News and press releases
News and press releases from the OSCE's global activities.
OSCE Mission and EU Delegation present OSCE report on war crimes proceedings in Serbia
Publishing date: 27 October 2015
BELGRADE, 27 October 2015 – The OSCE report on War Crimes Proceedings in Serbia, covering the period from 2003 to 2014, was presented today by the OSCE Mission and the European Union Delegation in Belgrade...
Shutdown of yet another independent magazine in Kazakhstan a further sign of deteriorating media freedom, OSCE Representative says
Publishing date: 27 October 2015
VIENNA, 27 October 2015 – OSCE Representative on Freedom of the Media Dunja Mijatović today condemned the shutdown of yet another media outlet in Kazakhstan, a move that can further limit free expression and free media in the country...
Fundraising skills and effectiveness in focus of OSCE Mission to Skopje-supported seminar for Local Youth Councils
Publishing date: 27 October 2015
The Local Youth Councils of Kichevo, Bitola and Centar municipalities participated in the second OSCE Mission to Skopje-supported capacity building seminar that took place from 25- 27 October 2015 in Ohrid...
OSCE Mission to Moldova supports youth engagement in second debate tournament of 2015
Publishing date: 27 October 2015
The OSCE Mission to Moldova organized the second in a series of three debate tournaments for 24 students and six teachers from Bender, Ceadîr-Lunga, Comrat, Tiraspol and Vulcănești. During the event, which took place on 24 October 2015 in Ceadîr-Lunga, the young participants deliberated on how to achieve professional development goals...
Ahead of elections in Azerbaijan, silencing of independent and critical voices particularly regretful, says OSCE PA’s Santos
Publishing date: 27 October 2015
COPENHAGEN, 27 October 2015 – The Azerbaijani government’s crackdown on independent and critical voices has a particularly damaging effect ahead of the country’s 1 November parliamentary elections, the OSCE Parliamentary Assembly’s democracy and human rights Chairperson, Isabel Santos (MP, Portugal), said today...
Latest from OSCE Special Monitoring Mission (SMM) to Ukraine, based on information received as of 19:30hrs, 25 October 2015
Publishing date: 26 October 2015
The SMM monitored the implementation of the “Package of measures for the implementation of the Minsk agreements”, including the Addendum. Its monitoring was restricted by the parties and security considerations*. Donetsk and Luhansk regions remained largely calm, despite some explosions. The SMM observed no security incidents in relation to Election Day. The SMM visited Debaltseve and observed few civilians and the presence of armed groups...
Ukraine local elections generally respected democratic process, but additional efforts needed to enhance public confidence, international observers say
Publishing date: 26 October 2015
KYIV, 26 October 2015 – Ukraine’s local elections were competitive and well organized overall, and the campaign generally showed respect for the democratic process, international observers concluded in a statement issued today. Nevertheless, the complexity of the legal framework, the dominance of powerful economic groups, threats and physical attacks against candidates, and the fact that virtually all campaign coverage in the media was paid for all underscore the need for further reform. Additional efforts are needed to further enhance the integrity of and public confidence in the electoral process, the observers said...