News and press releases

The eighth annual OSCE-supported Central Asian Leadership Programme (CALP) on Environment for Sustainable Development concluded on 19 September 2017 in Almaty, Kazakhstan...

VIENNA, 19 September 2017- A holistic and well-co-ordinated approach to security sector governance and reform is fundamental to dealing successfully with today’s security challenges, said participants at the OSCE-wide Conference on Security Sector Governance and Reform (SSG/R), held at the Hofburg in Vienna, organized by the 2017 Austrian OSCE Chairmanship and the OSCE Conflict Prevention Centre...

The OSCE Programme Office in Bishkek supported a one-day command-staff exercise “Issyk-Kul Anti-terror- 2017”, on 16 September 2017, conducted by the Anti-Terrorism Centre of the State Committee on the National Security of Kyrgyzstan, in co-operation with the General Staff of the Armed Forces of Kyrgyzstan, the Interior Ministry, the Emergency Situations Ministry and local self-government bodies....

The OSCE Mission to Montenegro supported the Parliament of Montenegro in organizing the first in a series of three workshops for the parliamentary services on 14 and 15 September 2017 in Podgorica...

The OSCE Programme Office in Dushanbe in co-operation with the General Prosecutor’s Office of Tajikistan facilitated a one-day roundtable discussion on the country’s National Strategy and Action Plan (NAP) for 2016-2020 on the prevention of violent extremism on 14 September 2017. The event brought together sixty participants from line ministries, the judiciary, key international partners and local think tanks as well as a representative from the OSCE Transnational Threats Department’s Anti-Terrorism Unit....

Protecting human rights while countering violent extremism and radicalization leading to terrorism (VERLT) in the prison context was the subject of a side event organized by the OSCE Office for Democratic Institutions and Human Rights (ODIHR) and Penal Reform International (PRI) in Warsaw on 18

The SMM recorded fewer ceasefire violations in Donetsk and Luhansk regions between the evenings of 15 and 16 September compared with the previous reporting period. Between the evenings of 16 and 17 September, the Mission recorded fewer ceasefire violations in Donetsk and more in Luhansk regions compared with the previous 24 hours. The Mission followed up on reports of a civilian casualty and observed damage to residences in Donetsk. The Mission continued monitoring the disengagement areas near Stanytsia Luhanska, Zolote and Petrivske and recorded ceasefire violations inside the Zolote disengagement area. Its access remained restricted in all three areas and elsewhere, including in non-government-controlled Novoazovsk near the border with the Russian Federation.* The Mission saw two tanks in violation of withdrawal lines near government-controlled Heivka. The SMM visited a border area not under government control in Luhansk region. The Mission monitored the situation in Odessa following reports of a fire at a children’s camp.

Ensuring security for the Roma community in Ukraine was the focus of discussions at a side event organized by the OSCE Office for Democratic Institutions and Human Rights (ODIHR) on 18 September 2017, during the annual Human Dimension Implementation Meeting in Warsaw.

Experiences and good practices in supporting the participation of Roma and Sinti youth in the OSCE region were the main topic of a side event organized by the OSCE Office for Democratic Institutions and Human Rights (ODIHR) on 18 September 2017, during the annual Human Dimension Implementation Meeting in Warsaw.

The OSCE Programme Office in Dushanbe delivered a workshop for a newly-established multi-disciplinary group on preventing domestic violence and supporting, protecting and rehabilitating survivors and victims, on 13 September 2017 in Isfara, northern Tajikistan...

The important role of civil society in countering human trafficking in the OSCE area was highlighted at an event co-organized by the OSCE Office for Democratic Institutions and Human Rights (ODIHR) and the Coalition Against Trafficking in Women (CATW) in Warsaw on 18 September 2017. The event took

Exploring obstacles young people face in engaging with democratic institutions and sharing examples of effective practice to support youth political participation were the focus of a side event held on the margins of the OSCE Human Dimension Implementation Meeting (HDIM) in Warsaw on 18 September

A workshop on national border management strategy development and implementation with the participation of 15 representatives of border services of Kyrgyzstan and Tajikistan was conducted from 12 to 14 September 2017 at the OSCE Border Management Staff College in Dushanbe...

Strengthening the capacity of government officials from Kyrgyzstan to counter terrorist financing was the aim of a three-day train-the-trainers course organized by the OSCE’s Transnational Threats Department and the UN Office on Drugs and Crime's Global Programme against Money Laundering. The event took place from 16 to 18 September 2017 in Vienna. It follows similar courses organized for Kyrgyz officials in June and July 2017...

On 14 September, the OSCE Mission to Moldova held the third in a year-long series of informal club discussions for civil society groups implementing activities on the left bank of the Dniester/Nistru River...

The SMM recorded fewer ceasefire violations in Donetsk region and more in Luhansk region compared with the previous reporting period. The Mission continued monitoring the disengagement areas and heard ceasefire violations inside the Zolote disengagement area. Its access remained restricted in the three disengagement areas and elsewhere.* The SMM observed weapons in violation of withdrawal lines near Shchastia. The Mission saw for the first time mine hazard signs near Olenivka. It facilitated and monitored repairs and maintenance of essential infrastructure near Shchastia and Zolote. The SMM continued to monitor the situation of civilians at checkpoints and heard about long delays in Horlivka. The Mission monitored a gathering in Odessa.

VICENZA, Italy, 15 September 2017 – The third OSCE simulation-based training on combating human trafficking along migration routes concluded today at the Centre of Excellence for Stability Police Units (CoESPU). Sixty-six anti-trafficking practitioners, from 30 OSCE participating States and three Partners for Co-operation gained better knowledge of indicators for identifying trafficked persons among mixed groups of migrants. Participants also practiced how to concretely apply a multi-agency and human rights-based approach in investigating trafficking cases and assisting victims.

VIENNA, 15 September 2017 – “I welcome the decision of the court to release Loup Bureau from prison,” said OSCE Representative on Freedom of the Media Harlem Désir, commenting the discharge of the French journalist from jail in Turkey today. “The next step is to drop all charges. Journalistic work should not be criminalized,” the Representative said.

The SMM recorded more ceasefire violations in both Donetsk and Luhansk regions compared with the previous reporting period. The Mission continued monitoring the disengagement areas, where it observed calm situations. Its access remained restricted in the three disengagement areas and elsewhere.* The SMM observed weapons in violation of withdrawal lines in areas outside government control near Nikishyne and Kalynivka. It observed demining activity near Nikishyne. The SMM facilitated and monitored repairs and maintenance of essential infrastructure in Shchastia, Zolote and Stanytsia Luhanska. It continued to monitor the situation of schools near the contact line on both sides.

Using data to identify gaps and challenges in addressing hate crimes and adopting a comprehensive approach to countering these crimes were at the centre of discussions at an event organized by the OSCE Office for Democratic Institutions and Human Rights (ODIHR) on 15 September 2017, during the

VIENNA, 15 September 2017 – All tracks of diplomacy – official discussions, informal dialogue, and people-to-people contact – are needed to build the trust needed for long-term peace, OSCE Parliamentary Assembly President Christine Muttonen (MP, Austria) said today at an event in Vienna. Parliamentarians are in a unique position to facilitate dialogue, she said, noting that OSCE PA meetings often provide opportunities for informal conversations, and that through their diplomatic efforts, parliamentarians can establish important lines of communication for confidence-building...

The OSCE Mission to Bosnia and Herzegovina organized the first nationwide meeting of the 31 Coalitions against Hate in the country, on 14 September 2017 in Vitez, Bosnia and Herzegovina...

BELGRADE, 15 September 2017 – On the occasion of the tenth anniversary of the International Day of Democracy, the OSCE Mission to Serbia, in partnership with the CSO Centre for Research, Transparency and Accountability (CRTA) and the National Assembly of the Republic of Serbia organized a forum on democracy and citizens’ participation held today at the Parliament in Belgrade...

Threats and attacks against human rights defenders in the OSCE area have continued to increase in severity and frequency over the last three years, according to a report by the OSCE Office for Democratic Institutions and Human Rights (ODIHR) released on 15 September 2017. The report, “The

WARSAW, 15 September 2017 – Strengthening democratic institutions, values and practices is the most effective way of preventing conflict both within and between societies, so as to promote security for all, Ingibjörg Sólrún Gísladóttir, Director of the OSCE Office for Democratic Institutions and Human Rights (ODIHR), said today on the occasion of the International Day of Democracy...

COPENHAGEN, 15 September 2017 – Celebrating today’s International Day of Democracy, being observed this year under the theme “Democracy and Conflict Prevention,” the leadership of the OSCE Parliamentary Assembly’s Committee on Democracy, Human Rights and Humanitarian Questions said that democratic institutions must be strengthened throughout the OSCE area to prevent conflict and promote peace and stability.

PODGORICA, 15 September 2017- A set of essential firefighting equipment has been handed over by the OSCE to the Emergency Management Directorate of the Montenegrin Interior Ministry in Podgorica...

The SMM recorded more ceasefire violations in Donetsk and Luhansk regions compared with the previous reporting period. The Mission continued monitoring the disengagement areas and recorded ceasefire violations near the Stanytsia Luhanska and Zolote disengagement areas. Its access remained restricted in the three disengagement areas and elsewhere, including in Olenivka, Kreminets and Novoamvrosiivske.* The SMM observed weapons in violation of withdrawal lines near non-government-controlled Ternove, Buhaivka, Novoamvrosiivske and Shymshynivka. The Mission saw three convoys of amphibious-crossing equipment and vehicles travelling north near Luhansk city. It facilitated and monitored repairs and maintenance of essential infrastructure in Shchastia and Popasna. The SMM continued to monitor the situation of schools near the contact line on both sides. The Mission visited three border areas not under government control. In Odessa the SMM followed up on a report of an assault on a political party official...

A new OSCE capacity-building project aimed at developing and enhancing the responsiveness, professional knowledge and skills of criminal justice institutions in South-Eastern Europe was launched on 14 September 2017 in Podgorica, Montenegro. The project was developed to address common and new challenges in fighting cybercrime and cyber-enabled crime...

KYIV, 14 September 2017 – The OSCE Special Monitoring Mission to Ukraine (SMM) will hold its regular news briefing on Friday, 15 September in Kyiv...

The Programme Office in Bishkek supported a two-day roundtable discussion on implementation issues of the Biological Weapons Convention (BWC) in the context of Kyrgyzstan’s National Action Plan (NAP) on 7 and 8 September in Kosh-Kol village, Issyk-Kul region...

ASTANA, 14 September 2017 – An OSCE-supported analytical report, produced by the Human Rights Commission under the President, on the rights of migrant workers and human trafficking victims in Kazakhstan was presented today at the Foreign Ministry in Astana....

COPENHAGEN, 14 September 2017 – The Chair of the OSCE Parliamentary Assembly’s human rights committee, Spanish parliamentarian Ignacio Sanchez Amor, today reiterated calls for clear, effective and transparent legal procedures in Turkey including for those dismissed or imprisoned following last year’s failed coup d’état. Today marks the last day on which people can appeal against their dismissal to a special government commission charged with their review....

BUDVA, Montenegro, 14 September 2017- Representatives of the Aarhus Centres network from 14 countries met today in Budva, Montenegro, on the occasion of the Sixth Meeting of the Parties to the Convention on Access to Information, Public Participation in Decision-Making and Access to Justice in Environmental Matters (Aarhus Convention) and the Third Meeting of the Parties to the Protocol on Pollutant Release and Transfer Registers (PRTRs)....

VIENNA, 13 September 2017 – The military plays an important role in moving forward the Women, Peace and Security agenda by increasing women's representation in the army and enhancing their role in both conflict-related and peacetime operations, said speakers in the session of the Forum for Security Co-operation held today under Serbia’s Chairmanship in Vienna...

Sharing experiences from the OSCE region on the best ways to accommodate the religious and spiritual practices and needs of armed forces’ personnel was the aim of an event co-organized by the OSCE Office for Democratic Institutions and Human Rights (ODIHR) and the European Organisation of Military

The SMM recorded fewer ceasefire violations in Donetsk and Luhansk regions compared with the previous reporting period. The SMM continued monitoring the disengagement areas near Stanytsia Luhanska and Zolote; in the Stanytsia Luhanska disengagement area, the SMM observed a demining unit checking a roadside leading to the bridge and, subsequently, a crew installing electric poles along the same roadside. Its access remained restricted in the disengagement areas and elsewhere.* The Mission saw weapons in violation of withdrawal lines near government-controlled Ptyche, and non-government-controlled Zaichenko and Azov. In government-controlled areas, an SMM unmanned aerial vehicle spotted a military encampment adjacent to residential areas...

A group of 25 law-enforcement professionals from Italy’s Lombardy region improved their skills in recognizing and handling hate crime cases during a training course organized by the OSCE Office for Democratic Institutions and Human Rights (ODIHR) on 12 and 13 September in Milan, in co-operation

Examples of positive practices to promote more inclusive parliaments, political parties and democratic institutions were the focus of an event for the release of a booklet produced by the OSCE Office for Democratic Institutions and Human Rights (ODIHR) to address the under-representation of persons

The OSCE Programme Office in Dushanbe and representatives from 16 government agencies participated in the official opening of the Inter-Agency Secretariat for Border Management and Security of Tajikistan on 12 September 2017...

Kamensk-Shakhtinskiy, Russian Federation. The Observer Mission (OM) continues to operate 24/7 at both Border Crossing Points (BCPs). The overall number of border crossings by persons decreased at both BCPs compared to the previous week....

SKOPJE, 13 September 2017 – The OSCE Office for Democratic Institutions and Human Rights (ODIHR) today formally opened an election observation mission (EOM) for the 15 October municipal elections in the former Yugoslav Republic of Macedonia. The mission’s deployment follows an invitation from the authorities...

TBILISI, 13 September 2017 – The OSCE Office for Democratic Institutions and Human Rights (ODIHR) today formally opened an election observation mission (EOM) for the 21 October local elections in Georgia. The mission’s deployment follows an invitation from the Georgian authorities...

A national table top exercise focusing on preparedness and protection of non-nuclear critical energy infrastructure against IT-based terrorist attacks concluded on 13 September 2017 in Bratislava...

WARSAW, 12 September 2017 – OSCE Representative on Freedom of the Media Harlem Désir today condemned a death threat directed at Vladimir Otašević, a journalist with the Montenegrin newspaper Dan, and called for a swift investigation...

ELearning is a form of knowledge delivery that is being increasingly used in our societies for the efficient delivery of academic and professional training. From 5 to 8 September 2017, the OSCE Border Management Staff College (BMSC) in Dushanbe delivered a workshop on the design, development and implementation of eLearning courses, which aimed to assist national border security and management agencies to unlock the potential of digital learning technology...

The SMM recorded fewer ceasefire violations in Donetsk region and more in Luhansk region compared with the previous 24 hours. It continued monitoring the disengagement areas near Stanytsia Luhanska, Zolote and Petrivske and recorded a ceasefire violation near the Zolote disengagement area. Its access remained restricted in all three areas and elsewhere.* The Mission saw weapons in violation of withdrawal lines near Khlibodarivka and Zhelanne. An SMM unmanned aerial vehicle spotted 40 tanks near Manuilivka and aerial imagery revealed almost 60 military-type trucks in the security zone near Kalmiuske. It facilitated and monitored repairs and maintenance of essential infrastructure near Shchastia and Artema. The Mission continued to monitor the situation of schools near the contact line on both sides. The SMM visited two border areas not under government control...

The Office for Democratic Institutions and Human Rights (ODIHR) launched two new publications on election observation at an event in Warsaw on 12 September 2017, during the annual OSCE Human Dimension Implementation Meeting. The publications are part of the Office’s efforts to develop and refine

Warsaw, 12 September 2017- Following last night's court decision denying the release of six Cumhuriyet journalists and executives, Harlem Désir, OSCE Representative on Freedom of the Media and David Kaye, United Nations Special Rapporteur on the right to freedom of opinion and expression, emphasized the urgent need to restore media freedom and freedom of expression in Turkey...

WARSAW, 11 September 2017 – Dialogue and the open exchange of ideas among countries and with civil society are vital to democracy and the promotion of human rights, speakers said today at the opening of the OSCE Human Dimension Implementation Meeting in Warsaw...