News and press releases

KYIV, 20 March 2020 – The Chief Monitor of the OSCE Special Monitoring Mission (SMM) to Ukraine, Y. Halit Çevik, welcomed today the extension of the SMM’s mandate for another year. “I thank our host country, Ukraine, and the OSCE participating States for taking this consensus decision,” the Chief Monitor said. “It is a mark of the continued support for the Mission’s work in contributing to reducing tensions and fostering peace, stability and security in Ukraine.”

TIRANA, 20 March 2020 – The OSCE Chairperson-in-Office, Prime Minister and Minister for Europe and Foreign Affairs of Albania, Edi Rama, welcomed yesterday’s OSCE Permanent Council decision to renew the mandate of the Special Monitoring Mission to Ukraine (SMM) for another year until 31 March 2021.

WARSAW/VIENNA/STRASBOURG, 20 March 2020 – While ever more countries introduce measures to counter the current health risks, it is important to remember that societies based on solidarity and inclusion are more resilient to fast-changing circumstances, said the heads of three European human rights institutions on the eve of the International Day for the Elimination of Racial Discrimination...

Summary Compared with the previous reporting period, the SMM recorded fewer ceasefire violations in both Donetsk and Luhansk regions. Small-arms fire was assessed as aimed at two SMM mini-unmanned aerial vehicles near Starohnativka and Yasynuvata, Donetsk region. The Mission continued monitoring

GENEVA / WASHINGTON / VIENNA, 19 March 2020 – In light of the growing disruptions caused by the COVID-19 pandemic, the monitors for freedom of expression and freedom of the media for the United Nations, the Inter-American Commission for Human Rights, and the Representative on Freedom of the Media of the Organization for Security and Co-operation in Europe issued the following joint statement:

MOSCOW / PARIS / WASHINGTON, D.C., 19 March 2020- Noting the current suspension of monitoring exercises by the Personal Representative of the OSCE Chairperson-in-Office due to the exceptional situation created by the spread of COVID-19, the OSCE Minsk Group Co-Chairs (Igor Popov of the Russian Federation, Stéphane Visconti of France, and Andrew Schofer of the United States of America) appeal to the sides to reaffirm their commitment to observe the ceasefire strictly and refrain from any provocative action that could further raise tensions during this period.

Summary Compared with the previous reporting period, the SMM recorded more ceasefire violations in Donetsk region and fewer in Luhansk region. Members of the armed formations displayed aggressive behaviour towards the SMM in Sofiivka, Donetsk region. The Mission continued monitoring the