Organization for Security and Co-operation in EuropeWhat we do
Press releases and media advisories
OSCE Mission report highlights need to tackle hate crimes to promote security and build cohesive society in Bosnia and Herzegovina
SARAJEVO, 13 November 2012 – Bias-motivated crimes send a strong message of intolerance and prejudice towards victims and their communities, can increase tensions in society, and must not be ignored, said Adam Kobieracki, the Director of the OSCE Conflict Prevention Centre, presenting in Sarajevo today an OSCE Mission report on tackling hate crimes...
OSCE High Commissioner on National Minorities launches guidelines on integration of diverse societies
LJUBLJANA, 7 November 2012 – The OSCE High Commissioner on National Minorities Knut Vollebaek presented guidelines on the integration of diverse societies at an event today in Ljubljana...
Despite policy framework improvements, security incidents continue to affect returns process in Kosovo, concludes OSCE report
PRISHTINË/PRIŠTINA, 1 November 2012 – Despite encouraging developments in the policy and institutional framework for the protection and promotion of the rights of displaced persons and returnees, security incidents at a number of returns sites continue to negatively affect the returns process, concludes an OSCE Mission in Kosovo report issued today... ()
Serbia, Romania find steps forward on minority issues in consultations facilitated by OSCE High Commissioner
AMSTERDAM, 23 October 2012 – On 22-23 October, delegations from the Serbian and Romanian Governments met in the Netherlands for informal consultations under the auspices of the OSCE High Commissioner on National Minorities (HCNM), Ambassador Knut Vollebaek...
OSCE Mission to Skopje supports efforts to protect minority rights
SKOPJE, 18 October 2012 – The efforts and challenges faced in implementing and protecting minority rights in the Balkans are the focus of an OSCE-supported regional conference that started in Skopje today...
OSCE High Commissioner on National Minorities warns against demolishing ethnic-Georgian villages in South Ossetia
THE HAGUE, 22 August 2012 – OSCE High Commissioner on National Minorities Knut Vollebaek today asked the de-facto leadership of the Georgian breakaway region of South Ossetia to clarify a statement indicating that it plans to demolish ethnic-Georgian villages...
OSCE High Commissioner on National Minorities urges dialogue and compromise on ‘divisive’ language law in Ukraine
KYIV, 26 JULY 2012 – OSCE High Commissioner on National Minorities Knut Vollebaek described the situation surrounding a new language law in Ukraine as “deeply divisive” at the conclusion of his visit to the country today, and urged the authorities to engage in dialogue.
OSCE High Commissioner launches multi-ethnic policing project in Kazakhstan
ASTANA, Kazakhstan, 26 June 2012 – The OSCE High Commissioner on National Minorities (HCNM) Knut Vollebaek today participated in a high-level event in Astana to launch a new project on policing in multi-ethnic Kazakhstan... ()
OSCE Office in Yerevan organizes workshop on rights of national minorities
YEREVAN, 27 April 2012 – A workshop by the OSCE Office in Yerevan on the rights of national minorities as envisaged in international and national legislation and measures to raise awareness of the issue among politicians, the media and the general public was held today in Yerevan... ()