News and press releases
News and press releases from the OSCE's global activities.
ODIHR opens election observation mission in Bulgaria
Publishing date: 1 March 2023
SOFIA, 1 March 2023 – The OSCE Office for Democratic Institutions and Human Rights (ODIHR) today opened an election observation mission (EOM) for the 2 April early parliamentary elections in Bulgaria, following an invitation from the country’s authorities.
Bulgaria’s 2022 early parliamentary elections: ODIHR election observation mission final report
Publishing date: 27 February 2023
The 2 October early parliamentary elections in Bulgaria were competitive and fundamental freedoms were generally respected. Despite late preparations, and limited technical and administrative capacity of election administration, elections were conducted adequately. Contestants received substantial
Human rights violations must end and humanitarian law be respected, says OSCE human rights head on anniversary of military attack in Ukraine
Publishing date: 24 February 2023
WARSAW, 24 February 2023 – A year after the launch of Russia’s military attack in Ukraine, the armed conflict is still having a devastating effect on civilians as they continue to be impacted by ongoing military strikes and subjected to other violence and inhumane treatment, said the OSCE Office for Democratic Institutions and Human Rights (ODIHR).
OSCE and Ombudsperson of Uzbekistan co-host International Human Rights Conference in Samarkand
Publishing date: 24 February 2023
The OSCE Project Co-ordinator in Uzbekistan, in co-operation with the Authorized Person of the Oliy Majlis (National Parliament) of the Republic of Uzbekistan for Human Rights (Ombudsperson), as well as the U.S. Agency for International Development (USAID) and the United Nations Development Programme (UNDP) in Uzbekistan, co-hosted the International Conference titled “Interaction and Cooperation in the Field of Reliable Protection of Human Rights and Freedoms.” The event took place on 23 February 2023 in Samarkand.
OSCE Chairman-in-Office Osmani concludes visit to Moldova
Publishing date: 15 February 2023
CHISINAU/SKOPJE, 15 February 2023 — The OSCE Chairman-in-Office, Minister of Foreign Affairs of North Macedonia Bujar Osmani, concluded his visit to Moldova.
ODIHR opens election observation mission in Montenegro
Publishing date: 9 February 2023
PODGORICA, 9 February 2023- The OSCE Office for Democratic Institutions and Human Rights (ODIHR) today opened an observation mission for the 19 March presidential election in Montenegro, following an invitation from the national authorities.
OSCE Mission supports digitization of parliament’s verbatim records
Publishing date: 9 February 2023
With the support of the OSCE Mission to Montenegro, around 50,000 verbatim records of sessions of Parliament of Montenegro from 1991 to 2008 were digitized and are searchable by date, year, convocation, session, political party and speaker. This process was finalized on 8 February with a training course for parliamentary staff on practical use of the software, developed with the Mission’s support in 2022.