Central Europe

Željka Šulc

Kathleen Kavalec, Head of the OSCE Mission to Bosnia and Herzegovina (BiH), had online meetings with Brcko District BiH Mayor, Sinisa Milic and Assembly Speaker, Esed Kadric on 22 June 2020.

The importance of adoption of key Brcko District legislation before the upcoming elections, such as the Law on Associations and Foundations, Law on Public Assemblies and Law on National Minorities, were the focus of the discussions.   Kavalec expressed her hope to see the adoption of Laws on Peaceful Assembly, Minorities and Associations and Foundations at the first reading of the law in July, with final adoption by September.

The Mission supports District authorities in their endeavor in drafting a Law on Conflict of Interest as well as other measures to combat corruption.

“As BiH is facing local elections in November this year, the Mission is working with the District to support free and fair elections that are issue-based, constructive and inclusive. It is encouraging major political parties to ensure ethic and gender-balanced campaigning,” said Kavalec.

The upcoming project to clean up the voter registry by overseeing the process of verification of residence status was announced during the meetings. The project activities are aimed at limiting the possibilities for electoral fraud and shifting the political narrative in BD during the official 2020 election campaign from negative and ethno-nationalistic to more constructive, inclusive and interest-based.

The OSCE Mission to BiH remains dedicated to co-operating in the future modernization of the District’s Institutions work and the implementation of reforms.

Also discussed was the importance of establishing the Brcko District Anti-corruption Office and appointing its Acting Director.  “Such an office would have a positive impact on the implementation of anti-corruption laws in the District,” said Kavalec.

SDGs SDGs:  16 - Peace, justice and strong institutions

Summary

• Compared with the previous reporting period, between the evenings of 19 and 20 June, the SMM recorded more ceasefire violations in both Donetsk and Luhansk regions.
• Compared with the previous 24 hours, between the evenings of 20 and 21 June, the Mission recorded fewer ceasefire violations in both Donetsk and Luhansk regions.
• Members of the armed formations continued to deny the Mission passage at checkpoints along official crossing routes in Donetsk and Luhansk regions.*
• The Mission continued monitoring all three disengagement areas: It observed people inside the disengagement areas near Zolote and near Petrivske, and continued to observe anti-tank mines inside the disengagement area near Petrivske.
• The Mission facilitated and monitored adherence to localised ceasefires to enable the assessment, maintenance and operation of critical civilian infrastructure, as well as demining activities.
• The SMM saw civilians travelling towards government- and non-government-controlled areas through the entry-exit checkpoint in Stanytsia Luhanska.
• The SMM’s freedom of movement continued to be restricted, including at a border crossing point near non-government-controlled Voznesenivka, Luhansk region.*

BELGRADE, 22 June 2020 – While contestants in Serbia’s parliamentary elections were able to campaign and fundamental freedoms were respected, voter choice was limited by the governing party’s overwhelming advantage and the promotion of government policies by most major media outlets, international observers from the OSCE Office for Democratic Institutions and Human Rights (ODIHR) concluded in a statement of their preliminary findings and conclusions today.

“The Serbian authorities organized the elections efficiently in difficult circumstances, but voters were left under-informed and frustrated by the opposition’s lack of access to the media,” said Urszula Gacek, head of ODIHR’s special election assessment mission. “The dominance of the ruling party risks the neutrality of the country’s democratic institutions, and dialogue is needed to bridge the deep political divisions and protect pluralism.”

Some 6.5 million people were eligible to vote in yesterday’s parliamentary elections, which were postponed due to the COVID-19 pandemic. On election day, voting appeared to go smoothly with procedures generally followed, but ODIHR observers noted cases and received reports of violations of the campaign silence that benefitted the ruling party. While the legal framework enables democratic elections to be held, numerous recommendations previously made by ODIHR remain unaddressed, including areas such as election administration, media, campaign finance, dispute resolution and sanctions for electoral violations.

The election was characterized by intense political polarization, amidst a boycott by a considerable section of the opposition. In addition, the dual role of the president as leader of the ruling party has increasingly blurred the line between his official duties and the election campaign, in breach of the commitment made by all OSCE countries to keep a clear separation between the state and political parties.

Physical campaigning was low key following the declaration of the state of emergency, with few mass rallies being organized because of health concerns. At the same time, the campaign was dynamic in the traditional media and online, with many candidates turning to Facebook and Twitter to connect with voters. However, most major TV channels and newspapers promoted government policy, and the few media outlets offering alternative views have limited outreach and were therefore unable to provide an effective counterbalance.

Despite travel and other restrictions in response to the health emergency caused by the COVID-19 pandemic, ODIHR was able to deploy a Special Election Assessment Mission (SEAM) to Serbia, which took up its work on 5 June and will end on 29 June. The SEAM focused on issues identified by ODIHR’s needs assessment mission in order to assess the extent to which the elections were held in line with OSCE commitments and other international standards for democratic elections, as well as with national legislation.

For further information, please contact:

Katya Andrusz, ODIHR: +48 609 522 266 or katya.andrusz@odihr.pl

VIENNA, 22 June 2020 – The COVID-19 pandemic has brought new challenges to the freedoms of expression, information and the media, highlighting the need to find new approaches to digital technologies if we are to safeguard these freedoms that lie at the heart of the OSCE commitments to human rights and democracy. These topics will be discussed intensively during a two-day OSCE meeting starting today.

“Modern media offer an unprecedented opportunity for humans throughout the world to enjoy the right of freedom of expression and to exercise their right to seek, impart and receive information,” said Inid Milo, Head of the 2020 Albanian OSCE Chairmanship Task Force. “It is critically important that the benefits of new platforms are open to all and that we strive to have many different voices heard on any available media.”

Some 320 participants from across the OSCE region are registered to take part in the online meeting, including participating States, intergovernmental organizations, journalist associations, and civil society. The meeting offers an opportunity to discuss the vital role of free media in informing the public, countering disinformation and ensuring the free flow of information, including during crisis situations. Freedom of expression and access to information are prerequisites for media freedom, which is essential to build free and open societies.

”Freedom of expression, media and information, both online and offline, are indispensable conditions for the development and well-being of our society. This holds true even more when hit by a crisis as the one we are currently facing. Restricting information is never the proper answer to addressing our safety concerns,” said Harlem Désir, OSCE Representative on Freedom of the Media. “Well-informed people make well-informed decisions, which is the indispensable foundation for modern democracies to build upon.”

Societies in which information is shared freely and openly and where a diverse and independent media are free to report on issues of public interest are more resilient during periods of crisis. Tools and resources to help countries to abide by their commitments to freedom of expression and free media can be found here.

“The states of emergency declared in response to the COVID-19 pandemic have brought up new challenges for the freedoms of expression, media and information,” said ODIHR Director Ingibjörg Sólrún Gísladóttir. “The general public relies to a great extent on information they obtain from the government and from the media. This is not a time to clamp down on the media, but on the contrary to ensure that all citizens have the information they need to keep themselves safe.”

Supplementary Human Dimension Meetings are a platform for the OSCE’s participating States and OSCE institutions, as well as international organizations and civil society, to exchange views and good practices in order to find common solutions for the challenges facing societies across the OSCE region.Organizations speaking at today’s meeting include ARTICLE 19, Access Info Europe, the International Press Institute, and the European Federation of Journalists, as well as the Council on Freedom of Speech and Protection of Journalists at the Office of the President of Ukraine and the Council of Europe.

SDGs SDGs:  16 - Peace, justice and strong institutions

Summary

• Compared with the previous reporting period, the SMM recorded fewer ceasefire violations in Donetsk region and more in Luhansk region.
• Members of the armed formations continued to deny the Mission passage at checkpoints along official crossing routes in Donetsk and Luhansk regions.*
• The SMM continued monitoring all three disengagement areas. An SMM mini-unmanned aerial vehicle spotted construction materials inside the disengagement area near a checkpoint of the armed formations south of the Stanytsia Luhanska bridge. The Mission recorded ceasefire violations inside the disengagement area near Petrivske.
• The Mission facilitated and monitored adherence to localised ceasefires to enable the assessment, maintenance and operation of critical civilian infrastructure as well as demining activities.
• The Mission’s freedom of movement continued to be restricted.*

VIENNA, 20 June 2020 – The OSCE Representative on Freedom of the Media, Harlem Désir, expressed his concern over a series of detentions of journalists on 19 June, who were covering public gatherings in Belarus.

“The journalists play a crucial role in covering events of public interest, particularly those related to elections. Obstruction of media activities negatively affects media freedom and the free flow of information, and is a matter of great concern,” Désir said. “I call on the authorities to ensure that journalists are able to do their work, to cover and report on public gatherings without fear of being detained.”

According to reports, on 19 June, law enforcement representatives detained at least ten media workers, including from Radio Svaboda (part of RFE/RL), Reuters, Euroradio.fm, Tut.by, Onliner.by, Belsat TV and Bobr.by, in the capital Minsk and the cities of Gomel and Bobruisk. The journalists were detained while covering public gatherings on the last day of collecting signatures in support of the nomination of presidential candidates. Reportedly, the detained media workers were later released.

Previously, Désir expressed concern regarding the detention and imprisonment of journalists and freelance reporters (see:https://www.osce.org/representative-on-freedom-of-media/452161 

The OSCE Representative on Freedom of the Media observes media developments in all 57 OSCE participating States. He provides early warning on violations of freedom of expression and media freedom and promotes full compliance with OSCE media freedom commitments. Learn more at www.osce.org/fom, Twitter: @OSCE_RFoM and at www.facebook.com/osce.rfom.

Warsaw, 20 June 2020 – On World Refugee Day, the uncertainty caused by the COVID-19 pandemic continues unabated. Governments need to make greater efforts to guarantee the right to seek asylum is respected and ensure refugees are afforded protection, a vital condition for their integration into the societies of their host countries, the OSCE Office for Democratic Institutions and Human Rights (ODIHR) said today.

“Refugees make up a small percentage of the world’s population. But those who have been forced to leave their countries because of conflict or persecution depend on all of us for their protection and wellbeing,” said ODIHR Director Ingibjörg Sólrún Gísladóttir. “We need to ensure that they settle in well for the duration of their stay, however short or long that ends up being.

It is encouraging to see that despite the challenges of the last few months, many countries across the OSCE region have made an effort to ensure that asylum procedures can continue and that refugee communities are protected during the pandemic. Numerous countries have been thinking and acting innovatively to reduce overcrowding in reception centres and protect those most at risk.”

At the same time, a failure to protect some of the most vulnerable people worldwide as they seek safety in other countries has continued to result in the tragic and unnecessary loss of life across the OSCE region. As borders begin to reopen and international travel resumes, it is crucial that governments coordinate and carry out search and rescue operations, guarantee the right to apply for international protection and ensure the dignified treatment of everyone entering their countries, whatever their status.

In many OSCE countries, the integration of refugees is hampered by intolerance, systemic racism and xenophobia, and hate crime. The COVID-19 pandemic has increased these barriers to inclusion, with refugees in some states subjected to racist abuse and unjustifiably blamed for the spread of the virus. OSCE countries must do more to implement their commitments to address discrimination, racism, xenophobia, and hate crimes targeting refugees, as well as the civil society organizations working to assist them. Successful integration in turn helps asylum seekers and refugees contribute to building open, tolerant and prosperous societies.

ODIHR works with countries across the OSCE to help defend migrant rights, and ensure that migration policies and legislation are in line with international law and effective in protecting all those seeking protection. Building tolerant societies by documenting and combating discrimination and hate crime is also a key aspect of ODIHR’s work.

SDGs SDGs:  16 - Peace, justice and strong institutions

From 13 to 19 June, members of the armed formations again denied SMM attempts to cross into non-government-controlled areas along official crossing routes: four times in Donetsk region and four times in Luhansk region, while further attempts to cross into government-controlled areas were also denied, twice in Donetsk region and four times in Luhansk region.

On 13, 14, 15, 16, 17, 18 and 19 June, at a checkpoint south of the Stanytsia Luhanska bridge (15km north-east of Luhansk), members of the armed formations continued to deny the SMM passage towards non-government-controlled areas on four occasions, and passage towards government-controlled areas on four other occasions, each time referring to the closure of the checkpoint due to COVID-19.

On 14 and 16 June, at a checkpoint near Olenivka (non-government-controlled, 23km south-west of Donetsk), members of the armed formations continued to deny the SMM passage towards government-controlled areas on two occasions, stating that “the SMM did not have permission to pass” and the need for “permission from superiors”, respectively. On the same days and on 19 June, members of the armed formations denied the Mission passage towards non-government-controlled areas, twice referring to quarantine restrictions due to COVID-19 and once without providing any reason.

In addition, on 15 June, at a checkpoint near Horlivka (non-government-controlled, 39km north-east of Donetsk), a member of the armed formations denied the Mission passage towards non-government-controlled areas, referring to restrictions due to COVID-19. The SMM continued to observe the presence of a metal barrier and spikes laid across the road, and of a mine hazard sign.

The Mission began facing repeated denials when attempting to cross into non-government-controlled areas at checkpoints of the armed formations in Donetsk region on 21 March and Luhansk region on 23 March (see previous SMM Spot Reports). They restrict the SMM’s freedom of movement across the contact line, thus impeding the implementation of its mandate throughout the country.

***

With regard to COVID-19, the SMM has introduced a number of stringent mitigation measures into its operational procedures. These include strict adherence to social distancing rules both internally and with external interlocutors, daily temperature checks, use of PPE and minimizing the number of personnel in vehicles.

Belgrade, 19 June 2020 – Observers from the OSCE Office for Democratic Institutions and Human Rights (ODIHR) will hold a press conference to present their findings following the parliamentary elections in Serbia.

What:

• A news conference of the international observer team sent by ODIHR to the parliamentary elections in Serbia
• The news conference can be attended in person or via Zoom (details below)
• You can also follow the livestream on www.facebook.com/osce.odihr

Who:

• Urszula Gacek, Head of the ODIHR special election assessment mission
• Stefan Krause, Deputy Head of the ODIHR special election assessment mission

When:

• 15.00 on 22 June 2020

Where:

• Crowne Plaza Belgrade Hotel, Mezzanine floor, Vladimira Popovića 10, Belgrade

Registration:

• No registration is necessary if you are attending the press conference in person, but only questions from journalists will be taken
• To take part via Zoom, please register with Katya Andrusz, ODIHR spokesperson, katya.andrusz@odihr.pl and Marek Mračka, media analyst, Marek.Mracka@odihr.rs by 11:00 on 22 June.

SDGs SDGs:  16 - Peace, justice and strong institutions

Summary

• Compared with the previous reporting period, the SMM recorded more ceasefire violations in Donetsk region and fewer in Luhansk region.
• The SMM followed up on reports of two civilians injured due to shelling in Horlivka and Avdiivka.
• Members of the armed formations continued to deny the Mission passage at a checkpoint along an official crossing route in Luhansk region.*
• The SMM continued monitoring all three disengagement areas: It saw for the first time anti-tank mines north of the village of Petrivske and recorded ceasefire violations inside the disengagement area near Petrivske.
• The Mission facilitated and monitored adherence to localised ceasefires to enable the assessment and maintenance of critical civilian infrastructure, as well as the operation of the Donetsk Filtration Station. The SMM saw civilians travelling towards government- and non-government-controlled areas through the entry-exit checkpoint in Stanytsia Luhanska.
• The Mission’s freedom of movement continued to be restricted.*

COPENHAGEN/STRASBOURG, 19 June 2020 – On the eve of World Refugee Day, parliamentarians from the OSCE and Council of Europe participated in a high-level discussion organized by the British House of Lords on how to best protect unaccompanied child refugees, enable relocations and prevent human trafficking.

In today’s webinar chaired by Earl Alexander Dundee, Chair of the PACE Sub-Committee on Refugee and Migrant Children and Young People, participants explored how to ensure a high level of co-ordination between countries and support from relevant international and non-governmental organizations in order to protect refugees. The meeting was co-hosted by Lord Alf Dubs, Member of the OSCE PA Ad Hoc Committee on Migration.

Participants noted that children who have made dangerous journeys fleeing conflicts continue to face risks once in Europe, including unsanitary living conditions, a lack of appropriate care, and threats of human trafficking, smuggling and sexual abuse. There is a need for improved co-ordination based on regular communication and information exchange between all key actors, including child protection services and civil society organizations in countries of origin, transit and destination, in order to effectively combat trafficking of children, it was stressed.

According to the UN Refugee Agency, last year at least 80,800 people arrived in Europe via Mediterranean routes, more than a quarter of them children. Unaccompanied children often live in large centres with minimal oversight, exposing them to abuse and psychological distress. Globally, an estimated 30-34 million of the 79.5 million forcibly displaced persons were children below 18 years of age. Many child refugees have fallen victim to smugglers and traffickers.

In his opening remarks, Rik Daems, President of the Parliamentary Assembly of the Council of Europe, recalled the precarious situation that migrant children face, including the constant threat of being trafficked.

“This is an absolute priority of the Council of Europe as a whole,” Daems said, noting a range of binding international commitments in this regard such as the UN Convention on the Rights of the Child, European Convention on Human Rights and the European Social Charter. He also noted the work of other international organizations, including the OSCE with its cross-dimensional character, and the role of parliamentarians in making this issue an international priority. “We have to push the executive to establish strong policy objectives,” he said.

OSCE Parliamentary Assembly President George Tsereteli said that the online event was an opportunity for parliamentarians to do their part in addressing this crisis, including through international co-ordination efforts for relocating child refugees. He noted that the COVID-19 pandemic has brought new challenges when it comes to protecting refugees and migrants and managing migration flows.

“What we have been experiencing in recent months has shown that the virus knows no borders,” Tsereteli said. “We have also realized that the good health of our societies is dependent on the health of all its members, including the most marginalized and vulnerable.”

Lord Dubs stressed that addressing the challenges of child refugees must be done on the basis of international co-operation and shared responsibility. “No one country can do it on its own,” he said. “We all know that what we desperately need is to find safe passage for child refugees. We cannot let people exist in conditions that are not humane.” He stressed the importance of engaging the public to create political pressure to accept more refugees, which must be matched by parliamentary activity.

Dubs also called for an EU-wide agreement with the United Kingdom after Brexit in order to continue to provide children a safe route and the opportunity to lead a decent life with proper education.

OSCE PA Vice-President Margareta Cederfelt, Acting Chair of the Ad Hoc Committee on Migration, praised the support given by the European Commission for the relocation of unaccompanied child refugees from Greece and expressed the hope that additional states would step forward.

“We stand ready to work further, together with other international actors, to ensure that we abide by our international commitments to protect the rights of all refugees and in particular children, irrespective of migration status, and to address common migration challenges in a co-ordinated, responsible and dignified manner,” Cederfelt said. “Such an approach is for the benefit of all of our citizens and the only path forward.”

Given the heightened health risks due to the overcrowded and unhygienic conditions in the camps, Cederfelt stressed the need for family reunifications to continue in parallel to these voluntary relocations, as agreed under the Dublin III regulation. She welcomed the opportunity to strengthen co-operation between the OSCE PA and PACE and expressed hope that it would bring tangible results.

The event included participation of Miltiadis Varvitsiotis, Alternate Minister of Foreign Affairs of Greece and Chair of the Committee of Ministers of the Council of Europe; Amani Ballour, a paediatrician from Syria and 2020 Laureate of the Raoul Wallenberg Prize of the Council of Europe; Ambassador Drahoslav Štefánek, Special Representative of the Secretary General on Migration and Refugees at the Council of Europe; Valiant Richey, OSCE Special Representative and Co-ordinator for Combating Trafficking in Human Beings; Stephan Mayer, Parliamentary State Secretary, Federal Ministry of the Interior of Germany; and Isabel Santos, Member of the European Parliament from Portugal, among others.

In discussions, participants focused on issues such as humanitarian aid and relocations to safe homes for unaccompanied child refugees and concerted action against human trafficking and migrant smuggling.

OSCE Special Representative Richey stressed the importance of prosecuting traffickers, noting that 7,000 potential victims have been identified in the United Kingdom, with only 42 convictions. Calling this gap is unacceptable, he urged support for stepped-up prosecutions to ensure that the rule of law is upheld.

Speakers also underlined that relocations must be done after an assessment of the best interests of the child has been carried out. They emphasized the importance of following up on children after relocation and the need to ensure an effective guardianship system, urging host countries to re-evaluate their reception models and to ensure strong co-ordination between national authorities and civil society organizations.

For more information on the OSCE PA's work on migration, please click here.

455032 Communication and Media Relations Section OSCE project on green ports and connectivity, for security and economic growth in the Caspian Sea region, launched in Baku OSCE-led project on strengthening green ports and connectivity in the Caspian Sea Region launches activities in Kazakhstan OSCE promotes development of green ports and connectivity in the Caspian Sea Region by starting activities in Turkmenistan

Making supply chains, connecting Central Asia with Europe, safer, smarter and more sustainable was the focus of a virtual discussion of some 70 logistics and trade stakeholders from the private and public sectors from Central Asia and the Caspian and Black Sea region, on 19 June 2020.

Representatives of national railway and shipping companies, customs, freight forwarders and trade ministries participated in the first meeting of the Digital Route Working Group.

Technical experts presented the findings of a comprehensive feasibility study on “Promoting Green Ports and Connectivity in the Caspian Sea Region”. Phase one of the project is to create a common digital trade platform that connects all stakeholders, which would significantly improve speed, traceability and sustainability of cargo flows. “A common platform is a key solution to removing existing trade bottlenecks and improving regional connectivity,” said OSCE Co-ordinator for Economic and Environmental Affairs Vuk Zugić. 

Austrian Rail Cargo announced a project partnership with the Office of the Co-ordinator of OSCE Economic and Environmental Activities (OCEEA) to promote digitalization and to solve current bottlenecks of its cargo operations in the region.

“I believe that this project can make a viable contribution to promote sustainable connectivity from Central Asia to Europe,” said Zugić. “We made the best use of today’s unique setting, discussing some concrete ideas for digitizing trade and increasing connectivity for the benefit of all.”

The second phase of the OSCE/OCEEA project will further improve connectivity through the promotion of renewable energy, energy efficiency and digital data exchange between logistics stakeholders and strengthen equal opportunities for women and men in the trade and logistics sector.

Communication and Media Relations Section OSCE Centre in Ashgabat

An online training course aimed at strengthening Turkmenistan’s capacity to counter terrorist financing, for 24 experts and practitioners from the Ministry of Finance and Economy of Turkmenistan,  its Financial Monitoring Service, the Ministries of Internal Affairs and National Security, and the Prosecutor General’s Office of Turkmenistan was organized from 17 to 19 June 2020.

The course follows the foundation course organized by the UN Office on Drugs and Crime (UNODC) and the OSCE from 1 to 3 June 2020.  

The training programme on countering terrorist financing aims at increasing Turkmenistan’s capacity to detect and combat terrorist financing and strengthen compliance with international standards, in particular, Resolutions 1267 (1999), 1373 (2001), 1989 (2011) and  2462 (2019) of the UN Security Council, and their successive resolutions the Financial Action Task Force on Money Laundering (FATF)’s standards, and UN norms and OSCE commitments to promote human rights based approaches in countering terrorist financing. 

The course emphasized the key role of inter-agency and international co-operation and focused on improving skills and techniques of analysis in the context of countering terrorist financing by involving all relevant stakeholders. Participants worked on real-life scenario-based exercises.

The OSCE and the UNODC offer technical assistance and share good practices in the framework of an innovative, multiannual training programme on countering terrorist financing to help relevant national authorities to be more effective in countering this threat.   

SDGs SDGs:  16 - Peace, justice and strong institutions

Summary

• Compared with the previous reporting period, the SMM recorded a similar number of ceasefire violations in Donetsk region and more in Luhansk region.
• Members of the armed formations continued to deny the Mission passage at a checkpoint along an official crossing route in Luhansk region.*
• The SMM continued monitoring all three disengagement areas: it observed people inside the disengagement areas near Zolote and Petrivske.
• The Mission facilitated and monitored adherence to localised ceasefires to enable maintenance of critical civilian infrastructure, as well as the operation of the Donetsk Filtration Station.
• The SMM saw civilians crossing the contact line towards government- and non-government-controlled areas through the entry-exit checkpoint in Stanytsia Luhanska.
• The Mission’s freedom of movement continued to be restricted, including at a border crossing point in a non-government-controlled area of Luhansk region.*

CHISINAU, 18 June 2020 – Concluding his visit to the Republic of Moldova, the Special Representative of Albania’s OSCE Chairperson-in-Office for the Transdniestrian Settlement Process, Ambassador Thomas Mayr-Harting encouraged the Sides to focus on maintaining a constructive, results-oriented and forward-looking dialogue.

In his talks with Moldovan President Igor Dodon, Deputy Prime Minister for Reintegration Cristina Lesnic and Minister of Foreign Affairs and European Integration Oleg Tulea in Chisinau as well as Transdniestrian leader Vadim Krasnoselsky and Political Representative Vitaly Ignatiev in Tiraspol, the Special Representative discussed the perspectives for progress in key issues for confidence-building, in particular in the area of telecommunications, banking issues, freedom of movement and the Latin-script schools.

“Regarding the newly established posts my interlocutors in Tiraspol insisted that this was a temporary measure linked to the present pandemic and that these posts will be removed as soon as the COVID-19 situation is under control. I stressed the key importance of the freedom of movement between the two banks,” the Special Representative said. “In particular, I also underlined the need to facilitate the access of farmers to their lands and commuters to their places of work even during the pandemic,” he added.

The Special Representative welcomed the resumption of the expert working group meetings and called on the Sides to formulate coordinated responses to all matters related to the settlement process, also in the context of the pandemic, bearing in mind interests of the people on both banks. “Earlier gains in the settlement process must not be lost,” stressed the Ambassador.

Speaking about the way forward, Thomas Mayr-Harting reviewed with the Sides outstanding issues from the “Berlin-plus” package and joint proposals on new confidence-building measures. Among the short-term priorities are the finalization of the telecommunication agreement, an improved internal banking connectivity, the establishment of a new trolleybus line between Bender and the Severny district.

“In my respective contacts with the Sides in Chisinau and Tiraspol I gained the impression that there is a will to make tangible progress in the months to come in finding mutually acceptable solutions to these issues,” said Ambassador Mayr-Harting.

The visit also provided an opportunity for Ambassador Mayr-Harting to exchange views on the negotiations process with the resident Ambassadors of the mediators and observers in the Transdniestrian settlement process.

The Islamic Republic (I.R.) of Afghanistan, like many OSCE participating States and Partners for co-operation States, is facing the wide-ranging consequences of the coronavirus pandemic. In this critical situation, the provision of assistance to countries in need is essential. Afghanistan, now more than ever, needs the support and co-operation of the international community in managing the COVID-19 pandemic.

The Organization for Security and Co-operation in Europe (OSCE) and the Permanent Mission of the Islamic Republic of Afghanistan in Vienna call for greater international solidarity with Afghanistan at this critical time, in order to prevent a larger-scale outbreak of the coronavirus among the most vulnerable communities.

The COVID-19 pandemic knows no borders, it is a crisis that affects us all and needs a global solution at the international level. We should take a collective approach, in line with the principle of shared responsibility, in order to protect the human rights of all people who are facing incredible hardships in combatting this crisis.

The Permanent Mission of the Islamic Republic of Afghanistan in Vienna is receiving trilateral support from the OSCE Secretary General H.E. Thomas Greminger, Ambassador Mr. Igli Hasani leading the Albanian OSCE Chair and Ambassador Radomír Boháč as Chair of the Asian Partners for Co-operation Group. 

The OSCE and H.E. Ambassador Khojesta Fana Ebrahimkhel, Permanent Representative of the I.R. of Afghanistan in Vienna, call on all OSCE participating States to strengthen their support and commitment to the people of Afghanistan during the COVID-19 related emergency. The OSCE invites all OSCE participating States and Partners to make use of the Partnership Fund and consider pledges dedicated to Afghanistan’s fight against this pandemic.

The support of all OSCE participating States and the international community is indispensable for the people of Afghanistan and its most vulnerable citizens.

SDGs SDGs:  16 - Peace, justice and strong institutions

Summary

• Compared with the previous reporting period, the SMM recorded fewer ceasefire violations in Donetsk region and more in Luhansk region.
• The SMM saw a recently destroyed house in Zaitseve, Donetsk region.
• Members of the armed formations continued to deny the Mission passage at checkpoints along official crossing routes in Donetsk and Luhansk regions.*
• At night, the Mission spotted persons near former positions of the Ukrainian Armed Forces inside the disengagement area near Zolote and a person near a former position of the armed formations inside the disengagement area near Petrivske.
• The Mission facilitated and monitored adherence to localised ceasefires to enable repairs to critical civilian infrastructure and the operation of the Donetsk Filtration Station.
• The SMM saw that the entry-exit checkpoint in Stanytsia Luhanska, the corresponding checkpoint of the armed formations and the entry-exit checkpoint near Marinka were temporarily open.
• The Mission’s freedom of movement continued to be restricted.*

WARSAW, 16 June 2020 – The OSCE Office for Democratic Institutions and Human Rights (ODIHR) today formally opened a special election assessment mission (SEAM) for the 28 June presidential election in Poland. The deployment follows an official invitation from the Polish authorities.

The mission is led by Thomas Boserup (Denmark) and consists of a core team of eight international experts based in Warsaw.  

The mission will assess the elections for their compliance with OSCE commitments and other international obligations and standards for democratic elections, as well as with national legislation. Observers will follow fundamental aspects of the election such as voter registration, campaign activities and the media coverage of the campaign, the work of the election administration and relevant state bodies, implementation of the legal framework and the resolution of election disputes.

Meetings with representatives of relevant authorities and political parties, civil society, the media and the international community form an integral part of the observation. In conducting its activities, the ODIHR SEAM will co-operate closely with the Polish health authorities and follow the health protocols they have established.

The ODIHR SEAM will not carry out systematic or comprehensive observation of the voting, counting and tabulation proceedings on election day, in line with ODIHR’s methodology for election assessment missions. Mission members will, however, visit a limited number of polling stations on election day.

The day after the elections, ODIHR will discuss its findings at a press conference. An invitation to participate will follow separately.

A final report summing up the entire election process and including recommendations will be published approximately two months after the end of the election process.

For further information, please visit https://www.osce.org/odihr/elections or contact Sanita Jemberga Media Analyst, at + 48 697 653 944, or at sanita.jemberga@odihr-seam.pl

or

Katya Andrusz, ODIHR Spokesperson, at +48 609 522 266 (Warsaw mobile), or at katya.andrusz@odihr.pl.

SDGs SDGs:  16 - Peace, justice and strong institutions

Summary

• Compared with the previous 24 hours, the SMM recorded more ceasefire violations in Donetsk region and fewer in Luhansk region.
• Small-arms fire was assessed as directed at three SMM mini-unmanned aerial vehicles flying near Petrivske, Yasynuvata and Kashtanove, all in Donetsk region.
• Members of the armed formations continued to deny the Mission passage at checkpoints along official crossing routes in Donetsk and Luhansk regions.*
• The Mission recorded ceasefire violations and spotted at night a person within a former position of the armed formations inside the disengagement area near Petrivske. It also saw persons within former positions of the Ukrainian Armed Forces inside the disengagement area near Zolote.
• The SMM saw howitzers and anti-tank guns in violation of withdrawal lines in non-government-controlled Donetsk city.
• The Mission facilitated and monitored adherence to localised ceasefires to enable repairs to critical civilian infrastructure and the operation of the Donetsk Filtration Station.
• The SMM again saw that the entry-exit checkpoint in Stanytsia Luhanska was temporarily open and that the corresponding checkpoint of the armed formations remained closed.
• The Mission’s freedom of movement continued to be restricted, including at two border crossing points in non-government-controlled areas of Luhansk region.*

VIENNA, 16 June 2020 – We must do all we can to adapt and use new technologies in preventing and combating corruption and money-laundering, participants of a two-day virtual 2nd Preparatory meeting of the OSCE Economic and Environmental Forum (EEF) urge, which concluded today. Tackling corruption will be a critical element in the ability of many countries to successfully re-emerge from the COVID-19 crisis.  

Chaired by the Permanent Representative of Albania to the OSCE, Ambassador Igli Hasani, the meeting addressed the benefits of digitalization in improving the investment climate, promoting economic participation and increasing transparency.

Participants discussed the importance of joining efforts in fighting corruption in the area of managing natural resources with a view to promoting stability and economic growth. Discussions also focused on the role of innovation and digitalization in addressing the challenges of environmental protection, including available tools and alternative financing models as a source of innovative, economically-viable and corruption-free solutions to environmental protection challenges.

“The Albanian government has made the fight against corruption a top priority. We have stepped up our anti-corruption efforts by adopting cross-cutting, inter-sectoral strategies,” said Hasani. “Combating corruption is of high importance to the well-being and security of people across the OSCE region. It is a problem we cannot and we will not ignore.”

Hasani said that Albania wants to expand the OSCE discussion on digitalization to look at its benefits in the fight against corruption. “We are convinced that embracing the benefits of technological change as a tool to promote corruption-free, transparent and accountable societies will enhance security and stability in the OSCE region and beyond.”

OSCE Secretary General Thomas Greminger pointed out that the COVID-19 pandemic is adding another layer to anti-corruption efforts. “Corruption has already hampered government crisis response to protect public health and economic well-being,” he said. “In recent weeks, there have been ample warning about the likely corrosive effect of corruption on post-COVID-19 recovery.”

Greminger indicated that as unprecedented amounts of public funds are pumped into the economy, the corruption challenge is set to grow. “So should our resolve to fight it,” said Greminger. “This is the moment to use e-government and open data platforms, which are critical tools to improve the economic outlook and secure sustainable economic recovery. We may not have fully realized the effect of COVID-19 on our personal lives yet, but its impact on comprehensive security could be severe if we fail to react early on and make full use of the tools at our disposal.”

Professor Paola Severino, Special Representative of the OSCE Chairperson-in-Office on Combating Corruption said: “Preserving the sustainability of our governance structures stands out as a most urgent task for all our countries.”

Severino said that the OSCE with its comprehensive approach to security can provide a sound platform for facilitating dialogue. “The fight against corruption must remain a priority within the OSCE, and I am particularly glad to offer my experience and commitment to the Albanian Chairmanship, who has given high priority to the fight against corruption in its agenda.”

Li Yong, the Director General of UNIDO, said that in the era of the Fourth Industrial Revolution, processes are becoming increasingly transparent, and therefore digitalization efforts can expect to result in a decline in certain types of corruption. “Environmentally sound technologies and circular economy practices not only improve the productivity of companies but through cost savings achieved create incentives to reduce also corruption,” he said.

Participants discussed best practices and shared experiences on how new technologies and innovative solutions can strengthen efforts to prevent corruption in both the economic and environmental spheres.

The Co-ordinator of OSCE Economic and Environmental Activities, Vuk Žugić, said that the virtue of the OSCE is in bringing very different stakeholders together and connecting them in an active dialogue, even in the times of closed borders, lockdowns and economic uncertainties. “We have gained new insights into how States are responding to the challenges posed by corruption and how technological advances could help to tackle these issues,” said Žugić.

The Concluding Meeting of the 28th OSCE Economic and Environmental Forum is envisaged to take place from 10 to 11 September in Prague.