OSCE SMM Chief Monitor Çevik pays tribute to SMM medic who died in the cause of peace

KYIV, 23 April 2020 – Chief Monitor of the OSCE Special Monitoring Mission (SMM) to Ukraine Yaşar Halit Çevik today paid tribute to SMM medic Joseph Stone, who, while on patrol, tragically lost his life three years ago when an SMM armoured vehicle was struck by an explosion, most likely caused by an anti-tank mine in a non-government controlled area near Pryshyb in the Luhansk region.

“As colleagues and friends, we miss Joseph Stone dearly. Our thoughts and prayers are with his family and friends as we remember a brave medic who died serving others, in the cause of peace,” he said.

While there has been some limited progress on de-mining, Çevik stressed that mines and UXO continue to be reported on a daily basis, posing a danger to civilians living along the contact line. “Joseph Stone and 262 other civilians have fallen victim to these indiscriminate weapons over the past three years. Further action is urgently needed. Civilians have the right to live in safety and without fear,” he said.