News and press releases
News and press releases from the OSCE's global activities.
Shortcomings in 15 December repeat elections in Ukraine underline the need for comprehensive legal reform, says OSCE/ODIHR report
Publishing date: 30 January 2014
Problems in the formation of election commissions, the misuse of state resources to benefit some candidates, indications of vote-buying and a lack of transparency in the counting process were among the shortcomings observed during the 15 December 2013 repeat parliamentary elections in Ukraine...
Governments play critical role in promoting Holocaust remembrance and education, say participants at ODIHR event in Moldova
Publishing date: 28 January 2014
The role of governments in promoting Holocaust remembrance and education was the focus of a roundtable discussion co-organized by the OSCE Office for Democratic Institutions and Human Rights (ODIHR) in Chisinau on 28 January 2014, a day after the International Holocaust Remembrance Day.
Situation in Ukraine among topics as OSCE Chair visits ODIHR in Warsaw
Publishing date: 27 January 2014
WARSAW, 27 January 2014 – The OSCE Chairperson-in-Office, Swiss Foreign Minister Didier Burkhalter, today met the Director of the OSCE Office for Democratic Institutions and Human Rights (ODIHR), Ambassador Janez Lenarčič, to discuss the situation surrounding anti-government protests in Ukraine, the need for greater efforts to protect human rights defenders, and the Swiss Chairmanship’s priorities in the areas of human rights, democracy and the rule of law...
OSCE/ODIHR final report on Georgia presidential election recommends measures to further enhance legal framework
Publishing date: 14 January 2014
Georgia’s presidential election on 27 October 2013 was efficiently administered and transparent, and the electoral legal framework provided a sound basis for the conduct of democratic elections, says the final report by the OSCE Office for Democratic Institutions and Human Rights (ODIHR). However, authorities should consider measures to further enhance electoral legislation and improve its implementation...
OSCE human rights chief again urges United States to close Guantanamo Detention Facility
Publishing date: 10 January 2014
WARSAW, 10 January 2014 – Ahead of tomorrow’s 12th anniversary of the arrival of the first detainees to the Guantanamo Detention Facility, Ambassador Janez Lenarčič, Director of the OSCE Office for Democratic Institutions and Human Rights (ODIHR), again urged the United States to close the facility.
OSCE/ODIHR final report on Azerbaijan presidential election recommends measures to bring elections in line with OSCE commitments, international standards
Publishing date: 24 December 2013
More needs to be done to guarantee a level playing field for candidates and improve the electoral process, says the final report by the OSCE Office for Democratic Institutions and Human Rights (ODIHR) on the 9 October 2013 presidential election in Azerbaijan...
Austria’s legal framework provides sound basis for democratic elections, says OSCE/ODIHR report, more transparency needed
Publishing date: 23 December 2013
Austria’s legal framework provides a sound basis for the conduct of democratic elections, concludes the final report of the OSCE Office of Democratic Institutions and Human Rights on the country’s 29 September 2013 parliamentary elections. Authorities can take further measures to enhance the transparency of the electoral process, though...