News and press releases

VIENNA / WARSAW, 8 March 2016 – OSCE participating States must take more action to close the gender gap in the nearest future, Ambassador Melanne Verveer, the OSCE Chairperson-in-Office’s Special Representative for Gender Issues, and Michael Georg Link, Director of the OSCE Office for Democratic Institutions and Human Rights (ODIHR) said today, on International Women’s Day...

VIENNA, 8 March 2016- On the occasion of International Women’s Day, OSCE Secretary General Lamberto Zannier called on all OSCE participating States to reaffirm their dedication and to increase their efforts toward achieving gender equality and the equal participation of women in conflict prevention and peace processes...

The SMM observed an increase in ceasefire violations in Donetsk region on both 5 and 6 March. The situation remained stable in Luhansk. It continued to monitor the withdrawal of weapons. The SMM did not observe any live-fire exercises. The Mission facilitated and monitored demining and repair work on both sides of the contact line, monitored the humanitarian situation near the contact line, and continued to observe signs of mines and unexploded ordnance (UXO). The SMM encountered numerous freedom-of-movement restrictions, mainly in areas not controlled by the Government, and reached six border crossing points not controlled by the Government. In Kyiv, approximately 1,000 people gathered on Maidan Square in support of Nadiya Savchenko and approximately 250 protestors later were observed in a protest in front of the Russian Embassy during which damage was caused to the building...

ULAANBAATAR, 7 March 2016 – A one-week advanced training course for 35 Mongolian law enforcement officers aimed at increasing their practical abilities to detect forged travel documents started today in Ulaanbaatar. The course is organized by the OSCE Transnational Threats Department, at the request of the Mongolian authorities...

The SMM observed a decrease in the number of ceasefire violations in Donetsk region compared with the previous day and continued to observe an overall stable situation in Luhansk region. It continued to monitor the withdrawal of weapons; some weapons were observed in violation of the withdrawal lines. The Mission facilitated and monitored demining and repair work on both sides of the contact line. In Ivano-Frankivsk, the SMM spoke to representatives of a veterans association. The Mission reached border areas not controlled by the Government*...

Rome, 5 March 2016 – An OSCE Security Days event on “Refocusing Migration and Security- Bridging National and Regional Responses” held in Rome on 4 March discussed short- and long-term approaches to both the current refugee crisis and structural drivers of mass migration, including conflict, economic imbalances, and climate change. Highlighting the added value of the OSCE, over 300 representatives of governments, parliaments, civil society, grassroots organizations, international and regional organizations, academics and journalists from OSCE participating States and Partners for Co-operation agreed that only a combination of strong leadership, inclusive coalitions and a common long-term strategy can effectively address these challenges.

The SMM observed an increase in ceasefire violations in Donetsk from the previous day and continued to observe a stable situation in Luhansk. It continued to monitor the withdrawal of weapons; some of them were observed in violation of the withdrawal lines. The Mission facilitated and monitored demining and repair work on both sides of the contact line and monitored the simultaneous release of detainees. The SMM encountered freedom-of-movement restrictions...

ROME, 4 March 2016 – The Chairperson of the OSCE Parliamentary Assembly’s Committee on Democracy, Human Rights and Humanitarian Questions, Isabel Santos (MP, Portugal), and OSCE PA Secretary General Roberto Montella addressed high-level panels in Rome this week on the crisis of migrants and refugees and the international community’s response...

VIENNA, 4 March 2016 – Appointing trustees to manage the Zaman daily newspaper is the latest in a string of measures initiated by the authorities to intimidate media in Turkey, Dunja Mijatović, OSCE Representative on Freedom of the Media said today...

SARAJEVO, 4 March 2016 – The OSCE Mission to Bosnia and Herzegovina, in co-operation with the Center for Judicial and Prosecutorial Training in Federation of BiH, completed today the first of eight seminars to be held this year for judiciary staff on witness protection prior to, during and after trial as well as compensation for damages...

BELGRADE, 4 March 2016 – The Head of the OSCE Mission to Serbia, Ambassador Peter Burkhard and the Deputy Head of Mission, Michael Uyehara visited the House of Human Rights (HHR) in Belgrade today, and met representatives of the Civic Initiatives and the Policy Centre, two of the five civil society organizations based at the House...

VIENNA, 4 March 2016 – The challenging refugee situation in Europe also has implications for freedom of the media, not least with regard to the rights and safety of members of the media reporting on this important issue, Representative on Freedom of the Media Dunja Mijatović said today...

OSCE-organized workshops for young journalists were held in Kurgan-Tube and Kulyab cities of Tajikistan’s Khatlon region from 29 February to 4 March 2016...

ASHGABAT, 4 March 2016 – Representatives of law-enforcement bodies and prison officials from across Turkmenistan discussed the principles and ethics of penitentiary staff at an OSCE-organized training course that concluded in Ashgabat today...

Decisions on mine action and on the prohibition of live-fire exercises were endorsed by the Trilateral Contact Group (TCG) in Minsk. The SMM observed ceasefire violations in numerous areas of Donetsk and Luhansk regions. The Mission observed a number of weapons outside storage sites – some of them in violation of the respective withdrawal lines. The SMM continued to observe the presence of mines and followed up on reports of mine-related fatalities. It facilitated and monitored repair works on both sides of the contact line. The SMM observed an anti-Maidan demonstration in Odessa...

VIENNA, 3 March 2016 – The use of drones by journalists for newsgathering purposes falls under the right of the media to publish news as well as the public’s right to receive information and ideas, OSCE Representative on Freedom of the Media Dunja Mijatović said today as she presented a set of recommendations on drone journalism...

SARAJEVO, 3 March 2016 – The OSCE Mission to Bosnia and Herzegovina, in co-operation with the BiH Ministry of Security and supported by the United States Government, concluded a two-day tabletop exercise at Jahorina mountain today, focusing on practical views and ideas in addressing the challenges of violent extremism...

AK-BULAK, Kazakhstan, 3 March 2016 – A three-day OSCE-supported roundtable discussion on the application of the new Civil Procedure Code of Kazakhstan and major areas of modernizing the procedural law began today in Ak-Bulak near Almaty, Kazakhstan...

The OSCE Presence in Albania and the Italian Embassy in Tirana, in co-operation with the National Anti-Trafficking Co-ordinator, Elona Gjebrea, and the Head of the State Agency on the Protection of Children’s Rights, Ina Verzivolli, on 3 March 2016, launched a project which aims to protect children from trafficking, exploitation and irregular migration...

BISHKEK, 3 March 2016 – The role of women police in the modern world and in Kyrgyzstan is the focus of a two-day international training-conference co-organized by the OSCE Centre in Bishkek to mark five years of the establishment of the Kyrgyz Association of Women Police and its membership of the International Association of Women Police...

MINSK, 3 March 2016 – The Chief Monitor of the OSCE Special Monitoring Mission to Ukraine (SMM) Ertugrul Apakan welcomed the decisions on mine action and prohibition of live-fire exercises, endorsed yesterday in Minsk by the Trilateral Contact Group (TCG)...

The SMM observed a reduced number of ceasefire violations in Donetsk region compared with the previous day. The situation in Luhansk region was relatively calm, with many ceasefire violations related to live-fire exercises. The Mission observed a number of weapons outside holding areas and storage sites – some of them in violation of the respective withdrawal lines. It facilitated and monitored repair works on both sides of the contact line. The SMM followed up on media reports on the alleged blockade of Russian Federation-registered trucks...

SUMMARY Kamensk-Shakhtinskiy, Russian Federation. The Observer Mission (OM) continues to operate 24/7 at both Border Crossing Points (BCP). The overall cross-border traffic decreased at both BCPs. OPERATIONAL REMARKS The OM is currently operating with 21 permanent international staff members (incl.

VIENNA, 2 March 2016 – During his visits to Tbilisi and Tskhinvali in advance of the 35th round of the Geneva International Discussions, the Special Representative of the OSCE Chairperson-in-Office for the South Caucasus, Ambassador Guenther Baechler, handed over a report relating to a case of three persons who disappeared shortly after the 2008 conflict in Georgia.

DUSHANBE, 2 March 2016 – An OSCE-supported seminar focusing on the use of a technologically advanced passport verification system, the International Civil Aviation Organization’ Public Key Directory (ICAO PKD), concluded today in Dushanbe...

The SMM observed a significantly higher number of ceasefire violations in Donetsk region than the previous day, and mostly training-related ones in Luhansk region. It continued to monitor the withdrawal of weapons. The Mission facilitated and monitored repair work on both sides of the contact line. The SMM encountered three freedom-of-movement restrictions, both in areas of Donetsk region not controlled by the Government.* The SMM noted reduced waiting times for crossing points on the contact line. It monitored public gatherings in Kyiv and Odessa...

Good practices and the challenges in developing and implementing ethics reform were the focus of discussions during an event co-organized by the OSCE Office for Democratic Institutions and Human Rights (ODIHR) on 1 March 2016 in Brussels as part of Ukraine Week in the European Parliament. Organized

Ukraine’s President Petro Poroshenko on 26 February 2016 approved a new national strategy for the development of civil society for 2016-2020, a document which was drafted with the support of the OSCE Project Co-ordinator in Ukraine in partnership with the Presidential Administration of Ukraine...

The OSCE Office for Democratic Institutions and Human Rights (ODIHR) joined with other global and regional intergovernmental human rights organizations and experts in issuing a statement of appreciation for the work of Poland’s national human rights institution, the Commissioner for Human Rights,

NEW YORK 29 February 2016 – OSCE Chairperson-in-Office and German Foreign Minister Frank-Walter Steinmeier briefed today the United Nations (UN) Security Council on the priorities of the German 2016 Chairmanship.

The SMM noted a lower number of ceasefire violations recorded compared to previous days in most areas of Donetsk region. It observed craters and damage to houses caused by recent shelling in Donetsk and Luhansk regions. The Mission noted a number of weapons missing from permanent storage sites and holding areas in both government- and non-government-controlled areas. The SMM was restricted in its freedom of movement in areas not controlled by the Government*. It facilitated and monitored repair works on both sides of the contact line and observed the handover of remains of a soldier. The SMM followed up on media reports on the blockade of Russian Federation-registered trucks at a border crossing point...

VIENNA, 29 February 2016 – The Tunisian National Dialogue Quartet, winner of the 2015 Nobel Peace Prize, addressed the OSCE Mediterranean Contact Group, in Vienna today. The Contact Group serves as the main venue for regular dialogue between the Mediterranean Partners for Co-operation and the OSCE participating States. It is headed by the incoming 2017 Chair of the OSCE, Austria...

The OSCE Office for Democratic Institutions and Human Rights (ODIHR) and the City Council of Valencia, Spain, signed an agreement on 29 February 2016 to train local law enforcement officers in recognizing, understanding and investigating hate crimes...

Promoting youth political participation was the focus of a course co-organized in Chisinau by the OSCE Office for Democratic Institutions and Human Rights (ODIHR) and the Community of Democracies in Moldova from 27 to 29 February 2016.

ASTANA, 29 February 2016 – Factors underlying violent extremism and radicalization that lead to terrorism and the ways to effectively address this threat in Central Asia and beyond were the focus of an international roundtable discussion organized by the OSCE Programme Office in Astana in co-operation with the Centre for Military Strategic Research under the Ministry of Defence, in Astana today...

The SMM continued to observe a lower number of ceasefire violations in Donetsk compared to earlier in the week. The situation in Luhansk was relatively quiet, with many ceasefire violations related to live-fire exercises. The Mission continued to monitor the withdrawal of weapons, and saw heavy weapons in violation of the withdrawal lines in areas not controlled by the Government in Donetsk region. It facilitated and monitored demining and repair works on both sides of the contact line and observed an exchange of detained persons. The SMM encountered freedom-of-movement restrictions, all in areas not under government control.* The Mission monitored two public gatherings in Kyiv and observed the spots where two statues had been toppled in Kharkiv region.

VIENNA, 26 February 2016 – OSCE Representative on Freedom of the Media Dunja Mijatović today expressed concern about recent media freedom developments in Ukraine...

The SMM observed a reduced number of ceasefire violations in Donetsk region compared with previous days. In Luhansk, all ceasefire violations observed were assessed to be part of training. The Mission continued to monitor the withdrawal of weapons. It facilitated and monitored repairs to essential infrastructure on both sides of the contact line in Luhansk region. The SMM encountered freedom of movement restrictions, all in areas not under government control*. The SMM observed a protest outside a TV station in Kyiv. The SMM facilitated dialogue between Church representatives in Ivano-Frankivsk region...

Lessons learned and recommendations for further reforms in policy, legislation and practice developed over the course of a project to promote the security of religious communities in Ukraine were the focus of an event organized by the OSCE Office of Democratic Institutions and Human Rights (ODIHR) in Kyiv on 25 and 26 February 2016.

Tajikistan’s Government on 9 February 2016 approved a National Action Plan, drafted with the support of the OSCE Conflict Prevention Centre and the OSCE Office in Tajikistan, on implementing UN Security Council Resolution 1540 (2004), on non-proliferation of weapons of mass destruction, their components and means of delivery. A corresponding resolution on the Plan’s further implementation by designated governmental structures was signed by the country the same day...

VIENNA, 26 February 2016 – The decision of the Constitutional Court to release journalists Can Dündar and Erdem Gül is a much needed step in the right direction in Turkey, the OSCE Representative on Freedom of the Media, Dunja Mijatović, said today...

VIENNA, 25 February 2016 – Nearly 300 lawmakers from Europe, Asia and North America, including four speakers of parliament, assembled today in Vienna for the opening of the OSCE Parliamentary Assembly’s 2016 Winter Meeting, its first major convocation of the year...

The final report by the OSCE Office for Democratic Institutions and Human Rights (ODIHR) on the 20 December 2015 parliamentary elections in Spain notes that the legal framework provides a basis for the conduct of genuinely democratic elections. It recommends, however, that the legal framework be amended to ensure the full enjoyment of the rights of freedom of expression, association and peaceful assembly, and to uphold the principle of equality of the vote.

The SMM observed a higher number of ceasefire violations in Donetsk than the previous day, and mostly training-related ones in Luhansk region. It continued to monitor the withdrawal of weapons. The Mission facilitated and monitored repair works on both sides of the contact line. The SMM encountered freedom-of-movement restrictions, all in Donetsk region.* The SMM noted long queues at crossing points on the contact line. It monitored public gatherings in Kyiv and Odessa...

KYZYLORDA, Kazakhstan, 25 February 2016 – A workshop on water quality assurance of the Aral-Syrdarya Water Basin took place today in Kyzylorda, Kazakhstan, bringing together some 40 representatives of regional authorities, civil society, academia and the Aral-Syrdarya Water Basin Council...

A new publication examining the progress made in achieving gender equality in politics was presented by the Director of the OSCE Office for Democratic Institutions and Human Rights (ODIHR) Micheal Georg Link on 25 February 2016 in Vienna, at the OSCE Parliamentary Assembly’s Winter Session.

The SMM observed a lower number of ceasefire violations in Donetsk than the previous day, and four training-related violations in Luhansk. It continued to monitor the withdrawal of weapons. The Mission facilitated and monitored repair works on both sides of the contact line. The SMM encountered freedom-of-movement restrictions, the majority south of Donetsk city. The SMM noted long queues along the line of contact. It observed public gatherings in Kyiv and Chernivtsi...

ERGNETI, 24 February 2016- The 63rd meeting under the Incident Prevention and Response Mechanism (IPRM) took place today in Ergneti, co-facilitated by Kęstutis Jankauskas, the Head of the EU Monitoring Mission in Georgia (EUMM), and Guenther Baechler, the Special Representative of the OSCE Chairperson-in-Office for the South Caucasus...

NEW YORK, 24 February 2016 – Delivering the Annual Harriman Lecture at Columbia University, OSCE Representative on Freedom of the Media Dunja Mijatović emphasized the importance of OSCE’s comprehensive and multi-dimensional concept of security. Mijatović said freedom of expression and free media constitute two imperative tools in fostering a meaningful debate on security issues and effectively addressing new security challenges...

WARSAW, 24 February, 2016 – Michael Georg Link, Director of the OSCE Office for Democratic Institutions and Human Rights (ODIHR), today welcomed the move by United States President Barack Obama to send to Congress a plan to close the detention facility at Guantanamo Bay...