News and press releases
News and press releases from the OSCE's global activities.
ODIHR opens election observation mission in Kazakhstan
Publishing date: 8 May 2019
NUR-SULTAN, 8 May 2019 – The OSCE Office for Democratic Institutions and Human Rights (ODIHR) today formally opened an election observation mission (EOM) for the 9 June early presidential election in Kazakhstan. The mission’s deployment follows an invitation from the country’s authorities.
Second round of North Macedonia’s presidential election calm and well run but legal gaps remain unaddressed, international observers say
Publishing date: 6 May 2019
SKOPJE, 6 May 2019 – The second round of North Macedonia’s presidential election was calm and well run. However, shortfalls in the legal framework continued to be a concern, international observers concluded in a preliminary statement published today...
ODIHR observers to hold press conference in Nur-Sultan on Wednesday
Publishing date: 6 May 2019
NUR-SULTAN, 6 May 2019 – On the occasion of the formal opening of the election observation mission deployed by the OSCE Office for Democratic Institutions and Human Rights (ODIHR) to observe the 9 June early presidential election in Kazakhstan, the mission will hold a press conference in Nur-Sultan on Wednesday...
North Macedonia’s presidential election well run but legal framework still needs improvement, international observers say
Publishing date: 22 April 2019
SKOPJE, 22 April 2019 – Sunday’s presidential election in North Macedonia was well run and fundamental freedoms of assembly and expression were respected, and election day was peaceful, orderly and transparent. However, wide-reaching electoral reform is still very much needed, international observers concluded in a preliminary statement released today...
Fundamental freedoms respected in competitive Ukraine election, though campaign lacked genuine discussion of issues, international observers say
Publishing date: 22 April 2019
KYIV, 22 April 2019 – The presidential election in Ukraine was competitive and held with respect for fundamental freedoms, the international observers concluded in a preliminary statement released today. The orderly transfer of power should offer the opportunity for strengthening democratic institutions and their accountability, although the campaign for both rounds lacked genuine discussion of issues of public concern, the statement says...
ODIHR, OSCE Mission to Serbia support implementation of Serbian law on lobbying
Publishing date: 18 April 2019
Lobbying against corruption was the topic of a training event organized by the OSCE Office for Democratic Institutions and Human Rights (ODIHR) and the OSCE Mission to Serbia from 16 to 18 April in Belgrade. The event gathered 52 participants (36 women and 16 men) from the Serbian Anti-Corruption Agency, the Embassy of the United States and civil society organizations...
Countering racism, xenophobia and hate crimes against migrants at borders focus of OSCE/ODIHR event in Zagreb
Publishing date: 17 April 2019
Addressing hate crimes and other violations of the human rights of migrants at borders in South-Eastern Europe, including abuses motivated by racism and xenophobia, was the topic of discussion at an expert meeting in Zagreb on 16 and 17 April 2019. The OSCE Office for Democratic Institutions and Human Rights (ODIHR) organized the event in co-operation with the Office of the Ombudswoman of the Republic of Croatia.