News and press releases

The SMM observed a lower level of violence in Donetsk region and more ceasefire violations in Luhansk region compared with the previous day. The Mission continued to monitor the withdrawal of heavy weapons; it noted also armoured combat vehicles and other hardware in the security zone. Armed “DPR” members continue to keep the power supply to the SMM’s repeater in Donetsk city disconnected.* The Mission could neither locate nor recover any debris at the presumed crash site of an SMM unmanned aerial vehicle (UAV) in Korsun.

VIENNA, 3 June 2016 – In his address to the OSCE Permanent Council in Vienna yesterday, Georgia’s Foreign Minister Mikheil Janelidze reiterated his country’s firm commitment to OSCE’s confidence-building measures in the face of security challenges in Europe and its efforts to tackle transnational threats.

BISHKEK, 3 June 2016 – Wrapping up a two-day visit to Kyrgyzstan, which has included meetings with the Speaker of the Parliament, the Minister of Foreign Affairs, and officials at the OSCE Centre in Bishkek, Special Representative for Central and Eastern Asia and Vice-President of the OSCE Parliamentary Assembly Christine Muttonen spoke to students today at the OSCE Academy in Bishkek on conflict prevention and peace-building, noting the strengths of the OSCE’s approach, as well as areas for improvement...

BERLIN, 3 June 2016 – Some 20 OSCE parliamentarians were in Berlin this week for an OSCE Code of Conduct conference focused on strengthening parliamentary control of the security sector. The event, which took place 2-3 June, highlighted the important role that parliaments play in both the oversight of armed forces and in increasing the level of political support for the OSCE Code of Conduct on Politico-Military Aspects, particularly in the context of emerging security challenges...

The SMM observed more ceasefire violations in Donetsk region and fewer ceasefire violations in Luhansk region compared with the previous day. The Mission continued to monitor the withdrawal of weapons and noted heavy weapons in violation of withdrawal lines. The SMM also noted armoured combat vehicles in the security zone. The Mission’s freedom of movement was restricted several times, mostly in areas not controlled by the Government, including once at the border. An SMM mini UAV crashed south of Stanytsia Luhanska bridge, and the SMM lost all communication with its long-range UAV while it was flying over “DPR” controlled areas.* The Mission observed several peaceful protests in Kyiv...

VIENNA, 3 June 2016 – OSCE Representative on Freedom of the Media Dunja Mijatović today said the recent acts of police violence toward journalists covering demonstrations in France are disturbing, and needs to be addressed...

Recognizing, investigating and prosecuting hate crime against people with disabilities was the focus of a workshop for police officers and prosecutors from Croatia, organized by the OSCE Office for Democratic Institutions and Human Rights (ODIHR) in co-operation with the European Network for Independent Living (ENIL) and the Office of the Croatian Ombudsman for Persons with Disabilities, held in Zagreb on 2-3 June 2016.