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 decreased at both BCPs compared to the previous week.

OPERATIONAL REMARKS

The OM is currently operating with 20 permanent international staff members, including the Chief Observer (CO). The Mission is supported administratively by a staff member and the Chief of Fund Administration based in Vienna.

Update on COVID-19 measures

Activities have been impacted by COVID-19 and measures undertaken by the OM to ensure the safety and duty of care of its Mission members and compliance with measures set by the host country authorities. The Mission is continuing to keep the situation under review, in close contact with the OSCE Secretariat and the Chairmanship. Following the host country recommendations, the observers are applying a self-isolation regime between the shifts at the border checkpoints and adherence 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 fulfill its mandate without any limitations in its observation and reporting activities.

OBSERVATIONS AT THE BORDER CROSSING POINTS

Persons crossing the border                                                                                                                     

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

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

The average number of entries/exits decreased from 321 to 268 per day at both BCPs compared to last week[1].

During the reporting period, the majority of border crossings were to Ukraine, with an average net flow of 22 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 suspended.

Persons in military-style outfits

During the reporting period, the number of persons in military-style outfits crossing the border was two, the same number as last week, one of them crossed into the Russian Federation, and one into Ukraine (both crossings occurred at the Donetsk BCP). 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, four families were observed crossing into the Russian Federation while no families were observed crossing into Ukraine, compared to the previous reporting period when two families were observed crossing to the Russian Federation and one family into Ukraine.

Bus connections                                        

Regular local and long-distance bus connections between Ukraine (mostly from/to the Luhansk region) and the Russian Federation were stopped from 10 April. During the reporting period, no buses were observed at the two BCPs.

Trucks

During the reporting period, the OTs observed a slight increase in the overall number of trucks crossing the border at both BCPs (557 compared to 554 during the previous reporting week); 286 at the Gukovo BCP and 271 at the Donetsk BCP, 369 of these trucks crossed into the Russian Federation and 188 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 and trucks with “LPR” plates. In addition, during the reporting week, trucks registered in Lithuania were also observed.

The OTs also continued to observe tanker trucks crossing the border in both directions. During the reporting week, the number of tanker trucks increased from 34 to 43. 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 Russian Federation officials, which could include an X-ray check. Due to the unfavourable observation position at the Gukovo BCP, the OTs continued to be unable to observe any X-ray checks.

Compared to the previous week, the total number of X-ray checks at the Donetsk BCP decreased from 115 to 86. Of the total number of trucks scanned, 53 trucks (62 per cent) were bound for Ukraine: the remaining 33 trucks (38 per cent) crossed into the Russian Federation.

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. Similar to the previous week, the number of cargo minivans remained the same, 26 vehicles; 15 crossed into the Russian Federation and another 11 into Ukraine.

Trains

The OTs continued to pick up the sound of trains on the railway tracks located approximately 150m south-west of the Gukovo BCP. During the reporting week, the OTs heard trains on 22 occasions; the OTs assessed that 14 trains were travelling to the Russian Federation and eight 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.

On 12 May at 04:38, the OT at the Donetsk BCP observed two minivans with “DPR” plates arriving at the BCP from Ukraine. The vans displayed the sign “DPR Post” (in Russian). After undergoing border control procedures, the vehicles crossed to the Russian Federation. 

For trends and figures at a glance covering the period from 7 April to 12 May 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).                          

SDGs SDGs:  16 - Peace, justice and strong institutions

Summary

• Compared with the previous reporting period, between the evenings of 8 and 9 May, the SMM recorded more ceasefire violations in Donetsk region and fewer in Luhansk region.
• Between the evenings of 9 and 10 May, the Mission recorded fewer ceasefire violations in Donetsk region and more in Luhansk region, compared with the previous 24 hours.
• Small-arms fire was assessed as aimed at an SMM mini-unmanned aerial vehicle flying near Shymshynivka, Luhansk region.*
• Members of the armed formations continued to deny the SMM passage at checkpoints along official crossing routes in Donetsk and Luhansk regions.*
• The Mission continued monitoring the disengagement areas near Stanytsia Luhanska and Zolote.
• Inside the Petrivske disengagement area, the SMM recorded ceasefire violations.
• The SMM continued following up on the situation of civilians amid the COVID-19 outbreak, including at entry-exit checkpoints and their corresponding checkpoints in Donetsk and Luhansk regions.
• The Mission monitored events commemorating Victory Day and Remembrance and Reconciliation Day throughout Ukraine.
• The SMM observed a calm situation in south-east Kherson region.
• The SMM’s freedom of movement continued to be restricted in non-government-controlled areas of both Donetsk and Luhansk regions, including at checkpoints of the armed formations and at a heavy weapons holding area.*

VIENNA, 11 May 2020 –Today, the Mediterranean Partners for Co-operation Group, under the Swedish Chair, held their first virtual meeting. It focused on the challenges and opportunities of information technology and human trafficking.

Some 100 participants discussed the rapid development of information technology and its tremendous impact globally on trafficking in human beings (THB), including in the OSCE region and across the Mediterranean.

“Our programme for 2020 will focus on topics such as countering trafficking in human beings, women, peace and security, youth and countering violent extremism and radicalization that lead to terrorism (VERLT),” said Ambassador Ulrika Funered, Head of the Permanent Delegation of Sweden to the OSCE. “Sweden’s ambition is to continue the tradition to make the OSCE Mediterranean partnership interactive, dynamic and operational despite these challenging times.”

Ambassador Igli Hasani, Chair of the Permanent Council, wholly endorsed the Swedish programme. “The programme closely aligns and complements Albanian’s Chairmanship priorities, and is particularly relevant to the Partners.” Regarding the topic of the day, Hasani stressed that harnessing new technologies and improving cross-border information sharing is an objective for us all. “It helps us increase awareness, support prevention, exchange best practices, adopt appropriate legislation, deepen mutual co-operation and strengthen prosecution with a sensible focus on the protection of the victims”.

OSCE Secretary General Thomas Greminger highlighted that the OSCE has long been a champion in a fight against human trafficking. “The OSCE has been in the lead in standard-setting and has provided concrete solutions through practical co-operation projects that have gained wide international interest,” said Greminger. He also noted that resilience of regional dialogue and co-operation would be tested due to the ongoing pandemic. “Our partnership should not be about doing less, but doing better.”

Valiant Richey, OSCE Special Representative and Co-ordinator for Combating Trafficking in Human Beings, pointed out that “The future success of countries in eradicating human trafficking will very much depend on how they are prepared and equipped to harness technology to fight this crime. We stand ready to help with the process.”

Participants commended Sweden’s Mediterranean Partners for Co-operation Group 2020 programme. “Sweden will concentrate on those areas of dialogue and co-operation in which the OSCE has a comparative advantage and where it brings added value,” said Ambassador Funered. “In this format, we are committed to enhance our common security with all the tools that the OSCE has to offer.”

WARSAW, 11 May 2020 – Pending the final vote on a draft law to regulate the organization and holding of peaceful assemblies in Kazakhstan, the Director of the OSCE Office for Democratic Institutions and Human Rights (ODIHR) expressed her concern about undue limitations to the freedom of assembly.

“While I welcome the initiative to replace the current legislation on the right to assemble, I am concerned that the draft law as it now stands fails to ensure the free exercise of the right to peaceful assembly,” said ODIHR Director Ingibjörg Sólrún Gísladóttir. “Although the draft law introduces a number of positive changes, it still contains overly harsh rules on the time, place and manner in which peaceful assemblies can be held.”

Freedom of peaceful assembly is a fundamental human right crucial for the development of tolerant and democratic societies in which groups with different beliefs, practices or opinions can co-exist peacefully with each other. Such gatherings can serve many purposes, ranging from strong support to passionate protest.

“The legislative process is still ongoing. I very much hope that the Senate will address the shortcomings that remain and ensure the final legislation is balanced in its regulation of the right to peaceful assembly,” Gísladóttir added.

ODIHR encourages the Senate to ensure the draft law is brought in line with international standards, and offers its assistance to develop and improve it further. The right to freedom of peaceful assembly is enshrined in numerous human rights instruments. All countries across the OSCE region have also committed to upholding this right in the OSCE Copenhagen Document (1990), the Paris Charter for a New Europe (1990), and the Helsinki Statement of 2008, which oblige countries to guarantee the right to peaceful assembly both in law and practice.

SDGs SDGs:  16 - Peace, justice and strong institutions

Summary

• Compared with the previous reporting period, the SMM recorded fewer ceasefire violations in both Donetsk and Luhansk regions.
• Armed members of the armed formations stopped an SMM patrol in Horlivka, Donetsk region, and prevented its departure for almost three hours.*
• The SMM followed up on reports of four children who sustained injuries due to shelling in non-government-controlled Sakhanka and Oleksandrivka, Donetsk region.
• The SMM saw damage caused by shelling to houses and fresh craters nearby in non-government-controlled Syhnalne, Donetsk region.
• The Mission continued monitoring the disengagement areas near Stanytsia Luhanska, Zolote and Petrivske.
• An SMM unmanned aerial vehicle spotted for the first time 50 anti-tank mines near government-controlled Lebedynske, Donetsk region.
• The Mission continued following up on measures taken amid the COVID-19 outbreak, including at entry-exit checkpoints and their corresponding checkpoints in Donetsk and Luhansk regions.
• The SMM’s freedom of movement continued to be restricted; members of the armed formations denied the SMM passage at checkpoints along official crossing routes in Donetsk and Luhansk regions.*

VIENNA, 9 May 2020 – The OSCE Representative on Freedom of the Media, Harlem Désir, condemned today the threats against journalists of two newspapers in Northern Ireland, the United Kingdom.

According to reports, earlier this week, the South East Antrim UDA, a dissident loyalist group, issued serious threats against journalists of the Sunday World and Sunday Life newspapers. The Police Service of Northern Ireland warned the journalists that they were at risk of immediate attack, which included a plot to bomb a car belonging to one of the journalists. The threats are possibly linked to the newspapers’ coverage of murders and paramilitary activities in Northern Ireland in recent years.

“I strongly condemn these abhorrent threats against journalists of the Sunday World and Sunday Life newspapers,” said Representative Désir. “Such threats have no place in a democratic society, and underline the risks that journalists covering paramilitary activities continue to face in Northern Ireland. I commend the work of the authorities in the United Kingdom in warning the journalists of these threats and in carrying out necessary investigations. I hope that those responsible for these threats are swiftly brought to justice.”

The Sunday World, which has received threats in the past, was the newspaper where investigative journalist Martin O’Hagan, who was killed in 2001, worked. (See the Representative’s previous statements on his case here: https://www.osce.org/fom/270206; https://www.osce.org/fom/124419).  

This latest incident comes one year after the death of journalist Lyra McKee, who was killed in 2019 while covering riots in Londonderry, Northern Ireland. The Representative has also raised several other incidents earlier this year regarding threats against journalists in Northern Ireland.

On 5 February, reporter Leona O’Neill was the target of threats and accusations following her coverage of a commemoration event to mark the 1972 Bloody Sunday massacre. (See the Representative’s statement here: https://twitter.com/OSCE_RFoM/status/1225103227982700549?s=20).

On 8 April, a journalist of the Irish News received death threats from dissident republicans. (See the Representative’s statement here: https://twitter.com/OSCE_RFoM/status/1247891458218012672?s=20).

The OSCE Representative on Freedom of the Media observes media developments in all 57 OSCE participating States. She 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. 

SDGs SDGs:  16 - Peace, justice and strong institutions

On the morning of 8 May, an SMM patrol consisting of five Mission members and two vehicles located on the south-western outskirts of Horlivka (non-government-controlled, 39km north-east of Donetsk) conducted an announced SMM mini-unmanned aerial vehicle (UAV) flight to follow up on reports of recent damage in the area.

At about 9:20, after the patrol had completed the flight, four armed formations members, (three of them carrying rifles), approached the patrol. They said that the SMM had no permission to fly its UAV in the area, and did not allow the patrol members to enter their vehicles and leave.

At 10:11, three more armed formations members, (armed with pistols), arrived in a van and a civilian car, with which they blocked the SMM vehicles’ exit route. They asked to take pictures of the monitors’ identity cards and of the mini-UAV, which the SMM refused to allow them to do.

At 10:52, an armed formations member, (armed with a pistol), arrived at the site and told the Mission it would be allowed to leave once it complied with the request. While waiting, the patrol members saw several armed formations members (three of them armed with sniper rifles) at a distance.

At 12:09, an armed formations member said he had received instructions to allow the patrol to leave the area and the patrol returned safely to base.

COPENHAGEN, 8 May 2020 – More than 50 members of parliament from across the OSCE region participated in an online discussion today focused on the human rights consequences and democratic challenges posed by responses to the COVID-19 pandemic.

Some two-thirds of OSCE countries have put in place states of emergency or other extraordinary measures, which often enable curbs on rights and can result in limitations on parliamentary oversight. The webinar encouraged participants to address the question of ‘Respecting human rights and maintaining democratic control during states of emergency’, with parliamentarians from more than 30 countries attending the online event.

In welcoming participants to the discussion, Kyriakos Hadjiyianni (MP, Cyprus), Chair of the OSCE Parliamentary Assembly’s human rights committee, noted the complexity of current challenges. “We must address the health of our population without forgetting the health of our democratic systems,” he said, acknowledging that some agreed measures challenge basic aspects of parliamentarism.

The Director of the OSCE Office for Democratic Institutions and Human Rights, Ingibjorg Gisladottir, and the President of Freedom House, Michael Abramowitz, introduced a number of aspects for discussion by the parliamentarians.

Gisladottir noted that while the crisis is exposing and widening the pre-existing cracks that have been weakening democracies for years, a number of parliaments across the OSCE region have proven able to adapt quickly and respond effectively to the pandemic. “Their actions and flexibility in reshaping their work, amending regulations and embracing new technologies, playing their vital oversight role through special committees or parliamentary enquiries, and boosting transparency and inclusive representation, all teaches us how parliaments can perform a key role in addressing today’s crisis and upholding democratic principles,” she said.

A range of practical examples adopted by parliaments to ensure their continued effectiveness were presented by MPs, who took the opportunity to share their countries’ approaches.

Several speakers reiterated the general standards that apply to emergency restrictions: being limited to the situation and being proportionate; being consistent with other legal obligations; and being non-discriminatory in nature. The importance of emergency measures being limited in duration was also underlined.

“This is not a time to make dramatic permanent changes limiting the rights of individuals,” stressed Abramowitz, who particularly highlighted concerns related to violations of freedom of expression, the holding of elections, and surveillance. “With the functioning of parliaments limited, and the ability of political actors to campaign and engage less than the normal times, it is inappropriate to take permanent steps criminalizing false information or permanent changes to laws on assembly.”

Participants noted that some limited restrictions on rights, such as freedom of assembly, were understandable given the requirements of social distancing. However, several parliamentarians raised the danger of abuse of extraordinary powers by governments. The powers of the parliamentary minority to provide oversight must be protected particularly under these circumstances, it was stressed.

Freedom of expression was raised as being particularly vulnerable during states of emergency, and the criminalization of ‘false information’ in some OSCE countries was highlighted as being of concern. Parliamentarians also stressed civil society’s continued role as a watchdog as necessary under current circumstances.

OSCE PA Vice-President and Rapporteur of the human rights committee Kari Henriksen (MP, Norway) closed the webinar with remarks focusing on messages of hope, stressing that after the coronavirus crisis, there will be opportunities to strengthen democracies. Societies must move forward with a focus on how to rebuild with increased respect for human rights to ensure they are more sustainable and can better address future crises, she said.

OSCE Parliamentary Assembly President George Tsereteli (MP, Georgia) welcomed participants to the event, which included parliamentarians and staff from Albania, Andorra, Austria, Azerbaijan, Belarus, Belgium, Bulgaria, Canada, Cyprus, Czech Republic, Estonia, Finland, France, Georgia, Germany, Hungary, Iceland, Ireland, Italy, Kazakhstan, Latvia, Liechtenstein, Lithuania, Malta, Netherlands, Norway, Poland, Portugal, Romania, Spain, Sweden, Switzerland, Turkey, Ukraine, the United Kingdom and the United States, as well as a range of OSCE experts and others.

The webinar was the second in a series of Parliamentary Web Dialogues planned by the OSCE PA, with more to come in the coming months focused on various aspects of the COVID-19 crisis. It was moderated by OSCE PA Secretary General Roberto Montella.

For photos of the event, please click here.

For more on the OSCE Parliamentary Assembly’s response to the COVID-19 crisis, please click here.

SDGs SDGs:  16 - Peace, justice and strong institutions

Summary

• Compared with the previous reporting period, the SMM recorded more ceasefire violations in both Donetsk and Luhansk regions.
• The Mission received information about civilians, including two children, injured due to shelling in Sakhanka.
• The SMM observed damage caused by shrapnel and small-arms fire to buildings, including to a school, in Zolote-4/Rodina, Luhansk region.
• Explosions occurred near the SMM near Molodizhne, Luhansk region.
• Members of the armed formations continued to deny the SMM passage at checkpoints along official crossing routes in Donetsk and Luhansk regions.*
• The Mission continued monitoring the disengagement areas near Stanytsia Luhanska, Zolote and Petrivske. It observed persons inside the disengagement areas near Zolote and Petrivske.
• The SMM monitored and facilitated adherence to localised ceasefires to enable the operation of and repairs to critical civilian infrastructure in non-government-controlled areas of Donetsk and Luhansk regions.
• The Mission continued following up on measures taken amid the COVID-19 outbreak, including at entry-exit checkpoints and their corresponding checkpoints in Donetsk and Luhansk regions.
• The SMM’s freedom of movement continued to be restricted in both Donetsk and Luhansk regions.*

SDGs SDGs:  16 - Peace, justice and strong institutions

On 5, 6, 7 and 8 May, members of the armed formations again denied SMM attempts to cross into non-government-controlled areas along official crossing routes: five times in Donetsk region and twice in Luhansk region, while further attempts to cross into government-controlled areas were also denied, once in Donetsk region and twice in Luhansk region.

On 5 and 8 May, at a checkpoint 600m west of Verkhnoshyrokivske (formerly Oktiabr, non-government-controlled, 85km south of Donetsk), a member of the armed formations again denied an SMM patrol passage towards non-government-controlled areas, referring to quarantine restrictions due to COVID-19 on one occasion and stating that the SMM did not have permission to pass on another occasion.

On 5, 6, 7 and 8 May, at a checkpoint south of the Stanytsia Luhanska bridge (15km north-east of Luhansk), members of the armed formations again denied SMM patrols passage towards non-government-controlled areas on two occasions, and passage towards government-controlled areas on two other occasions, referring to the closure of the checkpoint due to COVID-19.

On 5 and 7 May, at a checkpoint near Olenivka (non-government-controlled, 23km south-west of Donetsk), members of the armed formations again denied SMM patrols passage towards government-controlled areas on one occasion, and passage towards non-government-controlled areas on another occasion, stating that the SMM did not have permission to pass.

On 6 May, at a checkpoint near Oleksandrivka (non-government-controlled, 20km south-west of Donetsk), members of the armed formations again denied an SMM patrol passage towards non-government-controlled areas, referring to quarantine restrictions due to COVID-19.

On 8 May, at a checkpoint near Horlivka (non-government-controlled, 39km north-east of Donetsk), a member of the armed formation again denied an SMM patrol passage towards non-government-controlled areas, stating that the checkpoint was closed.

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.

COPENHAGEN, 8 May 2020 – Significant efforts must be made to ensure that coronavirus-related emergency public spending measures adhere to the highest levels of transparency and principles of good governance, the OSCE Parliamentary Assembly’s Special Representative on Fighting Corruption, Irene Charalambides (MP, Cyprus), said today. She noted that with governments taking a series of important decisions and allocating enormous sums of money to prop up the economy, legally prescribed procurement procedures must be followed.

“High-value contracts are swiftly and discreetly being assigned and dizzying sums of relief and recovery money will be infused in the economy on a fast-track basis,” said Charalambides. “It is crucial to remain vigilant and invest significant efforts to ensure that this money is used appropriately, and that unscrupulous actors do not take advantage of the crisis to enrich themselves at the expense of the public.”

Audit and controls are a key part of these processes, she emphasized, which is relevant for all sectors adversely affected by the COVID- 19 crisis, including the health sector.

“As parliamentarians, we must call for the inclusion of clear anti-corruption safeguards for all public expenditures both now and in the aftermath of COVID-19,” Charalambides said. “As we work to support our societies with respect to their health and economic survival, it is of paramount importance that we implement a robust system of checks and balances to ensure that money is spent wisely and to avoid abuse by the few.”

In the procurement of medical equipment and supplies or direct state aid to businesses, waste, fraud and abuse must be prevented, she stressed. “Now more than ever, the people demand effective public governance and their tolerance for corruption is at an all-time low. If governments do not ensure the highest level of transparency and fairness in these processes, it would inflict a devastating blow to the people’s trust in state institutions,” she said.

The Special Representative also noted that the crisis is providing a fertile ground for criminal organizations to buy out legitimate businesses on the verge of bankruptcy, and governments should be particularly vigilant in protecting the economy from criminal infiltrations for money laundering purposes.

“Let COVID-19 be, apart the most horrific experience of modern times, an opportunity for us to collectively rethink a more responsible world,” she said. “A world with its mind set on health research, and innovation, through better co-ordination, collaboration and resource allocation.”

Charalambides co-authored the resolution “The Role of National Parliaments in Preventing and Combating Corruption in the OSCE Area,” adopted at the OSCE PA Annual Session in Luxembourg last year.

For more on the work of the OSCE PA Special Representative on Fighting Corruption, please click here.

For more on the OSCE PA’s response to the COVID-19 pandemic, please click here.

SDGs SDGs:  16 - Peace, justice and strong institutions

Summary

• Compared with the previous reporting period, the SMM recorded fewer ceasefire violations in both Donetsk and Luhansk regions.
• Members of the armed formations continued to deny the SMM passage at checkpoints along official crossing routes in Donetsk and Luhansk regions.*
• The Mission continued monitoring the disengagement areas near Stanytsia Luhanska, Zolote and Petrivske. It recorded ceasefire violations inside the disengagement area near Petrivske and observed persons inside the disengagement area near Zolote.
• The SMM monitored and facilitated adherence to localised ceasefires to enable the operation of and repairs to critical civilian infrastructure in non-government-controlled areas of Donetsk and Luhansk regions.
• The Mission continued following up on measures taken amid the COVID-19 outbreak, including at entry-exit checkpoints and their corresponding checkpoints in Donetsk and Luhansk regions.
• The SMM’s freedom of movement continued to be restricted in both Donetsk and Luhansk regions.*

VIENNA, 7 May 2020 – The OSCE Representative on Freedom of the Media, Harlem Désir, welcomed the decision of the lower chamber of the parliament of Kazakhstan to decriminalize defamation.

“I welcome the decision taken in the Mazhilis, the lower Chamber of the Parliament of Kazakhstan, on 6 May, to decriminalize defamation. This is an important step forward, which I have been calling for and expecting. The sweeping applications of laws on defamation and insult have been of great concern to my Office for a long time, as too many journalists have been criminally prosecuted or investigated, or have fallen victim to heavy fines, simply for performing their duty of informing citizens,” the Representative said. “Journalists must be able to pursue their work without fear of criminal reprisal, and I commend the fact that Kazakhstan, alongside Kyrgyzstan and Uzbekistan, have implemented their pledge to decriminalize defamation,” Désir added.

“I would now urge the authorities to move further and repeal a number of other tools in the Criminal Code, which refer to defamation and which may still stifle freedom of expression,” the Representative said. He referenced, in particular, Article 131 on “Insult”, Article 274 on “Distribution of Deliberately False Information”, and a number of articles protecting the honour and dignity of the First President, President, parliamentarians and representatives of public authorities.

As provisions in the Administrative Code are replacing some of the criminal provisions on defamation, the Representative recalled that defamation should be dealt with according to Civil Law and not through Administrative Law.

The OSCE Representative on Freedom of the Media has campaigned consistently on decriminalizing defamation in the entire OSCE area and in Central Asia in particular, including during the two Judicial Dialogues, organized by his Office in Bishkek, in December 2018, and in Samarkand, in March 2020.

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 on www.facebook.com/osce.rfom.

SDGs SDGs:  16 - Peace, justice and strong institutions

Summary

• Compared with the previous reporting period, the SMM recorded more ceasefire violations in Donetsk region, including a spike in areas west of Donetsk city, and fewer in Luhansk region.
• An SMM patrol heard five explosions assessed as mortar rounds while positioned close to a checkpoint of the armed formations near Olenivka, Donetsk region.*
• The SMM saw shelling damage to three residential houses in Oleksandrivka.
• Members of the armed formations continued to deny the SMM passage at checkpoints along official crossing routes in Donetsk and Luhansk regions.*
• The Mission continued monitoring the disengagement areas near Stanytsia Luhanska, Zolote and Petrivske.
• It monitored and facilitated adherence to localised ceasefires to enable repairs to critical civilian infrastructure in non-government-controlled areas of Donetsk region.
• The SMM continued following up on measures taken amid the COVID-19 outbreak, including at entry-exit checkpoints and their corresponding checkpoints in Donetsk and Luhansk regions.
• The SMM’s freedom of movement continued to be restricted in both Donetsk and Luhansk regions.*

451591 Marina Živaljević

In order to support the ongoing modernization drive of several media houses in Montenegro, the OSCE Mission to Montenegro delivered ten new desktop computers to the news house Vijesti on 6 May 2020 in Podgorica.

Further material assistance is also planned for Radio Television Montenegro (RTCG), the public service broadcaster, as well as other media houses in Montenegro.

“Providing technical equipment further enhances journalistic skills and output. This approach is in line with identified training needs of the media houses and consistent with the Mission’s long-term strategy to support free, independent and pluralistic media in Montenegro,” said Maryse Daviet, Head of the OSCE Mission to Montenegro.

The Mission expresses its appreciation to Marijana Bojanić, Executive Director of Vijesti, for her co-operation with the Mission, particularly inidentifying current training needs and supporting the organization of training courses for staff.

The Mission supports programmes to enhance journalists’ ability to use modern technical equipment, which is especially important in the new working environment of self-isolation as result of the current pandemic.

On behalf of the Mission, the technical equipment was handed over by Mission’s Media Programme Manager, Daniel Blank.

451153 Ivana Milatovic, OSCE Mission to Serbia OSCE Media Freedom Representative and OSCE Head of Mission to Serbia welcome reversal by Serbian Government of decision on public information OSCE Media Freedom Representative and OSCE Head of Mission to Serbia stress importance of free access to information, following new Government decision "Selfish approaches would only cast a dark shadow on the future of Europe"

To help Serbia face the challenges stemming from the COVID-19 pandemic, the OSCE Mission to Serbia immediately adapted its support to meet the country’s needs.

The Mission provided first aid kits to the shelter for victims of trafficking of human beings (THB) and to socially disadvantaged persons in south Serbia, including migrants, on 30 April 2020.

As the Mission focuses particularly on the most vulnerable groups, a similar donation for citizens in need in southwest Serbia will soon follow.

“In the short term, we redirected some of our funds to provide first aid kits,” said Andrea Orizio, the Head of the OSCE Mission to Serbia. “In the long term, we remain focused on the work we are carrying out in the crucial areas of our mandate, such as the implementation of the Media Strategy through its Action plan, the protection of the safety of journalists, and strengthening the Interior Ministry’s operational capacities for regional co-operation in the fight against human trafficking.”

Orizio said that the Mission stands ready to assist in assessing the impact of this extraordinary period on crucial issues. “Human rights, gender equality, domestic violence, or the fight against corruption, is what we are focusing on, deepening our partnership with all stakeholders, including civil society, while helping Serbia take ownership of these achievements,” said Orizio.

The OSCE Mission to Serbia will continue to adapt to the changing needs of the host country’s institutions and civil society organizations. The Mission will implement its assistance in several areas, including: providing psychological support to persons with intellectual and mental disabilities; providing personal protection equipment for partner institutions; enabling virtual meetings of stakeholders involved in the protection of THB victims and combating human smuggling; supporting Roma families in informal Belgrade settlements; assisting local self-governments in providing training on the official use of minority languages and developing  a gender analysis of Serbia’s COVID-19 response.

All the initiatives are part of the Mission’s comprehensive effort to help Serbia in its humanitarian and institutional response to the COVID-19 pandemic.

Environmental crime in Albania increased in the first four months of 2020 compared to the same period last year, according to police reports.

With the aim to assist Albania’s institutions better fight environmental crime, also in periods of crisis like COVID-19, the OSCE Presence in Albania and the Ministry of Tourism and Environment facilitated an online meeting of the Interinstitutional Group against Environmental Crime, the Agency for Support of Local Self-Governance and civil society activists, on 4 May 2020 in Tirana.

The participants discussed the institutions’ needs, especially during this time, and addressed several cases presented by civil society organizations and the media, such as the import of hazardous waste, oil and hydrocarbon spills, illegal hunting and logging.

The participants agreed that there is a need for a legal act to clarify the role of the various inspectorates dealing with environmental crimes, and especially the role of the local government. This became even more important following the amendments to the Criminal Code in October 2019, which made the smuggling of prohibited goods, improper waste management, and illegal waste transportation criminal offenses. 

To support local authorities, the Presence developed a handbook on the functions and capabilities of the local government in preventing environmental crimes. They will continue to work closely with all stakeholders in this field.

The OSCE Presence is a partner of Albanian institutions in their fight against environmental crime.

The Interinstitutional Group against Environmental Crime, which includes 11 institutions, was founded with the Presence’s support in 2015. The Presence also contributed to the Criminal Code amendments on environmental crime, raised awareness and understanding of environmental crime issues, and enhanced the capacities of Albania’s authorities to address them.

VIENNA, 6 May 2020 – The OSCE Representative on Freedom of the Media, Harlem Désir, expressed his concerns today about a set of new amendments to the law on Countering Terrorism, as well as changes to the Code of Civil Procedure, in Kyrgyzstan.

On 31 March, the National Committee of State Security put forward amendments, which include a number of provisions which could negatively impact the media’s activities and freedom of expression in the country. In particular, the draft stipulates that the media may be sanctioned, and even closed down, for publishing information about a supposedly extremist or terrorist organization, even without prior knowledge of the organization being considered extremist or terrorist. Furthermore, the amendments stipulate that reporters cannot interview “terrorists” on their own initiative, or provide airtime to them, without first acquiring permission from an official. Reporters are further obliged to pass on materials or information relating to terrorist activities to the authorities.

“I fully understand the need to combat violent extremism and terrorist propaganda. However, I am concerned by the scope and the potential impact of the new amendments to the law on countering terrorism and their impact on media freedom,” Désir said. “The Constitution of the Republic of Kyrgyzstan guarantees freedom of expression and freedom of the media. I want to recall the importance of respecting the principles of necessity and proportionality in any restriction to these fundamental rights,” the Representative said. “Freedom of the media is a key pillar of democratic societies, and the media must be able to engage in discussions on socially relevant topics, even if controversial, without risk or fear of undue prosecution or reprisals.”

The Representative called on the authorities to reconsider the amendments and to bring them in line with international standards on freedom of expression and media freedom.

The Representative also noted the objections to the law raised by several media rights advocates and journalists in the country.

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 on www.facebook.com/osce.rfom.

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On 5 May, the OSCE Project Co-ordinator in Uzbekistan, John MacGregor handed over personal protection equipment (PPE) to the Authorized Person of the Oliy Majlis of the Republic of Uzbekistan for Human Rights (Ombudsperson), Ulugbek Mukhammadiev. The PPE is intended to help protect the staff of the Ombudsperson’s Secretariat and Regional Representatives from contracting COVID-19 when performing their official functions. This may include visiting and monitoring closed institutions, including quarantine facilities and penal colonies.

By providing the PPE, the PCUz is assisting Uzbekistan in ensuring the continued monitoring of the national and international human rights standards is being conducted by the Institution of the Ombudsperson, even in the time of a crisis. The PCUz is committed to assisting Uzbekistan in its fight against COVID-19.

OSCE Project Co-ordinator in Uzbekistan John MacGregor said: “The Ombuds Institution is authorized by Oliy Majlis to perform the internationally recognized duties in accordance with the national preventive mechanism in Uzbekistan”.

SDGs SDGs:  16 - Peace, justice and strong institutions

Summary

• Compared with the previous 24 hours, the SMM recorded more ceasefire violations in both Donetsk and Luhansk regions.
• The Mission saw damage from small-arms fire to a residential house in Yasynuvata and received information about civilians injured due to shelling in Oleksandrivka.
• Members of the armed formations continued to deny the SMM passage at checkpoints along official crossing routes in Donetsk and Luhansk regions.*
• The Mission continued monitoring the disengagement areas near Stanytsia Luhanska, Zolote and Petrivske.
• It monitored and facilitated adherence to localised ceasefires to enable repairs to critical civilian infrastructure in non-government-controlled areas of Luhansk region.
• The SMM continued following up on measures taken amid the COVID-19 outbreak, including at entry-exit checkpoints and their corresponding checkpoints in Donetsk and Luhansk regions.
• The SMM’s freedom of movement continued to be restricted in both Donetsk and Luhansk regions.*