent years was discussed.

Ribeiro thanked Darsalia for Georgia’s continued support to the annual OSCE/RFOM South Caucasus Media conference. They both agreed to continue their mutual engagement and co-operation with a view of further advancing media freedom in the region.

DUSHANBE, 16 April 2021 — OSCE Chairperson-in-Office, Swedish Minister for Foreign Affairs Ann Linde, concluded her official visit to Tajikistan on 15 April.

During her talks with President Emomali Rahmon and Foreign Minister Sirojiddin Muhriddin, Chairperson Linde discussed the Swedish Chairpersonship’s priorities, with its emphasis on defending the European security order and upholding the OSCE concept of comprehensive security. The interrelatedness between political and economic security, human rights, democracy, the rule of law and equality constitute the very foundation of this concept.

“Tajikistan’s contribution to peace and stability in the region is essential. The OSCE contributes to its efforts by strengthening border security and enabling economic connectivity in an environmentally sustainable manner. As the Women, Peace and Security agenda is a guiding theme for our Chairpersonship, I commend Tajikistan’s initiative to develop a National Strategy on the Enhancement of the Role of Women. This is a step in the right direction. Societies where human rights are fully enjoyed by all are more secure and offer better prospects for sustainable, resilient and prosperous development,” Linde said.

In her high-level meetings, Chairperson Linde expressed her appreciation for Tajikistan’s continued support to the OSCE Programme Office in Dushanbe. Chairperson-in-Office Linde was accompanied by Ambassador Valeriu Chiveri, Head of Programme Office in Dushanbe to her meetings.

Linde visited one of the OSCE flagship initiatives, the Border Management Staff College and praised the College’s continued commitment and dedication to enhancing border security and management across the Central Asian region and beyond.

Linde also met with civil society representatives and discussed civil society’s important contributions to implementing Tajikistan’s OSCE’s joint commitments, including in the areas of democracy and gender equality.

SDGs SDGs:  16 - Peace, justice and strong institutions

Summary

• In Donetsk region, the SMM recorded 118 ceasefire violations. In the previous reporting period, it recorded 54 ceasefire violations in the region.
• In Luhansk region, the Mission recorded 13 ceasefire violations. In the previous reporting period, it recorded no ceasefire violations in the region.
• The SMM lost spatial control of its mid-range unmanned aerial vehicle (UAV) near government-controlled Lebedynske, Donetsk region. Earlier in the flight, the UAV experienced GPS signal interference. The UAV was subsequently recovered.
• The Mission continued monitoring the disengagement areas near Stanytsia Luhanska, Zolote and Petrivske.
• The SMM facilitated and monitored adherence to localized ceasefires to enable maintenance and operation of critical civilian infrastructure and recorded 50 ceasefire violations, including eight undetermined explosions, close to the Donetsk Filtration Station.
• The Mission continued following up on the situation of civilians, including at four entry-exit checkpoints and four corresponding checkpoints of the armed formations in Donetsk and Luhansk regions.
• The SMM’s freedom of movement continued to be restricted, including at a checkpoint of the armed formations near Olenivka, Donetsk region and at a railway station in non-government-controlled Voznesenivka (formerly Chervonopartyzansk), Luhansk region, near the border area outside government control. Its mini-UAVs experienced multiple instances of GPS signal interference, assessed as caused by probable jamming.*

483821 Munira Shoinbekova, OSCE Programme Office in Dushanbe

A ten-day medical training course on providing first aid and evacuation to injured persons during explosive ordinance disposal concluded on 9 April 2021 at the Regional Explosives Hazards Training Centre under Tajikistan’s Deference Ministry located in the suburbs of Dushanbe. The OSCE Programme Office in Dushanbe organized the course in co-operation with Tajikistan’s Defence Ministry.

The training course brought together 15 medical personnel from different ministries, civil societies and NGOs, including the Defence Ministry, the Regional Explosives Hazards Training Centre, the Interior Ministry, the National Guard, Border Troops, the Committee of the Emergency Situations and Civil Defence, Tajikistan National Mine Action Centre and the NGO Norwegian People's Aid.

Participants enhanced their knowledge and skills on medical support management; triage administration; resuscitation techniques; bleeding control; injuries to the head, extremities, and spinal cord; and injuries sustained from mines and unexploded ordnances. Participants also discussed topics related to the COVID-19 pandemic and other infectious diseases. Simulation exercises included evacuating wounded people from minefields. Participants should be able to transfer the obtained knowledge to their colleagues in their respective agencies.

“Establishing sustainable capacity of national officers and the continuation of efforts to provide regionally recognized and certified medical training is essential and serve as a stabilizing platform for exchange of experiences and best practices in the field of explosive hazards,” said Tea Jaliashvili, Deputy Head of the OSCE Programme Office in Dushanbe. She also thanked the funders of the project – the United States’ Government – for their generous support with the implementation of this project, as well as the Government of Germany for their financial contribution.

Major-General Sayorabek Bachabekzoda, Head of Engineering Department of Tajikistan’s Defence Ministry, said that with the support of the OSCE, the Ministry of Defence has been conducting training courses for EOD specialists in Tajikistan since 2014. He added that since 2017, three first aid courses have been conducted for 47 medical specialists. “Conducting such courses provide good theoretical and practical skills in rendering first aid and evacuating the wounded, thereby saving lives,” concluded Bachabekzoda.

TASHKENT, 15 April 2021 — OSCE Chairperson-in-Office, Swedish Minister for Foreign Affairs Ann Linde, concluded her official visit to Uzbekistan on 14 April.

Chairperson-in-Office Linde met with President Shavkat Mirziyoyev, Foreign Minister Abdulaziz Kamilov and Senate First Deputy Chair Mr. Sadiq Safaev. She discussed the national programme “Action Strategy for Further Development of Uzbekistan for 2017-2021” and expressed the OSCE’s continued support to implement this programme, which has a series of comprehensive domestic reforms largely in line with OSCE commitments.

Minister Linde discussed the priorities of the Swedish Chairpersonship, with its emphasis on defending the European security order and upholding the OSCE concept of comprehensive security. The interrelatedness between political and economic security, human rights, democracy, the rule of law and equality constitute the very foundation of this concept

Linde commended the strengthened co-operation between the OSCE and Uzbekistan and stressed the importance of the work of the OSCE Project Co-ordinator in Uzbekistan (PCUz) across all three dimensions of security. Linde also highlighted the PCUz’s support in the implementation of recommendations of the OSCE Office for Democratic Institutions and Human Rights, for example on fostering gender equality and assistance in promoting the rights of persons with disabilities.

Chairperson-in-Office Linde also met with representatives of civil society and expressed the Chairpersonship’s support. Civil society engagement and empowering the voices of civil society is a priority of the Swedish Chairpersonship.

“As Chair, Sweden will draw on the expertise of civil society to ensure that their contributions inform all aspects of security,” Linde said.

KYIV, 14 April 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:

“The meetings of the TCG and its Working Groups took place against the backdrop of an increased number of ceasefire violations. According to the SMM, the number of violations recorded over the past two weeks has reached its highest level this year and was three times higher than over the same period before. This is also having a negative impact on our work.

The last two weeks have also seen a significant increase in restrictions and impediments to the freedom of movement of the OSCE SMM and the fulfilment of its mandate. Nine out of ten of the SMM's long-range UAV flights have been affected by jamming.

The discussion with regard to the Coordination Mechanism for Responding to Ceasefire Violations will continue at future meetings of the Security Working Group. However, it should be noted that effective implementation of this mechanism will only be possible if there is political will to significantly reduce the number of ceasefire violations on both sides of the line of contact.

Again, procedural issues dominated the discussions of the participants in the meeting of the Political Working Group, which hindered progress towards the development of an action plan in full compliance with the Minsk agreements under the tasking given by the TCG.

The Humanitarian Working Group focused on removing obstacles to the simultaneous opening of new crossing points near Zolote and Shchastia of the Luhansk region.

The Working Group also discussed issues related to the mutual release and exchange of conflict-related detainees.

The meeting of the Economic Working Group focused on provision of pension payments to persons with limited mobility residing in certain areas of Donetsk and Luhansk regions (CADLR) of Ukraine.

Also, important topics of water supply across the contact line in Donetsk and Luhansk regions, environmental issues and provision of mobile communications in CADLR were duly considered.”

SDGs SDGs:  16 - Peace, justice and strong institutions

Summary

• In Donetsk region, the SMM recorded 54 ceasefire violations. In the previous reporting period, it recorded 40 ceasefire violations in the region.
• In Luhansk region, the Mission recorded no ceasefire violations. In the previous reporting period, it recorded two ceasefire violations in the region.
• Small-arms fire was assessed as directed at SMM mini-unmanned aerial vehicles (UAV), once near Olenivka and twice near Oleksandrivka, 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 maintenance and operation of critical civilian infrastructure and recorded four undetermined explosions close to the Donetsk Filtration Station.
• The Mission continued following up on the situation of civilians, including at three entry-exit checkpoints and four corresponding checkpoints of the armed formations in Donetsk and Luhansk regions.
• The SMM’s freedom of movement continued to be restricted. Its mini-UAVs experienced multiple instances of GPS signal interference, assessed as caused by probable jamming, and its long-range UAV flight was again cancelled due to dual GPS signal interference, assessed as caused by jamming.*

483479

Vincenzo Del Monaco, Head of the OSCE Presence in Albania and Chair of Albania’s Constitutional Court Vitore Tusha, signed a Memorandum of Understanding on 14 April 2021, to strengthen co-operation for advancing the capacities of the Court to perform its work in line with international standards.

“This is an important moment, because we are finalizing a co-operation between the Constitutional Court and the Presence which started long ago, driven by the joint aim of strengthening rule of law, democracy and respect for human rights in Albania. This memorandum serves to strengthen the capacities of the Constitutional Court with the final aim of fulfilling the Court’s mission – guaranteeing the supremacy of the Constitution”, Tusha said at the signing ceremony.

Del Monaco said that the signing of the memorandum testifies to the consistency of the longstanding co-operation between the Constitutional Court and the Presence. He added that the partnership with the Constitutional Court is a priority for the Presence, because of the very specific and fundamental role the Constitutional Court plays in Albania’s legal system for the full promotion of rule of law and human rights. “The Presence stands where the heart of Albanians stand, and Albanians are following very closely, very respectfully the activities of the Constitutional Court and this is why we are working together on the functioning and efficiency of the Constitutional Court,” said Del Monaco.

In 2020, the Presence helped the Constitutional Court assess its capacities for the purposes of a long-term institutional strategic planning, as well as supported the Court access to professional literature. The assistance to the Constitutional Court is part of the Presence’s project “Support to the advancement of the rule of law in Albania”, which is also funded by the Konrad Adenauer Stiftung’s Office in Albania.

483470

Over 80 representatives from Ukraine, the donor community and international partner organizations met on 14 April 2021 to discuss co-operation and programmatic efforts in developing and implementing strategic approaches and practical measures in combating illicit trafficking of weapons, ammunition and explosives (WAE).

The discussion was part of a Governance board meeting of the OSCE Comprehensive Programme on “Strengthening capacities of Ukrainian authorities in preventing and combating illicit trafficking in weapons, ammunition and explosives in all its aspects”. The Programme provides a regular platform for reviewing progress and activity plans, exchanging information, as well as facilitating resource mobilization and coordination among national and international stakeholders.

“Joint action on small arms and light weapons (SALW) control in Ukraine requires a strategic approach supported by solid foundations,” said Serhii Honcharov, Ukrainian Deputy Minister of Internal Affairs, during his opening address. “These should be based on an adequate legal framework, in particular the law on weapons, inter-agency co-operation through SALW co-ordination mechanisms, as well as a concrete roadmap on SALW control.”

Henrik Villadsen, the OSCE Project Co-coordinator in Ukraine, expressed the OSCE’s willingness to support Ukraine’s relevant efforts in this field. “We stand ready to further support the Government of Ukraine and its ministries in taking necessary policy, regulatory and practical measures to address the issue of illicit trafficking in WAE head-on and comprehensively.”

Launched in 2019, the OSCE Comprehensive Programme is being implemented jointly by the OSCE Secretariat and the OSCE Project Co-ordinator in Ukraine in partnership with Ukraine’s Ministry of Internal Affairs, the National Police of Ukraine, the State Border Guard Service and the State Customs Service of Ukraine. It is financed and supported by in-kind contributions by the European Union, France, Germany, Lithuania, the Netherlands, Norway, Poland, Slovakia, and the United States of America.

483404 Marina Živaljević

Marijana Čučuk, Programme Assistant at the OSCE Mission to Montenegro and Jakša Backović, Chief of the Unit for Combating Cyber Crime at the country’s Police Directorate addressed the OSCE Security Committee meeting on “Preventing and Countering Terrorist Use of Internet” on 12 April 2021.

Backović and Čučuk presented activities jointly undertaken and ongoing plans to tackle cyber security and cyber terrorism, at the online meeting organized by the OSCE Permanent Council, with the support of the Swedish Chairpersonship and the United Kingdom Delegation to the OSCE.

“The OSCE Mission to Montenegro supports the efforts of national authorities to tackle cyber security and cyber terrorism,” said Čučuk. In briefing the committee on the work of the Mission, she focused on the activities jointly undertaken in preventing and countering terrorist use of the Internet, tackling cyber-crime and addressing cyber-security threats. They also discussed ways to improve the Police Directorate’s capacity to combat crimes through enhancing IT forensic analysis.

Backović said that the support of the Mission was helpful and arrived at right time. “Now we have a fully formed digital laboratory, equipped with most advanced tools in digital forensic field. Since 2019, we had more than 370 searches and seizures of digital devices, more than 420 cases initiated and more than 40 criminal charges submitted to the Prosecutor’s Office. The donated software has provided us with absolute extraction and analysis of almost all devices and files that are related with misuse of the Internet and social networks for spreading terrorism and radical extremism,” said Backović.

The OSCE Mission to Montenegro and the Police Directorate will continue their co-operation in developing the police’s high tech crime team and digital laboratory.

BISHKEK, 13 April 2021 — OSCE Chairperson-in-Office, Swedish Minister for Foreign Affairs Ann Linde, concluded her official visit to Kyrgyzstan on 13 April.

In Bishkek, Chairperson-in-Office Linde met with President Sadyr Japarov and Foreign Minister Ruslan Kazakbaev. She outlined the Swedish Chairpersonship’s key priorities with its emphasis on defending the European security order and upholding the OSCE’s concept of comprehensive security. The interrelatedness between political and economic security, human rights, democracy, the rule of law and equality constitute the very foundation of this concept.

Chairperson Linde expressed support to Kyrgyzstan in its continued implementation of OSCE commitments, including in relation to constitutional reforms.

She also met civil society representatives and underlined their importance in the implementation of the OSCE’s joint commitments, including in the area of democracy and gender equality.

Chairperson Linde’s agenda included a meeting with Ambassador Pierre von Arx, Head of the Programme Office in Bishkek, and the staff of the program office, during which she expressed her strong support for the office and its programmatic activities.  

Chairperson Linde visited the OSCE Academy in Bishkek and met with its Director, Alexander Wolters. Through the OSCE Academy’s post-graduate education programmes, training courses and research activities, it contributes to enhancing post-graduate education and building capacity on international relations among young people across the region. Chairperson Linde and Academy students engaged in an open discussion on a range of OSCE-related issues.

Moscow/Paris/Washington, 13 April 2021 - The Co-Chairs of the OSCE Minsk Group (Igor Popov of the Russian Federation, Stephane Visconti of France, and Andrew Schofer of the United States of America) released the following statement today:

The Co-Chairs note with satisfaction the consolidation of the ceasefire, and are closely monitoring the implementation of the agreement reached by the parties on 9 November 2020.  The Co-Chairs welcome the significant achievements with regard to the return of the remains of the deceased, and the ongoing progress with regard to the resettlement of those displaced by the conflict, provision of humanitarian assistance and adequate living conditions, as well as constructive discussions aimed at unblocking transportation and communication lines throughout the region.

The Co-Chairs remind the sides that additional efforts are required to resolve remaining areas of concern and to create an atmosphere of mutual trust conducive to long-lasting peace.  These include issues related to, inter alia:  the return of all POWs and other detainees in accordance with the provisions of international humanitarian law, the exchange of all data necessary to conduct effective demining of conflict regions; the lifting of restrictions on access to Nagorno-Karabakh, including for representatives of international humanitarian organizations; the preservation and protection of religious and cultural heritage; and the fostering of direct contacts and co-operation between communities affected by the conflict as well as other people-to-people confidence building measures.

Having in mind the terms of their OSCE mandate and the aspirations of all the people of the region for a stable, peaceful, and prosperous future, the Co-Chairs stress that special attention should be paid to the achievement of a final comprehensive and sustainable settlement on the basis of the elements and principles well-known to the sides.

In this respect, the Co-Chairs call on the parties to resume high-level political dialogue under the auspices of the Co-Chairs at the earliest opportunity.  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 also express their strong support for the continuing activities and possible expansion of the mission of the Personal Representative of the OSCE Chair-in-Office (PRCiO) and call on the sides to provide full access and support to its efforts. The Co-Chairs underscore their readiness to resume working visits to the region, including Nagorno-Karabakh and surrounding areas, to carry out their assessment and mediation roles. In this regard, the Co-Chairs remind the sides of the requirement to provide unimpeded access and maximum flexibility of movement with regard to the Co-Chairs’ travel itineraries, in accordance with their mandate and previous practice.