News and press releases
News and press releases from the OSCE's global activities.
ODIHR opens election observation mission in Montenegro
Publishing date: 5 August 2020
PODGORICA, 5 August 2020 – The OSCE Office for Democratic Institutions and Human Rights (ODIHR) today opened an observation mission for the 30 August parliamentary elections in Montenegro, following an invitation from the national authorities.
Gender aspects of border and security management in focus of OSCE online meeting in Turkmenistan
Publishing date: 5 August 2020
The OSCE Centre in Ashgabat organized an online roundtable discussion on gender mainstreaming in border and security management from 3 to 5 August 2020. The event brought together representatives of the State Border, Customs and Migration Services of Turkmenistan, and was held as part of an extra-budgetary project on strengthening the capacities of the State Border Service of Turkmenistan. The roundtable aimed to acquaint participants with best international practices in promoting gender aspects in law enforcement activities...
Weekly Update from the OSCE Observer Mission at Russian Checkpoints Gukovo and Donetsk based on information as of 4 August 2020
Publishing date: 4 August 2020
KAMENSK-SHAKHTINSKIY, Russian Federation. The Observer Mission (OM) continues to operate 24/7 at both Border Crossing Points (BCPs). The overall number of border crossings by persons increased at both BCPs compared to the previous week...
Statement on the 45th anniversary of the Helsinki Final Act
Publishing date: 1 August 2020
COPENHAGEN, 1 August 2020- On the forty-fifth anniversary of the signing of the Helsinki Final Act, Present and former Presidents of the OSCE PA issued the following statement...
OSCE/ODIHR calls for remembrance of and education about Roma genocide as key to avoiding recurrence of past atrocities
Publishing date: 1 August 2020
WARSAW, 1 August 2020- The OSCE Office for Democratic Institutions and Human Rights (ODIHR) today joins the international community in marking 76 years since the Nazis murdered the remaining 3,000 Roma men, women and children in Zigeunerlager, the "Gypsy camp" at Auschwitz-Birkenau on 2 August 1944. While the number of Roma victims remains unknown, it is estimated that up to 500,000 Roma and Sinti people died under the Nazi regime, as well as its allies and collaborators...
Marking 45 years of Helsinki Final Act, OSCE Chairperson-in-Office calls for reinvigoration of its principles and commitments amid challenging times
Publishing date: 1 August 2020
TIRANA / VIENNA, 1 August 2020 – The further strengthening of the OSCE and its comprehensive approach to security is inextricably linked to full respect for and implementation of the fundamental principles and commitments enshrined in the Helsinki Final Act, said the OSCE Chairperson-in-Office, Prime Minister and Minister for Europe and Foreign Affairs of Albania, Edi Rama, on the day marking the 45th anniversary of the landmark document...
OSCE PA President concerned over ceasefire violations in Eastern Ukraine
Publishing date: 31 July 2020
COPENHAGEN, 31 July 2020 –The OSCE Parliamentary Assembly President, George Tsereteli, expressed his deep concerns about recent reports of ceasefire violations in Donetsk region right after the agreement of the Trilateral Contact Group regarding additional measures to strengthen the ceasefire as of 27 July 2020. President Tsereteli underlined the importance of maintenance of cessation of military actions and urged sides to respect ceasefire orders and to fulfil their commitments foreseen by the Minsk Agreements...