News and press releases
News and press releases from the OSCE's global activities.
Three decades and ready for the future: the OSCE’s human rights office marks its 30th anniversary
Publishing date: 14 October 2021
WARSAW/STOCKHOLM, 14 October 2021 – Thirty years ago, the OSCE Office for Democratic Institutions and Human Rights (ODIHR) was established. Its mandate is to assist the countries of the OSCE region in strengthening democratic institutions and the rule of law, and in respecting human rights. Over the next two days, over 500 participants will gather in person and online to discuss the ODIHR’s achievements and its role in finding lasting solutions to the challenges faced across the OSCE region.
All OSCE countries urged to join abolitionist trend and create a death penalty-free region, OSCE human rights head says
Publishing date: 8 October 2021
WARSAW, 8 October 2021 – Working towards an OSCE region free from capital punishment should be a priority for all OSCE countries, the OSCE Office for Democratic Institutions and Human Rights (ODIHR) said today ahead of the World Day against the Death Penalty on 10 October.
OSCE leaders condemn violence in Afghanistan and destabilization of region, call for respect for human rights and rule of law
Publishing date: 25 August 2021
VIENNA/STOCKHOLM/WARSAW, 25 August 2021 — OSCE leaders today condemned the violence in Afghanistan, expressed their deep worry about the ongoing developments and reaffirmed the OSCE’s support towards ensuring safety and security throughout the region.
Countering religious hatred is critical to restore COVID-worn democracy and security, says OSCE human rights head
Publishing date: 20 August 2021
WARSAW, 20 August 2021 – Governments need to work harder to protect victims of religious hate crimes, and consistently condemn and prosecute all bias-motivated crimes, the OSCE Office for Democratic Institutions and Human Rights (ODIHR) said ahead of the third anniversary of the United Nations International Day Commemorating the Victims of Acts of Violence Based on Religion.
Greater efforts needed to ensure digital technologies empower human rights, OSCE leaders say
Publishing date: 13 July 2021
VIENNA/WARSAW, 13 July 2021 — Understanding the implications of digital technology is key to the protection and promotion of human rights in the 21st century, OSCE leaders said as a two-day online conference concluded on the opportunities and challenges of the digital age for human rights and democracy.
Holistic approach needed to eliminate torture, OSCE human rights head says
Publishing date: 25 June 2021
WARSAW, 25 June 2021 – OSCE countries need to honour their recent commitment to uphold the absolute prohibition of torture after acknowledging the practice to be “one of the most flagrant violations of human rights and human dignity”, said the OSCE Office for Democratic Institutions and Human Rights (ODIHR) on the occasion of tomorrow’s International Day in Support of Victims of Torture...
Televised “confessions” further example of widespread rights violations in Belarus, OSCE human rights head says
Publishing date: 4 June 2021
WARSAW, 4 June 2021 — The televised “confessions” of independent journalist Raman Pratasevich and Sofia Sapega, his partner, raise further concerns regarding the Belarus authorities’ failure to meet obligations to respect the right to a fair trial and the absolute prohibition of torture in the wave of arrests since last August’s presidential election, says the OSCE Office for Democratic Institutions and Human Rights (ODIHR).