News and press releases
News and press releases from the OSCE's global activities.
States of emergency stress-testing democracy, OSCE parliamentarians hear in COVID-focused webinar
Publishing date: 8 May 2020
COPENHAGEN, 8 May 2020 – More than 50 members of parliament from across the OSCE region participated in an online discussion today focused on the human rights consequences and democratic challenges posed by responses to the COVID-19 pandemic...
OSCE Media Freedom Representative concerned by new amendments to Anti-Terrorism Law in Kyrgyzstan
Publishing date: 6 May 2020
VIENNA, 6 May 2020 – The OSCE Representative on Freedom of the Media, Harlem Désir, expressed his concerns today about a set of new amendments to the law on Countering Terrorism, as well as changes to the Code of Civil Procedure, in Kyrgyzstan...
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:...
Freedom of the media is a cornerstone of a democratic society, says Head of OSCE Mission to Montenegro Daviet on World Press Freedom Day
Publishing date: 3 May 2020
For over 25 years, World Press Freedom Day has been a yearly reminder that freedom of the media is a cornerstone in any democratic society, said Head of OSCE Mission to Montenegro, Maryse Daviet, on World Press Freedom Day, 3 May 2020...
OSCE Presence brings together youth and Albanian Delegation to the OSCE Parliamentary Assembly to discuss COVID-19 measures
Publishing date: 30 April 2020
Young people are agents of change, and they have a say also in the COVID-19 situation. With this aim, on 29 April 2020 in Tirana, the OSCE Presence in Albania brought together its Youth Advisory Group and the Albanian Delegation to the OSCE Parliamentary Assembly to discuss the COVID-19 situation in Albania, the work of the Albanian Delegation and youth involvement...