Newsroom
News and press releases
News and press releases from the OSCE's global activities.
OSCE Presence in Albania denies allegations regarding 1998 referendum report
Publishing date: 2 August 2000
Content type: Press release
What we do: Elections
TIRANA, 1 August 2000-- The OSCE Presence in Albania has noticed that some newspapers keep reporting incorrect statements from party political sources...
OSCE Mission to Croatia celebrates the Helsinki Final Act anniversary
Publishing date: 1 August 2000
Content type: Press release
Where we are: OSCE Mission to Croatia (closed)
ZAGREB 18 July 2000- 25 years ago, on 1 August 1975, the Final Act of the Conference for Security and Co-operation in Europe (CSCE) was signed in Helsinki by 35 countries
OSCE regrets imminent closure of Kosovo "Media House"
Publishing date: 1 August 2000
Content type: Press release
Where we are: OSCE Mission in Kosovo
What we do: Media freedom and development
PRISTINA, 1 August 2000-- Following an assessment by the UN Fire Marshall's Office which concluded that the Pristina-based "Media House" tower block is not safe enough to be used, the building will have to be vacated and closed...
Rules set for fair and equitable media coverage during Kosovo elections
Publishing date: 1 August 2000
Content type: Press release
Where we are: OSCE Mission in Kosovo
What we do: Elections, Media freedom and development
PRISTINA, 1 August 2000-- The Central Elections Commission (CEC) has adopted rules governing the conduct of the media during the run-up to the forthcoming municipal elections...
OSCE Liaison Office in Central Asia celebrates 25th anniversary and the signing of Helsinki Final Act
Publishing date: 1 August 2000
Content type: Press release
Where we are: OSCE Project Co-ordinator in Uzbekistan
TASHKENT, UZBEKISTAN, 1 August 2000-- On 1 August 1975, 35 Heads of State or Government from Europe, the United States and Canada signed the Helsinki Final Act...
OSCE celebrates anniversary of Helsinki Final Act in Bosnia and Herzegovina
Publishing date: 1 August 2000
Content type: Press release
Where we are: OSCE Mission to Bosnia and Herzegovina
SARAJEVO, 1 August 2000- Today the OSCE Mission to Bosnia and Herzegovina celebrates the 25th anniversary of the signing of the Conference on Security and Co-operation in Europe (CSCE) Final Act...
Advisory Group meets to discuss legislative reform in Bosnia and Herzegovina
Publishing date: 1 August 2000
Content type: Press release
Where we are: OSCE Mission to Bosnia and Herzegovina
What we do: Democratization
SARAJEVO, 1 August 2000-- The Advisory Group on Defamation and Freedom of Information Legislation is meeting from 1 to 3 August to review and develop Defamation legislation...
Briefing- Rules for fair and equitable media coverage during Kosovo elections
Publishing date: 31 July 2000
Content type: Press release
Where we are: OSCE Mission in Kosovo
What we do: Elections, Media freedom and development
PRISTINA, 31 July 2000-- The Kosovo Central Elections Commission has adopted rules governing the conduct of the media...
Electricity cut to Media House in Kosovo
Publishing date: 28 July 2000
Content type: Press release
Where we are: OSCE Mission in Kosovo
What we do: Media freedom and development
PRISTINA, 28 July 2000-- Following several warnings from the Electricity Company of Kosovo (KEK), the lights went out this afternoon at the Pristina-based "Media House"...
Proposed law on presidential succession to be reviewed in Bosnia and Herzegovina
Publishing date: 28 July 2000
Content type: Press release
Where we are: OSCE Mission to Bosnia and Herzegovina
What we do: Democratization
SARAJEVO, 28 July 2000-- The Office of the High Representative and the OSCE Mission to Bosnia-Herzegovina are amazed at the BiH House of Representatives' rush to adopt without public debate...
Kosovo newspaper responds to warning from Media Commissioner
Publishing date: 28 July 2000
Content type: Press release
Where we are: OSCE Mission in Kosovo
What we do: Media freedom and development
PRISTINA, 28 July 2000-- The Albanian-language daily newspaper "Rilindja" has responded to the 21 July warning letter issued by the Temporary Media Commissioner Douglas Davidson...
Regional Stability Pact Co-ordinator on Trafficking visits Bosnia and Herzegovina
Publishing date: 28 July 2000
Content type: Press release
Where we are: OSCE Mission to Bosnia and Herzegovina
What we do: Combating trafficking in human beings
SARAJEVO, 28 July 2000- The OSCE Mission to Bosnia and Herzegovina hosted a visit of Dr Helga Konrad, the Regional Coordinator of the Stability Pact Task Force on Trafficking in Human Beings.
Freimut Duve accused by Belgrade government of being a "German agent"
Publishing date: 27 July 2000
Content type: Press release
Where we are: OSCE Representative on Freedom of the Media
VIENNA, 27 July 2000-- Freimut Duve, OSCE Representative on Freedom of the Media, is dismayed by the sentencing of a Serbian journalist, Miroslav Filipovic, to seven years in prison on 26 July 2000 by the Nis military court.
Kosovo Temporary Media Commissioner orders "Dita" newspaper to suspend operations
Publishing date: 27 July 2000
Content type: Press release
Where we are: OSCE Mission in Kosovo
What we do: Media freedom and development
PRISTINA, 27 July 2000-- The Temporary Media Commissioner (TMC) has ordered the the Albanian-language newspaper \"Dita\" to suspend operations immediately following its failure to pay a fine imposed for violating the Print Regulation...
Round table discussion on pre-trial criminal procedures in Kosovo
Publishing date: 27 July 2000
PRISTINA, 27 July 2000-- The relationship between the courts and the police with regard to pre-trial criminal procedures is the focus of a two-day roundtable discussion...
Kosovo Temporary Media Commissioner orders DITA to suspend operations
Publishing date: 27 July 2000
Content type: Press release
Where we are: OSCE Mission in Kosovo
PRISTINA, 27 July 2000-- The Temporary Media Commissioner in Kosovo, Mr. Douglas Davidson, Head of OSCE Media Affairs, has ordered the Albanian-language newspaper "Dita" to suspend operations immediately...
OSCE Swiss Headquarters Support Unit starts to pull out of Bosnia and Herzegovina
Publishing date: 27 July 2000
Content type: Press release
Where we are: OSCE Mission to Bosnia and Herzegovina
SARAJEVO, 27 July 2000- The Swiss Headquarters Support Unit, the main provider of logistic support to the OSCE Mission to Bosnia and Herzegovina, is leaving the area after four years
On 1 August, landmark Helsinki Final Act turns 25
Publishing date: 27 July 2000
VIENNA, 27 July 2000-- On 1 August 1975, Heads of State or Government of 35 nations from Europe, Canada and the United States signed the Conference on Security and Co-operation in...
OSCE Chairperson-in-Office expresses concern about recent action against human rights defenders in Kyrgyzstan
Publishing date: 27 July 2000
Content type: Press release
Where we are: OSCE Chairmanship, OSCE Programme Office in Bishkek
What we do: Democratization, Human rights
VIENNA, 27 July 2000-- The OSCE Chairperson-in-Office, Austrian Foreign Minister Benita Ferrero-Waldner, is worried by reports on the harassment of human rights activists in Kyrgyzstan.
Three new Political Party Service Centres to open in Kosovo
Publishing date: 26 July 2000
PRISTINA, 26 July 2000-- Three new Political Party Service Centres are due to open around Kosovo within the next fortnight. The first of the new centres will be officially...
Moldova Focus of OSCE CiO Meeting with Yevgeniy Primakov
Publishing date: 26 July 2000
Content type: Press release
Where we are: OSCE Chairmanship, OSCE Mission to Moldova
VIENNA, 26 July 2000-- The OSCE Chairperson-in-Office, Austrian Foreign Minister Benita Ferrero-Waldner and Yevgeniy M. Primakov, Chairman of the Russian Federation State Commission on Transdniestria met today in Vienna.
Chairperson-in-Office welcomes adoption of Law on Higher Education by former Yugoslav Republic of Macedonia Parliament
Publishing date: 26 July 2000
Content type: Press release
Where we are: OSCE Chairmanship, OSCE High Commissioner on National Minorities
What we do: Democratization, National minority issues
VIENNA, 26 July 2000-- The OSCE Chairperson-in-Office, Austrian Foreign Minister Benita Ferrero-Waldner, welcomes the adoption of the Law on Higher Education by the Parliament of the Former Yugoslav Republic of Macedonia on July 25.
Provisional Election Commission adopts rule on Bosnia and Herzegovina Presidency succession
Publishing date: 25 July 2000
Content type: Press release
Where we are: OSCE Mission to Bosnia and Herzegovina
What we do: Democratization
SARAJEVO, 25 July 2000-- The Provisional Election Commission (PEC) adopted today an Amendment to the Rules and Regulations governing the Presidential Elections...
Warning issued to Kosovo Serb radio station
Publishing date: 25 July 2000
Content type: Press release
Where we are: OSCE Mission in Kosovo
What we do: Media freedom and development
PRISTINA, 25 July 2000-- The Temporary Media Commissioner (TMC) has issued a warning to a Serb-language radio station for violating the Broadcast Media Regulation...
OSCE undertakes efforts to improve prison conditions in Belarus
Publishing date: 25 July 2000
Content type: Press statement
What we do: Democratization
MINSK, 25 July 2000-- The OSCE Advisory and Monitoring Group in Belarus is currently implementing 7 projects in the fields of democratization and human rights in Belarus...
Provisional Election Commission certifies 43 political parties and one coalition for upcoming Bosnia and Herzegovina elections
Publishing date: 25 July 2000
Content type: Press release
Where we are: OSCE Mission to Bosnia and Herzegovina
What we do: Elections
SARAJEVO, 25 July 2000-- The Provisional Election Commission certified today 43 political parties and one coalition for the forthcoming Bosnia and Herzegovina General Elections in November 2000...
Roughly one million register but OSCE regrets Serb boycott
Publishing date: 24 July 2000
Content type: Press release
Where we are: OSCE Mission in Kosovo
What we do: Democratization, Elections
PRISTINA, 24 July 2000-- The combined Civil and Voter Registration process came to a successful end on July 19th last. In total, about one million Kosovars living in Kosovo registered during the three-month long operation.
ODIHR concerned over political developments in Azerbaijan
Publishing date: 21 July 2000
Content type: Press release
Where we are: OSCE Office for Democratic Institutions and Human Rights
What we do: Democratization, Elections
WARSAW, 21 July 2000-- The OSCE Office for Democratic Institutions and Human Rights (OSCE/ODIHR) has expressed its concerns over negative trends in the run-up to the parliamentary elections in Azerbaijan
Kosovo newspaper fined, two others warned by Temporary Media Commissioner
Publishing date: 21 July 2000
Content type: Press release
Where we are: OSCE Mission in Kosovo
What we do: Media freedom and development
PRISTINA, 21 July 2000-- The Temporary Media Commissioner (TMC) has imposed a 25,000 DM fine on the daily newspaper \"Dita\", and issued warnings to two other Kosovo publications...
Certification period for independent candidates in Bosnia and Herzegovina ended
Publishing date: 21 July 2000
Content type: Press release
Where we are: OSCE Mission to Bosnia and Herzegovina
What we do: Elections
SARAJEVO, 21 July 2000-- As stipulated by the Provisional Election Commission (PEC), the Independent Candidate certification period ended yesterday...
Elections Appeals Sub-Commission issues decisions on complaints in Bratunac and Vares
Publishing date: 21 July 2000
Content type: Press release
Where we are: OSCE Mission to Bosnia and Herzegovina
What we do: Elections
SARAJEVO, 21 July 2000- The Elections Appeals Sub-Commission (EASC) has issued two decisions on complaints submitted for violations of the Provisional Election Commission (PEC) Rules and Regulations in Bratunac and Vares.
OSCE urges voters to check their polling station assignments
Publishing date: 20 July 2000
Content type: Press release
Where we are: OSCE Mission to Bosnia and Herzegovina
What we do: Elections
SARAJEVO, 20 July 2000-- The OSCE Mission to Bosnia and Herzegovina urges all BiH voters to visit their municipal Voter Registration Centers to check their polling station assignments and, if necessary, make appropriate changes...
Last day of registration in Kosovo- over one million register
Publishing date: 19 July 2000
PRISTINA, 19 July 2000-- Just over one million residents of Kosovo have taken part in the Civil and Voter Registration process which comes to a successful end today.
Provisional Election Commission PEC removes mandates of three elected councilors for violation of rules 7.16 and 7.18
Publishing date: 18 July 2000
Content type: Press release
Where we are: OSCE Mission to Bosnia and Herzegovina
What we do: Elections
SARAJEVO, 18 July 2000-- The Provisional Election Commission (PEC) removed the mandates of three councilors because of violations of rule 7.16 on illegal occupancy and rule 7.18 on incompatibility and conflict of interest.
Tomorrow OSCE commemorates 25th Anniversary of the signing of the Helsinki Final Act
Publishing date: 18 July 2000
Content type: Press release
Where we are: OSCE Secretariat
VIENNA, 18 July 2000-- Tomorrow, 19 July, the Austrian Chairmanship of the OSCE will pay tribute to the signing of the Final Act of the Conference for Security and Co-operation in Europe (CSCE)
OSCE Chairperson-in-Office holds talks in Azerbaijan
Publishing date: 18 July 2000
Content type: Press release
Where we are: OSCE Secretariat
BAKU, 18 July 2000-- In her meetings today with the Azerbaijani leadership, Chairperson-in-Office of the OSCE, Austrian Foreign Minister Benita Ferrero-Waldner, emphasised the OSCE\'s steady commitment to facilitating a long-lasting settlement.
OSCE Mission to BiH OSCE hosted seminar on parliamentary reform and gender equality
Publishing date: 18 July 2000
Content type: Press release
Where we are: OSCE Mission to Bosnia and Herzegovina
What we do: Democratization, Human rights, Gender equality
SARAJEVO. 18 July 2000-- The OSCE Mission to Bosnia and Herzegovina hosted a two-day seminar on Parliamentary Reform, Gender Equality Machinery, Parliamentary Committees and...
Office of the High Representative and OSCE Mission to BiH Remove Skopljak from Office
Publishing date: 18 July 2000
Content type: Press release
Where we are: OSCE Mission to Bosnia and Herzegovina
SARAJEVO, 18 July 2000-- The High Representative, Wolfgang Petritsch, and the Head of the OSCE Mission to Bosnia and Herzegovina, Ambassador Robert Barry, have removed Emin Skopljak, from his position in the Telecommunications Regulation Agency.
OSCE Chairperson-in-Office travels to Armenia
Publishing date: 17 July 2000
Content type: Press release
Where we are: OSCE Chairmanship, OSCE Office in Yerevan (closed)
YEREVAN, 17 July 2000- The Chairperson-in-Office of the OSCE, Austrian Foreign Minister Benita Ferrero-Waldner, urged the leadership of Armenia to accelerate the economic reform process to help stop the trend of migration and to create prospects...
Kosovo registration deadline extended for three days
Publishing date: 14 July 2000
PRISTINA, 14 July 2000-- The OSCE Head of Mission Daan Everts has announced a three-day extension of the deadline for the Civil and Voter Registration process.
Provisional Election Commission PEC Certifies 21 Municipalities
Publishing date: 14 July 2000
Content type: Press release
Where we are: OSCE Mission to Bosnia and Herzegovina
What we do: Elections
SARAJEVO, 14 July 2000-- Following consultation with the Provisional Election Commission, the Chair of the Provisional Election Commission (PEC) has granted final certification to 21 BiH municipalities
Provisional Election Commission PEC adopts two-year mandates for general elections
Publishing date: 14 July 2000
Content type: Press release
Where we are: OSCE Mission to Bosnia and Herzegovina
What we do: Elections
SARAJEVO, 14 July 2000-- The Provisional Election Commission (PEC) has adopted today a decision, which sets the term of office for those elected in the November 11, 2000 General Elections to two years.
OSCE reaction to article published by Dita 13 July 2000
Publishing date: 14 July 2000
Content type: Press release
Where we are: OSCE Mission in Kosovo
What we do: Media freedom and development
PRISTINA, 14 July 2000-- The Temporary Media Commissioner has warned Dita that it has violated the provisions of Article 4.1 of Regulation 2000/37...
OSCE reminds Brcko voters of July 30 changing voting option deadline
Publishing date: 14 July 2000
Content type: Press release
Where we are: OSCE Mission to Bosnia and Herzegovina
What we do: Elections
BRCKO, 14 July 2000-- The OSCE Mission to Bosnia and Herzegovina reminds the citizens of BiH registered to vote in the Brcko District of the July 30 deadline for...
EASC orders new elections for Bihac mayor
Publishing date: 13 July 2000
Content type: Press release
Where we are: OSCE Mission to Bosnia and Herzegovina
What we do: Democratization, Elections
SARAJEVO, 12 July 2000-- The Election Appeals Sub-Commission (EASC) has ruled on a number of complaints submitted by Bihac opposition parties and has ordered the Bihac Municipal Assembly to...
Rules on candidate registration adopted by Central Elections Commission
Publishing date: 12 July 2000
PRISTINA, 12 July 2000-- The Central Elections Commission (CEC) has adopted the rules governing the registration of candidates for the forthcoming elections...
Temporary media commissioner orders "Dita" to publish reply
Publishing date: 12 July 2000
Content type: Press release
Where we are: OSCE Mission in Kosovo
What we do: Media freedom and development
PRISTINA, 12 July 2000-- The Temporary Media Commissioner (TMC) has ordered the Pristina-based newspaper, \"Dita\", to publish a reply from an individual...
NGOs develop common strategy for fall elections
Publishing date: 11 July 2000
Content type: Press release
Where we are: OSCE Mission to Bosnia and Herzegovina
What we do: Elections
SARAJEVO, 11 July 2000-- The OSCE Mission to Bosnia and Herzegovina funded and facilitated a conference on the \"Role of NGOs in the Pre-Election and Election process\" organized...
Adrian Severin elected President of the OSCE Parliamentary Assembly
Publishing date: 10 July 2000
Content type: Press release
Where we are: OSCE Parliamentary Assembly
BUCHAREST, 10 July 2000-- Romanian parliamentarian Adrian Severin has been elected as the new President of the OSCE Parliamentary Assembly at its 9th Annual Session in...
SRSG signs Municipal Electoral Law: Kosovo will use proportional voting system with open lists and have one third female candidates
Publishing date: 10 July 2000
Content type: Press release
Where we are: OSCE Mission in Kosovo
What we do: Democratization, Elections
PRISTINA, 10 July 2000-- The Special Representative of the Secretary General, Dr Bernard Kouchner signed...