Central Europe

BELGRADE, 23 February 2022 - The OSCE Office for Democratic Institutions and Human Rights (ODIHR) today opened an election observation mission for the 3 April presidential and early parliamentary elections in Serbia, following an official invitation from the national authorities and a needs assessment mission conducted in December last year.

The mission is headed by Douglas Wake and consists of a core team of 15 international experts based in Belgrade and 27 long-term observers, who will be deployed throughout the country from 4 March. ODIHR also plans to request 250 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, including pre- and post-election developments. Specific areas of focus include the implementation of the newly adopted 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 delegations from the OSCE Parliamentary Assembly, the Parliamentary Assembly of the Council of Europe and the European Parliament 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 election, 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.

The ODIHR Election Observation Mission and the OSCE Mission to Serbia operate independently under their separate mandates.

Media contacts:

Marek Mračka, Media Analyst with the Election Observation Mission: marek.mracka@odihr.rs or +381 62 800 3182

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

SDGs SDGs:  16 - Peace, justice and strong institutions

Summary

• In Donetsk region, the SMM recorded 703 ceasefire violations, including 332 explosions. In the previous 24 hours, it recorded 579 ceasefire violations in the region.
• In Luhansk region, the Mission recorded 1,224 ceasefire violations, including 1,149 explosions. In the previous 24 hours, it recorded 333 ceasefire violations in the region.
• The SMM followed up on reports of damage to four inhabited properties in government-controlled Novohnativka and to a children’s centre in government-controlled Marinka, Donetsk region.
• The Mission continued monitoring the disengagement areas near Stanytsia Luhanska, Zolote and Petrivske. It recorded ceasefire violations (including explosions) close to the disengagement areas near Stanytsia Luhanska and Zolote, and inside the disengagement areas near Stanytsia Luhanska and Petrivske as well as observing craters assessed as recent.
• The SMM monitored the operation of critical civilian infrastructure.
• The Mission continued to follow up on the situation of civilians, including at four entry-exit checkpoints and three corresponding checkpoints of the armed formations in Donetsk and Luhansk regions.
• The SMM monitored a crossing point on the border with the Russian Federation in Kharkiv region.
• The Mission observed gatherings in Ivano-Frankivsk and Odessa.
• The SMM’s freedom of movement continued to be restricted, including at checkpoints of the armed formations in Donetsk and in Luhansk regions. The Mission’s unmanned aerial vehicles again encountered instances of GPS signal interference, assessed as caused by probable jamming.*

VIENNA, 22 February 2022 – In light of the recent deterioration of the security situation in eastern Ukraine, OSCE Representative on Freedom of the Media Teresa Ribeiro, today made the following statement.

“In light of the deterioration of the security situation in eastern Ukraine, I call for effective measures to ensure safety of journalists, as well as for full respect of international principles and OSCE commitments on freedom of expression and freedom of the media,” Ribeiro said.

The Representative further reminded that the participating States have committed themselves to adopt, where appropriate, all feasible measures to protect journalists engaged in dangerous professional missions and to condemn all attacks and violence against journalists. Media has a vital function in any society and journalists must therefore be safe to do their work, under all circumstances.

In this regard, the Representative further reminded that under international human rights and humanitarian laws the States should respect and protect freedom of expression and treat media workers as civilians.

“I urge all parties to refrain from spreading propaganda for war or incitement to hostility or violence.” Moreover, Ribeiro added that “journalists also have a moral duty to their audience – and the public in general – not to engage in jingoist rhetoric, not to spread panic, and not to promote lies or conspiracy theories that can endanger peace and public security.”

“I will continue to follow the situation in eastern Ukraine very closely,” the Representative said.

WARSAW, 22 February 2022 – The OSCE Office for Democratic Institutions and Human Rights (ODIHR) expresses profound concern at the events unfolding in Eastern Ukraine, and emphasises the need to uphold and safeguard the human rights of all.

In fragile security situations, it is more important than ever that both international humanitarian and human rights law are upheld, when it is often the most vulnerable in our society who suffer first and most severely. It is therefore vital that every effort is made to ensure that the human rights of individuals are protected and that those responsible for violations are held accountable.

The OSCE is founded on the concept that the protection and promotion of human rights is a precondition for security. All 57 countries of the OSCE have acknowledged that “respect for human rights and fundamental freedoms, democracy and the rule of law is at the core of the OSCE’s comprehensive concept of security” (Maastricht 2003).

ODIHR calls on all countries of the OSCE to adhere to the commitments, including in the human dimension, to which they have all agreed.

Budapest, 22 February 2022 – Observers from the OSCE Office for Democratic Institutions and Human Rights (ODIHR) will hold a press conference on the opening of the observation mission to the parliamentary elections and referendum in Hungary on Thursday, 24 February.

NB Due to social distancing requirements, only a limited number of journalists can attend the press conference in person. All others will have the opportunity to watch and ask questions via Zoom. Broadcast media wishing to film the press conference will be prioritized for personal attendance.

What:

• An introduction to the role of the ODIHR election observation mission and its planned activities
• The press conference can be attended in person or via Zoom (details below)

Who:

• Ambassador Jillian Stirk, Head of the ODIHR observation mission

When:

• 14.00 CET on 24 February 2022

Where:

• Elizabeth ballroom, Ground floor, The Ritz-Carlton, Erzsebet Ter 9-10

Registration:

Please register by 9:00 local time on 24 February using the following link.

For further information on ODIHR’s election observation activities in Hungary, please visit:  https://www.osce.org/odihr/elections/hungary

BELGRADE, 22 February 2022 – On the occasion of the European Day for Victims of Crime marked today, an expert panel discussion organized by the OSCE Mission to Serbia noted a positive trend in improving the support to victims and protecting their rights by Serbia’s judiciary and the police.

As part of a larger 1.5 million euro project financed by the European Union, today’s event has been organized to support the Host Country’s reform of criminal justice system and alignment with international standards on victims’ rights. The event focused on assessing the implementation of Serbia’s National Strategy on the Rights of Victims and Witnesses of Crime for the period 2020-2025. Through the European Union funding, the OSCE Mission has been assisting the Ministry of Justice in the Strategy’s implementation, within the multi-year project Support for Victims and Witnesses of Crime in Serbia.

“Many victims do not know their rights and are often too scared to report a crime. As result, the victims are left unheard and crimes unpunished. This is why we all must join forces and work together towards empowering victims, especially the most vulnerable ones, providing them with  adequate support. Serbia has already made several positive reforms including the adoption of a victims’ rights strategy. We further encourage Serbia to speed up its planned reforms in order to ensure that all victims of crime in Serbia are granted their full rights and protection," stated in a video message the Head of the EU Delegation to Serbia, Emanuele Giaufret.

“We have worked closely with judges, public prosecutors and the Ministry of Interior, to foster a victim-cantered approach in criminal justice. While change in this complex area requires time, the reforms are evidently underway,” said Ambassador Jan Braathu, Head of the OSCE Mission to Serbia.

While agreeing that the process in underway, the panellists representing High Courts in Belgrade and Novi Sad, the Republic Public Prosecutor's Office, as well as the Ministry of Justice and the Ministry of Interior, agreed on the need to establish a comprehensive victim support system along with effective referral mechanisms.  Some steps in this direction include the use of videoconferencing in interviewing particularly vulnerable witnesses, compensation to victims in judgments confirming plea agreements, and reforms in police procedures aimed at informing victims of their rights and assessing risks to their vulnerability.

Serbian judiciary and the police will continue receiving support in such endeavours through this project, as part of the European Union and OSCE's larger efforts to increase respect for human rights as well as procedural guarantees in criminal justice.

512755 Marina Živaljević

The OSCE Mission to Montenegro recognizes the essential work that the organizations ‘Women’s Safe House’ and ‘SOS Podgorica’ do in providing a safe refuge to women and their children from gender-based violence, complementary to social and judicial response. In support of the ongoing national efforts, the Mission donated around 300 books and arts and crafts sets for children and youth survivors of gender-based violence on 22 February 2022 in Podgorica.

In handing over the books and other items during the visit to the organizations’ shelters, Dominique Waag, Head of the OSCE Mission to Montenegro, said that with the new resources, gender-based violence will be less openly or implicitly excused, or treated as a personal problem, and more reported and penalized.

“While nothing is more important than the protection and safe accommodation in the event of violence, these inspiring books, and other craft sets will contribute to the learning efforts, creativity and psychological well-being of the children and youth hosted in the shelters,” said Waag.

The director of ‘Women’s Safe House’ Budislavka Mira Saveljić said that the donation was a continuation of the Mission’s support for the shelter during the challenging COVID-19 pandemic, when ‘Women’s Safe House’ received a prefabricated house for survivors of domestic and gender-based violence. “These books will help children in their rehabilitation from violence, while the arts and crafts sets will help young ones overcome the trauma through our weekly creative and educational workshops,” said Saveljić.

Biljana Zeković, director of 'SOS Podgorica’, thanked the Mission for recognizing the importance of the donation, as well as for previous assistance in furnishing some parts of the facility, which was a precondition for crisis shelter’s establishment and licensing procedure. “In addition to providing accommodation, food and safety to children, youth and their mothers, these books are important for their mental growth and development,” said Zeković.

The Mission will continue to co-operate closely with institutions and civil society organizations to prevent and combat violence against women and children.

512722 Office of the OSCE Representative on Freedom of the Media Ton van den Brandt

On 21 February 2022, OSCE Representative on Freedom of the Media Teresa Ribeiro met with the Permanent Representative of Romania to the OSCE (International Organizations in Vienna), Ambassador Stelian Stoian.

They discussed current developments regarding media freedom and freedom of expression in Romania and the wider OSCE region. Ribeiro and Stoian stressed the importance of media freedom as a key pillar of democracy and comprehensive security, emphasizing the distinctive role that the OSCE plays in this regard. In particular, they addressed the negative impact of disinformation on trust in the media and on democratic institutions in general.

Ribeiro and Stoian discussed several aspects of the current media freedom situation in the region, including media pluralism and the important role of an active civil society in safeguarding the independence of the media.

The Representative also underlined that the safety of journalists will be one of her priorities for the next two years, due to the deteriorating situation regarding media freedom and freedom of expression across the OSCE region.

The Representative expressed her readiness to continue supporting Romania by providing legal reviews of legislation pertaining to media freedom.

Ribeiro and Stoian concluded by conveying their expectation to continue the good co-operation between the Office of the Representative and the authorities of Romania.

BELGRADE, 22 February 2022 – Observers from the OSCE Office for Democratic Institutions and Human Rights (ODIHR) will hold a press conference on the opening of the observation mission to the presidential and early parliamentary elections in Serbia on Wednesday, 23 February.

NB Due to social distancing requirements, only a limited number of journalists can attend the press conference in person. All others will have the opportunity to watch and ask questions via Zoom. Broadcast media wishing to film the press conference will be prioritized for personal attendance.

What:

• An introduction to the role of the ODIHR election observation mission and its planned activities
• The press conference can be attended in person or via Zoom (details below)

Who:

• Douglas Wake, Head of the ODIHR observation mission

When:

• 14.00 on 23 February 2022

Where:

• Hotel Metropol Palace, Bulevar kralja Aleksandra 69, Beograd

Registration:

Please register by 9:00 local time on 23 February using the following link.

For further information on ODIHR’s election observation activities in Serbia, please visit:  https://www.osce.org/odihr/elections/serbia

KYIV, 21 February 2022 – The Special Representative of the OSCE Chairman-in-Office in Ukraine and in the Trilateral Contact Group (TCG), Ambassador Mikko Kinnunen, made the following statement:

“Task of Trilateral Contact Group (TCG) is to support the implementation of Minsk agreements aimed at finding peaceful settlement to the conflict related to eastern Ukraine.

Today President of Russian Federation Vladimir Putin informed about his decision to recognize certain areas of Donetsk and Luhansk regions. This decision is taken amid already escalating tense security situation.

I deeply regret this decision as it can be seen contradicting the Minsk agreements in different ways, including the aim of certain areas of Donetsk and Luhansk regions being part of Ukraine with a special status. As all OSCE participating States, Russia has a commitment to respect the sovereignty and territorial integrity of others, including Ukraine.

It is of crucial importance that today’s decision will not lead to new military action and bloodshed.

Diplomacy and negotiations have no alternative. As Special Representative, I remain available to continue dialogue with all participants to the discussions in the Trilateral Contact Group.”

WARSAW/VIENNA, 21 February 2022 – The OSCE Chairman-in-Office and Foreign Minister of Poland, Zbigniew Rau, OSCE Secretary General Helga Maria Schmid, OSCE Parliamentary Assembly President Margareta Cederfelt (MP, Sweden) and OSCE Parliamentary Assembly Secretary General Roberto Montella strongly condemned the decision by Russia to recognize certain areas of Ukraine’s Donetsk and Luhansk oblasts as independent and made the following statement:

“This step is a breach of international law and fundamental OSCE principles and runs counter to the Minsk agreements.

As all OSCE participating States, Russia has undertaken commitments to respect the sovereignty and territorial integrity of others. We call on Russia to immediately rescind this decision.

The recognition will only fuel further tensions and will separate the populations living in these regions from the rest of their country, Ukraine.”

SDGs SDGs:  16 - Peace, justice and strong institutions

Summary

• In Donetsk region, between the evenings of 18 and 20 February, the SMM recorded 2,158 ceasefire violations, including 1,100 explosions. In the previous reporting period, it recorded 591 ceasefire violations in the region.
• In Luhansk region, between the evenings of 18 and 20 February, the Mission recorded 1,073 ceasefire violations, including 926 explosions. In the previous reporting period, it recorded 975 ceasefire violations in the region.
• The Mission followed up on reports of damage to a civilian property and a factory building in non-government-controlled Mykolaivka, Luhansk region.
• Small-arms fire was assessed as directed at an SMM mini-unmanned aerial vehicle (UAV) in Staromykhailivka, Donetsk region and the Mission heard explosions close to its location in Mykolaivka, and Horlivka, Donetsk region*.
• The Mission continued monitoring the disengagement areas near Stanytsia Luhanska, Zolote and Petrivske. It recorded ceasefire violations (including explosions) inside the disengagement area near Zolote and close to the disengagement areas near Stanytsia Luhanska and Petrivske.
• The SMM observed fresh craters in government-controlled Zolote, Luhansk region.
• The Mission monitored the operation of critical civilian infrastructure.
• The SMM continued to follow up on the situation of civilians, including at four entry-exit checkpoints and three corresponding checkpoints of the armed formations in Donetsk and Luhansk regions.
• The Mission monitored a crossing point on the border with Poland.
• The SMM monitored the security situation in east and south-east Kherson region.

VIENNA, 21 February 2022 – OSCE Representative on Freedom of the Media Teresa Ribeiro expressed concerns in reaction to the recently revealed Suisse Secrets, a project published by a consortium of investigative journalists from across the globe.

“The fact that no journalists from Switzerland participated in these investigations shows that restrictive laws can have a negative impact on media freedom in a country. The possibility that journalists who publish banking information in the public interest could face criminal charges undermines their ability to do their work freely and without fear of prosecution,” she said.  

The Representative refers to Article 47 of the Federal Law on Banks stating that anyone who discloses banking secrecy to another person shall be punished with imprisonment of up to three years or a fine.

Under international law, journalists have the right to write about matters of public interest. “It is the media’s fundamental role to act as society’s watchdog and detect wrongdoings, inform the public and hold authorities to account. If journalists are not able to do that because of fear of criminal prosecution, media freedom is under threat,” underlined the Representative.

The OSCE participating States have recognized the importance of investigative journalism in the 2018 Ministerial Council Decision on Safety of Journalists, in which they stated that “the ability of media to investigate, and to publish the results of their investigations, including on the Internet, without fear of reprisal, can play an important role in our societies, including in holding public institutions and officials accountable.”

Ribeiro expressed hope that the Government of Switzerland will uphold these commitments and amend the law in order to fully comply with international standards as well as OSCE media freedom commitments.

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, 21 February 2022 — The OSCE Representative on Freedom of the Media, Teresa Ribeiro, expressed her shock and outrage at the news of the killing of journalist Güngör Arslan, the owner and editor of the local news site Ses Kocaeli, in Turkey.

“I am appalled and strongly condemn this vile attack,” said Ribeiro. “I extend my deepest sympathy and condolences to Mr. Arslan’s family, friends and colleagues. An attack on a journalist is an attack on freedom of expression and on democracy. There can be no impunity for such a despicable act of violence.”

On Saturday, Arslan died in hospital from gunshot injuries shortly after he was shot in the chest and leg in broad daylight outside his Ses Kocaeli office in the city of Izmit in the Kocaeli province. Shortly after the fatal shooting, the police reportedly arrested the suspected gunman, along with several other individuals, and an investigation was launched into the killing.

The longtime journalist is known for his local investigative journalism exposing corruption and malfeasance cases. Over the past few years, he was subjected to attacks in relation to his journalistic work.

Representative Ribeiro welcomed the Turkish police’s swift response in arresting the alleged suspect. “I urge the Turkish authorities to prosecute and bring to justice those responsible for planning and executing this horrific attack, and to clearly determine the motivation behind it as quickly as possible.”

Ribeiro reiterated her deep concern over the increasing trend of violence against journalists around the OSCE region, which is all too often perpetrated in direct reprisal for their work. “Freedom of journalists to carry out their work safely and securely and for citizens to have access to information of public interest is a fundamental human right, without which a democratic society cannot flourish,” the Representative said. “I call on all OSCE participating States to support and enable a free, safe and pluralistic media environment.”

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

Summary

• In Donetsk region, the SMM recorded 591 ceasefire violations, including 553 explosions. In the previous reporting period, it recorded 222 ceasefire violations in the region.
• In Luhansk region, the Mission recorded 975 ceasefire violations, including 860 explosions. In the previous reporting period, it recorded 648 ceasefire violations in the region.
• The SMM corroborated reports of a civilian casualty in government-controlled Marinka, Donetsk region.
• The Mission followed up on reports of damage to a school in government-controlled Vrubivka in Luhansk region.
• The SMM continued monitoring the disengagement areas near Stanytsia Luhanska, Zolote and Petrivske. It recorded ceasefire violations (including explosions) close to the disengagement areas near Stanytsia Luhanska and Zolote.
• The Mission monitored the operation of critical civilian infrastructure.
• The SMM continued to follow up on the situation of civilians, including at four entry-exit checkpoints and three corresponding checkpoints of the armed formations in Donetsk and Luhansk regions.
• The Mission monitored a gathering in Kyiv.
• The SMM’s freedom of movement continued to be restricted, including at two checkpoints of armed formations in Donetsk region.*

KYIV, 19 February 2022 – The Special Representative of the OSCE Chairperson-in-Office in Ukraine and in the Trilateral Contact Group (TCG), Ambassador Mikko Kinnunen, made the following statement to the press after the proposed meeting of the TCG:

“This morning, I convened an extraordinary meeting of the Trilateral Contact Group.  Unfortunately, and despite the worsening situation in the conflict related to eastern Ukraine, some participants linked their attendance to certain political preconditions. As a consequence, the meeting did not take place.

I regret this as I am convinced that particularly in a situation like this every opportunity should be used in order to defuse tensions and reduce the risk of unwanted consequences. For three days now, we have been observing a worrying degree of escalation, including military activities, and inflammatory rhetoric.

I fully join the statement by the Chairman in Office of the OSCE Zbigniew Rau and the Secretary General of the OSCE, Helga Schmid in which they deplore the spreading of disinformation about an imminent military action by the Ukrainian government forces.

It is our responsibility to make sure that civilians do not have to pay the price for miscalculations or provocations. All participants are called upon to prevent a further deterioration of the humanitarian situation on both sides of the contact line and to fully respect international humanitarian law.

I will continue to reach out to all TCG participants with an aim to de-escalate the situation and return to dialogue and adherence to the Minsk Agreements.”

SDGs SDGs:  16 - Peace, justice and strong institutions

Summary

• In Donetsk region, the SMM recorded 222 ceasefire violations, including 135 explosions. In the previous reporting period, it recorded 189 ceasefire violations in the region.
• In Luhansk region, the Mission recorded 648 ceasefire violations, including 519 explosions. In the previous reporting period, it recorded 402 ceasefire violations in the region.
• The SMM followed up on reports of damage to a kindergarten in government-controlled Stanytsia Luhanska, Luhansk region.
• The Mission continued monitoring the disengagement areas near Stanytsia Luhanska, Zolote and Petrivske. It recorded 212 ceasefire violations (including 177 explosions) close to the disengagement areas near Stanytsia Luhanska and 32 explosions close to the disengagement area near Zolote.
• The SMM monitored the operation of critical civilian infrastructure.
• The Mission continued to follow up on the situation of civilians, including at five entry-exit checkpoints and four corresponding checkpoints of the armed formations in Donetsk and Luhansk regions.
• The SMM monitored the security situation in south Kherson region.
• The Mission’s freedom of movement continued to be restricted, including at two checkpoints of armed formations in non-government-controlled areas of Donetsk region. *

SDGs SDGs:  16 - Peace, justice and strong institutions

KYIV, 18 February - In recent days, the OSCE Special Monitoring to Ukraine (SMM) has observed a dramatic increase in kinetic activity along the contact line in eastern Ukraine, equal to the numbers of ceasefire violations reported before the July 2020 agreement on the Measures to strengthen the ceasefire took effect. 

Cognizant of its role as the impartial monitor of the international community on the ground, the SMM is committed to supporting the sides in implementing their commitments to the ceasefire, and other measures foreseen by the Minsk agreements. The SMM is currently following up on the allegations made by the sides, and its access to these areas must be ensured without hindrance. All corroborated and established facts continue to be made public in the SMM’s reports.

At this time of high tension, the SMM reiterates its call to the sides to strictly adhere to all of the commitments they have made, and take all necessary steps to reduce tensions and work towards immediate de-escalation for the benefit of the lives of innocent civilians on both sides of the contact line who continue to suffer from this conflict.

WARSAW/VIENNA, 18 February 2022 - In light of the significant deterioration of the security situation in eastern Ukraine, OSCE Chairman-in-Office and Foreign Minister of Poland, Zbigniew Rau, and OSCE Secretary General Helga Maria Schmid made the following statement:

"We are deeply concerned about the reported significant increase in armed violence in eastern Ukraine. We reiterate the need to refrain from the use of force and de-escalate an already tense situation. Restraint, dialogue and responsibility are paramount. We deplore the spreading of disinformation about an imminent military action by Ukrainian government forces; this critically affects the civilian population in the conflict zone." 

"The increasingly hostile and inflammatory rhetoric we have been hearing recently undermines efforts to foster peace, stability and security and increases the risks of further confrontation and escalation. It must stop."

"We reiterate our full support for the efforts of the Trilateral Contact Group and the OSCE Special Monitoring Mission to Ukraine, which despite the challenging circumstances, continues to implement its mandate. The Mission’s impartial monitoring and reporting on the security situation is more important than ever."

SDGs SDGs:  16 - Peace, justice and strong institutions

KYIV, 18 February 2022 – Against the background of heightened tensions, the OSCE Special Monitoring Mission (SMM) to Ukraine is navigating multiple challenges simultaneously, stated the Mission’s Chief Monitor, Yaşar Halit Çevik to the OSCE’s Permanent Council.

The Chief Monitor stressed that the tensions in and around Ukraine remain high, and, therefore, the Mission’s presence as an impartial observer is especially critical to counter heightened rhetoric and widespread disinformation with the objective facts, which the SMM provides on a daily basis.

The Chief Monitor also detailed the main challenges currently faced by the SMM, including acute freedom of movement constraints, the impact of the pandemic, and the current heightened tensions.

He noted that in the month following 22 December 2021, when the Trilateral Contact Group participants expressed their determination to adhere to the ceasefire, the SMM had observed a 60 per cent reduction in the number of ceasefire violations along the contact line, compared with the prior equivalent period. However, the sides have not taken any decisive steps to ensure that the security situation was further improved or at least sustained.  The Mission observed twice as many violations related to the use of Minsk proscribed weapons, and a continued backsliding in ceasefire violations in and around the disengagement areas.

The impasse in the exchange of security guarantees for repair works on critical civilian infrastructure remains another concern for the Mission, with 45 per cent fewer repairs and maintenance works being facilitated and monitored in 2021 compared to the preceding year.

“It is critical that the sides stop conditioning humanitarian initiatives on issues of a political nature,” Çevik stressed, adding that attempts to leverage the suffering of civilians for political gains was counterproductive and unacceptable.

The Chief Monitor noted that the SMM was aware of allegations on increased kinetic activity all along the contact line, including an incident in the area of Stanytsia Luhanska, and that the Mission was following up on these.

The Chief Monitor assured the Permanent Council members that the SMM continues to fulfil its core tasks despite the challenges caused by the withdrawal of international mission members by some participating States. He also underlined that the growing stranglehold on the Mission’s freedom of movement was an existential problem as it risked preventing the Mission from performing its mandated tasks.

In closing, the Chief Monitor reiterated that it was up to the sides to take the necessary steps to ensure a reduction of tensions on the ground, and at the same time emphasized that abstaining from inflammatory public rhetoric was essential.