News and press releases

COPENHAGEN, 13 August 2015 – The Chair of the OSCE Parliamentary Assembly's Committee on Democracy, Human Rights and Humanitarian Questions, Isabel Santos (MP, Portugal), today condemned the sentencing of Azerbaijani rights activist Leyla Yunus and her husband, Arif, to lengthy prison terms and called on authorities to urgently begin respecting their OSCE commitments in the spheres of human rights and civil liberties...

The SMM monitored the implementation of the “Package of measures for the implementation of the Minsk agreements”. Its monitoring was restricted by the parties – with its UAV experiencing severe jamming – and security considerations. Ceasefire violations were recorded in numerous locations, especially at and around Donetsk airport...

The SMM monitored the implementation of the “Package of measures for the implementation of the Minsk agreements”. Its monitoring was restricted by the parties and security considerations*. The SMM observed an increase in ceasefire violations at and around Donetsk airport and in the general area of Starohnativka. In the Luhansk region, the SMM observed sporadic ceasefire violations and conducted crater analysis in several locations. The SMM facilitated ceasefires, which enabled the continuation of water pipeline repairs in the Donetsk region, and the works were successfully completed in one area.

KAMENSK-SHAKHTINSKIY, Russian Federation- The Observer Mission (OM) continues to operate 24/7 at both Border Crossing Points (BCPs). The overall cross-border traffic slightly increased at both BCPs...

VIENNA, 12 August 2015 – OSCE Representative on Freedom of the Media Dunja Mijatović today called on the authorities in Turkmenistan to release journalist Saparmamed Nepeskuliev...

PODGORICA, 12 August 2015- Strengthening mechanisms for implementing gender equality at the local level was the focus of a seminar organized in Podgorica by the OSCE Mission to Montenegro on Tuesday. The seminar follows a Memorandum of Understanding signed last November 2014 by the Capital City’s authorities, the Ministry for Human and Minority Rights and the Mission on implementing gender equality...

The SMM monitored the implementation of the “Package of measures for the implementation of the Minsk agreements”. Its monitoring was restricted by the parties and security considerations*. The overall situation at and around Donetsk airport remained tense. The SMM observed a significant increase in ceasefire violations in areas east and north of Mariupol, particularly in the wider area of Starohnativka...