News and press releases

An OSCE-supported five-day training seminar for law-enforcement press officers concluded on 10 February 2017 in Astana...

An informal discussion on how to enable youth with disabilities to take an active part in political and public life was hosted by the OSCE Office for Democratic Institutions and Human Rights (ODIHR) in Warsaw on 9 February 2017. The event gathered some 30 participants, including young politicians

The SMM recorded a similar number of ceasefire violations in both Donetsk and Luhansk regions as in the previous reporting period, mostly in areas north of Donetsk and west of Luhansk. The SMM camera in Stanytsia Luhanska recorded ceasefire violations inside the disengagement area on the night of 3-4 February, while the situation remained calm there from 5 to 7 February. The Mission monitored the situation of civilians close to the contact line and at entry-exit checkpoints. The SMM continued monitoring the disengagement areas in Stanytsia Luhanska, Zolote and Petrivske but its access remained restricted.* The SMM lost communication with a mini unmanned aerial vehicle near Chernenko.* The Mission visited four border areas currently not under the control of the Government. The blockade of a railway track in Hirske continued...

The SMM recorded a similar number of ceasefire violations in Donetsk region and more in Luhansk region compared with the previous 24-hour period. The SMM and the Joint Centre for Control and Co-ordination (JCCC) facilitated repair of power supply to the Donetsk Water Filtration station and Avdiivka, which restored water, electricity and heating in the town. The Mission confirmed a report of a civilian fatality in Kurdiumivka and observed damage caused by shelling in Pikuzy, Donetsk and Novooleksandrivka. The SMM observed weapons in violation of withdrawal lines on both sides of the contact line. The Mission continued monitoring the disengagement areas in Stanytsia Luhanska, Zolote and Petrivske but its access remained restricted.* The Mission followed up on the relocation of civilians from Avdiivka. The SMM visited three border areas currently not under control of the Government. The blockade of a railway track in Hirske continued.

WARSAW, 8 February 2017 – Michael Georg Link, Director of the OSCE Office for Democratic Institutions and Human Rights (ODIHR), today expressed concern over the conviction by a Kirov court of Russian opposition politician Alexei Navalny on charges of embezzlement...

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 decreased at both BCPs...

KYIV, 7 February 2017- I welcome that as of today, fighting in the area of Avdiivka – Yasinuvata has significantly decreased.