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News and press releases
News and press releases from the OSCE's global activities.
OSCE leaders condemn violence in Afghanistan and destabilization of region, call for respect for human rights and rule of law
Publishing date: 25 August 2021
Content type: Press release
Where we are: OSCE Chairmanship, OSCE Office for Democratic Institutions and Human Rights, OSCE Secretary General
What we do: Human rights, Conflict prevention and resolution
VIENNA/STOCKHOLM/WARSAW, 25 August 2021 — OSCE leaders today condemned the violence in Afghanistan, expressed their deep worry about the ongoing developments and reaffirmed the OSCE’s support towards ensuring safety and security throughout the region.
Countering religious hatred is critical to restore COVID-worn democracy and security, says OSCE human rights head
Publishing date: 20 August 2021
Content type: Press release
Where we are: OSCE Office for Democratic Institutions and Human Rights
What we do: Democratization, Human rights
WARSAW, 20 August 2021 – Governments need to work harder to protect victims of religious hate crimes, and consistently condemn and prosecute all bias-motivated crimes, the OSCE Office for Democratic Institutions and Human Rights (ODIHR) said ahead of the third anniversary of the United Nations International Day Commemorating the Victims of Acts of Violence Based on Religion.
Greater efforts needed to ensure digital technologies empower human rights, OSCE leaders say
Publishing date: 13 July 2021
Content type: Press release
What we do: Democratization, Human rights
VIENNA/WARSAW, 13 July 2021 — Understanding the implications of digital technology is key to the protection and promotion of human rights in the 21st century, OSCE leaders said as a two-day online conference concluded on the opportunities and challenges of the digital age for human rights and democracy.
Holistic approach needed to eliminate torture, OSCE human rights head says
Publishing date: 25 June 2021
Content type: Press release
Where we are: OSCE Office for Democratic Institutions and Human Rights
What we do: Human rights
WARSAW, 25 June 2021 – OSCE countries need to honour their recent commitment to uphold the absolute prohibition of torture after acknowledging the practice to be “one of the most flagrant violations of human rights and human dignity”, said the OSCE Office for Democratic Institutions and Human Rights (ODIHR) on the occasion of tomorrow’s International Day in Support of Victims of Torture...
Televised “confessions” further example of widespread rights violations in Belarus, OSCE human rights head says
Publishing date: 4 June 2021
Content type: Press release
Where we are: OSCE Office for Democratic Institutions and Human Rights
What we do: Human rights
WARSAW, 4 June 2021 — The televised “confessions” of independent journalist Raman Pratasevich and Sofia Sapega, his partner, raise further concerns regarding the Belarus authorities’ failure to meet obligations to respect the right to a fair trial and the absolute prohibition of torture in the wave of arrests since last August’s presidential election, says the OSCE Office for Democratic Institutions and Human Rights (ODIHR).
Role of law enforcement officials vital to prevent torture, say participants at dedicated conference
Publishing date: 2 June 2021
Content type: News
Where we are: OSCE Office for Democratic Institutions and Human Rights
What we do: Human rights, Rule of law
The crucial role played by the police and other law enforcement officials in serving their communities and preventing torture and other ill-treatment of people in the criminal justice system is the focus of a dedicated conference today. Despite the timely reaffirmation by OSCE countries last year
Efforts by prosecutors and law enforcement to address hate crime in Armenia: ODIHR seminar
Publishing date: 25 May 2021
Content type: News
Where we are: OSCE Office for Democratic Institutions and Human Rights
What we do: Human rights, Rule of law, Tolerance and non-discrimination
On 25 May 2021, the OSCE Office for Democratic Institutions and Human Rights (ODIHR) organized an online awareness-raising seminar on improving the ability to recognize, investigate and prosecute hate crimes, involving criminal justice authorities and civil society in Armenia. The event launched