News and press releases

VIENNA, 3 April 2020 – Valiant Richey, OSCE Special Representative and Co-ordinator for Combating Trafficking in Human Beings, today issued the following statement, in co-ordination with Albania’s OSCE Chairmanship, to the OSCE participating States on the COVID-19 pandemic. He urged that, “it is precisely when our global community is convulsed by a crisis of this magnitude that our obligation to combat the exploitation of vulnerable people becomes most acute”...

On 2 April, members of the armed formations again denied three attempts of the SMM to cross into non-government-controlled areas in Donetsk region as well as an attempt to cross into government-controlled areas in Luhansk region, all along official crossing routes...

VIENNA/BELGRADE, 2 April 2020 – The OSCE Representative on Freedom of the Media, Harlem Désir, and the Head of the OSCE Mission to Serbia, Andrea Orizio, welcomed today the reversal by the Serbian Government on the decision on public information during the current health emergency...

Summary Compared with the previous reporting period, the SMM recorded a similar number of ceasefire violations in Donetsk region and more in Luhansk region. Small-arms fire was assessed as aimed at an SMM mini-unmanned aerial vehicle flying over areas near Sentianivka, Luhansk region. Members of

COPENHAGEN, 2 April 2020 – Following reports that armed formations in eastern Ukraine have repeatedly blocked OSCE Special Monitoring Mission officials from crossing checkpoints, senior OSCE Parliamentary Assembly officials urged greater constructive engagement.

VIENNA / COPENHAGEN / WARSAW, 2 April 2020 – Noting a troubling rise in domestic violence in relation to the COVID-19 pandemic lockdowns and self-isolation guidelines in many countries, OSCE leaders called today for measures to be taken by governments to protect women and children. They said that unfortunately, for them home is not always a safe haven, as they are the most susceptible to abuse and need increased protection in these extraordinary times and urged authorities to ensure that they are kept safe from abusers.

Summary Compared with the previous reporting period, the SMM recorded fewer ceasefire violations in both Donetsk and Luhansk regions. Small-arms fire was assessed as aimed at SMM mini-unmanned aerial vehicles flying over areas near government-controlled Hnutove and near non-government-controlled