News and press releases

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

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...

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...

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...

In both Donetsk and Luhansk regions the SMM recorded more ceasefire violations between the evenings of 22 and 23 January compared with the previous 24 hours. The Mission observed an impact site and damage to civilian houses from gunfire in Dovhe. The SMM continued monitoring the three disengagement areas in Stanytsia Luhanska, Zolote and Petrivske but its access remained restricted.* Video footage from the SMM camera in Stanytsia Luhanska revealed ceasefire violations inside the disengagement area on 21 and 22 January. The Mission continued to monitor weapons withdrawal and observed weapons in violation of their respective withdrawal lines. It observed reinforcement of positions on both sides of the contact line near Dolomitne and noted civilian concerns about the effects of fighting in the area. The SMM facilitated and monitored repairs to infrastructure in Artema, Krasnyi Lyman and Popasna. It visited three border areas currently outside of government control. In various cities, the Mission monitored gatherings marking Ukrainian Unity Day...

VIENNA, 24 January 2017 – Following the latest Report of the Chief Monitor of the Special Monitoring Mission to the OSCE Permanent Council, the Representative on Freedom of the Media Dunja Mijatović today condemned the continued deterioration of media freedom and safety of journalists in conflict-affected parts of Ukraine...

In Donetsk region the SMM recorded a similar number of ceasefire violations between the evenings of 20 and 21 January and the previous reporting period, and more from the evenings of 21 to 22 January. The Mission recorded fewer ceasefire violations in Luhansk region from the evening of 20 to 21 January compared with the previous reporting period and more from the evenings of 21 to 22 January. The SMM observed damage caused by shelling to an apartment building in Yasynuvata. The SMM continued monitoring the three disengagement areas in Stanytsia Luhanska, Zolote and Petrivske but its access remained restricted...