News and press releases

PRISHTINË/PRIŠTINA, 20 January 2017 – The Head of the OSCE Mission in Kosovo, Jan Braathu, reiterated today the critical need for media in Kosovo to uphold moral and ethical journalism, maintain professional standards, and refrain from publishing material that may cause tension or unduly undermine the personal and professional integrity of individuals...

CHISINAU, 20 January 2017 – Ambassador Wolf Dietrich Heim today concluded his first visit to the region in his new capacity as the Special Representative of the Austrian OSCE Chairperson-in-Office for the Transdniestrian Settlement Process. His visit included meetings with the leadership in Chisinau and Tiraspol and representatives of the 5+2 format...

The SMM recorded fewer ceasefire violations in Donetsk region compared with the previous reporting period. In Luhansk region the SMM observed more explosions, but all were assessed as part of live-fire exercises outside the security zone. The SMM continued monitoring the three disengagement areas in Stanytsia Luhanska, Zolote and Petrivske but its access remained restricted.* Beyond the disengagement areas, Ukrainian Armed Forces denied SMM access near Pikuzy.* The Mission observed weapons missing from permanent storage sites. The SMM monitored the situation of civilians at entry-exit checkpoints. The Mission monitored adherence to the ceasefire to enable demining activities in Lobacheve and Peredilske (Luhansk region), and repairs to water pipelines in Zolote. The SMM visited one border area currently outside of government control. The SMM continued to monitor the situation along the administrative boundary line between mainland and Crimea.

VIENNA, 19 January 2017 – Following a period of relative calm in much of eastern Ukraine over the New Year and Christmas period, those who prefer to threaten and use force are once again undermining security for the inhabitants of Donetsk and Luhansk regions, said the OSCE Chairperson’s Special Representative Martin Sajdik and the Chief Monitor of the OSCE Special Monitoring Mission (SMM) Ertugrul Apakan to OSCE Permanent Council...

Closing gender gaps in political participation and including women in the peace process leads to sustainable security, said Miki Jacevic, Vice Chair of the Institute of Inclusive Security, which together with the OSCE Gender Section launched a new publication in Vienna on 18 January 2017 on developing results-oriented national action plans on women, peace and security...

The SMM recorded more ceasefire violations in both Donetsk and Luhansk regions compared with the previous reporting period. The Mission confirmed a civilian casualty in Zolote and observed damage from small-arms fire and shelling in Orlivske and Raivka. The SMM continued monitoring the three disengagement areas in Stanytsia Luhanska, Zolote and Petrivske but its access remained restricted. The Mission observed weapons in violation of withdrawal lines on both sides of the contact line. The SMM visited one border area currently outside of government control. The SMM monitored the situation of internally displaced persons in Odessa and Zaporizhzhia regions...

MOSCOW, 19 January 2017 – Representatives of the OSCE Office for Democratic Institutions and Human Rights (ODIHR) and the OSCE Parliamentary Assembly (PA) are in Moscow from 18 to 20 January 2017 to present the final report of the ODIHR election observation mission for the 18 September 2016 parliamentary elections in the Russian Federation. The report’s findings and recommendations will be discussed with representatives of state authorities, election administration, civil society and the international community...