News and press releases
News and press releases from the OSCE's global activities.
OSCE Chairperson-in-Office Rama announces appointments of senior OSCE officials, commends one of “most productive” Ministerial Councils in many years
Publishing date: 4 December 2020
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.
Quality history education is crucial to fostering social cohesion, conclude participants at OSCE Ministerial Council side event
Publishing date: 3 December 2020
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).
Kyrgyzstan parliamentary elections 2020: ODIHR observation mission final report
Publishing date: 3 December 2020
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
OSCE leaders join the 16 Days of Activism campaign with an appeal to states to help end gender-based violence
Publishing date: 25 November 2020
TIRANA / VIENNA / WARSAW, 25 November 2020- On the occasion of the International Day for the Elimination of Violence Against Women, and the start of the 16 Days of Activism against Gender-based Violence, OSCE leaders called on participating States to increase their efforts and resources to combat violence against women and girls, particularly in times of crises.
OSCE/ODIHR concerned about decision undermining judicial independence in Poland
Publishing date: 20 November 2020
WARSAW, 20 November 2020 – The ruling by the Disciplinary Chamber of the Supreme Court of Poland on 18 November 2020, stripping Judge Igor Tuleya of his immunity, raises concerns about judicial independence in the country...
Well-managed presidential run-off in Moldova clouded by negative rhetoric and ineffective campaign finance rules, international observers say
Publishing date: 16 November 2020
CHISINAU, 16 November 2020 – Yesterday’s presidential run-off in Moldova was well managed in the challenging circumstances caused by the COVID-19 pandemic, but negative and divisive rhetoric devalued the campaign amid ineffective rules on campaign financing, international observers from the OSCE Office for Democratic Institutions and Human Rights (ODIHR) said in a statement today...
Lack of hate crime recording means victims and their needs too often remain invisible, OSCE’s human rights office says
Publishing date: 16 November 2020
WARSAW, 16 November 2020 – With the publication of its annual Hate Crime Report on today’s International Day for Tolerance, the OSCE Office for Democratic Institutions and Human Rights (ODIHR) underscores the need for police to record hate crimes in order to ensure that victims are recognized and receive the support they so urgently need...