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News and press releases
News and press releases from the OSCE's global activities.
ODIHR tools support Ukrainian courts in ensuring the right to a fair trial in war crimes cases
Publishing date: 2 October 2024
Content type: News
Where we are: OSCE Office for Democratic Institutions and Human Rights
What we do: Rule of law
With Ukrainian legislation not fully adapted to allow effective prosecution and adjudication of international crimes following the Russian Federation’s military attack in 2022, domestic courts are struggling to process the more than 130,000 suspected incidents of war crimes in Ukraine. Tools and training offered by the OSCE Office for Democratic Institutions and Human Rights (ODIHR) are becoming all the more important, participants agreed at an event during the 2024 Warsaw Human Dimension Conference.
ODIHR opens election observation mission in the United States
Publishing date: 1 October 2024
Content type: Press release
Where we are: OSCE Office for Democratic Institutions and Human Rights
What we do: Elections
WASHINGTON D.C., 1 October 2024- The OSCE Office for Democratic Institutions and Human Rights (ODIHR) today opened an election observation mission for the 5 November general elections in the United States, following an invitation from the national authorities.
New technologies used in elections must be in line with democratic standards, international experts say
Publishing date: 1 October 2024
Content type: News
Where we are: OSCE Office for Democratic Institutions and Human Rights
What we do: Cyber/ICT Security, Elections
Information and communication technologies (ICT) are becoming ever more important to the election process, which brings both challenges and opportunities, experts from the OSCE Office for Democratic Institutions and Human Rights (ODIHR) said in presenting a new edition of the Handbook for Observation of ICT in Elections at an event during the 2024 Warsaw Human Dimension Conference.
Genuine commitment to democracy and human rights is vital to overcome the challenges we face, OSCE conference underlines
Publishing date: 30 September 2024
Content type: Press release
What we do: Democratization, Human rights
WARSAW, 30 September 2024 – Strengthening our commitment to democracy, human rights and the rule of law through dialogue will allow us to overcome current challenges to the rights and freedoms at the heart of the principles on which the OSCE was founded, speakers and participants stressed as governments, international organizations, and civil society came together for a 10-day conference to take stock of the state of democracy, human rights and the rule of law across the 57 participating States of the OSCE region.
ODIHR opens election observation mission in Uzbekistan
Publishing date: 25 September 2024
Content type: Press release
Where we are: OSCE Office for Democratic Institutions and Human Rights
What we do: Elections
TASHKENT, 25 September 2024- The OSCE Office for Democratic Institutions and Human Rights (ODIHR) today opened an election observation mission for the 27 October parliamentary elections in Uzbekistan, following an official invitation from the national authorities.
North Macedonia elections 2024: ODIHR election observation mission final report
Publishing date: 23 September 2024
Content type: News
Where we are: OSCE Office for Democratic Institutions and Human Rights
What we do: Elections
North Macedonia’s 2024 presidential and early parliamentary elections were competitive, and voters had the opportunity to make informed choices. However, while the legal framework provides the basis for democratic elections, it lacks sufficient regulation for a presidential contest, and recent changes introduced without sufficient transparency and public consultation. Election day was assessed positively overall, with voting procedures largely respected, although some election boards did not fully follow procedures during the count. Rules creating a direct link between public financing of campaigns and media opportunities for candidates disproportionately favoured the major political parties.
ODIHR discusses election observation findings and recommendations on 2023 parliamentary elections in Poland
Publishing date: 17 September 2024
Content type: News
Where we are: OSCE Office for Democratic Institutions and Human Rights
What we do: Elections
Election experts from the OSCE Office for Democratic Institutions and Human Rights (ODIHR) presented the findings and recommendations of Poland’s 2023 parliamentary elections final report in Warsaw this week to Polish government officials, representatives of the election administration, both houses of the Polish Parliament and the Ombudsperson’s office. A roundtable discussion was also held with civil society organizations and media representatives.