News and press releases

WARSAW, 19 August 2020 – Following the large-scale arrests of peaceful protestors in Belarus together with disturbing reports of violent physical abuse, the OSCE Office for Democratic Institutions and Human Rights (ODIHR) calls for the immediate release of all those who have been unlawfully detained and a prompt and impartial investigation into alleged human rights abuses...

COPENHAGEN, 19 August 2020 – In the first OSCE PA election observation activity since the coronavirus outbreak last spring, a limited number of OSCE parliamentarians will deploy to Montenegro for the 30 August parliamentary elections. OSCE PA Vice-President Margareta Cederfelt (Sweden) has been nominated to be the Special Co-ordinator of the Special Limited Election Observation Mission (SLEOM), which will include some 12 observers. The PA observers will work closely with the Limited Election Observation Mission deployed by the OSCE Office for Democratic Institutions and Human Rights...

VIENNA / TIRANA, 17 August 2020- The OSCE Chairmanship continues to follow the situation in Belarus very closely, it said in a statement today...

WARSAW, 10 August 2020 – Amidst intimidation and disproportionate police force against protesters in Belarus following reports of serious administrative misconduct during yesterday’s presidential election, the OSCE Office for Democratic Institutions and Human Rights (ODIHR) calls for dialogue and urges the authorities to refrain from violence and to honestly report detailed election results from all polling stations...

VIENNA / TIRANA, 10 August 2020 – Albania’s OSCE Chairmanship has expressed concern about developments in Belarus following the presidential elections held on 9 August, which the OSCE’s Office for Democratic Institutions and Human Rights was unable to observe. The Chairmanship has been following reports of protests and the use of force against protesters as well as detentions and obstruction of the work of journalists and media...

PODGORICA, 5 August 2020 – The OSCE Office for Democratic Institutions and Human Rights (ODIHR) today opened an observation mission for the 30 August parliamentary elections in Montenegro, following an invitation from the national authorities.

WARSAW, 17 July 2020 – The COVID-19 pandemic has been a formative experience for all humanity and a health emergency of global proportions, presenting a huge challenge to national leaders, health systems, and citizens. The findings of a new report by the OSCE Office for Democratic Institutions and Human Rights (ODIHR) shows that it has also been a test to our democracies and the respect for human rights to which countries across the OSCE committed many years ago.