News and press releases

Summary In Donetsk region, the SMM recorded 1,463 ceasefire violations, including 142 explosions. In the previous reporting period, it recorded 815 ceasefire violations in the region. In Luhansk region, the Mission recorded 161 ceasefire violations, including 97 explosions. In the previous

The OSCE Centre in Ashgabat conducted an online lecture series to support the education of future diplomats in Turkmenistan, which concluded today in Ashgabat.

Forensic science plays an increasingly larger role in criminal investigations. Joint forensic work on projects and cases with a regional character are crucial in combating organized crime. This was the conclusion of the sixth annual regional meeting of forensic centres, held in hybrid format, in Podgorica on 9 and 10 December 2021.

Ensuring protection and promotion of rights of persons with disabilities was the focus of an OSCE supported online roundtable discussion concluded on 3 December 2021. The aim was to discuss issues related to the implementation of the Convention on the Rights of Persons with Disabilities (UN CRPD) in Kazakhstan.

A five-day OSCE-supported training course on internet investigations and open source intelligence gathering (OSINT) for criminal justice practitioners from the five Central Asian OSCE participating States concluded on 10 December 2021.

Five representatives from the Republic of Armenia’s police and Armenia’s Deputy Minister of Justice Kristin Grigoryan participated in a two-and-a-half day study visit, organized by the OSCE Strategic Police Matters Unit and hosted by the Swedish Police Authority, Police Region Stockholm.

WASHINGTON/ANKARA/VIENNA,10 DECEMBER 2021- As we mark International Human Rights Day, much of the world is still reeling from the COVID-19 pandemic. A new variant and increased cases have led many OSCE participating States to reimpose restrictions reminiscent of the conditions under which we commemorated this important anniversary a year ago. The pandemic has exacerbated our task of preserving and defending human rights around the world. It has further widened the political and partisan divides and fueled conspiracy theories that target minorities and persons in vulnerable situations. Some nations, while citing the necessity of measures to control the spread of the virus, have used it as a pretext for disproportionate security responses and repressive measures that undermine human rights, including the freedom of religion or belief.