News and press releases

The SMM recorded more ceasefire violations in Donetsk region between the evenings of 6 and 7 October compared with the previous reporting period. Between the evenings of 7 and 8 October the Mission recorded fewer ceasefire violations in Donetsk region compared with the previous 24 hours. In Luhansk region the SMM recorded more ceasefire violations between the evenings of 6 and 7 October compared with the previous reporting period and more between 7 and 8 October compared with the previous 24 hours. The Mission saw damage from gunfire to a residential building in Dokuchaievsk. The SMM continued monitoring the disengagement areas near Stanytsia Luhanska, Zolote and Petrivske and recorded ceasefire violations inside the Stanytsia Luhanska disengagement area. Its access remained restricted in all three areas and elsewhere, including in Siedove near the border with the Russian Federation.* The Mission saw weapons in violation of withdrawal lines near Zaichenko and Uzhivka. It visited two border areas not under government control. The SMM monitored a gathering in Lviv where a concert was cancelled...

The SMM recorded fewer ceasefire violations in both Donetsk and Luhansk regions – including, however, more explosions in Donetsk region – compared with the previous reporting period. The Mission continued monitoring the disengagement areas; its access remained restricted in the three areas and elsewhere, including near Verkhnoshyrokivske.* The SMM facilitated and monitored repairs and maintenance to essential infrastructure near Shchastia, Zolote, Artema and Druzhba. The Mission visited a border area not under government control. In Kyiv, the SMM again observed a protest in relation to legislation concerning local governance and reintegration of areas outside of government control in Donetsk and Luhansk regions...

VIENNA, 7 October 2017 – On the eleventh anniversary of the killing of Novaya gazeta journalist Anna Politkovskaya,OSCE Representative on Freedom of the Media, Harlem Désir, urged the Russian authorities to make more efforts to end impunity for crimes committed against journalists...

The SMM recorded more ceasefire violations in Donetsk and Luhansk regions compared with the previous reporting period. It followed up on reports of civilian casualties near Betmanove. The Mission facilitated the handover of possible human remains and debris from Malaysia Airlines flight MH17. The Mission continued monitoring the disengagement areas near Stanytsia Luhanska and Zolote and observed ceasefire violations near but outside both, except for one shot which could not be assessed as in- or outside these areas. Its access remained restricted in the disengagement areas and elsewhere, including Shchastia, and its camera near the Prince Ihor monument south of Stanytsia Luhanska was intentionally temporarily disabled. The SMM heard two explosions about 400m from the entry-exit checkpoint in Novotroitske. The Mission saw weapons in violation of withdrawal lines near Pavlopil, Zaichenko, and Verkhnoshyrokivske. It facilitated and monitored repairs and maintenance to essential infrastructure in Shchastia, Zolote, Artema, Novozvanivka, and Mykolaivka. In Kyiv, the SMM observed a protest in relation to legislation concerning local governance and reintegration of areas outside of government control in Donetsk and Luhansk regions...

A team of election experts from the OSCE Office for Democratic Institutions and Human Rights (ODIHR) visited The Hague from 4 to 6 October 2017 to present the  final report  of the ODIHR election assessment mission for the 15 March 2017 parliamentary elections in the Netherlands. The report’s

YEREVAN, 6 October 2017 – During his visit to Yerevan, OSCE Representative on Freedom of the Media Harlem Désir underlined the need to continue the fruitful co-operation between his office and Armenia to promote the freedom of the media...

The SMM recorded fewer ceasefire violations in Donetsk and Luhansk regions compared with the previous reporting period. The Mission continued monitoring the disengagement areas near Stanytsia Luhanska and Zolote and observed calm situations. Its access remained restricted in the disengagement areas and elsewhere, including near Siedove.* The Mission saw weapons in violation of withdrawal lines near Ternove. It facilitated and monitored the inspection of essential infrastructure in Stanytsia Luhanska. The SMM visited one border area not under government control...