News and press releases
News and press releases from the OSCE's global activities.
Challenges of urgent assistance for millions fleeing Ukraine must be followed by coordinated long-term support, OSCE human rights head says
Publishing date: 22 March 2022
WARSAW, 22 March 2022 – With some 3.5 million people already forced to flee Ukraine since Russia’s military attack began less than a month ago, a rapidly increasing number of those in need of protection mean a concerted effort is crucial to provide them with longer-term assistance, said the OSCE Office for Democratic Institutions and Human Rights (ODIHR).
OSCE Chairman-in-Office and Secretary General condemn bombing of Mariupol and ongoing violence against civilians throughout Ukraine
Publishing date: 18 March 2022
WARSAW/VIENNA, 18 March 2022 – OSCE Chairman-in-Office and Polish Foreign Minister Zbigniew Rau and Secretary General Helga Maria Schmid strenuously condemned the ongoing violence by the Russian Armed Forces against civilian areas throughout Ukraine, including the recent bombing of a theatre harboring hundreds of civilians in Mariupol.
OSCE Chairman-in-Office Zbigniew Rau calls for stronger UN-OSCE co-operation to address global security challenges
Publishing date: 16 March 2022
NEW YORK, 16 March 2022 — We need to engage in closer cooperation with international institutions to stop the aggression against Ukraine and Russia must face consequences of its actions. This was the message underlined by Chairman-in-Office and Poland’s Minister for Foreign Affairs Zbigniew Rau as he concluded his visit to United Nations headquarters in New York.
OSCE States meet to discuss anti-trafficking prevention measures amid humanitarian crisis in Ukraine
Publishing date: 15 March 2022
VIENNA, 15 March 2022 – The OSCE Special Representative and Co-ordinator for Combating Trafficking in Human Beings Valiant Richey today called together the anti-trafficking authorities from 17 OSCE participating States, including the ones most affected by the unfolding humanitarian crisis in Ukraine. The meeting focused on the risks of human trafficking amid the current crisis and measures being taken to address vulnerabilities of people on the move and to prevent trafficking.
Ukraine appoints mission of experts following invocation of the OSCE’s Moscow Mechanism
Publishing date: 15 March 2022
On 3 March 2022 and following consultation with Ukraine, 45 OSCE participating States invoked the Moscow Mechanism in order to “ address the human rights and humanitarian impacts of the Russian Federation’s invasion and acts of war, supported by Belarus, on the people of Ukraine, within Ukraine’s
We are responsible for our children – message by Rita Izsák-Ndiaye, Personal Representative of the Chairman-in-Office on Children and Security
Publishing date: 11 March 2022
VIENNA, 11 March 2022- I received the following WhatsApp message on 2 March from a Nigerian mother and her husband, both of them students in Ukraine, asking for help:
OSCE States need to strengthen anti-trafficking prevention measures amid humanitarian crisis in Ukraine
Publishing date: 10 March 2022
VIENNA, 10 March 2022 – Unprecedented numbers of people seeking refuge from armed violence in Ukraine are arriving in many OSCE participating States. These people, mostly women and children, face risks of human trafficking, including sexual and labour exploitation, during their journey or upon arrival in a destination country.