Central Europe

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 continued monitoring the security situation at the disengagement areas near Stanytsia Luhanska, Zolote and Petrivske.
• The Mission saw weapons in violation of withdrawal lines in non-government-controlled areas, including tanks loaded on a cargo train travelling eastwards in non-government-controlled Debaltseve.
• The Mission continued to face restrictions to its freedom of movement at checkpoints of the armed formations in southern Donetsk region.*

PRISHTINË/PRIŠTINA, 10 January 2020 — The OSCE Mission in Kosovo launched today in Prishtinë/Priština a comprehensive overview of the situation of the Roma, Ashkali and Egyptian communities in Kosovo.

The overview covers all of the 24 Kosovo municipalities where these community members reside. The overview provides a brief demographic picture and list of settlements inhabited by members of the three communities for each municipality. Statistical information on infrastructure, employment, education, health care, representation in decision-making and return and repatriation is also provided.

“We are hoping that this overview will be useful as an information tool, but also as a vehicle for mobilizing local and international resources for further assistance to these communities,” said Dominik Drasnar, Senior Communities Adviser within the Mission’s Department of Human Rights and Communities. “It provides a localized perspective and can thus guide targeted programming. If a donor is interested in a particular municipality, they have the information readily available. Likewise, if they are concerned about a particular thematic area, say education, they can easily see what the situation is per municipality.”

In line with its mandate, the Mission works on issues related to the Kosovo Roma, Ashkali and Egyptian communities.

The Mission has a particular focus on ensuring representation of community members in decision-making processes and also focuses on developing an effective inclusion policy, and increasing their employability. In 2020, the Mission will start sponsoring a comprehensive internship scheme for selected graduates from the three communities.

The report is available on the web site at https://www.osce.org/mission-in-kosovo/443587

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 SMM saw works at the checkpoint of the armed formations in the disengagement area near Stanytsia Luhanska.
• The SMM continued monitoring the security situation at the disengagement areas near Petrivske and Zolote.
• The Mission visited border crossing points in non-government-controlled areas of Donetsk and Luhansk regions.
• The Mission continued to face restrictions to its freedom of movement including at a checkpoint of the armed formations near Zaichenko in southern Donetsk region. It also faced other impediments in establishing and reporting facts at a hospital in non-government-controlled Luhansk city following reports of an incident.*

VIENNA, 9 January 2020 – Under the motto ‘Implementing our commitments together’, Albania’s OSCE Chairmanship 2020 will work towards making a difference on the ground, leveraging the Organization’s acquis, and enhancing dialogue, said OSCE Chairperson-in-Office, Albania’s Prime Minister and Minister for Europe and Foreign Affairs, Edi Rama, in his address to the Permanent Council in Vienna today.

Recalling the Helsinki Final Act of 1975, a landmark politically binding document signed by States of the then Conference for Security and Co-operation in Europe (the forerunner of the OSCE), Rama said that his country had directly benefitted from this agreement’s principles on peace and security.

“As I sit today in this chair, I cannot but pay tribute to all those who fought, suffered, died for Albania’s freedom and thank all those who worked hard and contributed in various ways through the long tortuous path of our democratic transition from a brutal dictatorship to a functioning democracy - including also all those who accompanied us in that path. Among them, OSCE was one of the key presences,” he said. “I feel today all the huge responsibility as well as the great opportunity of having to give something back to our Organization after the OSCE has given so much to Albania for so many years.”

The Chairmanship’s motto, ‘Implementing our commitments together’, embodies three main elements, he said.

“First, the importance of honoring our common obligations. We cannot credibly undertake new commitments if we fail to adhere to existing ones. Second, to focus on the valuable instruments that we at the OSCE possess. Third, that our responsibility is shared among the 57 participating States, since for the Chairmanship to advance a common agenda, a shared political vision is of essence.”

The Chairmanship’s first priority is ‘making a difference on the ground’, said Rama.

“The OSCE has proven time and again that it can deploy to conflict and post-conflict settings, often where and when no one else can. As the crisis in and around Ukraine remains the most pressing security challenge in Europe, the unique contribution of the Special Monitoring Mission (SMM) to reducing tensions and fostering peace, stability and security is essential. While there have been some encouraging signals with regard to the crisis that we applaud, the road to long-standing peace remains long. The Albanian Chairmanship will do its part to encourage respect for the OSCE principles and commitments and the full implementation of the Minsk Agreements, supporting the efforts of the Trilateral Contact Group and the process of the Normandy Format. The SMM and Ukraine will also be the destination of my first visit, in the coming weeks, as OSCE Chairperson-in-Office.”

Conflict resolution efforts such as those of the Minsk Group Co-Chairs on the Nagorno-Karabakh conflict, the Geneva International Discussions and related mechanisms, and the Transdniestrian Settlement Process will also be high on the Chairmanship’s agenda, added Rama.

He said that Albania intends to leverage its first-hand experience of hosting an OSCE field operation to explore how to maximize their potential. The Chair will also promote the role of women in peace and security, taking note of this year’s 25th anniversary of the UN Security Council Resolution 1325 on Women, Peace and Security.

Under the Chair’s second priority, ‘leveraging our acquis’, the Chairmanship would focus on enhancing security against contemporary threats and challenges such as small arms and light weapons, organized crime, human trafficking, violent extremism, cybersecurity, and on promoting the freedom of expression and of the media, and combating violence against women.

“Advancing good governance is another challenge, and I look forward to focusing on this during a high-level conference on anti-corruption in Tirana,” he said.

On the third priority, ‘dialogue’, Rama pointed to “an undeniable surge in hate crimes and hate speech throughout the OSCE region.”

He said promoting tolerance and non-discrimination will be a major focus of the Chairmanship and at the forthcoming conference on combating anti-Semitism in Tirana, Albania would share its experience of religious harmony.

“We will endeavour to use all OSCE instruments to advance a mutual understanding on today’s security challenges, starting from the Structured Dialogue, and reducing risks through our confidence- and security-building measures,” said Rama. “There will be dialogue both on policy issues, for example on environmental protection, as well as political, with fellow organizations such as the UN, the European Union, and with the civil society and the OSCE Parliamentary Assembly. Finally, since many of our challenges and opportunities stem from beyond the OSCE region, we must reinforce our platform for dialogue with the Asian and Mediterranean Partners for Co-operation.”

Among the Chair’s imminent areas of work will be securing the participating States’ adoption of the OSCE Unified Budget, and to negotiate the leadership of OSCE Executive Structures beyond 2020, said Rama. Regarding the budget negotiations, he told the Permanent Council: “We all have an equal stake in the functioning of the OSCE. It is our collective duty towards the OSCE staff, who serve over a billion people.”

Earlier in his address, Rama thanked the outgoing OSCE Chairperson-in-Office, Slovakia’s Foreign Minister Miroslav Lajčák and his team for their work last year, adding that he looked forward to working with colleagues from Slovakia and Sweden, the 2021 OSCE Chair, in the OSCE Troika “to co-ordinate our collective response at addressing our common challenges.”

Concluding, he said: “The subtle aim of multilateralism is to keep dialogue open among a community of states, even when all odds are against. I am looking forward to hearing your voices and starting a dialogue, which will last this entire year.”

WARSAW, 9 January 2020 – While legal reforms regulating the appointment of Supreme Court judges in Georgia are an important step toward improving the independence of the judiciary, they fail to ensure an impartial process based on clearly defined and objective criteria without the influence of partisan politics, the OSCE Office for Democratic Institutions and Human Rights (ODIHR) said in its second monitoring report, published today.

The final plenary vote on the judicial appointments took place amidst a political crisis, a boycott by the opposition, and widespread calls for an adjournment. The decision to proceed in the current political environment further calls into question the sincerity of the authorities’ stated aim to have an open, transparent process that garners wide political support and builds public confidence in the judiciary.

“We were asked to undertake an independent assessment of the judicial appointments process in Georgia at a critical period in the country’s political development,” said ODIHR Director Ingibjörg Sólrún Gísladóttir. “We identified numerous shortcomings on which I hope to be following up with the Georgian authorities in the near future. With our recommendations, we aim to contribute to improvements to the legal framework for judicial appointments, and above all the need for any decisions on the system to be taken in an atmosphere of collegiality and dialogue.”

Following the completion of the nomination process before the High Council of Justice (HCJ) and the finalization of the first report on the appointment process, ODIHR’s monitoring team went on to observe the hearings of the 20 HCJ nominees, the committee vote, and the final plenary vote. Despite some positive aspects, their overall assessment found that neither the HCJ nor the parliament took sufficient measures to ensure objectivity, fairness, or consistency during the selection process.  

On the positive side, the hearings before the HCJ and parliament were generally open and transparent, and enabled public scrutiny of the candidates and the overall process. The parliament also invited representatives of key organizations involved, including the ombudsperson’s office, civil society, the legal community, and academia, all of whom positively contributed to the quality and openness of the hearings. 

However, the fact that parliament played a decisive role in the judicial appointments, and likewise that the process was not safeguarded from partisan politics, was at odds with international good practice. The monitors noted that members of parliament from all sides of the political spectrum used the hearings as a political platform, and the interviews did not calm widespread concerns about the suitability of many of the candidates.

ODIHR began monitoring this process following a request from the Georgian ombudsperson. All monitors adhered strictly to the principle of impartiality, ensuring at the same time that they in no way interfered in the process itself. The work of the monitoring team started in June 2019 and included observation of the interviews of 49 candidates before the HCJ and 20 nominees in Legal Issues Committee. They also closely monitored the final voting sessions in the parliament in December 2019. 

SDGs SDGs:  16 - Peace, justice and strong institutions

Summary

• Compared with the previous reporting period, the SMM recorded more ceasefire violations in Donetsk region. It recorded no ceasefire violations in Luhansk region.
• The Mission recorded ceasefire violations inside and near the disengagement area near Petrivske.
• The SMM continued monitoring the security situation at the disengagement areas near Stanytsia Luhanska and Zolote.
• The Mission visited border crossing points in non-government-controlled areas of Luhansk region.
• The SMM’s freedom of movement continued to be restricted, including at a checkpoint of the armed formations near Verkhnoshyrokivske in southern Donetsk region.*

SUMMARY

Kamensk-Shakhtinskiy, Russian Federation. The Observer Mission (OM) continues to operate 24/7 at both Border Crossing Points (BCPs).

OPERATIONAL REMARKS

The OM is currently operating with 22 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.

Due to the Russian National holidays, the OM was not able to receive and process the usual data on persons crossing at the two border checkpoints from the regional authorities.

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.

Persons in military-style outfits

During the reporting period, the number of persons in military-style outfits crossing the border in both directions at both BCPs was 15, compared to 20 last week: eight of them crossed into the Russian Federation, and seven into Ukraine (73 per cent of this category’s crossings occurred at the Donetsk BCP). They continued to cross the border individually or in groups. Most individuals crossed on foot, however, some made use of private vehicles, buses or minivans, making it more difficult for the observer teams (OTs) to observe their movement across the border, especially since some of the private vehicles had tinted windows, and buses and minivans had drawn curtains.

Families with a significant amount of luggage

The OTs continued to report on families, sometimes with elderly persons and/or children, crossing the border at both BCPs with a significant amount of luggage, or travelling in heavily loaded cars. During this reporting week, one family were observed crossing into the Russian Federation and two families were observed crossing into Ukraine, compared to the previous reporting period when five families were observed crossing to the Russian Federation and four into Ukraine.

Bus connections                                         

Regular local and long-distance bus connections continued to operate between Ukraine (mostly from/to the Luhansk region) and the Russian Federation. In addition to regular bus connections, the OTs continued to observe bus connections on irregular routes. Often the buses did not state their route; instead they had a sign on the windshield stating “irregular”.

During the reporting period, the OTs observed a decrease in the overall number of buses crossing the border at both BCPs (343 compared to 597 observed during the previous week). There were 186 buses bound for the Russian Federation and 157 bound for Ukraine.

On some occasions, the OTs noticed the bus drivers removing the itinerary signs from the windshields of their buses, while some buses did not display their route at all. The majority of long-distance buses commuting between the Luhansk region and cities in the Russian Federation had Ukrainian licence plates issued in the Luhansk region and “LPR” plates.

Trucks

During the reporting period, the OTs observed a decrease in overall number of trucks crossing the border at both BCPs (81 compared to 595 during the previous reporting week);56 at the Gukovo BCP and 25 at the Donetsk BCP, 60 of these trucks crossed into the Russian Federation and 21 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 Belarus, the Russian Federation and with “LPR” plates.

The OTs also continued to observe tanker trucks crossing the border in both directions. During the reporting week, the number of tanker trucks decreased from 47 to 20. 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 66 to zero.

Minivans

The OM continued to observe passenger and cargo minivans[1] 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 frequently saw minivans registered in the Russian Federation. Compared to the previous week, the number of cargo minivans decreased from 153 to 72 vehicles; 34 crossed into the Russian Federation and another 38 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 21 occasions; the OTs assessed that 12 trains were travelling to the Russian Federation and nine to Ukraine (more details are provided in the sections “trends and figures at a glance” below).

The OSCE Special Monitoring Mission (SMM) to Ukraine was regularly informed about the trains bound for Ukraine. Visual observation was not possible because of the line of trees located between the train tracks and the BCP.

Other observations

The majority of vehicles crossing the border had Ukrainian licence plates issued in the Luhansk region, or Russian Federation licence plates. A significant number of vehicles with “LPR” plates were also observed crossing the border in both directions on a daily basis. The OTs also observed cars with “DPR” plates.

On 2 January at 11:51, an ambulance with Russian Federation licence plates entered the Gukovo BCP from the direction of the Russian Federation. The OT observed a woman leaving the main building and getting into the ambulance. At 12:04, the ambulance returned to the Russian Federation.

On 4 January at 09:24, the OT observed a white minivan type “Gazelle” with Russian licence plates entering the Donetsk BCP from the Russian Federation side and crossing the border to Ukraine. The vehicle had signs “Ritual” and “Cargo 200” on its windshield written in Russian.

For trends and figures at a glance covering the period from 3 December to 7 January 2020, please see the attachment here

[1] 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 24 hours, the SMM recorded fewer ceasefire violations in Donetsk region and more in Luhansk region.
• Inside the disengagement area near Zolote, the SMM saw a tailfin from a rocket-propelled grenade for the first time.
• The Mission continued monitoring the security situation at the disengagement areas near Stanytsia Luhanska and Petrivske.
• It saw weapons in violation of withdrawal lines in a government-controlled area of Donetsk region and in a non-government-controlled area of Luhansk region.
• The SMM facilitated and monitored adherence to a localized ceasefire to facilitate electrical repairs in Chermalyk.
• The SMM’s freedom of movement continued to be restricted, including at checkpoints of the armed formations near Verkhnoshyrokivske and Nova Marivka in southern Donetsk region.

BAKU, 7 January 2020 – The OSCE Office for Democratic Institutions and Human Rights (ODIHR) today formally opened its election observation mission (EOM) for the 9 February early parliamentary elections in the Republic of Azerbaijan. The mission’s deployment follows an official invitation from the Azerbaijani authorities.

The mission is led by Ambassador Peter Tejler and consists of a core team of 12 experts based in Baku. ODIHR has requested 30 long-term observers to be deployed throughout the country from 14 January, as well as 350 short-term observers to monitor election day.

The mission will assess whether the early parliamentary elections are held in line with OSCE commitments and other international standards and obligations for democratic elections, as well as with national legislation. Observers will follow the candidate registration process, campaign activities, the work of the election administration and relevant state bodies, implementation of the legal framework and the resolution of election disputes. As part of the observation, the mission will also monitor the media coverage of the campaign.

Meetings with representatives of relevant authorities and political parties, civil society, the media and the international community form an integral part of the observation.

On election day, the ODIHR EOM will join efforts with delegations of the OSCE Parliamentary Assembly and the Parliamentary Assembly of the Council of Europe to monitor the opening of polling stations, voting, the counting of ballots and the tabulation of results.

An interim report will be published to update the public and media during the course of the observation, and a statement of preliminary findings and conclusions issued the day after the elections. 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/azerbaijan  or contact Kira Kalinina, ODIHR EOM Media Analyst, at +994 (0) 554 142 812 (mobile) or kira.kalinina@odihr.az

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 reporting period, between the evenings of 3 and 4 January, the SMM recorded a similar number of ceasefire violations in Donetsk region and more in Luhansk region.
• Between the evenings of 4 and 5 January, the SMM recorded more ceasefire violations in Donetsk region and fewer in Luhansk region, compared with the previous 24 hours.
• Small-arms fire was assessed as directed at an SMM mini-unmanned aerial vehicle flying over areas near non-government-controlled Obozne, in Luhansk region.*
• Inside the Stanytsia Luhanska disengagement area, the SMM observed demining activities near the railway track and former positions of the Ukrainian Armed Forces.
• The Mission continued monitoring the security situation at the disengagement areas near Zolote and Petrivske.
• It saw weapons in violation of withdrawal lines in non-government-controlled areas of Luhansk region.
• The SMM saw for the first time anti-tank mines near non-government-controlled Nova Marivka, in Donetsk region.
• The SMM’s freedom of movement continued to be restricted, including at a checkpoint of the armed formations near Zaichenko, in southern Donetsk region.*

SDGs SDGs:  16 - Peace, justice and strong institutions

Summary

• Compared with the previous 24 hours, the SMM recorded fewer ceasefire violations in Donetsk region and more in Luhansk region.
• The Mission continued monitoring the security situation at the disengagement areas near Stanytsia Luhanska, Zolote and Petrivske.
• It saw a towed howitzer in violation of withdrawal lines in a government-controlled area of Donetsk region.
• The SMM’s freedom of movement continued to be restricted, including at checkpoints of the armed formations near Verkhnoshyrokivske and Starolaspa, and at a border crossing point near non-government-controlled Voznesenivka.*

VIENNA, 3 January 2020 – OSCE Chairperson-in-Office, Albania’s Prime Minister and Minister for Europe and Foreign Affairs Edi Rama, will present Albania’s programme and priorities to the OSCE’s Permanent Council on Thursday, 9 January in Vienna.

Albania’s OSCE Chair priorities will focus on implementing OSCE political commitments, making a difference on the ground and continuing to strengthen the dialogue inspired by the 30th anniversary of the Charter of Paris.

Journalists are invited to cover the speech, which is set to begin at 10:00 a.m. on 9 January in the Hofburg’s Neuer Saal, 2nd floor.

A press conference by Chairperson-in-Office Rama and OSCE Secretary General Thomas Greminger will take place after the formal Chair inauguration, at 12:30 in Hofburg’s Bibliotheksaal, 5th floor. The press conference will be held in English, with simultaneous interpretation provided in Albanian.

Journalists wishing to attend are required to send e-mail confirming their attendance to press@osce.org, no later than 08 January at 18:00.

Albania took over the Chair of the Organization from Slovakia on 1 January 2020.

Updates and the latest news from the Albanian Chair can be followed via https://www.osce.org/cio and the Twitter account @AlMissionVienna

The OSCE Permanent Council is a decision-making body gathering representatives of all 57 participating States of the Organization and 11 Partners for Co-operation. It convenes weekly in Vienna to discuss developments in the OSCE area and make decisions.

SDGs SDGs:  16 - Peace, justice and strong institutions

Summary

• Compared with the previous reporting period, between the evenings of 30 and 31 December 2019, the SMM recorded fewer ceasefire violations in Donetsk and Luhansk regions.
• Between the evenings of 31 December 2019 and 1 January 2020, the SMM recorded more ceasefire violations in Donetsk and Luhansk regions, compared with the previous 24 hours.
• Between the evenings of 1 and 2 January 2020, the Mission recorded fewer ceasefire violations in Donetsk and Luhansk regions, compared with the previous 24 hours.
• Small-arms fire was assessed as directed at an SMM mini-unmanned aerial vehicle flying over areas in the southern outskirts of non-government-controlled Luhansk city.
• The SMM continued monitoring the security situation at the disengagement areas near Stanytsia Luhanska, Zolote and Petrivske.
• It saw weapons in violation of the withdrawal lines in non-government-controlled areas of Donetsk region.
• The Mission saw anti-tank mines, including some for the first time, near non-government-controlled Pikuzy and government-controlled Vodiane.
• The SMM’s freedom of movement continued to be restricted, including at checkpoints and at a weapons storage site of the armed formations in Donetsk region, as well as near border crossing points in non-government-controlled areas of Luhansk region.*
• In Kyiv, Lviv and Dnipro, the SMM monitored peaceful gatherings related to Stepan Bandera.

Munira Shoinbekova, OSCE Programme Office in Dushanbe

On 1 January 2020, the OSCE Programme Office in Dushanbe launched a EUR 3.3 million project on the “Stabilization of Tajikistan’s southern border region with Afghanistan”, funded within the framework of the European Union’s Foreign Policy Instrument. The 18-month project aims to increase the professional capability of the Tajik and Afghan Border Services in order to better tackle illicit activities in border areas. The project also aims to strengthen the capacity of the Committee on Emergency Situations and Civil Defense (CoESCD) to respond to natural disasters in border regions.

Beneficiaries from CoESCD and border services will undergo practical training on operational planning and sustaining field operations. The project will provide border services of both countries the skills needed to respond to security incidents and effectively protect the border.

Additionally, the training facilities of the Tajik Border Troops in Khalkayor and Langar will be partly refurbished, and the training centre of the CoESCD in Karatag will be extensively renovated and put into service. The project will contribute to a more stable and secure border between Tajikistan and Afghanistan.

Vienna/Tirana, 1 January 2020 – “Taking over the OSCE Chair is a truly historic moment for Albania: from a country under a cruel communist regime that opposed the Helsinki spirit, we have become one honored to lead this organization. Chairing the OSCE marks the highlight of our significant transformation,” said Prime Minister and Minister for Europe and Foreign Affairs Edi Rama today as he assumed the post of Chairperson-in-Office of the regional security organization.

“Our vision for the 2020 Albanian Chair of the OSCE is guided by three important objectives: focusing on the basics by implementing together, in good faith, the encompassing set of our political commitments; making a difference on the ground, be it when preventing the escalation of a conflict, monitoring elections or supporting reforms, or improving the security and prosperity of our citizens; and continuing to strengthen the dialogue inspired by the 30th anniversary of the Charter of Paris,” said Rama.

The Albanian Chair’s priorities run across all three dimensions of the OSCE’s comprehensive concept of security. Rama highlighted today some of the key issues that will feature on its agenda.

“The crisis in and around Ukraine remains the most pressing security challenge in Europe”, Rama said. “Conflict resolution efforts will be on top of the agenda of the Albanian Chair, as it is unacceptable that protracted conflicts in our region continue to claim lives. The OSCE has proven to be an organization that not only can deploy quickly in conflict areas, but, sometimes, can do so where no one else can.“

“Women continue to suffer most from instability and conflict. They are also unjustly excluded from peace talks. That is why we will focus both on combating violence against women and on promoting the role of women in peace and security. On this topic, we bring a positive legacy. Half of my cabinet ministers are women, a third of the members of the Albanian Parliament are women and Albania ranks among the top five in the world for women’s participation in government and high worldwide for the number of women in public affairs,” stressed the new Chairperson-in-Office.

Corruption, noted Rama, erodes the foundations of our democracies and has an adverse impact on the prosperity and security of our region, along with transnational threats. Building on the momentum created by previous Chairs, we will enhance the work of the OSCE in combating corruption and promoting good governance.

The Chairperson-in-Office stated: “Trafficking in human beings is not just simply a security risk, but also a serious human rights violation. As the OSCE is widely recognized a global leader in combating human trafficking, in 2020 we will continue to champion the OSCE’s activity in this area.”

“Last, intolerance and hate speech are spreading in Europe,” noted Rama. “We must intensify our efforts to counter discrimination and promote human rights and fundamental freedoms.”

The new Chairperson-in-Office emphasized that the Helsinki recipe for peace in Europe is simple yet effective: implementation of all the Helsinki Principles, including respect for sovereignty and territorial integrity, and respect for human rights and fundamental freedoms. “If we want security and peace in Europe”, he said, “we all have to take responsibility for fully implementing our commitments. This is essential for the credibility of the OSCE as the largest regional security organization, and for all its participating States, and the only way to rebuild trust between us. Promoting confidence-building measures and making full use of the Structured Dialogue[1] are also critical to this endeavor.”

Rama concluded: “I believe we have crafted a realistic and balanced program, in extensive consultations with capitals and in Vienna. Throughout next year, Albania will be an open and inclusive Chair. I can guarantee you that the voices of each participating State will be heard and that decisions will be taken in a transparent manner, supporting our shared values and principles. Our success will be the success of all 57 participating States.”

Prime Minister and Minister for Europe and Foreign Affairs, OSCE Chairperson-in-Office Edi Rama, will present Albania’s priorities to the OSCE Permanent Council on 9 January in Vienna.

Follow the Albanian Chair on Twitter at @AIMissionVienna

[1] The OSCE Structured Dialogue on current and future challenges and risks to security in the OSCE area brings together senior officials from capitals and ambassadors of the Organization’s 57 participating States in the format of an informal working group to discuss the challenges in the wider politico-military sphere, explore possibilities of overcoming divergences and reversing the negative developments that have marked European security in recent years.

SDGs SDGs:  16 - Peace, justice and strong institutions

Summary

• Compared with the previous 24 hours, the Mission recorded more ceasefire violations in both Donetsk and Luhansk regions.
• The SMM saw for the first time a camera and an antenna inside the disengagement area near Zolote.
• It continued monitoring the situation at the disengagement areas near Stanytsia Luhanska and Petrivske.
• It monitored and facilitated adherence to a localized ceasefire to facilitate repairs to water wells near Slovianoserbsk and continued to facilitate the operation of the Donetsk Filtration Station.
• The SMM’s freedom of movement continued to be restricted, including at checkpoints of the armed formations near Verkhnoshyrokivske and Prymorske, and at a compound near Mykhailivka.*

SDGs SDGs:  16 - Peace, justice and strong institutions

SUMMARY

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

OPERATIONAL REMARKS

The OM is currently operating with 22 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.

OBSERVATIONS AT THE BORDER CROSSING POINTS

Persons crossing the border                                                                                                                              

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

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

The average number of entries/exits increased from 11,892 to 14,271 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 2061 per day for both BCPs.

The Donetsk BCP continued to experience much more traffic than the Gukovo BCP.

Persons in military-style outfits

During the reporting period, the number of persons in military-style outfits crossing the border in both directions at both BCPs was 20, compared to 13 last week: ten of them crossed into the Russian Federation, and ten  into Ukraine (75 per cent of this category’s crossings occurred at the Donetsk BCP). They continued to cross the border individually or in groups. Most individuals crossed on foot, however, some made use of private vehicles, buses or minivans, making it more difficult for the observer teams (OTs) to observe their movement across the border, especially since some of the private vehicles had tinted windows, and buses and minivans had drawn curtains.

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, five families were observed crossing into the Russian Federation and four families were observed crossing into Ukraine, compared to the previous reporting period when four families were observed crossing to the Russian Federation and four into Ukraine.

Bus connections                                        

Regular local and long-distance bus connections continued to operate between Ukraine (mostly from/to the Luhansk region) and the Russian Federation. In addition to regular bus connections, the OTs continued to observe bus connections on irregular routes. Often the buses did not state their route; instead they had a sign on the windshield stating “irregular”.

During the reporting period, the OTs observed an increase in the overall number of buses crossing the border at both BCPs (597 compared to 462 observed during the previous week). There were 297 buses bound for the Russian Federation and 300 bound for Ukraine.

On some occasions, the OTs noticed the bus drivers removing the itinerary signs from the windshields of their buses, while some buses did not display their route at all. The majority of long-distance buses commuting between the Luhansk region and cities in the Russian Federation had Ukrainian licence plates issued in the Luhansk region and “LPR” plates.

Trucks

During the reporting period, the OTs observed 595 trucks (compared to 962 during the previous reporting week) crossing the border in both directions at both BCPs (246 at the Gukovo BCP and 349 at the Donetsk BCP); 242 of these trucks crossed into the Russian Federation and 353 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 Belarus, the Russian Federation and with “LPR” plates.

The OTs also continued to observe tanker trucks crossing the border in both directions. During the reporting week, the number of tanker trucks slightly decreased from 48 to 47. 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 121 to 66; 58 trucks (88 per cent) were bound for Ukraine, the remaining eight trucks (12 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 frequently saw minivans registered in the Russian Federation. Compared to the previous week, the number of cargo minivans slightly increased from 146 to 153 vehicles; 72 crossed into the Russian Federation and another 81 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 20 occasions; the OTs assessed that 13 trains were travelling to the Russian Federation and seven to Ukraine (more details are provided in the sections “trends and figures at a glance” below).

The OSCE Special Monitoring Mission (SMM) to Ukraine was regularly informed about the trains bound for Ukraine. Visual observation was not possible because of the line of trees located between the train tracks and the BCP.

Other observations

The majority of vehicles crossing the border had Ukrainian licence plates issued in the Luhansk region, or Russian Federation licence plates. A significant number of vehicles with “LPR” plates were also observed crossing the border in both directions on a daily basis. The OTs also observed cars with “DPR” plates and licence plates from Georgia.

During the reporting week, the OTs at Donetsk BCP observed ambulances on four separate occasions:

On 26 December at 09:46, an ambulance with Russian Federation licence plates entered the BCP from the Ukrainian side. The driver and one paramedic were observed inside the vehicle. The ambulance underwent border control procedures and crossed into the Russian Federation.

On 28 December at 09:00, an ambulance arrived at the BCP from the Ukrainian side. The ambulance underwent border control procedures and crossed into the Russian Federation at 09:05.

On 29 December at 21:09, an ambulance with Russian Federation licence plates entered the BCP from the Russian Federation side. The driver and two paramedics were observed on board. The ambulance parked in front of the main building and two paramedics entered the building and returned after a short while. At 21:37, the ambulance returned to the Russian Federation.

On 30 December at 14:57, an ambulance with Russian Federation licence plates entered the BCP from the Russian Federation side and parked behind the main building. At 15:10, the ambulance returned to the Russian Federation.

Among other observations, the OTs at Donetsk BCP observed groups of new utility vehicles crossing the border from the Russian Federation into Ukraine on two separate occasions:

On 25 December at 14:35, a group of nine brand new public utility vehicles arrived from the Russian Federation and entered the BCP area. The group consisted of seven "KAMAZ" city garbage trucks and two salt trucks "MAZ". The vehicles were painted in a combination of white and orange and had no licence plates or visible inscriptions. At 16:30, the last vehicle crossed the border into Ukraine. All the vehicles underwent regular custom procedures.

On 27 December at 15:40, ten brand new public utility vehicles were observed entering the BCP area from the Russian Federation. The group consisted of ten "GAZ" trucks with hydraulic lift platforms. The trucks had no licence plates, nor visible inscriptions. The group was accompanied by a white minibus with "LPR" plates. All the vehicles underwent custom procedures and crossed into Ukraine at 17:20.

For trends and figures at a glance covering the period from 24 December to 31 December 2019, 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).

443191 Munira Shoinbekova, OSCE Programme Office in Dushanbe

The OSCE Programme Office in Dushanbe provided logistical support enabling Tajikistan’s Committee of Emergency Situations and Civil Defence (CoESCD) of the Shahritus district, in partnership with local government and the Water Management of Lower Kafirnigan basin, to clear 45,900 m3 of soil and other debris from flow channels in three rural villages of the Shahritus district in the Khatlon region. Over 620 households, schools and highways were secured.

A debris flow is a mixture of water and rocks that can wash away large items such as boulders and trees. Debris flows travel rapidly down slopes and along drainage channels and can pose a substantial threat to communities and their infrastructure. Mitigation actions can prevent loss of life and social and economic activities, and reduce the risk of damage to property and natural resources.

“Every year our population suffers from mudflows that can reach up to one meter. This damages our houses, livestock and agriculture. This year, thanks to the OSCE and the local government, over 4 km of flow channels were cleared. We are very thankful for this”, said Ysuspov Odiljon, community leader of Pakhtaobod village in the Shahrituz district.

SDGs SDGs:  16 - Peace, justice and strong institutions

Summary

• Compared with the previous reporting period, between the evenings of 27 and 28 December, the Mission recorded more ceasefire violations in both Donetsk and Luhansk regions.
• Between the evenings of 28 and 29 December, the SMM recorded more ceasefire violations in Donetsk region and fewer ceasefire violations in Luhansk region, compared with the previous 24 hours.
• The Mission monitored and facilitated on the ground an exchange of detainees between Ukraine and certain areas of Donetsk and Luhansk regions.
• The SMM saw that the bypass bridge inside the Stanytsia Luhanska disengagement area had been dismantled.
• The Mission continued monitoring the situation at the disengagement areas near Petrivske and Zolote.
• It monitored and facilitated adherence to localized ceasefires to enable the drilling of water wells near Pankivka as well as repairs to a water intake pipe near Slovianoserbsk, and continued to facilitate the operation of the Donetsk Filtration Station.
• The SMM’s freedom of movement continued to be restricted, including at a checkpoint of the armed formations near Zaichenko.*

The OSCE Mission to Montenegro has supported the Forensic Centre of the Police Directorate in Danilovgrad since its inception in 2008, to receive accreditation as a fully-fledged member of the European Network of Forensic Science Institutions. In 2017, the European Commission upgraded the forensic standard for criminal investigations, which requires re-training the forensic centre to meet the new standard in 2020.

On 26 and 27 December, the Mission facilitated a two-day training at the Forensic Centre in Danilovgrad. Ten forensic experts worked with two scientists from the Standard Cert Company from Belgrade to understand the key changes in the new standard. The training focused on risks, opportunities and clarification of the decision rules, in order to equip the participants with the necessary skills to implement the required changes in the laboratory to comply with the updated standard.

Utilizing these new standards is a prerequisite for maintaining the Center’s accreditation, which in turn ensures that evidence from the centre is admissible in any court in Europe and is important in combating regional and international crime.

Deputy Head of Mission and Programme Co-ordinator Siv-Katrine Leirtroe, said: “The Mission recognizes that forensic investigations play an increasingly larger role in the criminal justice system and will continue to promote the importance of forensic accreditation and accuracy of forensic evidence for use in regional investigations”. She added that in 2018 and 2019, the Mission donated equipment to the Forensic Centre to help fight against modern security challenges. The Mission plans to donate more equipment in 2020 so the Centre can meet its re-accreditation deadline of November 2020.

Forensic Centre Director Aleksandar Ivanovic said: “Education and training is indispensable for performing forensic analysis, examination and expert evaluation”. For the last ten years, the Forensic Center has worked closely with the Mission to provide training that blended theory and practice. Ivanovic said: “This training represents an advancement in the work of forensic analysis, testing and evaluation towards their precision, accuracy, reproducibility and predictability”.

The Mission remains committed to providing assistance to the Montenegrin authorities in establishing a comprehensive approach to tackling crime in Montenegro and developing national capacities to combat criminal networks and support intelligence-led policing.