Central Europe

The 5th International Scientific Conference on Environmental Crime, Environmental Security and National Security, organized by the Albanian Security Academy, in close co-operation with the OSCE Presence in Albania and the Municipality of Tirana, was held on 11 February 2020 in Tirana.

The discussion focused on ways to strengthen co-ordination and co-operation of all stakeholders involved in the protection of the environment to improve environmental security and reduce environmental crimes in Albania. The goal was to provide further visibility to environmental crimes, share good practices, provide solutions, and provoke reactions from both state institutions and society.

More than 100 representatives of civil society, academia, public institutions, and law enforcement agencies stressed the need for additional human resources, enhanced multi-agency co-operation, and legislative changes to fight this problem.

“The OSCE is proud to support these efforts and other platforms, which bring together relevant actors from different fields to consider the scope and specific nature of environmental crimes, and how to respond to them,” said Deputy Head of the OSCE Presence in Albania Robert Wilton.

Blendi Klosi, Minister of Tourism and Environment, said that fighting environmental crime requires the co-operation of all state and non-state stakeholders and their co-ordinated interaction. “The Ministry has launched several initiatives with its partners to fight environmental crime that the crime is a recognized reality in our country. We are passing some powers in cases of environmental crime to the State Police, so and that it will face the full strength of the law.”

Since 2015, the Presence has supported Albanian authorities in raising capacities and improving their understanding of environmental crime issues by introducing an inter-agency approach to tackling environmental crime issues in a consistent, multi-disciplinary and cross-sectoral way.

In 2020, the Presence’s continued engagement in this area will primarily focus on increasing the capacity of and co-ordination among law enforcement agencies to prevent and duly prosecute environmental crimes.

445840 Marina Živaljević

At a presentation organized by the OSCE Mission to Montenegro on 11 February 2020 in Podgorica, participants concluded that establishing a journalism training and research centre in Montenegro would benefit both students and experienced journalists.

A comprehensive assessment report entitled “Media Training Models for practice-oriented journalism education in Montenegro” was presented to the representatives of 12 embassies and the Ministry of Foreign Affairs of Montenegro.

The report, commissioned by the Mission in 2019 and conducted by two independent experts, identifies shortcomings in the current educational system for journalists as well as training requirements of media houses in the country.

It was noted that the establishment of any training centre would need the support and involvement of multiple stakeholders, including academia, the media, NGOs, the international community and other relevant bodies.

Isabella Kurkowski, one of the experts preparing the report, highlighted a need for a new institution that can build trust amongst all stakeholders. “Open and inclusive dialogue is key in finding solutions to the problems identified in the needs assessment.” “The report is based on a series of meetings and discussions with journalists, media managers, NGO representatives, scholars, diplomats and governmental institutions on how to strengthen an established approach for training journalists that is coherent and sustainable,” said Kurkowski. Forty-five interviews, with over 200 responses on questionnaires, were conducted with relevant experts in October and November 2019.

Head of the OSCE Mission to Montenegro, Maryse Daviet, emphasised that based on the findings of the Needs Assessment, the Mission will only support a training centre that is not created unilaterally but with broad involvement of multiple stakeholders in the process, including academia, media, NGOs, international community, and other relevant bodies.

“The creation of any training centre that is not the result of an open and inclusive dialogue, involving multiple stakeholders in discussions and planning over a prolonged period, will not provide a solution to the problems identified in the needs assessment,” said Daviet.  

In 2020, the Mission plans to work with the University of Montenegro, as the central journalism training institution in the country, and other stakeholders on three issues: learn more about Media Training Centres abroad; develop a way forward; and develop a training curriculum for journalism studies.

SKOPJE, 10 February 2020 – Representatives of national and international anti-corruption bodies and law enforcement agencies from South-Eastern Europe met today in Skopje at a two-day regional conference, organized by the OSCE Mission to Skopje and OSCE Albania’s Chairmanship. The event will focus on preventing and tackling corruption.

Participants from the region will discuss best practices and share knowledge on anti-corruption activities as well as further developing preventive measures aimed at better curbing corruption.

“Anti-corruption agencies across the region require both independence and close co-operation with other institutions and authorities in the enforcement chain: particularly the prosecution and police,” said the Head of the OSCE Mission to Skopje Clemens Koja. “We need to keep focusing our collective actions on preventing corruption. Focus on the transparency of public institutions, including their procurement practices; have whistleblowing and conflict of interest policies in place; as well as build the capacity of relevant law enforcement agencies in their response to corruption discoveries,” said Koja. 

Paola Severino, the Special Representative of the OSCE Chairperson-in-Office on Combating Corruption, said: “The consistency of OSCE’s approach to combating corruption, including the constant promotion of ownership by the host countries, have generated significant trust and commitment from the regional stakeholders in South-Eastern Europe.”

Severino said that while she is aware that OSCE is not the only international actor focusing on combating corruption, the reserve of trust and commitment that the OSCE has built can also serve as a catalyst in advancing other regional initiatives. “These can benefit from the positive momentum created by the impact of OSCE projects. Particularly in promoting the need to pursue a holistic approach that prioritizes prevention and incentives alongside repressive measures,” she said.

The conference, attended by some 70 participants, is also supported by the OSCE field operations in the Western Balkans. 

VIENNA, 10 February 2020 – OSCE Secretary General Thomas Greminger met with Foreign Minister of Azerbaijan Elmar Mammadyarov today. They discussed current issues and co-operation between the OSCE and Azerbaijan.

Secretary General Greminger said that the OSCE is committed to supporting Azerbaijan in the implementation of its commitments in all three dimensions of security: the politico-military, the economic and environmental and the human dimension.

Greminger recalled that the OSCE Office for Democratic Institutions and Human Rights (ODIHR) deployed an Election Observation Mission to Azerbaijan to observe early parliamentary elections on 9 February, following an official invitation from the authorities. An initial assessment of the elections can be found here.

Minister Mammadyarov stressed that these elections should be viewed in the context of the reform process in Azerbaijan.

Minister Mammadyarov furthermore briefed Secretary General Greminger about his meeting with Armenian Foreign Minister Zohrab Mnatsakanyan, which took place under the auspices of the OSCE Minsk Group Co-Chairs on 28-30 January in Geneva. The Minister emphasized the importance of such detailed discussions on the substantive aspects of early conflict resolution, on the basis of the Helsinki Final Act principles. Greminger expressed his full support to the efforts of the Minsk Group Co-Chairs and welcomed the talks and concrete steps to prepare the populations for peace through intensified people-to-people contacts.

Greminger and Mammadyarov also discussed the current phase of implementation of the OSCE project on “Promoting Green Ports and Connectivity in the Caspian Sea Region”. The project aims at supporting Azerbaijan, Kazakhstan and Turkmenistan in making the best use of renewable energy, digitalization and trade and transport facilitation to promote connectivity across the Caspian Sea and the wider region.

Azerbaijan’s Foreign Minister invited Secretary General Greminger to visit Azerbaijan in the near future. Minister Mammadyarov announced that on the occasion of the Secretary General’s visit a conference on promoting green ports and connectivity will be organized in Baku.

SDGs SDGs:  16 - Peace, justice and strong institutions

Summary

• Compared with the previous reporting period, between the evenings of 7-8 February, the SMM recorded more ceasefire violations in Donetsk region and fewer in Luhansk region.
• Between the evenings of 8-9 February, the Mission recorded more ceasefire violations in both Donetsk and Luhansk regions, compared with the previous 24 hours.
• The SMM saw a woman with injuries to her face, reportedly due to shelling in non-government-controlled Donetskyi.
• The Mission continued monitoring the security situation at the disengagement areas near Stanytsia Luhanska, Zolote and Petrivske. It recorded ceasefire violations near the disengagement area near Zolote.
• The Mission’s freedom of movement continued to be restricted, including on three occasions at a checkpoint of the armed formations near Verkhnoshyrokivske in southern Donetsk region.

BAKU, 10 February 2020 – The restrictive legislation and political environment prevented genuine competition in Azerbaijan’s early parliamentary elections, international observers said in a preliminary statement published today. Although some prospective candidates were denied the right to stand, candidate registration was otherwise inclusive. Despite the large number of candidates, voters were not provided with a meaningful choice, due to a lack of real political discussion, the statement says.

The observation mission, a joint undertaking of the OSCE Office for Democratic Institutions and Human Rights (ODIHR), the OSCE Parliamentary Assembly (OSCE PA) and the Parliamentary Assembly of the Council of Europe (PACE), noted that many candidates used social media to reach out to the voters, but this did not compensate for the absence of campaign coverage in traditional media.

“I regret very much that what could have been improvements did not lead to a competitive environment enabling truly democratic elections. Counting on election day was disappointing. I would have hoped for some real changes. The absence of any serious coverage of the campaign in traditional media and the lack of debate in public and on television are some of the reasons for low public attention,” said Artur Gerasymov, Special Co-ordinator and leader of the OSCE short-term observer mission. “I am well aware of the impact the conflict with Armenia has on the organization of the elections in this country and value the efforts made to assure the participation of IDPs in the elections.”

The election administration was well resourced and met legal deadlines, and the Central Election Commission (CEC) made concerted efforts to act transparently and was welcoming towards international observers. However, significant procedural violations during the counting and tabulation of votes on election day raised concerns over whether the results were established honestly, the observers said.

Most candidates did not present alternative programmes or views to those of the ruling party, and the campaign, overall, was devoid of the political engagement essential for a competitive race and a genuine choice for voters. Despite constitutional guarantees for freedoms of expression, assembly, association, movement, access to information and the right to take part in political life, these are significantly restricted by primary legislation.

“Despite some appearance of progress in the preparation for the elections, the widespread violations of counting procedures raised serious concerns about the results of the voting in general,” said Frank Schwabe, Head of the PACE delegation. “In contradiction to the judgements of the European Court of Human Rights and repeated requests  from the Council of Europe in the cases of Ilgar Mammadov and others, a number of potential candidates were prevented from running.”

Many long-standing recommendations by ODIHR and the Council of Europe’s Venice Commission, including those related to fundamental freedoms, the media environment and candidate registration, have yet to be addressed. The European Court of Human Rights (ECtHR) has ruled on 23 cases of violations of the right to free elections, although none of the rulings has been implemented, which prevented some potential candidates from running. A total of 1,314 candidates ran, after some 19 per cent of those originally registered withdrew, citing, among other reasons, agreements among parties and pressure exercised by some authorities at the local level.

Traditional media failed to provide voters with information on contestants and their platforms, and campaign events were not covered by the broadcasters. Election-related news coverage was reduced to reports about the activities of the CEC.

“In these elections, unfortunately, we saw a low level of participation of women candidates,” said Elona Hoxha-Gjebrea, Head of the OSCE PA delegation. “It is clear to me that greater efforts are needed to promote the participation of women in public and political life, and to increase youth engagement. This could go a long way towards strengthening Azerbaijan’s democracy as a whole.”

None of the 55 registered political parties is headed by a woman, and only 21 percent of candidates were women. There are no legal requirements to promote women candidates.

More than 89,000 domestic observers were accredited by the CEC and lower commissions. Over 62 per cent were representatives of contestants, 34 per cent were individual observers, and only 4 per cent were nominated by non-governmental organizations. There were considerable concerns raised about the political affiliation or lack of independence of some citizen observer groups. A total of 883 international observers were accredited by the CEC.

“Since arriving here on 6 January, we have enjoyed good co-operation with the Central Election Commission, which made considerable efforts to increase the transparency of their work,” said Ambassador Peter Tejler, Head of the ODIHR election observation mission. “We observed the campaign throughout the country, including the media coverage, and our conclusion is that there was no meaningful discussion and no meaningful choice for voters.”

The international election observation mission comprised 358 observers from 41 countries – 273 ODIHR-deployed experts and observers, 57 parliamentarians and staff from the OSCE PA, and 28 from PACE.

For further information contact:

Nat Parry, OSCE PA, +994 55 980 42 56 or + 45 60 10 81 77, nat@oscepa.dk

Thomas Rymer, ODIHR, +994 55 414 41 79, thomas.rymer@odihr.az

Bogdan Torcatoriu, PACE, bogdan.torcatoriu@coe.int

445726 Marina Živaljević

Darko Brajović, National Programme Officer in the OSCE Mission to Montenegro, met on 6 February 2020 with Executive Director of the Association of Youth with Disabilities Marina Vujačić. They discussed ways to ensure that persons with disabilities can participate in electoral processes in Montenegro.

Vujačić spoke about barriers that limit or prevent persons with disabilities from participating in political life and voting in elections.

During the meeting, Vujačić and Brajović considered prospects for co-operation, the importance of the secrecy of vote and ensuring that polling stations are accessible to  persons with disabilities.

Brajović encouraged the Association of Youth with Disabilities to work with the Mission, the State Election Commission and the Municipal Election Commissions to raise awareness of the importance of accessibility to all polling stations.

“The OSCE is committed to promoting the rights of people with disabilities and strives to help in removing barriers that hamper their full participation as voters and candidates,” said Brajović.

SDGs SDGs:  16 - Peace, justice and strong institutions

Summary

• Compared with the previous reporting period, the SMM recorded fewer ceasefire violations both in Donetsk and Luhansk regions.
• The Mission continued monitoring the security situation at the disengagement areas near Stanytsia Luhanska, Zolote and Petrivske.
• The Mission monitored adherence to a localized ceasefire to facilitate maintenance to and operation of critical civilian infrastructure near the contact line.
• The SMM’s freedom of movement continued to be restricted, including at checkpoints in non-government-controlled Staromykhailivka and Verkhnoshyrokivske in Donetsk region and at a border-crossing point in non-government-controlled Izvaryne in Luhansk region.

KYIV, 7 February 2020 – OSCE Representative on Freedom of the Media, Harlem Désir, concluded today his official visit to Kyiv, where he held discussions with the authorities, the media community and international organizations, focusing particularly on two new draft laws, on Media and on Countering Disinformation respectively.

“The draft law on Media is an important reform of the regulation of the media field in Ukraine. It is important to ensure that it will contribute to pluralism, independence and freedom of the media in line with the best international standards and OSCE commitments on freedom of the media,” Désir said.

“The law should particularly ensure the independence, impartiality and accountability of the regulatory body, transparency of media ownership, and equal opportunities for media outlets with fair competition on the market. The new, extensive competencies of the regulatory agency should not infringe upon freedom of the media and the content of online and printed media,” Désir said.

The Representative announced that he will provide a legal review of the draft law, including recommendations, to the authorities and the Verkhovna Rada’s Committee on Humanitarian and Information Policy within the next few weeks.

Regarding the draft law on countering disinformation “On Amendments to Certain Legal Acts of Ukraine Aimed to Provide National Information Security and Right to Access to Truthful Information”, the Representative urged the authorities to allow more time for consultations with the media community and international organizations. “I understand the need to fight against disinformation, especially in the context of the current conflict in and around Ukraine. However, the current draft law, as it is, could lead to broad state interference in media content and journalism activities at the expense of media freedom and will not be efficient to counter disinformation.” He also said: “The first allies in the fight against disinformation are the Ukrainian journalists themselves and any strategy must build on their capacities and be developed in consultation with them.”

The Representative insisted that more time is needed for the consultation process and for developing a new strategy. “Self-regulation, support for professional standards of journalism, fact-checking initiatives to debunk false information, diversity of reliable sources of information and an independent public service media, as well as the development of media literacy are key components in the fight against the manipulation of information.”

In his discussions with Zurab Alasania, Chair of the Managing Board of the public service company UA: PBC, and members of Parliament, the Representative underlined the importance of a well-funded independent public broadcasting service, which can also contribute to combatting disinformation.

During his visit, Désir discussed the importance of enhancing the safety of journalists. “Despite improvements in comparison to 2014-2015, when attacks on journalists and media property were frequent, intimidation, harassment and obstruction involving members of the media, continue to take place,” Désir said. “The death of the journalist and blogger Vadim Komarov in Cherkasy in June 2019 is a horrible reminder of the danger that journalists face. In many of these cases, the perpetrators have not been brought to justice yet, and the effectiveness and pace of the investigations remain quite low. I call on the authorities to spare no effort in boosting effective investigations, including in the case of the assassination of Pavel Sheremet, in line with the OSCE commitments of Ukraine, which include the Ministerial Council decision on safety of journalists, adopted in 2018 in Milan.”

In his discussions with the authorities, the Representative reiterated his concerns about the media freedom situation and safety of journalists in the non-government-controlled areas, and assured the authorities that his Office will continue to closely monitor the related developments and address any violations of the rights of media actors.

During his visit, Désir met with Volodymyr Borodianskyi, Minister of Culture, Youth and Sport of Ukraine; Oleksandr Tkachenko, Chairperson of the Verkhovna Rada of Ukraine’s Committee on Humanitarian and Information Policy; Oleg Nalyvaiko, Head of the State Committee for Television and Radio Broadcasting, and Yevhenia Filipenko, Director General for International Organizations at the Foreign Ministry of Ukraine.

He also met with journalists and representatives of civil society organizations, including the Institute of Mass Information, the National Journalists’ Union of Ukraine, the Platform for Human Rights, the Donbass News website, Detector Media, the Ukrainian Service of Radio Free Europe, Hromadske TV, AFP and the Commission on Journalistic Ethics. Désir also had meetings with the OSCE Project Co-ordinator in Ukraine and the OSCE Special Monitoring Mission in Ukraine; as well as with Verena Taylor, Director of the Office Directorate General of Programmes of the Council of Europe (CoE) and Olena Litvinenko, Deputy Head of the CoE Office in Ukraine.

“I consider Ukraine a close partner in promoting media freedom in the OSCE region. I encourage the government to vigorously promote a safe and enabling environment for journalists, and to consider steps to strengthen media pluralism, independence and sustainability of the public broadcaster, transparency of media ownership and access to information,” he said. “As always, my Office stands ready to engage with relevant stakeholders, provide expert policy recommendations and share positive examples from the OSCE region on matters related to media freedom and safety of journalists.”

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 a similar number of  ceasefire violations in Donetsk region and more in Luhansk region.
• It followed up on reports of an injury to a man in non-government-controlled Holubivske due to shelling.
• An SMM patrol heard small-arms fire assessed as aimed at an SMM mini-unmanned aerial vehicle and explosions close to its position in government-controlled Zolote-4/Rodina.
• The Mission continued monitoring the security situation at the disengagement areas near Stanytsia Luhanska and Zolote. It again saw mines near the disengagement area near Petrivske.
• The SMM’s freedom of movement continued to be restricted, including at a checkpoint of the armed formations in Donetsk city’s Petrovskyi district.

VIENNA, 7 February 2020 – The OSCE Representative on Freedom of the Media, Harlem Désir, strongly condemned today the attack on Novaya Gazeta’s investigative journalist Elena Milashina and lawyer Marina Dubrovina in Grozny, the capital of the Chechen republic of the Russian Federation.

According to reports, on the night of 6 February, a group of 15 individuals attacked Milashina and Dubrovina inside the Continent Hotel in Grozny, where the pair were to attend the hearing of Islam Nukhanov. Milashina suffered serious bruises to her head, as well as cuts to her shoulder and neck. One of the assailants filmed the attack.

“I strongly condemn this violent attack against Elena Milashina and Marina Dubrovina,” said Désir. “This is a very worrying incident. I urge the authorities to investigate this attack thoroughly and fully, in order to bring those responsible to justice. It is paramount that journalists are able to work in a safe environment, without fear of reprisals.”

Reportedly, investigators responding to the event prevented Milashina from approaching a bystander, who might have witnessed the attack, to ask questions. Milashina links the attack to her professional journalistic activities, as she had previously received threats for publishing articles related to human rights violations in Chechnya.

The Representative recalled the OSCE Ministerial Council Decision on Safety of Journalists, which urges participating States to “condemn publicly and unequivocally all attacks and violence against journalists such as killing, torture, enforced disappearance, arbitrary arrest, arbitrary detention and arbitrary expulsion, intimidation, harassment, and threats of all forms, such as physical, legal, political, technological or economic, used to suppress their work and/or unduly force closure of their offices, including in conflict situations.”

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.

VIENNA, 7 February 2020 – The OSCE Representative on Freedom of the Media, Harlem Désir, expressed his concern today over the absence of the independent media outlet N1 among channels offered by  cable operators affiliated with the Telekom Serbia network. Telekom Serbia is a joint stock company predominantly owned by the state.

In the beginning of this year, cable operators ceased transmitting the N1 channel, which is known for its independent reporting. The decision was reportedly justified by legal and economic disagreements with the United Group, the owner of N1 and a media provider.

“I am concerned by this latest development in the dispute between Telekom Serbia and United Media,” said Désir. “It is essential to allow unhindered access to information for citizens, in order to preserve media plurality in the country through safeguarding the role of independent and critical media outlets.”

N1 was suspended from another state cable provider, PostaNet, after its contract expired in December 2019. The Representative also recalled that journalists working for N1 had previously suffered threats and physical attacks, with their web portal having been the target of repeated cyber-attacks.

“At this time when media and journalism are under attack, there is a pressing need to produce good public interest media content accessible to citizens, and for the state to promote diversity in the media landscape,” added the Representative. “Pluralistic and accurate news are of vital importance for citizens to make informed decisions about their participation in democratic processes, including elections.” 

See the Representative’s previous statements here: https://www.osce.org/representative-on-freedom-of-media/410768; https://www.osce.org/representative-on-freedom-of-media/415565; https://www.osce.org/representative-on-freedom-of-media/436331; https://twitter.com/OSCE_RFoM/status/1222182418465030145

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.

Joana Karapataqi, OSCE Presence in Albania OSCE Presence in Albania

Albanian high-level officials, civil society activists and representatives of embassies gathered on 7 February in Tirana to discuss achievements in the implementation of the United Nations Security Council resolution (UNSCR) 1325  on Women, Peace and Security in Albania and the way ahead. The OSCE Presence in Albania together with the Ministry of Health and Social Welfare organized the event.

“Albania adopted its own National Action Plan on Women, Peace and Security in 2018, and works closely with the OSCE to translate its commitment to women in security into a real and tangible contribution. We stand fully committed in supporting the country in implementing the UNSCR 1325,” said Head of Presence Bernd Borchardt.

“The 20th anniversary of UNSC 1325 finds Albania engaged to fulfil the objectives of the national action plan on its implementation. Despite achievements, we still need more women in politics, police, army, peacekeeping missions, diplomacy and municipal councils. There is still much to be done to listen to the voice of women,” said Minister of Health and Social Welfare Ogerta Manastirliu.

Minister of Defence Olta Xhaçka said that the trend of women involvement in the armed forces over the last years has been very positive - women make up 18.2 per cent of the armed forces staff, and that 35.4 per cent of the new officers that joined the army last year were women. “As we work to build a modern and professional army force we want to attract the most talented people. If we were to exclude women, we would have deprived ourselves of at least half of the talented army officers that the Albanian society can offer,” she said. 

The event showcased good practices in the implementation of national action plans on the Resolution 1325 in the Western Balkans. The participants discussed the role of state institutions, civil society, international development partners and international relations in fostering the Women, Peace and Security agenda. They stressed the need for effective structures that enable women’s meaningful participation in peace processes and longer-term peacebuilding activities.

The overall message was that challenges in the implementation of UNSCR 1325 cannot be addressed properly if only the government is viewed as responsible. “The conference noted that interventions on Women, Peace and Security need to build on cross-institutional co-operation and active role of civil society and media, as well as on research-based evidence on the implementation of the agenda across the OSCE region. The latest OSCE study Implementing the Women, Peace and Security Agenda in the OSCE Region, published in January 2020, is a good starting point in this direction,” said Sihana Nebiu, Head of the Presence’s Democratization Department.

BAKU, 7 February 2020 - International observers to the parliamentary elections in Azerbaijan will present their preliminary conclusions at a news conference on Monday.

What:

• You are invited to a news conference of the international observers to the parliamentary elections in Azerbaijan.
• The news conference is open to all and no accreditation is required to attend, but only questions from journalists will be taken.

Who:

Statement of preliminary findings and conclusions:

• Artur Gerasymov, Special Co-ordinator and leader of the OSCE short-term observer mission

Followed by statements from:

•  Frank Schwabe, Head of the PACE delegation
•  Elena Hoxha-Gjebrea, Head of the OSCE PA delegation, and
• Ambassador Peter Tejler, Head of the ODIHR election observation mission

When:

5.  3:00 pm on Monday,  10 February 2020

Where:

5.  Holiday Inn Hotel, Keykab Kanim Safaraliyeva St. 5, Baku.
5.  If you cannot attend in person, follow the livestream on: www.facebook.com/osce.odihr and www.oscepa.org

The international election observation is a joint mission of the OSCE Office for Democratic Institutions and Human Rights (ODIHR), the OSCE Parliamentary Assembly (OSCE PA) and [the Parliamentary Assembly of the Council of Europe (PACE). The observation mission totals 358 observers from 41 countries, including 273 ODIHR-deployed experts, long-term and short-term observers, 57 parliamentarians and staff from the OSCE PA and 28 from PACE.

For more details, contact:

Nat Parry, OSCE PA, +994 55 980 42 56 or + 45 60 10 81 77, nat@oscepa.dk

Thomas Rymer, ODIHR, +994 55 414 41 79, thomas.rymer@odihr.az

Bogdan Torcatoriu, PACE, bogdan.torcatoriu@coe.int

VIENNA, 7 February 2020 – The quest for responses to the complex and evolving challenges posed by the foreign terrorist fighters phenomenon, will be the focus of a regional conference jointly organized on 11 and 12 February in Vienna by the Organization for Security and Co-operation in Europe (OSCE), the UN Office of Counter-Terrorism (UNOCT) and Switzerland, in co-operation with Albania’s OSCE Chairmanship. The event will bring together high-level officials and senior experts from OSCE participating States and Partners for Co-operation, the United Nations, international and regional organizations, academia and civil society.  

Given recent developments in the Middle East as well as in conflict areas, OSCE participating States and Partners for Co-operation are becoming increasingly concerned with the expected return of foreign terrorist fighters. Some of these returnees may move to commit violent acts, incite others to engage in terrorist activities, or take part in recruitment and fundraising efforts for terrorist organizations.

In addressing these issues, governments need to be equipped with the appropriate tools to monitor and control the travel of foreign terrorist fighters and to respond in a human rights compliant way. The conference will cover the following topics:

•    Responses to incitement, recruitment for and facilitation of foreign terrorist fighter activities;
•    Preventing the travel of foreign terrorist fighters;
•    Gathering and sharing of evidence;
•    Prosecution of foreign terrorist fighters;
•    Repatriation, rehabilitation and reintegration.

Representatives of the media are invited to cover the conference’s opening and closing sessions on 11 and 12 February at the Hofburg Conference Centre, Heldenplatz 1, in Vienna.

The opening session, from 9:30-10:15 on 11 February in the Neuer Saal, will feature addresses by:
Johannes Matyassy, State Secretary, Federal Department of Foreign Affairs, Switzerland; 
Vladimir Voronkov, UN Under-Secretary-General, UNOCT;
Thomas Greminger, OSCE Secretary General; 
Igli Hasani, Permanent Representative of Albania and Chair of the OSCE Permanent Council;
Ghada Fathi Waly, Executive Director, UN Office on Drugs and Crime.

The closing session, from 17:00-17:30 on 12 February in the Ratsaal, will feature concluding remarks by:
Vladimir Voronkov, UN Under-Secretary-General and Head of the UNOCT;   
Thomas Greminger, OSCE Secretary General;
Wolfgang Amadeus Brühlart, Ambassador, Permanent Representative of Switzerland to the OSCE, the UN and other International Organizations in Vienna.

Media representatives wishing to attend should send an e-mail to press@osce.org, by no later than 17:00, 10 February 2020.

Background

This conference is one in a series of regional conferences, which were announced by the UN Secretary-General at the UN’s 2018 High-level Conference of Heads of Counter-Terrorism Agencies in New York. It is also part of a broader initiative to give new impetus to multilateral cooperation to address the evolving threat of terrorism and violent extremism within a framework of international law and human rights. The outcomes of these regional conferences will feed into the Second UN High-level Conference of Heads of Counter-Terrorism Agencies of Member States, to be held in New York in July 2020. 

SDGs SDGs:  16 - Peace, justice and strong institutions

VIENNA, 7 February 2020 – Despite the positive impact of recent disengagement in the three agreed areas and the reconstruction of the bridge near Stanytsia Luhanska, a comprehensive ceasefire remains an essential element for progress, said the Chief Monitor of the OSCE Special Monitoring Mission (SMM) to Ukraine, Yaşar Halit Çevik, in his address to the OSCE Permanent Council yesterday in Vienna.

He noted that overall, the disengagement process remained on track in the pilot areas, and that discussions in the Trilateral Contact Group’s Working Group on Security Issues continued to reach an agreement on the identification of new disengagement areas. “More efforts on mine action and the opening of new entry-exit checkpoints along the contact line are needed to alleviate the hardship civilians face every day”, said Çevik. 

He also emphasized that the SMM continues to experience restrictions to its freedom of movement, which hinders its ability to fulfill its mandated tasks. 

445609 Communication and Media Relations Section

A delegation from Azerbaijan’s Government travelled to Dublin on 5 and 6 February 2020 to learn about co-operation between the public and private sectors in fighting cybercrime. The officials visited the Irish Ministry of Foreign Affairs, Ireland’s police force, the Garda Síochána, the regional headquarters of Microsoft, eBay, PayPal and Google, as well as University College Dublin.

The visit was organized by the Strategic Police Matters Unit of the OSCE Transnational Threats Department (SPMU) with the support of Italy.

During the study visit, private sector representatives shared best practices on how to improve the co-operation.

“Cybercrime is a complex and ever-evolving phenomenon that represents a transnational security threat,” said Denise Mazzolani, Deputy Head of SPMU and Adviser on Cybercrime. “Public-private co-operation is essential in order to address this issue and ensure cybercrime resilience. The OSCE stands ready to work with its participating States and partners in building and enhancing co-operation with the private sector in order to ensure a holistic approach and solution to the transnational threat of cybercrime.”

Participants from Azerbaijan underlined the importance of a public-private partnership in addressing the challenges related to the use of information communication technologies for criminal purposes. The Azerbaijani side thanked the OSCE Secretariat and the Government of Italy for initiating the project designed on the basis of the needs of Azerbaijan and expressed its conviction that the project is of great use for the practitioners.

The study visit was a follow-up to a workshop held in Baku in November 2019. At that time, representatives of private companies and public officials met to discuss co-operation in combating cybercrime and the way forward.

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 continued monitoring the security situation at the disengagement areas near Stanytsia Luhanska, Zolote and Petrivske.
• The Mission monitored adherence to a localized ceasefire to facilitate maintenance to and operation of critical civilian infrastructure near the contact line.
• The SMM’s freedom of movement continued to be restricted, including at checkpoints in non-government-controlled Yasynuvata, Verkhnoshyrokivske, Nova Marivka and Voznesenivka, all in Donetsk region, and at a border crossing point in a non-government-controlled area of Luhansk region.

VIENNA, 6 February 2020 – Following yesterday’s search of the editorial office of 1+1 TV channel, the OSCE Representative on Freedom of the Media, Harlem Désir, called on the Ukrainian authorities to ensure that media activities are not obstructed and confidentiality of sources is respected.

On 5 February, the Security Service of Ukraine (SBU) conducted a search of the editorial office of 1+1 TV channel in Kyiv. According to media reports, the search was conducted as part of SBU’s investigation on charges of “illegal use of special technology for secret obtaining of information”. This follows the recent publication of conversations allegedly involving high-level public officials. The SBU informed that the search was carried out in relation to specific persons, and in locations where they could create and store the audio files obtained illegally.

“I am concerned by the search of the newsroom of 1+1 TV Channel, and that computers and belongings of journalists were seized. I call on the authorities to ensure that the inquiry does not obstruct the work of the media and to respect the principle of confidentiality of journalistic sources which is recognized internationally,” Désir said. “I am particularly concerned that such actions may have a chilling effect on the work of all media. The protection of journalistic sources is a key element of media freedom and especially of investigative journalism.”

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.

WASHINGTON D.C., 6 February 2020 – OSCE PA President George Tsereteli testified yesterday in front of the United States Helsinki Commission at a hearing on “The Power and Purpose of Parliamentary Diplomacy”.

In his appearance before the Helsinki Commission, President Tsereteli discussed the organization’s activities, challenges and achievements. The hearing focused on the ways the OSCE parliamentarians support and add value to the multilateral diplomatic efforts of governments and OSCE institutions.

“In upholding our shared principles, in promoting democratic values, and in preventing and settling conflicts, parliamentary diplomacy contributes to bettering the lives of our citizens. This may not be palpable at times, but Americans know too well that empowering diplomats today is wiser than deploying troops tomorrow," said Tsereteli. “It is therefore also our mission to ensure that our organizations are fully equipped to bring peace, stability and democracy across the OSCE area and throughout the world.

"Testifying alongside the acting President of NATO Parliamentary Assembly Attila Mesterhazy, Tsereteli addressed various pressing issues. He spoke about fight against terrorism, climate change, and ongoing unsettled conflicts, in particular the illegal occupation of the Georgian regions of South Ossetia and Abkhazia, the conflict in Ukraine and the illegal annexation of Crimea, and the Nagorno-Karabakh conflict, recalling the role the Assembly played through the adoption of relevant resolutions and the activities carried out by members, committees and Special Representatives. Tsereteli also highlighted the benefits of election observation activities, underlining how the engagement of parliamentarians ensures greater expertise, accountability and visibility to this exercise.

“I am thankful for the leadership and engagement of U.S. members of Congress and the Helsinki Commission staff in all OSCE PA activities. Your strong engagement in the Western Balkans, in the Mediterranean and the Middle East, the Caucasus and Central Asia is a good example of the influence that parliamentary diplomacy can wield,” said President Tsereteli. He also expressed his gratitude towards the United States permanent mission to the OSCE and Ambassador James Gilmore for the continued support and co-operation.

The hearing was chaired by the Chair of the Helsinki Commission and Head of the U.S. delegation to the OSCE PA Alcee Hastings, and saw the participation of Co-chair Roger Wicker, Commissioners Ben Cardin, Filemon Vela, and Joe Wilson.Watch the video of the hearing here.