News and press releases

VIENNA, 1 June 2017- Following today’s decision of the OSCE Permanent Council in Vienna, the OSCE Office in Tajikistan will be transformed into the “OSCE Programme Office in Dushanbe” as of 1 July 2017...

In Donetsk region the Mission recorded more ceasefire violations, including more explosions, compared with the previous reporting period. In Luhansk region, the SMM recorded a similar number of ceasefire violations. The Mission observed damage to houses due to shelling in Pervomaisk. The Mission continued monitoring the disengagement areas near Stanytsia Luhanska, Zolote and Petrivske. Its access remained restricted there and elsewhere.* The SMM saw weapons in violation of withdrawal lines on both sides of the contact line. The SMM facilitated and monitored repair works to a power line near Pervomaisk and a water pumping station in the northern outskirts of Luhansk city. The SMM monitored gatherings in Kyiv and Lviv...

The OSCE Mission to Moldova held a training event for youth from both banks of the Dniester/Nistru River between 26 and 28 May 2017 aimed at enhancing youth participation in civic life. The event gathered 39 students and teachers from across Moldova, including from the Autonomous Territorial Unit of Gagauzia, and was held in Vadul-lui-Vodă – a town by the river...

VILLACH, 30 May 2017 – At a two-day conference concluding today in Villach, Austria, more than 20 OSCE parliamentarians from 13 countries explored ways to improve public support for national minorities in areas such as education, culture, and language...

In Donetsk region the Mission recorded fewer ceasefire violations, including fewer explosions compared with the previous 24-hour period. In Luhansk region, the SMM recorded fewer ceasefire violations, including, however, more explosions. The Mission observed multiple impact sites in Krasnohorivka. The Mission continued monitoring the disengagement areas near Stanytsia Luhanska, Zolote and Petrivske. The SMM heard explosions near the Zolote disengagement area and observed the removal of unexploded ordnance in the Stanytsia Luhanska disengagement area. Its access remained restricted there and elsewhere.* An SMM mini unmanned aerial vehicle spotted a weapon in violation of withdrawal lines. The SMM continued to monitor demining and repairs to a water well near Stanytsia Luhanska bridge. The SMM also visited centres for internally displaced persons in Lyman, Kostiantynivka, Druzhkivka and Horlivka...

The OSCE Mission to Moldova held the first in a series of Civil Society Club meetings on 26 May 2017 aimed at developing the practical skills of those working in the NGO sector on the left bank of the Dniester/Nistru River. The event was held in Tiraspol and brought together 20 civil society representatives to discuss best practices in project management...

The SMM’s operations in Donetsk and Luhansk regions remained restricted following the fatal incident of 23 April near Pryshyb; these restrictions continued to limit the Mission’s observations. Between the evenings of 26 and 27 May the Mission recorded more ceasefire violations in Donetsk region but fewer in Luhansk region compared with the previous reporting period. Between the evenings of 27 and 28 May the SMM recorded more ceasefire violations in both Donetsk and Luhansk regions compared with the previous 24-hour period. The Mission observed damage to multiple civilian houses due to shelling in Krasnohorivka, Dokuchaievsk and Pikuzy. The SMM monitored a weapon in violation of withdrawal lines. The Mission continued monitoring the disengagement areas near Stanytsia Luhanska, Zolote and Petrivske. Its access remained restricted there and elsewhere.* The SMM observed a white flare fired near the Stanytsia Luhanska disengagement area. The Mission observed the removal of remnants of explosive devices near Shchastia. The SMM monitored two border areas not under government control. The SMM monitored public gatherings in Kharkiv and Lviv...