News and press releases
News and press releases from the OSCE's global activities.
Towards Safer Communities: Co-ordinated action to end violence against women and domestic violence
Publishing date: 21 May 2025
SARAJEVO, 21 May 2025 – In a decisive step toward strengthening protections for survivors of domestic violence and violence against women, the OSCE Mission to Bosnia and Herzegovina (the Mission) convened a meeting today in Sarajevo to advance the implementation of the new legal framework in the Federation of BiH (FBiH).
OSCE Presence builds capacities of Albanian judges and prosecutors on investigative and adjudicating techniques on money laundering
Publishing date: 21 May 2025
On 19 and 20 May 2025, the Albanian School of Magistrates in close co-operation with the OSCE Presence in Albania held a specialized capacity-building training aimed at strengthening the skills of judges and prosecutors in investigating and adjudicating complex money laundering cases. About 70 judges and prosecutors participated at the training, including 13 judges and prosecutors from the Academy of Justice of Pristina.
Competitive Romanian presidential run-off, but campaign marred by hostile rhetoric and inauthentic behaviour online, international observers say
Publishing date: 19 May 2025
BUCHAREST, 19 May 2025 – In the strongly-contested second round of Romania’s repeat presidential election, fundamental freedoms of assembly and association were respected. However, defamatory rhetoric, biased media, and persistent inauthentic behaviour online, alongside regulatory gaps and fragmented responses by institutions, limited voters’ opportunity to make an informed choice and impacted public trust, international observers said in a statement today.
Study trip to Finland for representatives of the Ministry of Ecology, Environmental Protection and Climate Change of Uzbekistan
Publishing date: 19 May 2025
From 12 to 16 May, the PCUz organized a study trip to Finland for representatives of the Ministry of Ecology, Environmental Protection and Climate Change of Uzbekistan to gain insight into Finland’s best practices, environmental policies and legislative frameworks. The visit aimed to support
OSCE strengthens Montenegro’s border security with training on arms and human trafficking
Publishing date: 19 May 2025
The OSCE is helping strengthen Montenegro’s ability to combat arms and human trafficking through targeted training for border and criminal police officers. From 13 to 16 May in Bar, Montenegro, the OSCE Transnational Threats Department (TNTD), in close co-ordination with the OSCE Mission to Montenegro, trained 15 officers from Montenegro’s Police Directorate as part of its ongoing support for border security and management.
OSCE Secretary General concludes official visit to Albania, participates in European Political Community Summit
Publishing date: 17 May 2025
TIRANA/VIENNA, 17 May 2025 – The OSCE Secretary General, Feridun H. Sinirlioğlu, completed his first official visit to Albania today, where he participated in the European Political Community Summit, emphasizing the OSCE’s continuing contribution to regional security and stability.
Conviction of independent election monitor in Russia undermines human rights and democratic standards, OSCE human rights office says
Publishing date: 16 May 2025
WARSAW, 15 May 2025 – The OSCE Office for Democratic Institutions and Human Rights (ODIHR) expresses serious concern following the conviction and sentencing of Grigory Melkonyants, co-chair of the independent Russian election monitoring group Golos, to five years in a penal colony, alongside a nine-year ban on public activities, after a verdict by a Moscow court.