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News and press releases
News and press releases from the OSCE's global activities.
Website blocking in France; other anti-terrorist legislation in some OSCE countries may curb free expression, says OSCE Representative
Publishing date: 30 March 2015
Content type: Press release
Where we are: OSCE Representative on Freedom of the Media
VIENNA, 30 March 2015- OSCE Representative on Freedom of the Media Dunja Mijatović said today that the unilateral decisions by the Interior Ministry in France, without judicial oversight, to block five websites for allegedly causing or promoting terrorism represents a serious threat to free expression and free media...
OSCE supports training on countering transnational organized crime and drug trafficking
Publishing date: 30 March 2015
Content type: Press release
Where we are: OSCE Programme Office in Astana
What we do: Economic activities
ALMATY, 30 March 2015 – An OSCE-supported training seminar on countering transnational organized crime and trafficking in drugs, psychotropic substances and their precursors began today in Almaty...
Uzbekistan presidential election marked by lack of genuine political alternatives, legal and organizational shortcomings persist, say OSCE/ODIHR observers
Publishing date: 30 March 2015
Content type: Press release
Where we are: OSCE Office for Democratic Institutions and Human Rights
What we do: Elections
TASHKENT, 30 March 2015 – The figure of the incumbent dominated a political landscape without genuine opposition in the 29 March presidential election in Uzbekistan, election observers sent by the OSCE Office for Democratic Institutions and Human Rights (ODIHR) said in a statement issued today. In this environment, persistent legal and organizational shortcomings of the electoral process remained unaddressed, the statement added...
Russian and Ukrainian parliamentarians discuss conflict resolution at OSCE PA-German Bundestag retreat
Publishing date: 29 March 2015
Content type: Press release
Where we are: OSCE Parliamentary Assembly
What we do: Conflict prevention and resolution
LEINSWEILER, Germany, 29 March 2015 – The OSCE Parliamentary Assembly and the German Bundestag hosted a retreat and seminar in Leinsweiler, Rhineland-Pfalz, Germany on 28 and 29 March to discuss conflict resolution strategies and hear from experts on German-French rapprochement and post-conflict border issues. The seminar facilitated one of the few direct meetings between Russian and Ukrainian parliamentarians since the crisis in and around Ukraine began...
Spot report by the OSCE Special Monitoring Mission (SMM) to Ukraine on the escalation of the situation in Shyrokyne and SMM aggressively treated at “DPR” checkpoint at Shyrokyne, 28 March 2015
Publishing date: 28 March 2015
Content type: Spot report
Where we are: OSCE Special Monitoring Mission to Ukraine (closed)
What we do: Conflict prevention and resolution
On 27 March, the SMM observed from an observation point in the vicinity of Berdianske (government-controlled, 18km east of Mariupol) escalating fighting in Shyrokyne (“Donetsk People’s Republic” (“DPR”)-controlled, 20km east of Mariupol, 102 km south of Donetsk) counting over 225 mortar shells from 14:40hrs to 17:15hrs. The shelling had started only a few hours following an SMM visit to the “DPR” “command” in Shyrokyne...
Latest from OSCE Special Monitoring Mission (SMM) to Ukraine based on information received as of 18:00 (Kyiv time), 27 March 2015
Publishing date: 28 March 2015
Content type: Daily report
Where we are: OSCE Special Monitoring Mission to Ukraine (closed)
What we do: Conflict prevention and resolution
The SMM monitored the implementation of the “Package of measures for the implementation of the Minsk agreements”. The SMM, based on its monitoring – which was restricted by third parties and by security considerations* – observed that fighting continued in the areas around the Donetsk airport and resumed in Shyrokyne, east of Mariupol...
OSCE Chief Monitor in Ukraine urges sides to stop fighting in Shyrokyne
Publishing date: 27 March 2015
Content type: Press release
Where we are: OSCE Special Monitoring Mission to Ukraine (closed)
What we do: Conflict prevention and resolution
KYIV, 27 March 2015- Chief Monitor of the OSCE Special Monitoring Mission (SMM) to Ukraine Ambassador Ertugrul Apakan expressed his disappointment that the sides have breached a local ceasefire arranged by the Mission two days ago in Shyrokyne, southeast Ukraine, and urged them to stop fighting immediately...