osce--2020-02-25--Training programme for Ukraine’s public servants to use dialogue as policy tool is introduced with t

Training programme for Ukraine’s public servants to use dialogue as policy tool is introduced with the support of the OSCE Project Co-ordinator

The OSCE Project Co-ordinator in Ukraine , the National Agency of Ukraine for Civil Service , online studio EdEra and Ukrainian School of Governance presented a training programme on improving skills in conflict management and engaging stakeholders in implementing reforms at an event in Kyiv on 25 February 2020 .
The programme is aimed at public servants of central governmental agencies and local authorities in Ukraine .
The programme , which will become an integral part of the re-training curriculum for public servants , includes an online course and a two-day in-classroom training .
Certificates will be given to those @ @ @ @ @ @ @ tool is open for all and can be used by prospective civil servants as part of their preparation when applying for a government job .
The training courses draw on cases relevant to civil service and will enable participants to identify , analyze and understand conflicts and select the best approach when handling them , including mediation and dialogue .
“ Dialogue is an instrument enabling a safe space communication , where participants can overcome emotional barriers and mistrust , address concerns or resistance to change and establish constructive interaction in conflict situations @ @ @ @ @ @ @ skills that can help enhance social cohesion in the country , ” said Henrik Villadsen , the OSCE Project Co-ordinator in Ukraine .
The OSCE Project Co-ordinator in Ukraine developed the training programme with financial support from the Government of Bulgaria , Global Affairs Canada , Governments of Japan , Lithuania , Liechtenstein , the Netherlands , Germany , Norway , the United Kingdom , and the United States of America .

The OSCE Project Co-ordinator in Ukraine, the National Agency of Ukraine for Civil Service, online studio EdEra and Ukrainian School of Governance presented a training programme on improving skills in conflict management and engaging stakeholders in implementing reforms at an event in Kyiv on 25 February 2020. The programme is aimed at public servants of central governmental agencies and local authorities in Ukraine.
The programme, which will become an integral part of the re-training curriculum for public servants, includes an online course and a two-day in-classroom training. Certificates will be given to those who complete both courses. The online tool is open for all and can be used by prospective civil servants as part of their preparation when applying for a government job.
The training courses draw on cases relevant to civil service and will enable participants to identify, analyze and understand conflicts and select the best approach when handling them, including mediation and dialogue.
“Dialogue is an instrument enabling a safe space communication, where participants can overcome emotional barriers and mistrust, address concerns or resistance to change and establish constructive interaction in conflict situations. The training will contribute to developing skills that can help enhance social cohesion in the country,” said Henrik Villadsen, the OSCE Project Co-ordinator in Ukraine.
The OSCE Project Co-ordinator in Ukraine developed the training programme with financial support from the Government of Bulgaria, Global Affairs Canada, Governments of Japan, Lithuania, Liechtenstein, the Netherlands, Germany, Norway, the United Kingdom, and the United States of America.


osce--2020-02-25--Weekly Update from the OSCE Observer Mission at Russian Checkpoints Gukovo and Donetsk based on info

Weekly Update from the OSCE Observer Mission at Russian Checkpoints Gukovo and Donetsk based on information as of 25 February 2020

KAMENSK-SHAKHTINSKIY , Russian Federation .
The Observer Mission ( OM ) continues to operate 24/7 at both Border Crossing Points ( BCPs ) .
The overall number of border crossings by persons increased at both BCPs compared to the previous week .
The OM is currently operating with 22 permanent international staff members , including the Chief Observer ( CO ) .
The Mission is supported administratively by a staff member and the Chief of Fund Administration based in Vienna .
The profile of persons crossing the border can be categorized as follows : • Adults travelling on foot or @ @ @ @ @ @ @ ; • Families ( often including elderly persons and/or children ) travelling on foot or by car with a significant amount of luggage .
The average number of entries/exits increased from 10,148 to 10,616 per day at both BCPs compared to last week [ 1 ] .
During the reporting period , the majority of border crossings were to Ukraine , with an average net flow of 61 per day for both BCPs .
The Donetsk BCP continued to experience much more traffic than the Gukovo BCP .
During the reporting period , @ @ @ @ @ @ @ crossing the border in both directions at both BCPs was 15 , compared to five last week , 11 of them crossed into the Russian Federation , and four into Ukraine ( 93 per cent of this category ’ s crossings occurred at the Donetsk BCP ) .
They continued to cross the border individually or in groups .
Most individuals crossed on foot , however , some made use of private vehicles , buses or minivans , making it more difficult for the observer teams ( OTs ) to observe their movement @ @ @ @ @ @ @ of the private vehicles had tinted windows , and buses and minivans had drawn curtains .
The OTs continued to report on families , sometimes with elderly persons and/or children , crossing the border at both BCPs with a significant amount of luggage , or travelling in heavily loaded cars .
During this reporting week , four families were observed crossing into the Russian Federation and one family was observed crossing into Ukraine , compared to the previous reporting period when six families were observed crossing to the Russian Federation and no families @ @ @ @ @ @ @ bus connections continued to operate between Ukraine ( mostly from/to the Luhansk region ) and the Russian Federation .
In addition to regular bus connections , the OTs continued to observe bus connections on irregular routes .
Often the buses did not state their route ; instead they had a sign on the windshield stating “ irregular ” .
During the reporting period , the OTs observed a slight increase in the overall number of buses crossing the border at both BCPs ( 450 compared to 446 observed during the previous week ) @ @ @ @ @ @ @ the Russian Federation and 220 bound for Ukraine .
On some occasions , the OTs noticed the bus drivers removing the itinerary signs from the windshields of their buses , while some buses did not display their route at all .
The majority of long-distance buses commuting between the Luhansk region and cities in the Russian Federation had Ukrainian licence plates issued in the Luhansk region and “ LPR ” plates .
During the reporting period , the OTs observed a decrease in the overall number of trucks crossing the border at both @ @ @ @ @ @ @ the previous reporting week ) ; 331 at the Gukovo BCP and 352 at the Donetsk BCP , 341 of these trucks crossed into the Russian Federation and 342 crossed into Ukraine .
Most of the trucks observed by the OTs had Ukrainian licence plates issued in the Luhansk region ; however , on a daily basis , the OTs also noted trucks registered in Belarus , the Russian Federation and with “ LPR ” plates .
The OTs also continued to observe tanker trucks crossing the border in both directions .
During @ @ @ @ @ @ @ tanker trucks slightly decreased from 40 to 36 .
These trucks were observed crossing the border at both BCPs .
The trucks had the words “ Propane ” and “ Flammable ” written across the tanks in either Russian or Ukrainian .
The majority of tanker trucks had hazard signs , indicating that they were transporting propane or a mix of propane and butane .
All trucks underwent systematic inspection by Russian Federation officials , which could include an X-ray check .
Due to the unfavourable observation position at the Gukovo BCP , @ @ @ @ @ @ @ observe any X-ray checks .
Compared to the previous week , the total number of X-ray checks at the Donetsk BCP decreased from 143 to 115 .
Of the total number of trucks scanned , 107 trucks ( 93 per cent ) were bound for Ukraine : the remaining eight trucks ( 7 per cent ) crossed into the Russian Federation ) The OM continued to observe passenger and cargo minivans [ 2 ] crossing the border in both directions at both BCPs .
The OTs observed minivans predominantly with Ukrainian licence plates @ @ @ @ @ @ @ , the OTs also frequently saw minivans registered in the Russian Federation .
Compared to the previous week , the number of cargo minivans decreased from 113 to 100 vehicles ; 51 crossed into the Russian Federation and another 49 into Ukraine .
The OTs continued to pick up the sound of trains on the railway tracks located approximately 150m south-west of the Gukovo BCP .
During the reporting week , the OTs heard trains on seven occasions ; the OTs assessed that six trains were travelling to the Russian Federation and one @ @ @ @ @ @ @ in the sections “ trends and figures at a glance ” below ) .
Visual observation was not possible because of the line of trees located between the train tracks and the BCP .
The majority of vehicles crossing the border had Ukrainian licence plates issued in the Luhansk region , or Russian Federation licence plates .
A significant number of vehicles with “ LPR ” plates were also observed crossing the border in both directions on a daily basis .
On 18 February at 15:09 , an ambulance with “ LPR ” @ @ @ @ @ @ @ BCP from Ukraine .
While undergoing border procedures , a driver , a medic and one passenger were observed .
The ambulance had the inscription “ Reanimation ” written in Russian on the side .
At 15:32 , the vehicle crossed the border to the Russian Federation .
Later at 19:20 , the same ambulance was observed crossing back to Ukraine .
For trends and figures at a glance covering the period from 21 January to 25 February 2020 , please see the attachment here [ 1 ] Based on data received from @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Foreign Affairs of the Russian Federation .
[ 2 ] Cargo minivans : light commercial vehicles with a maximum authorized mass of more than 3.5 t and not more than 7.5 t ; with or without a trailer with a maximum mass of less than 750 kg ( small cargo vehicles which correspond to driving licence C1 ) .

SUMMARY
KAMENSK-SHAKHTINSKIY, Russian Federation. The Observer Mission (OM) continues to operate 24/7 at both Border Crossing Points (BCPs). The overall number of border crossings by persons increased at both BCPs compared to the previous week.
OPERATIONAL REMARKS
The OM is currently operating with 22 permanent international staff members, including the Chief Observer (CO). The Mission is supported administratively by a staff member and the Chief of Fund Administration based in Vienna.
OBSERVATIONS AT THE BORDER CROSSING POINTS
Persons crossing the border
The profile of persons crossing the border can be categorized as follows:
Adults travelling on foot or by car with little or no luggage; Persons in military-style outfits; Families (often including elderly persons and/or children) travelling on foot or by car with a significant amount of luggage.
The average number of entries/exits increased from 10,148 to 10,616 per day at both BCPs compared to last week[1].
During the reporting period, the majority of border crossings were to Ukraine, with an average net flow of 61 per day for both BCPs.
The Donetsk BCP continued to experience much more traffic than the Gukovo BCP.
Persons in military-style outfits
During the reporting period, the number of persons in military-style outfits crossing the border in both directions at both BCPs was 15, compared to five last week, 11 of them crossed into the Russian Federation, and four into Ukraine (93 per cent of this category’s crossings occurred at the Donetsk BCP). They continued to cross the border individually or in groups. Most individuals crossed on foot, however, some made use of private vehicles, buses or minivans, making it more difficult for the observer teams (OTs) to observe their movement across the border, especially since some of the private vehicles had tinted windows, and buses and minivans had drawn curtains.
Families with a significant amount of luggage
The OTs continued to report on families, sometimes with elderly persons and/or children, crossing the border at both BCPs with a significant amount of luggage, or travelling in heavily loaded cars. During this reporting week, four families were observed crossing into the Russian Federation and one family was observed crossing into Ukraine, compared to the previous reporting period when six families were observed crossing to the Russian Federation and no families into Ukraine.
Bus connections
Regular local and long-distance bus connections continued to operate between Ukraine (mostly from/to the Luhansk region) and the Russian Federation. In addition to regular bus connections, the OTs continued to observe bus connections on irregular routes. Often the buses did not state their route; instead they had a sign on the windshield stating “irregular”.
During the reporting period, the OTs observed a slight increase in the overall number of buses crossing the border at both BCPs (450 compared to 446 observed during the previous week). There were 230 buses bound for the Russian Federation and 220 bound for Ukraine.
On some occasions, the OTs noticed the bus drivers removing the itinerary signs from the windshields of their buses, while some buses did not display their route at all. The majority of long-distance buses commuting between the Luhansk region and cities in the Russian Federation had Ukrainian licence plates issued in the Luhansk region and “LPR” plates.
Trucks
During the reporting period, the OTs observed a decrease in the overall number of trucks crossing the border at both BCPs (683 compared to 712 during the previous reporting week); 331 at the Gukovo BCP and 352 at the Donetsk BCP, 341 of these trucks crossed into the Russian Federation and 342 crossed into Ukraine. Most of the trucks observed by the OTs had Ukrainian licence plates issued in the Luhansk region; however, on a daily basis, the OTs also noted trucks registered in Belarus, the Russian Federation and with “LPR” plates.
The OTs also continued to observe tanker trucks crossing the border in both directions. During the reporting week, the number of tanker trucks slightly decreased from 40 to 36. These trucks were observed crossing the border at both BCPs. The trucks had the words “Propane” and “Flammable” written across the tanks in either Russian or Ukrainian. The majority of tanker trucks had hazard signs, indicating that they were transporting propane or a mix of propane and butane.
All trucks underwent systematic inspection by Russian Federation officials, which could include an X-ray check. Due to the unfavourable observation position at the Gukovo BCP, the OTs continued to be unable to observe any X-ray checks.
Compared to the previous week, the total number of X-ray checks at the Donetsk BCP decreased from 143 to 115. Of the total number of trucks scanned, 107 trucks (93 per cent) were bound for Ukraine: the remaining eight trucks (7 per cent) crossed into the Russian Federation)
Minivans
The OM continued to observe passenger and cargo minivans[2] crossing the border in both directions at both BCPs. The OTs observed minivans predominantly with Ukrainian licence plates issued in the Luhansk region; however, the OTs also frequently saw minivans registered in the Russian Federation. Compared to the previous week, the number of cargo minivans decreased from 113 to 100 vehicles; 51 crossed into the Russian Federation and another 49 into Ukraine.
Trains
The OTs continued to pick up the sound of trains on the railway tracks located approximately 150m south-west of the Gukovo BCP. During the reporting week, the OTs heard trains on seven occasions; the OTs assessed that six trains were travelling to the Russian Federation and one to Ukraine (more details are provided in the sections “trends and figures at a glance” below).
Visual observation was not possible because of the line of trees located between the train tracks and the BCP.
Other observations
The majority of vehicles crossing the border had Ukrainian licence plates issued in the Luhansk region, or Russian Federation licence plates. A significant number of vehicles with “LPR” plates were also observed crossing the border in both directions on a daily basis.
On 18 February at 15:09, an ambulance with “LPR” plates was observed arriving at the Donetsk BCP from Ukraine. While undergoing border procedures, a driver, a medic and one passenger were observed. The ambulance had the inscription “Reanimation” written in Russian on the side. At 15:32, the vehicle crossed the border to the Russian Federation. Later at 19:20, the same ambulance was observed crossing back to Ukraine.
For trends and figures at a glance covering the period from 21 January to 25 February 2020, please see the attachment here
[1] Based on data received from the Regional Representation of the Ministry of Foreign Affairs of the Russian Federation.
[2] Cargo minivans: light commercial vehicles with a maximum authorized mass of more than 3.5 t and not more than 7.5 t; with or without a trailer with a maximum mass of less than 750 kg (small cargo vehicles which correspond to driving licence C1).


osce--2020-02-24--OSCE Special Monitoring Mission to Ukraine (SMM) Daily Report 45/2020 issued on 24 February 2020

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osce--2020-02-24--OSCE Media Freedom Representative Désir dismayed by threats against journalists of web portal Capita

OSCE Media Freedom Representative Désir dismayed by threats against journalists of web portal Capital in Bosnia and Herzegovina

VIENNA , 24 February 2020 – The OSCE Representative on Freedom of the Media , Harlem Désir , expressed his dismay today at recent insults and threats by Duško Perović , Head of the Representative Office of the Republika Srpska in the Russian Federation , against journalists of the web portal Capital .
On 21 February , Perović insulted and threatened Capital ’ s journalists and its Chief Editor Siniša Vukelić , following an investigative article related to the business affairs of a foreign company in the Republika Srpska , an entity of Bosnia and Herzegovina .
Perović phoned the @ @ @ @ @ @ @ saying that it will face serious problems if journalists continue to write about this company and threatened to have the web portal shut down .
“ I strongly condemn the threats against the journalists of the web portal Capital .
Such pressure against journalists in connection with their investigation on issues of public interest is unacceptable and dangerous for their safety .
Media professionals must be able to do their work , without fear of being harassed or threatened , ” said Désir .
He further urged the authorities to investigate swiftly the @ @ @ @ @ @ @ The Representative recalled the OSCE Ministerial Council Decision on Safety of Journalists adopted in Milan , in 2018 , underlining the need for all OSCE participating States to implement these commitments .
The Decision calls on participating States to : “ Urge political leaders , public officials and/or authorities to refrain from intimidating , threatening or condoning – and to unequivocally condemn – violence against journalists.
” It also calls on participating States : “ to take effective measures to end impunity for crimes committed against journalists , by ensuring accountability as a @ @ @ @ @ @ @ including by ensuring that law enforcement agencies carry out swift , effective and impartial investigations into acts of violence and threats against journalists ” .
Désir noted that Bosnia and Herzegovina ’ s ( BiH ) Journalists Association/Free Media Help Line , Republika Srpska Association of Journalists , a member of the BiH Presidency Milorad Dodik , and the leader of the Serb Democratic Party , Mirko Šarović condemned this incident .
The OSCE Representative on Freedom of the Media observes media developments in all 57 OSCE participating States .
He provides early @ @ @ @ @ @ @ 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 .

VIENNA, 24 February 2020 – The OSCE Representative on Freedom of the Media, Harlem Désir, expressed his dismay today at recent insults and threats by Duško Perović, Head of the Representative Office of the Republika Srpska in the Russian Federation, against journalists of the web portal Capital.
On 21 February, Perović insulted and threatened Capital’s journalists and its Chief Editor Siniša Vukelić, following an investigative article related to the business affairs of a foreign company in the Republika Srpska, an entity of Bosnia and Herzegovina. Perović phoned the office of the web portal, reportedly saying that it will face serious problems if journalists continue to write about this company and threatened to have the web portal shut down.
“I strongly condemn the threats against the journalists of the web portal Capital. Such pressure against journalists in connection with their investigation on issues of public interest is unacceptable and dangerous for their safety. Media professionals must be able to do their work, without fear of being harassed or threatened,” said Désir. He further urged the authorities to investigate swiftly the case in a fully transparent manner.
The Representative recalled the OSCE Ministerial Council Decision on Safety of Journalists adopted in Milan, in 2018, underlining the need for all OSCE participating States to implement these commitments. The Decision calls on participating States to: “Urge political leaders, public officials and/or authorities to refrain from intimidating, threatening or condoning – and to unequivocally condemn – violence against journalists.” It also calls on participating States: “to take effective measures to end impunity for crimes committed against journalists, by ensuring accountability as a key element in preventing future attacks, including by ensuring that law enforcement agencies carry out swift, effective and impartial investigations into acts of violence and threats against journalists”.
Désir noted that Bosnia and Herzegovina’s (BiH) Journalists Association/Free Media Help Line, Republika Srpska Association of Journalists, a member of the BiH Presidency Milorad Dodik, and the leader of the Serb Democratic Party, Mirko Šarović condemned this incident.
The OSCE Representative on Freedom of the Media observes media developments in all 57 OSCE participating States. He 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--2020-02-24--OSCE High Commissioner on National Minorities supports multilingual education pilot programme in fou

OSCE High Commissioner on National Minorities supports multilingual education pilot programme in four regions of Ukraine

The office of the OSCE High Commissioner on National Minorities ( HCNM ) , in co-operation with the Education Ministry of Ukraine , organized a conference on 20 February 2020 in Kyiv for 60 stakeholders from the four regions of Zakarpattia , Chernivtsi , Odesa and Zaporizhzhia .
The conference was in support of a pilot programme on multilingual education in 14 educational establishments in the four regions .
Participants presented their experiences and best practices , ranging from teaching and planning methodologies to useful textbooks and manuals for teachers .
In working groups , teachers and school principals discussed @ @ @ @ @ @ @ in their regions .
Participants formulated recommendations on a range of topics , such as how to include parents in decision-making , and how to monitor and evaluate the process and results of the pilot .
High Commissioner Lamberto Zannier recommends multilingual education as a method to balance the preservation and promotion of minority languages while supporting the integration of society through strengthening the role of the State language .
The HCNM and the Ministry will organize roundtables in the four regions in the upcoming months to share best practices with local stakeholders @ @ @ @ @ @ @ pilot programme .
Representatives from the Education Ministry plan to use the results of the pilot to make recommendations on the implementation of the Law on Secondary Education .

The office of the OSCE High Commissioner on National Minorities (HCNM), in co-operation with the Education Ministry of Ukraine, organized a conference on 20 February 2020 in Kyiv for 60 stakeholders from the four regions of Zakarpattia, Chernivtsi, Odesa and Zaporizhzhia. The conference was in support of a pilot programme on multilingual education in 14 educational establishments in the four regions.
Participants presented their experiences and best practices, ranging from teaching and planning methodologies to useful textbooks and manuals for teachers. In working groups, teachers and school principals discussed the opportunities and challenges of multilingual education in their regions. Participants formulated recommendations on a range of topics, such as how to include parents in decision-making, and how to monitor and evaluate the process and results of the pilot.
High Commissioner Lamberto Zannier recommends multilingual education as a method to balance the preservation and promotion of minority languages while supporting the integration of society through strengthening the role of the State language.
The HCNM and the Ministry will organize roundtables in the four regions in the upcoming months to share best practices with local stakeholders that did not take part in the pilot programme. Representatives from the Education Ministry plan to use the results of the pilot to make recommendations on the implementation of the Law on Secondary Education.


osce--2020-02-29--OSCE Special Monitoring Mission to Ukraine (SMM) Daily Report 50/2020 issued on 29 February 2020


osce--2020-02-28--OSCE Special Monitoring Mission to Ukraine (SMM) Daily Report 49/2020 issued on 28 February 2020


osce--2020-02-28--OSCE Representative Désir calls on Ukrainian authorities to find swift and effective solution for un

OSCE Representative Désir calls on Ukrainian authorities to find swift and effective solution for unblocking accounts of public broadcasting company

VIENNA , 28 February 2020 – The OSCE Representative on Freedom of the Media , Harlem Désir , called today on the Ukrainian authorities to urgently find an effective solution to lift the blocking of the bank accounts of the public broadcasting company of Ukraine , UA : PBC .
According to UA : PBC , on 18 February 2020 , the Department of State Executive Service ( the bailiff service ) at the Ministry of Justice of Ukraine opened enforcement proceedings against UA : PBC , which resulted in the immediate blocking of all of its accounts .
This @ @ @ @ @ @ @ recover over 10 million euros , owed to the television channel Euronews .
The debt was inherited by UA : PBC from its predecessor , the National Television Company of Ukraine , as a result of its partnership with Euronews in 2010 to establish a Euronews Ukrainian service .
UA : PBC points out that the blocked bank accounts have already interrupted preparations for some important programmes and projects , including the live broadcasts of the 2020 Olympics .
“ I call on the authorities to urgently explore and find effective solutions to @ @ @ @ @ @ @ of UA : PBC .
It is particularly important to ensure that the public broadcaster created in 2014 doesn ’ t bear such a burden from its predecessor , that this is detrimental to its mission and development today , ” Désir said .
“ I underline that public service broadcasting plays an indispensable role in providing public interest programming and enhancing the professionalism of media , thereby contributing to diversity , and pluralism .
This is only possible when the state secures and respects its independence and sustainability.
” The OSCE Representative @ @ @ @ @ @ @ developments in all 57 OSCE participating States .
He 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 .

VIENNA, 28 February 2020 – The OSCE Representative on Freedom of the Media, Harlem Désir, called today on the Ukrainian authorities to urgently find an effective solution to lift the blocking of the bank accounts of the public broadcasting company of Ukraine, UA:PBC.
According to UA:PBC, on 18 February 2020, the Department of State Executive Service (the bailiff service) at the Ministry of Justice of Ukraine opened enforcement proceedings against UA:PBC, which resulted in the immediate blocking of all of its accounts. This step was reportedly taken in order to recover over 10 million euros, owed to the television channel Euronews. The debt was inherited by UA:PBC from its predecessor, the National Television Company of Ukraine, as a result of its partnership with Euronews in 2010 to establish a Euronews Ukrainian service. UA:PBC points out that the blocked bank accounts have already interrupted preparations for some important programmes and projects, including the live broadcasts of the 2020 Olympics.
“I call on the authorities to urgently explore and find effective solutions to lift the blocking of the bank accounts of UA:PBC. It is particularly important to ensure that the public broadcaster created in 2014 doesn’t bear such a burden from its predecessor, that this is detrimental to its mission and development today,” Désir said. “I underline that public service broadcasting plays an indispensable role in providing public interest programming and enhancing the professionalism of media, thereby contributing to diversity, and pluralism. This is only possible when the state secures and respects its independence and sustainability.”
The OSCE Representative on Freedom of the Media observes media developments in all 57 OSCE participating States. He 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--2020-02-28--Trafficking of human beings and related crimes focus of OSCE-supported training course for judges an

Trafficking of human beings and related crimes focus of OSCE-supported training course for judges and prosecutors in Bosnia and Herzegovina

A one-day training course for judges and prosecutors from across Bosnia and Herzegovina ( BiH ) on addressing the trafficking in human beings and related crimes was held on 28 February 2020 in Banjaluka .
The training was organized by the OSCE Mission to BiH in co-operation with entity judicial and prosecutorial training centres ( JPTC ) .
The training course aimed at increasing participants ’ knowledge of processing cases related to human trafficking and related crimes .
Particular focus was on recent developments in case law , and best practices in the investigation and adjudication of such cases .
@ @ @ @ @ @ @ priorities of the OSCE as it affects all OSCE participating States , either as countries of origin , transit or destination .
This modern form of slavery is an offence to human dignity , often involving psychological terror and physical violence .
An effective investigation of human trafficking must be independent , conducted with due diligence and capable of leading to the identification and punishment of responsible individuals .
Boris Topic , Anti-trafficking Officer at the OSCE Mission to BiH , emphasized that all four legal codes in BiH have criminalized human trafficking @ @ @ @ @ @ @ these legislative solutions must be complemented by skilled policing , effective prosecution and the timely adjudication of trafficking cases .
All forms of trafficking must be proactively investigated and victims of trafficking properly assisted .
The Mission invests a lot of effort in capacity-building activities such as this one organized in Banjaluka in co-operation with the JPTCs in BiH.
” The OSCE Mission ’ s Manual on Investigating Trafficking in Human Beings , published in February 2020 , was presented to the participants during the training .
The latest publication of the Office @ @ @ @ @ @ @ for Combating Trafficking in Human Beings - Following the Money : A Compendium of Resources and Step-by-Step Guide to Financial Investigations Related to Trafficking in Human Beings , was also discussed .
The training course was implemented as a part of the OSCE Mission ’ s wider efforts to support the fight against trafficking in human beings in the country by strengthening the capacity of the relevant institutions to detect , investigate and process this crime .

A one-day training course for judges and prosecutors from across Bosnia and Herzegovina (BiH) on addressing the trafficking in human beings and related crimes was held on 28 February 2020 in Banjaluka. The training was organized by the OSCE Mission to BiH in co-operation with entity judicial and prosecutorial training centres (JPTC).
The training course aimed at increasing participants’ knowledge of processing cases related to human trafficking and related crimes. Particular focus was on recent developments in case law, and best practices in the investigation and adjudication of such cases.
Combating human trafficking is one of the priorities of the OSCE as it affects all OSCE participating States, either as countries of origin, transit or destination. This modern form of slavery is an offence to human dignity, often involving psychological terror and physical violence. An effective investigation of human trafficking must be independent, conducted with due diligence and capable of leading to the identification and punishment of responsible individuals.
Boris Topic, Anti-trafficking Officer at the OSCE Mission to BiH, emphasized that all four legal codes in BiH have criminalized human trafficking. “However, to be effective these legislative solutions must be complemented by skilled policing, effective prosecution and the timely adjudication of trafficking cases. All forms of trafficking must be proactively investigated and victims of trafficking properly assisted. The Mission invests a lot of effort in capacity-building activities such as this one organized in Banjaluka in co-operation with the JPTCs in BiH.”
The OSCE Mission’s Manual on Investigating Trafficking in Human Beings, published in February 2020, was presented to the participants during the training. The latest publication of the Office of the OSCE Special Representative and Co-ordinator for Combating Trafficking in Human Beings - Following the Money: A Compendium of Resources and Step-by-Step Guide to Financial Investigations Related to Trafficking in Human Beings, was also discussed.
The training course was implemented as a part of the OSCE Mission’s wider efforts to support the fight against trafficking in human beings in the country by strengthening the capacity of the relevant institutions to detect, investigate and process this crime.


osce--2020-03-01--OSCE Media Freedom Representative condemns arrest of Sputnik journalists in Turkey, calls for their

OSCE Media Freedom Representative condemns arrest of Sputnik journalists in Turkey, calls for their protection

VIENNA , 1 March 2020 – The OSCE Representative on Freedom of the Media , Harlem Désir , condemned today ’ s detention of the Editor-in-Chief of Sputnik Turkey and three other Sputnik journalists working in Turkey .
According to reports , the Editor-in-Chief of Sputnik ’ s Turkey outlet , Mahir Boztepe , was detained and taken to the General Directorate of Security this morning in Istanbul , after the authorities searched his office .
Earlier in the day , three Sputnik journalists based in Ankara were also detained in relation to an article they wrote .
They were @ @ @ @ @ @ @ , by a group of protesters during the night of 29 February , in Ankara .
All the journalists were subsequently released after being questioned by the authorities .
“ I condemn the detention of the Editor-in-Chief of Sputnik ’ s Turkey service , Mahir Boztepe , and three other Sputnik journalists earlier today , ” said Désir .
“ This represents a significant encroachment on freedom of expression and media freedom in the country .
It is paramount that the authorities ensure the safety of foreign correspondents at all times , including @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Freedom of the Media observes media developments in all 57 OSCE participating States .
He 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 .

VIENNA, 1 March 2020 – The OSCE Representative on Freedom of the Media, Harlem Désir, condemned today’s detention of the Editor-in-Chief of Sputnik Turkey and three other Sputnik journalists working in Turkey.
According to reports, the Editor-in-Chief of Sputnik’s Turkey outlet, Mahir Boztepe, was detained and taken to the General Directorate of Security this morning in Istanbul, after the authorities searched his office. Earlier in the day, three Sputnik journalists based in Ankara were also detained in relation to an article they wrote. They were threatened, and had their houses attacked, by a group of protesters during the night of 29 February, in Ankara. All the journalists were subsequently released after being questioned by the authorities.
“I condemn the detention of the Editor-in-Chief of Sputnik’s Turkey service, Mahir Boztepe, and three other Sputnik journalists earlier today,” said Désir. “This represents a significant encroachment on freedom of expression and media freedom in the country. It is paramount that the authorities ensure the safety of foreign correspondents at all times, including during conflicts.”
The OSCE Representative on Freedom of the Media observes media developments in all 57 OSCE participating States. He 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--2020-03-03--OSCE PA President urges international response and sustainable solution to Turkish-Greek border situ

OSCE PA President urges international response and sustainable solution to Turkish-Greek border situation , as envoy visits Athens COPENHAGEN , 3 March 2020 – Regarding developments on the Turkish-Greek border , OSCE Parliamentary Assembly President George Tsereteli today called for greater co-ordination between Turkey and European Union Member States to mitigate the situation and to pursue a sustainable solution .
“ For several years now , Greece and Turkey have assumed a disproportionate responsibility for hosting refugees from the Syrian civil war and migrants facing hardship , ” Tsereteli said .
“ Acknowledging the difficult situation both of these countries @ @ @ @ @ @ @ the urgent need for humanitarian assistance and support for the very vulnerable people who are on the move and have long been living under difficult circumstances in refugee camps.
” He added that the need for assistance is particularly acute considering the current global alert related to the COVID-19 coronavirus , as people without access to healthcare and sanitary facilities are especially susceptible to illness .
“ The international community should make clear that Greece and Turkey , as well as other countries such as Bulgaria , are dealing with an emergency situation @ @ @ @ @ @ @ same time , these governments must remember their obligations to exercise restraint and respect human rights .
The 2016 agreement between the EU and Turkey must be fully implemented and the conflict in Syria , which especially is putting Turkey under immense pressure , must be brought to a peaceful conclusion , ” Tsereteli said .
President Tsereteli noted that the Assembly ’ s Ad Hoc Committee on Migration is following the situation closely and that OSCE PA Special Representative on South East Europe Mark Pritchard is visiting Athens this week where he @ @ @ @ @ @ @ a range of issues including migration and regional co-operation .
Pritchard will also visit a refugee camp on the outskirts of Athens .
Margareta Cederfelt , Acting Chair of the Ad Hoc Committee on Migration , said today that EU countries should step in to alleviate the immediate pressure on Greece and Turkey .
“ There needs to be a sustainable solution at the EU level , ” Cederfelt said .
“ Member States can show more solidarity and do their part by taking in more refugees and asylum seekers , including a @ @ @ @ @ @ @ are currently living in Greece.
” In the Luxembourg Declaration of 2019 , the OSCE PA called on “ OSCE participating States to improve legal frameworks for migration with the aim of increasing effective international co-operation , promoting integration , facilitating labour mobility , addressing drivers of migration such as poverty and conflict , establishing pathways for regular migration , promoting education opportunities and protecting the right to family life .
”

OSCE PA President urges international response and sustainable solution to Turkish-Greek border situation, as envoy visits Athens
COPENHAGEN, 3 March 2020 – Regarding developments on the Turkish-Greek border, OSCE Parliamentary Assembly President George Tsereteli today called for greater co-ordination between Turkey and European Union Member States to mitigate the situation and to pursue a sustainable solution.
“For several years now, Greece and Turkey have assumed a disproportionate responsibility for hosting refugees from the Syrian civil war and migrants facing hardship,” Tsereteli said. “Acknowledging the difficult situation both of these countries are in, we must also appreciate the urgent need for humanitarian assistance and support for the very vulnerable people who are on the move and have long been living under difficult circumstances in refugee camps.”
He added that the need for assistance is particularly acute considering the current global alert related to the COVID-19 coronavirus, as people without access to healthcare and sanitary facilities are especially susceptible to illness.
“The international community should make clear that Greece and Turkey, as well as other countries such as Bulgaria, are dealing with an emergency situation and deserve support, but at the same time, these governments must remember their obligations to exercise restraint and respect human rights. The 2016 agreement between the EU and Turkey must be fully implemented and the conflict in Syria, which especially is putting Turkey under immense pressure, must be brought to a peaceful conclusion,” Tsereteli said.
President Tsereteli noted that the Assembly’s Ad Hoc Committee on Migration is following the situation closely and that OSCE PA Special Representative on South East Europe Mark Pritchard is visiting Athens this week where he will hold discussions with Greek officials on a range of issues including migration and regional co-operation. Pritchard will also visit a refugee camp on the outskirts of Athens.
Margareta Cederfelt, Acting Chair of the Ad Hoc Committee on Migration, said today that EU countries should step in to alleviate the immediate pressure on Greece and Turkey. “There needs to be a sustainable solution at the EU level,” Cederfelt said. “Member States can show more solidarity and do their part by taking in more refugees and asylum seekers, including a share of the 5,000 unaccompanied minors who are currently living in Greece.”
In the Luxembourg Declaration of 2019, the OSCE PA called on “OSCE participating States to improve legal frameworks for migration with the aim of increasing effective international co-operation, promoting integration, facilitating labour mobility, addressing drivers of migration such as poverty and conflict, establishing pathways for regular migration, promoting education opportunities and protecting the right to family life.”


osce--2020-03-03--OSCE and UN Office on Drugs and Crime train Tajik officials to disrupt terrorist financing

A four-day training course on disrupting the financing of terrorist networks concluded on 28 February 2020 in Dushanbe .
The OSCE Programme Office in Dushanbe , in co-operation with UN Office on Drugs and Crime ’ s Regional Office for Central Asia and the OSCE Secretariat ’ s Transnational Threats Department/Action against Terrorism Unit organized the course .
Seventeen Tajik experts and practitioners from the General Prosecutor ’ s Office , the Financial Monitoring Department of the National Bank of Tajikistan , the Ministry of the Interior , and the State Committee for National Security of the Republic of Tajikistan @ @ @ @ @ @ @ aimed to assist Tajikistan in implementing international standards , in particular UN Security Council Resolutions , the Financial Action Task Force on Money Laundering ’ s recommendations , OSCE , and UN commitments .
The course emphasized the key role of inter-agency co-operation in disrupting terrorist financing .
Trainers familiarized the participants with complex analytical and operational planning methods by focusing on localized scenarios based on real-life cases .
“ In addition to interagency co-operation this course provides a unique platform for professionals to explore new instruments and techniques to counter terrorist financing @ @ @ @ @ @ @ investigations abide by international human rights norms and standards , ” said Florian Razesberger , Head of the OSCE Programme Office ’ s Politico-Military Department in Dushanbe .
The course was organized as part of a comprehensive multi-annual capacity-building programme to support national efforts to counter terrorist financing in Central Asia and built on the Programme Office ’ s multi-year efforts to counter terrorism , money laundering and terrorist financing .

A four-day training course on disrupting the financing of terrorist networks concluded on 28 February 2020 in Dushanbe. The OSCE Programme Office in Dushanbe, in co-operation with UN Office on Drugs and Crime’s Regional Office for Central Asia and the OSCE Secretariat’s Transnational Threats Department/Action against Terrorism Unit organized the course.
Seventeen Tajik experts and practitioners from the General Prosecutor’s Office, the Financial Monitoring Department of the National Bank of Tajikistan, the Ministry of the Interior, and the State Committee for National Security of the Republic of Tajikistan attended the seminar.
The training course aimed to assist Tajikistan in implementing international standards, in particular UN Security Council Resolutions, the Financial Action Task Force on Money Laundering’s recommendations, OSCE, and UN commitments. The course emphasized the key role of inter-agency co-operation in disrupting terrorist financing.
Trainers familiarized the participants with complex analytical and operational planning methods by focusing on localized scenarios based on real-life cases.
“In addition to interagency co-operation this course provides a unique platform for professionals to explore new instruments and techniques to counter terrorist financing, while underlying the importance of having investigations abide by international human rights norms and standards,” said Florian Razesberger, Head of the OSCE Programme Office’s Politico-Military Department in Dushanbe.
The course was organized as part of a comprehensive multi-annual capacity-building programme to support national efforts to counter terrorist financing in Central Asia and built on the Programme Office’s multi-year efforts to counter terrorism, money laundering and terrorist financing.


osce--2020-03-02--OSCE Special Monitoring Mission to Ukraine (SMM) Daily Report 51/2020 issued on 2 March 2020


osce--2020-03-02--OSCE Media Freedom Representative publishes legal analysis of draft Ukrainian media law, with recomm

OSCE Media Freedom Representative publishes legal analysis of draft Ukrainian media law, with recommendations to authorities

VIENNA , 2 March 2020 – The OSCE Representative on Freedom of the Media , Harlem Désir , published today a legal analysis of the Draft Law of Ukraine “ On Media ” .
This draft law was recently registered in the Verkhovna Rada ( Parliament ) .
The legal review , which was commissioned by the Office of the Representative , and prepared by independent media freedom expert Dr. Joan Barata Mir , stresses that several aspects of the draft law should be reviewed and addressed .
“ It is necessary that this draft law is brought in line @ @ @ @ @ @ @ , and best practices on freedom of expression and freedom of information , in order to avoid any negative impact on media freedom in the country , ” underlined the Representative .
Among other aspects , there are concerns regarding a series of limitations in the draft law affecting the content that can be disseminated within the territory of Ukraine .
These include some expressions and topics that may cover legitimate political opinions and discussions related to matters of public interest .
The legal analysis stresses that , while specific situations affecting national @ @ @ @ @ @ @ limits to the right to freedom of expression , these restrictions need to be clearly specified on a case-by-case basis .
The legal analysis further raises concerns over the possibility of imposing a penalty on certain media outlets , by banning their dissemination .
Imposing a general ban , affecting all the content of a specific media outlet , during a non-specified period and based on a very widely formulated justification , represents an excessive and disproportionate measure in light of the fundamental right to freedom of expression .
This may have a @ @ @ @ @ @ @ .
It is important to note that the draft law allows such a ban to be imposed on websites or similar online media services as a whole .
According to applicable international standards , specific measures targeting online content shall only be applied to specific pieces of content , but not to a whole service or application .
The legal analysis also addresses the framework applicable to the appointment of the members , functioning and powers of the National Council of Television and Radio Broadcasting ( the Council ) .
In particular , @ @ @ @ @ @ @ become a member of the Council are very broad and general .
These requirements do not necessarily guarantee the full capacity of a regulator to manage and participate properly in carrying out its functions .
There are also concerns that the procedure for dismissal of the members of the Council may compromise its independence .
“ This analysis offers important recommendations that aim to improve the draft law in line with international standards and OSCE commitments .
I call upon the authorities to take these recommendations into consideration , before adopting the law @ @ @ @ @ @ @ media freedom in Ukraine , ” Désir said .
“ My Office stands ready to continue working with Ukraine and to provide necessary policy recommendations.
” The full legal review is available at : https : //www.osce.org/representative-on-freedom-of-media/447508 The OSCE Representative on Freedom of the Media observes media developments in all 57 OSCE participating States .
He 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 .

VIENNA, 2 March 2020 – The OSCE Representative on Freedom of the Media, Harlem Désir, published today a legal analysis of the Draft Law of Ukraine “On Media”. This draft law was recently registered in the Verkhovna Rada (Parliament).
The legal review, which was commissioned by the Office of the Representative, and prepared by independent media freedom expert Dr. Joan Barata Mir, stresses that several aspects of the draft law should be reviewed and addressed.
“It is necessary that this draft law is brought in line with applicable international standards, OSCE commitments, and best practices on freedom of expression and freedom of information, in order to avoid any negative impact on media freedom in the country,” underlined the Representative.
Among other aspects, there are concerns regarding a series of limitations in the draft law affecting the content that can be disseminated within the territory of Ukraine. These include some expressions and topics that may cover legitimate political opinions and discussions related to matters of public interest. The legal analysis stresses that, while specific situations affecting national security may justify the imposition of certain limits to the right to freedom of expression, these restrictions need to be clearly specified on a case-by-case basis.
The legal analysis further raises concerns over the possibility of imposing a penalty on certain media outlets, by banning their dissemination. Imposing a general ban, affecting all the content of a specific media outlet, during a non-specified period and based on a very widely formulated justification, represents an excessive and disproportionate measure in light of the fundamental right to freedom of expression. This may have a chilling effect on the Ukrainian media sphere. It is important to note that the draft law allows such a ban to be imposed on websites or similar online media services as a whole. According to applicable international standards, specific measures targeting online content shall only be applied to specific pieces of content, but not to a whole service or application.
The legal analysis also addresses the framework applicable to the appointment of the members, functioning and powers of the National Council of Television and Radio Broadcasting (the Council). In particular, there are concerns that the requirements to become a member of the Council are very broad and general. These requirements do not necessarily guarantee the full capacity of a regulator to manage and participate properly in carrying out its functions. There are also concerns that the procedure for dismissal of the members of the Council may compromise its independence.
“This analysis offers important recommendations that aim to improve the draft law in line with international standards and OSCE commitments. I call upon the authorities to take these recommendations into consideration, before adopting the law, to facilitate better the regulation of media freedom in Ukraine,” Désir said. “My Office stands ready to continue working with Ukraine and to provide necessary policy recommendations.”
The full legal review is available at: https://www.osce.org/representative-on-freedom-of-media/447508
The OSCE Representative on Freedom of the Media observes media developments in all 57 OSCE participating States. He 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--2020-03-03--OSCE Special Monitoring Mission to Ukraine (SMM) Daily Report 52/2020 issued on 3 March 2020


osce--2020-03-03--Weekly Update from the OSCE Observer Mission at Russian Checkpoints Gukovo and Donetsk based on info

Weekly Update from the OSCE Observer Mission at Russian Checkpoints Gukovo and Donetsk based on information as of 3 March 2020

KAMENSK-SHAKHTINSKIY , Russian Federation .
The Observer Mission ( OM ) continues to operate 24/7 at both Border Crossing Points ( BCPs ) .
The overall number of border crossings by persons increased at both BCPs compared to the previous week .
The OM is currently operating with 22 permanent international staff members , including the Chief Observer ( CO ) .
The Mission is supported administratively by a staff member and the Chief of Fund Administration based in Vienna .
The profile of persons crossing the border can be categorized as follows : • Adults travelling on foot or @ @ @ @ @ @ @ ; • Families ( often including elderly persons and/or children ) travelling on foot or by car with a significant amount of luggage .
The average number of entries/exits increased from 10,616 to 10,853 per day at both BCPs compared to last week [ 1 ] .
During the reporting period , the majority of border crossings were to Ukraine , with an average net flow of 18 per day for both BCPs .
The Donetsk BCP continued to experience much more traffic than the Gukovo BCP .
During the reporting period , @ @ @ @ @ @ @ crossing the border in both directions at both BCPs was six , compared to 15 last week , two of them crossed into the Russian Federation , and four into Ukraine ( 83 per cent of this category ’ s crossings occurred at the Donetsk BCP ) .
They continued to cross the border individually or in groups .
Most individuals crossed on foot , however , some made use of private vehicles , buses or minivans , making it more difficult for the observer teams ( OTs ) to observe their movement @ @ @ @ @ @ @ of the private vehicles had tinted windows , and buses and minivans had drawn curtains .
The OTs continued to report on families , sometimes with elderly persons and/or children , crossing the border at both BCPs with a significant amount of luggage , or travelling in heavily loaded cars .
During this reporting week , three families were observed crossing into the Russian Federation and four families were observed crossing into Ukraine , compared to the previous reporting period when four families were observed crossing to the Russian Federation and one family @ @ @ @ @ @ @ bus connections continued to operate between Ukraine ( mostly from/to the Luhansk region ) and the Russian Federation .
In addition to regular bus connections , the OTs continued to observe bus connections on irregular routes .
Often the buses did not state their route ; instead they had a sign on the windshield stating “ irregular ” .
During the reporting period , the OTs observed an increase in the overall number of buses crossing the border at both BCPs ( 493 compared to 450 observed during the previous week ) .
@ @ @ @ @ @ @ Russian Federation and 244 bound for Ukraine .
On some occasions , the OTs noticed the bus drivers removing the itinerary signs from the windshields of their buses , while some buses did not display their route at all .
The majority of long-distance buses commuting between the Luhansk region and cities in the Russian Federation had Ukrainian licence plates issued in the Luhansk region and “ LPR ” plates .
During the reporting period , the OTs observed a significant increase in the overall number of trucks crossing the border at both @ @ @ @ @ @ @ the previous reporting week ) ; 433 at the Gukovo BCP and 451 at the Donetsk BCP , 477 of these trucks crossed into the Russian Federation and 407 crossed into Ukraine .
Most of the trucks observed by the OTs had Ukrainian licence plates issued in the Luhansk region ; however , on a daily basis , the OTs also noted trucks registered in Belarus , the Russian Federation and with “ LPR ” plates .
The OTs also continued to observe tanker trucks crossing the border in both directions .
During @ @ @ @ @ @ @ tanker trucks increased from 36 to 45 .
These trucks were observed crossing the border at both BCPs .
The trucks had the words “ Propane ” and “ Flammable ” written across the tanks in either Russian or Ukrainian .
The majority of tanker trucks had hazard signs , indicating that they were transporting propane or a mix of propane and butane .
All trucks underwent systematic inspection by Russian Federation officials , which could include an X-ray check .
Due to the unfavourable observation position at the Gukovo BCP , the @ @ @ @ @ @ @ any X-ray checks .
Compared to the previous week , the total number of X-ray checks at the Donetsk BCP increased from 115 to 147 .
Of the total number of trucks scanned , 114 trucks ( 78 per cent ) were bound for Ukraine : the remaining 33 trucks ( 22 per cent ) crossed into the Russian Federation ) The OM continued to observe passenger and cargo minivans [ 2 ] crossing the border in both directions at both BCPs .
The OTs observed minivans predominantly with Ukrainian licence plates issued @ @ @ @ @ @ @ the OTs also frequently saw minivans registered in the Russian Federation .
Compared to the previous week , the number of cargo minivans significantly increased from 100 to 188 vehicles ; 87 crossed into the Russian Federation and another 101 into Ukraine .
The OTs continued to pick up the sound of trains on the railway tracks located approximately 150m south-west of the Gukovo BCP .
During the reporting week , the OTs heard trains on 16 occasions ; the OTs assessed that eight trains were travelling to the Russian Federation and eight @ @ @ @ @ @ @ in the sections “ trends and figures at a glance ” below ) .
Visual observation was not possible because of the line of trees located between the train tracks and the BCP .
The majority of vehicles crossing the border had Ukrainian licence plates issued in the Luhansk region , or Russian Federation licence plates .
A significant number of vehicles with “ LPR ” plates were also observed crossing the border in both directions on a daily basis .
The OTs also observed vehicles with “ DPR ” plates and vehicles @ @ @ @ @ @ @ licence plates .
On 26 February at 10:14 , the OT at the Gukovo BCP observed an ambulance arriving from the Russian Federation and parking behind the main building .
At 10:45 , the ambulance drove back to the Russian Federation .
The OT was unable to notice any other details from its position .
For trends and figures at a glance covering the period from 27 January to 3 March 2020 , please see the attachment here [ 1 ] Based on data received from the Regional Representation of the Ministry of @ @ @ @ @ @ @ [ 2 ] Cargo minivans : light commercial vehicles with a maximum authorized mass of more than 3.5 t and not more than 7.5 t ; with or without a trailer with a maximum mass of less than 750 kg ( small cargo vehicles which correspond to driving licence C1 ) .

SUMMARY
KAMENSK-SHAKHTINSKIY, Russian Federation. The Observer Mission (OM) continues to operate 24/7 at both Border Crossing Points (BCPs). The overall number of border crossings by persons increased at both BCPs compared to the previous week.
OPERATIONAL REMARKS
The OM is currently operating with 22 permanent international staff members, including the Chief Observer (CO). The Mission is supported administratively by a staff member and the Chief of Fund Administration based in Vienna.
OBSERVATIONS AT THE BORDER CROSSING POINTS
Persons crossing the border
The profile of persons crossing the border can be categorized as follows:
Adults travelling on foot or by car with little or no luggage; Persons in military-style outfits; Families (often including elderly persons and/or children) travelling on foot or by car with a significant amount of luggage.
The average number of entries/exits increased from 10,616 to 10,853 per day at both BCPs compared to last week[1].
During the reporting period, the majority of border crossings were to Ukraine, with an average net flow of 18 per day for both BCPs.
The Donetsk BCP continued to experience much more traffic than the Gukovo BCP.
Persons in military-style outfits
During the reporting period, the number of persons in military-style outfits crossing the border in both directions at both BCPs was six, compared to 15 last week, two of them crossed into the Russian Federation, and four into Ukraine (83 per cent of this category’s crossings occurred at the Donetsk BCP). They continued to cross the border individually or in groups. Most individuals crossed on foot, however, some made use of private vehicles, buses or minivans, making it more difficult for the observer teams (OTs) to observe their movement across the border, especially since some of the private vehicles had tinted windows, and buses and minivans had drawn curtains.
Families with a significant amount of luggage
The OTs continued to report on families, sometimes with elderly persons and/or children, crossing the border at both BCPs with a significant amount of luggage, or travelling in heavily loaded cars. During this reporting week, three families were observed crossing into the Russian Federation and four families were observed crossing into Ukraine, compared to the previous reporting period when four families were observed crossing to the Russian Federation and one family into Ukraine.
Bus connections
Regular local and long-distance bus connections continued to operate between Ukraine (mostly from/to the Luhansk region) and the Russian Federation. In addition to regular bus connections, the OTs continued to observe bus connections on irregular routes. Often the buses did not state their route; instead they had a sign on the windshield stating “irregular”.
During the reporting period, the OTs observed an increase in the overall number of buses crossing the border at both BCPs (493 compared to 450 observed during the previous week). There were 249 buses bound for the Russian Federation and 244 bound for Ukraine.
On some occasions, the OTs noticed the bus drivers removing the itinerary signs from the windshields of their buses, while some buses did not display their route at all. The majority of long-distance buses commuting between the Luhansk region and cities in the Russian Federation had Ukrainian licence plates issued in the Luhansk region and “LPR” plates.
Trucks
During the reporting period, the OTs observed a significant increase in the overall number of trucks crossing the border at both BCPs (884 compared to 683 during the previous reporting week); 433 at the Gukovo BCP and 451 at the Donetsk BCP, 477 of these trucks crossed into the Russian Federation and 407 crossed into Ukraine. Most of the trucks observed by the OTs had Ukrainian licence plates issued in the Luhansk region; however, on a daily basis, the OTs also noted trucks registered in Belarus, the Russian Federation and with “LPR” plates.
The OTs also continued to observe tanker trucks crossing the border in both directions. During the reporting week, the number of tanker trucks increased from 36 to 45. These trucks were observed crossing the border at both BCPs. The trucks had the words “Propane” and “Flammable” written across the tanks in either Russian or Ukrainian. The majority of tanker trucks had hazard signs, indicating that they were transporting propane or a mix of propane and butane.
All trucks underwent systematic inspection by Russian Federation officials, which could include an X-ray check. Due to the unfavourable observation position at the Gukovo BCP, the OTs continued to be unable to observe any X-ray checks.
Compared to the previous week, the total number of X-ray checks at the Donetsk BCP increased from 115 to 147. Of the total number of trucks scanned, 114 trucks (78 per cent) were bound for Ukraine: the remaining 33 trucks (22 per cent) crossed into the Russian Federation)
Minivans
The OM continued to observe passenger and cargo minivans[2] crossing the border in both directions at both BCPs. The OTs observed minivans predominantly with Ukrainian licence plates issued in the Luhansk region; however, the OTs also frequently saw minivans registered in the Russian Federation. Compared to the previous week, the number of cargo minivans significantly increased from 100 to 188 vehicles; 87 crossed into the Russian Federation and another 101 into Ukraine.
Trains
The OTs continued to pick up the sound of trains on the railway tracks located approximately 150m south-west of the Gukovo BCP. During the reporting week, the OTs heard trains on 16 occasions; the OTs assessed that eight trains were travelling to the Russian Federation and eight to Ukraine (more details are provided in the sections “trends and figures at a glance” below).
Visual observation was not possible because of the line of trees located between the train tracks and the BCP.
Other observations
The majority of vehicles crossing the border had Ukrainian licence plates issued in the Luhansk region, or Russian Federation licence plates. A significant number of vehicles with “LPR” plates were also observed crossing the border in both directions on a daily basis. The OTs also observed vehicles with “DPR” plates and vehicles with Georgian, Lithuanian and Czech Republic licence plates.
On 26 February at 10:14, the OT at the Gukovo BCP observed an ambulance arriving from the Russian Federation and parking behind the main building. At 10:45, the ambulance drove back to the Russian Federation. The OT was unable to notice any other details from its position.
For trends and figures at a glance covering the period from 27 January to 3 March 2020, please see the attachment here
[1] Based on data received from the Regional Representation of the Ministry of Foreign Affairs of the Russian Federation.
[2] Cargo minivans: light commercial vehicles with a maximum authorized mass of more than 3.5 t and not more than 7.5 t; with or without a trailer with a maximum mass of less than 750 kg (small cargo vehicles which correspond to driving licence C1).


osce--2020-03-03--ODIHR opens election observation mission in North Macedonia

SKOPJE , 3 March 2020 – Following an invitation from the country ’ s authorities , the OSCE Office for Democratic Institutions and Human Rights ( ODIHR ) today opened an election observation mission for the 12 April early parliamentary elections in North Macedonia .
The mission is led by Tana de Zulueta and consists of a core team of 12 experts based in Skopje and 20 long-term observers , who will be deployed throughout the country from 10 March .
In addition , ODIHR will request that OSCE participating States provide 250 short-term observers , who will arrive several @ @ @ @ @ @ @ will assess whether the elections are held in line with OSCE commitments and other international obligations and standards for democratic elections , as well as with national legislation .
Observers will closely monitor fundamental aspects of the election such as voter registration , candidate registration , campaign activities , the work of the election administration and relevant government bodies , election-related legislation and its implementation , and the resolution of election-related disputes .
As part of the observation , the mission will also monitor the media coverage of the campaign .
Meetings with @ @ @ @ @ @ @ , civil society , the media and the international community form an integral part of the observation .
On election day , the ODIHR election observation mission will join efforts with delegations from the OSCE Parliamentary Assembly and the Parliamentary Assembly of the Council of Europe to observe the opening of polling stations , voting , the counting of ballots and the tabulation of results .
An interim report will be published to update the public and media during the course of the observation .
The day after the elections , ODIHR ’ @ @ @ @ @ @ @ presented at a press conference .
A final report on the observation will be issued approximately two months after the end of the election process .
For further information , please visit https : //www.osce.org/odihr/elections/north-macedonia/447607 or contact : Egor Tilpunov , Media Analyst with the Election Observation Mission , at +389 72 443 698 or Egor.Tilpunov @ odihr.mk Katya Andrusz , ODIHR Spokesperson , at +48 609 522 266 ( Warsaw mobile ) or at Katya.Andrusz @ odihr.pl

SKOPJE, 3 March 2020 – Following an invitation from the country’s authorities, the OSCE Office for Democratic Institutions and Human Rights (ODIHR) today opened an election observation mission for the 12 April early parliamentary elections in North Macedonia.
The mission is led by Tana de Zulueta and consists of a core team of 12 experts based in Skopje and 20 long-term observers, who will be deployed throughout the country from 10 March. In addition, ODIHR will request that OSCE participating States provide 250 short-term observers, who will arrive several days before the elections.
The mission will assess whether the elections are held in line with OSCE commitments and other international obligations and standards for democratic elections, as well as with national legislation. Observers will closely monitor fundamental aspects of the election such as voter registration, candidate registration, campaign activities, the work of the election administration and relevant government bodies, election-related legislation and its implementation, and the resolution of election-related disputes. As part of the observation, the mission will also monitor the media coverage of the campaign.
Meetings with representatives of state authorities, political parties, civil society, the media and the international community form an integral part of the observation.
On election day, the ODIHR election observation mission will join efforts with delegations from the OSCE Parliamentary Assembly and the Parliamentary Assembly of the Council of Europe to observe the opening of polling stations, voting, the counting of ballots and the tabulation of results.
An interim report will be published to update the public and media during the course of the observation. The day after the elections, ODIHR’s preliminary findings and conclusions will be presented at a press conference. A final report on the observation will be issued approximately two months after the end of the election process.
For further information, please visit https://www.osce.org/odihr/elections/north-macedonia/447607 or contact:
Egor Tilpunov, Media Analyst with the Election Observation Mission, at +389 72 443 698 or Egor.Tilpunov@odihr.mk
Katya Andrusz, ODIHR Spokesperson, at +48 609 522 266 (Warsaw mobile) or at Katya.Andrusz@odihr.pl


osce--2020-03-04--OSCE Special Monitoring Mission to Ukraine (SMM) Daily Report 53/2020 issued on 4 March 2020


osce--2020-03-04--President of the OSCE Court of Conciliation and Arbitration Emmanuel Decaux addresses Permanent Coun

President of the OSCE Court of Conciliation and Arbitration Emmanuel Decaux addresses Permanent Council

President of the OSCE Court of Conciliation and Arbitration Professor Emmanuel Decaux addressed the OSCE Permanent Council on 27 February 2020 , where he invited signatory and third-party States to join the 34 States that are currently party to the Convention on Conciliation and Arbitration within the OSCE .
The Court ’ s founding at the 1992 Stockholm Conference , Decaux said , was the culmination of long-standing efforts by participating States to strengthen the key element of co-operative security .
He stressed that while a conciliation commission can be requested unilaterally by any State party , the Court ’ @ @ @ @ @ @ @ all 57 OSCE participating States by agreement .
“ The Stockholm Convention represents a great step forward in the institutionalization of alternative approaches to the peaceful settlement of disputes .
Following on from the bilateral treaties negotiated over a century , and the multilateral treaties in the immediate post-war period , the Convention has made significant progress on several fronts .
It established a genuine permanent court governed firmly by a collegial Bureau , which guarantees the effectiveness of the Court ’ s procedures .
Neutrality is the watchword in all commissions and @ @ @ @ @ @ @ three of the five members .
The Court ’ s tasks are part of a wider framework in relation to the OSCE bodies , constituting part of the ‘ toolbox ’ available to the various protagonists ” , he said .
President Decaux concluded that the Court will work on making its procedures for the amicable settlement of disputes more visible and readable , by being proactive at all times to fully perform its duties in the service of peace , co-operation and good neighborliness throughout the OSCE area .
The Court of @ @ @ @ @ @ @ which is based in Geneva , provides a set of mechanisms for the peaceful settlement of disputes between States .
The Court was established by the Convention of Stockholm which entered into force on 5 December 1994 .
To date , 34 States have ratified the Convention .

President of the OSCE Court of Conciliation and Arbitration Professor Emmanuel Decaux addressed the OSCE Permanent Council on 27 February 2020, where he invited signatory and third-party States to join the 34 States that are currently party to the Convention on Conciliation and Arbitration within the OSCE.
The Court’s founding at the 1992 Stockholm Conference, Decaux said, was the culmination of long-standing efforts by participating States to strengthen the key element of co-operative security. He stressed that while a conciliation commission can be requested unilaterally by any State party, the Court’s procedures remain at the disposal of all 57 OSCE participating States by agreement.
“The Stockholm Convention represents a great step forward in the institutionalization of alternative approaches to the peaceful settlement of disputes. Following on from the bilateral treaties negotiated over a century, and the multilateral treaties in the immediate post-war period, the Convention has made significant progress on several fronts. It established a genuine permanent court governed firmly by a collegial Bureau, which guarantees the effectiveness of the Court’s procedures. Neutrality is the watchword in all commissions and arbitration tribunals, with the Bureau designating three of the five members. The Court’s tasks are part of a wider framework in relation to the OSCE bodies, constituting part of the ‘toolbox’ available to the various protagonists”, he said.
President Decaux concluded that the Court will work on making its procedures for the amicable settlement of disputes more visible and readable, by being proactive at all times to fully perform its duties in the service of peace, co-operation and good neighborliness throughout the OSCE area.
The Court of Conciliation and Arbitration within the OSCE, which is based in Geneva, provides a set of mechanisms for the peaceful settlement of disputes between States. The Court was established by the Convention of Stockholm which entered into force on 5 December 1994. To date, 34 States have ratified the Convention.


osce--2020-03-04--OSCE seminar addresses interaction between state institutions and media in Turkmenistan

Representatives of key ministries and government bodies and journalists from online , print and broadcast media participated in a seminar organized by the OSCE Centre in Ashgabat on 3 and 4 March 2020 on the efficient interaction between state institutions and the media .
The seminar presented the role of press services in the digital age and the objectives of the media in informing the public about the activities of the state .
International experts from Poland and the United Kingdom explored the relations between the media and state institutions and focused on the importance of government websites as sources @ @ @ @ @ @ @ public .
“ Over 45 years since the signing of the Helsinki Final Act , the OSCE participating States have undertaken a number of commitments aimed at facilitating freer and wider dissemination of information and ensuring access to government-held information which is essential for enhancing the accountability and transparency of governments , ” said Natalya Drozd , Head of the OSCE Centre in Ashgabat .
“ Online instruments offer new opportunities for state institutions for the dissemination of information among the media and general public , and we believe our seminar will support @ @ @ @ @ @ @ to develop a digital society and improve channels of communication between state institutions and the media , ” she continued .
The seminar also covered the development of a communication strategy and the role of social networks in its implementation .
The participants exchanged views on news value and standards of public broadcasting in the state information policy .
The practical part of the seminar included exercises related to the organization of press conferences and drafting press releases as well as interviewing and public speaking skills .

Representatives of key ministries and government bodies and journalists from online, print and broadcast media participated in a seminar organized by the OSCE Centre in Ashgabat on 3 and 4 March 2020 on the efficient interaction between state institutions and the media.
The seminar presented the role of press services in the digital age and the objectives of the media in informing the public about the activities of the state. International experts from Poland and the United Kingdom explored the relations between the media and state institutions and focused on the importance of government websites as sources of information for journalists and the general public.
“Over 45 years since the signing of the Helsinki Final Act, the OSCE participating States have undertaken a number of commitments aimed at facilitating freer and wider dissemination of information and ensuring access to government-held information which is essential for enhancing the accountability and transparency of governments,” said Natalya Drozd, Head of the OSCE Centre in Ashgabat.
“Online instruments offer new opportunities for state institutions for the dissemination of information among the media and general public, and we believe our seminar will support the efforts of the government of Turkmenistan to develop a digital society and improve channels of communication between state institutions and the media,” she continued.
The seminar also covered the development of a communication strategy and the role of social networks in its implementation. The participants exchanged views on news value and standards of public broadcasting in the state information policy.
The practical part of the seminar included exercises related to the organization of press conferences and drafting press releases as well as interviewing and public speaking skills.


osce--2020-03-04--Belarus early parliamentary elections 2019: ODIHR observation mission final report

Following the early parliamentary elections in Belarus on 17 November 2019 , the OSCE Office for Democratic Institutions and Human Rights ( ODIHR ) has published its final report .
The report offers 32 recommendations to improve the conduct of elections and increase the transparency of and public confidence in the electoral process .
• Comprehensively review the electoral legal framework to address prior ODIHR recommendations , including on the composition of election commissions , candidacy rights , observers ’ rights , and safeguards for voting , counting and tabulation procedures .
• Align legislation regulating freedoms of association , @ @ @ @ @ @ @ • Ensure the right of individuals and groups to establish political parties or organizations without undue restrictions , and with the power to compete with each other on an equal basis .
• Introduce clear criteria and mechanisms for candidate registration , to enhance inclusiveness and transparency and avoid disqualification resulting from minor inaccuracies in documentation .
• Remove fees for holding public events , including those held by any electoral stakeholders before , during and after elections .
• Introduce sufficient safeguards to ensure the integrity of early voting and election day @ @ @ @ @ @ @ and transparent procedures for counting ballots so that all present can verify that results are counted genuinely and reported honestly .
ODIHR deployed an Election Observation Mission on 15 October 2019 to observe the early parliamentary elections .
All 57 countries across the OSCE region have formally committed to following up promptly on ODIHR ’ s election assessments and recommendations .

Following the early parliamentary elections in Belarus on 17 November 2019, the OSCE Office for Democratic Institutions and Human Rights (ODIHR) has published its final report. The report offers 32 recommendations to improve the conduct of elections and increase the transparency of and public confidence in the electoral process.
Key recommendations include:
Comprehensively review the electoral legal framework to address prior ODIHR recommendations, including on the composition of election commissions, candidacy rights, observers’ rights, and safeguards for voting, counting and tabulation procedures.
Align legislation regulating freedoms of association, assembly and expression with international standards.
Ensure the right of individuals and groups to establish political parties or organizations without undue restrictions, and with the power to compete with each other on an equal basis.
Introduce clear criteria and mechanisms for candidate registration, to enhance inclusiveness and transparency and avoid disqualification resulting from minor inaccuracies in documentation.
Remove fees for holding public events, including those held by any electoral stakeholders before, during and after elections.
Introduce sufficient safeguards to ensure the integrity of early voting and election day procedures and materials.
Implement clear and transparent procedures for counting ballots so that all present can verify that results are counted genuinely and reported honestly.
ODIHR deployed an Election Observation Mission on 15 October 2019 to observe the early parliamentary elections. All 57 countries across the OSCE region have formally committed to following up promptly on ODIHR’s election assessments and recommendations.


osce--2020-03-05--OSCE Special Monitoring Mission to Ukraine (SMM) Daily Report 54/2020 issued on 5 March 2020


osce--2020-03-05--“Stay strong and dedicated to this great idea!”- In memoriam: Freimut Duve (1936-2020), First OSCE R

“Stay strong and dedicated to this great idea!”- In memoriam: Freimut Duve (1936-2020), First OSCE Representative on Freedom of the Media

VIENNA , 5 March 2020 – The OSCE Representative on Freedom of the Media Harlem Désir , and his two predecessors , Dunja Mijatović and Miklós Haraszti , today issued a joint statement in memory of the first OSCE Representative on Freedom of the Media , Freimut Duve , who passed away last Tuesday .
“ We , the OSCE Representative on Freedom of the Media Harlem Désir and the former Media Freedom Representatives Dunja Mijatović and Miklós Haraszti , pay tribute to the first OSCE Representative on Freedom of the Media , Freimut Duve .
Freimut Duve was a @ @ @ @ @ @ @ writer and journalist .
He was political editor at Stern magazine and chief editor of rororo-AKTUELL , Germany ’ s leading political pocketbook series , a part of Rowohlt publishing house .
Duve won the Hannah Arendt Award for Political Thinking in 1997 .
Freimut Duve served as the first OSCE Representative on Freedom of the Media from 1998 through to 2003 .
It was his grand idea that lead to the establishment of the Office of the Representative on Freedom of the Media , which he built from the ground up and @ @ @ @ @ @ @ of expression .
Freimut Duve was an intellectual , a gentleman , a true humanitarian and a champion of media freedom .
We will remember his legacy and his words , on the 20th Anniversary of the Representative on Freedom of the Media in 2017 : ‘ Twenty years ago and now , media freedom remains extremely important , and 20 years ago and now , there is no freedom without media freedom .
Stay strong and dedicated to this great idea !
’ We extend our heartfelt sympathy to his family , @ @ @ @ @ @ @

VIENNA, 5 March 2020 – The OSCE Representative on Freedom of the Media Harlem Désir, and his two predecessors, Dunja Mijatović and Miklós Haraszti, today issued a joint statement in memory of the first OSCE Representative on Freedom of the Media, Freimut Duve, who passed away last Tuesday.
“We, the OSCE Representative on Freedom of the Media Harlem Désir and the former Media Freedom Representatives Dunja Mijatović and Miklós Haraszti, pay tribute to the first OSCE Representative on Freedom of the Media, Freimut Duve.
Freimut Duve was a German politician, human rights activist, writer and journalist. He was political editor at Stern magazine and chief editor of rororo-AKTUELL, Germany’s leading political pocketbook series, a part of Rowohlt publishing house. Duve won the Hannah Arendt Award for Political Thinking in 1997.
Freimut Duve served as the first OSCE Representative on Freedom of the Media from 1998 through to 2003. It was his grand idea that lead to the establishment of the Office of the Representative on Freedom of the Media, which he built from the ground up and made into a staunch advocate of freedom of expression.
Freimut Duve was an intellectual, a gentleman, a true humanitarian and a champion of media freedom. We will remember his legacy and his words, on the 20th Anniversary of the Representative on Freedom of the Media in 2017:
‘Twenty years ago and now, media freedom remains extremely important, and 20 years ago and now, there is no freedom without media freedom. Stay strong and dedicated to this great idea!’
We extend our heartfelt sympathy to his family, friends and journalists around the world.
Harlem Désir, Dunja Mijatovic, Miklós Haraszti”


osce--2020-03-05--OSCE assists with Uzbekistan’s attendance at the Hague Conference on Private Property Law

With support of the OSCE Project Co-ordinator in Uzbekistan , a delegation of Uzbek senior government officials participated at the Council on General Affairs and Policy ( CGAP ) of the Hague Conference on Private Property Law ( HCCH ) held in The Hague from 3 to 6 March , 2020 .
The delegation took part in the Council ’ s meeting where , on 4 March , Uzbekistan was accepted as the 84th member-state of the HCCH .
The visit was organized by the Project Co-ordinator as part of its effort with the Government of Uzbekistan , to align @ @ @ @ @ @ @ with best international practices and standards .
The delegation was headed by Ruslanbek Davletov , Minister of Justice of Uzbekistan , and consisted of officials from the Ministry of Justice , the Ministry of Foreign Affairs and the Tashkent State University of Law .
The delegation met with representatives of the HCCH , the International Development Law Organization , the Permanent Court of Arbitration , and Eurojust , as well as with their counterparts from the Netherland ’ s government ministries and agencies .
The meetings and subsequent discussions built momentum for the @ @ @ @ @ @ @ the country ’ s civil legislation with the best foreign practices and implementation of advanced international standards in this area to ensure the inviolability of private property , the protection of the rights and legitimate interests of individuals and legal entities , especially entrepreneurs .

With support of the OSCE Project Co-ordinator in Uzbekistan, a delegation of Uzbek senior government officials participated at the Council on General Affairs and Policy (CGAP) of the Hague Conference on Private Property Law (HCCH) held in The Hague from 3 to 6 March, 2020.
The delegation took part in the Council’s meeting where, on 4 March, Uzbekistan was accepted as the 84th member-state of the HCCH.
The visit was organized by the Project Co-ordinator as part of its effort with the Government of Uzbekistan, to align the national legislation on private property protection with best international practices and standards.
The delegation was headed by Ruslanbek Davletov, Minister of Justice of Uzbekistan, and consisted of officials from the Ministry of Justice, the Ministry of Foreign Affairs and the Tashkent State University of Law. The delegation met with representatives of the HCCH, the International Development Law Organization, the Permanent Court of Arbitration, and Eurojust, as well as with their counterparts from the Netherland’s government ministries and agencies.
The meetings and subsequent discussions built momentum for the efforts of the Justice Ministry in harmonizing the country’s civil legislation with the best foreign practices and implementation of advanced international standards in this area to ensure the inviolability of private property, the protection of the rights and legitimate interests of individuals and legal entities, especially entrepreneurs.


osce--2020-03-06--OSCE Media Freedom Representative concludes the second Central Asia Judicial Dialogue in Samarkand

SAMARKAND , 6 March 2020 - The OSCE Representative on Freedom of the Media , Harlem Désir , concluded today the second Central Asia Judicial Dialogue in Samarkand , Uzbekistan .
During this two-day event , over 40 judges from the region discussed how to protect freedom of expression while combating violent extremism , terrorism and hate speech .
The participants also discussed the decriminalization of defamation .
The second Judicial Dialogue follows up on the first meeting held in Bishkek in December 2018 , which established this platform .
The expert meeting brought together judges from higher and appellate @ @ @ @ @ @ @ as well as international experts and judges from other OSCE participating States .
The event was opened by the OSCE Representative on Freedom of the Media , Harlem Désir , Chairman of the Board of Trustees of the Public Fund for Support and Development of National Mass Media , Komil Allamjonov , Deputy Chairman of the Public Fund , Saida Mirziyoyeva and Deputy Chairman of the Supreme Court of Uzbekistan , Bakhtior Isakov .
“ National judiciaries have a critical role in protecting freedom of expression and media freedom in the context of @ @ @ @ @ @ @ and hate speech , ” Désir said .
“ The Central Asia Judicial Dialogue is a unique opportunity to establish regional and international co-operation on this crucial issue , to discuss international standards , and to share best practices.
” Participants discussed jurisprudential approaches , methodologies , current trends and best practices in cases concerning the protection of , and restrictions on , freedom of expression and freedom of the media , including online expression , linked to legislation countering terrorism and violent extremism .
“ The Judicial Dialogue aims at strengthening the @ @ @ @ @ @ @ of expression and media freedom while taking into account the security context and encouraging the exchange of best practices in the OSCE region , ” Désir said .
“ I welcome the announcement by the President of the Republic of Uzbekistan , Shavkat Mirziyoyev , of the decriminalization of libel and defamation and the adoption of a new law which gives bloggers the same rights as journalists .
I encourage all the states of the region which have not yet decriminalized defamation to follow this example ” .
The OSCE Representative on Freedom @ @ @ @ @ @ @ all 57 OSCE participating States .
He 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 .

SAMARKAND, 6 March 2020 - The OSCE Representative on Freedom of the Media, Harlem Désir, concluded today the second Central Asia Judicial Dialogue in Samarkand, Uzbekistan. During this two-day event, over 40 judges from the region discussed how to protect freedom of expression while combating violent extremism, terrorism and hate speech. The participants also discussed the decriminalization of defamation.
The second Judicial Dialogue follows up on the first meeting held in Bishkek in December 2018, which established this platform. The expert meeting brought together judges from higher and appellate courts from all Central Asian countries, as well as international experts and judges from other OSCE participating States.
The event was opened by the OSCE Representative on Freedom of the Media, Harlem Désir, Chairman of the Board of Trustees of the Public Fund for Support and Development of National Mass Media, Komil Allamjonov, Deputy Chairman of the Public Fund, Saida Mirziyoyeva and Deputy Chairman of the Supreme Court of Uzbekistan, Bakhtior Isakov.
“National judiciaries have a critical role in protecting freedom of expression and media freedom in the context of the fight against violent extremism, terrorism and hate speech,” Désir said. “The Central Asia Judicial Dialogue is a unique opportunity to establish regional and international co-operation on this crucial issue, to discuss international standards, and to share best practices.”
Participants discussed jurisprudential approaches, methodologies, current trends and best practices in cases concerning the protection of, and restrictions on, freedom of expression and freedom of the media, including online expression, linked to legislation countering terrorism and violent extremism.
“The Judicial Dialogue aims at strengthening the capacity of the judiciary to protect freedom of expression and media freedom while taking into account the security context and encouraging the exchange of best practices in the OSCE region,” Désir said.
“I welcome the announcement by the President of the Republic of Uzbekistan, Shavkat Mirziyoyev, of the decriminalization of libel and defamation and the adoption of a new law which gives bloggers the same rights as journalists. I encourage all the states of the region which have not yet decriminalized defamation to follow this example.”
The OSCE Representative on Freedom of the Media observes media developments in all 57 OSCE participating States. He 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--2020-03-06--OSCE Special Monitoring Mission to Ukraine (SMM) Daily Report 55/2020 issued on 6 March 2020

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