News and press releases

The SMM recorded fewer ceasefire violations in Donetsk and Luhansk regions between the evenings of 15 and 16 September compared with the previous reporting period. Between the evenings of 16 and 17 September, the Mission recorded fewer ceasefire violations in Donetsk and more in Luhansk regions compared with the previous 24 hours. The Mission followed up on reports of a civilian casualty and observed damage to residences in Donetsk. The Mission continued monitoring the disengagement areas near Stanytsia Luhanska, Zolote and Petrivske and recorded ceasefire violations inside the Zolote disengagement area. Its access remained restricted in all three areas and elsewhere, including in non-government-controlled Novoazovsk near the border with the Russian Federation.* The Mission saw two tanks in violation of withdrawal lines near government-controlled Heivka. The SMM visited a border area not under government control in Luhansk region. The Mission monitored the situation in Odessa following reports of a fire at a children’s camp.

The SMM recorded fewer ceasefire violations in Donetsk region and more in Luhansk region compared with the previous reporting period. The Mission continued monitoring the disengagement areas and heard ceasefire violations inside the Zolote disengagement area. Its access remained restricted in the three disengagement areas and elsewhere.* The SMM observed weapons in violation of withdrawal lines near Shchastia. The Mission saw for the first time mine hazard signs near Olenivka. It facilitated and monitored repairs and maintenance of essential infrastructure near Shchastia and Zolote. The SMM continued to monitor the situation of civilians at checkpoints and heard about long delays in Horlivka. The Mission monitored a gathering in Odessa.

VIENNA, 15 September 2017 – “I welcome the decision of the court to release Loup Bureau from prison,” said OSCE Representative on Freedom of the Media Harlem Désir, commenting the discharge of the French journalist from jail in Turkey today. “The next step is to drop all charges. Journalistic work should not be criminalized,” the Representative said.

The SMM recorded more ceasefire violations in both Donetsk and Luhansk regions compared with the previous reporting period. The Mission continued monitoring the disengagement areas, where it observed calm situations. Its access remained restricted in the three disengagement areas and elsewhere.* The SMM observed weapons in violation of withdrawal lines in areas outside government control near Nikishyne and Kalynivka. It observed demining activity near Nikishyne. The SMM facilitated and monitored repairs and maintenance of essential infrastructure in Shchastia, Zolote and Stanytsia Luhanska. It continued to monitor the situation of schools near the contact line on both sides.

VIENNA, 15 September 2017 – All tracks of diplomacy – official discussions, informal dialogue, and people-to-people contact – are needed to build the trust needed for long-term peace, OSCE Parliamentary Assembly President Christine Muttonen (MP, Austria) said today at an event in Vienna. Parliamentarians are in a unique position to facilitate dialogue, she said, noting that OSCE PA meetings often provide opportunities for informal conversations, and that through their diplomatic efforts, parliamentarians can establish important lines of communication for confidence-building...

COPENHAGEN, 15 September 2017 – Celebrating today’s International Day of Democracy, being observed this year under the theme “Democracy and Conflict Prevention,” the leadership of the OSCE Parliamentary Assembly’s Committee on Democracy, Human Rights and Humanitarian Questions said that democratic institutions must be strengthened throughout the OSCE area to prevent conflict and promote peace and stability.

The SMM recorded more ceasefire violations in Donetsk and Luhansk regions compared with the previous reporting period. The Mission continued monitoring the disengagement areas and recorded ceasefire violations near the Stanytsia Luhanska and Zolote disengagement areas. Its access remained restricted in the three disengagement areas and elsewhere, including in Olenivka, Kreminets and Novoamvrosiivske.* The SMM observed weapons in violation of withdrawal lines near non-government-controlled Ternove, Buhaivka, Novoamvrosiivske and Shymshynivka. The Mission saw three convoys of amphibious-crossing equipment and vehicles travelling north near Luhansk city. It facilitated and monitored repairs and maintenance of essential infrastructure in Shchastia and Popasna. The SMM continued to monitor the situation of schools near the contact line on both sides. The Mission visited three border areas not under government control. In Odessa the SMM followed up on a report of an assault on a political party official...