Newsroom
News and press releases
News and press releases from the OSCE's global activities.
Provisional Election Commission extends deadline for independent candidates for November elections in Bosnia and Herzegovina
Publishing date: 27 June 2000
Content type: Press release
Where we are: OSCE Mission to Bosnia and Herzegovina
What we do: Elections
SARAJEVO, 27 June 2000- The Provisional Election Commission (PEC) decided to extend to...
OSCE Chairperson-in-Office speaks out against torture
Publishing date: 26 June 2000
Content type: Press release
What we do: Human rights
Vienna, 26 June 2000- \"Torture and other cruel, inhuman or degrading treatment or punishment constitute an attempt to destroy a fellow human being physically and mentally...\"
OSCE and UNHCR concerned by lists designed to discourage return
Publishing date: 23 June 2000
ZAGREB, 23 June 2000- The OSCE Mission to Croatia and UNHCR are concerned about the recent appearance of unsigned lists of persons of Serb ethnicity...
OSCE Mission to Bosnia and Herzegovina opens Political Resource Center in Ljubuski
Publishing date: 23 June 2000
Content type: Press release
Where we are: OSCE Mission to Bosnia and Herzegovina
What we do: Democratization
SARAJEVO, 23 June 2000-- Ambassador Robert Barry, Head of the OSCE Mission to Bosnia and Herzegovina and Robert Patrick Jacobs, USAID Mission\'s Deputy...
Provisional Election Commission removes mandates of five elected Bosnian councilors for violation of PEC Rule 7.16
Publishing date: 23 June 2000
Content type: Press release
Where we are: OSCE Mission to Bosnia and Herzegovina
What we do: Elections
SARAJEVO, 23 June 2000-- The Provisional Election Commission (PEC) has removed the mandates of five councilors...
OSCE condemns all attacks on journalists in Kosovo
Publishing date: 23 June 2000
Content type: Press release
Where we are: OSCE Mission in Kosovo
What we do: Human rights, Media freedom and development
Pristina, 23 June 2000-- The OSCE Mission in Kosovo condemns the shooting of a Serbian journalist in downtown Pristina earlier this week. The attack was a further example of...
Rules established for registration of domestic election observers in Kosovo
Publishing date: 23 June 2000
PRISTINA, 23 June 2000-- In order to have credible municipal elections, it is essential that observers be present at all polling sites and counting centres...
More than 500 Kosovo journalists receive training
Publishing date: 23 June 2000
Content type: Press release
Where we are: OSCE Mission in Kosovo
What we do: Media freedom and development
PRISTINA, 23 June 2000-- A mixed group of 20 Kosovo journalists is in Rome for a three week long training session organized by the OSCE Mission in Kosovo and the Italian Association of...
Free media in Southeast Europe conference planned for Sarajevo
Publishing date: 22 June 2000
Content type: Press release
VIENNA, 22 June 2000-- The OSCE Representative on Freedom of the Media, the OSCE Mission in Bosnia and Herzegovina and the Council of Europe...
Voter notification begins in Bosnia and Herzegovina
Publishing date: 22 June 2000
Content type: Press release
Where we are: OSCE Mission to Bosnia and Herzegovina
What we do: Elections
SARAJEVO, 22 June 2000-- The OSCE Mission to Bosnia and Herzegovina together with Municipal Election Commissions (MEC) is providing voter notifications to all voters that are...
OSCE Mission to Bosnia and Herzegovina trained over 50 local NGOs in coalition and partnership building
Publishing date: 22 June 2000
Content type: Press release
Where we are: OSCE Mission to Bosnia and Herzegovina
What we do: Democratization
SARAJEVO, 22 June 2000-- In order to encourage local non-governmental organizations (NGOs) to play an active role in society...
21 new incidents reported since OSCE Mission to Bosnia and Herzegovina launched Freemedia Help-Line
Publishing date: 22 June 2000
Content type: Press release
Where we are: OSCE Mission to Bosnia and Herzegovina
What we do: Media freedom and development
SARAJEVO, 22 June 2000-- Twenty-one new incidents have been reported since the OSCE Mission to Bosnia and Herzegovina launched its FreeMedia Help Line for Journalists...
Political parties warned that attacks against Bosnia and Herzegovina media outlets must cease. Commission considers sanctions under electoral code
Publishing date: 22 June 2000
Content type: Press release
Where we are: OSCE Mission to Bosnia and Herzegovina
What we do: Elections, Media freedom and development
SARAJEVO, 22 June 2000-- The Provisional Election Commission (PEC) discussed today the recent upsurge of attacks against journalists and media houses throughout Bosnia and Herzegovina...
Provisional Election Commission amends Rule on Compensatory Seats in Bosnia and Herzegovina
Publishing date: 22 June 2000
Content type: Press release
Where we are: OSCE Mission to Bosnia and Herzegovina
What we do: Elections
SARAJEVO, 22 June 2000-- The Provisional Election Commission (PEC) recently adopted changes to the Rules and Regulations regarding compensatory...
OSCE Project Co-ordinator holds seminar on the future of the military judiciary and law enforcement bodies in Ukraine
Publishing date: 21 June 2000
Content type: Press release
Where we are: OSCE Project Co-ordinator in Ukraine (closed)
KYIV, 21 June 2000-- From 20 to 21 June 2000 the OSCE Project Co-ordinator in Ukraine held a seminar on the future of the Military Judiciary and law enforcement...
Broadcast and print regulations for Kosovo media approved
Publishing date: 21 June 2000
Content type: Press release
Where we are: OSCE Mission in Kosovo
What we do: Human rights, Media freedom and development
PRISTINA, 21 June 2000-- Two regulations which fundamentally affect Kosovo\'s media have been signed by the Special Representative of the Secretary General...
Kosovo broadcasters to apply for frequencies
Publishing date: 21 June 2000
Content type: Press release
Where we are: OSCE Mission in Kosovo
What we do: Media freedom and development
Pristina, 21 June 2000-- After months of negotiations with international organizations, the OSCE Mission in Kosovo has details of a number of the broadcast frequencies available for Kosovo...
'P-2' form will not be used in elections in Bosnia and Herzegovina
Publishing date: 20 June 2000
Content type: Press release
Where we are: OSCE Mission to Bosnia and Herzegovina
What we do: Elections
SARAJEVO, 20 June 2000- Ambassador Robert Barry, Head of the OSCE Mission to Bosnia and Herzegovina, called on representatives of political parties today to cease...
New rules require more financial disclosure for politicians in Bosnia and Herzegovina
Publishing date: 20 June 2000
Content type: Press release
Where we are: OSCE Mission to Bosnia and Herzegovina
What we do: Elections
SARAJEVO, 20 June 2000-- The Provisional Election Commission sent a strong message to politicians across Bosnia and Herzegovina when they recently...
OSCE Chairperson-in-Office welcomes signing of Memorandum of Understanding with the Republic of Azerbaijan
Publishing date: 20 June 2000
Content type: Press release
Where we are: OSCE Chairmanship, OSCE Office for Democratic Institutions and Human Rights, OSCE Project Co-ordinator in Baku (closed)
What we do: Elections
VIENNA, 20 June 2000- The OSCE Chairperson-in-Office, Austrian Foreign Minister Benita Ferrero-Waldner, welcomes the signing...
OSCE to intensify the fight against trafficking in human beings
Publishing date: 20 June 2000
Content type: Press release
What we do: Combating trafficking in human beings
VIENNA, 20 June 2000-- The OSCE wrapped up its two-day meeting on trafficking in human beings today with a special session devoted to the work of NGOs. The participants...
Mission to Bosnia and Herzegovina addresses issues relating to trafficking in human beings
Publishing date: 19 June 2000
Content type: Press release
Where we are: OSCE Chairmanship, OSCE Office for Democratic Institutions and Human Rights, OSCE Mission to Bosnia and Herzegovina
What we do: Combating trafficking in human beings
SARAJEVO, 19 June 2000- The Chairmanship of the Organization for Security and Co-operation has invited all participating states and Field...
OSCE Presence in Albania OSCE to open Field Office in Fier
Publishing date: 19 June 2000
Content type: Press release
Where we are: OSCE Presence in Albania
TIRANA, 19 June 2000-- In order to improve the impact and effectiveness of its work, OSCE is opening a field office in the city of Fier. This will bring the number of OSCE regional...
22 Political parties and one coalition apply for Kosovo elections
Publishing date: 19 June 2000
Content type: Press release
Where we are: OSCE Mission in Kosovo
What we do: Democratization, Elections
PRISTINA, 19 June 2000-- Twenty-two political parties and one coalition of six parties are preparing to run in the planned municipal elections this autumn. The parties...
OSCE Head of Mission to tour refugee return areas in Bosnia and Herzegovina
Publishing date: 19 June 2000
Content type: Press release
Where we are: OSCE Mission to Bosnia and Herzegovina
What we do: Human rights
SARAJEVO, 19 June 2000- Ambassador Robert L. Barry, Head of the OSCE Mission to Bosnia and Herzegovina will visit refugee return areas in Konjic, Mostar and...
Fifth class graduates from Kosovo Police Service School
Publishing date: 16 June 2000
PRISTINA, 16 June 2000-- A class of 277 new recruits will graduate from the OSCE Kosovo Police Service School on Saturday, 17 June. It\'s the fifth class which has passed through...
Councillor removed from Municipal Council of Bihac
Publishing date: 15 June 2000
Content type: Press release
Where we are: OSCE Mission to Bosnia and Herzegovina
What we do: Elections
SARAJEVO, 15 June 2000- The Provisional Election Commission in Bosnia and Herzegovina has removed the mandate of a councillor elected to the Municipal Council of Bihac in the April...
Statement regarding the adoption of amendments to the Law on Language by the Estonian Parliament
Publishing date: 15 June 2000
Content type: Press statement
Where we are: OSCE High Commissioner on National Minorities
What we do: Democratization, Human rights, National minority issues
THE HAGUE, 15 June 2000-- The following statement regarding the adoption of amendments to the Estonian Law on Language was released by OSCE...
Kosovo Law Centre opens in Pristina, 15 June
Publishing date: 13 June 2000
PRISTINA, 13 June 2000-- A neutral and non-political forum for Kosovo lawyers opens its doors in Pristina this week. The Kosovo Law Centre, developed by the Organization for Security and...
Kosovo registration more successful in rural regions
Publishing date: 12 June 2000
PRISTINA, 12 June 2000-- With little more than a month to go until the first phase of the Kosovo Civil and Voter Registration closes, a clear disparity has emerged. A greater...
NGO resource centre opens in Strpce/Shterpce, Kosovo
Publishing date: 12 June 2000
PRISTINA, 12 June 2000-- The first OSCE resource centre for non-governmental organizations (NGOs) in a Serbian area of Kosovo has opened its doors. OSCE Ambassador Daan Everts...
Deadline extended for independent candidates and citizens' initiatives wanting to run in Kosovo elections
Publishing date: 9 June 2000
PRISTINA, 9 June 2000-- Independent candidates and citizens initiatives wanting to run in the Kosovo municipal elections in...
Human rights report: Kosovo minorities sidelined from society
Publishing date: 9 June 2000
Content type: Press release
Where we are: OSCE Mission in Kosovo
What we do: Human rights, National minority issues, Roma and Sinti
PRISTINA, 9 June 2000-- Lack of security and restricted freedom of movement prevent Kosovo minorities from accessing public services...
OSCE to observe voter enumeration in Albania
Publishing date: 8 June 2000
TIRANA, 8 June 2000-- In the framework of the preparatory process for the Albanian Local Elections 2000, the Organization for Security and Co-operation in Europe has undertaken the...
OSCE refutes Albanian press reports about vehicle used in Berat
Publishing date: 8 June 2000
Content type: Press release
Where we are: OSCE Presence in Albania
TIRANA, Albania, 8 June 2000-- A number of reports have appeared in the Albanian press suggesting that an OSCE vehicle, or a vehicle purporting to belong to the OSCE, was...
"You Can Do It" project to provide momentum for more women politicians in Albania
Publishing date: 8 June 2000
Content type: Press release
Where we are: OSCE Presence in Albania
TIRANA, 8 June 2000-- \"The Stability Pact is determined to help Albanian women break the vicious circle of political division and...
OSCE Parliamentary Assembly to meet in Bucharest, 6-10 July
Publishing date: 7 June 2000
Content type: Press release
Where we are: OSCE Parliamentary Assembly
COPENHAGEN, 7 June 2000-- From 6 to 10 July 2000 more than three hundred parliamentarians from the 54 OSCE participating states will gather on the premises of the Romanian...
Ceremony to mark 500,000 people registered in Kosovo
Publishing date: 7 June 2000
PRISTINA, 7 June 2000-- More than a half-million people will have put their names on the Kosovo civil and voter registry by the end of this week. To recognize this milestone, OSCE...
July 5 deadline to participate in November elections in Bosnia and Herzegovina
Publishing date: 2 June 2000
Content type: Press release
Where we are: OSCE Mission to Bosnia and Herzegovina
What we do: Elections
SARAJEVO, 2 June 2000-- All political parties, independent candidates and coalitions that wish to participate in the November 2000 General Elections...
Reaching out to young people in civil and voter registration
Publishing date: 2 June 2000
Content type: Press release
Where we are: OSCE Mission in Kosovo
What we do: Democratization, Elections
PRISTINA, 2 June 2000-- With an estimated half of Kosovo\'s population under the age of 25, it is vital that young people get their names on the civil and...
Young Kosovo journalists attend training session in Austria
Publishing date: 2 June 2000
Content type: Press release
Where we are: OSCE Mission in Kosovo
What we do: Media freedom and development
PRISTINA, 2 June 2000-- An intensive training course is under way for 10 young Kosovo journalists. The OSCE, Austrian Broadcasting Corp (ORF) and the Austrian...
Parliamentary Assembly President Helle Degn to visit Moscow
Publishing date: 30 May 2000
Content type: Press release
Where we are: OSCE Parliamentary Assembly
COPENHAGEN, 29 May 2000-- On 30 May 2000, Mrs. Helle Degn, President of the OSCE Parliamentary Assembly, will meet Russian Foreign Minister Igor Ivanov in Moscow...
Registration site opens on the boundary between Kosovo and Serbia
Publishing date: 29 May 2000
PRISTINA, 29 May 2000-- The first registration site on the boundary between Kosovo and Serbia proper has opened. It is part of an effort to make it easier for Kosovars...
New OSCE website provides links to media NGOs
Publishing date: 26 May 2000
Content type: Press release
Where we are: OSCE Representative on Freedom of the Media
What we do: Digital switchover, Media freedom and development
VIENNA, 26 May 2000-- The Office of the OSCE Representative on Freedom of the Media launched its new internet website today, http://www.osce.org/fom The new website contains regularly...
OSCE Parliamentary Assembly President to visit Azerbaijan
Publishing date: 26 May 2000
Content type: Press release
Where we are: OSCE Parliamentary Assembly
COPENHAGEN, 26 May 2000-- On 31 May to 2 June 2000, Mrs. Helle Degn, President of the OSCE Parliamentary Assembly, will visit Azerbaijan. President Degn, who represents more than...
June 11 deadline for political party certification in Kosovo
Publishing date: 26 May 2000
PRISTINA, 26 May 2000-- The deadline for political parties to be certified in order to stand for the upcoming municipal election is fast approaching. June 11 is the last...
Broadcasters to carry Kosovo registration and voter information
Publishing date: 26 May 2000
PRISTINA, 26 May 2000-- All radio and television stations in Kosovo are being required to air public service announcements on the civil and electoral registration...
Press release on the occasion of World Press Freedom Day
Publishing date: 23 May 2000
Content type: Press release
Where we are: OSCE Mission to Croatia (closed)
What we do: Media freedom and development
Zagreb, 3 May 2000- Since becoming an independent state, Croatia has committed itself to establish and uphold democratic standards regarding freedom of the media...
Women's concerns to be addressed in civil registration
Publishing date: 20 May 2000
Content type: Press release
Where we are: OSCE Mission in Kosovo
What we do: Democratization, Elections
PRISTINA, 20 May 2000-- The OSCE regular press briefing on civil and electoral registration will focus this week on women and the registration process. OSCE field staff are finding...
Fourth graduation for Kosovo Police Service School
Publishing date: 19 May 2000
PRISTINA, 19 May 2000-- The fourth class of recruits graduates from the OSCE\'s Kosovo Police Service School on Saturday, 20 May. The 218 cadets now go on patrol throughout the region;...