News and press releases
News and press releases from the OSCE's global activities.
Good practices, challenges to freedom of assembly and association highlighted at civil society forum
Publishing date: 7 November 2012
Promoting the freedom of assembly and association, as well as the challenges faced in exercising this fundamental right, were the focus of a forum for civil society representatives organized by the OSCE Office for Democratic Institutions and Human Rights (ODIHR) and the Irish OSCE Chairmanship on 7 November 2012...
OSCE Chairperson strongly regrets Belarus travel ban on civil society activist
Publishing date: 12 July 2012
DUBLIN, 12 July 2012 – The OSCE Chairperson-in-Office, Ireland's Deputy Prime Minister and Minister for Foreign Affairs Eamon Gilmore, expressed his strong regret about the Belarusian authorities’ decision to prevent a Belarusian civil society activist from travelling to an OSCE meeting in Vienna today...
Bialiatski should be set free, says OSCE Chairperson
Publishing date: 24 January 2012
DUBLIN, 24 January 2012 – The OSCE Chairperson-in-Office, Irish Deputy Prime Minister and Minister for Foreign Affairs and Trade Eamon Gilmore, expressed regret today that prominent Belarusian human rights defender Aliaksandr (Ales) Bialiatski was not freed on appeal...
OSCE Chairperson welcomes Joint Ministerial Declaration on addressing refugee situation in South-Eastern Europe
Publishing date: 7 November 2011
VILNIUS, 7 November 2011- The OSCE Chairperson-in-Office, Lithuanian Foreign Minister Audronius Ažubalis, welcomed the Joint Declaration signed by the four countries involved in the regional process on ending displacement and ensuring solutions for refugees and internally displaced persons (IDPs), in Belgrade today. He underscored the importance of this process for security and stability in South-Eastern Europe...
Chairperson condemns new restrictions on freedom of assembly and association in Belarus
Publishing date: 24 October 2011
VILNIUS, 24 October 2011- The OSCE Chairperson-in-Office, Lithuanian Foreign Minister Audronius Ažubalis, today condemned newly adopted amendments to existing laws on public assemblies and the security services, saying they will further limit the fundamental freedoms of assembly and association in Belarus...
OSCE Chairperson expresses concern at Tymoshenko verdict, urges full transparency during appeal
Publishing date: 11 October 2011
VILNIUS, 11 October 2011 – The OSCE Chairperson-in-Office, Lithuanian Foreign Minister Audronius Ažubalis, expressed concern at the conviction today of former Ukrainian Prime Minister Yuliya Tymoshenko and urged full transparency during the appeals process...
North Africa events highlight link between democracy and security, say speakers at opening of OSCE human rights conference
Publishing date: 26 September 2011
WARSAW, 26 September 2011 – Events in North Africa featured prominently at the opening of this year’s OSCE human rights conference in Warsaw today, with speakers calling the uprisings in Egypt and Tunisia and other developments in the region a reminder of the importance of respecting human rights for ensuring stability and security...