News and press releases
News and press releases from the OSCE's global activities.
Joint Message of OSCE CiO’s Personal Representatives on International Day Commemorating Victims of Acts of Violence Based on Religion or Belief
Publishing date: 22 August 2022
VIENNA, 22 August 2022- As we mark the International Day Commemorating the Victims of Acts of Violence Based on Religion or Belief, the continued Russian aggression against Ukraine bring more death, new refugees, and the destruction of civilian sites, including houses of worship and religious shrines and memorials. Christians, Muslims, Jews, those of other religious beliefs, and those with no religious belief are among the victims. The religious leaders in Russia willingly or under coercion provide a rationale for this unprovoked war. Those who would speak out or even remain silent do so at their own peril.
Places of worship must be kept safe and accessible in times of peace and in conflict, OSCE human rights head says
Publishing date: 22 August 2022
WARSAW, 22 August 2022 — Establishing, maintaining, and accessing places and objects of worship or contemplation are crucial to the right to freedom of thought, conscience, religion or belief, which applies during conflict and in times of peace, said the OSCE Office for Democratic Institutions and Human Rights (ODIHR) on the International Day Commemorating the Victims of Acts of Violence Based on Religion.
Serbia presidential and early parliamentary elections 2022: ODIHR election observation mission final report
Publishing date: 19 August 2022
The 3 April 2022 presidential and early parliamentary elections in Serbia presented diverse political options, but a number of shortcomings resulted in an uneven playing field favouring the incumbents. Recent legislative amendments adopted after extensive discussions among the ruling parties and
OSCE conducts workshop on municipal governance in Ukraine
Publishing date: 19 August 2022
Between 15 and 19 August, the Office of the Co-ordinator of OSCE Economic and Environmental Activities (OCEEA) in co-operation with the Drohobych City Institute organized a workshop on the digital transformation of communities and regions of Ukraine and the sustainable development of municipalities.
OSCE and UNODA support Kyrgyzstan’s efforts in furthering implementation of the Biological Weapons Convention
Publishing date: 17 August 2022
From 16 to 18 August, Kyrgyzstan hosts a peer-review exercise on the implementation of the Biological Weapons Convention (BWC) in Issyk-Kul.
OSCE trains lawyers from Women Resource Centres and local authorities in Tajikistan on legal support to survivors of domestic violence
Publishing date: 17 August 2022
The OSCE Programme Office in Dushanbe organized a four-day training course for lawyers from the OSCE-supported Women’s Resource Centres (WRCs) and local authorities from 11 to 14 August in Dushanbe. The course trained participants on how to provide legal advice and legal assistance to victims of domestic violence and people at risk of experiencing domestic violence. Some 23 lawyers from the Sughd, Khatlon, Rasht Valley regions, and Gorno-Badakhshan Autonomous Region of Tajikistan participated.
OSCE trains psychologists from Women Resource Centres and local authorities in Tajikistan in providing psychological support to survivors of domestic violence
Publishing date: 17 August 2022
A four-day training course for psychologists from the OSCE-supported Women’s Resource Centres (WRCs) and local authorities was organized by the OSCE Programme Office in Dushanbe from 11 to 14 August in Dushanbe. The event brought together 23 psychologists, of which 22 were female participants from the Sughd, Khatlon, Rasht Valley regions, and Gorno-Badakhshan Autonomous Region of Tajikistan.