News and press releases
News and press releases from the OSCE's global activities.
Poland parliamentary elections 2019: ODIHR observation mission final report
Publishing date: 14 February 2020
Following the parliamentary elections in Poland on 13 October 2019, the OSCE Office for Democratic Institutions and Human Rights (ODIHR) has published its final report. The elections were prepared well, and contestants were able to campaign freely, but media bias and intolerant campaign rhetoric
OSCE supports the Balkan Asset Management Interagency Network on enhancing the effectiveness of jurisdictions’ efforts in dealing with asset seizure and management
Publishing date: 13 February 2020
The OSCE-supported meeting of the Balkan Asset Management Interagency Network (BAMIN) Steering Group took place in Tirana on 12 and 13 February 2020. The event was hosted by the Agency for Seized and Confiscated Assets of Albania’s Ministry of Finance. Participants discussed ways the Network could reach its aim of achieving full operationalization and sustainable management, including by involving new members or observers for the years 2020– 2022.
OSCE continues supporting Armenia in establishing an Advance Passenger Information (API) system
Publishing date: 12 February 2020
A meeting on establishing an Advance Passenger Information (API) system for enhancing border and aviation security in Armenia took place in Yerevan on 11 and 12 February 2020. The event is a follow-up to the national workshop held in June 2019 that resulted in the drafting of a roadmap outlining the necessary steps Armenia needs to take to establish an API system.
Repatriation of ‘foreign terrorist fighters’ and their families urgently needed to safeguard human rights and security, OSCE human rights head says
Publishing date: 11 February 2020
The situation of family members of ‘foreign terrorist fighters’ (FTFs) trapped in camps or detention in Syria and Iraq raise profound human rights and security concerns, the head of the OSCE Office for Democratic Institutions and Human Rights (ODIHR) said ahead of an event on 12 February in Vienna highlighting the need to repatriate both FTFs and their families.
OSCE Presence-supported International Scientific Conference on Environmental Crime and Security held in Tirana
Publishing date: 11 February 2020
The 5th International Scientific Conference on Environmental Crime, Environmental Security and National Security, organized by the Albanian Security Academy, in close co-operation with the OSCE Presence in Albania and the Municipality of Tirana, was held on 11 February 2020 in Tirana...
OSCE-supported Media Training Needs Assessment report for Montenegro presented in Podgorica
Publishing date: 11 February 2020
At a presentation organized by the OSCE Mission to Montenegro on 11 February 2020 in Podgorica, participants concluded that establishing a journalism training and research centre in Montenegro would benefit both students and experienced journalists...
Despite large number of candidates, Azerbaijan elections lacked genuine competition and choice, international observers say
Publishing date: 10 February 2020
BAKU, 10 February 2020 – The restrictive legislation and political environment prevented genuine competition in Azerbaijan’s early parliamentary elections, international observers said in a preliminary statement published today. Although some prospective candidates were denied the right to stand, candidate registration was otherwise inclusive. Despite the large number of candidates, voters were not provided with a meaningful choice, due to a lack of real political discussion, the statement says.