The OSCE Special Monitoring Mission (SMM) will carry out its own internal investigation into the mission patrol car blast incident in Luhansk region on Sunday that killed a monitor and injured two others, OSCE SMM Principal Deputy Chief Monitor Alexander Hug said at a news briefing on April 24.
The OSCE mission is keeping in constant touch with the Ukrainian authorities, but plans to conduct its own internal inquiry, he said, noting that the OSCE is also maintaining contact with those, who are actually controlling the situation at the incident site. The OSCE will inform about all the results of the investigation, Hug said.
Security of mission monitors remains their priority, Hug said.
Monitors use personal protection outfits in the patrolling zone and monitors, who were involved in the incident on April 23 also utilized them, he said. But no matter how many measures have been undertaken to alleviate violence, those who are set for violence will find ways to use it, the SMM principal deputy chief monitor said.
Mines and explosive devices ought to be removed from Donetsk and Luhansk regions, he also said.
Violence should be stopped, the sides should honor their obligations regarding security; and not only security for monitors, but also for all those who live in fear for their life, because the Minsk Agreements are not being implemented, Hug said.
Those guilty in the incident should be punished, he said.
