News and press releases
News and press releases from the OSCE's global activities.
OSCE Chairperson-in-Office’s Special Envoy concludes visits to Montenegro and North Macedonia
Publishing date: 9 May 2025
VIENNA/HELSINKI, 9 May 2025- The Chairperson-in-Office’s Special Envoy, Ambassador Terhi Hakala, concluded her official visit to Montenegro and North Macedonia today. The trip reaffirmed the OSCE’s commitment to stability, security and strengthening democratic institutions in South-Eastern Europe.
OSCE advances gender-sensitive law enforcement and border management in Central Asia
Publishing date: 8 May 2025
As part of the OSCE’s efforts to empower women in the security sector and strengthen regional security, the OSCE Secretariat, with support from the OSCE Office for Democratic Institutions and Human Rights (ODIHR) and the five OSCE field operations in Central Asia, held the first meeting of the Regional Network of Women in Law Enforcement and Border Agencies in Central Asia in Vienna, Austria, on 7 and 8 May.
OSCE Representative on Freedom of the Media concludes visit to European institutions
Publishing date: 8 May 2025
The OSCE Representative on Freedom of the Media (RFoM) Jan Braathu, concluded his first visit to European Institutions today. During his visit, the RFoM discussed current challenges to media freedom across EU Member States and the broader OSCE region with the cabinets of European Commissioner for
Joint statement on Artificial Intelligence and Freedom of Expression
Publishing date: 7 May 2025
BRUSSELS, 7 May 2025- Considering the vital impact that Artificial Intelligence (AI) has on freedom of expression, freedom of the media and the information ecosystem; acknowledging that the development and use of AI can be beneficial but raise serious human rights-related concerns; stressing the
Further reforms needed in Kazakhstan to strengthen fair trial rights: ODIHR monitoring report
Publishing date: 6 May 2025
ODIHR Kazakhstan fair trial monitoring WARSAW, 6 May 2025 – In a report summarising its year-long monitoring of more than 400 court hearings related to the January 2022 protests in Kazakhstan, the OSCE Office for Democratic Institutions and Human Rights (ODIHR) documented court practices that fall
Notable efforts to address electoral integrity but certain aspects of Romania’s presidential campaign left without sufficient oversight: international observers
Publishing date: 5 May 2025
BUCHAREST, 5 May 2025 – The first round of Romania’s repeat presidential election was efficiently run and the rights to freedom of assembly and association were respected. However, widespread inauthentic behaviour online by candidates, the fragmented approach of the authorities to overseeing the online space, and a lack of transparency in decision-making had a negative impact on the election process, international observers said in a statement today.
To safeguard human rights we must protect civic space and the right to peaceful assembly, OSCE leaders say
Publishing date: 4 May 2025
VIENNA, 5 May 2025 – A vibrant civic space in which everyone contributes to public and political life is increasingly challenged by growing threats to freedom of peaceful assembly and severe challenges faced by human rights defenders through discreditation, criminalization, and direct attacks, OSCE leaders said as a two-day conference began today.