News and press releases

VIENNA, 16 May 2019 – The OSCE Representative on Freedom of the Media, Harlem Désir, shared a legal review with the Minister of Information Society and Administration of North Macedonia, Damjan Mancevski, on the latest amendments to the Law on Audio and Audio-visual Media Services...

Compared with the previous reporting period, the SMM recorded more ceasefire violations in both Donetsk and Luhansk regions. The SMM heard outgoing fire close to its position near the Donetsk Filtration Station. Small-arms fire was directed at an SMM mini-unmanned aerial vehicle near non-government-controlled Bila Kamianka. The Mission observed weapons in violation of withdrawal lines in non-government-controlled areas of Luhansk region. It spotted anti-tank mines for the first time between Krasnohorivka and Staromykhailivka. The SMM facilitated and monitored adherence to the ceasefire to enable repairs to, and the operation of, critical civilian infrastructure. Restrictions of the SMM’s access continued in all three disengagement areas and elsewhere. The Mission’s freedom of movement was also restricted at a non-government-controlled checkpoint near Bezimenne in southern Donetsk region...

Compared with the previous reporting period, the SMM recorded more ceasefire violations in Donetsk region and fewer in Luhansk region. Small-arms fire was directed at an SMM mini-unmanned aerial vehicle near non-government-controlled Pervomaiske. The Mission saw fresh damage to civilian properties from small-arms fire and shelling in non-government-controlled Zolote-5/Mykhailivka and Dokuchaievsk. The Mission observed weapons in violation of withdrawal lines in government-controlled areas of Donetsk region. Anti-tank mines were spotted by the Mission for the first time near Prychepylivka and Vodiane. The SMM facilitated and monitored adherence to the ceasefire to enable repairs to and the operation of critical civilian infrastructure. Restrictions of the SMM’s access continued in all three disengagement areas and elsewhere. The Mission’s freedom of movement was also restricted at a non-government-controlled checkpoint near Verkhnoshyrokivske in Donetsk region, as well as at a heavy weapon holding area in non-government-controlled areas of Luhansk region...

VIENNA, 15 May 2019 – The OSCE Representative on Freedom of the Media Harlem Désir today welcomed the restored access to multiple internet-based media in Uzbekistan, after more than ten years of intermittent blocking.

Compared with the previous 24 hours, the SMM recorded fewer ceasefire violations in both Donetsk and Luhansk regions. The Mission saw damage to civilian properties from shelling in non-government-controlled Zolote-5/Mykhailivka. Small-arms fire was directed at an SMM mini-unmanned aerial vehicle near Zolote-5/Mykhailivka. The Mission observed weapons in violation of withdrawal lines on both sides of the contact line. The SMM facilitated and monitored adherence to the ceasefire to enable repairs to and the operation of critical civilian infrastructure. Restrictions of the SMM’s access continued in all three disengagement areas. The Mission’s freedom of movement was also restricted near non-government-controlled Zaichenko, as well as at a non-government-controlled border crossing point near Izvaryne...

This report is for the media and the general public. Summary Compared with the previous reporting period, between the evenings of 10 and 11 May, the SMM recorded fewer ceasefire violations in both Donetsk and Luhansk regions. Between the evenings of 11 and 12 May, the SMM recorded more ceasefire

The Netherlands chaired its first meeting of the OSCE Structured Dialogue with representatives of capitals on 6 and 7 May 2019, bringing together political and military representatives from across the OSCE region to Vienna for a combined session of the Informal Working Group (IWG) of the Structured Dialogue in Capital Format and an Expert-Level Workshop. The discussions were chaired by Ambassador Jeroen Boender, Permanent Representative of the Netherlands to the OSCE...