Latest from OSCE Special Monitoring Mission (SMM) to Ukraine based on information received as of 16 September 2015
The SMM monitored the implementation of the “Package of measures for the implementation of the Minsk agreements”. Its monitoring was restricted by the parties and security considerations*. The SMM recorded few ceasefire violations in both Donetsk and Luhansk regions. The SMM revisited Ukrainian Armed Forces and “DPR” heavy weapons holding areas...
OSCE Special Monitoring Mission to Ukraine to present a thematic report on access to water in conflict‐affected areas tomorrow
KYIV, 17 September 2015 – The OSCE Special Monitoring Mission to Ukraine (SMM) will present its new thematic report “Access to water in conflict‐affected areas of Donetsk and Luhansk regions” at a press conference tomorrow in Kyiv, Luhansk and Horlivka. Alexander Hug, the SMM’s Deputy Chief Monitor, and Anna Gay, the SMM Human Rights...
OSCE media freedom representative deplores sanctions in Ukraine banning entry of journalists
VIENNA, 17 September 2015 – OSCE Representative on Freedom of the Media Dunja Mijatović today said the sanctions introduced in Ukraine, banning several dozen foreign journalists from entering the country, is a severe threat to the rights of journalists to freely collect information. “I fully respect governments’ legitimate right to fight...
OSCE Representative calls on authorities in Hungary to ensure the safety of journalists covering the refugee crisis
VIENNA, 17 September 2015 – Hungarian law enforcement authorities must stop threatening and obstructing the work of journalists reporting on the refugee crisis, OSCE Representative on Freedom of the Media Dunja Mijatović said today. “I call upon Prime Minister Orban to instruct law enforcement to respect the rights of journalists to report on...
ODIHR and HCNM report identifies widespread human rights violations, discrimination and legal irregularities in Crimea
KYIV, 17 September 2015 – Since the occupation and annexation of Crimea by the Russian Federation in early 2014, the enjoyment of human rights and fundamental freedoms has deteriorated radically for a large number of residents and displaced persons – particularly for pro-Ukrainian activists, journalists and the Crimean Tatar community, the OSCE...
U.S. Mulls Talks With Russia on Syria Military Action
Russia’s military build-up comes as Moscow works with the U.S. and Gulf countries on brokering peace. …read more Source: Transitions Online...
The Four Original Options on Ukraine and NATO
In the conditions of a strongly anti-NATO popular leaning, from 1991 to 2013, Ukraine could not join NATO, nor could it join a Russian-dominated union without coercion, and the attempts, of its respective westernizers and easternizers to do so, backfired. The pressures to simplify and choose sides came from both ends, East and West. Their...
Skolkovo Tech School’s American Founder Steps Down
Institute plans to continue close cooperation with MIT, Russian media say. …read more Source: Transitions Online...
Ukraine Bans Foreign Journalists Who Threaten ‘National Interests’
BBC’s Moscow correspondent among 388 people banned in Poroshenko’s latest sanctions. …read more Source: Transitions Online...
ENI’s Gas Discovery in Egypt Puts Pressure on Italian-Russian Energy Ties
The discovery of a world-class supergiant gas field in the waters off Egypt’s Mediterranean coast by Italian state-owned energy producer ENI is another step forward in Italy’s attempt to become an energy hub in southern Europe. Despite the silence of both the Russian government and the Kremlin-controlled oil and gas companies,...
