News and press releases

BISHKEK, 31 March 2016 – A series of two consecutive one-week training courses co-organized by the OSCE Centre in Bishkek on the security and management of small arms and light weapons and stockpiles of conventional ammunition concluded in Bishkek today...

An OSCE-supported training seminar for judges from Kazakhstan’s regional courts on countering the trafficking of human beings began in Astana on 31 March 2016...

VIENNA, 31 March 2016 – On the eve of the trial in Turkey of journalists Can Dündar and Erdem Gül, OSCE Representative on Freedom of the Media Dunja Mijatović today called once again on the Turkish authorities not to prosecute them for their reporting on issues of public interest...

VIENNA, 30 March 2016 – OSCE Representative on Freedom of the Media Dunja Mijatović today condemned an attack on journalist Igor Rudnikov in Kaliningrad and called on the authorities to carry out a swift and thorough investigation into the case...

The SMM observed a high number of ceasefire violations in Donetsk region, mostly in the Yasynuvata-Avdiivka area. In Luhansk region the situation remained relatively calm, with a low number of ceasefire violations recorded. The SMM observed the marking of mined areas in the security zone. It facilitated and monitored adherence to the ceasefire to enable repairs of essential infrastructure. The Mission reached one border crossing point in areas not controlled by the Government. The SMM was restricted in its freedom of movement in areas not controlled by the Government*...

The OSCE Office in Tajikistan in co-operation with the OSCE Office for Democratic Institutions and Human Rights (ODIHR) on 29 March 2016 in Dushanbe organized a roundtable discussion with women politicians from all seven of the country’s registered political parties on the importance and relevance of gender action plans and gender budgeting...

BISHKEK, 30 March 2016 – Co-operation between the media and civil society in countering threats to the free flow of information and in promoting transparency and accountability were the focus of a two-day regional media conference, which ended today in Bishkek. The conference was organized by the OSCE Academy, in co-operation with the OSCE Centre in Bishkek, Internews–Kyrgyzstan and the Soros Foundation in Kyrgyzstan...

The Observer Mission (OM) continues to operate 24/7 at both Border Crossing Points (BCPs). The overall cross-border traffic increased at both BCPs. A forty-ninth Russian Convoy crossed at the Donetsk BCP...

A four-day seminar organized by the OSCE Office in Tajikistan on explosive hazards training management opened at the Office’s premises in Dushanbe on 29 March 2016...

BERLIN, 29 March 2016- OSCE Chairperson-in-Office and Germany’s Foreign Minister Frank-Walter Steinmeier is to depart for Central Asia this evening, where he will visit the OSCE participating States of Uzbekistan, Kyrgyzstan and Tajikistan from 30 March to 1 April. He will hold talks with political leaders and meet representatives of civil society in all three countries...

The SMM observed a high number of ceasefire violations in Donetsk region, mostly in the Yasynuvata-Avdiivka area. In Luhansk region the situation remained relatively calm and a low number of ceasefire violations was recorded. The Mission continued to monitor the withdrawal of weapons. The SMM observed the marking of mined areas in the security zone. It facilitated and monitored the retrieval of the body of a Ukrainian Armed Forces serviceman. The Mission reached four border crossing points in areas not controlled by the Government. The SMM encountered freedom of movement restrictions in areas not controlled by the Government.* In Kyiv, Kharkiv, Lviv and Odessa the SMM observed public demonstrations...

COPENHAGEN, 29 March 2016 – The Chairperson of the OSCE Parliamentary Assembly’s Committee on Democracy, Human Rights and Humanitarian Questions, Isabel Santos (MP, Portugal), and the OSCE PA Special Representative on the South Caucasus, Kristian Vigenin (MP, Bulgaria), today welcomed the decision of the Supreme Court of Azerbaijan to release on probation Intigam Aliyev, a prominent human rights lawyer...

ASTANA, 29 March 2016 – A two-day training seminar organized by the OSCE Programme Office in Astana in co-operation with the Financial Monitoring Committee (FMC) of Kazakhstan’s Finance Ministry began today in Astana with a focus on detecting terrorism financing through money transfer systems...

The SMM observed an increase in ceasefire violations around Donetsk city and in the Yasynuvata-Avdiivka area compared with 25 March. The situation in Luhansk region remained calm with no ceasefire violations recorded. The Mission observed the presence of mines and unexploded ordnance, and the marking off of mined areas in the security zone. It reached three border crossing points not controlled by the Government. The SMM faced a number of restrictions of its freedom of movement on both sides of the contact line...

ALMATY, Kazakhstan, 28 March 2016 – A five-day OSCE-supported training seminar for Kazakhstan’s Border Guards on document integrity and advanced methods to detect document forgery as well as potential impostors began today in Almaty, Kazakhstan...

The SMM observed a significant decrease in ceasefire violations in Donetsk region compared with the previous day, and several ceasefire violations in Luhansk region. The Mission continued to monitor the withdrawal of weapons. It observed the presence of mines, marking off of mined areas and demining in the security zone. It reached border crossing points not controlled by the Government. The SMM faced a high number of restrictions of its freedom of movement, all in areas not controlled by the Government, including border areas...

The SMM continued to observe a tense situation around Donetsk city and Svitlodarsk, while the situation in Luhansk region remained stable. The Mission continued to monitor the withdrawal of weapons and facilitated and monitored adherence to the ceasefire to enable repairs to essential infrastructure. It reached two border crossing points not controlled by the Government. The SMM faced restrictions of its freedom of movement in areas not controlled by the Government. Long queues of vehicles were observed at a checkpoint near the contact line. In Kyiv, the Mission monitored events related to the General Prosecutor’s Office...

ASTANA, 25 March 2016 – The first of three OSCE-supported two-day training seminars for court reporters began today in Astana...

On 24 March 2016 at 06:40hrs (Moscow time), a Russian convoy arrived at the Donetsk Border Crossing Point (BCP). A total of 48 vehicles were checked by the Russian border guards and customs services. All of the 48 vehicles had crossed back into the Russian Federation by 18:00hrs on 24 March...

The SMM observed a similarly high level of explosions in Donetsk region and an equally low level of ceasefire violations in Luhansk region compared to the previous day. The Mission continued to monitor the withdrawal of weapons. It reached one border crossing point not controlled by the Government. Long queues of vehicles were observed at checkpoints near the contact line. The SMM continued to facilitate and monitor adherence to the ceasefire to enable repairs to essential infrastructure. In Odessa, the Mission monitored a protest in support of Nadiya Savchenko...

The OSCE Presence in Albania on 24 March 2016 launched a series of workshops for the Albanian border and migration police with the aim of raising their capacity to respond to the challenges of irregular migration, particularly in light of the increased migrant flows through the Western Balkans...

The OSCE High Commissioner on National Minorities (HCNM) Astrid Thors visited Bosnia and Herzegovina from 20 to 24 March 2016, focusing extensively on education matters, visiting schools and educational facilities, meeting with pupils, parents and teachers and witnessing efforts made to bridge divides and develop joint activities...

SARAJEVO, 24 March 2016 – Ambassador Jonathan Moore, Head of the OSCE Mission to Bosnia and Herzegovina, today issued the following statement after the conviction of Radovan Karadzic:

The OSCE Office for Democratic Institutions and Human Rights (OSCE/ODIHR) in co-operation with the OSCE Office in Yerevan held a training course on the rights of migrants on 24-26 March 2016 in Tsaghkadzor, Armenia. The overall aim of this training was to support national authorities of OSCE participating States in ensuring that their national migration management practices comply with relevant international legal obligations and OSCE commitments, aiming to respect and protect the human rights of migrants...

The OSCE Office in Yerevan held a conference on 23 March 2016 to look at developments in the cyber security sector and related regulatory frameworks. The event was organized in co-operation with the National Assembly Standing Committee on Defense, National Security and Internal Affairs and the UK Embassy in Yerevan...

The SMM observed an increase in the number of ceasefire violations in Donetsk region compared to the previous day. In Luhansk region the number of violations observed was similar to the previous day. The Mission continued to monitor the withdrawal of weapons. It reached a border crossing point not controlled by the Government. Long queues of vehicles were observed at checkpoints near the contact line. The SMM continued to facilitate and monitor adherence to the ceasefire to enable repairs to essential infrastructure. The SMM followed up on the situation affecting pensioners in areas close to the contact line. In Kyiv and Kharkiv, the Mission monitored public gatherings.

Berlin, 23 March 2016- Special Representative of the OSCE Chairmanship Gernot Erler welcomed the agreement reached today, during the 35th round of the Geneva International Discussions, on the resumption of meetings of the Incident Prevention and Response Mechanism in Gali (IPRM).

GENEVA, Switzerland, 23 March 2016- The Geneva International Discussions have just concluded their 35th round. During the meeting, the participants reached an important agreement on the resumption of the work of the Gali / Gal Incident Prevention and Response Mechanism (IPRM).

BERLIN, 23 March 2016 – OSCE Chairperson-in-Office and German Foreign Minister Frank-Walter Steinmeier today welcomed the decision by the OSCE Ministerial Council to extend the mandate of the OSCE Representative on Freedom of the Media, Dunja Mijatović, for a period of one year...

MARIUPOL, Ukraine, 23 March 2016 – More than 200 participants, including officials of central and local government, civil society activists and experts gathered today at the East Ukrainian Forum “Reconstruction through Dialogue: Mariupol”, hosted by the OSCE Project Co-ordinator in Ukraine to

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

On World Water Day, marked on 22 March, the OSCE Special Monitoring Mission to Ukraine (SMM) calls on the sides to ensure all people are provided with a reliable supply of water. Hostilities in the conflict-affected east of Ukraine continue to damage water infrastructure, critical to the survival of the civilian population, and disrupt access to sufficient, safe, acceptable and affordable water for people and businesses...

The SMM observed a decrease in the number of ceasefire violations in Donetsk region compared to previous days. The situation in Luhansk region remained stable. The Mission continued to monitor the withdrawal of weapons. It observed a calm situation at border areas not controlled by the Government, and elsewhere faced restrictions to its freedom of movement*. The SMM monitored the humanitarian situation and freedom of movement for civilians near the contact line, and observed public gatherings in Kyiv and Kharkiv...

SARAJEVO, 22 March 2016- A conference on consequence management in response to an act of terrorism, organized by the OSCE Mission to Bosnia and Herzegovina (BiH) and the Ministry of Security of BiH, gathered today over sixty participants from the security and judicial sectors. The conference aimed to strengthen capacities in managing terrorist related incidents and furthering inter-agency co-operation and co-ordination...

WARSAW, 22 March 2016 Michael Georg Link, Director of the OSCE Office for Democratic Institutions and Human Rights (ODIHR), expressed concerns today over the conviction by a Russian court of Nadiya Savchenko, a Ukrainian air-force pilot, for complicity in the killing of two Russian journalists in June 2014...

BERLIN/VIENNA, 22 March 2016- OSCE Chairperson in Office, Federal Foreign Minister Frank Walter Steinmeier and OSCE Secretary General Lamberto Zannier condemned today’s terrorist attacks in Brussels in strongest terms and offered their heartfelt condolences to the families of the victims, the Belgian people and Government, and wished a speedy recovery to the many injured. They stressed the solidarity and the determination of the OSCE to contribute to the fight against terrorism...

COPENHAGEN, 22 March 2016 – OSCE Parliamentary Assembly President Ilkka Kanerva (MP, Finland) issued the following statement on today's terrorist attacks in Brussels...

Water is a strategic resource and an essential element of prosperity, security and stability. Committed water professionals contribute to sustainable water management and peaceful societies, said OSCE Secretary General Lamberto Zannier, on the occasion of 22 March, World Water Day, devoted to ‘Water and Jobs’...

The SMM observed a decrease in the number of ceasefire violations on both 19 and 20 March compared with 18 March, and notably registered no violations overnight from 19-20 March in Donetsk region. The situation remained stable in Luhansk. The SMM followed up on allegations of shelling and conducted crater analysis. It facilitated the repair of essential infrastructure. The Mission monitored border areas not controlled by the Government and observed a calm situation. The SMM was restricted in its freedom of movement mainly in areas not controlled by the Government, including in border areas.* The Mission observed the Festival of Equality and violent counter-demonstrations in Lviv.

On the International Day for the Elimination of Racial Discrimination, the heads of Europe’s main intergovernmental human rights institutions call for a strong response to xenophobic attacks against migrants, asylum seekers and refugees, and call on governments and state authorities to uphold their international obligations in this regard...

SARAJEVO, 21 March 2016 – The OSCE Mission to Bosnia and Herzegovina in cooperation with the Cantonal Associations of Social Workers today completed a series of events that marked the International Social Work Day...

Vienna/Berlin, 21 March 2016 –Special Representative of the German Government for the OSCE Chairmanship Gernot Erler, together with the Co-Chairs of the OSCE Minsk Group, Ambassadors Igor Popov of the Russian Federation, James Warlick of the United States of America, and Pierre Andrieu of France, reiterated today their strong commitment to a negotiated settlement of the Nagorno-Karabakh conflict.

ASTANA, 21 March 2016 – The 20 March early parliamentary elections were efficiently organized, with some progress noted, but they indicated that Kazakhstan still has a considerable way to go in meeting its OSCE commitments for democratic elections, international observers concluded in a preliminary statement released today. The legal framework restricts fundamental civil and political rights, and comprehensive reform is required. In a positive development, candidate registration was inclusive, and six parties contested the elections.

The SMM observed an increase in ceasefire violations in both Donetsk and Luhansk regions. Small-arms shots were fired in close proximity to SMM monitors south-west of “DPR”-controlled Yasynuvata. The Mission monitored border areas not controlled by the Government and observed a calm situation. The SMM was restricted in its freedom of movement mainly in areas not controlled by the Government*. The SMM observed actions related to the de-communization law.

WARSAW, 19 March 2016 – Michael Georg Link, Director of the OSCE Office for Democratic Institutions and Human Rights, welcomed today the pardon of a number of human rights defenders, activists and journalists by President Ilham Aliyev.

The SMM observed fewer ceasefire violations in Donetsk and Luhansk regions than the previous day and continued to monitor the withdrawal of weapons. The Mission monitored border areas not controlled by the Government and observed a calm situation. The SMM was restricted in its freedom of movement, mainly in areas not controlled by the Government*. The Mission monitored border areas not controlled by the Government and observed a calm situation. The Mission continued to facilitate and monitor adherence to the ceasefire to enable repairs to essential infrastructure. The SMM facilitated and monitored the resumption of operations at Yasynuvata water filtration station.

Berlin, 18 March 2016- On the second anniversary of the Russian Federation’s annexation of Crimean peninsula (18 March 2014), which under international law is part of Ukraine, Special Representative of the German Government for the OSCE Chairmanship Gernot Erler said: “Russia’s annexation of the Crimean peninsula two years ago today was contrary to international law and infringed fundamental OSCE principles, in particular the inviolability of international borders and respect for the sovereignty of all states.”

Recognizing, investigating and prosecuting hate crimes in Poland and Bulgaria were the focus of two workshops organized by the OSCE Office for Democratic Institutions and Human Rights (ODIHR), from 7 to 18 March 2016 in Lublin and Sofia.

BELGRADE, 18 March 2016 – The OSCE Office for Democratic Institutions and Human Rights (ODIHR) today formally opened a limited election observation mission for the 24 April early parliamentary elections in Serbia. The mission's deployment follows an invitation from the Serbian authorities...

Civic orientation and language support programmes in migrant integration were the focus of the regional expert workshop “Good Practices in Integration of Migrants in line with OSCE Commitments and International Legal Standards” held in Riga on 17 and 18 March 2016.