News and press releases

The SMM observed a number of ceasefire violations in Donetsk region, mainly at and around Donetsk airport and in Marinka. In Luhansk region, the Mission observed ceasefire violations including the use of Addendum-regulated weapons and heavy weapons during live-fire exercises on both sides of the contact line. “DPR” and “LPR” members restricted the SMM’s freedom of movement.* The SMM could reach certain non-government-controlled border areas in Luhansk region for the first time.

To strengthen their response to hate crime, 46 trainers and law enforcement officers from Ukraine took part in a training-of-trainers event, organized by the OSCE Office for Democratic Institutions and Human Rights (ODIHR) on 19-21 January 2016 in Odesa.

BELGRADE, 25 December 2015 – OSCE Chairperson-in-Office and Serbia’s Foreign Minister Ivica Dačić today called on all sides in eastern Ukraine to keep ensuring lasting peace throughout holiday season...

The importance and the benefits of adopting and implementing a code of conduct for members of the Verkhovna Rada, Ukraine’s parliament, as an essential element in securing public trust and transparency was the focus of a parliamentary hearing co-organized by the OSCE Office for Democratic Institutions and Human Rights (ODIHR) on 17 December 2015 in Kyiv.

The role of women politicians in peace-building efforts was the focus of a panel meeting in Kyiv on 16 December 2015, organized by the OSCE Office for Democratic Institutions and Human Rights (ODIHR), in co-operation with the Equal Opportunities Inter-Faction Union of the Ukrainian Parliament.

The role of interfaith dialogue in promoting peaceful coexistence, grounded in freedom of religion or belief for all in Ukraine was the focus of a national meeting, organized by the OSCE Office for Democratic Institutions and Human Rights (ODIHR), in co-operation with the Ministry of Culture of Ukraine, in Kyiv on 8-9 December 2015.

The SMM recorded ceasefire violations at and around Donetsk airport, and to a lesser extent in a number of other locations in both Donetsk and Luhansk regions. The SMM continued to note partial non-compliance in relation to the withdrawal of heavy weapons and Addendum-related weapons. Its freedom of movement was restricted three times in areas not controlled by the Government, resulting, in one instance, in an inability to reach the Ukraine-Russian Federation border*.