News and press releases

VIENNA, 15 February 2018 – The OSCE Representative on Freedom of the Media Harlem Désir today welcomed the decision of the Russian judicial authorities to release the Uzbek journalist Khudoberdi Nurmatov, also known under his penname Ali Feruz, a contributing journalist to Novaya Gazeta, and allow him to leave the country

The SMM recorded more ceasefire violations in Donetsk region and a similar number in Luhansk region compared with the previous reporting period. The SMM followed up on reports of a civilian casualty from Hranitne. The Mission continued monitoring the disengagement areas near Stanytsia Luhanska, Zolote and Petrivske; it recorded ceasefire violations near the Petrivske and Zolote disengagement areas. Its access remained restricted in all three areas and elsewhere, including in Siedove, an area near the border with the Russian Federation, in Manhush and near Donetsk city’s Kirovskyi district.* The Mission observed weapons in violation of withdrawal lines near Donetsk city’s Kirovskyi district. The SMM continued to facilitate and monitor repairs and maintenance works to a pumping station near Artema and a dam near Nelipivka. The Mission visited a border area not under government control.

The SMM recorded a similar number of ceasefire violations in Donetsk region and more in Luhansk region compared with the previous reporting period. The Mission continued monitoring the disengagement areas near Stanytsia Luhanska, Zolote and Petrivske; it observed a calm situation in all three. Its access remained restricted in all three areas and elsewhere, including in Kozatske, Voznesenivka and at two permanent storage sites and a heavy weapons holding area in non-government-controlled areas.* The Mission observed weapons in violation of withdrawal lines in Mariupol. The SMM continued to facilitate and monitor repairs to essential infrastructure near Krasnyi Lyman, Raivka and Artema. The Mission visited three border areas not under government control. The SMM observed gatherings in Kyiv and Odessa.

TIRANA, 13 February 2018 – The OSCE Representative on Freedom of the Media, Harlem Désir, concluded a two-day visit to Albania. During his visit, Désir met with Prime Minister Edi Rama, Minister for Europe and Foreign Affairs Ditmir Bushati, Chair and Deputy Chair of the Parliamentary Media Committee and media actors in the country.

The SMM recorded more ceasefire violations in both Donetsk and Luhansk regions between the evenings of 9 and 10 February compared with the previous reporting period. The SMM recorded fewer ceasefire violations in both Donetsk and Luhansk regions between the evenings of 10 and 11 February compared with the previous 24 hours. Small arms were again fired near an SMM patrol and toward an SMM unmanned aerial vehicle (UAV).The Mission continued monitoring the disengagement areas near Stanytsia Luhanska, Zolote and Petrivske; it observed a calm situation in all three. Its access remained restricted in all three areas and elsewhere, including in Siedove near the border with the Russian Federation and in Styla.* The Mission observed weapons in violation of withdrawal lines in Styla and Donetsk city. The SMM continued to facilitate and monitor repairs to essential infrastructure near Pervomaisk. The Mission visited two border areas not under government control.

The SMM recorded fewer ceasefire violations in Donetsk and in Luhansk region compared with the previous reporting period. Small arms were fired near SMM patrols near Verkhnoshyrokivske and Vidrodzhennia and toward an SMM mini unmanned aerial vehicle (UAV) near Pervomaiske. The Mission continued monitoring the disengagement areas near Stanytsia Luhanska, Zolote and Petrivske; it observed a calm situation in all three areas. The Mission’s access remained restricted there and elsewhere, including in Samiilove and at a heavy weapons holding area in a non-government-controlled area.* The SMM continued to facilitate and monitor repairs to essential infrastructure near Artema and Pervomaisk. The Mission visited a border area not under government control. The SMM followed up on the situation of internally displaced persons in Pokrovske. In Kyiv, the SMM monitored two gatherings...

The SMM recorded more ceasefire violations in Donetsk region and fewer in Luhansk region compared with the previous reporting period. In Svitlodarsk, the SMM recorded widespread use of multiple launch rocket systems. The Mission continued monitoring the disengagement areas near Stanytsia Luhanska, Zolote and Petrivske; it observed a calm situation in all three. The Mission’s access remained restricted there and elsewhere, including near Kreminets. The SMM observed weapons in violation of withdrawal lines in Topolyne and near Oleksandropil. In Novooleksandrivka, the SMM saw a Ukrainian Armed Forces checkpoint for the first time. The Mission saw large numbers of anti-tank mines for the first time near Shyrokyne. The SMM continued to facilitate and monitor repairs and maintenance works on essential infrastructure near Artema and Krasnyi Lyman. The Mission visited three border areas not under government control. In Kyiv, the SMM followed up on reports of a raid and seizure of assets of a media company, and in Kherson, the SMM monitored a gathering...