News and press releases

ASTANA, 31 January 2017 – Factors leading to violent extremism, radicalization and terrorism and ways to effectively address the threat in different countries were the focus of a two-day international roundtable discussion organized by the OSCE Programme Office in Astana in co-operation with the Centre for Military Strategic Research under the Ministry of Defence and the Prosecutor General’s Office, which began today in Astana...

While the legal framework in Lithuania provides a sound basis for the conduct of democratic elections, gaps and ambiguities in legislation should be addressed in an inclusive manner well in advance of the next elections, says the final report by the OSCE Office for Democratic Institutions and Human Rights (ODIHR) on the 6 October 2016 parliamentary elections in the Baltic state.

In Donetsk and Luhansk regions the SMM recorded fewer ceasefire violations between the evenings of 27 and 28 January compared with the previous reporting period, and more between the evenings of 28 to 29 January, including an escalation of violence in the Avdiivka-Yasynuvata-Donetsk airport area. The SMM followed up on reports of damage in several residential areas due to shelling. The Mission continued monitoring the three disengagement areas in Stanytsia Luhanska, Zolote and Petrivske but its access remained restricted.* There were ceasefire violations inside the Stanytsia Luhanska disengagement area on 27 and 28 January. In violation of withdrawal lines the Mission observed tanks and howitzers near Avdiivka and a surface-to-air missile system near Hannivka. It visited two border areas currently outside of government control...

COPENHAGEN, 30 January 2017 – OSCE Parliamentary Assembly President Christine Muttonen (MP, Austria) today issued a statement following the apparent terrorist attack on a mosque in Quebec, Canada...

The SMM recorded more ceasefire violations in both Donetsk and Luhansk region compared with the previous reporting period, but fewer explosions in Luhansk region. The Mission saw a civilian casualty in Kalynove and damage from shelling to homes in Kalynove, Brianka and Zolote. It continued monitoring the three disengagement areas in Stanytsia Luhanska, Zolote and Petrivske but its access remained restricted.* The SMM monitored weapons withdrawal and observed weapons in violation and outside of storage sites. The Mission saw a new crack across a section of asphalt, which extends the full width of the bridge in Stanytsia Luhanska. It visited two border areas currently not under government control. The SMM experienced freedom of movement restrictions on both sides of the contact line, and in non-government-controlled Amvrosiivka and Debaltseve, armed men in an aggressive manner temporarily prevented it from leaving both areas...

VIENNA, 27 January 2017 – The mandates of the OSCE Observer Mission at the Russian Checkpoints of Gukovo and Donetsk, the Centre in Bishkek and the Project Co-ordinator in Uzbekistan were renewed today following decisions by the OSCE Permanent Council...

KYIV, 27 January 2017 – The Special Representative of the OSCE Chairperson-in-Office in Ukraine and in the Trilateral Contact Group (TCG) Martin Sajdik today made the following statement to the press following recent civilian deaths in eastern Ukraine...