News and press releases
News and press releases from the OSCE's global activities.
OSCE Chairman-in-Office and Secretary General condemn bombing of Mariupol and ongoing violence against civilians throughout Ukraine
Publishing date: 18 March 2022
WARSAW/VIENNA, 18 March 2022 – OSCE Chairman-in-Office and Polish Foreign Minister Zbigniew Rau and Secretary General Helga Maria Schmid strenuously condemned the ongoing violence by the Russian Armed Forces against civilian areas throughout Ukraine, including the recent bombing of a theatre harboring hundreds of civilians in Mariupol.
Special OSCE Permanent Council meeting held following Russian decision to recognize parts of Donetsk and Luhansk regions of Ukraine as independent
Publishing date: 23 February 2022
VIENNA, 23 FEBRUARY 2022 – Following the decision by Russian President Vladimir Putin to recognize parts of the Donetsk and Luhansk regions of Ukraine as independent, the 2022 Polish Chairmanship-in-Office convened the OSCE Permanent Council yesterday to meet in a reinforced format to address the current situation.
Joint statement by OSCE Chairman-in-Office Rau, Secretary General Schmid, OSCE Parliamentary Assembly President Cederfelt and Secretary General Montella on Russia’s recognition of certain areas of Ukraine’s Donetsk and Luhansk oblasts as independent
Publishing date: 21 February 2022
WARSAW/VIENNA, 21 February 2022 – The OSCE Chairman-in-Office and Foreign Minister of Poland, Zbigniew Rau, OSCE Secretary General Schmid, OSCE Parliamentary Assembly President Margareta Cederfelt (MP, Sweden) and OSCE Parliamentary Assembly Secretary General Roberto Montella strongly condemned the decision by Russia to recognize certain areas of Ukraine’s Donetsk and Luhansk oblasts as independent and made the following statement:
Conflict prevention at the core of the OSCE’s work, but must be further strengthened to face another decade, say participants at Ministerial Council side event
Publishing date: 3 December 2021
The OSCE has played a vital role in preventing conflict and responding to crises over the last decade, but further steps must be taken to strengthen and make better use of the OSCE’s unique toolbox in relation to early warning, early action, dialogue facilitation, mediation support and post-conflict rehabilitation.
OSCE Chairperson-in-Office and Secretary General condemn recent obstruction of OSCE SMM’s work, urge for full and safe access
Publishing date: 27 November 2021
VIENNA/STOCKHOLM, 27 November 2021 — OSCE Chairperson-in-Office, Swedish Minister for Foreign Affairs Ann Linde and OSCE Secretary General Helga Maria Schmid expressed concern over the systematic and unacceptable freedom of movement impediments that the OSCE Special Monitoring Mission to Ukraine (SMM) is currently facing in non-government-controlled areas of Ukraine, particularly in the Luhansk region. They called for the immediate removal of the restrictions, which have escalated to a new level, effectively preventing SMM’s operations.
OSCE Chairperson-in-Office and Secretary General call for removal of impediments on Ukraine Monitoring Mission’s freedom of movement, urge de-escalation
Publishing date: 20 October 2021
VIENNA/STOCKHOLM, 20 October 2021 — OSCE Chairperson-in-Office, Swedish Minister for Foreign Affairs Ann Linde and OSCE Secretary General Helga Maria Schmid expressed deep concern over the continuing freedom of movement restrictions faced by the OSCE Special Monitoring Mission to Ukraine (SMM) in non-government-controlled areas of Ukraine.
OSCE leaders condemn violence in Afghanistan and destabilization of region, call for respect for human rights and rule of law
Publishing date: 25 August 2021
VIENNA/STOCKHOLM/WARSAW, 25 August 2021 — OSCE leaders today condemned the violence in Afghanistan, expressed their deep worry about the ongoing developments and reaffirmed the OSCE’s support towards ensuring safety and security throughout the region.