News and press releases

DUSHANBE, 30 May 2017 – Two parallel 14-day courses on explosive ordnance disposal (EOD) supported by the OSCE Office in Tajikistan concluded in Dushanbe today. The courses – for Russian-speaking and Tajik-Dari speaking students, respectively – were attended by 42 trainees from Afghanistan, Kazakhstan, Kyrgyzstan, Mongolia and Tajikistan...

The OSCE Mission to Moldova held the first in a series of Civil Society Club meetings on 26 May 2017 aimed at developing the practical skills of those working in the NGO sector on the left bank of the Dniester/Nistru River. The event was held in Tiraspol and brought together 20 civil society representatives to discuss best practices in project management...

The SMM’s operations in Donetsk and Luhansk regions remained restricted following the fatal incident of 23 April near Pryshyb; these restrictions continued to limit the Mission’s observations. Between the evenings of 26 and 27 May the Mission recorded more ceasefire violations in Donetsk region but fewer in Luhansk region compared with the previous reporting period. Between the evenings of 27 and 28 May the SMM recorded more ceasefire violations in both Donetsk and Luhansk regions compared with the previous 24-hour period. The Mission observed damage to multiple civilian houses due to shelling in Krasnohorivka, Dokuchaievsk and Pikuzy. The SMM monitored a weapon in violation of withdrawal lines. The Mission continued monitoring the disengagement areas near Stanytsia Luhanska, Zolote and Petrivske. Its access remained restricted there and elsewhere.* The SMM observed a white flare fired near the Stanytsia Luhanska disengagement area. The Mission observed the removal of remnants of explosive devices near Shchastia. The SMM monitored two border areas not under government control. The SMM monitored public gatherings in Kharkiv and Lviv...

An OSCE-supported seminar for lawyers and media lawyers on effective legal protection against hate speech took place in Almaty on 29 May 2017...

The last in a series of 12 regional training courses on gender stereotypes and leadership for young women from rural areas conducted by the OSCE Office in Tajikistan’s Democratization Unit concluded on 25 May 2017...

MOLLINA, Spain, 29 May 2017 – Ten recommendations for mainstreaming the youth agenda into responses to security challenges was proposed by more than 70 young people between the ages of 18 and 29 from OSCE participating States and Partners for Co-operation at the end of the two-day OSCE 2017 Youth Conference on 26 May 2017 in Spain's Málaga province...

SARAJEVO, 27 May 2017 – The Personal Representatives of the Chairperson-in-Office on Combating Discrimination and Promoting Tolerance conducted a country visit to Bosnia and Herzegovina, which ended in Sarajevo yesterday.

The SMM’s operations in Donetsk and Luhansk regions remained restricted following the fatal incident of 23 April near Pryshyb; these restrictions continued to limit the Mission’s observations. The SMM recorded a similar number of ceasefire violations in Donetsk region compared with the previous reporting period. It recorded more ceasefire violations in Luhansk region.

The SMM’s operations in Donetsk and Luhansk regions remained restricted following the fatal incident of 23 April near Pryshyb; these restrictions continued to limit the Mission’s observations. The SMM recorded more ceasefire violations in Donetsk region – including, however, fewer explosions – compared with the previous reporting period. It recorded more ceasefire violations in Luhansk region. The Mission monitored the disengagement areas near Zolote and heard one explosion assessed as outside the Stanytsia Luhanska area. Its access remained restricted there and elsewhere.* The SMM visited a border area not under government control. The Mission observed almost 40 trucks- some marked with “Humanitarian Aid from the Russian Federation”- travelling towards Makiivka in Donetsk region and moving east near Teple in Luhansk region.

BELGRADE, 26 May 2017 – Identifying ways in which prosecutors’ associations can contribute to professional accountability and advancement of ethical standards in their work is the focus of the Third Global Forum of International Associations of Prosecutors, which opened today in Belgrade...

Konjic, Bosnia and Herzegovina, 26 May 2017 – The third Youth and Security Summer School, organized by the OSCE Mission to Bosnia and Herzegovina, concluded on 26 May in Konjic. The aim of the Summer School, which gathered 25 law, political and security studies students from across Bosnia and Herzegovina (BiH), is to educate youth about security policy, security sector reform and good governance in the security sector...

DUSHANBE, 26 May 2017 – Ten Kyrgyz Border Service and ten Tajik Border Troops Officers completed today a three-week training-of-trainers (TofT) course organized by the OSCE Office in Tajikistan. The advanced training course for a limited number of border officers who had already attended basic patrol leadership course served to develop their skills and abilities to teach and transfer knowledge further within their respective services and training institutions...

SARAJEVO, 25 May – The newly established OSCE Mobile Training Team for the identification of foreign terrorist fighters delivered its first on-site interactive training course from 23 to 25 May in Sarajevo. During the three-day event, 22 border officers from airports in Bosnia and Herzegovina learned how to identify potential foreign terrorist fighters at the border crossing points in compliance with international human rights standards.

The SMM’s operations in Donetsk and Luhansk regions remained restricted following the fatal incident of 23 April near Pryshyb; these restrictions continued to limit the Mission’s observations. In both Donetsk and Luhansk regions the Mission recorded fewer ceasefire violations and explosions compared with the previous reporting period. It followed up on reports of civilian casualties in Avdiivka, Donetsk city and Pikuzy.

CHISINAU, 25 May 2017 – The Special Representative of the Austrian OSCE Chairperson-in-Office for the Transdniestrian Settlement Process, Ambassador Wolf Dietrich Heim, today concluded his fourth visit to the region where he met chief negotiators of the sides in Chisinau and Tiraspol...

This report is for the general public and the media. SUMMARY On 25 May 2017 at 06:48 (Moscow time), the sixty-third [1] Russian convoy arrived at the Donetsk Border Crossing Point (BCP). A total of 16 vehicles were checked by the Russian border guards and customs services prior to them crossing

The OSCE Mission in Kosovo and Kosovo Police concluded on 24 May 2017 in Prishtinë/Priština a two-day workshop on the use of the Internet and social media to counter violent extremism and radicalization that lead to terrorism for the representatives of the police, the Ministry of Internal Affairs, religious groups, journalists and university students...

The OSCE Office for Democratic Institutions and Human Rights (ODIHR), the United Nations Office on Drugs and Crime (UNODC) and Penal Reform International (PRI) provided information about tools to promote and implement the revised UN Standard Minimum Rules for the Treatment of Prisoners (Nelson

The importance of co-operation to prevent military incidents during peacetime was the topic of the session of the Forum for Security Co-operation (FSC), currently under Russia’s Chairmanship, on 24 May 2017. The discussion focused on the Russian Federation’s national experience in the implementation of bilateral agreements on preventing incidents on and over the high seas...

Prosecutors from nine OSCE participating States and officials from the OSCE Presence in Albania and the OSCE Mission to Skopje took part in a train-the-trainers event on countering hate crime organized by the OSCE Office for Democratic Institutions and Human Rights (ODIHR) in Warsaw from 23 to 25

MINSK, 25 May 2017 – The Special Representative of the OSCE Chairperson-in-Office in Ukraine and in the Trilateral Contact Group (TCG), Ambassador Martin Sajdik, made the following statement to the press after the meeting of the TCG and its working groups in Minsk on 24 May 2017:...

VIENNA, 24 May 2017 – In the wake of Monday’s terrorist attack in Manchester, the OSCE Parliamentary Assembly's Special Representative on Anti-Terrorism, Nikolay Kovalev (MP, Russian Federation), participated Tuesday in the OSCE-wide Counter-Terrorism Conference 2017, being held in Vienna this week on the theme Preventing and Countering Violent Extremism and Radicalization that Lead to Terrorism...

The Strategic Police Matters Unit (SPMU) of the OSCE Transnational Threats Department introduced the OSCE’s project on intelligence-led policing at a side event of UNODC’s annual Commission on Crime Prevention and Criminal Justice in Vienna on 25 May 2017. The event was organized in co-operation with the UN Office on Drugs and Crime (UNODC) and the OSCE Office for Democratic Institutions and Human Rights (ODIHR)...

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 increased at both BCPs...

The SMM’s operations in Donetsk and Luhansk regions remained restricted following the fatal incident of 23 April near Pryshyb; these restrictions continued to limit the Mission’s observations. In Donetsk region the Mission recorded more ceasefire violations and explosions compared with the previous reporting period. In Luhansk region, the SMM recorded a similar number of ceasefire violations. It followed up on civilian casualties treated at the Donetsk Trauma Hospital. The Mission continued monitoring the disengagement areas near Stanytsia Luhanska, Zolote and Petrivske. Its access remained restricted there and elsewhere.* The SMM saw weapons in violation of withdrawal lines near Donetsk city. It saw two tail fins of 82mm mortar rounds and pieces of unexploded ordnance for the first time near Sentianivka and Sakhanka. The Mission visited three border areas currently not controlled by the Government, in Marynivka, Uspenka and Ulianivske. In Kyiv, the SMM monitored a public gathering. In Kherson region the Mission monitored the security situation at the administrative boundary line near Chaplynka...

ALMATY, Kazakhstan, 24 May 2017 – The OSCE-supported eighth annual Central Asian Forum on Internet Development began today in Almaty, Kazakhstan.

PRISHTINË/PRIŠTINA, 24 May 2017- Michael Linhart, representative of the Austrian 2017 OSCE Chairmanship and Austrian Deputy Foreign Minister, visited the OSCE Mission in Kosovo today. Linhart was received by the Head of Mission, Ambassador Jan Braathu, and senior management, who briefed him on the Mission’s activities.

ULAANBAATAR, 24 May 2017 – The OSCE Office for Democratic Institutions and Human Rights (ODIHR) today formally opened a limited election observation mission for the 26 June presidential election in Mongolia. The mission’s deployment follows an official invitation from the Mongolian Government...

ASTANA, 23 May 2017 – An OSCE-supported four-day regional training seminar for military officers on the practical implementation of the confidence- and security-building measures of the Vienna Document 2011 began today in Astana...

The SMM’s operations in Donetsk and Luhansk regions remained restricted following the fatal incident of 23 April near Pryshyb; these restrictions continued to limit the Mission’s observations. In Donetsk region the Mission recorded fewer ceasefire violations, but more explosions, compared with ceasefire violations recorded between the evenings of 20 and 21 May. In Luhansk region, the SMM recorded fewer ceasefire violations. It observed damage from gunfire in residential areas in Dokuchaievsk. The Mission continued monitoring the disengagement areas near Stanytsia Luhanska, Zolote and Petrivske. Its access remained restricted there and elsewhere.* The SMM saw for the first time a mine hazard sign near Kruta Hora. The Mission visited a border area currently not controlled by the Government. In Odessa the SMM monitored a protest by internally displaced persons. In Kyiv the Mission followed up on reports of an explosion at the office of a political party...

VIENNA, 23 May 2017 – The OSCE launches today the #DailyThrills social media challenge inviting young people to share their stories of resilience and commitment to inspire their peers. Violent extremists often purport to offer meaning, belonging, recognition or adventure to attract new recruits. Rather than falling prey to these deceitful narratives, there are many positive ways young people are channelling their energy, passion, and desire to push their limits...

The OSCE Mission to Moldova organized the second in a series of Human Rights Club meetings for lawyers from both banks of the Dniester/Nistru River on 19 May 2017. The event, held in Chisinau, brought together some 40 lawyers and civil society representatives to discuss current ethical norms and standard practices governing the legal profession...

VIENNA, 23 May 2017 – Young people are most vulnerable to terrorist radicalization and greater efforts should be made to prevent youth from being misled by violent extremists, said OSCE Chairperson-in-Office and Austria’s Foreign Minister Sebastian Kurz today as he opened the 2017 OSCE-wide Counter-Terrorism Conference in Vienna...

BELGRADE, 23 May 2017 – The OSCE Mission to Serbia, in partnership with the National School of Defence of the Military Academy, launched today in Belgrade a course on defence and security issues for some 20 members of the Serbian National Assembly...

VIENNA, 23 May 2017 – OSCE Chairperson-in-Office and Austrian Foreign Minister Sebastian Kurz and OSCE Secretary General Lamberto Zannier, expressing deep shock, condemned the horrific terrorist attack last night in Manchester and offer sincere condolences to the families and friends of the victims...

VIENNA, 23 May 2017 – OSCE Parliamentary Assembly President Christine Muttonen (MP, Austria) and the OSCE PA’s Special Representative on Anti-Terrorism, Nikolay Kovalev (MP, Russian Federation), expressed shock and outrage over an apparent terrorist attack targeting young concertgoers in Manchester, England, on Monday. The attack killed at least 22 – including children – and injured 59...

Topical issues of modernizing media legislation in line with OSCE commitments and international standards were the focus of an OSCE-organized event that took place in Ashgabat on 22 and 23 May 2017...

The SMM’s operations in Donetsk and Luhansk regions remained restricted following the fatal incident of 23 April near Pryshyb; these restrictions continued to limit the Mission’s observations. The Mission recorded more ceasefire violations between the evenings of 19 and 20 May compared with the previous reporting period. Between the evenings of 20 and 21 May the SMM recorded fewer ceasefire violations in Donetsk region and more in Luhansk region compared with the previous 24-hour period...

BELGRADE, 22 May 2017 – Austrian Deputy Foreign Minister Michael Linhart visited the OSCE Mission to Serbia today and was briefed by the Head of Mission, Andrea Orizio, and his staff on their ongoing work...

Strengthening the ability of civil society groups to counter hate crime was the focus of a training event co-hosted by the OSCE Office for Democratic Institutions and Human Rights (ODIHR) from 19 to 22 May 2017 in Istanbul. The event, organized in co-operation with the European Muslim Initiative

The first of two OSCE-supported three-day training seminars for court reporters concluded in Almaty, Kazakhstan on 20 May 2017. Some 15 journalists from across the country enhanced their professional skills in legal reporting, with a focus on making court reporting more interesting and establishing

The OSCE Mission to Moldova brought together representatives of law faculties, state authorities and relevant NGOs in Chisinau on 18 May 2017 to discuss new possibilities to strengthen the provision of much-needed primary legal aid in Moldova...

Latest from the OSCE Special Monitoring Mission to Ukraine (SMM), based on information received as of 19:30, 19 May 2017

The OSCE Mission to Montenegro participated on 18 May 2017 in the foundation stone laying ceremony for the construction of 51 apartments in Konik Camp, Podgorica, financed under the Regional Housing Programme (RHP)...

The SMM’s operations in Donetsk and Luhansk regions remained restricted following the fatal incident of 23 April near Pryshyb; these restrictions continued to limit the Mission’s observations. The SMM recorded fewer ceasefire violations in both Donetsk and Luhansk regions compared with the previous reporting period. The SMM continued to follow up on reports of shelling in Maiorsk. It continued monitoring the disengagement areas near Stanytsia Luhanska, Zolote and Petrivske; the Mission’s access remained restricted there and elsewhere.* The SMM observed weapons in violation of withdrawal lines. It observed demining activity and mine hazard signs. The Mission visited a border area currently not under government control. The SMM monitored peaceful gatherings in Kyiv and Kherson...

The OSCE Project Co-ordinator in Ukraine began training psychologists and social service providers in the psychological rehabilitation of conflict-affected populations on 17 and 18 May in Mariupol, Donetsk Region. This is the first in a series of events piloting the training course and manual developed in 2016 by the OSCE Project Co-ordinator in Ukraine at the request of Ukraine’s Ministry of Social Policy...

STOCKHOLM, Sweden, 19 May 2017 – A two-day OSCE workshop on prevention of human trafficking for labour exploitation in global supply chains co-hosted by the Council of the Baltic Sea States (CBSS) concluded today. The workshop provided more than 40 experts and policymakers from 15 OSCE participating States with the opportunity to discuss how governments in the OSCE region can address this problem more effectively, share promising practices and lessons learned and explore opportunities for further co-operation.

A group of 20 legal professionals – prosecutors, judges and justices of the peace – and academics discussed the important role of the criminal justice system in addressing hate crimes at a workshop co-organized by the OSCE Office for Democratic Institutions and Human Rights (ODIHR) on 19 May 2017

A five-day OSCE-supported training seminar for 30 border guards on the detection of forged travel documents and identification techniques concluded in Astana on 19 May 2017...

A three-day interactive workshop on the role of youth in positive messaging against Violent Extremism and Radicalisation Leading to Terrorism (VERLT) concluded on 19 May 2017 at the OSCE Office in Tajikistan...