News and press releases

WARSAW, 7 October 2025 – The OSCE Office for Democratic Institutions and Human Rights (ODIHR) expresses concern over the violent protests following Georgia’s recent local elections. Amid the rapid deterioration of the democratic and human rights environment in the country, ODIHR urges the Georgian authorities to respect the rights to peaceful assembly and freedom of expression, and to ensure that civil society can carry out its important work freely and safely.

With democratic institutions under pressure across the OSCE region, the OSCE Office for Democratic Institutions and Human Rights (ODIHR) brought together experts and officials at the Warsaw Human Dimension Conference to discuss how democracy can adapt and remain resilient in times of change.

For 25 years, the OSCE Office for Democratic Institutions and Human Rights (ODIHR) has been helping states strengthen their electoral laws to ensure the transparency and integrity of elections and to bring countries’ legal frameworks in line with OSCE commitments and other international standards.

With the support of the European Union, the OSCE Programme Office in Dushanbe concluded a Strengthening Medical Capabilities course for 29 officers (15 women and 14 men) of the Border Troops of the State Committee for National Security of the Republic of Tajikistan.

To foster transboundary water co-operation, the OSCE’s Office of the Co-ordinator of OSCE Economic and Environmental Activities held a study tour in Geneva, Switzerland and Koblenz, Germany from 29 September to 4 October. It brought members of the Women in Water Management Network together with young water and environmental experts from Central Asia and the South Caucasus.

To support the next generation of journalists, business leaders and analysts in advancing transparency, innovation, and economic resilience in Ukraine, the OSCE Office of the Co-ordinator of Economic and Environmental Activities (OCEEA) conducted a roadshow training series on using open data for journalism and business students from 23 September to 6 October.

WARSAW, 6 October 2025 – As the OSCE marks the 50th anniversary of the Helsinki Final Act, we must recommit to the principles of democracy, human rights and the rule of law on which the organisation was founded in order to overcome global challenges, OSCE leaders said today as governments, international organizations, and civil society came together for a 10-day conference dedicated to the situation of human rights and fundamental freedoms across the OSCE area.