News and press releases
News and press releases from the OSCE's global activities.
OSCE PA’s human rights Chair raises concerns over Hungarian proposal for asylum seekers
Publishing date: 18 January 2017
COPENHAGEN, 18 January 2017 – Responding today to a proposed plan by the Hungarian government to hold all asylum seekers in detention centres for the entire duration of their application process on national security grounds, Spanish parliamentarian and Chair of the OSCE Parliamentary Assembly’s human rights committee Ignacio Sanchez Amor called on Hungary to respect the rights of asylum seekers on its territory...
Latest from the OSCE Special Monitoring Mission to Ukraine (SMM), based on information received as of 19:30, 17 January 2017
Publishing date: 18 January 2017
The SMM recorded fewer ceasefire violations in both Donetsk and Luhansk regions compared with the previous reporting period. Damage caused by shelling was observed in Horlivka, Olenivka and Kalynove. The SMM continued monitoring the three disengagement areas in Stanytsia Luhanska, Zolote and Petrivske but its access remained restricted.* The Mission continued to monitor weapons’ withdrawal. The SMM facilitated and monitored adherence to the ceasefire to enable “LPR” members to recover the body of a civilian male near Zhovte. The Mission facilitated and monitored repairs of essential infrastructure in Donetskyi and Zolote. The SMM visited one border area currently outside of government control. The SMM observed damage to a church in Kyiv, allegedly caused by petrol bombs...
73rd Incident Prevention and Response Mechanism meeting takes place in Ergneti
Publishing date: 18 January 2017
On 18 January 2017, the 73rd meeting under the Incident Prevention and Response Mechanism (IPRM) took place in Ergneti, co-facilitated by Kęstutis Jankauskas, the Head of the European Union Monitoring Mission in Georgia (EUMM) and Ambassador Guenther Baechler, the Special Representative of the OSCE Chairperson-in-Office for the South Caucasus...
OSCE/ODIHR report on United States general elections recommends measures to ensure universality and equality of vote for all citizens
Publishing date: 18 January 2017
While stating that the 8 November 2016 elections were highly competitive and demonstrated commitment to fundamental freedoms of expression, assembly and association...
Romania pledges to be pragmatic in efforts to restore trust and confidence as it begins its Chairmanship of the OSCE Forum for Security Co-operation
Publishing date: 18 January 2017
VIENNA, 18 January 2017 – Romania will be pragmatic in advancing the dialogue on politico-military issues within the OSCE, said State Secretary of the country’s Foreign Ministry George Ciamba as he opened the first session of the Forum for Security Co-operation (FSC) under Romania’s Chairmanship today in Vienna...
Weekly Update from the OSCE Observer Mission at Russian Checkpoints Gukovo and Donetsk based on information as of 17 January 2017
Publishing date: 18 January 2017
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 increased at both BCPs...
Latest from the OSCE Special Monitoring Mission to Ukraine (SMM), based on information received as of 19:30, 16 January 2017
Publishing date: 17 January 2017
The SMM observed more ceasefire violations in Donetsk region during the reporting period compared with the previous 24 hours. In Luhansk region, the SMM recorded a similar number of ceasefire violations. The Mission followed up on reports of casualties and observed damage to civilian infrastructure on both sides of the contact line. The SMM continued monitoring the three disengagement areas in Stanytsia Luhanska, Zolote and Petrivske but its access remained restricted. The SMM observed weapons in violation of respective withdrawal lines and continued to monitor weapons’ withdrawal. The Mission visited one border crossing point currently not under government control...