News and press releases
News and press releases from the OSCE's global activities.
ODIHR encourages Belarus to continue work on strengthened judicial independence, promotion of human rights and support for women leaders
Publishing date: 27 February 2020
Greater efforts and co-operation are needed to achieve a more independent justice system, educate citizens about human rights and strengthen women’s leadership in Belarus, said Ingibjörg Sólrún Gísladóttir, Director of the OSCE Office for Democratic Institutions and Human Rights (ODIHR), addressing
OSCE Chairperson-in-Office Edi Rama meets Russia’s Foreign Minister Sergey Lavrov in Moscow to discuss how to address challenges to Europe’s security
Publishing date: 26 February 2020
MOSCOW, 26 February 2020 – OSCE Chairperson-in-Office, Albania’s Prime Minister and Minister for Europe and Foreign Affairs, Edi Rama had a frank and constructive discussion today with the Minister of Foreign Affairs of the Russian Federation, Sergey Lavrov, on a number of key issues that affect security in the OSCE region. The meeting took place during Rama’s first official visit to Moscow as OSCE Chairperson-in-Office...
OSCE Media Freedom Representative Désir dismayed by threats against journalists of web portal Capital in Bosnia and Herzegovina
Publishing date: 24 February 2020
VIENNA, 24 February 2020 – The OSCE Representative on Freedom of the Media, Harlem Désir, expressed his dismay today at recent insults and threats by Duško Perović, Head of the Representative Office of the Republika Srpska in the Russian Federation, against journalists of the web portal Capital...
OSCE Media Freedom Representative calls on UK authorities not to extradite WikiLeaks editor Julian Assange to the US, ahead of Monday’s hearing
Publishing date: 23 February 2020
VIENNA, 23 February 2020 – OSCE Representative on Freedom of the Media, Harlem Désir, expressed his concern today at the potential extradition of WikiLeaks editor Julian Assange, ahead of his hearing on 24 February.
OSCE Media Freedom Representative pays tribute to Slovak journalist Ján Kuciak on second anniversary of his murder, as public hearings near conclusion
Publishing date: 20 February 2020
VIENNA, 20 February 2020 – The OSCE Representative on Freedom of the Media, Harlem Désir, paid tribute today to investigative journalist Ján Kuciak and his fiancée Martina Kušnírová, on the second anniversary of their murders...
OSCE parliamentarians can build bridges and ensure implementation of commitments, say speakers at Winter Meeting opening
Publishing date: 20 February 2020
VIENNA, 20 February 2020 – Opening the 19th Winter Meeting of the OSCE Parliamentary Assembly in Vienna today, keynote speakers underlined the importance of multilateral co-operation and inter-parliamentary dialogue in tackling common problems facing the region and ensuring that the promises made 30 years ago in founding the OSCE are upheld.
OSCE Chairperson-in-Office Rama and Secretary General Greminger deeply concerned about surge in heavy fighting in eastern Ukraine
Publishing date: 18 February 2020
TIRANA / VIENNA, 18 February 2020- OSCE Chairperson-in-Office, Prime Minister and Minister for Europe and Foreign Affairs of Albania, Edi Rama, and OSCE Secretary General Thomas Greminger expressed their deep concern about reports of heavy fighting near the Zolote disengagement area in eastern Ukraine today. They regretted in particular the reports of casualties. While noting that the fighting there was reported to have stopped, they called for restraint and full respect for the ceasefire, especially after the many recommitments and reaffirmations most recently in the conclusions of the Normandy-format Summit in Paris on 9 December.