News and press releases

The importance of independent detention monitoring bodies in assessing whether state measures to prevent and counter violent extremism and radicalization that lead to terrorism (VERLT) in prisons are human rights compliant was the focus of a workshop organized by the OSCE Office for Democratic

VIENNA, 5 December 2017 – The OSCE Representative on Freedom of the Media Harlem Désir today called on the authorities in Croatia and in Bosnia and Herzegovina to investigate numerous death threats against journalists and ensure their safety, following the recent conclusion of a war crimes court case at the UN International Criminal Tribunal for the former Yugoslavia (ICTY)...

Vienna, 5 December 2017 – The 24th OSCE Ministerial Council, bringing together some 45 Foreign Ministers from across the OSCE region, will take place in Vienna, Austria on 7 and 8 December 2017, at the invitation of the 2017 OSCE Chairperson-in-Office and Austria’s Foreign Minister Sebastian Kurz.

VIENNA, 5 December 2017- The OSCE Representative on Freedom of the Media Harlem Désir today expressed concern about the proposal by the United States’ Federal Communications Commission (FCC) to repeal existing provisions ensuring net neutrality, the principle that Internet providers must treat all online traffic equally and without undue interference. As a result of the plan, announced by FCC chairperson Ajit Pai on 21 November, internet service providers would be able to charge more for certain content and restrict access to some sites...

The OSCE Office for Democratic Institutions and Human Rights (OSCE/ODIHR) released its final report on Norway’s 11 September parliamentary elections on 4 December 2017. The report notes that the election administration operated efficiently and enjoyed high public confidence. Last-minute regulations

KAMENSK-SHAKHTINSKIYM, Russian Federation. The Observer Mission (OM) continues to operate 24/7 at both Border Crossing Points (BCPs). The overall number of border crossings by persons decreased at both BCPs compared to the previous week.

The SMM recorded a five-fold increase in ceasefire violations in Donetsk region between the evenings of 1 and 2 December – including a sharp increase in the number of explosions – compared with the previous reporting period, and fewer ceasefire violations between the evenings of 2 and 3 December compared with the previous 24 hours. In Luhansk region, the SMM recorded more ceasefire violations, including more explosions, between the evenings of 1 and 2 December compared with the previous reporting period and more between the evenings of 2 and 3 December compared with the previous 24 hours. The Mission continued monitoring the disengagement areas near Stanytsia Luhanska, Zolote and Petrivske; it recorded ceasefire violations inside the Stanytsia Luhanska disengagement area. Its access remained restricted in the disengagement areas and elsewhere, including near Kreminets, at a compound near Kostiantynivka, and at a heavy weapons holding area.* The SMM observed damage to civilian properties from shelling in residential areas in Marinka and Avdiivka. The Mission observed weapons in violation of withdrawal lines near Novooleksandrivka. The SMM visited six border areas not under government control. In Kyiv, the SMM monitored a large gathering and a blockade of a television station...