News and press releases

COPENHAGEN, 12 January 2016 – OSCE Parliamentary Assembly President Ilkka Kanerva (MP, Finland) issued the following statement on today’s terrorist attack in Istanbul’s Sultanahmet district:..

WARSAW, 11 January 2016 – In an open letter published today, marking 14 years since the opening of the Guantanamo Bay detention facility, Michael Georg Link, Director of the OSCE Office for Democratic Institutions and Human Rights (ODIHR), joined with four UN independent human rights experts in calling on the United States government to close the facility and hold accountable those responsible for human rights violations against detainees, both present and past...

The SMM observed a number of ceasefire violations, mainly around Donetsk airport, in Horlivka and in the wider area of Kominternove. In particular, there was a significant increase in the number of explosions observed in Horlivka. The Mission liaised with both sides of the Joint Centre for Control and Co-ordination to facilitate adherence to the ceasefire and evacuate an injured woman in Zaitseve. For the first time in over a month, the SMM had access to the border area of Sverdlovsk, where it observed a calm situation...

The SMM observed a generally calm situation throughout Donbas, with the exception of Horlivka and Telmanove, where it observed multiple ceasefire violations. In Luhansk region, the Mission observed live-fire training exercises in many areas not controlled by the Government...

The SMM observed relative calm with a small number of ceasefire violations in Donetsk and Luhansk regions and no ceasefire violations in the area near Donetsk airport. In Horlivka, armed “DPR” members temporarily held SMM monitors, and forced them to the ground at gunpoint. In areas not controlled by the Government, the SMM was denied access on five occasions and was granted conditional access at one occasion...

COPENHAGEN, 8 January 2016 – The OSCE Parliamentary Assembly’s Democracy, Human Rights and Humanitarian Questions Chairperson, Isabel Santos (MP, Portugal), today urged Poland’s leaders to repeal the country’s new media law, which gives the government direct control over the management of public broadcasters...

The SMM observed relative calm with a small number of ceasefire violations in Donetsk and Luhansk regions. “DPR” members restricted the SMM’s movements during a patrol to Kominternove. The SMM observed weapons missing from storage sites and weapons in use at training areas...

BERLIN, 6 January 2016- OSCE Chairperson-in-Office, German Foreign Minister Frank-Walter Steinmeier, condemned today the latest nuclear test in the Democratic People's Republic of Korea (DPRK) and called on the international community to react resolutely...

In Donetsk region, the SMM observed a small number of ceasefire violations, most of which were recorded around Donetsk airport. In Luhansk region, the SMM registered mortar shelling. The SMM was again denied access to Kominternove, from the east and south-west*. The SMM followed-up on reports of tensions between religious communities in western Ukraine and the creation of a self-defence force in Kherson...

VIENNA, 6 January 2016 – On the anniversary of the attack on the staff of the French satirical magazine Charlie Hebdo in Paris, OSCE Representative on Freedom of the Media Dunja Mijatović called for a stop to all forms of pressure, harassment or violence aimed at preventing opinions and ideas from being disseminated...

In Donetsk region, the SMM observed a small number of ceasefire violations– all but one were recorded around Donetsk airport. In Luhansk region, the SMM did not observe any ceasefire violations for the second consecutive day. In Kominternove and surrounding areas, the SMM observed a calm situation. The SMM experienced six freedom-of-movement restrictions, including denial of access to Kominternove from the east and to border areas not controlled by the Government*. The Ukrainian Armed Forces prevented the SMM from flying an SMM UAV...

Serbia’s first Serious and Organized Crime Threat Assessment (SOCTA) was published on the website of the Serbian Interior Ministry on 30 December 2015. The document, developed with the support of the OSCE Mission to Serbia, is a strategic overview of serious and organized crime in the country, including drugs, irregular migration, human trafficking, money laundering, corruption and cybercrime...

The SMM observed a relative calm with only a small number of ceasefire violations recorded in Donetsk region and in Luhansk region. The SMM was able to reach Kominternove and observed craters that residents said had been caused on 31 December. “LPR” members in an area north of Troitske threatened to shoot the SMM if they did not leave the area. “LPR” members prevented the SMM from travelling towards the Izvaryne and Dolzhanskyi border crossing points. “DPR” members refused the SMM access to the village of Oktiabr on three successive days. The SMM observed that a pylon on the Kakhovka–Titan power line that had been felled on 30 December had been replaced by 3 January. Marches commemorating the birthday of Stepan Bandera were observed by the SMM throughout the country...

COPENHAGEN, 4 January 2016 – Roberto Montella of Italy has begun service as Secretary General of the OSCE Parliamentary Assembly. He assumes the post following two decades of work in international politics, including in the governmental and parliamentary sides of the OSCE.

BERLIN, 1 January 2016- As it takes over the rotating OSCE Chairmanship in 2016, Germany’s top priorities will be rebuilding trust among participating States and maintaining efforts for achieving a political solution to the conflict in and around Ukraine, Federal Minister for Foreign Affairs Frank-Walter Steinmeier said today.

BERLIN, 1 January 2016- Speaking on New Year’s Day, OSCE Chairperson-in-Office and German Federal Foreign Minister Frank-Walter Steinmeier expressed satisfaction with the recent lull in violence in eastern Ukraine.

The SMM observed ceasefire violations in limited locations in Donetsk region. In Luhansk region, the SMM recorded no firing incidents except one controlled denotation. The SMM attempted, unsuccessfully, to reach Kominternove in order to observe the security situation in the village. The SMM continued to facilitate and monitor adherence to the ceasefire to enable infrastructure repairs...

KYIV, 31 December 2015- The Chief Monitor of the OSCE Special Monitoring Mission to Ukraine, Ambassador Ertugrul Apakan, expressed today strong hope that the coming year will be pivotal in de-escalating the violence and taking concrete steps towards a comprehensive solution to the conflict in Ukraine. “The people of Ukraine seek peace and normalization of the country,” he said...

SARAJEVO, 31 December 2015 – The OSCE Mission to Bosnia and Herzegovina marked 20 years of its presence in the country this month, with the OSCE’s senior officials reflecting on the achievements and challenges faced by the Mission over the last two decades...

The SMM observed ceasefire violations in southern Donetsk and Luhansk regions. The SMM visited the area of Kominternove to monitor the security situation. The SMM continued to facilitate and monitor adherence to the ceasefire to enable repairs of critical infrastructure. The SMM observed farmers’ protests in Kherson and Chernivtsi region...

VIENNA, 30 December 2015 – OSCE Representative on Freedom of the Media Dunja Mijatović today expressed deep concern about a proposed law in Poland that gives the government direct control over management positions in the public service broadcasters, Polskie Radio and Telewizja Polska (TVP)...

VIENNA, 29 December 2015 – OSCE Representative on Freedom of the Media Dunja Mijatović today raised the issue of another prison sentence handed down to a journalist in Azerbaijan after yesterday’s jailing of Rauf Mirkadyrov...

The SMM observed ceasefire violations in Donetsk and Luhansk regions. An SMM mini-unmanned aerial vehicle (mini-UAV) was caught in small-arms fire. The SMM revisited Kominternove to follow up on reports about the presence of armed persons in the village. The SMM continued to facilitate and monitor adherence to the ceasefire to enable repairs of critical infrastructure...

Awards recognizing best practices in local governance in Montenegro’s municipalities over the course of this year were presented at a ceremony organized on 28 December 2015 in Podgorica by the OSCE Mission to Montenegro in co-operation with the Union of Municipalities and the Ministry of Interior...

The SMM observed ceasefire violations in Donetsk and Luhansk regions. In Donetsk region, the SMM saw and heard the use of mortars. The SMM reached Kominternove several days in a row to follow up on reports about the presence of armed persons in the village and the situation of the residents, but its access was restricted*. The SMM encountered other restrictions to its freedom of movement and security incidents. The SMM reached parts of the international border in Luhansk region not controlled by the Government...

At 10:53hrs on 27 December, an SMM patrol comprised of six SMM members in two armoured vehicles arrived at 3.5km south-south-west of the centre of Kominternove village (92km south of Donetsk, 23km north-east of Mariupol) from “Donetsk People’s Republic” (“DPR”)-controlled Zaichenko (90km south of Donetsk), escorted by armed “DPR” members and a Russian Federation representative of the Joint Centre for Control and Co-ordination (accompanied by a media representative). There, the SMM started monitoring on foot and found three craters in an agricultural – not cultivated – field...

VIENNA, 26 December 2015 – OSCE Representative on Freedom of the Media Dunja Mijatović today said the recent detention of two journalists in Kazakhstan pose a direct threat to media freedom in the country...

BELGRADE, 25 December 2015 – OSCE Chairperson-in-Office and Serbia’s Foreign Minister Ivica Dačić today called on all sides in eastern Ukraine to keep ensuring lasting peace throughout holiday season...

At 10:25hrs on 24 December, an SMM patrol arrived in Kominternove (92km south of Donetsk, 23km north-east of Mariupol) from the village’s eastern entrance, escorted by armed “Donetsk People’s Republic” (“DPR”) members. For the last two days, the SMM had attempted to reach the village to follow up on reports about the presence of armed “DPR” members, but had not been able to do so due to security concerns and the restriction to its freedom of movement imposed by armed personnel (see SMM Daily Reports 23 December and 24 December 2015)...

The SMM observed fewer ceasefire violations in Donetsk and Luhansk regions compared to previous days. In Luhansk region, the SMM saw and heard the use of a multiple launch rocket system. The SMM again attempted, unsuccessfully, to reach Kominternove* in order to follow up on reports about the presence of armed persons in the village. The SMM encountered other restrictions to its freedom of movement...

On 24 December 2015 at 06:50hrs (Moscow time), a Russian convoy arrived at the Donetsk Border Crossing Point (BCP). A total of 44 vehicles were checked by the Russian border guard and customs services. All of 44 vehicles had crossed back into the Russian Federation by 16:00hrs on 24 December...

KYIV, 24 December 2015 – A new report by the OSCE Special Monitoring Mission to Ukraine (SMM) highlights access to justice challenges faced by people residing in both government and non-government-controlled areas in Donetsk and Luhansk regions...

YEREVAN, 24 December 2015 – An OSCE-supported pilot study aiming to improve the identification of forced labour and labour trafficking cases among adults and children in Armenia, and to strengthen joint efforts to address related challenges, was presented today in Yerevan...

The SMM observed an increase in the number of ceasefire violations in Donetsk and Luhansk regions compared to previous days. Crater analysis conducted by the SMM indicated the use of multiple launch rocket systems in Donetsk region. The SMM encountered restrictions to its freedom of movement, including at a heavy weapons holding area. The SMM attempted to reach Kominternove in order to follow up on reports about the presence of armed persons in the village...

An international conference on safeguarding human rights through national standards for judicial education was co-organized by the OSCE Project Co-ordinator in Ukraine on 18 December 2015 in Kyiv, bringing together local judges, judges of the European Court of Human Rights, experts, and representatives of academia, international organizations and national NGOs...

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

DUSHANBE, 23 December 2015 – A total of nineteen Afghan border police officers graduated today from the OSCE-supported four-week patrolling and leadership course at Gissar Training Centre, Tajikistan., 23 December 2015 – A total of nineteen Afghan border police officers graduated today from the OSCE-supported four-week patrolling and leadership course at Gissar Training Centre, Tajikistan...

The SMM recorded a low number of ceasefire violations in Donetsk region – mostly around Horlivka – and only one instance in Luhansk region. It experienced no specific freedom-of-movement restrictions during the reporting period. The SMM observed high numbers of people crossing the contact line, mostly into areas controlled by the Government...

VIENNA, 22 December 2015 – OSCE Secretary General Lamberto Zannier today met the President of Italy’s Chamber of Deputies, Laura Boldrini, to discuss ongoing co-operation between Italy and the OSCE and key security issues of common concern, including the current refugee and migration emergency, radicalization and violent extremism, the situation in the Western Balkans and human trafficking.

VIENNA, 22 December 2015 – OSCE Representative on Freedom of the Media Dunja Mijatović today said that a recent court ruling in Austria, ordering an online news portal to pay 2,000 Euros to the landlord of an asylum centre for trespassing, can affect the media’s ability to cover events of high public interest...

VIENNA, 22 December 2015 – OSCE Representative on Freedom of the Media Dunja Mijatović today urged the authorities in Bosnia and Herzegovina (BiH) to immediately address the long-standing issue of funding for the country’s public broadcasting system...

BISHKEK, 22 December 2015- The OSCE Centre in Bishkek and Kyrgyz OSCE Youth Ambassador Elvira Kalmurzaeva, in co-operation with the Kyrgyz Diplomatic Academy of the Foreign Affairs Ministry, held an open lecture in Bishkek today for master’s students on the OSCE’s role in regional security...

A national consultation workshop organized by the OSCE Office in Yerevan and the Armenian Ministry of Economy on expanding existing foreign markets for agricultural crops produced in Armenia and identifying potential new ones was held on 21 December 2015 in Yerevan...

The SMM observed a number of ceasefire violations in Donetsk and Luhansk regions. The SMM also observed fresh craters and impact of shelling in Donetsk region. It encountered restrictions to its freedom of movement, including to a border area not controlled by the Government. The SMM continued to facilitate and monitor the demining and repair of power lines in Luhansk region...

GENEVA/BRUSSELS/WARSAW, 18 December 2015 – The UN Refugee Agency (UNHCR), the Council of Europe (CoE) and the OSCE Office for Democratic Institutions and Human Rights (ODIHR) have urged Hungary to refrain from policies and practices that promote intolerance, fear and fuel xenophobia against refugees and migrants...

DOMODEDOVO, Russian Federation, 21 December 2015- Twelve Afghan law enforcement trainers completed an OSCE-organized train-of-trainers course at a Russian training facility near Moscow today, focusing on combatting illicit drug trafficking and drug-related crimes...

ASTANA, 21 December 2015 – An OSCE-supported seminar on implementing the recently-adopted laws on access to information and on public councils took place today in Astana bringing together some 70 high-level governmental officials, parliamentarians, representatives of civil society, national experts and journalists...

An OSCE-organized regional course on pre-deployment for peacekeeping operations began today in Almaty, Kazakhstan...

Staff members of the women’s penitentiary in the town of Nurek attended a training course co-organized by the OSCE Office in Tajikistan on 15-16 December 2015 on practical aspects of the UN Rules for the Treatment of Women Prisoners, also known as the Bangkok Rules...

The SMM observed ceasefire violations in Donetsk and Luhansk regions, including the use of multiple-launch rockets systems and mortars. In Luhansk region, the SMM was prevented to reach the border in an area outside the control of the Government. The SMM continued to facilitate and monitor the repairs of a water pipeline in Donetsk region.