News and press releases

The SMM recorded more ceasefire violations in both Donetsk and Luhansk region compared with the previous reporting period. The Mission observed damage from shelling to homes in Zaichenko and Dokuchaievsk. 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 a convoy of armoured combat vehicles near Kadiivka. The Mission noted long queues at entry-exit checkpoints near Stanytsia Luhanska and Marinka. It observed the blockade of a railway near government-controlled Hirske. It observed a public gathering in front of the Kyiv City Court of Appeals. The SMM spoke with government officials in Vinnytsia and Kovel about post-traumatic stress disorder among Ukrainian Armed Forces veterans...

WARSAW, 27 January 2017 – Today, Michael Georg Link, Director of the OSCE Office for Democratic Institutions and Human Rights (ODIHR) expressed profound concern about public statements made by President of the United States of America Donald Trump characterizing the use of torture as an effective tactic to counter terrorism...

VIENNA / WARSAW, 27 January 2017 – On International Holocaust Remembrance Day, Sebastian Kurz, OSCE Chairperson-in-Office and Austria’s Foreign Minister, Michael Georg Link, Director of the OSCE Office for Democratic Institutions and Human Rights, and Rabbi Andrew Baker, Personal Representative of the OSCE Chairperson-in-Office on Combating Anti-Semitism, today called for renewed efforts for better education and strong messages against intolerance...

The SMM recorded more ceasefire violations in Donetsk region overall but fewer explosions, compared with the previous reporting period. In Luhansk region the SMM recorded fewer ceasefire violations. It observed a civilian casualty in Dovhe and impact sites in Stanytsia Luhanska. The Mission continued monitoring the three disengagement areas in Stanytsia Luhanska, Zolote and Petrivske but its access remained restricted.* The SMM continued to monitor weapons withdrawal and observed weapons in violation of respective withdrawal lines. The SMM monitored adherence to the ceasefire for repairs to essential infrastructure...

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.

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...

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...