News and press releases
News and press releases from the OSCE's global activities.
Czech Republic’s 2021 parliamentary elections: OSCE/ODIHR election expert team final report
Publishing date: 23 March 2022
The 2021 parliamentary elections in the Czech Republic were well organized and an overall competitive campaign offered voters a wide choice of contestants. Campaign coverage was extensive in both public and private media, and contestants enjoyed generous free airtime. The tone of the campaign was
Challenges of urgent assistance for millions fleeing Ukraine must be followed by coordinated long-term support, OSCE human rights head says
Publishing date: 22 March 2022
WARSAW, 22 March 2022 – With some 3.5 million people already forced to flee Ukraine since Russia’s military attack began less than a month ago, a rapidly increasing number of those in need of protection mean a concerted effort is crucial to provide them with longer-term assistance, said the OSCE Office for Democratic Institutions and Human Rights (ODIHR).
Germany, parliamentary elections 2021: ODIHR election expert team final report
Publishing date: 17 March 2022
The 26 September 2021 elections to the German Parliament (Bundestag) were generally well organized, and the election administration enjoyed stakeholder confidence notwithstanding some procedural issues reported and observed in Berlin. Overall, the postal voting system contains sufficient safeguards
OSCE human rights office alarmed by forced removal of elected officials in Ukrainian cities
Publishing date: 16 March 2022
WARSAW, 16 March 2022 – After two democratically elected mayors in the Ukrainian cities of Melitopol and Dniprorudne were forcibly removed from office, kidnapped and remain at risk of torture, the OSCE Office for Democratic Institutions and Human Rights (ODIHR) is increasingly alarmed by the impact of Russia’s military attack on the country’s democratic institutions.
Ukraine appoints mission of experts following invocation of the OSCE’s Moscow Mechanism
Publishing date: 15 March 2022
On 3 March 2022 and following consultation with Ukraine, 45 OSCE participating States invoked the Moscow Mechanism in order to “ address the human rights and humanitarian impacts of the Russian Federation’s invasion and acts of war, supported by Belarus, on the people of Ukraine, within Ukraine’s
Those fleeing Ukraine conflict must be granted safe passage and international protection without delay, OSCE human rights head says
Publishing date: 7 March 2022
WARSAW, 7 March 2022 – The OSCE Office for Democratic Institutions and Human Rights (ODIHR) is alarmed that more than 1.7 million people have already fled Ukraine as a consequence of the Russian Federation’s military attack, with many others still trying to find safety by crossing international borders or moving inside the country. An increasing number of civilians are falling victim to what appears to be the indiscriminate use of explosive weapons in residential areas, which is prohibited by international humanitarian law.
Peaceful demonstrations to protest attack on Ukraine must be allowed unhindered, OSCE human rights office says
Publishing date: 1 March 2022
WARSAW, 1 March 2022 – Peaceful anti-war protests were able to take place without restriction in the overwhelming majority of OSCE countries following the launch of military action against Ukraine last week, allowing citizens to exercise their right to peaceful protest, the OSCE Office for Democratic Institutions and Human Rights (ODIHR) said in a statement today.