News and press releases

VIENNA, 22 April 2016 – OSCE Representative on Freedom of the Media Dunja Mijatović today said that recent legislative steps in Ukraine could limit the free flow of information...

The final report by the OSCE Office for Democratic Institutions and Human Rights (ODIHR) on the 5 March 2016 parliamentary elections in Slovakia notes that the legal framework was amended, resulting in a number of improvements. It recommends, however, that limitations on the right to stand for election should be reviewed and that citizens should be allowed to run as independent candidates to ensure full compliance with OSCE commitments. The report recommends introducing provisions prohibiting the misuse of administrative resources.

The SMM recorded a similar number of ceasefire violations in Donetsk region compared to the previous day. In Luhansk region, fewer ceasefire violations were recorded in comparison to the previous day. The Mission noted a significant number of weapons in Luhansk city, in violation of withdrawal lines, while other weapons were missing from holding areas. It analysed craters in an area close to the contact line. The SMM spoke to the head of the Bakhmut (formerly Artemivsk) regional administration regarding the presence of unmarked graves...

PODGORICA / VIENNA, 21 April 2016 – A new Code of ethics for journalists in Montenegro was launched today in Podgorica by the Office of the OSCE Representative on Freedom of the Media, the OSCE Mission to Montenegro, the Council of Europe, the Media Council for Self-Regulation (MCSR), and local publications Vijesti, Dan and Monitor...

The SMM recorded a lower level of violence in Donetsk region compared to the previous reporting period. It noted weapons in violation of withdrawal lines and others absent from storage sites. The SMM observed long queues at checkpoints along the contact line. The Mission attempted to monitor in border areas outside government control but was repeatedly prevented from doing so. The SMM’s freedom of movement was restricted further in areas not controlled by the Government...

WARSAW, 19 April 2016 – The OSCE Chairperson-in-Office, German Foreign Minister Frank Walter Steinmeier, today visited the headquarters of the OSCE Office for Democratic Institutions and Human Rights (ODIHR), in the context of the 25th anniversary of the establishment of the Office...

The SMM recorded a higher level of violence in Donetsk and Luhansk regions compared with both 16 and 17 April. The Mission followed up on allegations of shelling in areas near the contact line. It noted weapons in violation of withdrawal lines and others absent from storage sites. The SMM facilitated and monitored adherence to the ceasefire to enable repairs to essential infrastructure. It observed long queues at checkpoints along the contact line. The Mission monitored one border area outside government control and was denied access to another. The SMM’s freedom of movement was restricted further in areas not controlled by the Government, including access to a site known as a heavy weapons holding area. The SMM was threatened by armed men in areas outside of Government control...