News and press releases
News and press releases from the OSCE's global activities.
Continued obstruction of free flow of information and safety of journalists pose serious restrictions to media freedom in Russia, says OSCE Representative
Publishing date: 27 February 2022
VIENNA, 27 February 2022 – The OSCE Representative on Freedom of the Media, Teresa Ribeiro, today strongly denounced the continued deterioration of the media freedom situation in the Russian Federation.
Statement of the Secretary General on the temporary evacuation of OSCE staff from Ukraine
Publishing date: 24 February 2022
Due to the ongoing fighting and deteriorated security situation in Ukraine, in coordination with the Chairman-in-Office, I have decided to temporarily evacuate all international mission members from Ukraine as soon as possible. The commitment and bravery of the OSCE staff is commendable. The OSCE
OSCE Mission to Bosnia and Herzegovina and Faculty of Law strengthen co-operation in promoting freedom of expression and media
Publishing date: 24 February 2022
On 24 February 2022, Kathleen Kavalec, Head of the OSCE Mission to Bosnia and Herzegovina (BiH), and the Dean of the Faculty of Law of the University of Sarajevo, Zinka Grebo signed a Memorandum of Understanding on mutual co-operation in promoting the freedom of expression and media in the country.
Joint statement by OSCE Chairman-in-Office Rau and Secretary General Schmid on Russia’s launch of a military operation in Ukraine
Publishing date: 24 February 2022
WARSAW/VIENNA, 24 February 2022 – The OSCE Chairman-in-Office and Foreign Minister of Poland, Zbigniew Rau and OSCE Secretary General Helga Maria Schmid condemned the launch by President Putin of a military operation in Ukraine and made the following statement:
OSCE concludes seminars for law enforcement on combatting trafficking in human beings in West Kazakhstan, Mangistau and Atyrau provinces
Publishing date: 23 February 2022
An OSCE-supported series of seminars on the identification of victims of human trafficking and the investigation of criminal cases related to human trafficking was held in West Kazakhstan, Mangistau and Atyrau provinces from 15 to 22 February.
OSCE supports anti-corruption initiative in Uzbekistan
Publishing date: 23 February 2022
The OSCE Project Co-ordinator in Uzbekistan (PCUz) held an online workshop in support of open data for anti-corruption on 22 February 2022. The event was jointly organized with the Anti-Corruption Agency of Uzbekistan (ACA) and the International Open Data Charter (ODC).
OSCE Mission to Montenegro supports children and youth survivors of gender-based violence
Publishing date: 22 February 2022
The OSCE Mission to Montenegro recognizes the essential work that the organizations ‘Women’s Safe House’ and ‘SOS Podgorica’ do in providing a safe refuge to women and their children from gender-based violence, complementary to social and judicial response. In support of the ongoing national efforts, the Mission donated around 300 books and arts and crafts sets for children and youth survivors of gender-based violence on 22 February 2022 in Podgorica.