OSCE

Stockholm, 31 March 2021 — The OSCE Chairperson-in-Office, Minister for Foreign Affairs of Sweden, Ann Linde, welcomed today’s OSCE Permanent Council decision to renew the mandate and approve the budget of the OSCE Special Monitoring Mission to Ukraine (SMM) for another year until 31 March 2022.

“I welcome that consensus has been reached on the budget and mandate for the OSCE’s largest field operation, the Special Monitoring Mission to Ukraine,” Linde said. “The mission plays a vital role in the OSCE’s conflict resolution efforts through its monitoring and reporting on the security situation in Ukraine and facilitating dialogue. I fully support the Mission in the implementation of its mandate throughout Ukraine within its internationally recognized borders.”

The Chairperson-in-Office recalled that the SMM’s mandate tasks the Mission with gathering information and reporting in an impartial and transparent way on the security situation in Ukraine and to establish and report facts in response incidents throughout Ukraine, including those concerning alleged violations of fundamental OSCE principles and commitments.

“The SMM monitors are the eyes and ears of the OSCE and the international community. These dedicated women and men work tirelessly to carry out their crucial tasks. They deserve our gratitude and support,” she said. “Today’s decision will allow them to continue contributing to reducing tensions and fostering peace, stability and security in Ukraine.”

SDGs SDGs:  16 - Peace, justice and strong institutions

Summary

• In Donetsk region, the Mission recorded three ceasefire violations. In the previous 24 hours, it recorded 110 ceasefire violations in the region.
• In Luhansk region, the SMM recorded 22 ceasefire violations. In the previous 24 hours, it recorded no ceasefire violations in the region.
• The SMM lost spatial control of one of its mini-unmanned aerial vehicles near Vesela Hora, Luhansk region.
• The SMM continued monitoring the disengagement areas near Stanytsia Luhanska, Zolote and Petrivske. It spotted people inside the disengagement area near Zolote.
• The Mission facilitated and monitored adherence to localized ceasefires to enable maintenance and operation of critical civilian infrastructure.
• 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 SMM’s freedom of movement continued to be restricted, including at a checkpoint of the armed formations in Donetsk region and at two permanent storage sites in non-government-controlled areas of Luhansk region.

482586 Andrii Dziubenko

During a ceremony in Mariupol on 30 March 2021, the OSCE Project Co-ordinator in Ukraine provided a sophisticated and up-to-date mobile laboratory for radiological and chemical surveillance and monitoring to the State Emergency Service of Ukraine (SESU).

The mobile laboratory features up-to-date radiological monitoring and surveillance equipment and tools for sampling, analysis and identification of chemical substances. It also carries personal protective equipment, such as hazmat coveralls and compressed air breathing apparatuses, as well as pneumatic and hydraulic equipment for sealing leaks.

“Quick identification of threats, on the spot, during an emergency situation is critical to saving people’s lives. It enables emergency services to take timely decisions and act swiftly to address dangerous situations,” said Henrik Villadsen, OSCE Project Co-ordinator in Ukraine. “This is especially important to the industrialized eastern part of the country where emergency risks are even more serious due to the ongoing hostilities,” he added. 

Unintentional releases of toxic substances, accidents during the transportation of chemicals, and violation of the requirements for the handling of hazardous chemicals at enterprises are a systematic challenge for Ukrainian governmental institutions engaged in chemical emergency response.

Studies supported by the OSCE Project Co-ordinator have shown a number of environmental risks in eastern Ukraine caused by the current crisis. Those studies, among other things, established that over 80% of the businesses and critical public infrastructure damaged during the conflict belong to ‘dangerous’ or ‘very dangerous’ risk categories. The studies also identified over 500 conflict-related interruptions of operations at local industrial enterprises between 2014 and 2019.

The mobile laboratory equipment was provided as part of the “Enhancing Ukraine’s Chemical Emergency Response Capacity” project implemented with the financial support of the United States Mission to the OSCE and the German Federal Foreign Office, in partnership with the Ministry of Internal Affairs of Ukraine and SESU.

SUMMARY

Kamensk-Shakhtinskiy, Russian Federation. The Observer Mission (OM) continues to operate 24/7 at both Border Crossing Points (BCPs). The overall number of border crossings by persons slightly increased at both BCPs compared to the previous week. 

OPERATIONAL REMARKS

The OM is currently operating with 22 permanent international Mission members, including the Chief Observer (CO). The Mission is supported administratively by a staff member and the Chief of Fund Administration based in Vienna.

Update on COVID-19 measures

Activities have been impacted by COVID-19 and measures undertaken by the OM to ensure the safety and duty of care of its Mission members and compliance with measures set by the host country authorities. The Mission is continuing to keep the situation under review, in close contact with the OSCE Secretariat and the Chairpersonship. Following the host country’s recommendations, the observers are adhering to distancing. Due to the preventive measures taken by the central and regional authorities, the OM is faced with certain difficulties, but is still able to continue to fulfil its mandate without any limitations in its observation and reporting activities.

OBSERVATIONS AT THE BORDER CROSSING POINTS

Persons crossing the border

The profile of persons crossing the border can be categorized as follows:

1. Adults travelling on foot or by car with little or no luggage.
2. Persons in military-style outfits.
3. Families (often including elderly persons and/or children) travelling on foot or by car with a significant amount of luggage.

The average number of entries/exits slightly increased from 7,967 to 7,996 per day at both BCPs compared to last week.

During the reporting period, the majority of border crossings were to the Russian Federation, with an average net flow of 64 per day for both BCPs. The Donetsk BCP continued to experience much more traffic than the Gukovo BCP.

Responding to the COVID-19 situation, the host country closed its borders for the majority of foreigners starting from 18 March 2020. Among the exceptions of persons allowed to cross the border (which entered into force on 19 March) are Ukrainian citizens and stateless persons holding passports or identification documents proving permanent residence in certain areas of Luhansk and Donetsk regions of Ukraine. In addition, reportedly, due to the threat of the spread of COVID-19, starting from 10 April 2020, the organized passenger transport commuting between the non-government-controlled areas of Luhansk region of Ukraine and the Russian Federation was temporarily suspended and restored from 25 June.

Persons in military-style outfits

During the reporting period, the number of persons in military-style outfits crossing the border was three, compared to seven last week; two persons crossed into the Russian Federation while one person crossed into Ukraine. These individuals crossed the border on foot.

Families with a significant amount of luggage

The OTs continued to report on families, sometimes with elderly persons and/or children, crossing the border at both BCPs with a significant amount of luggage, or travelling in heavily loaded cars. During this reporting week, three families were observed crossing into the Russian Federation while two families were observed crossing into Ukraine, compared to the previous reporting period when one family was observed crossing into the Russian Federation and four families were observed crossing into Ukraine.

Bus connections                                         

Regular local and long-distance bus connections continued to operate between Ukraine (mostly from/to the Luhansk region) and the Russian Federation. During the reporting period, the OTs observed a slight increase in the overall number of buses crossing the border at both BCPs (286 compared to 279 observed during the previous week). There were 152 buses bound for the Russian Federation and 134 bound for Ukraine.

On some occasions, the OTs noticed the bus drivers removing the itinerary signs from the windshields of their buses, while some buses did not display their route at all. The majority of long-distance buses commuting between the Luhansk region and cities in the Russian Federation had Ukrainian licence plates issued in the Luhansk region.

Trucks

During the reporting period, the OTs observed a slight increase in the overall number of trucks crossing the border at both BCPs (803 compared to 794 during the previous reporting week); 432 at the Gukovo BCP and 371 at the Donetsk BCP, 433 of these trucks crossed into the Russian Federation, and 370 crossed into Ukraine. Most of the trucks observed by the OTs had Ukrainian licence plates issued in the Luhansk region; however, on a daily basis, the OTs also noted trucks registered in Belarus, Lithuania, the Russian Federation, and trucks with “LPR” plates.

The OTs also continued to observe tanker trucks crossing the border in both directions. During the reporting period, the overall number of tanker trucks crossing the border at both BCPs was 32, the same as the previous reporting week. These trucks were observed crossing the border at both BCPs. The trucks had the words “Propane” and “Flammable” written across the tanks in either Russian or Ukrainian. The majority of tanker trucks had hazard signs, indicating that they were transporting propane or a mix of propane and butane. All trucks underwent systematic inspection by Russian Federation officials, which could include an X-ray check. Due to the unfavorable observation position at the Gukovo BCP, the OTs continued to be unable to observe any X-ray checks.

Compared to the previous week, the total number of X-ray checks at the Donetsk BCP decreased from 128 to 75. Of the total number of trucks scanned, 64 trucks (85 per cent) were bound for Ukraine, and the remaining 11 trucks (15 per cent) crossed into the Russian Federation.

Minivans

The OM continued to observe passenger and cargo minivans[1] crossing the border in both directions at both BCPs. The OTs observed minivans predominantly with Ukrainian licence plates issued in the Luhansk region; however, the OTs also saw minivans registered in the Russian Federation. During the reporting period, the OTs observed an increase in the overall number of minivans crossing the border at both BCPs (165 compared to 125 observed during the previous week); 91 crossed into the Russian Federation and another 74 into Ukraine.

Trains

The OTs continued to pick up the sound of trains on the railway tracks located approximately 150m south-west of the Gukovo BCP. During the reporting week, the OTs heard trains on 18 occasions; the OTs assessed that eight trains were travelling to the Russian Federation and the remaining ten trains were travelling to Ukraine (more details are provided in the sections “trends and figures at a glance” below).

Visual observation was not possible because of the line of trees located between the train tracks and the BCP.

Other observations

The majority of vehicles crossing the border had Ukrainian licence plates issued in the Luhansk region or Russian Federation licence plates. A significant number of vehicles with “LPR” plates were also observed crossing the border in both directions on a daily basis. The OTs also observed vehicles with Georgian and Lithuanian licence plates.

On 23 March at 21:41, the OT at the Donetsk BCP observed a blue minivan with the inscription "Road Service" on the side (in Russian) entering the BCP from Ukraine. After undergoing border control procedures, the vehicle left the BCP towards the Russian Federation. The OT was unable notice any other details from its position.

On 23 March at 23:31, the OT at the Donetsk BCP observed a minivan and medium-sized truck with “LPR” plates entering the BCP from the Russian Federation side and parking in the customs control area. Both vehicles had the inscription "LPR Post" (in Russian) displayed on the sides. After undergoing border control procedures, the vehicles left for Ukraine at 01:30.

On 25 March at 20:35, the OT at the Gukovo BCP observed two ambulances, painted in white and yellow, entering the BCP from the Russian Federation side and parking in the customs control area. Both vehicles had Russian Federation licence plates and the inscription “Urgent Medical Help” (in Russian) on the sides. After undergoing border control procedures, the ambulances left for Ukraine at 20:49.    

On 26 March at 13:02, the OT at the Donetsk BCP observed a brand-new white minivan with Russian Federation licence plates and the inscription "Roadway Laboratory" (in Russian), accompanied by another brand-new dump truck type "Kamaz" with no licence plates and the inscription on the side "Luhansk Roads" (in Russian), entering the BCP from the Russian Federation side and parking in the customs control area. After undergoing border control procedures, the vehicles left for Ukraine at 14:41.

On 29 March, at 14:25 the OT at the Donetsk BCP observed a brand-new minivan type ”Ford”  without licence plates, with a driver and three passengers on board, entering the BCP from the Russian Federation side and parking in the customs control area. The vehicle had red stripes and red crosses on the sides. After undergoing an X-ray check and border control procedures, the minivan left for Ukraine at 15:03.

For trends and figures at a glance covering the period from 23 February 2021 to 30 March 2021, please see the attachment here.

[1] Cargo minivans: light commercial vehicles with a maximum authorized mass of more than 3.5 t and not more than 7.5 t; with or without a trailer with a maximum mass of less than 750 kg (small cargo vehicles that correspond to driving licence C1).

COPENHAGEN, 30 March 2021 – Some 45 parliamentarians and staff from 12 OSCE countries will observe the parliamentary elections in Bulgaria on 4 April. Deploying in the capital, Sofia, and other regions, the OSCE PA observers will work closely with colleagues from the OSCE Office for Democratic Institutions and Human Rights and the Parliamentary Assembly of the Council of Europe.

Artur Gerasymov, an OSCE PA Member from Ukraine, is serving as Special Co-ordinator of the OSCE short term observers, and Pascal Allizard, from France, heads the OSCE PA’s team.

“These elections are an important opportunity for the Bulgarian people to express their voices,” Gerasymov said. “As observers, we hope to see a fair and democratic process that allows everyone to compete on an equal playing field and that the results are an accurate reflection of the will of the people.”

Allizard noted that the COVID-19 pandemic poses challenges for observers, election administrators, and voters alike, but stressed that the observation mission is adapting well to the circumstances. “Our pre-election briefings will be held entirely online, providing us the opportunity to hear from representatives of political parties, election analysts and experts, long-term observers, and media representatives on the situation ahead of elections,” Allizard said. “As for election day observation, we are following our usual observation procedures as much as possible while of course taking all necessary precautions to protect the health of observers, voters, and election officials.”

The mission, which has been invited by Bulgaria’s Ministry of Foreign Affairs, is assessing the elections against democratic commitments contained in the OSCE’s 1990 Copenhagen Document, to which Bulgaria has agreed. On 5 April, on the day after the elections, observers will deliver their assessment of these elections at a press conference in Sofia, which will stream live on the OSCE PA website, www.oscepa.org.

The OSCE PA has sent observers to Bulgaria for two previous elections – in 1997 and 2013.

For previous OSCE PA assessments of elections in Bulgaria, please click here.

SDGs SDGs:  16 - Peace, justice and strong institutions

Summary

• In Donetsk region, between the evenings of 26 and 28 March, the Mission recorded 153 ceasefire violations. In the previous reporting period, it recorded 74 ceasefire violations in the region.
• In Luhansk region, between the evenings of 26 and 28 March, the SMM recorded no ceasefire violation. In the previous reporting period, it recorded 149 ceasefire violations in the region.
• Small-arms fire was assessed as directed at an SMM mini-unmanned aerial vehicle near Vasylivka, Donetsk region.
• The Mission saw fresh damage from small-arms fire to a school and an inhabited apartment in Zolote-5/ Mykhailivka, Luhansk region.
• The SMM continued monitoring the disengagement areas near Stanytsia Luhanska, Zolote and Petrivske. It saw people inside the latter two disengagement areas during daytime.
• The Mission facilitated and monitored adherence to localized ceasefires to enable maintenance and operation of critical civilian infrastructure.
• 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 observed a calm situation in south-east Kherson region.
• The SMM’s freedom of movement continued to be restricted, including at a checkpoint of the Ukrainian Armed Forces near Vodiane, Donetsk region.

482541

On 24 March 2021, Emmanuel Decaux, President of the OSCE Court of Conciliation and Arbitration and Erkki Kourula, Vice-President, addressed the Committee of Legal Advisers on Public International Law of the Council of Europe (CAHDI) at its 60th meeting.

Decaux stressed that it is particularly important to recall what the Court of Conciliation and Arbitration within the OSCE is and, above all, what it should be while approaching the 30th anniversary of the signature of the Stockholm Convention.

The Convention marked the creation of a legal and institutional framework in line with the OSCE principles of peaceful settlement of disputes as laid down in the Helsinki Final Act.

“In this sense, the Stockholm Convention not only constitutes a solemn commitment of the States parties but also an essential component of the co-operative security in Europe, a pledge of the political will to build ‘a united and free Europe’. There is space in a Europe committed to the rule of law for a court of conciliation and arbitration, combining flexibility and pragmatism, while enshrined in a legal framework that guarantees its independence and impartiality”, said Decaux.

Kourula recalled the mechanisms of the conciliation and arbitration procedures provided by the Stockholm Convention. He emphasized the role of the conciliation commission in assisting parties in finding a settlement in accordance with international law and OSCE commitments. He specified that in contrast to conciliation, the nature of arbitration between states was to adjudicate the dispute submitted to the Court with the authority of a final decision.

Addressing the Legal Advisers on Public International Law of the Council of Europe, Decaux and Kourula insisted on the complementarity of both institutions and recalled that the procedures provided by the Stockholm Convention were available to States parties and, on an ad hoc basis, to OSCE participating States and thus open to all Member States of the Council of Europe.

The intervention of President Decaux and Vice-President Kourula was followed by an exchange with legal advisors participating in the online meeting.

Kunduz Rysbek Chyngyz Zhanybekov

A series of training courses for Kyrgyzstan’s law enforcement officials on The role of law enforcement agencies in responding to potential violations of electoral legislation during the April 11, 2021, elections for local councils concluded across Kyrgyzstan on 24 March 2021.

The courses were jointly organized by the Central Commission for Elections and Referenda of Kyrgyzstan (CEC) and the “Civic Platform” public foundation, with the support of the OSCE Programme Office in Bishkek.

The training seminars for law enforcement agencies (LEA) were held in a train-the-trainers format. Those trained then delivered follow-up training seminars for LEA’s territorial divisions in all provinces. Participants were selected among the most qualified and experienced representatives of investigation and inquiry bodies, public security officers, as well as instructors of LEA educational institutions.

The programme will be introduced in the training agenda of the Republican Training Center of the Ministry of Interior and the Vocational Training Center of the Prosecutor General’s Office of Kyrgyzstan. The purpose is to create a sustainable capacity-building system for effective responses by law enforcement to violations in electoral processes.

482565 Colin McCullough, OSCE Programme Office in Nur-Sultan

An OSCE-supported online training webinar on the protection of whistleblowers concluded in Nur-Sultan on 26  March 2021. The OSCE Programme Office in Nur-Sultan organized the event in partnership with the Anti-corruption Agency of Kazakhstan.

Thirty-five representatives of the Anti-corruption Agency and civil society attended the event, which focused on practical aspects of protecting witnesses and identifying incentives to encourage reporting instances of corruption.

International experts explained the problems with whistleblowing in terms of verifiability and veracity of information provided by informants. Special attention was paid to channels that facilitate reporting suspected acts of corruption, which was based on the example set by OECD countries.

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

SDGs SDGs:  16 - Peace, justice and strong institutions

Summary

• In Donetsk region, the Mission recorded 74 ceasefire violations. In the previous reporting period, it recorded 493 ceasefire violations in the region.
• In Luhansk region, the SMM recorded 149 ceasefire violations. In the previous reporting period, it recorded one ceasefire violation in the region.
• The Mission continued monitoring the disengagement areas near Stanytsia Luhanska, Zolote and Petrivske.
• The Mission facilitated and monitored adherence to localized ceasefires to enable maintenance and operation of critical civilian infrastructure. It heard five undetermined explosions, close to the Donetsk Filtration Station, near the time of the transfer of workers between the station and Yasynuvata.
• The SMM continued following 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 Mission visited two border crossing points outside government control in Donetsk region.
• The SMM’s freedom of movement continued to be restricted.

GENEVA, 26 March 2021 -The 52nd round of the Geneva International Discussions (GID) took place in the Palais des Nations on 25 and 26 March 2021. The meeting was held in person, with all requisite pandemic mitigation measures in place.

All participants reiterated the importance of, and their commitment to, the GID process. Two separate working groups focused on security and humanitarian issues. The security situation on the ground was assessed as relatively calm and stable. Participants reviewed a number of issues including detention cases, missing persons, freedom of movement, and the security situation in certain areas.

Particular focus was given to the core agenda item of non-use of force and international security arrangements. Participants had a frank and open exchange of views on the matter.

As the global COVID-19 pandemic continues, the GID Co-Chairs and participants focused on the needs and concerns of conflict-affected people. Participants also discussed possibilities for joint efforts to address the pandemic and mitigate its impact on humanitarian and socio-economic situations and threats to livelihoods.

Since some participants walked out, a discussion on the core issue of Internally Displaced Persons (IDPs) and refugees could not take place.

The Co-Chairs welcomed the continued utilization of the Incident Prevention and Response Mechanism (IPRM) in Ergneti and emphasized the need to resume regular meetings of the Gali IPRM as soon as possible.

While concerns remain about freedom of movement, the Co-Chairs welcomed some steps taken to facilitate crossings in order to give vulnerable people access to social benefits, pensions, and medical care.

Aspects of the “Women, Peace and Security” framework were also discussed. In this context, the Co-Chairs underscored that conflict has a different impact on women and men.

The Co-Chairs again called on all participants to increase efforts to build trust and confidence among them, to address all elements of comprehensive security, and to ensure constructive co-operation with international humanitarian and human rights organizations.

The participants agreed to hold their next meeting in Geneva on 29 and 30 June 2021. 

482469

On 26 March, the OSCE Representative on Freedom of the Media (RFoM), Teresa Ribeiro, met with the newly appointed Ambassador Hatun Demirer, Permanent Representative of Turkey to the OSCE, to welcome the new Ambassador and discuss the current media situation in Turkey.

Ribeiro and Ambassador Demirer shared views on the media landscape in Turkey, including the ongoing prosecution of journalists and the independence of the judiciary in the country. They touched upon the challenges to, and opportunities for, ensuring a favourable working environment for journalists and the media in Turkey. In this regard, Ribeiro reiterated that her Office will continue to closely monitor the related developments in the country, and she expressed her appreciation in receiving further information from the Turkish authorities on specific cases of concern.

Ambassador Demirer highlighted the human rights reform package that the Turkish authorities recently announced, which, among other areas, covers the media sector, denominating it as a vital component in the evolving reforms in the country. Ribeiro expressed her interest in learning more about this initiative and offered her Office’s assistance in providing expert recommendations in the field of freedom of expression and media freedom, in line with relevant international standards and OSCE commitments.

To secure a free and safe media environment in Turkey, and across the OSCE region, Ribeiro and Ambassador Demirer both agreed that open, mutual and constructive dialogue are of crucial importance.

SDGs SDGs:  16 - Peace, justice and strong institutions

Summary

• In Donetsk region, the Mission recorded 493 ceasefire violations, most of them shots and bursts of small-arms fire. In the previous reporting period, it recorded 89 ceasefire violations in the region.
• In Luhansk region, the SMM recorded one ceasefire violation. In the previous reporting period, it recorded no ceasefire violations in the region.
• Small-arms were fired near an SMM patrol in government-controlled Pavlopil, Donetsk region.
• The Mission continued monitoring the disengagement areas near Stanytsia Luhanska, Zolote and Petrivske.
• The Mission facilitated and monitored adherence to localized ceasefires to enable maintenance, operation and repairs of critical civilian infrastructure.
• The SMM continued following up on the situation of civilians, including at three entry-exit checkpoints and three corresponding checkpoints of the armed formations in Luhansk region.
• The Mission’s freedom of movement continued to be restricted.*

VIENNA, 26 March 2021 – Good governance and the rule of law are fundamental to economic growth, political stability, and security in the OSCE region and Asian Pacific, according to participants at the OSCE Asian Partners for Co-operation Group discussion, the first under the Albanian Chair, organized in partnership with Japan.  

OSCE activities contribute to the peace pillar of the 2030 UN Agenda and support multiple sustainable development goals. This year, participants agreed to discuss developing concrete steps towards a more substantive interaction.

“As we witness various challenges, including the pandemic, it becomes crucial for OSCE participating States and the Asian Partners for Co-operation to further strengthen the partnership,” said Ambassador Akira Mizutani, Ambassador of Japan to Austria and Head of the Delegation of Japan to the OSCE. “Japan shares the values of the OSCE, with its comprehensive security approach, and attaches predominant importance to human rights, democracy, good governance, rule of law, and economic co-operation. It is consistent with the concept of a “Free and Open Indo-Pacific”, under which Japan aims to promote peace, stability and prosperity.”

“We are responsible for the full implementation of all OSCE principles and commitments,” said Ambassador Igli Hasani, Permanent Representative of Albania to the OSCE, Chair of the OSCE Asian Partners for Co-operation Group. “We must recognize that our security is inextricably linked to that of adjacent areas, including Asian-Pacific. There is the desire to share and learn from each other’s experiences, which will benefit the OSCE area and beyond.”

Ambassador Ulrika Funered, Chairperson of the OSCE Permanent Council, Swedish 2021 OSCE Chairpersonship, underlined the Chairpersonship’s overarching priority areas: safeguarding European Security by focusing on common principles and joint commitments; upholding the OSCE’s concept of comprehensive security, including fostering democratic principles and strengthening gender equality; and contributing to and supporting conflict resolution. “In this respect, today’s topic sets an excellent tone for the series of five thematic meetings of this Group.”

On behalf of OSCE Secretary General Helga Maria Schmid, Luca Fratini, Director of the Office of the OSCE Secretary General, said that the participating States recognized the benefits of strengthening good governance and promoting connectivity through trade and transport. “Connectivity is particularly important for the stability and sustainable development of Central Asian landlocked countries, as they experience high transport costs to major markets, including to those of Asian Partners for Co-operation.”

The OSCE supports the Partnership by contributing to the development of a joint action plan focusing on consolidating common values in the international community and understanding the new challenges that all are facing during the COVID-19 pandemic.

482424

The OSCE Representative on Freedom of the Media (RFoM), Teresa Ribeiro, met with the Minister for South Asia and Commonwealth of the British Government, H.E. Lord Ahmad of Wimbledon, on 25 March 2021, to discuss media freedom developments in the United Kingdom and the OSCE region.

Ribeiro and Ahmad spoke about the safety of journalists, and in particular, the UK’s first ever, recently launched, National Action Plan to protect journalists (NAP). They agreed to work together to ensure its effective implementation, and to explore possible ways to promote the NAP as good practice.

Ahmad emphasized the UK’s commitment to media freedom, including through its Global Campaign for Media Freedom, which includes the Global Media Defence Fund, helping journalists in need worldwide. He offered the support of the UK government to work with the Representative in solidarity on issues pertaining to the RFoM mandate. In this regard, Ribeiro and Ahmad exchanged views on priority areas for the RFoM’s work, including the safety of journalists, ensuring a proper legal environment for media freedom, challenges around tackling disinformation, and the governance of large social media platforms.

Ahmad welcomed the RFoM’s activities on the Safety of Female Journalists Online (SOFJO), stressing the particular risks women journalists’ face with perpetrators trying to send a double-edged message – targeting them for being journalists and for being women. Ribeiro informed Ahmad about the Resource Guide on the Safety of Female Journalists Online, recently launched by her Office, and of her plans to work together with various stakeholders to implement its recommendations.

On disinformation, Ribeiro announced that her Office would host a series of webinars with high-level experts throughout the year to discuss this issue.

Ribeiro and Ahmad agreed that isolated incidents often do not show the whole picture of the many challenges to media freedom. Ribeiro stated that there is a need to identify trends and recognize the whole dynamic creating a dangerous climate for the media. Ahmad agreed that there is a concerted attempt to limit freedoms and that a co-ordinated effort can help improve the situation.

482358 Marina Živaljević

As part of an joint initiative to strengthen capacities of civil society organizations (CSOs) in using digital platforms during the COVID-19 pandemic, the OSCE Mission to Montenegro delivered IT equipment to 19 CSOs  from 15 to 26 March.

In addition to the IT equipment, the CSOs, which deal with youth, received life-long Windows licenses and an annual license for a cloud software platform for video and audio conferencing, chat, and webinars.

Elvira Hadžibegović-Bubanja, Executive Director of the NGO Forum MNE, expressing gratitude to the Mission, said: “The equipment is a resource that 19 CSOs will use in their daily work with youth and help us overcome the challenges we all face, caused by the COVID-19 pandemic.”

Siv-Katrine Leirtroe, Deputy Head of the OSCE Mission to Montenegro, said: “The Mission has been continuously supporting youth-related activities, which is especially important at a time when our normal functioning is limited and requires additional efforts and resources. We are pleased that the donated equipment will facilitate CSOs work with young people.”

This initiative was launched in autumn 2020. It consisted of two modules of basic and advanced capacity-building training courses, which enhanced participants’ knowledge about available digital platforms and their application in everyday work. Participants learned how to use various platforms for meetings, training courses, conferences and/or research in an online mode.

The training course offers an online tutorial on using digital platforms developed by the trainers. By the end of March, it will be available to all interested CSOs.

VIENNA, 26 March 2021 – Thirty two young professionals and students from 29 OSCE participating States began the nine-month “Perspectives 20-30 Online Academy” on 26 March 2021. The Office of the OSCE Secretary General, in partnership with the OSCE Office for Democratic Institutions and Human Rights, the OSCE Academy in Bishkek, and the Friedrich-Ebert-Stiftung Regional Office for Cooperation and Peace in Europe strongly supports this initiative.

The programme offers youth a unique opportunity to actively contribute to the OSCE security debate while gaining practical and diplomatic skills. Through interactive webinars, participants will learn about OSCE history and its work, as well as develop their skills in writing, political analysis and interview techniques. The programme will also enhance their skills in public speaking, messaging and persuasion. Finally, participants will develop a joint research project on contemporary security issues.

Luca Fratini, Director of the Office of the OSCE Secretary General, opened the event: “By better understanding the work of our Organization youth will also embrace the principles we stand for and find new ways for promoting them in their communities. Young women and men can be agents for positive change, and the OSCE can support this important endeavour.”

“The Perspectives 20-30 initiative is a great opportunity to advance research into matters of security in times of rapid change and new threat constellations. At the OSCE Academy in Bishkek, we are happy to join these efforts and help develop the required skills of a new generation of experts ready to take up the challenge,” said Alexander Wolters, Director of the OSCE Academy in Bishkek.

“At ODIHR, we believe the promotion of wider youth political participation and civic engagement in the OSCE region is essential to building stronger democracies,” said Meaghan Fitzgerald, Acting Head of the Democratization Department. “Helping democratic institutions to engage with young people means we all end up with better policies and more inclusive representation.”  

Meet participants of the Perspectives 20-30 Online Academy here.

The “Perspectives 2030 Online Academy” is an extra-budgetary project of the OSCE Office of the Secretary General, with support from Andorra, Finland, Germany, Ireland, Italy and Liechtenstein.

SDGs SDGs:  16 - Peace, justice and strong institutions

Summary

• In Donetsk region, the Mission recorded 89 ceasefire violations. In the previous reporting period, it recorded two ceasefire violations in the region.
• In Luhansk region, the SMM recorded no ceasefire violations. In the previous reporting period, it recorded five ceasefire violations in the region.
• An explosion occurred near an SMM patrol near Kamianka, Donetsk region.
• The Mission followed up on reports of a man injured due to small-arms fire in non-government-controlled Oleksandrivka, Donetsk region.
• The Mission continued monitoring the disengagement areas near Stanytsia Luhanska, Zolote and Petrivske.
• The Mission facilitated and monitored adherence to localized ceasefires to enable maintenance and operation of critical civilian infrastructure and heard an undetermined explosion near the Donetsk Filtration Station.
• The SMM continued following up on the situation of civilians, including at three entry-exit checkpoints and two corresponding checkpoints of the armed formations in Luhansk region.
• The Mission’s freedom of movement continued to be restricted.*

COPENHAGEN/VIENNA/SARAJEVO, 25 March 20210 - The current situation of 8,000 asylum seekers and migrants in Bosnia and Herzegovina, was the focus of a series of virtual meetings, concluded on 25 March 2021, ahead of the field visit of Valiant Richey, OSCE Special Representative and Co-ordinator for Combating Trafficking in Human Beings and Margareta Cederfelt, OSCE Parliamentary Assembly Vice-President/Chair of the Ad Hoc Committee on Migration.

Richey and Cederfelt met with the National anti-trafficking Co-ordinator Samir Rizvo, the Chief Prosecutor Gordana Tadic, members of the Parliamentary Joint Committee for Human Rights, and representatives of international organizations and local NGOs. 

“Whenever vulnerable people are left in dangerous conditions, the risks of trafficking increases. Identifying and protecting victims of trafficking is a legal obligation and a humanitarian duty,” said Special Representative Richey. “We need to build a system that will ensure meaningful assistance to everyone who has a right to it, and that will help dismantle criminal networks profiting from the exploitation of people.”

State Co-ordinator for Combating Trafficking in Human Beings Rizvo said that the upcoming visit of the OSCE delegation is timely. “The identification of victims in migration flows is a transnational problem that requires a broader solution to the issue.”

Kathleen Kavalec, Head of the OSCE Mission to BiH said that the Mission continuously monitors the situation at the local level. “We work with national and international partners to strengthen the institutional framework for prevention of exploitation of persons on the move. This includes helping with systems to improve identification of victims of trafficking in the mixed-migration flows.”

Vice-President Cederfelt talked about the many challenges associated with irregular migration, which needs to be addressed in a coherent, durable and humane way. “This includes the valuable contribution of international and non-governmental aid organizations active on the ground. Civil society actors can play a key role in ensuring effective independent monitoring mechanisms to safeguard the rights of migrants and asylum seekers, as well as provide vital assistance to victims of trafficking and other migrants in vulnerable situations.”

Cederfelt also called for strengthening international co-operation to dismantle international trafficking networks and for special attention to be paid to unaccompanied minors on the move who are at particular risk of trafficking and other forms of exploitation.

“Combating trafficking starts from identifying and protecting victims and other vulnerable people”, concluded Special Representative Richey “This means for example screening all migrants to detect signs of exploitation, promoting economic empowerment of women as a tool both for preventing trafficking and for facilitating the recovery process, and granting education to migrant children and unaccompanied minors”.

Special Representative Richey’s upcoming visit will provide the opportunity to personally assess the situation on the ground and to build on the offer of support to local authorities.

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The OSCE Border Management Staff College (BMSC) concluded its 28th Staff Course on 24 March 2021. Because of the COVID-19 pandemic and the restrictions on travel, this particular course was conducted only for local Tajik border security and management officials.

The one-month course, delivered in a blended learning style, provided practical exercises and covered seven modules that present the OSCE’s integrated approach to effective border security and management.

Thirty mid-to-senior level border officials from customs and drug control agencies, border troops, migration service, and the customs department of the Tajik State University of Finance and Economics participated in the course.

Jonathan Holland, Director of the BMSC, said: "Students represented five different Tajik agencies and institutions and we hope to see good results in terms of learning that emphasizes the multi-agency approach in border security management.”

Topics covered during the course included risk assessment in border security, countering terrorism, addressing human rights in border security, trade facilitation, trafficking in persons as well as transnational threats to border management. Interactive classroom sessions were complemented by two study visits to the K-9 Centre of Tajikistan Drug Control Agency and the Institute for Advanced Studies of the Customs Service under the Government of the Republic of Tajikistan.

Ashur Karimov, a graduate of this Staff Course, highlighted that the course offered a chance to share ideas on various border-related challenges such as irregular migration, illicit trafficking, and cybercrime. “I will implement in practice the knowledge and skills on effective conflict management, leadership and active listening which I have acquired during this one-month course”.    

A roundtable discussion on the 70th Anniversary of the convention related to the status of refugees and the massive flow of displaced people in the context of border security management was organized as part of the course. Representatives of government agencies, diplomatic missions, subject area experts as well as participants of the 28th Staff Course exchanged views and participated in the event.

Lola Rahmonova, a graduate of this Staff Course, said that she especially enjoyed the efforts of the experts and organizers to bring together all participants by conducting practical exercises, group research work, roundtable discussions, as well as field study trips.