News and press releases
News and press releases from the OSCE's global activities.
Ensuring that human rights defenders forced out of their home countries can safely continue their work is vital, say ODIHR event participants
Publishing date: 6 October 2023
The situation of human rights defenders forced to work outside their countries to avoid danger or persecution at home was the topic of an event organized by the OSCE Office for Democratic Institutions and Human rights (ODIHR) on 5 October 2023 in the margins of the Warsaw Human Dimension
Forging inclusive societies based on mutual respect is key to countering anti-religious hate, say ODIHR event participants
Publishing date: 5 October 2023
Work to counter anti-religious hate crime must safeguard communities from hate-motivated crimes, and at the same time cultivate an environment in which religious or belief communities can flourish, said participants at an event organized by the OSCE Office for Democratic Institutions and Human
ODIHR Women’s Power Breakfast highlights the important role of women in protecting women’s rights and security in Central Asia
Publishing date: 5 October 2023
The role of women in strengthening peace and security and the human rights of women in Central Asia were the topics of discussion at the annual Women’s Power Breakfast organized by the OSCE Office for Democratic Institutions and Human Rights (ODIHR) in Warsaw on 5 October 2023. The breakfast took
Modernization of customs mechanisms in focus of OSCE seminar in Turkmenistan
Publishing date: 5 October 2023
An OSCE-organized seminar on the modernization of customs mechanisms and strengthening export procedures took place in Ashgabat from 3 to 5 October 2023. Held in a blended format, the three-day event brought together representatives of the State Customs Service, the Ministry of Finance and Economy,
OSCE Representative on Freedom of the Media urges respect for and protection of media during election period
Publishing date: 3 October 2023
VIENNA, 3 October 2023 – The OSCE Representative on Freedom of the Media, Teresa Ribeiro, issued today a communiqué underscoring the pivotal role of media freedom during elections. She urged authorities of all OSCE participating States and electoral contenders to uphold their democratic duty by respecting and safeguarding the crucial democratic role of the media, especially during election periods.
Democracy and human rights must be at the heart of renewed dialogue, OSCE leaders say
Publishing date: 2 October 2023
WARSAW, 2 October 2023 – Building on strong partnerships and returning to genuine dialogue are key to overcoming challenges to human rights and democracy. This was the main message from OSCE leaders today at the opening of a major human rights conference to discuss the condition of human rights and freedoms across the 57 states of the region.
Türkiye’s 2023 general elections: ODIHR election observation mission final report
Publishing date: 29 September 2023
Türkiye’s 2023 general elections offered voters a choice between genuine political alternatives and voter participation was high, but the incumbent president and the ruling parties enjoyed an unjustified advantage, including through biased media coverage. The continued restrictions on fundamental