News and press releases

VIENNA, 5 December 2017- The OSCE Representative on Freedom of the Media Harlem Désir today expressed concern about the proposal by the United States’ Federal Communications Commission (FCC) to repeal existing provisions ensuring net neutrality, the principle that Internet providers must treat all online traffic equally and without undue interference. As a result of the plan, announced by FCC chairperson Ajit Pai on 21 November, internet service providers would be able to charge more for certain content and restrict access to some sites...

The OSCE Office for Democratic Institutions and Human Rights (OSCE/ODIHR) released its final report on Norway’s 11 September parliamentary elections on 4 December 2017. The report notes that the election administration operated efficiently and enjoyed high public confidence. Last-minute regulations

KAMENSK-SHAKHTINSKIYM, 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 compared to the previous week.

The SMM recorded a five-fold increase in ceasefire violations in Donetsk region between the evenings of 1 and 2 December – including a sharp increase in the number of explosions – compared with the previous reporting period, and fewer ceasefire violations between the evenings of 2 and 3 December compared with the previous 24 hours. In Luhansk region, the SMM recorded more ceasefire violations, including more explosions, between the evenings of 1 and 2 December compared with the previous reporting period and more between the evenings of 2 and 3 December compared with the previous 24 hours. The Mission continued monitoring the disengagement areas near Stanytsia Luhanska, Zolote and Petrivske; it recorded ceasefire violations inside the Stanytsia Luhanska disengagement area. Its access remained restricted in the disengagement areas and elsewhere, including near Kreminets, at a compound near Kostiantynivka, and at a heavy weapons holding area.* The SMM observed damage to civilian properties from shelling in residential areas in Marinka and Avdiivka. The Mission observed weapons in violation of withdrawal lines near Novooleksandrivka. The SMM visited six border areas not under government control. In Kyiv, the SMM monitored a large gathering and a blockade of a television station...

VIENNA, 4 December 2017 – OSCE Representative on Freedom of the Media Harlem Désir expressed concern today regarding the deliberate blocking of the entrance to the editorial office of the NewsOne television channel in Kyiv.

The OSCE Project Co-ordinator in Ukraine and the Council of Europe Office in Ukraine agreed on 4 December 2017 to strengthen co-operation and co-ordination in promoting the rule of law and human rights, critical for the stable and democratic future of the country...

The Kyrgyzstan-based Centre for Public Policy presented the results of its monitoring of the delivery of ten main public services on 1 December 2017 in Bishkek. The monitoring project, supported by the OSCE Programme Office in Bishkek, was conducted over a six-month period and aims at strengthening the capacity of local civil society organizations to monitor the delivery of public services and inform the local authorities about problems.