News and press releases

The SMM recorded more ceasefire violations in Donetsk region and a similar number in Luhansk region compared with the previous reporting period. The SMM followed up on reports of a civilian casualty from Hranitne. The Mission continued monitoring the disengagement areas near Stanytsia Luhanska, Zolote and Petrivske; it recorded ceasefire violations near the Petrivske and Zolote disengagement areas. Its access remained restricted in all three areas and elsewhere, including in Siedove, an area near the border with the Russian Federation, in Manhush and near Donetsk city’s Kirovskyi district.* The Mission observed weapons in violation of withdrawal lines near Donetsk city’s Kirovskyi district. The SMM continued to facilitate and monitor repairs and maintenance works to a pumping station near Artema and a dam near Nelipivka. The Mission visited a border area not under government control.

A training course designed to improve co-operation between police officers and prosecutors in addressing hate crimes in Bulgaria was organized by the OSCE Office for Democratic Institutions and Human Rights (ODIHR) in the city of Veliko Tarnovo on 13 and 14 February 2018. Twenty-five police

The Interior Minister of Tajikistan, Colonel General Rahimzoda Ramazon Hamro, addressed the OSCE participating States in the Hofburg Conference Centre, Vienna, on 12 February 2018. Interior Minister Rahimzoda was invited by the Secretary General Thomas Greminger and the Spanish Chair of the Security Committee, Ambassador Victoria Gonzalez Roman, to open this year’s first session of the Security Committee.

Kamensk-Shakhtinskiy, Russian Federation. The Observer Mission (OM) continues to operate 24/7 at both Border Crossing Points (BCPs). The overall number of border crossings by persons increased at both BCPs compared to the previous week.

The SMM recorded a similar number of ceasefire violations in Donetsk region and more in Luhansk region compared with the previous reporting period. The Mission continued monitoring the disengagement areas near Stanytsia Luhanska, Zolote and Petrivske; it observed a calm situation in all three. Its access remained restricted in all three areas and elsewhere, including in Kozatske, Voznesenivka and at two permanent storage sites and a heavy weapons holding area in non-government-controlled areas.* The Mission observed weapons in violation of withdrawal lines in Mariupol. The SMM continued to facilitate and monitor repairs to essential infrastructure near Krasnyi Lyman, Raivka and Artema. The Mission visited three border areas not under government control. The SMM observed gatherings in Kyiv and Odessa.

TIRANA, 13 February 2018 – The OSCE Representative on Freedom of the Media, Harlem Désir, concluded a two-day visit to Albania. During his visit, Désir met with Prime Minister Edi Rama, Minister for Europe and Foreign Affairs Ditmir Bushati, Chair and Deputy Chair of the Parliamentary Media Committee and media actors in the country.

The work to repair the damaged roof of the Plemetin/Plemetina social housing building, home to 180 Roma and Ashkali community members, concluded on 29 January 2018. The repair was made possible with financial support from Caritas Luxembourg, the OSCE Mission in Kosovo, the Embassy of Luxembourg and the municipality of Obiliq/Obilić.