News and press releases

WASHINGTON, 8 November, 2016 – The 8 November general elections in the United States were highly competitive and demonstrated commitment to fundamental freedoms of expression, assembly and association. The presidential campaign was characterized by harsh personal attacks, as well as intolerant rhetoric, particularly by one candidate, international observers from the OSCE Office for Democratic Institutions and Human Rights and the OSCE Parliamentary Assembly concluded in a preliminary statement released today.

Haifa, 8 November 2016- Speaking via video address, OSCE Special Representative and Co-ordinator for Combating Trafficking in Human Beings, Madina Jarbussynova, recommended judges at an international seminar in Haifa, Israel, to keep in mind the crucial role they play in ensuring that the rights of trafficked victims are respected and restored.

ULAANBAATAR, 8 November 2016 – A four-day workshop for Mongolian law enforcement personnel focusing on ways to strengthen professional integrity and tackle corruption started today in Ulaanbaatar...

In Donetsk region the SMM recorded an increase of ceasefire violations compared with 6 November, including the use of multiple-launch-rocket systems. The SMM recorded fewer ceasefire violations compared with 6 November in Luhansk region. The Mission observed damage caused by shelling on both sides of the contact line and followed up on reports of civilian casualties in Krasnohorivka. It continued to monitor the disengagement process in Stanytsia Luhanska, Zolote and Petrivske and was restricted in its movement in all three areas.* The SMM monitored the withdrawal of weapons and observed the presence of weapons in violation on both sides of the contact line. It monitored a border area currently not under government control...

SARAJEVO, 8 November 2016 – Eleven authors from Bosnia and Herzegovina (BiH), Serbia and the former Yugoslav Republic of Macedonia presented their research papers on hate crimes in South-East Europe to over 70 regional participants that gathered at a conference which concluded today in Sarajevo...

A senior elections expert began a three-day visit to Albania on 7 November 2016 as part of the OSCE Presence’s assistance to the electoral reform in the county, ahead of the June 2017 general elections...

In Donetsk region the SMM recorded a similar number of ceasefire violations on 5 November compared to the previous day and fewer during the reporting period covering 6 November. In Luhansk region the SMM recorded more ceasefire violations on 5 November than the previous day and more during the reporting period covering 6 November than on either of the previous two days. The Mission observed damage caused by shelling on both sides of the contact line and followed up on reports of civilian casualties in Donetsk city and Avdiivka. It continued to monitor the disengagement process in Stanytsia Luhanska, Zolote and Petrivske and was restricted in its movement in all three areas.* The SMM monitored the withdrawal of weapons and observed the presence of unexploded ordnance on both sides of the contact line. It monitored a border area currently not under government control.