News and press releases
News and press releases from the OSCE's global activities.
Protection from domestic violence urgently needed for women and children under stay-at-home orders, say OSCE officials
Publishing date: 2 April 2020
VIENNA / COPENHAGEN / WARSAW, 2 April 2020 – Noting a troubling rise in domestic violence in relation to the COVID-19 pandemic lockdowns and self-isolation guidelines in many countries, OSCE leaders called today for measures to be taken by governments to protect women and children. They said that unfortunately, for them home is not always a safe haven, as they are the most susceptible to abuse and need increased protection in these extraordinary times and urged authorities to ensure that they are kept safe from abusers.
Newly declared states of emergency must include a time limit and parliamentary oversight, OSCE human rights head says
Publishing date: 30 March 2020
WARSAW, 30 March 2020 – Emergency legislation being adopted by governments across the OSCE region must include a time limit and guarantee parliamentary oversight, said the Director of the OSCE Office for Democratic Institutions and Human Rights (ODIHR) ahead of a vote in Hungary to extend emergency measures earlier adopted in the EU member state. ODIHR is systematically monitoring the content and consequences of the states of emergency being declared in response to the COVID-19 pandemic...
A message to the OSCE Community: We need solidarity and co-operation, OSCE core values, to work together to stop the pandemic
Publishing date: 26 March 2020
VIENNA/TIRANA, 26 March 2020- Chair of the OSCE Permanent Council Igli Hasani, OSCE Secretary General Thomas Greminger, Director of the OSCE Office for Democratic Institutions and Human Rights Ingibjörg Sólrún Gísladóttir, OSCE Representative on Freedom of the Media Harlem Désir and OSCE High Commissioner on National Minorities Lamberto Zannier today sent the following letter to the OSCE Community:
Romania presidential election 2019: ODIHR observation mission final report
Publishing date: 26 March 2020
Following the presidential election in Romania on 10 and 24 November 2019, the OSCE Office for Democratic Institutions and Human Rights (ODIHR) has published its final report. The report concludes that the 2019 presidential election was competitive, pluralistic, and offered voters a genuine
Societies that stand together are more resilient in times of crisis, say human rights heads on International Anti-Racism Day
Publishing date: 20 March 2020
WARSAW/VIENNA/STRASBOURG, 20 March 2020 – While ever more countries introduce measures to counter the current health risks, it is important to remember that societies based on solidarity and inclusion are more resilient to fast-changing circumstances, said the heads of three European human rights institutions on the eve of the International Day for the Elimination of Racial Discrimination...
ODIHR election observation activities temporarily limited as health risks increase
Publishing date: 17 March 2020
WARSAW, 17 March 2020 – Election observation activities of the OSCE Office for Democratic Institutions and Human Rights (ODIHR) are being temporarily limited in some places, as countries around the OSCE region restrict cross-border travel in response to increased health risks...
Leadership and solidarity urgently needed to help trapped migrants at Turkish-EU border, OSCE human rights head says
Publishing date: 11 March 2020
WARSAW, 11 March 2020 – An understanding of our common responsibility towards other human beings in distress is urgently needed as a rising number of migrants and refugees find themselves trapped at Turkey’s border with the European Union, said Ingibjörg Sólrún Gísladóttir, Director of the OSCE Office for Democratic Institutions and Human Rights (ODIHR) in a statement today.