News and press releases

BERLIN, 6 September 2016 – Confronting increasing manifestations of racism and xenophobia against Roma and Sinti and strengthening coalition-building among political leaders to counter discrimination are the focus of an OSCE high-level event in Berlin today...

DUSHANBE, 6 September 2016 – Twenty officers of the Tajik border troops graduated today from a four-week basic patrol and leadership course at the Gissar Training Centre. The course was organized by the OSCE Office in Tajikistan and was conducted from 10 August to 6 September 2016...

The power to the SMM’s camera at the Oktiabr mine in Donetsk had been cut off and auxiliary equipment had been stolen...

VIENNA, 5 September 2016 – OSCE Representative on Freedom of the Media Dunja Mijatović today condemned arson attack against Inter, a nationwide television broadcaster, which took place yesterday during a demonstration in Kyiv...

BISHKEK, 5 September 2016 – With the support of the OSCE Centre in Bishkek, the Crisis Management Centre of the Ministry of Emergency Situations of Kyrgyzstan conducted a series of 14 training courses for operators of the Unified State Emergency Dispatching Agency (USEDA). The training was held from 22 August to 4 September 2016 in the Osh, Jalal-Abad, Batken, Issyk-Kul, Talas, Chui regions...

The SMM recorded fewer ceasefire violations in Donetsk region (three explosions compared with 18) and also in Luhansk region (one explosion compared with eight) compared with the previous reporting period. The SMM followed up on reports of civilian injuries, conducted crater analysis in Shchastia and Kamianka, and observed damage from shelling to civilian infrastructure. The SMM monitored three border crossing areas, in Zhovtneve, Petrivka and Uspenka, and visited schools on both sides of the contact line. The SMM encountered impediments to its freedom of movement, including threats of violence against SMM members, all in areas outside of government control. The SMM continued to monitor a calm situation al ong the administrative boundary line between the mainland and Crimea. The SMM observed clashes between protestors and the dispersal of a public gathering in Odessa...

The Central Election Commission (CEC) and the OSCE Presence in Albania organized a series of voter information and education sessions for 140 women in the municipality of Dibra on 1 and 2 September 2016, ahead of the 11 September mayoral by-election. The events, which took place in three administrative units of the municipality- Peshkopi, Muhur and Maqellarë- raised awareness among women, including first time voters, about their rights and the importance of voting...