Central Europe

The SMM continued to observe ceasefire violations in and around Donetsk airport, albeit of reduced intensity.[1] Throughout the SMM’s presence at two observation points near the village of Shyrokyne the situation was relatively calm. The SMM heard on 15 May three explosions whereas no ceasefire violations were registered on 16 and 17 May. However, the Joint Centre for Control and Co-ordination (JCCC) in Donetsk reported instances of mortar shelling in Hranitne (government-controlled, 57km south of Donetsk) and Chermalyk (government-controlled, 72km south of Donetsk). The senior representatives of the Ukrainian Armed Forces and the Russian Federation Armed Forces at the JCCC in Donetsk jointly reported 27 ceasefire violations in and around Donetsk airport and 25 violations in and around the area of Shyrokyne (20km east of Mariupol) involving mortar, tank and small arms and light weapons (SALW) fire for the period between 00:00 and 12:00hrs on 16 May.

While on route south of Olenivka (“DPR”-controlled, 21km south-west of Donetsk) the SMM observed that the defensive positions in the areas around both “DPR” and government-controlled checkpoints were reinforced, and signs warning of mine danger were posted along the side of the road near the checkpoints, on both the “DPR” and Ukrainian Armed Forces side.

On 16 May the Ukrainian Armed Forces at a checkpoint prior to the government-controlled Stanytsia Luhanska bridge (16km south-east of Luhansk) informed the SMM about incoming artillery and sniper fire from “Lugansk People’s Republic” (“LPR”)-controlled territory the same day. The SMM observed damage consistent with artillery shelling to the roof and walls of a house next to the checkpoint. Two mortars (probably 60mm) that allegedly struck the concrete wall of the house next to the checkpoint were also presented to the SMM. 

On 17 May the SMM went to Stanytsia Luhanska after being informed of possible fighting in the area around 10:30hrs. The SMM spoke to two uniformed and masked “LPR” members at an “LPR” observation point, who stated that they sustained shelling on the night of 16 May, from 04:00 to 05:00hrs. The interlocutors further stated that on 17 May from 09:00 to 10:00hrs, they sustained fire from a machine gun. According to the interlocutors the small-arms fire originated from the old railway station in government-controlled territory. Six civilian interlocutors, four teenagers and two elderly males, who live in the area of Stanytsia Luhanska informed the SMM that they had heard shooting in the area on 16 May.

The SMM also spoke with the commander of the government-controlled checkpoint at the bridge in Stanytsia Luhanska.  He said that on 16 May between 20:00 and 00:00hrs on 17 May there had been intensive mortar shelling from “LPR”-controlled territory into Stanytsia Luhanska.  According to the interlocutor no injuries had been reported. The SMM observed two houses close to the checkpoint which had been completely destroyed and the statue on the bridge was severely damaged.

On 17 May Ukrainian Armed Forces soldiers at a checkpoint in the vicinity of Zolote (government-controlled, 60km north-west of Luhansk) said that on the night of 16 May between 21:00-23:00hrs, there were 20 mortar rounds fired at them from “LPR”-controlled territory, but that they did not sustain any casualties. The SMM observed two craters caused by 80mm mortar shells approximately 50 metres west of the checkpoint. The craters were approximately 80 to 100 centimetres wide and from the signs of the impact the mortar shells came from a southerly direction. The Ukrainian Armed Forces personnel staffing the checkpoint said that on the night of 15 May, between 21:00 and 01:00hrs they also sustained shelling from “LPR”-controlled territory.

The SMM met with the “LPR” “border guard chief of staff” in Luhansk who said that at this stage the “LPR” “border guards” have still not reached full staffing to completely take over control of the border between Ukraine and the Russian Federation from the Cossacks. He said that there were problems finding suitably qualified members. According to the interlocutor border crossing points have all been turned over from Cossack units to the “LPR” “border guards” with the exception of Chervonopartyzansk border crossing point (64km south-east of Luhansk), which is currently under control shared between “LPR” and  Cossacks.

The SMM met with the head of “LPR”-controlled Krasnodon (43km south-east of Luhansk) “border guards” detachment. Regarding SMM’s access to the border zone, the interlocutor stressed that he had received a clear order from his higher command not to permit the access of the SMM without a “letter of access” issued by “LPR” structures, although he suggested that an interim arrangement might be possible.

The SMM revisited six “DPR”-controlled heavy weapon holding areas. At three sites all earlier recorded weapons were in situ. At three sites the SMM found weapons that had been missing on the previous visit and had been said to be taken for the parade of 9 May. The now returned weapons included four multi launch rocket systems (MLRS-BM 21 GRAD), two self-propelled howitzers (2S1 GVOZDIKA) and five artillery pieces (2A65 MSTA-B). All of the above weapons were newly painted and some with orange and black-striped ribbons. At one of the three latter sites, the “DPR” commander in charge informed that one additional artillery piece (2A65 MSTA-B) – previously not recorded by the SMM – was missing. At another site, the SMM noted that, compared to the record of the previous visit, one artillery gun (D-30) was missing. The “DPR” member in charge of the holding area stated that it had been transported to the training area near “DPR”-controlled Torez (60km east of Donetsk) for training purposes. The locations of all visited holding areas comply with respective Minsk withdrawal lines.

The SMM also revisited six government-controlled heavy weapon holding areas. During its visits, the SMM observed that some of the heavy weapons previously recorded and accounted for, were missing, namely seven howitzers (152mm 2A65 “Msta-B”) at one site and three MLRSs (122mm “GRAD”). At the other five sites all earlier recorded weapons were in situ The locations of all sites comply with the respective Minsk withdrawal lines.

Despite claims that withdrawal of heavy weapons was completed, the SMM, as well as the SMM Unmanned Aerial Vehicle (UAV), observed the weapons movements/presence on both sides of the line of contact in the areas that are in violation of the Minsk withdrawal lines.

The SMM observed six main battle tanks (MBT) T-72 in different “DPR”-controlled locations in and around Donetsk city. The SMM saw also one stationary BMP-2 infantry fighting vehicle (IFV) with an anti-tank gun (120 mm).

The SMM UAV observed on 16 May in “DPR”-controlled areas east of Mariupol two MBTs (unknown type) and three self-propelled howitzers (122mm 2S1 Gvozdika). On the same day the UAV observed three military boats (unknown type) in a “DPR”-controlled area. On 17 May the UAV observed north-east of Mariupol in government-controlled areas one MBT (unknown type) and ten self-propelled howitzers (122mm 2S1 Gvozdika). Also on 17 May the UAV observed north-east of Mariupol in “DPR”-controlled areas seven MBTs (unknown type) and one anti-tank gun (100mm Rapira). In addition, the UAV observed three burning houses in Shyrokyne (20km east of Mariupol) the same day.

On 17 May the SMM monitored in Lviv a public prayer at the Hill of Glory memorial site by representatives of the Crimean Tatar community. Seven men and one woman gathered in remembrance of Abdul Teifuk, a Red Army Major and Hero of the Soviet Union fallen in 1945 in Germany, and buried in Lviv. There were no police present.

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

• The SMM was stopped by an armed “DPR” member at a checkpoint on Stratonavtiv street (9km north-west of Donetsk city). The person was acting aggressively and ordered the SMM monitors to exit the vehicle. The SMM vehicle’s trunk was searched and after approximately five minutes the SMM was allowed to proceed further.

                                                                                                                                                            

 

 

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

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VIENNA, 18 May 2015 – Following the Supreme Rada’s adoption on 9 April of the law “On condemnation of the Communist and Nazi totalitarian regimes in Ukraine and banning of propaganda of their symbols,” OSCE Representative on Freedom of the Media Dunja Mijatović on 15 April wrote to the President of Ukraine, Petro Poroshenko, asking for his careful consideration of the law before approving it. The law was signed by the President on 15 May.

“It is discouraging for freedom of expression and media freedom advocates that the law has gone into effect, despite various calls to safeguard these basic rights,” Mijatović said.

The law criminalizes public denial of the activities of these regimes and bans all related symbols, except for restricted educational or scientific purposes. Violation of the law carries a penalty of potential termination of activities of media and prison sentences for five to ten years.

“While I fully respect the often sensitive and painful nature of historical debate and its effect on society, broadly and vaguely defined language that restricts individuals from expressing views on past events and people, could easily lead to suppression of political, provocative and critical speech, especially in the media,” Mijatović wrote.

The Representative also commented on the law “On the legal status and honouring of fighters for Ukrainian independence in the twentieth century.” The law, also signed by the President on 15 May, introduces liability for publicly expressing disrespect for certain groups of fighters for Ukrainian independence in the 20th century and criminalizes public denial of the legitimacy of their fight for Ukraine’s independence.

“The media is a vital element of a healthy democracy and its role should be respected at all times,” Mijatović said. “Contested information and potentially problematic speech should not be banned, on the contrary, it should be addressed through an open debate.

“Disproportionate restrictions on media freedom can never be justified in a democratic state and Ukraine’s significant progress in this area should be preserved, not undermined,” Mijatović said.

Mijatović also noted that representatives from civil society had not been given the opportunity to participate in public discussions about the laws.

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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Munira Shoinbekova, OSCE Office in Tajikistan

A three-day workshop on ways to integrate anti-corruption assessment into the legal policy of Tajikistan concluded at the OSCE Office in Tajikistan on 15 May 2015.

The workshop involved relevant government officials, working on the anti-corruption assessments. Under the guidance of an international expert, state experts also reviewed the OSCE-supported draft Law on Police and made comments which the Office will share with responsible stakeholders.

A similar discussion on anti-corruption assessments of various administrative codes and legal acts commissioned by the Offices was conducted for government bodies involved in legal policy on 8 May 2015. The aim was to steer discussions on policy level and how to improve inter-institutional co-ordination of those responsible for carrying out the anti-corruption assessment.

A series of OSCE-supported initiatives promoting implementation of the law on anti-corruption assessment of legal acts and draft legal acts ratified in the end 2012 generated discussions.

Supporting the integration of anti-corruption assessments into the legal policy of Tajikistan through methodologies for public servants and through the creation of an inter-institutional working group will remain one of the priorities of the Office over the next two years in its efforts to assist Tajikistan in fighting corruption.

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PODGORICA, 18 May 2015 - The strategies and benefits of using local resources in implementation of gender standards and principles were highlighted at an OSCE-supported training course held in Podgorica on 18 and 19 May 2015. The training was organized for members of the Municipal Gender Focal Point Network.

Opening the training course, Ms. Lia Magnaguagno, Head of the Democratization Programme in the OSCE Mission to Montenegro, emphasized that gender focal points are considered as true advocates of gender equality and professionals who are aware of challenges and ready to continue their work.

“We are confident that you will use the newly adcquired knowledge and skills to continue this very serious work professionally, with extraordinary commitment and if you allow me saying, with passion”, she said.

Biljana Pejovic, Head of the Gender Department in the Ministry for Human Rights reminded the participants that the Ministry will continue its support, together with the Mission and other international partners.

"This training is a part of a very important process, and I am sure that it will help you strenghten the Municipal Gender Focal Point Network, as well as your mutual cooperation and coordination", Ms. Pejovic said.

This training course is being implemented by the OSCE Mission to Montenegro in partnership with the Gender Department of the Ministry for Human and Minority Rights.

The Municipal Gender Focal Point Network is comprised of participants working in sixteen municipalities across the country. Use of local resources in implementation of gender standards and principles, as well as gender budgeting have been identified as the priority areas for building capacity of participants of this informal focal point network.

Apart from the support to the Network, the project foresees activities in ten Montenegrin municipalities, supporting the economic empowerment of women and fight against the gender-based violence.

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Vasilina Brazhko

The OSCE Centre in Bishkek, the Kyrgyz State Border Service and the local government in Batken, southern Kyrgyzstan, conducted a meeting aimed at early-warning and conflict-prevention on May 16.

Some 40 representatives of law enforcement agencies, armed forces, the regional prosecution service and officials took part in the event to discuss border security issues, border-related conflicts and possible prevention mechanisms.

The Deputy Chairman of the State Border Service of the Kyrgyz Republic, Colonel Abdikarim Alimbaev, stressed the importance of interagency cooperation and coordination of their work in identifying root causes of conflicts and preventing escalation. He welcomed involvement of the OSCE Centre in Bishkek in these efforts.

Participants emphasized the need to raise awareness among the local population in border areas on intergovernmental agreements and regulations relating to border crossing. They also stressed the importance of involving the youth in the prevention of violent extremism.

The meeting was held within the project "Enhancing the ability of the Kyrgyz Government to engage in regional cooperation in border security and management in 2015". The OSCE Centre in Bishkek has been developing early-warning and conflict-prevention mechanisms in close cooperation with the Kyrgyz State Border Service in the Fergana Valley since 2011.

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Ioanna Lachana, OSCE Mission to Skopje Mirvete Islam, OSCE Mission to Skopje Mihajlo Lahtov, OSCE Mission to Skopje

The OSCE Mission to Skopje signed a Memorandum of Understanding with Gjorce Petrov municipality, on 15 May 2015, to introduce the Common Assessment Framework (CAF) model as quality instrument in the work of the municipal administration.

Apart from the CAF model introduction, the memorandum envisages training courses for municipal administration on corruption prevention and public integrity, as well as training courses for members of the Municipal Council on decentralization and elected leadership.

Acting Head of Mission, Ambassador Marianne Berecz, commended the efforts of the Gjorche Petrov Mayor Sokol Mitrovski and the municipal administration for building their capacities towards greater transparency, openness and improved service delivery to citizens, indicating that the project will contribute to enhancing co-operation and confidence among the citizens.

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Ecaterina Leuca

On 14 May 2015, the OSCE Mission to Moldova started a series of public lectures at Comrat University, as part of the project supporting participation of youth from Gagauzia in public and political life.

The first lecture brought together 35 students from Comrat and Ciadir-Lunga, and executive director of NGO Contact Center Serghei Neicovcen. Neicovcen shared his views on how members of national minorities can improve their competitive chances on the Gaguzian as well as broader Moldovan labor market.

This event is part of a year-long project implemented by the OSCE Mission to Moldova jointly with Comrat-based non-governmental organization Pelerin-Demo. The aim is to broaden Gagauz youth’s knowledge about opportunities to be involved in public life as well as civil society within the Autonomous Territorial Unit of Gagauzia, as well as with its interaction with the central authorities.  During the year, two more public lectures will be organized for students with the diplomatic community, experts and other persons of interest. 

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This report is 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 continued violations of the ceasefire near Shyrokyne, Donetsk airport, and Luhansk.

The SMM continued to observe ceasefire violations in the hotspots of Shyrokyne (20km east of Mariupol), in and around Donetsk airport (“Donetsk People’s Republic” - “DPR”-controlled, 12km north-west of Donetsk city centre), and in the government-controlled area north-west of Luhansk.[1] Over a period of more than four hours, from 13:07 until 17:30hrs, the SMM at the Joint Centre for Control and Co-ordination (JCCC) observation point at Donetsk central railway station (“DPR”-controlled, 8km north-west of Donetsk city centre) heard and saw fire from artillery, mortar, anti-aircraft, light-weapons, and small-arms.

The area around Shyrokyne remained tense, though the SMM observed less violence than in previous days, with only two instances of fire from an automatic grenade launcher and from an 82mm mortar. Additionally, the SMM Unmanned Aerial Vehicle (UAV) also observed four burning houses in Shyrokyne.

In Luhansk region, the SMM noted the limited use of artillery at Myhailivka (government-controlled, 44km north-west of Luhansk) and at Kriakivka (government-controlled, 34km north-west of Luhansk).

Despite claims that withdrawal of heavy weapons was completed, the SMM teams and SMM UAV observed the following weapons movements-presence in areas that are in violation of the Minsk withdrawal lines. Specifically on both sides of the contact line in the area north-east of Mariupol – in government-controlled area eight tanks (unknown type), and in “DPR”-controlled area ten tanks (unknown type). In addition to heavy weapons in the security zone, the SMM UAV also observed a concentration of military hardware including 12 infantry fighting vehicles in the area of Bezimenne (“DPR”-controlled, 30km east of Mariupol).

In the city of Kolomyia (60km south-east of Ivano-Frankivsk), the SMM met with the chief of the city police on 15 May. The chief noted that the number of illegal weapons in the area had increased due to the return of demobilized participants in combat operations. Since the beginning of the year, police had seized six sets of fire arms, including four with ammunition, and explosives from the conflict zone. The interlocutor indicated he expected that the number of small arms and light weapons in the district would continue to increase.

In Kyiv, the SMM monitored a court hearing in a case involving a former Kharkiv Berkut (special police) commander who was detained a month ago and is suspected of killing three persons and causing injuries to up to 60 persons in Krepostnyi pereulok in Kyiv on 18 February 2014. The accused’s pre-trial detention was continued after his lawyer unsuccessfully attempted to have him released based upon what she described as improper identification of the accused.

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

 

* 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.

- On 15 May at 10:21hrs, at the government-controlled checkpoint two kilometres north-east of Makarove (government-controlled, 19km north-east of Luhansk), personnel of the Ukrainian Border Guard asked for the nationalities of every SMM patrol member, which he wrote down in his log book in addition to the plate numbers of the vehicles. The overall delay to the monitoring team was five minutes.

 

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

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BISHKEK, 16 May 2015 – OSCE parliamentarians led by Kyrgyzstan’s Roza Aknazarova joined government and parliamentary leaders and representatives of international organizations and civil society in Bishkek on May 15-16, calling for improvements in women’s rights and opportunities, exchanging experiences and best practices and discussing how to fully harness the power of legislatures to help achieve gender equality.

Aknazarova, the Chair of the OSCE Parliamentary Assembly’s Committee on Economic Affairs, Science, Technology and Environment, initiated and co-ordinated the conference, held under the theme “The role of the parliament in achieving gender equality in the context of the Beijing +20 process.” Jogorku Kenesh, Kyrgyzstan’s Parliament, hosted the conference, supported by the OSCE Centre in Bishkek, the OSCE PA, the United Nations and other international organizations.

Kyrgyz Prime Minister Temir Sariev; Vice Prime Minister Damira Niyazalieva; Parliament Speaker Asylbek Jeenbekov; Deputy Speaker Asiya Sasykbaeva; Supreme Court Chair Feruza Djamasheva; former President Roza Otunbaeva; and several Kyrgyz parliamentarians addressed the event. They offered their perspectives on domestic successes and challenges in promoting women’s rights and political participation, as well as gender equality in government, society and the workplace. A speech was also delivered on behalf of Kyrgyz President Almazbek Atambaev.

Among the prevalent themes of the conference was the need for parliaments across the OSCE area and beyond not only to pass legislation to advance gender equality, but to more actively and effectively consider all legislation through the prism of gender, taking into account the potential impact on women.

Participants noted that a key recommendation of the Beijing Declaration and Platform for Action, adopted 20 years ago on the occasion of the Fourth World Conference on Women, stated that each country “should have a mechanism - parliamentary or otherwise - such as a national committee or an ombudsman, for measuring the impact on the situation of women of any draft law or bill and any related budgetary provisions.”

Another key recommendation to emerge from the conference was the necessity for parliaments to increasingly focus on their oversight functions, helping to close the gap between legislative aims and implementation, which often lags behind. 

Several participants also noted that parliamentarians, as the direct link between citizens and government, can similarly lead in looking behind the statistics and at reality on the ground. Greater access for women to higher education does not necessarily translate into more equitable hiring practices, they cited as one example. 

Within parliaments themselves, statistics do not always provide a complete picture, said Margareta Cederfelt, the Deputy Head of Sweden’s Delegation to the OSCE PA and the Rapporteur of the PA’s Committee on Political Affairs and Security: 

“Sweden’s parliament today has about 43 per cent women, but the number in itself is not enough, and there is still a lot to be achieved when it comes to gender equality in positions, influence and roles. A parliament that functions properly is one in which members can exercise the confidence to express themselves on truly equal terms.”

Bold Luvsanvandan, a Member of Mongolia’s Delegation to the OSCE PA, highlighted the role of parliaments as models for society and their power to lead by example:

“A gender-balanced and gender-sensitive parliament is also a powerful publicity tool to promote these values in society at large,” he said.

Irena Kotseva, a Member of Bulgaria’s Delegation to the OSCE PA, provided an example of how legislative provisions can help modify gender stereotypes and promote gender equality:

“A major challenge is to work on policies and incentives that encourage and allow men to take more responsibilities within the family. Since 2009 a new rule has been in force under the Bulgarian Labour Code which entitles the father to a 15-day paternity leave upon childbirth. After the child becomes six months old, the father can also use up the remainder of the maternity leave of up to 410 days instead of the mother. This right is particularly important for a balanced participation of men and women in employment, as well as for sharing the family obligations,” she said.

Rabiyyat Aslanova, a Member of Azerbaijan’s Delegation to the OSCE PA, and Ilya Kostunov of Russia’s Delegation to the OSCE PA, addressed women’s economic opportunities and political participation, respectively.

The Assembly’s Deputy Secretary General, Gustavo Pallares, also addressed the conference, providing an overview of the PA’s efforts to promote gender balance in its leadership and delegations and discussing opportunities for parliaments to take action on gender matters. 

Nearly half of the members of the Bureau of the OSCE PA, its elected leadership, are women. At the 2014 Annual Session in Baku, women were elected to lead all three of the Assembly’s General Committees.

The Bishkek conference also featured separate work sections, including on the role of parliaments in enhancing women’s opportunities for political participation; the role of parliaments in increasing economic opportunities for women; and women’s rights as human rights.

In her section on women’s access to health and education, conference leader Aknazarova called for the implementation of a gender-sensitive approach in professional-technical education in Kyrgyzstan and elsewhere:

“The goals of this approach must be equal access for both genders to education; an end to segregation on the basis of gender in the education process for various specializations; an end to biased treatment of either gender in educational programs and textbooks; and the introduction of a gender-sensitive approach in teaching and training that equally engages both genders. This will help provide the most effective utilization of human resources in society,” she said.

The conference concluded with the presentation of a final document, containing wide-ranging observations, recommendations and goals on achieving gender equality and fully utilizing parliaments to do so.

Photos from the conference are available here: 
https://www.flickr.com/photos/oscepa/sets/72157650540269283.
 

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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.* Fighting continued around Donetsk airport. In Shyrokyne, the SMM observed a decrease in the intensity of the fighting. The SMM visited a Right Sector camp in the Dnepropetrovsk region.

In the area around Shyrokyne (20km east of Mariupol), the SMM observed a decrease in the intensity of the fighting compared to the previous day; around Donetsk airport (“Donetsk People’s Republic” (“DPR”)-controlled, 11km north-west of Donetsk) the SMM noted that the situation remained tense, with fighting continuing throughout the day, despite attempts made by the Joint Centre for Control and Co-ordination (JCCC) officers to negotiate a localized ceasefire.[1]

In “DPR”-controlled Debaltseve (45km north-east of Donetsk) the SMM observed movement of military-type transport trucks, in particular Ural and Kamaz. At the railway station, a worker told the SMM that the railway tracks had been repaired between Yasynuvata (“DPR”-controlled, 14km north-east of Donetsk) and Luhansk. The railway track had been damaged during the most intense phase of the conflict around Debaltseve between January and February. He also said that three days a week passenger trains depart to Luhansk, and three days a week trains arrive from there.

At a “DPR” distribution centre for humanitarian aid in Makiivka (“DPR”-controlled, 8km north-east of Donetsk) the SMM met with the “DPR” co-ordinator for humanitarian assistance. He told the SMM that more than 100 trucks with about 1,200 tons of Russian Federation humanitarian aid had crossed the border between Ukraine and the Russian Federation on 14 May.

In an area close to the border crossing point at Uspenka (“DPR”-controlled, 96km south-east of Donetsk), the SMM observed white-painted trucks bearing inscriptions “Humanitarian Aid from the Russian Federation” heading to the Russian Federation, towards the Uspenka/Matveev Kurgan border crossing point, totalling forty-nine trucks plus one recovery truck.

The SMM visited Sakhanka (“DPR”-controlled, 24km north-east of Mariupol) amid significant presence of press and media representatives from the Russian Federation – approximately 30 individuals – and a group of 20 to 30 local residents, mainly middle aged and elderly women, who said that shelling had occurred on 12 and 13 May. The Russian Federation Armed Forces Colonel-General to the JCCC was also present in Sakhanka. The SMM analysed five craters, four located in fields adjacent to the village and one in the garden of a damaged house. In the SMM’s assessment, in four cases the craters resulted from 120mm mortars, and in one case from an 82mm mortar, all fired from a westerly direction. The SMM also travelled to Shyrokyne and spoke with a number of local residents who reported shelling on 13 May in the late afternoon. In the village, the SMM observed increased destruction of civilian infrastructure and private houses.

On 13 May, the Cossack ataman in “Lugansk People’s Republic” (“LPR”)-controlled Sverdlovsk (61km south-east of Luhansk) informed the SMM that all border crossing points between Ukraine and the Russian Federation had been handed over to the “LPR” “border guards”. The SMM discussed with the ataman issues concerning access to the border zone According to the interlocutor, the SMM would be able to travel into the inner border zone (15km from the border) but would not be allowed into the 1-2km area near the “LPR”-controlled segment of the border between Ukraine and the Russian Federation. 

On 14 May, the SMM visited two apartment blocks close to the “LPR” checkpoint in Molodizhne (62km west of Luhansk) and spoke with a middle aged woman who told the SMM that approximately 25 people – including herself – have lived for over nine months in basements, protecting themselves from heavy shelling, especially in the period between 10 January and 20 February. The interlocutor also informed the SMM that currently 40 to 50 people live in the town. The SMM visited some private houses and talked with the mother of a boy – less than 10 years old – who has epileptic syndrome and is blind. The interlocutor stated that administratively Molodizhne belongs to nearby government-controlled Popasna (69km west of Luhansk), but because of difficulties, including in  getting  permits as required by temporary Order 144 to cross the contact line to go to Popasna, they cannot receive social payments there.

On 14 May, from 09:30 to 09:50hrs, the SMM observed a convoy of 39 trucks, with Russian Federation license plates, and with the inscription “Humanitarian aid from the Russian Federation”. The trucks entered Luhansk city proceeding from the direction of the Russian Federation. Of the 39 trucks, three were sent to the “LPR ministry of emergency and reconstruction”, the remainder drove to three different warehouses in Luhansk city. The SMM saw trucks entering these sites and some of them being unloaded. The SMM was unable to verify the contents of the shipment.  Regarding the three trucks that arrived at the “ministry of emergency” an interlocutor, responsible for the warehouse, said that they contained vehicle’s spare parts. An “LPR” interlocutor at one of the warehouses told SMM that the humanitarian aid shipment contained flour, wheat, sunflower oil, and cereals.

Despite claims that heavy weapons have been withdrawn, the SMM observed three main battle tanks (MBTs) in government-controlled areas; it also observed one MBT in “DPR”-controlled territory and one MBT in “LPR”-controlled territory. 

The SMM Unmanned Aerial Vehicle (UAV), operating in a limited area north of Shyrokyne west of the line of contact (above government-controlled area) due to weather conditions, observed one tank north of the government-controlled village of Berdyanske (18km east of Mariupol), two tanks east of the village of Ordzhonikidze (government-controlled, 10km east of Mariupol), one south-west of Hranitne (government-controlled, 50km north-east of Mariupol, and three tanks near Andriivka (government-controlled, 50km north of Mariupol). Three previously-observed artillery pieces (likely towed 152mm cannon) near the government-controlled village of Pionerske (13km east of Mariupol) (http://www.osce.org/ukraine-smm/157061) were no longer there. Numerous armoured vehicles were observed across the flight areas, and the UAV also observed two burning houses in Shyrokyne (20km east of Mariupol).

On 14 May the SMM was, for the first time, despite earlier attempts, granted access to the camp of the 5th battalion of the Right Sector/Ukrainian Volunteers’ Corps (DUK) near Velikomykhailivka (190km east of Dnepropetrovsk). The commander at the site told the SMM that the camp was established a year ago by the Right Sector as a training/support camp for 3 DUK battalions.

The SMM spoke to a representative of Odessa regional police, who confirmed an explosion had occurred on 14 May at 17 Oleksiivska square in Odessa, where the police found that a non-fragmentation home-made explosive device with approximately 0.4kg of TNT equivalent was put into a UkrTelecom communication well, containing telecom cable connections, which was destroyed by the blast. No casualties were reported. He said that the police are investigating the incident under Art.194 (2) of the Criminal Code of Ukraine “Intentional destruction or damage of property”. The SMM visited the scene of the incident, and observed some damage in the infrastructure.

On 14 May the SMM met the military commissar in Chernivtsi, who informed the SMM about an ongoing gathering in Toporivtsi village (15km north-east of Chernivtsi), where local people had established a road block, in the middle of the village, on road T2603, protesting against mobilization, corruption and abuse of power. When the SMM arrived at the location, the crowd was already dispersing and the roadblock had been removed. The SMM was informed by a local police officer that the gathering passed without incident after local authorities met with the protestors. The SMM saw the crowd leaving the place and assessed that there were approximately 100 participants, mainly adult women. The SMM spoke to some of the protesters -10 women, 2 men, all older than 40 years - who complained about the procedure regarding mobilization, for instance the procedure followed for handing over draft notices.

The SMM continued to monitor the situation in Kharkiv, Kherson, 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.

- While en route to Novoazovsk (“DPR”-controlled, 40km east of Mariupol), the SMM was stopped at a “DPR”-controlled checkpoint located west of the entrance to Novoazovsk. The “DPR” members stated that the SMM could only continue with an escort. Considering time constraints, the SMM took the decision not to wait for the escort to be arranged and returned to base. 

 

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

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The review of limitations on fundamental rights, such as freedoms of association and expression, as well as the rights of individuals to vote and run as candidates are among the main recommendations in the final report by the OSCE Office for Democratic Institutions and Human Rights (ODIHR) on the 1 March 2015 parliamentary elections in Tajikistan.

The report, published on 15 May 2015, indicates that recent amendments to the electoral law addressed some long-standing ODIHR recommendations but, overall, did not significantly improve the process. It underscores a need to comprehensively review electoral legislation.

While the report notes that elections were conducted according to legal deadlines and the sessions of the Central Commission for Elections and Referenda were generally open to observers and media, it recommends the election administration be made fully independent from the government and sufficiently pluralistic and inclusive to encourage broad confidence. It further recommends that all essential election-related data should be made publicly available in a timely manner.

The report also recommends measures to enhance the integrity of the voting process and calls for urgent measures to address serious deficiencies observed during the polling and counting processes, in particular pertaining to the secrecy and equality of the vote, integrity of ballot boxes, and protection against undue influence on electoral choices.

In noting concerns that some candidates used the advantage of their office for electoral purposes, the report calls on the authorities to develop and implement mechanisms to ensure a clear separation between State and party.

Additional recommendations relate to amending the legal framework to allow for citizen election observers, provide full access for observers to all stages of the elections, and entitle observers to receive certified copies of results protocols.

For election day observation, ODIHR joined efforts with the OSCE Parliamentary Assembly and the European Parliament.

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BISHKEK, 16 May 2015 – The fifth meeting of the Council of Heads of Financial Intelligence Units of the Commonwealth of Independent States (CIS) focused on combating money laundering and terrorism financing took place on 16 May in Bishkek, supported by the OSCE Centre in Bishkek.

The participants discussed the establishment of an information exchange between the Financial Intelligence units of the CIS countries. They also discussed the draft Protocol on Amendments and Additions to the Agreement on counteraction of laundering of criminal incomes and financing of terrorism and the Protocol on Co-operation between the Council of the Heads of Financial Intelligence Units of the CIS Member States.

“The establishment of an effective system for combating money laundering and terrorist financing is key for the economic and social stability of every country and the integrity of its financial system,” said Head of the OSCE Centre in Bishkek, Ambassador Sergey Kapinos. “It represents an essential tool towards improving the investment climate and attracting foreign investments. No country can counteract these threats alone. It requires joint efforts by all stakeholders.”

As a result of the Centre’s assistance Kyrgyzstan was removed from the FATF’s ‘grey list’ in July 2014 and is no longer subject to the FATF’s monitoring process under its ongoing global process of compliance with requirements on anti-money laundering and combating the financing of terrorism. In a related, more recent achievement, the Eurasian Group on combatting money laundering and financing of terrorism (EAG) removed Kyrgyzstan from its monitoring list.

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157556 Thomas Rymer, OSCE Office for Democratic Institutions and Human Rights Public Affairs Unit, OSCE Office for Democratic Institutions and Human Rights

The skills and tools required to successfully prosecute hate crimes were at the centre of the first training-of-trainers event organized by the OSCE Office for Democratic Institutions and Human Rights (ODIHR) as part of its Prosecutors and Hate Crime Training (PAHCT) programme. The training was provided in Warsaw from 13 to 15 May 2015.

"ODIHR is committed to helping participating States end bias-motivated violence, and prosecutors are a central part of our strategy. This training event is essential to help us prepare prosecutors for PAHCT's implementation," said Ales Hanek, Hate Crime Officer with ODIHR's Tolerance and Non-Discrimination Department and a trainer at the event. "By bringing together officials with extensive experience in prosecuting hate crimes with other prosecutors who want to strengthen their knowledge of this critical issue, we are able to help them guide their colleagues in the most effective way."

"This event is a natural evolution from the creation of PAHCT and its accompanying guide. Bringing together prosecutors with different backgrounds helps raise awareness of the magnitude of the problem and the ways in which we can challenge it effectively," said Elizabeth Howe, General Counsel to the International Association of Prosecutors. "Recognizing the damaging impacts of hate crimes on both individuals and to the fabric of society is essential if we want to actively counter this scourge."

The accompanying guide – Prosecuting Hate Crimes: A Practical Guide – was written in co-operation with the International Association of Prosecutors to improve the investigation and prosecution of hate crimes across the OSCE region. The guide, which complements ODIHR’s Prosecutors and Hate Crime Training (PAHCT), was released last year and is relevant to different legal systems and legislative frameworks. It aims to explain the impact of hate crimes by highlighting their specific features compared with other crimes.

The training is the latest part of ODIHR efforts to reinforce prosecutor's abilities to prosecute hate crimes effectively. PAHCT aims to expand and hone prosecutors’ abilities to identify hate crimes and bring hate crime cases to trial, to gain convictions and to ensure appropriate sentencing.

 

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Colin McCullough, OSCE Programme Office in Astana

An OSCE-supported international roundtable discussion on the legislative aspects of freedom of speech took place on 15 May 2015 in Astana, Kazakhstan.

The event was co-organized by the OSCE Programme Office in Astana, the International Foundation for Protection of Freedom of Speech Adil Soz, the Union of Journalists of Kazakhstan and the international non-governmental organization Article 19 with Norwegian Government’s support.

It brought together some 40 parliamentarians, officials from the Communications, Informatization and Information Committee of the Innovation and Development Ministry, representatives of non-governmental organizations, journalists, national and international media experts.

Michael Unland, a Senior Adviser from the OSCE Office of the Representative on Freedom of the Media presented a review of the situation with freedom of expression in Kazakhstan and the Office’s recommendations in this regard.

Participants discussed and analysed the dynamics of development of Kazakhstan's media legislation, most notably related to criminal and administrative justice reforms and a draft law on access to information. They prepared a list of recommendations for drawing a "road map" for its further improvement in accordance with international standards of freedom of speech.

The event is a part of Office’s multi-year activities in promoting media freedom and access to information.

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VIENNA, 15 May 2015 – OSCE Representative on Freedom of the Media Dunja Mijatović today welcomed the adoption of a law in Ukraine which increases penalties for crimes committed against journalists and their close relatives.

On 14 May, the Supreme Rada amended the Criminal Code increasing criminal responsibility for hindering journalists’ work. The amendments include sanctions for:

• threats of murder and violence;
• deliberate attacks;
• deliberate destruction or damage to property;
• murder or attempted murder;
• abduction and detention.

“I trust that these important legislative changes will contribute to ensuring journalists’ safety in Ukraine,” Mijatović said. “The authorities should spare no efforts in fully investigating the circumstances of all crimes committed against members of the media, including the numerous attacks and killings in recent years. There must be no impunity for crimes committed against journalist.”

In addition, amendments have been adopted to the Law on state support of mass media and social protection of journalists, which enhance support to journalists or their families if a member of the media is killed or injured on the job.

“The security situation for journalists in different regions of Ukraine remains worrying,” Mijatović said. “Unfortunately, members of the media continue to pay a very high price for doing their job.”

Mijatović noted recent cases involving journalists of television channels 112 and ZIK, whose work was obstructed in Zhitomir and suburbs of Kyiv. The journalist with 112 was attacked by a member of the city council, while the ZIK’s crew was attacked by men who seized its recording equipment. Reportedly, the police have launched investigations into both incidents.

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 atwww.osce.org/fom, Twitter: @OSCE_RFoM and on facebook.com/osce.rfom.

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ASTANA, 15 May 2015 – Current trends, principles and tasks in developing sectoral legislation topped the agenda of an OSCE-supported international conference in the framework of annual ”Shaikenov Readings”, which took place today in Astana.

The event, named in honour of Nagashbay Shaikenov, one of the most prominent legal scholars and state figures in the modern history of Kazakhstan, was dedicated to the 20th anniversary of Kazakhstan’s Constitution and was organized by the OSCE Programme Office in Astana in partnership with the Justice Ministry’s Legislation Institute.

Some 90 high-level government officials, parliamentarians, representatives of academia, non-governmental and international organizations, legal practitioners and national and international legal experts discussed a wide range of issues related to the theoretical and practical aspects of reforming various sectors of national legislation. They also reviewed progress in legal reform under the 2010-2020 Concept of Legal Policy of Kazakhstan related to criminal, administrative and civil justice modernization with an emphasis on the protection of citizens’ rights. Other topics included strengthening the responsibility of business entities under a draft Commercial Code and the role of labour legislation in the fulfilment of state’s social obligations.

Zauresh Baimoldina, Kazakhstan’s Justice Deputy Minister said: "Ensuring the rule of law is one of the most important tasks of institutional reforms aimed to strengthen statehood and implement national development strategies. It focuses on legislative protection of fundamental rights, improved law-making process and a business-friendly investment climate as a prerequisite to sustainable economic growth and citizens’ well-being."

“Well-balanced and reasonable development of all branches of legislation in line with OSCE principles and commitments is instrumental in reinforcing the rule of law and ensuring the better protection of human rights and freedoms enshrined in Kazakhstan’s Constitution,” said Natalia Zarudna, Head of the OSCE Programme Office in Astana.

As a result of the discussions, participants developed a set of recommendations, inter alia, related to further development of legislation on access to information, local self-governance, the green economy, Commercial, Civil and Tax Codes as well as the continuation of administrative, civil and criminal justice reforms.

The conference is part of the Programme Office’s long-term activities in supporting the process of legal system reform in Kazakhstan.

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SKOPJE, 15 May 2015 – OSCE High Commissioner on National Minorities Astrid Thors visited Skopje on 14 May together with Ambassador Gérard Stoudmann, Special Representative on the Western Balkans of the OSCE Chairperson in Office, and Ambassador Dejan Šahović, Head of the Chairmanship Task Force. She continued her meetings in Skopje and Tetovo on 15 May in order to conduct an independent assessment of the situation in line with her mandate.

Thors already warned against the possible misuse of the political crisis to trigger inter-ethnic tensions during her February visit. She also emphasized that the failure to fully guarantee good governance and rule of law would leave the society vulnerable to political instrumentalization.

The recent tragic events, yet to be clarified, which occurred in Kumanovo have raised the specter of a return to the violence of the past. The High Commissioner commends the local population, of all ethnicities, for the remarkable unity it has shown, and its commitment to peaceful solutions. She calls on all political parties to refrain from any action that could jeopardize this solidarity.

Citizens have made the call for justice and for a society free of violence. The High Commissioner calls on all political leaders to fulfill their demands. Thors added that the current political crisis in the country must be resolved in a way that ensures that trust in the functioning of democratic institutions is restored, adding that “hasty solutions are not an option, either for justice or for long term stability.” She called on the international community to lend its support to a political process which avoids reopening old inter-ethnic grievances in the country, and safeguards the stability of the region.

During her visit, Thors met with the leaders of the coalition government, as well as with representatives of the opposition and civil society.

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ASHGABAT, 15 May 2015 – 19 officials from the Defense Ministry of Turkmenistan concluded a five-day OSCE-supported training course today on reciprocal inspection procedures under the Vienna Document, a key politically-binding document focusing on confidence- and security-building measures in the military sphere. The OSCE Centre in Ashgabat organized the practical course to facilitate the exchange of best practices to fulfill commitments contained within the Vienna Document 2011.

“The training course builds on the successful co-operation developed over the years between the OSCE Centre in Ashgabat and the Government of Turkmenistan in the area of promoting confidence- and security-building measures,” said Ambassador Ivo Petrov, Head of the OSCE Centre in Ashgabat.

Experts from the National Agency for Control and Inspection (NAKI) of the Defense Ministry of Belarus shared experiences in implementing international commitments in the area of arms control and presented the main provisions of the 2011 Vienna Document.

Discussions focused on annual exchanges of information and preliminary notification about certain military activities, as well as preparations for and the conduct of evaluation visits to military sites and airbases and defense planning. The agenda of the training course included a practical exercise for conducting an evaluation visit to a military unit.

“The training course was designed to provide defense officials from Turkmenistan with the updated knowledge and skills necessary for planning, conducting and reporting on inspections,” added Ambassador Petrov. “Activities of this type are essential for promoting openness and transparency in military activities of the OSCE participating States.”

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TIRANA, 15 May 2015 – The OSCE Office for Democratic Institutions and Human Rights (ODIHR) today formally opened an election observation mission for the 21 June local elections in the Republic of Albania. The mission’s deployment follows an official invitation from the Albanian Government.

The mission is led by Ambassador Audrey Glover and consists of a core team of 13 experts based in Tirana and 18 long-term observers to be deployed in teams of two across the country. In addition, ODIHR will request 250 short-term observers to monitor proceedings on election day.

The mission will observe the elections for their compliance with OSCE commitments, other international obligations and standards for democratic elections and with national legislation. Observers will closely monitor the candidate and voter registration, campaign activities, the work of the election administration and relevant governmental bodies, election-related legislation and its implementation, the media environment and the resolution of election-related disputes. As part of the observation, the mission will also monitor the media coverage of the campaign.

In the course of its observation, the mission will meet with representatives from state authorities, political parties and candidates, and with representatives from civil society, the media, and the international community.

On election day, observers will monitor the opening of polling stations, voting, the counting of ballots and the tabulation of results. For election day, the OSCE/ODIHR election observation mission will join efforts with a delegation from the Congress of Local and Regional Authorities of the Council of Europe.

A statement of preliminary findings and conclusions will be issued on the day after the election. A final report on the observation of the entire electoral process will be published approximately two months after the completion of the electoral process.

The OSCE/ODIHR Election Observation Mission and the OSCE Presence in Albania operate separately under their respective mandates.

For further information please visit http://www.osce.org/odihr/elections/albania  or contact Elma Šehalić, Media Analyst of the election observation mission, on +355 69 257 5055 or at elma.sehalic@odihr.al

or

Thomas Rymer, ODIHR Spokesperson, on + 48 609 522 266 (mobile) or at thomas.rymer@odihr.pl (email)

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TASHKENT, 15 May 2015 – Developing financial investigation capabilities and improving co-operation among national law enforcement agencies, prosecutors and Financial Investigation Units (FIU) for detecting and disrupting criminal networks were key topics of a three-day workshop that ended today in Tashkent.

The event was aimed at enhancing financial investigation capacities by applying existing instruments and formalizing a system of joint financial investigations. It was organized by the Office of the Co-ordinator of OSCE Economic and Environmental Activities, the UNODC, the EAG and the OSCE Project Co-ordinator in Uzbekistan

“In many ways, this regional workshop builds upon inter-agency and international co-operation in combating corruption and money laundering and aims to further improve the capabilities of law enforcement agencies, prosecutors and FIUs to work together to conduct financial investigations for such serious crimes as corruption”, said Andrei Muntean, OCEEA’s Senior Economic Officer.

Oliver Gadney from the UNODC stated, “Effective financial investigation can deliver some of the deepest and most lasting disruptions to criminal and terrorist enterprises. The latter continue to pose serious challenges to many countries.”

He added that the workshop has brought together experts from across a wide region who face common threats from terrorist and criminal finance, and has provided an opportunity to share good practices in developing and enhancing their investigation teams.“

Aliaksandr Vadziany, EAG Administrator, added, “The seminar provided for an excellent opportunity for the participants to share experiences between the states of the Central Asian region and beyond to gain access to financial investigation and other methods of combating money-laundering and financing of terrorism in other countries”.

The workshop gathered over 40 representatives of Financial Intelligence Units, law enforcement agencies and prosecutors from Central Asian countries, Pakistan and Iran and provided a platform for expert speakers from international organizations, as well as from Russia, Belarus, Lithuania, China and the United States to help the participants develop national financial investigation strategies in working groups.

The workshop received financial support from the United States of America.

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