News and press releases

The SMM recorded fewer ceasefire violations in Donetsk region compared with the previous 24-hour period. In Luhansk region, the SMM recorded fewer ceasefire violations, but more explosions compared with the previous 24-hour period. The SMM, in co-ordination with the Joint Centre for Control and Co-ordination (JCCC), facilitated and monitored repair of power supply to the Donetsk Water Filtration station and Avdiivka. The Mission observed restoration of electricity in Avdiivka. In areas not under government control the SMM observed a number of weapons in violation of the respective withdrawal lines in Luhansk region. The Mission continued to observe the blockade of railway tracks near Hirske. In various cities the SMM observed generally peaceful demonstrations commemorating the events on Maidan in Kyiv three years ago. In Kharkiv, the SMM followed up on media reports of an alleged shooting incident on the night of 17 February...

YEREVAN, 21 February 2017 – The OSCE Office for Democratic Institutions and Human Rights (ODIHR) today formally opened an election observation mission (EOM) for the 2 April parliamentary elections in Armenia. The mission’s deployment follows an official invitation from the Armenian authorities...

An OSCE-supported training seminar on energy efficiency and energy saving measures for some 70 secondary school teachers took place on 20 February 2017 in Karagandy, Kazakhstan...

VIENNA, 20 February 2017 – With regard to the 18 February presidential decree by the Russian Federation recognizing documents and license plates of vehicles issued to Ukraine’s citizens and stateless persons who reside in certain areas of the Donetsk and Luhansk regions, a spokesperson of Austria’s OSCE Chairmanship said today: “The OSCE Chairmanship expresses strong concern about this measure taken by the Russian Federation.

The SMM recorded more ceasefire violations compared with the previous reporting period in Donetsk region on both 18 and 19 February. In Luhansk region, the SMM observed more ceasefire violations on 18 February but fewer on 19 February. The SMM confirmed civilian casualties in Avdiivka and Trudivske and observed infrastructure damage as a result of shelling in Avdiivka, Trudivske, Pikuzy, Novooleksandrivka, and Zolote.

The OSCE Programme Office in Astana supported a roundtable discussion on the draft law “On amendments and additions to the Constitution of the Republic of Kazakhstan”, organized by the country’s Constitutional Council and the Charter for Human Rights Public Foundation in Almaty on 18 February 2017...

The SMM recorded fewer ceasefire violations compared with the previous reporting period in both Donetsk and Luhansk regions. The SMM continued monitoring the disengagement areas in Stanytsia Luhanska, Petrivske and Zolote, but its access remained restricted.* Outside of the disengagement areas the sides also continued to restrict the Mission’s monitoring, particularly in areas not controlled by the Government.* The SMM noted three tanks and two anti-tank guns in violation of withdrawal lines in areas not under government control and one howitzer in violation in an area controlled by the Government. It noted 29 weapons missing for the first time from a storage site not under government control. The Mission continued to observe the blockade of railway tracks near Hirske. It followed up on reports of vandalism at two banks in Kyiv...

The SMM recorded more ceasefire violations compared with the previous reporting period in both Donetsk and Luhansk regions. The SMM continued monitoring the disengagement areas in Stanytsia Luhanska, Petrivske and Zolote, but its access remained restricted.* Beyond the disengagement areas, too, the sides continued to restrict the Mission’s monitoring on numerous occasions through direct denials of access or other impediments, including by not removing mines.* The SMM noted weapons in violation of withdrawal lines on both sides of the contact line and noted weapons missing from storage sites. It observed the blockade of railway crossings near Hirske. The SMM facilitated repair of a power line between Svitlodarsk and Horlivka. It visited two border areas currently not controlled by the Government. The Mission followed up on the situation at a camp for Crimean Tatar activists near Chonhar...

An OSCE-supported five-day training course on presentation skills for instructors of the National Security Committee’s Border Guard Service and the Central Asian Regional Information and Coordination Centre for Combating Illicit Trafficking of Narcotic Drugs, Psychotropic Substances and their Precursors (CARICC) concluded on 17 February 2017 in Almaty, Kazakhstan...

MUNICH, 17 February 2017- The Co-Chairs of the OSCE Minsk Group (Ambassadors Igor Popov of the Russian Federation, Stephane Visconti of France and Richard Hoagland of the United States of America) met yesterday with the Foreign Minister of Armenia Edward Nalbandian and the Foreign Minister of Azerbaijan Elmar Mammadyarov, separately and then jointly...

MINSK, 16 February 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 15 February 2017:...

The SMM recorded fewer ceasefire violations compared with the previous reporting period in both Donetsk and Luhansk regions. The SMM continued monitoring the disengagement areas in Stanytsia Luhanska, Zolote and Petrivske but its access remained restricted.* Beyond the disengagement areas, too, the sides continued to restrict the Mission’s monitoring and verification on numerous occasions through direct denials of access or other impediments, including by not removing mines.* The SMM noted howitzers and tanks in violation of withdrawal lines and weapons missing from storage sites on both sides of the contact line. It observed the blockade of railway crossings near Hirske, Bakhmut and Shcherbynivka. The SMM facilitated repair of a power line between Svitlodarsk and Horlivka. It visited a border area currently not controlled by the Government. The Mission observed an organized gathering of civilians in front its residence in Donetsk city. The SMM monitored the situation of IDPs in Kharkiv...

VIENNA, 16 February 2017- Effectively protecting critical infrastructure from cyber threats must be a priority for international efforts to enhance cyber stability between States and therefore prevent tension and even conflicts, said participants of a conference in Vienna on Wednesday, opened by OSCE Chairperson-in-Office and Austrian Foreign Minister Sebastian Kurz...

The SMM recorded more ceasefire violations compared with the previous reporting period, mainly in the Avdiivka-Yasynuvata-Donetsk airport area. The Mission followed up on reports of explosions at industrial facilities in Donetsk city and Shchastia, and damage to civilian infrastructure in Novooleksandrivka. The SMM continued monitoring the disengagement areas in Stanytsia Luhanska, Zolote and Petrivske but its access remained restricted.* Beyond the disengagement areas, too, the sides continued to restrict the Mission’s monitoring and verification on numerous occasions through direct denials of access or other impediments, including by not removing mines.* The SMM noted tanks in violation of withdrawal lines and weapons missing from storage sites on both sides of the contact line. It monitored the situation of civilians at entry-exit checkpoints. The SMM monitored adherence to the ceasefire to facilitate repair of a power line near Luhanske. It observed the blockade of railway crossings near Hirske and Shcherbynivka. The SMM visited a border area currently not controlled by the Government...

Among the recommendations contained in the final report by the OSCE Office for Democratic Institutions and Human Rights (ODIHR) on the 30 October 2016 presidential election in Moldova are a comprehensive review of the electoral legal framework to eliminate existing gaps and ambiguities, as well as seeking broad consensus on improving laws, regulations and practical arrangements for voting abroad.

VIENNA, 15 February 2016 – The role of military chaplains in ensuring armed forces’ compliance with the OSCE Code of Conduct on Politico-Military Aspects of Security’s commitments in regard to human rights was in the focus of today’s discussion in the Forum for Security Co-operation (FSC), currently under Romania’s Chairmanship...

VIENNA, 15 February 2017 – Intimidating journalist Daphne Caruana Galizia could restrict public debate and diminish media freedom in Malta, OSCE Representative on Freedom of the Media Dunja Mijatović said today...

PRISHTINË/PRIŠTINA, 15 February 2017 – An OSCE conference on safety of the media in South-Eastern Europe concluded yesterday with the adoption of several recommendations, including the creation of a commission to investigate cases of murdered and missing journalists in Kosovo, the provision of special protection to journalists and the adequate prosecution of perpetrators of threats and intimidation against female journalists...

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 recorded fewer ceasefire violations in both Donetsk and Luhansk regions compared with the period between the evenings of the 11 and 12 February, mainly in the Avdiivka-Yasynuvata-Donetsk airport area. The SMM continued monitoring the disengagement areas in Stanytsia Luhanska, Zolote and Petrivske but its access remained restricted.* Its freedom of movement was restricted on numerous other occasions, in particular in areas not controlled by the Government.* The Mission observed weapons in violation of withdrawal lines on both sides of the contact line and noted the presence of armed formations in the security zone in Luhansk region. It facilitated repair of essential infrastructure near Luhanske and Pikuzy. The SMM observed the blockade of a railway crossing near Hirske and talked with interlocutors who spoke of the consequences of the blockade. The Mission followed up on a security incident at an activist camp in Kherson...

VIENNA, 14 February 2017 – OSCE Representative on Freedom of the Media Dunja Mijatović today condemned recent arson attacks on a journalist’s car and television channels M1 and M2 in Ukraine...

Vienna, 14 February 2017 – OSCE Special Representative and Co-ordinator for Combating Trafficking in Human Beings, Madina Jarbussynova, concluded on 11 February a six-day official visit to the Russian Federation to discuss the country’s implementation of OSCE anti-trafficking commitments.

The SMM recorded fewer ceasefire violations – including, however, more explosions – in Donetsk region between the evenings of 10 and 11 February compared with the previous reporting period. The number of ceasefire violations recorded was higher between the evenings of 11 and 12 February, but included fewer explosions. In Luhansk region, the SMM recorded more ceasefire violations – including, however, fewer explosions – between the evenings of 10 and 11 February compared with the previous reporting period. The number of ceasefire violations between the evenings of 11 and 12 February was similar compared with the previous 24 hours. The Mission followed up on a report of civilian casualties in Avdiivka. The SMM continued monitoring the disengagement areas in Stanytsia Luhanska, Zolote and Petrivske but its access remained restricted.* Its freedom of movement was further restricted, in particular in areas not controlled by the Government, including in an incident in which warning shots were fired near the SMM in Pikuzy.* The Mission observed a considerable number of weapons in violation of withdrawal lines, weapons beyond withdrawal lines but outside storage sites, and armoured combat vehicles in the security zone, particularly in areas of Luhansk region not controlled by the Government. The Mission observed the blockade of a railway crossing near Petrivka, and noted that the blockade of a railway track in Hirske continued. It visited two border areas currently not under government control...

BELGRADE, 13 February 2017 –OSCE Chairperson-in-Office and Austrian Foreign Minister Sebastian Kurz reiterated today in Belgrade the organization’s support to Serbia in building strong, independent, accountable and effective democratic institutions...

SKOPJE, 13 February 2017- OSCE Chairperson-in-Office and Austria’s Foreign Minister Sebastian Kurz, Foreign Minister Nikola Poposki, Head of the OSCE Mission to Skopje Ambassador Nina Suomalainen and the Mission’s informal Youth Advisory Group exchanged views on youth perspectives in countering radicalization and violent extremism in a roundtable discussion hosted yesterday in Skopje...

The SMM recorded more ceasefire violations in Donetsk region and fewer in Luhansk region compared with the previous reporting period. The Mission followed up on reports of civilian casualties. The SMM continued monitoring the disengagement areas in Stanytsia Luhanska, Zolote and Petrivske but its access remained restricted.* Its freedom of movement was further restricted, in particular in areas not controlled by the Government.* The Mission noted that the blockade of a railway track in Hirske continued. It visited one border area currently not under government control. The SMM followed up on reports of vandalism at an art exhibition in Kyiv...

The SMM recorded fewer ceasefire violations in both Donetsk and Luhansk regions compared with the previous reporting period, and facilitated dialogue strengthening the ceasefire. The Mission followed up on reports of shelling on both sides of the contact line, and assessed impact sites in Stanytsia Luhanska, Toshkivka, and Peredilske as caused by fire from multiple-launch-rocket systems.

VIENNA, 10 February 2017 – A specialized workshop on Singapore’s anti-corruption experience and best practices concluded today in Vienna...

SARAJEVO, 10 February 2017 – The OSCE project team tasked with conducting a multi-country survey on the well-being and security of women in the OSCE region concluded a four-day visit to the OSCE Mission to Bosnia and Herzegovina (BiH) today...

An OSCE-supported five-day training seminar for law-enforcement press officers concluded on 10 February 2017 in Astana...

An informal discussion on how to enable youth with disabilities to take an active part in political and public life was hosted by the OSCE Office for Democratic Institutions and Human Rights (ODIHR) in Warsaw on 9 February 2017. The event gathered some 30 participants, including young politicians

The SMM recorded a similar number of ceasefire violations in both Donetsk and Luhansk regions as in the previous reporting period, mostly in areas north of Donetsk and west of Luhansk. The SMM camera in Stanytsia Luhanska recorded ceasefire violations inside the disengagement area on the night of 3-4 February, while the situation remained calm there from 5 to 7 February. The Mission monitored the situation of civilians close to the contact line and at entry-exit checkpoints. The SMM continued monitoring the disengagement areas in Stanytsia Luhanska, Zolote and Petrivske but its access remained restricted.* The SMM lost communication with a mini unmanned aerial vehicle near Chernenko.* The Mission visited four border areas currently not under the control of the Government. The blockade of a railway track in Hirske continued...

The SMM recorded a similar number of ceasefire violations in Donetsk region and more in Luhansk region compared with the previous 24-hour period. The SMM and the Joint Centre for Control and Co-ordination (JCCC) facilitated repair of power supply to the Donetsk Water Filtration station and Avdiivka, which restored water, electricity and heating in the town. The Mission confirmed a report of a civilian fatality in Kurdiumivka and observed damage caused by shelling in Pikuzy, Donetsk and Novooleksandrivka. The SMM observed weapons in violation of withdrawal lines on both sides of the contact line. The Mission continued monitoring the disengagement areas in Stanytsia Luhanska, Zolote and Petrivske but its access remained restricted.* The Mission followed up on the relocation of civilians from Avdiivka. The SMM visited three border areas currently not under control of the Government. The blockade of a railway track in Hirske continued.

WARSAW, 8 February 2017 – Michael Georg Link, Director of the OSCE Office for Democratic Institutions and Human Rights (ODIHR), today expressed concern over the conviction by a Kirov court of Russian opposition politician Alexei Navalny on charges of embezzlement...

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...

KYIV, 7 February 2017- I welcome that as of today, fighting in the area of Avdiivka – Yasinuvata has significantly decreased.

The SMM recorded fewer ceasefire violations in Donetsk region and more in Luhansk region compared with the previous 24-hour period. The SMM, in co-ordination with the Joint Centre for Control and Co-ordination (JCCC), facilitated and monitored adherence to the ceasefire around the Donetsk water filtration station which allowed repair to take place and pumping operations to resume, restoring supply to thousands in Donetsk region. The Mission observed damage caused by shelling in Pikuzy, Lobacheve, Pavlopil, Orlivske and Uzhivka. The SMM observed weapons in violation of withdrawal lines on both sides on the contact line. The SMM continued monitoring in the disengagement areas in Stanytsia Luhanska, Zolote and Petrivske but its access remained restricted.* The Mission followed up on the relocation of civilians from Avdiivka. The SMM visited one border area currently not under control of the Government...

The OSCE Chairperson-in-Office, Austrian Foreign Minister Sebastian Kurz, visited Moldova from 3 to 4 February 2017...

NICOSIA, 6 February 2017 – The essential role that media can play in democratic processes and how they can contribute to building peace deserves the highest level of attention, not only in Cyprus, but throughout the OSCE region, Dunja Mijatović, the OSCE Representative on Freedom of the Media said today at a seminar in Nicosia, Cyprus...

The SMM recorded fewer ceasefire violations in Donetsk region between the evenings of 3 and 4 February compared with the previous reporting period, followed by an increase over the next 24 hours. The Mission recorded a consecutive decrease in ceasefire violations in Luhansk region compared with the previous reporting period between the evenings of 3 and 4 February and during the following 24 hours. The Mission continued to confirm reports of civilian casualties and observed damage caused by shelling in residential areas of Avdiivka, Donetsk city, and other settlements on both sides of the contact line. The SMM and the Joint Centre for Control and Co-ordination (JCCC) facilitated adherence to the ceasefire around the Donetsk water filtration station which allowed for a partial re-connection of the electricity supply to Avdiivka. The Mission observed weapons in violation on both sides of the contact line, particularly in areas not controlled by the Government around Donetsk city. The Mission continued monitoring in the disengagement areas in Stanytsia Luhanska, Petrivske and Zolote but its access remained restricted.* It noted ceasefire violations within the disengagement areas in Stanytsia Luhanska and Petrivske. The Mission visited three border areas currently not under government control...

COPENHAGEN, 2 February 2017 – In response to an executive decree adopted late Tuesday night by the Romanian government that relaxes criminal punishments for charges of abuse of power and conflicts of interest, the Chair of the OSCE Parliamentary Assembly’s economic and environmental committee, Portuguese parliamentarian Nilza Sena, said today that Romania must not backslide in the fight against corruption.

At 07:55 on 4 February, the SMM heard a loud explosion south of the Luhansk city centre. At 11:30, the SMM went to Chervonopraporna Street where it observed that the incident site had been cordoned off and about 20 “LPR” members, both armed and unarmed, and a fire brigade, were on the spot.

The SMM recorded fewer ceasefire violations in Donetsk region and more in Luhansk region compared with the previous reporting period as the situation remained volatile. The Mission confirmed reports of casualties, including fatalities, and observed damage caused by shelling in residential areas of Avdiivka, Donetsk city, Sartana and Chernenko.

At about 09:00 on 3 February 2017, as an SMM patrol approached a position of the so-called “LPR” near Kalynove (60km west of Luhansk), it saw three armed men in military-style uniform about 30m away.

On 3 February the SMM followed up on reports of casualties following fighting in Donetsk region. Medical staff at a hospital in government-controlled Avdiivka (17km north of Donetsk) informed the SMM about two civilian fatalities and two other persons who had suffered shrapnel injuries.

TBILISI/ERGNETI, 3 February 2017 – In Tbilisi, OSCE Chairperson-in-Office and Austrian Foreign Minister Sebastian Kurz met with Georgia’s President Giorgi Margvelashvili, Prime Minister Giorgi Kvirikashvili and Foreign Minister Mikheil Janelidze, as well as with representatives of the Parliament and civil society.

The SMM recorded fewer ceasefire violations in both Donetsk and Luhansk regions compared with the previous reporting period, though the overall situation remained tense. Most of the ceasefire violations were recorded in the Avdiivka-Yasynuvata-Donetsk airport area. The Mission followed up on reports of casualties and saw damage caused by shelling on both sides of the contact line, including in Avdiivka and Makiivka and observed the evacuation of children from Avdiivka.

VIENNA / KYIV, 3 February 2017 – The use of indiscriminate force in densely populated areas in eastern Ukraine is unacceptable. It must stop immediately and the sides need to cease fire now, said today OSCE Secretary General Lamberto Zannier as he condemned the surge in fighting.

KYIV, 3 February 2017 – The safety of journalists in Ukraine can be improved through legislative amendments and a better response from law enforcement agencies, said speakers at a conference which opened in Kyiv today, organized by the OSCE Project Co-ordinator in Ukraine, Ukraine’s Foreign Ministry, the Council of Europe Office in Ukraine, UNESCO and the Institute for Mass Information.

Noting that the Georgian parliamentary elections in October 2016 were competitive, well-administered and fundamental freedoms were generally respected, and the election administration and the management of voter lists enjoyed confidence, the final report by the OSCE Office for Democratic