OSCE

A two-day expert meeting on how to address the digital dimensions of violent extremism in Central Asia opened on 12 December 2019 in Dushanbe for some 70 experts from all the Central Asian states and Afghanistan. The participants include representatives of law enforcement agencies, relevant state institutions, the ICT industry, civil society, youth organizations, academia, and the media.

The meeting is organized by the Government of Tajikistan in co-operation with the Institute for War and Peace Reporting, the “Civil Initiative on Internet Policy”, and the Action against Terrorism Unit of the OSCE’s Transnational Threats Department.

“The very essence and the added value of the internet stems in large part from the fact that it was developed outside of any governmental regulation or interference,” said Gerrit Zach, Acting Deputy Head of the OSCE Programme Office in Dushanbe. “Therefore, governments should bear in mind that regulation may be ineffectual, or even counterproductive, if it fails to respect international human rights and freedoms, including the freedoms of expression, association and religion or belief, and the rights to privacy, due process and to a fair trial.”

“Terrorist groups are increasingly using communication technologies to advance their agendas across the entire Central Asian region,” said Sulaimon Davlatzoda, Chairperson of the Committee on Religion, Regulation of the National Traditions, Celebrations and Ceremonies under the Government of Tajikistan. “Therefore we should be able to develop new and effective ways to co-operate on this front at the regional level.”

The experts meeting will include presentations on best practices from Central Asian experts and international experts from Canada, Israel, Russia, the United States and OSCE. They will highlight relevant best practices on effectively addressing the threats posed by the exploitation of the internet by terrorists while respecting privacy and freedoms of expression, association, peaceful assembly, and religion or belief, as well as the need to preserve global connectivity and the free and secure flow of information.

An outcome document summarizing the key findings of the panel discussions and how to strengthen sustainable and realistic co-operation and co-ordination in the Central Asian region on issues related to preventing and combating violent extremism online will be produced.

This is the third expert meeting organized on the topic of addressing the digital dimensions of violent extremism in Central Asia and is a follow-up to the previous meetings held in 2017 and 2018 in Kyrgyzstan.

This report is for the media and the general public.

SUMMARY

On 12 December at 06:35 (Moscow time), the ninety-third[1] Russian convoy arrived at the Donetsk Border Crossing Point (BCP). A total of ten vehicles were checked by Russian Federation border guards and customs officers prior to their crossing into Ukraine. All ten vehicles had crossed back into the Russian Federation by12:18 on 12 December.

DETAIL

Leaving the Russian Federation

On 12 December at 06:35, the Observer Mission observed the arrival of a Russian convoy at the gate of the Donetsk BCP. The convoy consisted of ten vehicles: one escort car and nine civilian cargo trucks. Out of the nine cargo trucks, only one bore the inscription “Humanitarian aid from the Russian Federation” (in Russian). At 06:35, the vehicles entered the customs control area. Once the convoy arrived, the vehicles were visually checked from the outside by Russian Federation border guards and customs officers. The truck drivers rolled up/opened the tarpaulins of the trucks and the border guards and customs officials performed a visual observation from the outside. One dog was present and used by Russian Federation border guards to check the vehicles from the outside. One Russian Federation border guard was videoing the convoy crossing.

Four Ukrainian border guards and two customs officers were observed accompanying their Russian counterparts; they also performed a visual observation of the vehicles from the outside (without entering the trucks’ cargo space). By 06:58, all of the vehicles had left the BCP towards Ukraine.

Returning to the Russian Federation

At 12:06, the convoy returned and queued in the customs area. The Russian Federation border guards and customs officers visually checked the returning convoy from the outside. Ukrainian representatives – four border guards and two customs officers – were present during this check. The Ukrainian officials also performed visual checks of the trucks from the outside. Two dogs were present and used by Russian Federation border guards to check the vehicles from the outside. By 12:18, all ten vehicles had crossed back into the Russian Federation.

[1]Based on the Observer Mission’s counting, this convoy is considered the ninety-third convoy that has crossed into Ukraine through the “Donetsk” or “Gukovo” BCPs. However, so far all these convoys crossed through the “Donetsk” BCP.

GENEVA, 11 December 2019 - The Geneva International Discussions (GID) held its 50th round on 10-11 December 2019.

Over the past decade, engagement by participants contributed to relative stability, while core security and humanitarian issues have remained unresolved.

We are now faced with a deteriorating situation on the ground and the participants’ diverging positions on key issues of the agenda have become further entrenched. Since August 2019, there are serious security challenges in the Chorchana-Tsnelisi area. People continue to suffer hardship. Restrictions to freedom of movement have been imposed on several occasions at crossing points with both Abkhazia and South Ossetia. Crossing points on the South Ossetian administrative boundary line (ABL) have been closed for more than five months this year. This has caused an increased number of incidents, including detentions.

Although the 50th round took place in a business-like atmosphere, it was overshadowed by the above-mentioned challenges leading to intense exchanges. As in previous rounds, it was not possible to address issues relating to internally displaced persons/refugees due to a walkout by some participants.

We reiterated our calls for participants to reduce tensions on the South Ossetian ABL, for all crossing points to be reopened, for all detainees to be released, and for participants to engage constructively in dialogue — in Geneva, as well as in the Gali and Ergneti Incident Prevention and Response Mechanisms (IPRMs).

The Co-Chairs commended the commitment of the participants to the GID process and reminded them of the need to reinvigorate it in order to achieve concrete results on key issues of the agenda in the coming year.

The participants agreed to hold their next round on 31 March-1 April 2020.

Summary

• Compared with the previous reporting period, the SMM recorded more ceasefire violations in Donetsk region and fewer in Luhansk region.
• The Mission recorded ceasefire violations inside the disengagement area near Petrivske.
• The SMM continued monitoring the situation in the disengagement areas near Zolote and Stanytsia Luhanska.
• It monitored adherence to localized ceasefires to facilitate the drilling of water wells and repairs to water pipelines in non-government-controlled areas of Luhansk region.
• The Mission’s freedom of movement continued to be restricted, including again at a checkpoint of the armed formations near Bezimenne and at a border crossing point near non-government-controlled Voznesenivka.*

The OSCE Mission to Montenegro organized a workshop for the State Election Commission (SEC) on communication strategies with the national and local media on 9 and 10 December 2019 in Podgorica.

The two-day workshop introduced commissioners and service staff to the principles and practical tools necessary to establish effective communication strategies with the media.

Opening the workshop, Siv-Katrine Leirtroe, Deputy Head of the Mission, said that the media plays an indispensable role in the functioning of any open and democratic society. “Democratic elections are measured by the ability of citizens to participate and exercise their democratic right to vote. To achieve this, the media play a crucial role in explaining the election process to voters,” said Leirtroe. She added that the Mission remains committed to support the SEC as it develops strategies and approaches to engage with the media, since the media is a key tool to enable the Commission to communicate its work and the electoral process to voters.

Veljo Čađenović, SEC Secretary said: “Communication with the media is an important topic for the SEC. Today’s expert offered good ideas and the workshop participants developed a better appreciation for communicating through the media to citizens. We will continue to work with the OSCE in this area.”

Danica Ilić, media expert said that the SEC operates in a diverse media environment. “It is necessary to strengthen the SEC capacity to engage with the media in the public interest. Opening to the media has challenges, but communicating through the media about the work of the SEC will help enhance public confidence in the electoral process,” said Ilić.

The two-day workshop was a part of the Mission’s 2019 project on electoral assistance to the SEC, aimed at improving the transparency of the work of the institution.

The Peace Support Operations Training Centre of the Bosnia and Herzegovina Ministry of Defence and the OSCE Mission to Bosnia and Herzegovina, with the support the Austrian Ministry of Defence, organized a course on security sector governance and reform (SSG/R) processes in Bosnia and Herzegovina (BiH), which concluded on 11 December 2019.  

Representatives of the BiH Armed Forces, police agencies, judiciary, government institutions, civil society and academia attended the two-day course in Sarajevo. Participants discussed opportunities and challenges of security sector reform through an inclusive and whole-of-government approach.       

Susan Penksa, Head of the Department for Security Co-operation of the OSCE Mission to BiH emphasized that SSG/R should be responsive to people’s actual security needs. “A responsive security system that is able to effectively deal with contemporary and emerging threats and challenges will improve security and living standards for all the citizens of BiH.”

Highlighting the comprehensive nature of the SSG/R, Defence Attaché of the Republic of Austria in BiH, Erich Simbürger said: “SSG/R is a prerequisite for the development of good governance and for increasing the accountability of authorities towards its citizens. It refers not only to security institutions, but to all institutions including the judiciary, and it leads to the building of integrity of the entire public administration.”  

“The reforms represent a continuous process and require long-term engagement and commitment,” said Muhamed Smajić, Secretary of the BiH Ministry of Defence. He added that the security sector governance and reform also imply co-operation across ministerial, institutional, and governmental lines.

The OSCE Mission to BiH will remain a committed partner to Bosnia and Herzegovina and support the further enhancement of the effectiveness of the wider security system in the country, in line with OSCE commitments.

BELGRADE, 11 December 2019 – Some 50 teachers, university professors and members of civil society participated at the presentation of civics education manuals for teachers.

The manuals provide guidelines to civic education teachers who are facing challenges when teaching the new civics programme to elementary and high school students. Civics education strives to help young people acquire competences, such as analytical and critical thinking, to effectively participate in public life and live peacefully together in culturally diverse democratic societies.

“Well functioning institutions governed by a well-harmonized set of rules enforced by a fair and equitable justice system, are the main foundation of democracy,” said the Deputy Head of the OSCE Mission to Serbia, Joseph Mellott. “However, the culture of democracy must be taught and fostered, as it is reinforced through the actions and behavior of its citizens. Appropriate educational input and practices can boost the democratic engagement of citizens, and reduce intolerance and prejudice.”

The Head of the Institute for Improvement of Education Zlatko Grusanovic said: “The new curricula for civics education, oriented towards achieving outcomes and developing competences, introduce new challenges for teachers and students. That is why the manuals for teachers, prepared by the Institute with the OSCE Mission’s support, are a significant tool for strengthening the knowledge in this field. This is valuable not only for individuals, but also for society as a whole, as students become aware of their rights and responsibilities, and develop increased sensitivity to the needs of others and of the society, and become ready to actively participate in the community taking into account democratic values.”

The event builds upon the OSCE Mission to Serbia’s efforts to raise knowledge and awareness of rule of the law culture among the youngest citizens and to prepare them for active participation in public life.

The subject of civics education was first introduced in 2001–2002 as an elective in all grades, from the first grade of primary school to the fourth grade of high school.

NEW YORK, United States, 10 December 2019 - The OSCE Chairperson-in-Office and Slovakia’s Minister of Foreign and European Affairs, Miroslav Lajčák, today welcomed the results of the Normandy Four Summit in Paris.

The Chairperson stressed that the agreed steps, when implemented, will be an important contribution to the resolution of the conflict in eastern Ukraine and to bringing peace to people who have been suffering for years.

“I am very glad that the further steps provide for measures including a commitment to the ceasefire, de-mining, facilitating the exchange of detainees, creating new disengagement areas along the contact line, and opening new entry and exit points – concrete measures that were promoted by the Slovak OSCE Chair since the very beginning of this year,” Minister Lajčák said.

The OSCE Chairperson-in-Office also welcomed the agreement of the Normandy Four leaders to meet again within four months to further discuss political and security issues, including the organization of local elections.

NEW YORK, United States, 10 December 2019 – The OSCE and the UN Secretariat in New York today finalized an agreement to strengthen co-operation on addressing key challenges to international peace and security, and on promoting respect for human rights, fundamental freedoms and the rule of law.

In the reinforced agreement, endorsed by the OSCE Chairperson-in-Office, Slovak Foreign and European Affairs Minister, Miroslav Lajčák; OSCE Secretary General, Thomas Greminger; and the UN Secretary-General António Guterres, leaders of both organizations committed to seeking joint, effective, and co-operative solutions to cope with the rapid changes in regional and global security environments.

“The world around both the UN and the OSCE is changing. The threats facing us are more complex; more transnational.We need to ensure strong, complementary partnerships between the UN and the OSCE,” stressed Foreign Minister Lajčák. “Not just through our conferences or events in New York or Vienna, but above all in the field. Because that is where our efforts have the most impact on people – and people should be our focus, particularly as we celebrate Human Rights Day,” he added.

The OSCE Secretary General Thomas Greminger noted that the agreement reached marks an important milestone in enhancing the long-standing partnership between the OSCE and the UN. “Thanks to increased information exchange and knowledge sharing, we will enhance the effectiveness of our respective efforts to achieve shared goals related to peace, security, development and human rights,” he said.

The Joint Statement, to supplement the 1993 Framework for Cooperation and Coordination between the United Nations Secretariat and the OSCE, calls for enhanced co-ordination and synergies between the OSCE and the UN though regular high-level engagements and strengthening existing co-ordination mechanisms.

The Framework laid the groundwork for over two decades of mutually beneficial co-operation between the two organizations.

What if the seafood served in the cafeteria at your organization was caught and processed as a result of trafficked labour occurring on the other side of the world? Preventing labour exploitation in supply chains was the focus of a meeting organized by the Office of the OSCE Special Representative and Co-ordinator for Combating Trafficking in Human Beings for members of the Inter-agency Coordination Group against Trafficking in Persons (ICAT) and the UN’s Procurement Task Force in Vienna on 10 December 2019.

This is the first meeting of this kind, bringing together the Task Force (for the Development of Joint Approach in Combating Trafficking of Human Beings in Supply Chain under the UN High-level Committee on Management) and ICAT with the goal of ensuring that none of the organizations purchase items that have labour exploitation in their supply chains.

Ways in which ICAT can support the procurement specialists in the implantation of the objectives of the Task Force were discussed, as well as specific measures and goals to be implemented. The meeting was acknowledged as being part of a broader effort by the OSCE to mobilize international efforts, and support OSCE participating States in promoting policies and practices to prevent human trafficking.

“International organizations have an essential role to play. They can provide expertise and guidance on national policies and can help to advance harmonization. They must also adopt and implement those procedures themselves,” said Valiant Richey, the OSCE Special Representative and Co-ordinator for Combating Trafficking in Human Beings.

UN Security Council Resolution 2388 calls on UN systems to enhance transparency in their procurement and supply chains, while the OSCE Ministerial Council Decision on Strengthening Efforts to Prevent Trafficking in Human Beings (2017) directed the OSCE Secretariat to look at its own supply chains and ensure that no goods or services from trafficked persons are being used.

Summary

• Compared with the previous 24 hours, the SMM recorded fewer ceasefire violations in Donetsk region and a similar number of ceasefire violations in Luhansk region.
• Inside the disengagement area near Stanytsia Luhanska, the Mission saw workers from non-government-controlled areas replacing railings on the metal span of the bridge.
• Inside the disengagement area near Zolote, the SMM saw workers from non-government-controlled areas clearing vegetation near road T-1316.
• The SMM saw that some trenches inside the Petrivske disengagement area had been partially filled.
• The Mission monitored adherence to a localized ceasefire to facilitate the drilling of water wells near non-government-controlled Pankivka in Luhansk region.
• Freedom of movement for the SMM continued to be restricted, including again at a checkpoint of the armed formations near Zaichenko.*
• In Odessa, Kharkiv and Kyiv, the Mission monitored public gatherings critical of the signing of the text of the “Steinmeier formula”.

As part of the #16Days of Activism against Gender-Based Violence campaign, the IT Girls, joint initiative by UN Women, UNICEF and UNDP, supported by Sweden, and the OSCE Mission to Bosnia and Herzegovina (BiH) joined forces to raise awareness about gender-based violence against women and girls in cyberspace at an event held on 9 December 2019 in Sarajevo.

The event shed light on some of the elements of this form of violence and how victims can recognize, eliminate, and protect themselves when it occurs.

"UN Women is marking the 16 days of activism campaign this year by highlighting the necessity of prevention of violence against women and girls,” said David Saunders, UN Women Representative in Bosnia and Herzegovina. “Online violence is becoming an increasingly present issue. A type of violence that is widely discussed and is drastically under-regulated in legislation. It is crucial that the digital space becomes a safe and empowering place for everyone, including women and girls, so that no girl or woman has to fend for herself when it comes to online violence, in social media and in cyberspace."

A panel, featuring experts in online violence against women and girls, privacy on the internet and criminology related to online harassment, discussed ways to raise awareness and combat harassment in the general public on this issue.

Željka Šulc, Spokesperson of the OSCE Mission to BiH, said that protection and promotion of basic women’s human rights and prohibition of gender-based violence against women and girls are principles enshrined and recognized in international human rights law. “These principles have been are developed through extensive international and regional conventions, jurisprudence and norms, and all social actors have affirmative obligations to secure that fundamental human rights are respected, promoted, and realized both offline and online. The OSCE Mission to BiH will continue working on different cases of violence against women and girls and domestic violence across different jurisdictions in the country,” said Šulc.

The panellists and participants concluded that further discussion and awareness-raising on recognizing, eliminating, and preventing cases of online violence against women and girls is needed at all levels.

This report is for the media and the general public.

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. The ninety-second Russian convoy crossed into Ukraine and returned through the Donetsk BCP.

OPERATIONAL REMARKS

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

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 10,485 to 10,180 per day at both BCPs compared to last week[1].

During the reporting period, the majority of border crossings were to the Russian Federation, with an average net flow of 31 per day for both BCPs.

The Donetsk BCP continued to experience much more traffic than the Gukovo BCP.

Persons in military-style outfits

During the reporting period, the number of persons in military-style outfits crossing the border in both directions at both BCPs was 15 this week compared to 20 last week: nine of them crossed into the Russian Federation, and six into Ukraine (80 per cent of this category’s crossings occurred at the Donetsk BCP). They continued to cross the border individually or in groups. Most individuals crossed on foot, however, some made use of private vehicles, buses or minivans, making it more difficult for the observer teams (OTs) to observe their movement across the border, especially since some of the private vehicles had tinted windows, and buses and minivans had drawn curtains.

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, seven families were observed crossing into the Russian Federation and seven families were observed crossing into Ukraine, compared to the previous reporting period when no families were observed crossing to the Russian Federation and four 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. In addition to regular bus connections, the OTs continued to observe bus connections on irregular routes. Often the buses did not state their route; instead they had a sign on the windshield stating “irregular”.

During the reporting period, the OTs observed a decrease in the overall number of buses crossing the border at both BCPs (433 compared to 457 observed during the previous week). There were 224 buses bound for the Russian Federation and 209 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 and “LPR” plates.

Among the bus connections observed by the OTs, the following “irregular” route or destination was noted: Luhansk-Kiev.

Trucks

During the reporting period, the OTs observed 897 trucks (compared to 769 during the previous reporting week) crossing the border in both directions at both BCPs (469 at the Gukovo BCP and 428 at the Donetsk BCP); 481 of these trucks crossed into the Russian Federation and 416 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 and the Russian Federation and with “LPR” plates.

The OTs also continued to observe tanker trucks crossing the border in both directions. During the reporting week, the number of tanker trucks slightly increased from 59 to 65. 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 unfavourable 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 135 to 108; 90 trucks (83 per cent) were bound for Ukraine, the remaining 18 trucks (17 per cent) crossed into the Russian Federation.

Minivans

The OM continued to observe passenger and cargo minivans[2] 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 frequently saw minivans registered in the Russian Federation. Compared to the previous week, the number of cargo minivans increased from 126 to 154 vehicles; 67 crossed into the Russian Federation and another 87 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 12 occasions; the OTs assessed that eight trains were travelling to the Russian Federation and four to Ukraine (more details are provided in the sections “trends and figures at a glance” below).

The OSCE Special Monitoring Mission (SMM) to Ukraine was regularly informed about the trains bound for Ukraine.

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 cars with “DPR” plates and licence plates from Georgia.

On 4 December at 20:50, the OT observed a police minivan with two police officers inside entering the Donetsk BCP from the Russian Federation. The police car parked in the checking area and was partially visible to the OT. At 20:48, the vehicle drove back towards the Russian Federation. One civilian was observed inside the vehicle, in addition to the police officers.

On 7 December at 23:31, an ambulance with Russian Federation licence plates arrived at the Donetsk BCP from the Russian Federation side. The ambulance bore the inscription “urgent medical help” (in Russian). Two paramedics and a driver were observed inside. The vehicle parked at the main building; the two paramedics then entered the building. At 23:40, they both returned to the vehicle and the ambulance left towards the Russian Federation. 

Convoy

On 5 December at 06:20 (Moscow time), the ninety-second[3] Russian convoy arrived at the Donetsk BCP. A total of ten vehicles were checked by Russian Federation border guards and customs officers prior to their crossing into Ukraine. All ten vehicles had crossed back into the Russian Federation by 12:35 on 5 December. Ukrainian border guards and custom officers were present during the checking processes. A Spot Report was distributed to participating States the same day.

See OM Spot Report of 5 December 2019: https://www.osce.org/observer-mission-at-russian-checkpoints-gukovo-and-donetsk/441206

For trends and figures at a glance covering the period from 5 November to 10 December 2019, please see the attachment here

[1] Based on data received from the Regional Representation of the Ministry of Foreign Affairs of the Russian Federation.

[2] 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).                  

[3] Based on the Observer Mission’s counting, this convoy is considered the ninety-second convoy that has crossed into Ukraine through the “Donetsk” or “Gukovo” BCPs. However, so far all these convoys crossed through the “Donetsk” BCP.

An OSCE-organized workshop entitled “Economic benefits of labour migration: OSCE best practices” took place in Ashgabat on 5 and 6 December 2019.

The seminar brought together government officials from the Ministry of Foreign Affairs, the Ministry of National Security, the Ministry of Interior, the Ministry of Labour and Social Protection, the Ministry of Education, the State Migration Service and the State Border Service as well as representatives of public organizations.

The two-day workshop provided participants with the knowledge and operational tools necessary for establishing effective national migration policies in line with OSCE commitments and international principles.

Ugo Melchionda, an expert from Italy, provided insights into the challenges in labour migration management and the roles that different stakeholders can play in developing effective labour migration practices. Participants analysed migration management key policy and operational tools and stressed the significance and advantages of inter-state co-operation and bilateral labour agreements.

Natalya Drozd, Head of the OSCE Centre in Ashgabat, referred to the Ministerial Council’s Decision 5/09 on Migration Management, which recognized “the increasing importance of and the benefits stemming from effective migration management for the socio-economic development, social cohesion, security and stability in all countries”.

“It is our belief that the workshop will support the efforts of the host government to develop an efficient labour migration management system for Turkmenistan,” mentioned Drozd.

The seminar also addressed the development of circular and temporary migration schemes as optimal tools to harness the economic potential of well-governed migration for countries of origin, destination and the migrants themselves. Group work fostered a peer-to-peer exchange of ideas related to the development of national policies in line with the best international practices.  

The event builds on the regional initiative organized annually by the Office of the Co-ordinator of OSCE Economic and Environmental Activities (OCEEA) the Regional Framework for Action: Towards a multi-agency and multi-stakeholder approach to improve labour migration governance in Central Asia.

SKOPJE, 10 December 2019 –A series of OSCE Mission to Skopje-supported strategies designed to further professionalize and democratize the police were presented today in Skopje.

The working groups to develop strategies focusing on human resource management, training and development, and community engagement and outreach, were assigned by the Minister of Internal Affairs, Oliver Spasovski.  

The OSCE Mission to Skopje facilitated the strategy development process and provided strategic input and best international practices throughout the drafting process.

The human resource strategy focuses on fostering competency-based recruitment, career development, promotion and redeployment procedures within the Ministry. The training and development strategy helps to establish clear objectives for improving the police training system, while the community engagement and communication strategy provides recommendations for the improvement of police communication and co-operation with the communities in order to improve safety for all citizens.

“We are ready to continue to support the efforts of the Ministry to strengthen the law enforcement service through the implementation of these strategies. I am particularly proud of our staff who contributed with their expertise and experience, which shows the Mission’s added value in supporting the Ministry of Internal Affairs, as well as the overall reform processes of the country,” said the Head of OSCE Mission to Skopje Clemens Koja.

“I would highlight building partnerships at local level, commitment to open and transparent policing, regular community dialogue, and improving the functioning of the Local Prevention Councils as priorities of the strategy on community engagement and communication,” said Minister of Internal Affairs Oliver Spasovski while presenting the strategies. “As of next year, we will start implementing the measures envisioned in the action plans of all strategies. Every state is responsible to ensure safety and security through democratic policing in order to increase the quality of life for its citizens,” he added.

The Ukrainian National Reference Centre for Identification of Controlled and Toxic chemicals, established and equipped with OSCE support, was presented to the country’s expert community on 10 December 2019 in Kyiv.

The Reference Centre was established at the facilities of Medved’s Research Center of Preventive Toxicology, Food and Chemical Safety to support national authorities with credible analysis of chemicals, which is an important tool to respond to incidents and conduct investigations.

As part of joint project efforts with the country’s Ministry of Health, the OSCE Project Co-ordinator helped to develop regulatory documents for establishing and functioning of the Centre, as well as for its role in interagency co-operation. A modern high-resolution chromatograph with spectrometer was provided to expand capacities for precise, fast and reliable detection and identification of chemicals.  

“The equipment we provide will extend analytical capabilities of the laboratory to obtain structural information on highly toxic compounds, including chemical weapon agents and their precursors. This is an important step towards enhancing control of dual-use materials according to requirements of UN Security Council Resolution 1540 (2004), and the country’s readiness to counter chemical threats,” said Henrik Villadsen, OSCE Project Co-ordinator in Ukraine. “It will also enable fast and reliable detection and identification of chemicals during emergencies, which is crucial for saving people’s lives.”

The UN Security Council Resolution 1540 (2004) on non-proliferation of weapons of mass destruction and their means of delivery requires that all the States shall take and enforce effective measures to establish domestic controls to prevent the proliferation of nuclear, chemical, or biological weapons and their means of delivery, including by establishing appropriate controls over related materials.

The OSCE Project Co-ordinator in Ukraine implemented the project with the financial support of the European Union and the United States of America.

‘You are not alone’: OSCE PA’s Hadjiyianni and Link mark Human Rights Day with calls for solidarity

COPENHAGEN, 10 December 2019 – OSCE parliamentarians must speak up loudly and clearly to champion the victims of human rights abuses, particularly the most vulnerable members of society, said the Chair and Vice-Chair of the OSCE Parliamentary Assembly’s human rights committee today.

In observance of International Human Rights Day, which commemorates the adoption of the Universal Declaration of Human Rights by the United Nations General Assembly on 10 December 1948, Committee Chair Kyriakos Hadjiyianni (MP, Cyprus) issued the following statement:

“On this International Human Rights Day let’s take a moment to remember all the victims of human rights abuses around the world – the political prisoners, the victims of torture and the death penalty, the women suffering from domestic violence, the children who are in conflict zones or who are on the move as migrants and refugees. We in the OSCE Parliamentary Assembly want you to know that you are not alone. As OSCE parliamentarians we pledge to increase our efforts to make sure that your stories are told and that human rights are placed at the very top of the international agenda.”Watch a video message of Hadjiyianni’s statement here.

Committee Vice-Chair Michael Georg Link (MP, Germany) said:

“In these times of rising authoritarianism and attacks on multilateralism, sadly the human rights agenda does not receive enough attention. As the leaders of the OSCE PA’s human rights committee we must do our part to give this issue the prominence that it needs to have if we are ever to make progress. This is particularly the case when it comes to the most vulnerable members of our society: women, children, minorities, people with disabilities. We must speak up loudly and clearly to champion their cause. On this Human Rights Day, let us redouble our efforts to make the respect for human rights the norm around the world.”

For more information on the work of the OSCE PA’s General Committee on Democracy, Human Rights and Humanitarian Questions, please click here.

Summary

• Compared with the previous reporting period, between the evenings of 6 and 7 December, the SMM recorded fewer ceasefire violations in both Donetsk and Luhansk regions.
• Between the evenings of 7 and 8 December, the SMM recorded fewer ceasefire violations in Donetsk region and more in Luhansk region, compared with the previous 24 hours.
• The SMM continued to monitor the security situation in the disengagement areas near Petrivske, Zolote and Stanytsia Luhanska.
• The SMM saw for the first time anti-tank mines near non-government-controlled Pikuzy.
• The Mission observed long queues of civilians at checkpoints in non-government-controlled areas of Donetsk region.
• Freedom of movement for the SMM continued to be restricted, including at checkpoints of the armed formations near Verkhnoshyrokivske, Prymorske and Zaichenko, all in southern parts of Donetsk region.*
• The SMM monitored a gathering of about 7,000 people in Kyiv critical of the signing of the text of the “Steinmeier formula”.

WARSAW, 10 December 2019 – Universal human rights are indivisible and interrelated, with any violations striking a blow at all of society, the head of the OSCE Office for Democratic Institutions and Human Rights (ODIHR) said on the occasion of Human Rights Day.

“Every single one of us is entitled to human rights simply by virtue of our common humanity. We are all potentially vulnerable to human rights violations and should get assistance and protection when our rights are threatened,” said ODIHR Director Ingibjörg Sólrún Gísladóttir. “Populist declarations like to ignore the fact that human rights are for the majority just as they are for minorities. Everybody – including anyone who calls themselves ‘traditionalist’ or ‘mainstream’ – should be cheering the rights and freedoms that just a few generations ago were only a dream.”

Human Rights Day is celebrated on 10 December each year to remember the day on which the Universal Declaration of Human Rights was adopted by the UN General Assembly following the horrors and destruction of the Second World War, and to reflect on the work still ahead in order to create peaceful, democratic and tolerant societies in which all humans are able to live in dignity.

Among the many rights OSCE countries have committed to are the right to life, liberty and security, the right to a fair trial, the freedom to organize and take part in peaceful gatherings, and the freedom to participate in democratic elections. The countries of the OSCE region recognize the exceptional importance of the Universal Declaration, and acknowledge the right of everyone to know and act upon their rights. This includes the right of individuals to seek and receive assistance in defending human rights, and to help others in doing so.

ODIHR’s activities in this area are based on the premise that human rights are key to the security and stability of all our societies. ODIHR works with many brave people throughout the OSCE region who have taken the decision to focus on the protection of human rights, despite the risks and dangers this can entail. See some of their stories here.

The OSCE Mission to Montenegro organized a two-day training course to help the Ministry of Sports and Youth to develop a third Action Plan for the implementation of the Government’s Youth Strategy 2017–2021 on 2 and 3 December 2019 in Budva.

Around 30 representatives of national and local institutions, and NGOs dealing with youth policy issues, attended the seminar. They discussed the level of implementation of the 2019 Action Plan and how the 2020–2021 Action Plan should be developed.

Nenad Koprivica, Director-General of the Ministry’s Directorate for Youth thanked the Mission for its continued support with improving youth policy. “This seminar is an example of the open and transparent relations of the Ministry of Sport and Youth towards all youth policy actors — state institutions, local governments and non-governmental organizations dealing with youth policies,” said Koprivica.

Ivana Vujović, the Mission’s National Programme Officer for Democratization said that youth policy is key as it seeks to address all issues affecting young people to allow them to realize their full potential. “You are here as representatives of different institutions and organizations. I would like to encourage you to go the extra-mile and keep a ‘youth’ perspective. Ask yourselves if the measures that will be included in the Action Plan reflect youth priorities and needs and have a positive impact on their life,” said Vujović.

The OSCE Mission to Montenegro will continue its co-operation and partnership with the Ministry of Sports and Youth on implementing activities aimed at improving youth policies in the country.