Central Europe

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.
• Inside the Stanytsia Luhanska disengagement area, the SMM continued observing works to a temporary pedestrian bypass to the broken section of the bridge.
• The SMM saw small-arms fire damage to two civilian properties in Staromykhailivka.
• The SMM saw a mortar tailfin inside the disengagement area near Zolote and recorded ceasefire violations near the Zolote and Petrivske disengagement areas.
• The Mission observed a weapon in violation of withdrawal lines in non-government-controlled Donetsk city.
• The SMM saw anti-tank mines near Vesela Hora and Dokuchaievsk.
• The SMM monitored adherence to the ceasefire to facilitate the operation of the Donetsk Filtration Station, electrical repair works in Pikuzy, and repair works to water pipelines between Zolote-3/Stakhanovets and Popasna.
• Restrictions of the Mission’s access continued, including at three checkpoints in non-government-controlled areas of Donetsk region and near a border crossing point in a non-government-controlled area of Luhansk region.*
• In Kyiv, the SMM monitored a peaceful protest related to the latest political developments.

VIENNA, 4 October 2019 - Valiant Richey has been appointed as the new OSCE Special Representative and Co-ordinator for Combating Trafficking in Human Beings. OSCE Secretary General Thomas Greminger and  Ambassador Radomír Boháč, the Permanent Representative of the Slovak Republic to the OSCE and Chairperson of the OSCE Permanent Council, welcomed Richey’s appointment as the fifth Special Representative and Co-ordinator for Combating Trafficking in Human Beings since the OSCE Permanent Council established the position in 2005.

“Richey has capably served as the Acting Co-ordinator for Combating Trafficking in Human Beings for the last 14 months and has brought an innovative and practical approach to the OSCE. I have great confidence that he will lead the Office to even more accomplishments in his new role,” Greminger said.

The OSCE Special Representative and Co-ordinator supports OSCE participating States in their efforts to combat trafficking in human beings through awareness raising, coordination, policy development, research, and capacity building.

Prior to joining the OSCE, Richey worked for 13 years as a prosecutor in Seattle, United States, handling sexual assault, child exploitation and human trafficking cases. He also led a coalition of public and private sector stakeholders in combating human trafficking and was appointed by the Washington State Attorney General to represent prosecutors on the Washington State Trafficking in Persons Coordinating Committee.  Before becoming a prosecutor, Richey managed a public office in Washington State which provided policy and fiscal analysis to the Legislature. He has a Bachelor of Arts and Master of Arts in Political Science from Boston University and a Juris Doctor from the University of Washington.

Regarding his appointment, Richey said: “I am immensely honored to lead the OSCE’s anti-trafficking efforts and to be entrusted by the Chairmanship and Secretary General in assuming this role. Together with my highly skilled team, I very much look forward to building on the work already done and supporting the OSCE participating States in eradicating trafficking in human beings.”   

SKOPJE, 3 October 2019 – The Prime Minister of North Macedonia, Zoran Zaev; the Head of OSCE Mission to Skopje, Clemens Koja; the OSCE High Commissioner on National Minorities, Lamberto Zannier and the Head of the Delegation of the European Union, Samuel Žbogar today addressed the high-level international conference Towards the Concept of One Society and Inter-culturalism organized by the OSCE Mission to Skopje and the Prime Minister’s Office.

Over 100 participants attended the conference representing state institutions, major international organizations, academia and civil society. They engaged in constructive dialogue on the government-proposed National Strategy for Development of the Concept of One Society and Inter-culturalism. Participants provided critical insights into the Strategy’s relevance to reverse separation trends and enhance integration of the country’s diverse society.

“As a country, we have laid the foundations of intercultural understanding,” said Prime Minister Zaev. “We have demonstrated our political will to preserve and foster diversity, and that we can live together respecting diverse languages, cultures and religions.” Zaev said that the goal of the government is to further strengthen integration of the society through inter-cultural dialogue, mutual understanding and the inclusion of all its members. “To this end, the implementation of the Strategy aims to build key pillars for one society for all, ensuring equal protection of rights and equal opportunities for all citizens.”   

The Head of the OSCE Mission to Skopje, Clemens Koja, commended the endeavors of the Prime Minister and the Government in producing a comprehensive and far-reaching strategy, which capitalizes on the Ohrid Framework Agreement. “The Strategy has the potential to bridge divides and deepen integrative processes, while advancing inter-ethnic relations and dialogue among all cultures and identities, building a more cohesive, prosperous and stable society.”

Lamberto Zannier, OSCE High Commissioner on National Minorities said that the Strategy breaks from past politics and policies. “With adequate resources, political will and inter-institutional co-operation, it has the potential to connect all the main elements of a sound integration policy building on the Ohrid Framework Agreement. If successfully implemented, the Strategy would help strengthen social cohesion and make all citizens feel welcome, irrespective of their ethnic background,” said Zannier.

The Head of the Delegation of the European Union to North Macedonia, Samuel Žbogar, said: “The EU welcomes the strategy of the government for developing One Society and inter-culturalism. 'United in diversity' is one of the most recognizable slogans of the EU. Respect for human dignity and rights, equality and freedom are inextricably linked to fundamental EU values such as democracy and the rule of law.”

434450 Public Affairs Unit, OSCE Office for Democratic Institutions and Human Rights Kazakhstan, Early Presidential Election, 9 June 2019: Final Report

Following Kazakhstan’s early presidential election on 9 June 2019, the OSCE Office for Democratic Institutions and Human Rights (ODIHR) has published its final report. While the election was an opportunity for potential political reforms, it was tarnished by violations of fundamental freedoms as well as pressure on critical voices. There were seven candidates, including a woman for the first time ever, but considerable restrictions on the right to stand and limits to peaceful assembly and expression inhibited genuine political pluralism. The election was efficiently organized. However, significant irregularities were observed on election day, including cases of ballot box stuffing, and a disregard of counting procedures meant that an honest count could not be guaranteed. There were widespread detentions of peaceful protesters on election day in major cities.

Key recommendations include:

• Lifting restrictions on legislation related to constitutionally guaranteed fundamental rights and freedoms
• Amending the election law to guarantee an inclusive and broad representation of political parties in election commissions at all levels
• Ensuring universal suffrage by revising the blanket withdrawal of voting rights of citizens serving prison sentences and abolishing the norms disenfranchising people with disabilities
• Removing the residency, language and professional experience requirements for candidate eligibility and ensuring that any restrictions on the right to stand for those with criminal convictions are proportionate to the severity of the offence
• Ensuring that election campaigning is conducted in an atmosphere free from intimidation and fear of retribution and amending the law on peaceful assemblies to require a simple notification procedure for holding a public gathering
• Repealing criminal provisions on defamation, insult and spreading of false information, in favour of civil sanctions designed to restore the reputation harmed, rather than compensate the plaintiff or punish the defendant
• Enhancing transparency and safeguarding the integrity of election results by publishing disaggregated polling station protocols on the website of the Central Election Commission.

ODIHR deployed an Election Observation Mission on 8 May 2019 to observe the early presidential election. All 57 participating States across the OSCE region have formally committed to following up promptly on ODIHR’s election assessments and recommendations.

SDGs SDGs:  16 - Peace, justice and strong institutions

Summary

• Compared with the previous reporting period, the SMM recorded fewer ceasefire violations in Donetsk region and a similar number in Luhansk region.
• Inside the Stanytsia Luhanska disengagement area, the SMM continued observing works to connect a temporary pedestrian bypass bridge to the broken section of the bridge.
• The SMM recorded an explosion inside the Zolote disengagement area; it observed the presence of armoured combat vehicles inside the Petrivske disengagement area.
• The Mission observed 37 weapons in violation of their respective withdrawal lines: one in government- and 36 in non-government-controlled areas of Luhansk region.
• The SMM saw unexploded ordnance near Novooleksandrivka and mines near Talakivka.
• The SMM monitored adherence to the ceasefire to facilitate the operation of the Donetsk Filtration Station and repairs to water pipelines in Luhansk region.
• Restrictions of the Mission’s access continued, including at checkpoints of the armed formations near Petrivske and Verkhnoshyrokivske.*
• In Kyiv, the SMM monitored two peaceful gatherings related to the latest political developments.

434456 Communication and Media Relations Section

More than 40 representatives of law enforcement agencies, government and practitioners as well as international organizations gathered in Vienna on 2 October 2019 for the official  launch of the OSCE handbook on Understanding the Role of Gender in Preventing and Countering Violent Extremism and Radicalization That Lead to Terrorism: Good Practices for Law Enforcement. The handbook, the first of its kind, is the result of a two-year collaborative effort by experts on gender, security sector and countering violent extremism based on case studies from across the OSCE area.

“Violent extremism and radicalization to terrorism are highly gendered phenomena as they both affect and attract men and women, boys and girls in different ways. The criminal justice and law enforcement response has traditionally been focused on men, while overlooking women victims and perpetrators,” said Kathrin Quesada, the lead expert on the handbook. “It has been challenging to gather and compile the necessary data, but it was our objective to ensure that the most useful part of the handbook would be practical guidelines on how to effectively mainstream gender and incorporate a gender analysis in all aspects of the work that pertains to preventing and countering violent extremism.”

The handbook was funded by Norway and is available in English and Russian at www.osce.org/secretariat/420563

“Norway values equality and human rights as inseparable from true security,” said Ambassador Steffen Kongstad of the Norwegian Mission to the OSCE. “The integration of a gender perspective throughout our efforts is not only about equality, but about preventing violent extremism more effectively, and applying the OSCE’s comprehensive approach to security. We are pleased to be contributing to that.”

An Arabic translation funded by Italy is currently being finalized and will be presented to representatives of the OSCE’s Mediterranean Partners for Co-operation at a later stage.

The OSCE is a pioneer in advancing preventative approaches to violent extremism and terrorism. It works to support the development and implementation of impactful and safe policies and programmes to prevent and counter violent extremism and radicalization that lead to terrorism (P/CVERLT) in the OSCE’s participating States and Partners for Co-operation.In addition to today’s handbook launch, the handbook series on P/CVERLT includes:

• The Role of Civil Society in Preventing and Countering Violent Extremism and Radicalization that Lead to Terrorism. A Guidebook for South-Eastern Europe
• Understanding Referral Mechanisms in Preventing and Countering Violent Extremism and Radicalization That Lead to Terrorism Navigating Challenges and Protecting Human Rights A Guidebook for South-Eastern Europe
• Preventing Terrorism and Countering Violent Extremism and Radicalization that Lead to Terrorism: A Community-Policing Approach
•  A whole-of-society approach to preventing and countering violent extremism and radicalization that lead to terrorism. A guidebook for Central Asia”  (to be published end of 2019)
•  Good Practices in Preventing and Countering Violent Extremism and Radicalization That Lead to Terrorism:  Non-Custodial Rehabilitation and Reintegration. A Guidebook for practitioners and policymakers in South-Eastern Europe  (to be published end of 2019)

434411 OSCE High Commissioner on National Minorities The Graz Recommendations on Access to Justice and National Minorities Thematic Recommendations and Guidelines

The office of the OSCE High Commissioner on National Minorities (HCNM) and Kyrgyzstan’s State Agency for Local Self-Governance and Interethnic Relations (GAMSUMO) organized a roundtable discussion in Bishkek, Kyrgyzstan, to present The Graz Recommendations on Access to Justice and National Minorities on 2 October 2019.

Around 50 high-level representatives of the central and local authorities in Kyrgyzstan, as well as participants of civil society and international organizations, attended the event. The Office of the UN High Commissioner for Human Rights in Bishkek gave a presentation on universal standards related to access to justice and national minorities.

HCNM Director Christophe Kamp said: “The office of the HCNM has been working with Kyrgyzstan for over 25 years, and this excellent co-operation continues with the current HCNM Lamberto Zannier.” Kamp noted that access to justice is a fundamental element of integration and the avoidance of tensions in society.

The Head of the OSCE Project Office in Bishkek, Pierre von Arx, presented his office’s projects in the field of access to justice in Kyrgyzstan, which include capacity-building activities, training courses and seminars.

GAMSUMO Director Bakhtiyar Saliev welcomed the co-operation with the HCNM in improving Kyrgyzstan’s national legislation according to the international standards for human rights protection, and he underlined the importance of continuing this collaboration.

The participants of the roundtable discussion debated the legal and policy framework in Kyrgyzstan and shared their experiences on how the provisions of the Graz Recommendations are being applied in practice in Kyrgyzstan. They also identified the main challenges and discussed possible solutions. One of the purposes of the event was to assist the Kyrgyzstan authorities in developing relevant policies to support access to justice.

The HCNM actively promotes his Recommendations and Guidelines through practical roundtable discussions and workshops across the OSCE participating States.

MINSK, 1 October 2019 – The Special Representative of the OSCE Chairperson-in-Office in Ukraine and in the Trilateral Contact Group, Ambassador Martin Sajdik, made the following statement to the press after the meeting of the the Trilateral Contact Group (TCG) ‎and its working groups in Minsk on 1 October 2019:

“Today’s discussions in both TCG and the Political Working Group were centered on the ‘Steinmeier formula’.

Upon the recommendation of the Normandy Four Political Advisers as of September 11, 2019, the TCG members and representatives of certain areas of Donetsk and Luhansk regions (CADR and CALR) confirmed today, in letters addressed to me, the text of the ‘Steinmeier formula’ for implementation in Ukrainian legislation. The text was agreed by the Political Advisers in the Normandy format.

Based on the results of today's discussions on security issues, the TCG also determined the date of 7 October 2019 for renewal of the disengagement of forces and hardware in the Zolote and Petrivske areas.

These two important steps were taken as tasked by the Normandy Four, and I hope that, with them, the TCG has contributed to furthering work in the Normandy format.

Now, regarding Stanytsia Luhanska: I would like to note progress achieved in the implementation of the TCG decision on the repair of the bridge at Stanytsia Luhanska. A temporary bypass bridge is currently under construction.

As you know, OSCE stands steadfastly for the security and protection of civilians. In this regard, I want to turn special attention to the case of injuries received by five children following a hand grenade explosion in CALR. This incident is absolutely unacceptable.

Realising their political and humanitarian responsibility to the population, the sides must take decisive action to ensure safety for civilians, in particular children. I urge schools to carry out relevant warning and information activities.

The Humanitarian Working Group focused on the questions related to the exchange of detainees. In addition, a constructive discussion on the search for missing persons took place.

The Economic Working Group, among other questions, paid particular attention to current water supply issues in CADR and CALR as well as pension payments.”

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 a similar number of ceasefire violations in Luhansk region.
• Three firefighters sustained shrapnel injuries in Donetsk city’s Petrovskyi district.
• Inside the Stanytsia Luhanska disengagement area, the SMM continued monitoring works to connect a temporary pedestrian bypass bridge to the broken section of the bridge.
• The SMM again saw a barbed wire and a tube of an unused rocket-propelled grenade inside the Zolote disengagement area. It again observed military presence inside the Petrivske disengagement area.
• The Mission observed weapons in violation of their respective withdrawal lines in government-controlled areas of Luhansk region.
• The SMM saw unexploded ordnance on the road between Popasna and Molodizhne.  
• The SMM monitored adherence to the ceasefire to facilitate the operation of and repairs to essential civilian infrastructure, including repairs to water pipelines and power lines and to enable the drilling of water wells.
• Restrictions of the Mission’s access continued, including at checkpoints of the armed formations near Petrivske, Verkhnoshyrokivske and Shevchenko.

VIENNA, 1 October 2019 – The OSCE Representative on Freedom of the Media, Harlem Désir, paid tribute today to Jamal Khashoggi, a prominent Saudi journalist who was brutally murdered one year ago, recalling the urgent need to fight against impunity of crimes committed against journalists.

“At a time when the safety of journalists has drastically deteriorated worldwide in the last several years, impunity for attacks on journalists is unacceptable. It is crucial, in order to safeguard the role of journalists and media freedom, that the perpetrators and those behind this horrendous crime are identified and face justice. Impunity of perpetrators of such attacks and the passivity in investigating and failing to publicly condemn these murders breeds further violence. On this day of the one year anniversary of Jamal Khashoggi’s murder, we remember all other recently killed journalists, including in the OSCE region. The spread of violence against journalists across the globe is a threat to our core democratic values,” said Désir.

On 2 October 2018, Khashoggi, a contributor to the Washington Post, visited the Consulate of Saudi Arabia in Istanbul where he was executed. His body was reportedly dismembered and removed from the building, and his remains have not been found. Eleven Saudi suspects were put on trial in secretive proceedings on 3 January 2019, but only a few hearings have been held since. 

The Representative noted that a number of media freedom and human rights organizations, including Reporters Without Borders, Amnesty International, Human Rights Watch, the Committee to Protect Journalists and Article 19 will join Khashoggi’s fiancée, his friends and UN Special Rapporteur Agnès Callamard in front of the Saudi Consulate in Istanbul on 2 October to commemorate the first anniversary of his murder.

This report is for the media and the general public.

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 11,520 to 11,877 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 288 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 this week compared to nine last week: eleven of them crossed into the Russian Federation, and nine into Ukraine (80 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, three families were observed crossing into the Russian Federation and six were observed crossing into Ukraine, compared to the previous reporting period when six families were observed crossing to the Russian Federation and one to 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 (501 compared to 511 observed during the previous week). There were 238 buses bound for the Russian Federation and 263 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 847 trucks (compared to 920 during the previous reporting week) crossing the border in both directions at both BCPs (394 at the Gukovo BCP and 453 at the Donetsk BCP); 471 of these trucks crossed to the Russian Federation and 376 crossed to 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 and the Russian Federation and also with “LPR” plates. During the reporting period, trucks with “DPR” plates were also observed.

The OTs also continued to observe tanker trucks crossing the border in both directions. During the reporting week, the number of tanker trucks increased to 63 (compared to 52 during the previous reporting period). 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 increased from 86 to 146; 108 trucks (74 per cent) were bound for Ukraine, the remaining 38 trucks (26 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 decreased from 152 to 125 vehicles; 63 crossed into the Russian Federation and another 62 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 17 trains were travelling to the Russian Federation and 3 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 licence plates from Belarus, Georgia and Lithuania; cars with “DPR” and “Republic of South Ossetia” plates were also observed.

On 26 September at 15:44, the OT at Donetsk BCP observed a minivan with licence plates from the Russian Federation and the inscription "Ritual Service - Eternity" (in Russian) crossing from the Russian Federation into Ukraine. At 23:46, the same minivan crossed back towards the Russian Federation.

On 28 September at 15:20, the OT at Donetsk BCP observed a minivan crossing the border from the Russian Federation into Ukraine. The van bore the inscriptions "Gruz 200"[3] and "Anubis - funeral service". The vehicle was registered in the Russian Federation and had four people on board.

On 30 September at 09:57, the OT at Donetsk BCP observed a police minivan with Russian Federation licence plates entering the Donetsk BCP and parking in front of the main building. Two persons left the minivan and went towards the main building and came back after a short while. At 10:43, the minivan left the BCP towards the Russian Federation. 

For trends and figures at a glance covering the period from 27 August to 1 October 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).                              

[3] “Gruz 200” (Cargo 200) normally refers to a Russian military code used for “military personnel killed in action”

Colin McCullough, OSCE Programme Office in Nur-Sultan

An OSCE-supported roundtable discussion on the status of Kazakhstan’s draft environmental code took place on 1 October 2019 in Nur-Sultan.

Fifty representatives from the Ministry of Ecology, Geology and Natural Resources (Ecology Ministry), the Parliament, business sector, and non-governmental organizations participated in the discussion.

The event was organized by the OSCE Programme Office in Nur-Sultan in partnership with the Association of Environmental Organizations of Kazakhstan.

Representatives of the Ecology Ministry and the non-governmental sector and discussed the current status of the draft environmental code and preparing relevant legislation. The participants identified major problematic areas in the submitted draft code and provided suggestions for improvement.

The work on the new edition of country’s major environmental document started in 2017 and a new edition is expected to be approved at the end of 2019. In partnership with the United Nations Economic Commission for Europe, the Programme Office in Nur-Sultan has been involved in developing chapters on the Strategic Environmental Assessment and Environmental Impact Assessment. The Office is also supporting public discussions around these documents involving key stakeholders.

The event is part of the Programme Office’s long-term effort to promote the “green” economy in the host country and sustainable development principles in strengthening environmental security.

VIENNA, 1 October 2019 – Media professionals, government, civil society, renowned international experts and journalists will gather for the 16th OSCE South Caucasus Media Conference (SCMC) in Tbilisi on 9 and 10 October, to discuss the current media freedom developments and the changing digital media landscape in the region.

Four expert panels will address the following topics at the event: news creation, quality journalism and the distribution of media in the age of digital reporting; the safety of journalists in times of political change; the regulatory environment for media freedom and media pluralism; and a general overview of media freedom developments in the region.

Journalists are invited to cover the 16th SCMC, a two-day conference organized by the Office of the OSCE Representative on Freedom of the Media.

The OSCE Representative on Freedom of the Media, Harlem Désir, will open the conference, together with Georgian Foreign Minister, David Zalkaliani; starting at 09:30 am on Wednesday, 9 October, at the Marriott Hotel Courtyard, 4 Freedom Square, Tbilisi.

Journalists wishing to attend and report on the conference are required to send an e-mail confirming their attendance to lusine.apresyan@osce.org no later than 7 October. The presentation of a valid ID is required for accreditation at the venue.

Journalists covering the conference will have the opportunity to meet with Representative Désir at 11:00 am Wednesday, 9 October at a press briefing.

A detailed agenda and biographies of speakers in English and Russian can be accessed here.

Colin McCullough, OSCE Programme Office in Nur-Sultan

An OSCE-supported roundtable discussion on the status of Kazakhstan’s draft environmental code took place on 1 October 2019 in Nur-Sultan.

Fifty representatives from the Ministry of Ecology, Geology and Natural Resources (Ecology Ministry), the Parliament, business sector, and non-governmental organizations participated in the discussion.

The event was organized by the OSCE Programme Office in Nur-Sultan in partnership with the Association of Environmental Organizations of Kazakhstan.

Discussions took place on the current status of the draft environmental code involving the Ecology Ministry, preparing the legislation, and representatives of non-governmental sector. The participants identified major problematic areas in the submitted draft code and provided suggestions for improvement.

The work on the new edition of country’s major environmental document started in 2017 and a new edition is expected to be approved at the end of 2019. In partnership with the United Nations Economic Commission for Europe, the Programme Office in Nur-Sultan has been involved in developing chapters on the Strategic Environmental Assessment and Environmental Impact Assessment. The Office is also supporting public discussions around these documents involving key stakeholders.

The event is part of the Programme Office’s long-term effort to promote the “green” economy in the host country and sustainable development principles in strengthening environmental security.

SDGs SDGs:  16 - Peace, justice and strong institutions

Summary

• Compared with the previous reporting period, between the evenings of 27 and 28 September, the SMM recorded fewer ceasefire violations in Donetsk region and more in Luhansk region.
• Between the evenings of 28 and 29 September, the Mission recorded more ceasefire violations in Donetsk region and fewer in Luhansk region, compared with the previous 24 hours.
• SMM mid-range unmanned aerial vehicle (UAV) flying over areas near Petrivske was damaged by small-arms fire; and small-arms fire was assessed as directed at SMM mini-UAV near Lobacheve.
• The SMM saw fresh damage from small-arms fire to a house in Dokuchaievsk and from shelling to a house in Donetsk city.
• Inside the Stanytsia Luhanska disengagement area, the SMM again saw a temporary pedestrian bypass bridge being connected with the broken section of the Stanytsia Luhanska bridge. It also saw workers from non-government-controlled areas clearing vegetation about 50m east of the bridge along the southern bank of the Siverskyi Donets river.
• The SMM saw a tube of a rocket-propelled grenade and recorded ceasefire violations inside the Zolote disengagement area. It again observed military presence inside the Petrivske disengagement area.
• The SMM observed weapons in violation of their respective withdrawal lines in government-controlled areas of Donetsk region and on both sides of the contact line in Luhansk region, including at the former Luhansk international airport.
• The SMM saw unexploded ordnance near non-government-controlled Dovhe and Vesela Hora.
• The SMM monitored adherence to the ceasefire to facilitate the operation of essential civilian infrastructure and the drilling of wells near Raivka.
• Restrictions of the Mission’s access continued, including at a checkpoint of the armed formations near the Petrivske disengagement area and Verkhnoshyrokivske, as well as near non-government-controlled Voznesenivka, areas near the border with the Russian Federation.

434261 Anna Vorobeva OSCE Mission to Moldova

Thirty students from both banks of the Dniester/Nistru River practiced their diplomacy skills at the sixth edition of the Model OSCE for Youth, which concluded with the adoption of an “Addendum to the OSCE Gender Action Plan” on 29 September 2019 in Moldova. The document was the result of a compromise and consensus, which the young “ambassadors” put into practice during a simulation of an OSCE Permanent Council meeting.

After four days of intense training in negotiations skills and team-building exercises, the young people put their leadership qualities to the test and agreed on steps to promote gender equality in OSCE participating States and within the organization. Equal remuneration and job opportunities as well as a subsidy for child care for parents were among the key points reflected in the “addendum”. 

“The simulation showed me that consensus and teamwork are key to the decision-making process. I have learned that in order to achieve a common ground you need to take into account positions of all members of your team,” said Daniela Rusu, a student of the Moldova State University.

The students also improved their understanding of the OSCE’s comprehensive approach to security and conflict resolution process. “The Model helps to strengthen dialogue between the young people on both banks and introduces them to peaceful conflict-resolution approaches,” said the Head of the OSCE Mission to Moldova Claus Neukirch. “It can also serve as a launching pad in their future diplomatic careers.”

For many students, the Model OSCE for Youth presented a unique opportunity to meet and network with their peers from the left bank. “In the course of these four days we spoke a mix of languages. My knowledge of Romanian and English is limited and I was pleasantly surprised when other students spoke Russian with me. They wanted to make sure I was fully involved in the negotiations. This shows the level of respect we had for each other,” said Vitalii Stasiuk, a student of Tiraspol University.

The OSCE’s commitment to promote inclusion of youth in its peace and security agenda dates back to its founding document, the Helsinki Final Act, and is also high on the Slovak OSCE Chairmanship agenda.

“The OSCE works with and for youth to make their voices heard and to help them use their potential to promote security and co-operation in the OSCE area,” said Samuel Goda, Special Representative of the OSCE Chairmanship-in-Office on Youth and Security, who was a special guest at the Model OSCE.

This simulation is part of the Missions’ confidence building efforts, which was first organized in 2013. The best five participants of the Model OSCE will be awarded with an opportunity to attend a session of the OSCE Permanent Council meeting in Vienna, Austria.

VIENNA / SARAJEVO, 30 September 2019 – The OSCE Representative on Freedom of the Media, Harlem Désir, and the Head of the OSCE Mission to Bosnia and Herzegovina (BiH), Kathleen Kavalec, condemned today the attack on two radiosarajevo.ba journalists and called on the authorities to ensure the better protection of journalists.

On 27 September, two journalists of a prominent news portal, radiosarajevo.ba, were threatened by two individuals who objected to an article. In a hostage-like situation, journalists were forced to take down the article from the website, and to call other news portals and newspapers to ask them to remove the article as well.

“I strongly condemn this attack as well as the death threats against the journalists and their families. Safety of journalists is one of the most important prerequisites of media freedom, which is a key pillar of our democratic systems. Journalists must be able to report on issues of public interest in Bosnia and Herzegovina without pressure or threats, like everywhere else. I urge the authorities to do their utmost and ensure that journalists are able to perform their important work in a safe environment,” said Désir.

“The number of attacks on journalists in 2019 seems to have reached an alarming level. This is unacceptable behaviour. The authorities must intensify efforts to protect the media in BiH and prevent such attacks,” stated Kavalec. “I call upon all relevant authorities in BiH to implement the 2017 recommendation of the Institution of Human Rights Ombudsman and define an attack against a journalist as a criminal offence in criminal codes or as a serious criminal offence of an attack against an official person on duty.”

Désir and Kavalec welcomed the swift reaction of the Sarajevo Canton Police in dealing with the case.

434210 Marina Živaljević

In preparation for the third Regional Youth Co-operation Office (RYCO) Call for Proposals, the OSCE Mission to Montenegro and the RYCO Local Branch Office organized a training course for potential applicants in Podgorica from 27 to 29 September 2019.

Around 20 high school teachers from across Montenegro were selected to participate in the course. The schools were selected in co-operation with the Ministry of Education.

OSCE’s Mission Democratization National Programme Officer, Ivana Vujović said: “For those of you whose projects will be accepted – well done and good luck. Equally important to those whose projects will not be accepted – keep working with your students and apply again. Don’t be discouraged. Keep working with students to develop ways and ideas to connect young people within the schools, municipalities in Montenegro and, of course, within South-Eastern Europe.”

The Head of the RYCO Local Branch Office in Montenegro, Edin Koljenović, explained that RYCO has three strategic directions. “Firstly, we are focused on awarding grants to NGOs and secondary schools to connect youth within the region. Secondly, we are committed to building capacity of our grantees and potential grantees, which is today’s activity; and thirdly, we deal with policies to foster a socio-politically favourable environment for youth co-operation and their mobility.”

Nenad Koprivica, General Director for Youth in the Ministry of Sports and Youth, said that one of the key goals and missions of RYCO is to overcome prejudices. “Young people across the region must realize that they are equal and face the same challenges: from access to the labour market, to quality education, health care, and access to quality cultural content. RYCO’s aim is to articulate the challenges and problems of young people in the region.”

Veljko Tomić, General Director at the Ministry of Education stated that the mutual interest of the Ministry and RYCO, to support young people, enhance the capacity of professors and promote youth policies, was formalized by signing a Memorandum of Understanding between the Ministry and RYCO this month. “I’m convinced that this training course will encourage professors to bring their students together around the reconciliation and fostering good relations in the region. I am convinced that the skills you acquire here will greatly facilitate the preparation and implementation of projects within the RYCO open call.”

RYCO was founded in 2016 at the Western Balkans Sixth Summit in Paris as an independent institutional mechanism to promote the spirit of reconciliation and co-operation among youth in the region through exchange programmes.

VIENNA, 30 September 2019 – The OSCE Representative on Freedom of the Media, Harlem Désir, expressed his concern today over the decision taken by the media regulator, National Council of Television and Radio Broadcasting of Ukraine (the Council), not to renew the digital terrestrial broadcasting licenses of five regional television companies.

“I hope that the National Council of Television and Radio Broadcasting of Ukraine will find a solution to preserve pluralism in the media environment,” said Désir. “It is important to ensure diversity in the broadcasting, while fully respecting the legal requirements, and balancing any regulatory decisions with access to pluralistic media.”

On 26 September, the Council ruled that the companies Noviy Format TV, Ariadna TV, Partner TV, TV Vybor and Leader TV, which received digital terrestrial broadcasting licenses in 2011, violated the license conditions by changing the programme concepts without the required approval of the media regulator. These companies re-broadcasted the content of the 112 Ukraine TV channel. According to the Council, the companies in question unsuccessfully appealed against the Council’s warnings in the courts. As a result of the Council’s decision, 112 Ukraine TV channel could not be broadcast through digital terrestrial signal.

The Representative noted that the 112 Ukraine TV channel programmes continue to be available on satellite and cable networks.

434132 Kunduz Rysbek

A two-week training course on electronic record-keeping of small arms and light weapons and conventional ammunition (SALW and CA) concluded on 28 September 2019 in Bishkek and Osh.

The event was organized by the OSCE Programme Office in Bishkek, in close co-ordination with the General Staff of Armed Forces of Kyrgyzstan and the State Committee for Defence Affairs.

Seventy specialists from all branches of military units of Kyrgyzstan’s armed forces, including the country’s General Staff of Armed Forces, the State Committee on Defense Affairs, and the State Border Service participated in the training course. The course aimed at building capacities of armed forces on maintaining an electronic database system for management, record-keeping and tracing of SALW and CA. The course was delivered by an international expert and provided hands-on experience in electronic record-keeping. Participants worked in classrooms on computers with specialized software.  

The OSCE Programme Office in Bishkek has been actively supporting the Kyrgyz Republic in strengthening the capacities towards the physical security and stockpile management of SALW and CA in the framework of its Project on Arms Control.