Central Europe

VIENNA, 3 June 2015 – As part of the 2015 Aarhus Centres Annual Meeting on 3-4 June 2015 in Vienna, Aarhus Centres from Albania, Bosnia and Herzegovina, Montenegro and Serbia signed a Joint Declaration for co-operation, a step very much welcomed by the Serbian 2015 OSCE Chairmanship.
 
In the Joint Declaration, they state their commitment to strengthen partnership and co-operation among the 13 Aarhus Centres in South-East Europe in order to reinforce the promotion and implementation of the Aarhus Convention, to facilitate a dialogue of civil society organizations across borders, and to more effectively address common environmental concerns.
 
The OSCE has been supporting a network of 59 Aarhus Centres across the OSCE region as part of its work in promoting the implementation of the Aarhus Convention on Access to Information, Public Participation in Decision-making and Access to Justice in Environmental Matters.

Aarhus Centres provide a platform for co-operation and partnerships in addressing environment and security issues. 

The Aarhus Centres in the OSCE region have received support through the Environment and Security (ENVSEC) Initiative - a partnership comprising the OSCE, UN Development Programme (UNDP), the UN Environment Programme (UNEP), the UN Economic Commission for Europe (UNECE), the Regional Environmental Centre for Central and Eastern Europe as well as NATO as an associate partner.

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DUSHANBE, 3 June 2015 – An eight-day regional training course for a Tajik-Dari speaking group of students on Explosive Ordnance Disposal (EOD) Level 3 concluded in Dushanbe today. The course was facilitated by the OSCE Office in Tajikistan, and marks the first graduation of training instructors in the region certified according to international mine action standards.

Sixteen students – predominantly from national armed forces, but also the national Mine Action co-ordination authorities and supporting agencies from Tajikistan and Afghanistan completed the course.

“The OSCE firmly beliefs that the training of a new generation of certified EOD instructors in Central Asia will lead to a multiplier effect in reducing Explosive Hazards threats to individuals and, even more, for the sustainability of national capacities,” said Ambassador Markus Mueller, Head of the OSCE Office in Tajikistan.

Muhabbat Ibrohimzoda, Director of the Tajikistan National Mine Action Centre, said: “The ongoing EOD train-the-trainer programme is a step towards setting up the regional Explosive Hazards training centre in Tajikistan.”

Robert Burgess, Deputy Chief of Mission at the United States Embassy in Dushanbe, said: “Cross-border co-operation between Tajikistan and Afghanistan, through joint training courses  and other measures, effectively contributes to regional stability and security.”

The course was hosted by Tajikistan’s Defence Ministry and facilitated by the OSCE Office in Tajikistan in partnership with the US Army Forces, Central Command. It was financed by the Government of United States, the Department of State’s Office of Weapons Removal and Abatement.

Since 2009, the OSCE has been supporting the development of technical co-operative mechanisms among the states in Central Asia and Afghanistan in order to address concerns and challenges stemming from explosive hazards.

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WARSAW, 3 June 2015 - Michael Georg Link, Director of the OSCE Office for Democratic Institutions and Human Rights (ODIHR), and Valeria Lutkovska, Ukraine’s Human Rights Commissioner, signed an agreement in Warsaw today for greater co-operation between ODIHR and Lutkovska’s office in a broad range of activities in Ukraine, including the promotion of tolerance and gender equality and building greater capacity to monitor the protection and promotion of human rights.  

“Our institutions are committed to expanding co-operation in work to support the further development of democratic society, the implementation of the rule of law, and to foster the implementation of Ukraine’s commitments in the human dimension of security,” Director Link said at the signing ceremony. 

The memorandum of understanding also calls for the promotion of mechanisms to identify hate crimes and to engage in dialogue with relevant state structures on addressing bias-motivated violence, as well as support for an impact assessment of legislation on human rights and the enhancement of consultation as part of the legislative process in Ukraine.

“Today there is an urgent need in Ukraine to raise awareness among civil society and government stakeholders on how to advocate for human rights-sensitive legislation and policies,” Lutkovska said. “Joint efforts by ODIHR and Ukraine’s Ombuds Office will amplify the impact of efforts to ensure the protection of human rights in Ukraine.” 

Today’s signing builds on previous agreements between ODIHR and Ukraine’s Human Rights Commissioner, including a memorandum of co-operation signed in 2013, and formalizes work by the two institutions on implementing an ODIHR project to build dialogue and co-operation among civil society and government stakeholders.

The  “Strengthening Dialogue among Civil Society and with Key Government Stakeholders in Ukraine” project will bring together more than 600 stakeholders from both civil society and the Ukrainian authorities in 2015 alone, to enhance effective mechanisms for dialogue to address key human rights issues in Ukraine, in line with OSCE commitments and international standards.

 

 

 

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TBILISI, 2 June 2015 – OSCE Chairperson-in-Office and Serbia’s Foreign Minister Ivica Dačić visited Tbilisi today, where he met President Giorgi Margvelashvili, Prime Minister Irakli Garibashvili, Minister of Foreign Affairs Tamar Beruchashvili and Speaker of Parliament Davit Usupashvili, as well as members of other political parties.

Dačić stressed that the OSCE would continue to support Georgia in addressing external and internal challenges. “We support the development of a strong and vibrant democracy in Georgia through implementation of OSCE commitments,” he said. “Fresh thinking is needed," he added, "if we are to find a way to manage effectively the OSCE's diverse activities in Georgia, and ensure that the challenges it faces remain front and centre of the OSCE agenda."

The Chairperson-in-Office praised the co-chairs of the Geneva International Discussions for their persistent efforts to advance the process, and encouraged all participants to engage in creative reflection in order to avoid jeopardising it. “These discussions remain the only inclusive platform to address the consequences of the 2008 conflict and need to be reinvigorated,” Dačić said.

He underlined the value of the Incident Prevention and Response Mechanism (IPRM). "This continues to serve as an example of pragmatic co-operation," he said, "one aimed at helping resolve security and humanitarian challenges through restoration of mutual trust." Dačić reiterated his support for the work of his Special Representative for the South Caucasus, Ambassador Angelo Gnaedinger, who co-facilitates the Incident Prevention Response Mechanism (IPRM) in Ergneti together with the head of the EU Monitoring Mission in Georgia.

The visit to Georgia followed the Chairperson-in-Office’s meetings in Azerbaijan yesterday. His trip to South Caucasus will be concluded tomorrow, 3 June, with a visit to Armenia.

 

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SUMMARY

Kamensk-Shakhtinskiy, Russian Federation. The Observer Mission (OM) continues to operate 24/7 at both BCPs. The overall cross-border traffic increased at both Border Crossing Points (BCPs).

DETAIL

OM’s staff composition

The OM is currently operating with 21 staff members, consisting of 19 permanent international observers (incl. the Chief Observer) and two first-responders, one of which is performing the duties of an administrative assistant. Eight staff members are currently on leave.

Cross-border movements common to both BCPs

The profile of the people crossing the border remains unchanged and can be categorised as follows:

1. Families on foot or travelling by car, with a lot of luggage, often accompanied by elderly people;
2. Adults (usually of younger age) with no luggage or empty cars;
3. People wearing military-style clothes with or without backpacks, crossing on foot or in vehicles.

As compared to last week, the average number of entries/exits increased overall from 8,378 to 8,507 per day for both BCPs; the average net flow went from minus 218 to minus 160 (i.e. more exits from the Russian Federation). The Donetsk BCP continued to experience more traffic than the Gukovo BCP. The cross-border movements registered at both BCPs accounted for just over 32 percent of all entries/exits in the Rostov region. The majority of the vehicles crossing the border have number plates issued in the Luhansk region, including an increasing number of articulated trucks and the long-distance coaches commuting between Luhansk and cities in the Russian Federation, predominantly in the Rostov region.

Common observations at the BCPs

The situation at both BCPs remained calm. The OM continued to observe that the Russian Federation border guard and customs service conducted checks and controls.

Regular local and long-distance bus connections continued to operate between the Luhansk region and cities in the Russian Federation. In addition to regular bus connections, the Observer Teams (OTs) also continued to observe bus connections on irregular routes. Often the buses do not state their route; instead they just have a sign in the window saying “Irregular”.

During the reporting period, the number of men and women in military-style dress crossing the border in both directions decreased from 292 to 257 at both BCPs which is the lowest recorded number since the Observer Mission’s inception. These people have been crossing individually or in groups and on foot or in vehicles. Approximately eighty five percent of border crossings occurred at the Donetsk BCP. The OTs continue to observe that persons in military-style dress have been travelling by bus across the border which makes it more difficult for the OTs to observe their movement across the border. The OTs also continue to observe physically fit young men in civilian clothing, who frequently travel in groups, with short haircuts who often have camouflage-colored bags.

Furthermore, the OTs continued to observe Ukrainian vehicles including articulated trucks with “DPR/LPR” stickers on their license plates replacing the Ukrainian flag.

During the reporting week, the OM continued to observe an increased number of trucks crossing the border in both directions. The OTs continued to observe dumper trucks transporting coal from the Luhansk region to the Russian Federation through the BCP Gukovo. The OTs observed intense cargo truck traffic at BCP Donetsk crossing the border in both directions. While the majority of the trucks are registered in Luhansk oblast, during the reporting period the OTs have also observed trucks registered in Belarus crossing the border. The OTs have observed that the number of trucks registered in Belarus has decreased compared to the previous reporting week; these trucks were observed crossing the border in both directions at the Donetsk BCP. Separately, the OTs also observed tanker trucks crossing the border both ways. These crossings occurred at both BCPs. These trucks for the most part had the word “Propane” and “Flammable” written across the tanks in Russian.

Military movement

At the two BCPs the OM did not observe military movement, apart from the usual vehicles of the Russian Federation Border Guard Service.

Observation at the Gukovo BCP

The traffic flow at the Gukovo BCP has increased compared to last week. A daily average of 2,513 entries and exits was recorded, which accounted for just under ten per cent of all entries/exits in the Rostov region. The net flow went from plus 50 to plus 103 (i.e. more entries to the Russian Federation) on average per day.

During the week, the OM observed a total of 32 persons in military-style clothing crossing the border at the Gukovo BCP, 20 of whom left for Ukraine while 12 entered the Russian Federation.

As in previous weeks, the OM observed dumper trucks transporting coal from the Luhansk region to the Russian Federation, though the intensity of the transportation remains relatively low compared to past reporting periods. As reported previously, the observers saw Russian Federation customs officers verifying that the trucks were empty while leaving the Russian Federation.

In addition to the above-mentioned tanker trucks with the word “Propane” and “Flammable”, the OT observed a number of orange articulated fuel trucks crossing at the Gukovo BCP.

The OTs picked up on the sound of trains running down the train tracks located approximately 150 meters south west of the BCP on seven occasions during the reporting week; the OTs estimated that four trains were going to Ukraine; three were bound for the Russian Federation. Visual observation was not possible because of the line of trees in between the train tracks and the BCP.

On May 28 at 21:30hrs the OT heard 12 light caliber single shots which came from a south eastern direction.

On May 28 at 11:29hrs the OT observed three men carrying a coffin from Russian Federation to Ukraine, crossing the border on foot. The OT also observed two women together with these three men dealing with documentations while crossing the border.   

On two occasions during the reporting period, the Border Guards held drills during which the gates of BCP were closed on both sides and spike mats were deployed on the road. Border guards were observed wearing helmets and bulletproof vests.

 

Observation at the Donetsk BCP

During the reporting period the activity at the Donetsk BCP was slightly higher compared to last week. The daily average of 5,994 entries and exits accounted for over twenty three percent of all entries/exits in the Rostov region. The net flow changed from minus 269 to minus 264 on average per day (i.e. more exits from Russian Federation). The OT observed 225 persons in military-style clothing crossing the border at the Donetsk BCP individually and in groups; 133 persons entered the Russian Federation while 92 left for Ukraine.

During the reporting week the OTs observed three ambulances at the Donetsk BCP. On one occasion, the OT observed an ambulance arriving from Russian Federation direction at the BCP to the other side of the customs control building. All the ambulance staff was dressed in full biohazard clothing. The ambulance remained for 15 minutes before returning to the RF.  The ambulance was parked out of line of vision of the OT and consequently it was unable to observe what happened.

On May 26 at 11:43hrs a white minivan arrived to BCP from Russian Federation side. On its windshield was written in large black letters “GRUZ 200” and there was a large Christian cross on the front of the vehicle. The OT observed four persons in civilian clothing and a sealed brown coffin on its board. After quick checks by the Russian Federation officials including the representative of the Veterinary Service the vehicle proceeded to Ukraine.

On May 30 and June 1 the OTs heard the sound of firing in three occasions. The first and second were heard from a north-west direction and approximately 10 to 20 rounds were shot.  The third shooting was heard from a northern direction and consisted of nine light caliber rounds shot in a row.

 

CONVOY

On 28 May 2015 at 07:00hrs (Moscow time), a Russian convoy arrived at the Donetsk BCP (see the OM Spot Report of 28 May). A total of 50 vehicles - 44 cargo trucks and 6 support vehicles - were checked by the Russian border guard and customs services; one Russian service dog was used to check most of the cargo trucks. Ukrainian officers were present on site during the check of both the outgoing and the returning convoy. All the vehicles had crossed back into the Russian Federation by 15:10hrs on 28 May.

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This report is provided for the media and the general public.

The SMM monitored the implementation of the “Package of measures for the Implementation of the Minsk agreements”. Its monitoring was restricted by third parties and security considerations *. The SMM observed continuing ceasefire violations in and around Donetsk airport; Luhansk region remained relatively calm. Due to current security concerns, the SMM did not visit Shyrokyne.

The SMM observed continuing ceasefire violations in and around Donetsk airport (“Donetsk People’s Republic” (“DPR”)-controlled, 12km north-west of Donetsk city centre). During the day, at the Joint Centre for Control and Co-ordination observation point at Donetsk central railway station (“DPR”-controlled, 8km north-west of Donetsk city centre) the SMM heard a total of 109 mainly outgoing explosions from the north, north-north-west and north-east consistent with heavy and light weapons (122mm howitzers, 120 and 82mm mortars), and (23mm) anti-aircraft fire[1].

In line with current security considerations, the SMM did not visit the area of Shyrokyne (20km east of Mariupol). The SMM followed up on reports about the death of one civilian in Shyrokyne due to supposedly sniper fire on 30 May (see SMM Daily Report, 1 June 2015, http://www.osce.org/ukraine-smm/daily-updates). Speaking to the SMM on the phone from the hospital in Novoazovsk, a neighbour of the deceased who was also injured in the attack said that the alleged sniper fire came from a south-westerly direction.

Both the Russian Colonel-General, Representative of the Armed Forces of the Russian Federation to the Joint Centre for Control and Co-ordination (JCCC) and the Ukrainian Major-General, Head of the Ukrainian side to the JCCC, had approached the SMM to facilitate a ceasefire in order to enable recovery of the body. Despite SMM efforts on facilitating a local ceasefire and the fact that the sides were holding fire temporarily, the “DPR” did not consider it safe to proceed with the recovery.

In government-controlled Stanytsia Luhanska (16km north-east of Luhansk), the SMM observed seven people (five middle aged females and two elderly males), waiting in front of the second to last government-controlled checkpoint prior to the bridge. One female interlocutor complained to the SMM that they intended to cross to “Lugansk People’s Republic” (“LPR”)-controlled territory, but that the Ukrainian Armed Forces checkpoint personnel did not allow them, explaining that the bridge is closed for all movements. Another female interlocutor, resident of Stanytsia Luhanska, explained to the SMM that because of the closure, she was not able to see her children who are studying in Luhansk city. At the last government-controlled checkpoint prior to the bridge an individual of the Chernihiv battalion, serving under the Ukrainian Ministry of Interior told the SMM that the checkpoint was closed for any movement and that on 1 June, the Chernihiv battalion personnel allowed only one child to cross from the “LPR”-territory to Stanytsia Luhanska. According to the interlocutor, on 31 May several hundred people wanted to cross the bridge in both directions due to the religious holiday, but the checkpoint personnel had orders from their superior not to let anybody pass. The SMM observed five people waiting at the checkpoint on “LPR”-controlled territory wanting to cross into government-controlled territory (see SMM Daily Report, 29 May 2015, http://www.osce.org/ukraine-smm/160931).

The SMM spoke to the “commander” of the “LPR” “border guards” in Krasnodon (43km south-east of Luhansk) who said that the recent closure of crossing points (by order of Luhansk governor of 26 May) at the line of contact, has not impacted on the situation at the “LPR”-controlled border crossing point with the Russian Federation in Izvaryne (53km south-east of Luhansk). According to him there is no increased traffic towards the Russian Federation. The interlocutor said that over the past weeks the processing of vehicles and persons in both directions – to the Russian Federation and back – has been improving and the queues have been getting shorter.

The SMM revisited six “DPR”-controlled heavy weapons holding areas observing that their locations comply with the respective Minsk withdrawal lines. At four of the holding areas the weapons previously recorded were in situ.  At one “DPR” site the SMM found only two 100mm anti-tank guns. Six self-propelled howitzers (122m Gvozdika) previously recorded were still missing as of 29 May when SMM first noted it. At another site, the SMM noted that one towed howitzer (152mm MSTA) previously recorded was missing.

The SMM revisited three Ukrainian Armed Forces heavy weapon holding areas and noted that all locations comply with the respective Minsk withdrawal lines. Only at one site weapons previously recorded were in situ. At the two other sites, the SMM observed that some of the heavy weapons previously recorded and accounted for were missing, namely two multiple launcher rocket system (MLRS) (122mm BM-21 “GRAD”) at one site, and five MLRS (122mm BM-21 “GRAD”) at the second site.

Despite claims that withdrawal of heavy weapons was complete, the SMM observed 37 tanks, mainly T-72 type, in two concentrations in “DPR”-controlled areas east of Donetsk city and nine tanks, mainly T-72 type, in government-controlled areas north of Donetsk. Furthermore, the SMM observed 10 tanks, mainly T-64 type, in government-controlled areas north-west of Luhansk city.

The SMM unmanned aerial vehicle (UAV) observed a concentration in “DPR”-controlled territory, 61km north-east and 30km east of Mariupol, of at least 10 main battle tanks (MBT) of unknown type.

In Kyiv the SMM observed on 30 May the opening of a "Remembrance wall” for those who died participating in the anti-terrorism operation (ATO), organized by the National Guard and the Ukrainian Armed Forces at the Mykhailivska Square. There were about 30 members of the National Guard, and another 30 members of the Ukrainian Armed Forces band as well as Church representatives. There were about 150 civilian spectators (equal mix of male and females aged between 18 to 70 years). The event honored Ukrainian soldiers who have fought, died and are presently deployed in eastern Ukraine.  The SMM did not observe any police presence.

The SMM continued to monitor the situation in Kharkiv, Dnepropetrovsk, Odessa, Kherson, Chernivtsi, Ivano-Frankivsk and Lviv.

 

* Restrictions on SMM monitoring: access and freedom of movement

The SMM is restrained in fulfilling its monitoring functions by restrictions imposed by third parties and security considerations including the lack of information on whereabouts of landmines.

The security situation in Donbas is fluid and unpredictable and the ceasefire does not hold everywhere.

• At the government-controlled checkpoint located at the crossroads east of Sievierodonetsk (74km north-west of Luhansk), the Ukrainian Armed Forces checkpoint guard asked the SMM patrol leader whether there were any Russian Federation nationals among the patrol members. The SMM was let through the checkpoint eventually.
• At the parking lot of Ilovaysk main train station (“DPR”-controlled, 34km east of Donetsk) the SMM was approached by one civilian and three “DPR” armed members. One armed “DPR” member asked the SMM about its presence and said that due to security concerns it should avoid to be close to an object and area of strategic military importance.
• At a Ukrainian Armed Forces checkpoint close to Karlivka (government-controlled, 26km west-south-west of Donetsk), soldiers asked for the names of the SMM patrol members and inquired if there were any Russian Federation citizens among the patrol members. The SMM was let through the checkpoint eventually.
• At the checkpoint at the outskirts of Mykolaivka (government-controlled, 41km south of Donetsk) the SMM was informed by the Ukrainian Armed Forces soldiers that it could only enter Mykolaivka, but would not be allowed to proceed to Novohnativka  (government-controlled, 41km south, south-east of Donetsk) due to security concerns. 
• On 1 June, an SMM unmanned aerial vehicle experienced jamming for approximately 44 minutes orbiting Sartana (government-controlled, 19km north-east of Mariupol) entailing a loss of video-feed and ability to monitor.

 

[1] For a complete breakdown of the ceasefire violations, please see the annex table.

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Vasilina Brazhko

To mark International Children’s Day, on 1 June 2015, The Osh city police, in co-operation with the OSCE Centre in Bishkek, organized an awareness-raising event for children and their parents called “My security”.

The event included interactive quizzes and games focusing on traffic safety rules and the security of schoolchildren; awareness-raising activities led by juvenile delinquency inspectors; briefings led by traffic police for parents, an exhibition of special traffic police vehicles and a performance by the “Young Traffic Police Officers”.

“The event aims to raise awareness among children and their parents on safety measures, and potential dangerous situations, while emphasizing the importance of co-operation between the police and local communities,” said Maciej Dachowski, Head of the Politico-Military Programme at the OSCE Centre in Bishkek.  

Some 800 school children participated in a drawing contest, and according to Mavtun Abdrahmanov from Osh, each drawing reflects the inner world of a kid, their desire for a happy childhood, peace, joy and goodness.

Traffic police officers and juvenile delinquency inspectors brought together schoolchildren and their parents in interactive activities, and shared various brochures, posters and flyers on traffic safety, the safety and security of children, preventing juvenile delinquency and how to limit the negative impact of the internet on children. 

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161816 Young leaders discuss innovative forms of political participation and social activism in OSCE region Young leaders discuss challenges to youth political participation in OSCE region Video: Youth Leadership Forum 2014 2nd Youth Leadership Forum 2014 Promoting and Increasing Youth Political Participation and Civic Engagement in the OSCE Region Seminar on Youth Political Participation

Some 30 youth representatives and activists from South-East Europe discussed ways to promote the political participation of youth in the OSCE region, including through new mechanisms such as social media, at a seminar organized by the OSCE Office for Democratic Institutions and Human Rights (ODIHR), in co-operation with the OSCE Mission to Serbia, and with the support of the Serbian OSCE Chairmanship-in-Office, in Belgrade on 2 June 2015.

During the seminar, participants took stock of the recommendations on promoting youth political participation developed during two youth leadership forums organized by ODIHR in 2014, and discussed the role of youth in public participation mechanisms, including political parties, civil society organizations and new media channels.  Participants also examined approaches to gender mainstreaming youth policies and issues affecting the effective participation of youth from minority groups.

"Enhancing youth political participation is challenging, yet crucially important for society as a whole, and not only for young people," said Milena Stosic, Special Representative of the OSCE Chairmanship-in-Office on Youth and Security. "Youth issues are high on the OSCE Chairmanship’s agenda, as youth are also strong catalysts for change. We trust that events like this one can contribute to the creation of a platform for further co-operation between youth activists and encourage OSCE participating States to institute a permanent mechanism for youth participation."

Darko Soković, President of Foundation for New Communications Dokukino, said: "New technologies and social media provide opportunities for more citizens to participate in politics. The recommendations from the Youth Leadership Forums are very helpful, as they explore how ICT tools can be used to enhance political participation, while also taking into consideration the particular need of different groups within society. This will provide great support to me in my daily work of promoting regional youth political participation."

The seminar is part of ODIHR’s ongoing efforts to further promote and enhance the political participation of youth across the OSCE region, in order to support OSCE participating States in fulfilling their commitments on political participation.

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MONACO, 2 June 2015 – Importance of international dialogue and co-operation between the OSCE participating States and Mediterranean Partners in tacking emerging transnational threats in the Mediterranean region was the focus of the joint OSCE and Principality of Monaco two-day conference, which concluded today in Monaco.  

Over 60 participants from the OSCE region and the Partners for Co-operation from Algeria, Egypt, Israel, Jordan, Morocco, OSCE Secretariat, United Nations Office on Drugs and Crime, and INTERPOL, International Organization for Migration, European External Action Service, European Commission, as well as representatives from civil society and the private sector shared experiences, views and good practices in finding ways to address irregular migration, to trace illicit financial flows and assets emanating from transnational organized crime,  to improve seaport and airport security, and to prevent illicit weapons trafficking across borders.

Opening the conference, Gilles Tonelli, Minister of Foreign Affairs of the Principality of Monaco said: “As a Mediterranean state, the Principality of Monaco supports the collaborative approach in tackling existing threats that are of concern to all participating States and Partners for Co-operation. The recent socio-economic and political developments have demonstrated the continued necessity for enhancing the OSCE engagement with the Partners for Co-operation on the basis of the existing OSCE commitments. The Principality of Monaco remains fully committed to further promoting dialogue on these important issues.”

Participants to the conference noted that the Mediterranean region is confronted with irregular migration that needs to be addressed as such in a broad context of regional co-operation and policy development. "The Mediterranean region faces a myriad of challenges including irregular migration, organized crime activities, related to illicit financial flows as well as trafficking of controlled or illegal substances," said Aleksandar Nikolić, State Secretary of Ministry of Interior of the Republic of Serbia, chairing the OSCE in 2015. “The OSCE provides an all-inclusive forum where we can discuss how these challenges could be best addressed collectively and contribute to building security community from Vancouver to Vladivostok.”

Maciej Popowski, Deputy Secretary General for European External Action Service, said: “Nature of the threats and globalization, forces us to work together both within the EU and internationally, including the OSCE, the UNODC and INTERPOL.”

“This conference contributed to international efforts to enhance dialogue and co-operative efforts of the OSCE participating States and Partners for Co-operation from the Mediterranean region to increase their capacities to identify and counter emerging transnational threats and to strengthen their response to such threats through information sharing and closer co-operation,” noted Alexey Lyzhenkov, OSCE Co-ordinator of Activities to Address Transnational Threats.

 

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WARSAW, 1 June 2015 – More than 100 representatives of governments, international organizations and civil society met to discuss the role of national human rights institutions in promoting and protecting individual human rights at the three-day OSCE Human Dimension Seminar, organized by the OSCE Office for Democratic Institutions and Human Rights (ODIHR) in co-operation with the 2015 Serbian Chairmanship of the OSCE.

Michael Georg Link, ODIHR Director, said that the contacts and co-operation made possible by such events are central to the effectiveness of the institutions, such as ombudsperson’s offices, established by OSCE participating States to help safeguard human rights and freedoms.

“Whenever necessary, national human rights institutions ought to be uncomfortable partners to their governments,” the ODIHR Director said. “Given this natural domestic tension, it is even more important that they support each other across borders. The co-operation of Ms. Ella Pamfilova, the Commissioner for Human Rights in the Russian Federation, and Ms. Valeriya Lutkovska, the Ukrainian Parliament Commissioner for Human Rights, is an excellent example. It is admirable how outspoken both are, given the difficult climate under which they operate. The statement of Ella Pamfilova on the recently adopted law on the so-called “undesirable organizations” is a good example.”

Ambassador Sanja Milinković, Deputy Chairperson of the OSCE Permanent Council and Deputy Permanent Representative of Serbia to the OSCE, stressed that the role of participating States goes beyond just setting up NHRIs and defining their roles.

“There is a responsibility on the part of governments not just to establish national human rights institutions with a strong legal basis, but also to provide them with adequate financial and human resources,” Milinković said. “Then there is a resonsibility to follow up on the concerns these institutions raise and the recommendations they make.”

In the keynote address, Saša Janković, Serbia’s Protector of Citizens, the country’s ombudsperson, told participants that the role of NHRIs is particularly important in crisis situations, as legislation in OSCE participating States provides for the derogation of certain human rights and freedoms at such times.

“Crises of any kind must not be allowed to limit the capability of NHRIs to fulfil their mandates. In those times, the respect of human rights has to be under special scrutiny,” Janković said. “NHRIs should serve as the most obvious partners in ensuring that only absolutely necessary derogating measures are applied. Therefore, crises should be reasons for the inclusion, not the exclusion of NHRI’s,” he added.

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BAKU, 1 June 2015 – OSCE Chairperson-in-Office and Serbia’s Foreign Minister Ivica Dačić started his official trip to the South Caucasus today with a visit to Baku.

He was received by President llham Aliyev and discussed with him the potential for progress towards a comprehensive peace agreement for the Nagorno-Karabakh conflict, as well as co-operation between the OSCE and Azerbaijan.

During his visit, Dačić also had meetings with Foreign Minister Elmar Mammadyarov, Speaker of Parliament Ogtay Asadov, as well as representatives of political parties and of the Azerbaijani community of Nagorno-Karabakh.

Dačić expressed concern about the unprecedented number of service personnel and civilians reported killed and wounded in the first four months of the year, and stressed the need for all involved to honour the ceasefire agreement. “There is no alternative to a peaceful settlement,” he said. “Serbia’s own experience confirms that it is only through dialogue that a sustainable, peaceful solution can be found, one which would put the region on the path of co-operation, the only way forward in our increasingly interconnected international community,” he said.

Dačić emphasized his full support for the efforts of the Co-chairs of the OSCE Minsk Group and his Personal Representative, Ambassador Andrzej Kaspryzk, directed towards promoting dialogue between the parties.

He stressed that, besides offering tools for advancing democratic reforms in its participating States, the OSCE is a good platform for joining forces in addressing transnational threats. “The Organization stands ready to continue to work with Azerbaijan to help boost the country’s capacities to combat such threats,” Dačić said, “as well as to pursue its domestic reform agenda.”

Dačić also visited the premises of the OSCE Project Co-ordinator’s in Baku, where he discussed with mission members ongoing programmatic activity.

The Chairperson-in-Office was accompanied by Ambassador Kaspryzk and his Special Representative for the South Caucasus, Ambassador Angelo Gnaedinger.

Later today, Dačić will depart for Tbilisi where he will hold high-level talks tomorrow. He will conclude the visit to the region on 3 June in Yerevan.

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This report is provided for the media and the general public.

The SMM monitored the implementation of the “Package of measures for the Implementation of the Minsk agreements”. Its monitoring was restricted by third parties and security considerations*. The SMM continued to observe a significant number of ceasefire violations in and around Donetsk and Donetsk airport. The SMM continued to be unable to travel to Avdiivka, Shyrokyne and certain other locations in “DPR”-controlled areas due to security considerations.

(* Please see the section at the end of this report entitled “Restrictions on SMM access and freedom of movement” for further information.)

The SMM continued to observe a significant number of ceasefire violations in and around “Donetsk People’s Republic” (“DPR”)-controlled Donetsk city and Donetsk airport (10km north-west of Donetsk city centre). From observation points in Donetsk city centre and at the city’s central railway station (8km north-west of Donetsk city centre), the SMM heard a total of 253 explosions during the 48-hour period ending at 19:30hrs on 31 May. 

The explosions[1] and additional periodic bursts of small arms fire that the SMM heard during the reporting period were consistent with heavy and light weapons fire including tank, artillery, mortar (120mm and 82mm), automatic grenade launcher, and heavy machine gun. The SMM concluded that the explosions and bursts had occurred in or around government-controlled Pisky (7km west of Donetsk) and Opytne (12km north-west of Donetsk), as well as the “DPR”-controlled Donetsk airport (10km north-west of Donetsk), Zhabunky and Spartak (7 and 10km north-north-west of Donetsk).

The SMM met with the Ukrainian Armed Forces Major-General, Head of the Ukrainian side to the Joint Centre for Control and Co-ordination (JCCC), and the Russian Federation Armed Forces Colonel-General, Representative of the Armed Forces of the Russian Federation to the JCCC, at the headquarters in Soledar (government-controlled, 77km north-north-east of Donetsk). The incident logs provided to the SMM by each party differed in attribution of responsibility and total numbers, indicating from 76 to 83 ceasefire violations on 30 May and from 56 to 75 ceasefire violations on 31 May.

Whilst in government-controlled Mariupol (103km south of Donetsk), on 29 May, the SMM observed several artillery ‘marking rounds’, detonating in the vicinity of Shyrokyne (10km east of Mariupol) between 21:25 and 21:30hrs. According to the Ukrainian Armed Forces log presented to the SMM at the JCCC, there were four incidents in the vicinity of Shyrokyne on 30 May. The SMM later received communications from the mayor of Shyrokyne and the Representative of the Russian Federation Armed Forces to the JCCC indicating that a civilian had been killed in the village of Shyrokyne on 30 May.

The SMM observed that the overall security situation in Luhansk region remained calm, although on 30 May at 09:52hrs near Lysychansk (government-controlled, 75km north-west of Luhansk) the SMM heard three explosions consistent with outgoing shelling from unknown weapons.

At a “Lugansk People’s Republic” (“LPR”)-controlled location south of the bridge at Stanytsia Luhanska (16km north-west of Luhansk) on 30 May between 09:40 and 11:45hrs, the SMM observed three new artillery strike craters that had not existed at the time of the last SMM patrol at 16:00hrs on 29 May. After an examination, the SMM concluded that the craters were from a powerful low angle strike from a large calibre weapon and that the rounds had clearly come from a northerly direction.

The SMM visited eight Ukrainian Armed Forces heavy weapons holding areas (re-visiting seven, and visiting one for the first time). At three of these sites, the SMM observed that while most previously recorded weapons were in situ and their locations were in compliance with the respective withdrawal lines, some of the heavy weapons previously recorded and accounted for were missing. Not present were six howitzers (152mm 2A65 “Msta-B”), six “Grad” Multiple Rocket Launcher systems (122mm BM-21), and four towed howitzers (152mm 2A36 “Giatzint”). Additionally, the SMM visited one “LPR” heavy weapons holding area and observed the absence of all of the previously recorded military equipment: four tanks (T-64), four armoured combat vehicles (BMP-1s), seven multi-purpose light-armoured vehicle (MTLBs) including four with mounted anti-aircraft “STRELA-10” systems, four multiple rocket launcher systems (BM-2 “GRAD”), four self-propelled howitzers (2SI “Gvozdika” 122mm), four towed howitzers (2A65 “MSTA-B” 152mm), and several support trucks. 

Despite claims that the withdrawal of heavy weapons was completed, the SMM’s unmanned aerial vehicle and teams observed a number of stationary or moving tanks (T-64 and T-72) in locations that are non-compliant with the Minsk withdrawal lines, including 21 in government-controlled areas, three in “DPR”-controlled areas, and two in “LPR”-controlled areas.

The SMM monitored an annual media forum in Lviv from 28 to 30 May attended by approximately 600 participants (mixed gender, mostly younger and middle-aged adults), reportedly from all over Ukraine. The main theme of the forum was ‘Media in a Time of Tumultuous Change’, and featured 54 speakers from ten different countries. Main topics included inter alia how to cover sensitive issues objectively in times of conflict. The SMM noted that all of the discussions were inclusive, open and transparent.

The SMM continued to monitor the situation in Dnepropetrovsk, Kyiv, Kharkiv, Odessa, Kherson, Chernivtsi, and Ivano-Frankivsk.

* Restrictions on SMM access and freedom of movement:

The SMM is restrained in fulfilling its monitoring functions by restrictions imposed by third parties and security considerations including the lack of information on whereabouts of landmines. Areas where the SMM is unable to travel currently include Avdiivka, Pisky, Luhanske, Shyrokyne, and Novoazovsk (all “DPR”-controlled areas).

The security situation in Donbas is fluid and unpredictable and the ceasefire does not hold everywhere.

• On 29 May, at 12:00hrs, an “LPR” member in the “LPR”-controlled village of Pionerske (19km east of Luhansk), aggressively demanded SMM travel authorization papers. The SMM provided relevant documents but the “LPR” member discounted the documents and SMM explanations, and demanded the patrol leave the area immediately ‘without stopping or weapons would be used’.
• On 30 May, at 10:00hrs, at an “LPR”-controlled checkpoint near Zhovte (17km north-west of Luhansk), the SMM was denied access to the village of Zhovte, ostensibly due to the threat of mines.
• On 31 May, an SMM unmanned aerial vehicle experienced jamming for approximately five minutes along the contact line north-east of Mariupol, entailing a loss of video-feed and ability to monitor.

[1]   For a complete breakdown of the ceasefire violations, please see the annexed table.

 

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UST-KAMENOGORSK, Kazakhstan, 1 June 2015 – An OSCE-supported training seminar on countering transnational organized crime and trafficking in drugs, psychotropic substances and their precursors began today in Ust-Kamenogorsk, eastern Kazakhstan.

The five-day event was co-organized by the OSCE Programme Office in Astana, the State Revenues Committee of the Finance Ministry and the United States Embassy in Kazakhstan with the aim of enhancing law enforcement officers’ knowledge and improving their skills in addressing these transnational threats.

Some 20 officers representing State Revenues Committee, General Prosecutor’s Office and the Border Service of the National Security Committee as well as customs officials from Azerbaijan, Belarus and Kyrgyzstan will learn best practices on countering transnational organized crime and the illegal drug trafficking from experts from Georgia, Turkey and the United States.

Experts will provide an overview of international experience in identifying and precluding transnational channels of the illicit drug and drug precursor trade as well as of using controlled deliveries and psychological techniques to identify drug traffickers. Interactive exercises will simulate real-life situations that officers might encounter in their everyday work.

The event is the second in a series of five events dedicated to this topic planned by the Office this year. It is part of the Office’s activities aimed to build the host country’s capacities to prevent and counter transnational organized crime with a specific focus on trafficking in drugs. 

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DUSHANBE, 29 May 2015 – The OSCE Border Management Staff College concluded its 13th Border Management Staff Course for Women Leaders in Dushanbe today.

“In the 21st century in spite of all changes, women remain underrepresented in the border security and management agencies. This course aims at promoting and encouraging women inclusion and participation in ensuring the safety and security of our borders,” said Alexander Eliseev, Chief of Education at the OSCE Border Management Staff College.

Twenty-five mid-level and senior managers from 14 OSCE participating States and Partners for Co-operation attended the course. The countries include Afghanistan, Belarus, Bulgaria, Egypt, the former Yugoslav Republic of Macedonia, Georgia, Kazakhstan, Kyrgyzstan, Lithuania, Moldova, Romania, Tajikistan, Tunisia and Ukraine.

The one-month initiative was designed according to the principles and standards of the OSCE Border Security and Management Concept which covers the political-military, economic and environmental as well as human aspects of the security.

It is composed of six overarching modules each reflecting relevant best practices and lessons identified. They focus on promoting border security and management in the OSCE area, review of the existing border security and management models; elements of border controls and co-operation; economic and environmental factors of border security and management; human dimension of border security and management; and organizational management and leadership.

The Staff Course for Women Leaders is added to the list of core offerings of the College since 2014.

In the framework of the one-month course, the participants visited the nearby border post with Afghanistan, participated in the group research projects and took part in the roundtable focusing on the recent developments in and around Afghanistan. Distinguished scholars, international subject area experts, as well as diplomats participated in the discussion. For more on the roundtable see here

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This report is provided for the media and the general public.

The SMM monitored the implementation of the “Package of measures for the implementation of the Minsk agreements”. The SMM, based on its monitoring – which was restricted by third parties and by security considerations* – observed an increased number of ceasefire violations in areas around Donetsk airport, as compared to previous days. Due to security considerations, the SMM was unable to patrol in Shyrokyne. In “DPR”-controlled Petrivske, the presence of an unknown armed group was reported.

From an observation point at the “Donetsk People’s Republic” (“DPR”)-controlled Donetsk central railway station (8km north-west of Donetsk city centre), the SMM noticed an increase in the number of ceasefire violations compared to previous days. Over a nine hour period during the day, the SMM heard 150 explosions from west and north-west, mostly consistent with mortar (82 and 120mm) and tank fire. In Luhansk region the SMM heard explosions in the area of government-controlled Trokhizbenka (33km north of Luhansk) and “Lugansk People’s Republic” (“LPR”)-controlled Frunze (40km north-west of Luhansk)[1]. Due to security considerations, the SMM was unable to observe the situation in Shyrokyne (20km east of Mariupol). However, from its position in Mariupol, the SMM heard several explosions emanating from an easterly direction.

In Petrivske (“DPR”-controlled, 38km south-east of Donetsk) the SMM spoke to a young man who said that the former local holiday camp was currently occupied by an unknown armed group. He could not specify for how long this armed group had been stationed in the village. In the village the SMM spoke to two women, both wearing military uniforms, with caps with Russian Federation Armed Forces insignia. They said that they were from Kramatorsk. During the conversation with the two women a vehicle with Russian Federation number plates stopped next to the OSCE vehicles and two armed men, similarly dressed, exited the car and ordered the women to stop the conversation with the SMM.  Behind a tall fence inside the holiday camp, the SMM observed one infantry fighting vehicle.

At a checkpoint on the outskirts of “DPR”-controlled Makiivka (10km east of Donetsk), the SMM observed a child, approximately 12-14 years old, wearing a camouflage uniform and holding an AK-47 rifle.

Alexander Zakharchenko, the “prime minister” of the “DPR” told the SMM that he was unavailable to attend meetings outside the country until the end of July due to health reasons.

In government-controlled Stanytsia Luhanska (16km north-east of Luhansk), a male resident told the SMM that on 27 May at around 00:00hrs, he heard heavy artillery fire until 01:30hrs near the bridge. According to the interlocutor, on 27 May there had been a gathering at the village administration building, where people had been informed by a municipal employee that the bridge in town would remain closed for 60 days, based on the decision of Luhansk governor Moskal from 26 May. He said that this announcement had caused bitterness among people present at the gathering.   

The SMM met with the Stanytsia Luhanska deputy district head and a representative of the village council. According to the interlocutors, the reason for closing the bridge was the deteriorating security situation. They stated that the district had received EUR 2.1 million from Luhansk regional administration to repair infrastructure damaged by shelling. However, given the resumption of shelling, infrastructure repairs were suspended. The officials explained that the shelling was the reason behind the governor’s decision to close the bridge. The officials acknowledged large queues formed on a daily basis, as people hope to cross the bridge. According to them on 27 May, in order to accommodate people’s wish to cross into “LPR”-controlled areas, the village administration organized free public transportation to transfer people to one of the official crossing points that remain open, such as government-controlled Zolote (60km north-west of Luhansk). Approximately 200 local inhabitants used this service. However, the interlocutors pointed out that their current budget would not enable them to continue this service. According to the officials on 28 May, there were 150 people gathering at the government-controlled side of the bridge demanding access to “LPR”-controlled territory.

The SMM re-visited two Ukrainian Armed Forces and one “LPR” heavy weapon holding areas observing that weapons previously recorded were in situ, and that their locations comply with the respective withdrawal lines.

Despite claims that withdrawal of heavy weapons was complete, the SMM observed 17 tanks in two concentrations in “LPR”-controlled areas north and north-west of Luhansk city.

The SMM visited the administrative boundary line in Chonhar (220km south-east of Kherson) and observed about 100 people queuing in front of the Ukrainian Border Guard containers and about 100 private vehicles with Ukrainian registration plates and 25 trucks queuing in front of the crossing point. The SMM also visited the bridge where the last position of the Ukrainian Border Guards is located and observed some 10 vehicles queuing to enter mainland Ukraine. The Ukrainian Border Guard personnel said the situation had been calm with no incidents reported. They said they do not have contact with the Russian Federation Border Guards. The officer in charge of the crossing point said the number of passengers traveling to Crimea for tourism had recently increased. The SMM visited a Ukrainian Border Guard position on Arabat Spit (238km south-east of Kherson) at the administrative boundary line with Crimea. The SMM spoke with the commander and soldiers at the last position of the Ukrainian Border Guards, just before a strip of land that serves as a neutral zone between Ukrainian Border Guards and Russian Federation Border Guards. The SMM observed a military tent some 300 metres away from the Ukrainian Border Guard position, which according to the Ukrainian commander belongs to the Russian Federation Armed Forces.

The SMM continued to monitor the situation in Kharkiv, Odessa, Dnepropetrovsk, Chernivtsi, Ivano-Frankivsk, Lviv and Kyiv.

 

* Restrictions on SMM access and freedom of movement:

The SMM is restrained in fulfilling its monitoring functions by restrictions imposed by third parties and security considerations including the lack of information on whereabouts of landmines.

The security situation in Donbas is fluid and unpredictable and the cease-fire does not hold everywhere.

• In Krasne (government-controlled, 47km west of Donetsk) the SMM was approached by Ukrainian Armed Forces personnel who requested from SMM IDs, the red OSCE booklet and passports. The SMM was held for 15 minutes.
• In Kramatorsk the SMM was halted at a Ukrainian Armed Forces checkpoint for 15 minutes. The SMM was ordered to park their vehicles, whilst civilian traffic was allowed to proceed. The SMM was informed by the Ukrainian Armed Forces personnel that they were looking for one suspicious person. A member of the Ukrainian Armed Forces asked the patrol if there were any citizens from the Russian Federation in the patrol. Additionally, the SMM was requested to step out of the vehicles. Five SMM members showed their IDs and one SMM monitor with Russian Federation citizenship was requested to hand over his mobile telephone.
• At a Ukrainian Armed Forces checkpoint in  Volnovakha (55km north of Mariupol, government-controlled), Ukrainian Armed Forces soldiers at a checkpoint asked the SMM for the patrol members’ nationalities, names and OSCE ID numbers. The SMM was allowed to proceed after 20 minutes.

* Please see the section at the end of this report entitled “Restrictions on SMM access and freedom of

movement” for further information.

[1] For a complete breakdown of the ceasefire violations, please see the annexed table.

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VIENNA, 29 May 2015 – OSCE Representative on Freedom of the Media Dunja Mijatović today condemned recent attacks and threats on Croatian journalists.

Yesterday’s violence includes an attack on investigative journalist and blogger Željko Peratović at his home near Karlovac and a death threat sent to Saša Leković, a journalist and president of the Croatian Association of Journalists.

“The attack on Peratović is unacceptable, however I am encouraged by reports that the Croatian authorities acted swiftly, arresting possible perpetrators,” Mijatović said.

According to reports, on Thursday evening Peratović was attacked by three men outside his home in Luka Pokupska and was hospitalized with head injuries. According to media reports, police have apprehended three suspects. Peratović is a well-known investigative journalist and last year’s winner of the Croatian Journalists Association award for investigative journalism.

In another incident this morning, the president of the Croatian Association of Journalists, Saša Leković, received a package by mail containing a threat. He reported the threat to the police and handed over the package for investigation. Since taking up his position a few months ago, Leković has received a number of threats through social media.

According to the Croatian Association of Journalists there have been recent additional attacks on journalists.

 

The OSCE Representative on Freedom of the Media observes media developments in all 57 OSCE participating States. She provides early warning on violations of freedom of expression and media freedom and promotes full compliance with OSCE media freedom commitments. Learn more at www.osce.org/fom, Twitter: @OSCE_RFoM and on www.facebook.com/osce.rfom. 

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CHISINAU, 29 May 2015 – The OSCE Mission to Moldova today held the first in a series of meetings of the Human Rights Club for lawyers from both banks of the Dniestr/Nistru River. The event marked the beginning of a year-long project to maintain dialogue among local legal professionals from both banks and to support the development of civil society.

“This year, our Mission will continue its commitment to facilitate discussions across the river about crucial legal issues that affect citizens on a daily basis,” said Andreea Vesa, Human Rights and Democratization Programme Manager at the OSCE Mission to Moldova. “An informed legal community provides for better solutions to everyday problems and, ultimately, improves the lives of everyone.”

The event brought together more than 40 lawyers to discuss the reintegration of former detainees into society and to compare practices and approaches on both banks towards identifying what is needed for their effective rehabilitation. As a result of the meeting, a number of solutions were proposed to assist former detainees to once again become contributing members of society.

“Human rights are universal and do not know borders, political or otherwise. As a lawyer, I feel it is important to take a human rights-based approach to confidence building,” said Iurie Levinte, a lawyer from the right bank who participated in the event. “These meetings provide me and my colleagues with an unparalleled opportunity to come together and find solutions to common human rights problems affecting people on both banks of the Dniestr/Nistru River.”

Previous meetings of the Human Rights Club have focused on a variety of topics, including the assessment of property within civil and criminal cases, achieving gender equality in law and in practice, co-operation between lawyers and journalists in promoting human rights, increasing efforts to combat torture and matters relating to the guardianship of children.

Four additional meetings of the Human Rights Club are planned for 2015, including two in Chisinau and two in Tiraspol.

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WARSAW, 29 May 2015 – Representatives from the 57 OSCE participating States, civil society and international organizations will meet in Warsaw on Monday, 1 June, for a three-day seminar to discuss the role of national human rights institutions (NHRIs) in promoting and protecting human rights.

The meeting is organized by the Warsaw-based OSCE Office for Democratic Institutions and Human Rights, in co-operation with the 2015 Serbian Chairmanship of the OSCE.

Working sessions will focus on establishing NHRIs and strengthening their independence and effectiveness, good practices in the work of NHRIs in the promotion and protection of human rights, co-operation between NHRIs and other actors, and improving the work of NHRIs and ways to overcome challenges.

The meeting will be opened by the ODIHR Director, Michael Georg Link, together with Ambassador Sanja Milinković, Deputy Permanent Representative of Serbia to the OSCE, and Henryka Mościcka-Dendys, Undersecretary of State for Parliamentary Affairs, European Policy and Human Rights at the Polish Foreign Ministry.

The keynote addresses will be delivered by Saša Janković, Protector of Citizens of the Republic of Serbia.

Journalists are invited to attend the meeting, which starts at 10:00 on 1 June, at the Sofitel Victoria Hotel, ul. Królewska 11, Warsaw.

The agenda is available on the OSCE website at: http://www.osce.org/event/hds_2015

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ASHGABAT, 29 May 2015 – National Risk Assessment (NRA) system for countering money-laundering and financing of terrorism was the focus of an OSCE-organized case study exercise that concluded in Ashgabat today.

The three-day practical exercise brought together representatives of Turkmenistan’s financial institutions, law enforcement and regulatory bodies and aimed to introduce them to the process of conducting NRA.

The event was led by Giuseppe Lombardo, International Strategic Advisor at Financial Integrity Network, representing a group of independent experts, lawyers and economists, engaged in projects to prevent financial and economic crimes. He conducted an exercise providing participants from relevant government agencies with an opportunity to enhance their practical skills in conducting the NRA.

The exercise followed a two-day workshop on risk-based approach to countering money laundering and financing of terrorism held earlier this week. The training was attended by the representatives of entities responsible to report to the Financial Monitoring Department of the Ministry of Finance of Turkmenistan on issues related to anti-money laundering and combating financing of terrorism and focused on identification, assessment and mitigation of their risks.

“International instruments on combating money laundering and financing of terrorism, encourage the Governments to build capacity of national agencies to counter these crimes and promote good governance principles at all levels,” said Radovan Znasik, Economic and Environmental Officer of the OSCE Centre in Ashgabat.

“The OSCE Centre in Ashgabat designed these activities as part of its support to the government of Turkmenistan to develop and apply effective measures and approaches to prevent and counter money laundering and financing of terrorism.”

Both activities were held at the Good Governance Resource Centre established last year in the premises of the Finance Ministry of Turkmenistan with the OSCE Centre’s support.

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COPENHAGEN, 28 May 2015 – The OSCE needs a strengthened presence on the ground, closer co-operation with civil society and a rededication to human rights commitments to help realize its goal of achieving comprehensive security, said participants in the OSCE Parliamentary Assembly’s Helsinki +40 seminar today in Belgrade. (PHOTOS available here.)

OSCE PA President Ilkka Kanerva (MP, Finland) joined other leading parliamentarians, representatives of the Serbian OSCE Chairmanship, think-tank experts, civil society actors and academics for the two-day event, which was hosted by the National Assembly of the Republic of Serbia in co-operation with the Belgrade Fund for Political Excellence (BFPE).
 
The seminar followed events in Moscow, Washington, Stockholm and Copenhagen as part of the OSCE PA's Helsinki +40 Project, which aims to evaluate the OSCE's past and inspire reform on the occasion of the 40th anniversary of its founding document, the Helsinki Final Act of 1975.

“People from the 57 participating States [of the OSCE] are expecting us to deliver our promises that peace has no alternative,” said Dijana Vukomanovic, the Head of Serbia’s Delegation to the PA, in her opening remarks on 27 May.

“The road ahead of us will not be easy… [We] should help each other to shape public opinion and mobilize political, legislative, human, logistical and financial resources in order to give [OSCE] issues due attention in our respective countries,” she added.

Participants agreed that OSCE field missions and presences on the ground often provide the primary avenue for implementing the Organization’s goals and achieving a measurable impact, as well as providing early warning of conflict. The OSCE and its participating States must reverse their recent course and put more resources and political will -- not less -- into these presences, they said.

“The OSCE PA has always been supportive of the OSCE’s work in the field and has been critical when missions were downgraded or shut down. So let us develop together a roadmap for strengthening OSCE fieldwork in the next decade,” President Kanerva said.

“With the situation between Ukraine and Russia, in particular, there is a need to discuss the capabilities on the ground of the OSCE,” he added.

In recent years, the OSCE’s Advisory and Monitoring Group in Belarus and the OSCE Mission to Georgia were closed and missions in Azerbaijan, Kazakhstan, Ukraine and Uzbekistan have been downgraded in their mandates.

Gordana Comic, the Deputy Speaker of the Serbian Parliament and the Rapporteur of the OSCE PA’s Committee on Democracy, Human Rights and Humanitarian Questions, argued that the downgrading of mandates, often due to host government insistence, is an indicator of negative trends taking place within the country. 

Ambassador Peter Burkhard, the Head of the OSCE Mission to Serbia, noted that a consensus vote within the Organization is currently needed to extend the mandates of missions, meaning that decisions often hinge on the political climate.

Seminar participants also emphasized the need for better integration of civil society into the work of the OSCE, from informing the development of projects, partnering with the Organization on their implementation and providing feedback on challenges and successes in their respective countries.

BFPE President Sonja Licht noted that the Helsinki Final Act itself had “opened the space” for the involvement of civil society.

“The OSCE platform has an opportunity to change from being purely inter-governmental, into something else -- a cross-sectoral exercise and initiative," she said.

Ambassador Dejan Sahovic, the Head of Serbia’s OSCE Chairmanship Task Force, noted that strengthening the Organization’s co-operation with civil society is one of the Chairmanship’s goals.

“Unlike some of the other international organizations, the OSCE has no available mechanisms for monitoring compliance with OSCE commitments. This could be an area for the participation of civil society organizations, should the next Chairmanships decide to follow in the footsteps of the Serbian and Swiss Chairmanships,” he said.

Several experts from the BFPE recalled the PA’s recommendation for the establishment of an advisory council of NGOs to the OSCE. 

Gordana Comic was among several participants who said that realizing the OSCE’s full potential will require placing human rights at the fore of its agenda.

"While much has been achieved in 40 years, too many countries shrug off criticism of their rights records and continue to abuse their citizens -- without being held accountable by this Organization. Allowing this to continue means allowing the Final Act to die. The OSCE must decisively raise human rights on its agenda and establish mechanisms for real accountability," she said.

"The OSCE must also adopt an evolved understanding of what 'human rights' means today. Are there 'newer' human rights that it is time for us to acknowledge? Various forms of inequality,  such as in access to healthcare, for example, continue to plague many societies within the OSCE, and should we not consider this one of our central human rights challenges, too?" Comic asked.

On 28 May, Helsinki +40 Project Chair Joao Soares (MP, Portugal), PA Secretary General Spencer Oliver and others led a session on the outcomes of the entire Helsinki +40 Project.

The results will be presented as a final report during the OSCE PA's 24th Annual Session in the Finnish capital on 6 July.

Following the seminar, participants representing the OSCE PA, the OSCE Chairmanship-in-Office and the OSCE Mission to Serbia joined academics and youth for a debate at Belgrade University on the theme “The future of the OSCE: lessons learned from the OSCE's engagement in Ukraine.”

The topic has been central to several Helsinki +40 seminars.

For more information, visit www.oscepa.org/parliamentary-diplomacy/helsinki40.

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