News and press releases

Summary In Donetsk region, the SMM recorded 26 ceasefire violations, including one explosion. In the previous reporting period, it recorded 102 ceasefire violations in the region. In Luhansk region, the Mission recorded 58 ceasefire violations, including one explosion. In the previous reporting

A three-week training course on underwater security for divers of the Committee for National Security’s Border Service concluded on 23 July 2021 in Aktau, Kazakhstan.

Summary In Donetsk region, the SMM recorded 102 ceasefire violations, including 12 explosions. In the previous reporting period, it recorded 98 ceasefire violations in the region. In Luhansk region, the Mission recorded one ceasefire violation – an explosion. In the previous reporting period, it

An OSCE-supported half-day online training webinar on elimination of corruption-related norms from draft laws concluded on 23 July 2021. The OSCE Programme Office in Nur-Sultan organized the event in partnership with Kazakhstan’s Anti-corruption Agency (ACA).

An OSCE-supported four-day Egmont Group course on strategic analysis concluded on 23 July 2021 in Nur-Sultan.

OSCE Representative on Freedom of the Media Teresa Ribeiro denounced today the continued massive violations of the right to freedom of expression and media freedom in Belarus, after recent cases of harassment and intimidation of media and journalists in the country.

Summary In Donetsk region, the SMM recorded 98 ceasefire violations, including seven explosions. In the previous reporting period, it recorded 40 ceasefire violations in the region. In Luhansk region, the Mission recorded 20 ceasefire violations, including 19 explosions. In the previous reporting

The OSCE Mission in Kosovo and the European Union Office in Kosovo organized an online event on 21 July 2021 to launch a three-year EU funded regional project on “Supporting a More Effective Administration of Justice in Corruption and Organized Crime Cases in the Western Balkans through Trial Monitoring”. Representatives of civil society organizations and journalists attended.

KYIV, 21 July 2021 – The Special Representative of the OSCE Chairperson-in-Office in Ukraine and in the Trilateral Contact Group (TCG), Ambassador Heidi Grau, made the following statement to the press after the regular meetings of the TCG and its Working Groups held through video conferencing:

The OSCE held an expert roundtable discussion on the role of independent National Rapporteurs or equivalent mechanisms in enhancing States’ anti-trafficking responses on 21 July 2021. The event was organized in partnership with the UK Independent Anti-Slavery Commissioner.

Summary In Donetsk region, the SMM recorded 40 ceasefire violations, including 12 explosions. In the previous reporting period, it recorded 86 ceasefire violations in the region. In Luhansk region, the Mission recorded two ceasefire violations. In the previous reporting period, it recorded four

VIENNA, 21 July 2021 — Under the motto, ‘rebuilding trust and confidence through implementation of politico-military commitments’, the Armenian FSC Chairmanship has sought to implement and protect OSCE commitments to prevent further erosion of European Security, said Armen Papikyan, the Chair of the Forum for Security Co-operation (FSC), during his remarks at the last FSC meeting under the Armenian FSC Chairmanship.

On 16 July 2021, the OSCE Representative on Freedom of the Media, Teresa Ribeiro, concluded an official three-day visit to Ukraine.

VIENNA, 21 July 2021 — OSCE Representative on Freedom of the Media Teresa Ribeiro expressed today her profound concern about the reported usage of surveillance-software against journalists. She called upon all participating States to refrain from using such tools and techniques against media workers and to protect journalists from the use of such software against them by third parties.

VIENNA, 20 July 2021 — Canada and Hungary, as the two Depositaries of the Treaty on Open Skies, signed in Helsinki on 24 March 1992, have convened a Conference of States Parties in accordance with Article XV Paragraph 3 of the Treaty. The organization of this Conference became necessary following the receipt of the notification of intent to withdraw from the Treaty by the Russian Federation on 18 June 2021.

The OSCE Border Management Staff College (BMSC) completed its 29th Staff Course for Women Leaders on 19 July 2021. The course was convened via video teleconferencing.

Summary In Donetsk region, the SMM recorded 86 ceasefire violations, including eight explosions. In the previous 24 hours, it recorded 275 ceasefire violations in the region. In Luhansk region, the Mission recorded four ceasefire violations, including two 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 increased at both BCPs compared to the previous week.

Summary In Donetsk region, between the evenings of 16 and 18 July, the SMM recorded 608 ceasefire violations, including 64 explosions. In the previous reporting period, it recorded 286 ceasefire violations in the region. In Luhansk region, between the evenings of 16 and 18 July, the Mission

The 17 March parliamentary elections in the Netherlands took place under a legal framework that was temporarily changed in response to the COVID-19 pandemic. This introduced early voting and expanded the use of proxy and postal voting. While the elections were well managed, some longstanding issues

STOCKHOLM, 19 July 2021 — The OSCE Chairperson-in-Office, Swedish Minister for Foreign Affairs Ann Linde announced today the appointment of Ambassador Mikko Kinnunen from Finland as the OSCE Chairperson’s Special Representative in Ukraine and in the Trilateral Contact Group. Ambassador Kinnunen will take up his new position upon the departure of Ambassador Heidi Grau, who currently holds the position and will leave her duties on 31 July.

Summary In Donetsk region, the SMM recorded 286 ceasefire violations, including 36 explosions. In the previous reporting period, it recorded 115 ceasefire violations in the region. In Luhansk region, the Mission recorded 53 ceasefire violations, including 17 explosions. In the previous reporting

Summary In Donetsk region, the SMM recorded 115 ceasefire violations, including three explosions. In the previous reporting period, it recorded 364 ceasefire violations in the region. In Luhansk region, the Mission recorded 95 ceasefire violations, including 15 explosions. In the previous reporting

TIRANA, 16 July 2021 – The OSCE Presence in Albania will partner with the Italian NationalAnti-Corruption Authority (ANAC) to strengthen professional capacities of the AlbanianSupreme State Audit Institution (ALSAI) in conducting public procurement audits andenhancing their quality. A first meeting to define the needs of the Institution and develop atraining programme took place online todayon 16 July 2021.

Promoting gender equality in Turkmenistan took the focus of a six-part roundtable discussion series organized by the OSCE Centre in Ashgabat in partnership with the United Nations Population Fund (UNFPA) and Institute of State, Law and Democracy of Turkmenistan from 7 to 16 July 2021.

Twenty practitioners from South-Eastern Europe and Central Asia took part in an online interactive OSCE workshop on inclusive youth engagement in preventing and countering violent extremism and radicalization that lead to terrorism (P/CVERLT) held on 15 July 2021.

Best practices in risk management related to anti-money laundering and countering the financing of terrorism (AML/CFT) was the focus of an OSCE seminar from 13 to 14 July 2021 in Ashgabat. Representatives of the Ministry of Finance and Economy of Turkmenistan, its Financial Monitoring Service, the Central Bank, the Supreme Court, the General Prosecutor’s Office, the Bar Association, law enforcement agencies and other state institutions, as well as the representatives of the private sector attended the seminar.

Summary In Donetsk region, the SMM recorded 364 ceasefire violations, including six explosions. In the previous reporting period, it recorded 395 ceasefire violations in the region. In Luhansk region, the Mission recorded 608 ceasefire violations, including 108 explosions. In the previous reporting

The necessity to identify and address threats to energy networks through robust and effective risk prevention and management policies has never been greater, said experts during an OSCE webinar on protecting critical energy infrastructures in the age of extreme weather held on 13 July 2021.

KYIV, 15 July 2021-— OSCE Representative on Freedom of the Media Teresa Ribeiro expressed her profound sadness over the passing of prominent Dutch investigative reporter, Peter R. de Vries.

Today, OSCE and Mediterranean Partners for Co-operation ambassadors discussed broadening their dialogue to include sustainable development and climate change.

VIENNA, 15 July 2021 — Poland’s OSCE Chairmanship next year will focus on supporting conflict resolution and conflict-affected populations, responding to post-COVID challenges, and embracing the OSCE’s spirit of co-operation towards implementing shared commitments, said Poland’s Minister of Foreign Affairs Zbigniew Rau in his address to the OSCE Permanent Council today.

Summary In Donetsk region, the SMM recorded 395 ceasefire violations, including 46 explosions. In the previous reporting period, it recorded 104 ceasefire violations in the region. In Luhansk region, the Mission recorded 99 ceasefire violations, including 12 explosions. In the previous reporting

SARAJEVO, 14 July 2021 — Support to victims and assistance to local authorities in combating human trafficking was the focus of an official field visit to Bosnia and Herzegovina by Valiant Richey, OSCE Special Representative and Co-ordinator for Combating Trafficking in Human Beings, and Gudrun Kugler, Vice-Chair of the OSCE Parliamentary Assembly Ad Hoc Committee on Migration.

VIENNA, 14 July 2021 — How to prevent and combat the evolving threat of all forms of terrorism was discussed today at the joint meeting of the OSCE Forum for Security Co-operation (FSC) and OSCE Permanent Council.

Experiences in combating illegal drugs and precursors, new trends in drug trafficking and the implications of the COVID-19 pandemic were discussed during a three-day OSCE training seminar held in Ashgabat from 12 to 14 July 2021.

Summary In Donetsk region, the Mission recorded 104 ceasefire violations, including 29 explosions. In the previous 24 hours, it recorded 218 ceasefire violations in the region. In Luhansk region, the SMM recorded 104 ceasefire violations, including two explosions. In the previous 24 hours, it

ERGNETI, 13 July 2021 — The 101st meeting of the Incident Prevention and Response Mechanism (IPRM) convened today in Ergneti, co-facilitated by the EU Monitoring Mission in Georgia and the Organization for Security and Co-operation in Europe (OSCE).

VIENNA/WARSAW, 13 July 2021 — Understanding the implications of digital technology is key to the protection and promotion of human rights in the 21st century, OSCE leaders said as a two-day online conference concluded on the opportunities and challenges of the digital age for human rights and democracy.

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, 13 July 2021 — Realising the potential of young people is key to ensuring economic success and enhancing stability in the Mediterranean region and the OSCE area, said speakers at the third Meeting of the OSCE Mediterranean Partners for Co-operation Group chaired by Poland yesterday.

Summary In Donetsk region, between the evenings of 9 and 11 July, the Mission recorded 335 ceasefire violations, including 28 explosions. In the previous reporting period, it recorded 15 ceasefire violations in the region. In Luhansk region, between the evenings of 9 and 11 July, the SMM recorded

In the framework of the 29th Staff Course for Women Leaders, the OSCE’s Border Management Staff College (BMSC) organized a roundtable discussion on 9 July 2021 in-person and online about border security and management and the impact of the COVID-19 pandemic.

SOFIA, 12 July 2021 – Bulgaria’s early parliamentary elections were competitive and fundamental freedoms were generally respected, international observers said in a statement today. The campaign environment was dominated by mutual accusations of corruption between the former ruling party and the provisional government, as well as by efforts by law-enforcement to curb vote-buying, the statement says.

CHISINAU, 12 July 2021 – Moldova’s early parliamentary elections were well managed amidst an improved legal framework and voters were offered a wide choice of alternatives, but concerns over the impartiality of the election authorities undermined trust while inadequate campaign finance rules left potential breaches unaddressed, international observers said in a statement today.

Summary In Donetsk region, the Mission recorded 15 ceasefire violations, including nine explosions. In the previous reporting period, it recorded 86 ceasefire violations in the region. In Luhansk region, the SMM recorded 114 ceasefire violations, including 53 explosions. In the previous reporting

Summary In Donetsk region, the Mission recorded 86 ceasefire violations, including 81 explosions. In the previous reporting period, it recorded 75 ceasefire violations in the region. In Luhansk region, the SMM recorded 43 ceasefire violations, including four explosions. In the previous reporting

VIENNA, 9 July 2021- The OSCE launched today a research paper analyzing intersections between terrorism and trafficking in human beings.

WARSAW, 9 July 2021 – Shortcomings in the process of judicial nominations to Georgia’s Supreme Court put the independence of the judiciary in the country at further risk, despite some recent improvements to the transparency and accountability of the process, the OSCE Office for Democratic Institutions and Human Rights (ODIHR) said today in its third monitoring report.

The OSCE Mission to Montenegro has commenced the implementation of the three-year project “Supporting a More Effective Administration of Justice in Corruption and Organised Crime Cases through Trial Monitoring,” funded by the European Union.