News and press releases
News and press releases from the OSCE's global activities.
ODIHR presents recommendations from 2023 election observation findings in Estonia
Publishing date: 22 February 2024
Experts from the OSCE Office for Democratic Institutions and Human Rights (ODIHR) presented the final report of the Election Expert Team deployed to Estonia for the March 2023 parliamentary elections from 19 to 22 February in Tallinn.
Deteriorating human rights situation in Belarus of utmost concern as crackdown continues, human rights office ODIHR says
Publishing date: 21 February 2024
WARSAW, 21 February 2024 – The human rights situation in Belarus continues to deteriorate as those who voice dissent or stand up for the human rights of others are subject to investigation, persecution, and frequently prosecution, the OSCE Office for Democratic Institutions and Human Rights (ODIHR) said in a statement today.
ODIHR experts discuss electoral recommendations in Montenegro
Publishing date: 19 February 2024
Election experts from the OSCE Office for Democratic Institutions and Human Rights (ODIHR) presented the final reports and recommendations of the observation missions to the 2023 early parliamentary elections as well as the presidential election in Montenegro during a visit to Podgorica from 6 to 9 February 2024.
News of tragic death of Alexei Navalny in prison follows years of unjust imprisonment, OSCE’s Office for Democratic Institutions and Human Rights says
Publishing date: 16 February 2024
WARSAW, 16 February 2024 – The reported death of Alexei Navalny while serving a lengthy prison sentence is a tragedy that follows years of unjust imprisonment and the denial of his rights, including to a fair trial, the OSCE Office for Democratic Institutions and Human Rights (ODIHR) said today.
Lack of genuine political alternatives in a restricted environment characterized Azerbaijan’s presidential election, international observers say
Publishing date: 8 February 2024
BAKU, 8 February 2024 – This was the first election to be held throughout the internationally recognized territory of the Republic of Azerbaijan, an issue that dominated the campaign and was echoed in public sentiment. While preparations for the election were efficient and professional, it lacked genuine pluralism and critical voices were continuously stifled. Longstanding restrictions on freedoms of association and expression were reinforced by recent legal amendments and resulted in legislation not in line with international democratic standards, international observers said in a statement today.
Kyrgyzstan’s bill on so-called “foreign representatives” worrying and should be reviewed: OSCE Human Rights Director and Media Freedom Representative
Publishing date: 7 February 2024
WARSAW/VIENNA, 7 February 2024 – The decision of Kyrgyzstan’s parliament, the Jogorku Kenesh, to proceed towards the adoption of the so-called “foreign representatives” bill is of great concern, the Director of the OSCE Office for Democratic Institutions and Human Rights (ODIHR) Matteo Mecacci and OSCE Representative on Freedom of the Media (RFoM) Teresa Ribeiro said today.
Russian Federation flouts international commitments once again with decision not to invite OSCE observers to presidential election
Publishing date: 29 January 2024
WARSAW/COPENHAGEN, 29 January 2024 – The decision of the Russian Federation not to invite OSCE observers to the upcoming presidential election is deeply regrettable, leaders of the OSCE’s Office for Democratic Institutions and Human Rights (ODIHR) and Parliamentary Assembly (OSCE PA) said today.