News and press releases
News and press releases from the OSCE's global activities.
Better protection of human rights defenders urgently needed, say participants at OSCE/ODIHR meeting
Publishing date: 23 September 2014
The urgent need for enhanced protection of human rights defenders was the focus of a side event organized by the OSCE Office for Democratic Institutions and Human (ODIHR) on 23 September 2014, during the Human Dimension Implementation Meeting in Warsaw.
Defending human rights of most vulnerable crucial to meeting security challenges, say speakers at OSCE conference in Warsaw
Publishing date: 22 September 2014
WARSAW, 22 September 2014 – OSCE participating States have to focus on the most vulnerable in particular if their efforts to defend human rights are to effectively promote security, speakers said at the opening of the OSCE Human Dimension Meeting in Warsaw today...
OSCE/ODIHR and High Commissioner on National Minorities publish handbook on advancing national minorities’ involvement in electoral processes
Publishing date: 22 September 2014
The OSCE Office for Democratic Institutions and Human Rights (ODIHR) and the office of the OSCE High Commissioner on National Minorities (HCNM) presented their Handbook on Observing and Promoting the Participation of National Minorities in Electoral Processes at a side event on the first day of the Human Dimension Implementation Meeting in Warsaw on 22 September 2014.
OSCE/ODIHR hosts meeting with civil society and international organizations on human rights situation in Ukraine
Publishing date: 19 September 2014
Identifying needs and possible strategies to address human rights priorities in Ukraine was the focus of a meeting organized by OSCE Office for Democratic Institutions and Human Rights (ODIHR) in Warsaw on 18 and 19 September 2014. The consultation meeting, with participation of 23 representatives
OSCE/ODIHR opens election observation mission for early parliamentary elections in Ukraine
Publishing date: 19 September 2014
KYIV, 19 September 2014 – The OSCE Office for Democratic Institutions and Human Rights (ODIHR) today formally opened an election observation mission for the 26 October 2014 early parliamentary elections in Ukraine. The mission’s deployment follows an invitation from the Ukrainian Ministry of Foreign Affairs...
On International Day of Democracy, OSCE Chairperson-in-Office and ODIHR Director call for greater efforts to promote youth engagement and participation
Publishing date: 15 September 2014
BERN/WARSAW, 15 September 2014 – On the occasion of the International Day of Democracy, OSCE Chairperson-in-Office and Swiss Foreign Minister Didier Burkhalter and Michael Georg Link, Director of the OSCE Office for Democratic Institutions and Human Rights (ODIHR), called on OSCE participating States to recognize, foster and galvanize the contribution of youth to promoting democratic values and practices, including the rule of law, the protection of human rights, and tolerance and non-discrimination...
ODIHR, Venice Commission roundtable discussion in Warsaw discusses recommendations to facilitate establishment and functioning of associations
Publishing date: 9 September 2014
Key challenges in creating an enabling legislative environment for associations were the focus of a roundtable discussion organized in Warsaw by the OSCE Office for Democratic Institutions and Human Rights (ODIHR) and the European Commission for Democracy through Law of the Council of Europe (Venice Commission) on 8 and 9 September 2014.