News and press releases
News and press releases from the OSCE's global activities.
Roma remain one of most vulnerable groups, continue to face difficult living conditions and discrimination in access to social protection, health, employment and adequate housing, as stated in reports by independent bodies
Publishing date: 8 April 2016
BELGRADE, 8 April 2016- On the occasion of International Roma Day, the Delegation of the European Union to Serbia, the United Nations Country Team in Serbia, the OSCE Mission to Serbia and the Council of Europe Office in Belgrade reaffirm our strong commitment to equality and non-discrimination...
OSCE/ODIHR shares trial monitoring expertise with NGO representatives from Eastern Europe and South Caucasus at training event in Ukraine
Publishing date: 8 April 2016
The fundamentals of trial monitoring were the focus of a training event organized by the OSCE Office for Democratic Institutions and Human Rights (ODIHR), in co-operation with the Educational Human Rights House, from 6 to 8 April 2016 in Chernihiv, Ukraine. Bringing together 26 lawyers representing
Aarhus Centres excel in community-based disaster risk reduction, concluded at OSCE-organized discussion in Vienna
Publishing date: 8 April 2016
VIENNA, 8 April 2016 – More than 60 representatives of Aarhus Centres, local authorities, state agencies for emergency situations, NGOs and international and regional organizations concluded in Vienna today a two-year project on community-based disaster risk reduction...
Spot Report by the OSCE Special Monitoring Mission to Ukraine (SMM): SMM vehicle hit by bullet, and SMM threatened at gunpoint in Smile
Publishing date: 7 April 2016
At 9:45hrs on 7 April, while an SMM patrol, comprised of four SMM members in two armoured vehicles, was 3.5km north-east of Snizhne (“DPR”-controlled, 72km east of Donetsk) near the administrative boundary between Donetsk and Luhansk regions, the driver of the front SMM vehicle heard the trunk window crackling. After stopping to inspect the vehicle, the SMM noted on the lower right part of the trunk window a hole, 5mm in diameter, assessed to be caused by a bullet...
Chief of the OSCE Special Monitoring Mission to Ukraine concerned by increased violence, calls for a sustained ceasefire
Publishing date: 7 April 2016
KYIV, 7 April 2016 – Ertugrul Apakan, Chief Monitor of the OSCE Special Monitoring Mission to Ukraine (SMM), expressed concern today regarding the highest level of ceasefire violations in the Donetsk region since the sides recommitted to the ceasefire in September 2015. He noted as particularly troubling the extremely high number of incidents involving the use of heavy weapons and mortars...
Latest from OSCE Special Monitoring Mission (SMM) to Ukraine, based on information received as of 19:30hrs, 6 April 2016
Publishing date: 7 April 2016
The SMM observed a slightly lower number of ceasefire violations in Donetsk region. In Luhansk region the situation remained relatively calm, with a low number of ceasefire violations recorded. The Mission continued to monitor the withdrawal of weapons, and facilitate and monitor repair works on the water supply system in Slovianoserbsk. The SMM followed up on a report of shelling in Kominternove. The Mission visited two border crossing points in areas not controlled by the Government. It encountered freedom of movement restrictions on both sides of the contact line*...
OSCE helps improve safety of movement for people and goods in conflict-affected areas of eastern Ukraine
Publishing date: 7 April 2016
SLOVIANSK, Ukraine, 7 April 2016 – The OSCE Project Co-ordinator in Ukraine, at a ceremony in Sloviansk, Donetsk region today, presented representatives of the Infrastructure Ministry’s State Special Transport Service with 15 sets of protective equipment, including vests and helmets, which are to be delivered to local deminers working along transport routes in the east of the country...