Central Europe

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 11,944 to 12,276 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 130 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 19 this week compared to 17 last week: twelve of them crossed into the Russian Federation, and seven into Ukraine (68 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, twelve families were observed crossing into the Russian Federation and seven were observed crossing into Ukraine, compared to the previous reporting period when eight families were observed crossing to the Russian Federation and twelve 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 (532 compared to 547 observed during the previous week). There were 271 buses bound for the Russian Federation and 261 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.

Among the bus connections observed by the OTs, the following “irregular” routes or destinations were noted: Alchevsk-Yalta, Luhansk-Yalta, Luhansk-Kiev, Luhansk-Sevastopol and Sevastopol.

Trucks

During the reporting period, the OTs observed 935 trucks (compared to 926 during the previous reporting week) crossing the border in both directions at both BCPs (420 at the Gukovo BCP and 515 at the Donetsk BCP); 506 of these trucks crossed to the Russian Federation and 429 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 Russian Federation and also 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 to 50 (compared to 60 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 decreased from 146 to 114; 72 trucks (63 per cent) were bound for Ukraine, the remaining 42 trucks (37 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 148 to 133 vehicles; 69 crossed into the Russian Federation and another 66 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 29 occasions; the OTs assessed that 19 trains were travelling to the Russian Federation and 10 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, Lithuania and Poland; cars with “DPR” plates were also observed.

For trends and figures at a glance covering the period from 13 August to 17 September 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).

WARSAW, 17 September 2019 – The OSCE Representative on Freedom of the Media, Harlem Désir, expressed his concern over the lawsuits and detention of a journalist in Croatia yesterday morning.

On 16 September, journalist Gordan Duhaček, working for the Index.hr news portal, was arrested at Zagreb airport. According to media reports, he is under police investigation for two critical and satirical tweets he published on his personal account. His first tweet was about police behaviour towards prisoners, while the second one addressed certain environmental issues in a satirical way.

“Such treatment of journalists for their views is unacceptable. Freedom of expression is a fundamental human right and should be respected as such. Punishing journalists for sharing comments on social media hinders their right to express their free opinion and encourages self-censorship to the detriment of media freedom in the country,” said Désir. 

Duhaček spent several hours in prison yesterday, before being subsequently released in the evening. The journalist was fined for one social media post, while there are ongoing proceedings over his second tweet.

The journalist has reportedly been prosecuted under the base of an article of the Law on Offences against Public Order and Peace, which, the Representative noted, is problematic for freedom of expression. ”Legislation and policies pertaining to the media must be protective of freedom of expression and provide a safe and enabling environment for press freedom,” said Désir, expressing his readiness to work with the authorities to reform the legislation.

He further recalled the OSCE Ministerial Decision on Safety of Journalists, which urges participating States to “condemn publicly and unequivocally all attacks and violence against journalists such as killing, torture, enforced disappearance, arbitrary arrest, arbitrary detention and arbitrary expulsion, intimidation, harassment, and threats of all forms.”

The Representative is currently in Warsaw, attending the Human Dimension Implementation Meeting, which is the largest human rights conference in Europe and organized by the OSCE Office for Democratic Institutions and Human Rights.

430706 Communication and Media Relations Section OSCE Project Co-ordinator in Uzbekistan

Collection and analysis of migration-related data to shape effective policy-making were the focus of a two-day workshop organized by the Office of the Co-ordinator of OSCE Economic and Environmental Activities (OCEEA) in co-operation with the OSCE Project Co-ordinator in Uzbekistan, with the support of the International Organization for Migration (IOM) and the Employment and Labour Relations Ministry of Uzbekistan, on 16 and 17 September 2019 in Tashkent.

Some 60 participants, including policy-makers, representatives of civil society and research institutions from all five Central Asian countries and the Russian Federation as well as international and regional organizations, such as the International Labour Organization (ILO), the United Nations Economic and Social Commission for Asia and Pacific (UNESCAP), and International Centre for Migration Policy Development (ICMPD), shared experiences and lessons learned in developing research and analysis to inform migration policymaking.

“The recent legislative changes and practical steps in the area of labour migration management demonstrate the strong commitment of Uzbekistan to harnessing the economic potential of migration for the development of the country,” said Komil Rashidov, Adviser to the Prime Minister of Uzbekistan. 

The OSCE Project Co-ordinator in Uzbekistan, John MacGregor, said that migration is a significant engine of economic growth if managed and regulated properly. “To this end, it is important that legislation and reforms are based on evidence, aligned with international standards, including OSCE commitments, and meet migrants’ needs.”

Victoria Kasabyan, Head of the IOM Almaty Office, underlined the role of international organizations as catalysts of dialogue and co-operation between state authorities and research centres in order to shape common approaches to enhance the effectiveness of migration policies.

As part of the workshop, participants visited the Consultation Centre at the Agency on External Labour Migration recently established with the support of the OSCE Project Co-ordinator in Uzbekistan, as well as the vocational education and training centre “Ishga Markhamat” (Welcome to Employment).

The workshop was organized as part of the OSCE engagement to promote a multi-agency and multi-stakeholder dialogue to improve labour migration governance in Central Asia with the aim to support labour mobility and effective migration policies in the region.

430697 Ivana Milatovic, OSCE Mission to Serbia

The OSCE Mission to Serbia, in co-operation with Serbia’s institutions, launched the 2019 Professional Practice Programme on 17 September in Belgrade.  The Programme enables five young professionals from Novi Pazar and Raška, southwest Serbia, to work with central institutions from September to December 2019. It is the first part of the two-year project Legal Learning Project for Southwest Serbia, funded by the U.S. Mission to the OSCE.

The participants were selected through a merit-based recruitment procedure and will work with the National Assembly, the Ministry of Public Administration and Local Self-Government, the Anti-Corruption Agency, the Office for Cooperation with Civil Society, and the Commissioner for Protection of Equality. Each institution has assigned a mentor to support the participants during their placement, integrating them into the work of each institution.

Head of Mission Andrea Orizio welcomed the participants and mentors from the selected institutions in Belgrade: “The OSCE Mission to Serbia is proud to implement the Legal Learning Project, as part of its joint efforts with Serbia’s public institutions in the area of the rule of law, focusing on the future leaders of this country. This initiative clearly illustrates the OSCE Mission’s approach, based on close partnership with the host country, with the aim to increase local ownership of reforms, to benefit Serbia’s citizens.”

“The Professional Practice Programme aims at building the capacities of young professionals from southwest Serbia, acquainting them with the institutions supporting the rule of law, and providing them with practical experience and the opportunity to become part of the wider legal and professional community of Serbia,” he added.

Investing in youth from all communities is central to the OSCE Mission’s youth mainstreaming approach. It is also aligned with the priorities identified by the current Slovak Chairmanship of the OSCE. 

430043 Munira Shoinbekova, OSCE Programme Office in Dushanbe

Representatives of Tajikistan’s Interior Ministry (MIA) and Drug Control Agency (DCA) learned how to successfully manage projects and raise funds to implement reforms in their agencies at a training course in Dushanbe. The course was organized by the OSCE Programme Office in Dushanbe and took place from 26 August to 13 September 2019. It brought together mid- to senior-ranking officers from different departments of the MIA and the DCA.

During the training, the participants learned about project cycle management, project assessment and monitoring, project proposal writing, fundraising and donor co-ordination skills. In practical sessions the participants developed project proposal drafts, which helped to assess first-hand needs and current priorities in the implementation of the police reform process in Tajikistan. The participants will now guide other officers at their respective agencies as a follow-up to the course. Selected participants will receive additional training to build on what they learned so far.

“This course is a powerful lever for boosting the police reform process in Tajikistan,” said the National Co-ordinator on the Police Reform Programme, Major-General Shodmonzoda Farhod. “Our officers were able to prepare nine project proposals, and I express my gratitude to the OSCE for this opportunity.”

“With this course, the job is not finished for the participants, but it is just the beginning. Now this group of professionals is equipped with the knowledge of proposal writing and project management for the benefit of police reform in Tajikistan,” noted Dmitry Kaportsev, Counter Terrorism and Police Issues Advisor of the OSCE Programme Office in Dushanbe.

431357 Public Affairs Unit, OSCE Office for Democratic Institutions and Human Rights

Amidst increasing security-driven restrictions on the right to freedom of religion or belief in the OSCE region, the OSCE Office for Democratic Institutions and Human Rights (ODIHR) published Freedom of Religion or Belief and Security: Policy Guidance on 19 September 2019.  This new publication, launched at a side event of the Human Dimension Implementation Meeting 2019 in Warsaw, provides guiding principles, practical guidance and recommendations to ensure a human rights-based, gender-sensitive approach to freedom of religion or belief and security for policymakers and security practitioners, civil society organizations, religious or belief communities, and the media.

“This policy guidance seeks to contribute to the much-needed reframing of the discourse on freedom of religion or belief and security in the OSCE region and to inform practice in this area,” said Kishan Manocha, ODIHR Senior Adviser on Freedom of Religion or Belief.  “It offers practical guidance to help OSCE participating States ensure their security measures are in line with their international obligations and commitments in this area.”

Some 50 participants drawn from state authorities, civil society organizations, religious or belief communities, academic institutions, and the media attended the launch event.  ODIHR will present the recommendations contained in the policy guidance at a number of roundtable discussions and other meetings to be convened across the OSCE region in the coming months.

430115 Colin McCullough, OSCE Programme Office in Nur-Sultan

An OSCE-supported workshop on open budget data for the Sustainable Development Goals concluded on 13 September 2019 in Nur-Sultan, Kazakhstan.

The event was organized by the OSCE Programme Office in Nur-Sultan in partnership with the Zertteu Research Institute and Soros Foundation-Kazakhstan.

Some 40 representatives of Kazakhstan’s civil society and government agencies attended the event. They discussed the role of open budget data to achieve sustainable development goals. The workshop aimed to summarize the results of the Open Budget Data overview in Kazakhstan and involved speakers from Mongolia, Kyrgyzstan and Ukraine who presented international experience in the development of open budget data with a focus on ensuring transparency and public participation in the budget formation process.

During the meeting the government representatives emphasized the role of technology in fiscal transparency and presented a citizens budget guidebook. Stakeholders also discussed the national action plan within Open Government Partnership, including mechanisms for implementation and future reforms.

The training seminar is part of the Programme Office’s multi-year efforts to promote good governance by focusing on anti-corruption activities in Kazakhstan.

SDGs SDGs:  16 - Peace, justice and strong institutions

Summary

• Compared with the previous reporting period, between the evenings of 13 and 14 September, the SMM recorded more ceasefire violations in Donetsk region and   fewer in Luhansk region.
• Between the evenings of 14 and 15 September, the Mission recorded fewer ceasefire violations in Donetsk region and a similar number of ceasefire violations in Luhansk region, compared with the previous 24 hours.
• The SMM saw fresh damage due to small-arms fire to residential buildings in Yasynuvata and Zolote-5/Mykhailivka.
• Inside the Stanytsia Luhanska disengagement area, the SMM saw workers from government-controlled areas conducting works on the road north of the broken section of the bridge and saw members of the armed formations removing debris, and workers welding metal components on the upper part of the bridge.
• The SMM saw anti-tank mines near the Petrivske disengagement area.
• The Mission saw weapons in violation of withdrawal lines on both sides of the contact line, including at the airport south of Luhansk city.
• The SMM monitored adherence to the ceasefire to facilitate the operation of essential civilian infrastructure and to enable the drilling of wells near Raivka.
• Restrictions of the Mission’s access continued, including at checkpoints near non-government-controlled Zaichenko and Petrivske.*

WARSAW, 16 September 2019 – The OSCE today presented a report focusing on experiences of disadvantaged groups of women at the OSCE annual human rights conference, the Human Dimension Implementation Meeting, in Warsaw. The report provides a detailed picture of violence experienced by disadvantaged women in South-Eastern and Eastern Europe.

“Poor women, those with disabilities and those from minority groups, such as Roma and Sinti, as well as refugees and internally displaced women, are particularly affected by violence,” said OSCE Senior Advisor on Gender Issues Amarsanaa Darisuren. “However, they rarely reach out to support organizations. Therefore, it is important to sensitize support services and law enforcement to their special needs to make sure that these women are able to access help,” she added.

The OSCE-led survey found that while all women can experience violence, some groups of women are at a higher risk. The thematic report, which complements the Main Results Report of the survey, focuses on disadvantaged groups in terms of education level, income status, employment status, residential area, disability, age, choice in marriage, age at the time of marriage, ethnic or religious minority status, being a refugee or displaced person and returnees or those who were formerly displaced.

“The findings show that women’s experiences of violence are affected and shaped by many different aspects of their identities. Only by addressing all of these aspects can we develop solutions to effectively address violence against women,” said Cristina Finch, Head of ODIHR’s Tolerance and Non-Discrimination Department.  “ODIHR’s work to support disadvantaged women across all programmes and activities speaks to this need.  We look forward to taking the results of this report and using them in our work to help put an end to these human rights abuses.”

The report is based on the OSCE-led Survey on the Well-being and Safety of Women undertaken in 2018 in seven OSCE participating States: Albania, Bosnia and Herzegovina, Montenegro, North Macedonia, Serbia, Moldova and Ukraine. The survey also covered Kosovo. In total, 15,179 women aged 18 to 74 were interviewed. The survey is based on the methodology used by the European Union Agency for Fundamental Rights for their report entitled “Violence against women: an EU-wide survey”, published in 2014.

“The Survey on the Well-being and Safety of Women provides comprehensive and comparable data on women’s and girls’ experiences of violence, which are essential for the development and monitoring of legislation and policies to combat all forms of violence against women and girls,” said the Permanent Representative of the European Union to the OSCE, Ambassador Ioannis Vrailas, adding that “it is now vital that actions follow these findings and the recommendations included are followed up on by participating States.”

This project is funded by the European Union and also supported by the UN Population Fund, UN Women and UNICEF as well as by the governments of Austria, Finland, Germany, Ireland, Italy, Norway, the Netherlands, Sweden and the United States. A copy of the report can be downloaded at https://www.osce.org/secretariat/430007.

WARSAW, 16 September 2019 – Four decades after the Helsinki Final Act, the struggle to respect and promote human rights and human security remains a challenge in the OSCE area, OSCE Parliamentary Assembly President George Tsereteli said at the opening of the OSCE Human Dimension Implementation Meeting in Warsaw today. Noting that the past decade has represented a downward trend, Tsereteli stressed that the human dimension requires increased dedication and focus by all.

Also participating from the OSCE PA at the HDIM are the Assembly’s human rights committee Chair Kyriakos Hadjiyianni (MP, Cyprus), OSCE PA Special Representative on Civil Society Engagement Pia Kauma (MP, Finland), and OSCE PA Secretary General Roberto Montella. Several bilateral meetings are scheduled on the margins of the HDIM.

The President stressed in his opening remarks that the human dimension is a central part of the Parliamentary Assembly’s work. He welcomed the opportunity to engage further with civil society, noting that listening to the voices of civil society is an essential exercise in order to ensure that governments are responsive to the concerns, needs and aspirations of the people.

“This forum,” he noted, “should be seen as an opportunity for discussion and self-reflection, rather than an arena for finger-pointing and self-justifications. But, of course, honest discussions and debates need a practical follow-up. We need political will to put all these ideas into practice.”

In order to strengthen the OSCE PA’s engagement with civil society and promote anti-corruption efforts, he has recently appointed new Special Representatives to focus on these issues, Tsereteli said.

President Tsereteli also highlighted relevant recommendations from the PA’s recent Luxembourg Declaration, adopted at the Annual Session in July.

“Noting the particular sensitivity of attacks against journalists, the OSCE PA recently called for effective parliamentary oversight of government actions on all cases of journalists’ murders, their imprisonment or ill treatment,” Tsereteli said.

He also noted that the Luxembourg Declaration urges OSCE participating States to “open sessions of the Permanent Council to public observation” including through live streaming on the internet.

He highlighted the OSCE’s consensus rule as an embodiment of the inclusiveness of the Organization and one of its strengths, but stressed that it cannot be allowed to become its weakness.

“Consensus should not stand in the way of strong, principled decisions,” Tsereteli said.

The HDIM, organized by the OSCE Office for Democratic Institutions and Human Rights, is taking place 16-27 September in the Polish capital. This year’s conference includes more than 1,500 participants from across the 57 countries of the OSCE. More information is available here.

For President Tsereteli's full remarks, please click here.

Photos from the OSCE PA's participation at the HDIM are available on Flickr.

430175 Marina Živaljević

In order to improve media professionals and students of journalism knowledge of media literacy, the OSCE Mission to Montenegro is organizing a six-day training course from 16 to 21 September 2019, in Podgorica, for 20 participants from the office of the Protector of Human Rights and Freedoms (Ombudsman), the Agency for Electronic Media  and journalism students.

Opening the training course, Daniel Blank, the OSCE Mission Media Programme Manager, said that the Mission has been regularly engaged in promoting media and information literacy. “In our fast changing world, with new technologies and media platforms emerging on a daily basis, media and information literacy is constantly changing,“ said Blank.

This training is part of a long-term strategy to better acquaint media professionals and young people with the latest knowledge and best practices in this field.

Two media literacy experts, Vanja Ibrahimbegović Tihak and Mihajlo Lahtov are facilitating the training.

Explaining the main purpose of the training, expert Ibrahimbegović Tihak said that the training will examine what media literacy means at the individual level, and on a societal level. “Today, there is no strict division between the creator and the consumer – we are both, which is why communication in the public process implies responsibility,” she said.

According to expert Lahtov, media literacy is an important component part of any democratic society. “Media literate citizens are more difficult to manipulate. They value and fight for freedom. Knowledge and education is the ticket to success. Media literacy is just that literacy for future generations who will be better and more professional citizens,” he said.

Participants agreed that in today’s world it is often difficult to check the validity and the source of information. The main goal of the training is to tackle the lack of knowledge and provide tools for a critical examination of media content.

The OSCE Mission recognizes the need for media literacy training programmes to educate media professionals about what it means to be able to “critically read the media”: to view media reports with a sceptical eye, to question and  investigate, not only to consume.  As part of the media literacy activities, the Mission recently launched the campaign on media literacy to encourage critical thinking in consuming media content.

430166 Public Affairs Unit, OSCE Office for Democratic Institutions and Human Rights

Under-representation of people with disabilities in political and public life and examples of positive practice contributing to more inclusive parliaments, political parties and democratic institutions were discussed at a side event organized by the OSCE Office for Democratic Institutions and Human Rights (ODIHR) on 16 September 2019 during the Human Dimension Implementation Meeting in Warsaw.

“Over the past few years, ODIHR has improved the inclusion of people with disabilities in its work. However, much more needs to be done within the OSCE as an organization, as well as by participating States, to ensure equal participation of people with disabilities as full members of our societies,” said Tiina Kukkamaa-Bah, Chief of the ODIHR Democratic Governance and Gender Unit.

Among the 35 participants in the event were representatives of OSCE participating States, civil society organizations and disabled people’s organizations. The event featured the launch of the Guidelines on Promoting the Political Participation of Persons with Disabilities, which is intended as a practical resource for OSCE participating States to strengthen the ability of democratic institutions such as political parties and parliaments to engage and empower people with disabilities in political processes. The Guidelines are now also available in an easy-to-read format, which helps people with intellectual disabilities to access this information.

The side-event marks the end of the ODIHR project “Our right to participate – Promoting the participation of persons with disabilities in political and public life”. The project sought to raise awareness among different stakeholders at national and international levels of the importance of including people with disabilities in political and public life, as well as improved disability mainstreaming within ODIHR and OSCE executive structures.

WARSAW, 16 September 2019 – The velvet revolutions that swept Central Eastern Europe 30 years ago gave rise to a time of optimism that we need to recapture as threats to our democracies multiply, key speakers stressed as the annual human rights conference* hosted by the OSCE Office for Democratic Institutions and Human Rights (ODIHR) opened in Warsaw today.

“It is with immense pride that I look back on the achievements of the underground opposition and the Solidarity movement I was privileged to lead,” said Lech Wałęsa, Nobel prize-winning leader of the Solidarity movement that helped bring about the transformations of 1989. “It was because of this country’s pivotal role in the peaceful revolutions of 1989 that the OSCE Office for Democratic Institutions and Human Rights was set up in Poland, and I am impressed at the work ODIHR has done since then in strengthening respect for human rights and the rule of law in so many countries. But the backsliding we are seeing in both the new democracies in the East and the established democracies of the West make clear that the struggle is not yet over.”

Conflicts across the OSCE region and an increasing lack of solidarity with communities who find themselves excluded and discriminated against are making it all the more important to seek further dialogue and efforts to demonstrate the essential role of human rights in developing and sustaining our democracies.

“We need the conversations between states and civil society, and we need a platform to have them,” said Miroslav Lajčák, Foreign Minister of Slovakia and OSCE Chairperson-in-Office. “The Human Dimension Implementation Meeting (HDIM) is the place to be open, to be critical, but always respectful. HDIM is a pillar of the human dimension. And the human dimension is the heartbeat of the Helsinki process.”

This year’s conference will see more than 1,500 participants from across the 57 countries of the OSCE gathering in Warsaw for the two-week meeting. The format is unique, bringing together representatives of government, civil society, international organizations, and academia to review the progress made by national governments in fulfilling their commitments in the field of human rights, and at the same time discuss current and emerging challenges.

Safety of journalists, hate crime, and the challenges facing Roma and Sinti across the OSCE are this year’s special focus topics. Human rights are at risk throughout the OSCE region, not least from restrictions to fundamental freedoms and rising intolerance both on- and offline, putting pressure on the security situation within and between states.

“The years following 1989 were a time of hope, and rightly so,” said Ingibjörg Sólrún Gísladóttir, ODIHR Director. “We have come so far in so many ways since then, but the challenges to human rights are growing, and we must overcome them in order to preserve our democracies and the values on which they are built. Those who are deliberately fuelling prejudice and hatred for the sake of short-term political gain cannot be allowed to polarize our societies any further.”

* This year is the 23rd annual Human Dimension Implementation Meeting (HDIM), organized and hosted by ODIHR.

430673 ODIHR presented its new Handbook for the Observation of Election Dispute Resolution at an event in Warsaw on 17 September 2019, on the margins of the annual Human Dimension Implementation Meeting. Public Affairs Unit, OSCE Office for Democratic Institutions and Human Rights Handbook for the Observation of Election Dispute Resolution

As part of its efforts to develop and refine its election observation methodology, the Office for Democratic Institutions and Human Rights (ODIHR) launched a new publication at an event in Warsaw on 17 September 2019, during the annual OSCE Human Dimension Implementation Meeting.

The Handbook for the Observation of Election Dispute Resolution is intended to provide guidance to ODIHR election observation missions and teams on how to assess the resolution of election disputes as part of the overall observation of an election. Election observers pay close attention to the handling of election disputes, including such specific aspects as the availability of effective remedies, legal standing, accessibility and timelines for handling the cases. The handbook aims to establish a more systematic and comprehensive approach to observing this key part of the election process, thus contributing to further protection and promotion of the fundamental rights and freedoms necessary for ensuring democratic elections.

“We hope this new publication will provide valuable information not only for election observers, but also for a wider audience including election practitioners, judges, lawyers, political parties, voters and civil society organizations,” said Alexander Shlyk, Head of the ODIHR Election Department.

The methodology followed by ODIHR in its election observation activities is recognized for its systematic and comprehensive approach and serves as guidance for other international and citizen observer organizations.

CHISINAU, 16 September 2019 – OSCE Secretary General Thomas Greminger will visit Moldova from 17 to 19 September for talks with high-level officials in Chisinau and the political leadership in Tiraspol.

During his first visit to Moldova in his capacity as the OSCE Secretary General, Greminger will focus on advancing the Transdniestrian Settlement Process within the principles endorsed by all 57 participating States at the OSCE Ministerial Council in Milan in December 2018. He will also discuss the role the OSCE can play in ensuring transparency in the removal and destruction of Russian ammunition and armaments and in co-ordination of financial and technical assistance offered to facilitate their withdrawal and destruction. 

In addition, the OSCE Secretary General will discuss potential areas of OSCE engagement to support the reform agenda of the Republic of Moldova.

Media representatives are invited to a press briefing with OSCE Secretary General Thomas Greminger on 19 September, at 3:00 pm at the official delegations hall of the Chisinau International Airport.

For more information, please contact Anna Vorobeva, Spokesperson of the OSCE Mission to Moldova, at +373 22 887 846 (landline), +373 69 149 510 (mobile), e-mail: anna.vorobeva@osce.org

For further details please visit the website of the OSCE Mission to Moldova: http://www.osce.org/moldova/

SDGs SDGs:  16 - Peace, justice and strong institutions

This report is for the media and the general public.

Summary

• Compared with the previous reporting period, the SMM recorded fewer ceasefire violations in both Donetsk and Luhansk regions.
• Small-arms fire was assessed as directed at an SMM mini unmanned aerial vehicle (UAV) near non-government-controlled Tavrycheske.
• The SMM saw that the former forward positions of the Ukrainian Armed Forces and of the armed formations inside the Stanytsia Luhanska disengagement area continued to be dismantled.
• The Mission recorded ceasefire violations near the disengagement area Zolote and observed military hardware inside the Petrivske disengagement area.
• The SMM saw a weapon in violation of withdrawal lines in government-controlled Mariupol.
• It monitored adherence to the ceasefire to facilitate repairs to and the operation of essential civilian infrastructure.
• Restrictions of the SMM’s access continued, including at a checkpoint near non-government-controlled Prymorske. In government-controlled Shchastia, a Ukrainian Armed Forces officer told the SMM to stay there and the Mission could only leave the area after about two hours.*

Ceasefire violations[1]

In Donetsk region, the SMM recorded fewer ceasefire violations, including more explosions (about 160), compared with the previous reporting period (about 120 explosions). The majority of ceasefire violations were recorded at easterly and southerly directions of Svitlodarsk (government-controlled, 57km north-east of Donetsk), at easterly and southerly directions of Lebedynske (government-controlled, 16km north-east of Mariupol) and at south-easterly and southerly directions of Chermalyk (government-controlled, 31km north-east of Mariupol).

In Luhansk region, the Mission recorded fewer ceasefire violations, including a similar number of explosions (11), compared with the previous reporting period (12 explosions). All ceasefire violations were recorded in areas east-south-east of Popasna (government-controlled, 69km west of Luhansk) and north-east of Pervomaisk (non-government-controlled, 58km west of Luhansk).

Small-arms fire assessed as directed at SMM UAV near Tavrycheske

Positioned about 700m north-east of Tavrycheske (non-government-controlled, 76km west of Donetsk), while conducting a mini-UAV flight, the SMM heard about 30 bursts of small-arms fire about 1.8 km west, assessed as aimed at the UAV, which was also flying about 1.8 km west. Five minutes prior, the same mini-UAV had experienced signal interference near the same settlement, assessed as caused by probable jamming.* [2]

Stanytsia Luhanska disengagement area

On 29 August, inside the disengagement area, the SMM saw four workers with a crane cutting trees about 50m south of the former forward position of the Ukrainian Armed Forces north of the Stantysia Luhanska bridge (15km north of Luhansk). The SMM saw five workers from non-government-controlled areas continuing dismantling the roof and southern part of the former forward position of the armed formations immediately south of the broken section of the bridge and a pile of tyres near the previously observed blue container (with “JCCC” written on it).[3] Later, on the same day, the Mission observed thick black smoke rising, assessed as caused by burning tyres, from the area of the former forward position of the armed formations.

On 30 August, the SMM saw two personnel of the State Emergency Services (SES) of Ukraine carrying out demining activities about 100m west of the road north of the former forward position of the Ukrainian Armed Forces. The SMM saw seven workers from non-government-controlled areas shovelling dirt and sand, removing ammunition boxes filled with sand and wooden pillars from the roof of the former forward position of the armed formations.

On 29 and 30 August, the Mission continued observing dismantling of structural components of the former forward position of the Ukrainian Armed Forces north of the bridge.

The Mission saw up to three members of the armed formations (wearing armbands with “JCCC” written on them) between the southern edge of the broken section of the bridge and the checkpoint of the armed formations south of the bridge.

Other disengagement areas[4]

During the day on 30 August, positioned on the western edge of Pervomaisk, the SMM heard seven outgoing explosions at an assessed range of 5-7km north-east, which it was unable to assess as inside or outside the disengagement area near Zolote (government-controlled, 60km west of Luhansk). Positioned on the eastern edge of Popasna, the SMM heard four undetermined explosions at an assessed range of 10-15km east-south-east, assessed as outside the disengagement area.

On 29 August, an SMM long-range UAV again spotted an armoured personnel carrier (APC) (probable BTR-80) inside the disengagement area near Petrivske (non-government-controlled, 41km south of Donetsk), about 1km east of its western edge and about 800m north of its southern edge, assessed as belonging to the Ukrainian Armed Forces.

Withdrawal of weapons

The SMM continued to monitor the withdrawal of weapons in implementation of the Memorandum and the Package of Measures and its Addendum.

In violation of withdrawal lines

Government-controlled areas

29 August

An SMM mini-UAV spotted a self-propelled howitzer (2S1 Gvozdika, 122mm) on the northern edge of Mariupol (102km south of Donetsk)

Beyond withdrawal lines but outside of designated storage sites

Government-controlled areas

30 August

The SMM saw two tanks (T-72) mounted on flatbed trucks on the northern edge of Mariupol.

Weapons that the SMM could not verify as withdrawn[5]

At a heavy weapons holding area in a government-controlled area of Luhansk region

30 August

The SMM noted that two self-propelled howitzers (2S3 Akatsiya, 152 mm) and six anti-tank guns (MT-12 Rapira, 100mm) were present and that six self-propelled howitzers (2S3) and six anti-tank guns (MT-12) remained missing.

Weapons permanent storage sites

At a permanent storage site in a government-controlled area of Luhansk region

30 August

The SMM noted that 18 tanks (T-72) and seven mortars (M120-15 Molot 120mm) were missing.

Indications of military presence in the security zone[6]

Government-controlled areas

29 August

An SMM long-range UAV spotted:

• two probable infantry fighting vehicles (IFV) (BMP variant) near Berezove (31km south-west of Donetsk);
• two IFVs (BMP-2 and a BMP variant) in Taramchuk (29km south-west of Donetsk); and
• an armoured reconnaissance vehicle (BRDM-2) on the eastern outskirts of Mariupol.

New trench extensions near Vodiane

On 25 August, aerial imagery available to the SMM revealed the presence of two new trench extensions (not visible in imagery from 11 August 2019): one 400m in length about 2.6km south-east of Vodiane (government-controlled, 19km north-east of Mariupol) assessed as belonging to the Ukrainian Armed Forces, and the second one 210m in length about 1.3km south-east of Vodiane.

Presence of anti-tank mines near Dokuchaievsk and Shchastia

The Mission again saw five anti-tank mines (TM-62) on the side of a road near a checkpoint of the armed formations on the northern edge of Dokuchaievsk (non-government-controlled, 30km south-west of Donetsk).

The SMM again saw 36 anti-tank mines (TM-62) laid in three rows across road H-21 south of the bridge in Shchastia, assessed as belonging to the Ukrainian Armed Forces. It also observed that 12 previously observed anti-tank mines (TM-62) laid on the western lane of the road H-21 north of the bridge near Shchastia (government-controlled, 20km north of Luhansk) were no longer present.

SMM facilitation of repairs to and operation of essential civilian infrastructure

The SMM monitored adherence to the ceasefire to enable repairs to the phenol sludge reservoir near Zalizne (government-controlled, 42km north-east of Donetsk). It also monitored adherence to the ceasefire to enable the drilling of wells near Raivka (non-government-controlled, 16km north-west of Luhansk).

The SMM also monitored the security situation in the area of the pumping station near Vasylivka (non-government-controlled, 20km north of Donetsk) and facilitated the operation of the Donetsk Filtration Station (15km north of Donetsk).

The Mission continued monitoring in Kherson, Odessa, Lviv, Ivano-Frankivsk, Kharkiv, Dnipro, Chernivtsi and Kyiv.

*Restrictions of the SMM’s freedom of movement or other impediments to fulfilment of its mandate

The SMM’s monitoring and freedom of movement are restricted by security hazards and threats, including risks posed by mines, unexploded ordnance (UXO) and other impediments – which vary from day to day. The SMM’s mandate provides for safe and secure access throughout Ukraine. All signatories of the Package of Measures have agreed on the need for this safe and secure access, that restriction of the SMM’s freedom of movement constitutes a violation, and on the need for rapid response to these violations. They have also agreed that the JCCC should contribute to such response and co-ordinate mine clearance. Nonetheless, the armed formations in parts of Donetsk and Luhansk regions frequently deny the SMM access to areas adjacent to Ukraine’s border outside control of the Government (for example, see SMM Daily of 24 August 2019). The SMM’s operations in Donetsk and Luhansk regions remain restricted following the fatal incident of 23 April 2017 near Pryshyb; these restrictions continued to limit the Mission’s observations.

Denials of access:

• At a checkpoint on the western edge of Prymorske (non-government-controlled, 39km north-east of Mariupol), three armed members of the armed formations did not allow the SMM to proceed towards Naberezhne (non-government-controlled, 33 km north-east of Mariupol), citing “demining activities in the area”.
• After the SMM flew a mini-UAV in the area of the bridge near Shchastia (government-controlled, 20km north of Luhansk), a Ukrainian Armed Forces officer at a checkpoint north of the same bridge told that the patrol to stay there while he clarified with his superiors whether to let the Mission leave without deleting the UAV imagery. After about two hours of waiting due to this, the situation was clarified and the SMM could leave the area without having deleted the imagery.

Regular restrictions related to disengagement areas and mines/UXO:

• The sides continued to deny the SMM full access to disengagement areas near Zolote and Petrivske, as well as the ability to travel certain roads previously identified as important for effective monitoring by the Mission and for civilians’ movement, through failure to conduct comprehensive clearance of mines and UXO.

Conditional access:

• At a checkpoint north of the bridge near Shchastia, a Ukrainian Armed Forces officer denied the SMM passage towards the bridge by car and only allowed it to proceed further on foot (see above).

Other impediments:

• While conducting a mini-UAV flight north-east of Tavrycheske (non-government-controlled, 76km west of Donetsk), the SMM heard small-arms fire assessed as aimed at the mini-UAV, which landed safely. Five minutes prior, the same UAV had experienced signal interference, assessed as caused by probable jamming (see above).[7]
• An SMM mini UAV experienced signal interference while flying near Boikivske (formerly Telmanove, non-government-controlled, 67km south-east of Donetsk), assessed as caused by probable jamming.
• Medical staff at a hospital in Horlivka (non-government-controlled, 39km north-east of Donetsk) refused to provide the SMM information about a civilian casualty without permission from senior members of the armed formations.

[1] For a complete breakdown of ceasefire violations, please see the annexed table. During the reporting period, the SMM cameras in Berezove and Kriakivka were not operational.

* Please see the section at the end of this report entitled “Restrictions of the SMM’s freedom of movement or other impediments to fulfilment of its mandate”.

[2] The interference could have originated from anywhere within a radius of kilometres from the UAVs’ positions.

[3] The Joint Centre for Control and Co-ordination (JCCC) was established in September 2014 by Ukraine and the Russian Federation. Each posted a representative to jointly head the Centre and a staff of officers from the Ukrainian and Russian Federation Armed Forces to be co-located in defined sectors of Luhansk and Donetsk regions. In December 2017, Russian Federation Armed Forces officers withdrew from the JCCC and departed Ukraine.

[4] Disengagement is foreseen in the Framework Decision of the Trilateral Contact Group relating to disengagement of forces and hardware of 21 September 2016.

[5] The SMM observed weapons that could not be verified as withdrawn, as their storage did not comply with the criteria set out in the 16 October 2015 notification from the SMM to the signatories of the Package of Measures on effective monitoring and verification of the withdrawal of heavy weapons.

[6] The hardware mentioned in this section is not proscribed by the provisions of the Minsk agreements on the withdrawal of weapons.

[7] The interference could have originated from anywhere within a radius of kilometres from the UAVs’ positions.

VIENNA, 31 August 2019 – OSCE Representative on Freedom of the Media, Harlem Désir, strongly condemned today the shooting of the journalist, Levent Uysal, in Balıkesir, Turkey.

“I am deeply concerned about reports that a journalist was shot and injured in Turkey,” said Désir. “I call on the Turkish authorities to ensure that this attack is fully investigated and that those responsible are held accountable with the full vigour of the law.”

During the night of 28 August, Levent Uysal, the former owner of the now-closed newspaper, Yenigün, was shot in the leg by two perpetrators outside his home in the city of Balıkesir in northwest Turkey. He was immediately hospitalised.

“I am worried about the multiplication of violent incidents against journalists. This is the sixth grave attack since May this year in Turkey. More needs to be done to ensure that this deeply concerning trend is urgently reversed and that journalists are ensured a safe environment to work in,” the Representative said. “I wish Uysal a speedy recovery so that he can continue working unhindered,” stated Désir.

He also recalled the OSCE Ministerial Decision on Safety of Journalists, which calls on all participating States to “take effective measures to end impunity for crimes committed against journalists, by ensuring accountability as a key element in preventing future attacks, including by ensuring that law enforcement agencies carry out swift, effective and impartial investigations into acts of violence and threats against journalists, in order to bring all those responsible to justice, and ensure that victims have access to appropriate remedies”.

The Representative’s previous statements on physical attacks on journalists in Turkey are available at: https://www.osce.org/representative-on-freedom-of-media/420878; https://www.osce.org/representative-on-freedom-of-media/419837

The OSCE Representative on Freedom of the Media observes media developments in all 57 OSCE participating States. She provides early warning on violations of freedom of expression and media freedom and promotes full compliance with OSCE media freedom commitments. Learn more at www.osce.org/fom, Twitter: @OSCE_RFoM and on www.facebook.com/osce.rfom.

SDGs SDGs:  16 - Peace, justice and strong institutions

This report is for the media and the general public.

Summary

• Compared with the previous reporting period, the SMM recorded more ceasefire violations in both Donetsk and Luhansk regions.
• The SMM saw that the former forward positions of the Ukrainian Armed Forces and of the armed formations inside the Stanytsia Luhanska disengagement area continued to be dismantled.
• The Mission recorded ceasefire violations inside and near the disengagement area near Zolote.
• The SMM saw weapons in violation of withdrawal lines in non-government-controlled areas of Luhansk region.
• It monitored adherence to the ceasefire to facilitate repairs to and the operation of essential civilian infrastructure.
• Restrictions of the SMM’s access continued, including at a checkpoint in non-government-controlled Verkhnoshyrokivske.*

Ceasefire violations[1]

In Donetsk region, the SMM recorded more ceasefire violations, however, fewer explosions (about 120), compared with the previous reporting period  (about 130 explosions). About 78 per cent of the total ceasefire violations were recorded at easterly directions of Maiorsk (government-controlled, 45km north-east of Donetsk), whereas the majority of explosions were recorded at easterly directions of Svitlodarsk (government-controlled, 57km north-east of Donetsk).

In Luhansk region, the Mission recorded more ceasefire violations, however, fewer explosions (12), compared with the previous reporting period (19 explosions). The majority of ceasefire violations, including the majority of explosions, were recorded in areas east-south-east of Popasna (government-controlled, 69km west of Luhansk).

Stanytsia Luhanska disengagement area

On 28 August, inside the disengagement area, the SMM saw four personnel of the State Emergency Services (SES) of Ukraine holding prodding devices and shovels and inspecting the broken section of the bridge, as well as taking photographs of the elements of the bridge and its surrounding areas. The SMM saw four deminers from non-government-controlled areas dismantling the roof and carrying sandbags from the former forward position of the armed formations on a trolley towards the previously observed blue container (with “JCCC” written on it), [2] about 30m south  near the said container, where the Mission saw around 30 sandbags, ten wooden logs and ten tyres. Inside the container, the SMM saw about 40 sandbags placed against its interior walls and ten on the roof of the container.

On 29 August, the SMM again saw six SES personnel carrying prodding devices and metal detectors, as well as four deminers from non-government-controlled areas carrying prodding devices going under the broken section of the bridge. Thereafter, the Mission saw four civilian engineers from government-controlled areas and two engineers from non-government-controlled areas carrying out an assessment of the broken section of the bridge.

On 28 and 29 August, the Mission continued observing dismantling structural components of the former forward position of the Ukrainian Armed Forces north of the bridge.

The Mission saw up to seven members of the armed formations (wearing armbands with “JCCC” written on them) on the southern edge of the broken section of the bridge and near the checkpoint of the armed formations south of the bridge.

Other disengagement areas[3]

In the early morning hours of 29 August, the SMM camera in Zolote (government-controlled, 60km west of Luhansk) recorded a projectile in flight at an assessed range of 1.5-3km south-east, assessed as inside the disengagement area. Positioned in Zolote-4/Rodina (government-controlled, 59km west of Luhansk), the Mission heard two undetermined explosions and about 20 shots of heavy-machine-gun fire, all at north-easterly directions at an assessed range of 500-700m, all assessed as outside the disengagement area but within its 5km periphery.

Positioned close to the disengagement area near Petrivske (non-government-controlled, 41km south of Donetsk), the Mission observed a calm situation.

Withdrawal of weapons

The SMM continued to monitor the withdrawal of weapons in implementation of the Memorandum and the Package of Measures and its Addendum.

In violation of withdrawal lines

Non-government-controlled areas

27 August

An SMM mini-unmanned aerial vehicle (UAV) spotted two mortars (2B11 Sani, 120mm) and 30 ammunition crates in a trench north-east of Sentianivka (formerly Frunze, 44km west of Luhansk).

Beyond withdrawal lines but outside of designated storage sites

Government-controlled areas

28 August

An SMM mini-UAV spotted two tanks (T-72) and six Ukrainian Armed Forces personnel, one of whom was aiming their weapon at the UAV near Zoria (40km north-west of Donetsk).

29 August

The SMM saw four multiple launch rocket systems (BM-21 Grad, 122mm) in Kulykivske (232km south-east of Dnipro).

Weapons that the SMM could not verify as withdrawn[4]

At heavy weapons holding areas in government-controlled areas of Luhansk region

29 August

The SMM noted that four multiple launch rocket systems (MLRS) (BM-27 Uragan, 220mm) were present and that six MLRS (BM-21) remained missing.

Weapons permanent storage sites[5]

At a permanent storage site in a government-controlled area of Donetsk region

29 August

The SMM noted that seven mortars (four 2B9 Vasilek, 82mm and three PM-38, 120mm) and 54 tanks (34 T-64B1, nine T-64B and 11 T-64) were missing.

Indications of military presence in the security zone[6]

Government-controlled areas

27 August

An SMM mid-range UAV spotted:

• a probable armoured reconnaissance vehicle (BRDM-2) and an armoured combat vehicle (ACV) north-west of Katerynivka (64km west of Luhansk);
• a recent trench running from a treeline on the western edge of Katerynivka across a field to another treeline about 300m east (not seen in imagery from 19 July 2019);
• a recent trench running for about 50m north-east behind a building in the centre of Katerynivka, about 20m west of civilian houses (not seen in imagery from 19 July 2019); and
• a new trench running for about 35m north-east in a field about 60m west of civilian houses in the centre of Katerynivka (not seen in imagery from 29 May 2019).

29 August

The SMM saw:

• an infantry fighting vehicle (IFV) near Popasna;
• an IFV near Zhelanne Druhe (29km north-west of Donetsk); and
• an armoured personnel carrier (BTR-70) in Novobakhmutivka (28km north of Donetsk).

Presence of anti-tank mines near Petrivske disengagement area

On 28 August, on the road between Bohdanivka (government-controlled, 41km south-west of Donetsk) and Viktorivka (non-government-controlled, 42km south-west of Donetsk), an SMM mini-UAV again spotted 23 anti-tank mines laid in four rows (TM-62), about 150m north of the northern edge of the disengagement area near Petrivske, as well as an additional 11 anti-tank mines (TM-62) laid in two rows about 115m east from the previously-mentioned mines, all assessed as belonging to the Ukrainian Armed Forces (for previous observations, see SMM Daily Report of 3 July 2019).

Situation at checkpoints along the contact line

At a checkpoint of the armed formations near Olenivka (non-government-controlled, 23km south-west of Donetsk), the SMM observed about 200 cars and at least three minivans queuing to travel toward non-government-controlled areas and about 30 cars, three buses and four minivans queuing to travel in the opposite direction. At the entry-exit checkpoint near Maiorsk, a representative of the State Border Guard Service of Ukraine told the SMM that on 28 August, the EECP was closed from 13:00 to 14:00 due to reported gunfire near the settlement, and that the people waiting in queues were evacuated to a safe place. A representative of an international organization regularly present in the area also told the SMM that the EECP was closed for one hour.

SMM facilitation of the operation of essential civilian infrastructure

The SMM monitored adherence to the ceasefire to enable repairs to a water pipeline, to power lines servicing the Petrivske pumping station near Artema (government-controlled, 26km north of Luhansk), to power lines near Novoluhanske (government-controlled, 53km north-east of Donetsk), Travneve (government-controlled, 51km north-east of Donetsk) and Hladosove (government-controlled, 51km north-east of Donetsk). It also monitored adherence to the ceasefire to enable the drilling of wells and to enable repairs to a radio communication tower near Raivka (non-government-controlled, 16km north-west of Luhansk).

The Mission continued to facilitate the operation of the Donetsk Filtration Station (15km north of Donetsk).

Public gatherings in Kharkiv, Kyiv and Chernivtsi commemorating “Ilovaisk battle”

On 25 August, at Molodizhnyi Park in Kharkiv, the SMM saw about 35 people (mixed ages and genders) gather to commemorate the “Ilovaisk battle”, which took place in August 2014. On 29 August, the SMM saw about 1,000 people (mixed ages and genders) gather at Mykhailivska Square in Kyiv city and, in Chernivtsi city, saw people gathering at gravesites and a cathedral. The SMM saw that the gatherings were marked by speeches and prayers.

SMM monitored the security situation in south-east Kherson region

On 28 and 29 August, the Mission continued to monitor the security situation along the Sea of Azov coast in Kherson region and at the crossing point between Chonhar (163km south-east of Kherson) and Crimea and observed a calm situation.

The Mission continued monitoring in Odessa, Lviv, Ivano-Frankivsk, and Dnipro.

*Restrictions of the SMM’s freedom of movement or other impediments to fulfilment of its mandate

The SMM’s monitoring and freedom of movement are restricted by security hazards and threats, including risks posed by mines, unexploded ordnance (UXO) and other impediments – which vary from day to day. The SMM’s mandate provides for safe and secure access throughout Ukraine. All signatories of the Package of Measures have agreed on the need for this safe and secure access, that restriction of the SMM’s freedom of movement constitutes a violation, and on the need for rapid response to these violations. They have also agreed that the JCCC should contribute to such response and co-ordinate mine clearance. Nonetheless, the armed formations in parts of Donetsk and Luhansk regions frequently deny the SMM access to areas adjacent to Ukraine’s border outside control of the Government (for example, see SMM Daily Report of 24 August 2019). The SMM’s operations in Donetsk and Luhansk regions remain restricted following the fatal incident of 23 April 2017 near Pryshyb; these restrictions continued to limit the Mission’s observations.

Denials of access:

• At a checkpoint west of Verkhnoshyrokivske (formerly Oktiabr, non-government-controlled, 29km north-east of Mariupol), a member of the armed formations again denied the SMM passage, citing “ongoing engineering works”.

Regular restrictions related to disengagement areas and mines/UXO:

• The sides continued to deny the SMM full access to disengagement areas near Zolote and Petrivske, as well as the ability to travel certain roads previously identified as important for effective monitoring by the Mission and for civilians’ movement, through failure to conduct comprehensive clearance of mines and UXO.

Delay:

• At a weapons permanent storage site in a government-controlled area of Donetsk region, three Ukrainian Armed Forces officers allowed the Mission to check the serial numbers of the weapons present at the site only after 45 minutes of waiting.

Other impediments:

• An SMM mid-range UAV experienced signal interference while flying near Vesele (non-government-controlled, 9km north-west of Donetsk), assessed as caused by probable jamming.[7]

 

[1] For a complete breakdown of ceasefire violations, please see the annexed table. During the reporting period, the SMM cameras in Berezove and Kriakivka were not operational.

* Please see the section at the end of this report entitled “Restrictions of the SMM’s freedom of movement or other impediments to fulfilment of its mandate”.

[2] The Joint Centre for Control and Co-ordination (JCCC) was established in September 2014 by Ukraine and the Russian Federation. Each posted a representative to jointly head the Centre and a staff of officers from the Ukrainian and Russian Federation Armed Forces to be co-located in defined sectors of Luhansk and Donetsk regions. In December 2017, Russian Federation Armed Forces officers withdrew from the JCCC and departed Ukraine.

[3] Disengagement is foreseen in the Framework Decision of the Trilateral Contact Group relating to disengagement of forces and hardware of 21 September 2016.

[4] The SMM visited areas previously holding weapons that could not be verified as withdrawn, as their storage did not comply with the criteria set out in the 16 October 2015 notification from the SMM to the signatories of the Package of Measures on effective monitoring and verification of the withdrawal of heavy weapons. The SMM noted that one such site continued to be abandoned.

[5] The SMM noted that one such site continued to be abandoned.

[6] The hardware mentioned in this section is not proscribed by the provisions of the Minsk agreements on the withdrawal of weapons.

[7] The interference could have originated from anywhere within a radius of kilometres from the UAVs’ positions.

428789 OSCE Centre in Ashgabat

An OSCE-organized training course in the interpretation of x-ray images for 20 customs and transport police officers working at aviation checkpoints took place in Ashgabat from 19 to 30 August 2019.

The two-week event began with a comprehensive overview of aviation security procedures and x-ray image interpretation techniques. An international expert from the United Kingdom addressed a wide range of topics, including checkpoint operator selection, radiation safety, recognition of explosive devices, firearms, exotic and improvised weapons as well as prohibited items, liquids and powders.

The course participants shared views on the process of hold baggage screening and alternative technology and search methodologies that can be used to complement x-ray screening.

“The OSCE is committed to assisting the OSCE participating States in building the capacity of police, customs and border officers and improving interagency co-ordination. This is done by providing consultative and technical support and organizing seminars and practical training at the national and regional levels,” said Natalya Drozd, Head of the OSCE Centre in Ashgabat.

“This training course is part of the Centre’s activities aimed at enhancing the capabilities of police and customs officials at international airports and it is our belief that the event will contribute to the efforts of the host government to improve border control procedures and screening of passengers and baggage at airports,” she said.

The second week of the course featured a training of potential instructors, which covered course and lesson planning, teaching theory and methodologies, as well as presentation skills and examinations design. The experts emphasized the importance of computer-based training. The also discussed how to teach x-ray screening image interpretation and pre-selection testing of security personnel.

KYIV, 29 August 2019 – The Special Representative of the OSCE Chairperson-in-Office in Ukraine and in the Trilateral Contact Group (TCG), Ambassador Martin Sajdik, made today the following statement:

“The unlimited ceasefire, agreed by the Trilateral Contact Group and in force since 21 July 2019, continues to be widely respected. The average number of ceasefire violations remains significantly lower compared to the period before the ceasefire took effect.

I am grateful to everyone involved for their efforts in this regard. At the same time, I call upon the sides to undertake everything necessary for ensuring a continued unlimited, sustainable and comprehensive ceasefire.

This is of particular importance in view of the upcoming new school year. Children have a right to a safe way to school as well as a calm and secure environment for studying.”