News and press releases

VIENNA, 5 October 2020- How to address organized crime through strategic partnerships among law enforcement agencies, national institutions, civil society organizations and the private sector, was the focus of an OSCE conference held in Vienna and online today. Over 250 representatives of government institutions from the OSCE participating States, the OSCE’s Partners for Co-operation, and experts from academia, civil society, the UN and other international and regional organizations, took part...

The OSCE Mission to Bosnia and Herzegovina (BiH) organized an online peer-to-peer meeting on trial management in complex corruption cases on 5 October 2020. The meeting gathered 25 judges and prosecutors from different jurisdictions in Bosnia and Herzegovina as well as partners from different international organizations working with judiciary. The meeting was organized as a follow-up to its report “Trial Monitoring of Corruption Cases in BiH: Second Assessment”...

An OSCE-supported online training-seminar concluded on 3 October 2020. The OSCE Programme Office in Nur-Sultan organized the three-day event to build capacity of Kazakh-speaking journalists on data management...

BISHKEK, 5 October 2020 – Kyrgyzstan’s parliamentary elections were generally well run and candidates could campaign freely, but credible allegations of vote buying remain a serious concern, international observers from the OSCE Office for Democratic Institutions and Human Rights (ODIHR) said in a statement today...

Summary The SMM recorded 18 ceasefire violations in Donetsk region and six in Luhansk region. In the previous reporting period, it recorded one ceasefire violations in Donetsk region and four in Luhansk region. The Mission continued monitoring the disengagement areas near Stanytsia Luhanska, Zolote

MOSCOW / PARIS / WASHINGTON, D.C., October 2, 2020- The Co-Chairs of the OSCE Minsk Group (Igor Popov of the Russian Federation, Stéphane Visconti of France, and Andrew Schofer of the United States of America) released the following statement today:...

Summary The SMM recorded one ceasefire violation in Donetsk region and four in Luhansk region. In the previous reporting period, it recorded 40 ceasefire violations in Donetsk region and eight in Luhansk region. The Mission continued monitoring the disengagement areas near Stanytsia Luhanska,

SARAJEVO, 02 October 2020- The OSCE Mission to BiH welcomes the continued efforts of the BiH Central Election Commission (CEC) to increase the transparency and integrity of the election administration.

ODIHR report on 2020 North Macedonia parliamentary elections The early parliamentary elections in North Macedonia were well administered amid necessary COVID-19 related adjustments but persistent shortcomings and instability in the legal framework underlined the need for comprehensive reform in

Summary The SMM recorded 40 ceasefire violations in Donetsk region and eight in Luhansk region. In the previous reporting period, it recorded three ceasefire violations in Donetsk region and none in Luhansk region. The Mission continued monitoring the disengagement areas near Stanytsia Luhanska,

BRČKO, Bosnia and Herzegovina, 1 October 2020 – Head of the OSCE Mission to Bosnia and Herzegovina (BiH), Ambassador Kathleen Kavalec, and the Principal Deputy High Representative and Brčko District Supervisor, Michael Scanlan, concluded today their visit to Brčko District (BD). The focus of the visit was to discuss with local officials the steps they are taking to ensure that the voters of the District can have high confidence in the 15 November election process in the District...

The OSCE Mission to Bosnia and Herzegovina (BiH) organized two online training courses on ethical standards and disciplinary practice for newly appointed judges and prosecutors and legal associates, on 1 and 2 October 2020...

KYIV, 30 September 2020 – The Special Representative of the OSCE Chairperson-in-Office in Ukraine and in the Trilateral Contact Group (TCG), Ambassador Heidi Grau, made the following statement to the press after the regular meetings of the TCG and its Working Groups held through video conferencing…

Summary The SMM recorded three ceasefire violations in Donetsk region and none in Luhansk region. In the previous reporting period, it recorded 32 ceasefire violations in Donetsk region and ten in Luhansk region. The Mission followed up on reports of two people injured by explosive objects on two

The OSCE’s Transnational Threats Department held an online train-the-trainer course from 28 to 30 September 2020. The event was organized in co-operation with the OSCE Mission to Bosnia and Herzegovina and the UN Office on Drugs and Crime (UNODC). The course was aimed at highlighting national and regional terrorist threats, introducing participants to financial investigation and terrorist network analysis techniques, in order to more effectively disrupt terrorist networks.

WASHINGTON D.C., 29 September 2020 – The OSCE Office for Democratic Institutions and Human Rights (ODIHR) today opened an election observation mission for the 3 November general elections in the United States, following an invitation from the national authorities...

VIENNA, 29 September 2020 – A special meeting of the OSCE Permanent Council on developments in the Nagorno-Karabakh conflict context was convened at 17:00 local time in Vienna today by Albania’s 2020 OSCE Chairmanship. The meeting was attended by representatives of the OSCE’s 57 participating States...

COPENHAGEN, 29 September 2020 – Balanced integration policies, supported by carefully negotiated forms of territorial autonomy, are key to preventing the risks, crises and conflicts possibly resulting from the increasing diversity within our societies, participants heard today at an online forum initiated and hosted by the Office of the OSCE High Commissioner on National Minorities. Focused specifically on the Moldovan experience with regional autonomy, the event was co-hosted with the OSCE Parliamentary Assembly and the Moldovan Parliament, and was addressed by PA President George Tsereteli (Georgia)...

Summary The SMM recorded 32 ceasefire violations in Donetsk region and ten in Luhansk region. In the previous 24 hours, it recorded eight ceasefire violations in Donetsk region and nine ceasefire violations in Luhansk region. Small-arms fire was assessed as aimed at an SMM mini-unmanned aerial

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...

On 28 September 2020, the OSCE Project Co-ordinator in Uzbekistan (PCUz) organized a high-level conference to mark International Day on Universal Access to Information (IDUAI). The event was organized in co-operation with the Public Foundation for Support and Development of National Mass Media.

ODIHR final report on 2020 Croatia parliamentary elections This year’s parliamentary elections in Croatia were professionally managed, competitive and pluralistic despite challenges arising from the COVID-19 pandemic. These are some of the main conclusions from the final report on the 5 July 2020

Summary Between the evenings of 25 and 27 September, the SMM recorded eight ceasefire violations in Donetsk region. In the previous reporting period, it recorded no ceasefire violations in the region. Between the evenings of 25 and 27 September, the Mission recorded in total 11 ceasefire violations

VIENNA, 28 September 2020 – A healthy relationship between the police and the media can increase public confidence in law enforcement, help solve crimes and ultimately keep communities safe, said opening speakers of the 2020 OSCE Annual Police Experts Meeting (APEM), held in Vienna and online today...

Ninety young women and men from several regions of Albania participated in a series of workshops on youth empowerment organized by the OSCE Presence from 3 to 25 September 2020. Throughout the events that took place in Shkodra, Mirdita, Përmet, Pogradec and Korça, the Presence aimed at helping young people become among the key players in identifying and addressing the security challenges in their communities. It also aimed at strengthening co-operation between community and institutions...

WARSAW/VIENNA, 28 September 2020 – The increasing challenges to the rights and freedoms at the heart of the OSCE commitments to human rights and democracy made 30 years ago, as well as the need for a greater understanding that only a dialogue based on mutual respect will enable us to overcome our common challenges, form the backdrop for a month-long series of webinars beginning today...

The OSCE Presence in Albania, together with the Faculties of Law and of Social Sciences of the University of Tirana, organized a training course from 22 to 25 September 2020, for academic staff of the new Master’s Programme in Criminology. The Master’s programme, which will start this academic year, is the first of its kind in Albania. The OSCE Presence in Albania initiated the programme as part of a project financially supported by the United States Mission to OSCE...

COPENHAGEN, 27 September 2020 – Following reports of armed clashes along the Line of Contact in the Nagorno-Karabakh conflict zone, OSCE Parliamentary President George Tsereteli condemned today’s military actions and urged restraint from Armenia and Azerbaijan to prevent further hostilities and the loss of life...

WASHINGTON DC, 28 September 2020 – Observers from the OSCE Office for Democratic Institutions and Human Rights (ODIHR) will hold a press conference on the opening of the observation mission to the US general elections on Tuesday, 29 September.

VIENNA/TIRANA, 27 September 2020 – Noting the dramatic increase in violence along the line of contact today and reports of civilian casualties, OSCE Chairperson-in-Office, Albania’s Prime Minister and Minister for Europe and Foreign Affairs, Edi Rama, called for urgent de-escalation of the situation. “I urge all involved to immediately return to the ceasefire before the human toll of this conflict increases any further,” Rama said.

MOSCOW/PARIS/WASHINGTON DC, 27 September 2020 – The Co-Chairs of the OSCE Minsk Group (Igor Popov of the Russian Federation, Stephane Visconti of France, and Andrew Schofer of the United States of America) made the following statement.

Summary The SMM recorded no ceasefire violations in either Donetsk or Luhansk regions. In the previous reporting period, it recorded 24 ceasefire violations in Donetsk region and four in Luhansk region. The Mission continued monitoring the disengagement areas near Stanytsia Luhanska, Zolote and

Summary The SMM recorded 24 ceasefire violations in Donetsk region and four in Luhansk region. In the previous reporting period, it recorded 80 ceasefire violations in Donetsk region and one in Luhansk region. The Mission followed up on reports of a man who sustained injuries from the detonation of

An online dialogue meeting focusing on reporting on the Transdniestrian settlement process, co-organized by the OSCE Mission in Moldova and the local NGO Independent Journalism Centre (IJC), was held on 24 September 2020. The event aimed at encouraging co-operation between journalists from both banks of the Dniester/Nistru River, and contributing to media pluralism and advancing quality journalism...

TBILISI, 25 September 2020 – The OSCE Office for Democratic Institutions and Human Rights (ODIHR) today opened an election observation mission (EOM) for the 31 October parliamentary elections in Georgia, following an invitation from the Georgian authorities

A webinar dedicated to the role of media in countering terrorism and violent extremism, was conducted on 21 and 22 September 2020. Twenty journalists from the Republic of Karakalpakstan and the Ferghana region participated in the event. It was organized within the framework of co-operation between the OSCE Project Co-ordinator in Uzbekistan and the Center for Retraining Journalists of Uzbekistan.

The Delegation of the European Union to Bosnia and Herzegovina (BiH) and EU Special Representative in BiH, the US Embassy in BiH and the OSCE Mission to BiH welcome yesterday’s long-awaited adoption of the Revised National War Crimes Processing Strategy by the BiH Council of Ministers. The adoption of the Revised Strategy is an important step in delivering justice for all victims of war crimes and reducing the impunity gap, as well as a key requirement outlined in the European Commission Opinion on BiH’s EU membership application.

The OSCE Presence in Albania organized a course on drug investigation for fifteen officers from the Albanian State Police Anti-Drug Units from 22 to 25 September 2020. The course aimed at enhancing the State Police’s capacity to dismantle organized crime groups specialized in drug trafficking, through increasing their knowledge of the new ways criminal chains operate...

Summary The SMM recorded 80 ceasefire violations in Donetsk region and one in Luhansk region. In the previous reporting period, it recorded 157 ceasefire violations in Donetsk region and none in Luhansk region. The Mission followed up on reports of a man who sustained injuries from the detonation

Kathleen Kavalec, Head of the OSCE Mission to Bosnia and Herzegovina (BiH) concluded her two-day visit to Mostar and Stolac on 24 September 2020. Over the course of the visit, she discussed preparations for local elections, to be held later in the autumn, as well as the Mission’s continuous support in promoting inter-religious dialogue in the country...

The OSCE Presence in Albania organized two, three-day training sessions on how to film and edit stories on smartphones that ended on 24 September 2020. Twenty-five journalists from Albania’s public broadcaster RTSH participated. The mobile journalism course – the first of this kind for RTSH – marks the start of a year-long professional training programme run by the OSCE Presence as part of the EU-funded Media in Focus project...

ERGNETI, 24 September 2020- The 97th Incident Prevention and Response Mechanism (IPRM) took place in Ergneti, co-facilitated by Ambassador Marek Szczygieł, Head of the EU Monitoring Mission in Georgia (EUMM) and Ambassador Rudolf Michalka, Special Representative of the OSCE Chairperson-in-Office for the South Caucasus. The meeting of the Ergneti IPRM was accompanied by all the necessary precautionary health measures in the wake of the COVID-19 pandemic. Participants stressed the value of the IPRM format, emphasized the importance of direct dialogue, and engaged in constructive discussions on the most pressing issues influencing stability and security on the ground...

An OSCE-supported seminar on the protection of freedom of expression and the judicial regulation of defamation took place on 24 September 2020 in Nur-Sultan. The OSCE Programme Office in Nur-Sultan co-organized the event with the Supreme Court, NGO Legal Media Centre, Internews Kazakhstan and the United States Agency for International Development (USAID)...

Judges and members of Uzbekistan’s Supreme Court and the National Human Rights Centre completed a three-day seminar on 24 September 2020 about using the provisions of international treaties in decisions of the country’s courts...

Summary The SMM recorded 157 ceasefire violations in Donetsk region and none in Luhansk region. In the previous reporting period, it recorded no ceasefire violations in either Donetsk or Luhansk region. Small-arms fire was assessed as aimed at an SMM mini-unmanned aerial vehicle (UAV) flying in

ODIHR final report on 2020 Poland presidential elections The presidential election in Poland was professionally managed despite legal uncertainty during the electoral process and gaps in regulating important aspects. These are some of the main conclusions from the final report on the Polish

COPENHAGEN, 23 September 2020 – OSCE Parliamentary Assembly President George Tsereteli (Georgia) and Secretary General Roberto Montella opened a web meeting today with Belarusian Head of Delegation Andrei Savinykh, Belarusian opposition presidential candidate Sviatlana Tsikhanouskaya, and OSCE PA Bureau members by noting the importance of building dialogue for the benefit of all. Following weeks of increased polarization in Belarus characterized by street protests, violence and mass arrests, what is needed is to find common ground and pursue a way forward for the country, the PA leaders stressed...

KYIV, 23 September 2020 – The OSCE Office for Democratic Institutions and Human Rights (ODIHR) today opened an election observation mission (EOM) for the 25 October local elections in Ukraine, following an invitation from the national authorities...

CHISINAU, 23 September 2020 – The OSCE Office for Democratic Institutions and Human Rights (ODIHR) today formally opened an election observation mission (EOM) for the 1 November presidential election in Moldova. The mission’s deployment follows an invitation from the national authorities.

Summary The SMM recorded one ceasefire violation in Donetsk region and none in Luhansk region. In the previous 24 hours, it recorded no ceasefire violations in Donetsk region and two ceasefire violations in Luhansk region. The Mission continued monitoring the disengagement areas near Stanytsia