Central Europe

478753

On 17 and 18 February 2021, the OSCE Project Co-ordinator in Uzbekistan conducted a roundtable discussion aimed at the advancement of women's participation in politics and business, investing in women's professional development and leadership skills. The event, held in a blended format, was organized jointly with the National Commission on Gender Equality and the Committee on Women and Gender Equality of the Senate.

The event brought together more than fifty participants from Tashkent, the Republic of Karakalpakstan and the Khorezm region, including members of the National Commission on Gender Equality, officials from the ministries and state agencies, members of political parties, NGOs and the media. Particular emphasis was given to the advancement of the role of women in political participation and comprehensive support to businesswomen, especially the development of family entrepreneurship.

In her opening speech, Mariyam Akhmedova, First Deputy Minister of Mahalla and Family Affairs of Karakalpakstan, stressed that: “the achievement of social equality is a complex and lengthy process due to the level of social development in the country and its economic potential”. She also noted that by the Government of Uzbekistan recognizes, and is giving close attention to providing opportunities for integrating women into various spheres of life,  and developing and implementing a long-term state policy aimed to increase the social status of women.

In his opening speech,  John MacGregor, OSCE Project Co-ordinator in Uzbekistan, stressed that there are a number of OSCE commitments related to this sphere. He said: “The OSCE recognizes that equal rights of women and men are essential to foster peace, security, and sustainable development. In particular, they relate to improving the economic activity of women, creating jobs for women, strengthening women’s managerial roles, increasing the role of women in government”.

The roundtable is part of the OSCE extra-budgetary project “Support to Women’s Committee of the Republic of Uzbekistan” with the financial support from the Governments of Finland and Norway and a longstanding commitment of the OSCE Project Co-ordinator in Uzbekistan to assist the country in promoting women`s promotion in social, political and economic life.  

478792 OSCE Representative on Freedom of the Media Teresa Ribeiro meeting with Ambassador of Kyrgyzstan Bakyt Dzhusupov, 17 February 2021

On 17 February 2021, the OSCE Representative on Freedom of the Media (RFoM), Teresa Ribeiro, met with Ambassador Bakyt Dzhusupovto to discuss co-operation between the Office of the Representative and the authorities of Kyrgyzstan.

During the meeting, Ribeiro elaborated on the thematic priorities of her tenure and expressed her commitment to assisting the government in implementing the commitments in the field of media freedom.

Dzhusupov reiterated the openness of his government to respecting freedom of the media and an open internet. The Representative and the ambassador exchanged opinions on the issue of social media regulation and the rights of journalists and bloggers. They also discussed plans for future RFoM events in Central Asia.

Ribeiro also referred to the case of blogger Yulia Barabina and the claims of ex-civil servant Rayimbek Matraimov against a number of media outlets. Dzhusupov expressed his willingness to provide further information on the cases.

VIENNA, 18 February 2021 — The OSCE Representative on Freedom of the Media, Teresa Ribeiro, denounced today the prison sentences handed down to journalists Katerina Andreyeva (Bakhvalova) and Darya Chultsova in Belarus.

On 18 February, the Frunzenskiy District Court of Minsk found Andreyeva and Chultsova, journalists with Belsat TV channel, guilty on charges of organizing and preparing activities that grossly violated the public order, and ordered them into confinement for two years in a penal colony. The journalists were detained while covering a public event in Minsk on 15 November 2020.

“Silencing and imprisoning journalists for doing their job is simply unacceptable. Such a regretful development limits the space for public debate and the citizens’ right to freedom of information and, therefore, damages society as a whole,” Ribeiro said. “I hope that the ruling will be fully overturned on appeal, and I urge the Belarusian authorities to refrain from bringing similar charges against media workers in the future.”

The Representative also reiterated her call to the authorities to reverse the negative trend affecting media freedom and journalists’ safety and bring their policies and practices in compliance with their OSCE commitments.

Earlier, on 16 February, Ribeiro expressed her deep concern about the state of media freedom and freedom of expression in Belarus.

SDGs SDGs:  16 - Peace, justice and strong institutions

Summary

• The SMM recorded 13 ceasefire violations in Donetsk region. In the previous reporting period, it recorded ten ceasefire violations in the region.
• The Mission recorded 40 ceasefire violations in Luhansk region. In the previous reporting period, it recorded 29 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 saw weapons in violation of withdrawal lines on both sides of the contact line.
• The SMM observed for the first time ten probable anti-tank mines near non-government-controlled Dokuchaievsk, Donetsk region.
• The Mission facilitated and monitored adherence to localized ceasefires to enable maintenance and operation of critical civilian infrastructure.
• The SMM continued following up on the situation of civilians, including at three entry-exit checkpoints and three corresponding checkpoints of the armed formations in Luhansk region.
• The Mission’s freedom of movement continued to be restricted.*

CHISINAU, 18 February 2021 — OSCE Chairperson-in-Office, Swedish Minister for Foreign Affairs Ann Linde concluded an official visit to the Republic of Moldova on 17 February.

“The OSCE and its mission to Moldova remain vital in bringing the Transdniestrian settlement process closer to its resolution. During my visit, I have been encouraged by the clear messages in support of this process. Still, challenges remain, and small but concrete steps are important to keep us on track,” Linde said.

During her visit, Linde met with President Maia Sandu, Acting Prime Minister and Minister of Foreign Affairs and European Integration, Aureliu Ciocoi, and Deputy Prime Minister for Reintegration, Olga Cebotari. She also met with Transdniestrian leader Vadim Krasnoselsky and Chief Negotiator Vitaly Ignatiev in Bender.

Her talks focused on concrete steps to build trust and real dialogue between the Sides to move the settlement process forward at all levels. She affirmed the Chair’s full support to facilitate the settlement process in line with the principles of independence, sovereignty and territorial integrity of the Republic of Moldova with a special status for Transdniestria.

She also met with her Special Representative on Gender, Liliana Palihovici, and members of civil society working on human rights, gender equality and representatives of free and independent media. The Chairperson-in-Office said she looked forward to working with the Special Representative and the Government of Moldova to make concrete progress on gender equality and the Women, Peace and Security agenda.

The visit also reflects the Swedish Chair’s support for the OSCE engagement in the country, through the OSCE Mission to Moldova and the Special Representative of the OSCE Chairperson-in-Office for the Transdniestrian Settlement Process, Ambassador Thomas Mayr-Harting.

Linde underlined that continued work on full and continuous implementation of the ‘Berlin-plus’ package and development of further joint proposals in the spirit of confidence-building are central to building a solid basis for further advancing the settlement process.

“Progress on key issues, including protection of human rights and freedom of movement, is necessary to improve local living conditions and ensure connectivity on both banks of the Dniester/Nistru River. I am ready to give the political support needed to achieve this progress,” she said.

“The Swedish OSCE Chairpersonship stands ready to convene a result-oriented 5+2 meeting in Stockholm,” Linde concluded.

KYIV, 17 February 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:

“A few days ago, on February 12, six years elapsed from the signing of the Package of Measures for the Implementation of the Minsk Agreements, which, together with the Minsk Protocol and the Minsk Memorandum, constitute the single political framework for the peaceful resolution of the conflict in eastern Ukraine.

Participants of the TCG meetings pledge commitment to the Minsk agreements. Nevertheless, additional efforts and the political will of the sides are still required for their implementation.

Measures to Strengthen the Ceasefire have contributed to a significant reduction of the kinetic activity in the conflict zone, although recently an increase in the number of ceasefire violations has been recorded. This was the subject of discussion at the meeting of the Security Working Group.  

Participants in the Working Group also discussed conditions and procedures to agree on and carry out repair and reconstruction works at critical civilian infrastructure.

The Political Working Group addressed issues related to the implementation of the tasking given by the TCG to develop a draft action plan in full compliance with the Minsk agreements.

I call on the Working Group members to demonstrate political will for compromise and make mutual concessions to bring their positions closer.

The Humanitarian Working Group focused on removing obstacles to the opening and proper functioning of the entry-exit crossing points (EECPs) near Zolote and Shchastia of the Luhansk region.

I count on speedy solutions to outstanding issues, with a view to the simultaneous opening of both EECPs as soon as possible.

During the Working Group's discussions, issues of the mutual release and exchange of conflict-related detainees were also duly considered.

Participants in the Economic Working Group debated current questions of water supplies across the contact line as well as the provision of mobile communications by “Vodafone-Ukraine” in certain areas of Donetsk and Luhansk regions of Ukraine (CADLR).

A possible international inspection of the storage sites of radioactive materials in CADLR was also discussed.”

SDGs SDGs:  16 - Peace, justice and strong institutions

Summary

• The SMM recorded ten ceasefire violations in Donetsk region. In the previous reporting period, it recorded one ceasefire violation in the region.
• The Mission recorded 29 ceasefire violations in Luhansk region. In the previous repoting period, it recorded 26 ceasefire violations in the region.
• An explosion occurred close to an SMM patrol near the disengagement area near Petrivske.
• 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 SMM facilitated and monitored adherence to localized ceasefires to enable maintenance and operation of the Donetsk Filtration Station (DFS). It recorded six ceasefire violations close to the station, near the times when a bus with DFS workers was driving towards the station or Yasynuvata.
• The Mission continued following up on the situation of civilians, including at three entry-exit checkpoints and two corresponding checkpoints of the armed formations in Luhansk region.
• The SMM’s freedom of movement continued to be restricted, including at four checkpoints of the armed formations in non-government-controlled areas in southern Donetsk region.*

478948 Office of the OSCE Representative on Freedom of the Media Ton van den Brandt

On 16 February 2021, the OSCE Representative on Freedom of the Media (RFoM), Teresa Ribeiro, met with Ambassador Ivo Šramek to discuss co-operation of the Office of the Representative with the authorities of the Czech Republic.

During the meeting, Ribeiro addressed a case of hate speech aimed at journalists of Denik Referendum, in the context of their reporting on the pollution of the river Bečva. Šramek reiterated the wish of the Czech Delegation to co-operate with the RFoM Office.

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On 16 February 2021, the OSCE Representative on Freedom of the Media (RFoM), Teresa Ribeiro, met with Ambassador Kairat Umarov to discuss co-operation of the Office of the Representative with the authorities of Kazakhstan.

During the meeting, Ribeiro addressed the problem of journalists’ safety. Umarov on his part raised the issue of liberalization of Article 174 of the Criminal Code, which deals with the stirring of inter-ethnic, racial, religious, regional and social hatred.

Ribeiro welcomed that Umarov referred to a package of reforms launched by the president of the country, which deals, among other things, with decriminalization of defamation, development of laws on access to information, rights of journalists, and application of Article 174 of the Criminal Code. Ribeiro also underlined her interest in visiting the country and providing assistance on media freedom issues in the country.

TBILISI, 17 February 2021 — OSCE Chairperson-in-Office, Swedish Minister for Foreign Affairs Ann Linde concluded on 16 February an official visit to Georgia.  

“I want to reaffirm the OSCE’s strong support for Georgia’s continued commitment to conflict resolution efforts. Contributing to the resolution of conflicts in the OSCE region is a top priority for me as Chairperson-in-Office,” Linde said.

Such challenges to the European security order need to be addressed by adhering to international law and our agreed OSCE principles and commitments, but also by fully utilizing opportunities for dialogue and engagement.

“The OSCE has played an important role in Georgia for a long time and remains actively engaged in bringing the conflict closer to resolution through the Geneva International Discussions and the Incident Prevention and Response Mechanism, as well through projects in all three dimensions of security,” said Linde. She emphasized the importance of the OSCE continuing to provide meaningful support to meet the needs of conflict-affected populations, provide tools for reconciliation and dialogue, as well as to contribute to the consolidation of Georgia’s democratic institutions.

The aim of the Chairperson-in-Office’s visit was to present the priorities of the Swedish OSCE Chairpersonship in 2021 and to reaffirm the OSCE’s strong support to Georgia in our joint work of advancing, promoting, and defending OSCE commitments.

During her visit, Linde met with Georgian President Salome Zourabichvili, Prime Minister Giorgi Gakharia, Vice Prime Minister, Minister for Foreign Affairs David Zalkaliani, and State Minister for Reconciliation and Civic Equality Tea Akhvlediani.

The focus of the talks were on concrete aspects of co-operation, in particular following recent developments in the region, and potential areas in which engagement can be strengthened. Chairperson-in-Office Linde also had meetings with the Chairman of the Parliament of Georgia, members of parliament and the OSCE Parliamentary Assembly, as well as civil society.

“Comprehensive security can only be achieved with the full participation of both women and men. Gender equality is a topic that we have discussed here and I look forward to working together with the government of Georgia to advance the Women, Peace and Security agenda,” Linde said.

Linde, who was accompanied by her Special Representative for the South Caucasus, Ambassador Annika Söder, encouraged further active engagement in the Geneva International Discussions and the Incident Prevention and Response Mechanism, and discussed pertinent issues such as detention cases and missing persons.

“I have visited the administrative boundary line to learn more about the situation on the ground and the current challenges faced by local populations, not least when it comes to freedom of movement of the population on both sides,” she said, stressing the importance of existing platforms to engage in dialogue and achieve improvements for the people most affected by conflict.

SDGs SDGs:  16 - Peace, justice and strong institutions

Summary

• The SMM recorded one ceasefire violation in Donetsk region. In the previous 24 hours, it recorded 12 ceasefire violations in the region.
• The Mission recorded 26 ceasefire violations in Luhansk region. In the previous 24 hours, it recorded 13 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.
• The Mission observed four tanks in violation of withdrawal lines in a non-government-controlled area of Luhansk region.
• 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 three corresponding checkpoints of the armed formations in Donetsk and Luhansk regions.
• The SMM’s freedom of movement continued to be restricted.*

Lilia Rotoloni Mersiha Causevic Podzic Compendium of relevant reference materials and resources on ethical sourcing and prevention of trafficking in human beings for labour exploitation in supply chains: Second updated edition

On 15 February 2021, the Office of the OSCE Special Representative and Co-ordinator for Combating Trafficking in Human Beings, published an interactive online database, compendium of relevant reference materials and resources on ethical sourcing and prevention of trafficking in human beings for labour exploitation in supply chains.

The database contains over 300 resources that users can search for by year, organization, or document type. The online format allows easy access for government officials, businesses, and anti-trafficking practitioners interested in learning about current practices and the latest available tools.

The database will be updated regularly as new resources become available. 

Addressing the demand for cheap goods and services produced by trafficking victims across global supply chains is essential in the prevention of trafficking for forced labour.

The objective of the compendium is to take stock of existing legislation, policies, guidelines, recommendations, reports, studies, and other initiatives developed to better understand and respond to the large-scale problem of trafficking in human beings, through its prevention in supply chains.

VIENNA, 16 February 2021 — The OSCE Representative on Freedom of the Media, Teresa Ribeiro, expressed her serious concern over today’s searches targeting the Belarusian Association of Journalists and other media workers across the country.

According to reports, on the morning of 16 February law enforcement representatives searched the office of the Belarusian Association of Journalists (BAJ), as well as the homes of Oleg Ageev and Boris Goretskiy, the Deputy Chairpersons of BAJ. During the search, the officers seized laptops, telephones, documents and personal money. Law enforcement representatives also searched the apartment of the son of the Chairperson of BAJ, Andrey Bastunets, and seized his laptops and telephones. Other organizations and individuals, including at least three journalists in the cities of Gomel and Mogilev, were also reportedly searched.

The Investigative Committee of the Republic of Belarus reportedly stated that the law enforcement authorities, in order to establish the circumstances around the financing of protest activities, had conducted searches of the premises of several human rights organizations in the course of a criminal investigation related to the gross violation of public order.

“Today’s searches in the office of the Belarusian Association of Journalists, the most prominent media freedom organization in Belarus, and in the homes of its members, is yet another worrying development for media freedom and freedom of expression in the country,” Ribeiro said. “This comes after a series of disturbing prosecutions of media actors and journalistic professionals in the last few months.”  

The Representative noted reports indicating that, since August 2020, around 400 journalists, representing both local and foreign media outlets, have been apprehended and assaulted while fulfilling their professional duties, including covering protests in Minsk and other parts of the country.

“I urgently call on the authorities to reverse this negative trend and bring their policies and practices in compliance with their OSCE commitments regarding media freedom and journalists’ safety,” Ribeiro said. “In 2018, Belarus supported the important Ministerial Council decision on the safety of journalists and joined other participating States in acknowledging that governments have a key role in enabling a safe working environment for journalists.”

Ribeiro further expressed her deep concern for the cases of at least ten journalists and media non-governmental organization representatives who are in detention — some for almost three months — on serious criminal charges. This includes Katerina Borisevich, Katerina Andreyeva, Darya Chultsova, Andrei Alexandrov and Yulia Slutskaya.

“I ask the authorities to carefully review the cases of all arrested journalists and to fully comply with the principles of rule of law. I hope for their rapid release,” Ribeiro said.

“My Office stands ready to provide assistance and expertise in addressing these problematic matters and in improving the media freedom situation and safety of media workers in Belarus,” Ribeiro added.

Moscow/Paris/Washington, 16 February 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 spoke separately by video conference with Armenian Foreign Minister Ara Aivazian and Azerbaijani Foreign Minister Jeyhun Bayramov on 16 February.  The Personal Representative of the OSCE Chairperson-in-Office (PRCiO) Andrzej Kasprzyk also participated in the calls.  

The Co-Chairs engaged with each minister in a lengthy and substantive exchange of views on issues related to the promotion of stability in the region, the modalities of the mediation process, and the role of the PRCiO.  

478672 Office of the OSCE Representative on Freedom of the Media Ton van den Brandt

The OSCE Representative on Freedom of the Media (RFoM), Teresa Ribeiro, met today, 16 February 2021, with Ambassador Andrei Dapkiunas to discuss the state of freedom of expression and media freedom in Belarus.

Ribeiro expressed her serious concerns regarding the negative implications of the latest political developments in the country on the work of media outlets and journalists, particularly pointing out numerous instances of intimidation and harassment of media professionals. She offered her Office’s assistance in providing much-needed support to Belarus in addressing the problematic matters that affect media freedom in the country and the safety of journalists.

Dapkiunas expressed the readiness of the Belarusian authorities to facilitate RFoM’s communication with Belarusian counterparts. He assured Ribeiro that he would look closely into and follow-up on the cases that the RFoM had raised and that he would carefully study the expert recommendations of the RFoM’s Office.

VIENNA, 16 February 2020 – Women’s economic empowerment, through security, stability and sustainable development, particularly during the COVID-19 pandemic, was the focus of the first preparatory meeting of the 2021 OSCE Economic and Environmental Forum; which concluded today. 

Almost 200 experts, representatives of OSCE participating States, business and academic communities and civil society discussed policy and legislative measures that lead to women’s equal economic participation and opportunities. Such as, building women’s human capital, women’s equal participation in the labour market and women’s equal access to economic assets and financial goods and services.

”Gender equality must be central to all decision-making and resource allocation,” said Karin Strandås, State Secretary for Gender Equality at the Swedish Ministry for Employment, representing the OSCE Swedish 2021 Chairpersonship. Strandås underlined the importance of equal opportunities and conditions from a national standpoint: “A top priority for my Government, is that women and men shall have the same opportunities and conditions as regards paid work, which gives economic independence throughout life.”

Ambassador Ulrika Funered, Chairperson of the OSCE Permanent Council, said: “We know that gender equal societies, where human rights are fully enjoyed by all, are more secure with better prospects for sustainable, resilient, and prosperous development. Funered put emphasis on the importance of education. “The pipeline to women’s economic empowerment starts by ensuring access to quality education for girls. Better educated women not only secure brighter future for themselves, they can lift entire households out of poverty.”

The Special Representative of the OSCE Chairperson-in-Office on Gender, Liliana Palihovici emphasized that the economic costs of gender gaps were as big as the potential gains from closing the gaps and stated that “Women’s economic empowerment and removing gender gaps at work should be at the center of national policies for achieving sustainable development.”

OSCE Secretary General Helga Maria Schmid said that over the past year, many crucial challenges, including widespread and persistent inequality in economic opportunities for men and women, have been drifting out of focus. “Inequalities in income distribution, and in access to health, quality education and jobs, as well as a dramatic surge in violence against women and girls during the pandemic, has increased. It is absolutely clear that we have to stop this downward spiral now,” Schmid stated.

“Today we were often reminded that the impact of the COVID-19 pandemic is calling for urgency to turn OSCE commitments into actual policy-relevant actions,” said Vuk Žugić, Co-ordinator of OSCE Economic and Environmental Activities. He added that despite international and OSCE commitments, as well as evidence-based analysis provided by the speakers, the need for greater gender equality still faces resistance. “Economic growth and innovation needs to go hand-in hand with equality and participation,” said Žugić.

The Office of the Co-ordinator of OSCE Economic and Environmental Activities continues to engage in an inclusive dialogue, supporting the efforts of the Swedish Chair in bridging positions towards multilateral engagement and broad-based actions.

Information for Google Short description:  ODIHR concerned about police searches targeting human rights defenders in Belarus

WARSAW, 16 February 2021 – Following a wave of concerted police searches of human rights activists throughout Belarus today, the OSCE Office for Democratic Institutions and Human Rights (ODIHR) voices its utmost concern and calls on the Belarusian authorities to respect the rights of those who seek to protect the rights of their fellow citizens and not to criminalize their legitimate human rights work.

“Human rights defenders in Belarus have long played an important role in promoting the rights of their fellow citizens, despite many challenges. It is therefore very concerning to read reports of what seems to be a concerted effort by the Belarusian authorities to investigate and intimidate them, in connection to the peaceful protests that have been taking place in Belarus for many months. I call on the authorities in Belarus to respect the rights of human rights defenders in line with its OSCE commitments,” said ODIHR Director Matteo Mecacci.

As well as reports that police have broken into homes to confiscate documents and equipment belonging to human rights defenders across the country, reports also indicated that a number have been detained, while the whereabouts of several defenders is unknown. ODIHR continues to call for the release of citizens who have been detained while exercising their rights in recent months and the investigation and prosecution of all those responsible for documented human rights abuses.

ODIHR has raised its concerns about the worsening human rights situation in Belarus since the presidential election of 9 August 2020. All countries across the OSCE region have recognized the need to protect human rights defenders as their work is instrumental to safeguarding human rights and strengthen the democratic process, and have also committed to upholding the right to freedom of peaceful assembly both in law and practice.

SUMMARY

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

OPERATIONAL REMARKS

The OM is currently operating with 22 permanent international Mission members, including the Chief Observer (CO). 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 average number of entries/exits decreased from 6,932 to 6,816 per day at both BCPs compared to last week[1].

During the reporting period, the majority of border crossings were to the Russian Federation, with an average net flow of 50 per day for both BCPs. The Donetsk BCP continued to experience much more traffic than the Gukovo BCP.

Responding to the COVID-19 situation, the host country 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 seven, compared to 14 last week; four persons crossed into the Russian Federation while another three persons crossed into Ukraine. These individuals crossed the border on foot.

Families with a significant amount of luggage

The OTs continued to report on families, sometimes with elderly persons and/or children, crossing the border at both BCPs with a significant amount of luggage, or travelling in heavily loaded cars. During this reporting week, 11 families were observed crossing into the Russian Federation while nine families were observed crossing into Ukraine, compared to the previous reporting period when five families were observed crossing into the Russian Federation and one family was 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 just a slight increase in the overall number of buses crossing the border at both BCPs (278 compared to 277 observed during the previous week). There were 139 buses bound for the Russian Federation and 139 bound for Ukraine.

On some occasions, the OTs noticed the bus drivers removing the itinerary signs from the windshields of their buses, while some buses did not display their route at all. The majority of long-distance buses commuting between the Luhansk region and cities in the Russian Federation had Ukrainian licence plates issued in the Luhansk region.

Trucks

During the reporting period, the OTs observed a decrease in the overall number of trucks crossing the border at both BCPs (697 compared to 777 during the previous reporting week); 393 at the Gukovo BCP and 304 at the Donetsk BCP, 388 of these trucks crossed into the Russian Federation and 309 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 decrease in the overall number of tanker trucks crossing the border at both BCPs (20 compared to 45 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 decreased from 103 to 91. The entire number of 91 scanned trucks (100 per cent) was bound for Ukraine.

Minivans

The OM continued to observe passenger and cargo minivans[2] crossing the border in both directions at both BCPs. The OTs observed minivans predominantly with Ukrainian licence plates issued in the Luhansk region; however, the OTs also saw minivans registered in the Russian Federation. During the reporting period, the OTs observed an increase in the overall number of minivans crossing the border at both BCPs (147 compared to 117 observed during the previous week); 79 crossed into the Russian Federation and another 68 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 24 occasions; the OTs assessed that 15 trains were travelling to the Russian Federation and the remaining nine 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 10 February at 17:50, the OT at the Donetsk BCP observed a Russian Federation police minivan with flashing lights on, entering the BCP from the Russian Federation and parking next to the main building. At 18:05, the police vehicle drove back to the Russian Federation. The OT was unable to observe any other details from its position.

For trends and figures at a glance covering the period from 12 January 2021 to 16 February 2021, please see the attachment here.

[1]Based on data received from the Regional Representation of the Ministry of Foreign Affairs of the Russian Federation for the previous two weeks.

[2]Cargo minivans: light commercial vehicles with a maximum authorized mass of more than 3.5 t and not more than 7.5 t; with or without a trailer with a maximum mass of less than 750 kg (small cargo vehicles which correspond to driving licence C1).

478486 OSCE Representative on Freedom of the Media Teresa Ribeiro meeting with Ambassador of United Kingdom Neil Bush, 8 February 2021 Office of the OSCE Representative on Freedom of the Media Ton van den Brandt

The OSCE Representative on Freedom of the Media (RFoM), Teresa Ribeiro, met on 8 February 2021, with Ambassador Neil Bush to discuss media freedom developments in the UK and the OSCE region.

Ribeiro and Bush spoke about the safety of journalists and the underlying phenomenon of the declining value of journalism and delegitimization of institutions.  Bush mentioned the fact that the UK National Committee for the Safety of Journalists is drafting a national action plan on the safety of journalists.

They also discussed the many aspects of disinformation, including the increasing demand for quality information and the need for increased media literacy as a long-term solution. They agreed that disinformation cannot be fought by further limiting the space for free speech. Instead, a pluralistic, vibrant media landscape is very much needed.

Ribeiro and Bush agreed that ensuring a pluralistic media landscape requires a multilateral approach and that identifying media freedom trends is an important element of the RFoM’s early warning task.

SDGs SDGs:  16 - Peace, justice and strong institutions

Summary

• Between the evenings of 12 and 14 February, the SMM recorded 17 ceasefire violations in Donetsk region. In the previous reporting period, it recorded 20 ceasefire violations in the region.
• Between the evenings of 12 and 14 February, the Mission recorded 13 ceasefire violations in Luhansk region. In the previous reporting period, it recorded four 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.
• The SMM facilitated and monitored adherence to localized ceasefires to enable repairs and operation of critical civilian infrastructure.
• 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 Mission monitored the security situation in south-east Kherson region.
• The SMM’s freedom of movement continued to be restricted, including at checkpoints of the armed formations near Starolaspa, Shevchenko and Lukove, southern Donetsk region.