News and press releases

GENEVA, 11 December 2020- The 51st round of the Geneva International Discussions (GID) took place in the Palais des Nations on 10-11 December 2020., 11 December 2020- The 51st round of the Geneva International Discussions (GID) took place in the Palais des Nations on 10-11 December 2020...

Summary The SMM recorded 284 ceasefire violations in Donetsk region. In the previous reporting period, it recorded two ceasefire violations in the region. The Mission recorded six ceasefire violations in Luhansk region. In the previous reporting period, it recorded five ceasefire violations in the

On 11 December 2020, the OSCE Office for Democratic Institutions and Human Rights, with the support of Friedrich-Ebert-Stiftung Polska, hosted the “Debating Perspectives 2030 Roadshow”, providing a platform for young women and men in Poland to make their voices heard.

On 11 December 2020, the OSCE Project Co-ordinator in Uzbekistan co-hosted the blended event “the Digitalization of the Ombudsperson’s work: innovative mechanisms for promoting and protecting human rights and freedoms”, dedicated to the 25th anniversary of the Institute of the Authorized Person of the Oliy Majlis of the Republic of Uzbekistan for Human Rights (Ombudsperson). The United Nations Office of the High Commissioner for Human Rights’ (UN OHCHR) Regional Office for Central Asia, the United Nations Office in Uzbekistan, the OSCE Office for Democratic Institutions and Human Rights (OSCE/ODIHR), the United Nations Democracy Fund, the United Nations Development Programme and Penal Reform International, co-organized the event...

The OSCE Transnational Threats Department’s Action against Terrorism Unit, in co-operation with the OSCE Mission to Bosnia and Herzegovina and the UN Office on Drugs and Crime (UNODC) organized an online train-the-trainer course from 9 to 11 December 2020, with the aim of strengthening Bosnia and Herzegovina’s (BiH) capacities to analyse terrorist financing risks and threats...

The OSCE Project Co-ordinator in Uzbekistan, together with the National Human Rights Centre of Uzbekistan, co-hosted a blended event to mark Human Rights Day. The International Human Rights Day is observed every year on 10 December, the day the United Nations General Assembly adopted the Universal Declaration of Human Rights in 1948

The importance of political support as a key step in introducing effective legal and policy frameworks to strengthen open data initiatives that lead to societies that are more transparent was discussed at an OSCE-organized webinar on International Anti-Corruption Day on 9 December 2020...

The 2020 parliamentary elections in Montenegro were competitive, and took place in an environment highly polarized over issues of church and national identity. Contestants were able to convey their messages but the ruling party gained an undue advantage through misuse of office and state resources,

An OSCE-supported webinar on identifying and combatting gender-based violence organized by the OSCE Programme Office in Nur-Sultan concluded on 11 December 2020...

The OSCE Presence in Albania and the Embassy of the Kingdom of Netherlands jointly organized a workshop on 11 December 2020 in Tirana. The event focused on the current application of the Law on Decriminalization in view of the upcoming parliamentary elections on 25 April 2021...

Twenty-seven officers and managers from different border security and law enforcement agencies from OSCE’s participating States completed the first module of the one-year Border Security and Management for Senior Leadership course (BSMSL) on 11 December 2020. Due to the COVID-29 pandemic and the travel restrictions, the traditional face-to-face phase of the first module was held via video teleconferencing.

With the support of the OSCE Mission to Montenegro, from June to December 2020, six staff of Montenegro’s parliament acquired the knowledge and tools to organize and facilitate workshops on a range of skills for their colleagues within parliament...

Promoting the social re-use of assets confiscated from criminal activity was the focus of two online workshops for Serbian and North Macedonian civil society organizations, law enforcement practitioners, asset management agencies and prosecutions offices, which were held on 7 and 10 December 2020. More than 30 participants attended. The workshops are part of a series of national workshops the OSCE is organizing for five South-Eastern European countries to promote the social re-use of assets as an efficient tool in preventing and fighting against organized crime and corruption...

Summary The SMM recorded two ceasefire violations in Donetsk region. In the previous reporting period, it recorded 16 ceasefire violations in the region. The Mission recorded five ceasefire violations in Luhansk region. In the previous reporting period, it recorded 45 ceasefire violations in the

WARSAW, 10 December 2020 – On Human Rights Day, the OSCE Office for Democratic Institutions and Human Rights (ODIHR) pays tribute to human rights defenders and many organizations across the OSCE region that have protected our rights throughout the Covid-19 pandemic, and will have a key role to play if the global recovery is to put respect for human rights at its core.

COPENHAGEN, 10 December 2020 – At the close of a year defined by a global pandemic that has killed more than 1.5 million people worldwide, devastated economies and uprooted daily life for billions, the leaders of the OSCE Parliamentary Assembly’s human rights and humanitarian committee today called for ensuring that recovery efforts focus on protecting the most vulnerable. Prioritizing an inclusive approach to the COVID-19 recovery is vital to ensure greater enjoyment of human rights, particularly for those suffering from extreme poverty and food insecurity, the parliamentarians said in a joint statement...

Summary The SMM recorded 16 ceasefire violations in Donetsk region. In the previous reporting period, the Mission recorded 28 ceasefire violations in the region. The SMM recorded 45 ceasefire violations in Luhansk region. In the previous reporting period, the Mission recorded no ceasefire

The OSCE Mission to Montenegro completed on 9 December 2020 a series of training workshops for research staff of the Parliamentary Institute on infographics and data visuals as a modern way of presenting parliamentary work data...

The OSCE Project Co-ordinator in Uzbekistan, in co-operation with the Public Foundation for Support and Development of National Mass Media, is organizing a series of training courses to enhance the skills of journalists and bloggers in the regions of Uzbekistan. Each training session will last for two days and will be conducted in the following regions of Uzbekistan: Karshi, Samarkand, Bukhara and Nukus from 10 to 25 December 2020...

The OSCE Transnational Threats Department’s Border Security and Management Unit (BSMU) organized a two-day workshop for representatives of relevant agencies in Algeria, Egypt, Israel, Jordan, Morocco and Tunisia on establishing an Advance Passenger Information (API) system for preventing the movement of foreign terrorist fighters and enhancing aviation security on 8 and 9 December 2020...

At a ceremony in Kyiv on 9 December 2020, Ukraine’s State Border Guard Service and State Customs Service received equipment and reference materials from the OSCE Project Co-ordinator in Ukraine as part of their efforts to strengthen the country’s control over transboundary movement of chemicals.

COPENHAGEN, 9 December 2020 – OSCE Parliamentary Assembly President George Tsereteli (Georgia) has appointed Special Representatives to cover the important portfolios of the South Caucasus, Central Asia, and Eastern Europe. The Special Representatives will serve as focal points for the PA’s work in the regions, provide advice, and regularly report back to the President and the Assembly...

COPENHAGEN, 9 December 2020 – Effectively preventing and combatting corruption requires co-ordinated responses at both national and international levels guided by strong political will, said Irene Charalambides (Cyprus), the OSCE PA’s Special Representative on Fighting Corruption, at an event today marking International Anti-Corruption Day...

Around 175 school teachers from all over Moldova attended a workshop on the history of the Holocaust from 1 to 3 December 2020. The OSCE Mission to Moldova, in co-ordination with the Moldovan Ministry of Education, Culture and Research, facilitated the workshop for school teachers to learn about the teaching methodology for the optional school course "The Holocaust: History and Lessons of life", which was introduced in September 2019...

VIENNA, 9 December 2020 — The winners of the OSCE–Institute for Peace Research and Security Policy at the University of Hamburg (IFSH) Essay Competition: Conventional Arms Control and Confidence- and Security-Building Measures in Europe were announced today at a virtual award ceremony held during an OSCE Forum for Security Co-operation (FSC) meeting organized by the German FSC Chairmanship.

SARAJEVO, 9 December 2020- The OSCE Mission to Bosnia and Herzegovina joins BiH citizens, the country’s national institutions and other international organizations in marking today’s International Anti-corruption Day. Today, we take stock and highlight what changes are needed to ensure citizens are served by efficient, effective and transparent government institutions...

VIENNA / TIRANA, 9 December 2020 – On the occasion of the Fifth Anniversary of the adoption of United Nations Security Council Resolution 2250 on Youth, Peace and Security, Keisi Seferi, OSCE Chairperson-in-Office Special Representative on Youth and Security said that “this is a moment to take stock of the achievements of the international community in engaging with youth and reflect on the way forward to enhance young people’s role as providers of human security”.

BISHKEK, 9 December 2020 – The OSCE Office for Democratic Institutions and Human Rights (ODIHR) today opened a limited election observation mission (LEOM) for the 10 January early presidential election in Kyrgyzstan, following an invitation from the national authorities...

Summary The SMM recorded 28 ceasefire violations in Donetsk region. In the previous 24 hours, the Mission recorded 20 ceasefire violations in the region. The SMM recorded no ceasefire violations in Luhansk region. In the previous 24 hours, the Mission recorded eight ceasefire violations in the

SARAJEVO, 8 December 2020- One year after publication of the results of the first Programme for International Student Assessment (PISA) for Bosnia and Herzegovina (BiH), the country marks today another important date for the education sector- the results for the Trends in Mathematics and Science Study (TIMSS), conducted in 2019...

Kamensk-Shakhtinskiy, Russian Federation. The Observer Mission (OM) continues to operate 24/7 at both Border Crossing Points (BCPs). The overall number of border crossings by persons decreased at both BCPs compared to the previous week...

NUR-SULTAN, 8 December 2020 – The OSCE Office for Democratic Institutions and Human Rights (ODIHR) today formally opened a limited election observation mission (LEOM) for the 10 January parliamentary elections in Kazakhstan. The mission’s deployment follows an invitation from the country’s authorities...

Summary Between the evenings of 4 and 6 December, the SMM recorded 134 ceasefire violations in Donetsk region. In the previous reporting period, it recorded 57 ceasefire violations in the region. Between the evenings of 4 and 6 December, the SMM recorded 89 ceasefire violations in Luhansk region.

The Civic Solidarity Platform, a coalition of civil society organizations from across the OSCE region, presented recommendations to the OSCE executive structures, institutions and participating States at an online event on 7 December 2020.

BUCHAREST, 7 December 2020 – Romania’s parliamentary elections were well run in adverse circumstances amid a surge in COVID-19 cases, but the late adoption of legislative amendments and some important regulations created uncertainty, international observers from the OSCE Office for Democratic Institutions and Human Rights (ODIHR) said in a statement today.

An OSCE-supported training seminar for judges-co-ordinators and press secretaries on capacity-building in communication and enhancing interaction with the media concluded on 5 December 2020 in Nur-Sultan.

Summary The SMM recorded 57 ceasefire violations in Donetsk region. In the previous reporting period, it recorded 79 ceasefire violations in the region. The Mission recorded 13 ceasefire violations in Luhansk region. In the previous reporting period, it recorded no ceasefire violations in the

Summary The SMM recorded 79 ceasefire violations in Donetsk region. In the previous reporting period, it recorded ten ceasefire violations in the region. The Mission recorded no ceasefire violations in Luhansk region. In the previous reporting period, it recorded 52 ceasefire violations in the

TIRANA/VIENNA, 4 December 2020 — The appointment of four senior OSCE officials and the adoption of new commitments by States to strengthen the fight against organized crime and corruption as well as preventing torture made this one of the “most productive” Ministerial Councils in many years, said OSCE Chairperson-in-Office, Prime Minister and Minister for Europe and Foreign Affairs of Albania, Edi Rama, at the close of the 27th OSCE Ministerial Council.

COPENHAGEN, 4 December 2020 – Several members of the OSCE Parliamentary Assembly joined a web conference hosted by the British House of Lords, focused on taking stock of past action and addressing new challenges related to relocating vulnerable refugees. Entitled “Voluntary relocation of child refugees and other vulnerable refugees: achievements and future challenges,” today’s meeting explored topics including the new arrivals of refugees by boat in Mediterranean countries and the United Kingdom, impacts of the COVID-19 pandemic, and the challenges posed by coming winter conditions.

COPENHAGEN, 4 December 2020 – Welcoming the OSCE’s new Secretary General, Director of the Office for Democratic Institutions and Human Rights, High Commissioner on National Minorities, and Representative on Freedom of the Media, the OSCE Parliamentary Assembly President and Secretary General today expressed hope that the filling of these positions marks the beginning of an era of renewed commitment to co-operation and dialogue...

The application of Geographic Information Systems (GIS) to improve efficient land management was discussed at an OSCE-supported online training course held from 2 to 4 December 2020...

The OSCE Programme Office in Bishkek successfully completed a one-day roundtable discussion focusing on progress in the framework of efforts in implementing a system for passenger data exchange, the Advance Passenger Information- Passenger Name Record (API/PNR) on 3 December 2020. The event was organized in co-operation with the State Committee for National Security (SCNS) of the Kyrgyz Republic.

The OSCE Project Co-ordinator in Uzbekistan, jointly with the Anti-Corruption Agency of the Republic of Uzbekistan and international partners, organized an international conference on prevention of corruption in the activities of state bodies on 3 December in Tashkent, which was conducted in a blended format.

The OSCE Project Co-ordinator in Uzbekistan co-organized two events on 2 and 3 December 2020 in blended formats in the field of the rights of persons with disabilities. The discussion on the first day focused on the ratification by the Republic of Uzbekistan of the United Nations Convention on the Rights of Persons with Disabilities. Representatives from both chambers of Parliament and international experts from Estonia, Latvia and Kazakhstan attended the event.

Summary The SMM recorded ten ceasefire violations in Donetsk region. In the previous reporting period, it recorded 12 ceasefire violations in the region. The Mission recorded 52 ceasefire violations in Luhansk region. In the previous reporting period, it recorded eight ceasefire violations in the

TIRANA/VIENNA, 3 December 2020 – Challenges faced by victims of trafficking and anti-trafficking actors supporting groups vulnerable to trafficking during the pandemic were discussed today on the margins of the online OSCE 2020 Ministerial Council.

COPENHAGEN, 3 December 2020 – In an event featuring participation by more than 100 parliamentarians and diplomats, the OSCE Parliamentary Assembly today presented its initiative entitled “OSCE Call for Action: Reaffirming a Common Purpose” on the sidelines of the 27th Ministerial Council...

TIRANA 3 December 2020 – The role of history education in fostering social cohesion in diverse societies was the focus of a side event held via video teleconferencing today on the margins of the 27th OSCE Ministerial Council in Tirana. The event was organized by the Albanian OSCE Chairmanship, the Permanent Mission of Spain to the OSCE, the OSCE Secretariat, the Office for Democratic Institutions and Human Rights (ODIHR) and the office of the High Commissioner on National Minorities (HCNM).

The 2020 parliamentary elections in Kyrgyzstan were conducted under improved legislation, and fundamental rights and freedoms were respected overall. While the campaign was competitive and generally well-managed despite the COVID-19 pandemic, credible allegations of vote buying and questions about