News and press releases
News and press releases from the OSCE's global activities.
More must be done to safeguard the human rights defenders who are protecting our right to freedom of religion or belief, OSCE human rights head says
Publishing date: 22 August 2025
WARSAW, 22 August 2025 – Greater efforts are needed to support human rights defenders working to protect freedom of thought, conscience, religion or belief as a core human right at the heart of our democracies, the OSCE Office for Democratic Institutions and Human Rights (ODIHR) said on the International Day Commemorating the Victims of Acts of Violence Based on Religion or Belief.
Ukraine appoints three experts following invocation of the OSCE’s Moscow Mechanism
Publishing date: 18 August 2025
On 24 July 2025 and following consultation with Ukraine, 41 OSCE participating States invoked the Moscow Mechanism “on violations and abuses of human rights and violations of IHL, including possible cases of war crimes and crimes against humanity, related to the treatment of Ukrainian POWs by the
ODIHR opens election observation mission in Moldova
Publishing date: 15 August 2025
CHIŞINĂU, 15 August 2025 – The OSCE Office for Democratic Institutions and Human Rights (ODIHR) today opened an observation mission for the 28 September parliamentary elections in Moldova, following an invitation from the national authorities.
Remembering past atrocities is vital to combat current racism and discrimination perpetrated against Roma and Sinti, OSCE human rights office says
Publishing date: 2 August 2025
WARSAW, 2 August 2025 – Teaching about and commemorating the genocide of the Roma and Sinti is crucial to addressing the prejudice, hate speech, and hate crimes that continue to afflict our societies, the OSCE Office for Democratic Institutions and Human Rights (ODIHR) said on Roma Genocide Remembrance Day.
Mongolia 2024 parliamentary elections: ODIHR experts present final report and discuss electoral recommendations
Publishing date: 31 July 2025
Election experts from the OSCE Office for Democratic Institutions and Human Rights (ODIHR) presented the final report and recommendations of the observation mission for the Mongolia 2024 parliamentary elections during a visit to Ulaanbaatar on 16-18 June 2025.
Preventing childhood statelessness: UNHCR, ODIHR and HCNM launch new publication
Publishing date: 25 July 2025
VIENNA, 25 July 2025 – The OSCE High Commissioner on National Minorities (HCNM), the OSCE Office for Democratic Institutions and Human Rights (ODIHR) and the Office of the United Nations High Commissioner for Refugees (UNHCR) launched a joint publication today entitled Opening Doors for Children: Prevention of Childhood Statelessness. Good Practices in the OSCE Area.
Political will key both to enabling civil society to work freely and advancing electoral reforms in Serbia, OSCE human rights office says
Publishing date: 24 July 2025
BELGRADE, 24 July 2025 – Maria Telalian, Director of the OSCE Office for Democratic Institutions and Human Rights (ODIHR), underlined the importance of enabling civil society to contribute fully to democratic life in Serbia and encouraged urgent continued electoral reform during a visit to Belgrade, where she met with Parliamentary Speaker Ana Brnabić, Foreign Minister Marko Đjurić, representatives of opposition parties, and civil society.