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News and press releases
News and press releases from the OSCE's global activities.
Concerned about latest SMM reports of activities undermining Minsk commitments, OSCE Chair calls on all sides to preserve and consolidate ceasefire
Publishing date: 8 November 2014
Content type: Press release
Where we are: OSCE Chairmanship
What we do: Conflict prevention and resolution
Bern, November 8, 2014- With reference to the latest reporting of the OSCE Special Monitoring Mission regarding shelling and its victims in Donetsk and the appearance of convoys of heavy weapons and tanks in territory controlled by illegally armed groups, Swiss Foreign Minister and OSCE Chairperson-in-Office said he was very concerned about a resurgence of violence in the eastern regions of Ukraine and about activities leading to more fragility instead of further stabilization of the situation.
Confidence building measures to enhance cybersecurity in focus at OSCE meeting in Vienna
Publishing date: 7 November 2014
Content type: Press release
Where we are: OSCE Chairmanship, OSCE Secretariat
What we do: Cyber/ICT Security, Countering terrorism
VIENNA, 7 November 2014 – Cyber-security experts and representatives of the private sector, think-tanks and academia are meeting in Vienna today to discuss the implementation so far of a ground-breaking set of Confidence Building Measures (CBMs) agreed by OSCE participating States last year on reducing the risk of conflict stemming from the use of information and communication technologies (ICT), while exploring how the development of additional CBMs could be boosted.
Geneva International Discussions remain unique and indispensable forum, Co-chairs tell OSCE Permanent Council
Publishing date: 6 November 2014
Content type: Press release
Where we are: OSCE Chairmanship
What we do: Conflict prevention and resolution
VIENNA, 6 November 2014 – When addressing the OSCE Permanent Council in Vienna today, the co-chairs of the Geneva International Discussions (GID) stressed that the Geneva process is the only platform bringing together all stakeholders to discuss security-related issues and to work on the humanitarian needs of the conflict-affected population. The co-chairs urged participants in the GID to work constructively in order to achieve progress in addressing the consequences of the 2008 conflict in Georgia...
Stability, security and respect for human rights are shared UN and OSCE values, UN Secretary General Ban Ki-moon tells OSCE Permanent Council
Publishing date: 4 November 2014
Content type: Press release
Where we are: OSCE Chairmanship, Permanent Council
What we do: Human rights, Conflict prevention and resolution
VIENNA, 4 November 2014 – The OSCE plays a pivotal role in easing divisions, healing wounds and managing change, the UN Secretary-General Ban Ki-moon, told the OSCE Permanent Council in Vienna today, and emphasized the close UN-OSCE partnership in enhancing conflict prevention and resolution...
OSCE Special Representative on Gender Issues visits Tajikistan
Publishing date: 4 November 2014
Content type: Press release
Where we are: OSCE Chairmanship, OSCE Programme Office in Dushanbe
What we do: Gender equality
DUSHANBE, 4 November 2014 – Special Representative of the OSCE Chairperson-in-Office on Gender Issues June Zeitlin paid a four-day country visit to Tajikistan from 1 to 4 November 2014...
So-called elections not in line with Minsk Protocol, says OSCE Chair, calling for enhanced efforts and dialogue to implement all commitments
Publishing date: 31 October 2014
Content type: Press release
Where we are: OSCE Chairmanship
What we do: Conflict prevention and resolution
Swiss Foreign Minister and OSCE Chairperson-in-Office, Didier Burkhalter, reminded all parties that the Minsk Protocol and the Memorandum of September 5 and 19 respectively should continue to serve as the relevant framework and reference point for steps towards de-escalation of the conflict in eastern Ukraine. He noted that some progress was made in the implementation of the arrangements, particularly with regard to cease-fire and its monitoring, efforts towards decentralization and the liberation of detainees, which led to a decrease in violence.
Participants at OSCE meeting stress need for increased commitment to protecting human rights in times of economic crisis
Publishing date: 30 October 2014
Content type: Press release
What we do: Human rights
VIENNA, 30 October 2014 – While times of economic crisis can impose severe budgetary conditions on States, addressing these constraints cannot come at the cost of ignoring the responsibilities States have for the protection and promotion of human rights, participants said today at the opening of a two-day OSCE meeting in Vienna...