News and press releases

WARSAW, 9 May 2016 – Reacting to the reported execution in Belarus of Syarhey Iwanow and a 6 May Supreme Court ruling upholding the death sentence against Sergei Khmelevsky, Michael Georg Link, Director of the OSCE Office for Democratic Institutions and Human Rights (ODIHR), today again called on Belarus to introduce an immediate moratorium on executions, as a step towards complete abolition of the death penalty...

PRISHTINË/PRIŠTINA, 9 May 2016 – A ten-day school of journalism organized by the OSCE Mission for around 20 young people from northern Kosovo started today in Mitrovica/Mitrovicё North...

TIRANA, 9 May 2016- The OSCE Presence in Albania today launched a sports-based youth development programme in co-operation with Tirana Rugby Club, with the aim of promoting teamwork, sport ethics, camaraderie, and a sense of belonging among youth, helping them understand that there are always positive alternatives to anti-social behaviour and criminality...

COPENHAGEN, 9 May 2016 – Members of the OSCE Parliamentary Assembly’s newly formed Ad Hoc Committee on Migration will be in Calais, France, this week to see the conditions for refugees and migrants seeking shelter in encampments there. The visit will serve as a fact-finding mission to enable the parliamentarians to gain a first-hand impression of conditions and to develop policy recommendations to improve the collective response to the refugee and migrant crisis...

In Donetsk region, the SMM noted a lower number of ceasefire violations compared with the previous day, with over 120 explosions recorded. In Luhansk region it noted a low level of violence with five explosions recorded. The Mission observed the presence of weapons in violation of the respective withdrawal lines. It continued to observe civilians travelling across the contact line. The SMM’s freedom of movement was restricted on 12 occasions, including five denials of access, all but one in areas not controlled by the Government...

The SMM noted a high level of violence in Donetsk region, with more than 230 explosions recorded; while it noted a low level of violence in Luhansk region, with four explosions recorded. It observed the presence of weapons in violation of the respective withdrawal lines. The Mission continued to observe civilians travelling across the contact line in both directions. On both sides of the contact line, the SMM’s freedom of movement was restricted on several occasions...

BERLIN, 6 May 2016- Regarding the Nagorno-Karabakh conflict, the spokesperson of the Federal Foreign Office of Germany expressed today concern about the situation at the Line of Contact.

The challenges and prospects for the freedoms of expression and of the media were the focus of a World Press Freedom Day conference organized by the Tajik Media Council and other media associations, and supported by the OSCE Office in Tajikistan and international media donors on 3 May 2016 in Dushanbe...

BISHKEK, 6 May 2016 – The role of radio in the digital age was the focus of an OSCE-supported International Media Forum held today in Bishkek, with the aim of exchanging experiences between representatives of local and foreign radio stations and introducing participants to new technologies for developing radio broadcasting in Kyrgyzstan...

ASHGABAT, 6 May 2016 – Some 60 students at Turkmenistan’s International University of Oil and Gas attended an OSCE-organized seminar on energy security and the role of international organizations in energy-related issues that took place in Ashgabat today...

A televised debate hosted by the Montenegrin Public Service Broadcaster and supported by the OSCE Mission on 2 May 2016, ahead of World Press Freedom Day, raised on awareness about the threats to media freedoms and specific problems facing journalism as a profession...

A two-day OSCE-supported training seminar for members of the National Preventive Mechanism (NPM) for Preventing Torture and Ill-treatment on practical aspects of NPM implementation began in Pavlodar, Kazakhstan on 6 May 2016...

The first in a series of OSCE-supported training courses for representatives of the Interior Ministry, Prosecutor and Ombudsman offices and civil society on the human rights of persons in police custody began on 4 May 2016 in Garm city, central Tajikistan...

The SMM recorded a similarly low number of ceasefire violations in Donetsk region as the previous day and a similar number of violations in Luhansk region when compared to the previous day. It observed the presence of weapons in violation of the respective withdrawal line on both sides of the contact line. The SMM also observed several hundred civilian vehicles and pedestrians waiting to cross the contact line.*

Vienna, 5 May 2016- The OSCE Conflict Prevention Centre took an important step towards furthering the OSCE’s approach to facilitating dialogue in Ukraine by inviting renowned international experts and local dialogue facilitators to participate with OSCE officials in an intensive day of brainstorming in Vienna on 26 April 2016.

The SMM noted a similarly low number of ceasefire violations as the previous day, with 50 explosions recorded in Donetsk region and four in Luhansk region. The SMM observed firing incidents which were attributable to a live-fire exercise in an area outside of the security zone. It observed the presence of weapons in violation of the respective withdrawal lines. The Mission continued to observe civilians travelling across the contact line in both directions. The SMM’s freedom of movement was restricted on both sides of the contact line...

Kamensk-Shakhtinskiy, Russian Federation. The Observer Mission (OM) continues to operate 24/7 at both Border Crossing Points (BCPs). The overall cross-border traffic decreased at both BCPs...

OSCE High Commissioner on National Minorities Astrid Thors visited Washington DC and New York City from 25 to 29 April 2016, where she explored opportunities to strengthen co-operation in conflict prevention, implementing early action policies and in fostering inclusion within diverse societies.

ARNASAI, Kazakhstan, 4 May 2016 – The first in a series of five OSCE-supported training seminars for women entrepreneurs working in the field of “green” technology began today in Arnasai village, Kazakhstan, with the aim of building their capacity in the sphere of effective horticulture, by taking into account modern energy and water-saving practices...

ASHGABAT, 4 May 2016 – Best practices in regulating online media and broadcasting were the focus of an OSCE-supported master class for some 25 representatives of state agencies, parliament, mass media and academia that ended in Ashgabat today...

Developing practical mechanisms of co-operation between law enforcement bodies and civil society in protection of domestic violence victims was the topic of a one-day workshop organized by the OSCE Office in Tajikistan in co-operation with the Interior Ministry and local authorities on 4 May 2016. The workshop was held in the premises of Djaihun Women Resource Centre, Khatlon region...

BISHKEK, 3 May 2016 – The OSCE Centre in Bishkek with the Kyrgyz Media Support Centre and Media Policy Institute, today marked World Press Freedom Day in Bishkek by conducting a quiz night for 75 Kyrgyz journalists, with the fun and games aiming to promote the ideas of free and independent media among the participants.

PODGORICA, 3 May 2016 – On the occasion of World Press Freedom Day on May 3, Head of the OSCE Mission to Montenegro, Janina Hrebickova, stressed the media’s crucial role in building and sustaining democracy.

Vienna, 3 May 2016 – Changing the dynamics of the current debate on European security was essential to effectively tackling current security challenges agreed OSCE Secretary General Lamberto Zannier and German Defense Minister Ursula von der Leyen today.

TUNIS, 3 May 2016 – Preventing and countering violent extremism was the focus of a regional roundtable discussion for North African Youth, from OSCE Mediterranean Partner Countries Algeria, Morocco, Egypt and Tunisia, as well and Libya, which concluded today in Tunis...

For the fourth consecutive day the SMM continued to observe a low number of ceasefire violations, with 73 explosions recorded in Donetsk region, and two in Luhansk region. It observed the presence of weapons in violation of the respective withdrawal lines. The Mission continued to observe civilians crossing the contact line in both directions. It observed the commemoration of events that took place on 2 May 2014 in Odessa. The SMM’s freedom of movement was restricted on both sides of the contact line...

VIENNA, 3 May 2016 – OSCE Representative on Freedom of the Media Dunja Mijatović today welcomed a decision by President Dalia Grybauskaitė to veto amendments to Lithuania’s Criminal Code that could severely affect the public’s right to information...

PRISHTINË/PRIŠTINA, 3 May 2016 – Respectable standards of freedom of press have been achieved in Kosovo over the years, creating a vibrant and diverse media scene- but these efforts need to continue in order to address remaining challenges, said Head of the OSCE Mission in Kosovo Jean-Claude Schlumberger today on World Press Freedom Day...

The OSCE Centre in Bishkek, in co-operation with the Kyrgyz Interior Ministry, organized a four-day training course for 20 officers on model neighborhood inspector held from 26 to 29 April 2016 at the community policing training center in Osh city...

VIENNA, 3 May 2016 – On World Press Freedom Day, OSCE Chairperson-in-Office and German Foreign Minister Frank-Walter Steinmeier and the OSCE Representative on Freedom of the Media Dunja Mijatović, stressed the importance of free and independent media for the development of democracy...

The SMM observed a low number of ceasefire violations in Donetsk region, and none in Luhansk region. It observed the re-opening of the crossing route at Stanytsia Luhanska, the continued closure of the one in Olenivka, and high numbers of people crossing elsewhere. The Mission attempted to monitor in border areas outside government control but was prevented from doing so. The Mission continued to monitor the withdrawal of weapons. It observed the presence of numerous weapons in violation of the respective withdrawal lines on both sides of the contact line. It was restricted in its freedom of movement, including at one heavy weapons holding area and at a border crossing point, both in areas not controlled by the Government...

CHERKASY, Ukraine, 2 May 2016 – Two six-day training courses for Ukrainian border control officers aimed at increasing their operational awareness to recognize original, forged and false documents, and in using forensic equipment to identify document forgery, started today in Cherkasy...

VIENNA, 2 May 2016 – OSCE Representative on Freedom of the Media Dunja Mijatović was today awarded the Concordia Press Club Prize 2015 in the category of press freedom and freedom of information...

The SMM recorded a lower number of ceasefire violations in Donetsk and Luhansk regions compared with the previous day. It conducted further crater analysis related to the shelling in Olenivka. The Mission observed presence of weapons in violation of the respective withdrawal lines. It facilitated and monitored adherence to the ceasefire to enable repair works. The SMM observed long queues at checkpoints near the contact line. It observed a protest in Odessa...

BERLIN, 29 April 2016 – OSCE Chairperson-in-Office and German Foreign Minister Frank-Walter Steinmeier welcomed the agreement reached today by the Trilateral Working Group (TCG) on full respect of the ceasefire in eastern Ukraine, starting with the orthodox Easter and May holidays...

MINSK, 29 April 2016 – The Special Representative of the OSCE Chairperson-in-Office in Ukraine and in the Trilateral Contact Group (TCG), Ambassador Martin Sajdik, today announced that the TCG, and participants from certain areas of the Donetsk and Luhansk regions of Ukraine, welcomed the determination of all participants of the Minsk process to provide for full respect of the ceasefire starting with the upcoming Easter and May holidays as of 30 April 2016, 00.00 hrs...

The SMM continued to record a high number of ceasefire violations in Donetsk and Luhansk regions. It continued to follow up on civilian fatalities sustained by shelling in Olenivka and reports on people wounded in the incident. The Mission found no information to confirm media reports about casualties resulting from a trip wire explosion in Stanytsia Luhanska. The SMM observed the presence of numerous weapons in violation of the respective withdrawal lines on both sides of the contact line. It also monitored several public gatherings in Kyiv...

The OSCE Mission to Moldova held the first in a series of Civil Society Club meetings on 28 April 2016 aimed at developing the practical skills of NGOs on the left bank of the Dniester/Nistru River. The event was held in Tiraspol and brought together staff members from 21 NGOs specializing in health, ecology and children’s rights, among other issues...

VIENNA, 29 April 2016 – Recent amendments to anti-terrorism measures in Uzbekistan should not be used to limit journalists’ access to information, OSCE Representative on Freedom of the Media Dunja Mijatović said today...

COPENHAGEN, 29 April 2016 – Kent Harstedt (MP, Sweden), Vice-President of the OSCE Parliamentary Assembly and Chair of its Ad Hoc Working Group on Belarus, had a mixed reaction to the statement of Chairwoman of the Central Election Commission (CEC) of Belarus Lidia Yermoshina following the press conference with the head of state on 27 April...

The second in a series of OSCE-supported two-day training seminars to raise awareness on the proper handling of hazardous chemicals and obsolete pesticides concluded on 29 April 2016 in Aralsk, Kazakhstan...

Tajikistan’s National Action Plan on implementing UN Security Council Resolution 1540, which was supported by the OSCE Office in Tajikistan as a way of enhancing the country’s chemical, biological, radiation and nuclear security, was presented to representatives of the international community in Dushanbe on 28 April 2016.

JALAL-ABAD, Kyrgyzstan, 29 April 2016 – Some 46 newly recruited prison staff today concluded a two-week capacity-building training course organized by the OSCE Centre in Bishkek and the Kyrgyz State Service on Execution of Punishment held from 18 to 29 April 2016...

MARY, Turkmenistan, 29 April 2016 – A two-day OSCE-organized seminar for 20 officers from the Traffic Control Police Service of Mary province, in southern Turkmenistan, on enhancing their capacity to efficiently manage traffic and safeguard road security, concluded today...

The first in a series of five OSCE-supported two-day training seminars for more than 30 law-enforcement officers from 14 regions of Kazakhstan on investigative techniques and methods to counter trafficking in human beings started in Karaganda on 29 April 2016...

Four civilians were killed in “DPR”-controlled Olenivka, south-west of Donetsk city, when the area came under shelling. The SMM recorded significant numbers of ceasefire violations in Donetsk and Luhansk regions, including multiple launch rocket system fire. The SMM monitored a demonstration against the mayor in Odessa. The SMM monitored a demonstration outside a closed-door court hearing in Kharkiv involving members of the Aidar battalion.

VIENNA, 28 April 2016 – The sentencing of two journalists in Turkey for republishing a cartoon is deeply worrying and another serious setback for freedom of expression in Turkey, OSCE media freedom representative Dunja Mijatović said today...

The Serbian government and the OSCE Office for Democratic Institutions and Human Rights (ODIHR) agreed on 28 April 2016, to implement teaching materials on anti-Semitism in classrooms across Serbia.

The OSCE Office for Democratic Institutions and Human Rights (ODIHR) and the Police Board of Finland, signed an agreement on 28 April 2016 to strengthen the ability of law enforcement officers across the country to recognize, understand and investigate hate crimes.

BISHKEK, 28 April 2016 – The two-day conference of the 12th Central Asia Border Security Initiative concluded today in Bishkek having brought together some 100 officials to discuss the role of border management in countering extremism, managing migration flows and facilitating of cross-border trade...