News and press releases

On 5, 6, 7 and 8 May, members of the armed formations again denied SMM attempts to cross into non-government-controlled areas along official crossing routes: five times in Donetsk region and twice in Luhansk region, while further attempts to cross into government-controlled areas were also denied,

COPENHAGEN, 8 May 2020 – Significant efforts must be made to ensure that coronavirus-related emergency public spending measures adhere to the highest levels of transparency and principles of good governance, the OSCE Parliamentary Assembly’s Special Representative on Fighting Corruption, Irene Charalambides (MP, Cyprus), said today. She noted that with governments taking a series of important decisions and allocating enormous sums of money to prop up the economy, legally prescribed procurement procedures must be followed...

Summary Compared with the previous reporting period, the SMM recorded fewer ceasefire violations in both Donetsk and Luhansk regions. Members of the armed formations continued to deny the SMM passage at checkpoints along official crossing routes in Donetsk and Luhansk regions.* The Mission

VIENNA, 7 May 2020 – The OSCE Representative on Freedom of the Media, Harlem Désir, welcomed the decision of the lower chamber of the parliament of Kazakhstan to decriminalize defamation...

Summary Compared with the previous reporting period, the SMM recorded more ceasefire violations in Donetsk region, including a spike in areas west of Donetsk city, and fewer in Luhansk region. An SMM patrol heard five explosions assessed as mortar rounds while positioned close to a checkpoint of

In order to support the ongoing modernization drive of several media houses in Montenegro, the OSCE Mission to Montenegro delivered ten new desktop computers to the news house Vijesti on 6 May 2020 in Podgorica...

To help Serbia face the challenges stemming from the COVID-19 pandemic, the OSCE Mission to Serbia immediately adapted its support to meet the country’s needs...

Environmental crime in Albania increased in the first four months of 2020 compared to the same period last year, according to police reports...

VIENNA, 6 May 2020 – The OSCE Representative on Freedom of the Media, Harlem Désir, expressed his concerns today about a set of new amendments to the law on Countering Terrorism, as well as changes to the Code of Civil Procedure, in Kyrgyzstan...

On 5 May, the OSCE Project Co-ordinator in Uzbekistan, John MacGregor handed over personal protection equipment (PPE) to the Authorized Person of the Oliy Majlis of the Republic of Uzbekistan for Human Rights (Ombudsperson), Mr Ulugbek Mukhammadiev. The PPE is intended to help protect the staff of the Ombudsperson’s Secretariat and Regional Representatives from contracting COVID-19 when performing their official functions. This may include visiting and monitoring closed institutions, including quarantine facilities and penal colonies.

Summary Compared with the previous 24 hours, the SMM recorded more ceasefire violations in both Donetsk and Luhansk regions. The Mission saw damage from small-arms fire to a residential house in Yasynuvata and received information about civilians injured due to shelling in Oleksandrivka. Members of

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, 5 May 2020 – The OSCE Representative on Freedom of the Media, Harlem Désir, expressed his concern today about the ban that Turkey’s Radio and Television Supreme Council (RTÜK) has imposed on several media outlets in recent weeks...

VIENNA, 4 May 2020 – OSCE Representative on Freedom of the Media, Harlem Désir today expressed his concern after the Turkish-Cypriot channel Diyalog TV was prevented from broadcasting. This is the result of a decision of the Turkey Radio and Television Supreme Council (RTÜK).

On 30 April and 1, 2, 3 and 4 May, members of the armed formations again denied SMM attempts to cross into non-government-controlled areas along official crossing routes: five times in Donetsk region and twice in Luhansk region, while further attempts to cross into government-controlled areas were also denied, twice in Donetsk region and three times in Luhansk region. Additionally, on 30 April, members of the armed formations significantly delayed an SMM attempt to cross into government-controlled areas along an official crossing route in Donetsk region...

Summary Compared with the previous reporting period, between the evenings of 1 and 2 May, the SMM recorded more ceasefire violations in both Donetsk and Luhansk regions. Between the evenings of 2 and 3 May, the Mission recorded fewer ceasefire violations in both Donetsk and Luhansk regions,

On 22 and 29 April 2020, the OSCE Presence in Albania visited the border crossing points of Kapshtica and Kakavija to assess the overall situation, as well as measures taken in light of the COVID-19 pandemic...

At the invitation of the Legislative Chamber of the Oliy Majlis of Uzbekistan, the OSCE Project Co-ordinator in Uzbekistan, John MacGregor, participated at the video conference of the Parliament of Uzbekistan on 30 April 2020...

Warsaw, 4 May 2020 – The outbreak of the COVID-19 pandemic has brought home how many migrants are confined to overcrowded spaces with very little freedom to move around or keep a safe distance to others, and how dangerous this can be, the Director of the OSCE Office for Democratic Institutions and Human Rights (ODIHR) said today. At the same time, ODIHR is working with countries across the region to build on the good practices that are being developed in many places...

SARAJEVO, 03 May 2020- On the occasion of the World Press Freedom Day, the OSCE Mission to BiH, Council of Europe, Delegation of the European Union and European Union Special Representative in BiH, Office of the High Representative, United Nations in Bosnia and Herzegovina and embassies of France, Germany, Italy, Netherlands, Norway, Slovakia, Slovenia, Spain, Sweden, United Kingdom and the United States of America, issue the following statement:...

For over 25 years, World Press Freedom Day has been a yearly reminder that freedom of the media is a cornerstone in any democratic society, said Head of OSCE Mission to Montenegro, Maryse Daviet, on World Press Freedom Day, 3 May 2020...

Summary Compared with the previous reporting period, the SMM recorded fewer ceasefire violations in Donetsk region and more in Luhansk region. The Mission lost spatial control of its mini-unmanned aerial vehicle (UAV) near Vrubivka due to signal interference. It recovered the UAV with damage to its

VIENNA, 2 May 2020 – In a video message published on the occasion of World Press Freedom Day, the OSCE Representative on Freedom of the Media, Harlem Désir, called on participating States throughout the OSCE region to let journalists work without fear or favour, especially in this time of the COVID-19 pandemic...

VIENNA, 2 May 2020 – Following recent restrictions on several media in the Russian Federation, the OSCE Representative on Freedom of the Media, Harlem Désir, reiterated today his call on the Russian authorities to take into greater consideration the principles of necessity and proportionality when regulating the media and journalists’ activities...

Summary Compared with the previous reporting period, the SMM recorded more ceasefire violations in Donetsk region and fewer in Luhansk region. The SMM observed damage to buildings, including a school, in Zolote-5/Mykhailivka, Luhansk region. Members of the armed formations significantly delayed an

Summary Compared with the previous reporting period, the Mission recorded fewer ceasefire violations in both Donetsk and Luhansk regions. The Mission followed up on reports of three civilian casualties (including a boy) in non-government-controlled Horlivka, Donetsk region. Small-arms fire was

COPENHAGEN, 29 April 2020 – OSCE Parliamentary Assembly President George Tsereteli (Georgia) and Secretary General Roberto Montella hosted on Wednesday a video conference with the Assembly’s previous Presidents of the last 15 years. The participants discussed ways the experience and knowledge of former members of the OSCE PA can benefit the work of the Assembly in such challenging times when increased efforts, political leadership and parliamentary oversight are needed...

A goal-oriented dialogue with regular interactions by the two Chief Negotiators is crucial to addressing humanitarian challenges posed by the COVID-19 crisis for the population on both banks, the Head of the OSCE Mission to Moldova, Claus Neukirch, said in his address to the OSCE Permanent Council on 30 April 2020...

In view of the ongoing COVID-19 pandemic, the OSCE Project Co-ordinator provided assistance to Ukraine with a number of activities including handover of personal protective equipment (PPE) and awareness-raising.

Young people are agents of change, and they have a say also in the COVID-19 situation. With this aim, on 29 April 2020 in Tirana, the OSCE Presence in Albania brought together its Youth Advisory Group and the Albanian Delegation to the OSCE Parliamentary Assembly to discuss the COVID-19 situation in Albania, the work of the Albanian Delegation and youth involvement...

On April 30, the OSCE Project Co-ordinator in Uzbekistan provided humanitarian aid, including medical means of protection, to stop the spread of COVID-19 to Tashkent city police officers.

VIENNA, 30 April 2020 – How to address the consequences of the COVID-19 pandemic for the most vulnerable in our societies, especially for human trafficking victims and survivors, is the focus of a set of recommendations to governments published by the OSCE Special Representative and Co-ordinator for Combating Trafficking in Human Beings Valiant Richey today...

OSCE High Commissioner on National Minorities (HCNM) Lamberto Zannier launched the first-ever digitalized Macedonian-Albanian/Albanian-Macedonian phrasebook today. The High Commissioner presented the phrasebook at a virtual launch event.

On 28 and 29 April, members of the armed formations again denied SMM attempts to cross into non-government-controlled areas along official crossing routes: twice in Donetsk region and once in Luhansk region, while further attempts to cross into government-controlled areas were also denied, once in

Summary Compared with the previous reporting period, the Mission recorded fewer ceasefire violations in Donetsk region and more in Luhansk region. The SMM saw damage from shelling to residential buildings as well as recent craters near Novooleksandrivka, Luhansk region. Members of the armed

VIENNA / KYIV, 29 April 2020 – Steps need to be taken to rebuild trust and stability in the OSCE region, and to restore full and genuine implementation of our principles and commitments on politico-military security, said Ukrainian Foreign Minister Dmytro Kuleba as he opened Ukraine’s Chairmanship of the OSCE Forum for Security Co-operation (FSC) today...

COPENHAGEN, 29 April 2020 – As COVID-19 continues spreading quickly in many jails and prisons, some countries are releasing inmates on humanitarian grounds, a move welcomed today by leaders of the OSCE Parliamentary Assembly’s human rights committee. The parliamentarians echoed calls by United Nations officials and the World Health Organization for governments to drastically reduce prison populations...

Summary Compared with the previous reporting period, the Mission recorded fewer ceasefire violations in Donetsk region and more in Luhansk region. Members of the armed formations continued to deny the SMM passage at checkpoints along official crossing routes in Donetsk and Luhansk regions.* The

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

COPENHAGEN, 28 April 2020 – The elected leaders of the OSCE Parliamentary Assembly met online Monday for the annual spring Bureau meeting, hearing presentations from the OSCE Chair-in-Office, Albanian Prime Minister Edi Rama, and the EU Commissioner for Crisis Management, Ambassador Janez Lenarcic. The meeting, which usually takes place at the Danish Folketing, was held in an online format this year due to the coronavirus pandemic...

VIENNA/PRISHTINË/PRIŠTINA, 27 April 2020- The Head of the OSCE Mission in Kosovo, Jan Braathu, and the OSCE Representative on Freedom of the Media, Harlem Désir, strongly condemned the physical attack on TV Puls journalist earlier today in Mitrovica North.

Summary Compared with the previous reporting period, between the evenings of 24 and 25 April, the SMM recorded more ceasefire violations in Donetsk region and fewer in Luhansk region. Between the evenings of 25 and 26 April, the Mission recorded fewer ceasefire violations in both Donetsk and

On 25, 26, and 27 April, members of the armed formations again denied SMM attempts to cross into non-government-controlled areas along official crossing routes: three times in Donetsk region and twice in Luhansk region, while further attempts to cross into government-controlled areas were also denied, once in Donetsk region and once in Luhansk region...

The OSCE Programme Office in Dushanbe handed over medical and disinfection equipment to partners in the Tajik government, in Dushanbe, for preventing the potential spread of COVID-19. The Ministry of Health and Social Protection and the Committee of Emergency Situation and Civil Defence received the assistance on 21 and 24 April 2020, respectively.

The OSCE Mission to Bosnia and Herzegovina (BiH) called today for safety measures to be taken by governments in the country to protect women and children. The results of the OSCE Survey on Well Being and Safety of Women in BiH showed that almost one in two women survived some form of abuse including intimate partner violence since the age of 15. In addition, 64% of women in BIH can be considered as conflict-affected, while the indicated prevalence of current partner violence is higher among those women whose current partner fought in a conflict that those whose partner did not. The Mission finds this data worrying in light of the current situation.

Summary Compared with the previous reporting period, the Mission recorded a similar number of ceasefire violations in Donetsk region and more in Luhansk region. The SMM followed up on reports of civilian casualties in Syhnalne and Vesele. Members of the armed formations continued to deny the SMM

Summary Compared with the previous reporting period, the Mission recorded more ceasefire violations in both Donetsk and Luhansk regions. Small-arms fire was assessed as aimed at an SMM mini-unmanned aerial vehicle which was flying over areas near Chermalyk, Donetsk region. Members of the armed

On 23 and 24 April, members of the armed formations again denied SMM attempts to cross into non-government-controlled areas along official crossing routes: twice in Donetsk region and once in Luhansk region, while a further attempt to cross into government-controlled areas was also denied in Luhansk region...

Summary Compared with the previous reporting period, the Mission recorded more ceasefire violations in Donetsk region and fewer in Luhansk region. The Mission’s passage continued to be denied at checkpoints of the armed formations near Horlivka, Donetsk region and south of the Stanytsia Luhanska

VIENNA, 23 April 2020 – For the first time in its history, the OSCE Permanent Council was today held online. Complying with measures and restrictions introduced by the OSCE and the Austrian host authorities in light of the COVID-19 pandemic, delegations of the 57 participating States and 11 Partners for Co-operation held their first meeting via videoconference...