News and press releases

The SMM observed a number of ceasefire violations in Donetsk region, and several in Luhansk region. It continued to monitor the withdrawal of weapons. The Mission encountered freedom-of-movement restrictions, the majority in areas not under government control.* It observed new mobile checkpoints in Luhansk region. The SMM continued to monitor the situation affecting the civilian population near the contact line, and saw civilians frustrated at checkpoint queues in Donetsk region. The SMM observed a demonstration in Odessa and visited a border crossing point in Kharkiv region...

Vienna, 4 February 2016 – OSCE Secretary General Lamberto Zannier today discussed trafficking of human beings with Director of Europol Rob Wainwright. The conversation focused in particular on the plight of minors who are the most vulnerable group within the migrant and refugee population.

BERLIN, 4 February 2016 – OSCE Chairperson-in-Office and German Foreign Minister Frank-Walter Steinmeier today expressed deep concern following the recent increase in ceasefire violations in Eastern Ukraine and called upon all sides to fully comply with the ceasefire and to immediately end all fighting.

BISHKEK, 4 February 2016- The OSCE Centre in Bishkek handed over 18 all-terrain vehicles today to Kyrgyzstan’s Ministry of Interior as part of its police reform programme to build the capacity of the country’s authorities in the area of community policing...

The SMM observed a significant number of ceasefire violations in Donetsk region and several in Luhansk region. It continued to visit heavy weapons holding areas and permanent storage sites. The Mission encountered freedom-of-movement restrictions in areas not controlled by the Government.* It continued to facilitate and monitor repair works on critical infrastructure. The Mission monitored peaceful demonstrations in Kyiv and Chernivtsi.

Issues related to the legal recognition of religious or belief communities in Kyrgyzstan and possible mechanisms of co-operation between state authorities and those communities to address the existing challenges were the focus of an ODIHR roundtable event in Bishkek on 3 February 2016...

Kamensk-Shakhtinskiy, Russian Federation. The Observer Mission (OM) continues to operate 24/7 at both Border Crossing Points (BCP). The overall cross-border traffic decreased at both BCPs. Rotation of the Ukrainian officials who are present in the vicinity of the Donetsk BCP took place...