OSCE

SDGs SDGs:  16 - Peace, justice and strong institutions

Summary

• In Donetsk region, the SMM recorded 150 ceasefire violations. In the previous 24 hours, it recorded nine ceasefire violations in the region.
• In Luhansk region, the Mission recorded no ceasefire violations. In the previous 24 hours, it recorded two ceasefire violations in the region.
• The Mission continued monitoring the disengagement areas near Stanytsia Luhanska, Zolote and Petrivske, and again saw containers inside and near the southern edge of the area near Zolote.
• The SMM observed weapons in violation of withdrawal lines in a non-government-controlled training area in Donetsk region.
• 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 11 trucks bearing the logo of a humanitarian organization cross the contact line near Shchastia and travel towards non-government-controlled Luhansk city.
• The SMM’s freedom of movement continued to be restricted, including at a checkpoint of the armed formations near Olenivka, Donetsk region, and at a border crossing point outside government control near Izvaryne, Luhansk region.*

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 decreased 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 Chairmanship. Following the host country recommendations, the observers are adhering to social 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 decreased from 7,193 to 6,930 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 248 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 has 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 four, compared to 18 last week; two persons crossed into the Russian Federation while another two persons 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, six families were observed crossing into the Russian Federation while five families were observed crossing into Ukraine, compared to the previous reporting period when three families were observed crossing into the Russian Federation and 12 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 decrease in the overall number of buses crossing the border at both BCPs (297 compared to 301 observed during the previous week). There were 161 buses bound for the Russian Federation and 136 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 an increase in the overall number of trucks crossing the border at both BCPs (849 compared to 745 during the previous reporting week); 489 at the Gukovo BCP and 360 at the Donetsk BCP, 486 of these trucks crossed into the Russian Federation and 363 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 Armenia, 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 OTs observed a decrease in the overall number of tanker trucks crossing the border at both BCPs (30 compared to 38 during 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 the 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 153 to 137. Of the total number of trucks scanned, 137 trucks (100 per cent) were bound for Ukraine.

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 a significant increase in the overall number of minivans crossing the border at both BCPs (198 compared to 143 observed during the previous week); 112 crossed into the Russian Federation and another 86 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 26 occasions; the OTs assessed that 13 trains were travelling to the Russian Federation and the remaining 13 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 Belarusian, Georgian, Lithuanian licence plates and vehicles with “DPR” plates.

On 25 February at 14:31, the OT at the Donetsk BCP observed a group of six new ambulances type Gazel Next without licence plates, entering the BCP from the Russian Federation and parking in the customs control area. There were two persons in the first vehicle and only drivers in the other vehicles. The vehicles had a red cross sign on the front and the back and the inscription "Urgent Medical help" – written in Russian - on the sides. The vehicles underwent customs control procedures and left for Ukraine at 15:43.

For trends and figures at a glance covering the period from 26 January 2021 to 02 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 which correspond to driving licence C1).

SOFIA, 2 March 2021 – The OSCE Office for Democratic Institutions and Human Rights (ODIHR) today opened a limited election observation mission (LEOM) for the 4 April parliamentary elections, following an invitation from the country’s authorities.

The mission is led by Corien Jonker and consists of a core team of 11 experts based in Sofia and 12 long-term observers, who will be deployed throughout the country from 10 March.

The mission will assess whether the elections are held in line with OSCE commitments and other international obligations and standards for democratic elections, as well as with national legislation. Observers will closely monitor fundamental aspects of the elections such as voter registration, campaign activities, the work of the election administration and relevant government bodies, election-related legislation and its implementation, and the resolution of election-related disputes. The mission will also monitor media coverage of the campaign.

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

While the mission will visit a limited number of polling stations on election day, there will not be any systematic observation of voting, counting or tabulation of the results. On election day itself, ODIHR LEOM will join efforts with delegations from the OSCE Parliamentary Assembly and the Parliamentary Assembly of the Council of Europe.

An interim report will be published to update the public and media during the course of the observation. The day after the elections, a statement of preliminary findings and conclusions will be issued at a press conference, and ODIHR will publish a final report summing up the observation and making recommendations for improvements approximately two months after the end of the election process.

For further information, please visit www.osce.org/odihr/elections/bulgaria.

You can also contact Egor Tilpunov, Media Analyst: egor.tilpunov@odihr.bg; +359 878 695 416

or

Katya Andrusz, ODIHR Spokesperson: +48 609 522 266 (Warsaw mobile), or katya.andrusz@odihr.pl.

SDGs SDGs:  16 - Peace, justice and strong institutions

On the morning of 1 March, an SMM patrol consisting of three vehicles and six people arrived at the checkpoint of the armed formations near Olenivka (non-government-controlled, 23km south-west of Donetsk) to cross to government-controlled areas. At 11:02, while at the checkpoint, a member of the armed formations approached the patrol and said that the SMM would need to open the doors and trunks of its vehicles for a visual inspection before being allowed to proceed further towards government-controlled areas. The patrol refused the request and was subsequently asked to wait.

During the next hours, the SMM undertook efforts to facilitate the patrol’s crossing but the vehicles were not allowed to pass. During that time, the checkpoint was open for civilian crossings.

Between 15:15 and 15:43, the Mission recorded 33 undetermined explosions at an assessed range of 2-5km west, north-west and north. At 15:40, a member of the armed formations told the SMM the checkpoint was closed due to ceasefire violations in the area.

The patrol, after waiting for nearly five hours, was hence unable to proceed. It left the checkpoint at 15:43 and returned to non-government-controlled Donetsk city.

SDGs SDGs:  16 - Peace, justice and strong institutions

Summary

• Between the evenings of 26 and 28 February, the SMM recorded 13 ceasefire violations in Donetsk region. In the previous reporting period, it recorded 41 ceasefire violations in the region.
• Between the evenings of 26 and 28 February, the Mission recorded six ceasefire violations in Luhansk region. In the previous reporting period, it recorded 30 ceasefire violations in the region.
• The SMM lost spatial control of one of its mini-unmanned aerial vehicles near non-government-controlled Yasynuvata, Donetsk region, due to signal interference.
• The Mission continued monitoring the disengagement areas near Stanytsia Luhanska, Zolote and Petrivske, and again saw containers inside and near the southern edge of the area near Zolote and people inside it during daytime. Inside the area near Petrivske, the Mission recorded a ceasefire violation.
• The SMM observed weapons in violation of withdrawal lines on both sides of the contact line in Donetsk region.
• 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 three entry-exit checkpoints and three corresponding checkpoints of the armed formations in Luhansk region.
• The Mission monitored gatherings in Kyiv and Lviv.
• The SMM monitored the security situation in south-east Kherson region and saw people with flag at the checkpoint near Chonhar.
• The Mission’s freedom of movement continued to be restricted.*

479993 Kunduz Rysbek Chyngyz Zhanybekov

Ulukbek Maripov, Prime Minister of Kyrgyzstan, met with Pierre von Arx, Head of the OSCE Programme Office in Bishkek, on 26 February 2021 in Bishkek.

During the meeting, the two discussed co-operation between Kyrgyzstan and the OSCE on various fronts, including upcoming elections, the Open Government Partnership initiative, digitalization processes, public administration reform, and other issues.

The OSCE Programme Office in Bishkek actively works across all three dimensions in Kyrgyzstan, always striving to support the host State in implementing their OSCE commitments, and responding to the needs of the government and people of Kyrgyzstan. Von Arx stressed the Organization's readiness to continue fruitful co-operation with the Government of Kyrgyzstan.

At the end of their meeting, Prime Minister Maripov awarded Head of the OSCE Programme Office in Bishkek von Arx with the Certificate of Honour of the Government of Kyrgyzstan for his significant contribution to the implementation of projects and programmes in the field of security, and political and economic development in the country.

SOFIA, 1 March 2021 — Observers from the OSCE Office for Democratic Institutions and Human Rights (ODIHR) will hold a press conference on the opening of the observation mission to the parliamentary elections in Bulgaria on Tuesday, 2 March.

NB Due to the epidemiological situation, only 20 journalists will be able to attend the press conference in person, while all others will have the opportunity to watch and ask questions via Zoom. Broadcast media wishing to film the press conference will be prioritised for personal attendance.

What:

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

Who:

• Corien Jonker, Head of the ODIHR limited election observation mission

When:

• 16.00 local time (GMT +2) on 2 March 2021

Where:

• Moussala Room, Hilton Sofia, 1 Bulgaria Blvd, Sofia

Registration:

• No registration is necessary if you are attending the press conference in person, but only questions from journalists will be taken
• To take part via Zoom, please register with: Katya Andrusz, ODIHR spokesperson, katya.andrusz@odihr.pl and Egor Tilpunov, media analyst, egor.tilpunov@odihr.bg or +359 878 695 416

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

Colin McCullough, OSCE Programme Office in Nur-Sultan

An OSCE-supported international online conference “OSCE Astana Summit 2010: Historical Significance and Relevance” was held on 19 February 2021. The event was organized by the Library of the First President of the Republic of Kazakhstan – the Leader of the Nation (Elbasy), together with the Ministry of Foreign Affairs of Kazakhstan and the OSCE Programme Office in Nur-Sultan.

The conference brought together over 130 government officials, representatives of parliament, international organizations, diplomatic corps, academia and civil society.

Adil Tursunov, Advisor of the First President of the Republic of Kazakhstan, delivered opening remarks on behalf of the First President of the Republic of Kazakhstan – Leader of the Nation (Elbasy) - Nursultan Nazarbayev; Mukhtar Tleuberdi, Deputy Prime Minister, Minister of Foreign Affairs of the Republic of Kazakhstan also provided an opening statement.

During the conference, welcoming video messages from Ann Linde, OSCE Chairperson-in-Office and Minister of Foreign Affairs of Sweden, and OSCE Secretary General Helga Schmid were also shared with participants. Statements were also made by Director of the Library of the First President of the Republic of Kazakhstan – Leader of the Nation (Elbasy) Bakytzhan Temirbolat, the former State Secretary and former Minister of Foreign Affairs of Kazakhstan, OSCE Chairperson-in-Office in 2010 Kanat Saudabayev, former OSCE Secretary General Marc Perrin de Brichambaut, renowned Kazakh public and political figure Kuanysh Sultanov, OSCE High Commissioner for National Minorities Kairat Abdrakhmanov, Secretary General of the OSCE Parliamentary Assembly Roberto Montella, OSCE Special Representative and Co-ordinator for Combating Human Trafficking from 2014 to 2018 Madina Jarbussynova, Permanent Representative of Kazakhstan to international organisations in Vienna Kairat Umarov, Head of the OSCE Programme Office in Nur-Sultan György Szabó, and others.

Participants discussed results achieved following the adoption of the Astana Commemorative Declaration, and its significance and importance in addressing new threats and challenges in the OSCE area. They also discussed the role of the OSCE as the largest regional security organization focusing on early conflict prevention, crisis management and post-conflict recovery. Special attention was paid to the Eurasian and Euro-Atlantic security community, dialogue and sustainable security issues, in particular those stemming from Afghanistan and the frozen conflicts in the OSCE region.

SDGs SDGs:  16 - Peace, justice and strong institutions

Summary

• In Donetsk region, the SMM recorded 41 ceasefire violations. In the previous reporting period, it recorded ten ceasefire violations in the region.
• In Luhansk region, the Mission recorded 30 ceasefire violations. In the previous reporting period, it recorded 20 ceasefire violations in the region.
• The SMM continued monitoring the disengagement areas near Stanytsia Luhanska, Zolote and Petrivske, and again saw containers inside and near the southern edge of the area near Zolote and people inside the latter area during daytime.
• The Mission observed weapons in violation of withdrawal lines on both sides of the contact line in Donetsk region.
• The SMM facilitated and monitored adherence to localized ceasefires to enable maintenance and operation of critical civilian infrastructure.
• The Mission 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’s freedom of movement continued to be restricted, including at a checkpoint of the armed formations near Olenivka, Donetsk region.*

COPENHAGEN, 26 February 2021 – Meeting virtually today, the OSCE Parliamentary Assembly’s committees on economic and environmental affairs and human rights and democracy discussed the impacts of COVID-19, as well as other pertinent issues. It was the first time that the two committees have met – albeit in an online format – since the coronavirus outbreak last year. The meetings featured speeches by committee leaders, presentations by high-level OSCE officials, and wide-ranging debates with the participation of dozens of parliamentarians from North America, Europe and Central Asia.

Chaired by Doris Barnett (Germany), the OSCE PA’s Committee on Economic Affairs, Science, Technology and Environment was addressed by representatives of the OSCE’s executive structures in Vienna, including Ambassador Florian Raunig, Chair of the Economic and Environmental Committee, and Ambassador Vuk Žugić, Co-ordinator of OSCE Economic and Environmental Activities. Their presentations were followed by discussion focused on how OSCE parliamentarians and governmental representatives of the OSCE can join forces in building economic and environmental security amid the COVID-19 pandemic.

In her opening remarks, Barnett highlighted the connection between COVID-19 mortality rates and the environmental degradation affecting human security, particularly the pervasive impact of air pollution. “Appallingly,” she said, “most of the pre-existing ‘conditions’ that increase the risk of hospitalization and deaths among COVID-19 patients are the same diseases caused by short- and long-term exposure to sustained pollution.”

She explained that the scale of the problem is greater than had been previously known, pointing to recent research that has found that exposure to fossil fuel emissions accounted for nearly one in five global deaths in 2018. The immediate threat of pollution on public health is compounded by unsustainable development and global warming, she pointed out, and, like these related issues, requires common approaches and solutions.

Committee Rapporteur Elona Hoxha (Albania) presented her ideas for the report and draft resolution that will be considered at the 29th OSCE PA Annual Session this July, focusing her remarks on themes such as economic recovery, economic empowerment of women, migration management, good governance, and pollution and climate change as top priorities to be addressed through new regulations, technologies, partnerships and development schemes. She noted that the pandemic has underscored the need for co-ordinated efforts in addressing a multitude of complex, interlinked issues, for which the international community must provide strong and credible responses.

“We should collectively seize this opportunity and encourage our parliaments to play a pivotal role in forging the new, post-COVID-19, world order,” Hoxha said. “An order which will have to effectively address our growing development needs while fully safeguarding the planet where we live.”

In the discussion, members raised issues including climate change, corruption, money laundering, infrastructure development, the economic effects of COVID on women, and cybersecurity. It was noted that with COVID lockdowns, the internet has become more indispensable than ever and therefore it has become increasingly important to ensure digital access and freedom of information online. Committee Vice-Chair Artur Gerasymov raised concerns about the impacts of conflicts on environmental security, highlighting the problems that his country of Ukraine faces in this regard.

Kyriakos Hadjiyianni (Cyprus) chaired the meeting of the Committee on Democracy, Human Rights and Humanitarian Questions, which heard presentations by Matteo Mecacci, Director of the OSCE Office for Democratic Institutions and Human Rights, Teresa Ribeiro, OSCE Representative on Freedom of the Media, and Anne-Kirsti Karlsen, Chair of the Human Dimension Committee of the OSCE Permanent Council.

Opening the meeting, Chair Hadjiyianni noted that much has changed since the last time the committee met a year ago, but the human rights problems have only continued, stressing in particular the importance of humanitarian protection in conflict zones. He recalled that in webinars organized by the PA over the past year, OSCE parliamentarians have focused on issues such as respect for human rights and democratic control during states of emergency, as well as COVID-related challenges and opportunities in diverse societies.

Committee Rapporteur and OSCE PA Vice-President Kari Henriksen (Norway) presented her ideas and intentions for the report to be considered at the Annual Session this summer, highlighting the pandemic’s impact on the human dimension. “The consequences of the COVID-19 pandemic have been deep and will be long-lasting, with profound impact on the lives of almost all of our populations within and beyond the OSCE region,” Henriksen said.

She stressed in particular the need to maintain focus on the most vulnerable members of society, including those impacted by conflicts, and noted that COVID-related social and economic challenges have been particularly hard on women and children, with increased domestic abuse related to lockdown orders. Migrants are also faced with additional closures of borders and serious threats to their well-being in migrant camps, she pointed out.

Henriksen also highlighted the stress that COVID has placed on healthcare systems. “It is time that we recognize effective healthcare as a full-fledged human right,” she said. “The state has a responsibility to protect its population from health challenges just as it has a responsibility to protect against terror attacks or other hostile forces.”

In the discussion, OSCE parliamentarians raised issues such as the need to follow international humanitarian law during armed conflict, media freedom, gender equality, difficulties facing refugees and migrants, the imperative of building resilient societies in order to deal with challenges such as COVID-19, and the need for constructive dialogue on human rights concerns. Discussion also focused on the humanitarian implications of the Nagorno-Karabakh conflict.

The committee meeting also featured reports and discussion on recent election observation missions to Montenegro, Georgia, Kazakhstan, Kyrgyzstan, and the United States of America. Committee Vice-Chair Michael Georg Link (Germany) reported on the US election observation mission, noting that it was a successful effort despite the difficult circumstances due to the pandemic.On Thursday, the OSCE PA's Committee on Political Affairs and Security met, following the opening joint session of the Winter Meeting.

Videos of the meeting are available on YouTube and photos are available on Flickr. More information is available at the Winter Meeting web page.

SDGs SDGs:  16 - Peace, justice and strong institutions

Summary

• In Donetsk region, the SMM recorded ten ceasefire violations. In the previous reporting period, it recorded 23 ceasefire violations in the region.
• In Luhansk region, the Mission recorded 20 ceasefire violations. In the previous reporting period, it recorded two ceasefire violations in the region.
• The SMM continued monitoring the disengagement areas near Stanytsia Luhanska, Zolote and Petrivske, and again saw containers inside and near the southern edge of the area near Zolote and people inside the latter area during daytime.
• The Mission observed weapons in violation of withdrawal lines in a government-controlled area of Donetsk region.
• The SMM facilitated and monitored adherence to localized ceasefires to enable maintenance and operation of critical civilian infrastructure.
• The Mission 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 SMM observed gatherings in Lviv.
• The Mission’s freedom of movement continued to be restricted.*

On 26 February 2021, the Council of Europe (CoE) convened the 8th meeting of the Protocol Drafting Plenary of the Cybercrime Convention Committee (T/CY), which represents the State Parties to the Budapest Convention on Cybercrime. The aim of the meeting was to prepare a 2nd Additional Protocol to the Convention.

The OSCE was invited to attend the meeting as an observer and without the right to vote. The meeting was also observed by many other international organizations, such as the European Union, the G7 High-Tech Crime Subgroup, INTERPOL, and the United Nations Office on Drugs and Crime (UNODC).

The OSCE’s activities on cybercrime complement international efforts to combat this cross-border threat, which is steadily increasing in scope and sophistication. To build synergies and co-ordinate existing initiatives in this area, the Organization is working closely with its participating States and other partners, such as UNODC, CoE and the Global Forum on Cyber Expertise (GFCE), in its related capacity building activities.

The OSCE’s Transnational Threats Department (TNTD) — Strategic Police Matters Unit is working to enhance the criminal justice response to cybercrime, while upholding human rights. To better understand the evolving features of this phenomenon and to promote the most effective ways to identify and investigate cybercrime, TNTD is assisting in updating training curricula for law enforcement and promoting co-operation among relevant national stakeholders, including the private sector.

TNTD is also focusing on the use of new technologies by security actors, including the use of artificial intelligence (AI) by law enforcement agencies.

Information for Google Short title:  ODIHR final report on 2020 Moldova presidential election 479954 Public Affairs Unit, OSCE Office for Democratic Institutions and Human Rights Katya Andrusz

The 2020 presidential election in Moldova was organized professionally despite challenges posed by the COVID-19 pandemic and the negative and divisive campaigning which degraded the quality of information available to voters. There were distinct political alternatives to choose from although allegations of vote-buying persisted throughout.

These are some of the main conclusions from the final report on Moldova’s presidential election of 1 and 15 November 2020, as published by the OSCE Office for Democratic Institutions and Human Rights (ODIHR).

The report provides 24 recommendations to improve the conduct of elections and bring them fully in line with OSCE commitments and other international standards.

Recommendations

Key recommendations include:

• Reviewing the legal framework in order to eliminate remaining gaps and inconsistencies including those related to the misuse of administrative resources, undue influence on public-sector employees and organized transportation of voters in connection with vote-buying
• Further strengthening campaign financing rules through measures such as regulating candidates’ own contributions, ensuring an effective oversight mechanism, and limiting donations from political parties and involvement of third-parties
• Harmonizing laws to ensure timely resolution of all election-related disputes by the election administration and courts
• Providing adequate protection of voters’ personal data and ensuring that they are able to cast their votes free of any undue influence, in polling stations which meet the established minimum standards

The ODIHR Limited Election Observation Mission for the 1 November 2020 presidential election in Moldova took up its work 22 September 2020 and remained in the country until 25 November to observe the second round. All 57 countries across the OSCE region have formally committed to following up promptly on ODIHR’s election assessments and recommendations.

SDGs SDGs:  16 - Peace, justice and strong institutions

Summary

• In Donetsk region, the SMM recorded 23 ceasefire violations. In the previous reporting period, it recorded 170 ceasefire violations in the region.
• In Luhansk region, the Mission recorded two ceasefire violations. In the previous reporting period, it recorded no ceasefire violations in the region.
• The SMM continued monitoring the disengagement areas near Stanytsia Luhanska, Zolote and Petrivske, and again saw containers inside and near the southern edge of the area near Zolote and people inside the two latter areas during daytime.
• The Mission observed weapons in violation of withdrawal lines in a non-government-controlled area of Donetsk region.
• The SMM facilitated and monitored adherence to localized ceasefires to enable maintenance and operation of critical civilian infrastructure. It heard two ceasefire violations close to the Donetsk Filtration Station (DFS), near the times when a bus with DFS workers was driving to and from the station.
• The Mission 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 SMM observed a gathering in Kyiv.
• The Mission’s freedom of movement continued to be restricted.*

SARAJEVO, 25 February 2021 - The OSCE Mission to Bosnia and Herzegovina (BiH) welcomes today’s  adoption of the 2021-2024 BiH Strategy for Control of Small Arms and Light Weapons (SALW) and its action plan by the BiH Council of Ministers.

The Mission supported the BiH SALW Control Coordination Board in the development of the Strategy, recognizing effective arms control as vital to ensuring the safety and security of BiH citizens and the wider region.

The Strategy is based on best international standards and practices, including those of the United Nations. Its four strategic objectives focus on: improvement and harmonization of the legal framework in the implementation of SALW legislation; reduction of abuse of illegal possession and trade of firearms and ammunition; management of SALW in the possession of the Armed Forces of BiH; and co-operation with international and regional organizations and civil society organizations in this area.

The Strategy will enhance the effectiveness of arms control efforts in BiH as well as advance implementation of the Roadmap for a sustainable solution to the illegal possession, misuse and trafficking of SALW and their ammunition in the Western Balkans by 2024.

The Mission will continue providing support in implementing the priorities set out in the new SALW Control Strategy, building on our longstanding partnership with BiH authorities, in implementing its principal arms control strategies and plans and in accordance with international commitments.

SARAJEVO, 25 February 2021 – Following the recent hacker attacks on media portals Žurnal and Buka, the OSCE Mission to BiH, the European Union Delegation and European Union Special Representative, the Embassy of the United Kingdom, the Embassy of the United States, and the Office of the High Representative call on authorities in BiH to investigate all attacks on media websites as they represent a clear danger to media freedom.

Cyber-attacks such as these hinder free media and the free flow of information, which are essential components of any democratic society. 

Government has a responsibility to protect freedom of the press. Law enforcement and judicial institutions must thoroughly investigate all attacks, including cyber, on the media. 

We have witnessed an exponential increase in such attacks and call on BiH authorities to strengthen their networks and ability to detect, deter, and investigate all cyber threats and attacks.

479393 Office of the OSCE Representative on Freedom of the Media Ton van den Brandt

On 24 February 2021, the OSCE Representative on Freedom of the Media (RFoM), Teresa Ribeiro, met with Emilia Mazuru, Chargé d'affaires a.i. of the Permanent Mission of Romania to the International Organizations in Vienna and discussed the current state of media freedom in Romania and the wider OSCE region.

Ribeiro and Mazuru discussed such issues as free access to information under the current pandemic, the need to preserve the independence and sustainability of public service media in Romania and avoiding applying criminal law to journalists and other media workers.

Ribeiro expressed her interest in receiving further information related to the effect on media freedom of the provisions of a Presidential decree aimed at combating disinformation in the context of the COVID-19 pandemic.

During the conversation, Mazuru informed the Representative about recent developments regarding media regulation in Romania. She also underlined the support of the national authorities both to media freedom and to the mandate of the RFoM.

SDGs SDGs:  16 - Peace, justice and strong institutions

Summary

• In Donetsk region, the SMM recorded 170 ceasefire violations. In the previous reporting period, it recorded 88 ceasefire violations in the region.
• In Luhansk region, the Mission recorded no ceasefire violations, as in the previous reporting period.
• The SMM continued monitoring the disengagement areas near Stanytsia Luhanska, Zolote and Petrivske, and again saw containers inside and near the southern edge of the area near Zolote.
• The Mission observed weapons in violation of withdrawal lines on both sides of the contact line in Donetsk and Luhansk regions.
• The SMM facilitated and monitored adherence to localized ceasefires to enable maintenance and operation of critical civilian infrastructure.
• The Mission 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, including near non-government-controlled Novoazovsk and Samsonove, southern Donetsk region.*

479254 Ton van den Brandt

On 22 February, the OSCE Representative on Freedom of the Media (RFoM), Teresa Ribeiro, met with Ambassador Siniša Bencun to discuss media freedom developments and challenges in Bosnia and Herzegovina.

During the meeting, Ribeiro and Bencun touched upon the issue of safety of journalists, the impact of a polarized media scene and scarce funding for the media sector in Bosnia and Herzegovina. They also discussed the challenges surrounding the independence and sustainability of public service media and the national media regulatory body in the country. Ribeiro expressed her readiness to provide her Office’s assistance in improving the media situation in the country in line with international standards and relevant OSCE commitments.

Ribeiro underlined that, in order for the public service media to fulfil its important remit in society, it should remain public and not be converted into state media. In this regard, Ribeiro reiterated that governments have an important role in ensuring a vibrant media landscape that enables public service media to thrive and thus provide the public with quality, diverse and unbiased information.

They also discussed the challenges to combating hate speech as well as the growing prevalence of misinformation and disinformation, particularly in the online sphere – areas that require continuous awareness-raising initiatives.

Ribeiro and Bencun also discussed the regional South East Europe Media Conference, organized annually by the RFoM’s Office, and agreed to engage in further discussions about the 2021 event, including a possible visit of the RFoM to Bosnia and Herzegovina.

479269

On 22 February 2021, the OSCE Representative on Freedom of the Media (RFoM), Teresa Ribeiro, met with Ambassador Roksanda Ninčić to discuss media freedom developments and challenges in Serbia.

Ribeiro and Ambassador Ninčić spoke about several issues, including the safety of journalists, the independence of the public service broadcaster and media regulatory body, and the need to preserve media pluralism and fair competition in the media market, particularly between State-owned and critical media.

They discussed ongoing investigations into the unresolved murder cases of journalists Slavko Ćuruvija (1999), Milan Pantić (2001) and Dada Vujasinović (1994), as well as the case of several employees of Radio Television Serbia who lost their lives during the NATO bombing in 1999. Noting the important steps undertaken by the Serbian authorities in establishing a dedicated Commission for the Investigation of Murders of Journalists in Serbia, Ribeiro and Ambassador Ninčić emphasized the need to bring all those responsible to justice, including the perpetrators and masterminds. In this regard, Ribeiro welcomed the readiness of Ambassador Ninčić to provide her and her Office with additional information on the investigations.

Ribeiro expressed her readiness to assist the Serbian government in implementing relevant OSCE commitments to ensure a safe and more robust media environment in the country, in order for journalists to be able to perform their professional activities without hindrance or fear of retaliation.

Ribeiro also underlined her interest in visiting the country and engaging in further discussions ahead of the OSCE’s annual South East Europe Media Conference.