This week marks over 1000 days since three OSCE (Organization for Security and Co-operation in Europe) officials were unjustly detained in Donetsk and Luhansk. In response, the OSCE Chair-in-Office and Secretary General have renewed their calls for their immediate release, emphasizing the ongoing human rights violation.
The three officials—Vadym Golda, Maxim Petrov, and Dmytro Shabanov—were detained in April 2022 while carrying out their official duties in the conflict zones of eastern Ukraine. In September 2022, Petrov and Shabanov were sentenced to 13 years in prison following controversial proceedings, while Golda’s case remains unresolved.
The OSCE leadership condemned the detentions, calling them “a flagrant injustice” and a violation of the human rights of their colleagues. They emphasized the officials’ need for humane treatment, medical care, and contact with their families.
The OSCE Chair-in-Office, Malta’s Foreign Minister, stressed the importance of a collective international effort to secure their release: “Our position is clear: our colleagues must be freed. We will continue to do everything in our power, both publicly and privately, until they are home.”
The OSCE also expressed concern over the deteriorating health of the detained officials, who have been subjected to harsh conditions for more than three years. In addition, the OSCE continues to provide support to the detainees’ families during this distressing time.
As global peace efforts intensify, the OSCE urges Russian authorities to release the officials, suggesting that such a gesture could positively influence ongoing peace negotiations and signal a willingness to move toward a ceasefire.
The international community’s involvement in this case remains crucial, with OSCE officials and major humanitarian and human rights organizations continuing their advocacy for the safe return of the detained staff members.
