Central Europe

VIENNA / TIRANA, 10 August 2020 – Albania’s OSCE Chairmanship has expressed concern about developments in Belarus following the presidential elections held on 9 August, which the OSCE’s Office for Democratic Institutions and Human Rights was unable to observe. The Chairmanship has been following reports of protests and the use of force against protesters as well as detentions and obstruction of the work of journalists and media.

The Albanian Chairmanship urges full respect for OSCE commitments, including the right to peaceful assembly, and called for all sides to show restraint at this critical time. The Chairmanship will continue to follow developments closely.

Summary

• From 00:01 on 27 July until the end of the reporting period, the SMM has so far recorded a total of 256 ceasefire violations.
• In the reporting period, the Mission recorded no ceasefire violations in both Donetsk and Luhansk regions, for the second time since it began systematic data collection.
• The Mission continued monitoring the disengagement areas near Stanytsia Luhanska, Zolote and Petrivske. Inside the disengagement area near Petrivske, an SMM long-range UAV observed people during evening hours.
• 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 in Donetsk and Luhansk regions.
• The SMM’s freedom of movement continued to be restricted, including in non-government-controlled Donetsk city*

COPENHAGEN, 7 August 2020 - On the somber occasion of the 12th anniversary of the conflict erupted in August 2008, between Russian and Georgian forces, senior OSCE Parliamentary Assembly officials condemned the ongoing deterioration of  the security, human rights and the humanitarian situation in the occupied territories of Georgia and reaffirmed its full support for the sovereignty and territorial integrity of Georgia within its internationally recognized borders. 

Expressing deep concern that the aftermath of the conflict still affects health and lives of the conflict-affected population, in particular during the challenging time of the global COVID-19 pandemic, congressman Richard Hudson (United States), Costel Neculai Dunava (MP, Romania), and Laurynas Kasciunas (MP, Lithuania), the Chair, Vice-Chair and Rapporteur of the OSCE PA's General Committee on Political Affairs and Security, released the following statement: 

“We recognize the necessity of ending the Russian Federation’s occupation and peacefully restoring respect for the sovereignty and territorial integrity of Georgia within its internationally recognized borders. We once again underline the importance of reconciliation and confidence-building between the communities divided by war and the occupation line.”

The PA leaders recalled the 2019 Luxemburg Declaration Resolution on the Security and Human Rights Situation in Abkhazia, Georgia, And The Tskhinvali Region/South Ossetia, Georgia and urged the Russian Federation to uphold the fundamental norms and principles of international law and reverse its illegal decision on the recognition of the so-called independence of the occupied territories of Georgia. 

The PA leaders also expressed deep concern that the EU Monitoring Mission, which remains the only international monitoring mechanism in Georgia since the closure of the relevant OSCE and UN missions, is continuously being denied access to the occupied regions. “We express our support for the EUMM as a critical tool for information exchange and following up on incidents that impact the communities”.  

In light of the 96th Incident Prevention and Response Mechanism (IPRM), co-facilitated by Ambassador Marek Szczygieł, Head of the EU Monitoring Mission in Georgia (EUMM) and Ambassador Rudolf Michalka, Special Representative of the OSCE Chairperson-in-Office for the South Caucasus, which took place in Ergneti on the 30th of July, the PA leaders also welcomed the participants’ commitment to resume the regular dialogue in the IPRM format.

“We also express our hope for the Geneva International Discussion to resume as soon possible, in order to continue the constructive and result-oriented discussions aimed at achieving tangible results in this format.” 

An OSCE-supported online seminar on access to information and open data was organized by the OSCE Programme Office in Nur-Sultan on 7 August 2020.

The presentation focused on legislation on access to information, different categories of information, protection of the right for access to information and transparency and accountability issues, as well as search and use of open data.

Some 30 representatives from the media community, academia, civil society and lawyers attended the event.

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.

The OSCE Programme Office in Dushanbe donated thermal cameras (CCTV cameras) to the Tajik Border Troops on 4 August 2020 in Dushanbe. The donated equipment will increase the technical capacity of the Tajik Border Troops to better detect and seize illicit items at the Tajik-Afghan green border and prevent illegal cross-border movements.

The provided assistance is also expected to assist Tajik authorities in tackling the challenges of migration and transnational organized crime in particular. To ensure the sustainable use of the equipment, the Office plans to train Tajik border officers on the use of the surveillance system.

In addition, the OSCE Programme Office in Dushanbe handed over 25 travel kits to the Special Unit of the Tajik Border Troops, which will help them in conducting effective field operation activities.

Summary

• The SMM recorded five ceasefire violations in Donetsk region and none in Luhansk region. (In the previous reporting period the Mission recorded no ceasefire violations in both Donetsk and Luhansk regions).
• From 00:01 on 27 July until the end of the reporting period, the SMM has so far recorded a total of 256 ceasefire violations.
• The Mission continued monitoring the disengagement areas near Stanytsia Luhanska, Zolote and Petrivske. Inside the latter two areas, an SMM long-range UAV observed people during evening and night hours.
• The SMM observed anti-tank mines near Luhanske, Lohvynove and Berezove, some for the first time.
• The SMM facilitated and monitored adherence to localised ceasefires to enable the maintenance and 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 in Donetsk and Luhansk regions.
• The Mission’s freedom of movement continued to be restricted.*

Summary

• From 00:01 on 27 July until the end of the reporting period, the SMM has so far recorded a total of 251 ceasefire violations.
• For the first time since the Mission began systematic data collection, in the reporting period, it recorded no ceasefire violations in both Donetsk and Luhansk regions.
• An SMM long-range unmanned aerial vehicle (UAV) spotted, during evening hours, three trucks and a minivan driving on a dirt road in a non-government-controlled area of Donetsk region near the border with the Russian Federation where there are no border crossing facilities.
• The Mission continued monitoring the disengagement areas near Stanytsia Luhanska, Zolote and Petrivske. Inside the latter two areas, an SMM long-range UAV observed people during evening and night hours.
• The SMM facilitated and monitored adherence to localised ceasefires to enable the repairs to, maintenance and operation of critical civilian infrastructure.
• The Mission visited four border crossing points in non-government-controlled areas of Donetsk and Luhansk regions.
• 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, including near Korsun and Kreminets, and at a border crossing point near non-government controlled Izvaryne.*

As part of the OSCE Mission to Montenegro’s technical support to the media, the Mission donated seven state-of-the-art mobile journalism sets to the public service broadcaster, Radio Television of Montenegro (RTCG), on 6 August 2020 in Podgorica.

The donated equipment included smartphones with stands, mobile interview kits with microphones, tripod kits and accompanying technical add-ons for the efficient use of the equipment.

Maryse Daviet, Head of the OSCE Mission to Montenegro, said that the quality of reporting, proximity and speed has become essential for providing citizens with relevant news and information. “Strong technical capacities of the media outlets are a prerequisite. The Mission supports pluralistic, independent and professional media in their efforts to be competitive in a fast changing digital market and to play a constructive role in the exchange of opinions and ideas,” she said.

The mobile journalism equipment will enable journalists to conduct interviews, film and edit material on one device. Mobile journalism is an innovative approach to produce news stories quickly and efficiently, while maintaining production quality and meeting newsroom deadlines.

In May, the Mission delivered ten new desktop computers to the news outlet Vijesti and plans further assistance to other Montenegrin media outlets.

“We will continue supporting Montenegrin media houses in line with OSCE commitments and principles,” said Daviet.

Summary

• The SMM recorded three ceasefire violations in Donetsk region (compared with none in the previous reporting period) and two ceasefire violations in Luhansk region (compared with three in the previous reporting period).
• From 00:01 on 27 July until the end of the reporting period, the SMM recorded a total of 251 ceasefire violations.
• The Mission continued monitoring the disengagement areas near Stanytsia Luhanska, Zolote and Petrivske. Inside the latter two areas, an SMM long-range UAV observed people during evening and night hours.
• The Mission facilitated and monitored adherence to localised ceasefires to enable repairs to as well as the maintenance 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 in Luhansk region.
• The Mission’s freedom of movement continued to be restricted.*

PODGORICA, 5 August 2020 – The OSCE Office for Democratic Institutions and Human Rights (ODIHR) today opened an observation mission for the 30 August parliamentary elections in Montenegro, following an invitation from the national authorities.

The mission is led by Tamás Meszerics and consists of a core team of 11 experts based in Podgorica and 10 long-term observers, who will be deployed throughout the country from 11 August.  

The mission will assess the parliamentary elections for their compliance with OSCE commitments and other international obligations and standards for democratic elections, as well as with national legislation. Observers will closely monitor the work of the election administration and relevant government bodies, campaign activities, election-related legislation and its implementation, and the resolution of election-related disputes. They will also assess the implementation of previous ODIHR election recommendations.

In the course of its observation, the mission will meet representatives from state authorities and political parties, and with candidates, as well as with representatives from civil society, the media and the international community.

Due to the health emergency caused by the COVID-19 pandemic and the related travel restrictions, ODIHR is not able to deploy short-term observers ahead of the 30 August elections as originally planned. The format of the observation activity has therefore been adjusted to a Limited Election Observation Mission (LEOM), which will include long-term observers based around the country. While mission members will visit a limited number of polling stations on election day, there will not be any systematic observation of voting, counting or tabulation of results.

An interim report will be published to update the public and media during the course of the observation. The day after the elections, ODIHR’s preliminary findings and conclusions will be presented at a press conference. ODIHR will issue a final report on the observation approximately eight weeks after the end of the electoral process.

The ODIHR LEOM and the OSCE Mission in Montenegro operate separately under their specific mandates.

For further information, please contact: 

Lauren Baranowska, ODIHR: lauren.baranowska@odihr.pl or +48 695 916 998

and Elma Šehalić, Media Analyst for Election Observation Mission: elma.sehalic@odihr.me or +382 68829413

The OSCE Centre in Ashgabat organized an online roundtable discussion on gender mainstreaming in border and security management from 3 to 5 August 2020. The event brought together representatives of the State Border, Customs and Migration Services of Turkmenistan, and was held as part of an extra-budgetary project on strengthening the capacities of the State Border Service of Turkmenistan. The roundtable aimed to acquaint participants with best international practices in promoting gender aspects in law enforcement activities.

Opening the event, Natalya Drozd, Head of the OSCE Centre in Ashgabat, said: “In support of and alignment with the National Action Plan of Turkmenistan on Gender Equality, the Centre regularly organizes events to provide an effective platform for the exchange of experiences on integrating a gender perspective in border management and other law enforcement bodies.”

“Considering a multi-stakeholder approach to this National Action Plan, the Centre closely partners with various ministries and agencies of the host country, thereby promoting cross-sectoral gender mainstreaming. The participation of the representatives of three law enforcement agencies and national experts from the Ministry of Labour and Social Protection of Population, the Institute of State, Law and Democracy and the Women's Union at this event is an example of multi-stakeholders’ involvement in gender mainstreaming.”

OSCE and international experts on gender, as well as national experts, facilitated the event. OSCE experts from the Secretariat, the Office for Democratic Institutions and Human Rights and the Border Management Staff College presented the Organization’s Action Plan for the Promotion of Gender Equality and its integration into border management, international conventions relevant to gender mainstreaming as well as practical examples of a gender-sensitized approach in border security education.

International experts discussed global trends in border management and organizational, structural and cultural levels of integrating a gender perspective in border management as well as a gender-sensitive employment policy in the security sector.

National experts acquainted the participants with the National Action Plan of Turkmenistan on Gender Equality, relevant national legislation, and the main priorities of the national employment policy pertaining to women.

The training was organized with financial support of the Government of Germany. 

Summary

• The SMM recorded no ceasefire violations in Donetsk region (compared with one in the previous 24 hours) and three ceasefire violations in Luhansk region (compared with two in the previous 24 hours).
• From 00:01 on 27 July until the end of the reporting period, the SMM recorded a total of 246 ceasefire violations.
• The Mission continued monitoring the disengagement areas near Stanytsia Luhanska, Zolote and Petrivske. Inside the latter two areas, an SMM long-range UAV observed people during evening and night hours.
• The Mission facilitated and monitored adherence to localised ceasefires to enable repairs to as well as maintenance and operation of critical civilian infrastructure.
• The Mission visited a border crossing point in non-government-controlled areas of Donetsk region.
• The SMM 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

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 staff members, including the Chief Observer (CO). Three selected observers are waiting for their deployment, postponed according to the host country`s recommendation. 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.

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 8,556 to 9,330 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 290 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 six, compared to seven last week. One person crossed into the Russian Federation and another five 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, one family was observed crossing into the Russian Federation while no families were observed crossing into Ukraine, compared to the previous reporting period when eight families were observed crossing to the Russian Federation, while another three 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 significant increase in the overall number of buses crossing the border at both BCPs (298 compared to 137 observed during the previous week). There were 160 buses bound for the Russian Federation and 138 bound for Ukraine.

Among the bus connections observed by the OTs, the following “irregular” routes or destinations were noted: Luhansk-Yalta and Luhansk-Simferopol.

Trucks

During the reporting period, the OTs observed a slight decrease in the overall number of trucks crossing the border at both BCPs (847 compared to 897 during the previous reporting week); 429 at the Gukovo BCP and 418 at the Donetsk BCP, 474 of these trucks crossed into the Russian Federation and 373 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 decreased from 58 to 42. 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. 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 increased from 122 to 141 vehicles, 73 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 17 occasions; the OTs assessed that nine trains were travelling to the Russian Federation and the remaining eight 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 Poland, Kazakhstan and Georgia.

On 28 July at 20:50, the OT at the Donetsk BCP observed two minivans with “LPR” plates entering the BCP from the Russian Federation and parking at the customs control area. The minivans had the sign "LPR Post" displayed on the sides (in Russian). After undergoing border control procedures, the minivans crossed into Ukraine.

On 30 July at 06:37, the ninety-fifth[3] Russian convoy arrived at the Donetsk Border Crossing Point (BCP). A total of nine vehicles were checked by Russian Federation border guards and customs officers prior to their crossing into Ukraine. All nine vehicles had crossed back into the Russian Federation by 11:47 on 30 July. (See OM Spot Report of 30 July 2020: https://www.osce.org/observer-mission-at-russian-checkpoints-gukovo-and-donetsk/458479).

For trends and figures at a glance covering the period from 30 June to 4 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).             

[3] Based on the Observer Mission’s counting, this convoy is considered the ninety-fifth convoy that has crossed into Ukraine through the “Donetsk” or “Gukovo” BCPs. However, so far all these convoys crossed through the “Donetsk” BCP.

The OSCE Programme Office in Dushanbe provided practical assistance items worth of 50,000 euro to its partners in Tajik ministries, law enforcement agencies, local executive bodies and civil society in order to strengthen efforts to address the COVID-19 pandemic. The Office delivered and handed the items over to its partners in the Dushanbe, Sughd, Rasht, Gorno-Badakhshan Autonomous and Khatlon regions from 22 July to 4 August 2020.

The assistance was in the form of protective gear and sanitizing supplies, and included non-contact infrared thermometers, medical face masks, medical examination gloves, sanitizing liquid, anti-bacterial wipes, personal protective overalls and anti-bacterial soaps. 

“The OSCE stands ready to further support its Tajik partners to contain and prevent the spread of COVID-19 in Tajikistan through its tailored programmatic activities and donation of personal protective equipment. We believe that by co-operating together we can fight the coronavirus in Tajikistan more effectively, save lives and mitigate the consequences of the pandemic in the country,” said Ambassador Valeriu Chiveri, Head of the OSCE Programme Office in Dushanbe.

It is the third round of COVID-19-related practical assistance provided by the OSCE Programme Office to its partners in Tajikistan with overall donation worth of 200,000 euro. In April, the Office provided medical equipment and disinfection supplies to Tajikistan’s Ministry of Health and Social Protection and the Committee of Emergency Situation and Civil Defence of Tajikistan. In the beginning of July, the Office also assisted the local administrations of the Khatlon, Sughd, Gorno-Badakhshan Autonomous and Rasht regions, as well as civil society partners by providing personal protective equipment.

Summary

• Compared with the previous reporting period, between the evenings of 31 July and 1 August, the SMM recorded 15 ceasefire violations in Donetsk region (compared with nine during the previous reporting period) and no ceasefire violations in Luhansk region (compared with 93 during the previous reporting period).
• Between the evenings of 1 and 2 August, the SMM recorded one ceasefire violation in Donetsk region and two ceasefire violations in Luhansk region.
• From 00:01 on 27 July until the end of the reporting period, the SMM recorded a total of 243 ceasefire violations.
• Small-arms fire was directed at SMM unmanned aerial vehicles (UAV) near Petrivske and Kamianka, Donetsk region.
• The Mission continued monitoring the disengagement areas near Stanytsia Luhanska, Zolote and Petrivske. Inside the latter two areas, an SMM long-range UAV observed people during evening and night hours.
• An SMM long-range UAV spotted a train moving eastwards towards the border near non-government-controlled Voznesenivka, Luhansk region.
• The Mission facilitated and monitored adherence to localised ceasefires to enable repairs to as well as maintenance and 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 corresponding checkpoints in Donetsk and Luhansk regions.
• The Mission’s freedom of movement continued to be restricted.*

PODGORICA, 3 August 2020 – Observers from the OSCE Office for Democratic Institutions and Human Rights (ODIHR) will hold a press conference on the opening of the observation mission to the parliamentary elections in Montenegro on Wednesday, 5 August.

Please note that due to the epidemiological situation, only 10 journalists will be able to attend the press conference in person, while all others will have the opportunity to watch and ask questions via Zoom. Broadcast media wishing to film the press conference will be prioritized for personal attendance.

What:

• An introduction to the role of the ODIHR election observation mission and its planned activities

Who:

• Tamás Meszerics, Head of the ODIHR Election Observation Mission

When:

• 15:00 on 5 August 2020

Where:

• HOTEL RAMADA PODGORICA, Bulevar Save Kovačevića 74, 81000 Podgorica 

Registration:

• To take part and receive the Zoom link, please register with: Lauren Baranowska, ODIHR: lauren.baranowska@odihr.pl or +48 695 916 998 and Elma Šehalić, Media Analyst for Election Observation Mission: elma.sehalic@odihr.me or +382 68829413

For further information, please visit: https://www.osce.org/odihr/elections/montenegro

Summary

• The SMM recorded nine ceasefire violations in Donetsk region (compared with one during the previous reporting period) and 93 ceasefire violations in Luhansk region (compared with none during the previous reporting period).
• From 00:01 on 27 July until the end of the reporting period, the SMM recorded a total of 225 ceasefire violations.
• The SMM corroborated reports of a man injured due to shrapnel on 27 July in government-controlled Marinka, Donetsk region.
• The Mission continued monitoring the disengagement areas near Stanytsia Luhanska, Zolote and Petrivske. Inside the latter two areas, an SMM long-range unmanned aerial vehicle observed people during evening and night hours.
• The SMM observed weapons in violation of withdrawal lines on both sides of the contact line.
• The Mission facilitated and monitored adherence to localised ceasefires to enable repairs to as well as maintenance and 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 corresponding checkpoints in Donetsk and Luhansk regions.
• The Mission’s freedom of movement continued to be restricted, including at a checkpoint near non-government-controlled Olenivka.*

COPENHAGEN, 1 August 2020 - On the forty-fifth anniversary of the signing of the Helsinki Final Act, Present and former Presidents of the OSCE PA issued the following statement:

"Forty-five years ago, leaders from East and West came together to adopt a document that was bold, both in ambition and in scope, and remains visionary to this day. The Helsinki Final Act set the foundation for European peace, guaranteed by a cooperative multilateral system based on shared values and commitments. For generations of our citizens living from Vancouver to Vladivostok, our quest for security and co-operation also carved a path towards the full respect of their human rights and fundamental freedoms."

"Since 1975, significant progress has been achieved throughout the OSCE region, but the principles of the Helsinki Final Act continue to be violated, and, for many of our over one billion citizens, comprehensive security remains a distant dream. Most sorely lacking today are the original spirit of co-operation and willingness to compromise, both of which condition the realization of a Europe whole, free, and at peace."

"As present and former presidents of the OSCE Parliamentary Assembly, we are extremely concerned about the present state of the OSCE. As we celebrate this important anniversary, we reiterate calls on all governments of OSCE participating States to urgently restore respect for the Helsinki principles, implement their OSCE commitments, and address the accelerating breakdown in international dialogue, which has plunged our organization into its latest institutional crisis."

"Today must also serve as an opportunity to reinvigorate security co-operation and dialogue in Europe. We, along with all OSCE parliamentarians, remain committed to encouraging high-level discussions on the OSCE and supporting its crucial work, so that together, we may one day finally live up to the promises of Helsinki."

Signatories:

• Mr. George Tsereteli (Georgia), President
• Ms. Christine Muttonen (Austria), former President
• Mr. Ilkka Kanerva (Finland), former President
• Mr. Ranko Krivokapic (Montenegro), former President
• Mr. Wolfgang Grossruck (Austria), former President
• Mr. Riccardo Migliori (Italy), former President
• Mr. Petros Efthymiou (Greece), former President
• Mr. Joao Soares (Portugal), former President
• Mr. Goran Lennmarker (Sweden), former President
• Mr. Alcee Hastings (United States), former President 

• Mr. Roberto Montella, Secretary General of the OSCE Parliamentary Assembly

WARSAW, 1 August 2020 - The OSCE Office for Democratic Institutions and Human Rights (ODIHR) today joins the international community in marking 76 years since the Nazis murdered the remaining 3,000 Roma men, women and children in Zigeunerlager, the "Gypsy camp" at Auschwitz-Birkenau on 2 August 1944. While the number of Roma victims remains unknown, it is estimated that up to 500,000 Roma and Sinti people died under the Nazi regime, as well as its allies and collaborators.

Currently, Roma and Sinti continue to suffer intolerance, systemic racism and discrimination, and remain victims of racially-motivated violence and hate crime. Racist ideologies, rooted in the belief that some are superior to others, still exist and are spread today, even at the highest political and government levels.

Governments have the responsibility to remember the Roma and Sinti genocide. By ensuring that this tragic history is included in school curricula and public awareness initiatives facilitate engagement of all of their societies in discussion about the consequences of racist ideologies, governments can work to ensure atrocities are not repeated. Learning essential historical lessons must be connected with ongoing efforts to combating contemporary expressions of prejudice, bias, and racism against Roma and Sinti. 

ODIHR’s Contact Point for Roma and Sinti Issues, as mandated by the 2003 Action Plan on Improving the Situation of Roma and Sinti within the OSCE Area, promotes official recognition of and teaching about the Roma genocide. ODIHR’s publication Teaching about and Commemorating the Roma and Sinti Genocide: Practices within the OSCE Area gives a broad overview of official commemoration and education practices, including those of the seven OSCE participating States that officially commemorate the Roma and Sinti genocide on 2 August.

ODIHR has also continued its co-operation with the Council of Europe and the International Holocaust Remembrance Alliance (IHRA) to create a portal to learn more about the Roma Genocide. 

TIRANA / VIENNA, 1 August 2020 – The further strengthening of the OSCE and its comprehensive approach to security is inextricably linked to full respect for and implementation of the fundamental principles and commitments enshrined in the Helsinki Final Act, said the OSCE Chairperson-in-Office, Prime Minister and Minister for Europe and Foreign Affairs of Albania, Edi Rama, on the day marking the 45th anniversary of the landmark document.

The Chairperson-in Office paid tribute to the Helsinki Final Act noting it was “instrumental in advancing human security over more than four decades in the OSCE area”.  

The Helsinki Process made a critical contribution to reducing tensions and to creating the conditions that led to the end of the Cold War, he said. It facilitated the transition from confrontation to co-operation and paved the way for the creation of the Organization of Security and Co-operation in Europe, envisaged under the Paris Charter and established in 1995.

Rama stressed that the right way to commemorate the Helsinki Final Act is to make an urgent effort toward realizing its vision of respectful inter-state relations and adherence to commitments.

“As Europe is scarred by conflicts, the work of our Organization, as well as the good will of all of its participating States, is needed even more. To be meaningful and relevant, peace and democracy must not be simply our common words and horizon, but our common objectives. The Helsinki Decalogue with its ten principles, including its respect for fundamental freedoms and human rights are as relevant today as they were back then, 45 years ago.”

“This historic agreement was reached by a diverse group of countries that did not share a common approach to all issues,” Rama said. He added that despite the stark divisions at the time, the countries developed a vision and had the courage to put in place the foundations of the comprehensive security system, which has served the OSCE region for almost half a century.

“We should find inspiration in this anniversary, to move forward with renewed determination,” the OSCE Chairperson-in-Office said further. He noted that confidence and trust can only be built through open and frank dialogue, and this requires sustained efforts, patience, and perseverance.

“I am convinced that the OSCE’s inclusive platform for dialogue and joint action makes it a crucial and enduring forum for engagement,” Rama concluded.