News and press releases
News and press releases from the OSCE's global activities.
Cyprus’ Foreign Minister stresses importance of Co-operation between Council of Europe and OSCE in challenging times
Publishing date: 26 January 2017
VIENNA, 25 January 2017 – “At a time when Europe is faced with protracted as well as newly emerging conflicts, and a number of serious threats to democracy, the co-operation and synergies between the OSCE and the Council of Europe are more crucial than ever”, stressed Cyprus Minister of Foreign Affairs and Chair of the Council of Europe Committee of Ministers Ioannis Kassoulides in his address to the OSCE Permanent Council.
Latest from the OSCE Special Monitoring Mission to Ukraine (SMM), based on information received as of 19:30, 24 January 2017
Publishing date: 25 January 2017
The SMM recorded a similar number of ceasefire violations in Donetsk region and fewer in Luhansk region compared with the previous reporting period. The SMM observed a civilian casualty in Holubivka, and impact sites and damage to civilian houses in Irmino, Popasna, and Stanytsia Luhanska. The SMM continued monitoring the three disengagement areas in Stanytsia Luhanska, Zolote and Petrivske but its access remained restricted.* For the first time in a year, the SMM could proceed north of road M03 between Debaltseve and Svitlodarsk. Video footage from the SMM camera in Stanytsia Luhanska revealed ceasefire violations inside the disengagement area on 22 January. Along the administrative boundary line in the areas around Chonhar and Arabat Spit the SMM observed a calm situation. In Kherson the SMM also observed improved accommodation arrangements for IDPs...
OSCE media freedom representative welcomes prosecution and indictments for threats against journalists in Croatia, encourages authorities to ensure journalists’ safety
Publishing date: 25 January 2017
VIENNA, 25 January 2017 – OSCE Representative on Freedom of the Media Dunja Mijatović, today wrote to Foreign Minister Davor Ivo Stier, welcoming the steps taken by the authorities to investigate cases raised by her Office...
Final report on Montenegro’s parliamentary elections by OSCE/ODIHR recommends continuing electoral reform process
Publishing date: 25 January 2017
The 16 October 2016 parliamentary elections in Montenegro were held in a competitive environment and fundamental freedoms were generally respected, according to the final report on the elections issued by the OSCE Office for Democratic Institutions and Human Rights (ODIHR) on 25 January 2017. While
Weekly Update from the OSCE Observer Mission at Russian Checkpoints Gukovo and Donetsk based on information as of 24 January 2017
Publishing date: 25 January 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 decreased at both BCPs...
Parliamentary Assembly President Muttonen welcomes sustained British engagement with the OSCE in visit to London
Publishing date: 25 January 2017
LONDON, 25 January 2017 – Wrapping up a two-day visit to London, OSCE Parliamentary Assembly President Christine Muttonen (MP, Austria) today emphasized the need for reinforcing European, Eurasian and transatlantic ties by utilizing all the tools offered by the Organization for Security and Co-operation in Europe, including its Parliamentary Assembly...
OSCE Representative calls on US authorities to respect rights of journalists to report on public demonstrations and to uphold press freedom
Publishing date: 24 January 2017
VIENNA, 24 January 2017 – The OSCE Representative on Freedom of the Media Dunja Mijatović today called the United States’ authorities to ensure that constitutional and international legal protections on freedom of the press are upheld in the case of two journalists who were arrested while covering the protests around the inauguration of Donald Trump on 20 January in Washington D.C...