News and press releases
News and press releases from the OSCE's global activities.
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. Key topics addressed are challenges and obstacles to the inclusion of these groups in
OSCE Media Freedom Representative welcomes the end of ban on Wikipedia in Turkey, a victory for access to information
Publishing date: 16 January 2020
VIENNA, 16 January 2020- The OSCE Representative on Freedom of the Media, Harlem Désir, welcomed yesterday’s decision by a court in Turkey to lift the ban on Wikipedia.
Disregard for human rights makes poor counter-terrorism policy, OSCE human rights head says
Publishing date: 11 January 2020
WARSAW, 11 January 2020 – Eighteen years after the opening of the Guantanamo Bay detention camp, the OSCE Office for Democratic Institutions and Human Rights (ODIHR) once more repeats its call for the closure of the camp and full compliance with international human rights standards, which are essential in order to counter terrorism effectively and sustainably.
Important progress in election legislation could not offset lack of real contest in Uzbekistan’s parliamentary elections, international observers say
Publishing date: 23 December 2019
TASHKENT, 23 December 2019 – Improvements to Uzbekistan’s election law and greater acceptance of freedom of expression are to be welcomed, but did not offset the absence of opposition parties, a continuing lack of respect for fundamental rights, and some serious irregularities on election day, international observers to the parliamentary elections said in a preliminary statement published today...
OSCE/ODIHR experts present final report on Moldova’s 2019 parliamentary elections in Chisinau
Publishing date: 20 December 2019
Elections experts from the OSCE Office for Democratic Institutions and Human Rights (ODIHR) met with electoral stakeholders in Chisinau on 19 and 20 December 2019 to present the ODIHR final report on 2019 parliamentary elections in Moldova. The report’s findings and recommendations were presented
The State Election Commission assesses its needs for 2020 autumn parliamentary elections
Publishing date: 19 December 2019
The State Election Commission is better equipped to plan and analyse its work was the conclusion of a two-day lessons learned workshop organized by the OSCE Mission to Montenegro for the Commission in Podgorica on 17 and 18 December 2019.
In Kyiv, OSCE PA delegation encourages Ukraine to implement Normandy Four commitments to maintain conflict resolution momentum
Publishing date: 19 December 2019
KYIV, 19 December 2019 – An OSCE Parliamentary Assembly delegation holding meetings in Kyiv this week welcomed the resumption of dialogue between the leaders of Ukraine and the Russian Federation and the outcomes of the recent Normandy Four summit in Paris. In discussions, the PA delegation explored ways the Assembly can continue to support Ukraine as well as the incoming OSCE Albanian Chairmanship’s priorities. Ukraine’s decentralization efforts, humanitarian issues, economic reform and good governance were also emphasized...