News and press releases
News and press releases from the OSCE's global activities.
Uzbekistan 2023 constitutional referendum and early presidential election: ODIHR observation missions final reports
Publishing date: 11 January 2024
Following the 2023 constitutional referendum and early presidential election in Uzbekistan, the OSCE Office for Democratic Institutions and Human Rights (ODIHR) has published final reports with recommendations to assist the country in bringing its electoral process closer in line with international
Decision not to invite OSCE observers to parliamentary elections contrary to Belarus' international commitments
Publishing date: 8 January 2024
WARSAW/COPENHAGEN, 8 January 2024 – It is deeply regrettable that the Belarusian authorities have decided not to invite observers for the country’s forthcoming parliamentary elections from OSCE states through the OSCE’s Office for Democratic Institutions and Human Rights (ODIHR) and Parliamentary Assembly (OSCE PA), leaders of both institutions said today, adding that the decision contradicts the principle of transparency, which is essential for holding genuinely democratic elections.
Malta takes over OSCE Chair
Publishing date: 1 January 2024
VALLETTA/VIENNA, 1 January 2024- Today, Malta takes over the OSCE Chairpersonship with a focus on strengthening the Organization’s resilience and effectiveness.
ODIHR opens election observation mission in Azerbaijan
Publishing date: 29 December 2023
BAKU, 29 December 2023 – The OSCE Office for Democratic Institutions and Human Rights (ODIHR) today opened an election observation mission for the 7 February early presidential election in Azerbaijan, following an official invitation from the national authorities.
BiH needs an inclusive, comprehensive, and transparent review of its electoral legislation
Publishing date: 21 December 2023
Sarajevo, 21 December 2023- The OSCE Mission to BiH deeply regrets the lack of progress in delivering crucial amendments to the BiH Election Law so far, despite years of negotiations and numerous rounds of discussions and calls the elected leaders of BiH to finally deliver on their democratic obligations.
OSCE launches Project PROTECT in Uzbekistan at national awareness-raising workshop on critical infrastructure protection from terrorist attacks
Publishing date: 20 December 2023
From 13 to 15 December 2023, national experts from eight offices and government ministries in Uzbekistan joined an interactive workshop on the protection of critical infrastructure from terrorist attacks. The event served as the first activity in the OSCE’s newly-launched initiative called Project PROTECT. It was organized by the OSCE Secretariat’s Transnational Threats Department (TNTD), with support from the OSCE Project Co-ordinator in Uzbekistan.
Voters had political alternatives in Serbia’s elections but they were marred by overwhelming ruling party advantage, international observers say
Publishing date: 18 December 2023
BELGRADE, 18 December 2023 – Although Serbia’s early parliamentary elections offered voters a choice between political alternatives and freedoms of expression and assembly were generally respected, pressure on voters as well as the decisive involvement of the President and the ruling party’s systemic advantages undermined the election process overall, international observers said in a statement today.