Central Europe

505924

The second student simulation of an arbitral tribunal under the Convention on Conciliation and Arbitration within the OSCE took place from 12 to 14 November 2021 in Ljubljana. The event was organized within the framework of the MUNLawS conference held by the Faculty of Law of the University of Ljubljana.

Vasilka Sancin, Head of the Department of International Law at the University of Ljubljana and organizer of MUNLawS conferences and a member of the Bureau of the Court, initiated the first student simulations in 2020, with the aim to build awareness of and prepare young students and future lawyers to the procedures of peaceful settlement of disputes offered by the 1992 Stockholm Convention.

The simulated case this year regarded a dispute between two fictional states and involved space activities, national minorities and environmental damage. Students participating in the simulation had to prepare a written memorial and counter-memorial, followed by an oral presentation of their legal arguments to arbitrators.

At the opening ceremony and panel titled “The Union of Tomorrow” reflections were shared by Marko Rakovec, Director General of the Directorate for International Law and Protection of Interests at the Ministry of Foreign Affairs of the Republic of Slovenia; Janez Lenarčič, European Commissioner for Crisis Management; Adrian Pollmann, Ambassador of the Federal Republic of Germany; Igor Evgen Bergant, journalist and news anchor at Radiotelevision of Slovenia, and Gal Veber, a student Secretary General of the 2021 MUNLawS conference. Emmanuel Decaux, President of the OSCE Court of Conciliation and Arbitration, delivered a video address to the participants.

The MUNLawS conference gathered participants from 18 European countries and 159 students actively participated in the simulations. 

The Court of Conciliation and Arbitration within the OSCE, which is based in Geneva, provides a set of mechanisms for the peaceful settlement of disputes between States. The Court was established by the 1992 Stockholm Convention, which entered into force on 5 December 1994. To date, 34 States have ratified the Convention.

BISHKEK, 29 November 2021 – Kyrgyzstan’s parliamentary elections were competitive, but they lacked meaningful voter engagement due to a stifled campaign, constitutional changes weakening parliament and extensive legislative changes to key aspects of the election. Generally adequate election legislation was undermined by limitations on civil and political rights as well as diminished separation of powers and the independence of the judiciary. Voters had a wide range of political options to choose from. Election preparations were handled efficiently by the election administration, and election day was peaceful, international observers said in a statement today.

The joint observation mission from the OSCE Office for Democratic Institutions and Human Rights (ODIHR), the OSCE Parliamentary Assembly (OSCE PA), and the Parliamentary Assembly of the Council of Europe (PACE), noted that the elections took place against the backdrop of an extensive legislative review by a parliament whose mandate had expired. The authorities displayed the political will to ensure clean elections, but strict enforcement of subsequent measures led to a cautious campaign.

“The past year has been dizzying for Kyrgyzstan, with massive political shifts and a rush to centralize power,” said Peter Juel-Jensen, Special Co-ordinator and leader of the short-term OSCE observer mission. “While overall well run and competitive, yesterday's elections reflected this rushed approach. To fully meet international commitments, much greater care will need to be paid in the future to standard democratic processes including appropriate checks and balances on power.”

The extensive amendments to the legal framework shortly before elections were called did not grant voters or election officials an opportunity to familiarise themselves with the new system. At the same time, the way in which the legal changes were introduced did not meet the standards of democratic law-making. Some 3.6 million voters were registered to cast their ballot, and turnout on election day was 35 per cent.

“These elections need to be seen against the backdrop of last year’s failed elections that led to a political system with sweeping powers for the president and the adoption of a whole new set of rules. The new constitution has altered the balance of power and drastically diminished the role of the parliament, while the low turnout yesterday seems to indicate a faltering public trust in the country’s institutions,” said Marina Berlinghieri, Head of the PACE delegation. “The people of this country deserve to have their freedoms respected, and we call on the newly elected parliamentarians to stand up for democratic standards, the rule of law and the protection of human rights.”  

Election day was peaceful and procedures mostly followed. However, there were cases of ballot boxes not being properly sealed and overcrowding in some places. There were also unauthorised people present in a high number of polling stations, as well as external interference in a small number of cases. The presence of candidate observers in the overwhelming majority of polling stations helped to make the process more transparent. While the move to a mixed election system may have aimed to promote pluralism, it had a negative impact on the participation and representation of women across the country. Further there are no guarantees to maintain quotas aimed at ensuring greater participation of women, national minorities and people with disabilities.

Fundamental freedoms were generally respected in the campaign, which remained subdued. The new educational requirements that candidates have a higher education goes against international standards and significantly limits the number of citizens eligible to run. While the constitution guarantees freedom of expression and access to information, it also contains unduly broad and vague grounds that potentially limits freedom of expression. At the same time, a narrow definition of campaigning in the media and the decision of many media outlets not to cover the campaign, reduced coverage and left voters under-informed. Critical and analytical reporting was largely absent, with the exception of a few online media outlets.

“The recent reduction of the parliament’s power has caused the people to lose confidence in the impact of their vote, while undue restrictions placed on candidate eligibility and the move to a mixed electoral system have inhibited a more diverse range of choices,” said Farah Karimi, Head of the OSCE PA delegation. “Democracy is about representation and if women, young people and those who don’t have university diplomas are so severely limited in the right to run, we should not be surprised by the lack of voter enthusiasm.”

The change to a fully presidential system was initiated by the president, who since taking office earlier this year has significantly shaped the current political environment. As well as undue limitations on a number of civil and political rights, the constitution adopted in April gives the president a greater role in the appointment of judges and election officials, compromising the independence of the judiciary and the separation of powers.

“While voters had a range of political options, we are seriously concerned with the lack of engagement with voters and the efforts to inform them,” said Audrey Glover, who heads the ODIHR election observation mission. “We hope that the new parliament will now have the opportunity to make a proper assessment of all the legislative changes that have been made and work to improve them for the good of all citizens.”

The international election observation totalled 351 observers from 41 countries, made up of 283 ODIHR experts and long- and short-term observers, 55 parliamentarians and staff from the OSCE PA, and 13 from PACE.

For more information, please contact:

Katya Andrusz, ODIHR: +996 755 855 073, +48 609 522 266 or katya.andrusz@odihr.pl

Nat Parry, OSCE PA: +996 990 735878, +45 60 10 81 77 or nat@oscepa.dk

Ivi-Triin Odrats, PACE: +33 607067773 or Ivi-Triin.ODRATS@coe.int

505906 OSCE High Commissioner on National Minorities

OSCE High Commissioner on National Minorities Kairat Abdrakhmanov participated in the Third Moscow International Conference on Combating Xenophobia, Antisemitism and Racism — Protecting the Future on 22 and 23 November in Moscow.

In his opening remarks, the High Commissioner highlighted that: “We must actively stand together against any form of discrimination, stereotyping and prejudice, which includes actively striving for and creating a positive and inclusive social space in our society for any disadvantaged group.”

The High Commissioner noted that in order to support the integration of diverse societies, we need long-term approaches that address the root causes of discrimination, xenophobia and anti-Semitism. With reference to his conflict prevention mandate, Abdrakhmanov stressed the importance of promoting inter-cultural dialogue, tolerance and education to ensure a socially cohesive and resilient society.

The High Commissioner also took the opportunity to continue his comprehensive dialogue with high-level government and civil society interlocutors on national minority issues inside and outside the Russian Federation.

He exchanged views on minority issues related to language, education and citizenship with Deputy Foreign Minister Sergey Vershinin, the chairs of two State Duma Committees and the chair of the Federation Council Committee.

SDGs SDGs:  16 - Peace, justice and strong institutions

Summary

• In Donetsk region, the SMM recorded 612 ceasefire violations, including 32 explosions. In the previous reporting period, it recorded 609 ceasefire violations in the region.
• In Luhansk region, the Mission recorded 193 ceasefire violations, including 48 explosions. In the previous reporting period, it recorded 60 ceasefire violations in the region.
• The SMM observed damage to a brick fence and an industrial building in Yasynuvata, Donetsk region.
• The Mission continued monitoring the disengagement areas near Stanytsia Luhanska, Zolote and Petrivske. It recorded ceasefire violations inside the area near Petrivske and again spotted people inside the areas near 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 (EECP) and four corresponding checkpoints of the armed formations in Donetsk and Luhansk regions.
• The Mission’s freedom of movement continued to be restricted, including at three weapons storage sites in non-government-controlled areas of Donetsk region and two checkpoints of the armed formations in Donetsk region. Its unmanned aerial vehicles again experienced multiple instances of probable jamming.*

SDGs SDGs:  16 - Peace, justice and strong institutions

On the morning of 27 November, the armed formations in Luhansk region denied two SMM patrols passage to non-government-controlled areas. Both patrols were travelling from government-controlled areas.

The first denial occurred at 09:10, at about 350m north of the southern edge of the disengagement area near Zolote (government-controlled, 60km west of Luhansk). The second occurred at 11:10, at a checkpoint of the armed formations on road T-0504 about 1.5km south-west of Molodizhne (non-government-controlled, 63km north-west of Luhansk). On both occasions, members of the armed formations cited “orders from their superiors”. In the first instance, they also referred to “lack of security guarantees”.

Additionally, earlier in the morning, at 08:40, a member of the armed formations denied another SMM patrol passage inside the Zolote disengagement area at their checkpoint near the area’s southern edge, citing “orders from his superiors”. The patrol was to assist the SMM patrol crossing to non-government-controlled areas mentioned above.

For recent restrictions faced by the SMM when crossing the contact line, see SMM Spot Reports 27/2021, 28/2021, 29/2021 and 30/2021.

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.

VIENNA/STOCKHOLM, 27 November 2021 — OSCE Chairperson-in-Office, Swedish Minister for Foreign Affairs Ann Linde and OSCE Secretary General Helga Maria Schmid expressed concern over the systematic and unacceptable freedom of movement impediments that the OSCE Special Monitoring Mission to Ukraine (SMM) is currently facing in non-government-controlled areas of Ukraine, particularly in the Luhansk region. They called for the immediate removal of the restrictions, which have escalated to a new level, effectively preventing SMM’s operations.

During this past week, the OSCE SMM patrols' movement across the contact line was blocked by armed formations in multiple locations in the Luhansk region (see SMM Spot Report 27/2021, SMM Spot Report 29/2021, and SMM Spot Report 30/2021) and on two occasions in the Donetsk region (see SMM Spot Report 28/2021).

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 fulfillment of its mandate.

SDGs SDGs:  16 - Peace, justice and strong institutions

Summary

• In Donetsk region, the SMM recorded 609 ceasefire violations, including 108 explosions. In the previous reporting period, it recorded 813 ceasefire violations in the region.
• In Luhansk region, the Mission recorded 60 ceasefire violations, including 39 explosions. In the previous reporting period, it recorded 35 ceasefire violations in the region.
• Members of the armed formations denied the SMM passage across the contact line near Zolote, Stanytsia Luhanska, and Molodizhne.*
• The Mission continued monitoring the disengagement areas near Stanytsia Luhanska, Zolote and Petrivske. It recorded ceasefire violations inside the area near Petrivske and spotted people inside the areas near Zolote and Petrivske.
• The SMM facilitated the operation and maintenance of critical civilian infrastructure.
• The Mission continued following up on the situation of civilians, including at four entry-exit checkpoints (EECP) and four corresponding checkpoints of the armed formations in Donetsk and Luhansk regions.
• The Mission observed two convoys of trucks with Russian Federation licence plates in non-government-controlled areas in Luhansk and Donetsk regions
• The SMM saw a convoy of an international organization crossing to non-government-controlled areas near Shchastia.
• The SMM monitored the security situation in east and south-east Kherson region.
• The Mission’s freedom of movement continued to be restricted, including at three checkpoints of the armed formations in Donetsk region, and at a checkpoint of the armed formations and a border crossing point outside government control near Izvaryne, both in Luhansk region. Its unmanned aerial vehicles again experienced multiple instances of probable jamming and jamming.*

Marina Živaljević

As many as 89.9% of Montenegrin citizens believe that the functioning of the State Election Commission (SEC) affects the democracy of electoral processes and the trust that citizens have in the elections in Montenegro. This is one of key findings from a Survey on Public Perceptions and Confidence in Election Management Bodies in Montenegro, commissioned by the OSCE Mission to Montenegro and conducted by the Damar agency. In this regard, the Mission considers the appointment of a new SEC Chair as a matter of urgency.

From 8 to 17 October 2021, a public opinion poll to examine citizens’ attitudes on trust in the bodies of the election administration in Montenegro, with a focus on the State Election Commission (SEC), was conducted on a representative national sample of 1,200 respondents. In addition, the survey covered topics related to the general assessments of citizens about the elections and the ongoing electoral reform process.

The findings suggest that there is a need to further strengthen the transparency and professionalism of election management bodies. Majority of respondents said that if they were aware that the SEC acted in an unprofessional and biased manner, this would have influenced their decision to vote.

Slightly more than half of the citizens (51.8%) generally think that the elections in Montenegro are fair and free, while somewhat less than a third of them (31.9%) believe that the elections are not honest and free. When it comes to the electoral reform, almost half of the citizens (49.7%) believe that it is needed, while most of them (58%) believe that it is needed urgently.

Among OSCE/ODIHR priority recommendations, consideration should be given to undertaking a comprehensive reform of the electoral legal framework. The survey concluded that Parliament should ensure the continuation of the process of the comprehensive reform of electoral legislation through the establishment of a genuine and sustainable dialogue between political parties and with the active participation of representatives of academia and NGOs with expertise in this field.

This research was conducted as part of the Mission’s work with the State Election Commission to enhance its capacity to administer elections in line with OSCE Commitments and international best practices.

505765

A two-day national seminar on a whole-of-society approach to preventing and countering violent extremism and radicalization that lead to terrorism (P/CVERLT) concluded on 26 November 2021 in Belgrade, Serbia.

Held in a blended format and organized by the Serbian Ministry of Human and Minority Rights and Social Dialogue in co-operation with the OSCE Mission to Serbia and the OSCE Transnational Threats Department’s Action against Terrorism Unit (TNTD/ATU), the seminar aimed to inform the review process of Serbia’s National Strategy for the Prevention and Countering of Terrorism for 2017-2021 and the development of the next National Strategy in 2022.

Around 70 participants came together to share good practices in the implementation of a whole-of-society approach to P/CVERLT in the local context and to advance an inclusive approach to the process of reviewing and developing National Strategies.

“A participatory, consultative and transparent approach is important for a successful process of policy making and its implementation,” said Jan Braathu, Head of the OSCE Mission to Serbia.

“The OSCE Mission remains a committed partner to Serbia, and is ready to continue to support the efforts of a wide range of stakeholders, including government institutions, civil society and academia in preventing extremism and terrorism. Ultimately, this strengthens the safety and security of all citizens in Serbia,” Braathu continued.

The seminar provided a platform for dialogue between civil society, the security sector and other government representatives, as well as academia, and experts from international organizations, such as the OSCE, EU and the UN. The discussion provided an opportunity to enhance multi-agency co-ordination among state authorities and collaboration between government and non-governmental actors.

“The goal of this Seminar is to provide a platform for dialogue and co-operation between the public and the civil sectors and to receive support from international experts, in the implementation of the whole-of-society approach to preventing and countering violent extremism and terrorism,” said Žarko Stepanović,  Assistant Minister of Human and Minority Rights and Social Dialogue.

Special attention was given to human rights based approaches in addressing all forms of violent extremism, integration of gender perspective in P/CVERLT programming and the safe engagement of young persons in the prevention of violent extremism.

Anja Jokic from the National Youth Council of Serbia stressed the importance of developing security policies and activities with youth input. "Young people have specific security needs and problems that require a unique approach. Though young people are an important part of our society, with great potential, the voices of youth often remain unheard. It is necessary to develop policies at all levels not only for, but also with young people," she stated.

Pursuant to the OSCE Ministerial Council Declaration No.4/15 and in support of the UN Action Plan to Prevent Violent Extremism, the OSCE has supported more than a dozen national seminars at the request of participating States. The seminars have stressed the importance of collaboration between government, civil society and the communities to find local solutions, rooted in international human rights, as well as to prevent violent extremism and protect communities from terrorist recruitment.

505753 Marina Živaljević

In co-operation with the Directorate for Sports and Youth, the OSCE Mission to Montenegro organized a capacity building training course for young women and men engaged in local youth services across the country from 25 to 27 November 2021.

The training course took place after the Directorate for Sports and Youth completed the selection of new administrators of local youth services in 11 municipalities through a public call for performing administrative and technical work in youth services.

The training course focused on youth equality, volunteerism, solidarity and active participation. Participants also discussed management of youth services and service provision. ​

Opening the workshop, Marko Begović, Acting Director of the Directorate for Sports and Youth, said that with renewing the work of youth services, young people will primarily be given the opportunity to make decisions, express their views and act in order to improve the position of young people in society, and make changes that are crucial for young people. “We will provide young people with an adequate environment, and influence their attitudes regarding the desire to leave their country,” said Begović.

Following the completion of this training course, the Mission will support organizing separate mentoring sessions for each centre, to ensure that administrators apply the acquired knowledge in their daily work.

505861 OSCE Centre in Ashgabat

On 25 and 26 November 2021, the OSCE Center in Ashgabat organized an online seminar on developing and introducing training courses focused on preventing and responding to domestic violence for the institutions and academies of the law enforcement bodies of Turkmenistan.

Representatives from the Mejlis (lower chamber) of the Milli Gengesh (Parliament) of Turkmenistan, Ministry of Justice, Prosecutor General's Office, Ministry of Interior, Ministry of Labour and Social Protection of the Population, Supreme Court, Ombudsperson's Office, Bar Association, Institute of State, Law and Democracy, Women’s Union and Youth Organizations of Turkmenistan attended the seminar.

Three international experts from Ukraine, Bulgaria and Kyrgyzstan facilitated the seminar and shared experiences from their respective countries. The event addressed legislative mechanisms that protect and safeguard women's rights, international standards in the criminalization of domestic violence and best practises in preventing and handling cases of domestic violence in real life.

"Domestic violence has a devastating impact on survivors and victims. Violence against women in particular disempowers them from participating in society. It affects children who grow up in a violent family and causes a ripple effect throughout society. The economic and social costs to the individual, the family and society are enormous," said John MacGregor, Head of the OSCE Centre in Ashgabat. 

“This is why the OSCE sees preventing and combating violence against women and girls as a security issue. Moreover, we know that the current global pandemic has resulted in a spike in overall violence and domestic violence in the OSCE region,” he added.

This event was part of the Center's continued assistance to the government of Turkmenistan in fulfilling its gender equality commitments.

A five-day OSCE regional train-the-trainers course on cybercrime for criminal justice practitioners from the five Central Asian OSCE participating States concluded on 26 November 2021. The course aimed to provide practitioners with the knowledge and skills necessary for developing and delivering professional training courses on this topic.

With a strong emphasis on interactive exercises and practical skills, the training course covered topics such as training development, delivery and flow, basic live data forensics, and training evaluation and assessment. It also included a tailored module on human rights compliance in the investigation and prosecution of cybercrime cases.

The activity was the second train-the-trainers course delivered as part of the OSCE project, Capacity-Building on Combating Cybercrime in Central Asia, implemented by the OSCE Transnational Threats Department, in close co-operation with OSCE Field Operations in the region. The aim of the project is to build sustainable national training capacities of police officers and prosecutors on combating cybercrime. The project is funded by the United States.

Next year, the national training institutions and criminal justice practitioners taking part in the project will develop and deliver a first round of pilot training activities at the national level. These activities will be based on training materials provided by the OSCE and adapted to local legislation, conditions and context. Each activity will be monitored and evaluated by the OSCE.

505651 Communication and Media Relations Section Alexandra Taylor

On 23 November 2021, the OSCE convened the first meeting of the Multi-Agency Committee in North Macedonia, established as part of its project Enhancing Criminal Justice Capacities for Combating Gender-based Violence in South-Eastern Europe.

The OSCE project aims to enhance the capacities of criminal justice systems in Albania, Bosnia and Herzegovina, Montenegro, North Macedonia and Serbia to prevent and combat gender-based violence and increase the public’s trust in criminal justice responses

The Committee will ensure that the project activities comply with national strategies and other existing programmes and minimize duplication of efforts. The first meeting focused on the project’s strategy and implementation with local stakeholders to help tailor its activities’ to the countries’ needs.

Representatives of the OSCE Secretariat, the OSCE Mission to Skopje, North Macedonia’s Ministry of Internal Affairs - Police Training Centre and Public Security Bureau, Ministry of Justice, Ministry of Labour and Social Policy, Basic Prosecutor’s Office in Skopje and Academy for Judges and Public Prosecutors, attended the meeting.

The project is currently being implemented with the financial support of Germany, Norway, Finland, and France, and will run until 2024.

On 25 November, the OSCE Mission to Moldova organized an annual Donors’ Forum online for more than 100 representatives of a wide range of initiative groups and civil society organizations (CSOs) from both banks of the Dniester/Nistru River, and development partners.

“Civil society organizations play a vital role in the promotion of human rights, democracy and the rule of law. The Donors’ Forum, which the Mission has been organizing since 2013, is a unique platform bringing together civil society organizations from both banks of Dniester/Nistru River, donors and development partners to learn more about activities, funding opportunities, challenges and solutions, and to establish contacts and networks on an annual basis,” said Dr. Claus Neukirch, Head of the OSCE Mission to Moldova. “The Donors’ Forum helps to bridge gaps between partners on both banks of the river. By empowering civil society organizations, we also promote greater respect for human rights which is a cornerstone for lasting peace and security.”

During the Forum, donors and development partners highlighted grant opportunities and priority areas for 2022. Civil society representatives had the opportunity to share their experiences, outline their priority areas of work and raise issues of concern. Participants also learned about the results of the research on co-operation between CSOs and donor organizations conducted with the support of the Mission.

“The Donors’ Forum became a platform for discussion of experience and perspective of interaction between donors and civil society. Today, we managed to tackle the problems encountered by civil society organizations in their interaction with donors, as well as to make proposals for their solution,” said Serghei Necovcin, head of CONTACT Centre.

The Mission conducted the Donors’ Forum within the framework of its project on building the capacities of civil society organizations on both banks of the river. As part of the project, the Mission produced a video highlighting its main achievements and showcasing project activities conducted during the past three years.

The Forum, organized by the Mission annually since 2013, is a unique platform that connects donors and civil society organizations. Participants learn about each other’s experiences, needs and priorities to better address challenges faced by the people on both banks of the Dniester/Nistru River.

SDGs SDGs:  16 - Peace, justice and strong institutions

At 15:00 on 25 November, an SMM patrol consisting of four vehicles arrived from government-controlled areas at about 350m north of the southern edge of the disengagement area near Zolote to travel to non-government-controlled areas. Two members of the armed formations (wearing armbands with “JCCC” written on them) denied the Mission passage, citing “orders from their superiors”. At 15:15, the patrol left and returned to government-controlled areas.

To recall, on 23 and earlier in the day on 25 November, the armed formations denied the SMM passage in both directions at three locations across the contact line in Luhansk region, and, on 24 November, denied the Mission passage in both directions at one location in Donetsk region (See SMM Spot Reports 27/2021, 28/2021 and 29/2021).

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

At 09:38 on 25 November, an SMM patrol consisting of two vehicles and seven people arrived from non-government-controlled areas at a checkpoint of the armed formations near the southern edge of the disengagement area near Zolote (government-controlled, 60km west of Luhansk), to travel to government-controlled areas. A member of the armed formations (wearing armbands with “JCCC” written on them) denied the Mission passage, citing “orders from his superiors”. At 09:43, the patrol left the area and proceeded to Zolote-5 (Mykhailivka) (non-government-controlled, 60km west of Luhansk).

At 10:10, a second SMM patrol consisting of three people approached the checkpoint of the armed formations south of the Stanytsia Luhanska bridge (15km north-east of Luhansk) to travel towards government-controlled areas on foot. A member of the armed formations denied the Mission passage, citing “orders from his superiors”.

At 11:15, a third SMM patrol consisting of two vehicles and seven people arrived at a checkpoint on road T-0504 about 1.5km south-west of Molodizhne (non-government-controlled, 63km north-west of Luhansk), to travel towards government-controlled areas. Two members of the armed formations denied the Mission passage, citing “orders from their superiors”. At 11:20, the patrol left the checkpoint.

To recall, on 23 November, the armed formations denied the SMM crossing from government-controlled- to non-government-controlled areas in three locations in Luhansk region and, on 24 November, denied the Mission passage in both directions at one location in Donetsk region (See SMM Spot Reports 27/2021 and 28/2021).

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 813 ceasefire violations, including 183 explosions. In the previous reporting period, it recorded 376 ceasefire violations in the region.
• In Luhansk region, the Mission recorded 35 ceasefire violations, including five explosions. In the previous reporting period, it recorded 372 ceasefire violations in the region.
• The SMM corroborated reports of a civilian casualty in Pavlopil, Donetsk region.
• Members of the armed formations denied the SMM passage on two occasions at a checkpoint near Horlivka, Donetsk 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 five corresponding checkpoints of the armed formations in Donetsk and Luhansk regions.
• The SMM’s freedom of movement continued to be restricted, including at a checkpoint of the armed formations near Zhabunki, Donetsk region. Its unmanned aerial vehicles again experienced multiple instances of probable jamming.*

505537 Jeff Bieley Edita Buçaj

The OSCE Mission and the Kosovo Police launched a joint campaign against domestic violence today to raise awareness of the problem and help to prevent it more effectively.   

The campaign will see billboards placed throughout Kosovo, along with TV spots and debates. These efforts are part of the global efforts to mark “16 Days of Activism against Gender Based Violence”.

The campaign’s main message - “One slap is violence; Violence is a crime” – underlines that domestic violence is both a human rights violation and a crime, even if it happens inside the family. Though it may start with smaller acts of violence, it can even lead to a fatal outcome.

The campaign calls on victims and witnesses to report possible cases to the police. It also aims to promote a zero-tolerance policy for domestic violence in all spheres of society.

“Domestic violence keeps taking its toll on families, especially women and girls. We need to see robust and consistent action from service providers. So anyone experiencing or witnessing violence should start by calling the police and reporting it,” said Michael Davenport, Head of the OSCE Mission in Kosovo. 

“We can all play our part. Regardless of whether you are a victim or a witness, report violence as soon as you see it,” he added.   

“Cases of domestic violence are sensitive and violence does not stop without having it reported or dealt with by the competent authorities. The Kosovo Police is committed to preventing domestic violence as a precondition to a strong and healthy society,” said Samedin Mehmeti, General Director of the Kosovo Police.

505618 Marina Živaljević

As part of the longstanding support that the OSCE Mission to Montenegro provides to the Regional Youth Co-operation Office (RYCO), the Mission supported the organization of the final design and validation workshop on RYCO Strategy 2022–2024 from 19 to 22 November 2021.

The workshop gathered RYCO staff and experts from the region to work on the finalization of the new strategic document. Participants consolidated inputs from more than 400 stakeholders who participated in a consultation process. The meeting also served as an opportunity for RYCO leadership to discuss the Local Branch Offices registration, action plan and budget for 2022.

Edin Koljenović, Head of RYCO Local Branch Office in Montenegro said that drafting the new RYCO Strategy was one of the key processes for the organization, and serves as the foundation for their future work. “I hope that with this Strategy we will provide even more opportunities and programmes for young people in the Western Balkans,” said Koljenović.

Following this activity, Leadership and Management Skills Training for RYCO heads of Local Branch Offices was held from 22 to 24 November. The training aimed to strengthen the capacities of participants in performing their everyday duties and successful staff management through a programme delivered by an experienced trainer.

The Mission will continue to provide support to the RYCO Local Branch Office in Montenegro aimed at strengthening its efforts to promote a coherent and harmonized approach towards meaningful youth engagement and youth potential to influence democratization processes in the society.

STOCKHOLM / VIENNA / WARSAW, 25 November 2021 - On the occasion of the International Day for the Elimination of Violence Against Women, and the start of the 16 Days of Activism against Gender-based violence, OSCE leaders called on participating States to increase their efforts and resources to combat violence against women and girls, including violence enabled by digital technology.

According to the 2019 OSCE-led Survey on the Well-being and Safety of Women, two out of three women have experienced at least one form of violence since the age of 15. Moreover, the report noted the increase in experiences of violence committed online, with young women being at particular risk, due to an increase in the use of digital technologies in the past two decades.   

OSCE Chairperson-in-office Ann Linde emphasized the importance of a strong and comprehensive response in effectively combating gender-based violence in all its forms. “Unfortunately, violence against women and girls is present in all our societies. To eliminate it, we need strong policy and law-making efforts — including for women’s economic empowerment — but also a change of attitude regarding these crimes.”  

Gender-based violence is a serious security concern but its digital form is still too often not recognized and addressed. OSCE leaders stressed that the COVID-19 pandemic has led to a rise in all types of violence against women and girls, including digital violence.

OSCE Secretary General Helga Maria Schmid urged participating States to improve legal and policy frameworks to address digital forms of gender-based violence. “Security threats are becoming increasingly complex, particularly when they change quickly like digital forms of gender based violence. Our approach to finding solutions must also evolve. The OSCE already works to enhance the capacity of policymakers and law enforcement in our participating States to combat violence against women. We plan to expand this assistance to tackle these despicable acts in the digital realm as well,” Schmid said.

Violence and abuse of women in political and public life affects all countries across the OSCE, with women active in politics or aspiring to a political role, women running for elections, and women human rights defenders often finding themselves targeted.

“The chilling effect of violence and threats on- and offline is stopping women from taking an active role in public life, with negative consequences for their participation in political debates that affect their lives,” said ODIHR Director Matteo Mecacci. “Far too often, this violence or fear of it is preventing women and girls from living their lives freely and to their full potential.”