News and press releases

The SMM recorded more explosions in Donetsk region compared with the day before, the vast majority of which occurred in areas north-east of Mariupol. In Luhansk region fewer explosions were recorded compared with the day before. The Mission continued to monitor the disengagement process in Stanytsia Luhanska, Zolote and Petrivske; the SMM was restricted in its freedom of movement in all three areas.* The SMM observed the presence of weapons in violation of withdrawal lines. It monitored four border areas not under government control. The Mission monitored long queues of pedestrians at entry-exit checkpoints at Stanytsia Luhanska. It monitored the situation of internally displaced persons in Odessa...

Challenges and good practices in preventing sexual and gender-based violence in criminal justice facilities were the focus of a two-day meeting of practitioners in the OSCE region on 17 and 18 October 2016 in Warsaw. The event was organized by the OSCE Office for Democratic Institutions and Human

Respecting human rights when conducting counter-terrorism investigations was the focus of an OSCE training session for law enforcement officers held in Tirana, Albania, on 17 and 18 October 2016. Organized by the OSCE Office for Democratic Institutions and Human Rights (ODIHR) and the Strategic

ALMATY, Kazakhstan, 18 October 2016 – A nine-day OSCE regional demilitarization manager’s training course for 30 military and civilian experts focusing on Advanced Explosive Ordnance Disposal Level 3+ began today in Almaty, Kazakhstan...

The SMM recorded 199 and 236 explosions on 15 and 16 October, respectively in Donetsk region. The SMM noted the security situation in areas of north-east and east of Mariupol remained volatile, which represented more than 50 per cent of all ceasefire violations recorded in the region on 16 October. In Luhansk region the SMM noted a higher level of violence both on 15 and 16 October (100 and 72 explosions, respectively, including explosions caused by artillery or mortar), compared with 14 October. The SMM continued to monitor the disengagement process in Stanytsia Luhanska, Zolote and Petrivske; it was restricted in its freedom of movement in all three areas.* Shots impacting close to a patrol near Zolote forced the SMM to leave an observations post. The Mission followed up on reports of casualties and shelling. The Mission monitored the withdrawal of weapons and saw weapons in violation of withdrawal lines. The SMM continued to observe long queues at entry-exit checkpoints along the contact line...

PODGORICA, 17 October 2016 – Montenegro’s 16 October parliamentary elections were held in a competitive environment and fundamental freedoms were generally respected in a campaign characterized by a lack of distinct domestic policy alternatives and permeated by personal attacks, international observers said in a statement issued today. While pluralistic, the media lacked editorial independence...

PODGORICA, 17 October 2016 – Montenegro’s 16 October parliamentary elections were held in a competitive environment and fundamental freedoms were generally respected in a campaign characterized by a lack of distinct domestic policy alternatives and permeated by personal attacks, international observers said in a statement issued today. While pluralistic, the media lacked editorial independence...