News and press releases

WARSAW, 22 August 2024 – Safeguarding the right to freedom of thought, conscience, religion or belief protects the inherent dignity of every individual and at the same time helps to build more tolerant and inclusive societies, reducing tensions and allowing our diverse communities to exist together, the OSCE Office for Democratic Institutions and Human Rights (ODIHR) said on today’s International Day Commemorating the Victims of Acts of Violence Based on Religion or Belief.

Today marks the beginning of the Intercultural Festival, which aims to celebrate the rich cultural diversity and the importance of co-operation among the peoples of Bosnia and Herzegovina (BiH). Organized by the pivotal organizations of culture of the peoples of BiH-"Preporod",

VIENNA, 24 June 2024 – Despite progress made in some areas, levels of intolerance and discrimination remain high and pervasive in many parts of the OSCE region with a particularly negative impact on women and girls, corroding democracy and jeopardising our common security, and undermining gender equality, OSCE leaders said as a two-day meetingon tolerance and non-discrimination and gender equality started today.

Over 250 young comic artists competed for a spot in the Comic Center catalogue and exhibition taking place this summer, aiming to create comics that promote inter-ethnic understanding in North Macedonia. Through partnerships with local civil society organizations (CSOs), such as the Comic Center,

SARAJEVO, 15 April 2024- The OSCE Mission to BiH (Mission) urges relevant authorities not to proceed with a proposed Municipal Council decision regarding the renaming of streets in Srebrenica.

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.

The presentation of the findings and recommendations from the Hate Crimes Underreporting Survey by the OSCE Mission to BiH in Sarajevo today highlights the critical factors contributing to the widespread underreporting of hate crimes: fear of reprisal, lack of trust in the justice system, and inadequate mechanisms for reporting and recording.