News and press releases
News and press releases from the OSCE's global activities.
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.
Ensuring fair trial rights in the aftermath of the Covid-19 pandemic the focus of ODIHR event
Publishing date: 6 October 2022
Criminal justice and technology experts discussed rule of law challenges arising from the Covid-19 pandemic together with civil society representatives at an event held by the OSCE Office for Democratic Institutions and Human Rights (ODIHR) on 5 October 2022. The event took place in the margins of
Nomination of judges to Georgia’s highest court still marked by shortcomings despite recent improvements, ODIHR report finds
Publishing date: 9 July 2021
WARSAW, 9 July 2021 – Shortcomings in the process of judicial nominations to Georgia’s Supreme Court put the independence of the judiciary in the country at further risk, despite some recent improvements to the transparency and accountability of the process, the OSCE Office for Democratic Institutions and Human Rights (ODIHR) said today in its third monitoring report.
Good lawmaking a cornerstone of democracy and human rights protection, OSCE leaders say
Publishing date: 26 April 2021
VIENNA/WARSAW, 26 April 2021 – Transparent, inclusive lawmaking is vital to underpin democracies and the principles on which they are built, OSCE leaders said as a two-day meeting to discuss topics including the challenges and opportunities of crafting laws in periods of crisis opened today...