News and press releases
News and press releases from the OSCE's global activities.
OSCE Project Co-ordinator in Uzbekistan provided personal protection equipment for the staff of the Ombudsperson’s Secretariat and Regional Representations
Publishing date: 6 May 2020
On 5 May, the OSCE Project Co-ordinator in Uzbekistan, John MacGregor handed over personal protection equipment (PPE) to the Authorized Person of the Oliy Majlis of the Republic of Uzbekistan for Human Rights (Ombudsperson), Mr Ulugbek Mukhammadiev. The PPE is intended to help protect the staff of the Ombudsperson’s Secretariat and Regional Representatives from contracting COVID-19 when performing their official functions. This may include visiting and monitoring closed institutions, including quarantine facilities and penal colonies.
Weekly Update from the OSCE Observer Mission at Russian Checkpoints Gukovo and Donetsk based on information as of 5 May 2020
Publishing date: 5 May 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 decreased at both BCPs compared to the previous week...
OSCE Media Freedom Representative worried about media bans imposed by Turkey’s Radio and Television Supreme Council (RTÜK)
Publishing date: 5 May 2020
VIENNA, 5 May 2020 – The OSCE Representative on Freedom of the Media, Harlem Désir, expressed his concern today about the ban that Turkey’s Radio and Television Supreme Council (RTÜK) has imposed on several media outlets in recent weeks...
OSCE SMM Spot Report 20/2020: Members of the armed formations continued to deny SMM patrols passage at checkpoints in Donetsk and Luhansk regions and significantly delayed an SMM patrol at a checkpoint in Donetsk region
Publishing date: 4 May 2020
On 30 April and 1, 2, 3 and 4 May, members of the armed formations again denied SMM attempts to cross into non-government-controlled areas along official crossing routes: five times in Donetsk region and twice in Luhansk region, while further attempts to cross into government-controlled areas were also denied, twice in Donetsk region and three times in Luhansk region. Additionally, on 30 April, members of the armed formations significantly delayed an SMM attempt to cross into government-controlled areas along an official crossing route in Donetsk region...
OSCE Project Co-ordinator in Uzbekistan underlines importance of OSCE commitments at Parliament of Uzbekistan video conference
Publishing date: 4 May 2020
At the invitation of the Legislative Chamber of the Oliy Majlis of Uzbekistan, the OSCE Project Co-ordinator in Uzbekistan, John MacGregor, participated at the video conference of the Parliament of Uzbekistan on 30 April 2020...
Overcrowded shelters put migrants at unacceptable risk amidst pandemic, OSCE human rights head says
Publishing date: 4 May 2020
Warsaw, 4 May 2020 – The outbreak of the COVID-19 pandemic has brought home how many migrants are confined to overcrowded spaces with very little freedom to move around or keep a safe distance to others, and how dangerous this can be, the Director of the OSCE Office for Democratic Institutions and Human Rights (ODIHR) said today. At the same time, ODIHR is working with countries across the region to build on the good practices that are being developed in many places...
Joint Statement of the International Community in BiH on the Occasion of the World Press Freedom Day
Publishing date: 3 May 2020
SARAJEVO, 03 May 2020- On the occasion of the World Press Freedom Day, the OSCE Mission to BiH, Council of Europe, Delegation of the European Union and European Union Special Representative in BiH, Office of the High Representative, United Nations in Bosnia and Herzegovina and embassies of France, Germany, Italy, Netherlands, Norway, Slovakia, Slovenia, Spain, Sweden, United Kingdom and the United States of America, issue the following statement:...