Newsroom
News and press releases
News and press releases from the OSCE's global activities.
ODIHR opens election observation mission to Türkiye
Publishing date: 29 March 2023
Content type: Press release
Where we are: OSCE Office for Democratic Institutions and Human Rights
What we do: Elections
ANKARA, 29 March 2023- The OSCE Office for Democratic Institutions and Human Rights (ODIHR) today opened an election observation mission for the 14 May general elections in Türkiye, following an official invitation from the national authorities.
ODIHR opens limited referendum observation mission to Uzbekistan
Publishing date: 28 March 2023
Content type: Press release
Where we are: OSCE Office for Democratic Institutions and Human Rights
What we do: Elections
TASHKENT, 28 March 2023- The OSCE Office for Democratic Institutions and Human Rights (ODIHR) today opened a limited referendum observation mission for the 30 April constitutional referendum in Uzbekistan, following an official invitation from the national authorities.
OSCE’s Moscow Mechanism invoked to examine alleged human rights violations and abuses in the Republic of Belarus
Publishing date: 23 March 2023
Content type: News
Where we are: OSCE Office for Democratic Institutions and Human Rights
Thirty-eight OSCE participating States invoked the OSCE’s Moscow Mechanism on 23 March 2023 to examine “threats to the fulfilment of the provisions of the human dimension posed by human rights violations and abuses in the Republic of Belarus”. The Moscow Mechanism, last invoked on 28 July 2022 in
Montenegro’s presidential election competitive but negatively affected by an uninclusive process and legal shortcomings, international observers say
Publishing date: 20 March 2023
Content type: Press release
Where we are: OSCE Office for Democratic Institutions and Human Rights
What we do: Elections
PODGORICA, 20 March 2023 – Montenegro’s presidential election was competitive, with candidates able to campaign freely and fundamental freedoms for all citizens respected, but the candidate registration was not inclusive and longstanding shortcomings in the legal framework and campaign finance regulations remained unaddressed, international observers said in a statement today.
Kazakhstan’s parliamentary elections offered voters increased choice, although limitations on fundamental freedoms and participation remain, international observers say
Publishing date: 20 March 2023
Content type: Press release
Where we are: OSCE Office for Democratic Institutions and Human Rights
What we do: Elections
ASTANA, 20 March 2023 – The 19 March early parliamentary elections were held in the context of reforms introduced to bring Kazakhstan closer to holding elections in line with international standards and OSCE commitments, as legal amendments addressed several previous recommendations and provided increased choice for voters. However, limits on the exercise of fundamental freedoms remain, and some political groups continued to be prevented from participation as parties in elections. Further changes to the legal framework are needed to provide a sufficient basis for conducting democratic elections, the international observers said in a statement released today.
Support programme for cities to respond to challenges of integrating refugees and migrants launched in Poland
Publishing date: 15 March 2023
Content type: Press release
Where we are: OSCE Office for Democratic Institutions and Human Rights
WARSAW, 15 March 2022 – With cities often at the forefront of responding to the challenges of integrating refugees and migrants, four major international organisations together with the Union of Polish Metropolises will tomorrow launch the Academy on the Integration of Migrants and Refugees in Polish Cities, a series of training courses that draw on their knowledge and expertise to assist city administrations.
Media freedom is indispensable for the future of our common security, OSCE leaders say
Publishing date: 13 March 2023
Content type: Press release
Where we are: OSCE Chairmanship, OSCE Office for Democratic Institutions and Human Rights, OSCE Representative on Freedom of the Media
What we do: Media freedom and development
VIENNA, 13 March 2023 – Freedom of expression as well as the freedom for media to operate independently are key pillars of a genuine democracy, OSCE leaders said during a two-day Supplementary Human Dimension Meeting in Vienna.