News and press releases
News and press releases from the OSCE's global activities.
Adverse effects of the coronavirus crisis on promoting gender equality focus of OSCE event
Publishing date: 8 April 2020
Persistent gender inequality might worsen due to the impact of the pandemic caused by the coronavirus if not properly addressed from the beginning, said speakers at the OSCE online discussion held on 7 April 2020. The webinar, organized by the OSCE Secretariat’s Gender Section and moderated by OSCE Senior Adviser on Gender Issues Amarsanaa Darisuren, provided a platform for the exchange of ideas and good practices on how to respond to gender-related impacts of COVID-19.
Persistent Roma inequality increases COVID-19 risk, human rights heads say
Publishing date: 7 April 2020
WARSAW/VIENNA, 7 April 2020 – Overcrowding and poor access to sanitation have long blighted Roma communities across Europe. On the eve of International Roma Day, the EU Agency for Fundamental Rights (FRA) and the OSCE Office for Democratic Institutions and Human Rights (ODIHR) highlight the longstanding neglect of Roma that is now leaving them highly vulnerable as the COVID-19 pandemic spreads across the globe...
OSCE Media Freedom Representative and OSCE Head of Mission to Serbia welcome reversal by Serbian Government of decision on public information
Publishing date: 2 April 2020
VIENNA/BELGRADE, 2 April 2020 – The OSCE Representative on Freedom of the Media, Harlem Désir, and the Head of the OSCE Mission to Serbia, Andrea Orizio, welcomed today the reversal by the Serbian Government on the decision on public information during the current health emergency...
PA human rights officials appeal to allow OSCE monitors to do their jobs in Ukraine following denials by armed formations
Publishing date: 2 April 2020
COPENHAGEN, 2 April 2020 – Following reports that armed formations in eastern Ukraine have repeatedly blocked OSCE Special Monitoring Mission officials from crossing checkpoints, senior OSCE Parliamentary Assembly officials urged greater constructive engagement.
OSCE Media Freedom Representative and OSCE Head of Mission to Serbia stress importance of free access to information, following new Government decision
Publishing date: 1 April 2020
VIENNA/BELGRADE, 1 April 2020 – The OSCE Representative on Freedom of the Media, Harlem Désir, and the Head of the OSCE Mission to Serbia, Andrea Orizio, expressed their concerns today over a new decision by the Government of Serbia on public information during the current health emergency and the impact that this could have on free access to information in the country...
Parliaments must continue to serve the people during coronavirus pandemic
Publishing date: 1 April 2020
Op-ed by George Tsereteli (MP, Georgia)
OSCE Media Freedom Representative concerned by the impact of coronavirus response law on work of media in Russia
Publishing date: 31 March 2020
VIENNA, 31 March 2020 – The OSCE Representative on Freedom of the Media, Harlem Désir, expressed his deep concerns today about amendments to the Russian legislation, imposing up to five years in prison, for spreading false information about the COVID-19 pandemic...