News and press releases
News and press releases from the OSCE's global activities.
OSCE High Commissioner on National Minorities assesses inter-ethnic relations in Zakarpattia and Lviv, western Ukraine
Publishing date: 7 July 2015
THE HAGUE, 7 July 2015 – OSCE High Commissioner on National Minorities Astrid Thors assessed the situation of national minorities and internally displaced people (IDPs) in western Ukraine during a visit to Uzhhorod, Mukacheve, Berehove and Lviv from 29 June to 3 July...
OSCE High Commissioner on National Minorities, in Kazakhstan, discusses impact of reforms on national minorities
Publishing date: 24 June 2015
OSCE High Commissioner on National Minorities Astrid Thors encouraged the authorities of Kazakhstan to take the country’s ethnic and linguistic diversity into account in planned reforms, known as the “100 Concrete Steps”, in areas including education, the civil service, and promotion of national
Reconciliation and integration still needed in Kyrgyzstan, says High Commissioner Thors, five years after the tragic inter-ethnic violence
Publishing date: 12 June 2015
THE HAGUE, 12 June 2015 – The authorities of Kyrgyzstan must address the root causes of inter-ethnic tensions in the country, said OSCE High Commissioner on National Minorities Astrid Thors today on the fifth anniversary since her predecessor Knut Vollebaek issued an Early Warning to the OSCE Chairperson-in-Office in relation to the inter-ethnic violence in southern Kyrgyzstan...
OSCE High Commissioner on National Minorities, in Turkmenistan, discusses minority issues, constitutional and educational reforms
Publishing date: 9 June 2015
OSCE High Commissioner on National Minorities Astrid Thors visited Turkmenistan from 3 to 5 June 2015, where she discussed a wide range of issues, including the ongoing constitutional and education reforms, the situation of national minorities, and regional security threats and challenges. In her
High Commissioner Thors in Skopje: stability requires urgent resumption of democratic and political processes
Publishing date: 15 May 2015
SKOPJE, 15 May 2015 – OSCE High Commissioner on National Minorities Astrid Thors visited Skopje on 14 May together with Ambassador Gérard Stoudmann, Special Representative on the Western Balkans of the OSCE Chairperson in Office, and Ambassador Dejan Šahović, Head of the Chairmanship Task Force. She continued her meetings in Skopje and Tetovo on 15 May in order to conduct an independent assessment of the situation in line with her mandate...
OSCE High Commissioner on National Minorities in Moldova, encourages adoption of integration strategy and dialogue on Gagauz autonomy
Publishing date: 24 April 2015
OSCE High Commissioner on National Minorities Astrid Thors welcomed the fact that the new Moldovan government is moving ahead with the process to adopt the Strategy on Integration of National Minorities for the Republic of Moldova. During her visit from 20 to 24 April 2015, Thors said it was
OSCE High Commissioner on National Minorities discusses education and language policy with Georgian officials, meets displaced persons
Publishing date: 22 April 2015
OSCE High Commissioner on National Minorities Astrid Thors visited Georgia from 13 to 17 April 2015, where she discussed a wide range of issues, including language policy, education reform and minority representation, and met people displaced from Abkhazia and South Ossetia. The internally