OSCE parliamentary human rights chair reiterates need for Easter ceasefire in Ukraine

COPENHAGEN, 19 April 2019 – The Chair of the OSCE Parliamentary Assembly’s human rights and humanitarian affairs committee, Margareta Kiener Nellen (MP, Switzerland) today reiterated her full support for efforts aimed at achieving a recommitment to a ceasefire in Ukraine on the occasion of the upcoming Easter festivities.

“Particularly during the Easter holiday period, humanitarian considerations should be first and foremost in the minds of those involved,” said Kiener Nellen. “It is my sincere hope that the efforts of Ambassador Martin Sajdik and Ambassador Ertuğrul Apakan to once again get the sides to put down their weapons will be successful and enable those in the region to mark the holidays in peace.”

On 18 April a press statement by the Special Representative of the OSCE Chairperson-In-Office, Ambassador Martin Sajdik, noted that the Trilateral Contact Group and its Working Group on Security Issues discussed several proposals but that no consensus could be found at this stage. 

Kiener Nellen recalled that the Minsk Agreements committed the sides to a long and lasting ceasefire, and reiterated that the people living in the conflict zone have a right to see this ceasefire respected.