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News and press releases
News and press releases from the OSCE's global activities.
Gender equality is a cornerstone of media freedom and democratic society, OSCE leaders say
Publishing date: 9 March 2021
Content type: Press release
Where we are: OSCE Chairmanship, OSCE Office for Democratic Institutions and Human Rights, OSCE Representative on Freedom of the Media
What we do: Democratization, Human rights, Gender equality, Media freedom and development
VIENNA, 9 March 2021 – Ensuring both equal opportunities and equal safeguards for women and men is key to an independent and diverse media landscape, which is vital for open societies based on the principles at the heart of OSCE commitments to human rights and democracy, participants said at a two-day OSCE meeting that ended today.
Implementation of electoral recommendations in the Western Balkans discussed at OSCE/ODIHR regional conference
Publishing date: 10 November 2020
Content type: News
Where we are: OSCE Office for Democratic Institutions and Human Rights
What we do: Democratization, Human rights, Elections
The follow-up to the recommendations of election observation missions in the Western Balkans topped the agenda of an online conference organized by the OSCE Office Democratic Institutions and Human Rights (ODIHR) on 10 November 2020. The conference focused on the extent and modalities of the
Progress and challenges over three decades of safeguarding democracy and human rights: OSCE webinar series begins today
Publishing date: 28 September 2020
Content type: Press release
WARSAW/VIENNA, 28 September 2020 – The increasing challenges to the rights and freedoms at the heart of the OSCE commitments to human rights and democracy made 30 years ago, as well as the need for a greater understanding that only a dialogue based on mutual respect will enable us to overcome our common challenges, form the backdrop for a month-long series of webinars beginning today...
COVID-19 brings home the critical importance of democracy in an era of challenges, ODIHR says
Publishing date: 15 September 2020
Content type: Press release
Where we are: OSCE Office for Democratic Institutions and Human Rights
What we do: Democratization, Human rights
WARSAW, 15 September 2020 – As the COVID-19 pandemic continues to put democracies to their biggest test in decades, people are increasingly appreciating the vital importance of participating in societies where their voices and concerns are heard, said the OSCE Office for Democratic Institutions and Human Rights (ODIHR) on today’s International Day of Democracy...
ODIHR gravely concerned at situation in Belarus following presidential election
Publishing date: 10 August 2020
Content type: Press release
Where we are: OSCE Office for Democratic Institutions and Human Rights
What we do: Democratization, Human rights, Elections
WARSAW, 10 August 2020 – Amidst intimidation and disproportionate police force against protesters in Belarus following reports of serious administrative misconduct during yesterday’s presidential election, the OSCE Office for Democratic Institutions and Human Rights (ODIHR) calls for dialogue and urges the authorities to refrain from violence and to honestly report detailed election results from all polling stations...
OSCE Chairperson-in-Office Edi Rama takes action to ensure operational continuity ahead of imminent vacancies of Secretary General and Heads of Institutions roles
Publishing date: 17 July 2020
Content type: Press release
TIRANA / VIENNA, 17 July 2020 – In a letter to the OSCE’s 57 participating States today, Albania’s OSCE Chairmanship announced that the OSCE Chairperson-in-Office Edi Rama has taken prompt action to ensure the Organization’s operational continuity in light of the imminent vacancies of the OSCE Secretary General and the Heads of Institutions roles...
Impact of emergency measures on human rights and democracy key focus of new OSCE/ODIHR report
Publishing date: 17 July 2020
Content type: Press release
Where we are: OSCE Office for Democratic Institutions and Human Rights
WARSAW, 17 July 2020 – The COVID-19 pandemic has been a formative experience for all humanity and a health emergency of global proportions, presenting a huge challenge to national leaders, health systems, and citizens. The findings of a new report by the OSCE Office for Democratic Institutions and Human Rights (ODIHR) shows that it has also been a test to our democracies and the respect for human rights to which countries across the OSCE committed many years ago.