News and press releases
News and press releases from the OSCE's global activities.
Harassment and violence against journalists in Azerbaijan is deplorable, says OSCE Media Freedom Representative, calling for swift investigation
Publishing date: 12 February 2020
VIENNA, 12 February 2020 – OSCE Representative on Freedom of the Media, Harlem Désir, today said that he deplores last night’s detentions, violent incidents and mistreatment of journalists during an election-related protest in Baku...
Despite large number of candidates, Azerbaijan elections lacked genuine competition and choice, international observers say
Publishing date: 10 February 2020
BAKU, 10 February 2020 – The restrictive legislation and political environment prevented genuine competition in Azerbaijan’s early parliamentary elections, international observers said in a preliminary statement published today. Although some prospective candidates were denied the right to stand, candidate registration was otherwise inclusive. Despite the large number of candidates, voters were not provided with a meaningful choice, due to a lack of real political discussion, the statement says.
OSCE Media Freedom Representative concludes visit to Kyiv calling for more consultation on media law reforms to strengthen guarantees of media freedom
Publishing date: 7 February 2020
KYIV, 7 February 2020 – OSCE Representative on Freedom of the Media, Harlem Désir, concluded today his official visit to Kyiv, where he held discussions with the authorities, the media community and international organizations, focusing particularly on two new draft laws, on Media and on Countering Disinformation respectively.
OSCE Media Freedom Representative and OSCE Head of Mission to Serbia welcome adoption of Serbian Media Strategy
Publishing date: 31 January 2020
VIENNA / BELGRADE, 31 January 2020 – The OSCE Representative on Freedom of the Media, Harlem Désir, and the Head of the OSCE Mission to Serbia, Andrea Orizio, welcomed yesterday’s adoption of the new Strategy for the Development of the Public Information System in Serbia...
ODIHR Director expresses concern over amendments to legislation on ‘foreign agents’ in Russian Federation
Publishing date: 31 January 2020
WARSAW, 31 January 2020 – Following amendments to legislation on ‘foreign agents’ that places further restrictions on human rights organizations in the Russian Federation, Ingibjörg Sólrún Gísladóttir, Director of the OSCE Office for Democratic Institutions and Human Rights (ODIHR), said...
Building tolerant and compassionate societies honours the dead and gives hope for the future, OSCE says on International Holocaust Remembrance Day
Publishing date: 27 January 2020
WARSAW, 27 January 2020 – As we mark 75 years since the liberation of the Auschwitz-Birkenau concentration camp, the OSCE calls for greater efforts to counter anti-Semitic prejudice and build tolerant societies free from hatred.
Full engagement of women, national minorities and persons with disabilities crucial to ensure democratic elections, say participants of OSCE conference in Tirana
Publishing date: 21 January 2020
Increasing the participation of women, national minorities and persons with disabilities at all stages of the electoral process is the focus of a conference taking place in Tirana on 21 and 22 January 2020...