Central Europe

The OSCE Transnational Threats Department and the OSCE Centre in Ashgabat jointly organized the online training course “Utilizing i2 Analyst’s Notebook and i2 iBase in criminal intelligence analysis” from 14 to 17 December 2021.

Eleven law enforcement and criminal justice officers from the Ministry of Internal Affairs and the Supreme Court of Turkmenistan examined the structure, functionality, and capabilities of two globally used software packages and explored how they can support and enable criminal intelligence analysis within the framework of the intelligence-led policing (ILP) model. 

“Good analytical support greatly enhances the quality of law enforcement operations and investigations. Thus, it plays a vital role in the process of moving from traditional reactive policing to proactive one, which is the goal of ILP. In the modern context, this requires special analytical software skills,” said Eduard Lokotunin, OSCE Police Affairs Officer on Combating Illicit Drugs and ILP Project Manager.

The training course was organized as part of the OSCE’s extra-budgetary project “Building intelligence-led policing capacities on regional and national levels in the OSCE area”, which aims to enhance the use of mechanisms and tools for intelligence-led policing. It involves 20 participating States from across the OSCE region. The project is open to all interested OSCE participating States and Partners for Co-operation should they request capacity-building support.

509024 Munira Shoinbekova, OSCE Programme Office in Dushanbe

A four-day training workshop on issues related to the strategic trade control in Tajikistan, organized by the OSCE Programme Office in Dushanbe, concluded on 23 December 2021.

The training course was held as part of the OSCE’s assistance to Tajikistan’s Government in implementing UN Security Council Resolution 1540 (2004) on the non-proliferation of weapons of mass destruction and their means of delivery.

Twenty-eight representatives of Tajikistan’s Customs Service and Chemical, Biological, Radiological and Nuclear Forensics Center attended the workshop in Dushanbe.

The aim of the training course was to facilitate inter-agency coordination between the national front-line agencies on issues of the strategic trade control, based on the latest updates and changes to the national normative framework.

It was facilitated by two national and two international experts from the U.S. Export Control and Related Border Security Programme and Tajikistan’s Regional Training Centre on export control and non-proliferation of weapons of mass destruction.

Tea Jaliashvili, Deputy Head of the OSCE Programme Office in Dushanbe, mentioned that the issues of arms control and non-proliferation are high on the OSCE agenda and identified as priority areas for co-operation by the Organization’s participating States. She also mentioned that the OSCE has been supporting the Government of Tajikistan since 2016 in practical implementation of the UN Security Council Resolution 1540 in line with its Principles Governing Non-Proliferation.   

Abdullo Dagiev, Head of the Department of Trade Policy and Consumer Market of Tajikistan’s Ministry of Economic Development and Trade (MEDT), highlighted the role of the OSCE in improving export control in Tajikistan and expressed his gratitude to the Programme Office for constant co-operation and support. “In its capacity as the national coordinating agency on issues of export control in Tajikistan, the Ministry pays high attention to improving inter-agency co-operation and coordination between the designated national agencies under this agenda. The topic of the today’s training course is therefore quite relevant and timely, considering the recent updates to the related sections of the national normative framework on export control,” concluded Dagiev.

Since 2020, the OSCE has been supporting MEDT in the implementation of a roadmap document on improving dual-use goods export control mechanisms in the country. During 2020-21, a number of normative framework documents have been updated in that area. The national lists of dual-use goods were also approved by the Government of Tajikistan and the country’s Commission on Export Control was established.

KYIV, 22 December 2021 – 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 regular meetings of the TCG ‎and its Working Groups held through video conferencing:

“In today’s meeting of the Trilateral Contact Group, with the participation of representatives of certain areas of Donetsk and Luhansk regions of Ukraine, priority was given to the issue of security and, in particular, compliance with the ceasefire.

I was delighted that participants expressed their strong determination to fully adhere to the Measures to Strengthen the Ceasefire agreement of 22 July 2020. This is of utmost significance for the people living on both sides of the contact line. It is also of particular importance, as the security situation along the contact line remains volatile with SMM recording about five times more ceasefire violations on average per day this month compared with the numbers recorded in December 2020.”

SDGs SDGs:  16 - Peace, justice and strong institutions

Summary

• In Donetsk region, the SMM recorded 564 ceasefire violations, including 74 explosions. In the previous reporting period, it recorded 354 ceasefire violations in the region.
• In Luhansk region, the Mission recorded 49 ceasefire violations, including 42 explosions. In the previous reporting period, it recorded 229 ceasefire violations in the region.
• Members of the armed formations denied the SMM passage near Zolote and delayed its passage near Stanytsia Luhanska, Luhansk region.*
• The Mission continued monitoring the disengagement areas near Stanytsia Luhanska, Zolote and Petrivske.
• The SMM facilitated the operation of critical civilian infrastructure.
• The Mission continued following up on the situation of civilians, including at four entry-exit checkpoints and two corresponding checkpoints of the armed formations in Donetsk and Luhansk regions.
• The SMM visited a border crossing point and a railway station outside government control in Luhansk region.
• The Mission monitored the security situation in east and south-east Kherson region.
• The SMM’s freedom of movement continued to be restricted, including at a checkpoint of the armed formations in southern Donetsk region and at a border crossing point and a railway station outside government control in Luhansk region. Its UAVs encountered instances of GPS signal interference assessed as caused by probable jamming.*

Public Affairs Unit, OSCE Office for Democratic Institutions and Human Rights Katya Andrusz Moldova, Early Parliamentary Elections, 11 July 2021: Final Report

The 2021 early parliamentary elections in Moldova were well administered, competitive, and fundamental freedoms were largely respected. While lower-level commissions enjoyed trust, key decisions by the Central Election Commission brought its impartiality into question. Candidates had ample opportunities to campaign and voters were provided a wide range of alternatives. The legal framework does not adequately regulate electoral dispute resolution, and the handling of electoral complaints further highlighted the importance of strengthening judicial independence.

These are some of the main conclusions from the final report on Moldova`s 11 July elections, published today by the OSCE Office for Democratic Institutions and Human Rights (ODIHR).

The report provides 23 recommendations to improve the conduct of elections and bring them fully in line with OSCE commitments and other international standards.

Key recommendations include:

• enhancing the electoral legal framework and addressing remaining shortcomings to bring legislation further in line with OSCE commitments and other international standards;
• promptly and thoroughly investigating credible allegations of vote buying and illegal inducements of voters, and applying appropriate sanctions;
• equipping the campaign finance oversight body with adequate authority, resources and technical expertise to exercise its functions effectively;
• conducting quantitative and qualitative media monitoring between elections;
• putting in place guarantees to ensure that courts enjoy freedom from political pressures and remain fully impartial in the handling of election-related cases.

The ODIHR Election Observation Mission for these elections in Moldova began its work on 2 June 2021 and remained in the country until 21 July. All 57 countries across the OSCE region have formally committed to follow-up promptly on ODIHR’s election assessments and recommendations.

SDGs SDGs:  16 - Peace, justice and strong institutions

On the morning of 21 December, the armed formations in Luhansk region once denied the Mission’s passage to non-government-controlled areas and once delayed its passage to government-controlled areas.

The denial occurred at 09:10 at about 350m north of the southern edge of the disengagement area near Zolote, where a member of the armed formations cited “the SMM’s safety”. The delay occurred at 10:07 at the checkpoint of the armed formations south of the Stanytsia Luhanska bridge, where a member of the armed formations only allowed the Mission’s passage after about 37 minutes of waiting, citing “a need to wait for a decision from superiors”.

Additionally, earlier in the morning, at 09:06, at a checkpoint near the southern edge of the disengagement area near Zolote, members of the armed formations denied another SMM patrol passage inside the disengagement area citing “the SMM’s safety”. The patrol was to assist the SMM patrol crossing to non-government-controlled areas mentioned above.

In all instances, the SMM had preannounced its passage as a temporary, COVID-19 related courtesy.

For recent freedom of movement restrictions faced by the Mission, see previous SMM Spot Reports.

The Mission again notes that such denials and delays not only restrict the SMM’s freedom of movement across the contact line, but also prevent the SMM’s logistical operations, which are essential for the effective functioning of the Mission.

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 354 ceasefire violations, including 215 explosions. In the previous 24 hours, it recorded 43 ceasefire violations in the region.
• In Luhansk region, the Mission recorded 229 ceasefire violations, including 219 explosions. In the previous 24 hours, it recorded one ceasefire violation in the region.
• Small-arms fire was assessed as directed at SMM mini-unmanned aerial vehicles (UAV) near government-controlled Talakivka and non-government-controlled Vesele, Donetsk region; the former UAV was lost due to shooting, the latter was damaged due to signal interference, and a third UAV flying near non-government-controlled Petrivske, was lost due to signal interference.
• Members of the armed formations denied the SMM passage near Zolote, Luhansk region.*
• The Mission continued monitoring the disengagement areas near Stanytsia Luhanska, Zolote and Petrivske.
• The SMM facilitated the operation and repair of critical civilian infrastructure.
• The Mission continued following up on the situation of civilians, including at four entry-exit checkpoints and the four corresponding checkpoints of the armed formations in Donetsk and Luhansk regions.
• The SMM visited two border crossing points and monitored areas near the border outside government control in Donetsk region.
• The Mission’s freedom of movement continued to be restricted, including at two checkpoints of the armed formations in southern Donetsk region. Its UAVs encountered multiple instances of GPS signal interference assessed as caused by probable jamming.*

508826 Richard Wheeler

On 15 December 2021 in Nur-Sultan, Volker Frobarth, Head of the OSCE Programme Office in Nur-Sultan and Nail Akhmetzakirov, Head of the Department for Provision of Courts’ Activity under the Supreme Court of Kazakhstan signed a Memorandum of Understanding for the extra budgetary project on Improving the Effectiveness of the Justice System in Kazakhstan. The Project is funded by the Government of the United States of America and will be implemented until the end of 2024. 

The Project’s objective is to promote the rule of law and support the justice system's openness, transparency and accountability. It will build on the achievements in the reform process up to date and use a tailored approach in working on modernizing court administration, introducing a comprehensive evaluation system for judges, improving judicial training and new evidence-based approach in policy-making. The Project will engage the best national and international experts to provide advice, expertise and propose changes. 

Zhakyp Asanov, Chairperson of the Supreme Court of Kazakhstan, highlighted the importance of the initiative and expressed readiness to support and co-operate on implementing the project activities. Asanov also congratulated Frobarth on being elected to the International Council at the Supreme Court at the plenary session of the Supreme Court.

Frobarth provided a brief overview of the components of the Project and emphasized the importance of systematic co-operation and joint efforts in implementing the initiative. Head of Office further underlined that the Project would require a significant investment of both time and human resources.

The first meeting of the Steering Committee followed the signing of the MoU. The Steering Committee will make decisions about the Project implementation strategy and issues of a fundamental nature related to the Project

This Project is part of the Programme Office’s long-standing efforts to strengthen the rule of law and to support the justice reform processes in the host country.​

SDGs SDGs:  16 - Peace, justice and strong institutions

On the morning of 20 December, the armed formations in Luhansk region denied the Mission passage to an electricity box, part of the power supply to the SMM’s camera system in the disengagement area near Zolote. The box was located 100m south of the southern edge of the disengagement area. The SMM patrol, embedded with two technical specialists, was travelling from the direction of Kadiivka (formerly Stakhanov, non-government-controlled, 50km west of Luhansk).

The denial occurred at 09:44 at the checkpoint of the armed formations near the southern edge of the disengagement area, when a member of the armed formations denied the Mission passage, citing a “lack of prior notification”. At 10:12 another SMM patrol, after it had entered the disengagement area from the government-controlled areas, arrived at the camera site 350m north of its southern edge and performed camera maintenance at the site.

For recent freedom of movement restrictions faced by the Mission, see previous SMM Spot Reports.

The Mission again notes that such denials not only restrict the SMM’s freedom of movement, but also prevent the scheduled maintenance of the SMM’s technical means of observation, which are an essential and integral part of the Mission’s monitoring.

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.

VIENNA, 20 December 2021 – In response to the recent parliamentary approval of a draft bill that excludes companies from outside of the European Economic Area (EEA) to hold broadcasting licenses  in Poland, the OSCE Representative on Freedom of the Media, Teresa Ribeiro today reiterated her concern for its wider implications for media freedom and called on President Andrzej Duda to veto it.

On 18 December, in its final session of the year, Poland’s parliament voted to overturn a Senate (the upper house of parliament) veto of a previously shelved and heavily contested media reform bill.

“The potential impact of this amendment is palpable, as it would affect Poland’s largest private television news channel, TVN24, known for its critical coverage,” Ribeiro said, “thus harming media pluralism in the country.” The Representative wrote to Polish President Duda, who must decide whether the bill will become a law.  Ribeiro urged him to consider the implications this law would have on media freedom in the country. “It is crucial that Poland’s legal framework safeguards editorial, political, and financial independence of the media,” she wrote.

The Representative wrote to the authorities in August this year, when the lower house of Parliament, the Sejm, approved the draft bill. “I have taken note of the many concerns raised by journalists, civil society, international media freedom organizations, and other OSCE participating States. Let me also recall that the OSCE participating States, in their Document of the Eleventh Meeting of the Ministerial Council, recognized that a “free and pluralistic media which enjoy maximum editorial independence from political and financial pressure have an important role to play in ensuring transparency [in public affairs],” she wrote.

The bill aims to limit foreign ownership of media companies through an amendment to Article 35 of the Broadcasting Act. This would bar companies that are majority-owned by entities from outside the EEA from owning more than a 49% stake in Polish media to be able to hold broadcasting licenses. It would also remove a clause stipulating that a broadcaster can be granted a licence if the headquarters of its direct shareholder is in the EEA.

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, between the evenings of 17 and 19 December, the SMM recorded 219 ceasefire violations, including 42 explosions. In the previous reporting period, it recorded 101 ceasefire violations in the region.
• In Luhansk region, between the evenings of 17 and 19 December, the Mission recorded 24 ceasefire violations, including seven explosions. In the previous reporting period, it recorded 169 ceasefire violations in the region.
• The SMM followed up on reports of recent damage to a civilian property in Stanytsia Luhanska, Luhansk region.
• Members of the armed formations twice denied the Mission passage near Zolote and Molodizhne, Luhansk region.*
• The SMM continued monitoring the disengagement areas near Stanytsia Luhanska, Zolote and Petrivske. It recorded an undetermined explosion inside the disengagement area near Zolote.
• The Mission facilitated the operation of critical civilian infrastructure.
• The SMM continued following up on the situation of civilians, including at four entry-exit checkpoints and the four corresponding checkpoints of the armed formations in Donetsk and Luhansk regions.
• The Mission visited a border crossing point and monitored areas near the border outside government control in Donetsk region.
• The SMM’s freedom of movement continued to be restricted, including at a heavy weapons holding area, and at three checkpoints of the armed formations in southern Donetsk region.*

508766 Office of the OSCE Representative on Freedom of the Media Ton van den Brandt

On 17 December 2021, OSCE Representative on Freedom of the Media Teresa Ribeiro met with the Permanent Representative of the United States of America to the OSCE, Ambassador Michael Carpenter. They  discussed current developments on media freedom and freedom of expression in the United States and the wider OSCE region. 

They also discussed, among others, the many ways media freedom has been impacted by the COVID-19 pandemic, with journalists facing increasing restrictions unduly imposed by the authorities, new threats following misinformation and disinformation campaigns, and growing anti-media sentiment.

Both stressed how important it is for all participating States to follow up on the commitments made in Ministerial Council Decision 3/18 on the Safety of Journalists. Concerns were shared over the legal harassment exercised by some authorities, powerful individuals and organizations to hinder and silence media, including by expensive and abusive civil litigation processes, as discussed in the recent report on legal harassment and abuse of the judicial system against the media, which was published by the Office of the Representative.

The safety of journalists was highlighted by the Representative as one of the main priorities for the next two years, due to the deteriorating situation regarding media freedom and freedom of expression across the OSCE region.

508712 Jeff Bieley Edita Buçaj

The OSCE Mission in Kosovo and the Independent Media Commission (IMC) have launched a campaign to engage the public in contributing to better audio-visual media content, and ensuring broadcasters abide by the law and code of conduct.

Through a series of ten animated videos, the campaign addresses public concerns about inappropriate content in audio-visual media and encourages the public to react to violations by filing complaints with the IMC. The campaign also highlights the need for the public to understand the content and messages present in media, which they can deconstruct through better media and information literacy skills.

“The public needs to be properly informed about the role and legal obligations of the IMC, which protects the rights and dignity of individuals in the media. In order to help ensure better quality of content in the media, the public needs skills on media and information literacy, and to actively denounce violations of the legal framework,” said Michael Davenport, Head of the OSCE Mission in Kosovo.

“The IMC took the initiative to broadcast these videos, which were developed with the support and co‑operation of the OSCE, to raise public awareness and promote mechanisms for addressing complaints about harmful media content," said Xhevat Latifi, Chairman of the Independent Media Commission. While the IMC can initiate its own ex-officio complaints about audio-visual media content that violates its regulations, it mainly depends on the public to bring problems to its attention by filing their own complaints.

The campaign conveys important messages about the legal protection of children and minors, countering hate speech, preventing the use of offensive language, promoting gender balance, respecting individual rights, protecting copyright, the importance of media and information literacy, and the procedures for filing complaints.

The campaign will run on KTV and TV Most in Albanian and Serbian through the end of December 2021.

Videos in Albanian can be accessed here: https://bit.ly/3GVYjfW

Videos in Serbian can be accessed here: https://bit.ly/3qeTQht   

508772 Marina Živaljević

The OSCE Mission to Montenegro launched an awareness-raising campaign against hate speech on 20 December. The campaign highlights the importance of advocacy efforts to stop hate speech online.

The campaign includes a video spot that will be broadcasted on two national TV stations and on social media. The video highlights examples of hateful comments on news portals and social networks, calling on the public to recognize, report and stop hate speech online. The video raises public awareness of how hate speech affects victims, strengthens safety and critical thinking when online and consuming media.

Dominique Waag, the Head of the OSCE Mission to Montenegro, emphasized that supporting an assertive approach towards information is one of the ways to eliminate hate speech. “It is important that we join forces and co-operate in promoting the No Hate Speech approach. We need to be more aware of the impact spoken words can have, and the consequences they leave on people’s lives. Thanks to the co-operation with our national partners, the Mission continues to raise awareness on this important topic, emphasizing the need to keep all citizens safe in their daily lives,” said Waag.

Zuzana Paukova, the OSCE Mission’s Media Programme Manager said that hate speech presents a major challenge in today’s media landscape. “The Mission is committed to focusing its efforts to provide a space for freedom of expression, for an argumentative, decent and engaging discussion, decreasing the impact of hate speech and attacks on all citizens in all professions,” said Paukova. 

The campaign is part of Mission’s continuous efforts to enhance the public’s awareness of the importance of a safe and professional media environment in Montenegro.

SDGs SDGs:  16 - Peace, justice and strong institutions

On the morning of 19 December, the armed formations in Luhansk region twice denied the Mission passage to government-controlled areas. The SMM patrols were travelling from non-government-controlled areas.

The first denial occurred at 09:10 at the checkpoint of the armed formations near the southern edge of the disengagement area near Zolote. The second occurred at 11:07 at a checkpoint of the armed formations on road T-0504 about 1.5km south-west of Molodizhne. Members of the armed formations cited “the SMM’s safety” on the first occasion and “orders from their superiors” on the second. In both instances, the SMM had preannounced its passage as a temporary, COVID-19 related courtesy.

For recent restrictions faced by the Mission when crossing the contact line, see previous SMM Spot Reports.

The Mission again notes that such denials not only restrict the SMM’s freedom of movement across the contact line, but also prevent the SMM’s logistical operations, which are essential for the effective functioning of the Mission.

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 101 ceasefire violations, including 67 explosions. Of these 101, 67 were assessed as live-fire training exercises. In the previous reporting period, it recorded 62 ceasefire violations in the region.
• In Luhansk region, the Mission recorded 169 ceasefire violations, including 143 explosions. Of these 169, 77 were assessed as live-fire training exercises. In the previous reporting period, it recorded 170 ceasefire violations in the region.
• Members of the armed formations twice denied the SMM passage near Zolote and Molodizhne, Luhansk region.*
• The SMM continued monitoring the disengagement areas near Stanytsia Luhanska, Zolote and Petrivske.
• The Mission facilitated the operation and maintenance of critical civilian infrastructure, as well as a transfer of funds from non-government to government-controlled areas.
• The SMM continued following up on the situation of civilians, including at four entry-exit checkpoints and four corresponding checkpoints of the armed formations in Donetsk and Luhansk regions.
• The Mission visited one border crossing point and monitored areas near the border outside government control in Donetsk region.
• The Mission’s freedom of movement continued to be restricted, including at two checkpoints of the armed formations in southern Donetsk region. Its unmanned aerial vehicles encountered instances of GPS signal interference assessed as caused by probable jamming.*

SDGs SDGs:  16 - Peace, justice and strong institutions

Summary

• In Donetsk region, the SMM recorded 62 ceasefire violations, including 22 explosions. In the previous reporting period, it recorded 257 ceasefire violations in the region.
• In Luhansk region, the Mission recorded 170 ceasefire violations, including 120 explosions. In the previous reporting period, it recorded 81 ceasefire violations in the region.
• The SMM continued monitoring the disengagement areas near Stanytsia Luhanska, Zolote and Petrivske.
• The Mission facilitated the operation and maintenance of critical civilian infrastructure.
• The SMM continued following 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 visited two border crossing points and monitored areas near the border outside government control in Donetsk region.
• The Mission’s freedom of movement continued to be restricted. Its unmanned aerial vehicles encountered multiple instances of GPS signal interference assessed as caused by probable jamming.*

508595

Data driven decision-making in municipal governance and key indicators for sustainable urban development in Ukraine were among the main topics of a two-day expert roundtable discussion 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 Ukraine in Kyiv on 16 and 17 December 2021.

Over 25 experts and municipal officials from different regions of Ukraine took part in the event.  Participants discussed a wide range of issues related to digitalization of municipal services and implementation of national standards of Ukraine and ISO standards in municipal governance as well as efficient management of municipal revenues and expenses.

Participants also discussed the use of gender-specific indicators and collection of gender-disaggregated data. The use of gender-disaggregated data will help to promote and provide significant support to gender-mainstreaming efforts in municipal governance and allow a targeted approach in addressing gender gaps. 

Henrik Villadsen, OSCE Project Co-ordinator in Ukraine, said: “I am pleased to acknowledge that our Ukrainian partners share our vision and values and are ready to commit themselves fully in bringing international standards in municipal governance in line with the European Charter of Local Self-Government.”

Lorenzo Rilasciati, Acting Deputy Co-ordinator of the Office of the Co-ordinator of OSCE Economic and Environmental Activities said: “High standards of public ethics, transparency in public administration, and integrity of civil servants are the basis for good governance. Particularly at the local level, it is essential that municipalities are administered fairly, openly, and in the interest of the entire community.”

The event was a part of the extra-budgetary project “Digital standardization of good municipal governance services in Ukraine” funded by the United States and Germany.

BELGRADE, 17 December 2021 - At a ceremony held today in Belgrade, the OSCE Mission to Serbia presented its 2021 Persons of the Year Award to: Vladimira Dorčova-Valtnerova, Founder and Editor in Chief of Storyteller.rs, from Maglić, and the Voluntary Firefighting Association of Požega. As the recognition of the 2020 Person of the Year Award was postponed due to the COVID-19 pandemic, on this occasion the OSCE Mission honoured last year’s recipients: Ivanka Jovanović, Executive Director of the National Organisation of Persons with Disabilities of Serbia (NOOIS), and Biljana Stepanov, Director of the Centre for Support of Women from Kikinda.

This award celebrates citizens of Serbia who contribute to the promotion of OSCE values and principles in the country, such as non-discrimination, consolidation of human rights, equal opportunities and sustainable democratic reforms, and focus on improving the lives of individuals and communities.

Vladimira Dorčova-Valtnerova, Founder and Editor in Chief of Storyteller.rs, from Maglić, is recognized for her outstanding achievement in advocating for ethical journalism and freedom of expression, including in the languages of national minorities. In 2021, Dorčova-Valtnerova worked with the OSCE Mission on issues relating to the socio-economic position of journalists and media workers in Vojvodina, challenges to media reporting at the local level, use of social media in promoting cyber security and on raising awareness of the importance of public information in languages of national minorities.

The Voluntary Firefighting Association of Požega receives the award for its outstanding engagement in enhancing local safety in partnership with Serbia's institutions, and for its response to emergencies. In 2021, in partnership with the Ministry of Interior’s Sector for Emergency Management and Požega’s Voluntary Firefighting Association, the OSCE Mission focused on promoting voluntary firefighting initiatives in local communities across Serbia. 

Ivanka Jovanović, Executive Director of the NOOIS, is recognized for her advocacy for the rights and protection of persons with disabilities in emergencies, particularly in the context of the COVID-19 pandemic. In 2020, the Mission supported Ivanka's initiative to strengthen the emergency preparedness of persons with disabilities and raise public awareness on this topic. As a result of this initiative, the OSCE Mission-supported printing in braille the Family Guide on Emergency Preparedness and Response, the first publication on this topic in Serbia tailored for people with visual impairment.

Biljana Stepanov, Director of the Centre for Support of Women, was awarded for her contribution to the security of women and girls in the context of the 20th anniversary of United Nations Security Council Resolution (UNSCR) 1325 on Women, Peace and Security, marked in 2020. Among other efforts, Biljana contributed to the development of the network of civil society organizations for UNSCR 1325, which included 23 civil society groups, enabling their active and informed involvement on matters concerning UNSCR 1325.

SDGs SDGs:  16 - Peace, justice and strong institutions

On the morning of 17 December, the armed formations in Luhansk region twice denied the Mission passage to non-government-controlled areas. The SMM patrols were travelling from government-controlled areas.

The first denial occurred at 09:24 about 350m north of the southern edge of the disengagement area near Zolote. The second occurred at 11:07 at a checkpoint of the armed formations on road T-0504 about 1.5km south-west of Molodizhne. Members of the armed formations cited “the SMM’s safety” on the first occasion and “orders from their superiors” on the second.

Additionally, earlier in the morning, at 09:06, at a checkpoint near the southern edge of the disengagement area near Zolote, members of the armed formations denied another SMM patrol passage inside the disengagement area citing “the SMM’s safety”. The patrol was to assist the SMM patrol crossing to non-government-controlled areas mentioned above.

In all instances, the SMM had preannounced its passage as a temporary, COVID-19 related courtesy.

For recent restrictions faced by the Mission when crossing the contact line, see previous SMM Spot Reports.

The Mission again notes that such denials not only restrict the SMM’s freedom of movement across the contact line, but also prevent the SMM’s logistical operations, which are essential for the effective functioning of the Mission.

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.