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News and press releases
News and press releases from the OSCE's global activities.
Lessons learned from COVID-19 crisis should help revitalize multilateralism, OSCE Secretary General Greminger tells PA leaders
Publishing date: 29 May 2020
Content type: Press release
Where we are: OSCE Secretary General, OSCE Parliamentary Assembly
COPENHAGEN, 29 May 2020 – Addressing the leaders of the OSCE Parliamentary Assembly in an online forum today, OSCE Secretary General Thomas Greminger discussed the challenges that COVID-19 is posing to multilateral diplomacy and highlighted how the OSCE has responded with flexibility and resilience in the face of the crisis...
OSCE Special Representative for Combating Trafficking in Human Beings offers recommendations on short-term responses to COVID-19
Publishing date: 30 April 2020
Content type: Press release
Where we are: Office of the Special Representative and Co-ordinator for Combating Trafficking in Human Beings
What we do: Combating trafficking in human beings
VIENNA, 30 April 2020 – How to address the consequences of the COVID-19 pandemic for the most vulnerable in our societies, especially for human trafficking victims and survivors, is the focus of a set of recommendations to governments published by the OSCE Special Representative and Co-ordinator for Combating Trafficking in Human Beings Valiant Richey today...
Comprehensive security approach needed for global response to COVID-19, OSCE leaders say ahead of International Day of Multilateralism and Diplomacy for Peace
Publishing date: 23 April 2020
Content type: Press release
TIRANA/COPENHAGEN/VIENNA/WARSAW/THE HAGUE, 23 April 2020 – The International Day of Multilateralism and Diplomacy for Peace tomorrow will be marked with a heightened appreciation for the importance of comprehensive security and greater sense of urgency for the need to strengthen international co-operation, said the Chair of the OSCE Permanent Council and heads of OSCE institutions in a statement today...
OSCE partners with UNODC, EU, Interpol in developing training module on handling electronic evidence to support counter-terrorism efforts
Publishing date: 21 April 2020
How to handle electronic evidence, and in particular, request electronic evidence across borders, to support counter-terrorism efforts was the focus of an online workshop held on 21 April 2020 that brought together national experts from 13 countries and several international organizations...
Adverse effects of the coronavirus crisis on promoting gender equality focus of OSCE event
Publishing date: 8 April 2020
Persistent gender inequality might worsen due to the impact of the pandemic caused by the coronavirus if not properly addressed from the beginning, said speakers at the OSCE online discussion held on 7 April 2020. The webinar, organized by the OSCE Secretariat’s Gender Section and moderated by OSCE Senior Adviser on Gender Issues Amarsanaa Darisuren, provided a platform for the exchange of ideas and good practices on how to respond to gender-related impacts of COVID-19.
Statement by OSCE Special Representative for Combating Trafficking in Human Beings on need to strengthen anti-trafficking efforts in a time of crisis
Publishing date: 3 April 2020
Content type: Press release
Where we are: OSCE Chairmanship, Office of the Special Representative and Co-ordinator for Combating Trafficking in Human Beings
What we do: Combating trafficking in human beings
VIENNA, 3 April 2020 – Valiant Richey, OSCE Special Representative and Co-ordinator for Combating Trafficking in Human Beings, today issued the following statement, in co-ordination with Albania’s OSCE Chairmanship, to the OSCE participating States on the COVID-19 pandemic. He urged that, “it is precisely when our global community is convulsed by a crisis of this magnitude that our obligation to combat the exploitation of vulnerable people becomes most acute”...
Protection from domestic violence urgently needed for women and children under stay-at-home orders, say OSCE officials
Publishing date: 2 April 2020
Content type: Press release
Where we are: OSCE Office for Democratic Institutions and Human Rights, OSCE Parliamentary Assembly, OSCE Secretariat
What we do: Human rights, Gender equality
VIENNA / COPENHAGEN / WARSAW, 2 April 2020 – Noting a troubling rise in domestic violence in relation to the COVID-19 pandemic lockdowns and self-isolation guidelines in many countries, OSCE leaders called today for measures to be taken by governments to protect women and children. They said that unfortunately, for them home is not always a safe haven, as they are the most susceptible to abuse and need increased protection in these extraordinary times and urged authorities to ensure that they are kept safe from abusers.
A message to the OSCE Community: We need solidarity and co-operation, OSCE core values, to work together to stop the pandemic
Publishing date: 26 March 2020
Content type: Press release
VIENNA/TIRANA, 26 March 2020- Chair of the OSCE Permanent Council Igli Hasani, OSCE Secretary General Thomas Greminger, Director of the OSCE Office for Democratic Institutions and Human Rights Ingibjörg Sólrún Gísladóttir, OSCE Representative on Freedom of the Media Harlem Désir and OSCE High Commissioner on National Minorities Lamberto Zannier today sent the following letter to the OSCE Community:
First confirmed case of COVID-19 at the OSCE Secretariat in Vienna
Publishing date: 20 March 2020
Content type: News
Where we are: OSCE Chairmanship, OSCE Secretariat
The OSCE today has recorded its first case of COVID-19 involving a staff member at the Secretariat. All necessary protocols have been followed as set out by the Austrian authorities, and the staff member’s condition is already improving.
OSCE’s preventative measures against COVID-19
Publishing date: 17 March 2020
Content type: News
Where we are: OSCE Chairmanship, OSCE Secretariat
What we do: Conflict prevention and resolution
The OSCE, together with other international organizations, continues to undertake preventative measures against the COVID-19 outbreak, in line with guidance from the authorities of host countries...