News and press releases
News and press releases from the OSCE's global activities.
Genuine campaigning and public debate are vital for democratic elections, OSCE human rights head says
Publishing date: 7 April 2020
WARSAW, 7 April 2020 – A genuine campaign and real public debate are just as important for democratic elections as the opportunity to vote, said the Director of the OSCE Office for Democratic Institutions and Human Rights (ODIHR), following a vote in the Polish parliament on amendments to the electoral legislation ahead of the presidential election planned for next month...
Persistent Roma inequality increases COVID-19 risk, human rights heads say
Publishing date: 7 April 2020
WARSAW/VIENNA, 7 April 2020 – Overcrowding and poor access to sanitation have long blighted Roma communities across Europe. On the eve of International Roma Day, the EU Agency for Fundamental Rights (FRA) and the OSCE Office for Democratic Institutions and Human Rights (ODIHR) highlight the longstanding neglect of Roma that is now leaving them highly vulnerable as the COVID-19 pandemic spreads across the globe...
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...