News and press releases

VIENNA, 24 January 2017 – The OSCE Representative on Freedom of the Media Dunja Mijatović today called the United States’ authorities to ensure that constitutional and international legal protections on freedom of the press are upheld in the case of two journalists who were arrested while covering the protests around the inauguration of Donald Trump on 20 January in Washington D.C...

In both Donetsk and Luhansk regions the SMM recorded more ceasefire violations between the evenings of 22 and 23 January compared with the previous 24 hours. The Mission observed an impact site and damage to civilian houses from gunfire in Dovhe. The SMM continued monitoring the three disengagement areas in Stanytsia Luhanska, Zolote and Petrivske but its access remained restricted.* Video footage from the SMM camera in Stanytsia Luhanska revealed ceasefire violations inside the disengagement area on 21 and 22 January. The Mission continued to monitor weapons withdrawal and observed weapons in violation of their respective withdrawal lines. It observed reinforcement of positions on both sides of the contact line near Dolomitne and noted civilian concerns about the effects of fighting in the area. The SMM facilitated and monitored repairs to infrastructure in Artema, Krasnyi Lyman and Popasna. It visited three border areas currently outside of government control. In various cities, the Mission monitored gatherings marking Ukrainian Unity Day...

VIENNA, 24 January 2017 – Following the latest Report of the Chief Monitor of the Special Monitoring Mission to the OSCE Permanent Council, the Representative on Freedom of the Media Dunja Mijatović today condemned the continued deterioration of media freedom and safety of journalists in conflict-affected parts of Ukraine...

In Donetsk region the SMM recorded a similar number of ceasefire violations between the evenings of 20 and 21 January and the previous reporting period, and more from the evenings of 21 to 22 January. The Mission recorded fewer ceasefire violations in Luhansk region from the evening of 20 to 21 January compared with the previous reporting period and more from the evenings of 21 to 22 January. The SMM observed damage caused by shelling to an apartment building in Yasynuvata. The SMM continued monitoring the three disengagement areas in Stanytsia Luhanska, Zolote and Petrivske but its access remained restricted...

The SMM recorded a similar number of ceasefire violations in Donetsk and Luhansk regions to those recorded in the previous reporting period. The Mission followed up on reports of a civilian casualty in Olenivka, and observed damage caused by shelling in Novoselivka. The SMM continued monitoring the three disengagement areas in Stanytsia Luhanska, Zolote and Petrivske but its access remained restricted.* In Lopaskyne, the SMM was denied access by Ukrainian Armed Forces personnel waving a gun; and in Pikuzy the SMM could not proceed as “DPR” members did not remove mines despite the presence of Russian Federation Armed Forces Major-General of the Joint Centre for Control and Co-ordination.The Mission continued to monitor weapons’ withdrawal. The Mission facilitated and monitored repairs of essential infrastructure in Orikhove, Krasnyi Lyman and in Slovianoserbsk. The SMM observed a demonstration in Kyiv...

The SMM recorded fewer ceasefire violations in Donetsk region compared with the previous reporting period. In Luhansk region the SMM observed more explosions, but all were assessed as part of live-fire exercises outside the security zone. The SMM continued monitoring the three disengagement areas in Stanytsia Luhanska, Zolote and Petrivske but its access remained restricted.* Beyond the disengagement areas, Ukrainian Armed Forces denied SMM access near Pikuzy.* The Mission observed weapons missing from permanent storage sites. The SMM monitored the situation of civilians at entry-exit checkpoints. The Mission monitored adherence to the ceasefire to enable demining activities in Lobacheve and Peredilske (Luhansk region), and repairs to water pipelines in Zolote. The SMM visited one border area currently outside of government control. The SMM continued to monitor the situation along the administrative boundary line between mainland and Crimea.

The SMM recorded more ceasefire violations in both Donetsk and Luhansk regions compared with the previous reporting period. The Mission confirmed a civilian casualty in Zolote and observed damage from small-arms fire and shelling in Orlivske and Raivka. The SMM continued monitoring the three disengagement areas in Stanytsia Luhanska, Zolote and Petrivske but its access remained restricted. The Mission observed weapons in violation of withdrawal lines on both sides of the contact line. The SMM visited one border area currently outside of government control. The SMM monitored the situation of internally displaced persons in Odessa and Zaporizhzhia regions...