News and press releases

On 14 September, the OSCE Mission to Moldova held the third in a year-long series of informal club discussions for civil society groups implementing activities on the left bank of the Dniester/Nistru River...

The SMM recorded fewer ceasefire violations in Donetsk region and more in Luhansk region compared with the previous reporting period. The Mission continued monitoring the disengagement areas and heard ceasefire violations inside the Zolote disengagement area. Its access remained restricted in the three disengagement areas and elsewhere.* The SMM observed weapons in violation of withdrawal lines near Shchastia. The Mission saw for the first time mine hazard signs near Olenivka. It facilitated and monitored repairs and maintenance of essential infrastructure near Shchastia and Zolote. The SMM continued to monitor the situation of civilians at checkpoints and heard about long delays in Horlivka. The Mission monitored a gathering in Odessa.

VICENZA, Italy, 15 September 2017 – The third OSCE simulation-based training on combating human trafficking along migration routes concluded today at the Centre of Excellence for Stability Police Units (CoESPU). Sixty-six anti-trafficking practitioners, from 30 OSCE participating States and three Partners for Co-operation gained better knowledge of indicators for identifying trafficked persons among mixed groups of migrants. Participants also practiced how to concretely apply a multi-agency and human rights-based approach in investigating trafficking cases and assisting victims.

VIENNA, 15 September 2017 – “I welcome the decision of the court to release Loup Bureau from prison,” said OSCE Representative on Freedom of the Media Harlem Désir, commenting the discharge of the French journalist from jail in Turkey today. “The next step is to drop all charges. Journalistic work should not be criminalized,” the Representative said.

The SMM recorded more ceasefire violations in both Donetsk and Luhansk regions compared with the previous reporting period. The Mission continued monitoring the disengagement areas, where it observed calm situations. Its access remained restricted in the three disengagement areas and elsewhere.* The SMM observed weapons in violation of withdrawal lines in areas outside government control near Nikishyne and Kalynivka. It observed demining activity near Nikishyne. The SMM facilitated and monitored repairs and maintenance of essential infrastructure in Shchastia, Zolote and Stanytsia Luhanska. It continued to monitor the situation of schools near the contact line on both sides.

Using data to identify gaps and challenges in addressing hate crimes and adopting a comprehensive approach to countering these crimes were at the centre of discussions at an event organized by the OSCE Office for Democratic Institutions and Human Rights (ODIHR) on 15 September 2017, during the

VIENNA, 15 September 2017 – All tracks of diplomacy – official discussions, informal dialogue, and people-to-people contact – are needed to build the trust needed for long-term peace, OSCE Parliamentary Assembly President Christine Muttonen (MP, Austria) said today at an event in Vienna. Parliamentarians are in a unique position to facilitate dialogue, she said, noting that OSCE PA meetings often provide opportunities for informal conversations, and that through their diplomatic efforts, parliamentarians can establish important lines of communication for confidence-building...