News and press releases
News and press releases from the OSCE's global activities.
OSCE Special Monitoring Mission to Ukraine (SMM) Daily Report 67/2020 issued on 20 March 2020
Publishing date: 20 March 2020
Summary Compared with the previous reporting period, the SMM recorded more ceasefire violations in both Donetsk and Luhansk regions. Small-arms fire was assessed as aimed at an SMM mini-unmanned aerial vehicle near Stepanivka, Luhansk region. A man died due to shrapnel injuries in Syhnalne, Donetsk
First confirmed case of COVID-19 at the OSCE Secretariat in Vienna
Publishing date: 20 March 2020
The OSCE today has recorded its first case of COVID-19 involving a staff member at the Secretariat. All necessary protocols have been followed as set out by the Austrian authorities, and the staff member’s condition is already improving.
OSCE SMM Chief Monitor welcomes extension of Mission mandate
Publishing date: 20 March 2020
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.”
OSCE Chairperson-in-Office welcomes renewal of mandate and approval of budget of OSCE SMM – urges continued support for Mission on the ground
Publishing date: 20 March 2020
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.
Societies that stand together are more resilient in times of crisis, say human rights heads on International Anti-Racism Day
Publishing date: 20 March 2020
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...
OSCE Special Monitoring Mission to Ukraine (SMM) Daily Report 66/2020 issued on 19 March 2020
Publishing date: 19 March 2020
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
COVID-19: Governments must promote and protect access to and free flow of information during pandemic, say international media freedom experts
Publishing date: 19 March 2020
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: