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News and press releases
News and press releases from the OSCE's global activities.
Escalating attacks in Ukraine are increasing civilian casualties, while evidence of torture mounts, OSCE human rights office says
Publishing date: 22 July 2024
Content type: Press release
Where we are: OSCE Office for Democratic Institutions and Human Rights
What we do: Human rights
WARSAW, 22 July 2024 – In recent months, the intensified large-scale attacks by the Russian Federation on Ukrainian cities have resulted in an increasing number of civilian casualties and severe damage to civilian infrastructure, while evidence is growing of widespread and systematic torture of detained civilians and prisoners of war in Russian-controlled areas, the OSCE Office for Democratic Institutions and Human Rights (ODIHR) said in its latest report on violations of international law following Russia’s military attack in Ukraine.
Long prison sentences for Belarusian opposition experts violate free speech and fair trial rights, OSCE human rights office says
Publishing date: 3 July 2024
Content type: Press release
Where we are: OSCE Office for Democratic Institutions and Human Rights
What we do: Human rights
WARSAW, 3 July 2024 – This week’s verdicts by a Minsk court sentencing 20 Belarusian experts and analysts in absentia to over a decade in prison for peaceful activities in support of the political opposition are a clear violation of free speech and the right to a fair trial, and should be revoked, the OSCE Office for Democratic Institutions and Human Rights (ODIHR) said today.
Head of the OSCE Mission to BiH and BiH Deputy Minister of Human Rights and Refugees visit Banja Luka, Prijedor and Kozarac
Publishing date: 26 June 2024
Ambassador Brian Aggeler, Head of the OSCE Mission to Bosnia and Herzegovina (Mission), and Duška Jurišić, Deputy Minister of Human Rights and Refugees of Bosnia and Herzegovina, accompanied by representatives of the international community, visited Banja Luka, Prijedor and Kozarac today to learn about challenges facing minorities living in these communities.
Human rights risks of using of new technologies in border management need urgent attention, international human rights office ODIHR says
Publishing date: 20 June 2024
Content type: Press release
Where we are: OSCE Office for Democratic Institutions and Human Rights
What we do: Human rights, Migration
WARSAW, 20 June 2024 – As the number of forcibly displaced people in the OSCE area reaches a record high, the proliferation of new border technologies is likely to have a profound impact on the human rights and fundamental freedoms of refugees across the region, the OSCE Office for Democratic Institutions and Human Rights (ODIHR) said on the occasion of World Refugee Day.
OSCE Presence, University of Tirana support scientific research on crime, society, criminal law and justice reform
Publishing date: 10 June 2024
Content type: News
Where we are: OSCE Presence in Albania
What we do: Human rights, Education, Youth, Rule of law
The Faculty of Law of the University of Tirana, in co-operation with OSCE Presence in Albania and Università di Pavia organized an international scientific conference on “Crime, society, criminal law and justice reform”, in Tirana, on 10 June 2024. About sixty participants discussed in depth
Principles for Political Engagement to Eliminate Violence Against Women Agreed by Presidents of Women’s Fora and representatives of Political Parties in BiH
Publishing date: 4 June 2024
Content type: News
Where we are: OSCE Mission to Bosnia and Herzegovina
What we do: Human rights, Gender equality
In a significant step towards gender equality and the elimination of violence against women, Presidents of Women’s Forums and representatives from 10 political parties in Bosnia and Herzegovina (BiH) have reached a consensus on the Principles for Political Engagement. The OSCE Mission to BiH facilitated this crucial meeting in Sarajevo, where the finalized text of these principles was agreed upon.
Georgian authorities should reconsider legislation impacting civil society, international human rights office ODIHR says
Publishing date: 23 May 2024
Content type: Press release
Where we are: OSCE Office for Democratic Institutions and Human Rights
What we do: Democratization, Human rights, Rule of law
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.