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News and press releases
News and press releases from the OSCE's global activities.
OSCE parliamentarians focus on economic security fallout of COVID-19 pandemic in first-ever webinar
Publishing date: 23 April 2020
Content type: Press release
Where we are: OSCE Parliamentary Assembly
What we do: Economic activities
COPENHAGEN, 23 April 2020 – Some 85 participants joined the OSCE Parliamentary Assembly’s first webinar on the COVID 19 crisis on Wednesday, focused on the economic security fallout of the pandemic. Experts and parliamentarians shared views and lessons learned throughout the OSCE region and discussed the way forward for economic recovery...
OSCE Media Freedom Representative worried about situation of journalists being kept in prison despite release law in Turkey, amid coronavirus concerns
Publishing date: 17 April 2020
Content type: Press release
Where we are: OSCE Representative on Freedom of the Media
What we do: Media freedom and development, Safety of journalists
VIENNA, 17 April 2020 – The OSCE Representative on Freedom of the Media, Harlem Désir, expressed his concerns today about the fact that journalists in Turkey will in effect not benefit from a new law releasing inmates from prison, amid public health concerns related to the COVID-19 pandemic.
OSCE Chairperson-in-Office Rama and Secretary General Greminger welcome release of detainees in eastern Ukraine and call for further positive steps
Publishing date: 16 April 2020
Content type: Press release
Where we are: OSCE Chairmanship, OSCE Secretary General
What we do: Conflict prevention and resolution
TIRANA / VIENNA, 16 April 2020 – The OSCE Chairperson-in-Office, Prime Minister and Minister for Europe and Foreign Affairs of Albania, Edi Rama, and OSCE Secretary General Thomas Greminger welcomed today’s mutual release and exchange of detainees in eastern Ukraine...
COVID-19 response in Bulgaria should not curb media freedom, says OSCE Representative on Freedom of the Media
Publishing date: 15 April 2020
Content type: Press release
Where we are: OSCE Representative on Freedom of the Media
What we do: Media freedom and development, Media laws
VIENNA, 15 April 2020 – The OSCE Representative on Freedom of the Media, Harlem Désir, expressed his concerns today about Bulgaria’s draft legislation that would criminalize the spread of "internet misinformation". Punishment includes fines of up to 1,000 euros and even imprisonment of up to three years...
OSCE concerned about decree against “fake news” in Republika Srpska, Bosnia and Herzegovina, and calls on authorities to withdraw it
Publishing date: 14 April 2020
Content type: Press release
Where we are: OSCE Representative on Freedom of the Media
What we do: Media freedom and development, Safety of journalists
VIENNA / SARAJEVO, 14 April 2020 – The OSCE Representative on Freedom of the Media, Harlem Désir, and the Head of the OSCE Mission to Bosnia and Herzegovina, Kathleen Kavalec, pointed to the risk of potential violations of fundamental freedoms after the Republika Srpska, an entity of Bosnia and Herzegovina, issued a decree which could restrict the media and journalists from reporting freely on the COVID-19 pandemic.
OSCE Media Freedom Representative concerned about pressure on KoSSev online portal and its editor-in-chief in Kosovo
Publishing date: 12 April 2020
Content type: Press release
Where we are: OSCE Representative on Freedom of the Media
What we do: Media freedom and development, Safety of journalists
VIENNA, 12 April 2020 – The OSCE Representative on Freedom of the Media, Harlem Désir, expressed his concern today regarding two recent incidents against the KoSSev online portal...
OSCE parliamentarians endorse UN SG’s global ceasefire call, discuss European response to COVID-19 pandemic and plan PA activities
Publishing date: 9 April 2020
Content type: Press release
Where we are: OSCE Parliamentary Assembly
COPENHAGEN, 9 April 2020 – The leadership of the OSCE Parliamentary Assembly on Wednesday agreed to endorse a call by United Nations Secretary General Antonio Guterres for a worldwide ceasefire, emphasizing that a number of conflicts continue to rage in the OSCE area even as countries struggle to contain the coronavirus pandemic.