News and press releases
News and press releases from the OSCE's global activities.
ODIHR Director very concerned about decision to uphold life sentence for Azimjan Askarov
Publishing date: 13 May 2020
WARSAW, 13 May 2020 – Following the decision of Kyrgyzstan’s Supreme Court today to uphold the life sentence of human rights defender Azimjan Askarov, the Director of the OSCE Office for Democratic Institutions and Human Rights (ODIHR) expressed her deep disappointment...
Uzbekistan parliamentary elections 2019: ODIHR observation mission final report
Publishing date: 13 May 2020
ODIHR recommendations on Uzbekistan 2019 elections ODIHR election observation mission recommends Uzbekistan to demonstrate genuine competition and full respect of election day procedures The 2019 parliamentary elections in Uzbekistan took place under improved legislation and with greater tolerance
Shortcomings of draft freedom of assembly law in Kazakhstan of concern, OSCE human rights head says
Publishing date: 11 May 2020
WARSAW, 11 May 2020 – Pending the final vote on a draft law to regulate the organization and holding of peaceful assemblies in Kazakhstan, the Director of the OSCE Office for Democratic Institutions and Human Rights (ODIHR) expressed her concern about undue limitations to the freedom of assembly...
Overcrowded shelters put migrants at unacceptable risk amidst pandemic, OSCE human rights head says
Publishing date: 4 May 2020
Warsaw, 4 May 2020 – The outbreak of the COVID-19 pandemic has brought home how many migrants are confined to overcrowded spaces with very little freedom to move around or keep a safe distance to others, and how dangerous this can be, the Director of the OSCE Office for Democratic Institutions and Human Rights (ODIHR) said today. At the same time, ODIHR is working with countries across the region to build on the good practices that are being developed in many places...
Comprehensive security approach needed for global response to COVID-19, OSCE leaders say ahead of International Day of Multilateralism and Diplomacy for Peace
Publishing date: 23 April 2020
TIRANA/COPENHAGEN/VIENNA/WARSAW/THE HAGUE, 23 April 2020 – The International Day of Multilateralism and Diplomacy for Peace tomorrow will be marked with a heightened appreciation for the importance of comprehensive security and greater sense of urgency for the need to strengthen international co-operation, said the Chair of the OSCE Permanent Council and heads of OSCE institutions in a statement today...
Parliaments vital for strong democracies in times of crisis, OSCE human rights and parliamentary heads say
Publishing date: 21 April 2020
Warsaw/Copenhagen, 21 April 2020 – A strong role for parliaments is crucial to the transparency and accountability of government measures as the COVID-19 pandemic puts our democracies to the test, the OSCE Office for Democratic Institutions and Human Rights (ODIHR) and the OSCE Parliamentary Assembly (OSCE PA) said in a statement today...
Inclusion and not hatred needed to overcome the common crisis we face, OSCE human rights head says
Publishing date: 17 April 2020
WARSAW, 17 April 2020 – It is only through the strength of our diversity that we will overcome the health crisis we are facing as well as the economic and social challenges likely to follow, the Director of the OSCE Office for Democratic Institutions and Human Rights (ODIHR) said today in response to the spate of racist slogans and attacks that have followed the onset of the COVID-19 pandemic...