News and press releases
News and press releases from the OSCE's global activities.
OSCE and Council of Europe leaders discussed joint efforts to fight terrorism and human trafficking, promote minority rights and support democratic transition processes in the Southern Mediterranean
Publishing date: 21 September 2011
NEW YORK, United States, 21 September 2011- The OSCE Chairperson-in-Office, Lithuanian Foreign Minister Audronius Ažubalis, and OSCE Secretary General Lamberto Zannier met the Council of Europe’s Chairperson of the Committee of Ministers, Ukraine’s Minister for Foreign Affairs Kostyantyn Gryshchenko, and Council of Europe Secretary General Thorbjorn Jagland in New York today.
OSCE Chairperson condemns continued action by Belarus against civil society
Publishing date: 5 August 2011
VILNIUS, 5 August 2011 – The OSCE Chairperson-in-Office, Lithuanian Foreign Minister Audronius Ažubalis, today expressed deep concern over the continued worsening of the human rights situation in Belarus, citing the arrest of Aliaksandr (Ales) Bialiatski, President of the Belarus Human Rights Centre ‘Viasna’ on 4 August 2011 and the search of the NGO’s premises, as the latest example of persecution...
OSCE meeting calls for strong, independent human rights bodies to bridge gap between government, citizens
Publishing date: 13 July 2011
VILNIUS, 13 July 2011 – Strong and independent national human rights institutions are essential for bridging the gap between government and civil society, speakers said at the opening today of a special OSCE meeting on the topic...
OSCE countries must intensify work to confront today’s challenges, Irish Tánaiste (Deputy Prime Minister) says
Publishing date: 22 June 2011
VIENNA, 22 June 2011 – Though the OSCE has contributed immeasurably to stability and democratic development in its region, the Organization's participating States must intensify their work to confront today's challenges, Ireland's Tánaiste (Deputy Prime Minister) and Minister of Foreign Affairs and Trade, Eamon Gilmore, said today...
OSCE Chairperson-in-Office saddened by the passing of Yelena Bonner
Publishing date: 19 June 2011
VILNIUS, 19 June 2011 – The OSCE Chairperson-in-Office, Lithuanian Foreign Minister Audronius Ažubalis, expressed his sorrow over the passing of Yelena Bonner, one of Russia's most prominent human rights activists.
OSCE participating States have duty to ensure the safety of journalists, Chairperson says
Publishing date: 7 June 2011
VILNIUS, 7 June 2011 – All OSCE participating States must act to fulfill their commitments to ensure the safety and security of journalists, the OSCE Chairperson-in-Office, Lithuanian Foreign Minister Audronius Ažubalis said today as he opened a two-day meeting devoted to finding ways to better protect journalists...
OSCE human rights chief reappointed
Publishing date: 30 May 2011
VILNIUS, 30 May 2011 – Foreign ministers from the 56 OSCE participating States today unanimously agreed to reappoint the chief of the OSCE Office for Democratic Institutions and Human Rights, Ambassador Janez Lenarčič of Slovenia, for a term of three years...