News and press releases
News and press releases from the OSCE's global activities.
OSCE Chairmanship calls for restraint and respect for OSCE commitments following Belarus presidential elections
Publishing date: 10 August 2020
VIENNA / TIRANA, 10 August 2020 – Albania’s OSCE Chairmanship has expressed concern about developments in Belarus following the presidential elections held on 9 August, which the OSCE’s Office for Democratic Institutions and Human Rights was unable to observe. The Chairmanship has been following reports of protests and the use of force against protesters as well as detentions and obstruction of the work of journalists and media...
Parliamentary security committee leaders call for restoration of Georgia’s territorial integrity on 12th anniversary of conflict
Publishing date: 7 August 2020
COPENHAGEN, 7 August 2020- On the somber occasion of the 12th anniversary of the conflict erupted in August 2008, between Russian and Georgian forces, senior OSCE Parliamentary Assembly officials condemned the ongoing deterioration of the security, human rights and the humanitarian situation in the occupied territories of Georgia and reaffirmed its full support for the sovereignty and territorial integrity of Georgia within its internationally recognized borders.
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...
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...
World Day against human trafficking: OSCE Project Co-ordinator in Uzbekistan co-hosts event on combating this crime amid COVID-19 pandemic
Publishing date: 30 July 2020
To mark the World Day Against Trafficking in Persons, an online roundtable discussion on combating this crime in the context of the COVID-19 pandemic was co-organized by the OSCE Project Co-ordinator in Uzbekistan and partners on 29 July 2020. The event brought together 90 representatives and experts in the field of combating human trafficking and forced labour from more than 50 government agencies and non-governmental organizations, as well as international organizations...
Positive atmosphere as 96th Incident Prevention and Response Mechanism meeting takes place in Ergneti
Publishing date: 30 July 2020
ERGNETI, 30 July 2020- The 96th Incident Prevention and Response Mechanism (IPRM) took place today in Ergneti, co-facilitated by Ambassador Marek Szczygieł, Head of the EU Monitoring Mission in Georgia (EUMM) and Ambassador Rudolf Michalka, Special Representative of the OSCE Chairperson-in-Office for the South Caucasus. In the wake of COVID-19, this first regular meeting of the Ergneti IPRM since August 2019 was accompanied by all the necessary precautionary health measures, and was held in a positive and constructive atmosphere...
World Day Against Trafficking in Persons: High-level OSCE officials urge States to redouble efforts, especially amid backdrop of COVID-19 pandemic
Publishing date: 30 July 2020
VIENNA / WASHINGTON, D.C. / WARSAW, 30 July 2020- On the occasion of World Day Against Trafficking in Persons today, high-level OSCE officials have highlighted the need to redouble efforts to combat human trafficking, particularly against the backdrop of the challenges posed by the COVID-19 pandemic...