News and press releases

NICOSIA, 6 February 2017 – The essential role that media can play in democratic processes and how they can contribute to building peace deserves the highest level of attention, not only in Cyprus, but throughout the OSCE region, Dunja Mijatović, the OSCE Representative on Freedom of the Media said today at a seminar in Nicosia, Cyprus...

The SMM recorded fewer ceasefire violations in Donetsk region between the evenings of 3 and 4 February compared with the previous reporting period, followed by an increase over the next 24 hours. The Mission recorded a consecutive decrease in ceasefire violations in Luhansk region compared with the previous reporting period between the evenings of 3 and 4 February and during the following 24 hours. The Mission continued to confirm reports of civilian casualties and observed damage caused by shelling in residential areas of Avdiivka, Donetsk city, and other settlements on both sides of the contact line. The SMM and the Joint Centre for Control and Co-ordination (JCCC) facilitated adherence to the ceasefire around the Donetsk water filtration station which allowed for a partial re-connection of the electricity supply to Avdiivka. The Mission observed weapons in violation on both sides of the contact line, particularly in areas not controlled by the Government around Donetsk city. The Mission continued monitoring in the disengagement areas in Stanytsia Luhanska, Petrivske and Zolote but its access remained restricted.* It noted ceasefire violations within the disengagement areas in Stanytsia Luhanska and Petrivske. The Mission visited three border areas currently not under government control...

COPENHAGEN, 2 February 2017 – In response to an executive decree adopted late Tuesday night by the Romanian government that relaxes criminal punishments for charges of abuse of power and conflicts of interest, the Chair of the OSCE Parliamentary Assembly’s economic and environmental committee, Portuguese parliamentarian Nilza Sena, said today that Romania must not backslide in the fight against corruption.

At 07:55 on 4 February, the SMM heard a loud explosion south of the Luhansk city centre. At 11:30, the SMM went to Chervonopraporna Street where it observed that the incident site had been cordoned off and about 20 “LPR” members, both armed and unarmed, and a fire brigade, were on the spot.

The SMM recorded fewer ceasefire violations in Donetsk region and more in Luhansk region compared with the previous reporting period as the situation remained volatile. The Mission confirmed reports of casualties, including fatalities, and observed damage caused by shelling in residential areas of Avdiivka, Donetsk city, Sartana and Chernenko.

At about 09:00 on 3 February 2017, as an SMM patrol approached a position of the so-called “LPR” near Kalynove (60km west of Luhansk), it saw three armed men in military-style uniform about 30m away.

On 3 February the SMM followed up on reports of casualties following fighting in Donetsk region. Medical staff at a hospital in government-controlled Avdiivka (17km north of Donetsk) informed the SMM about two civilian fatalities and two other persons who had suffered shrapnel injuries.