News and press releases
News and press releases from the OSCE's global activities.
ODIHR opens its 400th election observation mission ahead of presidential election in Uzbekistan
Publishing date: 15 September 2021
TASHKENT, 15 September 2021 – The OSCE Office for Democratic Institutions and Human Rights (ODIHR) today opened an election observation mission (EOM) for the 24 October presidential election in Uzbekistan, its 400th mission since ODIHR was established 30 years ago.
ODIHR opens election observation mission in North Macedonia
Publishing date: 7 September 2021
SKOPJE, 7 September 2020 – The OSCE Office for Democratic Institutions and Human Rights (ODIHR) today opened an election observation mission (EOM) for the 17 October local elections in North Macedonia, following an invitation from the national authorities.
ODIHR opens election observation mission in Georgia
Publishing date: 26 August 2021
TBILISI, 26 August 2021 – The OSCE Office for Democratic Institutions and Human Rights (ODIHR) today opened an election observation mission (EOM) for the 2 October local elections in Georgia, following an invitation from the national authorities...
OSCE leaders condemn violence in Afghanistan and destabilization of region, call for respect for human rights and rule of law
Publishing date: 25 August 2021
VIENNA/STOCKHOLM/WARSAW, 25 August 2021 — OSCE leaders today condemned the violence in Afghanistan, expressed their deep worry about the ongoing developments and reaffirmed the OSCE’s support towards ensuring safety and security throughout the region.
Appointment of new judges to Georgia’s highest court lacked integrity and credibility, though procedure was generally well run: ODIHR assessment
Publishing date: 23 August 2021
WARSAW, 23 August 2021 – Despite a number of positive legal changes to the nomination process for the judges of Georgia’s Supreme Court, today’s final monitoring report of the OSCE Office for Democratic Institutions and Human Rights (ODIHR) shows that the stage of the appointment procedure carried out by parliament still lacks adequate safeguards, negatively affecting the integrity of the overall process.
Countering religious hatred is critical to restore COVID-worn democracy and security, says OSCE human rights head
Publishing date: 20 August 2021
WARSAW, 20 August 2021 – Governments need to work harder to protect victims of religious hate crimes, and consistently condemn and prosecute all bias-motivated crimes, the OSCE Office for Democratic Institutions and Human Rights (ODIHR) said ahead of the third anniversary of the United Nations International Day Commemorating the Victims of Acts of Violence Based on Religion.
No OSCE observers for Russian parliamentary elections following major limitations
Publishing date: 4 August 2021
WARSAW/COPENHAGEN, 4 August 2021 — The OSCE will not be able to send observers for the upcoming elections to the Duma due to limitations imposed by Russian Federation authorities on the election observation, leaders of the OSCE’s Office for Democratic Institutions and Human Rights (ODIHR) and its Parliamentary Assembly (OSCE PA) announced today.