News and press releases

VIENNA/TIRANA, 26 March 2020- Chair of the OSCE Permanent Council Igli Hasani, OSCE Secretary General Thomas Greminger, Director of the OSCE Office for Democratic Institutions and Human Rights Ingibjörg Sólrún Gísladóttir, OSCE Representative on Freedom of the Media Harlem Désir and OSCE High Commissioner on National Minorities Lamberto Zannier today sent the following letter to the OSCE Community:

Following the presidential election in Romania on 10 and 24 November 2019, the OSCE Office for Democratic Institutions and Human Rights (ODIHR) has published its final report.   The report concludes that the 2019 presidential election was competitive, pluralistic, and offered voters a genuine

VIENNA, 26 March 2020 – The OSCE Representative on Freedom of the Media, Harlem Désir, expressed his deep concern today about the detention of Serguey Satsouk, director and editor of the news website Ezhednevnik (ej.by) in Belarus, reportedly because of his earlier investigations into alleged corruption by the Ministry of Health Protection...

THE HAGUE, 26 March 2020 – OSCE High Commissioner on National Minorities Lamberto Zannier has prepared recommendations for governments to consider in their efforts to combat the spread of COVID-19...

On 25 March, members of the armed formations again denied an attempt of the SMM to cross into non-government-controlled areas of Donetsk region, while a further attempt to cross into non-government-controlled areas of Luhansk region, both along official crossing routes, was also denied...

Summary Compared with the previous reporting period, the SMM recorded more ceasefire violations in both Donetsk and Luhansk regions. The Mission continued monitoring the disengagement areas near Stanytsia Luhanska, Zolote and Petrivske. The SMM saw that the entry-exit checkpoint near Maiorsk and

VIENNA, 25 March 2020 – The OSCE Representative on Freedom of the Media, Harlem Désir, expressed his concern today regarding amendments to the law on information, adopted by the national parliament of Azerbaijan on 17 March, in the context of the fight against disinformation related to the COVID-19 pandemic.

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, 24 March 2020- The OSCE Representative on Freedom of the Media, Harlem Désir, voiced his concern today regarding the advertising ban imposed by the Press Advertising Agency (BİK) on the Evrensel daily newspaper. Désir made his call ahead of the newspaper facing the deadline for regaining the right to publish public advertisements, which expires on 28 March 2020.

Summary Compared with the previous reporting period, the SMM recorded fewer ceasefire violations in Donetsk region and more in Luhansk region. The Mission continued monitoring the disengagement areas near Stanytsia Luhanska, Zolote and Petrivske. It saw five weapons in violation of withdrawal lines

VIENNA, 24 March 2020 – The OSCE Representative on Freedom of the Media, Harlem Désir, expressed his concerns today about recent interferences regarding media content by the media regulatory agency in Russia, Roskomnadzor, in the context of the fight against disinformation related to the COVID-19 pandemic.

VIENNA, 24 March 2020 – The OSCE Representative on Freedom of the Media, Harlem Désir, expressed his concerns today about a package of amendments to the criminal and administrative codes, introduced in Armenia on 23 March, in the context of the fight against disinformation related to the COVID-19 pandemic...

On 23 March, members of the armed formations denied two attempts of the SMM to cross into non-government-controlled areas of Donetsk region, as well as one attempt in Luhansk region, along official crossing routes. The Mission was also delayed exit, for the first time, towards government-controlled areas, in Donetsk region...

VIENNA/PRISHTINË/PRIŠTINA, 23 March 2020- The Head of the OSCE Mission in Kosovo, Jan Braathu, and the OSCE Representative on Freedom of the Media, Harlem Désir, condemned the physical attack that was reported earlier today in Mitrovica North against a journalist crew from Gazeta Blic that was covering the COVID-19 situation in this municipality.

VIENNA, 23 March 2020 – The OSCE Representative on Freedom of the Media, Harlem Désir, expressed his concerns today about provisions of the coronavirus response draft bill in Hungary that could negatively impact the work of the media reporting on the pandemic.

Summary Compared with the previous reporting period, between the evenings of 20 and 21 March, the SMM recorded fewer ceasefire violations in Donetsk region and more in Luhansk region. Between the evenings of 21 and 22 March, the SMM recorded fewer ceasefire violations in both Donetsk and Luhansk

TIRANA/VIENNA, 23 March 2020- OSCE Chairperson-in-Office, Prime Minister and Minister for Europe and Foreign Affairs of Albania, Edi Rama, and OSCE Secretary General Thomas Greminger expressed their deep concern that in recent days, the armed formations have prevented the OSCE Special Monitoring Mission to Ukraine (SMM) from crossing the contact line into non-government-controlled areas of eastern Ukraine. They called for urgent steps to ensure the safety of SMM staff and that the SMM is able to continue to operate, while taking into account the need to control the spread of COVID-19...

VIENNA / SARAJEVO, 23 March 2020 – The OSCE Representative on Freedom of the Media, Harlem Désir, and the Head of the OSCE Mission to Bosnia and Herzegovina (BiH), Kathleen Kavalec, expressed their concern today following the announcement of the introduction of new measures against spreading panic and “fake news” regarding the coronavirus in the country.

VIENNA, 23 March 2020 – The OSCE Representative on Freedom of the Media, Harlem Désir, expressed his concern today over the detention of several journalists in Turkey after they published reports on the coronavirus crisis.

On 21 and 22 March, members of the armed formations at checkpoints in Donetsk region denied all SMM patrols travelling from government-controlled areas passage into non-government-controlled areas...

Summary Compared with the previous reporting period, the SMM recorded more ceasefire violations in both Donetsk and Luhansk regions. The SMM saw damage from shelling to a non-functional school in Donetsk city. The Mission continued monitoring the disengagement areas near Stanytsia Luhanska, Zolote

SARAJEVO, 21 March 2020- The OSCE Mission to Bosnia and Herzegovina (BiH) marked 21 March- the International Day for the Elimination of Racial Discrimination by digitally launching the report on “Discrimination in Bosnia and Herzegovina: Public Perceptions, Attitudes, and Experiences”...

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

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.

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

TBILISI, 18 March 2020- The Personal Representative of the OSCE Chairperson-in-Office on the conflict dealt with by the OSCE Minsk Conference, Ambassador Andrzej Kasprzyk, has issued the following statement:

VIENNA, 18 March 2020 – The OSCE Representative on Freedom of the Media, Harlem Désir, condemned today the brutal attack on Bulgarian journalist Slavi Angelov, editor of the weekly newspaper and related website “168 chasa”, in Sofia.

VIENNA, 17 March 2020 – The OSCE Representative on Freedom of the Media, Harlem Désir, welcomed today the decision by the authorities in Azerbaijan to free independent journalist Afgan Mukhtarli, who was previously sentenced to six years imprisonment.

Summary Compared with the previous 24 hours, the SMM recorded fewer ceasefire violations in Donetsk region and more in Luhansk region, including over 900 explosions in areas east and north-east of Zolote. Small-arms fire was assessed as directed at an SMM mini-unmanned aerial vehicle which was

The OSCE, together with other international organizations, continues to undertake preventative measures against the COVID-19 outbreak, in line with guidance from the authorities of host countries...

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.

VIENNA, 17 March 2020 – The OSCE Representative on Freedom of the Media, Harlem Désir, expressed his serious concerns today at the ongoing prosecution of Svetlana Prokopyeva in Russia, after the regional prosecutor in Pskov signed, on 13 March, her indictment with grave charges of “publicly justifying terrorism” and submitted it to the Regional Military Court in Moscow. Prokopyeva, a journalist with Radio Ekho Moskvy (Echo of Moscow) in Pskov, is a contributor to various other media, including Radio Free Europe/Radio Liberty’s Russian Service.

WARSAW, 17 March 2020 – Election observation activities of the OSCE Office for Democratic Institutions and Human Rights (ODIHR) are being temporarily limited in some places, as countries around the OSCE region restrict cross-border travel in response to increased health risks...

Summary Compared with the previous reporting period, between the evenings of 13 and 14 March, the SMM recorded fewer ceasefire violations in Donetsk region and more in Luhansk region. Between the evenings of 14 and 15 March, the SMM recorded fewer ceasefire violations in both Donetsk and Luhansk

TIRANA / BRUSSELS / GENEVA, 16 March 2020- After carefully reviewing circumstances related to the rapid spread of the COVID-19 virus, the Co-Chairs of the Geneva International Discussions (GID), UN Representative Cihan Sultanoglu, Special Representative of the OSCE Chairperson-in-Office for the South Caucasus Rudolf Michalka, and EU Special Representative for the South Caucasus and the Crisis in Georgia Toivo Klaar, have today decided to postpone the 51st GID round, which was due to take place on 31 March-1 April 2020.

Summary Compared with the previous reporting period, the SMM recorded more ceasefire violations in both Donetsk and Luhansk regions. The SMM saw a civilian car in government-controlled Marinka that was damaged from gunfire. The Mission continued monitoring the disengagement areas near Stanytsia

Summary Compared with the previous reporting period, the SMM recorded fewer ceasefire violations in both Donetsk and Luhansk regions. The SMM observed damage to a civilian property in Holmivskyi, Donetsk region. The Mission continued to monitor the disengagement areas near Stanytsia Luhanska,

VIENNA, 13 March 2020- The pivotal role of women in conflict prevention, conflict resolution, and post-conflict rehabilitation was highlighted during Wednesday’s meeting of the OSCE Forum for Security Co-operation (FSC) under Turkey’s FSC Chairmanship, which focused on the implementation of UN Security Council Resolution 1325 on Women, Peace and Security. The speakers urged the implementation of the Resolution, recognizing that equal participation and full involvement of women in all efforts for maintaining and promoting peace and security is of utmost importance...

Summary Compared with the previous reporting period, the SMM recorded fewer ceasefire violations in both Donetsk and Luhansk regions. The SMM observed craters and damage to civilian property in a residential area of Syhnalne, Donetsk region. The Mission continued to monitor the disengagement areas

OSCE Secretary General Thomas Greminger acknowledged exceptional efforts and achievements of OSCE staff members in promoting gender equality in the OSCE and beyond at an award ceremony that took place on 12 March 2020, in Vienna.

A roundtable event to discuss the implementation of the recommendations within the 4th round of monitoring of the Istanbul Anti-Corruption Action Plan took place on 12 March 2020 in Dushanbe. The event was organized by the OSCE Programme Office in Dushanbe.

MINSK, 12 March 2020 – The Special Representative of the OSCE Chairperson-in-Office in Ukraine and in the Trilateral Contact Group, Ambassador Heidi Grau, made the following statement to the press after the meeting of the TCG and its working groups in Minsk on 11 March 2020:..

Summary Compared with the previous reporting period, the SMM recorded more ceasefire violations in Donetsk region and fewer in Luhansk region. A man and woman were injured due to the detonation of mines near Mykolaivka in Luhansk region. The Mission continued to monitor the disengagement areas near

COPENHAGEN, 11 March 2020 – As public health officials and national governments work to contain the coronavirus outbreak, due diligence must also be shown in countering the spread of disinformation about it, said the OSCE Parliamentary Assembly’s Special Rapporteur on Disinformation and Propaganda Oscar Mina (San Marino) today...