News and press releases

VIENNA, 23 February 2017 – International terrorism, human rights and combating climate change are among the issues topping the agenda as some 250 members of parliament from more than 50 OSCE countries gather for the OSCE Parliamentary Assembly’s 16th Winter Meeting in Vienna...

The implementation of Moldova’s Strategy for Consolidation of Inter-ethnic Relations 2017¬¬¬–2027 was discussed at a conference organized by the office of the High Commissioner on National Minorities (HCNM) and the Bureau of Inter-ethnic Relations in Chisinau on 16 February 2017...

The SMM recorded a similar number of explosions in both Donetsk and Luhansk regions compared with the previous 24-hour period. The Mission followed up on reports of civilian casualties and shelling. The Mission saw weapons in violation of the respective withdrawal lines. Its freedom of movement was restricted on both sides of the contact line.

The OSCE Centre in Bishkek, with €20,000 donated from the proceeds of the OSCE Charity Ball 2017, launched a project on 15 February 2017 to provide lasting psycho-social relief and assistance to victims of January’s Dacha-Suu plane crash on the outskirts of the Kyrgyz capital. The project is being implemented jointly with the Kyrgyzstan-based Child Rights Defenders League and the National Red Crescent Society of the Kyrgyz Republic...

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...

On 21 February 2017 at 07:20 hrs (Moscow time), the fifty eighth Russian convoy arrived at the Donetsk Border Crossing Point (BCP). A total of ten vehicles were checked by the Russian border guards and customs services prior to them crossing into Ukraine. All of the 10 vehicles had crossed back into the Russian Federation by 15:38 hrs on 21 February.

The SMM recorded fewer ceasefire violations in Donetsk region compared with the previous 24-hour period. In Luhansk region, the SMM recorded fewer ceasefire violations, but more explosions compared with the previous 24-hour period. The SMM, in co-ordination with the Joint Centre for Control and Co-ordination (JCCC), facilitated and monitored repair of power supply to the Donetsk Water Filtration station and Avdiivka. The Mission observed restoration of electricity in Avdiivka. In areas not under government control the SMM observed a number of weapons in violation of the respective withdrawal lines in Luhansk region. The Mission continued to observe the blockade of railway tracks near Hirske. In various cities the SMM observed generally peaceful demonstrations commemorating the events on Maidan in Kyiv three years ago. In Kharkiv, the SMM followed up on media reports of an alleged shooting incident on the night of 17 February...