News and press releases
News and press releases from the OSCE's global activities.
Model OSCE conference in Bishkek engages youth in building consensus on managing trans-boundary waters
Publishing date: 9 April 2016
BISHKEK, 9 April, 2016 – Thirty-five young people gathered in Bishkek today for the start of a two-day Model OSCE conference, simulating a meeting of the OSCE Permanent Council, to discuss challenges to cross-border water management in Central Asia...
OSCE Special Representative Erler on the situation in eastern Ukraine
Publishing date: 9 April 2016
BERLIN, 9 April 2016- Gernot Erler, Special Representative of the Federal Government of Germany for the OSCE Chairmanship, today issued the following statement on OSCE reports of increasing violations of the ceasefire in eastern Ukraine and on the safety of OSCE monitors:...
Latest from OSCE Special Monitoring Mission (SMM) to Ukraine, based on information received as of 19:30hrs, 7 April 2016
Publishing date: 8 April 2016
In Donetsk region, the SMM observed a slightly higher number of ceasefire violations. In Luhansk region a low number of ceasefire violations were recorded. The Mission continued to monitor the withdrawal of weapons, and noted weapons missing from storage sites, as well as weapons in violation. The Mission visited two border crossing points in areas not controlled by the Government, despite denial of access to several border areas. It encountered other of freedom-of-movement restrictions in non-government-controlled areas.* An SMM vehicle was hit by a bullet and an SMM monitor was threatened at gunpoint...
OSCE Mission to Bosnia and Herzegovina joins world in marking International Roma Day
Publishing date: 8 April 2016
SARAJEVO, 8 April 2016 – On occasion of International Roma Day, the OSCE Mission to Bosnia and Herzegovina organized several events in Tuzla, Prnjavor and Zivinice to raise public awareness on serious economic, social and political challenges the Roma community continues to face in BiH...
OSCE field operations in Tajikistan and Albania work together to support women’s participation in political life
Publishing date: 8 April 2016
A group of eight women politicians from all registered political parties in Tajikistan, including a member of parliament, paid a visit to Albania from 2 to 8 April 2016 to strengthen inter-regional co-operation and share experiences on empowering women in political life. The visit was jointly organized by the OSCE Office in Tajikistan and the OSCE Presence in Albania...
Political leaders have primary role in countering discrimination and prejudice against Roma and Sinti, OSCE Chairperson-in-Office and ODIHR Director say on International Roma Day
Publishing date: 8 April 2016
BERLIN/WARSAW, 8 April 2016 – Political leaders must play a primary role in in countering discrimination and prejudice against Roma and Sinti and improving their situation, Frank-Walter Steinmeier, OSCE Chairperson-in-Office and Germany’s Federal Foreign Minister, and Michael Georg Link, Director of the OSCE Office for Democratic Institutions and Human Rights (ODIHR), said today, on the occasion of International Roma Day../
Roma remain one of most vulnerable groups, continue to face difficult living conditions and discrimination in access to social protection, health, employment and adequate housing, as stated in reports by independent bodies
Publishing date: 8 April 2016
BELGRADE, 8 April 2016- On the occasion of International Roma Day, the Delegation of the European Union to Serbia, the United Nations Country Team in Serbia, the OSCE Mission to Serbia and the Council of Europe Office in Belgrade reaffirm our strong commitment to equality and non-discrimination...