News and press releases
News and press releases from the OSCE's global activities.
Poland’s 2022 OSCE Chairmanship to focus on OSCE’s fundamental tasks, Minister of Foreign Affairs Zbigniew Rau tells Permanent Council
Publishing date: 15 July 2021
VIENNA, 15 July 2021 — Poland’s OSCE Chairmanship next year will focus on supporting conflict resolution and conflict-affected populations, responding to post-COVID challenges, and embracing the OSCE’s spirit of co-operation towards implementing shared commitments, said Poland’s Minister of Foreign Affairs Zbigniew Rau in his address to the OSCE Permanent Council today.
Greater efforts needed to ensure digital technologies empower human rights, OSCE leaders say
Publishing date: 13 July 2021
VIENNA/WARSAW, 13 July 2021 — Understanding the implications of digital technology is key to the protection and promotion of human rights in the 21st century, OSCE leaders said as a two-day online conference concluded on the opportunities and challenges of the digital age for human rights and democracy.
Unlocking potential of youth focus of third Mediterranean Partners for Co-operation Group meeting
Publishing date: 13 July 2021
VIENNA, 13 July 2021 — Realising the potential of young people is key to ensuring economic success and enhancing stability in the Mediterranean region and the OSCE area, said speakers at the third Meeting of the OSCE Mediterranean Partners for Co-operation Group chaired by Poland yesterday.
Roundtable discussion on Border Security and Management during COVID-19 Pandemic at OSCE Border Management Staff College
Publishing date: 12 July 2021
In the framework of the 29th Staff Course for Women Leaders, the OSCE’s Border Management Staff College (BMSC) organized a roundtable discussion on 9 July 2021 in-person and online about border security and management and the impact of the COVID-19 pandemic.
Fundamental freedoms generally respected in Bulgarian elections, but media shortcomings, lack of issue-driven campaign fail to engage voters, observers say
Publishing date: 12 July 2021
SOFIA, 12 July 2021 – Bulgaria’s early parliamentary elections were competitive and fundamental freedoms were generally respected, international observers said in a statement today. The campaign environment was dominated by mutual accusations of corruption between the former ruling party and the provisional government, as well as by efforts by law-enforcement to curb vote-buying, the statement says.
Moldova’s early parliamentary elections were competitive and well run despite the inadequate handling of election disputes and campaign finance issues, international observers say
Publishing date: 12 July 2021
CHISINAU, 12 July 2021 – Moldova’s early parliamentary elections were well managed amidst an improved legal framework and voters were offered a wide choice of alternatives, but concerns over the impartiality of the election authorities undermined trust while inadequate campaign finance rules left potential breaches unaddressed, international observers said in a statement today.
Nomination of judges to Georgia’s highest court still marked by shortcomings despite recent improvements, ODIHR report finds
Publishing date: 9 July 2021
WARSAW, 9 July 2021 – Shortcomings in the process of judicial nominations to Georgia’s Supreme Court put the independence of the judiciary in the country at further risk, despite some recent improvements to the transparency and accountability of the process, the OSCE Office for Democratic Institutions and Human Rights (ODIHR) said today in its third monitoring report.