News and press releases

Over 30 participants from ten countries took part in an in-person training course from 30 August to 3 September 2021 to build their knowledge and skills in addressing and enhancing the protection of cultural property. The course, organized jointly by the OSCE in co-operation with the Hellenic Multinational Peace Support Operations Training Centre (MPSOTC), was held in Kilkis, Greece.

Law enforcement representatives from the State Investigation and Protection Agency of Bosnia and Herzegovina attended a five-day OSCE-supported online workshop on the use of Open Source Intelligence (OSINT) for criminal and financial investigations, held from August 30 to September 3. Through practical and interactive sessions, participants gained knowledge on how to identify, gather and analyze quantitative and qualitative data that is publicly available on the internet.

OSCE High Commissioner on National Minorities Kairat Abdrakhmanov welcomed Hungary’s legislative framework for national minorities and efforts to accommodate the interests of the different ethnic groups living in the country during his visit to Budapest from 26 to 27 August 2021. The High

Summary In Donetsk region, the SMM recorded 21 ceasefire violations, including three explosions. In the previous reporting period, it recorded 96 ceasefire violations in the region. In Luhansk region, the Mission recorded 41 explosions ceasefire violations, including 34 explosions. In the previous

Summary In Donetsk region, the SMM recorded 96 ceasefire violations, including 63 explosions. In the previous reporting period, it recorded 112 ceasefire violations in the region. In Luhansk region, the Mission recorded 48 explosions. In the previous reporting period, it recorded 676 ceasefire

KYIV, 1 September 2021 — The Chief Monitor, Halit Çevik, reiterated that the SMM has been monitoring the security situation throughout Ukraine on a 24/7 basis since its deployment in the country upon the request of the Ukrainian government and by the decision of the OSCE Permanent Council.

Summary In Donetsk region, the SMM recorded 112 ceasefire violations, including 16 explosions. In the previous 24 hours, it recorded 11 ceasefire violations in the region. In Luhansk region, the Mission recorded 676 ceasefire violations, including 298 explosions. In the previous 24 hours, it

Kamensk-Shakhtinskiy, Russian Federation. The Observer Mission (OM) continues to operate 24/7 at both Border Crossing Points (BCPs). The overall number of border crossings by persons decreased at both BCPs compared to the previous week.

VIENNA, 31 August 2021 — In the face of growing tension, distrust, and transnational threats, we need a renewed and intensified commitment to dialogue and co-operation to strengthen our common security, said participants of 2021 OSCE Annual Security Review Conference.

On 27 August 2021, the OSCE Programme Office in Nur-Sultan concluded a five-day training webinar on modern methods to prevent and combat corruption.

Summary In Donetsk region, between the evenings of 27 and 29 August, the SMM recorded 354 ceasefire violations, including 281 explosions. In the previous reporting period, it recorded 40 ceasefire violations in the region. In Luhansk region, between the evenings of 27 and 29 August, the Mission

VIENNA, 30 August 2021 – Amid continuing massive violations of the right to freedom of expression and media freedom in Belarus, OSCE Representative on Freedom of the Media Teresa Ribeiro today deplored the decision of the authorities to shut down the Belarusian Association of Journalists (BAJ).

Representatives of the Turkmenbashi International Seaport, the Agency for Sea and River Transport, ‘Turmendenizderyayollary’, and other relevant ministries and agencies discussed international standards in port management and maritime logistics at an OSCE-organized online seminar held in Ashgabat from 30 to 31 August 2021.

A four-day training course aimed at strengthening the capacity of Kyrgyzstan to counter terrorist financing concluded in Issyk-Kul, Kyrgyzstan on 28 August 2021. It was organized by the OSCE’s Transnational Threats Department, in co-operation with the United Nations Office on Drugs and Crime (UNODC) and the OSCE Programme Office in Bishkek.

Summary In Donetsk region, the SMM recorded 40 ceasefire violations, including 11 explosions. In the previous reporting period, it recorded 87 ceasefire violations in the region. In Luhansk region, the Mission recorded 26 ceasefire violations, including 25 explosions. In the previous reporting

Summary In Donetsk region, the SMM recorded 87 ceasefire violations, including 28 explosions. In the previous reporting period, it recorded 12 ceasefire violations in the region. In Luhansk region, the Mission recorded 155 ceasefire violations, including 51 explosions. In the previous reporting

With support of the OSCE Project Co-ordinator in Uzbekistan, a delegation of Uzbek government officials participated in a study visit to the Headquarters of the International Institute for the Unification of Private Law (UNIDROIT) in Rome from 24 to 27 August 2021.

KYIV, 26 August 2021 – The Special Representative of the OSCE Chairperson-in-Office in Ukraine and in the Trilateral Contact Group (TCG), Ambassador Mikko Kinnunen, made the following statement to the press after the regular meetings of the TCG and its Working Groups held through video conferencing:

Summary In Donetsk region, the SMM recorded 12 ceasefire violations, including five explosions. In the previous reporting period, it recorded 125 ceasefire violations in the region. In Luhansk region, the Mission recorded 107 ceasefire violations, including 24 explosion. In the previous reporting

The OSCE Mission to Montenegro has supported the NGO Safe Women’s House to increase its shelter capacities for survivors of domestic and gender-based violence, by providing a prefabricated house in June 2021. On 24 August, Siv-Katrine Leirtroe, Acting Head of the Mission, visited the shelter.

TBILISI, 26 August 2021 – The OSCE Office for Democratic Institutions and Human Rights (ODIHR) today opened an election observation mission (EOM) for the 2 October local elections in Georgia, following an invitation from the national authorities...

Summary In Donetsk region, the SMM recorded 125 ceasefire violations, including 29 undetermined explosions. In the previous reporting period, it recorded 61 ceasefire violations in the region. In Luhansk region, the Mission recorded 61 ceasefire violations, including one undetermined explosion. In

COPENHAGEN, 25 August 2021 – With an aim to learning about the expected impact of developments in Afghanistan on neighbouring Central Asian countries and finding out how the OSCE Parliamentary Assembly can contribute to addressing concerns and meeting challenges, PA President Margareta Cederfelt (Sweden) convened an online meeting today with the heads of OSCE PA delegations and representatives of OSCE field offices in the region, as well as other relevant actors such as the OSCE Conflict Prevention Centre.

VIENNA/STOCKHOLM/WARSAW, 25 August 2021 — OSCE leaders today condemned the violence in Afghanistan, expressed their deep worry about the ongoing developments and reaffirmed the OSCE’s support towards ensuring safety and security throughout the region.

From 22 to 28 August 2021, twenty young diplomats from Belarus, Hungary, Kazakhstan, Kyrgyzstan, and the Russian Federation are taking part in a five-day International Summer School for Junior Diplomats in Issyk-Kul, Kyrgyzstan.

VIENNA, 25 August 2021 – OSCE Representative on Freedom of the Media Teresa Ribeiro today expressed her concern regarding Ukraine’s practice of applying sanctions that negatively affect the work of media outlets and journalists.

Summary In Donetsk region, the SMM recorded 61 ceasefire violations, including 16 explosions. In the previous 24 hours, it recorded 112 ceasefire violations in the region. In Luhansk region, the Mission recorded 20 ceasefire violations, including two explosions. In the previous 24 hours, it

The Observer Mission (OM) continues to operate 24/7 at both Border Crossing Points (BCPs). The overall number of border crossings by persons increased at both BCPs compared to the previous week.

VIENNA, 24 August 2021 – OSCE Representative on Freedom of the Media Teresa Ribeiro today expressed her grave concern regarding the expanding practice by Russian authorities to designate media outlets and journalists as ‘foreign agents’.

Summary In Donetsk region, between the evenings of 20 and 22 August, the SMM recorded 220 ceasefire violations, including 23 explosions. In the previous reporting period, it recorded 55 ceasefire violations in the region. In Luhansk region, between the evenings of 20 and 22 August, the Mission

WARSAW, 23 August 2021 – Despite a number of positive legal changes to the nomination process for the judges of Georgia’s Supreme Court, today’s final monitoring report of the OSCE Office for Democratic Institutions and Human Rights (ODIHR) shows that the stage of the appointment procedure carried out by parliament still lacks adequate safeguards, negatively affecting the integrity of the overall process.

Summary In Donetsk region, the SMM recorded 55 ceasefire violations, including six explosions. In the previous reporting period, it recorded 117 ceasefire violations in the region. In Luhansk region, the Mission recorded 92 ceasefire violations, including 60 explosions. In the previous reporting

Summary In Donetsk region, the SMM recorded 117 ceasefire violations, including 62 explosions. In the previous reporting period, it recorded 160 ceasefire violations in the region. In Luhansk region, the Mission recorded 12 ceasefire violations, including seven explosions. In the previous reporting

VIENNA, 20 August 2021- Throughout this past year we have witnessed acts of violence and hate-motivated attacks based on religion or belief across the OSCE region. Jews, Muslims, minority Christian communities, and others were targeted and endured physical and verbal abuse and even murder, solely because of their religious identification. Despite the strength and resilience many participating States have demonstrated in managing the COVID-19 crisis, the pandemic and its physical distancing restrictions have led to the proliferation of online intolerance. This includes racist discourse and incitement against members of religious and belief communities, anti-Semitic conspiracy theories, and hate speech against Muslims. These developments should alarm us all.

The Eighth Annual Anti-Terrorism Experts Meeting, organized by the Anti-Terrorist Center under the State Committee for National Security of Kyrgyzstan, the OSCE Programme Office in Bishkek, and the OSCE’s Action against Terrorism Unit/Transnational Threats Department, was held from 18 to 21 August 2021 in Issyk-Kul.

WARSAW, 20 August 2021 – Governments need to work harder to protect victims of religious hate crimes, and consistently condemn and prosecute all bias-motivated crimes, the OSCE Office for Democratic Institutions and Human Rights (ODIHR) said ahead of the third anniversary of the United Nations International Day Commemorating the Victims of Acts of Violence Based on Religion.

Summary In Donetsk region, the SMM recorded 160 ceasefire violations, including 24 explosions. In the previous reporting period, it recorded 165 ceasefire violations in the region. In Luhansk region, the Mission recorded 475 ceasefire violations, including 149 explosions. In the previous reporting

The OSCE Project Co-ordinator in Ukraine handed over specialized equipment to support the canine units of the State Border Guard Service of Ukraine (SBGS) at an official ceremony held in Kyiv on 19 August 2021.

Summary In Donetsk region, the SMM recorded 165 ceasefire violations, including three explosions. In the previous reporting period, it recorded 139 ceasefire violations in the region. In Luhansk region, the Mission recorded five ceasefire violations. In the previous reporting period, it recorded

Summary In Donetsk region, the SMM recorded 139 ceasefire violations, including seven explosions. In the previous 24 hours, it recorded 119 ceasefire violations in the region. In Luhansk region, the Mission recorded 445 ceasefire violations, including 77 explosions. In the previous 24 hours, it

The Observer Mission (OM) continues to operate 24/7 at both Border Crossing Points (BCPs). The overall number of border crossings by persons increased at both BCPs compared to the previous week.

Summary In Donetsk region, between the evenings of 13 and 15 August, the SMM recorded 225 ceasefire violations, including 53 explosions. In the previous reporting period, it recorded 13 ceasefire violations in the region. In Luhansk region, between the evenings of 13 and 15 August, the Mission

Summary In Donetsk region, the SMM recorded 13 ceasefire violations, including three explosions. In the previous reporting period, it recorded 155 ceasefire violations in the region. In Luhansk region, the Mission recorded 17 ceasefire violations, including three explosions. In the previous

Summary In Donetsk region, the SMM recorded 155 ceasefire violations, including 64 explosions. In the previous reporting period, it recorded 33 ceasefire violations in the region. In Luhansk region, the Mission recorded 17 ceasefire violations, including one explosion. In the previous reporting

Summary In Donetsk region, the SMM recorded 33 ceasefire violations, including 12 explosions. In the previous reporting period, it recorded 174 ceasefire violations in the region. In Luhansk region, the Mission recorded no ceasefire violations. In the previous reporting period, it recorded 99

On 12 August at 06:23 (Moscow time), the hundredth Russian convoy arrived at the Donetsk Border Crossing Point (BCP). A total of four vehicles were checked by Russian Federation border guards and customs officers prior to their crossing into Ukraine. All four vehicles had crossed back into the Russian Federation by 12:35 on 12 August.

Since June 2021, more than 160 participants from across Jalal-Abad and Osh provinces in Kyrgyzstan have taken part in a series of OSCE-supported training sessions focused on developing and implementing projects to promote local economic development.

Summary In Donetsk region, the SMM recorded 174 ceasefire violations, including 12 explosions. In the previous reporting period, it recorded 28 ceasefire violations in the region. In Luhansk region, the Mission recorded 99 ceasefire violations, including 21 explosions. In the previous reporting

International experiences on implementing digital technologies in the water industry was the focus of an OSCE-organized online seminar held on 10 and 11 August 2021 in Ashgabat.

A team of service dogs in Kyrgyzstan have now finished an eight-week training course to detect sources of heat above 37 C, which has also opened the door for these dogs to potentially help detect human body temperature increases associated with COVID-19.