News and press releases
News and press releases from the OSCE's global activities.
Ukraine appoints three experts following invocation of the OSCE’s Moscow Mechanism
Publishing date: 18 August 2025
On 24 July 2025 and following consultation with Ukraine, 41 OSCE participating States invoked the Moscow Mechanism “on violations and abuses of human rights and violations of IHL, including possible cases of war crimes and crimes against humanity, related to the treatment of Ukrainian POWs by the
Further reforms needed in Kazakhstan to strengthen fair trial rights: ODIHR monitoring report
Publishing date: 6 May 2025
ODIHR Kazakhstan fair trial monitoring WARSAW, 6 May 2025 – In a report summarising its year-long monitoring of more than 400 court hearings related to the January 2022 protests in Kazakhstan, the OSCE Office for Democratic Institutions and Human Rights (ODIHR) documented court practices that fall
OSCE human rights office condemns use of excessive force by police during protests in Georgia
Publishing date: 30 November 2024
WARSAW, 30 November 2024 – The action of law enforcement officials while policing peaceful protests in Georgia is of deep concern and a serious breach of the right to freedom of peaceful assembly, the OSCE Office for Democratic Institutions and Human Rights (ODIHR) said today after police used
Georgian authorities should reconsider legislation impacting civil society, international human rights office ODIHR says
Publishing date: 23 May 2024
TBILISI, 23 May 2024 – During a visit to Georgia today, Matteo Mecacci, Director of the OSCE Office for Democratic Institutions and Human Rights (ODIHR), highlighted his deep concern about the draft law “On Transparency of Foreign Influence” and stressed ODIHR’s readiness to support Georgia in providing legislative assistance and expertise.
Ukraine appoints three experts following invocation of the OSCE’s Moscow Mechanism
Publishing date: 15 March 2024
On 29 February 2024 and following consultation with Ukraine, 45 OSCE participating States invoked the Moscow Mechanism in order to “ address arbitrary deprivation of liberty of Ukrainian civilians by the Russian Federation ”. More specifically, the tasks of the mission of experts will include those
Deteriorating human rights situation in Belarus of utmost concern as crackdown continues, human rights office ODIHR says
Publishing date: 21 February 2024
WARSAW, 21 February 2024 – The human rights situation in Belarus continues to deteriorate as those who voice dissent or stand up for the human rights of others are subject to investigation, persecution, and frequently prosecution, the OSCE Office for Democratic Institutions and Human Rights (ODIHR) said in a statement today.
Vetting of candidates to Moldova’s Judicial Council objective and professional, but legislation and transparency could still be improved: ODIHR report
Publishing date: 30 September 2023
WARSAW, 30 September 2023 – Following 14 months of monitoring the evaluation of candidates to the body responsible for the appointment and discipline of judges in Moldova (pre-vetting), the OSCE Office for Democratic Institutions and Human Rights (ODIHR) found that the procedure is generally objective, fair and professional, and in line with international human rights and rule of law principles. However, the transparency and legal certainty of the evaluation process could be further improved, ODIHR said in a new report.