News and press releases
News and press releases from the OSCE's global activities.
Participants at OSCE-organized roundtable welcome amendments to Moldova’s hate crime legislation as first step in tackling the problem
Publishing date: 14 September 2016
A roundtable discussion on hate crime legislation in Moldova organized by the OSCE Mission to Moldova in co-operation with the Moldovan Ministry of Justice brought together 27 representatives of the government, civil society and international organizations on 13 September 2016...
Belarus elections efficiently organized, long-standing systemic shortcomings remain, international observers say
Publishing date: 12 September 2016
MINSK, 12 September 2016 – The 11 September parliamentary elections were efficiently organized and there were visible efforts to address some long-standing issues, but a number of systemic shortcomings remain, the international observers concluded in a preliminary statement released today. The legal framework restricts political rights and fundamental freedoms and was interpreted in an overly restrictive manner. Media coverage did not enable voters to make an informed choice and, despite an overall increase in the number of candidates, including a significant number from the opposition, the campaign lacked visibility, the statement says...
OSCE trains Kazakhstan’s border service in profiling techniques
Publishing date: 12 September 2016
The fourth in a series of five OSCE-supported training seminars on profiling techniques at border checkpoints to help counter transnational crime started on 12 September in Karasu, Southern Kazakhstan...
OSCE Mission to Moldova supports youth engagement through public debates
Publishing date: 9 September 2016
On 8 September 2016, the OSCE Mission to Moldova organized the first in a series of public debates for young people aimed at encouraging the establishment of debate clubs in schools throughout Moldova. Some 50 high school students and teachers participated in or observed the debate, which took place in a school in Avdarma – a village in the Autonomous Territorial Unit of Gagauzia...
Central Election Commission and OSCE Presence in Albania encourage women’s participation ahead of Dibra by-election
Publishing date: 2 September 2016
The Central Election Commission (CEC) and the OSCE Presence in Albania organized a series of voter information and education sessions for 140 women in the municipality of Dibra on 1 and 2 September 2016, ahead of the 11 September mayoral by-election. The events, which took place in three administrative units of the municipality- Peshkopi, Muhur and Maqellarë- raised awareness among women, including first time voters, about their rights and the importance of voting...
OSCE Office supports Armenia’s Human Rights Defender’s Office
Publishing date: 2 September 2016
Joint initiatives to promote human rights protection in Armenia were the focus of a meeting hosted by the OSCE Office in Yerevan with Armenia’s Human Rights Defender’s (Ombudsperson) Office on 31 August 2016...
Communiqué by the OSCE Representative on Freedom of the Media on free expression and the fight against terrorism
Publishing date: 2 September 2016
Terrorist attacks have shaken the OSCE region and beyond causing horror, fear, anger, grief and despair. The attacks have forcefully added to the OSCE participating States’ concerns about how to prevent and fight terrorism to keep our societies safe...