Central Europe

VIENNA, 27 February 2022 – The OSCE Representative on Freedom of the Media, Teresa Ribeiro, today expressed her serious concern about the safety of journalists in the context of the Russian military action against Ukraine. She also stressed the need to consider and protect as civilians media professionals in areas of armed conflict.

According to reports, on 26 February the Danish journalist Stefan Weichert and photographer Emil Filtenborg Mikkelsen from Ekstra Bladet were shot and injured while on duty near Okhtyrka, a town in Sumy Oblast of Ukraine. Reportedly, both have been hospitalized.

“Violence against journalists under any circumstances, including in conflict situations, is unacceptable,” Ribeiro said. “I wish a speedy recovery to both journalists.”

Ribeiro also noted with sadness information about the killing of citizen journalist Dilerbek Shakirov, who was shot dead on 26 February in the suburbs of Kherson, as reported by Irina Venediktova, Prosecutor General of Ukraine. The Representative extended her sincere condolences to Mr. Shakirov’s family.

The Representative also underlined the importance of taking appropriate steps to ensure accountability for all crimes committed against journalists.

VIENNA, 27 February 2022 – The OSCE Representative on Freedom of the Media, Teresa Ribeiro, today strongly denounced the continued deterioration of the media freedom situation in the Russian Federation.

On 26 February, the Russian media regulatory agency Roskomnadzor (Federal Service for Supervision of Communications, Information Technology and Mass Media), under the threat of hefty fines and blocking, demanded that at least 10 media outlets, including Ekho Moskvy, InoSMI, Mediazona, The New Times, Dozhd, Svobodnaya Pressa, Krym.Realii, Novaya Gazeta, Jurnalist and Lenizdat, remove materials about the war in Ukraine. Roskomnadzor reportedly said that these media outlets published “false information” about the shelling of Ukrainian cities by the Russian armed forces and the death of Ukrainian civilians, as well as materials in which Russia’s ongoing military operation is called an attack, an invasion, or refers to a declaration of war.

On 25 February, Roskomnadzor announced that it would start to partially restrict access to Facebook, after the Prosecutor General’s Office, in agreement with the Ministry of Foreign Affairs, decided to recognize the social network as involved in the violation of fundamental human rights and freedoms, as well as the rights and freedoms of Russian citizens. The decision reportedly stems from Facebook’s restriction of the accounts of four Russian media outlets: Zvezda TV channel, RIA Novosti news agency, and Lenta.ru and Gazeta.ru internet sites. Following Roskomnadzor’s announcement, Russian internet users have reportedly experienced difficulties in accessing Facebook, as well as Twitter and Instagram.

“I reiterate my call on the Russian authorities to safeguard the free flow of information and media freedom in line with OSCE commitments and international obligations, and to refrain from using regulatory and administrative leverage against media,” Ribeiro said. “The attempts to unduly interfere in the work of social networks, which enable individuals to communicate, access and disseminate information and ideas, are of serious concern.”

Ribeiro had denounced the authorities’ decision to restrict mass media’s choice of sources of information on 24 February (see: https://www.osce.org/representative-on-freedom-of-media/512950).

The Representative further expressed her concern regarding the growing number of cases of obstruction and detention of media workers while covering anti-war rallies. In the course of the last several days, police reportedly detained journalists from Novaya Gazeta, Radio Free Europe/Radio Liberty, Interfax, Pskovskaya Guberniya, Telegraph, Dozhd, in several Russian cities, including Moscow, St. Petersburg, Belgorod and Pskov.

“The important nature and democratic value of the role played by media and journalists covering conflicts, public demonstrations and otherwise reporting on issues of public interest must always be respected,” Ribeiro said. “In this regard, I also call on the Russian authorities to refrain from undermining professional and courageous journalism, which importantly contributes through their objective and professional reporting to keeping the public informed.”

“I will continue to follow the situation very closely,” the Representative concluded.

SDGs SDGs:  16 - Peace, justice and strong institutions

From 24 February, the Mission continues to observe a sharp deterioration of the security situation throughout its area of operations, with continued fighting in northern, north-eastern, and southern areas of Ukraine and ongoing reported attacks on key infrastructure sites and military bases throughout the country.

The Mission continues evacuation activities following the decision to evacuate all International Mission members (IMM).

Due to ongoing kinetic activity, including shelling and reports of fighting as well as the dynamic movement of front lines, the Monitoring Teams in Kharkiv city and Kherson city remain sheltering in place until such time as they can move safely.

In non-government controlled areas, the Monitoring Teams in Luhansk and Donetsk Patrol Hubs are on standby for evacuation.

Monitoring Teams from all other locations are in the process of evacuating yesterday and today.

In accordance with OSCE Permanent Council Decision No. 1117, the SMM gathers information and reports on the security situation by monitoring from its listening posts, albeit with a reduced posture.

SDGs SDGs:  16 - Peace, justice and strong institutions

• From the evening of 24 February, the Mission has continued to hear multiple explosions, including from multiple launch rocket systems and heavy artillery fire in and near the cities of Kherson, Donetsk, Kharkiv, and Kyiv. In downtown Kyiv, it also heard small-arms fire near its headquarters.
• The SMM switched off its camera systems on the morning of 26 February. On the night of 25-26 February, the cameras recorded in total 109 undetermined explosions along the contact line in Donetsk and Luhansk regions.
• The Mission continued evacuation activities as per the instruction of 24 February to evacuate all International Mission members.

SDGs SDGs:  16 - Peace, justice and strong institutions

• Since the evening of 24 February and throughout the reporting period, the Mission heard multiple explosions, including multiple launch rocket system fire, near Shchastia as well as in the vicinity of the cities of Kherson, Donetsk, Kharkiv, and Kyiv.
• The Mission heard aircraft overflying the cities of Ivano-Frankivsk and Kyiv. It heard two helicopters flying over Donetsk city.
• The SMM observed long queues at border crossing points with Hungary, Poland and Romania.
• The Mission started evacuation activities following the decision to evacuate all International Mission members (IMM) made on 24 February.

WARSAW, 25 February 2022 – While the attack on Ukraine is little more than a day old, it is already taking its toll on civilians, OSCE Office for Democratic Institutions and Human Rights (ODIHR) Director Matteo Mecacci said at the Winter Meeting of the OSCE Parliamentary Assembly today.

The OSCE is facing one of its most acute security crises since World War II, with the dangerous decision taken to resort to armed conflict in place of dialogue. ODIHR is deeply concerned about the human impact of the military action initiated by the Russian Federation in Ukraine on everyone in the country, in particular civilians.

There is already evidence of civilian deaths and much suffering, with thousands of people displaced as they leave their homes to seek safety. Documented fatal incidents include a ballistic missile strike and a bomb that struck a residential block. ODIHR is closely monitoring the situation, and will continue to assess developments as they unfold.

The law of war prohibits indiscriminate attacks and those that target civilians and civilian property. ODIHR calls on the parties to the conflict to uphold the commitments they have made to human rights and fundamental freedoms, and to observe all obligations under international humanitarian and human rights law.

SDGs SDGs:  16 - Peace, justice and strong institutions

On 24 February, starting in the early morning and continuing throughout the day, the Mission observed a sharp deterioration of the security situation throughout its area of operations, characterized by heavy exchanges of fire along the full length of the contact line, and attacks in areas with key infrastructure and bases throughout the country.

In the early morning, SMM cameras near Shyrokyne (government-controlled, 100km south of Donetsk), Stanytsia Luhanska (government-controlled, 16km north-east of Luhansk), Zolote (government-controlled, 60km west of Luhansk) and Popasna (government-controlled, 69km west of Luhansk) recorded intense kinetic activity, including a high number of explosions due to the use of heavy weapons. The cameras later ceased transmission.

Between 04:58 and 05:08, while at the SMM Forward Patrol Base (FPB) near Kadiivka (formerly Stakhanov, non-government-controlled, 50km west of Luhansk), the SMM recorded 233 undetermined explosions at an assessed range of 15-20km east-north-east. Also, between 04:45 and 05:20, the SMM at its FPB near Stanytsia Luhanska recorded a very large number of explosions by multiple launch rocket systems at an assessed range of 10-20km west.

During the day, the Mission heard explosions and saw movement of military equipment at various locations.

In view of developing military hostilities, the SMM has not dispatched any ground patrols today. Monitoring activities are continuing from a limited number of listening and observation posts and with the help of the SMM’s technical monitoring assets. Some of the SMM’s forward patrol bases have been temporarily relocated to Patrol hubs and Team offices. All mission members are accounted for. The SMM maintained its presence in all locations stipulated in its mandate.

The SMM continues to gather information and report on the security situation by monitoring from its listening posts, albeit with a reduced posture.

The Mission continued to operate under the principles of impartiality and transparency, stipulated in the OSCE Permanent Council Decision No. 1117, in line with all OSCE principles and commitments. To this end, the mandate provides the SMM with safe and secure access throughout Ukraine in order to gather information and establish facts related to the security situation.

SDGs SDGs:  16 - Peace, justice and strong institutions

• Since the early hours of 24 February, at various locations across Ukraine, the SMM observed a severely deteriorated security situation.
•  The Mission heard multiple explosions, including multiple launch rocket system fire.
• The SMM saw military aircraft overflying Kherson and Kyiv cities.
• The Mission recorded a spike in shelling in government-controlled areas of Luhansk region.
• In various locations across Ukraine, the SMM saw fewer people in the streets and long queues at shops, pharmacies, ATMs and petrol stations.

VIENNA, 24 FEBRUARY 2022 – To address Russia’s military operation in Ukraine, the Polish OSCE Chairmanship convened a reinforced meeting of the Permanent Council at the ministerial level.

Almost all of the OSCE participating States condemned Russia’s military operation as an unacceptable act of aggression and blatant violation of international law. Participants expressed their solidarity and support to territorial integrity and sovereignty of Ukraine and for the work of the OSCE Special Monitoring Mission to Ukraine.

The OSCE Chairman-in-Office and Polish Foreign Minister Zbigniew Rau said “By this act of military aggression Russia broke virtually all international treaties, rules and commitments, including the fundaments of this Organization - the Helsinki Final Act and the Charter of Paris.”

“This behavior is proof that Russia has rejected all international efforts, including within the OSCE, to engage in dialogue,” he added.

“Russia has chosen force over dialogue, even when dialogue was repeatedly offered and options were not exhausted. Their actions are resulting in injuries and death and they are creating a humanitarian crisis. Owing to the ongoing fighting and deteriorated security situation, in coordination with the Chairman-in-Office, I have decided to temporarily evacuate all international mission members,” stated Secretary General Schmid.

“An overwhelming number of Members of the OSCE Parliamentary Assembly condemn in the strongest terms the advancement of the Russian military into the territory of Ukraine. This constitutes armed aggression in clear and gross violation of the most basic norms of international law, as well as OSCE principles and commitments,” said OSCE Parliamentary Assembly President Margareta Cederfelt.

The majority of the OSCE participating States were represented by foreign ministers. The meeting took place at Hofburg, Vienna and was held in a blended format.

Due to the ongoing fighting and deteriorated security situation in Ukraine, in coordination with the Chairman-in-Office, I have decided to temporarily evacuate all international mission members from Ukraine as soon as possible.

The commitment and bravery of the OSCE staff is commendable. The OSCE promptly established the Special Monitoring Mission (SMM) in 2014 and the dedicated men and women of this mission have been our impartial eyes and ears on the ground throughout the country. Our Project Coordinator in Ukraine has worked diligently since 1999 to assist Ukraine enhance its security and develop its legislation, institutions, and practices in line with democratic standards.

We have a legacy to be proud of in the country. We look forward to resuming our missions when circumstances permit.

The evacuation of our staff will be conducted as early as possible and feasible dependent on the relevant factors on the ground.

This decision was not taken lightly and the relocation is meant to be temporary. The safety of the dedicated women and men who serve as impartial eyes and ears of the international community on the ground throughout the country is imperative.

VIENNA, 24 February 2022 – The OSCE Representative on Freedom of the Media, Teresa Ribeiro, strongly denounced today the media regulatory agency in Russia, Roskomnadzor’s (Federal Service for Supervision of Communications, Information Technology and Mass Media) instruction imposing  severe restrictions on mass media’s  choice of sources of information.  

The Representative’s comments follow Roskomnadzor’s statement of 24 February, in which it demanded that all media outlets use only information from Russian official sources when reporting on Russia’s military operation in Ukraine. The regulator clarified that media outlets would otherwise receive hefty fines for the dissemination of “false information” and that their websites would be effectively blocked.

“Today’s decision by Roskomnadzor represents a culmination in a long series of governmental attacks on media freedom in the Russian Federation. This latest infringement on the fundamental right to freedom of expression amounts to the introduction of censorship,” Ribeiro said. “I call on the Russian authorities to immediately lift it and enable the free flow of information and media freedom in line with OSCE commitments and international obligations.”

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.

VIENNA, 24 February 2022 – The OSCE Representative on Freedom of the Media (RFoM), Teresa Ribeiro, presented today a legal analysis of the Law of the Republic of Azerbaijan “On Media”, adopted by the Milli Majlis (parliament) of the Republic of Azerbaijan on 30 December 2021. The law was later signed by President of the Republic of Azerbaijan, Ilham Aliyev, on 8 February 2022.

Commissioned by the office of the RFoM, the legal analysis was prepared by an independent media freedom expert. The analysis assesses the compliance of the Law with international human rights standards on freedom of expression and freedom of the media, and with key OSCE human dimension commitments.

The analysis touches upon concerns regarding several provisions of the Law, which pose significant limitations and restrictions on the right to freedom of expression and freedom of the media, as well as challenges on the work of media and journalists.

Among other things, the analysis underlines that the Law:

• contains some key definitions, which are problematic in terms of language and scope and have direct implications vis-à-vis the interpretation and impact of provisions included in the legislation;
• expands the jurisdiction and regulatory powers of the regulatory authorities beyond the territory of the country;
• refers to possible and broad restrictions to be potentially imposed on media, based on the provisions included in the legislation on martial law, state of emergency, combating religious extremism and combating terrorism;
• contains a series of unjustified and unnecessary restrictions and prohibitions regarding media content on a broad range of issues;
• contains a series of problematic restrictions regarding the publication of information regarding criminal investigations, prosecutions or administrative violation cases;
• lacks necessary safeguards in relation to disclosing the identity of confidential sources by media and journalists;
• establishes a series of very broad and unnecessary restrictions regarding the establishment of media entities;
• has a potential to impose excessive burdens and restrictions on licensing of audiovisual media;
• lacks provisions establishing mechanisms that would guarantee the autonomy of the regulatory authorities in the field of audiovisual media;
• contains a series of excessive provisions regarding the possibility for the authorities to restrict, suspend or terminate different types of media services;
• contains a series of provisions on the regulation of the activities of journalists that are not aligned with applicable international and regional standards.

“The analysis offers several important recommendations and I encourage the authorities to review and incorporate them into the Law,” Ribeiro said. “My Office stands ready to continue working constructively with Azerbaijan and to further provide assistance and necessary policy recommendations.”

The full text of the legal analysis is available here: https://www.osce.org/representative-on-freedom-of-media/512935

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.

VIENNA, 24 February 2022 – Referring to the Russian military operation in Ukraine as “indefensible” and a “gross violation of international law,” OSCE parliamentarians gathered in the hybrid Winter Meeting urged an immediate end to the hostilities and a return to diplomacy. Some 28 parliamentarians took the floor in an open debate, with most expressing clear opposition to the incursion and deep concern for the lives of civilians in Ukraine.

Opening the discussion, OSCE Chairman-in-Office and Polish Foreign Minister Zbigniew Rau, OSCE PA President Margareta Cederfelt, and President of the Austrian Parliament Wolfgang Sobotka reiterated the role of the OSCE in facilitating dialogue and building confidence.

In his remarks, President Sobotka said that Austria condemns Russia’s attacks on the territorial integrity of Ukraine, emphasizing that the international community can never concede that “might makes right.” The twisting of history, he said, cannot negate the right of Ukraine to its sovereignty. “Today the OSCE principles are being violated on a broad spectrum,” Sobotka said. “Our hope is that diplomatic relations should be able to turn the tide and relaunch the Minsk process.” He expressed particular support for the civilians who suffer under hostilities – the ones who suffer first and suffer the most, he said.

Foreign Minister Rau stated, “Russia’s unprovoked all-out invasion against Ukrainian cities and villages constitutes a fundamental breach of the UN Charter and Helsinki Final Act. Invoking article 51 of the UN Charter to justify this crime against humanity is deplorable and shameful. We condemn, in the strongest possible words, this act of aggression.”

“We expect the Russian side to honor its international obligations and commitments. Any sustainable, political solution must fully respect sovereignty, territorial integrity, and independence of Ukraine,” Rau underscored.

President Cederfelt stressed the OSCE PA’s steadfast support for the resolution of the conflict based on core OSCE principles such as the inviolability of frontiers and the indivisibility of security.

“The Russian military invasion of Ukraine is an armed aggression in clear and gross violation of the most basic norms of international law and OSCE principles and commitments,” President Cederfelt said. “Today more than ever, parliamentarians must exercise their oversight role, rather than enable their governments to breach international commitments. Parliaments must be tools for de-escalation, not weapons of confrontation.”

OSCE Secretary General Helga Schmid spoke to the OSCE PA Heads of Delegations, Bureau members, Special Representatives and Chairs of Ad Hoc Committees at the Standing Committee Meeting today. In her remarks, the Secretary General condemned, in the strongest terms, the Russian military action against Ukraine.

“It did not need to be this way. But Russia chose force over dialogue. Dialogue was offered. By the OSCE, by its Polish Chair. By others. Including NATO, the US, and European capitals. Options for dialogue were not exhausted,” Schmid said.

During the open debate in the Joint Session of the General Committees, the Head of the Ukrainian Delegation Mykyta Poturaiev described the situation that his country faces, with large-scale military operations in Ukraine’s biggest cities. He warned that if Ukraine falls, there will be no European security.

Parliamentarians from across the OSCE area expressed alarm over the current security situation, with several remarking that the recent developments represent a major threat to peace not only in Ukraine but the whole of Europe. This is a time for the Parliamentary Assembly to stand with Ukraine, it was stressed. OSCE parliamentarians underscored that the focus now must be on halting the escalation of conflict and preventing a wider war, urging a return to bilateral and multilateral dialogue. Diplomacy remains relevant, it was emphasized, but sanctions were also called for as a deterrent.

Russian parliamentarian Tatiana Kusaiko said that the military operation in Ukraine is intended to protect civilians in Donbas.

The debate was held under the theme Security Guarantees and the Indivisibility of Security in Europe: Role of the OSCE.

Being held today and tomorrow in a blended format with some 50 parliamentarians gathering in-person in Vienna and many more participating online, the Winter Meeting is an opportunity for parliamentarians to interact with the governmental side and executive structures of the OSCE.

The general committees are meeting to discuss the preliminary ideas of committee rapporteurs for their reports and draft resolutions being prepared for this year’s Annual Session in Birmingham, United Kingdom. The OSCE PA’s Committee on Political Affairs and Security, chaired by United States Congressman Richard Hudson, is holding a debate this afternoon on the theme Heightened Tensions in the OSCE Area and the Need for Interparliamentary Dialogue.

Tomorrow, the OSCE PA’s committees on human rights and economic and environmental security will meet for more debates.

The meeting is streaming live at www.oscepa.org and photos are available for public use at the OSCE PA’s Flickr page.

Video is available at the PA's YouTube channel.

BUDAPEST, 24 February 2022 - The OSCE Office for Democratic Institutions and Human Rights (ODIHR) today opened an election observation mission for the 3 April parliamentary elections and referendum in Hungary, following an official invitation from the national authorities and a needs assessment mission conducted in January this year.

The mission is headed by Ambassador Jillian Stirk and consists of a core team of 14 international experts based in Budapest and 18 long-term observers, who will be deployed throughout the country from 5 March. ODIHR also plans to request 200 short-term observers, to arrive several days before election day. 

The mission will assess the conduct of the elections for their compliance with OSCE commitments and other international obligations and standards for democratic elections, as well as with national legislation.

Observers will closely monitor all aspects of the elections and referendum, including pre- and post-election developments. Specific areas of focus include the implementation of the recently amended legal framework, candidate registration, the conduct of the campaign including on social networks, as well as the work of the election administration at all levels, election dispute resolution and media coverage. They will also assess the implementation of previous ODIHR election recommendations.

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

On election day, the ODIHR mission will join efforts with the OSCE Parliamentary Assembly delegation to observe the opening of polling stations, voting, the counting of ballots and the tabulation of results.

An interim report will be published some two weeks prior to the elections to update the public and the media on the observation mission’s activities. The day after the elections, the mission’s preliminary findings and conclusions will be presented at a press conference. A final report with an assessment of the entire election process and containing recommendations, will be published some months after the elections.

Media contacts:

Egor Tilpunov, Media Analyst with the Election Observation Mission: egor.tilpunov@odihr.hu or  +36 204788819

Katya Andrusz, ODIHR spokesperson: Katya.Andrusz@odihr.pl or +48 609 522 266

WARSAW/VIENNA, 24 February 2022 – The OSCE Chairman-in-Office and Foreign Minister of Poland, Zbigniew Rau and OSCE Secretary General Helga Maria Schmid condemned the launch by President Putin of a military operation in Ukraine and made the following statement:

“We strongly condemn Russia’s military action against Ukraine. This attack on Ukraine puts the lives of millions of people at grave risk and is a gross breach of international law and Russia’s commitments.

We call for the immediate cessation of all military activities.”

SDGs SDGs:  16 - Peace, justice and strong institutions

On the morning of 23 February, an SMM patrol was conducting a pre-announced SMM mini-unmanned aerial vehicle (UAV) flight to monitor the security situation north of Rodakove (non-government-controlled, 22km west of Luhansk), about 10km south of the contact line, when it was approached by two armed members of the armed formations. They showed signs of agitation and requested that the SMM change the location. The patrol members also saw a third individual, wearing a uniform with a Russian Federation flag patch on his shoulder. The Mission moved approximately 600m to the south.

At the second location, as the SMM was preparing to launch the UAV, patrol members saw a green Lada approaching at speed with two armed members of the armed formations who were shouting at the patrol and threatening to destroy the UAV. The Mission aborted the flight and again relocated, this time to the southern edge of Rodakove.

At the third location, soon after the UAV’s launch, the Mission again saw the same green car approaching, this time with three armed members of the armed formations. The SMM observed the members of the armed formations exiting the car and shouting at the SMM. One of them loaded his rifle. Another forcibly took the UAV’s control panel from the SMM and attempted, unsuccessfully, to land the UAV. Having failed, he returned the control panel to the SMM and requested that the UAV be landed. However, despite every effort, the SMM was unable to regain control of the UAV, which was lost as a result. The members of the armed formations then ordered the SMM to hand over the UAV’s memory card. The Mission explained that the card was in the UAV, after which the members of the armed formations again took the control panel and inspected it in search of the memory card. While thus occupied, they become more agitated and aggressive. The SMM did not attempt to reclaim the panel and immediately left the area.

The OSCE Permanent Council Decision No. 1117 specifies that the SMM shall have safe and secure access throughout Ukraine. Unrestricted and unconditional access to all areas is essential to ensure effective monitoring and reporting of the security situation, as well as other mandated tasks. The mandate also tasks the Mission to report on any restrictions of its freedom of movement or other impediments to fulfilment of its mandate.

SDGs SDGs:  16 - Peace, justice and strong institutions

Summary

• In Donetsk region, the SMM recorded 528 ceasefire violations, including 345 explosions. In the previous reporting period, it recorded 703 ceasefire violations in the region.
• In Luhansk region, the Mission recorded 1,182 ceasefire violations, including 1,075 explosions. In the previous reporting period, it recorded 1,224 ceasefire violations in the region.
• The Mission continued monitoring the disengagement areas near Stanytsia Luhanska and Zolote and recorded ceasefire violations (including explosions) inside and near both areas. Inside the latter area, the SMM recorded 16 projectiles assessed as rockets from a multiple launch rocket system. It monitored the disengagement area near Petrivske only from a distance due to security considerations.
• The Mission continued to follow up on the situation of civilians, including at four entry-exit checkpoints and one corresponding checkpoints of the armed formations in Donetsk and Luhansk regions.
• The SMM visited two border crossing points in Luhansk region, one in a government-controlled and the other in a non-government-controlled area.
• The Mission monitored areas in west Kherson region and southern Mykolaiv region.
• The Mission observed a gathering in Kyiv.
• The SMM’s freedom of movement continued to be restricted, including at two checkpoints of the armed formations near the border with the Russian Federation in Donetsk region and at a border crossing point outside government control in Luhansk region. The Mission’s long-range unmanned aerial vehicle again encountered instances of GPS signal interference, assessed as caused by jamming and probable jamming.*

Richard Wheeler

An OSCE-supported series of seminars on the identification of victims of human trafficking and the investigation of criminal cases related to human trafficking was held in West Kazakhstan, Mangistau and Atyrau provinces from 15 to 22 February.

The activity was organized in co-operation with the Law Enforcement Academy under the Prosecutor General’s Office, the U.S. Embassy in Kazakhstan and the Information and Advisory Center "Daris".

Being a country of origin, transit and destination for human trafficking, impunity for traffickers and a lack of effective prosecution remain a challenge. The seminars offered tools and practical exercises on conducting individual investigative actions with victims and witnesses of a crime, and provided an overview of the methodology of the national referral mechanism for victims of human trafficking. The seminar aimed at building the capacity of 75 district prosecutors and police officers in combatting human trafficking, and co-operation at the district and regional level was established between law enforcement agencies and civil society organizations.

The event is part of the OSCE Programme Office’s long-standing efforts to support the host country in combating human trafficking and in implementing the OSCE Action Plan to Combat Trafficking in Human Beings.

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The OSCE Project Co-ordinator in Uzbekistan (PCUz) held an online workshop in support of open data for anti-corruption on 22 February 2022. The event was jointly organized with the Anti-Corruption Agency of Uzbekistan (ACA) and the International Open Data Charter (ODC).

Participants represented public authorities such as the State Committee of the Republic of Uzbekistan on Statistics, the Anti-Corruption Agency of the Republic of Uzbekistan, the Uzbek Commodity Exchange, the Ministry of Finance of the Republic of Uzbekistan, the Ministry of Construction of the Republic of Uzbekistan, and the Accounting Chamber of the Republic of Uzbekistan.

The workshop was the final event of the open data mapping exercise conducted in 2021 based on the anti-corruption Open Up Guide developed by the ODC. The purpose of this event was to share with national stakeholders the results of the implementation of the first phase of the Guide in Uzbekistan. Natalia Carfi, Executive Director of ODC, presented the results of the implementation to public officials and advocated recommendations and lessons learned through the process of integration into practice. Kateryna Onyiliogwu, EU4DigitalUA Project Manager, showcased best practices on open data capacity-building in Ukraine.  

The workshop also focused on increasing awareness amongst public officials on the importance of interagency co-operation and advancing significant reforms in the field of open data in Uzbekistan.

Uzbekistan became the third country to implement the anti-corruption Open Up Guide, which was first tested in Mexico in 2017 and implemented in Ecuador in 2021. In recent years, the PCUz facilitated Uzbekistan’s co-operation with the ODC, which resulted in adoption of the ODC Charter by the country in February 2021.

VIENNA, 23 FEBRUARY 2022 – Following the decision by Russian President Vladimir Putin to recognize parts of the Donetsk and Luhansk regions of Ukraine as independent, the 2022 Polish Chairmanship-in-Office convened the OSCE Permanent Council yesterday to meet in a reinforced format to address the current situation.

On behalf of the Polish Chairmanship, Deputy Foreign Minister Marcin Przydacz expressed solidarity and support to Ukraine’s territorial integrity and sovereignty. He underlined that the Russian decision is a flagrant breach of the fundamental principles of international law, as well as the OSCE commitments that Russia agreed to and is bound to respect.

“The decision by President Putin constitutes a rejection of Russian commitments under the Minsk agreements. It undermines all OSCE efforts to settle the conflict in and around Ukraine, particularly within existing negotiation formats, in which the Trilateral Contact Group has a leading role,” said Deputy Minister Przydacz.

"This decision disrupts and risks undermining eight years of work by the international community and by the OSCE in particular, to find an agreed solution to the issues affecting the region," said OSCE Secretary General Helga Maria Schmid. "This makes the role of the Special Monitoring Mission to Ukraine all the more crucial, while it continues to implement its mandate without interruption, providing impartial reporting on the situation on the ground."

Representatives from OSCE participating States, including Ukrainian Foreign Minister Dmytro Kuleba, Austrian Foreign Minister Alexander Schallenberg, United Kingdom Minister for Europe and North America James Cleverly, United States Deputy Secretary of State Wendy Sherman, and Secretary General of the European External Action Service Stefano Sannino, took part and discussed the recent developments.

The meeting took place at the Hofburg in Vienna on 22 February and was held in a blended format.