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News and press releases
News and press releases from the OSCE's global activities.
Bosnia and Herzegovina elections were genuinely competitive, but legal and systemic shortcomings remain, international observers say
Publishing date: 8 October 2018
Content type: Press release
Where we are: OSCE Office for Democratic Institutions and Human Rights
What we do: Elections
SARAJEVO, 8 October 2018 – The 7 October general elections in Bosnia and Herzegovina were genuinely competitive but characterized by continuing segmentation along ethnic lines, the international observers concluded in a preliminary statement released today. Long-standing deficiencies in the legal framework remain, and recent discussions on reform were stalled by political disagreements, further eroding trust in public institutions, the observers said...
Central Asia security, Mediterranean co-operation, migration, trade and environmental challenges in focus at Bishkek Autumn Meeting of the OSCE Parliamentary Assembly
Publishing date: 5 October 2018
Content type: Press release
Where we are: OSCE Parliamentary Assembly
What we do: Economic activities, Environmental activities, Migration
BISHKEK, 5 October 2018 – Enhancing security dialogue in Central Asia, countering new challenges and threats in border areas, promoting Mediterranean co-operation and strengthening citizens’ engagement in building secure societies have been among the topics of debate at the OSCE Parliamentary Assembly’s 17th Autumn Meeting in Bishkek this week...
OSCE Representative concerned about Ukrainian parliament’s call for sanctions against and potential blocking of two television channels
Publishing date: 4 October 2018
Content type: Press release
Where we are: OSCE Representative on Freedom of the Media
What we do: Media freedom and development
VIENNA, 4 October 2018 – The OSCE Representative on Freedom of the Media, Harlem Désir, expressed his deep concern today about a decision by Ukraine’s parliament, the Verkhovna Rada, that calls for sanctions against two Ukrainian television channels, which would eventually terminate their activities...
ODIHR final report on Turkish early presidential and parliamentary elections recommends amending and harmonizing election legislation in line with international standards
Publishing date: 21 September 2018
Content type: News
Where we are: OSCE Office for Democratic Institutions and Human Rights
What we do: Elections
The final report by the OSCE Office for Democratic Institutions and Human Rights (ODIHR) on Turkey’s 24 June early presidential and parliamentary elections, published on 21 September 2018, recommends a review of legislation to bring it in line with international obligations and standards for
High-level OSCE PA participation at Europe’s largest human rights conference
Publishing date: 21 September 2018
Content type: Press release
Where we are: OSCE Parliamentary Assembly
COPENHAGEN, 21 September 2018 – Several leaders of the OSCE Parliamentary Assembly have actively participated over the past two weeks in the Human Dimension Implementation Meeting, organized by the OSCE Office for Democratic Institutions and Human Rights and the Italian OSCE Chairmanship, speaking at working sessions on democracy, fundamental freedoms, rights of migrants, human trafficking, and freedom of the media...
OSCE Representative calls on Russia to drop legislative amendments that could undermine freedom of expression and access to information
Publishing date: 21 September 2018
Content type: Press release
Where we are: OSCE Representative on Freedom of the Media
VIENNA, 21 September 2018 – In a letter to the authorities of the Russian Federation the OSCE Representative on Freedom of the Media, Harlem Désir, expressed his concern regarding the proposed amendments to the country’s Code of Administrative Offences and the Criminal Code, which were adopted yesterday in the final reading by the lower house of parliament, the State Duma. The amendments, among other things, strengthen the penalties for the dissemination of ‘false’ information related to defamation and information that affects privacy protection...
OSCE media freedom representative welcomes decision by European Court of Human Rights to safeguard phone data of Ukrainian journalist
Publishing date: 19 September 2018
Content type: Press release
Where we are: OSCE Representative on Freedom of the Media
What we do: Media freedom and development
VIENNA, 19 September 2018 – The OSCE Representative on Freedom of the Media, Harlem Désir, welcomed yesterday’s decision by the European Court of Human Rights (ECtHR) on an interim measure which indicates to the Ukrainian authorities to abstain from accessing the mobile telephone data of Radio Free Europe/Radio Liberty (RFE/RL) investigative reporter Natalya Sedletska...