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News and press releases
News and press releases from the OSCE's global activities.
Refugee protection is both a shared responsibility and a legal obligation, OSCE human rights head says
Publishing date: 20 June 2025
Content type: Press release
Where we are: OSCE Office for Democratic Institutions and Human Rights
What we do: Human rights
WARSAW, 20 June 2025 – Greater joint efforts and international co-operation are crucial to safeguard the protection of refugees guaranteed in international law, with the challenges displacement and migration pose both unique and fundamental to our common future, the OSCE Office for Democratic Institutions and Human Rights (ODIHR) said on today’s World Refugee Day.
Parliamentarians unite in Helsinki to advance gender equality in politics
Publishing date: 5 June 2025
Content type: News
What we do: Human rights, Good governance, Gender equality
More than 60 parliamentarians and experts from Europe and Central Asia gathered at the Finnish Parliament for a two-day workshop on gender-sensitive parliaments, organized by the OSCE Office for Democratic Institutions and Human Rights (ODIHR) with support from the OSCE Parliamentary Assembly, and OSCE field operations. Entitled Realizing Gender Equality in and by Parliaments, the workshop highlighted the critical role of national parliaments in driving progress toward gender equality.
Greater efforts towards inclusion needed to combat intolerance and discrimination and build resilient societies, OSCE leaders say
Publishing date: 3 June 2025
Content type: Press release
VIENNA, 3 June 2025 – More inclusive policymaking is needed to promote tolerance and counter discrimination in the OSCE region, OSCE leaders said at a two-day meeting to discuss effective ways of building inclusive societies through dialogue and participation, 50 years after OSCE participating States reaffirmed the universality of human rights and committed to respect the freedom of thought, conscience, religion or belief for all.
Poland’s presidential run-off well run and intensely contested amid increased polarization, including in media and online, international observers say
Publishing date: 2 June 2025
Content type: Press release
Where we are: OSCE Office for Democratic Institutions and Human Rights
What we do: Elections
WARSAW, 2 June 2025 – Yesterday’s presidential run-off in Poland was competitive and well managed, but the longstanding polarization between the country’s two main political camps and media bias contributed to an intensely contested campaign amidst ongoing controversies over the independence of some key electoral oversight institutions, international observers said in a statement today.
Poland’s presidential election was competitive but affected by deep polarization, international observers say
Publishing date: 19 May 2025
Content type: Press release
Where we are: OSCE Office for Democratic Institutions and Human Rights
What we do: Elections
WARSAW, 19 May 2025 – The first round of Poland’s presidential election offered voters a genuine choice between political options, but it took place against a background of deep political polarization that also impacted some key state institutions involved in the electoral process, international observers said in a statement today.
Competitive Romanian presidential run-off, but campaign marred by hostile rhetoric and inauthentic behaviour online, international observers say
Publishing date: 19 May 2025
Content type: Press release
Where we are: OSCE Office for Democratic Institutions and Human Rights
What we do: Elections
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.
International observers to Romania’s repeat presidential election second round to hold press conference on Monday
Publishing date: 16 May 2025
Content type: Press release
Where we are: OSCE Office for Democratic Institutions and Human Rights
What we do: Elections