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Le Secrétaire général de l'ONU, Ban Ki-moon, s'est déclaré satisfait de la libération samedi de deux employés contractuels de la Mission de l'Union africaine et des Nations Unies au Darfour (MINUAD) qui avaient été enlevés à Zalingei, dans le centre du Darfour, au Soudan, le 29 janvier.

The world has before it a unique opportunity to build a better future for all, Secretary-General Ban Ki-moon declared today in Bonn, Germany, where he urged broad support for a trio of course-correcting United Nations events in 2015 that aim to lock down agreements on protecting the planet, ensuring sustainable development and unleashing the finances and technology to ensure these vital goals are achieved.

Les électeurs luxembourgeois sont appelés aux urnes aujourd’hui. Lors de ce référendum ils devront répondre à trois questions. Faut-il abaisser l’âge du droit de vote ? Faut-il limiter les mandats ministériels à 10 ans ? Mais surtout le Luxembourg propose d’ouvrir le droit de vote aux étrangers, un droit encadré de conditions.

June 6, 2015 (NAIROBI) – An Ethiopian rebel group, the Ogaden National Liberation Front (ONLF) welcomed the release of two delegates allegedly abducted in Nairobi by the Ethiopian government.

ONLF fighters (Reuters)

Sulub Ahmed and Ali Hussein were senior negotiators for the ONLF in the peace talks being brokered by the Kenyan government.

In a statement extended to Sudan Tribune on Saturday, ONLF said two negotiators are now freed and reunited with their families living in Kenya.

The rebel group previously said that the two rebel delegates were abducted on 26 January, 2014 in Nairobi and brought in to Ethiopia's Moyale town, near the Kenyan border.

Two Kenyan officers were then accused of abducting and forcing the two to the Ethiopian border and handing them over to the Ethiopian security officials, an accusation the officers denied.

The rebels then accused the Ethiopian government of being behind the kidnapping and later pulled out of the peace talks.

“After their abduction on January 26, 2014, they were taken to Ethiopia and detained in an undisclosed facility for one year and four months,” the group said.

The group added the two rebel officials were freed on June 1, 2015 following sustained diplomatic efforts by the Kenyan government and members of the international community in support of calls by the ONLF for their release.

The Kenyan government had for years been facilitating the peace dialogue aimed to end the rebel's over two decades-long insurgency in the Ogaden region.

In the latest statement, the Ogaden rebels said they are committed to continuing the peace process in pursuit of a just and durable political solution to the crises in Ogaden, an ethnic Somali region in Ethiopia.

The rebel group further said the move taken by the Ethiopian government is a positive development that removes an important obstacle to progress to the stalled peace talks.

A splinter faction of the ONLF has signed a peace deal with the Ethiopian government in 2010 but the other one has continued its armed struggle.

Since the 1970s, the ONLF rebels have been fighting for independence to the troubled Ogaden region.

Ethiopia has long designated the ONLF group as a terrorist entity along with the Oromo Liberation Front (OLF) and Ginbot-7 movement.

(ST)

June 6, 2015 (KHARTOUM) - Sudan's Central Bureau of Statistics (CBoS) reported on Saturday that the monthly inflation rate has dropped to 19, 8% in May from 24, 3% in April.

A vendor sells vegetables during Ramadan at a local market in north Khartoum August 3, 2012 (REUTERS/Mohamed Nureldin Abdallah)

The CBoS said in its monthly bulletin released Saturday the average index has increased by 5, 9 points in May, pointing the price index in urban areas reached 465, 9 points compared to 459, 3 points in April.

According to the bulletin, the price index of the food and beverages has reached 481,3 points compared to 468,7 points in April while the annual rate of price change in urban areas has decreased to 22% compared to 22,3% last year.

It also pointed that inflation rate in rural areas has dropped to 17, 7% in May compared to 20% in April, saying the tobacco group has registered 3% increase in price which is the highest increase amongst the various groups.

It should be recalled that the Sudanese cabinet last month approved a proposal from the minister of finance to increase the surcharge and VAT on tobacco products.

Sudan relies heavily on tobacco taxes to fund the federal budget which unofficial sources say brings most of the tax collections.

The CBoS added that the food and beverages group has registered the second highest increase in prices followed by the transportation group and the restaurants and hotels group, pointing the rest of the groups has seen slight price increase.

Sudan has been struggling with double-digit inflation since secession of the oil-rich south in 2011 but it has succeeded in bringing it down from a high of 46.8% in July 2014 to 25.6% in November of the same year.

The 2015 budget has a target inflation rate of 25% which is close to the International Monetary Fund (IMF) projections of 21%.

(ST)

Le sommet du G7 s'ouvre ce dimanche 7 juin en Allemagne. Pendant deux jours, les puissants de la planète se donnent rendez-vous au château d'Elmau, un hôtel de luxe situé dans les Alpes bavaroises. Un cadre idyllique pour évoquer les grands sujets internationaux comme la Grèce, la crise en Ukraine, la lutte contre le terrorisme ou encore la préparation de la conférence sur le climat à Paris.

La Cour africaine des droits de l'homme et des peuples ordonne au Burkina Faso de reprendre les enquêtes en vue de faire la lumière sur les assassinats de Norbert Zongo et de ses compagnons. Le journaliste avait été retrouvé calciné dans sa voiture avec ses trois compagnons le 13 décembre 1998. A l'époque, il enquêtait sur la mort du chauffeur du petit frère de l'ancien président Blaise Compaoré. Et depuis, les familles exigent la lumière sur ce quadruple assassinat.

Au Rwanda, la RURA, l'instance étatique en charge de la régulation des médias, a démenti samedi toute atteinte à la liberté de la presse après avoir suspendu « indéfiniment » les très populaires programmes de la BBC en langue locale. Cette déclaration intervient alors que sept ambassadeurs de l'Union européenne au Rwanda ont publié une déclaration commune regrettant cette suspension, qui selon eux « affecte la liberté des médias » et limite la diffusion d'opinions divergentes.

En France, une plainte a été déposée cette semaine contre un homme installé à Rennes, soupçonné par le Collectif des parties civiles pour le Rwanda (CPCR) d'avoir pris part au génocide de 1994. Des dizaines de procédures sont déjà en cours en France contre des génocidaires présumés. Une première condamnation a été prononcée l'année dernière.

June 6, 2015 (JUBA) - South Sudanese government has dismissed as “rubbish and unfounded propaganda” reports by the opposition forces led by former vice president, Riek Machar, announcing to have taken control of key oil facilities in the oil-rich Unity state following days of clashes that allegedly dislodged government forces from the strategic resource area.

A Southern Sudanese soldier walks past a crude oil reservoir tank at a field processing facility in Unity State on November 10, 2010. (AFP)

The opposition group announced that they defeated government forces on Friday in a three-day fierce battle over the control of the main Unity oilfields, north of the state capital, Bentiu.

But cabinet affairs minister, Martin Elia Lomuro, in reaction to the report said he was not aware of the development, adding that the defense minister, Kuol Manyang Juuk, also briefed them on the situation on Friday in which he told the council of ministers meeting that government forces were still in control of the area.

“I am not aware of this report. What happened is that the rebels of Riek Machar have been launching offensive on the position held by our gallant SPLA forces in the areas north of Bentiu but they were repulsed in the battle that took place in Panakuac and our forces contained the situation,” Lomuro told Sudan Tribune on Saturday.

“This was the report the council of ministers received from the briefing of the minister of defense, General Kuol Manyang,” he added.

He said it was therefore incorrect to say the rebels had taken control of the oil fields in Unity state, arguing that government forces were in control of the area.

Lieutenant General Bapiny Monytuil, a brother to pro-government Unity state governor, Joseph Monytuil, and powerful militia commander allied to president Salva Kiir's government, said it was not true that their forces were defeated as reported by the rebels.

“That report is wrong. There is no such a thing. The grass around Unity oil field has never fallen and it never felt the presence of the rebels in the area let alone report of having taken control of the area,” he also told Sudan Tribune on Saturday.

The rebels, he claimed, attempted to move towards the Unity oil fields but they met stiff resistance from the pro-government forces at Panakuac area and were defeated, describing capture of the oilfields by the rebels as wishful thinking.

South Sudanese army spokesperson, Colonel Philip Aguer, also denied in a separate interview that the rebels took control of the area, describing the report as “incorrect and baseless propaganda.”

“These are baseless propaganda. The SPLA forces in Unity state are in firm control of the security situation. The Unity oil field is under maximum security protection and control of our forces,” he said.

The clashes, he said, took place as a result of the attack carried out by rebels outside the reported location.

“It was in Panakuac and they were repulsed. They never made any attempt to move forward after the defeat,” Aguer claimed.

Gordon Buay, a former militia spokesperson now one of the representatives to the government's mission in the United States told Sudan Tribune separately that the reports were “false and misleading.”

“What the rebels have reported is not correct. They have not taken control of Unity oil fields. Our forces are in control of the situation. What they are saying is a lie,” he said.

Sudan Tribune could not independently verify the counter-claims by both sides in the armed conflict.

The rebels vowed to target the oilfields in the two oil-producing states of Unity and Upper Nile to deny the government access to oil revenues which it allegedly uses to finance the war.

(ST)

Au Nigeria, l'agression de quatre journalistes en une semaine inquiète les observateurs internationaux. Le Comité de protection des journalistes en appelle au nouveau président Muhammadu Buhari pour faire cesser les violations de la liberté de la presse.

Le pape était samedi en Bosnie pour une brève visite d’une journée. A Sarajevo, François a demandé aux habitants de rechercher la paix et l'harmonie dans ce pays toujours en proie aux divisions ethniques et religieuses, vingt ans après la fin de la guerre civile.

June 6, 2015 (JUBA) – A high ranking South Sudanese military officer on Saturday reiterated claims that neighbouring Sudan, from which the young nation seceded in 2011, had been providing heavy weapons to armed opposition fighters allied to the former vice-president, Riek Machar.

An SPLA soldier is pictured behind a South Sudan flag as he sits on the back of a pick-up truck in Bentiu, Unity state January 12, 2014. (Photo Reuters/Andreea Campeanu)

“For a very long time, we have precise information that the government of Sudan provides all types of weapons and supports, including hosting and training the rebels and militia groups operating against the government of the republic of South Sudan before, during and after independence,” Major General Manyok Barac, SPLA's 5th division commander in Western Bahr el Ghazal state, told Sudan Tribune on Saturday.

General Barac was reacting to reports that armed opposition fighters have expanded scope of military operation to the areas under his command and that they have seized strategic areas in the region.

He blamed the situation of growing military strength of the rebels on Khartoum for allegedly providing them with weapons to challenge the government's military superiority.

"Artillery, anti-aircraft systems, advanced weapons systems; they have supplied more than 1,000 units of this kind to the rebels of Riek Machar,” he further alleged.

He cited revelations from military intelligence reports and investigations from war captives from the armed opposition fighters, which he claimed confessed that Sudan was providing them with weapons.

“Some of these militiamen have abandoned this business and took advantage of the presidential amnesty. They themselves accepted they received support from Sudan and these statements were made public,” he said in an indirect reference to their current allied militia leaders in Unity, Jonglei and Upper Nile states.

Barac accused Sudan of carrying out attacks in areas deep inside South Sudanese territories and that it had delivered large quantities of heavy, advanced weapons to the armed opposition fighters.

The high ranking military officer also said prisoners of war from the rebels in recent military offensive in Western Bahr el Ghazal state have confessed receiving weapons, training and all types of supports from the Sudanese government.

But the rebel leadership earlier dismissed reports that they were getting military support from Sudanese government, claiming its forces got their supplies from captured towns from the government troops or from those changing allegiance from the government to the opposition faction.

This latest accusation against Khartoum by Juba comes after resumption of fighting in the previously relatively calm region of Bahr el Ghazal.

Khartoum has also been accusing president Salva Kiir's government of allegedly hosting, training and arming Sudanese rebels inside South Sudan, including Justice and Equality Movement (JEM) to fight against Khartoum.

South Sudanese rebels also accuse Juba of allegedly using Sudanese rebels and foreign troops from Uganda to fight the war for them.

(ST)

June 5, 2015 (JUBA) – South Sudan's national legislative assembly on Thursday refused to pass ‘Martyrs' Funds Bill', demanding to define its beneficiaries in a more inclusive manner. The bill shall become a legal document intended to allocate money for widows and orphans of the victims of the South Sudanese civil war for independence.

South Sudanese MPs stand during a parliamentary session in Juba on August 31, 2011 (AFP)

Tabled for the second reading by Alfred Wol Malith, the parliamentary chairperson for gender, child, social welfare, religious affairs, youth and sports, the martyrs' bill if enacted into law was to help mobilize resources, improve and promote welfare of the martyrs' families in the country.

“This will be done through soliciting funds for implementing planned programs,” said Malith in his presentation to the parliament.

Malith also limited qualification of the beneficiaries of the program to the victims of the last Sudan's civil war between 1983 to 2005.

Members of parliament (MPs) including its leadership however argued that the bill required further scrutiny by concerned specialized committees as well as public hearing to define a martyr, orphan and widow in the several decades of collective struggle in the region.

They cited what they said were several loopholes in the language of the bill including the age of a child for the martyrs, as many are now aged, or which war could be considered to have resulted into South Sudanese martyrs.

Tulio Odongi, the government's chief-whip, who is in charge of the ruling party (SPLM) caucus in the parliament, said the bill was not scrutinized by justice and legal committee as required by the parliamentary code of business, urging for the document to be returned to undergo the process.

“If they [MPs from justice committee] were not involved then we are sending it back to the committees so that they iron out that,” said Odongi.

“The second issue is truly for the bill to be taken for the public hearing so that people contribute effectively to the definition of who a martyr is? The values, and the areas in regards to the martyrs, this is very important,” he added.

South Sudan counts 1955 – 1972 Anyanya One war with Sudan as part of liberation history as well as the SPLM led 1983—2005 that ended with 2005 peace accord, the Comprehensive Peace Agreement (CPA).

Referendum on self-determination, the cornerstone of the CPA, resulted to independence from Sudan in 2011.

“When we talk about martyrs, when did the war start? We will have to talk of wars that happened more than fifty years ago. That means all of us are children of martyrs,” said Aleu Ayieny Aleu, former minister of interior and MP representing Tonj county of Warrap state.

Aleu further proposed that the bill should instead be named as ‘Disabled, Widows and Orphans Funds' to suit the current commission of War Disabled, Widows and Orphans.

Deputy speaker of parliament, Mark Nyipuoch Ubango, as a result ruled for the bill to be taken for public hearing before it would be returned to parliament for further deliberations and passing.

(ST)

June 6, 2015 (KHARTOUM) - Two Russian pilots abducted last January in Central Darfur state by an unknown armed group have been freed and transferred to the capital, Khartoum, Sudanese government officials said on Saturday.

Sergei Cherepanov (L) and Mikhail Antyufeev wait at the Khartoum airport after they were freed by their captors on June 6, 2015 (AFP Photo/Ashraf Shazly)

On 29 January unidentified militants kidnapped two Russian pilots working for a company contracted by the hybrid peacekeeping mission in Darfur (UNAMID) in the capital of Central Darfur state, Zalingei as they were on board a bus in the city.

The two pilots, Sergei Cherepanov and Mikhail Antyufeev, arrived at Khartoum airport from Zalingei on Saturday afternoon. Both appeared in good health as they attended a press conference at the airport with the Russian ambassador, Mirgayas Shirinsky and Sudanese officials.

A senior National Intelligence and Security Services (NISS) officer involved in securing the pilots' release said security forces had detained the abductors.

“The kidnappers and their equipment and their vehicles are now under our control,” Lieutenant General Taj al-Sir Osman told journalists, without identifying them.

Shirinsky, for his part, said no ransom was paid to secure their release, stressing they were being freed peacefully and without use of force.

He added the two pilots were transferred to the hospital to undergo medical tests.

The spokesperson of Sudan's foreign ministry, Ali al-Sadiq, said the NISS, in the early hours of Friday morning, managed to free the two Russian pilots who have been kidnapped since last January.

He said in a press release that NISS had set up an operations room to resolve the crisis cautiously in order to preserve the safety of the hostages.

The operations room “collected sufficient information in a short period about the whereabouts of the two hostages and monitored the movement of the kidnappers and those who provide them with support and assistance,” he added.

Al-Sadiq praised what he called “the great national effort” made by the NISS, hailing the stance of the Russian government and its embassy in Khartoum and their understanding of the complexities of the situation during the release operation.

He also pointed to the disciplined conduct of the employer company of the hostages as well as the close monitoring and continued support offered to the NISS by the local authorities in Central Darfur state.

“All of that led to the success of the release operation without losses or damages,” he added.

The foreign ministry further said the government would remain vigilant and keen to protect the safety of all foreign workers across the country and will deter those who seek to destabilize the country.

UN CHIEF WELCOMES THE RELEASE

UN chief Ban Ki-moon welcomed the released of the two Russian pilots and called to investigate the circumstances of their abduction.

"The Secretary-General commends the efforts made by UNAMID and expresses his appreciation to the Governments of Sudan and Russia in securing their safe release," said a statement issued by the office of the UN spokesperson .

the statement further called on the Government to "launch a full investigation" to elucidate the kidnapping .

Unidentified gunmen kidnapped the two contractors while they were onboard an unescorted UNAMID minibus in Zalingei.

Darfur has been the scene of fierce conflict between the Sudanese government and three rebel movements since 2003. The conflict has left 300,000 people dead and around 2.5 million others displaced, according to UN figures.

UNAMID has been working in Darfur since early 2008. It is the second largest peacekeeping mission in the world, containing 20,000 troops, policemen and personnel from several countries.

(ST)

Le gouvernement gambien a donné 72 heures à la représentante du bureau de l'Union européenne sur place à Banjul pour quitter la Gambie. Une décision qui « stupéfait » Bruxelles.

Névnap Róbert – német eredetű; jelentése: fényes hírnév. Idézet „Nem tudom, hogy mi a siker titka, de azt igen, hogy a bukás titka az, ha mindenkinek a kedvében akarunk járni.”

Bill Cosby

• A nap aktualitása
• A nap igéje

EZEN A NAPON EMLÉKSZÜNK RÁ:

Simon Menyhért (Bátyú, 1897. jún. 7. – Budapest, 1952. november 7.). Költő, újságíró. Elemi iskoláit Bátyúban végezte, középiskolai tanulmányait a beregszászi gimnáziumban folytatta. 1915-ben besorozták, s hamarosan a frontra került. 1916-ban fogságba került, s csak 1918-ban tért haza. A budapesti egyetemen jogi doktorátust szerzett. Első verse a Pesti Napló 1915. január 16-i számában jelent meg. 1921-től a Kassai Újság munkatársaként dolgozott. Első verseskötete 1922-ben jelent meg Kassán. 1932-ben Munkácson megalapította a Kárpáti Híradót, majd 1932 márciusában Darkó István íróval ugyanitt elindították a Magyar Írás című folyóiratot. 1939-ben Kárpátalján szórványgondozó lett. 1945-től a budapesti tankerületi főigazgatóságon dolgozott, 1948-52 között tanított. Verseit kozmikus látásmód és elvont humanizmus jellemzi; egyes költeményeiben a szociális kritika mellett a kisebbségi helyzet indulatai is hangot kapnak.

 

Forrás: Keresztyén Balázs: Kárpátaljai Művelődéstörténeti Kislexikon (Hatodik Síp Alapítvány – Mandátum Kiadó, Budapest – Beregszász, 2001.)

 

MAGYARORSZÁG KULTÚRTÖRTÉNETÉBŐL:

-         Megszűntetik az iskolákban az orosz nyelv kötelező oktatását (1989)

-         Lénárd Fülöpöt (1862) négyszer terjesztették fel Nobel-díjra, míg végül 1905-ben a katódsugarakkal kapcsolatos munkásságáért elnyerhette a rangos kitüntetést. A század húszas éveiben támogatta a náci ideológiát, sőt, éles támadásokat intézett Einstein ellen is, s ebben valószínűleg az is közrejátszott, hogy Einsteint Nobel-díjjal tüntették ki a fényelektromos hatás magyarázatáért, noha magát a jelenséget Lénárd fedezte fel.

Forrás: Magyarország kultúrtörténete napról napra, Honfoglalás Egyesület 2000.

MI TÖRTÉNT A DÉMÁSSZAL? (1)

„Démász elhagyott engem…” (2Timóteus 4:10)

A Szentírás egyik legszomorúbb igeverse, amikor Pál ezt írja: „Démász elhagyott engem, mivel ehhez a világhoz ragaszkodott” (2Timóteus 4:10). A futó megbotlott. A fény kialudt egy hívő életében. Miért?

1)                 Talán zokon vette, hogy keresztyénként a kisebbséghez tartozik? Azt mondják, hogy az egyháztörténelemben nem egy, hanem két Luther Márton volt. Mind a ketten felismerték a hit általi megigazulás nagy igazságát, mint az üdvösség útját. Az egyikük azonban, amikor leírta, elrejtette azt egy kolostor falában, mert félt a hatóságoktól. A másik viszont kiszegezte a wittenbergi vártemplom kapujára, és ezzel elindította a reformációt. Krisztus azt ígérte, hogy az üzenet, melyet ránk bízott, hatásos lesz, de azt nem mondta, hogy népszerű is! „Ne félj, te kicsiny nyáj…” (Lukács 12:32). Kisebbségi helyzetedet tekintsd megtiszteltetésnek!

2)                 Talán az Ige Kardja túl éles volt számára? Az embereknek szükségük van Isten üzenetére, de nem mindig akarják azt hallani. Néha még a keresztyének sem. „Tanítványai közül sokan, amikor ezt hallották, így szóltak: »Kemény beszéd ez: ki hallgathatja őt?« Ettől fogva tanítványai közül sokan visszavonultak, és nem jártak vele többé.” (János 6:60, 66). Talán azt mondod, hogy ha túl szigorúak vagyunk az emberekkel, elveszíthetjük őket. Ha törvényeskedők vagyunk, akkor igen, de ha az Ige igazsága szerint járunk el, azzal építjük az Isten népéhez tartozókat, akik lámpásként világítanak a sötét világban. Jézus azt mondta: „megismeritek az igazságot, és az igazság megszabadít titeket” (János 8:32). Néha előfordul, hogy mielőtt az igazság felszabadítana, először összetör. Mégis az igazságot kell hirdetnünk!

A fenti elmélkedés a Keresztyén Média UCB Hungary Alapítvány napi elmélkedése (honlap: maiige.hu), melynek írója Bob Gass. Magyar nyelven negyedévre szóló kiadvány formájában megrendelhető az említett honlapon, vagy a következő címen: Mai Ige, 6201 Kiskőrös, Pf. 33.

La Guinée a prorogé jusqu'à fin juin l'"urgence sanitaire renforcée" déclar

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Des milliers de Nigériens ont manifesté ce samedi matin à l'appel de 48 structures de la société civile à Niamey. Restrictions des libertés, mauvaise gouvernance, pauvreté... Des revendications tous azimuts.

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

The SMM monitored the implementation of the “Package of measures for the Implementation of the Minsk agreements”. Its monitoring was restricted by third parties and significant caution regarding security considerations*. Ceasefire violations continued at and around Donetsk airport, and the SMM continued to note challenges with access to medical services and water supply in certain areas.

The SMM observed ongoing ceasefire violations at and around Donetsk airport[1] (“Donetsk People’s Republic” (“DPR”)-controlled, 12km north-west of Donetsk). On the morning of 5 June, while at the Joint Centre for Control and Co-ordination (JCCC) observation point at the Donetsk central railway station (“DPR”-controlled, 8km north-west of Donetsk city centre), the SMM observed a total of 88 explosions, most of which were part of an exchange of fire between “DPR”-controlled Spartak (immediately to the east of Donetsk airport) and government-controlled positions in Vodiane (20km north-west of Donetsk city centre) and Opytne (20km north-north-west of Donetsk city centre). The SMM assessed that the weapons being fired were artillery over 100mm.

While at the Donetsk central railway station observation point on the afternoon of 5 June, the SMM heard a total of 111 explosions, anti-aircraft and small arms. The SMM also heard an intensive exchange of anti-aircraft gun fire which it assessed to be between the “Muraveynik” area (government-controlled, 11.6km north-west of Donetsk city centre) and the “Zhabunki” area (“DPR”-controlled, 12km north-west of Donetsk city centre).

The SMM spoke with the “human rights ombudsperson” of the “DPR” who stated that on 3 June, four people had died in the “DPR”-controlled area, while 36 civilians (21 female, 15 male) and 25 armed “DPR” members were injured.  On 4 June, one civilian had died, while four civilians (one female, three male) were injured. According to the interlocutor, from 30 May to 4 June, six female corpses and 38 male corpses were delivered to morgues with causes of death injuries received as a result of shelling.

In Petrovskyi district of Donetsk city, the SMM visited a hospital, where the deputy head informed the SMM that on 3 June 84 military men and 21 civilians (four men, 17 women, mostly elderly) had been treated in the hospital for shrapnel injuries as a result of shelling. One civilian and one armed “DPR” member had died from their injuries. He further told the SMM that there is a lack of certain medicines and key supplies in the hospital.

The SMM visited Telmanove (“DPR”-controlled, 67km south-south-east of Donetsk) in order to monitor and assess the damage and confirm the civilian casualties caused by shelling on 4 June. The SMM analyzed 13 craters in an area of 1 square kilometre. At seven of these impact sites, the SMM determined that the shelling had originated from a westerly direction. At six impact sites, the SMM could identify that the type of the weapon used was a multiple launch rocket system (MLRS), and in two cases the SMM could specify the type of MLRS as a BM-21 GRAD.  The SMM visited the local hospital and spoke to the deputy head doctor, who stated that a four-year-old boy was killed in his home by the shelling.  The SMM spoke to a “DPR” “policeman” who confirmed this and further stated that three elderly female residents had also been injured due to the shelling.

In Slovyansk (government-controlled, 95km north of Donetsk), at a weekly security meeting a representative of the department responsible for the collaboration between the military and civilians within the Donetsk oblast Civil-Military Administration (CIMIC) reported that a plan had been developed to evacuate approximately 1,500 residents from the recently shelled Marinka and Krasnohorivka (government-controlled; 23km west-south-west and 20km west of Donetsk, respectively). He stated that all the checkpoints in that area were currently closed and roads were heavily damaged and mined. The residents of Marinka and Krasnohorivka were concerned for their safety, he stated. The CIMIC representative explained that the evacuees from Marinka and Krasnohorivka were likely going to be accommodated in Artemivsk and Kostiantynivka (both government-controlled, 66km north-north-east and 58km north of Donetsk, respectively).

At the first government-controlled checkpoint on the road from Donetsk to Kurakhove (government-controlled, 50km west of Donetsk), the SMM noticed that the checkpoint had fortifications and lanes of anti-tank mines along the road.

The SMM visited Telmanove (“DPR”-controlled, 67km south-south-east of Donetsk) in order to monitor and assess the damage and confirm the civilian casualties caused by shelling on 4 June. The SMM analyzed 13 craters in an area of 1 square kilometre. At seven of these impact sites, the SMM determined that the shelling had originated from a westerly direction. At six impact sites, the SMM could identify that the type of the weapon used was a multiple launch rocket system (MLRS), and in two cases the SMM could specify the type of MLRS as a BM-21 GRAD.  The SMM visited the local hospital and spoke to the deputy head doctor, who stated that a four-year-old boy was killed in his home by the shelling.  The SMM spoke to a “DPR” “policeman” who confirmed this and further stated that three elderly female residents had also been injured due to the shelling.

The security situation in and around Mariupol (government-controlled, 103km south of Donetsk) remained calm. In line with current security considerations, the SMM did not conduct monitoring activities in the area of Shyrokyne (20km east of Mariupol). The SMM unmanned aerial vehicle (UAV) observed a house burning in Shyrokyne.

The SMM visited Hranitne (47km northeast of Mariupol, government-controlled), 13km across the contact line from Telmanove, and met with three female members of the village administration.  They reported that their electricity supply is frequently interrupted due to damage to the power line caused by shelling.  The SMM analyzed 15 recent craters and assessed that four of them were caused by mortar shelling originating from the south-east.

At the JCCC headquarters in Soledar (government-controlled, 77km north-north-east of Donetsk), the SMM was presented with two log files of ceasefire violations of 4 June, compiled independently by the Ukrainian Armed Forces and the Russian Federation Armed Forces officers at the JCCC and containing 88 and 100 violations respectively.  The former log attributed a clear majority of the violations to “DPR” and “LPR” forces; the latter equally between the government and the “DPR”/ “LPR” forces.

The SMM observed that the overall situation in the Luhansk region remained generally calm, but whilst in “Luhansk People’s Republic” (“LPR”)-controlled Slovianoserbsk (28km north-west of Luhansk), the SMM heard 15 artillery explosions 6km north of its position.[2] In government-controlled Shchastia (20km north-west of Luhansk), the SMM heard one outgoing mortar shot incoming from approximately one kilometre north-east of the SMM’s position.  This was followed by an intensive exchange (incoming and outgoing) of small-arms fire, automatic grenade launchers and mortars, lasting just over ten minutes.

In Slovianoserbsk, the head doctor of the psychiatric hospital told the SMM that his facility faces a lack of basic medications, especially pain killers, antibiotics, and psychiatric remedies. According to her, the last humanitarian aid had been delivered in December 2014 by Médecins Sans Frontières. The clinic does not have enough fresh meat and milk products, while gas and electricity supply is sufficient. Patients’ relatives are not able to visit due to the closure of the checkpoints on the government side of the contact line.

On 4 June, the “head” of the “LPR”-controlled Komisarivka (61km west-south-west of Luhansk) “village council” told the SMM that the village had relied before the conflict on water supplied from government-controlled Zolote (60km north-west of Luhansk), but that this source has been cut off and the village is now relying for its water supply on “LPR”-controlled Verhulivka (62km west-south-west of Luhansk). Also on 4 June, the “head” of the “LPR”-controlled Yuzhne Lomuvatka  (60km west-south-west of Luhansk) “village council” told the SMM that the village’s water supply, which had previously come from government-controlled Zolote, was cut off two weeks ago. He told the SMM that one water truck supplies the village once or twice a week and that agricultural activities in the village have ceased because of the threat of mines and unexploded ordinance.

Despite claims that heavy weapons have been withdrawn, the SMM continued to observe the presence and movement of heavy weapons in places proscribed by Minsk, including by its UAV.  In government-controlled areas, SMM patrols observed two T-64 main battle tanks (MBT) and SMM UAVs observed 6 MBTs. In “DPR”-controlled areas, SMM UAVs observed one artillery piece in Telmanove but was subject to jamming while flying over Dzerzhinske (“DPR”-controlled, 30km east of Mariupol).  SMM UAVs observed defensive positions, military vehicles and shelling marks on both sides of the contact line in multiple locations.

In Kharkiv region, on 4 June, when arriving in Vovchansk (87km north-east of Kharkiv and 6km from the Russian border), the SMM was stopped for approximately ten minutes at a Ukrainian Armed Forces check point which has been in place since at least May 2014. The soldiers registered the names of the SMM monitors and asked about their citizenship. This was the first time that the SMM monitors have been asked about their citizenship at a checkpoint in the Kharkiv area.

On 4 June, SMM went to Pavlohrad (61 km east of Dnepropetrovsk) to follow up on media reports that a Rinat Ahmetov Foundation humanitarian aid convoy destined for Donbas was stuck in Pavlohrad due to an increase in hostilities along the contact line. The humanitarian convoy leader, whom the SMM contacted by phone, said that the convoy, consisting of 39 trucks, reached the government-controlled checkpoint at Andronivka (80km east-south-east of Pavlohrad) and decided not to proceed into the conflict zone after learning of increased hostilities in the area.  He stated that the convoy returned to Pavlohrad on 3 June, where it is parked until the security situation permits the delivery of the aid to Donetsk.

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

* Restrictions on SMM monitoring, access and freedom of movement:

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

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

• A representative of the “DPR commandatura” in Ilovaisk (“DPR”-controlled, 31 km south-east of Donetsk) at a railroad office south of Ilovaisk advised the SMM that its presence at such facilities should be reported first to his office, providing details on SMM’s patrol reason, so that he might provide “DPR” escort and protection from inter alia “renegades and mine hazards.” SMM decided to cancel the patrol in the area.
• At the checkpoint at the entrance of the village of Berezove (government-controlled, 35km south-west of Donetsk), the SMM was denied passage.
• The SMM was initially turned back at the first government-controlled checkpoint on the road from Donetsk to Kurakhove but was able to pass through the checkpoint 30 minutes later.
• On several occasions, Ukrainian Armed Forces at checkpoints stopped SMM patrols to inquire about the nationalities of patrol members. At a checkpoint four kilometers west of Hranitne, the SMM was asked to disclose the nationalities of the patrol team.  The SMM was allowed to pass through the checkpoint after a 25-minute delay. At other checkpoints, SMM patrols were able to pass after shorter delays.
• In Kharkiv region, on 4 June, when arriving in Vovchansk, the SMM was stopped for approximately ten minutes at a Ukrainian Armed Forces check point which has been in place since at least May 2014. The soldiers registered the names of the SMM monitors and asked about their citizenship. This was the first time that the SMM monitors have been asked about their citizenship at a checkpoint in the Kharkiv area.

• The SMM UAV was subject to jamming while flying over Dzerzhinske (“DPR”-controlled, 30km east of Mariupol). 

 

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

 

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