OSCE SMM denied access to Horlivka

“At a checkpoint of the armed formations in Horlivka (non-government-controlled, 39km north-east of Donetsk), an armed man wearing camouflage clothing told the SMM that it had to leave the area because his “superior” was not informed about the SMM’s arrival,” reads the report of the OSCE Special Monitoring Mission to Ukraine based on information received as of 19:30, 28 January 2019.

 As noted, the SMM explained its mandate, and the armed man then asked the SMM to wait. About ten minutes later, another man in camouflage clothing told the SMM it had to leave the area, as he had spoken with “people in Donetsk”, and that the SMM had no right to be present at the checkpoint or speak with civilians present.

In addition, the SMM was denied full access to the three disengagement areas, as well as the ability to travel certain roads previously identified as important for effective monitoring by the Mission and for civilians’ movement.