News and press releases
News and press releases from the OSCE's global activities.
Latest from OSCE Special Monitoring Mission (SMM) to Ukraine, based on information received as of 19:30hrs, 11 February 2016
Publishing date: 12 February 2016
The SMM observed numerous ceasefire violations in Donetsk region. In Luhansk region the two ceasefire violations observed were attributed to training exercises. The SMM continued to monitor the withdrawal of weapons. The Mission facilitated and monitored demining and repair works on both sides of the contact line. The SMM encountered freedom-of-movement restrictions.* It observed the presence of mines and unexploded ordnance (UXO) and noted long queues of civilians at checkpoints along the line of contact. The Mission followed up on the situation of de-mobilized ATO veterans.
OSCE Special Representative praises government and civil society efforts to combat human trafficking in USA
Publishing date: 12 February 2016
WASHINGTON, DC, 12 February 2016 – The OSCE Special Representative and Co-ordinator for Combating Trafficking in Human Beings, Ambassador Madina Jarbussynova, commended efforts by US Government and civil society in the fight against human trafficking at the end of her Official Country Visit on Friday.
Dialogue, media literacy and pluralism ways to counter propaganda for war and hatred, participants at OSCE expert meeting say
Publishing date: 12 February 2016
VIENNA, 12 February 2016 – Media experts, journalists, diplomats, policymakers and government representatives gathered in Vienna today for an expert meeting to discuss the different aspects of the phenomenon of propaganda and its effects on media freedom and ultimately to the well-being of society...
Bulgaria’s Vigenin appointed OSCE PA Special Representative on the South Caucasus
Publishing date: 12 February 2016
COPENHAGEN, 12 February 2016 – OSCE Parliamentary Assembly President Ilkka Kanerva (MP, Finland) has appointed Bulgarian parliamentarian Kristian Vigenin to serve as the Assembly’s Special Representative on the South Caucasus...
OSCE representative condemns threats against Irish journalists, welcomes authorities swift response to ensure journalists’ safety
Publishing date: 12 February 2016
VIENNA, 12 February 2016 – OSCE Representative on Freedom of the Media Dunja Mijatović today condemned recent threats issued against journalists reporting on organized crime activities in the Republic of Ireland and praised law enforcement authorities for taking action to protect them...
OSCE/ODIHR trains Ukrainian lawyers on litigation related to freedom of religion or belief
Publishing date: 12 February 2016
The right to freedom of religion or belief in the case law and practice of the European Court of Human Rights was the focus of training organized by the OSCE Office for Democratic Institutions and Human Rights (ODIHR) on 11 and 12 February 2016 in Kyiv.
Latest from OSCE Special Monitoring Mission (SMM) to Ukraine, based on information received as of 19:30hrs, 10 February 2016
Publishing date: 11 February 2016
The SMM observed numerous ceasefire violations in Donetsk and Luhansk regions. It continued to monitor the withdrawal of weapons. It followed-up on reports of civilian casualties near government-controlled Marinka, and shelling of residential areas in Donetsk city. The Mission encountered freedom-of-movement restrictions, the majority in areas not controlled by the Government.* The SMM continued to facilitate and monitor repair work to critical infrastructure.