Central Europe

VIENNA, 23 February 2021 – Opportunities for transboundary co-operation to address climate-related security risks in South-Eastern Europe were virtually presented today to an audience of over 100 participants at the Regional Consultation Process on Climate Change and Security in South-Eastern Europe. The event was the result of a series of three interactive regional consultation workshops and three surveys on climate change and security, organized by the Office of the Co-ordinator of OSCE Economic and Environmental Activities and the Berlin-based think tank adelphi.

“We now have compelling evidence that climate change can influence or exacerbate factors that may lead to instability and tensions,” said OSCE Secretary General Helga Maria Schmid at the close of the webinar. “As with any global challenge, tackling the potential consequences requires cross-sectoral and transborder dialogue and co-operation.”

Naser Nuredini, Minister of Environment and Physical Planning of North Macedonia, said that the regional consultation process has helped in having a new conversation among neighbours on climate-related security risks faced by the region and how to overcome them. “These kind of conversations reinforce our individual efforts to tackle climate change. By bringing a regional dimension, they also pave the way for joint action and offer additional avenues for strengthening the security and stability in our region,” said Nuredini.

Ambassador Tobias Lorentzson, Chairperson of the OSCE Preparatory Committee, Deputy Permanent Representative of Sweden to the OSCE, said: “We need to work to achieve better and integrated analyses and management strategies from the field on this topic. What might be a manageable effect of climate change in one geographical context, in another context, it could contribute to a tense and potentially violent situation.”

Lukas Rüttinger, adelphi’s Senior Advisor, said that the consultation discussed risk clusters that are particularly relevant in terms of regional security and stability, including, amongst others, agriculture, tourism, energy, health, and forests. “It also identified specific geographic hotspots, such as shared river basins and shared mountain ecosystems.” He added that air pollution, mixed movements, and emigration emerged as important challenges shared across the region.

Vuk Žugić, Co-ordinator of OSCE Economic and Environmental Activities, said: “Today’s closing event marks the beginning of a new phase in the regional consultation process which will involve the development and implementation of co-operation measures that will further contribute to security and stability in the region.”

The first phase of the regional consultation involved over 80 representatives of governmental bodies, civil society organizations, academia from South-Eastern Europe, as well as regional and international organizations.

The process, launched in May 2020, is part of the OSCE’s extra-budgetary funded project “Strengthening responses to security risks from climate change in South-Eastern Europe, Eastern Europe, the South Caucasus, and Central Asia” funded by Andorra, Austria, Czech Republic, Germany, Italy, Liechtenstein, Luxembourg, and Norway.

SUMMARY

Kamensk-Shakhtinskiy, Russian Federation. The Observer Mission (OM) continues to operate 24/7 at both Border Crossing Points (BCPs).

OPERATIONAL REMARKS

The OM is currently operating with 22 permanent international Mission members, including the Chief Observer (CO). 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 Chairmanship. Following the host country 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.

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 data on the average number of entries/exits from both border crossing points (BCPs) for the reporting period is not available, since the OM did not receive the relevant figures from the competent Authorities, due to the public holidays in the Host Country. 

Responding to the COVID-19 situation, the host country has 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.

Persons in military-style outfits

During the reporting period, the number of persons in military-style outfits crossing the border was 18, compared to seven last week; nine persons crossed into the Russian Federation while another nine 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 12 families were observed crossing into Ukraine, compared to the previous reporting period when 11 families were observed crossing into the Russian Federation and nine 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 (301 compared to 278 observed during the previous week). There were 148 buses bound for the Russian Federation and 153 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 (745 compared to 697 during the previous reporting week); 363 at the Gukovo BCP and 382 at the Donetsk BCP, 336 of these trucks crossed into the Russian Federation and 409 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 Armenia, Belarus, Lithuania, the Russian Federation and trucks with “LPR” plates.

The OTs also continued to observe tanker trucks crossing the border in both directions. During the reporting period, the OTs observed a significant increase in the overall number of tanker trucks crossing the border at both BCPs (38 compared to 20 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 the 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 significantly increased from 91 to 153. Of the total number of trucks scanned, 152 trucks (99 per cent) were bound for Ukraine, the remaining one truck (one per cent) crossed into the Russian Federation.

Minivans

The OM continued to observe passenger and cargo minivans[1] 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 just a slight decrease in the overall number of minivans crossing the border at both BCPs (143 compared to 147 observed during the previous week); 77 crossed into the Russian Federation and another 66 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 22 occasions; the OTs assessed that 12 trains were travelling to the Russian Federation and the remaining ten trains were travelling to Ukraine (more details are provided in the sections “trends and figures at a glance” below).

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

Other observations

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

On 16 February at 11:05, the OT at the Donetsk BCP observed a green helicopter type Mi8/Mi17 flying from the north-east in a south-easterly direction. The helicopter remained inside the airspace of the Russian Federation the entire time it was visible to the OT.

On 16 February at 17:35, the OT at the Donetsk BCP observed a black minivan with a sign "Funeral Services" (in Russian) entering the BCP from the Russian Federation. After undergoing custom control procedures, the vehicle left for Ukraine. The OT was unable to notice any other details from its position.

On 17 February at 15:25, the OT at the Donetsk BCP observed a Russian Federation police vehicle entering the BCP from the Russian Federation and parking next to the main building. At 15:54 the police vehicle drove back towards the Russian Federation. The OT was unable to notice any other details from its position.

For trends and figures at a glance covering the period from 19 January 2021 to 23 February 2021, please see the attachment here.

[1]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 which correspond to driving licence C1).

479251

On 22 February 2021, the OSCE Representative on Freedom of the Media (RFoM), Teresa Ribeiro, met with Ambassador Igli Hasani to discuss media freedom developments in Albania and ways in which the Representative can provide assistance.

Ribeiro welcomed assurances by Ambassador Hasani that the pending adoption of revised media laws is an important topic on the Albanian government’s agenda. She emphasized the importance of timely approval of the proposed amendments in accordance with international standards and OSCE commitments on freedom of expression and media freedom. In this respect, Ribeiro offered her Office’s assistance in support of a favourable legislative environment for the media in the country.

Among other issues discussed, Ribeiro raised her concerns over the intimidation of and attacks against journalists, which undermine their safety. They also spoke about challenges to the independence of national media regulatory bodies in Albania. She underlined the necessity to uphold the safety guarantees for journalists as prescribed in the 2018 OSCE Ministerial Council Decision on the Safety of Journalists. Ambassador Hasani highlighted the important role that journalists have played in the democratization process in Albania, and affirmed the government’s commitment in improving the protection for journalists so that they are able to perform their important work in society.

Ribeiro and Ambassador Hasani agreed to continue the good co-operation and expressed their willingness to engage in further discussions, including prospects of a visit by the RFoM to Albania.

The OSCE Presence in Albania organized an online workshop, on 22 February 2021, to discuss lustration policies and processes in Albania since the collapse of the dictatorship 30 years ago. The event called “Lustration in Albania: The past and the future” – part of the Presence’s work in the field of the transitional justice – brought together national and international institutions, experts and practitioners, as well as lecturers and students from the public University of Tirana and private universities.

Participants discussed the findings of a study commissioned by the Presence on lustration processes in Albania since the first multi-party elections in 1991 to date. The Presence supported the study with the aim to enrich the literature in the field of transitional justice and foster scholarly debate.

The workshop was part of Memory Days, a yearly event on dealing with the Communist past organized by the Albanian Institute for Democracy, Media and Culture with the support of the Konrad Adenauer Foundation.

Addressing the opening of Memory Days, on 19 February 2021, Vincenzo Del Monaco, Head of the OSCE Presence said: “It is through rational, mature and accepting dialogue, including thorough research, that the past can be understood, so that lessons learnt are integrated into present society, in order to avoid falling into the trap of forgetting the past.”

Since 2015, the OSCE Presence has supported a national dialogue in Albania about the human rights violations under the Communist regime. Recent results of the Presence’s work in this field include the development of an academic Master’s Programme on Transitional Justice at the University of Tirana, and the establishment of a Centre for Justice and Transformation at the same university.

The full video of the online workshop is available on the OSCE Presence’s Facebook page at the following link http://bit.ly/Lustration_Albania

Related resources:

https://www.osce.org/presence-in-albania/479029

https://www.osce.org/presence-in-albania/472056

https://www.osce.org/presence-in-albania/445090

https://www.osce.org/albania/286821

https://www.osce.org/albania/162096

https://www.osce.org/presence-in-albania/387230

https://www.osce.org/presence-in-albania/321596

479272 Željka Šulc

The OSCE Mission to Bosnia and Herzegovina (BiH) organized an online round table discussion on the harassment of women in the public sphere on 23 February 2021.

The event gathered more than 130 participants, representatives of civil society organizations, relevant institutions, international community and public. The aim of the event was to solicit recommendations on how to prevent and address the issue of harassment of women in public sphere. The participants discussed ways to better understand the consequences of such abuse, and also identified channels available for a response.

"Women and girls are calling out abusive behaviour and discriminatory attitudes, saying enough is enough.  This is a positive precondition for change, and it is important to support those who speak out," said Kathleen Kavalec, Head of the OSCE Mission to BiH.  “The OSCE is committed to zero tolerance of any form of harassment and has a comprehensive programme on combatting gender-based violence against women and girls. We are working to strengthen the institutional response to gender-based violence, and to empower women and girls to recognize and report any form of harassment – especially those who are marginalized.”

“Women’s meaningful participation at all levels is essential in a democratic and sustainable society. To combat harassment of women in the public sphere, it is necessary for women and men to work together to overcome destructive gender stereotypes which hinder individuals and societies from reaching their full potential,” said Johanna Strömquist, Ambassador of Sweden to BiH, representing the Swedish Chairpersonship of the OSCE who places gender equality among top three priorities in and for BiH.

Matt Field, British Ambassador to BiH, said: “Far too many women in public life in BiH face regular harassment, threats, insinuation and attacks. The goal is to make women feel they do not belong in public life, that they do not belong where decisions are taken. Everyone loses if that happens. We get worse politics, worse decisions, and worse policies. So I am here today to listen and understand better how we can all tackle this terrible blight, to the benefit of all.”

Sexist attitudes and stereotypes are widespread in government, politics, the private sector, academia, journalism, the arts, science and technology, and even in civil society and international organizations. With this event and by voicing out our concerns we hope to contribute to awareness raising on the issue, and ensure that this type of harassment is widely recognised, discussed and effectively addressed.

479260

The programmatic activities for 2021 and a decision on the next host country for its Secretariat were the focus of the sixth meeting of the Executive Board of the Permanent Conference of Organized Crime Prosecutors (PCOCP) on 23 February 2021.

The meeting was held online with the joint support of the OSCE Mission to Serbia, the OSCE Transnational Threats Department (TNTD) and the Office of the Co-ordinator of OSCE Economic and Environmental Activities (OCEEA). It brought together senior prosecutors of different jurisdictions (Serbia, Montenegro, North Macedonia and Romania) and representatives of the Italian National Anti-Mafia and Counter-Terrorism Directorate, along with officials of the OSCE.

Stemming from an initiative of the OSCE Mission to Serbia, this regional co-operation mechanism is now supported by the OSCE extra-budgetary project, “Strengthening the fight against transnational organized crime in South-Eastern Europe through improved regional co-operation in asset seizure, confiscation, management and re-use”.

The PCOCP includes fourteen organized crime prosecution offices from OSCE participating States and represents an essential platform for co-operation and information exchange on transnational organized crime cases, in line with the United National Convention on Transnational Organized Crime.  

The extra-budgetary project that supports the Conference is jointly implemented by TNTD and OCEEA, in co-ordination with OSCE field operations and with financial support of the United States, Italy, Germany and the United Kingdom.

479224 Office of the OSCE Representative on Freedom of the Media Ton van den Brandt

On 22 February 2021, the OSCE Representative on Freedom of the Media (RFoM), Teresa Ribeiro, met with Ambassador Barbara Žvokelj to discuss the current state of media freedom in Slovenia and possible areas of future co-operation with the Slovenian authorities.

Ribeiro and Žvokelj discussed issues such as the safety of journalists, particularly the growing verbal and legal harassment of critical and independent media and journalists in Slovenia. Ambassador Žvokelj offered the reassurances of the Slovenian government that it remains committed to respecting and promoting norms and standards regarding media freedom, and noted the enhanced efforts of law enforcement authorities in investigating all instances of attacks on journalists.

Ribeiro recalled that Slovenia, along with other OSCE participating States, recognized the importance of securing an enabling environment for the media in the landmark 2018 OSCE Ministerial Council Decision on the Safety of Journalists. In this light, Ribeiro highlighted that safety of journalists will be a top priority of her Office, and expressed her commitment to assisting the Slovenian government in implementing the existing OSCE commitments in the area of media freedom.

They also discussed the issue of funding for the Slovenian Press Agency’s (STA) public services, for which financing had been suspended. In this regard, Ambassador Žvokelj affirmed that all overdue payments have been disbursed to the STA and that a new contract between the Government Communication Office and the STA is pending finalization. Ribeiro welcomed this positive outcome, and noted that her Office will continue to closely monitor media developments in the country.

TIRANA, 22 February 2021 — It has come to the attention of the OSCE Presence in Albania that an organization calling itself OKSE is conducting opinion polls and surveys, allegedly on behalf of the Organization for Security and Co-operation in Europe (OSCE). 

The OSCE Presence in Albania wishes to clarify that it bears no relation with OKSE, or any other opinion polling in Albania. The OSCE is not, and would not, engage in electoral polling and disassociates itself from this organization and any of its undertakings in full.

We have informed the relevant authorities of this issue and maintain the right to pursue legal action against the unauthorized usage of the OSCE name or logo. We take this opportunity to inform that the OSCE’s name, emblem, and other logos are the exclusive property of the OSCE, are protected under Article 6 of the “Paris Convention for the Protection of Industrial Property”, and may not be copied, reproduced, displayed or used without the express, prior written permission of the OSCE.

SDGs SDGs:  16 - Peace, justice and strong institutions

Summary

• Between the evenings of 19 and 21 February, the SMM recorded 25 ceasefire violations in Donetsk region. In the previous reporting period, it recorded 594 ceasefire violations in the region.
• Between the evenings of 19 and 21 February, the Mission recorded 204 ceasefire violations in Luhansk region. In the previous reporting period, it recorded eight ceasefire violations in the region.
• An SMM mini-unmanned aerial vehicle was damaged by small-arms fire near Dachne, Luhansk region.
• The SMM continued monitoring the disengagement areas near Stanytsia Luhanska, Zolote and Petrivske, and again saw containers inside and near the southern edge of the area near Zolote and people inside the latter two disengagement areas.
• 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 SMM monitored gatherings in Kyiv, Lviv, Chernivtsi and Odessa.
• The Mission monitored the security situation in south-east Kherson region.
• The SMM’s freedom of movement continued to be restricted*.

479146

Over 70 participants from across the OSCE area took part in an online interactive webinar on The Role of Youth in Inter-faith Dialogue in the Context of Preventing and Countering Violent Extremism and Radicalization that Lead to Terrorism (VERLT) on 22 February 2021. The OSCE and the Kofi Annan Foundation’s Extremely Together Initiative organized the event with support from the OSCE Mission to Bosnia and Herzegovina and the Secretariat’s Adviser on Youth and Security.

The webinar is part of the OSCE Leaders against Intolerance and Violent Extremism (LIVE) Initiative, a flagship training programme that seeks to build capacity and promote context-specific efforts against violent extremism that have been developed and led by civil society at the grassroots level.

The webinar facilitated interactions between LIVE beneficiaries and expert practitioners who advance inter-faith dialogue to foster social cohesion. Participants discussed effective strategies for engaging youth, analyzed challenges and collected recommendations for their own activities.

The event was part of a series of interactive webinars launched by the OSCE in December 2019 to continuously build capacities of LIVE beneficiaries. Through spearheading dialogue with experts from various geographical and cultural contexts, the interactive webinars aim to connect LIVE beneficiaries to a broader network of practitioners and create a platform for the sharing of lessons learned.

“Encouraging the concept of dialogue in early childhood education can go a long way in learning about social cohesion and promoting religious tolerance and mutual understanding among youth,” said Jonah Obajeun, founder of the Tolerance Academy in Nigeria.

The OSCE’s LIVE Initiative consists of three different training courses tailored to youth, women and community leaders across the OSCE area. From 2018 to 2021, the Action against Terrorism Unit of the OSCE Transnational Threats Department, in co-operation with the OSCE field operations, delivered 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.

Extremely Together is a youth-led peace-building and networking initiative by the Kofi Annan Foundation. Extremely Together started with ten young leaders, chosen by Kofi Annan thanks to their proven track-records in preventing and countering violent extremism. The Initiative has local chapters in Somalia, Uganda, Pakistan, the Philippines, with more in development. Extremely Together brings young leaders from around the world together to learn from each other, build peace and prevent violent extremism — globally and in their communities.

479077 Anna Vorobeva OSCE Mission to Moldova

The OSCE Mission to Moldova and the Agency for Inter-ethnic Relations of the Republic of Moldova released a video on 19 February 2021 on ethnic diversity in Moldova to commemorate International Mother Language Day. The video illustrates how ethnic diversity is an asset to society, and is available with subtitles in seven languages spoken in Moldova (Bulgarian, Gagauz, Hebrew, Romani, Romanian, Russian, and Ukrainian) plus English.

“The Mission supported production of the video as part of its efforts to strengthen the capacities and co-operation of state and non-state actors to promote and protect the rights of persons belonging to national minority groups. This is an important aspect to enhancing tolerance and inclusiveness — important enabling factors for the Transdniestrian settlement process,” said Claus Neukirch, Head of Mission.

“This video highlights ethnic diversity in Moldova through integration of national minorities in different spheres of public life. The video is about people’s love for their country and traditions, which is manifested in part through speaking the mother and state languages,” said Elena Beleacova, General Director of the Agency.

International Mother Language Day promotes awareness of linguistic and cultural diversity worldwide, highlighting multilingualism and inspiring solidarity based on understanding, tolerance, and dialogue.

Follow the link to watch the video: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=CTUbYdzdi6E.

COPENHAGEN, 19 February 2021 – Taking stock of migratory developments in the OSCE region over the last several months, the OSCE Parliamentary Assembly’s Ad Hoc Committee on Migration met today and discussed how the COVID-19 pandemic has exacerbated the precarious conditions in which refugees and asylum seekers find themselves. The meeting also focused on developing synergies between the OSCE’s executive structures and OSCE parliamentarians in the area of combating trafficking in human beings along migration routes.

Committee Chair Margareta Cederfelt (Sweden) emphasized the particularly negative impact that the pandemic has had on refugees and migrants, including how it has been used in some cases as a pretext to suspend refugee resettlement programs, and how quarantine measures imposed on overcrowded migrant camps, combined with frustration over squalid living conditions, have led to humanitarian crises.

“As countries imposed travel bans and adopted a range of other measures to contain the pandemic, already scarce safe and legal pathways were further reduced,” Cederfelt said. “Combined with an economic downturn disproportionately impacting migrant communities, the COVID-19 pandemic has provided fertile ground for smuggling and cross-border trafficking networks to flourish as they seek ways to overcome these new barriers.”

The meeting was joined by OSCE PA President Peter Lord Bowness (United Kingdom) and Secretary General Roberto Montella, who expressed support for the work of the committee. OSCE Special Representative and Co-ordinator for Combating Trafficking in Human Beings Valiant Richey spoke to the committee about his work in the area of addressing human trafficking along migration routes with a particular focus on children, and highlighted areas in which parliamentarians could make a contribution.

“The number of child victims of trafficking tripled over the last 15 years,” Richey said. “Tens of thousands of children are being trafficked every year across borders, and we are not getting a grip on it. We urgently need to improve communication between countries of origin, transit and destination. Instruments are there, but they need to be adopted and implemented.”

Richey noted that trafficked persons are often classified and treated as irregular migrants, even when clear indications of trafficking exist, and they are therefore at constant risk of detention and deportation. “We need to do a much better job at identifying and protecting victims of trafficking,” he said, urging parliamentarians to enhance national legal frameworks in this regard.

With eight members of the committee members participating, the discussion focused on concrete ways for OSCE parliamentarians to counter trafficking in human beings through targeted legislation and improving the conditions that lead to trafficking, including by alleviating poverty.

Kyriakos Hadjiyianni (Cyprus) drew upon the experience of his country which has adopted legislation to criminalize the use of services offered by victims of human trafficking. “We, as parliamentarians, must ensure that there are legislative frameworks in place to protect victims and prevent future human trafficking,” he noted.

Members also suggested thinking out of the box and using modern technologies to fight human trafficking.

Gudrun Kugler (Austria), for example, discussed work that she is doing in the Austrian parliament on human trafficking and suggested helping to protect victims by amplifying their stories, including by working with platforms such as Netflix to produce documentaries on the topic. Hedy Fry (Canada) underlined the importance of OSCE parliamentarians participating in a variety of international fora in order to raise the profile of the OSCE’s migration-related work.

Participants also discussed the humanitarian situation in Greece’s Aegean Islands, especially on Lesbos, as well as ways to promote a humane and durable solution to the crisis in northwestern Bosnia and Herzegovina.

Members highlighted the pushbacks and other violations of human rights that are occurring not only at the external borders of the EU, but also within the EU. The EU Pact on Migration and Asylum calls for the establishment of independent human rights monitoring mechanisms, it was noted, but instead many of those who have been accused of committing violations are also tasked with monitoring.

The committee also discussed the possibility of organizing a parliamentary web dialogue in March, as well as possible upcoming field visits.

The OSCE PA Ad Hoc Committee on Migration was established in 2016 and consists of 17 Members of Parliament from 15 OSCE participating States.

For more on the work of the committee, please click here.

SDGs SDGs:  16 - Peace, justice and strong institutions

Summary

• The SMM recorded 594 ceasefire violations in Donetsk region. In the previous reporting period, it recorded three ceasefire violations in the region.
• The Mission recorded eight ceasefire violations in Luhansk region. In the previous reporting period, it recorded one ceasefire violation in the region.
• The SMM continued monitoring the disengagement areas near Stanytsia Luhanska, Zolote and Petrivske, and again saw containers inside and near the southern edge of the area near Zolote.
• The Mission saw for the first time 45 anti-tank mines near Dokuchaievsk, Donetsk region.
• The Mission facilitated and monitored adherence to localized ceasefires to enable repairs and operation of critical civilian infrastructure. It heard 436 ceasefire violations close to the DFS, during and near the times when a bus with DFS workers was driving towards the station and then returned towards Yasynuvata.
• The SMM continued following up on the situation of civilians, including at four entry-exit checkpoints and three corresponding checkpoints of the armed formations in Donetsk and Luhansk regions.
• The Mission’s freedom of movement continued to be restricted.

478957

On 19 February 2021, the OSCE Project Co-ordinator in Uzbekistan organized a public presentation of the Constitution and the Law of the Republic of Uzbekistan “On the rights of persons with disabilities” published in Braille, as well as the UN Convention on the Rights of Persons with Disabilities: A Training Guide (Professional Training Series), published in the state language. The National Human Rights Centre and the OSCE Office for Democratic Institutions and Human Rights (OSCE/ODIHR) co-organized the event.

The event brought together more than seventy participants, both online and in person. Among them: the leadership of the National Human Rights Centre; the Chairperson of the Committee for Labour and Social Issues of the Legislative Chamber of Uzbekistan; representatives from disabled people’s organizations and in particular from the Society of the Blind People of Uzbekistan and the long-standing partner of the PCUz, the Association of Disabled People of Uzbekistan; persons with disabilities, and the interested community at large, including representatives from the United Nations and the OSCE/ODIHR’s Acting Head of the Democratization Department, Meaghan Fitzgerald. Local media also covered the event.

In his opening speech, John MacGregor, OSCE Project Co-ordinator in Uzbekistan, stressed that there are a number of OSCE commitments related to the sphere of rights of persons with disabilities, including the 1991 Moscow Document. He said: “The PCUz has been gradually increasing its activities in the field of rights of persons with disabilities, especially from the angle of the enhancement of public and political participation of persons with disabilities in Uzbekistan. Last year, our office commissioned the translation of several OSCE/ODIHR materials into the Uzbek language, which are available on the OSCE website.

In partnership with OSCE/ODIHR, the Association and a social scientist consultant, we are also conducting a survey analysis on the question of access to the Parliament for persons with disabilities. The publication of the Constitution and the Law of the Republic of Uzbekistan ‘On the rights of persons with disabilities’ in Braille is an important step towards an inclusive society”.

SDGs SDGs:  16 - Peace, justice and strong institutions

Summary

• The SMM recorded three ceasefire violations in Donetsk region. In the previous reporting period, it recorded 13 ceasefire violations in the region.
• The Mission recorded one ceasefire violation in Luhansk region. In the previous reporting period, it recorded 40 ceasefire violations in the region.
• The SMM continued monitoring the disengagement areas near Stanytsia Luhanska, Zolote and Petrivske, and again saw containers inside and near the southern edge of the area near Zolote, as well as people inside the latter two areas.
• The Mission facilitated and monitored adherence to localized ceasefires to enable repairs and operation of critical civilian infrastructure.
• The SMM 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 Mission’s freedom of movement continued to be restricted, including at two border crossing points and near Voznesenivka (formerly Chervonopartyzansk), all in Luhansk region.  At the latter location, the SMM had to land its unmanned aerial vehicle after members of the armed formations said that they would confiscate all the SMM’s equipment otherwise.

479002

The role of open government data as a critical component for enabling and improving the business investment climate across the OSCE region was discussed at a webinar organized by the Office of the Co-ordinator of OSCE Economic and Environmental Activities (OCEEA) on 19 February 2021.

More than 50 representatives from governments, chambers of commerce, civil society organizations, international organizations and academia discussed the potential of digital solutions and open data in creating investment opportunities and enhancing good governance mechanisms in the OSCE region.

The event featured guest speakers from the German Agency for International Cooperation (GIZ), Food and Agriculture Organization of the United Nations (FAO), World Bank (WB), Microsoft as well as experts from Estonia and Georgia. The sessions focused on land governance and the importance of open cadastral data for the business environment and emerging digital justice and digital tools that could be used to address investor grievances and mediations.

“The selected best practices of digital platforms and data use highlighted during the webinar, if properly implemented, go a long way to create more attractive economies for businesses and investors,” said Iris Pilika, Programme Officer, Economic Co-operation and Governance, OCEEA.

The speakers recognized that accessible and well-analyzed data is essential for the private sector as it enables companies to efficiently execute their business plans. They also focused on the potential of open data to improve business planning, thus creating a favourable and predictable investment environment.

The OSCE, as part of its good governance and anti-corruption portfolio, provides a platform for open discussion and capacity-building among relevant stakeholders on the potential of open data in enhancing good governance measures and enabling economic recovery during and in the post-COVID-19 pandemic era.

478954 Office of the OSCE Representative on Freedom of the Media Ton van den Brandt

On 19 February 2021, the OSCE Representative on Freedom of the Media (RFoM), Teresa Ribeiro, met with Ambassador Natasha Meli Daudey to discuss the current state of media freedom in Malta and areas in which the Representative can provide assistance.

Ribeiro and Meli Daudey discussed the status of the ongoing investigation into the murder of Maltese investigative journalist Daphne Caruana Galizia in 2017. Noting the important steps taken by the Maltese authorities in launching a public inquiry into the case, Ribeiro emphasized the need for ensuring the full independence of the investigation, for all the facts to be brought to light and for all those responsible, including perpetrators and masterminds, to face justice. Ribeiro also welcomed the decriminalization of defamation in Malta and encouraged implementation practices ensuring that journalists can work unhindered, free of undue interference.

Ribeiro and Meli Daudey also discussed challenges in countering mis- and disinformation, the current efforts taken in Malta to mitigate the impact of the COVID-19 pandemic on the work of the media, as well as possibilities for co-operation in the area of promoting media literacy.

479209 Natalia Carfi, Acting Executive Director, Open Data Charter delivering a presentation on Principles of the Open Data Charter in Action through zoom platform, Tashkent, 18 February 2021.

On 18 February, the OSCE Project Co-ordinator in Uzbekistan (PCUz), in collaboration with the State Committee of the Republic of Uzbekistan on Statistics (UZSTAT) and the International Open Data Charter (ODC), held an online seminar dedicated to Uzbekistan’s adoption of the ODC principles. More than 50 participants, over 30 % of which were women, attended the event, including senior specialists and experts from various ministries and government agencies.

The event marked the official accession of Uzbekistan to the ODC. “This is a new milestone, demonstrating Uzbekistan’s strong dedication to promoting openness and transparency,” stressed John MacGregor, OSCE Project Co-ordinator in Uzbekistan.  

The seminar created an opportunity for participants to learn about ODC principles and best practices as well as open data reforms in Uzbekistan. Agustina De Luca, ODC Network Director, delivered a presentation on the practical implications of open data principles. Akrom Sultanov, Head of UZSTAT’s Open Data Monitoring Department, spoke about the perspectives of open data sector development in Uzbekistan.

For several years, the PCUz has been supporting Uzbekistan in the process of developing the country’s open data ecosystem through building national capacities and promoting international best practices. The ODC, established in 2015, brings together national, regional, and local authorities committed to open data principles. Uzbekistan is the 23rd national government joining the charter.

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On 18 February 2021, the OSCE Representative on Freedom of the Media (RFoM), Teresa Ribeiro, met with Ambassador Radomir Boháč to discuss co-operation between the Office of the RFoM and the authorities of Slovakia.

During the meeting, Ribeiro outlined her priorities, in particular, safety of journalists and broader issues of legitimacy of democratic institutions. The Representative and Ambassador Boháč also discussed the case of the double murder of investigative journalist Ján Kuciak and his fiancée Martina Kušnírová.

BELGRADE, 19 February 2021 – On the occasion of the European Day for Victims of Crime marked on 22 February, the OSCE Mission to Serbia and the EU Delegation to Serbia handed over videoconferencing equipment to five courts across the country, with the aim to strengthen the national victim and witness support system. The donation is part of a project financed by the European Union for the value of 1.5 million euro.

Through the project, five high courts of Belgrade, Kragujevac, Niš, Novi Sad, and Novi Pazar will be equipped with specially furnished rooms and modern videoconferencing equipment to enable testimonies via audio/video link. Victims and witnesses will thus avoid secondary victimisation by meeting the defendant before, during, or after the main hearing.

“Victims of crime have already suffered a great deal. Institutions and society need to support them and their families including to standing before, during and after court proceedings. The EU donates this equipment as part of a much larger project to establish a trustworthy and efficient network to help the victims and their families to exercise their right to justice. They should not suffer in silence. Let the progress made in Serbia  continue,  establishing a fully-fledged victim support system efficiency throughout the Country,” said the Head of the EU Delegation to Serbia, Ambassador Sem Fabrizi.

“Breaking the chain of silence is an act of courage for every man or woman who is a victim of crime, showing trust in law enforcement and judicial institutions. This is why the OSCE Mission to Serbia, in partnership with the Ministry of Justice and the High Courts, and thanks to the generous donation of the European Union, seeks to help the host country in empowering all victims,” stated Ambassador Jan Braathu, the Head of the OSCE Mission to Serbia, in a video message.

“A fully functional national victim support network is key to helping victims go through the criminal justice process in the least stressful manner and to supporting their recovery,” he added.

With an estimated value of EUR 150,000, the donated equipment is the tangible evidence of the assistance offered by the project “Support for Victims and Witnesses of Crime in Serbia”, funded by the European Union and implemented by the OSCE Mission to Serbia as the chosen partner of the Ministry of Justice.

This project also aims at supporting the implementation of Serbia’s five-year National Strategy on the Rights of Victims and Witnesses of Crime, adopted in July 2020. The OSCE Mission assisted the Ministry of Justice Working Group in drafting the Strategy which aims at establishing a national network of support services to victims and witnesses, and achieving efficient networking and co-ordination between courts, prosecutor’s offices, the police, and various institutions and civil society organisations.