The crisis in and around Ukraine

OSCE responses to the crisis in and around Ukraine include high-level diplomacy and multilateral dialogue; monitoring the security situation on the ground; promoting respect for human rights and fundamental freedoms; and strengthening democratic institutions and practices.

• OSCE Chairmanship

  The OSCE Chairperson-in-Office has been active throughout the crisis, intervening at the presidential and ministerial levels with the aim of reaching a diplomatic solution. His Special Representative to the Trilateral Contact Group facilitates the negotiation process.

• OSCE Special Monitoring Mission to Ukraine (SMM)

  The SMM gathers information and provides impartial fact-based reports on the security situation on the ground (including specific incidents), monitors and supports respect for human rights commitments, and works to establish contacts and facilitate dialogue, with the aim of reducing tensions. Facilitating the implementation of the Minsk agreements is a major part of its work.
  
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• OSCE Observer Mission at the Russian Checkpoints Gukovo and Donetsk

  The Observer Mission monitors and reports on movements across the border at the two checkpoints of Gukovo and Donetsk in the Russian Federation.
  
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• OSCE Representative on the Freedom of the Media

  The Representative warned of the deteriorating media freedom situation in Ukraine ahead of the crisis. Systematically raising violations of free media, in particular journalists’ safety and restrictions to media plurality, she has addressed over 200 attacks of journalists, and also issued a report on the media freedom situation in Ukraine.

• OSCE High Commissioner on National Minorities

  The OSCE High Commissioner on National Minorities has consistently advocated for balanced and inclusive policies that would strengthen social cohesion in Ukraine, including in the fields of language and national minority rights. He also closely monitors the situation of Crimean Tatars and Ukrainians in Crimea.

• OSCE Parliamentary Assembly

  The OSCE PA President engages with political leaders in Ukraine and Russia, while the Assembly has hosted some of the only meetings between the countries’ lawmakers since the crisis began. The Assembly has held debates on the situation and parliamentarians have led the OSCE’s short-term election observation activities in Ukraine.

• OSCE Office for Democratic Institutions and Human Rights

  ODIHR has deployed thousands of observers as part of observation missions for Ukrainian presidential, parliamentary and local elections, and actively monitors the human rights situation, including in Roma communities. It works with civil society and governmental partners to build capacity in the area of freedom of religion or belief and in addressing hate crime.
  
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• OSCE Project Co-ordinator in Ukraine

  The Project Co-ordinator supports Ukraine’s efforts to strengthen democratic institutions and practices, including in elections and governance; fosters legal, judicial and police reforms; and reinforces the fight against trafficking, terrorism, money-laundering and cybercrime. It also promotes national dialogue, enhances demining capacities, and supports protection of human rights and the safety of journalists.
  
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• OSCE Secretariat

  The OSCE Secretary General is at the forefront of the Organization’s response to the crisis, engaging in diplomatic dialogue and traveling to the region to meet with affected communities. The Conflict Prevention Center established and supports field missions on the ground, promotes arms control and supports national dialogue. The Gender Section supports the inclusion of women in all phases of conflict resolution processes in Ukraine.