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News and press releases
News and press releases from the OSCE's global activities.
Joint Message of the OSCE Chairperson-in-Office’s Personal Representatives focusing on tolerance and non-discrimination, on Human Rights Day
Publishing date: 10 December 2021
WASHINGTON/ANKARA/VIENNA,10 DECEMBER 2021- As we mark International Human Rights Day, much of the world is still reeling from the COVID-19 pandemic. A new variant and increased cases have led many OSCE participating States to reimpose restrictions reminiscent of the conditions under which we commemorated this important anniversary a year ago. The pandemic has exacerbated our task of preserving and defending human rights around the world. It has further widened the political and partisan divides and fueled conspiracy theories that target minorities and persons in vulnerable situations. Some nations, while citing the necessity of measures to control the spread of the virus, have used it as a pretext for disproportionate security responses and repressive measures that undermine human rights, including the freedom of religion or belief.
Now is the time to remember the universality of human rights, says OSCE human rights head
Publishing date: 10 December 2021
Content type: Press release
Where we are: OSCE Office for Democratic Institutions and Human Rights
What we do: Human rights
WARSAW, 10 December 2021 – As the world continues to struggle with the Covid-19 pandemic and the rising polarization and intolerance that has accompanied it, today’s Human Rights Day reminds us that that all countries across the OSCE have recognized that human rights are the birthright of all human beings, are inalienable, and are guaranteed by law, said the OSCE Office for Democratic Institutions and Human Rights (ODIHR).
OSCE SMM Spot Report 39/2021: Armed formations delayed the SMM’s passage across the contact line near Olenivka, Donetsk region
Publishing date: 9 December 2021
Content type: Spot report
Where we are: OSCE Special Monitoring Mission to Ukraine (closed)
What we do: Conflict prevention and resolution
At 08:12 on 9 December, at a checkpoint near Olenivka (non-government-controlled, 23km south-west of Donetsk), Donetsk region, a member of the armed formations delayed the passage of an SMM patrol with Deputy Chief Monitor Mark Etherington on board...
Press Communiqué of the Co-Chairs of the Geneva International Discussions
Publishing date: 8 December 2021
Content type: Press release
Where we are: OSCE Chairmanship
What we do: Conflict prevention and resolution
GENEVA, 8 December 2021- The 55th round of the Geneva International Discussions (GID) took place in the Palais des Nations on 7 and 8 December 2021, with requisite COVID-19 pandemic mitigation measures in place. As mandated by the six-point agreement of 2008, the GID process continues to serve as the primary venue in which the consequences of conflict are addressed and other important issues are discussed.
Open data, digital tools that enable transparent and accountable public procurement focus of OSCE event during International Anti-Corruption week
Publishing date: 8 December 2021
Content type: News
Increasing transparency in the use and management of public funds, with a special focus on public procurement, was the focus of an online seminar held on 8 December by the Office of the Co-ordinator of OSCE Economic and Environmental Activities.
Prosecutor’s Office of Bulgaria nominated as new host of OSCE-supported Secretariat of Permanent Conference of Organized Crime Prosecutors
Publishing date: 7 December 2021
The Prosecutor’s Office of Bulgaria is the new host of the Secretariat of the Permanent Conference of Organized Crime Prosecutors. The decision was reached on 6 December at the seventh network meeting, organized with the support of the OSCE.
OSCE Mobile Training Team on the detection of foreign terrorist fighters (FTFs) at the borders, conducts national training course for officers of Border Police and Service for Foreigners’ Affairs in Jahorina, Bosnia and Herzegovina
Publishing date: 1 December 2021
Content type: News
Where we are: OSCE Mission to Bosnia and Herzegovina
What we do: Countering terrorism
The OSCE Mobile Training Team and the OSCE Mission to Bosnia and Herzegovina, jointly organized an interactive training course on the identification of foreign terrorist fighters at the borders for 22 first and second line border officers and the Service for Foreigners’ Affairs of Bosnia and Herzegovina from 29 November to 1 December 2021 in Jahorina, Bosnia and Herzegovina.