News and press releases
News and press releases from the OSCE's global activities.
Progress and challenges in implementing OSCE Action Plan on Roma and Sinti focus of ODIHR report presented in Vienna
Publishing date: 11 December 2018
OSCE participating States should act more decisively to enhance the participation of Roma and Sinti in public and political life, participants said at an event in Vienna on 11 December 2018. The event was organized to present a report by the OSCE Office for Democratic Institutions and Human Rights (ODIHR) assessing the status of implementation of the Action Plan on Improving the Situation of Roma and Sinti within the OSCE Area.
Protecting human rights set out in Universal Declaration vital for peace and security within and among states, ODIHR Director says on Human Rights Day
Publishing date: 10 December 2018
WARSAW, 10 December 2018 – The fundamental rights set out in the UN Universal Declaration of Human Rights 70 years ago are vital not only to the equal dignity and worth of every person, but also to achieving and maintaining peace and security, Ingibjörg Sólrún Gísladóttir, Director of the OSCE Office for Democratic Institutions and Human Rights (ODIHR), said on today’s Human Rights Day.
Broad public trust in Armenian elections needs to be preserved through further electoral reforms, international observers say
Publishing date: 10 December 2018
YEREVAN, 10 December 2018 – The 9 December early parliamentary elections in Armenia were held with respect for fundamental freedoms and enjoyed broad public trust that needs to be preserved through further electoral reforms, the international observers concluded in a preliminary statement released today. Open political debate, including in the media, contributed to a vibrant campaign, although cases of inflammatory rhetoric online were of concern, the statement says.
International standards, national legislation for prevention of domestic violence in Belarus discussed at OSCE/ODIHR seminar
Publishing date: 7 December 2018
International rule of law standards related to the prevention of domestic violence were the topic of a seminar organized on 6 December 2018 in Minsk for participants from across Belarus. The seminar was organized by the OSCE Office for Democratic Institutions and Human Rights (ODIHR) and the
Equal, effective access to civil registration documents key for enjoyment of human rights by Roma in Georgia, say participants in OSCE/ODIHR roundtable discussion
Publishing date: 5 December 2018
Understanding the challenges impeding the full access of Roma in Georgia to identity and civil registration documents, as well as the way forward to address this issue, was the focus of a roundtable event organized by the OSCE Office for Democratic Institutions and Human Rights (ODIHR) on 4
Participants in OSCE/ODIHR event in Milan commit to working together to prevent torture, ill-treatment of immigrants in detention
Publishing date: 4 December 2018
The protection of persons deprived of their liberty in the OSCE region in the context of immigration detention was the focus of a second regional meeting of representatives of national mechanisms for the prevention of torture and civil society organizations active in this area. The meeting was
On International Day of Persons with Disabilities, OSCE/ODIHR Director underlines importance of making voting processes accessible for all
Publishing date: 3 December 2018
WARSAW, 3 December 2018 On the International Day of Persons with Disabilities, Ingibjörg Sólrún Gísladóttir, Director of the OSCE Office for Democratic Institutions and Human Rights (ODIHR), called on participating States to take measures to further ensure that electoral processes and information are accessible to persons with disabilities.