News and press releases

The SMM recorded fewer ceasefire violations in Donetsk and Luhansk regions compared with the previous reporting period. The Mission assessed impact sites in residential areas in Dokuchaievsk, Luhanske and Horlivka. In Kalynove-Borshchuvate, the SMM observed damage to a power line caused by shelling. The SMM continued monitoring the disengagement areas near Stanytsia Luhanska, Zolote and Petrivske and recorded ceasefire violations inside the Petrivske disengagement area. Its access remained restricted in the disengagement areas and elsewhere.* The Ukrainian Armed Forces representative to the Joint Centre for Control and Co-ordination (JCCC) shared with the SMM a letter from the Russian Federation informing Ukraine about the Russian Federation’s intention to withdraw its Armed Forces officers from the JCCC. The SMM saw weapons in violation of withdrawal lines near Oleksandropil. The Mission followed up on the situation of civilians living in Travneve and Hladosove; it heard that electricity was supplied to Travneve and Hladosove and that the regular bus service between Travneve and Novoluhanske had resumed. The SMM facilitated and monitored repairs to a power line in Avdiivka and observed the completion of the repairs. It also facilitated and monitored repairs of essential infrastructure near Zalizne, Artema and Vesela Hora. The SMM visited a border area outside of government control.

VIENNA, 15 December 2017 – The United States’ Federal Communications Commission (FCC) decision of 14 December 2017 to repeal existing provisions ensuring “net neutrality” – the principle that Internet providers must treat all online traffic equally and without undue interference – threatens online media freedom according to a statement made by the OSCE Representative on Freedom of the Media Harlem Désir today. The FCC’s commissioners voted by three to two to dismantle existing rules which protect the “Open Internet” and prohibit blocking, throttling or paid prioritization of Internet content.

A panel discussion on migrant integration issues in Poland, hosted by the OSCE Office for Democratic Institutions and Human Rights (ODIHR), took place in Warsaw on 15 December 2017 in the run-up to the International Migrants Day on 18 December. The event enabled representatives of Polish national

International standards and best practices on the independence of the judiciary in the context of criminal justice are the focus of an OSCE-supported series of three two-day seminars that started in Dashoguz on 15 December 2017 and will be continued in Mary until 18 December. The concluding seminar will be held in January 2018 in Ashgabat.

BISHKEK, 15 December 2017- A six-day training course aimed at strengthening the capacity of government officials from the Kyrgyz Republic to disrupt the financing of terrorist networks, including practical sessions on how to use sanctions pursuant to UN Security Council Resolutions (UNSCR) 1267,1988,1989,2253,2255, 2368 was held from 10 to 15 December 2017 in Bishkek.

Effective mechanisms for responding to natural disasters and emergencies were the focus of a seminar organized by the OSCE for members of the State Commission for Emergency Situations of Turkmenistan and representatives of other relevant bodies held in Ashgabat on 14 and 15 December 2017.

A three-day training course organized by the OSCE Programme Office in Dushanbe on raising awareness of human trafficking and identifying and assisting victims concluded on 13 December 2017 in Dushanbe.