News and press releases

WASHINGTON/ANKARA/VIENNA,10 DECEMBER 2021- As we mark International Human Rights Day, much of the world is still reeling from the COVID-19 pandemic. A new variant and increased cases have led many OSCE participating States to reimpose restrictions reminiscent of the conditions under which we commemorated this important anniversary a year ago. The pandemic has exacerbated our task of preserving and defending human rights around the world. It has further widened the political and partisan divides and fueled conspiracy theories that target minorities and persons in vulnerable situations. Some nations, while citing the necessity of measures to control the spread of the virus, have used it as a pretext for disproportionate security responses and repressive measures that undermine human rights, including the freedom of religion or belief.

On the eve of International Human Rights Day, on 9 December 2021 the OSCE Presence in Albania organized a regional roundtable discussion for equality bodies and independent human rights institutions. Representatives from the Western Balkans discussed, in the hybrid-format meeting, their role and interactions with respect to judicial proceedings.

An online seminar on how to make the work of Aarhus Centres sustainable was organized by the OSCE Centre in Ashgabat on December 9, 2021. Its participants presented best practices from OSCE participating States in implementing effective approaches for making them sustainable, taking into account their legal status

On 9 December, the Transnational Threats Department and the Office of the Co-ordinator of OSCE Economic and Environmental Activities in co-operation with the OSCE Academy in Bishkek organized a national workshop on strengthening youth crime and drug use prevention in Bishkek.

“What can each of us offer to others to build a community of practice in preventing and countering violent extremism and radicalization that lead to terrorism (P/CVERLT)?” This question gave direction to a series of three, three-day cross-regional seminars for certified facilitators of the OSCE’s Leaders against Intolerance and Violent Extremism (LIVE) capacity-building initiative, organized by the Action against Terrorism Unit of the OSCE Transnational Threats Department.

VIENNA, 8 December 2021 — The winners of the OSCE–Institute for Peace Research and Security Policy at the University of Hamburg (IFSH) Essay Competition: Conventional Arms Control and Confidence- and Security-Building Measures (CSBM) in Europe were announced today at a virtual award ceremony held during an OSCE Forum for Security Co-operation (FSC) meeting organized by the Austrian FSC Chairmanship.

VIENNA, 7 December 2021 – OSCE Secretary General Helga Maria Schmid launched the OSCE Networking Platform on Women Leaders including Peacebuilders and Mediators. Around 50 women leaders participated in the online event.