OSCE

CATANIA, Italy, 24 June 2016 – The OSCE Special Representative and Co-ordinator for Combating Trafficking in Human Beings, Madina Jarbussynova, on Thursday concluded a joint visit to Lampedusa and Catania, Italy, with the OSCE Parliamentary Assembly humanitarian Chair in order to assess conditions among migrants and refugees and evaluate risks for human trafficking.

The five-day trip allowed them to meet with a range of officials, hold conversations with refugees and sail aboard Italian coast guard vessels carrying out rescue operations in the Mediterranean. On the aircraft carrier Garibaldi they were also briefed about the European Union Naval Force – Mediterranean (EUNAVFOR MED) and had a chance to observe its patrolling operations at sea.

“People on the move in the Mediterranean region are at great risk of becoming human trafficking victims, but we can prevent this crime,” Jarbussynova said. “The Italian authorities are working hard to save migrants at sea and assist them on land, and I was encouraged by what I saw at the Lampedusa and Catania reception centres.”

Both Lampedusa and Catania, on Sicily, are part of the European Union’s new Hotspot approach, which supports the swift identification, registration and fingerprinting of people in areas facing a large influx of migrants. Lampedusa is an official Hotspot, while Catania serves as the regional headquarters.

Often impoverished and jobless, migrants can become easy targets for those who abuse them in situations of modern-day slavery, part of an illegal multi-billion euro industry.

Jarbussynova was joined on the trip by Isabel Santos (MP, Portugal), Chair of the OSCE Parliamentary Assembly’s General Committee on Democracy, Human Rights and Humanitarian Questions.

“I am impressed by the efforts of the officials, professionals, volunteers and activists in Italy, who under difficult circumstances are showing great dedication and are doing the best they can to provide assistance and protection,” Santos said. “European countries must show greater solidarity and speed up the relocation process in order to more equitably host men, women and children fleeing their homes due to conflict and persecution. Our responsibility to protect lives comes above any responsibility to protect borders.”

Santos called on fellow parliamentarians from OSCE participating States to create the political will necessary to establish humanitarian corridors and legal channels of access to Europe.

The Office of the Special Representative and Co-ordinator for Combating Trafficking in Human Beings emphasized migration issues in its work since 2015, when it devoted the 15th Alliance conference to the trafficking risks migrants face. Earlier this month Jarbussynova launched a ground-breaking training initiative in Vicenza, Italy, and also visited several countries affected by the recent influx. Additional trips to Bulgaria and Greece are scheduled later this year. 

• OSCE launches innovative project to combat human trafficking along migration routes
• Make migration a resource for all - conclude participants of OSCE-hosted expert meeting on migration in Vienna
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This report is for media and the general public.

SUMMARY

On 23 June 2016 at 07:05hrs (Moscow time), a Russian convoy[1] arrived at the Donetsk Border Crossing Point (BCP). A total of 45 vehicles were checked by the Russian border guards and customs services prior to them crossing into Ukraine. All of the 45 vehicles had crossed back into the Russian Federation by 14:58hrs on 23 June.

DETAIL

Leaving the Russian Federation

On 23 June 2016 at 07:05hrs, the Mission observed the arrival of a Russian convoy at the gate of the Donetsk BCP. The Russian Ministry of Emergency Situations team led the process of the convoy movement. The convoy consisted of 38 cargo trucks and seven support vehicles. All but three cargo trucks bore the inscription “Humanitarian help from the Russian Federation”.

At 07:07hrs the vehicles entered the customs control area and parked up in four lines. The cargo trucks were visually checked from the outside by Russian border guards and customs officers. Two service dogs were present on site during the convoy crossing and were used to check some of the cargo trucks from the outside. Ukrainian representatives – six border guards and three customs officers – were present during the check. They performed light visual checks of the opened trucks from the outside. By 07:45hrs the vehicles had left the BCP towards Ukraine.

Returning to the Russian Federation

At 14:24hrs on 23 June, the convoy arrived and parked up in three lines at the customs area. The tailgates and tarpaulins of the trucks were opened and Russian and Ukrainian border guards and customs officers visually checked the returning convoy from the outside. One service dog was present on site during the convoy crossing and was used to check some of the cargo trucks from the outside. By 14:58hrs all of the 45 vehicles had returned and crossed back into the Russian Federation.

[1] According to the statement of the Russian Federation officials, this convoy is considered as the fifty-third Russian Convoy which was sent to Ukraine. As one of these convoys did not cross through the “Donetsk” or “Gukovo” border crossing points, the Observer Mission did not record it. Hence, based on the Observer Mission’s counting, this convoy is considered as the fifty-second convoy that has crossed into Ukraine.

• Spot Report at Russian checkpoints of Gukovo and Donetsk: 51st Russian Convoy of 47 Vehicles Crossed into Ukraine and Returned through Donetsk Border Crossing Point
• Weekly Update from the OSCE Observer Mission at Russian Checkpoints Gukovo and Donetsk based on information as of 14 June 2016
• Weekly Update from the OSCE Observer Mission at Russian Checkpoints Gukovo and Donetsk based on information as of 7 June 2016

DUBLIN 23 June 2016 – Ahead of the 20th anniversary of the murder of Irish journalist Veronica Guerin, OSCE Representative on Freedom of the Media Dunja Mijatović today reminded of the importance investigative journalists play for our societies and the fight to end impunity.  

“Veronica Guerin was a dedicated and courageous journalist who paid the ultimate price for her work,” Mijatović said. “Her death is a constant reminder of the importance of protecting and safeguarding journalists. They are our eyes and ears and play an essential role as public watchdogs in our societies.”

Guerin, an investigative reporter who reported on organized crime for the Irish newspaper Sunday Independent, was subject to a number of attacks and threats during the 1990s. In 1995, after publishing a story on organized crime, she was shot in her home by an unidentified assailant. Guerin survived the attack and continued her work as a reporter.

On 26 June 1996, two men on a motorcycle pulled up alongside Guerin’s car at a traffic light in suburban Dublin, shot and killed her. Three men were subsequently charged, prosecuted and convicted for their involvement in the murder.

“Guerin’s work and her tireless efforts as an investigative journalist should serve as an example to all of us,” Mijatović said. “And any attempt to silence members of the media should be treated as a direct attack on democracy.”

Mijatović is in Dublin participating in a conference on violent online political extremism and the responses to it.

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.

• OSCE Representative appalled by imprisonment of two journalists and a human rights activist in Turkey, urges their release
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• OSCE media freedom representative condemns murder of journalist in Serbia, calls on authorities for swift and thorough investigation

The SMM observed more ceasefire violations in Donetsk region and fewer in Luhansk region compared to the previous day. In Donetsk region, the SMM recorded over 140 explosions during the night of 21 June and 15 during the day. The SMM was caught in mortar shelling in Vodiane. In Luhansk region, the Mission recorded one small-arms shot. The SMM continued to observe long queues at entry-exit checkpoints along the contact line and spoke to people who had spent the night in their vehicles between the respective last checkpoints. The Mission monitored a peaceful protest in Odessa. The SMM’s freedom of movement was restricted on three occasions, all in areas outside government control.*

The SMM observed more ceasefire violations[1] in Donetsk region compared to the previous day. The SMM recorded 145 undetermined explosions during the night of 21 June. Whilst in Donetsk city centre, the SMM recorded 48 undetermined explosions 10-12km north-north-west during the night of 21 June.

During the same night, whilst in “DPR”-controlled Horlivka (39km north-east of Donetsk), the SMM recorded 92 undetermined explosions 8-10km north-north-west of its position.

Whilst in “DPR”-controlled Yasynuvata (16 north-east of Donetsk), the SMM heard two explosions during the day, 5-8km north of its position.

Positioned at the Donetsk central railway station (6km north-west of Donetsk city centre), the SMM registered four undetermined explosions – one 4km west and three 4-10km north-north-east, north and east of its position.

In government-controlled Vodiane (94km south of Donetsk), during a visit that had been co-ordinated with representatives of the Joint Centre for Control and Co-ordination (JCCC), the SMM heard seven mortar round impacts, assessed as 82mm calibre, in the village. Half an hour later, the SMM saw and heard another two mortar impacts 100-150m south-east and north of its position, respectively. (See SMM Spot Report 22 June 2016.) 

In Luhansk region, the SMM observed fewer ceasefire violations compared to the previous day. Whilst in Shchastia (government-controlled, 20km north of Luhansk), the SMM heard one small-arms shot 200m south-west of its position.

In relation to the implementation of the Addendum to the Package of Measures the SMM revisited Ukrainian Armed Forces permanent storage sites and observed that all weapons previously verified as withdrawn to those sites were missing as they have been since 11 February: nine tanks (T-64) and three automatic mortars (2B9M Vasilek, 82mm).

Beyond the withdrawal lines, but outside storage sites, the SMM observed at least 15 stationary tanks (T72, T-64) in a training area near “LPR”-controlled Myrne (28km south-west of Luhansk as well as five tanks (T-64) near government-controlled Sievierodonetsk (74km north-west of Luhansk). On 21 June, aerial surveillance imagery available to the SMM revealed the presence of a concentration of 15 probable tanks and 23 pieces of towed artillery in “LPR”-controlled Malomykolaivka (36km south-west of Luhansk).

The SMM continued to monitor the withdrawal of heavy weapons as foreseen in the Minsk Package of Measures.

In violation of the respective withdrawal lines, the SMM observed four multiple-launch rocket systems (assessed as BM-21 Grad, 122mm), near Sievierodonetsk.

The SMM has yet to receive the full information requested in the 16 October 2015 notification. The SMM revisited locations known to the SMM as heavy weapons holding areas, even though they do not comply with the specific criteria set out for permanent storage sites in the notification.

In government-controlled areas beyond the respective withdrawal lines, the SMM revisited such locations and observed 12 towed howitzers (2A36 Giatsint-B, 152mm). The SMM also noted that eight towed howitzers (2A65 Msta-B, 152mm) were missing, as first observed on 3 April 2016.

The SMM observed armoured combat vehicles and anti-aircraft weapons in the security zone. In government-controlled areas: the SMM saw one infantry fighting vehicle (IFVs; BMP-2) in Toshkivka (60km north-west of Luhansk); eight military trucks each carrying an anti-aircraft twin gun (ZU-23) near Volnovakha (53km south-west of Donetsk). In “LPR”-controlled areas, the SMM saw one multi-purpose light-armoured towing vehicle (MT-LB) and three IFVs (BMP-2) on trailers in Pervomaisk (58km west of Luhansk). On 20 June, aerial surveillance imagery available to the SMM revealed the presence of 22 armoured vehicles and 23 military-type trucks in Horlivka.

The SMM continued to observe long queues at entry-exit checkpoints along the contact line. At the government checkpoint near Marinka (23km south-west of Donetsk), in the morning hours the SMM saw 420 vehicles and approximately 250 pedestrians waiting to enter government-controlled areas and no one queuing in the opposite direction. Within one hour in the morning, the SMM saw 41 passenger vehicles enter government-controlled areas and 54 vehicles travel in the opposite direction. At the checkpoint, the SMM spoke to people who were entering government-controlled areas, and all of them alleged that many people, including some of them, had to spend the night of 21 June in the area between the last “DPR” checkpoint and the first government checkpoint as the checkpoints had closed and there had been long delays during the day. The interlocutors also complained of the lack of toilets, potable water, and kiosks to buy food in the zone between the checkpoints. At the checkpoint, the SMM saw an ambulance and a team of paramedics attending to an elderly woman who reportedly fell unconscious after long hours of queuing in hot weather (reaching 34 degrees Celsius in the shade).

At the “DPR” checkpoint near Olenivka (23km south-west of Donetsk), the SMM saw 270 civilian cars and 12 buses waiting to travel towards government-controlled areas. Within two hours in the morning, the SMM observed 88 civilian cars enter government-controlled areas, and 97 civilian cars and five passenger vans entering non-government-controlled areas. One man (45 years old) in the queue told the SMM that cars queuing approximately 700m away from the checkpoint would most likely not succeed to cross, and that remaining in the queue overnight was common.

At the “DPR” checkpoint near Horlivka, the SMM saw about 425 civilian cars and 450 people queuing towards government-controlled areas, while 56 civilian cars were waiting to travel in the opposite direction. The SMM spoke to people in the queue, who complained about the long waiting times (6-12 hours) and the absence of toilets, potable water and shelters. A “DPR” member refused to answer any of the SMM’s questions.

At a checkpoint on the south-eastern edge of “DPR”-controlled Verkhnoshyrokivske (formerly Oktiabr, 29km north-east of Mariupol), the SMM observed 250 civilian cars waiting to travel toward government-controlled areas. Several travellers (men and women, different ages) told the SMM that they had been waiting for over five hours to pass the checkpoint, and reiterated a complaint the SMM has heard repeatedly about the absence of toilets, potable water and a medical point – at this and other crossing routes.

“LPR” members continued to maintain an armed position north of the Siverskyi Donets river, at Stanytsia Luhanska bridge (see SMM Daily Report 13 June 2016) and the SMM observed that the newly constructed Ukrainian Armed Forces third fortification (see SMM Daily Report 21 June 2016) was reinforced with sandbags. In the morning, at a “LPR” checkpoint south of the bridge, the SMM observed 250 pedestrians (men and women of different ages) queuing to cross the bridge towards government-controlled areas and no queue in the opposite direction. The SMM also noted that a tent providing shade for civilians had been placed next to the checkpoint as well as a vehicle with a medic, who was equipped with basic first aid equipment. At the government checkpoint north of the bridge, the SMM observed a queue of some 500 people waiting to enter government-controlled areas, and no queue in the opposite direction. The SMM noted that approximately 25 people crossed within 15 minutes.

The SMM continued to observe the presence of unexploded ordnance (UXO). The SMM saw for the first time the tailfin of an 82mm mortar round sticking out of the asphalt in the middle of the road north of government-controlled Berdianske (102km south of Donetsk).

The SMM continued to facilitate and monitor adherence to the ceasefire to enable repairs to essential infrastructure and demining. The SMM facilitated and monitored repairs to power lines in the area of “LPR”-controlled Holubivske (51km west of Luhansk). In the area of “LPR”-controlled Obozne (18km north of Luhansk), the SMM facilitated and monitored ongoing demining work to enable repairs to electricity infrastructure. In Shchastia, the SMM facilitated and monitored further repairs to a water pump at the Shchastia power plant. Employees at the plant told the SMM that the removal of UXO was now complete.

The SMM continued to monitor the situation of civilians living near the contact line and noted that movement restrictions for civilians in Novooleksandrivka (60km west of Luhansk; see SMM Daily Report 1 June 2016) were continuing as an elderly couple in the village told the SMM about their ongoing hardship in obtaining food and healthcare.

The SMM monitored a peaceful protest, organized by activists demanding the resignation of the city mayor in Odessa. Some 1,000 participants (between the ages of 12 and 70 years, 80 per cent male) gathered in front of Hotel Gagarin where the XII “Ukrainian Municipal Forum” (“Day of Dialogue with the State Authorities”) was being held. Protestors blocked traffic in three directions at nearby intersections for at least three hours, including the one leading to the Consulate General of the Russian Federation, by stringing large banners with anti-mayor slogans. The SMM also saw some 40 police officers at the event.

*Restrictions to SMM’s freedom of movement or other impediments to the fulfilment of its mandate

The SMM’s monitoring is restrained by security hazards and threats, including risks posed by mines and unexploded ordnance, and by restrictions of its freedom of movement and other impediments – which vary from day to day. The SMM’s mandate provides for safe and secure access throughout Ukraine. All signatories of the Package of Measures have agreed on the need for this safe and secure access, that restriction of the SMM’s freedom of movement constitutes a violation, and on the need for rapid response to these violations.

Denial of access:

• On 21 June, at the “DPR” checkpoint near Olenivka (23km south-west of Donetsk), an armed “DPR” member, who identified himself as the checkpoint “commander”, told the SMM to move its vehicles at least 300m from the checkpoint. The SMM informed the JCCC.
• On 22 June, the SMM experienced the same restriction of access to the “DPR” checkpoint near Olenivka. The armed “DPR” member refused to even allow monitors on foot within 300m ofthe checkpoint. The SMM informed the JCCC.

Delay:

• In “LPR”-controlled Khrustalne (57km south-west of Luhansk) two men in civilian clothes who got out from a white vehicle with Georgian licence plates and claimed to be from the “state security service”, approached the SMM and asked for the patrol plan and identification of the members of the patrol. The SMM did not comply. After 90 minutes, the SMM was able to continue its monitoring in the village. The SMM informed the JCCC.

[1] Please see the annexed table for a complete breakdown of the ceasefire violations as well as map of the Donetsk and Luhansk regions marked with locations featured in this report. 

* Please see the section at the end of this report entitled “Restrictions to SMM’s freedom of movement or other impediments to the fulfilment of its mandate”.

• Latest from OSCE Special Monitoring Mission (SMM) to Ukraine, based on information received as of 19:30, 21 June 2016
• Latest from OSCE Special Monitoring Mission (SMM) to Ukraine, based on information received as of 19:30, 20 June 2016
• Latest from OSCE Special Monitoring Mission (SMM) to Ukraine, based on information received as of 19:30, 19 June 2016

BERLIN, 23 June 2016 – OSCE Chairperson-in Office and German Foreign Minister Frank-Walter Steinmeier met with Co-Chairs of the OSCE Minsk Group, Ambassadors Igor Popov (Russian Federation) and Pierre Andrieu (France), and with Ambassador Andrzej Kasprzyk, the Personal Representative of the Chairperson-in-Office on the conflict dealt with by the OSCE Minsk Conference in Berlin today.

The Co-Chairs informed the Chairperson-in-Office about the results of the summit of the Presidents of Armenia, Azerbaijan and the Russian Federation held in St. Petersburg on 20 June 2016 and the agreement reached there about increasing the number of staff of the Office of the Personal Representative in order to bring additional international observers into the conflict zone.  The aim of the agreed increase is to stabilize the situation in the conflict zone and to create an atmosphere conducive to fostering the peace process.

Steinmeier welcomed the recent improvements in the upholding of the ceasefire. There was agreement among the participants of the Berlin meeting that a sustainable ceasefire and a return to political negotiations remain indispensable.

Today’s talks also served the goal of co-ordinating possible further steps towards achieving a settlement to the Nagorno-Karabakh conflict, also with a view to Steinmeier’s upcoming visit to the region.

In the framework of the German OSCE Chairmanship Germany is supporting the negotiation efforts of the OSCE Minsk Group and its Co-Chairs and will continue to work actively towards a settlement of the conflict.

• Press Communiqué of Co-Chairs of Geneva International Discussions
• Statement by Special Representative of OSCE Chairperson-in-Office in Ukraine and in Trilateral Contact Group, Ambassador Martin Sajdik
• Experts from OSCE participating States stress importance of continuous fight against anti-Semitism

The OSCE Mission to Skopje organized a workshop on 23 June 2016 for 35 police managers from the Sector of Internal Affairs on identification, prevention and investigation of hate crimes.

The aim of the workshop was to strengthen the capacity of police officers to identify hate crimes and provide responses in line with democratic policing principles and international human rights standards. 

This workshop complemented other previous and ongoing activities of the Mission in this area which are implemented in co-operation with national authorities.

The event was the first in a series of eight workshops which will be held in each sector for internal affairs in the country.

• OSCE Mission to Skopje supports roundtable discussion on the role of women in creating safer communities
• Workshop on hate crimes for police managers
• Head of OSCE Mission to Skopje Suomalainen attends Iftar (fast-breaking) dinner organized by women’s association

KYIV, 23 June 2016 – The OSCE Special Monitoring Mission to Ukraine (SMM) will hold its regular news briefing tomorrow in Kyiv.

Alexander Hug, the SMM’s Principal Deputy Chief Monitor, will talk about the recent activities of the Mission and the general security situation throughout Ukraine.

Journalists are invited to attend the news briefing tomorrow, 24 June, at 16:00 (Kyiv time), at the Ukrainian Crisis Media Centre, at 2 Khreshchatyk street, Ukrainian house.

Live online streaming of the news briefing will be available at http://uacrisis.org/ru/stream/#eng

• OSCE Special Monitoring Mission to Ukraine to hold news briefing in Kyiv tomorrow
• Spot Report by OSCE Special Monitoring Mission to Ukraine (SMM):SMM caught in mortar shelling in Vodiane
• Latest from OSCE Special Monitoring Mission (SMM) to Ukraine, based on information received as of 19:30, 21 June 2016

VIENNA, 23 June 2016 – The 2016 Annual Security Review Conference (ASRC), organized by the German OSCE Chairmanship, will take place on 28-30 June 2016 in Vienna focusing on persistent security challenges throughout the OSCE area and ways to give new impetus for conflict resolution, confidence building and countering transnational threats.

The annual high-level OSCE conference provides a platform for both a broad exchange on the current state of European security and in-depth discussions on specific issues such as regional conflict situations, arms control and confidence- and security-building measures, terrorism or challenges arising from migration.

The opening session in the morning of 28 June 2016 will be addressed by Special Representative of Germany for the 2016 OSCE Chairmanship Gernot Erler and OSCE Secretary General Lamberto Zannier. Michael Møller, Director-General of the United Nations Office at Geneva, will convey a message of the Secretary General of the United Nations, Ban Ki-moon, to the Annual Security Review Conference.

Then José Ramos-Horta, 1996 Nobel Peace Prize laureate and former President of Timor-Leste (East Timor), will deliver a keynote speech. Based on his lifelong experience as a statesman und diplomat, Ramos-Horta will speak on the value of patient diplomacy, the need for enduring post-conflict rehabilitation and elaborate on security challenges. Ambassador Adam Bugajski, who heads Poland’s current Chairmanship of the OSCE Forum for Security Co-operation, will also contribute to the opening session.

The ASRC is expected to bring together a total of 400 participants from all 57 participating States, Partners for Co-operation and international organizations including the United Nations.

Journalists are invited to follow the addresses of the opening session from 10:00 on Tuesday, 28 June, at the Hofburg Conference Centre's Neuer Saal.

 Media interested in attending the opening session should register by e-mail to press@osce.org, by 17:00, Monday, 27 June. 

Journalists interested in arranging interviews with Mr. Erler and Mr. Horta after the opening address are asked to send their request to press@osce.org by 17:00, Friday, 24 June.

The opening address will be streamed live at www.osce.org/live.

Further information and the agenda are available at http://www.osce.org/cio/246311

• Experts from OSCE participating States stress importance of continuous fight against anti-Semitism
• OSCE marks 20th Anniversary of Sub-Regional Arms Control Agreement, essential for building peace and stability in Western Balkans
• Press Communiqué of Co-Chairs of Geneva International Discussions

This report is for media and the general public.

The SMM travelled to government-controlled Vodiane (94km south of Donetsk) in a visit that had been co-ordinated with representatives of the Joint Centre for Control and Co-ordination (JCCC). At 11:18 the SMM was conducting a foot patrol and speaking with a couple at their house when the village was hit by seven mortar rounds assessed as 82mm calibre.

The SMM and Ukrainian Armed Forces, including a Ukrainian representative from the JCCC, took cover in a house. The SMM immediately contacted members of an SMM mirror patrol in “DPR”-controlled Kominternove (23km north-east of Mariupol), which was escorted by a Russian Federation Armed Forces representative to the JCCC, to try to facilitate a ceasefire. After 15 minutes, when the situation was assessed as safe, the patrol members left the house and proceeded to the two SMM armoured vehicles, parked approximately 70 metres west of the house. At this time, the patrol heard two more explosions assessed as mortar rounds impacting in the village, which caused the patrol members to lie on the ground before reaching the vehicles safely.

During the entire time the SMM patrol drivers remained in the vehicles. From there, they observed one impact at an approximate distance of 100-150 metres north and another at a similar distance to the south-east. One round caused a house in the south-west part of the village to catch fire; the house was burning fiercely when the patrol left the village. The patrol returned safely to its base in Mariupol at approximately 13:00. 

• Latest from OSCE Special Monitoring Mission (SMM) to Ukraine, based on information received as of 19:30, 21 June 2016
• Latest from OSCE Special Monitoring Mission (SMM) to Ukraine, based on information received as of 19:30, 20 June 2016
• Latest from OSCE Special Monitoring Mission (SMM) to Ukraine, based on information received as of 19:30, 19 June 2016

This report is for media and the general public.

The SMM observed fewer ceasefire violations in both Donetsk and Luhansk regions compared to the previous day. In Donetsk region, the SMM recorded over 40 explosions during the night of 20 June, while it did not record any ceasefire violations during daytime. In Luhansk region, the Mission recorded ten explosions. The Mission conducted crater analysis and observed damage to residential houses caused by shelling in six locations on both sides of the contact line. It continued to observe significant movement of weapons in government-controlled areas of Luhansk region. The SMM observed long queues at entry-exit checkpoints along the contact line. The Mission’s freedom of movement was restricted on four occasions in non-government-controlled areas.*

The SMM observed less ceasefire violations[1] in Donetsk region compared to the previous day. The SMM recorded 43 explosions during the night of 20 June, while it did not record any ceasefire violations during the daytime.

Whilst in Donetsk city centre, the SMM recorded 33 undetermined explosions 10-12km north during the night of 20 June.

During the same night, whilst in government-controlled Svitlodarsk (57km north-east of Donetsk), the SMM heard four explosions assessed as caused by outgoing 73mm cannon (BMP-1) rounds 2-3km south-east of its position.

During the night of 20 June, positioned in “DPR”-controlled Horlivka (39km north-east of Donetsk), the SMM recorded six undetermined explosions 8-10km west-south-west of its position.

In the Avdiivka/Yasynuvata area, the SMM noted a calm situation with three explosions recorded from the evening of 20 June to the morning of 21 June. The SMM camera in Avdiivka (government-controlled, 17km north-east of Donetsk) recorded two explosions in the air and one undetermined explosion 3-7km south-south-east and south-south-west of its location.

The SMM camera in Shyrokyne (20km east of Mariupol), facing north, recorded uncountable tracer rounds, mostly fired from west to east, which it assessed as more than 550 bursts of heavy-machine-gun and anti-aircraft-gun (ZU-23) fire. The camera also recorded 35 illumination flares (18 from west to east, four from south-west to north-east and 13 from south-south-west to north-north-east) all at an unknown distance north of the camera.

In Luhansk region, the SMM observed fewer ceasefire violations compared to the previous day. Of ten explosions recorded, five were attributable to live-fire exercises near “LPR”-controlled Myrne (28km south-west of Luhansk) – outside the security zone. On the night of 20 June, whilst in government-controlled Shchastia (20km north of Luhansk), the SMM heard one undetermined explosion 1-1.5 km east of its position. While positioned in government-controlled Toshkivka (60km north-west of Luhansk), the SMM heard two undetermined explosions 10km south-south-west of its position.

“LPR” members continued to maintain an armed position north of the Siverskyi Donets river, at Stanytsia Luhanska bridge (see SMM Daily Report 13 June). The SMM observed that the newly-constructed Ukrainian Armed Forces third fortification (see SMM Daily Report 21 June) was staffed by one armed soldier. During the night of 20 June, whilst in government-controlled Stanytsia Luhanska (16km north of Luhansk), the SMM heard two explosions assessed as caused by rocket-propelled-grenade (RPG) fire 3.5-4km south-west of its position. In the morning, at the “LPR” checkpoint south of the bridge, the SMM observed 300 pedestrians in a queue waiting to walk across the bridge towards government-controlled areas, and no queue in the opposite direction. At the government checkpoint north of the bridge, the SMM observed a queue of 500-700 people waiting to enter government-controlled areas, and no queue in the opposite direction.

The SMM followed up on reports of shelling. On 20 June, in a residential area of government-controlled Krasnohorivka (21km west of Donetsk), the SMM saw three impact sites, which according to residents, had resulted from shelling during the previous night. The SMM conducted analysis on three craters and assessed them as caused by armour-piercing discarding sabot rounds fired from an easterly direction. The SMM observed punctured east-facing walls of an apartment building at one site, shattered windows, an east-facing partially collapsed roof and fractured walls of an apartment building, and what it assessed to be the metal core of an anti-tank gun (100mm) round lying at the second site. At the third site, the SMM saw two holes – one on an east-facing exterior wall and another on a west-facing exterior wall of an apartment building – and assessed that a projectile had pierced through the eastern wall and exited through the western wall. The SMM also observed a pool of blood inside the building’s stairwell. A medical staff of a hospital in government-controlled Kurakhove (40km west of Donetsk) told the SMM that a woman, who had been in the apartment at the time of shelling, had sustained shattered bones and had a metal fragment removed from her hip.

On the north-western edge of “DPR”-controlled Kominternove (23km north-east of Mariupol), the SMM saw two fresh craters and assessed them as caused by wire-guided anti-tank missiles fired from a west-north-westerly direction. The SMM saw a two-storey house with its north-west facing upper floor and roof burned out and a severed power line. Residents stated that they had heard two loud explosions the previous evening. The SMM saw fresh traces of a tracked vehicle on the street at those sites.

In Avdiivka, the SMM saw a hole in the east-facing wall of an uninhabited house, which it assessed as caused by an 82mm mortar round fired from a south-easterly direction. The SMM also observed damage to east-facing roof and fence of the house, and minor damage to a neighbouring inhabited house. Residents of the latter house told the SMM that they had heard two loud explosions seven minutes apart on the previous night.

On 20 June, in government-controlled Novozvanivka (70km west of Luhansk), the SMM saw five fresh craters in an open field and assessed them as caused by 122mm artillery rounds fired from an easterly direction.

In government-controlled Troitske (69km west of Luhansk), in the field close to a location near Ukrainian Armed Forces positions, the SMM saw 30 fresh craters and conducted analysis on eight of them. It assessed them as caused by 120mm mortar rounds fired from an easterly direction.

In “LPR”-controlled Vesela Hora (16km north of Luhansk), the SMM conducted analysis on a fresh crater on an asphalt road 5m from an inhabited house, concluding that it had been caused by an automatic-grenade-launcher (AGS) round fired from a northerly or a north-north-westerly direction.

In relation to the implementation of the Addendum to the Package of Measures the SMM revisited Ukrainian Armed Forces permanent storage sites and observed that all weapons previously verified as withdrawn to those sites were present, and noted additional weapons.

Beyond the withdrawal lines, but outside storage sites, the SMM observed two tanks (T-64) loaded on trailers, travelling east near government-controlled Sievierodonetsk (74km north-west of Luhansk).

The SMM continued to monitor the withdrawal of heavy weapons as foreseen in the Minsk Package of Measures.

In violation of the respective withdrawal lines, the SMM observed two self-propelled howitzers (2S3 Akatsiya, 152mm) in government-controlled Novookhtyrka (55km north-west of Luhansk).

The SMM has yet to receive the full information requested in the 16 October 2015 notification. The SMM revisited locations known to the SMM as heavy weapons holding areas, even though they do not comply with the specific criteria set out for permanent storage sites in the notification.

In government-controlled areas beyond the respective withdrawal lines, the SMM revisited such locations and observed six anti-tank guns (MT-12 Rapira, 100mm). The SMM noted that one site was abandoned with nine Addendum-regulated tanks (T-72) missing, as observed for the first time on 14 March.

Beyond the withdrawal lines, but outside storage sites, the SMM observed four self-propelled howitzers (2S3 Akatsiya, 152mm) together with other hardware including seven stationary Addendum-regulated tanks (T-64) near government-controlled Rubizhne (84km north-west of Luhansk). Later in the day, the SMM observed four self-propelled howitzers (2S3 Akatsiya, 152mm) and two tanks (T-64) at the aforementioned location and two self-propelled howitzers (2S3 Akatsiya, 152mm) loaded on trailers travelling south-east near Rubizhne. The Ukrainian Armed Forces personnel present told the SMM that the presence of military hardware was due to a routine rotation of their units.

The SMM observed the presence of armoured combat vehicles and an anti-aircraft weapon in the security zone. In government-controlled areas: the SMM saw one armoured personnel carrier (APC; BTR-4) near Popasna (69km west of Luhansk) on 20 June and the SMM saw one infantry fighting vehicle (BMP-2) near Stanytsia Luhanska. In “LPR”-controlled area, the SMM observed one anti-aircraft gun (ZU-23) mounted on a stationary military-type truck near Smile (32km north-west of Luhansk) on 20 June.

Further to an initial enquiry of 14 June, which remained unanswered, on 21 June the SMM again asked the Joint Centre for Control and Co-ordination (JCCC) for assistance in responding to three incidents, in which an SMM foot patrol came under small-arms fire north-east of “DPR”-controlled Yasynuvata (16km north-east of Donetsk) on 27 May (see SMM Spot Report 27 May), and the SMM loss of all communication with two long-range unmanned aerial vehicles (UAV) on 27 May and 2 June (see SMM Spot Report 27 May and SMM Spot Report 3 June). The SMM reminded the JCCC of its obligation under the Addendum to the Package to Measures of 29 September 2015 to ensure rapid response to cases of impediments to monitoring and verification by the SMM.

The SMM continued to observe long queues at entry-exit checkpoints along the contact line. In the morning, at a government checkpoint near Marinka (23km south-west of Donetsk), the SMM observed a queue of 400 civilian cars, ten buses and 750 pedestrians waiting to enter government-controlled areas and a queue of 285 civilian cars and 70 pedestrians waiting to travel in the opposite direction. The SMM noted that 40-60 vehicles passed every hour. At a checkpoint on the south-eastern edge of “DPR”-controlled Verkhnoshyrokivske (formerly Oktiabr, 29km north-east of Mariupol), the SMM observed 300 civilian cars waiting to enter government-controlled areas. Several travellers (men and women, different age groups) told the SMM that they had been waiting four hours to pass the checkpoint, complaining about the absence of toilets, potable water and a medical point.

In “LPR”-controlled Khriashchivka (22km east of Luhansk), the SMM observed for the first time two improvised mine hazard signs (made of metal panel, located 8-10m apart each other, stating “Mine” in Russian) at the entrance of a walkway along the Siverskyi Donets river. In Vesela Hora, the SMM saw an anti-personnel mine laid on roadside, where the SMM saw civilian cars passing through.  

*Restrictions to SMM’s freedom of movement or other impediments to the fulfilment of its mandate

The SMM’s monitoring is restrained by security hazards and threats, including risks posed by mines and unexploded ordnance, and by restrictions of its freedom of movement and other impediments – which vary from day to day. The SMM’s mandate provides for safe and secure access throughout Ukraine. All signatories of the Package of Measures have agreed on the need for this safe and secure access, that restriction of the SMM’s freedom of movement constitutes a violation, and on the need for rapid response to these violations.

Denial of access:

• In the southern part of “DPR”-controlled Verkhnoshyrokivske, armed men stopped the SMM and did not allow it to proceed into the centre of the village. The SMM informed the JCCC.
• In “DPR”-controlled Bezimenne (30km east of Mariupol), armed men did not allow the SMM to enter a military-type compound and asked the SMM to leave the location immediately.  The SMM informed the JCCC.
• In “DPR”-controlled Novoazovsk (53km north-east of Mariupol), armed men denied the SMM access to a military-type compound, referring to the absence of their “superior”. The SMM informed the JCCC.
• In the vicinity of Novohryhorivka (33km west of Luhansk), armed men demanded that the SMM leave immediately the area, where it saw forward positions.

[1] Please see the annexed table for a complete breakdown of the ceasefire violations as well as map of the Donetsk and Luhansk regions marked with locations featured in this report. 

• Latest from OSCE Special Monitoring Mission (SMM) to Ukraine, based on information received as of 19:30, 20 June 2016
• Latest from OSCE Special Monitoring Mission (SMM) to Ukraine, based on information received as of 19:30, 19 June 2016
• Latest from OSCE Special Monitoring Mission (SMM) to Ukraine, based on information received as of 19:30, 17 June 2016

BISHKEK, 15 June 2016 – A two-day OSCE-supported regional inter-parliamentary meeting on monitoring and evaluation mechanisms that brought together 20 parliamentarians from Kazakhstan, Kyrgyzstan, Moldova, Russian Federation, and Tajikistan concluded today in Bishkek. High-level government officials, independent experts, representatives of civil society, international organizations,  academia and mass media also attended the event.

The meeting, co-organized by the OSCE Centre in Bishkek, Kyrgyz Parliament and the United Nations Children's Emergency Fund (UNICEF), aimed at increasing the work efficiency of parliamentarians and facilitated the creation of a regional forum of parliamentarians to support parliamentary monitoring and evaluation.

“The OSCE Centre in Bishkek remains committed to support the Parliament and the institutions of the Kyrgyz Republic by facilitating continuous internal and external parliamentary monitoring,” said Diana Digol, Institution-Building Officer at the OSCE Centre in Bishkek.

The OSCE Centre will also support a one-day intensive follow-up training course for a selected group of parliamentary staff who will be actively involved in carrying out the parliamentary monitoring and evaluation.

The meeting was conducted as part of the OSCE Centre’s project on strengthening democratic governance in Kyrgyzstan.

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DUSHANBE, 15 June 2016 – A three-day regional trade facilitation and border management workshop gathering senior trade and customs officials from UN Special Programme for the Economies of Central Asia (SPECA) countries Azerbaijan, Kyrgyzstan, Tajikistan, and Turkmenistan concluded today at the Border Management Staff College in Dushanbe. 

The workshop was co-organized by the OSCE Office in Tajikistan, the Office of the Co-ordinator of OSCE Economic and Environmental Activities, and the UN Economic Commission for Europe (UNECE) Trade Division.

“This workshop enabled participants to exchange national experiences and explore the scope for closer co-operation at the regional level. Trade facilitation is a key condition for the economic development of Central Asia,” said Martin Rossmann, Senior Economic and Environmental Officer at the OSCE Office in Tajikistan

The practice-oriented and interactive workshop combined expert presentations, roundtable discussions and group work. It aimed at equipping participants with an array of tools and approaches needed for the simplification and harmonization of procedures for international trade.

Roel Janssens, Economic Adviser at the OSCE Secretariat said: “Landlocked developing countries, in this region, and elsewhere, face higher trade transaction costs due to complexities of multimodal transportation and the multiple border-crossings, transit arrangements and documentation requirements involved.  The challenge for countries along Euro-Asian trade corridors is to turn this geographical challenge into an opportunity.”

Particular attention was paid to implementing the WTO Trade Facilitation Agreement in the region; the establishment of National Trade Facilitation Committees; and the development of a roadmap for implementing comprehensive trade facilitation reforms. All of this in support of governments’ efforts to reduce delays at border-crossings and speed up customs clearance, transit, import, and export procedures.  Participants also learnt about the development of Authorised Economic Operator programmes and tools aimed at improving inter-agency cooperation both domestically and internationally.

Mario Apostolov, Regional Adviser at the UNECE said: “Trade facilitation is not just a matter of one agency but can only be successful when adopting a ‘whole of government’ approach where customs and border authorities, trade and transport ministries as well as private sector and other relevant actors coordinate their tasks, conduct joint controls and exchange documents and data.”   

On the second day of the workshop, the participants paid a study visit to the Tursunzade border crossing-point between Tajikistan and Uzbekistan.

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KYIV, 15 June 2016 – Yesterday in Kyiv Nadiya Savchenko, Member of the Ukrainian Parliament, recipient of the country’s highest Hero of Ukraine order, and recently released from a Russian prison, paid a surprise visit to an OSCE Parliamentary Assembly delegation under the leadership of President Ilkka Kanerva (MP Finland), who is in Kyiv for meetings with the Ukrainian President and other high level officials.

Savchenko wanted to personally express her gratitude to Kanerva for his and the PA’s strong support during the days of her imprisonment. In an emotional exchange, Kanerva expressed the Parliamentary Assembly’s relief over her long-overdue release, inquiring about her treatment during the time she was held in isolation.

In Kyiv, Kanerva held meetings with Andriy Parubiy, Chairperson of the Verkhovna Rada (Parliament) of Ukraine, Deputy Prime Minister and Minister for European Integration and Economic Development Stepan Kubiv, and the Ukrainian OSCE PA Delegation led by Artur Gerasymov. The meetings are taking place on the sidelines of the NATO Parliamentary Assembly’s 92nd Rose-Roth Seminar.

In all meetings Kanerva reiterated the OSCE PA’s support for Ukraine's territorial integrity, including the need to return occupied Crimea to Ukraine. He also called for the full implementation of the Minsk Agreements, stressing that despite setbacks, the goals set forth in these agreements are still achievable.

“This is a crucial time not only for Ukraine but for all Europe,” Kanerva said. “It is not only a matter of Ukrainian security, but for the sake of the security of the whole continent it is crucial that the crisis in and around Ukraine is brought to a peaceful settlement. The ceasefire violations and the attacks on the OSCE's Special Monitoring Mission are becoming routine, which is unacceptable.”

Meeting with President Kanerva today, the Speaker of the Ukrainian Parliament Parubiy reiterated the firm position of Ukraine that the conflict can only be resolved peacefully. Parubiy also briefed Kanerva on various reforms that the parliament has already adopted.

While in Kyiv, the PA President also attended the Rose-Roth Seminar. The first day featured remarks by Parubiy; Raynell Andreychuk, Co-Chairperson of the UNIC; Ivanna Klympush-Tsyntsadze, Vice Prime Minister of Ukraine for European and Euro-Atlantic Integration; and Pat Cox, President of the Jean Monnet Foundation for Europe.

The seminar and visit continue on Wednesday with Kanerva’s participation.

 

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• OSCE parliamentarians to consider resolution focused on corruption, climate change and migration at Tbilisi Annual Session
• Addressing security challenges requires rebuilding trust, says resolution to be considered at OSCE Parliamentary Assembly’s 25th Annual Session

This report is for media and the general public.

The SMM observed more ceasefire violations in both Donetsk and Luhansk regions compared with 11 and 12 June. The Mission conducted crater analysis and observed damages to civilian houses caused by shelling. The SMM continued to monitor the withdrawal of weapons. It facilitated adherence to the ceasefire to enable repairs to infrastructure. The SMM noted long queues at entry-exit points along the contact line and monitored a border area not controlled by the Government. The SMM noted that the power supply of its repeater in Donetsk city, needed for the operation of remote monitoring equipment, had been reconnected. The Mission faced three restrictions to its freedom of movement.*

The SMM observed more ceasefire violations[1] in Donetsk region than on each of the previous two days. 

Whilst in government-controlled Svitlodarsk (57km north-east of Donetsk), the SMM heard at least 70 undetermined explosions 10-12km south-west of its position during the evening of 12 June. The SMM did not record any ceasefire violations on 13 June in Svitlodarsk.

Whilst in “DPR”-controlled Horlivka (39km north-east of Donetsk), during the night of 12 June and the early morning hours of 13 June, the SMM heard approximately 280 explosions; 20 of which were assessed as caused by 152mm artillery round impacts 3-8km west and south-west, and 54 assessed as outgoing 152mm artillery rounds 4km west. Fifty of the outgoing rounds were recorded over a ten-minute period.

Whilst in “DPR”-controlled Yasynuvata (16km north-east of Donetsk city centre); the SMM heard approximately 150 undetermined explosions, including over 30 explosions in a ten-minute period, and 30 airbursts, over the course of the day. The explosions, nearly all of which were recorded 1-7km west and west-south-west of the SMM’s position, were accompanied by numerous bursts and shots of continuous heavy-machine-gun and small-arms fire. 

Whilst in government-controlled Avdiivka (17km north of Donetsk), the SMM heard over 90 explosions assessed as caused by various weapons, including: incoming and outgoing automatic-grenade-launcher-rounds, 82mm mortar and recoilless gun round (SPG-9) impacts, and two 120mm mortar round impacts; all 3-7km south-east of its position.

Whilst positioned at “DPR”-controlled Donetsk city central railway station (6km north-west of Donetsk city centre) in the afternoon, the SMM heard 33 undetermined explosions within 23 minutes, 2-3km north-north-west of its position.

Whilst in “DPR”-controlled Kominternove (23km north-east of Mariupol), the SMM heard one outgoing explosion assessed as caused by a mortar round of an unknown calibre and several single shots of small-arms fire 500 metres north.

In Luhansk region, the SMM recorded more ceasefire violations than during each of the previous two days. In “LPR”-controlled Kadiivka (formerly Stakhanov, 50km west of Luhansk), the SMM heard at least 63 undetermined explosions approximately 7-10km west and south-west of its position in the early afternoon. In government-controlled Katerynivka (64km west of Luhansk), the SMM heard three machine-gun bursts, fired approximately 200-300 metres south of its position, impacting in the tarmac approximately 50-60 metres from the patrol. The SMM immediately left the area. In the Stanytsia Luhanska (16km north-east of Luhansk) area, the SMM did not record any ceasefire violations.

The SMM followed-up on reports of shelling in residential areas. In Horlivka, the SMM observed 12 fresh craters, conducted analysis on seven of these craters and spoke with more than 60 inhabitants of a residential area in a north-eastern part of the city. The SMM assessed the seven craters as caused by 122mm artillery rounds fired from the north-west. The SMM observed damage to the windows of buildings and observed that shrapnel had entered flats located on the first floor. The residents told the SMM that they had heard heavy shelling the previous night and that their neighbourhood had last been shelled in August 2015.

The SMM observed a fresh hole in the north-western side of the roof of an uninhabited house in Kominternove, which it assessed as caused by an anti-tank guided missile fired from the north-west. Residents living nearby told the SMM that at approximately 17:00 on 12 June, a projectile had hit the house.

In “DPR”-controlled Makiivka (12km north-east of Donetsk), the SMM observed 11 fresh craters in Chervonohvardiiske district (approximately 9km from the contact line). At two of the sites, the SMM was unable to determine the direction of fire or calibre of weapon that created the craters, four craters were assessed as caused by artillery rounds (the SMM was able to assess the calibre of one of the rounds as 152mm), and five as caused by 82mm mortar rounds (at least two of which were assessed as having been fired from a close distance). The SMM was able to assess that two of the artillery rounds were fired from the west and one from the west or south-west. The SMM noted houses with shrapnel damage and broken windows, as well as perforated and mangled gas and water pipes, and one small building which had been completely destroyed. Residents told the SMM that they had heard shelling between 20:00 on 11 June and 02:30 on 12 June. A patient at a hospital in Makiivka told the SMM that he had received numerous injuries during the shelling and that his arm was pierced by a piece of shrapnel above the elbow. In Donetsk city’s Kyivskyi district, where the SMM had analysed numerous craters on 9 June, residents told the SMM that the intensity of shelling had now reached the level of what they had witnessed at the beginning of the conflict. Two interlocutors shared their concerns that no one was assisting with the repair of houses and buildings damaged by shelling.

Approximately 700 metres west of the edge of “LPR”-controlled Kalynove (60km west of Luhansk), the SMM analysed six fresh craters and assessed them as caused by 82mm mortar rounds fired from a westerly direction. The SMM also observed from a distance that white smoke was rising approximately 200m from a residential area in the settlement. According to a resident and five armed “LPR” members, shelling had occurred to the west of the village in the early afternoon of 12 June (see SMM Daily Report, 13 June 2016).

The SMM observed that the power supply to its repeater had been reconnected, which is necessary to operate remote monitoring equipment at “DPR”-controlled Oktiabr mine and in Avdiivka. The power supply to the repeater had been disconnected by “DPR” members on 20 May in Donetsk city (see SMM Daily Report 21 May 2016).

In relation to the implementation of the Addendum to the Package of Measures, the SMM observed at “LPR” training areas, beyond the respective withdrawal lines and outside storage sites, 18 tanks (T-64) near Myrne (28km south-west of Luhansk) and six tanks near Kruhlyk (31km south-west of Luhansk).

The SMM continued to monitor the withdrawal of heavy weapons foreseen in the Minsk Package of Measures.

In violation of the respective withdrawal lines, the SMM continued to observe a surface-to-air missile system (9K35 Strela-10, 120mm) near government-controlled Nyzhnie (56km north-west of Luhansk) (see SMM Daily Report 13 June) and observed four towed howitzers (2A65 Msta-B, 152mm) near government-controlled Pryvilne (72km south of Donetsk). Near “DPR”-controlled Dokuchaievsk (30km south-west of Donetsk), the SMM observed one self-propelled howitzer (2S1 Gvozdika, 122mm). In addition, several hundred men in military-style clothing, as well as military-type trucks, transport vehicles and tents were set-up near residential and industrial buildings.

The SMM revisited an “LPR” heavy weapons permanent storage site and noted that five previously recorded howitzer (D-30 Lyagushka, 122mm) were missing.

The SMM has yet to receive the full information requested in the 16 October 2015 notification. The SMM revisited locations known to the SMM as heavy weapons holding areas, even though they do not comply with the specific criteria set out for permanent storage sites in the notification.

In government-controlled areas beyond the respective withdrawal lines, the SMM revisited such locations and observed: 18 multiple-launch rocket systems (MLRS; BM-21 Grad, 122mm), nine self-propelled howitzers (2S3 Akatsiya, 152mm), three anti-tank guns (MT-12 Rapira, 100mm), 15 Addendum-regulated mortars (ten 2B11 Sani 122mm; three BM-37, 82mm; and two 2B9 Vasilek, 82mm) and 29 Addendum-regulated tanks (T-64). The SMM noted that one tank (T-64) was missing for the first time.

The SMM observed the presence of armoured combat vehicles in the security zone in government-controlled areas: one light-armoured vehicle (Kraz Cougar) mounted with a 50mm heavy machine-gun near Zolote (60km west of Luhansk) and two armoured personnel carriers (BTR-60s) near Popasna (69km west of Luhansk).

The SMM continued to facilitate and monitor adherence to the ceasefire to enable repairs to infrastructure and demining works. Near government-controlled Artemove (42km north-east of Donetsk), the SMM facilitated and monitored adherence to the ceasefire to enable repair work to a factory. A demining team was also present in the area. In government-controlled Shchastia (20km north of Luhansk), the SMM facilitated and monitored adherence to the ceasefire to enable demining around the Shchastia power plant. In “LPR”-controlled Vesela Hora (16km north of Luhansk), the SMM facilitated and monitored adherence to the ceasefire to enable repair work to an electrical power line.

The SMM continued to monitor queues at entry-exit checkpoints along the contact line. During the morning hours of 13 June, at the “LPR” checkpoint south of the bridge near government-controlled Stanytsia Luhanska, the SMM observed approximately 400 people waiting to cross the bridge towards government-controlled areas. There was no queue of people waiting to cross in the opposite direction. The SMM observed that the new “LPR” forward position leaves no more than 1.2 metres for pedestrians to pass. Three women complained that it was difficult to pass the checkpoint with luggage. The new position is located on Stanytsia Luhanska bridge but north of the Siverskyi Donets river (see SMM Daily Report 13 June). The new position has advanced the “LPR” position 450 metres north from its previous forward position, in contravention of the Minsk Memorandum, and across the contact line.

At a checkpoint near government-controlled Marinka (23km south-west of Donetsk), the SMM observed at least 300 civilian vehicles and 200 pedestrians waiting to travel into government-controlled areas and approximately 100 civilian vehicles and 200 pedestrian waiting to travel in the opposite direction. Shortly before noon, at a “DPR” checkpoint near government-controlled Maiorsk (45km north-east of Donetsk), the SMM observed approximately 750 civilian vehicles and 200 pedestrians queuing to travel into government-controlled areas and 25 vehicles queuing in the opposite direction.

The SMM monitored a border area not controlled by the Government. At “LPR-controlled Voznesenivka (formerly Chervonopartyzansk, 65km south-east of Luhansk) border crossing point, the SMM observed 19 civilian cars (four with Russian Federation licence plates, the remainder with Ukrainian licence plates) and two commercial trucks (both with Ukrainian licence plates) whose cargo was covered, waiting to cross into the Russian Federation. During a 20 minutes time period, the SMM observed two civilian vehicles with Ukrainian licence plates crossing into Ukraine.

*Restrictions to SMM’s freedom of movement or other impediments to the fulfilment of its mandate

The SMM’s monitoring is restrained by security hazards and threats, including risks posed by mines and unexploded ordnance, and by restrictions of its freedom of movement and other impediments – which vary from day to day. The SMM’s mandate provides for safe and secure access throughout Ukraine. All signatories of the Package of Measures have agreed on the need for this safe and secure access, that restriction of the SMM’s freedom of movement constitutes a violation, and on the need for rapid response to these violations.

Denial of access:

• An armed man denied the SMM entrance to “DPR”-controlled Pervomaiske (59km south of Donetsk). He said the SMM required a permit and, once obtained, it would be allowed to proceed with a “DPR” escort. The SMM informed the JCCC.
• In “LPR”-controlled Voznesenivka, an armed man did not allow the SMM to enter the railway station, claiming that it needed special permission.

Conditional access:

• A Ukrainian Armed Forces commander in government-controlled Andriivka (61km south of Donetsk) asked the SMM patrol members about their nationalities. He allowed three members of the patrol to enter the compound but did not allow an SMM national staff member to proceed. The SMM informed the JCCC.

[1] Please see the annexed table for a complete breakdown of the ceasefire violations as well as map of the Donetsk and Luhansk regions marked with locations featured in this report. 

• Latest from OSCE Special Monitoring Mission (SMM) to Ukraine, based on information received as of 19:30, 12 June 2016
• Latest from OSCE Special Monitoring Mission (SMM) to Ukraine, based on information received as of 19:30, 10 June 2016
• Latest from OSCE Special Monitoring Mission (SMM) to Ukraine, based on information received as of 19:30, 9 June 2016

VIENNA, 14 June 2016 – Preventing and responding to the terrorist radicalization of youth north and south of the Mediterranean was in focus of the OSCE Mediterranean Contact Group meeting held today in Vienna.

“We need to step up efforts to prevent radicalization amongst youth”, said the Chairperson of the Contact Group, Permanent Representative of Austria to the OSCE Christian Strohal. “Ensuring the participation of youth, socially, economically and politically, is very important in this regard.”

Fadwa Al Ahmadi, a youth activist from Tunisia, stressed the need to create spaces for youth to express themselves: “Youth empowerment is crucial in preventing violent extremism in North Africa. We must help them to be heard.”

Véronique Roger-Lacan, the Permanent Representative of France to the OSCE, said: “We support wholeheartedly the efficient work carried out by the UnitedCVE team, in their relationship with the youth of the OSCE’s 57 participating States. We call on civil society to maintain its engagement against the radicalization of youth. We continue to co-operate in the fight against recruiters and terrorists.”

French filmmaker Fabienne Servan Schreiber, who works on creating counter-narratives to radicalization in film, stressed the importance of working with parents affected by violent extremism and sharing their stories: “Parents are on the frontlines and must be at the centre of the fight against violent extremism and radicalization leading to terrorism.”

“We must help parents to help their children,” said Valérie de Boisrolin, President of the French Association Syrie-Prevention-Famille, whose daughter left to Syria in 2013. “There is such ignorance about religion among young people who leave to fight in Syria. We also need to make youth aware of the reality of terrorism on the ground, violence and abuse. We must unite and do all we can to work with young people who come back from the hands of ‘Daesh’.” 

OSCE Secretary General Lamberto Zannier launched in 2015 the organization-wide campaign ‘OSCE United in Countering Violent Extremism’ (#UnitedCVE) to underscore that the OSCE stands together as one in countering violent extremism and radicalization leading to terrorism.

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BIJELJINA, Bosnia and Herzegovina, 14 June 2016 – The OSCE Mission to Bosnia and Herzegovina (BiH), in co-operation with the German Embassy in Sarajevo, organized a conference on the role of local communities in economic development bringing together over 80 mayors, leaders of development agencies, local entrepreneurs and government officials who discussed current economic trends and their implications for the local economy.

The main goal of the conference is to support greater economic interaction by promoting successful examples of local economic development in order to instigate further utilisation of local resources and expertise to develop local industry.

“The main requirements for economic development are social and political stability, a corruption-free business environment, transparent and efficient legislation, trust in the rule of law and excellent education and professional training.” said Jonathan Moore, Head of the OSCE Mission to BiH. “It is governments on all levels which have a crucial role in creating these conditions.”

German Ambassador to BiH, Christian Hellbach, said: “Representatives of local government play a key role to create favourable business environment and make their municipalities attractive for foreign and local investments. In addition, when talking about removing obstacles to economic development, it is essential to involve and consult the private sector and businesses”.

The conference was an opportunity for participants to hear success stories and best practices on local development. Ismar Alagic, Director of Tesanj Development Agency, stated that despite the somewhat unfavourable business environment, the municipality of Tesanj shows constant economic growth. “Our growth and local economic development is based primarily on human resources, technology, capital and natural resources. We witnessed a rapid growth of the number of the employed, and now export our products to over 60 countries in the world.”

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BIJELJINA, Bosnia and Herzegovina, 14 June 2016 – The OSCE Mission to Bosnia and Herzegovina (BiH), in co-operation with the German Embassy in Sarajevo, organized a conference on the role of local communities in economic development bringing together over 80 mayors, leaders of development agencies, local entrepreneurs and government officials who discussed current economic trends and their implications for the local economy.

The main goal of the conference is to support greater economic interaction by promoting successful examples of local economic development in order to instigate further utilisation of local resources and expertise to develop local industry.

“The main requirements for economic development are social and political stability, a corruption-free business environment, transparent and efficient legislation, trust in the rule of law and excellent education and professional training.” said Jonathan Moore, Head of the OSCE Mission to BiH. “It is governments on all levels which have a crucial role in creating these conditions.”

German Ambassador to BiH, Christian Hellbach, said: “Representatives of local government play a key role to create favourable business environment and make their municipalities attractive for foreign and local investments. In addition, when talking about removing obstacles to economic development, it is essential to involve and consult the private sector and businesses”.

The conference was an opportunity for participants to hear success stories and best practices on local development. Ismar Alagic, Director of Tesanj Development Agency, stated that despite the somewhat unfavourable business environment, the municipality of Tesanj shows constant economic growth. “Our growth and local economic development is based primarily on human resources, technology, capital and natural resources. We witnessed a rapid growth of the number of the employed, and now export our products to over 60 countries in the world.”

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During her visit to Kosovo from 7 to 10 June 2016, the OSCE High Commissioner on National Minorities Astrid Thors focused on education, implementation of the framework of language rights and access to justice.

The High Commissioner continues to urge for the adoption of the Strategy for the Protection and Promotion of Language Rights, contending that it will make the implementation of legislation more efficient and improve the quality and the consistency of different language versions of legal acts. “When in place, the strategy will lead to positive results quickly,” said Thors.

The visit included Prishtinë/Priština, Mitrovicë/Mitrovica, Prizren, Janjevë/Janjevo and Gračanica/Gracanicë where Thors met with ministers, local authorities, media representatives, judges, university professors and students, as well as representatives of the international community. The High Commissioner was joined in several meetings by the Head of the OSCE Mission in Kosovo Jean-Claude Schlumberger.

Thors commended the recent adoption of an administrative instruction of the Ministry of Education Science and Technology, which will make it easier for members of non-majority communities to pursue studies at universities in Kosovo as it, among others issues, improves the functioning of the existing quota system.

Whilst visiting the University of Prizren, the High Commissioner expressed concern that courses taught in Turkish and Bosnian have not yet received official accreditation for the next academic year. Such courses cater to the fundamental needs of non-majority communities in Kosovo. “I encourage relevant authorities to take urgent measures so that these options remain available also the next academic year,” said Thors.

High Commissioner Thors discussed extensively with a number of stakeholders the prospective establishment of the Association/Community of Serb majority municipalities as well as ways to overcome the current stalemate in the process. She heard views on the need to respect the relevant legal framework but also to meet the expectations of concerned communities, in north Kosovo as elsewhere. Thors also noted the concerns expressed by Serbs living outside Serb majority municipalities, as well as non-Serb non-majority communities, who fear they will not benefit from the process.

In several meetings Thors pointed to the need to improve access to justice for all non-majority communities, to thoroughly follow up on crimes targeting them, as well as to fully enforce their property rights. “When such crimes are investigated and prosecuted, it sends a powerful and reassuring message to non-majority communities that their rights will be effectively protected by the authorities.”

On the last day of her visit, Thors attended a class of Serbian language instruction for Kosovo Albanian officials from the municipality of Prishtinë/Priština, part of a flagship partnership project on language acquisition by municipal officials sponsored by the Office of the Language Commissioner and the HCNM, with German funding, and implemented by the ECMI Kosovo.

The visit served to underline the importance attached by the High Commissioner to language learning as a key building block for integrated societies: “Speaking more than one language is beneficial, both for the person who speaks them and for society as a whole; it is even more important for local government officials, who regularly engage with members of public, to be able to communicate with every person in their community.”

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VIENNA, 14 June 2016 – Criminal defamation provisions protecting heads of foreign states infringe on media’s right to report on issues of public interest, OSCE Representative on Freedom of the Media Dunja Mijatović said today as she presented a set of recommendations on the issue.

“Media freedom is dependent on journalists being able to freely report on and criticize even the most senior public officials, it is part of media’s vital role as public watchdog,” Mijatović said. “Laws protecting the dignity of foreign heads of state are especially problematic in this regard.”

To promote the abolition of all criminal defamation laws has been a strong position and consistent policy of the Office of the OSCE Representative on Freedom of the Media ever since it was established in 1998. The Office shares the position of the European Court of Human Rights, that the limits of acceptable criticism are wider with regard to a politician acting in a public capacity than in relation to a private individual.

“Public figures must display a greater degree of tolerance, especially when he or she makes public statements that are subject to criticism,” Mijatović said.

The Representative said that public figures are certainly entitled to have their reputation protected, but the requirements of that protection have to be weighed against the interests of open discussion of political issues. Mijatović also took note of a recent case in Germany, where a satirist was prosecuted for deriding a foreign head of state (www.osce.org/fom/234131).

“To give a special legal status on public figures solely because of their function or status, irrespective of whether the criticism is warranted, provides them with a special privilege that has no place in a democracy.”

In a communiqué issued today, the Representative recommended the OSCE participating States to:

• recognize that wherever they exist, criminal provisions that protect heads of foreign states impinge on the right of media to freely publish news as well as the public’s right to receive information and ideas;
• accept that criminal provisions must be interpreted in the context of international obligations and best practices in the OSCE region on media freedom;
• encourage legislatures to repeal laws shielding of heads of foreign states from criticism solely because of their function or status.

The Representative’s communiqué on criminal defamation laws protecting foreign heads of state is available at www.osce.org/fom/246521.

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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COPENHAGEN, 13 June 2016 – In response to this weekend’s deadly shooting in Orlando, Florida, OSCE Parliamentary Assembly President Ilkka Kanerva (MP, Finland) issued the following statement:

“The horrific attack at a nightclub in Orlando, Florida, was a cowardly and heinous act which I condemn unequivocally. There is no place for such violence and the fact that it was carried out against an LGBT establishment makes it both an act of terrorism and an act of hate.

“I offer heartfelt condolences to the families of the victims and express solidarity with the government and people of the United States, including the LGBT community.”
 

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