Newsroom
News and press releases
News and press releases from the OSCE's global activities.
International observers issue preliminary statement on parliamentary elections in Croatia
Publishing date: 4 January 2000
Content type: Press release
Where we are: OSCE Mission to Croatia (closed), OSCE Parliamentary Assembly
What we do: Elections
ZAGREB, 4 January 2000-- The International Election Observation Mission for the 2-3 January 2000 election to the House of Representatives of the...
Statement by OSCE Chairman-in-Office on the conflict in Chechnya
Publishing date: 29 December 1999
Content type: Press release
Where we are: OSCE Chairmanship, OSCE Assistance Group to Chechnya (closed)
What we do: Conflict prevention and resolution
VIENNA, 29 December 1999-- The Chairman-in-Office of the OSCE, Foreign Minister of Norway Knut Vollebaek, urges the Russian Federation to do everything in its power to...
Parliamentary Assembly President to lead election observers in Croatia
Publishing date: 20 December 1999
COPENHAGEN, 20 December 1999-- Mrs. Helle Degn MP (Denmark), President of the OSCE Parliamentary Assembly, will arrive in Zagreb on 2 January 2000 to...
OSCE Parliamentary Assembly President concerned about Chechnya situation
Publishing date: 10 December 1999
Content type: Press release
What we do: Human rights
COPENHAGEN, 10 December 1999-- The President of the OSCE Parliamentary Assembly, Mrs. Helle Degn, strongly appealed to the Russian leadership to...
Appeal issued to free journalist from jail in Serbia
Publishing date: 9 December 1999
Content type: Press release
Where we are: OSCE Representative on Freedom of the Media
What we do: Media freedom and development, Safety of journalists
VIENNA, 9 December 1999- Freimut Duve, OSCE Representative on Freedom of the Media, is concerned with the continued imprisonment of Nebojsa Ristic, editor of TV Soko in Sokobanja,...
OSCE/ODIHR will not deploy observation mission to Turkmenistan elections
Publishing date: 9 December 1999
Content type: Press release
Where we are: OSCE Office for Democratic Institutions and Human Rights
What we do: Elections
WARSAW, 9 December 1999-- The Organization for Security and Co-operation in Europe, Office for Democratic Institution and Human Rights (OSCE/ODIHR)...
High Commissioner welcomes State Language Law in Latvia
Publishing date: 9 December 1999
Content type: Press statement
What we do: Democratization, National minority issues
THE HAGUE, 9 December 1999- The following statement regarding the the adoption of the State Language Law by the Latvian Parliament was issued by the OSCE High Commissioner on...
OSCE organizes first multilateral meeting on Serb minority education
Publishing date: 7 December 1999
Content type: Press release
Where we are: OSCE Mission to Croatia (closed)
What we do: Democratization, Human rights, National minority issues
VUKOVAR, 7 December 1999-- The first multilateral meeting on Serb minority education issues took place on 7 December 1999 in the premises of the OSCE Co-ordination Centre Vukovar.
ODIHR sends limited mission to parliamentary elections in Uzbekistan
Publishing date: 6 December 1999
Content type: Press release
Where we are: OSCE Office for Democratic Institutions and Human Rights, OSCE Project Co-ordinator in Uzbekistan
What we do: Elections
TASHKENT, 6 December 1999-- The Organization for Security and Co-operation in Europe, Office of Democratic Institutions and Human Rights (OSCE/ODIHR)...
Preliminary statement on re-runs of second round of presidential election in the former Yugoslav Republic of Macedonia
Publishing date: 6 December 1999
Content type: Press release
What we do: Elections
SKOPJE, 6 December 1999-- The Organization for Security and Co-operation in Europe (OSCE) Office for Democratic...
OSCE parliamentarians to observe Russian Duma elections on 19 December
Publishing date: 3 December 1999
COPENHAGEN, 3 December 1999-- The Parliamentary Assembly of the Organization for Security and Co-operation in Europe will send more than 100 observers to the...
Parliamentary Assembly head to lead observer mission for elections in Russia
Publishing date: 3 December 1999
Content type: Press release
Where we are: OSCE Chairmanship, OSCE Parliamentary Assembly
What we do: Elections
OSLO, 3 December 1999-- The Chairman-in-Office of the OSCE, Foreign Minister of Norway Knut Vollebaek, has designated Ms. Helle Degn, President of the OSCE Parliamentary Assembly, as his Special Representative to lead the OSCE Observation Mission to the
Chairman-in-Office issues statement on Belarus
Publishing date: 2 December 1999
OSLO, 2 December 1999-- The Chairman-in-Office of the Organization for Security and Co-operation in Europe, Foreign Minister Knut Vollebæk of Norway, welcomes the release of Mikhail...
Need for public debate in post-conflict situations
Publishing date: 25 November 1999
Content type: Press release
Where we are: Permanent Council, OSCE Representative on Freedom of the Media
What we do: Media freedom and development, Media pluralism
VIENNA, 25 November 1999-- Freimut Duve, the OSCE Representative on Freedom of the Media, spoke today at the OSCE Permanent Council. In his address, Duve pointed out that freedom...
OSCE initiative against organized crime in South-Eastern Europe
Publishing date: 23 November 1999
Content type: Press release
Where we are: OSCE Mission to Croatia (closed)
What we do: Democratization
ZAGREB, 23 November 1999-- On 23-24 November a working meeting on the "OSCE Organised Crime Initiative in South-Eastern Europe" is taking place in...
OSCE/ODIHR Election Observation Mission established in Croatia
Publishing date: 23 November 1999
Content type: Press release
Where we are: OSCE Office for Democratic Institutions and Human Rights
What we do: Elections
ZAGREB, 23 November 1999-- The Organization for Security and Co-operation in Europe, Office for Democratic Institutions and Human Rights (OSCE/ODIHR) has...
OSCE hosts meeting on organized crime
Publishing date: 22 November 1999
Content type: Press release
Where we are: OSCE Mission to Croatia (closed)
What we do: Democratization
ZAGREB, 22 November 1999-- The Organization for Security and Co-operation in Europe will host a working meeting on the OSCE Organized Crime Initiative in South-East Europe in Zagreb, 23-24...
ODIHR deploys limited mission to Uzbekistan elections
Publishing date: 22 November 1999
Content type: Press release
Where we are: OSCE Office for Democratic Institutions and Human Rights, OSCE Project Co-ordinator in Uzbekistan
What we do: Elections
TASHKENT, 22 November 1999- The Organization for Security and Co-operation in Europe, Office for Democratic Institutions and Human Rights (ODIHR), has decided not...
OSCE and Council of Europe hold 7th high-level meeting
Publishing date: 21 November 1999
Content type: Press release
Where we are: OSCE Chairmanship
STRASBOURG / VIENNA, 21 November 1999-- The Chairman of the Council of Europe Committee of Ministers, Icelandic Foreign Minister, Halldór Ásgrimsson, and OSCE...
Financing conference is priority for Stability Pact
Publishing date: 19 November 1999
Content type: Press release
Where we are: OSCE Secretariat
ISTANBUL, 19 November 1999-- Bodo Hombach, Special Co-ordinator of the Stability Pact for South-Eastern Europe has presented...
OSCE Summit adopts Charter for European Security
Publishing date: 19 November 1999
Content type: Press release
Where we are: Summits / Ministerial Councils
ISTANBUL, 19 November 1999-- At a signing ceremony in Istanbul today, the OSCE Heads of State and Heads of...
Vollebaek defines trafficking as 'modern day slavery'
Publishing date: 19 November 1999
Content type: Press release
Where we are: OSCE Secretariat
What we do: Combating trafficking in human beings
ISTANBUL, 19 November 1999-- OSCE Chairman-in-Office Knut Vollebaek led a panel of presidents, prime ministers, ministers, lawmakers and...
OSCE/ODIHR action plan to combat trafficking in human beings
Publishing date: 18 November 1999
Content type: Press release
Where we are: OSCE Office for Democratic Institutions and Human Rights
What we do: Combating trafficking in human beings
ISTANBUL, 18 November 1999-- At a special meeting on the margins of the OSCE Summit today prominent political figures and activists from throughout the OSCE region will highlight the OSCE's resolve to combat trafficking in human beings....
Update on events and press briefings at Istanbul Summit
Publishing date: 18 November 1999
Content type: Press release
Where we are: OSCE Secretariat
ISTANBUL, 18 November 1999-- The OSCE announces an update on special events and press briefings: The Press Briefing, scheduled for 19.00 with the Chairman-in-Office of the OSCE,...
Vollebaek says to maintain momentum on the Stability Pact
Publishing date: 18 November 1999
Content type: Press release
Where we are: OSCE Chairmanship, OSCE Secretariat
ISTANBUL, 18 November 1999-- In the first session of the Istanbul Summit, OSCE Chairman-in-Office Knut Vollebaek called on participating States to keep up the momentum on the...
Leaders join OSCE in combating trafficking
Publishing date: 17 November 1999
Content type: Press release
Where we are: OSCE Secretariat
What we do: Combating trafficking in human beings, Human rights
ISTANBUL, 17 November 99-- The OSCE announces an event featuring presentations on the Role in Combating Trafficking in Human Beings on Thursday, 18 November in the Anadolu Auditorium in...
OSCE Summit in Istanbul- media briefing, news conference
Publishing date: 16 November 1999
Content type: Press release
Where we are: OSCE Secretariat
ISTANBUL, 16 November 1999-- On Wednesday 17 November 1999, OSCE Chairman-in-Office, Foreign Minister of Norway Knut Vollebaek, will hold a media briefing at the OSCE Media...
OSCE Summit- Special events in Istanbul
Publishing date: 16 November 1999
Content type: Press release
Where we are: OSCE Secretariat
ISTANBUL, 16 November 1999-- The OSCE announces the following special events at the Istanbul Summit: WEDNESDAY, 17 November 20:30- Media Photo Opportunity for selected pool. OSCE...
Preliminary statement on parliamentary elections in Georgia
Publishing date: 15 November 1999
Content type: Press release
Where we are: OSCE Office for Democratic Institutions and Human Rights, OSCE Mission to Georgia (closed)
What we do: Elections
TBILISI, 15 November 1999-- The Organization for Security and Co-operation in Europe (OSCE) Office for Democratic Institutions and Human Rights (ODIHR) Election...
Preliminary statement on presidential elections in Ukraine
Publishing date: 15 November 1999
Content type: Press release
Where we are: OSCE Office for Democratic Institutions and Human Rights
What we do: Elections
KYIV, 15 November 1999-- The Organization for Security and Co-operation in Europe (OSCE) Office for Democratic Institutions and Human Rights (ODIHR) Election...
Preliminary statement on presidential elections in former Yugoslav Republic of Macedonia
Publishing date: 15 November 1999
Content type: Press release
What we do: Elections
SKOPJE, 15 November 1999-- The Organization for Security and Co-operation in Europe (OSCE) Office for Democratic Institutions and...
Eighth anniversary of the fall of Vukovar in Croatia
Publishing date: 14 November 1999
ZAGREB, 14 November, 1999-- Eight years ago, terrible crimes were committed against the people of Vukovar. The tragedy of Vukovar and the sufferings of its people will not be forgotten. This anniversary is an occasion...
Valuable suggestions made at OSCE Review Conference
Publishing date: 12 November 1999
Content type: Press release
Where we are: OSCE Secretariat
ISTANBUL, 12 November 1999-- The fight against corruption, prevention of torture, issues surrounding children in armed conflict areas, and proposals for strengthening the Secretariat...
Chairman-in-Office condemns killing of UNMIK staff in Kosovo
Publishing date: 12 November 1999
Content type: Press release
Where we are: OSCE Chairmanship, OSCE Mission in Kosovo
What we do: Human rights
OSLO, 12 Oslo 1999-- The Chairman-in-Office of the OSCE, Norwegian Foreign Minister Knut Vollebæk, condemns the cold-blooded murder of an United Nations staff member in Pristina last night....
The war against independent journalism in Serbia continues
Publishing date: 11 November 1999
Content type: Press release
Where we are: OSCE Representative on Freedom of the Media
VIENNA, 11 November 1999-- Freimut Duve, OSCE Representative on Freedom of the Media, addressed the Contact Group on 10 November drawing its attention to the continuing...
OSCE delegation to visit North Caucasus, 10-12 November
Publishing date: 10 November 1999
Content type: Press release
Where we are: OSCE Chairmanship
OSLO, 10 November 1999-- During the summit meeting on the Middle East in Oslo on 1-2 November, the Russian Federation consented to a visit by the Norwegian OSCE Chairmanship to...
Parliamentary President Degn calls for more transparency in OSCE decision-making
Publishing date: 10 November 1999
Content type: Press release
Where we are: OSCE Parliamentary Assembly
ISTANBUL, 10 November 1999-- Democratic control and accountability are essential elements of regional institutions, like the OSCE which needs greater...
OSCE Review Conference in Istanbul, 8-10 November
Publishing date: 5 November 1999
Content type: Press release
Where we are: OSCE Secretariat
VIENNA, 5 November 1999-- On Monday, 8 November, the 1999 OSCE Review Conference in Istanbul will open at the Ciragan Palace. The main purpose of the Conference is to review OSCE...
Chairman-in-Office condemns attack on Kosovo Serb leader
Publishing date: 2 November 1999
Content type: Press release
Where we are: OSCE Chairmanship, OSCE Mission in Kosovo
OSLO, 2 November 1999- The Chairman-in-Office of the OSCE, Foreign Minister Knut Vollebæk of Norway, is dismayed to hear of the attack on Momcilo Trajkovic in Pristina and...
Preliminary statement on the 1999 parliamentary elections in Georgia
Publishing date: 1 November 1999
Content type: Press release
Where we are: OSCE Office for Democratic Institutions and Human Rights, OSCE Parliamentary Assembly, OSCE Mission to Georgia (closed)
What we do: Elections
TBILISI, 1 November 1999-- The Preliminary Statement regarding the parliamentary elections in Georgia on 31 has been...
Preliminary statement on the 1999 presidential election in Ukraine
Publishing date: 1 November 1999
Content type: Press release
Where we are: OSCE Office for Democratic Institutions and Human Rights
What we do: Elections
KYIV, 1 November 1999-- A preliminary statement of the observation of the first round of presidential elections, held...
Preliminary statement on the 1999 presidential elections in the former Yugoslav Republic of Macedonia
Publishing date: 1 November 1999
Content type: Press release
Where we are: OSCE Office for Democratic Institutions and Human Rights, OSCE Parliamentary Assembly, OSCE Mission to Skopje
What we do: Elections
SKOPJE, 1 November 1999-- The preliminary statement of the International Election Observation Mission for the...
Preliminary conclusions of Election Observation Mission in Macedonia to be released
Publishing date: 28 October 1999
Content type: Press release
What we do: Elections
SKOPJE, 28 October 1999-- The preliminary conclusions of OSCE/ODIHR Election Observation Mission, covering the observation of the...
Chairman-in-Office issues statement on events in Armenia
Publishing date: 28 October 1999
OSLO, 28 October 1999-- The Chairman-in-Office of the OSCE, Foreign Minister Knut Vollebæk, is shocked and saddened by the assassination of the Chairman of the Armenian...
OSCE Chairman-in-Office condemns violence in Kosovo
Publishing date: 28 October 1999
Content type: Press release
Where we are: OSCE Chairmanship, OSCE Mission in Kosovo
OSLO, 28 October 1999-- The Chairman-in-Office of the OSCE, Foreign Minister Knut Vollebæk of Norway strongly condemns yesterday\'s brutal attack on a United Nations High...
OSCE PA President condemns attack on Armenian Parliament
Publishing date: 28 October 1999
COPENHAGEN, 28 October 1999-- The President of the OSCE Parliamentary Assembly, Mrs. Helle Degn, is deeply shocked by the terrible acts of violence that took place in...
Election Observation Mission releases preliminary results of Kazakhstan elections
Publishing date: 25 October 1999
Content type: Press release
Where we are: OSCE Programme Office in Astana, OSCE Office for Democratic Institutions and Human Rights
What we do: Elections
ALMATY, 25 October 1999-- The Organization for Security and Co-operation in Europe (OSCE) Office for Democratic Institutions and Human Rights (ODIHR)...
Journalist Ahmet Taner Kislali killed in Turkey
Publishing date: 22 October 1999
Content type: Press release
Where we are: OSCE Representative on Freedom of the Media
What we do: Media freedom and development, Safety of journalists
VIENNA, 22 October 1999-- With great sadness Freimut Duve, the OSCE Representative on Freedom of the Media, learned of the murder of Ahmet Taner Kislali, a prominent Turkish journalist and...
Bruce George to lead OSCE election observers in Georgia
Publishing date: 22 October 1999
Content type: Press release
What we do: Elections
COPENHAGEN, 22 October 1999-- Mr. Bruce George MP (United Kingdom), Vice-President of the OSCE Parliamentary Assembly, and Chair of the Defence Committee of the House of Commons,...
OSCE condemns desecration of graves at Erdut cemetery in Croatia
Publishing date: 21 October 1999
Content type: Press release
Where we are: OSCE Mission to Croatia (closed)
What we do: Democratization
VUKOVAR 21 October 1999-- The OSCE Coordination Centre in Vukovar has noted the incident at Erdut Cemetery on 9 October 1999, which affected the graves of war victims whose bodies were exhumed and buried there, and has been closely...