News and press releases
News and press releases from the OSCE's global activities.
Chairperson condemns new restrictions on freedom of assembly and association in Belarus
Publishing date: 24 October 2011
VILNIUS, 24 October 2011- The OSCE Chairperson-in-Office, Lithuanian Foreign Minister Audronius Ažubalis, today condemned newly adopted amendments to existing laws on public assemblies and the security services, saying they will further limit the fundamental freedoms of assembly and association in Belarus...
OSCE Chairperson expresses concern at Tymoshenko verdict, urges full transparency during appeal
Publishing date: 11 October 2011
VILNIUS, 11 October 2011 – The OSCE Chairperson-in-Office, Lithuanian Foreign Minister Audronius Ažubalis, expressed concern at the conviction today of former Ukrainian Prime Minister Yuliya Tymoshenko and urged full transparency during the appeals process...
North Africa events highlight link between democracy and security, say speakers at opening of OSCE human rights conference
Publishing date: 26 September 2011
WARSAW, 26 September 2011 – Events in North Africa featured prominently at the opening of this year’s OSCE human rights conference in Warsaw today, with speakers calling the uprisings in Egypt and Tunisia and other developments in the region a reminder of the importance of respecting human rights for ensuring stability and security...
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...