Central Europe

SDGs SDGs:  16 - Peace, justice and strong institutions

Summary

• Compared with the previous reporting period, the SMM recorded fewer ceasefire violations in Donetsk region, and more ceasefire violations in Luhansk region.
• Inside the Stanytsia Luhanska disengagement area, the Mission saw workers from government-controlled areas working on the foundations of a bypass bridge east of the broken section of the bridge.
• The Mission observed demining activities inside the disengagement area near Zolote and was, as a result, able to cross through.
• The Mission facilitated and monitored adherence to the ceasefire to facilitate repairs and the operations of critical civilian infrastructure, including repairs to water pipelines and power lines.
• Restrictions of the Mission’s access continued, including at checkpoints in and near Petrivske and Verkhnoshyrokivske, both in non-government-controlled areas.

431573 Munira Shoinbekova, OSCE Programme Office in Dushanbe

DUSHANBE, 20 September 2019 – The third Postgraduate Diploma in Border Security and Management for Senior Leadership course, a one-year blended learning programme, concluded today at the OSCE Border Management Staff College in Dushanbe (BMSC), Tajikistan. The concluding module of the programme took place from 16 to 20 September 2019. Twenty-one mid- to-senior-level border security and management officials took part in the programme. They represented Albania, Armenia, Australia, Finland, Georgia, Greece, Latvia, North Macedonia, Moldova, Montenegro, Poland, Tajikistan, Tunisia and Ukraine. The participants received insight into the contemporary security environment and leadership and management competencies. They were also introduced to mechanisms to prevent and combat existing and emerging security threats and challenges.

Programme participants presented their research findings to a panel of experts. Upon successful defense of their coursework, the participants received 60 ECTS credits, equivalent to level 7 of the European Qualifications Framework.

“This is the very first such class to graduate from the programme following its full accreditation by the Estonian Higher Education Quality Agency (EKKA) last year. This marks an important milestone in the College’s history, and indeed the course’s history,” said Jonathan Holland, BMSC Director. “The international recognition is, however, accompanied by a profound sense of responsibility – both for those who study at the BMSC as well as the College itself – to maintain the high standards of education following the approval and trust granted by the accrediting body.”

Major General Istvan Samu, Special Adviser to Hungary’s Minister of the Interior, noted that “it is fascinating to observe how the participants’ thoughts and ideas transform under the impact of the Postgraduate Diploma programme and how the digested knowledge is subsequently utilized and reflected in their final coursework.”

The Postgraduate Diploma in Border Security and Management for Senior Leadership was designed and developed jointly with the Geneva Centre for Security Sector Governance (DCAF). It is one of the BMSC’s flagship core activities that aim at enhancing the professional skills of current and future border security managers according to international standards.

A variety of training and learning methods are applied throughout the programme, including tutored e-learning, presentations, lectures, follow-up discussions, group exercises and study visits.

431711 Communication and Media Relations Section

A five-day training course aimed at increasing the operational awareness of border guards in detecting forged documents, took place from 14 to 20 September, 2019 in Skopje, North Macedonia.

The training, organized by the Border Security and Management Unit of the OSCE Transnational Threats Department in co-operation with the OSCE Mission to Skopje and the Ministry of Interior of the Republic of North Macedonia, was held at the Police Training Centre in Idrizovo, Skopje.

The course was conducted by document experts from the Austrian Federal Ministry of the Interior and brought together 20 first-line officers deployed at different border crossing points, including Skopje International Airport.

Participants examined security features of travel documents, printing techniques and security substrates. Practical exercises focused on the differences between genuine and forged documents, as well as on the effective use of equipment such as magnifying lenses. Twenty high quality magnifying lenses were donated to the participants by the OSCE.

This course will be followed by an advanced training in October and a train-the-trainers course in November. These courses form part of a series of trainings on the detection of forged travel documents organized by the OSCE Border Security and Management Unit in different countries since 2015.

Communication and Media Relations Section

A three-day meeting between the OSCE and Kosovo institutions on the legal aspects of setting up an Advance Passenger Information (API) system was held in Pejë/Peć from 18 to 20 September 2019.

Organized by the OSCE Transnational Threats Department with the support of the OSCE Mission in Kosovo, this was the third in a series of meetings held in Kosovo.

The meeting provided legal support for the smooth implementation of the recommendations included in the roadmap for setting up an API system that was drafted during a workshop in Prishtinë/Priština from 20 to 22 February 2018.

In July 2019, the Kosovo Ministry of Internal Affairs formed the working group to assess and review legislation relating to the implementation of an API. Following a number of productive meetings, the Ministry requested that the OSCE provide guidance and assistance in finalizing the legislative document on API.

During the meeting in Pejë/Peć, an OSCE independent consultant, together with representatives from the Ministry of Internal Affairs, the Civil Aviation Authority, the Police, the Ministry of Infrastructure, and other relevant institutions, as well as the European Union’s Rule of Law Mission in Kosovo and the International Criminal Investigative Training Assistance Program, analyzed the Administrative Instruction on Measures and Procedures for the Receipt and Use of Data from API and the Passenger Name Record (PNR). The consultant provided input and advice on how to improve the Administrative Instruction in order to be fully compliant with international standards set up by International Civilian Aviation Organization, especially when it comes to partnering with airlines, the protection of data privacy, the legal authority to collect and store passenger data, among other areas.

The OSCE will continue working with local authorities across the OSCE area to develop API implementation plans as part of the Organization’s activities to enhance this aspect of security.

API and PNR systems are electronic communications systems through which biographic data from a traveller’s passport and flight details are collected by airlines and transmitted to border control agencies before a flight’s departure or arrival.

VICENZA, Italy, 20 September 2019 – The first simulation-based training for practitioners across the Mediterranean region and beyond concluded today in Vicenza, Italy.

More than 74 professionals from 38 countries attended the five-day training. Participants came from law enforcement agencies, the judiciary, social service providers, civil society organizations and asylum agencies. For the first time, the training also included participants from six Partners for Co-operation as well as ten participants from six African countries whose participation was sponsored by the UN.

The first simulation-based training, with a focus on the Mediterranean region, sought to enhance the capacity of participants to effectively identify, investigate, and prosecute human trafficking cases amongst migrants and refugees in mixed migration flows. Particular emphasis was given to the importance of a coherent and multi-disciplinary response to human trafficking, involving close co-ordination between relevant governmental and non-governmental organizations, to meet the multiple protection needs of victims and support law enforcement efforts.

During the four-day simulation phase, participants had the opportunity to practice a multi-disciplinary response to tackle complex cases of human trafficking, which ensures a victim-centred and human rights based approach. A group of experts developed the scenarios before the training. The script were complemented by a comprehensive set of background materials including Country profiles, legal frameworks, Characters, and Standard Operating Procedures (SOPs) to simulate realistic scenarios of labour and sexual exploitation.

"I appreciated the training. I would like to bring back the same idea in Africa," said Baboye Diagiourada Saida, Police Commander from Mali. "I'm also a Police school teacher. I will suggest carrying on the same activity in Mali, inviting practitioners from Nigeria, Benin, or other near African countries, as we have a lot of human trafficking in our region."

Valiant Richey, OSCE Special Representative and Co-ordinator for Combating Trafficking in Human Beings stated that: "Our simulation-based training has brought together law enforcement, prosecutors, social-service agencies, and NGOs from over 35 countries across western and central Europe, the Balkans and Africa. Participants learn to work together in a dynamic setting between agencies and across borders to combat human trafficking."

Simulation-based trainings are part of ongoing efforts by the Office of the OSCE Special Representative and Co-ordinator for Combating Trafficking in Human Beings to enhance countries capacities in identifying and assisting victims through a new, multi-national and cross-sectoral approach. This project entitled "Combating human trafficking along Mediterranean migration routes" is undertaken in partnership with the Arma dei Carabinieri and the Centre of Excellence for Stability Police Units (CoESPU) in Vicenza, Italy – with support from UN partners, such as UNODC, UNHCR and the Office of the UN Special Representative on Sexual Violence in Conflict, as well as Guardia di Finanza, Italian State Police, University of Padova, Municipalities of Venice and Vicenza, and independent experts. Two further simulation-based trainings are planned for 2020 and 2021.

“The weeklong live-simulations exercise conducted at CoESPU, organized together with the OSCE, is a multi-national and multi-agency collaborative step in the fight against human trafficking along the Mediterranean migration routes,” said Brigadier General Giovanni Pietro Barbano, CoESPU Director.  “Partnerships and co-operation are keys to the success of future anti-trafficking activities. For me, and all the CoESPU Carabinieri, being an active part of this process is a source of great pride.”

430970 Kunduz Rysbek

On 17 September 2019 a civic forum entitled “Digital Citizenship: I am digital, be digital!” took place in Bishkek. The event was organized by the OSCE Programme Office in Bishkek and is part of its continuous support to the Kyrgyz Government’s digital transformation efforts aimed at fostering good governance and respect for human rights.

The forum provided a platform for an extensive dialogue between the government, civil society and business representatives on existing achievements and challenges, rights and responsibilities in the process of digitalization in the country.

The participants were able to brainstorm ways to empower citizens with technological skills, create client-oriented high-quality municipal services, and ensure a stable digital economy and pro-active e-governance using innovative technologies.

The idea of digital citizenship is an important part of digital ecosystems, which foresees citizens using information technologies to engage in  various fields of life, ranging from e-commerce, Internet banking to public services and more. Taking into account various information security threats as well as existing opportunities for the digital transformation of governance and economies, it is crucial to establish mechanisms that will guarantee trust, accessibility, safety, and transparency among all stakeholders. This includes respect for privacy and personal data protection in the process of digitalization.  

The civic forum helped to identify challenges to building digital infrastructure in Kyrgyzstan. These are expected to be addressed during a follow-up competition of innovative ideas, the three-day Digital Citizenship Hackathon in October 2019. Its participants will discuss solutions to these challenges in the form of new technologies, business projects, and social initiatives.

In addition, different teams formed from the private sector, academia, and civil society will compete against each other, with the best proposals rewarded with mentorship and financial support by the organizers of the civic forum.  

The civic forum and the Digital Citizenship Hackathon 2019 are organized with the help of the public fund “Civil Initiative on Internet Policy”. The fund is supported by  the Open Data project of Kyrgyzstan’s State Committee of Information Technologies and Communications, the OSCE Programme Office in Bishkek, the Soros Foundation-Kyrgyzstan, and a Canadian think-do tank, the SecDev Foundation.   

432266 Colin McCullough, OSCE Programme Office in Nur-Sultan

Strengthening the capacity of crisis negotiators from across Kazakhstan was the focus of an interagency simulation exercise conducted on 20 September 2019 in Nur-Sultan.

The event was the final stage of a five-day training seminar organized by the OSCE Programme Office in Nur-Sultan, the Embassy of Israel in Nur-Sultan, together with the Law Enforcement Academy under Kazakhstan’s Prosecutor General’s Office.

The course was led by experts of the Israel Police for 16 law enforcement and security officials as well as prosecutors to prepare state officials to respond to crisis situations, such as hostage taking, and manage the negotiation process from start to finish. Topics included active listening, operative reaction, structure of negotiation groups, time management, the tactical role of intelligence in negotiations, means of communication, third-party intermediaries and organizing a co-ordinated response. These sessions were complemented by technical discussions and simulated exercises based on cases that the Israel Police had dealt with in the past.

György Szabó, Head of the OSCE Programme Office, said: “Experience is the best teacher in dealing with crisis situations. The OSCE always strives to promote the exchange of experience on security issues and the State of Israel and their police force have been great partners in this effort. Through this event, we hope to promote security in crisis negotiations throughout Kazakhstan.”

Ambassador of Israel to Kazakhstan Liat Wexelman said: “The State of Israel has attached the great importance to developing comprehensive cooperation with Kazakhstan, our close ally and partner in Central Asia. In particular, Israeli law enforcement is willing to exchange information, share its highly skilled and gained experience in crisis management and negotiations processes, as well as enhance partnership with Kazakhstan’s colleagues.”

Yergali Merzadinov, the Rector of the Law Enforcement Agencies Academy, said: “Negotiation with individuals is a complex and emotionally intense process. It requires specific knowledge and skills, as well as the abilities of critical thinking. The acquired knowledge from the last year’s event has been put into practice and laid on the strategic documents. This year, we continued this practice and invited the Israeli negotiators to conduct an event for prosecutors, police officers and and national security officers.”

The event was part of the OSCE’s work on countering violent extremism and radicalization that lead to terrorism.

431360 Kunduz Rysbek

On Tuesday, 17 September, the State Border Service (SBS) of the Kyrgyz Republic has conducted its annual simulation exercise “Barrier-2019” in Karakol, Issyk-Kul province.

“Barrier-2019” is an OSCE-supported annual simulation exercise that started in 2014 with the aim to enhance the professional capacities of the SBS and interagency co-operation to improve operational preparedness in responding to incidents and countering transnational threats.

This year’s exercise involved the staff of the SBS, the territorial bodies of the Ministry of Internal Affairs, the Ministry of Emergency Situations, the Ministry of Health, and other relevant agencies. The Deputy Chairman of the State Border Service of the Kyrgyz Republic, Kurmanbek Isakov stated: “The participants of the exercise worked out a possible scenario of the situation at the border and demonstrated a quick response. This is a great tool to increase the effectiveness of state border protection and improve the border security of the republic”.

Alexander Eliseev, the Head of the Politico-Military Dimension of the OSCE Programme Office in Bishkek, in turn, noted that the Programme Office will continue actively supporting the SBS in its effective execution of the simulation exercises. The office will continue to provide assistance in the renovation of training facilities, allowing the SBS to conduct internal trainings on combat and physical preparedness.

The OSCE supports Kyrgyzstan in implementing a comprehensive border security approach within the framework of the OSCE Border Management Concept, approved by the 57 participating States of the OSCE.

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 again recorded no ceasefire violations in Luhansk region.
• Inside the Stanytsia Luhanska disengagement area, the Mission saw workers from government-controlled areas placing concrete slabs near the broken section of the bridge and, outside of the disengagement area, saw workers from non-government-controlled areas placing concrete slabs near the Prince Ihor monument.
• The Mission monitored adherence to the ceasefire to facilitate repairs to and the operation of essential civilian infrastructure, including water, electrical, and sewage infrastructure repairs near Zolote-5/Mykhailivka, Horlivka, Zaitseve, Novoluhanske, and the Donetsk Filtration Station. Repairs to electrical works near Holmivskyi were completed.
• Restrictions of the Mission’s access continued, including at checkpoints in and near Petrivske, Staromykhailivka, Verkhnoshyrokivske and Kozatske.

431327 Augusta Featherston (l), Youth Focal Point and Democratic Governance Officer at the OSCE Office for Democratic Institutions and Human Rights (ODIHR), Eduardo Carrasco Arrano (c), Counselor at the Permanent Representation of Spain to the OSCE and Pablo Rojas Coppari (r), ODIHR Migration and Freedom of Movement Adviser, participate in the event. Warsaw, 19 September 2019. Public Affairs Unit, OSCE Office for Democratic Institutions and Human Rights

Engaging young people with a migrant background in political and public life was the focus of discussions at an event held in Warsaw on 19 September 2019, during the annual OSCE human rights conference, the Human Dimension Implementation Meeting (HDIM).

The event, organized jointly by the OSCE Office for Democratic Institutions and Human Rights (ODIHR) and the delegation of Spain to the OSCE, brought together experts to discuss how these young people experience barriers to political participation and how these are different from those experienced by their peers without a migrant background. Some of the examples heard centred on effective methods to support the engagement of young migrants, including alternative modes of engagement.

“Over the past few years, ODIHR has increased the inclusion of young people in its work,” said Augusta Featherston, ODIHR’s Youth Focal Point and Democratic Governance Officer. “It is exciting that we are today discussing the political participation of young migrants, who are so often left out of policy discussions that will affect their future."

Thirty-eight per cent of the population in the OSCE region is under thirty years of age, and recent European Commission survey findings suggest that today's youth – the largest young generation ever by numbers – are less engaged in political processes than previous generations and are beginning to disengage from democratic institutions.

Among the participants were representatives of OSCE participating States, civil society organizations working on youth political participation and migrant rights organizations.

WARSAW, 19 September 2019 – The OSCE Representative on Freedom of the Media, Harlem Désir, reiterated his concerns today over the controversial amendments to the Statute on Periodic Press and News Agencies of Slovakia (Press Act) establishing a right of reply for political leaders and public figures, which passed the second reading in the parliament of Slovakia this week.

The amendments, tabled in January 2019, apply to articles of the Press Act, and would bring back a right of reply to political actors or public officials who claim that their reputation has been damaged in media reports. This would imply a return to a provision first introduced in the Press Act in 2008, which was subsequently repealed in 2011 following strong domestic and international opposition.

The version of the bill passed on September 17 incorporated some recommendations from the legal review provided by the Representative. In particular, the right of reply will continue to be granted only to false statements of fact. In addition, the initial provision allowing both the right of correction and the right of reply in relation to the same statement in the media is now dropped from the draft. All of this reduces the scope of abuse.

At the same time, the revised amendments still reinstall the right of reply to political leaders and public figures. Media outlets that refuse to comply with the right of reply will still face high fines for doing so. 

“I am concerned that these amendments will represent a regression of the legal environment of Slovakia’s media, which currently enables them to report freely and without political pressure on matters of public interest,” said Désir. “I call upon the authorities of Slovakia to take into account the objections raised, and I hope the parliament will eventually abandon these amendments, thus protecting media freedom and investigative journalism. Political actors must accept a higher level of scrutiny and criticism, and the press must be allowed to remain free to exercise its function without facing financial threats.”

In March 2019, the Representative provided the authorities of Slovakia with a legal review of the proposed amendments. Based on the OSCE and other European standards, the recommendations of the review (see: https://www.osce.org/representative-on-freedom-of-media/414362?download=true ) suggested, in particular, keeping the provisions of Article 8 that restrict the right of reply of political leaders and public figures, extend the restriction to political and public legal entities, and to preserve the right only in response to “false, incomplete or truth-distortive” factual statements (as it is today). It also advised the Parliament to revise Article 8 in view of its full compliance with Slovakia’s OSCE commitments and obligations under international human rights instruments.  

See the Representative’s previous statements calling on Slovakia to abandon the controversial provisions: https://www.osce.org/representative-on-freedom-of-media/410848;https://www.osce.org/fom/49620

CHISINAU, 19 September 2019 – The progress achieved by Chisinau and Tiraspol in the Transdniestrian settlement process brings a positive change to local populations and provides a good example of conflict resolution for the whole OSCE area, said OSCE Secretary General Thomas Greminger during a three-day visit to the Republic of Moldova, which concluded today.

During his first trip to Moldova in the capacity of OSCE Secretary General, Thomas Greminger met in Chisinau with the Moldovan President Igor Dodon; Speaker of Parliament Zinaida Greceanii; Deputy Prime Minister for Reintegration and Chief Negotiator Vasilii Sova; State Secretary of the Ministry of Foreign Affairs and European Integration Tatiana Molcean; Minister of Defenсe Pavel Voicu; and Bashkan of Gagauzia Irina Vlah. In Tiraspol, Greminger had meetings with the Transdniestrian leader Vadim Krasnoselsky and Chief Negotiator Vitaly Ignatiev.

The Secretary General reconfirmed the OSCE’s full support for achieving a settlement of the Transdniestrian issue based on the sovereignty, independence and territorial integrity of the Republic of Moldova while at the same time providing a special status for Transdniestria. “I welcome the political will and commitment of Chisinau and Tiraspol to work in the spirit of confidence-building towards fulfilling agreements from the “Berlin-plus” package and beyond,” Greminger said. “I am confident that in the course of the upcoming “5+2” meeting organized by the Slovak Chairmanship in Bratislava and the planned Bavaria conference, the Sides will consolidate the existing progress and generate new agreements for the benefit of people on both banks. The OSCE Mission to Moldova will continue to work closely with both Sides to facilitate dialogue and trust in the settlement process.”    

Greminger commended as promising the renewal of a military dialogue between the Republic of Moldova and the Russian Federation on the removal of ammunition and armaments from the Cobasna depot. “The OSCE is mandated to ensure the transparency of this process and to co-ordinate financial and technical assistance offered to this end,” said the Secretary General. “The OSCE stands ready to bring in international, independent evaluators to verify the state of ammunition in Cobasna if required.”

Meeting senior officials in Chisinau, Greminger also commended the commitment of the Moldovan Government and parliament to pursue a robust reform agenda to tackle corruption and improve the independence of the judiciary. “The Organization’s institutions are fully prepared to support the implementation of these ambitious reforms, which will bring Moldova further towards fulfilling relevant OSCE commitments.” In this context, the Secretary General stressed that the transparent conduct of local elections on 20 October will be important for the further development of democracy and rule of law in Moldova.

The Secretary General also welcomed the country’s efforts to promote the rights of national minorities and the development of the Gagauzia’s autonomy, which will create a favourable environment for the Transdniestrian settlement process.

To visit the left bank of the Dniester/Nistru River, the Secretary General travelled across the Gura Bicului-Bychok Bridge. The bridge was reopened in 2017 as part of the settlement process after being closed to traffic since the 1992 conflict. Recently, the OSCE Mission commissioned a technical assessment of the bridge, which will allow increasing the capacity of this important east-west transportation corridor that also links Moldova to Odesa, the primary trade point in the region.

During the visit, Greminger met representatives of the mediators and observers involved in the Transdniestrian Settlement Process, as well as members of the international community and civil society in the country and the staff of the OSCE Mission to Moldova.

SUMMARY

On 19 September at 06:11 (Moscow time), the eighty-fourth[1] Russian convoy arrived at the Donetsk Border Crossing Point (BCP). A total of ten vehicles were checked by Russian Federation border guards and customs officers prior to their crossing into Ukraine. All ten vehicles had crossed back into the Russian Federation by 13:52 on 19 September.

DETAIL

Leaving the Russian Federation

On 19 September at 06:11, the Observer Mission observed the arrival of a Russian convoy at the gate of the Donetsk BCP. The convoy consisted of ten cargo trucks; three of them belonged to the Russian Ministry of Emergency Situations (MES), and seven were civilian trucks. Nine cargo trucks bore the inscription “Humanitarian aid from the Russian Federation” (in Russian). At 06:11, the vehicles entered the customs control area and queued in three lines. Once the convoy arrived, the vehicles were visually checked from the outside by Russian Federation border guards and customs officers. The truck drivers rolled up/opened the tarpaulins of the trucks and the border guards and customs officials performed a visual observation from the outside. One dog was present and used by Russian Federation border guards to check the vehicles from the outside.

Three Ukrainian border guards and three customs officers were observed accompanying their Russian counterparts; they also performed a visual observation of the vehicles from the outside (without entering the trucks’ cargo space). They had clipboards in their hands and were taking notes. By 06:35, all of the vehicles had left the BCP towards Ukraine.

Returning to the Russian Federation

At 13:33, the convoy returned and queued in the customs area. The tarpaulins of the trucks were opened and Russian Federation border guards and customs officers visually checked the returning convoy from the outside. Ukrainian representatives – three border guards and two custom officers – were present during this check. The Ukrainian officials also performed visual checks of the opened trucks from the outside. By 13:52, all ten vehicles had crossed back into the Russian Federation.

[1] Based on the Observer Mission’s counting, this convoy is considered the eighty-fourth convoy that has crossed into Ukraine through the “Donetsk” or “Gukovo” BCPs. However, so far all these convoys crossed through the “Donetsk” BCP.

431414

The continuing – and in some places increasing – exclusion of women from participating in security strategies and implementation were the focus of the annual Women’s Power Breakfast organized by the OSCE Office for Democratic Institutions and Human Rights (ODIHR) in Warsaw on 20 September 2019, on the sidelines of ODIHR’s annual human rights conference, the Human Dimension Implementation Meeting.

“Recruiting, training and then keeping women in policing, the border services and armed forces is critical in order to realize women’s rights to equal participation as well as to foster security and stability,” said ODIHR Director Ingibjörg Sólrún Gísladóttir. “States need to ensure that the security sector represents the society it serves and that international women’s human rights standards are thoroughly applied in all uniformed professions.”

The event gathered some 90 representatives from OSCE participating States, human rights and civil society organizations.  It featured highlights from ODIHR’s 2018 Women in the Armed Forces in the OSCE Region study, as well as material from the upcoming second edition of the joint ODIHR/DCAF Handbook on Human Rights of the Armed Forces Personnel and the UN Women/ DECAF/ODIHR Gender and Security Toolkit.

431282 Nino Tsagareishvili, co-director of the Human Rights Center in Tbilisi, speaking at the ODIHR event on freedom of peaceful assembly. Warsaw, 19 September 2019. Public Affairs Unit, OSCE Office for Democratic Institutions and Human Rights Monitoring of Freedom of Peaceful Assembly in Selected OSCE Participating States (May 2017–June 2018)

The latest challenges to the right to freedom of peaceful assembly in the OSCE region were discussed at an event organized by the OSCE Office for Democratic Institutions and Human Rights (ODIHR) on 19 September 2019 during ODIHR’s annual human rights conference, the Human Dimension Implementation Meeting (HDIM).

“Deprivation of the right to peaceful assembly and manifestation is one of the biggest threats for a free and democratic society. It means silencing critical voices, people with different views and those whose rights and freedoms have been violated,” said Nino Tsagareishvili, co-director of the Human Rights Center in Tbilisi. “Often, peaceful protest is the last way for people to stand up against injustice when all else fails. Therefore, upholding this right is vital for all human rights, freedom and democratic society.”

Among the 60 participants were representatives of OSCE participating States’ delegations, civil society organizations and academia. Following the presentation of ODIHR’s fourth Report on Monitoring of Freedom of Peaceful Assembly in Selected OSCE Participating States, a discussion took place about the upcoming third edition of the Guidelines on Freedom of Peaceful Assembly, a joint publication by ODIHR and the Council of Europe’s Venice Commission.

The event covered ODIHR’s ongoing work on promoting the right to freedom of peaceful assembly and highlighted findings from monitoring activities carried out in 2017-2018. Also discussed was the guidance that the new ODIHR publications can provide in identifying and addressing challenges to exercising this right. These include difficulties in holding spontaneous assemblies, blanket restrictions, the use of force and the lack of police accountability in some places, and the integration of gender and diversity perspectives into states’ efforts to create a safe and enabling environment for citizens to enjoy their right to assemble peacefully.

Participants also learned about how the ODIHR guidelines and recommendations can be used across the OSCE to develop strong legislation related to freedom of assembly and help ensure that national authorities manage assemblies in accordance with international human rights standards and OSCE commitments.

MINSK, 18 September 2019 – The Special Representative of the OSCE Chairperson-in-Office in Ukraine and in the Trilateral Contact Group (TCG), Ambassador Martin Sajdik, made the following statement to the press after the meeting of the TCG ‎and its working groups in Minsk on 18 September 2019:

“Like after our last meeting two weeks ago, I would like firstly to note the progress in the implementation of the TCG decision concerning the repair works on the bridge at Stanytsia Luhanska, where preparation for the restoration is successfully going on.

The current ceasefire agreed by the TCG, and in force as of 21 July 2019, is the most sustainable one since the beginning of the conflict. According to the OSCE Special Monitoring Mission, in recent days there have been several significant spikes in ceasefire violations. Therefore, I firmly remind the sides about their political responsibility and urge them to fully comply with their commitments.

Along with ceasefire and security issues, today the Security Working Group focused on the prospects of renewal of the disengagement of forces and hardware in Zolote and Petrivske. I hope that the sides will soon come to a consensus on this question, since in fact their positions are close to each other.

According to the Coordinator of the Security Working Group, Ambassador Yaşar Halit Çevik, the disengagement of forces and hardware, combined with broad mine action, is crucial for the civilian population.

The Humanitarian Working Group focused on the questions related to the exchange of detainees and the repair works of the bridge at Stanytsia Luhanska.

With the participation of ICRC representatives, the Economic Working Group, among other questions, paid particular attention to current water supply issues in certain areas of Donetsk and Luhansk regions as well as pension payments.

The Political Working Group focused on the discussion of the ‘Steinmeier formula’ and its place in the implementation of the Minsk agreements.”

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 no ceasefire violations in Luhansk region.
• Inside the Stanytsia Luhanska disengagement area, the Mission saw workers from government-controlled areas placing concrete plates under the broken section of the bridge and workers from non-government-controlled areas repairing the metal section of the bridge.
• The Mission monitored adherence to the ceasefire to facilitate repairs to and the operation of essential civilian infrastructure, including water pipelines repairs between Zolote-3/Stakhanovets and Popasna.
• Restrictions of the Mission’s access continued, including at checkpoints in Petrivske, restricting SMM’s access to its camera, and near Verkhnoshyrokivske, all in non-government-controlled areas.*

VIENNA, 18 September 2019 – OSCE Parliamentary Assembly Special Representative on Fighting Corruption Irene Charalambides (MP, Cyprus) is in Vienna this week for meetings with representatives from the United Nations and OSCE. Charalambides has explored with counterparts avenues for co-operation and developing ways for OSCE parliamentarians to counter corruption’s detrimental effects.

Charalambides has met with the Executive Director of the United Nations Office on Drugs and Crime (UNODC), Yury Fedotov, as well as with the Director of the Economic Crime Branch, Brigitte Strobel-Shaw. The UN representatives showed a strong interest in developing a co-operative relationship with Charalambides, including in the context of the UN Convention against Corruption review system, and discussed several upcoming high-level policy events.

Charalambides also met with representatives of the Permanent Mission of the Slovak Republic to the OSCE, to discuss the Slovak OSCE Chairmanship’s anti-corruption work, and Ambassador Kairat Sarybay, the Chairperson of the OSCE Economic and Environmental Committee. With OSCE representatives, Charalambides discussed concrete initiatives through which parliamentarians could add value in this complex field.

“I am eager to work in co-operation with all key stakeholders, first and foremost the OSCE and the UN, in countering corruption and its detrimental effects on our security and freedoms,” Special Representative Charalambides said today. “Corruption poses a serious threat to security, facilitates international crime and the financing of terrorism, undermines the rule of law, erodes the legitimacy of institutions, impedes social and economic development, and contributes to human rights violations. Countering this scourge must be at the top of the international community’s agenda.”

Meetings continue today with additional OSCE representatives, including Ambassador Igli Hasani, Head of Permanent Mission of Albania to the OSCE, for discussions on anti-corruption priorities of the upcoming Albanian OSCE Chairmanship. She is also meeting with Paul Bekkers, Director of the Office of the OSCE Secretary General; Ambassador Vuk Žugić, Director of the Office of the Co-ordinator for Economic and Environmental Activities; and several members of the OSCE Secretariat working in the economic and environmental dimension.

All of Charalambides’ interlocutors have welcomed the appointment of a new OSCE PA Special Representative to deal with the issue of corruption and have acknowledged the important role of parliamentarians in preventing corruption through legislation and oversight.

Charalambides was appointed Special Representative on Fighting Corruption by OSCE PA President George Tsereteli (MP, Georgia) in July. She works to raise awareness of the urgency to effectively combat corruption at all levels and to promote a greater understanding of the security threats stemming from corruption.

She co-authored, along with OSCE PA Vice-President Margareta Cederfelt (MP, Sweden), the resolution “The Role of National Parliaments in Preventing and Combating Corruption in the OSCE Area,” adopted at the OSCE PA's Annual Session in Luxembourg in July.

For her full mandate and bio, please click here.

VIENNA, 18 September 2019 – The theme of “Artificial Intelligence and law enforcement – an ally or adversary?” is the focus of the 2019 OSCE Annual Police Experts Meeting opening on Monday, 23 September, 09:30, at the Hofburg, Vienna.

The main objective of the two-day conference is to discuss potential implications of developments in artificial intelligence (AI) for the work of law enforcement authorities and agencies.

General Jana Maškarová, First Vice-President of the Slovak Police Force and Paul Cell, President of the International Association of Chiefs of Police, will open the conference.

OSCE Secretary General Thomas Greminger will address the participants via video link.

The discussions will focus on how AI impacts the work and structure of police services and on what challenges and opportunities the future could bring. Participants will be encouraged to address some of the most pressing questions surrounding this topic. For example, what are the main legal, ethical, human rights and gender-related concerns related to the use of AI in the work of law enforcement? How can international organizations foster co-operation and provide a platform for exchanging best practices and lessons learned?

Law enforcement experts and other criminal justice practitioners, OSCE delegations, representatives of regional and international organizations, technical specialists, and researchers, as well as civil society representatives from OSCE participating States and Partners for Co-operation will participate in the conference.

Media wishing to attend or interested in an interview or background briefing are requested to send an e-mail to the OSCE Communication and Media Relations Section at press@osce.org by Sunday, 22 September, 18:00.

More information and the agenda of the conference can be found here.

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 Stanytsia Luhanska disengagement area, the Mission saw workers from government-controlled areas completing asphalting of the road north of the broken section of the bridge, and workers from non-government-controlled areas cutting tree branches and repairing the metal sections of the bridge.
• An SMM unmanned aerial vehicle spotted 38 anti-tank mines inside the Petrivske disengagement area.
• The Mission saw four weapons in violation of withdrawal lines, all in non-government-controlled areas.
• The Mission monitored adherence to the ceasefire to facilitate repairs to and the operation of essential civilian infrastructure, including power line repairs near Spartak.
• Restrictions of the Mission’s access continued, including at checkpoints in Petrivske and near Verkhnoshyrokivske, all in non-government-controlled areas.*