News and press releases

OSCE Secretary General Helga Maria Schmid recognized the outstanding achievements of OSCE staff in advancing gender equality and empowering women in the OSCE at the fourth award ceremony that took place at the OSCE Permanent Council in Vienna today.

TASHKENT, 10 July 2023 – Uzbekistan’s early presidential election was technically well prepared but lacked genuine competition. Positively, recent reforms to the legal framework have taken some previous ODIHR recommendations into account, but fundamental freedoms remain restricted, the low-key campaign lacked meaningful engagement with voters, and significant procedural irregularities were observed on election day, international observers from the OSCE Office for Democratic Institutions and Human Rights (ODIHR) said in a statement today.

VIENNA, 26 JUNE 2023 – Closer co-operation and an innovative approach are needed by governments and civil society to build respect and trust in the diversity of our societies and combat intolerance and hatred, OSCE leaders said as a two-day conference began today.

WARSAW, 26 June 2023 – For victims to overcome the profound impact of torture on their lives, ensuring their right to redress and all it entails is crucial, the OSCE Office for Democratic Institutions and Human Rights (ODIHR) said on the International Day in Support of Victims of Torture.

WARSAW, 20 June 2023 – By making refugee integration a priority as a long-term and sustainable response to forced migration, we support refugees in their journey to rebuild their lives and foster inclusive societies that strengthen the fabric of our communities, the OSCE Office for Democratic Institutions and Human Rights (ODIHR) said on the occasion of World Refugee Day.

PODGORICA, 12 June 2023 – Montenegro’s early parliamentary elections were competitive and voters were offered a wide range of choices, but the process was weakened by legislative shortcomings as well as divisive campaign rhetoric and a polarized media environment, international observers said in a statement today.

The 2023 presidential election in the Czech Republic offered voters a wide variety of choices across the political spectrum. The overall campaign, both offline and online, was competitive but divisive, and voters could make an informed choice in both rounds. Campaign coverage was extensive in both