News and press releases
News and press releases from the OSCE's global activities.
Spot Report by the Special Monitoring Mission to Ukraine: Men in military-style clothing point heavy machine-gun at SMM patrol near Verkhnoshyrokivske
Publishing date: 25 October 2017
An SMM patrol comprising two armoured vehicles and six members were stopped by armed men at a checkpoint near “DPR”-controlled Verkhnoshyrokivske (formerly Oktiabr, 29km north-east of Mariupol) at 09:57.
Latest from the OSCE Special Monitoring Mission to Ukraine (SMM), based on information received as of 19:30, 24 October 2017
Publishing date: 25 October 2017
The SMM recorded more ceasefire violations both in Donetsk and Luhansk regions compared with the previous reporting period. The Mission followed up on reports of a man in Donetsk city injured by the explosion of an explosive device while handling it. The SMM continued monitoring all three disengagement areas and recorded ceasefire violations near the Zolote disengagement area. Its access remained restricted in all three disengagement areas and elsewhere, including near Khrustalnyi. The SMM saw weapons in violation of withdrawal lines in Kostiantynivka and Tsukuryne. The Mission facilitated and monitored repairs and maintenance to the thermal power plant in Shchastia, a water pumping station near Artema and a water pipeline between Olenivka and Dokuchaievsk. In Kyiv, the SMM monitored the security situation at a court and an ongoing gathering in front of the national Parliament building.
OSCE parliamentarians explore responses to migration at OSCE Mediterranean Conference in Palermo, conduct fact-finding visit to Rome and Bolzano
Publishing date: 25 October 2017
ROME, 25 October 2017 – Senior members of the OSCE Parliamentary Assembly are in Italy this week exploring challenges, exchanging experiences and assessing strategies related to developing a comprehensive response to large movements of migrants and refugees in the Mediterranean.
Weekly Update from the OSCE Observer Mission at Russian Checkpoints Gukovo and Donetsk based on information as of 24 October 2017
Publishing date: 25 October 2017
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.
Police violence against journalists covering protests in Kyiv unacceptable, says OSCE Representative on Freedom of the Media Harlem Désir
Publishing date: 25 October 2017
VIENNA, 25 October 2017 –The physical attacks by riot police officers on three journalists who were covering protests in and outside a court house in Kyiv yesterday, were condemned by the OSCE Representative on Freedom of the Media Harlem Désir.
OSCE Mission to Moldova builds capacity of authorities to address human trafficking for purposes of labour exploitation
Publishing date: 25 October 2017
From 23 to 25 October, representatives of key Moldovan government authorities participated in an OSCE-organized study visit to Brussels to learn from representatives of Belgian institutions how they address irregular migration and labour cases that can become human trafficking.
OSCE and National Guard of Kyrgyzstan: join efforts to enhance security of energy infrastructure of Kyrgyzstan
Publishing date: 25 October 2017
The OSCE Programme Office in Bishkek handed over video surveillance equipment to the National Guard of the Armed Forces of Kyrgyzstan to enhance the security of the country’s strategic energy facilities, the Tash-Kumyr and Kurpsai hydroelectric power stations on 20 October 2017 in Bishkek. The stations are part of Kyrgyzstan’s largest Naryn hydropower plant cascade...