News and press releases
News and press releases from the OSCE's global activities.
Free and independent media are vital for strong democracies and our common security, OSCE leaders say
Publishing date: 17 March 2025
VIENNA, 17 March 2025 – Independent media are essential in providing factual, unbiased reporting that counters propaganda, promotes informed public debate and ensures accountability, OSCE leaders said at the opening of a two-day conference to discuss the role of media in conflict and humanitarian crises against the background of international law today.
Genuine commitment to democracy and human rights is vital to overcome the challenges we face, OSCE conference underlines
Publishing date: 30 September 2024
WARSAW, 30 September 2024 – Strengthening our commitment to democracy, human rights and the rule of law through dialogue will allow us to overcome current challenges to the rights and freedoms at the heart of the principles on which the OSCE was founded, speakers and participants stressed as governments, international organizations, and civil society came together for a 10-day conference to take stock of the state of democracy, human rights and the rule of law across the 57 participating States of the OSCE region.
OSCE calls for enhanced interfaith and intercultural dialogue to address rising anti-Semitism and all forms of intolerance and discrimination
Publishing date: 9 April 2024
Marking two decades since the historic 2004 Berlin Declaration, the 2024 Conference on Anti-Semitism in the OSCE region reviewed the advancements in countering anti-Semitism and discussed how persisting challenges can be effectively addressed. This Conference is a follow-up to the yearly OSCE Chairs-in-Office conferences and meetings dedicated to addressing anti-Semitism.
Democracy and human rights must be at the heart of renewed dialogue, OSCE leaders say
Publishing date: 2 October 2023
WARSAW, 2 October 2023 – Building on strong partnerships and returning to genuine dialogue are key to overcoming challenges to human rights and democracy. This was the main message from OSCE leaders today at the opening of a major human rights conference to discuss the condition of human rights and freedoms across the 57 states of the region.
More determination needed by states to prevent breaches of international law and ensure accountability during conflict and crisis, OSCE leaders say
Publishing date: 24 April 2023
VIENNA, 24 April 2023 – While all countries of the OSCE have expressed their determination “to resolve by peaceful means any related issue, individually and collectively, on the basis of mutual respect and co-operation”, violations of international humanitarian law and international human rights law are a reality in the region today, OSCE leaders said as a two-day conference began today.
Greater efforts to counter Holocaust distortion needed to combat hate and protect democracy, OSCE says on International Holocaust Remembrance Day
Publishing date: 27 January 2023
SKOPJE/WARSAW/WASHINGTON, 27 January 2023 — Greater international co-operation is needed to counter Holocaust denial and distortion, not only to combat hateful ideologies but also to defend democracy, the OSCE said on today’s International Holocaust Remembrance Day.
OSCE Personal Representatives focusing on tolerance and non-discrimination
Publishing date: 10 December 2022
WARSAW, 10 December 2022 – All those who mark Human Rights Day this year do so deeply troubled by the current state of affairs. Russia continues to wage its war of aggression against Ukraine, targeting civilian infrastructure and leaving millions without heat or power as winter closes in. Already a legacy of war crimes and wanton destruction has been revealed. Within Russia, the country’s moral and intellectual infrastructure is also being destroyed, with minorities targeted and journalists and human rights defenders fleeing the country.