Central Europe

SUMMARY

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

OPERATIONAL REMARKS

The OM is currently operating with 19 permanent international Mission members, including the Chief Observer (CO). The deployment of newly selected observes was approved by the host country; their arrival is planned from 28 August. 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 applying a self-isolation regime between shifts at the border checkpoints and 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. After the reopening of the host country`s airspace on 1 August, the OM has started with planned leaves in a careful manner.

OBSERVATIONS AT THE BORDER CROSSING POINTS

Persons crossing the border

The profile of persons crossing the border can be categorized as follows:

1. Adults travelling on foot or by car with little or no luggage.
2. Persons in military-style outfits.
3. Families (often including elderly persons and/or children) travelling on foot or by car with a significant amount of luggage.

The average number of entries/exits increased from 10,888 to 11,321 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 248 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. 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, 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 one, compared to two last week. No persons crossed into the Russian Federation while one of the observed crossed into Ukraine. This individual 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 another seven families were observed crossing into Ukraine, compared to the previous reporting period when four families were observed crossing to the Russian Federation, while another six families crossed 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 a slight decrease in the overall number of buses crossing the border at both BCPs (340 compared to 360 observed during the previous week). There were 174 buses bound for the Russian Federation and 166 bound for Ukraine.

Trucks

During the reporting period, the OTs observed a decrease in the overall number of trucks crossing the border at both BCPs (938 compared to 1,033 during the previous reporting week); 462 at the Gukovo BCP and 476 at the Donetsk BCP, 503 of these trucks crossed into the Russian Federation and 435 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 the Russian Federation, Lithuania, Belarus, Ukraine, and trucks with “LPR” plates.

The OTs also continued to observe tanker trucks crossing the border in both directions. During the reporting week, the number of tanker trucks just slightly decreased from 61 to 60. 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.

During the reporting period, the X-ray vehicle at the Donetsk BCP was not operating due to the ongoing ground construction activities and no X-ray checks were observed.

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. Compared to the previous week, the number of cargo minivans decreased from 142 to 137 vehicles, 63 crossed into the Russian Federation and another 74 into Ukraine.

Trains

The OTs continued to pick up the sound of trains on the railway tracks located approximately 150m south-west of the Gukovo BCP. During the reporting week, the OTs heard trains on 38 occasions; the OTs assessed that 20 trains were travelling to the Russian Federation and the remaining 18 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 cars with licence plates registered in Georgia.

On 20 August at 06:53, the OT at the Gukovo BCP observed an ambulance with Russian Federation licence plates entering the BCP from the Russian Federation side and parking in the customs control area. The OT noticed the driver and one medical personnel on board. At 07:17, the ambulance drove back to the Russian Federation.

On 21 August at 09:50, the OT at the Donetsk BCP observed a helicopter type Mi8 flying from the north-west in a north-easterly direction. The helicopter remained inside the airspace of the Russian Federation the entire time it was visible to the OT.

For trends and figures at a glance covering the period from 21 July to 25 August 2020, please see the attachment here.

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

[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).

Summary

• The SMM recorded six ceasefire violations in Donetsk region and none in Luhansk region. In the previous 24 hours, the Mission recorded no ceasefire violations in Donetsk region and one in Luhansk region.
• The SMM continued monitoring the disengagement areas near Stanytsia Luhanska, Zolote and Petrivske. During evening hours, it spotted people inside the latter two disengagement areas.
• The Mission facilitated and monitored adherence to localised ceasefires to enable repairs to and the operation of critical civilian infrastructure.
• The SMM continued following up on the situation of civilians amid the COVID-19 outbreak.
• The Mission’s freedom of movement continued to be restricted including at a checkpoint of the armed formations near Olenivka and at border crossing points near non-government controlled Izvaryne and Sievernyi.*

An OSCE-supported six-day online training seminar on electoral rights of persons with disabilities started on 24 August 2020. The event aims to help participants build their capacity to draw up an individual plan on running for elected office.

The training seminar is organized by the OSCE Programme Office in Nur-Sultan in partnership with the Association of Women with Disabilities “Shyrak” and involves some 45 persons with disabilities from across Kazakhstan.

Participants will learn from national experts about basic human rights concepts, including the right to personal dignity and non-discrimination, national legislation and related mechanisms for implementation of the active and passive electoral rights of persons with disabilities. Particular attention will be paid to electoral technologies and conducting election campaigns.

An expert from the OSCE Office for Democratic Institutions and Human Rights will present a session on the international principles and standards for political participation of people with disabilities and related best practices in the OSCE participating States. The event is part of the Programme Office’s efforts to assist the host country in promoting a more inclusive and participatory society.

Summary

• Between the evenings of 21 and 22 August, the SMM recorded 60 ceasefire violations in Donetsk region (in the previous reporting period, the Mission recorded no ceasefire violations). Between the evenings of 22 and 23 August, the Mission recorded no ceasefire violations in the region.
• Between the evenings of 21 and 22 August, the SMM recorded one ceasefire violation in Luhansk region (in the previous reporting period, the Mission recorded no ceasefire violations). Between the evenings of 22 and 23 August, the Mission recorded one ceasefire violation in the region.
• The SMM continued monitoring the disengagement areas near Stanytsia Luhanska, Zolote and Petrivske.
• The SMM visited three border crossing points in non-government-controlled areas of Donetsk and Luhansk regions.
• The Mission facilitated and monitored adherence to localised ceasefires to enable repairs to and operation of critical civilian infrastructure.
• The SMM continued following up on the situation of civilians amid the COVID-19 outbreak, including at an entry-exit checkpoint and its corresponding checkpoint in Luhansk region.
• The Mission’s freedom of movement continued to be restricted.*

Summary

• The SMM recorded no ceasefire violations in both Donetsk and Luhansk regions (in the previous reporting period, it recorded 153 ceasefire violations in Donetsk region and none in Luhansk region).
• The Mission continued monitoring the disengagement areas near Stanytsia Luhanska, Zolote and Petrivske. An SMM long-range unmanned aerial vehicle observed persons during evening hours inside the disengagement area near Zolote.
• The Mission facilitated and monitored adherence to localised ceasefires to enable repairs to and the operation of critical civilian infrastructure on both sides of the contact line.
• The SMM visited two border crossing points and an area near the border with the Russian Federation, all in non-government-controlled areas of Donetsk region.
• The Mission continued following up on the situation of civilians amid the COVID-19 outbreak, including at entry-exit checkpoints and corresponding checkpoints in Donetsk and Luhansk regions.
• The Mission’s freedom of movement continued to be restricted.*

Summary

• The SMM recorded 153 ceasefire violations in Donetsk region (compared with one in the previous reporting period) and none in Luhansk region (compared with one in the previous reporting period).
• The Mission continued monitoring the disengagement areas near Stanytsia Luhanska, Zolote and Petrivske. An SMM long-range unmanned aerial vehicle observed people during evening and night hours inside the latter two disengagement areas.
• The Mission facilitated and monitored adherence to localised ceasefires to enable repairs to and the operation of critical civilian infrastructure on both sides of the contact line.
• The SMM continued following up on the situation of civilians amid the COVID-19 outbreak, including at an entry-exit checkpoint in Luhansk region.
• The Mission’s freedom of movement continued to be restricted.*

The Ministry of Education and Science of Ukraine has approved new requirements for a Master’s degree programme in law, developed with the assistance of the OSCE Project Co-ordinator in Ukraine. The order issued by the Ministry, on 17 August 2020, (link) enacts the use of the Standard of Higher Education for speciality no. 081 “Law” at Master’s degree level, making it applicable starting from the 2020/2021 academic year.

The document set the requirements to provide the due quality of Masters Programmes. In particular, it lists competencies the Master’s in Law should obtain and outlines criteria for evaluation of the results of the studies. It establishes ways to assess and certify students’ knowledge, inter alia, through the Unified State Qualification Exam. The Standard will be used for evaluation of law faculties, notably in the process of certification of universities and their educational programmes.

On average, over 7,000 students graduate annually from Ukraine’s universities with a Master of Law diploma, so the Standard will contribute to improving the quality of education for a new generation of legal professionals, thus strengthening rule of law and the protection of human rights in the country.

The OSCE Project Co-ordinator facilitated expert discussions for the elaboration of the Standard in 2019 and provided experts to finalize its text.

The OSCE Mission to Bosnia and Herzegovina (BiH) concluded a series of online courses on reporting on terrorism, preventing terrorism and countering violent extremism that lead to terrorism (P/C VERLT) on 21 August 2020. The series was developed for representatives of electronic and print media in BiH.

Journalists and media professionals had the opportunity to engage in active discussions on the latest trends, challenges and standards in reporting on violent extremism and terrorism in the modern media landscape.

The online courses elaborated on the importance of the Guidelines for reporting on violent extremism and terrorism that launched in December 2019 as well as the compatibility with other existing journalistic standards.

Key terms and definitions, as well as the implementation of the Guidelines in practice, were discussed, along with examples of terrorism and violent extremism reporting in the region. Participants also discussed the most common challenges faced by journalists in BiH when reporting on these sensitive issues, the significance of responsible and professional reporting, and other useful resources.

“Journalists and editors certainly face significant challenges when reporting on terrorism and violent extremism,” said Selma Zekovic, OSCE Mission to BiH National Chief of P/C VERLT.  “On one side, they need to factually report about the events that have taken place, while on the other, they need to carefully consider if their report inadvertently contributes to the goal of the perpetrators – contributing to further polarization of society, as well as the spread of panic and fear.”

According to senior journalist and presenter Adnan Rondic, one of the courses’ lecturers, the interest of BiH journalists in reporting on terrorism and violent extremism has shown its significance even during the pandemic. “The Guidance, jointly prepared by the OSCE Mission and Press Council in BiH, has received the undivided attention of media professionals who, in addition to all challenges and objective impediments in reporting, fully understand how the global phenomena like terrorism and violent extremism affect both security circumstances and political relations in this part of the world,” said Rondic.

The online courses served as a platform to share experiences, best practices and contribute to the professional development of journalists and media professionals, thus helping to prevent intolerance and society divisions. This is important for the country’s stability and for the strengthening of the media. This is part of several programmes implemented by the OSCE Mission to BiH aimed at promoting freedom of the media and countering violent extremism in BiH.

An OSCE-supported online seminar on protecting the private life and personal data was organized by the OSCE Programme Office in Nur-Sultan on 20 August 2020 in Nur-Sultan.

The event focused on national legislation and international standards regulating the protection of private life and personal data, as well as international and national court practices in this field. Discussions also covered the right to personal image and legal risks in the usage of video and images.

Some 60 participants from the media community, academia, civil society, diplomatic corps, as well as lawyers attended the event. They were able to submit questions to the experts that were addressed in real time.

The event is part of the Programme Office’s activities aimed at promoting media development and freedom of expression in line with OSCE principles and commitments.

More than 100 representatives of the Bishkek city's law enforcement agencies took part in the OSCE-supported three-week online training course on 17 August 2020 in Bishkek. The course focused on how to prepare and ensure safety and lawfulness during the upcoming 4 October parliamentary elections in Kyrgyzstan. 

Kyrgyzstan’s Central Commission for Elections and Referenda (CEC) and the "Civic Platform" public foundation organized the course, entitled “Elections to the National Parliament in 2020: The Role of Law Enforcement Agencies in Developing Measures and Reacting to Electoral Legislation Violations”, with the support of the OSCE Programme Office in Bishkek and UNDP. In the coming weeks, a series of similar online training courses will be held throughout the country.

These courses aim to enhance efforts to ensure public security, especially in time of the COVID-19 pandemic. Participants also gain a better understanding of the rule of law, and safe electoral processes, as well as the legislation changes recently made by the national parliament, Zhogorku Kenesh.

Nurzhan Shaildabekova, Chairperson of the CEC, said: "The CEC has developed an algorithm of actions to ensure sanitary and epidemiological safety to protect the health of citizens during the organization and conduct of the elections. The course is also focused on countering the use of administrative resources and vote buying,” added Shalbadekova.

Participants discussed the important role the Rapid Response Coordination Groups (RRCG) play in the electoral processes, the principles of lawfulness, publicity and openness, and in accordance with the international standards.

The RRCG consists of the central and territorial electoral commissions and representatives of law enforcement bodies. It is formed during preparation and conduct of elections to co-ordinate efficient response to electoral legislation violations and to inform citizens on measures taken.  

Lawfulness and security, and timely and effective response to violations are an inseparable part of democratic elections. Therefore, the knowledge representatives of law enforcement agencies obtained at these courses will contribute towards creating and maintaining public order during the 2020 parliamentary and 2021 local council elections. 

WARSAW, 21 August 2020 – On the eve of the International Day Commemorating the Victims of Acts of Violence Based on Religion or Belief, the OSCE Office for Democratic Institutions and Human Rights (ODIHR) calls for better use to be made of the advantages that digital technologies can offer, as well as a greater emphasis on countering hatred online.   

Digital technologies can play an integral role in celebrating and upholding freedom of religion or belief when harnessed for outreach and dialogue. At the same time, the rise in intolerant discourse and hate speech directed at religious or belief communities during the Covid-19 pandemic demonstrates the risk of the digital space becoming a forum for incitement to discrimination, hostility or violence on grounds of religion or belief.

Governments, civil society and religious or belief communities can engage in the digital sphere to foster mutual respect, understanding and inclusion. Increased digitalization can go a long way towards addressing systemic inequalities and barriers, while digital tools can also help those who have been fearful in the past of participating publicly in religious activities or admitting their membership of a particular community. At the same time, civil society can tap into the potential of the digital space to streamline and synergize its efforts, which increasingly depend on new technologies when faced with limited resources, increased workload and decreased capacity, especially during the pandemic.

Freedom of religion or belief is a fundamental human right that stipulates every human being has the right to have or to adopt a religion or belief, manifest it, convert to another religion or belief, or not believe at all. Cultural, religious and belief diversity are therefore at the heart of this universal human right. The primary responsibility for safeguarding human rights and combating intolerance and discrimination – both offline and online – rests with governments. However, religious or belief communities, as well as civil society organizations and indeed the social media companies themselves, have an important role to play in supporting the promotion and protection of human rights. Intolerance and hatred do not only undermine human rights, but generate mistrust and can eventually endanger social cohesion and security.

ODIHR integrates digital technologies into its work to assist countries across the OSCE to uphold their commitments on freedom of religion or belief as well as tolerance and non-discrimination.  ODIHR’s work in this area centres on the needs of victims to ensure that all religious or belief communities receive targeted assistance, support and protection that helps them when and where it is required.

Summary

• The SMM recorded one ceasefire violation in Donetsk region (compared with two in the previous reporting period) and one in Luhansk region (compared with none in the previous reporting period).
• The Mission continued monitoring the disengagement areas near Stanytsia Luhanska, Zolote and Petrivske. An SMM long-range unmanned aerial vehicle observed people during evening and night hours inside the latter two disengagement areas.
• The SMM observed mines on both sides of the contact line in Donetsk region, some of which were seen for the first time.
• The Mission facilitated and monitored adherence to localised ceasefires to enable repairs to and the operation of critical civilian infrastructure.
• The SMM continued following up on the situation of civilians amid the COVID-19 outbreak, including at entry-exit checkpoints and a corresponding checkpoint in Luhansk region.
• The Mission’s freedom of movement continued to be restricted.*

The OSCE Mission to Bosnia and Herzegovina supported the Brcko District Government in developing an online register of public employees and appointees.

The register, launched on 20 August 2020, is a further step towards ensuring the transparent use of public funds in the District and through it building the citizens’ trust in Brcko District institutions. 

The register, when fully updated, will, among other things, enable access to financial data on employees of the District’s public administration and institutions, persons appointed to conduct public functions along with appointments to oversight and steering bodies, committees and working groups.  To ensure its accuracy and integrity, the register is expected to be regularly updated.

The Mission has been providing support to both legislative and executive structures in BiH to strengthen their anti-corruption efforts. To that end, the Mission has maximized the potential of digital technologies to prevent corruption with Brčko District of BiH being the latest example.  

The OSCE Mission to BiH remains committed to assisting the District to take additional steps to strengthen the transparent and responsible use of budget funds for the benefit of the citizens of the Brčko District as a community.

KYIV, 20 August  2020 – 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 participants of today’s TCG meeting unanimously noted that the "Measures to strengthen the ceasefire" agreed upon by them four weeks ago, have been working successfully.

Since the entry into force of the “Measures” on 27 July 2020, the numbers of ceasefire violations have dropped to the lowest level ever recorded by the OSCE Special Monitoring Mission.

The security situation in the conflict zone has improved significantly, which in turn has had a positive impact on the civilians’ daily life.

This proves once again that concrete results can be achieved provided there is political will.

I encourage the sides to continue making all necessary efforts to keep a sustainable and comprehensive ceasefire.

In addition to this topic, participants of the meeting of the Security Working Group were engaged in developing an updated demining plan. They came close to agreement upon twenty demining areas, including areas near the entry-exit crossing points. I call on the participants of the TCG meeting to sign and implement this agreement without further conditions. Let us not forget that this is a matter of human lives.

The Economic Working Group discussed current issues of water supplies in certain areas of Donetsk and Luhansk regions of Ukraine, as well as environmental matters, focusing on the environmental condition of coal mines on both sides of the line of contact.

The discussions of the Humanitarian Working Group focused on the mutual release and exchange of conflict-related detainees. All those responsible shall demonstrate goodwill to reach an early agreement on this issue.

In addition, participants discussed in a constructive spirit the technical possibility of delivering humanitarian cargo in the Luhansk region across the line of contact.

The discussion of the Political Working Group was mainly devoted to the Resolution of the Verkhovna Rada of Ukraine No. 795-IX "On the appointment of regular local elections in 2020". I regret that, for this reason, participants were unable to discuss the issues on the agenda, aimed at the implementation of the Minsk Agreements”.

Summary

• The SMM recorded two ceasefire violations in Donetsk region (compared with none in the previous reporting period) and none in Luhansk region (compared with three in the previous reporting period).
• The Mission continued monitoring the disengagement areas near Stanytsia Luhanska, Zolote and Petrivske. The SMM recorded an explosion inside the disengagement area near Petrivske, and SMM long-range unmanned aerial vehicles observed people during evening and night hours inside the disengagement areas near Zolote and Petrivske.
• The SMM facilitated and monitored adherence to localised ceasefires to enable the maintenance and operation of critical civilian infrastructure.
• The Mission continued following up on the situation of civilians amid the COVID-19 outbreak, including at entry-exit checkpoints and corresponding checkpoints in Donetsk and Luhansk regions.
• The SMM’s freedom of movement continued to be restricted.*

KYIV, 19 August 2020 – The OSCE Special Monitoring Mission (SMM) to Ukraine refutes recent media reports falsely alleging that an SMM monitoring officer has tested positive for COVID-19.

The monitoring officer in question, in line with SMM medical protocols related to movement across the contact line, did in fact undergo 14-day self-isolation and take a PCR test immediately prior to crossing the contact line, which gave a negative result. He also underwent an additional rapid test on the 14th day of his crossing of the line of contact, which again proved negative. On the 18th day of his stay in non-government-controlled areas, on precautionary medical grounds, he was relocated to a government-controlled area, where he underwent another PCR test on 13 August; the result is negative.

The SMM applies rigorous preventative measures to contain the spread of COVID-19. The Mission will continue to adhere to all measures in place both to protect its own staff and to minimize risk to the local population. It expects that those in control will apply similarly rigorous preventative measures to protect people, including SMM monitoring officers, living and working in areas not controlled by the Government. SMM measures to contain the virus are not taken in a vacuum, and must be complemented by efforts at a wider societal level.

WARSAW, 19 August 2020 – Following the large-scale arrests of peaceful protestors in Belarus together with disturbing reports of violent physical abuse, the OSCE Office for Democratic Institutions and Human Rights (ODIHR) calls for the immediate release of all those who have been unlawfully detained and a prompt and impartial investigation into alleged human rights abuses.

ODIHR is greatly alarmed by the arbitrary arrests and allegations of torture and other forms of ill-treatment at the hands of the Belarusian authorities, with detainees held incommunicado and denied access to medical treatment and legal advice. ODIHR is particularly concerned over reported instances of sexual and gender-based violence, including threats of rape, and emphasizes that the prohibition of torture and other ill-treatment is absolute. ODIHR calls on the authorities to immediately cease all practices that amount to torture. Any perpetrators of human rights violations must be brought to justice and victims provided with appropriate redress.

At the same time, ODIHR deeply regrets the lack of effective response to the credible reports of widespread irregularities and maladministration during the presidential election on 9 August. The authorities of Belarus are urged to take immediate steps to address the lack of impartiality of the election administration at all levels, which previous ODIHR election observations have found to be under government control. Any instance of malpractice should be thoroughly investigated, and effective remedy for all violations must be ensured. To prevent future misconduct in this area, ODIHR reiterates a longstanding recommendation to Belarus to reform the appointment procedures of all election commissions, with the aim of increasing their independence, impartiality and effectiveness.

While reminding Belarus of the need to come in line with its human rights commitments, ODIHR reiterates the need for dialogue. Like all countries of the OSCE region, Belarus has committed to upholding the right to freedom of peaceful assembly, as well as ensuring the safety of human rights defenders and journalists and their ability to work without police interference.

ODIHR is closely watching the unfolding events in Belarus from all the areas covered by its mandate. With its decades of experience and expertise in observing elections and monitoring human rights in countries throughout the OSCE, ODIHR looks forward to playing a role in strengthening democracy and human rights in Belarus for the benefit of everyone living there.

COPENHAGEN, 19 August 2020 – In the first OSCE PA election observation activity since the coronavirus outbreak last spring, a limited number of OSCE parliamentarians will deploy to Montenegro for the 30 August parliamentary elections. OSCE PA Vice-President Margareta Cederfelt (Sweden) has been nominated to be the Special Co-ordinator of the Special Limited Election Observation Mission (SLEOM), which will include some 12 observers. The PA observers will work closely with the Limited Election Observation Mission deployed by the OSCE Office for Democratic Institutions and Human Rights.

“The 30 August elections are important not only for Montenegro’s democratic development and its international aspirations, but also as a marker for Europe’s gradual reopening from the coronavirus lockdown,” Cederfelt said. “As observers, we look forward to seeing how Montenegro is working to ensure the conduct of elections in line with OSCE commitments while protecting public health.”

She added that the presence of international observers is a sign of solidarity with the people of Montenegro.

OSCE PA Secretary General Roberto Montella noted the challenging circumstances of organizing the SLEOM within the context of health concerns, travel restrictions and mandatory quarantine requirements in some countries.

“As our first election observation activity since the COVID-19 pandemic hit the world, the OSCE PA International Secretariat is taking every precaution to ensure the safety of our members and others,” Montella said. “As the OSCE PA begins the process of resuming our normal activities, we will pay very close attention to relevant developments and will make adjustments as needed.”

The SLEOM will be limited to observation in Podgorica and is expected to include a number of Bureau members. The elections will be assessed on their compliance with democratic commitments laid out in the OSCE Copenhagen Document. It will be the eighth time the OSCE PA has observed an election in Montenegro. Previous statements on Montenegrin elections are available here.

An OSCE-supported online training seminar on the filling out and use of the Protocol on the Pollutant Release and Transfer Register (PRTR) for some 45 private and civil sector representatives in the Karaganda region took place on 18 August 2020.

The event is the first in a series of four seminars organized by the OSCE Programme Office in Nur-Sultan in partnership with the Karaganda Regional Ecological Museum Public Fund (Ecomuzey). Three more events will be conducted by the end of this year.The event focused on existing national legislation, obligations under the PRTR Protocol and the practical aspects of launching pollutants monitoring system in Kazakhstan.

Speakers from Ecomuzey and Kazakhstan’s Ministry of Ecology, Geology and Natural Resources familiarized business sector representatives with the procedural aspects of submitting emissions data to the government’s authorized body. Participants also learned about the methodology for calculating pollutants and entering it into the government-developed online reporting portal.

The PRTR Protocol to the Aarhus Convention was adopted in 2003 in Kyiv and is a legally binding instrument that requires parties to establish publicly accessible registers containing information on the release and transfer of pollutants. In 2019, Kazakhstan acceded to the UNECE Protocol on PRTR to the Convention on Access to Information, Public Participation in Decision-making and Access to Justice in Environmental Matters (Aarhus Convention), becoming the thirty-seventh Party to the Protocol. Kazakhstan is the first country in Central Asia to accede to the Protocol.

The training seminar is part of the Programme Office’s long-standing efforts to promote international standards of the Aarhus Convention in Kazakhstan.

Summary

• The SMM recorded no ceasefire violations in Donetsk region (compared with 108 in the previous 24 hours) and three in Luhansk region (compared with none in the previous 24 hours).
• The Mission continued monitoring the disengagement areas near Stanytsia Luhanska, Zolote and Petrivske. Inside the disengagement area near Zolote, an SMM long-range unmanned aerial vehicle observed a person during evening hours.
• The Mission visited two border crossing points in non-government-controlled areas of Luhansk region.
• The SMM facilitated and monitored adherence to localised ceasefires to enable the maintenance and operation of critical civilian infrastructure.
• The Mission continued following up on the situation of civilians amid the COVID-19 outbreak, including at entry-exit checkpoints and corresponding checkpoints in Donetsk and Luhansk regions.
• The SMM’s freedom of movement continued to be restricted, including at a border crossing point near non-government controlled Izvaryne.*